Savannah, Georgia, is loaded with historic gems built in the 1800s. Such multilevel houses, which range in style from Georgian to Gothic, have architectural flourishes galore. What they don’t have, however, are first-floor master suites.

Andi DeFelice, a real estate broker in Savannah, says its stately old manses are widely admired by many homebuyers. But the inconvenience of living in a multilevel property dissuades most from giving such vertical homes serious consideration.

“More and more, buyers want the comfort and convenience of single-level living, without stairs to climb,” says DeFelice, a past president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org).

What’s behind the intensified interest in one-story living? Obviously, most seniors planning to age in place are reluctant to buy a home that requires them to scale stairs to reach their bedrooms. But DeFelice says she’s surprised by how many young families also now prefer one-story living in a so-called rancher.

“The parents of very young children especially appreciate the easy flow of one-level living. Also, families with toddlers don’t need to worry about the kids falling downstairs, and they’re spared those troublesome baby gates,” DeFelice says.

Many with multi-generational households --a growing cohort of the U.S. population -- are also fans of single-floor living. As an example, DeFelice cites a retired couple in their 70s for whom she’s now seeking a sprawling ranch-style home in an outlying Savannah suburb. They are searching for a compound with at least two first-floor suites to accommodate their middle-aged son and his family.

“This extended family wants a large enough one-level house for father and son to easily start a woodworking business together,” DeFelice says.

All this is not to say that there aren’t some buyers with a strong preference for vertical living, including those who welcome the exercise of climbing stairs. Also, the parents of teens often prefer a multilevel house. Another factor is that most new construction in high-cost areas involves multistory houses.

Sandy Jurich, a realty firm owner in Michigan, notes that land costs remain high in many popular residential communities. And because a two-story house requires a smaller “footprint,” most builders favor vertical properties over horizontal ones.

“For the same price, you can get 25% to 40% more square footage of living space in a two-story house,” Jurich says.

Mark Nash, a longtime real estate broker and author of “1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home,” says buyers who are ambivalent about housing styles should be sure to visit at least two vertical properties as well as two horizontal ones.

Here are a few pointers for buyers:

-- Project your lifestyle plans into the future.

Whether you’re age 28 or age 58, it can be hard to picture your future housing needs. Yet no matter your age, projecting into the near future is important.

Nash advises buyers to look at least three to five years ahead.

“Planning for the future is especially important if you’re approaching your late 50s and anticipate retiring in the next few years. In this age range, health or mobility problems can start to develop at any time,” Nash says.

But people of all ages can benefit from one-story living.

For example, Nash says couples with very young children should also think about how their kids’ needs will evolve. Those for whom affordability is a major issue may wish to opt for a two-story house with extra bedroom space for their growing offspring.

-- Recognize that a one-level house could prove a good investment.

Due to the aging of the population, Nash says demand is mounting for single-floor living among pre-retirees and retirees. As a result, ownership of a one-level house should prove a good investment over time, so long as it’s located in a popular neighborhood.

“The market for ranch houses will intensify. Owning a single-level house in an area where they’re in short supply could be an especially good deal,” Nash says.

-- Realize the advantages of a second-floor “hideaway.”

Do you already telecommute from a home office or expect to begin doing so in the next few years? Or do you expect to start a home-based business?

If so, Nash recommends you consider the advantages of an out-of-the-way second-story office where you can concentrate with few interruptions. Likewise, many homeowners enjoy an upstairs bedroom where they can pursue a hobby.

“Sometimes it’s nice to have a getaway place in your home, where you can leave a project all spread out and go back into your ‘cave’ when you want to,” Nash says.

Another nonobvious benefit of an upper-level retreat: you’re farther from the temptations posed by food in your kitchen.

-- Try to avoid a property that would require an addition.

“Sometimes real estate agents encourage their older clients to buy a house that needs an addition. But getting an addition done is expensive and can take six months or longer. And remember, it’s not your agent’s time or money at stake,” Nash says.

