Columbus Real Estate News

WTG Columbus!

2011-09-08T13:13:00.000-05:00

In a recent study done by USA (Weekend), Columbus ranked #2 for being a playful city, full of places to play!

You can own this beautiful condo is a quiet community for as little as 5% down! Stop renting today!!!

Want to see the best weekly deals?

2011-09-05T15:00:00.002-05:00

E-mail me at ambersellscolumbus at gmail dot com to be added to my list! I've been sending out weekly e-mails of some of the best deals I've come across. Mostly in Dublin, Worthington, Powell & Lewis Center, and all under $300k!!! There are still many outstanding deals to be had!

Happy Labor Day

2011-09-05T14:32:00.004-05:00

Good afternoon! I hope you're all enjoying this beautiful, albeit chilly, Labor Day! Stay tuned for some new, exciting features on my blog in the coming weeks! :)

Columbus made the list!! 10 Cities Where Home Prices Will Rise in 2011

2011-01-29T11:40:00.001-05:00

REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-10 Cities Where Home Prices Will Rise in 2011

Home sales stats for Powell, Dec. 2010

2011-01-27T11:51:00.002-05:00

The average price of homes that sold in Powell proper in December 2010 was up nearly 3% to $303,000, from just under $295,000 compared with December 2009. The average sales price brought close to 94% of the list price, down from 97% in December 2009.

If you're interested in sales stats for your area, text me at 614-580-7722, or e-mail @ ambersellscolumbus@gmail.com!

Buyers market?? Not necessarily....

2010-07-15T08:41:00.000-05:00

Is it really a buyers market? Not necessarily. There are MANY sellers out there who don't have to sell, and WILL get fair market value for their home. The national media has been pounding this notion into the public's head for a few years now, that you can get great "deals" on homes, but that's just really not the case the majority of the time here in central Ohio. Sure, you'll come across some sellers who are in situations where they HAVE to sell, and at times, for much less than it's worth, but this is not the majority by any means! If the bank is the seller, that can be a different story, but even they usually have the home priced very low for a quick sale. Just something to think about on this fine summer Thursday!

Tall tales your contractor tells

2010-07-12T08:26:00.000-05:00

Tall tales your contractor tells

Check out this new listing!

2010-06-26T14:18:00.001-05:00

http://amberherbster.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/3418315

Follow me on Facebook!

2010-06-02T16:23:00.001-05:00

For those of you who don't know, I have created a Fan Page on Facebook. Until I am able to get my posts from there to automatically update here, find me on FB!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Powell-OH/Amber-Barnhart-Herbster-Realtor/255272986739?ref=ts

Your step by step guide to purchasing a home! (updated to reflect current market conditions)

2009-11-21T07:36:00.001-05:00

As a first time home buyer (or a home buyer buying again for the first time in many years), I'm sure you have many questions involving the home buying process. Where do I start? What costs are associated with buying a home, besides the mortgage? Do you have lenders, home inspectors, etc. that you can recommend? Who pays your fee? If you find yourself asking these questions, read on! This will give you a general idea of what to expect, and will most likely answer most of the questions you may have!

The first step in the process is to contact a Realtor in your area (such as myself) if you're in central Ohio (realtor4columbus@yahoo.com)! As a buyer, enlisting the help of a Realtor is of no cost to you. The seller will always pay the Realtor's fees. There are some extenuating circumstances to this, but 99% of the time, the seller pays me! I basically work for free until the closing! At your first or second meeting with your Realtor, you will be presented with an "agency disclosure" form, which just states who is representing who in the transaction. In compliance with federal laws, this form must be presented to you by your Realtor before you discuss financing in any way. By signing this form, you are acknowledging that you understand who you're being represented by, but does not bind you to this Realtor. Another form that will be presented to you is the "exclusive buyer's agency" form. It is important for you to sign this document. Your Realtor will then know that you're a serious buyer, and will work diligently to find you the perfect house.

The second step you take do is meet with a lender to discuss different financing options, and review your credit. Be aware up front that you will need at least a 3% downpayment, if not 5%, 10% or more. A good place to start is by going to the institution that you have your checking and/or savings accounts with. Ask your friends and family who they've used in the past, and have been satisfied with. Your Realtor can offer suggestions too! You are encouraged to shop around to find the best interest rate, and to find the financing program that will work best for you. If you have your credit pulled for the same purpose multiple times in a 30 day period, your credit will only be "dinged" for it once. Some standard documents that your lender will need from you are bank statements, paystubs & tax returns. Your lender will offer you a variety of financing options, (conventional, FHA, VA, 30 yr. fixed, etc.). After you meet with your lender, you will have an idea of how much you qualify for. This will most likely be more than you're comfortable spending, so just because you qualify for "x" amount doesn't mean you have to spend that amount! Make sure you're including taxes and PMI (if applicable) in your monthly payments! If you can get a pre-approval letter (with a credit pull) from your lender at this point, do so. More and more sellers (especially banks) are requiring you to show "proof of funds" along with any offers, so be as prepared for this as you can be!

Once you know how much you're comfortable spending, I will begin e-mailing you listings that meet your criteria: price, # of bedrooms, # of bathrooms, square footage, neighborhood, basement, garage, school district, etc... Once we actually start looking at homes (usually 5-8 properties per trip) you may decide you don't like certain floorplans or characteristics, (bi-level, split level, ranch, two-story, first floor master, traditional, open), so we'll alter your search criteria accordingly! You may want to drive around neighborhoods you're interested in at different times of the day, as well as on different days (weekday vs. weekend) to get a good feel for the neighborhood. When we find a house you're really interested in, I will send you a list of comps (similar homes in that or a similar neighborhood) that have sold in the past 3 months (up to 6 months if necessary). This will give you an idea of what price you should start with when you begin thinking about submitting an offer. A few other things need to be considered before you submit an offer: do you want to ask the seller to pay for a 1 year home warranty? do you want to ask the seller to pay for a gas line warranty, if applicable? do you want to ask the seller to pay any of your closing costs? how much money will you have for an earnest monies deposit (a deposit held by your Realtor's broker that you will get back at the closing table, but shows the seller that you're serious about purchasing the property, and prevents you from just deciding to walk away from the deal, in which case the deposit would be turned over to the seller). Be prepared for several counter-offers (negotiations between buyer & seller) before all the terms are agree upon. This is very typical, and can take up to a week or longer!

Once you're in contract on a home, I will get the contract to your lender so they can begin their process. Your earnest money deposit will be due as soon as we come to an agreement on all the terms of the contract. We will need to schedule your home & termite inspections right away. It's important to have a home inspection, and for you, as the buyer, to be present for it. The home inspector will show you various things about your house that you may not otherwise know, such as the location of the main water shut-off. I can give you referrals of inspectors that past clients have used and liked. The cost of the home inspection will vary, depending on the age & size of the home, but be prepared to spend at least $275 for this, and will be due the day of the inspection. If you use myself or another Realtor who works for Larry Coolige Realtors, we will pay for your home inspection -- ask me for specific details. A termite inspection is usually around $75, but will vary as well. If at all possible, these should be done at the same time, so we're not troubling the sellers more than necessary! After the inspections are complete, another round of negotiations may begin, which is the "request for remedy" period. If you're not satisfied with the findings from the inspection, you can request that the seller remedy some of the items. This is not generally for cosmetic items, but more for structural/code violations/safety issues, etc. The seller may decide that they will remedy all, remedy some, or remedy none and just reduce the purchase price. The seller will have until 48 hours before closing to have the agreed upon items remedied, unless previously agreed upon otherwise. We will do a final walk-through of the house within 48 hours of the set closing date, which is usually 30-45 days from the date that we actually go into contract. After the home inspection is complete, you will need to pay for an appraisal, which is usually around $400. Your lender will set it up for you, but you will need to be prepared to pay for this at the time it's done.

