January, 2025 - Reach Your 2025 Homebuying and Selling Goals With a Realtor®
Fayette County– New year, new home? If your list of goals for 2025 includes buying and/or selling, a Pennsylvania Realtor® is here to help.
“Whether you’re looking for a new home or saying goodbye to your old one, a Realtor® can guide you through the process,” said Fayette
Board of Realtors® President Gary Reagan. “We aren’t just real estate agents – we’re experts in real estate who subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are committed to helping our clients build wealth and achieve their goals.”
For both buyers and sellers, Realtors® do more than meets the eye. They act as expert guides, offer objective information and opinions, give you expanded search power, stand in your corner during negotiations, ensure an up-to-date experience, act as your rock during emotional moments and provide fair and ethical service.
A Realtor®’s knowledge covers a wide variety of industry topics, including local market conditions, financing options, legal forms, requirements and regulations, tax information, negotiation skills, home staging, the appraisal process and more. This knowledge is key to guiding their clients through one of the most significant transactions of their lives.
“From the very start to the closing table, Realtors® are here for you every step of the way,” Reagan emphasized. “We are fully committed to serving our clients and helping them reach their homebuying and selling goals.”
If this is the year you want to buy or sell a home, working with a Realtor® can help you do it. Search for and connect with your next Realtor® at parealtors.org/find-a-realtor. Choose the Realtor® who’s right for you by considering your goals, evaluating your needs and expectations, conducting interviews and asking for referrals.
The Fayette Board of Realtors® is the Voice of Real Estate in Fayette County
“Whether you’re looking for a new home or saying goodbye to your old one, a Realtor® can guide you through the process,” said Fayette
Board of Realtors® President Gary Reagan. “We aren’t just real estate agents – we’re experts in real estate who subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are committed to helping our clients build wealth and achieve their goals.”
For both buyers and sellers, Realtors® do more than meets the eye. They act as expert guides, offer objective information and opinions, give you expanded search power, stand in your corner during negotiations, ensure an up-to-date experience, act as your rock during emotional moments and provide fair and ethical service.
A Realtor®’s knowledge covers a wide variety of industry topics, including local market conditions, financing options, legal forms, requirements and regulations, tax information, negotiation skills, home staging, the appraisal process and more. This knowledge is key to guiding their clients through one of the most significant transactions of their lives.
“From the very start to the closing table, Realtors® are here for you every step of the way,” Reagan emphasized. “We are fully committed to serving our clients and helping them reach their homebuying and selling goals.”
If this is the year you want to buy or sell a home, working with a Realtor® can help you do it. Search for and connect with your next Realtor® at parealtors.org/find-a-realtor. Choose the Realtor® who’s right for you by considering your goals, evaluating your needs and expectations, conducting interviews and asking for referrals.
The Fayette Board of Realtors® is the Voice of Real Estate in Fayette County
February. 2025 - DIY or Hire? How to Decide What’s Best for Your Home Project
Fayette County – Are you planning a home project this year? There are pros and cons to both doing it yourself and hiring a professional, but the deciding factors may come down to cost, time/effort and skill level.
“Cost-effectiveness is often one of the top reasons people choose to DIY instead of hiring a professional,” said Fayette Board of Realtors® President Gary Reagan. “Completing a project yourself can help you stay within your budget, but it’s important to also think long term.”
DIYing can save you dollars in labor, materials, markups and more. However, don’t forget to factor in the hidden costs of doing it yourself. Buying or renting tools and equipment can be expensive, and making mistakes can lead to the need for even more costly repairs.
“It’s important to consider the time and effort that will be required as well,” Reagan added. “If you’re pressed for time or the project requires significant effort, hiring a professional can save you valuable hours and help you avoid frustration.”
On the other hand, if you’re not in a rush and want to maintain complete control over your project’s timeline, DIYing can be a good choice. Doing it yourself allows you to keep a flexible schedule and can save you from waiting for an appointment or contractor availability.
“Your skill level and experience might be the most important,” Reagan noted. “If you lack the knowledge and skill to complete your specific project, hiring a professional will save you money, time and effort, and it will be the safest choice.”
DIYers who aren’t confident in their ability to complete a project efficiently are more likely to work slower, waste materials and be unhappy with the final result. Safety is also a concern, as a lack of expertise can lead to potential injuries and other hazards, especially when working in electricity, plumbing and other more advanced areas.
“It all comes down to you,” Reagan concluded. “What do you know about the project you want to complete? What skills do you have that can help you get there? If you’re not confident in your ability to do it yourself, ask your Realtor® for recommendations for local professionals that can help you get the job done right.”
