What’s the No. 1 thing people need to know before putting their house up for sale?
The market has shifted in the last month or so. At this point, it’s no longer the same expectation [that] you put your house on the market, and it’s going to sell within a day or two, and there’s going to be a crazy bidding war. Of course it depends on the area, [but] I would [tell] a seller to keep in mind that the home may be back in the traditional market, meaning it’s going to sit on the market for 10 to 30 days.
What trends in real estate might surprise people?
It will surprise them [that] the home is sitting longer, but that has nothing to do with them or the home. It just has to do with current trends right now. ... List prices are going to also shift, meaning that they’re going to go down to being normal and not overpriced.
Where do you see the market going these next few months?
I think [the market] is going to normalize itself.
What advice would you give on entering the market now?
I would definitely advise to have a good agent that is going to take the time to do the comparables [and] to really look at the market trend to really scope out the area so they are not overpaying or getting into a situation where they are going to overpay for the property in the long run. Educating the buyer is very, very important and key for myself in making sure that they’re still getting the best deal possible.
Jessica De La Cruz, agent, Lily Moore Realty, 1301 Solana Blvd., Bldg. 1, Ste. 1505, Westlake. 817-701-5414. www.lilymoorerealty.com
