PENNSYLVANIA · 2026 RANKINGS

Top Real Estate Agents in Pennsylvania (2026)

Compare top-rated local experts, backed by verified sales performance and client reviews.

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FastExpert 2026 Top 25 Agent in Pennsylvania

Ranked Real Estate Agents in Pennsylvania

Showing 25 of 500 results

500 agents in Pennsylvania directory.

Ranked list of real estate agents in Pennsylvania
Rank / AgentBrokerageExperienceSales (3 yr)Reviews
Headshot of Kelly Houston Choice Realty Group, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS337374
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
10 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$61M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $1.6K-$14.2M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
View Profile
Experience
10 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
879
Reviews
62
Headshot of Joy Daniels, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RM421836
License Type
Broker Multi Licensee Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
38 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$239M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 2 days

Price range: $4K-$2M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
38 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
980
Reviews
198
Headshot of Erica Deuschle, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS311481
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
17 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$151.4M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $1K-$3.1M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
17 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
1075
Reviews
174
Headshot of Mariel Gniewoz-Weiss & Team, real estate agent
Years of Experience
19 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$37M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $1.1K-$19M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
19 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
385
Reviews
140
Headshot of Thomas Stewart, real estate agent
Years of Experience
29 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$23.5M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 2 hours

Price range: $16.9K-$5.1M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
29 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
1084
Reviews
0
Headshot of David Wissler, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS277709
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

  • Recommended
  • Featured
  • Trusted Pro

Coldwell Banker Realty

Years of Experience
22 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$29.8M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $29.9K-$1.6M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
22 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
234
Reviews
34
Headshot of Mike Bottaro, real estate agent
  • Recommended
  • Featured

HomeStarr Realty

Years of Experience
19 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$81.2M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $1.7K-$2.1M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
19 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
592
Reviews
118
Headshot of Tom Toole, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS228901
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
25 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$268.9M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Price range: $10K-$2.3M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
25 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
784
Reviews
26
Headshot of Loretta Leibert, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
AB067626
License Type
Associate Broker Ab Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
20 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$16M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $240-$1.7M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
20 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
312
Reviews
45
Headshot of Bryan Reilly , real estate agent

eXp Realty LLC

Years of Experience
10 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years

Price range: $3.1K-$2.1M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
10 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
172
Reviews
36
Headshot of Jim Roche, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS332204
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 19, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
7 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$253.2M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Price range: $45K-$5.4M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
7 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
622
Reviews
3
Headshot of Adam Slivka, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
AB068610
License Type
Associate Broker Ab Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
14 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$33M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $4.5K-$4.3M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
14 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
510
Reviews
73
Headshot of Denise Barker, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS297487
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
20 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$10.3M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 24 hours

Price range: $4.5K-$1M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
20 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
101
Reviews
108
Headshot of Michael Cirillo, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RM423301
License Type
Broker Multi Licensee Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
24 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$28.7M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $15K-$1M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
24 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
273
Reviews
58
Headshot of Robin Gordon, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
AB049690L
License Type
Associate Broker Ab Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
36 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$178M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year
Experience
36 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
561
Reviews
18
Headshot of Philip Winicov, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS336040
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
11 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$15M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 1 hours

Price range: $15K-$1.9M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
11 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
149
Reviews
111
Headshot of Jim Bedorf, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS282482
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
22 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$32.1M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year
Experience
22 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
334
Reviews
70
Experience
31 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
531
Reviews
30
Headshot of Christie Smick, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RM425292
License Type
Broker Multi Licensee Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
9 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$15M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year
Experience
9 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
331
Reviews
92
Headshot of Lana Lemberh Sales Team, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS356496
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 19, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
5 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$120M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 2 hours

Price range: $5K-$3.2M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
View Profile
Experience
5 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
528
Reviews
105
Headshot of John Marzullo, real estate agent
Years of Experience
13 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$90M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Price range: $1K-$1.7M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
13 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
524
Reviews
11
Headshot of Fran Valerio, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS311467
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Sep 15, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
13 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$357K
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $500-$1.2M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
13 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
222
Reviews
56
Headshot of The Dan Haeck Team, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS302793
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
19 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$37.5M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 9 hours

Price range: $15K-$1.9M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
19 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
207
Reviews
49
Headshot of Bob Kelley, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
RS284245
License Type
Real Estate Salesperson Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Sep 15, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
22 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$54M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Price range: $33.5K-$3.1M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
22 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
501
Reviews
9
Headshot of Mike Mccann, real estate agent
FastExpert VerifiedActive and in good standing
License #
AB049770L
License Type
Associate Broker Ab Standard
Status
Active
Issued
N/A
Expires
N/A

No discipline or board actions on file for this license.

