Lynn Semer's Blog

Happy Holidays and looking forward to a great 2010!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:56:18 -0800

I am truely looking for BIG things to happen in 2010. Watch for real big changes to The Wooster Real Estate showcase office! We are heading up - lol - watch.... coming soon!

I have been very busy with people seeking a market value report in the last 2 months. All have logged onto www.waynecountyhousevalues.com and have requested the market report. From the response we are getting from this service, I would expect any will list in the coming months - so buyers be prepared! There are going to be some great houses on the market soon!

With the renewed first time credit and the new repeat buyer credit - I think it just may shape up into a great year in 2010.

Happy Holidays to all! Call me if you need me! Happy to help!

Great Time had at the Home Buyers Seminar this week!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:58:08 -0700

On Thursday March 12th, We held a Homebuyers Seminar at the Wayne County Public Library! What a fun time we had. There were approx 20 people in attendance (21 if you count the 6 month old baby that attended with mom and dad!).

We covered many topics, Kirsten Bowie from Amerifirst talked about; Prequalifying for a loan, types of loans available, the new $8000 Tax Credit (that you do not have to pay back), those that qualify for the credit which includes those that have not owned a home in the last 3 years!

We covered the buying process from start to finish. On the average 17 people will touch a real estate transaction from start to finish - the agents, the buyer, seller, loan officer, appraiser, home inspectors, title people, escrow agent - the list goes on! So, it is very important to choose the right Realtor! Your Realtor will be the one that will keep everything flowing - that's their job - get it done, smoothly for their client!

We also covered buyers representation. This is very important...again choose the right Realtor for you! This agent can and will show you ALL the properties that meet your criteria (price, needs, location, etc) The agent you choose will help you negotiate the best deal for you. They can recommend inspections, inspectors, lenders and so much more, Your Realtor IS your expert!

Some of the other topics we comvered are Foreclosures - where to find them and how to buy them. Almost all banks are now turning to 3rd party companies to list the home and take care of getting the property ready to show. Almost always now, the home will be listed with a local Realtor. So, go to your Realtor for guidance!

Are we taking new clients???? Of course! If you would like a free consultation call us (remember you NEVER pay for a Realtor's service - they get paid when the deal closes from the Seller's Proceeds). Our team can place you on a free search of all the homes listed and have them emailed to you as soon as they hit the market!

Call us 330-439-1939 or email us at info@GetTheRealTeam.com Also, we can provide you with the entire Home Buyer Package we gave all that attended the seminar!

-Lynn Semer- Accredited Buyers Rep., Certified Residential Specialist, Seniors Real Estate Specialist

This new website may help Homebuyers!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:11:33 -0800

This new site just out up by the National Association of Realtors is a great source for all of us!

It spells out the benefits of homebuying and the new laws and incentives for the economic recovery! Great info and tips for the potential homebuyer and for all of us that are waiting to find the facts and the myths!

Check it out! Pretty Cool!

http://housingmarketfacts.com/

Home Buying Seminar and $8000 Tax Credit

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:13:52 -0800

Terrific home buying opportunities are out there! To assist buyers our team (Bob Schubert & myself) along with several other Realtors and Kirsten Bowie from AmeriFirst Mortgage are offering a Home Buying Seminar on March 12, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Wayne County Library's Main Branch in Wooster. NO obligation - NO pressure - NO commitment! FREE, FREE, FREE!

As an Accredited Buyers Representative we will be giving out a Buyer's Toolkit to all attendees (or contact me if you cannot attend). We will be covering every aspect of buying a home, Including: Buying Foreclosures, Rehab/Remodel loans avail., all the different financing that is available, Negotiating, Inspections, What to expect and so much more!]

If you would like to attend or if you would just like more information, just shoot me an email and we can chat about it!

There are so many opportunities out there now including that $8000 Tax Credit and Check from the US Government! If you're on the fence about buying you may want to really consider buying a home before August, when the tax credit expires! Also - a little known fact about the credit is that not only is it for first time buyers but for ANYONE - THAT HAS NOT OWNED A HOME IN THE LAST 3 YEARS!

More will be announced in the beginning of March regarding the Stimulous package and how it will play out for LOANS for home buyers, but one thing's for sure - It won't last! The market will change and we may never see housing this affordable again, in our lifetimes!

Real Estate Radio Talk Show!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:05:03 -0800

This is terrific - may shed some light on what's really going on in the real estate and housing markets... Check it out, sound like it's going to be a good show. You can listen to a preview of the show and some of the topics it will cover.

