Page 76 - Reside Magazine Briggs Freeman
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Gallery
                                                        Reside — Spring 2025


        "CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION                                                                                                                                                 they are also not as likely to pay the runaway
                                                                                                                                                                                   prices we experienced in the past few years.
        AND CONNECTION ARE THE KEYS                                                                                                                                                How have the interest rates affected the

        TO A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME IN                                                                                                                                                 market? Higher interest rates have been a
                                                                                                                                                                                   drawback, but buyers are getting creative.
        OUR EVER-CHANGING MARKET."                                                                                                                                                 For example, on average, most people don’t

                                                                                                                                                                                   live in a house for more than seven years,
                                                                                                                                                                                   so an adjustable-rate mortgage can be an
                                                                                                                                                                                   attractive option. For younger buyers with
                                                                                                                                                                                   family who can help, a loan or a gift might
                                                                                                                                                                                   make a purchase possible. No matter the
                                                                                                                                                                                   financing path, it’s important to start the
                                                                                                                                                                                   process early, to be in the best position to
                                                                                                                                                                                   make a competitive offer. Considering the
                                                                                                                                                                                   price appreciation in our market, it’s better
                                                                                                                                                                                   to buy now at a higher rate than waiting
                                                                                                                                                                                   until rates improve.

                                                                                                                                                                                   What should sellers know about listing
                                                                                                                                                                                   their home in this market? Plan ahead!
                                                                                                                                                                                   As your agent, I need adequate time to get
                                                                                                                                                                                   your house ready, schedule photography
                                                                                                                                                                                   and plan your marketing strategy. Sellers
                                                                                                                                                                                   should look closely at their home and make
                                                                                                                                                                                   any necessary repairs and take care of
                                                                                                                                                                                   any deferred maintenance. If plumbing or
                                                                                                                                                                                   electrical repairs are needed, it’s imperative
                                                                                                                                                                                   to use licensed professionals. Touch-  A LOOK
                                                                                                                                                                                   up painting, refreshed landscaping and
                                                                                                                                                                                   decluttering will help a seller receive the   AT COOK
                                                                                                                                                                                   highest price.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          A Texas native, Penny Cook arrived in
                                                                                                                                                                                   What’s the best way to determine a     Dallas to attend The Hockaday School and
                                                                                                                                                                                   market price? The short answer is: Don’t   never left. With a fresh marketing degree
                                                                                                                                                                                   trust the estimates on the popular real estate   from Southern Methodist University, Cook
                                                                                                                                                                                   websites! Instead, I look at what has sold in   took a friend’s suggestion and earned her
                                                                                                                                                                                   the past six months, and I also look carefully   real estate license, too — advice which
                                                                                                                                                                                   at the number of active properties that   led to her award-winning career. Cook is
                                                                                        From left: Real estate advisors Penny Cook,                                                are comparable. The larger the inventory,   deeply rooted in the community and has
                                                                                      Catherine Lee, Leigh Burns and Michelle Davis                                                the more important it is to price carefully.   lived in several neighborhoods, appreciating
                                                                                                                                                                                   Buyers will be looking at those homes, too,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          the character of each. She combines that
        WHAT MATTERS MOST                                                                                                                    Here, we ask the connected, respected   so it’s necessary for sellers to see where their   knowledge with unique marketing ideas and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          artful negotiating skills so that every client
                                                                                                                                                                                   home fits in from a value standpoint. I also
                                                                                                                                             Penny Cook about the market — and what
                                                                                                                                                                                   like to collaborate with other agents and
                                                                                                                                             buyers and sellers should know now.
                                                                                                                                                                                   get their opinions on pricing. Experienced   has a first-class experience. Those clients
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          range from first-time buyers to lifelong
        Proven by a career that gets more resonant and now spans generations,                                                                Is the Dallas market still strong? Yes! The   agents who are out showing buyers homes   homeowners, in all stages of life and at all
        real estate advisor Penny Cook knows the power of connection — and                                                                   spring market started around the end of   usually have a very good feeling for what   price ranges. To work with Penny Cook,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          broker associate, call 214-384-2847 or e-mail
                                                                                                                                             January and inventory is up, but in some
                                                                                                                                                                                   the market will bear. Overpricing a home
        how it can reap rewards for more than just her clients                                                                               areas and price ranges, it’s still low. Many   will almost always result in a longer time   ptcook@briggsfreeman.com. See Penny’s
                                                                                                                                             potential buyers have been waiting and are   on the market, some price reductions and   listings, sold properties, client feedback and
                                                                                                                                             getting anxious to find something — but   ultimately a lower sale price.     more at briggsfreeman.com.

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