The Fayette Board of Realtors® is the Voice of Real Estate in Fayette County
“Cost-effectiveness is often one of the top reasons people choose to DIY instead of hiring a professional,” said Fayette Board of Realtors® President Gary Reagan. “Completing a project yourself can help you stay within your budget, but it’s important to also think long term.”
DIYing can save you dollars in labor, materials, markups and more. However, don’t forget to factor in the hidden costs of doing it yourself. Buying or renting tools and equipment can be expensive, and making mistakes can lead to the need for even more costly repairs.
“It’s important to consider the time and effort that will be required as well,” Reagan added. “If you’re pressed for time or the project requires significant effort, hiring a professional can save you valuable hours and help you avoid frustration.”
On the other hand, if you’re not in a rush and want to maintain complete control over your project’s timeline, DIYing can be a good choice. Doing it yourself allows you to keep a flexible schedule and can save you from waiting for an appointment or contractor availability.
“Your skill level and experience might be the most important,” Reagan noted. “If you lack the knowledge and skill to complete your specific project, hiring a professional will save you money, time and effort, and it will be the safest choice.”
DIYers who aren’t confident in their ability to complete a project efficiently are more likely to work slower, waste materials and be unhappy with the final result. Safety is also a concern, as a lack of expertise can lead to potential injuries and other hazards, especially when working in electricity, plumbing and other more advanced areas.
“It all comes down to you,” Reagan concluded. “What do you know about the project you want to complete? What skills do you have that can help you get there? If you’re not confident in your ability to do it yourself, ask your Realtor® for recommendations for local professionals that can help you get the job done right.”
The Fayette Board of Realtors® is the Voice of Real Estate in Fayette County
April. 2025 - Realtors® Advocate for Fair Housing
Fayette County – Although Realtors® are committed to fair housing practices year-round, April is when they commemorate the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.
“The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was monumental,” said Fayette Board of Realtors President Gary Reagan. “The act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance or engaging in other housing-related activities. It prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex – including gender identity and sexual orientation – familial status and disability. In our state, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act also protects against housing discrimination based on age, ancestry and usage, handling or training of assistance animals for persons with disabilities.”
Although more people now have opportunities to achieve homeownership than before, discrimination still occurs throughout every step of the homebuying process, from the initial search and securing financing to the final closing, based on race, gender, socioeconomic status and other factors.
As members of the National Association of Realtors®, Realtors® are now required to complete fair housing and anti-bias training upon becoming members, and every three years thereafter, coinciding with their Code of Ethics training timeline.
“Regardless of identity or background, everyone deserves to be treated fairly and equally throughout the entirety of the homebuying process,” Reagan said. “Homeownership offers individuals a foundation for security and an opportunity to build long-term and generational wealth.”
“As Realtors®, we subscribe to NAR’s Code of Ethics and are committed to adhering to the Fair Housing Act,” concluded Reagan. “Every day, we strive to promote equal housing opportunities for all and help people achieve their homeownership dreams.”
Homebuyers and sellers can seek products, services and prices from multiple companies to ensure that they’re receiving fair treatment. If consumers believe they’ve experienced a fair housing issue, they should contact the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission at phrc.pa.gov.
The Fayette Board of Realtors® is the Voice of Real Estate in Fayette County
“The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was monumental,” said Fayette Board of Realtors President Gary Reagan. “The act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance or engaging in other housing-related activities. It prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex – including gender identity and sexual orientation – familial status and disability. In our state, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act also protects against housing discrimination based on age, ancestry and usage, handling or training of assistance animals for persons with disabilities.”
Although more people now have opportunities to achieve homeownership than before, discrimination still occurs throughout every step of the homebuying process, from the initial search and securing financing to the final closing, based on race, gender, socioeconomic status and other factors.
As members of the National Association of Realtors®, Realtors® are now required to complete fair housing and anti-bias training upon becoming members, and every three years thereafter, coinciding with their Code of Ethics training timeline.
“Regardless of identity or background, everyone deserves to be treated fairly and equally throughout the entirety of the homebuying process,” Reagan said. “Homeownership offers individuals a foundation for security and an opportunity to build long-term and generational wealth.”
“As Realtors®, we subscribe to NAR’s Code of Ethics and are committed to adhering to the Fair Housing Act,” concluded Reagan. “Every day, we strive to promote equal housing opportunities for all and help people achieve their homeownership dreams.”
Homebuyers and sellers can seek products, services and prices from multiple companies to ensure that they’re receiving fair treatment. If consumers believe they’ve experienced a fair housing issue, they should contact the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission at phrc.pa.gov.
The Fayette Board of Realtors® is the Voice of Real Estate in Fayette County