As a potential first-time home buyer, there are many big questions looming in your future. Among them is, “Should I keep renting or am I ready to purchase a home of my own?” Of course, you are at a point in your life where you’re starting to become established–you graduated from college, nailed a great job, and finally have more than a few dollars in your savings account. But, buying a home is frankly a little terrifying at this stage in your life, and you’re not sure if you’re ready for such a huge commitment. As an urban-obsessed resident of Philadelphia Proper, you spend your weekends brunching, shopping, and meeting up with friends…and you certainly have no interest in heading to the burbs. Will becoming a homeowner change everything?
Kate O’Brien is a young, aspiring Dermatologist who currently lives in a Streamline rental with her two roommates and her beloved Golden Retriever named Connor. When it was time for Kate to move out at the end of her lease, she made the decision to investigate what it might be like to purchase a home of her own.
Make Philadelphia Your Home
“Trying to find a place with the space and amenities you want, in a good location, and for a reasonable price seems less likely than winning the lottery,” says Kate. “And if that’s the case, then I hit the jackpot.”
While finding an affordable home in an attractive neighborhood can take some searching, Streamline’s in-house staff ensures a seamless process. “Fortunately, I did not have to look for too long to find a property that was perfect for me. So far, the process has been pretty straightforward, but as a first-time home-buyer, I have understandably had some questions. The Streamline team has been there every step of the way.”
Owning your own home doesn’t mean sacrificing your social life or dedicating every penny of your disposable income toward your monthly mortgage payment. Our agents will immediately get you pre-approved by a qualified and competitive mortgage lender. Once you know how much home you can afford, you can take financial matters into your own hands and determine how much you want to pay in housing costs. It’s that simple. You specify a number where you feel comfortable, and we’ll do our best to make your dream a reality.
After living in a Streamline rental home for a year, Kate’s “been nothing but pleased with the experience” which is why she decided to purchase a Streamline home for herself. Because she loves all of our Streamline amenities, she wanted to carry the same feeling of comfort into her new dwelling. “The house is beautiful and well built,” reports Kate. “Because the house was still within the first year builder’s warranty, we also got to experience Streamline’s fantastic maintenance department. We have had a few small hiccups that are to be expected when living in a brand new house. Maintenance has been extremely responsive and accommodating from answering the request, to scheduling the repair, and arriving right on time.”
With a new construction Streamline home, you won’t have to worry about coming up with cash for surprise costs after closing. Our comprehensive, one-year warranty protects our home buyers so that they have complete peace of mind…no exploding hot water heaters, HVACs to replace, or surprise roof leaks. With a new construction home, you can expect perfection. And, if anything does go wrong, we are just one, simple phone call away.
Make Philadelphia Your Home
Purchasing property isn’t the same as, say, buying a new car. As soon as you drive your new car off the lot, it plummets in value. Try to sell it back to the dealership just 15 minutes after you bought it, and you’d be straight flabbergasted at their offer. If you’re thinking about purchasing a home but a little nervous about making such a long-term commitment, consider this advice from Franklin D Roosevelt: “Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.”
If plans change, you move to take a new job, you get married, you decide to travel around the world for a year, whatever–Streamline will help you to protect your investment. Our in-house property management team can help you find the perfect tenant and provide full-service, ongoing support. For a small percentage of your monthly rental fee, you don’t have to worry about anything at all–that is, besides collecting the rent check.
Last month, Kate made the decision to join the ranks of our young Philadelphia real estate investors. With the guidance of agent Nicole Neff, Kate secured her spot in a brand new Streamline property. She’s moving just a few blocks away from her current Front Street home in Fishtown moving in, of course, with her faithful pooch….and a roommate who will be paying her rent.