Verified Aug 20, 2026 · Source: PA REC

Years of Experience
40 yrs
Years of
Experience
Recent sales in last 3 years
Recent Sales in
last 3 Years
Recent Sales
in last 3 Years
Sales volume in last year
$361.3M
Sales Volume in
Last Year
Sales Volume
in Last Year

Typical Response Time: 3 days+

Price range: $12.5K-$4.3M

Specialties: Buyer's Agent · 
Experience
40 Yrs of Experience
Sales (3 yr)
494
Reviews
104

Our ranking methodology

How We Rank Real Estate Agents in Pennsylvania

FastExpert helps home buyers and sellers compare real estate agents in Pennsylvania using available sales history, customer reviews, and local experience.

Our rankings consider information from agent profiles in the FastExpert network. Rankings reflect the data available to us and may change as new information becomes available.

How Agents Are Ranked

Agents are listed using the following criteria, applied in priority order:

  1. 1

    Transaction History Availability

    Agents who make their transaction history available on FastExpert are listed before agents without displayed sales history.

  2. 2

    Customer Reviews

    Agents with average customer ratings of 3 stars or higher are prioritized over agents with ratings of 1 or 2 stars.

  3. 3

    Recent Local Sales Activity

    We consider transactions recorded within the past three years, including local sales and transactions completed through FastExpert. Transactions completed through FastExpert receive additional weight.

  4. 4

    Number of Transactions

    When earlier criteria are equal, agents with more recorded transactions during the past three years rank higher.

  5. 5

    Average Customer Rating

    When other ranking factors are equal, agents with higher average customer ratings receive priority.

What You Should Know About Our Rankings

Rankings are based on available information and do not represent every licensed real estate agent in Pennsylvania. Sales records, reviews, and other agent information may be incomplete or change over time.

Rankings are intended to help you compare agents, not guarantee an agent's qualifications, performance, or results. We encourage you to review agent profiles, confirm licensing information, and interview agents before making a decision.

About FastExpert: FastExpert receives compensation from agents when a transaction closes through our network. Our rankings are not paid advertising placements.

Learn More About Our Ranking Methodology →

Agent Information & Verification

FastExpert provides agent licensing information, brokerage details, sales history, and customer reviews to help you make informed decisions.

  • License Verified

    Agents displaying a “Verified” label on their profile have had their real estate license verified by FastExpert.

  • Brokerage Information

    We display available brokerage affiliation information to help you research agents.

  • Agent Profiles

    Agents can claim and manage their FastExpert profiles.

  • Sales History

    We display available real estate transaction records to help you evaluate agents’ experience.

Review Verification

We use multiple checks to maintain the quality and authenticity of agent reviews.

  • Automated Checks

    We look for suspicious activity, duplicate reviews, and policy violations using automated monitoring.

  • Human Moderation

    Our team reviews flagged content and may remove reviews that violate our policies.

  • Verified Reviews

    Select reviews from third-party platforms like Zillow may be marked “Verified by Zillow” when available.

Transparent agent rankings

Our rankings use published criteria, including available transaction history, customer reviews, and other factors to help you compare agents. Rankings are not guarantees of performance.

Learn How We Rank Agents →

Specialty agents

Spanish Speaking Agents in Pennsylvania

Partnering with an agent that understands you is essential. If you are a native Spanish speaker, working with an agent who can communicate in Spanish could be beneficial. Check out our list of Spanish speaking real estate agents in Pennsylvania here .

Find Spanish-speaking agents in Pennsylvania
Real estate agent representing spanish-speaking agents in Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania's Top Real Estate Agents

Get answers to common questions from home buyers and sellers across Pennsylvania. Learn from licensed agents and other homeowners in the community.

How do you rank your top 25 real estate agents in Pennsylvania?

FastExpert ranks its agents based on their number of successful sales, real customer reviews, and years active. We collect each real estate agent’s transaction history to provide the most accurate data in our directory of top agents. We like to use the data of the last three years of closed sales as a reference point, as it shows how well the agent is doing now - not 10 years ago.

