What We Do
For Buyers
For Buyers
From "I'm ready to buy"
to keys-in-hand.
Whether you’re buying your first home, going after your dream property, or adding to an investment portfolio — it’s a big decision. I’ve spent decades helping people make the right one. Not just finding the right house, but navigating what comes after the search smoothly too. From our first conversation to long after closing, I will be your sounding board, your advisor, and your guide.
Online listings are a starting point, not the whole picture. A great photo doesn’t tell you what the neighborhood feels like at night, whether a price is actually fair, or what that inspection report is really saying. That’s where I come in.
I sort through all of it with you. Contractors, cleaners, repairs, staging and more. I know who to call, what to prioritize, and what to leave alone. You don’t have to spend a weekend on hold or getting three quotes for something that doesn’t move the needle. That’s what I’m here for.
First-time buyer?
Investment property?
SOUTH PHILLY MARKET SNAPSHOT
THE MARKET, MADE SIMPLE.
21 Days
MEDIAN TIME TO PENDING
+6.2%
ANNUAL MARKET GROWTH
5,000+
ACTIVE LISTINGS CITYWIDE
20%
OF HOMES SELL OVER ASKING
The Buying Process
Start with your wish list
Before we look at a single listing, we discuss what you need and want —space, location, lifestyle and budget. Setting clear expectations saves you from falling in love with a house that does not align with your goals.
Get pre-approved
Search with purpose
Use our search tool to explore listings from any device by comparing walk scores, school ratings, and neighborhood data side by side. So I can explain what you’re actually getting before you fall in love with a photo.
Showings & inspections
I’m at every inspection. I know what to look for, what to ask, and what to negotiate.
Offer to close
When you’re ready to move, I’ll guide you through the offer, negotiation, paperwork, and closing. Every step is explained clearly.
After the keys
Contractors, renovations, questions about the neighborhood, resale advice for the future, you can count on me.
FAQ
ASKED & ANSWERED.
These are the most common questions, answered here, to make it easy for you.
How much should I save before buying?
My recommendation? Give me a call before you even talk to a lender. I can point you toward lenders who know your target neighborhoods and the programs available there, and we can walk through what you’d comfortably afford — not just what a lender says you qualify for. Those two numbers aren’t always the same, and knowing the difference upfront saves a lot of stress later.
Should I sell first or buy first?
The good news is there are more strategies than people realize — sale contingencies, bridge financing, rent-backs, timing the listing strategically. When we sit down together, we’ll map out a Plan A, B, and C, so no matter how the dominoes fall, you’re navigating from a position of strength instead of scrambling.
What's your commission?
What I charge depends on the services involved — every transaction is different, and so is every client’s situation. When we meet, I’ll walk you through exactly what I provide, what it costs, and we’ll put it all in writing before we ever start working together. No surprises, no fine print.
What's the catch with tax abatements?
The abatement covers the structure or improvements — you still pay taxes on the land value the whole time . And the rules changed: abatements applied for before 2022 got the full 100% break for 10 years, but for new construction applications filed after January 1, 2022, the abatement starts at 100% and drops 10% each year . So two “abated” new builds on the same block can have very different tax pictures.
The real catches to watch for:
The clock may already be running. The 10 years start when the abatement starts — not when you buy. A “tax abated” listing might only have 4 years left.
The cliff at the end. When the abatement expires, the full assessed value gets taxed  — and that jump can be thousands per year. Your mortgage payment needs room for it.
You can’t stack benefits. Abated properties can’t claim the Homestead Exemption until the abatement expires  — that’s worth about $1,400/year to Philly owner-occupied homeowners.
None of this makes abatements bad — they’re often a great deal! But “how many years are left, and what will taxes look like in year 11” should be part of every offer conversation. That’s where I come in.
Do you work outside South Philly?
And if you’re heading somewhere we don’t serve? We’ve got you there, too. Through our network, we have fantastic connections not just across Pennsylvania, but around the country and the world. If you’re buying or selling anywhere, we can connect you with the perfect agent for that market — someone we trust, not just a name from a directory.
So whether you’re moving around the block or around the globe, reach out. We’d be excited to help.
How do I become a landlord in Philly?
Now, the nuts and bolts. Philly doesn’t let you just hand over keys and collect rent — there’s a real checklist:
🏠 A Commercial Activity License and a city tax account, because renting property counts as doing business in Philadelphia 
🏠 A Rental License from L&I, renewed annually — one license covers all units in a building  , and your zoning needs to actually allow the number of units you’re renting (a big gotcha with duplexes and triplexes!) 
🏠 A lead-safe or lead-free certification for older properties  — which in Philly is most of them
🏠 A Certificate of Rental Suitability and the Partners for Good Housing handbook, provided to every tenant at the start of the lease 
Skipping these isn’t a slap on the wrist — operating without a rental license can mean fines and even losing the ability to collect rent or evict . Yes, really.
Sound like a lot? It is — the first time. The Capri Dessecker Team has a systemized process to walk you through every step, from finding the right property to running the numbers to closing day. And we’re still there post-closing to help you be the best landlord you can be.