We get it, you've been captivated by the City of Brotherly Love. Maybe it was a casual weekend visit, a friend who couldn't stop raving about everything Philly has to offer, or an article you stumbled across about how Philadelphia has ranked as the most walkable city three years in a row. Whatever brought you here, we're glad it did.
If you're thinking of making the move but live far away, here's exactly what the process looks like, from that first conversation to getting your keys.
Pre Planning
Start with a Zoom or phone call with a Philly Home Girl. We’ll talk through your interests, your must-haves, and begin to build an idea of neighborhoods and living options that are a good fit for you. Our neighborhood pages (all written by us who happen to be Philly locals) and blog library are packed with local insight. Your agent will set you up with a portal for rentals or homes to buy. They'll start spotting patterns in what you're drawn to so that when you visit in person, your time is well spent.
Your agent can also connect you with a trusted lender. We strongly recommend working with local lender. There are contractual and local nuances specific to every city, state, and suburb. A lender who's well versed in those details will help you avoid any surprises at the closing table.
Come visit us!
We highly encourage you to come for a visit to Philly, even if just for two or three days. We have neighborhood walking tour blogs that offer a great preview of the city, and your agent can arrange home tours to give you a real feel for what's out there across different neighborhoods. By the end of the day, you'll have a much clearer sense of where you want to focus your search.
We can also recommend the perfect hidden neighborhood restaurants, bars to have a cocktail after a long day of sightseeing or touring homes, and any other hot spots that are a must see during your time here.
The real hunt
By this stage, you have your portal set up, you're browsing homes digitally, and you've narrowed down your vibe and target neighborhoods. You're ready to get serious.
If you can visit in person, great! Wear your sneaks because your agent will have a chock-a-block schedule of home tours. This trip is all about finding THE one.
If visiting in person isn’t in the cards, don’t fret! Your agent can preview homes, video tour or FaceTime you through them. They’ll show you all the details, the mechanicals, soft-close drawers, to what's growing in the garden. If you fall in love, you can move ahead sight unseen or book a last-minute visit to see in person before making the offer.
Our agents always attend inspections, even when you can’t be there. They will be there taking the notes and asking the experienced questions, so you stay fully connected to the experience, no matter where you are.
The Closing
Remote closings happen all the time around here, and many long-distance clients prefer them to making another trip in. We’ll send a remote closing package directly to you. You’ll schedule a notary appointment to sign and send back our way. Our transaction manager handles the process and keeps everything on track so you don’t have to worry a bit.
One note when it comes to a remote closing. Not all lenders approve remote closings. We, of course, have a list of trusted lenders that do and we’re happy to recommend.
Friends for Eva
Now you are officially a part of the Philly Home Girl family. Need a plumber or roofer recommendation? We’re here with a list of people that we trust. You’ll be invited to our annual not-to-be-missed party, which is a great way to make new friends and meet PHG neighbors. And when your friends visit, fall in love with the city, and start asking about making the move themselves? We'll be ready to do it all over again.
Additional Resources
But wait… there’s more! Here are some additional blogs from our library you may find helpful in your move to Philly! Already familiar with NYC neighborhoods, this article compares sister neighborhoods in Philly. Learn about the advantages of using a rental agent in your search. Sometimes looking to the neighborhood next door is how you find your next home. and last but not least, our Quarterly Market Update of Philly and the burbs is essential reading if you’re heading out on a house hunt.