At this point, you will probably need to get additional documents to your lender, such as proof of homeowner's insurance policy (start checking into this with the company you have your auto insurance with; most will give multi-policy discounts), most recent paystubs, bank statements, etc., but other than that, your part is pretty much done until the closing! 4-5 days prior to your scheduled closing date, you should contact the utility companies that service your new place of residence. Don't have them turned on or switched to your name until the day of closing. Some of the companies will need you present, so make sure you clarify this with them when you're scheduling (there is a thorough list of utility companies along the right hand side of this blog). I will get a HUD-1/settlement statement a day or so before the closing date, which I'll review to make sure everything looks correct, and this will also show the exact amount you'll need to bring to the closing table. The money you bring to the closing table will need to be in the form of a cashiers or certified check.

The last step is the actual closing! You'll want to allow at least an hour for this; sometimes they don't take this long, but you don't want to feel rushed. I will accompany you to the closing, and the seller & their Realtor will most likely be there as well. If you have questions about any of the documents you're being asked to sign, please ask! The representative doing the closing is there for that purpose, and would rather know that you're comfortable with the docs that you're signing. In most situations, you will get possession at closing, which means you'll get the keys/garage door openers/etc. at the closing, and as soon as everything is signed, it's yours! Congratulations, you're now a proud new homeowner!

Happy house hunting!

Sellers updating?

2009-11-10T20:51:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I've recently had a few different sellers tell me they never understood why people who were getting ready to sell their home fixed it up only to move out, and not get to enjoy the updates. I get that, but on the flip side, it makes sense. When comparing properties with buyers, a home that has been updated and is in near move in condition is worth an extra couple thousand dollars (which equates to just $20 - $30 more a month), and will almost always win out, unless the buyer is looking for a "fixer upper", in which case they would expect to purchase the property for substantially less. Sellers, just a little something to think about! It really does make sense, if you look at it as a buyer.

It's sometimes difficult to persuade buyers and sellers to put on the opposite hat, but when they do/can, it's like an "aha" moment!

Homebuyer Tax Credit has been expanded/extended!

2009-11-06T18:18:00.001-05:00

http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/2009_first_time_home_buyer_tax_credit

Not good news for condo owners

2009-10-20T19:47:00.001-05:00

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/10/19/New_Condo_rules.ART_ART_10-19-09_A10_N7FCOV9.html

I wonder if the new rules that are set to go into effect in a few short weeks can be changed before 11/2! If not, it's going to be incredibly tough for first time home buyers to purchase a condo using FHA financing, which is the majority of first time home buyers!!

New listing near Grove City!!

2009-10-18T21:34:00.000-05:00

http://amberherbster.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2885946

Do you smoke in your home?

2009-09-13T18:34:00.003-05:00

If you do, and you're thinking of selling anytime in the next few years, I would strongly encourage you take it outside. I walked into a home with some buyers a few weeks ago, and it smelled like the sellers had just smoked, moments before our scheduled showing. Unfortunately for the sellers, we weren't in the house for more than 30 seconds before we turned around and walked out. I couldn't even tell you what the house looked like, the odor was so distracting. The remnants of smoke odor can be detected for many years; that smell isn't easy to get out, even with new flooring & paint. With the current market situation, do yourself a favor, and at least give buyers a chance to fall in love with your home!

Even MORE good news for first time home buyers!

2009-05-29T15:43:00.003-05:00

Details were just announced today that FHA will allow buyers to utilize their $8,000 tax credit at closing, to put down more than the required 3.5%, reduce closing costs or buy down their interest rate. Click below to read the full story! Contact me today to see how you can benefit from this!

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/05/tax_credit?lid=ronav0019

Conditions really couldn't get any better for first time home buyers, so happy house hunting!

Local housing market vs. National housing market

2009-04-28T08:33:00.004-05:00

Just a little rant about something's that been bothering me for some time now! Why, oh why, does the majority of our local media give the national housing market so much attention, with very little focus on our local housing market? Yes, the national housing market is, and should be, of interest to many, but I think that you'd also like to know what's going on in your area of Columbus, maybe even more so, right? There are many local resources these media outlets could be utilizing to gain insight to our local market, including CBR (the Columbus Board of Realtors), and local industry professionals, such as myself, yet it seems like most of what you hear is the doom & gloom of the national housing market. I've seen first hand that our market isn't all bad here in Columbus and the surrounding areas. Yes, there are some areas that are still reporting decreasing property values, but on the flip side, some areas are showing increasing property values, and homes (taking into consideration price, location & condition) can and are, still selling, sometimes in under 30 days. I think the $8,000 tax credit currently offered may be partially responsible for this, and perhaps made some buyers seek out housing, when they may have previously planned on waiting another year or so before purchasing.

Contact me if you'd like more information on your specific area!

Super Sunday tomorrow from 1-4!

2009-04-18T06:27:00.002-05:00

The CBR (Columbus Board of Realtors) is sponsoring an event tomorrow featuring 250 + open houses on properties all listed under $125K in the central Ohio area and the surrounding counties! Look for the "Super Sunday" Open House signs. Check The Dispatch tomorrow for a listing of the featured properties! Take advantage of the $8K tax credit!

See how the tax levies on the May 5 ballot may affect you!

2009-04-15T12:28:00.004-05:00

The Franklin County Auditor's office can give you an estimate as to how these levies, if passed, will affect your real estate taxes. Check it out!

http://franklincountyoh.metacama.com/altIndex.jsp

BIA's Parade of Homes 2009

2009-04-11T15:00:00.001-05:00

This year's Parade of Homes will take place July 11 - 26 at Tartan Ridge in Dublin, Ohio.

http://www.biaparade.com/ for more info.!

Record low interest rates

2009-03-31T07:41:00.003-05:00

As of late last week, 30 year fixed mortgages hit another all time low (since tracking began in 1971 anyway) at 4.85%! Still a great time to buy, if you're in the position to do so! I anticipate seeing lower interest rates for a good part of 2009!

How long should it last?

