New Realtor.com data show that nearly 29% of homes listed for sale across the Philadelphia metropolitan area last year carried HOA dues.
The share was up from 28% in 2024, and the median monthly fee rose to $215 from $199.
The figures point to rising ownership costs across HOA- and condo-governed properties citywide.
HOA Fees Climb And Touch More Philadelphia Listings
Philadelphia County includes roughly 1,380 condominium and HOA communities, spanning Center City, Old City, Society Hill, Washington Square West, and newer townhouse developments.
Across Pennsylvania, 26% of listings included HOA fees averaging about $150 per month, compared with 44% nationally.
Because HOA dues are contractual and ongoing, sellers cannot discount them at closing, which elevates post-acquisition carrying costs for owners and operators.
Buyer’s Market Meets Rising Ownership Costs
Redfin on August 13th classified Philadelphia as a buyer’s market in July, with about 8,835 sellers competing for 6,115 buyers, leaving 44.5% more sellers than buyers.
Nationally, active homebuyers fell to a record low of about 967,000 in July while nearly 1.46 million sellers remained, creating leverage on price but not on recurring ownership costs.
Related background is available in earlier reporting on rising HOA dues for Philadelphia residents.
Financing Mechanics Shrink Purchasing Power
HOA dues flow into debt-to-income calculations like principal and interest, which can reduce loan size and narrow buyer pools for HOA properties.
Based on an average mortgage rate of 6.27%, estimates cited by Alex Shvayetsky indicate every $100 in monthly dues can cut purchasing power by about $16,200, and $500 can remove nearly $81,000.
Jasmine Grove called dues “functionally a second mortgage,” while Josh Katz noted post-closing fee hikes can erode cash flow for owners who cannot refinance their HOA obligation.
Insurance And Deferred Maintenance Push Budgets Higher
Seth Floyd said insurance is the biggest driver of fee increases, with some carriers limiting new business and reducing competition just as associations need coverage.
Deferred maintenance compounds pressure, leading to fee hikes or special assessments when roofs, elevators, garages, or plumbing reach end of life.
Anthony Guerriero said many increases reflect bills that were always owed but only now booked, forcing boards to decide who pays for years of deferral.
Rising Liens Elevate Credit And Collections Risk
Benutech figures cited by Shvayetsky show HOA liens totaled 284,933 in 2025, up 8.6% from 262,446 in 2024, while ATTOM data show HOA-related foreclosures rose 50% between 2022 and 2025.
With the personal savings rate down to 2.8% in the second quarter of 2026, owners have less cushion when fees rise, increasing delinquency and lien exposure.
For property managers, this favors tighter collections protocols, realistic reserve funding, and clear communication on insurance and project timelines.