Q & A with Dottie Herman

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Q1 - I purchased my house two years ago and now my husband and I are being relocated for his job. We put a large amount of money into the house, so even though the market has not changed much we would like to get some of our investment back. Is it unreasonable to put the house on the market now at a much higher price?

A - If you need to sell your home quickly, it should be priced correctly. Compare your home to the current listings in your area to see if the improvements you have made make your home more attractive to home buyers. Most buyers today are more attracted to properties that do not require a great deal of work. Once you decide on a price, test the market. If in the first weeks of listing the property, you are getting price resistance, you can lower the price. You may also benefit from consulting an experienced real estate agent in your area who can provide you with current data.

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Q2 - I have been looking for a home for a few months. We just found one we really like; however, it is the best house on the block. Many of the other homes are much smaller and very old and run down. I heard it is not smart to be the biggest and best house on a given block. Is that true?

A - The neighborhood can certainly have an impact on home values. You might want to have the property professionally appraised to help you with your decision making.

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Q3 - How many houses should I see before I decide which one is right for me? Some people say it is not smart to buy one of the first houses you see, because you don't have enough comparison. Is that true?

A - If you believe in "love at first sight", then go for it. Good properties are selling, and all too often buyers who subscribe to the theory of not seeing enough, regret what they've lost when they find out that a property they saw early in their search has sold.  If youneed a comfort level, there is enough information on-line. You may want to put your offer in and continue to look at comparable properties.

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If you have a real estate question for Dottie, please send it to; Reporters@WorldPropertyChannel.com

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