Real estate agent Brittany Picolo-Ramos is back for Season 2 of HGTV’s “Selling the Big Easy.” Despite her beloved city’s nickname, the New Orleans real estate market is anything but easy. It’s been tough for homebuyers here, as in the rest of the country!

“Everything’s flying off the market,” Picolo-Ramos tells Realtor.com® in an exclusive interview.

Competition for homes is fiercer than ever, and homebuyers need a whole new playbook to get the edge, she explains. Sellers can’t just kick back, either, and need to know how to work this red-hot market to their advantage.

Curious to learn more from Picolo-Ramos on the particular state of crazy that sums up New Orleans real estate today, we talked to her about some of the wildest home features she’s seen and loved lately, her most memorable (and awkward) moments on the job, and some sage advice that frazzled and frustrated homebuyers (and sellers) should really take to heart.

I bet you see a lot of unique and beautiful homes in New Orleans. What are some of the most memorable features you’ve seen?

There are so many crazy things about houses in New Orleans. I mean, I love when people make special houses for their dogs. Also, you see some really cool cubby rooms and hidden closets and different secret features that you only get in old historic homes. And I love it when they finish out the attic, and you have all these great angles. There’s so much to love about New Orleans homes, right?

Do you have a favorite home that you’ve sold?

I sold one in this area of New Orleans called Lake View, and it was on this block called Thrasher, and it had a whole wall that was completely copper, and it was built in the midcentury, and it just is so funky and cool. And it just had all that old midcentury charm that you just love.

I also have sold a couple of historic homes. One on Britannia was this beautifully renovated mansion; you’ll actually see it in Season 2. I love all the historic features, the supertall ceilings, the beautiful historic windows, and the floor plan is just so yummy and flowing.

Part of your job is making homes look their best. What are some ways to spruce up an old house without losing character?

One of the best things to do is just paint. Paint can make or break a home. If you want to go more historic, there’s some really fun colors, and if the ceilings are higher, you can usually use a really fun, bold color. Also, really beautiful, vibrant pictures are always a great addition.

It’s a hard market for first-time homebuyers. Do you have any tips for people looking for their first house?

You want to make sure to get with a great real estate agent, because they’re going to help you write the best offer you possibly can, and you want to make it absolutely irresistible to the seller. So definitely make sure you have great advice.

Do you have any tips for getting an offer accepted?

You got money? ‘Cause you’re going to need it! In this market, you really do want to make sure that your offer is as clean as possible, that you are ready and you’ve got all your ducks in a row, that you’ve made sure all your financing is solid, because the last thing you want to do is find the house of your dreams and not be able to jump on it.

So obviously, make sure you have all your financing in line, make sure you have a phenomenal real estate agent to ensure that the offer is perfect, and move very quickly, because everything’s flying off the market. So if you like a house, put in an offer ASAP.

For homebuyers who are struggling and stressed out, what do you think they should do?

Make sure you’re breathing! If you don’t get a house, it’s OK. Keep looking, because the right house is out there. I always say if things don’t happen, it’s for a reason. Don’t get too worked up, because there’s always another house around the corner.

It’s a hot seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean all sellers will have it easy. What are your tips for getting the best offer?

If you are selling your home, you have to make sure that you eliminate the extra clutter that people don’t need to see. So if your house is really cute, but maybe not that big, if you have too much stuff, it’s actually going to make the spaces feel smaller.

Also, people are buying your home and they want to feel like it’s theirs and no one else has lived there. I know it sounds kind of funny. You would think, “You’re seeing me live here,” but people like to feel like it’s all new. So try to make little adjustments to make it feel as new as possible.

The post Exclusive: The Star of HGTV’s ‘Selling the Big Easy’ Urges Struggling Homebuyers To Do This One Thing appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.