IN Pine-Richland Summer 2019 | Page 37

SPECIAL SECTION: Real Estate 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. Service Exceeding Expectations!!! When purchasing or selling a home in the current real estate market, it is important to have confidence in your real estate professional. My Commitment and over 22 years experience in the North Pittsburgh Real Estate market can provide you with the specialized service you deserve. Mary Ann Brettell Residential Realtor Multi Million Dollar Producer Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 724-452-1100 Office 412-585-2585 Mobile [email protected] maryannbrettell.howardhanna.com 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!   ■ ® Generations of Real Estate Excellence UNIQUE EXPERIENCED D E D I C AT E D For more information on The Snider Group, find them on Facebook @thesniderteam, or call them directly: Nancy at 412.480.6423 or Julie at 412.352.8941. You can also find them at achieverealty.net. PINE-RICHLAND ❘ SUMMER 2019 35