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Selling a house in Philadelphia: records, help and options

In Philadelphia, the City is also the County, so every neighborhood shares the same records offices, Sheriff and foreclosure-prevention program. Check your parcel on the City's property search, call Save Your Home Philly if you are behind, and request a property review only if a sale fits your plans.

Request a property review Discuss a possible sale

One set of authorities for every neighborhood

Whether the house is in Mount Airy, Overbrook or Oak Lane, deeds, assessments, permits and sheriff sales are handled citywide. Neighborhood names are useful for planning but do not change which office you use.

Check the public record first

The City's property search and Atlas show ownership, recorded sales, permits and zoning. The assessed value is not a market value, and none of these is a payoff statement or title certification.

If you are behind on payments

The City's foreclosure prevention program is for owner-occupants; call Save Your Home Philly at (215) 334-4663 for free counseling and legal-help referrals.

How a property review works here

We ask about condition, ownership and timing. Many Philadelphia homes are rowhomes, so shared walls, roofs and access can matter. Any proposal names the buyer, role, terms and compensation in writing.

Philadelphia records and official help

Philadelphia is both a city and a county, so neighborhoods share the same City and Sheriff authorities.

Philadelphia offices at a glance
NeedWhere
Ownership, sales, permitsproperty.phila.gov and Atlas
Foreclosure counselingSave Your Home Philly (215) 334-4663
Sheriff sale statusSheriff real estate (215) 686-3565
Excess after a saleSheriff HART program

Questions people ask

Do you have an office in Philadelphia?

We do not claim a local office. WorkWithBar reviews Philadelphia properties remotely and by appointment.

Is the City's assessed value what my house is worth?

No. The City notes assessed value is for taxation and is not a market value.

Which neighborhoods do you cover?

All of Philadelphia. Locality pages for several neighborhoods describe planning considerations only.

Who handles Philadelphia sheriff sales?

The Philadelphia Sheriff's Office. Confirm any status with its real estate unit directly.

Related pages

Request a property review

Step 1 of 2. Official help on this page never requires this form.

Bar has more than 25 years in real estate across Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

WorkWithBar is a private business. It is not a government agency, court, HUD- or PHFA-approved housing counselor or law firm, and it does not provide legal or credit-repair services. This intake does not establish a brokerage relationship. Any written proposal will disclose the buyer, their role, the terms and any compensation.

WorkWithBar is a private relationship and opportunity desk. It is not a lender, mortgage broker, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, bank, law firm, or guarantee of funding, investment, or introductions.

Educational information only, not legal advice. Sources checked 2026-11-01; this page has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Programs, phone numbers and dates change — confirm with the official office. Questions: Jabbar@workwithBar.com.

Sources