Kitchens are very important to potential Pittsburgh buyers in , the feel of a kitchen and make or break a sale. However, making a lot of updates can be expensive for the seller. Here are a few small and affordable changes that can have a huge impact on buyers.

Hang targeted lighting, having light over and island or work space brings the light down from the ceiling. Back splash accents, you don’t even have to redo the entire thing, but a small part perhaps in a different color to draw the eye. Painted cabinets, if they are already painted consider touching them up. These few small things can make a big different in the kitchen.

Saving at closing time can be essential to many Pittsburgh buyers. Make sure you shop around before settling with a mortgage lender. Know which fees are the broker’s fees and which are third party. You want to understand everything you can about the mortgage and the closing costs you’ll face. Third party fees are harder to negotiate so you’ll want to know which and how much those fees are before hand. Also don’t forget to shop for hazard insurance, compare offers for homeowners insurance the same way to you for your mortgage. Realtors can also answer any questions you have.

It is very important to make a great first impression to the potential buyers of your home. Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to efficiently unclutter your home that will excite buyers. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an appealing and marketable home.

Get rid of those items that have been sitting around for years without being used or even handled. This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it. Buyers and real estate agents should see your house in its best condition from the very first day it’s on the market.

Here are a few approaches to take to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”

Another way to unclutter your home and get it ready to sell is to make those minor repairs and best of all, make the house sparkle! Only do one room, or even one small area, at a time so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Your best friend is the trash bag; when in doubt, throw it out. Many find it easier to use boxes to sort items, so you don’t have to find a home for everything as you unclutter. Most important, be quick and decisive when sorting. Tell yourself:

For many people living in or moving to PA, the best real estate purchase is one that combines the comfort of home with a piece of history. Buying a historic home in Pittsburgh, Wexford or Pine Township is fairly common in today’s market, thanks to an incredible real estate climate and one of the most dynamic historic districts in the state.

However, if you’re simply looking at the intricate architecture and are thinking how great it would be to own a piece of the city’s history, you might want to take a step back and consider all the work involved in becoming a historic home owner.

The decision to buy new or a well established Pittsburgh house can be a difficult one to make. There are many pros and cons for each option. New up-to-date features in new communities houses are definitely enticing to potential buyers, however is paying more upfront worth those features? Newer homes are harder to appraise and the price is far less negotiable than established homes. Talking with realtors who know the area and have an idea of the prices of houses and how much updates cost can help you in making your decision. If a well established home needs a lot of work, it may cost you more than a new home. Be sure to consider both before deciding which house to buy.

The most important thing when selling a Pittsburgh house in this market is the price. Home incentives help, but the price is key to selling the house in a timely manner. Staging a house perfectly will help potential buyers once they are in the house, but throwing in incentives to get buyers to the house is very popular right now. Some sellers have thrown in new appliances, or payment of condo fees, or even offering the realtor 1% more on commission to entice them to show the house.

If you’re planning on selling a house in Pittsburgh, there are several ways to go about it. The most traditional, of course, is to work with a real estate agent like Kevin Mihm to prepare, list, and sell your home. Another option that many people consider is for sale by owner, or FSBO, which bypasses the agent and puts you in charge of all the details.