Liz Caplan, PA REALTOR® Pittsburgh, PA Real Estate Specialst

Looking for a great real estate agent?

Look for an agent who is experienced and works in the area/s or niche market you are interested in buying. While I'm licensed in the state of PA, I specialize in several niche areas (such as Downtown Pittsburgh, condos, new construction, Sq. Hill, Shadyside, Mt. Washington and other City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods).

Do your homework, research on-line which Realtors® specialize in the area/s you are interested in. Working as a buyers agent requires a lot of COMMUNICATION, trust and commitment. Personalities must also align, you should feel confident and comfortable with your agent from the start. A good Realtor® listens to your needs, clarifies questions, helps you find homes that meet your criteria, responds quickly with assists with setting up showings, prepares and presents contracts and helps to negotiate the best price.

Contact Liz Caplan, The Caplan Group

www.Pittsburghhomesite.com, liz@pittsburghhomesite.com

SELLING YOU PITTSBURGH PA HOME: 5 TIPS TO SELL YOUR HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR

DESPITE THE MARKET CONDITIONS, HOMES ARE STILL SELLING AND SOME

HOMEOWNERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY BEAT THE ODDS AND

SELL FOR TOP DOLLAR. TO MODEL THE SUCCESS OF THESE SAVVY

HOMEOWNERS, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT 5 TIPS TO SELL YOUR HOME FOR TOP

DOLLAR:

1. PRICE YOUR HOME AGGRESSIVELY

SETTING THE RIGHT PRICE FOR YOUR HOME IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT

DECISION YOU WILL MAKE WHEN YOU DECIDE TO SELL. GO TOO HIGH AND

YOU RISK TURNING OFF EVERY BUYER IN THE MARKETPLACE, GO TOO LOW AND

YOU LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE. ONE SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL TECHNIQUE

FOR PRICING YOUR HOME AGGRESSIVELY IS TO SPEND THE DAY LOOKING AT

2. HIRE AN AGGRESSIVE/EXPERIENCE LISTING AGENT

NOT ALL LISTING AGENTS ARE CREATED EQUAL. TO FIND AN AGGRESSIVE FULL TIME AGENT, TAKE THE TIME TO RESEARCH THE MARKET, TALK TO FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND COLLEAGUES ABOUT WHO THEY RECOMMEND, AND INTERVIEW MULTIPLE AGENTS BEFORE MAKING A HIRING DECISION. DON’T HIRE AN AGENT JUST BECAUSE THEY TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. MAKE SURE YOUR AGENT GIVES

YOU A TRUE PICTURE ABOUT VALUES IN YOUR MARKETPLACE, EVEN IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT. IN ADDITION, BE SURE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ABOUT A SPECIFIC, DOCUMENTED MARKETING PLAN BEFORE SIGNING A LONG TERM LISTING AGREEMENT.

3. STAGE THE HOME & USE CURB APPEAL

BUYERS WON'T PULL THE TRIGGER UNLESS THEY BECOME EMOTIONALLY INVESTED IN YOUR HOME. TO HELP BUILD A STRONGER FIRST IMPRESSION, START FROM THE OUTSIDE FIRST BY WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL. REMOVE THE WEEDS, PLANT FRESH FLOWERS AND SPRUCE UP YOUR EXTERIOR PAINT IF NEEDED. NEXT MOVE INSIDE AND STAGE EACH SPACE BY CREATING

A FOCAL POINT AND A STORY FOR EACH ROOM. A SET DINING TABLE, A BOOK BY THE BED, OR A GAME IN THE KIDS ROOM ARE ALL SIMPLE EXAMPLES OF STAGING.

4. OFFER INCENTIVES & PRE-PAIDS

A BUYER WHO HAS NARROWED THEIR SEARCH DOWN TO TWO OR THREE TOP CHOICES MAY NEED A LITTLE PUSH TO MOTIVATE THEM TO TAKE ACTION. TO ENCOURAGE BUYERS, MANY SELLERS OFFER INCENTIVES LIKE BUYING THE INTEREST RATE DOWN ON THE PURCHASER'S LOAN, PAYING FOR CLOSING COSTS, INSPECTIONS, OR REPAIRS, OR PROVIDING ALLOWANCES OR CREDITS FOR HOME UPGRADES AFTER

CLOSING. IN ADDITION, MANY SELLERS PREPAY FOR SERVICES LIKE INTERNET SERVICES FOR A YEAR, TAXES, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

DUES, OR EVEN GOLF CLUB MEMBERSHIPS.

