Michael's Blog

Doubling Your Investment: Do Income-Generating Properties Pay?

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:38:18 -0800

Doubling Your Investment: Do Income-Generating Properties Pay?

Buying or selling a house is one of the biggest decisions most people will ever make with their finances and their lifestyle. Getting the best bargain in the purchase or making the most profit on the sale give buyers and sellers so much to think about that many may never stop to consider keeping that old house - or buying another - as an income-generating property. But the rewards, in savings, profits and problem-solving, can be high.

One option for buyers who otherwise might consider home prices beyond their reach is the property that pays for itself: a house you live in part of and rent the rest of. This offers not only an obvious balance of cost and income, but perhaps lesser-known benefits in taxes and mortgage. The rental units can be depreciated over time; considered to offset the rental income, this can lower your taxes on that income. At the same time, the rent's addition to your finances helps you qualify for a larger mortgage, and investors who occupy their rental properties can, under certain conditions, get interest rates lower than those who do not. (A professional like those at ERA Mortgage can tell you more.) Of course you'll want to decide if the demands of being a live-in landlord are for you (and find out if rent-control laws in your area might limit the return on your investment).

If being an offsite landlord is more appealing, you could always keep your current home as a rental after you move into the new one. Your long-tern familiarity with the home's features and condition could lend a certain confidence both to yourself and your potential tenants. As with any investment property, you'll first want to calculate whether the rental income will make up for the needed expenses. (This is another consideration in which a qualified real estate sales professionals can help, with his or her knowledge of the local rental market and its prospects over time.) And of course being a long-distance landlord has its headaches too, so you have to enjoy the challenge and be ready to meet the needs.

But if solving problems appeals to you, then you may even prefer a fixer-upper to your familiar former home. With a thorough inspection to answer any questions, and a realistic budget and disciplined schedule to handle all improvements, your outlays can prove to be well worth it. Renovations can range from reconfiguring the floorplan to simply replacing a now-unfashionable décor. The attraction of "move-in" quality can draw renters who share your appreciation of state-of-the-art living but not your passion for the do-it-yourself effort behind it.

Owning an income-generating property is not for everyone, but - from younger buyers offsetting their purchase costs, to seniors easing the expenses of their retirement years - it can be for all kinds of people. Talk to a real estate sales professional to find out if rental property would be double trouble or two times the success.

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Rooms for Improvement: The Joys and Challenges of Fixer-Uppers

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 15:08:18 -0800

Rooms for Improvement: The Joys and Challenges of Fixer-Uppers

The house that needs work - it's not for everyone. But then, the secret of real estate success, for both a professional like me and a potential customer like yourself, is finding the one home that's right for you. And a fixer-upper even offers the opportunity to have your dream house not be found, but made.

It's important to keep in mind the balance of challenges and chances that a fixer-upper presents. For buyers with cost as a concern, a house needing work will definitely be more affordable - though the discount can stem from some major problems, and the price savings go hand-in-hand with later renovation expenses.

Even so, at the initial bargain price some families find a fixer-upper comfortable enough to live in while saving for renovation. This kind of at-home pioneering makes fixer-uppers not the best idea for first-timers. However, experienced homeowners have an edge, being more familiar with renovations in previous houses and knowing what to expect in both inconvenience and rewards.

In any case, the standard rules for all home purchases apply to fixer-uppers - and often more so. Getting a thorough home inspection, for instance, is crucial, to learn all you need to about homes whose history and condition can be unknown (or in some cases undisclosed). But once again remember that turning up problems can also identify economic breaks; since the purchase price for an "as is" home will be lower, so will related costs such as transfer taxes, and property taxes might be too.

If the fixer-upper is just your kind of challenge, then you have the chance to shape your space to just your type of taste - and that of potential future residents. The fix-up can enhance the possibility of appreciating the home's resale value. As with any home, you'll want to think carefully about which improvements will make up their cost, but with a fixer-upper the benefits can be reaped not just from the house but its location - older neighborhoods can be preferred by many buyers to newer housing developments, so getting a like-new home you prepared in a more old-fashioned area can be a strong attraction.

One resource you may want in your fix-up tool kit is the services of a qualified real estate professional. Not only can we advise you on financing options, but we also often have fixer-uppers we'd love to find the right buyer for, and can call you about as soon as they're available. If you're ready for the challenges and rewards, your neighborhood agent may be ready to "fix you up" with your future dream house.

New Kid on the Block: Moving With Children

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 09:11:00 -0800

New Kid on the Block: Moving With Children

Moving is a major change for all members of a family. Adult responsibilities weigh heavily when keeping track of all the tasks needed to make a move go smoothly. If you have children, this may be a difficult time to focus on their problems, too, but it's also one of the most crucial times to keep their concerns in mind.