Here's what the President of the National Assoc. of Realtors sent out as an announcement today:




	Real Estate Today will premiere the weekend of February 14-15. We'll show consumers why REALTORS® are the most credible, trusted source of real estate information, and convince them that using a REALTOR® when buying, selling, or investing in real estate is the smartest decision they can make. We'll also be building consumer confidence in the market and in the long-term value of real estate to help bring buyers back into the market. LISTEN TO A SNEAK PREVIEW/EXCERPT FROM THE SHOW Real Estate Today will air online at www.RETRadio.com - visit the site anytime after the premiere to listen to current or past programs. Beginning on February 14, satellite radio subscribers can hear Real Estate Today on America's Talk, XM Channel 158, Saturdays 5-7 p.m. EST; Talk Radio, XM Channel 165, Saturdays 1-3 p.m. EST; and Stars, Sirius-XM Channel 102, Saturdays 6-8 a.m. and Sundays 9-11 a.m. EST. If you're in the Washington, D.C., area, you can listen to Real Estate Today on the show's flagship station, 630 WMAL AM, every Sunday from 1-3 p.m., EST, beginning February 15.

Getting offers now!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:04:08 -0800

The market is changing! Finally after a long (at least it seems long with all the snow) winter so far, houses are starting to see activity and offers.

Just showed a bunch of houses over the weekend, several have offers pending - looks like when this snow finally melts we will have buyers with "Cabin Fever" ready to get out there and start shopping!

Rates are great! Selection is great!

Statistics are in for 2008!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:15:12 -0800

Just compiling the data for 2008 and ready to put in our newsletter that will be avail online at www.GetTheRealTeam.com

Everyone is asking us - How is business? How are things selling?

Have Prices come down?

Here's the statistics since 2006 according to the Wayne-Holmes Assoc of Realtors:

Average Sales Price Days on Market #of Sales in Wayne Co.:

2006 $131,124 131 719

2007 $139,978 (+6.8%) 139 646 (-10%)

2008 $128,921 (-7.9%) 145 583 (-9.8%)

What"s the 2009 Outlook?

Well, buying a house has never been so affordable! At time of writing,interest rates are starting at 4.5 % - a buyer can get a lot more house for a lot less money! If you knowof someone that has been sitting on the fence waiting for the right time . THE TIME IS NOW!

******************* Spread the word! *******************

To live and buy in Wooster Ohio.

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:48:47 -0800

As I have been out and about this week...I just cant believe the number of people I have talked tothat just cant fathom interest rates at 5% and below! People are just amazed! I'm not sure if it's the media that has got them convinced that banks just aren't lending or if they are thinking that all the banks are in trouble - but most I have talked with are just astounded!

So I'll say it LOUD! YES, Banks have money to Loan! YES, Interest rates really are at 4.5 to 5% REALLY! YES, Houses are moving and YES, prices are great! That means you can get more, bigger, better for a lower monthly payment!

Just thought I would put that out there! Feel free to post any questions to me - I would be happy to answer or give you my take on things in the Real Estate World of Wooster and Wayne County Ohio!

Snow, Snow, Snow...

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:35:14 -0800

Well, quite day in real estate! Maybe everyone's home toasty and warm and exploring the internet for info and listings...

Wooster's got nearly a foot of snow and roads are very slippery! Be careful out there. We had to cancel open house on one of our listings - so, here's to toasy and warm in Wooster, Ohio! And, to warmer days and sales ahead!

Lynn Semer

Great Way to Start 2009!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:48:30 -0800

Just got thru a very tough negotialtion for a buyer - and boy, did he get a great deal! A house that has been listed for over 190 days - completely remodeled from head to toe - new furnace, ac, complete Kitchen makeover - beautiful refinished hardwood floors, tile kitchens and baths - all new fixtures in the baths, - and a coy pond surrounded by terriffic landscape! Wow - he's locking in a 4 1/2% rate!

Now is a terriffic time to buy a home! Truely - I have never seen interest rates so low! My first purchase of a home was in 1986. My husband and I bought our first home via an FHA loan at 11 1/4% interest! Wow! - of course we refinanced that and it was 3 homes ago (and 20 + years ago...lol) - NO I AM NOT THAT OLD! lol

Spread the word! Banks have money! (that is unless you want to develop a shopping mall or buy a 5 million dollar house - then that's a different story - sorry, dont want to offend my California friends! LOL)

Interest rates are good! Real Estate is LOCAL! Wooster, Ohio is a great place to live, work, raise a family or just take in the slower lifestyle in a College town!

-Lynn Semer-

First Time Poster!

Lynn Semer (RE/MAX Showcase) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:06:52 -0800

Finally joining the cyberworld with the first blog! Looking forward to a great 2009 and taking the time in this COLD, winter day to get up and running!

Look forward to posting timely information about Real Estate in Wooster Ohio!