Ask Kathe
An Ongoing Column Offering News, Advice, and Observations: All About The Real Estate Market in Pittsburgh, PA.
Housing Shortage
We continue to look at homes on the Howard Hanna website and have noticed there doesn’t seem to be many homes coming on the market. Just wondering if we’ve missed the peak of the spring real estate season? Have you found that there are typically more...
Inspect Your Options
The market is very hot right now and we are having no luck winning a bidding war. Should we waive inspections?It’s certainly true that waiving inspections will make your offer much stronger than a competing offer in which the buyer is inspecting the home....
Pocket Listings
We have noticed that several homes have sold lately before they have hit the MLS. Are these “pocket listings” a good way to sell your home? If a home sells before it hits the MLS, as a “pocket listing” as they are often called, it is highly likely that the...
The Demand for Supply
Why don’t we see new inventory hitting the market – has spring not sprung? The freeze is over and our real estate market should be opening with new introductions as I write. In fact, I have new introductions coming this week! That said, there is a glut of...
To Repair or Not To Repair
Sometimes it seems like everything is breaking around our house and we get behind on repairs. Isn’t there some level of wear and tear buyers of “previously enjoyed” homes are expecting to have to accept?The process of selling and buying a home involves...
STRATEGIC BUYING
Why does it seem like there are no new homes coming on the market! Your perceptions are correct! We have less than one half of the homes we had on the market at this time last year. At the time of this writing, we have only 61 homes actively available...
Move Out and Move In!
We’ve been cooped up in our house for nearly a year now with this pandemic and are feeling like it’s time for a change. Your thoughts?We are in the absolute best sellers market I have seen here in western PA in my 22 years in the business! We have less...
2020 Year In Review
Now that 2020 is coming to a close, do you have any reflections on the year in real estate?2020 is a year we will all be happy to see in the rear view mirror, and that day is coming soon! In March, we were all worried that the pandemic would result in a...
Show that Holiday Cheer
If our home is on the market, how long is it ok to keep our decorations up? In this incredibly dark time of the year, and even more so in this difficult holiday season as we continue to muddle through this global pandemic, festive holiday décor certainly...
A Proactive Step to Inspections
If there was one thing you would advise us to do to our home as we continue our months “at home,” in this global pandemic, what would that be? Whether you are planning to sell your home this coming year or not, the best thing you can do to your home is a...
Home Appliance Advice
We need to replace our appliances. Any recommendations?It’s a great time of year to be buying appliances – you may be able to grab a great black Friday deal! However, do be prepared for a wait – the pandemic has brought on an “appliance shortage” and you...
A Grateful Time
This time of year we all take the time to give thanks for all of the wonderful things in our lives. I have much to be thankful for. The obvious chart toppers are good health, wonderful family and friends, and of course, a warm home to come home to each...
Visual Aspects
How important do you think it is to have a visual tour as part of marketing a home in today’s home selling environment?Visual tours are an essential part of every home sale. National Association of Realtor studies show that the majority of all home buyers...
Holiday Showings
Our home is on the market – is it ok to show it decorated for the holidays or should we take it off the market?Buyers who are shopping during the holidays are some of the most serious buyers we see each year – most people don’t bother spending their...
Setting The Stage to Sell Your Home
I’ve heard a lot about having my home professionally staged – I think my home is well decorated – is it something I need to do?Home staging is more about marketing a home and less about interior design. Your home could be beautifully decorated and poorly staged. The...
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Associate Broker
HOWARD HANNA
REAL ESTATE SERVICES
401 Broad Street
Sewickley, PA 15143
Cell: 412-779-6060
Office: 412-741-2200 x238
kbarge@howardhanna.com