2009-03-30T08:09:00.003-05:00

The NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) recently did a study regarding how long the components of a house should last. "The true longevity of any household material depends on maintenance, use, quality of installation & climate conditions." Keep in mind you should only use these averages as a general guideline! Here are just a few of the items that the study reported on:

100 Years or More
Brick exterior - lifetime of the home
All wooden floors - lifetime of the home

50 - 100 Years
Slate roofs - 50+ years
Kitchen cabinets - up to 50 years
Vinyl floors - 50 years

30 - 50 Years
Thermostats - 35 years
Wood windows - 30 years

10 - 20 Years
Aluminum windows - 15 - 20 years
Asphalt shingle roofs - 20 years
Faucets & kitchen sinks - 15 years
Gas ranges - 15 years
Dryers & refrigerators - 13 years
A/C Units - 10 - 15 years
Electric or gas hot water heaters - 10 years
Furnaces - 15 - 20 years

5 - 10 Years
Heat & smoke detectors - 5 - 10 years
Dishwashers - 9 years
Microwaves - 9 years
Carpet 8 - 10 years

Information courtesy of Realtor magazine, February 2009.

Want to take advantage of the great deals the current market has to offer?

2009-03-19T13:22:00.002-05:00

I've talked to so many people lately who are afraid of losing a little money on the sale of their home, in order to take advantage of the great deals out there, and buying a new one. I completely understand that point of view, but here's some food for thought. Ok, so you may not make much of anything (or even have to bring some cash to the closing table), but what you may lose on the sale end, you will most likely make up, and maybe then some, on the purchase! Interest rates are still low, so there is still plenty of time to take advantage of the great buyer's market that we currently find ourselves in. If you've thought about selling your current home in order to buy a new one, contact me so I can go over the options available to you that will best fit your needs!

Thanks Jan!!

2009-03-19T13:19:00.002-05:00

Here's a shout out to a wonderful woman who's re-designed my blog for me! I think you'll agree that it's much more contemporary and user friendly! I'm still working on getting my links added back in, but should have that completed in the next few days.

Visit Jan's website to see what other awesome things she can do!

http://www.jannypie.com/

Undergoing a huge remodel!

2009-03-12T06:23:00.002-05:00

I apologize for not having any posts on here within the past few weeks, but I'm in the process of having my blog design updated! Check back in a week or so, and it should be up and running again! I still have to re-add all my links. Thanks for stopping by!

Details on the $8K tax credit for homebuyers

2009-02-22T21:43:00.002-05:00

This article from money.cnn.com pretty much sums it up.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/13/real_estate/homebuyer_tax_credit_finalized/index.htm?postversion=2009021712

Selling your home soon?

2009-02-04T16:40:00.002-05:00

Here's a list of repairs that will help you get the most for your home! I think you'll find it useful!

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090116_repairs.htm

$5K - $8K in repairs can potentially net you $10K - $15K or more when you go to sell!

Happy Selling!

Year End Sales Stats

2009-01-25T19:45:00.003-05:00

According to the lastest figures posted from the CBR (Columbus Board of Realtors), "central Ohio fared far better than Ohio and the nation." Columbus real estate statistics aren't nearly as doom and gloom as the national statistics might have you believe. The average sales price in Central Ohio in 2008 was just under $164K, down only 5% from the 2007 average. It has been predicted that 2009 will actually bring property value increases, which is great news for all of you looking to sell and take advantage of historically low interest rates. Happy house hunting!

New listing -- $199,900 Dublin schools/Columbus taxes

2009-01-24T08:39:00.003-05:00

http://amberherbster.vflyer.com/home/flyer/home/2198974

Contact me directly to schedule your private showing today! You won't want to miss this one!

Sorry, this one was in contract within 10 days, after having 26 showings, and closed shortly thereafter!

Thinking of refinancing?

2009-01-18T20:41:00.002-05:00

Check out this article that I just recently came across! I thought it had some good info!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123153162327368989.html?mod=djemRealEstate

The perfect opportunity to finish a house to your specifications!

2009-01-18T19:48:00.004-05:00

I came across this property and walked through it today. It will be a great house for someone who has the time, energy & financial ability to finish it! It was started by a builder that is no longer in business, and is about 65% complete. It's in a great location, and has a wonderful, open floorplan. With a little time & imagination, this house would make someone a great home! If you're interested in seeing it, contact me and we'll set up a time! I'm also fairly certain that this home may be sold for much less than the asking price.

http://www.mlsfinder.com/oh_cbr/larrycoolidgerealtors/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=2848866&searchkey=ec616504-dde1-d131-7f98-acddafdcb1c5&npp=10&sr=1

Looking for a "deal" in an affluent neighborhood?

2009-01-13T20:30:00.002-05:00

If so, make sure you pay attention to the taxes on the property. I've come across so many properties that have a low asking price, but the taxes are still what they were when the property sold for much more, making an affordable home, no longer affordable! You may be able to have the tax rate adjusted after the sale, but don't count on if or when that might happen. Taxes in some areas can add another $1,000 a month or more to your mortgage payment!

Interest rates to drop below 5%??

2008-12-04T07:04:00.003-05:00

It may happen soon! The Treasury Dept. has been asked to consider a plan that would drive interest rates on 30 year fixed loans down to 4.5%! Details could be released as early as next week! Great news for you buyers that have been on the fence! If you've got job security, good credit and at least 3% down, there really is no better time to buy a home! Rates are currently hovering around between 5.5% & 5.75%. This interest rate drop would also affect refinancing. I'll post more details if/when they become available!

Average Sales Price Stats for 10/08

2008-12-01T08:49:00.003-05:00

Here are some of the lastest stats from the Columbus Board of Realtors.

Areas showing an INCREASE in sales price:

The downtown area of Columbus; $261,987 last year to $312,940, almost a 20% increase!

The area loosely located north of Bethel Rd., west of 315, east of Riverside & south of Powell; over 5%, from $184,358 to $194,252.

The area located south of Bethel Rd. to include parts of Grandview & the Lane Ave. area east of 315; $149,169 to $158,525, over 6% increase.

Canal Winchester; a slight increase of 1.73%, up to $175,610.

Dublin; up 3.5% from $319,035 to $330,220.

Hilliard; an increase (but still not a decrease) of less than 1%, at $204,031.

Plain City; up almost 10% to $183,761.

Areas showing a DECREASE:

Columbus, just north of 670, including the Short North, Victorian Village & Italian Village; down 10.5%, to $137,129.

Columbus, east of downtown, to include Olde Towne East; down over 20% to $68,022.

Columbus, south of downtown including German Village; down 31% to $127,690.

East Columbus, south of I-70, and east of Brice Rd.; down 11.37% to $109,600.

West Columbus, east of 270; down almost 25% to $50,144.

Northwest Delaware County; down 14% to $181,243.

Northeast Delaware County; down over 12% to $186,631.

Lancaster; down slightly more than 10% to $101,673.

Pickerington; down 9% to $190,084.

Grandview Heights; down almost 14% to $232,180.

Newark & Granville; down 16.5% to $261,638.

Lockbourne; down almost 18% to $64,693.

Upper Arlington; down almost 7% to $312,570.

Whitehall; down over 40% to $50,230.

Worthington; down 10% to $228,167.

For areas not listed, e-mail me for more details! realtor4columbus@yahoo.com

Before & After

2008-11-23T15:25:00.005-05:00

I sold this home to friends of mine a few years ago, and they lost some siding in the windstorms we had this past summer. They did an amazing transformation! Here are the before & after pics! Great job on boosting your curb appeal (one of things potential buyers will be looking for most)!

Don't have 3% cash to put down?