Sometimes what seems like a major disruption to grownups is viewed as an adventure to the kids. Still, changing homes can also upset feelings of stability (in the case of younger children) and belonging (in the case of teens). These are special concerns for these age groups.

The most important thing a parent can do is maintain normal routines as much as possible - and when it isn't possible, to let the kids know that apprehension about a big life change is normal, too. Try to keep calm about the move yourself, and your children will be more likely to follow your lead. It is advisable to be open about what's happening and how everyone feels about it.

This means keeping your kids in the loop at each stage of the move. They don't have to get a vote, but it helps everyone for them to get increasingly used to the idea of this change. Bring them along when you look at houses, make them familiar with the new area you're moving to, and investigate its attractions (including the athletic or extra-curricular offerings that appeal to your kids). Exploring some of this on the Internet is a good way to relate your relocation to an activity they already enjoy.

Encourage your children to express any worries, and do what you can to reassure them. If you went through similar experiences as a child, you can share how you dealt with it - if it was easy, so much the better, and if it was hard, your children will know they're not the only ones who have ever had to deal with change.

Other neighborhood kids may grow distant when they know a friend is leaving. This is hurtful to your own children, but try and explain that some kids aren't yet mature enough to handle it another way, and that it isn't your kids' or even the others' fault.

Minimizing transitions and heading off family disputes are each essential to a smooth move with children. Try and arrange visits to the new school and meetings with the new teachers before the school year or semester starts. When you have more than one child, make bedroom assignments in the new house as soon as possible to avoid sibling strife (comfort, privacy and age seniority are all issues of kid politics that it is sometimes easy for grownups to forget).

Above all, be open and patient. If you pay the right attention, you will be letting your children know that, move or no move, the most important people in their life aren't going anywhere.

When a Home is Not a House: Condo Pros and Cons

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:45:25 -0800

When a Home is Not a House: Condo Pros and Cons

Many real estate watchers can remember when buying a condominium was most would-be homeowners' second choice. These properties were considered a half-way measure for people wishing to break out of renting but not quite able to obtain a house. Now, condos are not only seen as a smart step between the two stages, but are an increasingly sought-after option in their own right.

It's not just that condos are an attractive intermediate move, though this is an important recent reality of homeownership. Since 2002, condo values have been appreciating faster than those of single-family homes, making them a good start for first-time homebuyers who would like to build equity for a house purchase a few years down the road.

Condo sales are growing, too, reaching record numbers and also outpacing single-family homes in 2002. Condos are now viewed as a great middle ground for people at opposite ends of the homeowning spectrum: first-time homebuyers appreciate the still-competitive prices of condos as compared to single-family homes, and retirees like the convenience of condo living (with affordability certainly an attraction for the seniors and simplicity an appeal to busy young professionals, too).

A condo can keep benefiting its buyer even after they move (if they even ever want to): some owners keep their condo as a rental investment when they switch to another kind of home. Still, as with any living arrangement, you want to make sure the situation is right for you.

One big consideration is the ways in which a condo's conveniences come with certain trade-offs. As in a conventional apartment complex, most maintenance work and many other homeowner hassles will be taken care of for you, but not without expense. All residents must join an association which requires dues and makes certain decisions in concert that homeowners would otherwise make themselves.

You will want to carefully check out what restrictions apply - are pets allowed? Home offices? Can you paint and garden as you wish? You'll want to find out if the fees are within your budget, and how they might go up (for instance, to pay for any big repairs if there isn't already a responsible reserve fund). And you will want to be sure you're comfortable with the communal decision-making process in general.

You also owe it to yourself to make sure that any current boom has reached the condo complex you're interested in, with a good sales history and a promising future - and to figure out your financing prospects. Lenders give lower rates to buyers in developments with fewer renters and more owner-occupants (absentee ownership can affect both quality of life and property value).

With the right research, a condo can become not a compromise you can live with, but the place where you'd most like to live.
If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Paying It Forward: How Renters Become Buyers

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:47:22 -0800

Paying It Forward: How Renters Become Buyers

Nothing compares to the feeling of having a place to call home. At one time or another, however, most of us have felt frustration at seeing hard-earned money go into rent every month rather than a more permanent house payment. Renting is most people's first step toward homeownership, but what do you need to do to realize the dream of owning a home?

Sometimes, it's not the regular rent-money obligations but other expenses that are the main obstacle in saving. A whole debt-counseling industry has arisen to guide consumers in getting out from under what they owe. Smart saving - not depriving yourself, just ensuring stability and enjoyment over the longest term - involves many moves both major and simple, and can help prepare you for that first down payment.