We only show true and accurate data, and our agents cannot buy their way into a higher ranking. At FastExpert, you’ll always see the most accurate and up-to-date rankings with our top real estate agents.

How many real estate agents are in Pennsylvania?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Real Estate as of May 2020, there are a total of 7,445 licensed real estate agents.

What is the typical realtor fee in Pennsylvania?

Total real estate agent fees (including seller and buyer’s agents) range from 4-6% of the total home sale price.

This is split between the seller’s agent and the buyer’s agent. So if a home sells for $500,000 and the commission is 5%, the total fee is $25,000 with $12,500 for each agent.

The home seller usually pays for this fee, but that can vary depending on what both sides agree on.

How can I verify if a realtor is licensed in Pennsylvania?

If you want to see if a real estate agent is licensed in Pennsylvania you can visit the Pennsylvania Department of Real Estate website and look them up by name. This will give you their license number, type, and the cities they are active.

Who pays realtor fees in Pennsylvania?

The seller commonly pays the realtor fee.

You will usually see the fee included in the final closing costs for the property sale. On average, total commissions are about 4-6% of the total house sale price, with half going to the seller’s agent and half to the buyer’s agent. This is negotiable and is something you should discuss with your agent before you decide to work with them.

What questions should I ask when interviewing a Pennsylvania real estate agent?

When looking to hire a real estate agent in Pennsylvania, it’s essential to interview a few agents and choose the one that fits your needs best.

When interviewing, there are some questions to ask to ensure you get information that will help you with your decisions.

Be sure to ask about where they have worked in the past, what their average price point is, how they like to communicate, and how much they charge for commission. For a full list of recommended questions, see our blog post, Essential Interview Questions to Ask a Real Estate Agent.

What do real estate agents in Pennsylvania do for their commission?

Pennsylvania real estate agents do much more than just put a sign in front of your house. A good Realtor will work with you from the moment you decide to sell your home to after you hand over the key.

This includes things like working with appraisers to set the right listing price, staging, having pictures taken, preparing the listing, online marketing, open houses, working with individual showings, answering questions, negotiating, closing paperwork, and so much more!

If you don’t think hiring a real estate agent is worth the money, think about this - according to the National Association of Realtors, in 2021 the average home sold FSBO (for sale by owner) sold for 32% less than the average home sold with a Realtor.

What are the benefits of working with a top real estate agent in Pennsylvania?

Hiring a top real estate agent for selling or buying a home in Pennsylvania will save you time and money. Here are four reasons you should consider hiring a real estate agent

1. It’s their job and they have the time and resources you likely don’t have to do it well. 2. They know the market. The best real estate agents live and work in the same area for years, they know it well and can help address your questions and concerns. 3. They are good at negotiating. They work as the middleperson between you and the other party so you can stay behind the scenes. 4. They do the hard work for you. They market your home, make phone calls between interested parties, handle documents, and negotiate the best deal for you.

What should I look for when comparing top real estate agents in Pennsylvania?

When browsing through the top Pennsylvania real estate agents, you’ll need to know what makes a great real estate agent before making a decision. Here we’ve listed out the qualities that make a great agent to help you narrow it down!

Professionalism: A top real estate agent takes themselves seriously, and handles every situation with professionalism. Responsiveness: A top real estate agent is your go-to for any questions or concerns you may have when it comes to the purchase or sale of your home. Listens to you: A real estate agent is always personable with their clients. Knowledgeable: A professional real estate agent doesn’t live in the dark ages.

Home Buyers and Home Sellers need not worry about finding an agent in Pennsylvania. At FastExpert, we take the time to separate the professionals from the agents you should avoid.

Find an agent near you

Popular Cities in Pennsylvania

Compare top real estate agents in cities across Pennsylvania. View local agents, verified reviews, recent sales, experience, and market insights to help you choose the right agent.

Browse All Pennsylvania Cities

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F

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L

M

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Popular Counties

List of Counties in Pennsylvania

Browse experienced real estate agents in popular Pennsylvania counties. Compare agent rankings, verified reviews, and recent sales to find the best match.

Real Estate Trends in Pennsylvania (2026)

The Pennsylvania housing market had 28,894 active listings in September 2026, with a median listing price of $309,000. Homes spent a median of 51 days on the market, giving buyers more time to compare properties and negotiate. New listings decreased compared to last month (−0.4%), and the median price per square foot is $189. While these statewide trends provide a useful overview, market conditions can vary significantly by city and neighborhood.

