3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Susan Macedo Kadilak of Kadilak Realty Group

WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS — Susan Macedo Kadilak, realtor for Kadilak Realty Group, talks to the Patch about the strangest thing that's ever happened to her while showing a house and she gives advice for anyone looking to a buy a new home right now.

Patch: How long have you been in real estate and what areas do you cover?

Susan: I have been in real estate for 14 years. I was based in Woburn for a long time and live in Burlington so I tend to focus on those areas and the surrounding towns.

Patch: What’s the best piece of sales advice you’ve ever been given?

Susan: Have higher standards and put your client's needs above all else. That is how we operate our business.

Patch: What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you while showing a home?

Susan: Opening a closet door to find a seller hiding in there! When we say you need to leave during the showings, you need to actually leave!

Patch: How’s the market these days?

Susan: We are in a strong seller's market in most areas, which means it is rough for buyers. There are different tactics used to navigate the waters depending on whether you are looking to buy or sell.

Patch: What sets one real estate broker apart from another? And how are you unique?

Susan: We are passionate about providing the calm in the real estate storm, fiercely protecting our clients' interests, solving problems, and being a strong source of support needed to help our clients reach their goals. We do this by being up-front and honest about the realities of a situation (and hope no one is offended!) to give our clients the best and least stressful outcome possible.

Patch: What things should readers look for when trying to find a reputable realtor?

Susan: The first thing I would do is look at their reviews and experience. A bad agent can cost you thousands of dollars and an agent who doesn't actively sell homes on a regular basis is essentially practicing on yours! No one wants that and you can benefit from the experiences of an agent who is active in the marketplace. Second, interview for a person who is the right fit and can get the job done. If you are a buyer, a good personality fit is especially important because we spend a lot of time together!

Patch: What’s your advice to someone who’s looking to a buy a new home right now?

Susan: Select a great buyer's agent who is experienced and knows this market. It's not easy for buyers right now so it's important to have an expert on your team to review all strategies available to give you the best possible outcome.

Patch: What advice would you give to someone trying to sell his or her house?

Susan: Consult with an agent before making upgrades. There's nothing worse than coming to a house and seeing the homeowner beam with pride as they show you the brand new bright red carpet or robin egg blue walls. That's when I have to break the sad news that those colors do not have wide appeal! Use your realtor as a resource to help you with decisions that will maximize your equity.

Patch: How can readers contact you or learn more about Kadilak Realty Group?

Susan: They can call or text 781-799-4080, e-mail: Susan@KadilakRealtyGroup.com, or visit our website where they can find links to our social media pages.