Spring Home Improvement 2024 | Page 5

monticellotimes . com Spring Home Improvement • Thursday , April 25 , 2024 Page 5

Home sweet home : A talk with real estate agent Stacey Stanley

‘ A knowledgeable , experienced real estate agent brings invaluable expertise to the table ’

By JASON JENKINS jason . jenkins @ apgecm . com
When it comes to navigating the choppy waters of the real estate market , Stacey Stanley has some advice : Find a skilled captain .
“ A knowledgeable , experienced real estate agent brings invaluable expertise to the table ,” said Stanley , a broker associate with Real Broker who ’ s based out of her home office in Big Lake . “ We offer not only guidance , but we also offer protection and support throughout the entire process from start to finish , and sometimes even well beyond that .”
According to Stanley , one of the key aspects of an agent is to provide sound advice based on an in-depth understanding of all the intricacies involved in a real estate transaction . This includes navigating complex legal and financial matters while working to secure the best deal possible .
“ The ability to negotiate effectively can truly make or break what may be the largest and most significant investment of your life ,” Stanley said .
Having worked in the industry since 1998 , Stanley has been helping clients buy and sell homes primarily between Maple Grove to St . Cloud – and occasionally beyond when needed .
“ I have shown properties as far west as Benson and as far north as Outing . I have a reliable car , so I don ’ t mind a road trip every now and then ,” she said .
When it comes to tips for selling a home , Stanley has two key factors to keep in mind : pricing and presentation . To ensure a home is competitively priced , Stanley recommends that clients set up an MLS home search to view comparable listings and gain a better understanding of which homes in their area are selling and which aren ’ t .
“ Presentation on the
MLS is just as vital ,” she said of the multiple listing service platform , which is used by real estate agents to share information about homes for sale and find available listings for prospective buyers . “ The photos and descriptions of a home will be the very first impressions that a buyer will see . Therefore , it ’ s really essential to ensure that the home is meticulously prepped and ready for photos and that the listing showcases the property in the best possible light .”
As far as staging a home , Stanley suggests a “ clean and simple ” strategy that involves decluttering and making sure the home is neat and tidy . This step also includes
See Stanley , Page 9
Stacey Stanley
( SUBMITTED PHOTO )
Burnsville Showroom 12550 West Frontage Rd Burnsville , MN 55337 952-808-1412
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