Living in the Philadelphia Suburbs · Free Tool

The Pennsylvania Downsizing Calculator

What does the move actually change per month, and what does it cost to make it? Real Pennsylvania numbers: transfer tax, capital gains, and the senior tax relief most calculators ignore.

01 Your home now

Pull your latest tax bill and mortgage statement. Two minutes of digging makes these numbers real instead of guesses.

Your best estimate today. A real comp check beats Zillow.
Enter 0 if the house is paid off.
Principal and interest only. 0 if paid off.
It's on your school and county bills.

02 What you paid back then

This decides whether the sale triggers capital gains tax. Long-time owners in this market get surprised here more than anywhere else.

Additions, kitchens, roof, HVAC. Estimates are fine.
Married couples can exclude $500,000 of gain on a primary home. Single filers, $250,000.

03 The new place

A 55+ community, a townhome, a ranch closer to the grandkids. Put in your best guess and adjust later.

Most 55+ communities have one. 0 if none.
Blank = estimated at the effective rate homes actually sell at in the Philadelphia suburbs (about 1.05% of price). Elsewhere in PA, rates differ. Enter the real number if you know it.

04 Tax relief you qualify for

This is the part every national calculator skips. Pennsylvania pays rebates to seniors who apply, and only half of your Social Security counts toward the income limit.

Pensions, IRA withdrawals, interest, wages.

The state rebate works anywhere in PA. Some districts pay a second rebate on top, and most homeowners have no idea.
Your Settlement Sheet

The Move, In Dollars

$0
change in monthly cost

Walking away from the sale

Sale price
Agent commission
PA transfer tax (seller's customary 1%)
Mortgage payoff
Capital gains tax
Net proceeds
⚠ The Downsizing Tax Bomb just went off.

Gain above your exclusion is estimated at 15% federal plus Pennsylvania's 3.07%. And the year you sell, the gain counts toward your rebate eligibility income, so expect to lose that year's state rebate too. The right sale strategy and timing can shrink all of this. Worth a conversation before you list.

Buying the new place

Purchase price
Transfer tax + closing costs
Moving costs (typical)
Cash left in your pocket

Monthly cost, side by side

Staying put (after relief)
After the move (after relief)
Relief working for you

These are estimates built on your guesses. The real version uses actual comps for your house, your district's current rebate, and a sale strategy that protects your proceeds. That conversation is free.

Book a free call with Jim

Or call 267-718-5695 · email Jim

Estimates only, not tax, legal, or financial advice. Capital gains shown assume a long-held primary residence, the 15% federal bracket, and PA's 3.07% income tax; your situation may differ. Rebate figures reflect the 2025 claim year (state income limit $48,110 with half of Social Security excluded) and district programs verified as of June 2026; programs change annually and require application. Transfer tax shown at the 1% customary seller share common across most of PA; the City of Philadelphia charges a much higher city transfer tax not reflected here. Confirm everything with your accountant and your county before acting. Jim Stevenson, PA License RS342290.

Client Reviews

What Past Clients Say

Here's what past clients have said on Google and Zillow.

Overall Rating

5.0 (31)

  • We cannot say enough great things about Jim! As first-time home buyers, we had a lot of questions and uncertainties, but he guided us through the process, helping everything run smoothly. Jim was incredibly patient, always available to answer our questions, and consistently went above and beyond to help us close on the perfect home. He kept us informed at every stage, provided honest advice, and even after closing, he continued to check in and offer support, speaking volumes about his commitment to his clients. If you’re looking for a real estate agent who is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about your home-buying experience, we highly recommend Jim. He made our dream of homeownership a reality, and we are beyond grateful!

    Tom FoxGoogle review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2018 in North wales, PA.

    Jim assisted us with the purchase of our home in Montgomery county. He was diligent, efficient and worked around the clock to negotiate and close the sale to our satisfaction.

    elliegerhardsFebruary 5, 2019Zillow review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2018 in Pipersville, PA.

