IN Bethel Park Summer 2018 | Page 45

SPECIAL SECTION REAL ESTATE 2. Location. Location. Location. When narrowing down where you want your home to be, it’s best to first determine how much you can borrow. You don’t want to have your heart set on a location and come to find it is out of your budget. Look at what is most important to you. Is it proximity to parks and good schools, or access to entertainment and nightlife, or lots of land to spread out? From there, you may find exactly where you want to be that fits your spending limit. 3. Create a must-have list and a wish list. What’s non-negotiable in your new home? Is it an integral garage or open-concept floor plan or a pool? Now, is a pool really a non-negotiable? (We do live in Pittsburgh with sunny days less than half of the year.) Be realistic with your must-have list and your wish list. While a pool may seem dreamy, many communities have local swim clubs or gyms that provide all the joy of having a pool without the work. You may not get everything on your must-have list, but be creative on ways to potentially add those “musts” once you move in. 4. Things (including houses) are not always as they appear. Just like models in magazines with no wrinkles, home photos are often taken at their very best angle. What may seem dreamy and flawless on a comp uter screen may be crumbling and cracking in real life. Hit the streets with your local agent to see your favorite homes in person. You’ll be able to explore all of the sights unseen in the photos, including what the neighborhood is like. Maybe you find a lovely home, but come to learn it’s next to a busy freeway or shopping center. Never stray from the sentiment that seeing is believing! 5. Be patient; it’s a process. Unfortunately, you’re not the only buyers in the market. Many are looking for similar offerings in a home. You may lose out on what you think is the perfect home, but keep your head up! Something just as good, if not better, will come along—because where there are buyers, there are sure to be more sellers! Whether you’re looking to buy or to sell, there are hundreds of resources available to you and your family. Start smart by doing your research. Is now the time to put your home on the market? What’s the buyers market like this season? Don’t rush to make a decision just because spring is here. Homes are bought and sold throughout the year, so make sure the time is right. As a first step, review your finances. If you’re on the right track to having a good bit saved, you’re probably ready to start your must-have/wish lists. Reach out to a real estate agent to help you get acquainted with the communities you have in mind and the neighborhoods you can afford. If you’ve been talking about moving, take a look at your home. Do you have repairs to make before putting your home on the market? You’ll want to make any small upgrades, declutter and rearrange rooms prior to taking pictures of your home to show potential buyers. BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Realty One’s Kim Davidovich SPONSORED CONTENT Continued on next page > SPONSORED CONTENT Over 20 Years of Sales Experience Working for You I f there’s one thing Kim Davidovich knows, it’s the South Hills. A lifelong resident of Bethel Park and a member of the Bethel Park Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, Davidovich not only has her finger on the pulse of the community’s business demographic, but the demographic of people utilizing those businesses as well. “I’ve been in sales my whole life and I’ve enjoyed sales because it’s a people job where you meet and interact with someone new every day,” she says. “Real estate allows me to put my clients first, use my persistence to make things happen and to enact real change for people.” As far as residential real estate goes, Davidovich notes that her personal joy is in working with first-time homebuyers. “I love seeing people who’ve never owned a home before and their excitement through the whole transaction,” she explains. “You can’t help but be happy to see people get into a home that’s perfect for them.” Excellence in her profession is important to Davidovich, and she works tirelessly for her clients. She thrives on attention to detail, and makes a point of maintaining effective communication with every client. “I am never late for an appointment, and I am always responsive to my clients’ needs,” she says. “Without question, I give 100 percent to my clients! I respect them, and their time.” For more information on Kim Davidovich, go to www.realtyonegroup.com, or call her at the office at 724.941.1427 or directly on her cell at 412.580.2037. The office is located at 2857 Washington Road, McMurray, 15317. You can also email her with any questions at [email protected]. BETHEL PARK ❘ SUMMER 2018 43