Ask Kathe
An Ongoing Column Offering News, Advice, and Observations: All About The Real Estate Market in Pittsburgh, PA.
School:Home Value Ratios
Do you think living in a top ten school district adds value to our homes? Absolutely! There is no doubt in my mind that living in the Quaker Valley School District, ranked in the top ten in Western Pennsylvania, adds both value and sale-ability to our homes. We are...
Fall Selling Tips
Now that fall is here, do you have any tips for presenting our home well in the fall market?Fall can be such a wonderful season here in Pittsburgh, but sometimes sellers forget that they need to take a fresh look at their home to make sure it is still...
The Joy of Selling
We hear that selling a home can be a trying process. They say forewarned is forearmed. Any annoyances a seller should be expecting?Below is a short list of many of the “joys” sellers might experience during the listing process. Being aware that these are...
What’s Your Contingency Plan?
With all of the bidding wars happening in this hot market, should we put an appraisal contingency in our offer?Appraisal contingencies are added to agreements when buyers are concerned that their offer may be over market value. If you are getting a...
Making a Seller’s Market Your Buying Opportunity
We have been waiting for a while for some new homes to come on the market –are you anticipating more listings soon?It has in fact been a very active summer season and it sure does feel like inventory is very low. In fact, we currently have ONLY 82...
Why Now Is The Time To Buy!
We are looking to buy a new home – where is the market these days? Do you have any advice for buyers? We have had an unbelievably strong summer market – unlike anything I have seen in my nearly 22 years in business. Homes are often selling with multiple...
Why NOW is the Time to Move!
With all that is going on in the world, why should we consider a move now? I know it might seem counter-intuitive, but local market indicators suggest there has never been a better time to be in the market for a move. Why buy now? Here are my top reasons!
The Effect of the Economy
What impact do you think the recent economic downturn will have on our local real estate market?This is the million-dollar question right now. There seems to be no doubt that real estate consumers are a little less confident this week. But will we see an...
Selling with Pets
What advice do you have for pet owners hoping to sell their homes? I am a pet lover. In fact, there are two canine members of my family. 60% of Americans own a pet, and 40% are dog owners. As a pet owner and lover I am aware that not everyone loves...
Sometimes Empty is Best!
Dear Kathe- My mother recently passed leaving me and my brother a well-maintained but not updated house built in 1960. It’s full of furniture that is clean but bulky and out of style and almond-colored appliances that work fine but are 20-30 years old and don’t match. We plan to sell the house. My brother thinks the house will sell better if it has some furniture and appliances in it; I think it would sell better with empty rooms (it has beautiful hardwood and tile floors that have been covered with carpet since the day they were built) and the distracting appliances removed. What would you advise?
Representing You Near and Far!
We are planning to buy a second home in another location. How can we find a great agent to work with there?You might be surprised to learn that I can help you with this! No, I am not licensed in other states, but I can help you find a great agent...
Getting it SOLD!
We hear there is low inventory and many buyers looking for homes. Shouldn’t that work to our advantage as potential home sellers? It’s true -- we are in a very strong seller’s market. If you are thinking of selling, there is no better time than now. But...
Getting Ready to Sell
The job of getting our home ready for market seems so overwhelming. How does anyone get it all done? You are correct – there is quite a bit to do to get your home ready for market. We have HGTV to thank for high buyer expectations. Gone are the days...
Now the Fun Continues!
We’re first time home buyers. Where do we begin? (continued from last week) For those of who just picking up the conversation today, check out my blog at www.askkathe.com to read the past two weeks’ introduction to the home buying process. If you are...
Let the Fun Begin!
We’re first time home buyers. Where do we begin? (continued from last week) For those of who just picking up the conversation today, check out my blog at www.askkathe.com to read last week’s introduction to the home buying process. If you are following...
QUICK PROPERTY SEARCH
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