Of course, one-level houses aren’t to be found in every community. However, if you’re sure a one-story house is your best choice, Nash suggests you look at neighborhoods comparable to the one you’ve targeted.

“But always remember that location should be the top priority on your selection list,” he says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

Leading housing economists caution against overconfidence on the part of anyone hoping to do a real estate deal in the upcoming year.

“After being overwhelmed in the housing frenzy of the recent past, homeowners, sellers, buyers and renters may be underwhelmed in 2023,” says George Ratiu, manager of economic research at Realtor.com, the home listing service.

He foresees a further slowing in sales transactions due to the surge in mortgage rates that began this year. He also predicts that, at long last, the market will finally tip in favor of buyers.

One category of sellers who should pay special attention to the cautionary words of economists are those who hope to soon market a property in the top 5% of their local price range.

“Testing the market on price is a terrible idea for any sellers, but especially for those with an upscale property. While it’s true that buyers of high-end homes have more discretionary funds for bidding, that doesn’t mean they’re willing to overpay,” says Eric Tyson, co-author of “Selling Your House for Dummies.”

Stacy Berman, an agent who sells property in the Washington, D.C., region, says the buyers of expensive homes are typically insistent that all repairs be done by the owners before they’ll close on a purchase.

“These buyers know the value of their money, and they expect high levels of service. They are not going to accept a house with such minor issues as malfunctioning garage doors or unfilled exterior holes caused by carpenter bees,” Berman says.

She urges the sellers of luxury properties to ensure that all repairs are completed before staging their place for sale.

Here are a few other pointers for the sellers of high-end homes:

-- Choose a seasoned listing agent.

Many real estate agents have the expertise to market average properties. But relatively few have experience selling upper-echelon homes, says Joan McLellan Tayler, the author of several real estate books.

“Upscale communities are totally different marketplaces than average communities. This is no place for beginners,” she says.

When looking for an agent, seek someone with a network of friends and associates who travel in affluent social circles.

How can you create a shortlist of qualified agents?

“I recommend you count on referrals to screen candidates. Word-of-mouth recommendations should overtake all other factors,” says Tayler, who long headed a San Francisco-area realty firm.

After you’ve assembled your list through references, she says you should do in-depth interviews with all the agents on the roster before making your final selection.

“Request details on their marketing plans and how they’ll follow through to finally close a sale,” Tayler says.

-- Consider pricing your place by consensus.

The sellers of a cookie-cutter home in a tract subdivision normally have an easier time setting their list price than do those who own a luxury place, says Mark Nash, a longtime real estate broker and author of “1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home.”

“Most estate homes are one-of-a-kind custom properties. So it’s harder to figure out the right price tag to hang on them,” he says.

As a basis for pricing, the owners of any for-sale property should analyze the results of comparable recent sales. But, as Nash says, home sellers in the upper echelon usually need to make more adjustments.

“Don’t just rely on your one agent for a recommendation on the appropriate list price. Ask the agent to draw colleagues from the same office into the discussion and maybe their broker, as well. That way you’ll get more of a consensus on the correct price,” he says.

If in doubt on the appropriate price for your luxury home, Nash says you should move to the lower end of the suggested range.

“Given the difficulty nowadays of selling a very large luxury home, you really have to resist the temptation to price high. The buyers of these houses may have money. But in this market, they will still demand a deal,” he says.

-- Stress the quality of your local public schools.

Though it’s not universally the case, most luxury home communities are served by public schools with good reputations. Also, many are within a short drive of private schools that are widely admired.

Given that school quality is important to buyers in all income categories, make sure the marketing materials developed to sell your home highlight statistics that show the strength of the local schools.

“Also list the tuition costs for the nearby private schools to show potential buyers how much they’d save if they sent their kids to public schools. Many people appreciate a bargain in education,” Nash says.

-- Emphasize curb appeal.

Obviously, one common motivation for those planning to buy a luxury home is the opportunity to impress friends and family with the grandeur of their residence. Therefore, owners seeking to sell a high-end home should address this reality, Nash says.

