IN Mt. Lebanon Summer 2016 | Page 29

S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : R E A L E S TAT E 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. 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 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.” Continued on page 29 ➢ Join IN Community Magazines’ Team of Professionals Looking for Two Advertising Sales Representatives to Enhance our Exceptional Team Qualified candidates must have: • Successful Sales Experience (Print media is preferred but not necessary) • Strong Work Ethic • Good Organizational and Time Management Skills • Effective Interpersonal Skills • Positive and Energetic Attitude For more information, please contact our VP of Sales, Tamara Myers, at [email protected] Mt. Lebanon | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 27