SPECIAL SECTION:
Real Estate
9. SELLING:
Will renovating always increase my resale value?
Make conscious decisions when renovating your home.
While newer will entice potential buyers, be cognizant of
what rooms you update and how you do it. While updated
kitchens will increase the value of your home, be sure to
appeal to a wide range of tastes. A good place to start is
with the appliances. Realtor.com states that homes with
stainless steel appliances sell 15 percent faster than those
without. Updated bathrooms are easier to satisfy a wider
range of buyers’ desires for luxury, but be sure to keep the
colors neutral.
10. SELLING:
Don’t spend earnest money!
Many sellers make the mistake of depositing and spending
earnest money before closing day. If the transaction doesn’t
go through or the buyer pulls out due to repair issues, it is up
to the seller to return the cash. It is recommended to have
a real estate agent or broker hold the deposit. Most buyers’
earnest money will be held in an escrow account until the
closing day, allowing the money to remain untouched by
either party.
FUN FACT:
Get the name and numbers.
Just when you think you’ve checked all the boxes for an
easy sell of your house, take a second look at your address.
According to Zillow, street names and house numbers
matter! If you happen to live at 666 Fanny Hands Lane, you
may be out of luck (however that particular street is in the
United Kingdom, so you should be safe). Innuendo-laden
street names tend to not sell as quickly as something more
like Thunder Road. American numerology says that 666
is bad luck and could decrease the value of your home by
2-3 percent. Also, steer clear of the number four, considered
unlucky in Chinese culture. Stick to the number eight, or
include the lucky digits 316 in your asking price!
Before entering the real estate market, educate yourself.
The more you know, the better your chances are for nailing
down the home of your dreams! ■
WE ARE
BETHEL PARK
RESIDENTS
AND HAVE
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
IN HELPING
OUR
CUSTOMERS
BUY AND SELL
HOMES IN
BETHEL PARK!!
Visit us on Facebook and Instagram or
call directly at 724.809.3252.
BETHEL PARK
❘
SUMMER 2019
47