A handsome front door with polished brass hardware and meticulously pruned shrubbery -- such as topiary gardens -- are status symbols that matter for many high-end buyers.

Though no home seller should expend a fortune to make a property more appealing to prospects, a sizeable investment in curb appeal could help hasten the sale of a luxury home.

“In some rare cases, even spending the money to put in a circular driveway with the fountain in the middle could be justified if it gives your house killer curb appeal,” Nash says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

All over the country, aspiring home sellers are kicking themselves for failing to put their property on the market during the pandemic, when owners reigned supreme. That’s when multiple offers were the norm, not the exception, and eager buyers sought to outdo each other with escalator clauses that pushed prices over list.

Yet smart sellers should keep perspective on the current, more balanced market, “which continues to offer them many positives,” says Stacy Berman, a real estate agent who’s sold homes for more than two decades.

“You may not get the super-escalated price available to you during the pandemic, but you’re going to get a good deal on the next home you buy,” Berman says.

Danielle Hale, the chief economist for Realtor.com, the home listing service, doesn’t anticipate a major decline in home values. Rather, she says “price growth is slowing moderately as the housing market resets in a relatively balanced fashion.”

List prices are down in most parts of the country, it’s true. But homeowners who choose to sell this winter, either before or after the holidays, should fare relatively well, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors (nar.realtor).

“The upcoming months should see a return of buyers, as mortgage rates appear to have already peaked and have been coming down since mid-November,” Yun says.

Berman insists that in most parts of the country, the winter months are typically a favorable period to sell. Demand has been especially strong in recent years, given that so many young adults have entered their prime home-buying years. This population cohort includes a large number who failed to score a purchase to date in 2022.

“Pent-up demand remains excellent for sellers, especially among first-time buyers,” she says.

Here are a few pointers for those who want or need to sell in the near future:

-- Consider the advice of pros in the real estate field.

Sid Davis, author of “A Survival Guide to Selling a Home,” notes that those wishing to sell during the holiday season are especially likely to challenge the counsel of the listing agent they hire. Often, they want to set a higher price for the property than their agent recommends. They’re also inclined to question the need to spend for pre-sale home improvements.

But those who are determined to sell in the near future should try to avoid such conflicts. The best way to do so is to carefully select a listing agent you trust to give you the best possible advice.

“Look for an agent who is thoroughly familiar with property values in your area. Try to find someone who has sold homes there for at least two to three years. Also, ask for references and then question former clients about whether the agent’s advice proved sound,” Davis says.

-- Clarify your timing priorities if selling in December.

Many people are unusually busy in December, when holiday-related activities crowd their already hectic schedules. But because home-sale preparations can eat up many hours, Davis suggests that sellers on a tight deadline consider simplifying some of their holiday plans.

“You’re going to have to triage. Over the long run, it’s probably a lot better for your pocketbook to put your heart and soul into selling rather that expending all that energy on ultra-fancy holiday arrangements,” Davis says.

-- Don’t cancel your plans for holiday decor.

Though it’s never necessary for sellers to decorate extensively for the winter holidays, a simple and elegant type of décor is not a bad idea, assuming it’s tastefully done.

“Go ahead and put up lights and bring in holly and evergreen boughs if that’s what you normally do. You can also use a Christmas tree if you’d like, but don’t get one so big that it makes your place seem crowded,” Davis says.

-- Ensure that your home is accessible for as long as it’s on the market.

These days many prospective buyers are able to wrap up their property search quickly because they preview property on the internet.

“Most buyers are doing a huge amount of pre-screening on the internet before they even set foot in a single place. People are extremely web-savvy, and prior to a property tour they’ve already done an extensive review of the available homes,” Davis says.

What does this mean for wintertime home sellers? He says this makes it imperative that your home be available for showings every day and that you don’t let holiday activities block access to potential buyers who may be home shopping for just two or three days.

“A big penalty is inflicted on those who refuse to let prospects into their home when it’s inconvenient. You’ve got to keep your home accessible or risk missing some of the most eager buyers of the year -- people who have to make a major move during the first quarter,” Davis says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)