Four real estate professionals offered a very informative presentation at Newtown Senior Center on April 25.

Realtors Joan Alexander and John Batchelor, Broker Ron Boufford, and Mortgage Specialist Dan Ianniello offered advice and answered questions during a packed Lunch & Learn session called “Are You Ready To Move?” All four work for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

Alexander opened the presentation, sharing her personal story of multiple moves — “13 houses among nine states in the past 20 years,” she said — and a few tips to make relocating easier.

“If you’re not organized, it can become the biggest mess,” she added. “From that first move though, I never felt out of control, I never felt like this wasn’t going to be something fabulous. I love it.

“Moving takes time, and a lot of organization,” she reiterated.

Alexander’s most recent move was a downsizing effort. She moved from a full home in Asheville, N.C., to a 1,000-square-foot cottage in Newtown. Among her first concerns, she said, was what to do with a lot of material possessions.

“My first question was ‘What am I going to do with my grandmother’s china?’” Alexander said. “I feel I want less, though. That’s what’s important to me. It’s important to not wake up and worry about things.”

Alexander’s son, Batchelor, introduced her to Newtown by sending her copies of The Newtown Bee, its annual Guide To Newtown, and fliers from Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market, she shared.

“This was a great way for me to learn about this community,” she said. “You have to go where you want to be.”

Alexander later added she “really” loves living in Newtown.

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision to move to Newtown and Fairfield County,” she said.

The mother-son team found a property on Parmalee Hill Road two years ago, and have renovated her cottage and his house into homes that are perfect for each.

One early question from the floor on April 25 was about renovations, and whether a seller should worry about renovating a home in the current market.

Bouffard answered that one, saying the answer depends on the kind of work that needs to be done.

“A real estate agent should visit with you and let you know what needs to be done,” he said. “It also depends on the price bracket, and what the house will be sold at.

“You don’t always have to update,” he said, before cautioning any work done or left undone “can be reflected in the price.”

One attendee said she had a friend who tried to sell their home in New Hampshire during the COVID pandemic, and it did not move.

“She offered it again recently, it sold for the asking price the next day, and the new owner told my friend they would be tearing out and fully redoing the kitchen,” the audience member said.

Nodding, Bouffard said, “it’s truly a case-by-case basis.”

In response to a question about landscaping, Bouffard said “curb appeal is always big, it’s always a plus but again, in this market, inventory is so low you’ll probably get a buyer but it’s always a good idea to maintain.”

Generally, prices are currently up and inventory is down “for a number of reasons,” he said. “A lot of millennials want to buy, which is one reason why the cost of houses is going up.”

One of the biggest questions brokers get, he said, is whether a buyer will find a new home.

“That shouldn’t be a concern,” Bouffard said. “A good real estate agent will help you find the house for you. I tell my agents, ‘Basically your job is to be a problem solver.’ Things can be solved and problems can be smoothed over,” he added.

In response to a question from the room about regional inventory, Bouffard said there is low inventory across the state and much of New England, “but there are options everywhere.”

Ianniello spoke on financing, including traditional and nontraditional options and their advantages and disadvantages.

“What’s best for you will depend on when you want to sell your house,” he said. “I’m a big fan of balance, or financing a home while also having a cash reserve.”

Alexander said she has found one of the most significant things that has happened in real estate “is the ability to have good guidance” for buyers and sellers.

“Do your homework,” she urged the room. “Go with companies and people who are successful. It’s critical to have someone like Dan guiding you, helping you.”

Batchelor shared his story of moving to Newtown two years ago, and the renovations he has done since. He shared before and after photos of kitchen and bathrooms, and price points he was able to meet during each project.

“With the right support system and tools in place I was able to maximize the renovation,” he said. His experience and working on a budget led to him being able, “after 20 years of doing this, I know how to do this on a dime,” he added.

The bones of the house were still “very good,” he said. A lot of simple fixes brought it back to life.

Things as simple as painting, changing light switches and even changing cabinet hardware, he said, “made me feel like I’m walking through a home, not a new construction.”

In just over an hour, the four speakers shared a lot of expert advice, touching on different aspects of moving, buying and selling, renovations and redecorating, and related real estate topics.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.