SPECIAL SECTION REAL ESTATE
2. Location. Location. Location.
When narrowing down where you want your home to
be, it’s best to first determine how much you can borrow.
You don’t want to have your heart set on a location and
come to find it is out of your budget. Look at what is
most important to you. Is it proximity to parks and good
schools, or access to entertainment and nightlife, or lots
of land to spread out? From there, you may find exactly
where you want to be that fits your spending limit.
3. Create a must-have list and a wish list.
What’s non-negotiable in your new home? Is it an integral
garage or open-concept floor plan or a pool? Now, is a
pool really a non-negotiable? (We do live in Pittsburgh
with sunny days less than half of the year.) Be realistic
with your must-have list and your wish list. While a pool
may seem dreamy, many communities have local swim
clubs or gyms that provide all the joy of having a pool
without the work. You may not get everything on your
m ust-have list, but be creative on ways to potentially add
those “musts” once you move in.
4. Things (including houses) are not always as they
appear.
Just like models in magazines with no wrinkles, home
photos are often taken at their very best angle. What may
seem dreamy and flawless on a computer screen may be
crumbling and cracking in real life. Hit the streets with
your local agent to see your favorite homes in person.
You’ll be able to explore all of the sights unseen in the
photos, including what the neighborhood is like. Maybe
you find a lovely home, but come to learn it’s next to a
busy freeway or shopping center. Never stray from the
sentiment that seeing is believing!
5. Be patient; it’s a process.
Unfortunately, you’re not the only buyers in the market.
Many are looking for similar offerings in a home. You may
lose out on what you think is the perfect home, but keep
your head up! Something just as good, if not better, will
come along—because where there are buyers, there are
sure to be more sellers!
Whether you’re looking to buy or to sell, there are hundreds
of resources available to you and your family. Start smart by
doing your research. Is now the time to put your home on
the market? What’s the buyers market like this season? Don’t
rush to make a decision just because spring is here. Homes are
bought and sold throughout the year, so make sure the time is
right. As a first step, review your finances. If you’re on the right
track to having a good bit saved, you’re probably ready to start
your must-have/wish lists. Reach out to a real estate agent to
help you get acquainted with the communities you have in mind
and the neighborhoods you can afford. If you’ve been talking
about moving, take a look at your home. Do you have repairs to
make before putting your home on the market? You’ll want to
make any small upgrades, declutter and rearrange rooms prior to
taking pictures of your home to show potential buyers.
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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 extra-
curricular 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 inspections 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.
WEST ALLEGHENY
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SUMMER 2018
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