Being a first time home buyer is A LOT. There is so much to learn and so many new terms. We put together a Buyers Book that we send to clients if they are first time home buyers. These charts show your estimated closing costs and your estimated monthly payments if you were to buy a $250,000 home. Let us know if you have any questions about what you see here!
PART I- The housing market has been pretty intense over the last few years. As someone who is looking to buy their first home, I am always asking Laura questions about what I can expect, and she nails it 99% of the time! If your wondering what you can expect for the next few months, give this video a listen!
Happy birthday to our fearless leader! Laura, I hope you eat some very delicious food (something a toddler would enjoy), see a broadway show while your in NYC and relax in the solitude of your own space! Thank you for being hilarious, kind and a wonderful person to work for and work with. 🎊🎉
Philadelphia Runner- A local and well-loved chain, Philadelphia Running is my go-to spot for running shoes. They have 5 locations that are more than just a store! They have training and running clubs, experts to help you find the right shoe, and even a shoe recycling program!
Dog Bakery- Well, if you are as obsessed with your pup as I am, this little bakery is a must-visit! They have tons of hand-baked treats for your best friend.
Safa- A plant shop and a cafe all in one! Yes, please. Stop by this lovely spot to sit and work, and take home a plant on your way out!
Lila Philadelphia-Lila transports you to your favorite fashion capitals, a global feast of romantic apparel, stylish accessories, and clever lifestyle products. Artfully made, ready for you to take home. Their ‘brick and mortar’ shopping experience celebrates your feminine side while fostering an adventurous spirit. Expect to be charmed!
Gary Mann Jewelers- For 10 generations, jewelry design has been a tradition in the Mann family. This shop has so many gorgeous pieces you can buy off the shelf or work with Gary one on one to make a fully custom piece. I personally loved how many different styles and price points you can find in their well-organized shop!
Remix Upscale Retail- Designer brand lovers look no further! Remix is a luxury consignment boutique that offers a highly curated selection of high-end designer resale fashion. Sisters Ljupka and Tanya opened the doors to Remix in 2011, building their business on trust, transparency, and the ability to authenticate each item.
The Little Apple- The Little Apple is a cheeky gift boutique filled with individually selected items for your everyday joy and every special occasion. They feature unique finds from local artists and crafters and small businesses from around the country. They have everything with your gift-giving in mind (even if you’re gifting yourself), from hand-poured soy candles to baby shower gifts and everything in between.
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Still seaking justice for all People of Color in the USA and around the world, and there is no doubt we would be many steps closer if MLK lived the life he should have lived. Celebrating his bravery and remembering his message today.
Manyunk is packed full of amazing food. Every other commercial ground floor spot is either a restaurant or a coffee shop!
Volo Coffehouse- I enjoyed one of the best slices of avocado toast I’ve ever eaten here! (On Rye bread that I could have eaten a pound of without thinking twice!) The very old school bar is stocked with syrups and teas rather than alcohol, and the upstairs is full of space for folks to have meetings or sit and work for a few hours.
Chloes Corner- This building had Bassett’s Ice cream and Via Veneto Italian ice and Gelato. Perfect for a Summer stroll! I am personally a huge fan of Bassett’s, but I haven’t tried Via Veneto yet!
Pilgrim Coffee Roasters- This very instagramable and large space is full of seats inside and outside to enjoy coffee with friends or get out of the house to work. The pastries are from My Sweet Gluttony and Au Fournil Bakery, and they are WELL worth the calories :)
Manayunk Brewing Company- This huge space has tons of indoor seating, and a large deck that overlooks the river! They have a variety of Apps, Pizzas, Salads and even Sushi! This is the spot to go with a big group!
La Roca- If you are craving Mexican, look no further! This spot has amazing guac, margaritas, tacos and more! We also love the interior design and large murals located both inside and outside!
Goats Beard- It doesn’t matter where you live in the city, if you haven’t had the Pizza from Goats Beard, you are missing out. Their traditional Detroit style pizza is seriously incredible, and all the rest of their food could be described as elevated American. They have tons of heated outdoor tables if you’re still being extra careful this winter.
Couch Tomato- I was a regular at their West Chester location! They have tons of plant based options, giant salads that will actually fill you up, and this location even has a full bar! Perfect for a casual and quick bite with your friend or partner.
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If your anything like us, you keep your Christmas tree up until is basically starts to disintegrate. When you decide it’s time to let your tree go, you can take it to @phillygoatproject and let some cute creatures snack on it! The next and last day to recycle your tree is on January 21st from noon-3:00pm.
Creative storage solutions are essential if you are considering buying a row home in Philly. Laura is in the process of completely redesigning the house she and Tiffany bought during Covid, and in the process, she found @devolkitchens. It’s basically a dream kitchen Pinterest board. I had to share this one because I love the rounded corner storage solution! Photo two is an island the company builds that is just the most insane, gorgeous thing I have seen in a long time.
This month we are visiting Manayunk this month and we’re starting with parks! One of my favorite things about Manayunk is all the public spaces. This video only shows about 3/4 of the parks in the neighborhood! They also have a dog park, lots of playgrounds and a walking path that goes up and down the canal parallel to Main Street. We included a little park we love in Chestnut Hill because we had too many videos to past as we wrapped up the year. All the parks have easy parking, allow dogs (some on leash and some off) and are walkable to more residential areas. If you are a person who wants to live close to the city, with plenty of restaurants and outdoor spaces, this might be the neighborhood for you!
If you are thinking about buying a house this year, and especially if it’s your first time buying, walk through this little quiz we made. It will help you decide if you are ready. If you think you are, swipe to the next slide to see what the process and timeline often look like for buyers. This is part of our Buyers Book, which we send to our clients when we begin working together. It’s full of helpful things like this, and also has lots of detailed info about Philly neighborhoods!