2008-11-16T11:54:00.003-05:00

You may still be able to purchase a home; a brand NEW home that is! Some builders in our area are once again offering work equity programs. If you can paint and pick up a hammer (contact me for specifics), then this program will cover your 3% downpayment!

For what it's worth....

2008-11-15T09:10:00.002-05:00

After watching the happenings in the local real estate market for quite some time now, I have to question whether or not the media is really painting an accuate picture of the local housing market . You may agree with me, disagree with me, or agree to disagree with me, but here are my thoughts and opinions on the current LOCAL real estate market that we find ourselves in.

1. Condos have been hit especially hard. They've become extremely difficult to move in this market (partly because condos are competing with single family REO homes in the same price range).

2. Newer neighborhoods (including upscale neighborhoods, prices from $325K and up), built after 2002 or so, have also been hit especially hard.

3. Most of the areas that I work in (Powell, Dublin, Worthington, NW Cols) are still selling ok, with home values only down slightly from this same time last year, usually only 1 - 2%.

4. If your home looks the best it possibly can, and is reasonably priced (the sellers aren't trying to make profits that they could have 2 years ago), your home will sell. Homes in my neighborhood are still selling for close to asking price, in 90 days, give or take!

Not all together bad news! Happy house selling!

Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac trying to curb foreclosures

2008-11-11T11:51:00.003-05:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27660450

Essentially, these two giants are going to try to speed up the loan modification process, in hopes that this will cut back on the number of loans that actually go into foreclosure. Citigroup, Bank of America & J.P. Morgan Chase have recently announced similar programs. Too little too late? Who knows....

Another informative website I just came across!

2008-11-11T08:19:00.001-05:00

I wanted to share this with all of you, in hopes that the resources available here might help you or someone you know!

http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/EconomicNews/index.htm?er=true

New Listing... on YouTube!

2008-11-09T17:19:00.002-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ieHajU0q_Q

I'm so proud of myself for figuring out how to do this all on my own! :)

Housing Market Stats

2008-11-09T09:41:00.000-05:00

Home sales are strong, according to the Columbus Board of Realtors. Sales for September were only down 1.5% from September '07, and the average sales price is only down 1.7% from last September to just over $160K. To add to the already stabilizing market, there were fewer homes added to the market, making September the month with the lowest inventory in six months! The average number of days on market is going down to, to just around 100 days. These are all great signs that the Columbus market is on the upswing!

Good news on getting financed!

2008-10-22T07:53:00.001-05:00

Well, it seems that things might not be as grim after all for those of you trying to obtain financing! If you have a credit score in the upper 600's, and a minimum of 3% (going up to 3.5% in January) down, you should still be able to obtain a mortgage! Contact me if you need contact names & numbers of lenders that may be able to help!

What's your home worth?

2008-10-21T13:13:00.001-05:00

I'm setting aside this week and next to run comps for you! If you're interested, let me know, and I'll get you my findings within 48 hours!

Alternative financing options

2008-10-18T08:17:00.003-05:00

Have you found the perfect home but are having troubles getting financing? Check out this article for some great alternatives!

http://www.frontdoor.com/news/article/2230/?nl=FD_v045_9

Up until a few days ago, Ohio had a great program (OHFA http://www.ohiohome.org/) that offered downpayment assistance programs, but due to the economic times, has been temporarily discontinued.

Best & Worst Bang for the Buck

2008-10-17T14:57:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine forwarded this article to me, and thought you might find it as interesting as I did!

http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/realestate/2008/10/10/cities-buck-economy-forbeslife-cx_ab_1010realestate.html

The first step is so important these days!

2008-10-16T14:43:00.004-05:00

Before you start looking at properties, contact a lender to get an idea as to how much you'll qualify for, and how much money down you'll need. The days of 0 down are long gone, so plan on putting at least 3-5% down, if not 10-20%, depending on credit, etc. Start saving now! There are many great deals to be had, but you will need money down. There are a few special programs out there, depending on what you do for a living (see older posts below) that may save you a few $$! When you've gotten this important first step taken care of, contact me at realtor4columbus at yahoo dot com, and I'll help you find that perfect property!

Financial Crisis Survey Results

2008-10-15T08:09:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who participated! I appreciate and value your thoughts and opinions!

1. Has the condition of the current housing/financial market made you put your home buying/selling plans on hold?
Yes - 20% of you said that yes, it has made you put your home buying/selling plans on hold, temporarily.
No - 60% of you said that this current situation has not made you change home buying/selling plans (either you've just recently purchased a home, or the situation has made you start saving more rapidly for a down payment).
Maybe - 20% of you are uncertain as to whether or not you'll change your plans.

2. Do you think the government should have been responsible for bailing out large financial institutions that are in trouble?
Yes - 0%
No - 84%
Maybe - 16%

3. Do you think the situation would have corrected itself if the government hadn't stepped in?
Yes - 34% of you thought that though it would've taken some time, the situation would eventually correct itself
No - 16%
Maybe - 50% of you were unsure as to whether or not the situation would correct itself without the government stepping in, or thought that yes, it would've, but the government's measures would lessen the effects and expedite the recovery.
"I think the pain and suffering needed to resolve this financial crisis will be less with government intervention than it would have been without it. The markets would have corrected themselves, but it might have taken many years and been very painful in terms of job and home loss. Also, the bail out will not save us from any all the pain, there certainly is/will be some."

4. Who do you think is responsible for the current financial institution crisis?
Buyers & Lenders - 60% of you thought that buyers AND lenders should share the responsibility
Buyers - 20% of you thought the buyers should accept sole responsibility.
Buyers, Lenders, Appraisers, etc (anyone/everyone involved in a transaction) - 20% thought that everyone involved should accept some of the responsibility.

5. Could it have been avoided?
Yes - 100% of you thought it could've been avoided.

6. Who do you think is responsible for the decline in the housing market?
No one - 20% of you thought that the market traditionally has ups and downs.
All involved / the general public - 60%
Lenders / Buyers - 20%
Most of the replies to this question were the same as question #4.

7. When do you see it turning around?
1-2 years - 34% of you thought it would be at least a year or 2 (some thought it'll depend on who gets elected as our next president).
2+ years - 50%
Don't know - 16% of you weren't sure.

8. How has the current housing market situation directly affected you?
There were many variations of a few specific answers, so I'll just post a few:
The market hasn't affected me.
Can't sell current property.
Homes selling for less than market value.
Property values dropping.
We got a great deal on our purchase.

9. Feel free to add any other related comments/questions!
"For people who are NOT in a bad situation from bad ideas, I wonder how easy it would be to purchase homes and rent them, or is the rental market flooded too?? I wish I had a bit of expendable cash to take advantage of the low costs to buy!"

I would be that this would be a great option right now, IF you had the expendable cash! :)

Stuck in a mortgage that no longer meets your needs?

2008-10-05T11:38:00.002-05:00

OHFA (Ohio Housing Finance Agency) now offers an "opportunity loan refinance program" to help homeowners who currently have interest-only or ARM's into a 30 year fixed rate mortgage. Click below for more details.

http://www.ohiohome.org/refinance/

Home Buyer Courses

2008-10-05T11:28:00.002-05:00

MORPC (Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission) offers courses covering a variety of topics for homebuyers. I've included the link to their latest schedule!

http://www.morpc.org/info_center/news_events01/current_news_events.asp?id=770

Bail-out?

