Buy a Home in
Greater Philadelphia

From your first pre-approval to the moment you get your keys, the Belous Realty Team guides you through every step of buying a home in Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Chester County, PA.

3

Counties Served

19+

Cities & Townships

35

Avg. Days to Close

5.0 ★

Buyer Reviews

The Home Buying Process in PA

A step-by-step guide to buying a home in Montgomery County, Bucks County, or Chester County, Pennsylvania.

01

Get Pre-Approved

Before you tour a single home, get a mortgage pre-approval letter from a lender. In the competitive Greater Philadelphia market — especially in Montgomery, Chester, and Bucks counties — sellers expect a pre-approval letter with every offer. Pre-approval tells you exactly how much home you can afford and signals to sellers that you are a serious, qualified buyer.

Pro tip: Use a local lender who knows PA transfer tax rules and can close in 30–45 days.

02

Define Your Search Criteria

Narrow your search by school district, commute time, and must-have features before you start touring. The Main Line, Montgomery County, and Bucks County each offer distinct lifestyles — from walkable borough living in Wayne or Malvern to private estate acreage in Gladwyne or Chester Springs. Knowing your priorities saves weeks of touring homes that don't fit.

Pro tip: School district boundaries can shift property values by 15–20% on the same street.

03

Tour Homes with Your Agent

Your Belous Realty buyer's agent schedules private showings, attends every tour with you, and provides real-time market context — recent sold comps, days on market, and neighborhood trends — so you can evaluate each home objectively. We also identify red flags that photos don't show: grading issues, deferred maintenance, and layout limitations.

Pro tip: In a competitive market, be ready to make an offer the same day you tour.

04

Make a Competitive Offer

We prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for every home you want to offer on, so your offer is grounded in data — not emotion. In multiple-offer situations, we advise on escalation clauses, inspection contingency waivers, flexible settlement dates, and other terms that strengthen your offer without necessarily paying more.

Pro tip: In Montgomery County, well-priced homes often receive 3–8 offers within 72 hours.

05

Home Inspection & Due Diligence

Pennsylvania law requires sellers to disclose known defects, but a professional home inspection is still essential. Your inspector examines the structure, roof, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. We help you interpret the report, negotiate repairs or credits, and decide whether to proceed, renegotiate, or walk away — with your deposit protected.

Pro tip: Budget $400–$600 for a standard inspection. Radon testing ($150) is strongly recommended in PA.

06

Close & Get Your Keys

Pennsylvania closings are typically held at a title company. You'll sign the deed, mortgage documents, and settlement statement. Bring a cashier's check or wire transfer for your closing costs and down payment. After signing, the title company records the deed and hands you the keys. The entire process from accepted offer to closing typically takes 30–45 days.

Pro tip: Review your Closing Disclosure 3 days before settlement — it lists every fee you'll pay.

Buyer Closing Costs in Pennsylvania

On a $400,000 home in Bucks or Montgomery County, buyers typically pay approximately $12,000 in closing costs — separate from the down payment.

Estimated Buyer Costs — $400k Home

Bucks County / Montgomery County, PA

Down Payment

Varies by loan type (FHA: 3.5%, Conventional: 5–20%)

3% – 20%+

Transfer Tax

2% total (1% buyer / 1% seller split) on a $400k home

~$4,000

Lender Fees

Origination, appraisal, credit report, underwriting

~$5,000

Title & Escrow

Title insurance, settlement fee, recording fees

~$3,000

Home Inspection

Plus $150 for radon test (recommended in PA)

$400 – $600

Total Est. (excl. down payment)

On a $400,000 purchase in Bucks/Montgomery County

~$12,000

*Estimates only. Actual costs vary by lender, loan type, and transaction. Ask us for a personalized estimate.

What Buyers Don't Pay

  • Realtor commissions (paid by the seller in most PA transactions)
  • Seller's transfer tax portion (1% — seller's responsibility)
  • Seller's title insurance (seller typically pays in PA)
  • Home warranty (often negotiated as a seller concession)

Want the Full Visual Breakdown?

See our Buyer vs. Seller closing costs chart — a side-by-side comparison of every cost line on a $400k home in Bucks County, PA.

See Closing Costs Chart

Why Buyers Choose Belous Realty

Daniel and Yana Belous are a husband-and-wife team bringing twice the dedication to every transaction.

Hyper-Local Expertise

Daniel and Yana Belous live and work in the communities they serve — Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester counties. They know school district boundaries, flood zones, HOA quirks, and which streets have the best resale history.

5.0 Rating · 11 Five-Star Reviews

Every Belous Realty client has left a five-star review. Our buyers consistently cite our responsiveness, market knowledge, and ability to win in competitive situations without overpaying.

Same-Day Offer Capability

When the right home appears, speed matters. We prepare offers same-day, have attorney relationships for fast review, and can submit within hours of your decision.

No Cost to Buyers

In Pennsylvania, the seller typically pays both agents' commissions. Our buyer representation is free to you — you get full professional representation at no out-of-pocket cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from buyers exploring the Greater Philadelphia real estate market.

Ready to Find Your Home?

The Belous Realty Team is ready to guide you through every step — from pre-approval to closing. Schedule a free buyer consultation today.