IN West Jefferson Hills Summer 2021 | Page 24

Real Estate Special Section SUMMER 2021
For someone else it may be a big yard . Do you dream of owning a home with a pool ? Writing out the specifics not only helps you identify what is important to you and your family , it also helps your real estate agent determine what is on the market that fits those needs and wants .
4 . Photos may be deceiving . Home photos , if done right , are often taken at the very best angle , in the best light , and sometimes with some retouching . Photos of problem areas will not be posted , so keep an open mind when you find something online that you like . Room sizes may appear quite larger in a photo than in person — that ’ s why it ’ s important to work with your real estate agent to visit any home that may have potential . Your agent might also show you homes that may not have photographed well , but are exactly what you ’ re looking for . Don ’ t be fooled by a real estate catfish !
5 . Be open-minded and on your toes . There will likely be several buyers vying for a similar home in the same market as you . If you think you ’ ve found the perfect home , alert your real estate agent as soon as possible to go see it in person . Being quick , but smart , could help you secure the home of your dreams in a low-inventory market . If you do get outbid by another buyer , be patient — something is sure to come along ! n

HOW TO GET TOP DOLLAR IN A SELLER ’ S MARKET

High demand and low inventory make up a seller ’ s market in real estate . Listing your home in a seller ’ s market could be the difference of having your home sell in days versus months . Demand for houses typically drives up competition , allowing sellers to potentially receive above asking price for their homes . But listing in a seller ’ s market doesn ’ t automatically guarantee your home will sell quickly . You still need to take the time to find a good real estate agent , ready your home to be listed , and do some research on the housing market in your neighborhood .
Once you decide you are ready to take the next step and sell your home , do some research on real estate agents in your area . Ask family , friends , and coworkers for recommendations and feedback on why they liked their agents . Once you have a few recommendations , reach out to them to learn more about their experience in selling homes similar to yours , the types of clients they usually work with , and to gauge if your personalities jibe . It ’ s critical to have someone you can trust .
Upon hiring , ask your agent to do a walkthrough of your home from the outside in , to provide you with constructive feedback on how to best ready your home for a buyer ’ s eyes . Be sure to keep an open mind when hearing feedback because decorations or paint colors that appeal to you may not appeal to buyers .
Once your home is ready to list , work with your agent to do some research on the housing market in your neighborhood . In a seller ’ s market , you may be able to list slightly higher because of limited inventory , but you ’ ll need to still list at a fair market value . If you list too high , it will immediately turn buyers off .
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