S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : R e a l E s tat e
Real Estate Tips
from the
Local Pros
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
“If you are selling your home, declutter and have the home freshly
painted. Impeccable pictures online showing as much of the walls and
flooring make the home show as big as it really is. Buyers make a decision
based on pictures online to call their realtor for a showing!”
“If you are looking to buy, try to find folks to work with (realtors,
lenders, inspectors, attorneys, contractors) communicate well and
frequently. There will be bumps in the process but most can be overcome
if communicated early and often.”
— Fred Amendola, Howard Hanna
• • • • • • • • •
“When selecting the builder for your new home, be sure to ask a few
key questions: Will they guarantee a timeframe for building? Do they offer
materials specs you can see in advance? Do they do on-site walk-throughs?
What is their warranty program? Are their homes energy-efficient? Finding
the right builder will help ensure long-term happiness with your new
home.”
— Natalie Washburn, Broker/Owner, Maleno Development
• • • • • • • • •
“Sellers should watch a couple episodes of any of the shows on HGTV
and understand that this is today’s market. The buyer will pay top dollar for a home that is in great condition. Have the home professionally
inspected and take care of all repairs before it goes on the market and for
heaven’s sake clean and paint the areas that need it. You will sell it faster
and for more money. A few dollars spent will bring a huge return.”
— Mark Eller, Howard Hanna
• • • • • • • • •
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
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“It’s best to use a local lender and an accessible loan officer that you can
speak with that will help you through the borrowing process, especially
with the recent, immense changes in the lending industry as new federal
laws and regulations have gone into place to protect borrowers and their
money. Personnel in the residential lending arena are trying to sort out
and come to terms with these sweeping changes, while borrowers may
have to wait and comply with lengthy and burdensome requirements.
“We in the residential lending industry are all working our best towards
making the process as easy as possible for borrowers in a climate where
it is not clear what is or will be deemed satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
Remember to be patient with all facets of the residential home borrowing
Industry; it is in our best interest to keep you happy and we are all striving
wholeheartedly to do so.”
— C. James Vendetti, Esquire, Vendetti & Vendetti
• • • • • • • • •
“Home sellers can create an inviting atmosphere beginning with the
first thing buyers see, the front of the property. Keep the lawn mowed and
tidy. Keep bushes and trees trimmed. Sweep the walkway and entryway.
Address any small repairs to the outside of the home. You can also plant
flowers or small plants, add solar lights, or add a fresh coat of paint to the
front door to greatly enhance the exterior of the home.
“Home buyers need to be prepared and patient. Get pre-approved and
begin working with an agent who knows the area well, listens to your
needs and genuinely cares about you and the process you are embarking
on. When the right home does come along, you’ll be a step ahead of the
crowd.”
— Michele Jones, Howard Hanna Realtor