· Source: FastExpert market data

Explore our Pennsylvania housing market data › to see detailed trends by city, or find a top real estate agent in your city › for local guidance.

Local Advice

Community Questions in Pennsylvania

Get practical answers from licensed real estate professionals and homeowners across Pennsylvania on FastExpert Advice.

Can a home come out of contingent?

A home I looked at that I'm interested in now says it is contingent. Doest that mean there is no chance for me? or can I still make an offer on a house that is contingent?

Barrett Henry: Contingent means the seller has accepted an offer, but the deal has conditions that still need to be met before it closes. Those conditions are the contingencies, and they can include things like the buyer's home inspection, appraisal, financing approval, or the sale of the buyer's current home. Until every contingency is satisfied and the deal moves to pending or closed, the transaction can still fall apart.

Deals fall out of contingent status more often than people think. The inspection reveals something the buyer can't stomach. The appraisal comes in low and neither side wants to renegotiate. The buyer's financing falls through. The buyer's home sale falls apart and they can no longer qualify. Any one of these kills the deal, and the home goes right back on the market.

So yes, there is absolutely still a chance for you.

Whether you can submit an offer right now depends on how the listing agent set it up in the MLS. Some agents accept backup offers while the home is in contingent status. Others don't. Have your agent call the listing agent directly and ask two things. Are they accepting backup offers, and what contingencies are still outstanding. If the remaining contingencies are things that commonly fail, like a financing contingency or a home sale contingency, your chances of getting a shot are better than you might think.

If they're accepting backup offers, submit one. A backup offer means you're officially next in line if the current deal falls apart. You won't be waiting and wondering if you should keep looking. You'll be in position to step right in if the first buyer can't close.

In the meantime, don't stop looking at other homes. Hope for the best on this one, but keep your search active. If the contingent deal closes, you haven't lost any time. If it falls apart, you're already in position.

Barrett Henry
Broker Associate | REALTOR®
RE/MAX Collective · The NOW Team
Tampa Bay, Florida
nowtb.com

Keith Jean Pierre: Yes, typically happens if the home does not appraise, home inspection issues could not have been resolved, the buyer couldn't obtain the mortgage, or one of the buyers lost their job.

Read all answers on FastExpert Advice →

Should I pay for my own inspection before listing?

I want a smooth sale, but I’m worried the buyer’s inspector is going to find some massive issue and kill the deal. Is it worth the $500 to do a pre-listing inspection so I can fix stuff now, or am I just looking for trouble?

Judd Gillespie: I believe if you are concerned there may be issues, a home inspection is pretty smart. It will allow you to see the major and some of the hidden issues that inspectors look for. While it will cost $500 it may save you a lot more than that when it comes to negotiating repairs and increase the amount of offers coming in.

Amanda Mullins: Is a pre-listing inspection worth it? Sometimes, but it's not your only option.

The appeal is control. You find the problem, you decide how to handle it, rather than getting blindsided mid-contract by a nervous buyer waving an inspection report. Deals rarely die because of what was found. They die because it felt like a surprise.

The catch is that whatever turns up, you now have to disclose. If you're not in a position to fix it, you may be creating more problems than you're solving.

Here's what else works. A home warranty runs about the same cost and signals good faith to buyers without surfacing new issues you're on the hook for. A detailed, honest seller's disclosure sets expectations upfront and costs nothing. If you have a specific concern, one targeted contractor call gets you better information than a generalist inspection anyway. And pricing the home accurately from the start eliminates most of the drama before it begins.

The pre-listing inspection is one tool, not the only tool. The right move depends on the age of the home, what you already know, and how much risk you want to carry. That's the conversation to have with your agent before you do anything else.

If you do not have an agent yet, I would be happy to help you find someone to help navigate! Hope this helps.

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Sell house and move or HELOC?

I have been in my house since 2019. It's small. My family is outgrowing it. \r\nCurrent house was $110k. Have about 75k left. Our mortgage is awesome. ~$800/mo. 4% interest rate. I am terrified of being house poor. We can definitely afford a higher monthly payment on a bigger house but with the current market I'm not sure a few extra hundred per month is going to get us a bigger house.\r\n\r\nI am considering a HELOC because we have a basement that would add so much room if able to finish it. The basement would need a ton of work. Probably 15k in sump and waterproofing before we could even put up walls, electricity, etc. I have some savings but I'd like to keep it for emergencies. Opinions?

