With her lease set to expire, Clare Perretta faced a pressing decision last spring: continue renting or purchase her first home. After more than six years renting a condo in Maple Shade, New Jersey, her landlord informed her he was selling the property. Contrary to her expectation that an investor might purchase the unit and allow her to stay, the condo was sold to a buyer who intended to move in, giving Ms. Perretta just 60 days to vacate.

Determined to avoid further uncertainty, Ms. Perretta, 45, enlisted the help of her friend and real estate agent Steven J. Tamburello of Century 21 Alliance to navigate the homebuying process. With financial assistance from her mother for a down payment, she began searching for a residence that would accommodate both her needs and those of her mother, who has limited mobility. Key criteria included two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, minimal stairs for aging in place, and proximity to local shops and her new job in digital content in New Jersey.

Although she considered a first-time homebuyers’ mortgage program, Ms. Perretta ultimately secured a conventional loan approved for $375,000, a figure she found intimidating. She therefore targeted homes priced between $275,000 and $350,000. Over eight weeks, she toured 17 properties in Cherry Hill and Haddonfield, two Philadelphia suburbs known for stable housing values, and submitted offers on five.

Among her top options was a single-family home in Cherry Hill: a 960-square-foot, three-bedroom house built in 1941, featuring an upgraded kitchen, hardwood floors, a renovated bathroom, and a detached garage. Priced at $350,000, it offered a patio and backyard near downtown but attracted multiple bidders, eventually selling for $40,000 above the asking price.

Ms. Perretta also considered a two-bedroom, two-bath condo built in 1975 in Haddonfield. It included an eat-in kitchen, ample storage, and an expansive primary bedroom with an en suite bathroom. The unit, listed for $299,900, was within walking distance of shops but carried monthly homeowners’ association fees of $494. Despite an offer, she was outbid on this property as well.

After several unsuccessful bids, Ms. Perretta shifted focus to a Cherry Hill fixer-upper — a first-floor, two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo built in 1987. Though initially underwhelmed, she saw potential in its location near shops, an 18-minute commute to work, and lower price relative to condition. The unit, featuring a walk-in closet and patio near a pool, was priced at $310,000 with $400 monthly HOA fees.

Ms. Perretta submitted an initial offer of $275,000; the seller countered at $300,000. They ultimately agreed on $295,000 with a $3,200 credit toward closing costs to cover repair expenses identified during inspection. She closed on July 10, just five days before her lease expired, and moved into the home shortly thereafter.

Since moving in, Ms. Perretta has begun renovations, including bathroom updates and window replacements, and has addressed ventilation issues. She noted that the previous musty odor, which she referred to as “the grandma smell,” has dissipated, and she is enthusiastic about personalizing her new home.