Maximize Your Home’s Value with Proven Strategies

Why Casting the Widest Net Yields the Best Results When Selling Your Home

If you’re planning to sell your home, maximizing your return means casting the widest net possible to attract all engaged buyers. Limiting your home’s exposure with off-market or so-called “exclusive” buyer sub-groups excludes the majority of the market and will likely leave money on the table. Without true market competition, you risk undervaluing your property. Testing a price with an unrepresentative sample of buyers is like playing darts blindfolded—you can’t know the real value of your home until it’s marketed properly and looks its absolute best.

At the Larry DiFranco Team with Elfant Wissahickon Realtors, we use a proven strategy: market-supported pricing combined with a targeted, attractive marketing plan that draws serious buyers fast. This creates competition that works in your favor, whether it’s a buyer’s market, seller’s market, or anything in between.

Our Results Speak for Themselves
Recently, our approach helped a seller in Chestnut Hill achieve $626,000 for their home after listing it for $599,000. Within just three days on the market, the home received three competitive offers and sold well above asking price. By accurately pricing the property and ensuring it was showcased to the widest pool of buyers, we maximized the seller’s return.

Another standout success was on Hillcrest Avenue in Springfield Township. We launched the listing with a “Coming Soon” strategy on March 3rd, supported by professional photography, an interactive virtual tour, and drone imagery/video. This early visibility allowed active buyers to pre-schedule showings before the home became available for tours on March 7th. The result? A staggering 36 scheduled showings and six offers by March 8th. The property, listed at $775,000, ultimately sold for $900,000. Knowing how to generate buzz and competition around a home is what sets us apart.

Buyers Compete When They Know They’re Competing
We’ve also heard it firsthand from buyers we’ve represented: the best offers come when competition is clear. One buyer commented on how we guided them through making a competitive offer that stood out in a hyper-competitive market. Another buyer praised how we helped them win their dream home through thoughtful strategy and advice. We know how to leverage this same competition to work in your favor as a seller.

What Our Clients Say About Us
Clients consistently rave about our professionalism, guidance, and results. One client, an East Falls seller, shared:
“I feel very fortunate to have hired Neil and Larry for the sale of my home. They were always available to talk and had thoughtful, robust answers to all my questions. Several unanticipated issues arose during the sale that made it apparent that having a knowledgeable team was essential.”

Another client, a Springfield Township seller, highlighted the importance of our market strategy:
“Neil predicted the market outcome perfectly—multiple offers over asking in two days, with no contingencies—all because of his pre-sale advice for sale-prep, accurate placement of the sale price, and final delivery at settlement.”

The Takeaway
Don’t be misled by anyone claiming they already have the “perfect buyer” lined up. Buyers only offer their best when they know they’re competing. By casting the widest net and ensuring your home is marketed to all engaged buyers, you’ll maximize your return and secure the best possible price for your property.

Ready to Maximize Your Home’s Value?
When you’re ready to sell, let the Larry DiFranco Team guide you. With our proven approach, personalized service, and unmatched expertise, we’ll help you get the most for your home. Contact us today to get started—we’d love to work with you!

Homestead Property Tax Exemption

Understanding the Homestead Tax Exemption in Pennsylvania: Save on Your Property Taxes

Homeownership comes with many responsibilities, but it also comes with opportunities to save. One valuable tool available to homeowners in Pennsylvania is the Homestead Tax Exemption. This program reduces the taxable portion of your home’s assessed value, lowering your annual property tax bill.

If you own and occupy your home as your primary residence, you might be eligible for this exemption. Here’s what you need to know about the program and how to apply for it in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.

What Is the Homestead Tax Exemption?

The Homestead Tax Exemption is designed to make homeownership more affordable by reducing the taxable value of your home. The amount of savings depends on your county’s specific rules and the assessed value of your property.

For example, in Philadelphia, the exemption for 2024 allows eligible homeowners to exclude $80,000 from their property’s assessed value, translating to significant annual savings.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify for the homestead tax exemption, you must:

  • Own your home.
  • Use the home as your primary residence (investment or rental properties do not qualify).

Even if your home is held in trust, you may still qualify as long as the trust’s beneficiary occupies the home.

How to Apply

Each county in Pennsylvania has its own application process and deadlines for the Homestead Tax Exemption. The December 1st deadline for Philadelphia is fast approaching. To make it easy, we’ve compiled links to the applications for some of the most popular counties in the Greater Philadelphia region:

Be sure to check the deadline for your county and submit the application as soon as possible to start saving on your property taxes.