On the simple end, rediscovering home cooking (and enjoying the leftovers as brownbag lunches) can amount to significant savings as compared to regularly dining out. On a higher level of financial planning, establishing a household budget and sticking to it - including a specific amount set aside for savings every month - can get you to your home-affording goals sooner than you might have imagined.

You may also want to meet with a counselor who can negotiate a lower rate and set a sensible structure for your repayments on credit cards - while advising you how to ease dependence on them. (This not only gets you on your own financial feet, but helps keep your credit rating intact for the very home loan you hope to someday secure.)

There are additional ways to start working toward homeownership. Some sellers will enter into a "rent-to- buy" agreement, in which part of the regular rent is considered an installment of the home's down payment, which, once built up, can help you obtain financing. Low-income renters may also qualify for federal "Section 8" vouchers which are paid to the landlord, subsidizing your rental expenses and helping you save for a permanent home.

Just as some renting options allow you to set funds aside, some types of purchases can help defray your costs even as you fulfill the stepped-up obligations of homeownership. Pooling resources with other buyers to occupy a two-family home could be one; buying such a home by yourself and renting one half of it could be another.

Even if your economics remain challenging, there are low-down-payment mortgages, and other forms of financing for special circumstances, available to buyers who meet the right criteria. Your local real estate professional can help you navigate through these options. He or she can also identify what government help might be available, and generally counsel you on your readiness to be a buyer - and on what else you might need to do to get there. If you consult the right sources and seek common-sense strategies, then your every move in the renter's world can be pointing you home.

Confidence Builder: Make the Most of Newly-Constructed Homes

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:31:57 -0800

Confidence Builder: Make the Most of Newly-Constructed Homes

For the aspiring homeowner, there are always some unknowns to navigate. For home-seekers looking to buy a newly-constructed home, they must also contend with fierce competition, as well as the uncertainties of buying a house, in many cases, that doesn't even exist yet.

Heightened demand has accelerated new construction. Advancing technology has allowed the selection of homes based on virtual tours of the future home's plans. Such options can help the consumer build their house to their every preference, while making it as accommodating in real life as it is promising on paper.

There are ways to minimize such uncertainties and focus on the new home's potential rather than potential problems - and these aren't limited to the structure itself. Many of these common sense preparations are ones in which the services of a real estate sales professional, such as an ERA Real Estate professional, can be a major help and a big relief. At the most basic level, such a professional can help you determine whether it's the newly-built or the pre-existing home that best suits your search.

Start from scratch. Your agent can help you decide what design options not only fulfill your needs but best fit your budget and your home's resale value. He or she can also help you to familiarize yourself with the new neighborhood; guide you throughout the construction process; and get you set up with crucial services like moving companies (one of many major tasks a nationally-known business can group in a single program, such as ERA Real Estate's Select Services).

Check into the builder's track record. You can do this by visiting other developments they've constructed and by speaking with the residents. Also, you may want to contact the Better Business Bureau to learn about their reputation and how long they've been in operation.

Know the neighborhood. Visit your local town planning office and look into what will be built nearby in the near future - where there's some construction growth there may be more, and you'll want to decide what kinds you wish to live around.

Understand what's in your contract. Do what you can to protect a favorable mortgage rate from the financial fluctuations that can occur over the course of construction. Get a thorough home inspection. And, obtain the most reliable professionals to help you in these potentially complicated tasks.

Determine if "new is for you." Despite the shiny, new bells and whistles associated with a new home, you might prefer an existing house. Purchasers of existing homes avoid contributing to suburban sprawl, enjoy the stability of established neighborhoods and infrastructures, and don't need to worry about today's fast-paced home construction industry. New home buyers, on the other hand, may be most attracted to the ease of brand-new homes with minimal maintenance concerns and a pre-planned neighborhood structure.

One happy medium an agent might steer you toward is the brand-new home that's already built. While this may be a rarity in a booming market, your real estate professional can help find one for you that can help eliminate surprises. Not to mention, it will likely fast-forward passed the inconvenience of other unfinished homes still in the construction phase around you.

With the right preparation and advice, the new-home route can lead to ready-made happiness rather than built-in headaches.

Save More Than Energy: The Cost-Efficient Home

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:47:44 -0800

Save More Than Energy: The Cost-Efficient Home

The energy-efficient home is moving from the horizons of futuristic planners to the agenda of current homeowners.

It's not so much a matter of newer technologies - though alternate energy sources like solar and geothermal are making considerable inroads in the modern home. It's more a matter of improvements on very familiar furnishings and appliances. Put simply, these options save by losing less.