Brandy Tilo: That’s a really understandable concern, and honestly you’re asking all the right questions. Having a $800 mortgage at 4% is a great position to be in, so it makes sense that you’d want to be careful about giving that up and stretching your budget too far.

Finishing the basement could be a really practical way to create more space without taking on a much larger monthly payment. A lot of homeowners look at that option when they like their location and their current mortgage but simply need more room. Of course, with something like waterproofing and sump work, it’s smart to address those issues first before investing in finishing the space.

A HELOC is one option people use for projects like that since it lets you access some of the equity in your home while keeping your existing mortgage in place. That said, it’s always a good idea to talk through the numbers carefully with a lender so you understand what the payment might look like and how it fits comfortably within your budget.

Another thing that can be helpful is comparing the two paths side by side—what it might cost to finish the basement versus what your monthly payment might look like if you sold and moved into a larger home in today’s market. Sometimes seeing the numbers next to each other makes the decision a lot clearer.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer here. For some families, staying and improving the home they already have makes the most sense. For others, moving ends up being the better long-term fit. I recommend connecting with a highly recommended, top-producing local realtor in your area who can help you review what homes are actually selling for right now. It can also be helpful to speak with a trusted mortgage lender to run some numbers. Together, that information will give you a clearer picture of what a move might realistically look like before you make any decisions.

JACQUELYNE HICKS: Before moving forward here are somethings to think about:
How long will we stay if we renovate? (If less than 3–5 years, renovations may not be worth it.)
Will a finished basement truly solve the space issue?
How much equity do we actually have?
What would our payment really be if we moved?
Many people assume it will be “a few hundred more”, but often it ends up being $800–$1,200 more per month.

You could always rent out your current home and increase the rent to help offset the cost of your new home. But speak to an expert in your area to see how much rent you could collect a month.

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How many houses should I view before purchasing one?

If I found a house I like, should I put in an offer even though I haven't seen many houses? Is there an ideal number of houses to see before deciding?

Ginger Gendron: There is no magic number. I have had clients buy the first home they saw, When you walk through that door, and the rush of excitement runs through your veins, you feel excited & nervous, and can picture yourself living there - then, you found your home!
The offer is only the first step to purchase, if it feels right, put that offer in. No one wants to miss an opportunity.
I truly believe you will know when the "right" one for you when it comes along.

Brinda Griffin: Hi Jeremiah,
If this home checks off your boxes for your criteria, then submit your offer. Getting fully approved to buy a home rather than just pre-qualified will make your offer stand out. Talk to your lender/mortgage company to speed up the home buying process.
Good Luck!

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How do I get out of a solar panel lease to sell my house?

I have a 20-year solar lease with 15 years left. I’m worried buyers will be scared off by the monthly payment or the credit check to transfer it. What are my options? Do I have to buy it out just to close the sale?

Jake Toyberman: These contracts and warrantees are usually transferable. Strategize with your favorite real estate expert how to price the home and the solar panels. If you are in the Philadelphia, reach out. https://tinyurl.com/JustAskJake

Amanda Mullins: No, you don't have to buy it out, but you do need a plan before you list.

Market it as a feature. Buyers focused on lower utility bills may see the lease positively if the monthly payment is less than what they'd pay for electricity without it. Know your numbers and have them ready.

The worst thing you can do is wait for a buyer to bring it up. Get your lease documents out now, know the transfer process and timeline, and let your agent get ahead of it. A solar lease doesn't have to kill a deal. A surprised buyer mid-contract is what kills deals.

I've negotiated the buyer and seller splitting the buyout cost in the past.

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What to know about selling in Pennsylvania

  • Closing costs and transfer tax

    What a Pennsylvania seller typically pays at closing, and who pays recording or transfer fees.

  • Attorney, title, or escrow?

    Closing practices vary by market in Pennsylvania. Confirm whether you need an attorney, a title company, or an escrow officer.

  • Typical commission

    What listing agents in Pennsylvania charge, and what changed after the 2024 settlement.

  • Seller disclosure

    What Pennsylvania law requires you to disclose to a buyer.

  • Best time to list

    How the Pennsylvania market moves through the year.

  • Local market quirks

    HOAs, inspections, and contingency norms buyers and sellers run into in Pennsylvania.

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