    Jim did a fantastic job from start to finish with our real estate transaction. His attention to detail and communication skills are second to none. We would definitely recommend Jim to our friends and family.

    zuser20171222073519374January 22, 2019Zillow review
  • Bought a Condo home in 2019 in Doylestown, PA.

    Jim was our agent for our purchase in Bucks County, and we are so lucky to have had him represent us. He made every aspect of the transaction easy, was always available for any kind of questions or issues, and his advice and negotiation strategy were spot on. Plus he's a really nice person! We highly recommend him. Ps the team at RealtyOne is also great (a shout out to Kourtney!) – all questions answered quickly, very thorough follow-through and every detail covered.

    john33515July 1, 2019Zillow review
  • We couldn’t be more grateful for the exceptional experience we had working with Jim in buying our first home! Jim truly listened to our needs, guiding us through every step of the process and offering invaluable advice along the way. Jim went above and beyond to ensure we found the perfect home, always keeping our best interests in mind. He is responsive, professional, and transparent throughout the entire journey. We can’t thank Jim enough for making our first home-buying experience smooth, enjoyable, and memorable. If you’re looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable realtor who genuinely cares about their clients, look no further! Thank you again, Jim! We’re so happy with our new home!

    Shannon HurleyGoogle review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2018 in Glenside, PA.

    Jim was the best! We found the perfect home on the second day. Jim helped us through all of the closing procedures, since it was our first time buying. He was always available and able to answer all questions. I highly recommend using him to find your perfect home.

    TaraceesJanuary 22, 2019Zillow review
  • Jim is a fantastic realtor! He is knowledgeable and experienced. He is very easy to work with and would recommend his services highly!

    Lauren StevensonGoogle review
  • Bought a Townhouse home in 2019 in Warrington, PA.

    Our experience in working with the High Performance Real Estate Network was excellent. Our realtor Jim, was always ready and willing to do whatever was needed, to help us work through the process of buying our new home. His quick response to our questions and need for advice, told us we were in good hands, every step of the way. Everyone we had contact with at his agency was friendly and professional. Every aspect of our home buying with Jim couldn’t have been more positive!

    carolynmbarrySeptember 8, 2020Zillow review
  • Bought a Condo home in 2019 in Upper gwynedd, PA.

    Jim was an excellent realtor. He was our advocate in all situations and transactions. We moved from Delaware to PA and Jim made that transition for us seamless. Jim and his entire staff were professional and accurate in all their paperwork for us

    lheckleSeptember 8, 2020Zillow review
  • Jim was responsive and knowledgeable throughout the whole home buying process, and remained responsive and helpful even two months after we moved in. He’s a straight shooter and very personable. We never felt pressured at any time throughout the process. He knows who to call for every problem that might come up as well 👍. Couldn’t of asked for a better realtor!

    Justin DarcyGoogle review
  • Bought a Townhouse home in 2020 in Warrington, PA.

    Jim was very knowledgeable, caring and patient. We ran into issues with my mortgage company and he went above and beyond to help out. Thank you, Jim.

    zuser20160313053753941September 9, 2020Zillow review
  • Professional to work with! A great Realtor--I look forward to working together again soon!

    Kelly BerkGoogle review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2019 in Glenside, PA.

    Jim was great and very patient with us. Great experience. He showed everything we asked and didn't push onto other homes we didn't ask for. If you're looking for a home make sure to reach out to Jim and he will do the rest

    user045315January 22, 2019Zillow review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2020 in Quakertown, PA.

    Jim was very helpful and considerate throughout the entire process. He provided guidance and was able to answer any question and deliver on requests. The entire process went entirely smooth.

    Juan D. BolanosFebruary 7, 2021Zillow review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2020 in Hatfield, PA.

    The first-time-homebuying experience was made SO much easier with Jim’s help. Very responsive, very helpful, and very patient in answering any questions we had and in finding a home that worked for us.

Make Your Move Happen

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