2008-10-01T07:04:00.002-05:00

What does this bail-out that is currently being concocted mean for us? I certainly don't have the answers, and not really sure that anyone does. I think it's a wait and see situation, and everyone hanging on for dear lives in the meantime. What I do know is that even thought it's a buyer's market, with so many great deals out there, it's becoming harder and harder to get a mortgage, even with money down, good credit and a good income. If you're thinking in that direction, seek out a lender NOW and see what your options are before you start looking at homes.

New website to search for open houses....

2008-10-01T07:03:00.000-05:00

http://www.columbusopenhouse.com/index.php

Just found this and wanted to pass it along!

Awesome condo for sale!!!!

2008-09-10T16:23:00.000-05:00

http://tinyurl.com/5nktvl

Local market update

2008-09-09T08:19:00.002-05:00

According to the Ohio Association of Realtors, the statistics seen currently in the market are on par with statistics from pre-2003 (2003 - 2007 was the never seen before real estate "boom"). That's great news, and shows us that the market is starting to stabilize somewhat!

Selling a vacant home?

2008-09-03T08:25:00.002-05:00

Did you know that if your home is vacant (you've already purchased & moved into a new home), it may not be covered from damage, destruction, arson, etc...? Call your homeowners insurance agent today to make sure you're covered!

National average on return of investments

2008-08-25T08:52:00.003-05:00

I don't know how accurate these figures are (locally), but should at least give you an idea as to which projects typically help increase the value of your home! Spending money to update/improve kitchens & baths will generally offer the best return on dollars spent.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,2496,HGTV_22056_52571,00.html?nl=HGIdeas_v300_17

Market Trends

2008-08-25T06:38:00.004-05:00

Well, the good news is that some homes that have been on the market for months (or even years) are beginning to sell. The bad news is there are 200+ new listings in the central Ohio area each week! That means even more competition than ever, so if you're looking to sell, your home must be in the best possible showing condition. It's not impossible in all areas to sell right now, but obviously some areas have been affected worse than others!

Going Green?

2008-08-16T08:54:00.003-05:00

Join Mayor Michael Coleman and show Columbus that you're doing your part by "going green"!

http://www.columbusgreenspot.org/index.asp

2008 Home Improvement Challenge

2008-08-03T10:53:00.003-05:00

It's here! The 2008 Home Improvement Challenge sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens. Categories include:

additions
bath
decorating
exterior face-lifts
green improvements
kitchen
outdoor improvements
projects less than $5,000
renovation

Visit www.bhg.com/challenge for more information! Entries are accepted through 1/31.

Housing and Economic Recovery Act

2008-07-30T08:01:00.004-05:00

What does it mean to homeowners? Here are the basics of the tax credit being offered:

a $7500 maximum (you can claim up to 10% of the purchase price) tax credit to either first time homebuyers OR if you haven't owned a home in the past three years
if your AGI (adjusted gross income) exceeds $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 as a couple, the amount you're eligible for begins to decrease
you must close by 6/30/09 on the home
the amount credited must be paid back over a period of 15 years
if you sell the home before the 15 year period (and you have no gain on the sale) you won't be expected to pay the credit back
http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/ for more information

The bill also contains a provision to help homeowners with subprime loans refinance into a 30 year fixed FHA mortgage.

Below are a few articles I've come across that may help make sense of it all!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080730/ap_on_bi_ge/mortgage_relief_q_a

http://www.realtor.org/gapublic.nsf/pages/hr_3221_key_provisions?OpenDocument

http://bankrate.com/brm/news/mortgages/housing-bill-20080725a1.asp

http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-07-29/senate-approved-housing-rescue-package-real-estate-industry-reacts/

http://www.lendingtree.com/smartborrower/Mortgage-News/Housing-bill-to-aid-homeowners.aspx

Your home not selling?

2008-07-28T08:19:00.002-05:00

There are only a few reasons that your home may not be selling. First of all, how is the market in your neighborhood? Are homes selling? If so, then it has to be either location, price or condition. If your property sits in a desirable location in the subdivision, then look at the other possibilities. Have your agent pull comps weekly to make sure your home is still priced competitively, and make adjustments if necessary. This is even more important now with all the bank owned homes selling around us. If non of these things apply, then it MUST be the condition of the home. This could be just about anything, from odors to outdated finishes, mismatched carpeting, odd paint color choices, etc. The most important thing you can do to avoid the condition of your home being a factor, is to enlist the help of a few friends/family members/co-workers who will give you an honest opinion of your home. Things that potential buyers will notice are things that you probably won't because you're used to them (pet odors, messy paint job, etc.). I see it more now than in the past, but these are real problems that need to be addressed! An acquaintance of mine has a home on the market that just happened to fall into the criteria of a new buyer that I'm working with, so I showed it last week. The cat urine odor as soon as we walked in the door was horrid (the other disagreeable characteristics of the house don't even matter at this point). When I gave my feedback, she was in disbelief because no one else had told her this before. The house has been sitting empty, on the market for close to a year now............ Coincidence? I don't think so!

Behind on your mortgage?

2008-06-04T08:03:00.002-05:00

Don't fret, there are many resources out there to prevent you from losing your home. Now, more than ever, banks are willing to work with you on late/missed payments. They don't want your home, they just want your money, but you have to ask for help! There are so many other options out there, besides just letting your home go into foreclosure, and your credit won't be hurt nearly as much! Contact your lender at the first sign that you're struggling to make your mortgage payment, and see what they can do to help. Most likely, they won't come to you to see if you need help. YOU NEED TO GO TO THEM! No one wants to admit they're having troubles making their mortgage payments, and we as humans, don't like to ask for help, or admit defeat, but you have the opportunity to seek out options available to you. YOU JUST NEED TO ASK!

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=73,1827662&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

First time home buyers -- now's the time!

2008-06-04T07:58:00.005-05:00

First time home buyers make up the vast majority of home buyers right now, and why not? Now is still a great time to buy, especially if you don't have a house to sell! Interest rates are still very low, and probably won't be as low for many years to come! The biggest difference between now & in the recent past, is that you'll probably need at least 3-5% down and excellent credit. Real estate continues to be an excellent long term investment, so what are you waiting for? There are many, many homes to choose from, so contact your local Realtor today to see what you've been missing out on!
realtor4colubus@yahoo.com

Selling a home in this market....

2008-05-30T16:05:00.002-05:00

Over the past few weeks, it's become ever more evident than ever that the homes on the market that are in great, updated, move-in condition are the ones that are still selling (at least in some areas), and quickly at that! "Good" condition isn't cutting it in this day and age, (one of the best buyer's markets ever seen)! Most buyers these days are very picky (and rightfully so) and are willing to spend an extra $20K to get a home that's ready for them to move right into! If you're concerned as to whether or not your home falls into this category, contact me, or a local stager to make sure your home shows the best that it possibly can! All the little things really do make a difference in this market (dusty light fixtures, cobwebs in corners, dirty/sticky kitchen counters, etc.). With a little money out of pocket, some extra elbow grease and attention to detail, your home can be one of these homes!

Zero real estate tax increase for the next 3 years!

