IN Monroeville Summer 2019 | Page 29

SPECIAL SECTION: 5. BUYING: Enjoy the view? It’s obvious that homes with a view can sell big. In fact, Realtor. com states that homes with a view of the city sell the fastest, with an average of 83 days on the market, while homes with an ocean view sit for 98 days (mostly due to the elevated price of oceanfront property). If you are in love with a home with a view, be sure it is there to stay. Although you may see rolling hills through your living room window now, who’s to say a real estate developer won’t see that same space as the perfect opportunity to build more homes? Check with your local municipality for land use regulations to make sure your view will remain. 6. BUYING/SELLING: Your real estate agent matters. According to Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff, research shows gender matters when choosing a real estate agent. Rascoff says men will get your home sold closer to asking price because they 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 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. Real Estate IMPORTANCE OF A LOCAL REAL ESTATE AGENT You wouldn’t undergo surgery without a surgeon, or do a root canal without a dentist, so why would you buy or sell a house without a real estate agent? Agents have in‑depth knowledge of local communities, an insider’s view of the real estate market, and early access into listings that go on the market. By having a real estate agent on your team, you can take full advantage of these perks when trying to buy or sell a home! Moving into a new community? A real estate agent is familiar with the lay of the land—from what the neighborhood is like, to the local hotspots. He/she will be able to guide you in the decision that best fits your ideal location and wish list. Making a move into a new neighborhood or town with kids makes a real estate agent even more necessary. Agents can provide an inside look into school districts, sports teams and available extracurricular activities that could be a game-changer for you and your family. Having an agent as an insider into all things local is just one benefit. With access to other real estate professionals, such as mortgage lenders, home inspectors, attorneys and title companies, agents are valuable in streamlining the process of making a transaction. They also have access to the multiple listing service (MLS) to provide you with information on available homes. Access to the MLS is restricted to licensed agents and brokers, providing them with a wealth of knowledge that they can then pass along to you. This includes information that sellers don’t necessarily list on public sites, such as square footage, seller disclosures and HOA regulations. Armed with facts from the MLS, including comparable listings in the area, real estate agents can negotiate on your behalf. They are able to develop an offer that reflects market value, while still staying within certain budgetary guidelines. Once these offers are reviewed, agents can make recommendations from the inspection on repair costs and how to appropriately counter an offer. If you are in the market to buy or sell, start by doing some research on a real estate agency that is right for you. Have new neighbors? Ask who their agents were. They obviously did a good job of selling your neighborhood to buyers. If referrals aren’t available, look for a local office in your neighborhood or in the neighborhood where you’re interested in moving. The agency can offer guidance and support throughout the entirety of your home-buying or selling process. Continued on next page > MONROEVILLE ❘ SUMMER 2019 27