The price: Listed for $250,000, sold for $265,000. <\/p>\n
The agent: Christine Mantwill with REMAX<\/p>\n
The ask: Mia Spolansky, originally from Willow Grove<\/a>, and her partner, Annabel Harp, originally from Hagerstown, Md., were ready to move out of their one-bedroom rental apartment in Mount Airy and buy their first home. They both liked the area\u2019s access to nature for running and biking in Wissahickon<\/a> Valley Park, plus a location that allowed for easy commuting to their jobs. They didn\u2019t want to stray too far. <\/p>\n \u201cWe were looking to buy in Mount Airy,\u201d Spolansky said. \u201cThose prices were out of our range, so we decided on Germantown.\u201d They started their search in November. <\/p>\n The search: Harp and Spolansky began touring homes in East Germantown with their real estate agent. They wanted to be efficient with their space, so they narrowed the search to smaller homes. They were seeking a rowhouse for both the neighborly feel and value. <\/p>\n \u201cA lot of detached homes were out of our price range,\u201d Spolansky said. <\/p>\n They also wanted an older home \u201cwith some character\u201d but with modern amenities. They toured six houses and all of them felt too large or had issues. Their agent helped Spolansky access the multiple listings sites used by real estate professionals so she could browse, and one house caught her eye. <\/p>\n The appeal: With their agent\u2019s help, Harp and Spolansky went to see the house that day. It was a two-bedroom with a front patio and backyard, which was not yet on the market. <\/p>\n When they visited, they were delighted that \u201cthe neighbors actually came up and introduced themselves,\u201d Spolansky said, \u201cWe were like, whoa, this is an actual community.\u201d <\/p>\n The house was an older style with new appliances \u2014 exactly what they were looking for \u2014 and the owners had renovated both the bathroom and kitchen and installed central air and heat in 2021. \u201cIt was nicer than I grew up with,\u201d Spolansky said. The couple put an offer in right away. <\/p>\n The deal: Harp and Spolansky made an offer on a Thursday. The sellers had an open house scheduled for the following Saturday. The sellers said they would accept the offer and cancel the open house if the couple agreed to go $15,000 over asking to beat the potential offers they might get from the open house. <\/p>\n Harp and Spolansky agreed and closed in mid-April. <\/p>\n The money: They purchased the home for $265,000 after negotiation. They used a VA Home Loan of $270,000 and put 0% down. The mortgage interest rate is 5.625%. They received a $5,500 seller credit for some repairs needed. The closing costs were $1,780. The monthly payment is $1,834 with escrow, interest, and principal.<\/p>\n The move: They moved in late May, with a two-month buffer period until the lease on the apartment ended. <\/p>\n They used a moving company to ease the process, which helped, because the home had small doors and tight corners. <\/p>\n The inspector had found some rotten floor joists in the basement, but after move-in, the couple realized there was water getting in as well. They brought in a masonry company to waterproof the wall and added a chimney liner when their carbon monoxide detector started going off. They also had some electrical and AC issues.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve only ever lived in rentals,\u201d Spolansky said. \u201cMy family doesn\u2019t have experience with upkeeping a house. I think having a buddy or known contractor come on the inspection would\u2019ve been helpful, especially for negotiations because I didn\u2019t know how much it costs to put in a chimney liner.\u201d <\/p>\n However, the pair remain satisfied with their choice and their ability to manage repairs themselves, rather than rely on a landlord. <\/p>\n Life after close: The couple and their cat, Morty, have adjusted well. After living in a one-bedroom, they love the space, including their backyard and front porch, especially in the summer for barbecuing and being outside. The Wissahickon is a five-minute bike ride away. The rowhouse is exposed on one side to an empty lot, which the pair uses to garden, growing peppers and cucumbers they got from their neighbors. They especially love the community. <\/p>\n \u201cWe go to parties, clean up the block, do community events,\u201d Spolansky said. \u201cI never had that before. Knowing our neighbors has been the biggest plus. Having good neighbors, you can\u2019t replace that.\u201d <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/7UY6GHLD6BHFVN37DTNALOARMQ.jpg\")
The kitchen in Mia Spolansky and Annabel Harp\u2019s home in Germantown.Allie Ippolito \/ For The Inquirer<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/5P727BEYSVBHBEESTRHIQKD2OM.jpg\")
The empty lot next to their home, which the pair uses to garden, growing peppers and cucumbers.Allie Ippolito \/ For The Inquirer<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/PVBUKCQJVNFZ7JDVLOOJRCM3JI.jpg\")
The dining room in Mia Spolansky and Annabel Harp\u2019s home.Allie Ippolito \/ For The Inquirer<\/p>\n