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A Florida native who moved to Greensboro in 1998, Lolita Malave worked as both a middle school English teacher and stay-at-home mother before seeking a career as a Realtor.

To ensure she was always busy and engaged with the Greensboro’s real estate industry, Malave frequently volunteered to help with social functions, donation drives and charitable events for the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association.

In January, her volunteerism led to her installation as 2012 GRRA President.

Here, Malave took a few minutes to answer some questions.

How does working in real estate compare with being a middle school teacher?

It is incredibly similar. As a Realtor, I think you must realize that you are the educator in the transaction. We are responsible for educating the consumer about the entire home-purchase process. This includes financing, inspections, the closing process, settlement, location and value. As Realtors we are helping our clients design and build their future.

What are some trends you have noticed in the real estate market today?

 It’s a buyer’s market. Buyers are more savvy. They pay attention to what they see in the media. They watch HGTV, and they want their sale to be like it is on HGTV. Buyers come to us for the most part ready to buy. They’ve already been to a lender, they know their buying power. It requires us as Realtors to take all of the information, provide definitions for the new terms they are hearing, help to develop realistic outcomes and support our clients throughout the process.

Do you have any advice for homeowners who might be struggling to sell their homes?

Number one, realistically price your home. Just because you think your house is worth a certain number of dollars doesn’t mean that is what the market will bear.

Rely on your Realtor to give you a fair and honest opinion on price, because price is the number one driver right now. You have to realize that as a homeowner right now, you are competing against foreclosures, short sales, and REOs (real estate-owned property).

If you’ve had three foreclosures in your neighborhood that have sold in the past 12 months, when I do a market analysis, I have to consider those properties when I am determining the fair market value of your home, because that is what every buyer is going to do.

What advice would you have for a life-long renter who is maybe considering the possibility of becoming a homeowner?

Do your homework! This is the largest investment most people make in a lifetime. Work with your Realtor from the beginning. We will help you begin your home purchase and be there with you until the end. Talk to your friends that are happy with their neighborhood, and that will help you to narrow your search.

Any house can become your home, but you can’t make your neighborhood what you want it to be. It has to be what you want before you move there.

What do you see in store for the future of Greensboro’s market?

It’s coming back! “Slow and steady wins the race,” in life and real estate. The real estate market in Greensboro has always been steady. We did not have the devastation that other markets across the country experienced. It was difficult here but not as bad as it is in other metro areas.

We have a strong community, and I can only expect to see continued recovery.

Joe Scott is Communications Specialist with Greensboro Regional Realtors Association.