IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2016 | Page 24

S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : R E A L E S TAT E

are stubborn, while women will negotiate and close the deal
faster. Most importantly, find an agent who will work on your
behalf. Ask friends and family for references of agents they’ve
used in the past. Look up their current listings to see if they align
with the type of home you want to buy or sell. This will also
indicate their knowledge of the market.

7 BUYING/SELLING: Get a second opinion.

When you have lived in your home for years, it’s easy to overlook
problems that potential buyers may spot right away. Have a
relative or trusted friend come over to spot any small fixes that
you can make prior to putting your home on the market to make
sure it’s in optimal condition prior to selling. When considering
buying a home, it’s also helpful to have someone who is not
buying the home go with you to take a look. He/she will be able
to point out potential issues that you may not see when trying to
make such an important decision.

8 SELLING: Ignore the housing market.

Don’t waste your time watching the housing market for the best
time to sell. According to Investopedia, “it doesn’t matter what
your home is worth at any given moment except the moment
when you sell it. Being able to choose when you sell your
home, rather than being forced to sell it due to job relocation or
financial distress, will be the biggest determinant of whether you
will see a solid profit from your investment.”

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 state