Preparation is key when selling and buying a home

LOUDONVILLE — We asked Brian Walters of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services to give us a snapshot of what’s going on currently in our area’s market.

Spotlight: Brian, tell us a little about yourself and your business?

Brian: Well, I have been in business for 24 years and I am with Howard Hanna, the third largest independent brokerage in the U.S. My concentration is in the residential resale market, both single family and investment properties, as well as commercial properties.

Spotlight: What are the current market conditions in our area?

Brian: Currently, we are in a seller’s market. We have a very low inventory of available properties and the supply of homes is less than the demand. The best homes, that are in tip-top condition and priced correctly, are selling very quickly and for top-dollar!

Spotlight: What advice do you give to people who may be thinking of putting their house on the market?

Brian: Preparation is always the key. Remove all clutter from the home. Freshen up the paint, if necessary. Make any needed repairs, and make sure your curb appeal is inviting. Buyers will often drive by your property. If it doesn’t grab them from the outside, they may be unlikely to want to see the inside. My team offers a value-added service where we will come out to your home and review all these items. You can prepare your home for sale with suggestions to trusted vendors who can assist.

Spotlight: From a buyer’s perspective, what can a buyer do to prepare looking for a home?

Brian: The absolute best thing a buyer can do is to get pre-qualified through a mortgage person. They will run their credit score and go over in detail on how much they can afford and what mortgage product fits their particular scenario. Upon approval, they can meet with a real estate agent they are comfortable with and start the process with them. I always like to schedule an initial buyer consultation in my office where I go over the entire process. I also set them up in my personal home search web site, www.SearchAlbanyAreaHomes.com. From there, they receive information on all properties within their criteria through email.

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