5. GET YOUR HOME PRE-INSPECTED

MANY SELLERS DO PRE-INSPECTIONS OF THE HOME TO PROVIDE BUYERS WITH A CLEAR WHOLE HOME INSPECTION OR PEST AND DRY ROT INSPECTION. (A WORD OF CAUTION: ANYTHING DISCOVERED DURING A PRE-INSPECTION WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE DISCLOSED WHETHER YOU FIX THE ISSUE OR NOT). IT’S OFTEN EASIER AND CHEAPER TO DO NEEDED REPAIRS IN ADVANCE THAN TRYING TO

NEGOTIATE THEM LATER WITH AN EMOTIONAL BUYER.

An interesting article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette focuses on a growing demographic that is attracting an increasing number of 20-something home buyers. According to the recent article, Census numbers show that Pittsburgh’s median age dropped from 35.5 to 33.2 percent between 2000 and 2010.

Here’s what else recent Census data shows:

• While Pittsburgh’s median age decreased between the 2000 and 2010 Census, other cities such as Cincinnati, Cleveland and Minneapolis, saw increases in their median age.
• The number of Pittsburgh residents between the ages of 20 and 24 increased by 22.1 percent between the 2000 and 2010 Census.
• The percentage of Pittsburgh residents who are 65 and older decreased by 23.4 percent between 2000 and 2010 – or from 55,034 to 42,151
• Pittsburgh residents who are 65 and older now make up 13.8 percent of the population.
• In Allegheny County, the number of residents who are 65 and older decreased from 17.8 to 16.8 percent .

According to one recent article, Pittsburgh PA is attracting a younger crowd because of the many amenities it has to offer, including:

• A thriving job market
• Quality Schools
• Fair taxes
• A community-oriented atmosphere

According to the recent article, Census numbers show that Pittsburgh’s median age dropped from 35.5 to 33.2 percent between 2000 and 2010.

Here’s what else recent Census data shows:

• While Pittsburgh’s median age decreased between the 2000 and 2010 Census, other cities such as Cincinnati, Cleveland and Minneapolis, saw increases in their median age.
• The number of Pittsburgh residents between the ages of 20 and 24 increased by 22.1 percent between the 2000 and 2010 Census.
• The percentage of Pittsburgh residents who are 65 and older decreased by 23.4 percent between 2000 and 2010 – or from 55,034 to 42,151
• Pittsburgh residents who are 65 and older now make up 13.8 percent of the population.
• In Allegheny County, the number of residents who are 65 and older decreased from 17.8 to 16.8 percent .

According to one recent article, Pittsburgh PA is attracting a younger crowd because of the many amenities it has to offer, including:

• A thriving job market
• Quality Schools
• Fair taxes
• A community-oriented atmosphere

According to the recent article, Census numbers show that Pittsburgh’s median age dropped from 35.5 to 33.2 percent between 2000 and 2010.

Here’s what else recent Census data shows:

• While Pittsburgh’s median age decreased between the 2000 and 2010 Census, other cities such as Cincinnati, Cleveland and Minneapolis, saw increases in their median age.
• The number of Pittsburgh residents between the ages of 20 and 24 increased by 22.1 percent between the 2000 and 2010 Census.
• The percentage of Pittsburgh residents who are 65 and older decreased by 23.4 percent between 2000 and 2010 – or from 55,034 to 42,151
• Pittsburgh residents who are 65 and older now make up 13.8 percent of the population.
• In Allegheny County, the number of residents who are 65 and older decreased from 17.8 to 16.8 percent .

According to one recent article, Pittsburgh PA is attracting a younger crowd because of the many amenities it has to offer, including:

• A thriving job market
• Quality Schools
• Fair taxes
• A community-oriented atmosphere

According to a recent article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, home sales decreased by nearly 19 percent in June when compared to June 2010.

One possible reason for the drop in home sales year-over-year is the absence of the first time home buyers credit.

The federal tax credit, which gave homebuyers an $8,000 rebate if they bought a home by the end of June, caused a lot of activity on real estate markets last year.

Here’s what else the newspaper recently reported:

• Home values in the Pittsburgh region increased from $154,748 in 2009 to $170,351 in June
• The median home price increased from $125,500 to $134,250 during that same time.
• Butler County had the highest average home price with $231,831.
• Washington County’s average home price is $186,231
• Allegheny County’s average home price is $171,491
• Westmoreland County’s average home price is $139,944
• Beaver County’s average home price is $111,064.