How to Buy a Home in Philadelphia
Ready to buy a home in Philadelphia? Kristen is here to help! Let her guide you through the homebuying process so you’re sure to find the perfect home in a spot that’s just right for you. She’ll help keep things simple and straightforward so you can focus on the excitement of buying a home. Just give Kristen a call when you’re ready to get started.
10 Steps to Buying a Home in Philadelphia
1. Determine what’s affordable
It's good to know your budget before you start searching. Use Kristen's mortgage calculator to see what you might be paying per month at various price points—including insurance, taxes, down payment, and more.
2. Go loan shopping
It's crucial for you to have confidence in the lender you choose. Most lenders offer pre-approvals to see if you qualify for a home loan—and kickstart the approval process. If you need suggestions for trusted lenders in Philadelphia, feel free to reach out!
3. Compare selling prices
Have a neighborhood or community in mind in Philadelphia? Review the recent selling prices to gauge pricing trends and an area’s affordability. You can request Kristen's neighborhood sold report for communities you’re most interested in.
4. Work with Kristen
5. Find your home
Now for the fun part! It’s time to find your Philadelphia dream home and start touring potential new living spaces. When you search and tour homes, make notes and keep records of what you’ve seen. Have a “pro” and “con” list for every property, and take pictures to refresh your memory.
6. Make an offer
Once you pinpoint your favorite home, it’s time to make an offer. You’ll work with Kristen to ensure you’re making a fair, reasonable offer that increases the chances of acceptance. Most importantly, don’t go above the price you’re comfortable with.
7. Finalize your mortgage
Once your offer is accepted, you can circle back to your lender to finalize your mortgage. You’ll submit all required documents, then your lender will order an appraisal. At this time, request to review the predicted closing costs. Don’t be afraid to ask Kristen or your lender any questions.
8. Get an inspection
A home inspection is essential to ensure there aren’t any costly problems lurking out of sight. Your agent can recommend a list of qualified and reputable home inspectors. In the event anything is uncovered during the inspection, you may be able to negotiate with the seller for repairs or price adjustments.
9. Walk through and close
Give the property one more walkthrough to ensure any repairs were completed and the home is as described in the contract. If all looks good, you’ll move on to closing, where you’ll pay all the necessary fees, finish signing the paperwork, and get your keys!
10. Moving day!
Congratulations—it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! Be sure to take a moment in the midst of your move to celebrate your new Philadelphia home! You’ve come a long way to reach the end of the memorable homebuying process, and now it’s time to settle in.
Still Have Questions or Ready to Get Started?
It’s Kristen's goal to ensure you walk away confident in the ten steps to buying a new home. Don’t hesitate to reach out should you have any questions or concerns. Kristen wants to provide you with a smooth and rewarding buying experience so that you can focus on what matters most. If you still need a little help, take a look through Kristen's homebuying resources, and be sure to contact [contactname] so she can get you moving on the right path.