Pennsylvania Home Buyers Guide

Step 1: Research

Do you already know where you want to buy? If you want a condo, townhome, or single-family home? Which features do you like and dislike? What’s available on the market now? If you answered no to any of these questions, now is the time to start researching. In addition to looking for homes that interest you, also take note of any changes in asking prices. This could give you valuable insight into housing trends in specific neighborhoods and help you when the time comes to make an offer.

Step 2: Decide on Your Budget

Notice we said to decide on your budget—not determine how much the mortgage company will give you. In many cases, a mortgage company will pre-approve you for more than you’re comfortable spending, which is why you need to determine the monthly payment you feel comfortable with before talking to a lender. This likely includes doing a full household budget and taking into consideration what changes other than a mortgage payment will occur once you move into your new home. If you’ve lived in an apartment or with roommates, you may overlook new expenses like garbage, water, or HOA fees that could easily blow your budget.

Step 3: Get Prequalified

Just because you think you can afford a certain payment every month doesn’t mean the mortgage company will agree. Just as they may approve you for too large of an amount, they may also approve you for a lesser amount or deny you a mortgage altogether. Lack of time at a job, insufficient credit, past bankruptcies, or other financial issues can cause major problems when trying to secure a mortgage. Before you get your heart set on a home, talk to a mortgage professional to find out what amount you can qualify for. This will also be an advantage when you make an offer on a home, as some sellers won’t entertain offers from those who aren’t already prequalified for a loan.

Step 4: Choose a Real Estate Agent

Can you shop for, look at, and ultimately make an offer on a home without a real estate agent? Technically yes, but why would you when it costs you nothing for agents like us to take much of the stress off your shoulders? Not only will we help identify properties you might be interested in, arrange showings, and ultimately handle the offer process, but we also have knowledge of the market that you don’t possess. Finding the perfect home can be a daunting task, this is where our expertise and wealth of knowledge come into play. Let us show you around some homes that meet your dream home criteria so you can find the one that's right for you.

Step 5: Find the Right Home

This should be the most enjoyable step of the entire process (other than moving in!). We will arrange showings of homes you’re interested in that are within your price range. Take notes about what you like and don’t like, and make sure to pay attention to details. Turn light switches on and off, open and close doors, and run the faucets in various rooms. Don’t limit your inspection to the home itself. Make sure to take time to explore the neighborhood and keep an eye on traffic at certain times of the day, the parking situation, and how close it is to necessities like schools and grocery stores.

Step 6: Make an Offer

Once you have selected the perfect home, work with your agent to craft a fair offer based on the value of comparable homes on the market. Depending on what the home is listed at and whether the current environment is a buyer’s or seller’s market, your offer may be below, at, or even above the asking price. We will be able to help you negotiate if you receive a counteroffer and reach an agreement. At this point, the house will go into escrow.

Step 7: Have the Home Inspected

In most cases, your offer will be contingent on having the home inspected to ensure there is no major structural damage or large repairs needed. We can help you arrange this, and you can schedule it within days of making an offer. If there are no major issues, the process goes to step eight. If there is, you can renegotiate your offer based on what needs to be fixed, or you can withdraw it.

Step 8: Select Your Loan

Now is the time to go back to the mortgage lender who pre-approved or pre-qualified you and choose your mortgage. You will be presented with various options based on your unique financial situation, including fixed-rate, variable-rate, 15-year, 30-year, or special programs such as VA loans or FHA loans. Work with your mortgage lender to select the option you feel the most comfortable with.

Step 9: Get a Home Appraisal

Your lender will have your new home appraised so they have their independent value of it. The appraisal is to ensure that all parties involved are paying a fair price for the house.

Step 10: Finish Paperwork

No one looks forward to all the paperwork involved in buying a home, but it’s a necessary part of the process. Fortunately, everything will be arranged by your lender and title company and, when you’re finished, you’ll know you are the legal owner of your new home.

Our Testimonials

Michelle E.

Sean was amazing to work with. He helped my husband and I plan the right time to put the house on the market and guided us on when to start looking for our new forever home! He was knowledgeable on all parts of the transaction,...

Jessica F.

After working with various other realtors trying to purchase a home for many months, Sean was able to help me find a great place in just a few weeks. He has been there every step of the way providing knowledge, guidance, and ad...

Marion D.

I recently worked with Sean as the cooperating agent on a home my clients were selling in Plymouth Meeting, and it was a great experience. Sean was professional, communicative, and easy to work with throughout the entire transa...

Chastity T.

Nicest guy, really puts in the work to find you what you are looking for! Will never go with anyone else when purchasing a home!

Janisha P.

I have had the pleasure of working with Sean when he helped purchase my first home in 2017. He has been fantastic to work with and as a first time homeowner, he was extremely knowledgable about the market and helped make a daun...

Sean M.

Worked with Sean on selling my house and purchasing a new one. He made the process super easy and enjoyable. Will definitely be working with him again if an opportunity arises.

Kathleen M.

I had the pleasure of working with Sean, my real estate agent, when I purchased a house in South Philly during a time when mortgage rates were on the rise. I can't say enough about his expertise and dedication throughout the pr...

Philip D.

Sean has been absolutely amazing to work with. He's helped me with two home purchases in the past 5 years, and exceeded expectations on both. Very responsive to questions (I had a lot) and went the extra step to navigate any un...

Jean Saint C.

Sean is sure to deliver, my experience with him makes me a lifetime customer. Two years ago, he helped my wife and I to purchase our house. It�s good to have someone as knowledgeable and kind by your side through uncertain situ...

Ted P.

Sean is the family you wish you had! He knows the market and process inside and out. Whether you're looking for a home to live in or an investment property, he will be your absolute confidant. His key attribute is COMMUNICATION...

Allie H.

If you get the chance to work with Sean don�t hesitate, I highly recommend him to everyone! He�s very knowledgeable of the market, and was able to guide us through the whole process seamlessly and answer all of our questions as...

Linda O.

Sean was the perfect guy for the sale of my father's properties! During a difficult time. He made the process easy and smooth. He even went out of his way to take care of some things at the house, I couldn't get to. I would rec...

CW Streeter

Sean is an extremely knowledgeable and helpful real estate expert. I highly recommend him for any of your real estate needs. Sean is an all around great guy.

Gregory A.

Sean was a fantastic real estate agent throughout the entire process. He's accessible, affable, and most importantly knowledgeable. He was patient with my many basic questions that I had about the buying process as a first time...

Connor G.

Fantastic realtor but an even better person. Highly recommend.

Buyer

Sean was helpful every step of the way and very patient. He was responsive when we had questions and has a great understanding of value in the market. He has helpful ideas in relation to what is possible to do as far as renovat...

Armando R.

My wife and I had a hard time deciding what our ideal home would be. Sean was patient and helped us explore every possible option. He helped us negotiate within our budget and was prompt to answer all of our many questions. The...

Angie M.

The best.

Christian P.

You cannot do better than Sean. He not only knows the market but also knows his way around renovations and maintenance. Whether you�re dealing with or looking to buy new construction, older Mainline homes or NJ Shore properties...

Richard C.

Sean took time and interest to understand what we wanted in a house. His approach was a remarkable blend of patience and efficiency that made our purchase a great experience. He always kept best interest in the forefront.

Work with Sean

Sean has an established sales business in the Philadelphia, Main Line, and Jersey Shore markets. He’s also a leader in the Keller Williams Main Line office and at the regional level. These connections are the reason that Sean has a dependable referral network with clients and real estate agents alike.

Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Buyer's Guide

A Step-by-Step First Time Buyer's Guide