Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Buying or Selling a Home in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is a consolidated city and county, so the entire city sits in Philadelphia County and is served by the School District of Philadelphia. What changes from block to block is housing stock, parking, condition and price.
Tom Fior helps buyers and sellers work through the parts of a Philadelphia transaction that catch people off guard — older housing, city transfer tax, tax abatement history and how a city search compares with the suburbs.
Philadelphia at a Glance
- City and county
- Philadelphia is both a city and Philadelphia County
- State
- Pennsylvania
- School district
- The School District of Philadelphia serves the entire city
- Housing
- Rowhomes, twins, condos, multi-unit buildings and new construction, with a large share of older housing stock
- Transportation
- SEPTA Market–Frankford and Broad Street lines, trolleys, buses, Regional Rail, I-76, I-95 and Philadelphia International Airport
- Taxes
- City real estate tax based on the OPA assessed value, plus a city and state realty transfer tax on a sale
Your local real estate resource
Hi, I'm Tom.
Tom Fior. I help buyers and sellers navigate Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs with a simple approach: clear guidance, honest answers, and no unnecessary pressure.
I grew up in Delaware County and live in Philadelphia, so City to Suburbs isn't just a brand — it's the market I know personally. Whether you're comparing neighborhoods, moving out of the city, relocating to the area, or trying to figure out where you fit best, I'm here to help you make sense of your options.
Helping buyers and sellers compare Philadelphia communities with Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs.
Guidance First. Pressure Never.
Explore neighborhoods
Explore Philadelphia Neighborhoods
Start with the part of the city that best fits your search, then explore the homes, housing styles, location, and local considerations that matter there.
- Northwest PhiladelphiaManayunk, Roxborough & East FallsNorthwest Philadelphia neighborhoods with distinct housing styles, transit access, hills, and strong connections to Center City and the suburbs.Explore Northwest Philly
- Near Center CityFairmountA centrally located residential neighborhood near the Parkway, museums, rowhomes, condos, and easy access to Center City.Explore Fairmount
- River WardsNorthern Liberties & FishtownTwo adjacent neighborhoods known for a mix of rowhomes, newer construction, restaurants, nightlife, and rapid access to Center City.Explore Northern Liberties + Fishtown
- Downtown PhiladelphiaCenter CityThe core of Philadelphia, with condos, townhomes, high-rises, historic properties, walkability, transit, and neighborhood-by-neighborhood variation.Explore Center City
- South PhiladelphiaSouth PhiladelphiaA broad part of the city with rowhomes, neighborhood business corridors, stadium access, and very different housing experiences from block to block.Explore South Philadelphia
- North PhiladelphiaBrewerytownA North Philadelphia neighborhood with classic rowhomes, newer development, access to Fairmount Park, and a changing mix of housing options.Explore Brewerytown
- Northwest PhiladelphiaMount AiryA Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood with a mix of stone homes, twins, rowhomes, tree-lined streets, and access to regional rail and nearby commercial corridors.Explore Mount Airy
- Northwest PhiladelphiaChestnut HillA Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood known for historic homes, larger properties, Germantown Avenue, regional rail access, and proximity to Wissahickon Valley Park.Explore Chestnut Hill
- Northeast PhiladelphiaPort RichmondA Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood with traditional rowhomes, newer development in some sections, local commercial corridors, and convenient access to major roads.Explore Port Richmond
What Should Buyers Know About Buying a Home in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia the school district and county are the same city-wide, so the differences that matter are the property itself and the block: age and condition of the house, party walls and roofs on rowhomes, parking, permit history, and whether any tax abatement is still in place. A city purchase also carries the Philadelphia realty transfer tax in addition to the state transfer tax.
Property taxes
Philadelphia real estate tax is calculated from the OPA assessment for that address. The Homestead Exemption and other relief programs are applied for by the owner.
Older housing stock
Many neighborhoods are dominated by rowhomes built decades ago, which makes inspection scope — roof, systems, party walls, moisture — a bigger part of the process.
Parking and access
Off-street parking, permit parking and driveway access vary by block and can affect both value and daily life.
Transfer tax
A Philadelphia sale carries a city realty transfer tax in addition to the state transfer tax; who pays what is negotiable in the agreement of sale.
What Should Homeowners Know About Selling in Philadelphia?
Selling in Philadelphia is a block-level exercise. Comparable sales a few streets away can be a different market, and buyers price condition, systems, parking and any remaining abatement directly into their offers. Getting condition and pricing right before launch matters more than any city-wide statistic.
Explore Selling With TomWhere are you in your move?
- First-Time BuyersDown payment, pre-approval and the steps of a first purchase.Learn more
- SellersPricing, preparation and what a sale actually involves.Learn more
- Move-Up BuyersSelling and buying at the same time without guessing at the order.Learn more
- Relocation BuyersComparing Philadelphia and the suburbs before you narrow towns.Learn more
Client stories
What Clients Say About Working With Tom
Real Google reviews from buyers and sellers Tom has helped.
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