2008-05-15T07:53:00.000-05:00

Another entity is stepping up to see what they can do to help the economy and struggling homeowners.

http://www.franklincountyohio.gov/auditor/News_Releases/2008/06_02_08.htm

HELOC's a thing of the past?

2008-04-21T08:09:00.003-05:00

In the midst of the largest mortgage crisis the US has ever seen, some lenders are now pulling in the reins on Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC). Many lenders are not offering HELOC's at all anymore and are freezing the ones borrowers have already obtained in an effort to prevent borrowers from using more than what their property value can hold.

Local real estate market info. you can count on!

2008-04-20T09:10:00.002-05:00

Sponsored by CBR (the Columbus Board of Realtors):

http://www.columbushousingfacts.com/

House deals?

2008-04-07T10:03:00.002-05:00

With all the homes on the market that are bank-owned and need some TLC, or are homes that have had long time home owners (empy nesters) in need of some updates, there are many great buying opportunities out there! Do to recent requests, I have started sending out weekly or bi-weekly e-mails containing some of the properties I've found that offer great opportunity! If you'd like to be added to the list, let me know!

Ohio Heroes Program

2008-03-31T10:38:00.003-05:00

OHFA is offereing special interest rates on mortgages for those employed full-time in the following professions:

Active Military
EMT's
Firefighters
Healthcare workers
Military Veterans
Paramedics
Police Officers
Teachers

http://www.ohiohome.org/homebuyer/heroes.htm

Value listed on Auditor's page high?

2008-03-31T08:43:00.002-05:00

http://www.franklincountyohio.gov/auditor//Real_Estate/board_of_revision/bor%20notice.shtml

If you have purchased a home in Franklin County or you have an appraisal from a licensed appraiser that states that your home is worth less than the value listed on the Auditor's page, today is the deadline to file to have your value reviewed.

New Home Buying Seminar

2008-03-27T08:08:00.001-05:00

4/10 from 7-9 PM at the Bridgewater Conference Center on Sawmill Pkwy. in Powell. Sponsored by the BIA and CBR, and admission is free! Builders will be on hand to show you what they offer.

http://www.biahomebuilders.com/

Happy Easter!

2008-03-22T09:12:00.002-05:00

Spring has finally arrived, so the calendar says, and the home buyers are ready to go! The interest rates are still near record lows, making it a great time to buy! Sellers, stay focused and positive! Buyers are out there, and sooner or later, that perfect buyer will walk through your door!

2008 Parade of Homes details

2008-02-22T06:54:00.002-05:00

http://www.biahomebuilders.com/ParadeHomes/2008Parade.htm

June 14-29 @ Village of Hannah Farms in Gahanna

Free home inspection!!!

2008-02-20T07:39:00.001-05:00

http://www.10tv.com/?sec=home&story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200802/1770141082.html

At Larry Coolidge Realtors, we will pay for your home inspection. There are many homes out there with not so obvious problems (yes, even new builds), and we want to make sure that you don't fall victim to them! Contact us today for details!

www.lcrohio.com

2008-02-18T10:01:00.002-05:00

We're FINALLY live!!! We've been working so hard on editing content and such for our website for almost a year now, and it's finally up and open for business!! You can search all the listings in the central Ohio area, use our calculators to figure payments, and search our (rapidly growing) list of useful links! We are confident that you'll find our website so useful and informative, you won't need to go anywhere else to search for homes in the area! Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
www.lcrohio.com (Larry Coolidge Realtors)

Home prices rising!!

2008-01-07T08:46:00.000-05:00

Home sale prices in November were 2.1% higher than last November! Along with that, the number of new listings fell in October for the third month in a row. Both of these items mean good news for all of central Ohio! The market is finally showing definite signs of a rebound!

(stats courtesy of CBR)

Is pollution a concern of yours?

2008-01-03T09:08:00.000-05:00

If so, check out this website. It helps track the amount and type of pollution in the air, separated by different counties.

www.scorecard.org

Suggestions for paying your mortgage off quicker....

2008-01-03T09:06:00.000-05:00

1. Make bi-weekly payments instead of monthly (resulting in an extra payment or two at the end of each year).
2. Make 13 payments each year instead of 12.

Either of these will help you pay your mortgage off faster!

Maximize Your Homes Value!

2007-12-01T12:34:00.001-05:00

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/valueadded/2007/index.html

This article has some great tips to add value to your home!

Mortgage Interest Rates Drop!!

2007-12-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/29/real_estate/mortgage_rates/index.htm?postversion=2007112913

Interest rates now the lowest they've been in the past two years, according to cnnmoney.com.

Follow up to local market post

2007-10-24T07:16:00.001-05:00

Keep in mind that markets can vary tremendously, even just in the Columbus market. Be sure you're getting the best advice possible, and specifically on your area alone. Following national and local statistics will give you a general idea, but the difference between what's going on in your particular neighborhood and generally across the U.S. will be huge! Just something to keep in mind when you see that the housing market slump has hit rock bottom. That's just not the case for most of us in Central Ohio. In fact, most of us are seeing a positive upswing already!

Local homes sales faring better than national stats

2007-10-24T07:14:00.000-05:00

(October 18, 2007) Although home sales are down nationally, central Ohio home sales are not showing such dramatic decreases and are still above figures before the housing boom. Home sales in August were down 12.8 percent nationwide, but only off by 7.4 percent locally. Pending sales at the end of August were down 21.5 percent nationally, but only down 5.7 percent in central Ohio according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
“We keep saying that sales are pretty good and they are,” says Brad Bennett, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Thus far, this year’s home sales are trailing last year by about 5.5 percent but still well above where we were before the housing boom. We expected the market to take a breather while correcting itself, and we’re seeing that happen this year.”
The average price of a home sold, January through September, in central Ohio is $173,940. This is down 1.2 percent from the average home sale price last year. And, although homes sold in September only took about 4 extra days to sell, year to date days on market is averaging about 107 days versus the 95 it took to sell a home last year. “We’re seeing record numbers of homes put on the market for sale in the area which lends itself to a reduced sale price and longer selling period,” continues Bennett. “The flip side is, of course, that buyers should be really excited about the selection they have to choose from. And with interest rates and prices so competitive, this really is a great time to buy a home!"

Courtesy of Columbus Board of Realtors

SOLD!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-17T13:52:00.000-05:00

$129,900
1300 Eagleview Dr., 43228
3 beds
1 1/2 baths
2 car garage
Built in 1992
Southwestern City Schools
Most everything in this house is new!!
White doors/trim
Freshly painted neutral
Black/stainless kitchen appliances
Brushed nickel fixtures throughout
Private backyard backs to Big Run Park
realtor4columbus@yahoo.com to schedule your private showing!
Presented by Larry Coolidge Realtors

Industry tidbits from the Columbus Dispatch 9/30/07

2007-09-30T16:22:00.000-05:00

The ARM mess that the nation is in has yet to peak! In March of 2008, $110 billion in ARM will reset, and will hopefully decline pretty steeply in the months following.

