Wondering what the real estate market looks like right now? Editor Kellina sat down with local real estate agent Susan Shults-Pearson with The Ginther Group to hear her take on the current market.

Editor's Note: The interview has been edited for brevity.

Is it advantageous to buy or sell a property right now?

The market is balanced, which is a good thing. Most sellers will get the asking price for their house, and most buyers will probably get a good deal.

What makes Winston-Salem/Forsyth County an attractive place to live based on your experience?

It's a good place to live. When I looked at those different areas, I decided to stay in Winston-Salem because of the cost of living. Housing is much more affordable, and there's less traffic. We're surrounded by [strong colleges and universities]. All those factors contribute to this being such a solid environment that people want to move to.

Do you see more families, retirees, or young professionals wanting to buy houses in the area?

In my opinion, um, I still think that Winston-Salem can hold on to the tag that it's a great place to raise a family. Now, as a realtor, I will also tell you I think that we have a gap in the Winston-Salem area for housing for 55 and older communities. There's an initiative right now by some developers who are starting to work on building some communities like that.

What advice do you have for people looking to buy a house in the area?

Having an agent is the number one thing. They are there to be your representative. A good real estate agent can do some analysis, talk about trends, and help you get you over the finish line. If you're looking to buy a house next year, [an agent] can get you into the best position to figure out what you qualify for.

What are the hottest areas in the real estate market right now?

Areas like West End, Ardmore, Buena Vista, and Sherwood Forest have always been very desirable, probably because of their history. I would be remiss not to say that I've been looking at Clemmons, Lewisville, Kernersville, and Rural Hall has a lot of new properties. I would tell people not to limit themselves to the core areas.

Tell us your top three spots to hang out.

Fratellis for the food, atmosphere, and its proximity. I like coffee shops -- The Remedy Cafe and Bar, and Lot 63. I'm a huge football fan and NCAA basketball fan. So when the season is on, I like to go to places like Kickback Jacks or Carolina Ale House.