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 must-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 .
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 extracurricular 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 .
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PETERS TOWNSHIP ❘ APRIL / MAY 2018 53