How the local home builders rate, resulting from a survey by JD Powers & Ass. To be eligible to be a part of the study, the builder had to close at least 150 homes in 2006 in Franklin & surrounding counties. Overall, Centex Homes was the winner in the categories of design, customer service & quality. M/I Homes came in 2nd in customer service, followed by Dominion Homes, Lifestyle Communities, Epcon Communities, Beazer Homes, Village Communities, Rockford Homes & Maronda Homes. Dominion Homes ranked 2nd in quality, followed by Maronda Homes, Epcon, Beazer, Village, M/I, Lifestyle & Rockford. M/I came in 2nd in design, followed by Beazer, Dominion, Rockford, Epcon, Village, Lifestyle & Maronda. The results are based on a survey of 720 local homeowners who have lived in their home from four to 18 months.

In August of this year, 1 in every 281 homes were in foreclosure in Ohio. Surprisingly, according to bankrate.com, 34% of homeowners have no idea what type of mortgage they have. I have a feeling these two statistics are very closely related to one another...

New home sales fell the most in August for the first time in seven years.

Guideline for what to expect when selling your home

2007-09-17T10:04:00.000-05:00

The first step to successfully selling your home is finding a Realtor that's familiar with your area to help you get your home staged and ready to show. Many Realtors will assess your home for you and provide you with a list of things to do so it shows better, at no additional cost. Basically, if it's not something you use on a regular basis, pack it up and take it to a storage facility. There are professional "stagers" out there who do this for a fee, but many Realtors are trained in this area and are happy to help. If your home is an older home, or if you have lived in your home for longer than ten years, it may be worth it for you to get a home inspection before listing it. There may be problems you aren't even aware of that might break a deal down the line. These are the kinds of things that the home inspector will find, and you can adjust your price accordingly, or fix them before they're an issue with your buyer's home inspector. Keep in mind, you must disclose known defects on the "residential property disclosure form" that your Realtor will have you fill out prior to listing.

At the first meeting with your Realtor, they will provide you with the "residential property disclosure form" to fill out at your leisure. This form will be available at the property during showings for potential buyers, and will be a part of the contract. The second form they will provide you with is the "agency disclosure" form, which is just that, a disclosure, stating that all parties understand who will be represented by who, when a contract arises. This in no way binds you to this Realtor, but is a mandated form that your Realtor must present to you. The final form is the actual "exclusive right to sell" form. This will go over all the specifics of the listing agreement; the list price, showings instructions, length of listing & the Realtor's commission you agree to pay. You will get copies of all of these documents that you sign.

Before you list, make sure you know how much you owe (if anything) on your mortgage (don't forget your home equity line or 2nd mortgage, if applicable) when gathering your information.
Contact your servicer for this information; the figure on your statement may not be accurate. This will help your Realtor come up with the figures for a seller's estimated net sheet. The "net" will vary depending on the date of closing, how much in closing costs you'll be paying for your buyer, etc., but with the current payoffs, they will be able to give you an "estimate".

Take your Realtor's staging and pricing suggestions to heart. If your home doesn't sell, nobody wins, so it's in everyone's best interest if your house is priced right from day 1. Your Realtor will suggest a price, or a price range, along with comps so you can come up with the best asking price. The first 30 days your home is on the market are the most important. After that, your showings will go down, and potential buyers may wonder why it's still on the market. That's why it's so important to price it right from the beginning instead of lowering the price.

On a side note, everything that is physically attached to your home will stay with the home, as well as all landscaping, window treatments and light fixtures. If there are any of these items you won't be conveying with the home, remove them prior to listing your home. This way, there will be no confusion.

More than likely, a buyer will ask you to pay for a 1 year home warranty for them, usually no more than $400, which will be taken out of your proceeds at closing. If you put this in place now, it offers protection to you during the listing period as well.

Be as flexible as possible when the showings begin. If you have pets, have arrangements in place for them during showings. Most Realtors try to give at least 24 hours notice to show (though it's not always possible), so you should have ample time to do whatever is necessary.

When you get an offer, keep in mind that this is just a starting point. Most of the time buyers know this, and will fully expect a counter offer. There may be several counter offers, and it can get frustrating, but it is a very typical part of the process, so hang in there! The potential buyers may ask you to pay some of their closing costs, as well as the $400 home warranty, as mentioned above & a gas line warranty (if applicable) which is no more than $100. You'll want to note also how much "earnest monies" the buyer is willing to put down. If the buyer decides to walk away from the deal for no apparent reason, they will not get this money back. If they can't perform per contract due to an inability to get financed, they will get this back. The final thing to note, is the proposed closing date and possession. 99% of the time possession will be at closing, unless extenuating circumstances call for other arrangements. After everyone has agreed on all terms, you'll want to prepare for the upcoming inspections. Most buyers will try to have all inspections done at once, so they're only troubling you one time. The inspections usually happen within the first two to seven days after entering into the contract. After the inspection period of seven days, there is typically another seven day period that the buyer has to come to you with a "request to remedy unsatisfactory conditions", and we must come to terms on this within those seven days, unless a written extension is agreed upon by all parties. The majority of the time, you will be presented with a "request to remedy", unless you're living in a home that's less than three years old. This should consist mainly of safety & code issues. At this point, you can agree to remedy all of the items requested, some of the items, or none of the items. Instead of either of those options, the buyer may be satisfied with a mere reduction of the agreed upon purchase price instead of you making the repairs.

You'll want to begin contacting your utility companies (gas, electric, phone, cable, water, etc.) to get final readings about one week prior to the closing date; depending on how your homeowner's association is set up, you may have a final amount due with them as well. Be careful when moving your belongings out of the home. The contract states that the home is to be delivered to the buyer on the day of closing in the same condition it was in at the time of the first showing. The buyers are able to do a final walk-through of the home within 48 hours of closing. At this time, they'll also go over the items that were agreed upon on the "request to remedy" (if there were any) to make sure they're complete as well.

Other seller costs associated with the closing:
Since taxes are paid in arrears, you will credit the buyer at closing the taxes due from the beginning of the year through the date of closing.
Title charges will be at least $1000 (but will vary), depending on the title company's fees, the cost of the title insurance that you provide for the buyer, and other recording fees.
The Realtor's commissions, usually 6% total, 3% to your agent, and 3% to the buyer's agent.

You probably won't know an exact amount that you're netting from the sale until the day before, or even early on the day of closing. If you're fortunate enough to find out two or more days prior to closing, fantastic! At the closing table, your part as a seller is very short and sweet (usually under ten documents to sign)! The closing will take about an hour, give or take. Most of the time, you do have the option to pre-sign, leaving the house keys and garage door openers with the title company, which they will turn them over to the buyer at the end of the closing.

Congratulations!

Average Days On the Market in Central Ohio...

2007-09-11T11:01:00.000-05:00

...is up 15%, with the average days on market now being 106. Certain areas of Columbus are much, much slower, others are much faster!

Sales statistics in/around the Columbus area.

2007-09-11T10:40:00.001-05:00

The latest statistics available as of now, are thru the end of May 2007, and are in comparison to last year at this same time.

The area of Columbus/Dublin/Worthington north of Bethel Rd. showed a decrease of 7.1%, bringing the average selling price to $181,432.

The southwestern Delaware Co. quadrant showed an INCREASE of 4.0%, bringing the average selling price to $388,985.

