IN Fox Chapel Area Summer 2019 | Page 56

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. 108 Walnut Ridge - Fox Chapel Area $455,000 MLS# 1387649 128 South Drive - Fox Chapel $1,495,000 MLS# 1395218 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. 1250 Fox Chapel Rd - Fox Chapel $2,100,000 MLS# 1384172 FUN FACT: Get the name and numbers. Trust your local real estate agent in the Fox Chapel Area. Kelly Leskovic, Realtor 129 Woodhaven Dr., Sarver, PA 16055 $376,900 17 Brilliant Ave., Pittsburgh Cell: 412-638-4967 Office: 412-963-7655 kelly.leskovic@ pittsburghmoves.com www.facebook.com/KellyLeskovicRealEstateAgent 54 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com A current issue of this magazine is also available online. icmags.com 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!   ■