It’s 2022, and many of us may have made resolutions to do things differently this year from last year.

In the spirit of making better real estate decisions, here are some real estate resolutions for the New Year.

• Selling and buying at the same time: Selling and buying simultaneously is very challenging. Concerns include: Can you afford to buy before selling? Must you sell before buying? Will you have to find temporary housing? How much inconvenience are you willing to deal with? To deal with these problems, it is best have a strategy in place and work closely with your agent for a win-win deal.

• Getting your finances together. If you plan to buy a home in 2022, now’s the time to meet with a mortgage professional to view your financial picture from a lender’s perspective. There is no charge for this service, and meeting with a local lender will give you a clear picture of how much you can borrow and how much you can afford.

• Think of your home as a car that you want to sell. Clean it up inside and out. Make it appealing. Make it sparkle and shine. Do some painting if needed. (Back in 2004, I sold a 1983 280ZX that was newly painted, for more than I originally paid.) Staging a home also helps get it sold.

• Check the market to see what homes are for sale. Going to open houses is a good start, but it’s also important to learn about the local real estate market, prices, and home values in the neighborhood where you want to live. Browse the MLS (multiple listing service) to see all available properties. Become an informed buyer or seller  Engage the assistance of a knowledgeable real agent!

• Choose the right real estate agent who will work best for you. Selling and/or buying a home takes time and planning. To make sure all your real estate needs are satisfied, it makes a lot of sense to get the right real estate agent  involved in the process and working for you ASAP.

Have a happy and healthy New Year!

Larry Stoller is a broker and Realtor with Real Estate Five of the Lowcountry. Larry@RealEstateFive.com, RealEstateFive.com, SunCityOpenHouses247.com