Other Types of Property Tax Relief in Pennsylvania

In addition to the Homestead Tax Exemption, Pennsylvania offers several other programs designed to provide property tax relief for eligible residents. These include:

  • The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which benefits seniors, widows/widowers, and individuals with disabilities.
  • Tax relief for veterans through the Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption Program.
  • Farmstead Exclusions, which provide tax relief for agricultural properties.

To learn more about these programs, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Relief page.

Need Help Navigating Homeownership?

Applying for the Homestead Tax Exemption is a great way to save, but it’s just one of the many opportunities available to homeowners in Pennsylvania. If you have questions about this program or need guidance on other aspects of homeownership, feel free to reach out—we are here to help!

Maximize Your Home’s Market Potential

The Strategic Advantage of Seller Concessions

With recent changes in the real estate landscape, advertising commissions for buyer’s agents on the MLS is no longer an option. While buyers have always been responsible for negotiating the commission they pay their representation, they are now required to hold that negotiation and enter a contract with their representation before touring homes. As a seller, you have a powerful new strategy to attract top offers: offering a seller concession.

Expanding Your Buyer Pool with Seller Concessions

Offering a seller concession doesn’t just help buyers cover their closing costs; it also widens the playing field, enabling buyers with various financial capabilities to consider your property. More potential buyers means more competition, which increases the likelihood of receiving strong offers.

Some buyers may truly need the concession to make the purchase work, while others might not need it at all—and those who don’t need it may choose not to ask for it. This flexibility allows most buyers to stay focused on bringing the highest possible price for a home they really want.

How Seller Concessions Increase Your Sales Potential

The more buyers you attract, the more likely you are to see competitive bids. By offering a concession, you’re giving buyers an additional lever to pull when crafting their offers. Even those who don’t need the concession will benefit from knowing it’s an option, helping them focus on making their best possible offer.

While commission offers can no longer be advertised within the MLS, we’ll still communicate your willingness to offer an unspecified concession there while sharing the details through off-MLS property websites, on-site placards, QR codes, and direct communication with agents. This ensures buyers are fully informed about their options to cover closing costs, which can lead to higher and more competitive offers.

By strategically offering a seller concession, you’re not just attracting more buyers—you’re creating a competitive environment that can maximize your return on investment. Ready to see how this strategy can work for you? Let’s connect and discuss the possibilities.

Also, click here to request a copy of our seasonal guide for sellers.

New Real Estate Changes May Provide a New Edge for Buyers

A Fresh Strategy to Make Your Offer Stand Out

The recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement has prompted a significant shift in how the real estate process works, particularly for buyers. If you’re navigating today’s competitive market, it’s important to understand how these changes can impact your home-buying experience and potentially give you an edge when submitting offers.

One key change involves how real estate agent commissions are handled. Traditionally, buyers have funded both their own and, indirectly, some of the seller’s closing costs through the purchase price. These seller-side costs had typically included compensation paid to the buyer’s broker via the seller’s broker.

With the new changes, informed and strategic sellers will likely offer a seller-paid concession, helping buyers cover a portion of their closing costs, which could include the buyer’s broker’s commission. Advertising this concession attracts more buyers, creating competition, and helps sellers maximize their selling price and terms.

Now, however, buyers might have a new tool in their toolbox—when offered, buyers can opt to waive the seller concession and pay their broker directly by bringing additional funds to closing. This option allows buyers to offer the seller a higher net by covering their representation costs themselves, without necessarily increasing the offer price. In multiple-offer situations, this can make your offer more attractive to sellers, improving your chances of success.

Another critical change affects how buyers access homes. Aside from open houses, REALTORS® will no longer be able to tour homes with potential buyers unless a contract is in place. This means it’s more important than ever to secure representation early in your home-buying journey. Regarding open houses, the agents you meet there typically represent the seller and are primarily focused on the best interests of the seller. Remember that when you are considering how to best protect your interests. Additionally, having the right agent by your side ensures you’re prepared to navigate the process smoothly and act quickly when the right home comes along.

We’ll cover how to best leverage these new tools and strategies during our Pre-Purchase Counseling as part of our “Offer Strategies for the Win.” If you have any questions or want to discuss how these changes can benefit you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s work together to get you into your dream home!

Also, click here to request a copy of our seasonal guide for buyers.