Buying a home is frequently described as a hassle – a drawn-out process that takes a painstakingly long time to complete. Life moves too quickly to make real estate happen in a snap by most reckonings. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some tips on how to get great homes for sale in Center City Philadelphia, PA in time for the new school year or a new city job.

Get the hard questions out of the way.

If you have concerns about any property that’s caught your eye in Center City Philadelphia, get them out quickly – especially if this is your first home purchase. Have them ready for all applicable parties in the process and don’t feel awkward about consulting accountants, lawyers, or lenders before making an offer.

Look out for slow-to sell properties.

Anyone whose home has been on the market for a long time is likely to be a motivated seller. Use that to your advantage when selecting ideal properties to winnow out sellers who are likely to spin their wheels and take their time getting back to you.

Don’t get caught up in contingencies.

While caution is always advisable, try to get used to the idea that you’re in things for the long haul. Contingencies can trip you up if you cling to them, and while it’s always good to have a path in which you can walk away, they can weigh down the process of making a purchase and make it harder to come to an equitable sale.

Have your documents ready.

Ben Franklin, a proud city father of Philadelphia, was known to say ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ He probably wasn’t thinking of having a few months of bank statements in the wings, pay stubs, tax information and the like, but these are all things to prevent difficulties down the line when it comes to getting a home in Center City Philadelphia. If it feels relevant, have it in hand.

Play it close to the vest.

Don’t tell the seller how fast you need to move beyond what you absolutely have to. A quick closing date on your contract should do enough. Showing you need the property in a hurry provides leverage for the seller which can work to your disadvantage.

Be pre-approved for a mortgage.

Don’t wait for the home of your dreams to go looking for a mortgage – get pre-approved at the start. Putting your finances in order is one of the hardest parts of buying a home, so having it done regardless of the home not only puts you out ahead, but also helps you narrow down what is in your price range for a more narrow search.

Have the right real estate agents in center city Philadelphia through the Kim Cassidy Team.

Regardless of how well you prepare, it always helps to have real estate agents in Center City Philadelphia like the team at Kim Cassidy Team. Kim Cassidy Team has almost two decades of experience buying and selling residential and commercial real estate properties in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. They have successfully helped clients buy and sell over $50 million in transactions. They have helped thousands of clients find their first homes, fixer-uppers, and forever homes. If you’re in the market for homes for sale in Center City Philadelphia, PA, Kim Cassidy Team wants to help. Reach us at 215-620-6934 / 215-607-6007 or info@kimcassidyteam.com to get started quickly on the path to a new home.