Bexley showed an INCREASE of 7.6%, with the average selling price being $310,988.

Delaware proper showed a decrease of 3.3%, with the average selling price being $150,481.

Dublin proper showed a decrease of 4.7%, with the average selling price being $318,340.

Gahanna showed an INCREASE of 6.3%, with the average selling price being $211,683.

Grandview Heights showed a decrease of 10.1%, with the average selling price being $224,354.

Grove City showed an INCREASE of 4.7%, with the average selling price being $161,877.

Hilliard showed a decrease of 6.4%, with the average selling price being $205,893.

Marysville showed an INCREASE of 9.9%, with the average selling price being $174,216.

New Albany showed a decrease of 7.3%, with the average selling price being $619,195.

Pickerington showed an INCREASE of 3.6%, with the average selling price being $210,834.

Powell showed a decrease of .9%, with the average selling price being $336,156.

Upper Arlington showed an INCREASE of .8%, with the average selling price being $322,735.

Westerville showed a decrease of 1.6%, with the average selling price being $196,807.

Worthington proper showed an INCREASE of 12.7%, with the average selling price being $266,379.

Statistics courtesy of the Columbus Board of Realtors.

Better news for sellers!

2007-08-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

Ok, the past few months have proven to me something that I believe to have been true all along! If your home is priced right, and staged to sell, you will sell your home! It's definitely not the time to be greedy, but your home WILL sell under these conditions. A fresh coat of neutral paint, and new carpeting throughout are the two best things you can do to help your home show the best that it can! A listing of mine sold for full purchase price in 35 days, after 26 showings! Traffic is good, and buyers are still out there if you follow the suggestions of your Realtor! All of these factors are, of course, dependent on neighborhood & school district too, so it's not a catch all... Good luck!

Find Weekly Open Houses!

2007-08-14T09:05:00.001-05:00

http://www.columbusrealestate.com/?story=columbusrealestate/openhouse.php

Spec Homes in the Columbus area

2007-07-31T10:43:00.000-05:00

Sponsored by the local BIA, you can search many central Ohio home builder's spec/inventory homes!

www.columbusspechomes.com

Sellers in little pocket of N suburb are selling!!

2007-07-31T09:43:00.001-05:00

Within the past 3 months, the overwhelming majority of new listings have sold in under 40 days, and for top dollar! The area in question is east of Smoky Row Rd., north of Hard Rd., and just south of the Delaware/Franklin Co. border! These neighborhoods boast Worthington schools, Columbus taxes, steady appreciation, and are historically in high demand!

Columbus is only city in Ohio to make the cut!

2007-07-31T09:40:00.000-05:00

Columbus was recently named one of RelocateAmerica.com's annual list of top 100 places to live in 2007! Check out the entire list: http://top100.relocate-america.com/.

Village Green Ampitheater Concerts in Powell

2007-07-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

August 5, featuring Big Daddy Blue (Jimmy Buffett inspired). Show starts at 6, and make sure to bring lawnchairs and/or blankets! Admission is FREE!!
http://www.cityofpowell.us/docs/special%20events/Summer%20Family%20Concerts%202007%20Press%20Release.pdf

Good news on the housing market!

2007-07-30T09:49:00.000-05:00

After close to 12 months of house values not appreciating, or even slightly depreciating, values are on the rise again. That's great news for you sellers out there! If you can hang in there a little while longer, the market is on the upswing! Now is the time to try to capture buyers, just before the new school year starts!

Have household items you need/want to get rid of?

2007-06-19T07:15:00.000-05:00

http://www.mapfurniturebank.org/

Material Assistance Providers has been helping families furnish their homes in central Ohio since 1998.

The USPS Official Change of Address site

2007-06-13T14:13:00.000-05:00

www.usps.com/realmove

Private Mortgage Insurance

2007-06-06T07:42:00.000-05:00

PMI is now tax-deductible, with certain limitations.
www.privatemi.com for more info!

Content on BLOG

2007-05-25T13:14:00.000-05:00

This BLOG is a work in progress, so lists may not be all-inclusive. Please be patient, and resources/information will be added weekly!

Record number of homes still on the market...

2007-05-25T07:40:00.000-05:00

Last month, almost 5,000 new listings came on the market, leaving us with over 18,500 homes currently on the market!!! If you're trying to sell, price it right from the beginning, and see the tips I have below for increasing curb appeal! Sellers, good luck in this ever tough market, and if you stage your home properly, and make it more appealing than the competition, you'll see a closing soon!

Foreclosures STILL on the rise....

2007-05-21T08:26:00.001-05:00

1 out of every 45 households in Ohio will go into foreclosure this year! These statistics are startling, but as I'm sure you've heard, things are going to progressively get worse before they get better!

Columbus Real Estate News

WTG Columbus!

Another HUGE price drop!

Want to see the best weekly deals?

Happy Labor Day

Columbus made the list!! 10 Cities Where Home Prices Will Rise in 2011

Home sales stats for Powell, Dec. 2010

Buyers market?? Not necessarily....

Tall tales your contractor tells

Check out this new listing!

Follow me on Facebook!

Your step by step guide to purchasing a home! (updated to reflect current market conditions)

Sellers updating?

Homebuyer Tax Credit has been expanded/extended!

Not good news for condo owners

New listing near Grove City!!

Do you smoke in your home?

Even MORE good news for first time home buyers!

Local housing market vs. National housing market

Super Sunday tomorrow from 1-4!

See how the tax levies on the May 5 ballot may affect you!

BIA's Parade of Homes 2009

Record low interest rates

How long should it last?

Want to take advantage of the great deals the current market has to offer?

Thanks Jan!!

Undergoing a huge remodel!

Details on the $8K tax credit for homebuyers

Selling your home soon?

Year End Sales Stats

New listing -- $199,900 Dublin schools/Columbus taxes

Thinking of refinancing?

The perfect opportunity to finish a house to your specifications!

Looking for a "deal" in an affluent neighborhood?

Interest rates to drop below 5%??

Average Sales Price Stats for 10/08

Before & After

Don't have 3% cash to put down?

For what it's worth....

Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac trying to curb foreclosures

Another informative website I just came across!

New Listing... on YouTube!

Housing Market Stats

Good news on getting financed!

What's your home worth?

Alternative financing options

Best & Worst Bang for the Buck

The first step is so important these days!

Financial Crisis Survey Results

Stuck in a mortgage that no longer meets your needs?

Home Buyer Courses

Bail-out?

New website to search for open houses....

Awesome condo for sale!!!!

Local market update

Selling a vacant home?

National average on return of investments

Market Trends

Going Green?

2008 Home Improvement Challenge

Housing and Economic Recovery Act

Your home not selling?

Behind on your mortgage?

First time home buyers -- now's the time!

Selling a home in this market....

Zero real estate tax increase for the next 3 years!

HELOC's a thing of the past?

Local real estate market info. you can count on!

House deals?

Ohio Heroes Program

Value listed on Auditor's page high?

New Home Buying Seminar

Happy Easter!

2008 Parade of Homes details

Free home inspection!!!

www.lcrohio.com

Home prices rising!!

Is pollution a concern of yours?

Suggestions for paying your mortgage off quicker....

Maximize Your Homes Value!