Chris and Tessie Payne moved in with his mother for nine months to save up for their forever home: a four bedroom Colonial house in West Chester, writes Abigail Covington for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The couple were living in a one-bedroom rowhouse in Manayunk that was a good starter home but had become tight on space. In fall 2024, they put it on the market and began looking for something larger.
To cut costs, they moved in with Chris’ mother. After touring 25 homes and making two unsuccessful offers, they turned to a West Chester property they ended up loving at first sight.
After initially offering $773,000 on a $750,000 listing, they ultimately agreed to pay $781,000 following several rounds of negotiations and concessions, including covering the seller’s transfer tax and waiving inspection and the appraisal.
They made a 20 percent down payment, funded largely by the sale of their Manayunk home and savings built up while they were not paying rent or a mortgage, with additional help from their parents.
“To buy a house in 2025, I don’t know how people do it without it,” said Chris.
Read more about the couple saving up for their forever home in West Chester and see photos in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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