It may be well worth it to give your home an efficiency upgrade. First, you'll want to figure out what needs fixing. To identify problem areas, contact a qualified professional and get an energy audit of your home. Some upgrades are simple and less expensive. For example, one common problem is insulation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that proper ceiling insulation alone can reduce your heating bill by as much as 20 percent. Other energy draining can be solved by replacing old fixtures with more modern and efficient models. Windows, doors and skylights equipped with sealed double or triple panes also reduce heating and cooling costs, and are features for which utility companies often offer rebates.

The EPA notes that air leakage from gaps in your home's structure - holes for plumbing and wiring, for instance - accounts for 25 to 40 percent of the energy a common home uses for heating and cooling. Similar troubles come from inadequately sealed duct joints and otherwise inefficient, older heating and cooling systems. All can be repaired or replaced.

Even conventional systems such as ventilation can release enough heat from your home to cost a fortune in unnecessary bills. Upgrading these systems can pay for itself - and later pay off as an attractive resale value when possible buyers of your home want to benefit from this form of savings.

And when you're ready to go from finding the problem to fixing it, the government doesn't just supply the bad news - it provides some solutions, as well. The EPA's "Energy Star" rating has appeared on numerous products, identifying efficient appliances and other home furnishings that enable vast savings. Energy Star central air conditioners can save 20 percent on cooling bills.

Studies have shown the resale advantages of homes with lower energy costs. Look for such solutions, and buyers will be more likely to look into your home. Your utility bills, Energy Star fact sheets and other documentation can be attractive proof to present to prospective buyers.

In the short term, you can save on some of these improvements even as they enhance your home's value. In addition to offering expert advice and home-selling solutions, real estate brands such as ERA Real Estate, feature the ERA® Select Services® network of national and local vendors with leading household products, often at a discount.

Let me help navigate the options and opportunities available for the energy-conscious homeowner. Your investment in the future can have many returns right in the present.

ERA® International Collection Where to Find Luxury

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:28:29 -0800

ERA® International Collection Where to Find Luxury

Where do you find luxury? It is not uncommon to find it reflected in the affluence of a magnificent home. In today's real estate market, finding just the right luxury home in a gracious neighborhood can seem like a challenge. If you are looking for a luxurious home, then it is crucial to choose a sales professional who specializes in the high-end market.

ERA^®International Collection home specialists are trained and certified to provide customers the best quality service, project just the right image, and utilize unique marketing, advertising and communication skills essential to the buying and selling of luxury real estate.

High-end buyers are individuals, each looking for a certain home that is suited to his or her own impeccable style and taste. International Collection sales professionals mirror their customers' appreciation of a broad range of architectural tastes, historical styles, and selective home criteria. To make finding these homes less tedious, the International Collection provides customers an exclusive Web site that puts cutting-edge technology at their fingertips, to search for real estate listed in the $1 million scale and above, as well as properties in the top 10 percent of their respective marketplaces. The International Collection also specializes in historic properties. Our real estate professionals are certified with a special designation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Those not buying a high-end home, but selling one, can count on such resources to speed up their sale as well.

Consumers can enter the Web site directly by visiting www.ic.ERA.com, or link to it from the home page of www.ERA.com by clicking on the International Collection logo. A photo and description of the property appears, and consumers can click on the listing for additional information. Moreover, most properties on www.ic.ERA.com contain virtual tours of rooms and outside views of the architectural landscape.

Effective communication puts motivated buyers and sellers together to sharpen the search for the most serious prospects. ERA^® International Collection sales professionals have access to a national network of experts who can help them locate the kind of distinctive properties desired by those in the luxury market. Their approach is customized for the unique characteristics of each location in which the customer is looking.

Ensuring that luxury homes are showcased in appropriate style, specialized International Collection yard signs are available through your ERA^®sales professional. A selection of prominent brochures, informational sheets, postcards, stationery and note cards are also available to present the homes in a manner which they deserve.

You deserve the finest service when buying or selling your home. Consider the benefits of the ERA^®International Collection .

Trust ERA. Always There for You^.®

Empty Nests and Full Houses: Remodeling for Kids and Parents

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:07:35 -0800

Empty Nests and Full Houses: Remodeling for Departing Kids and Returning Parents

The American family is ever-changing, and its primary space, the home, has always changed with it. The present day is no exception: The largest segment of the American public, the baby boom generation, is entering retirement age in high numbers, and confronting "empty nests" when the kids go off to college or marry and move out permanently, presenting the challenge of what to do with the sudden extra space (since most "boomers" prefer to "age in place" rather than leave their long-time homes).

There is also the perennial family responsibility of caring for older relatives as their health needs require them to move back in with their grown children and in-laws. Extended families (including grandparents raising their grandchildren) have also become more commonplace. Situations like these can pose the challenge not of how to deal with extra space, but how best to add more.

Changes which only affect the inside of a house can be the simpler type, but are not necessarily any easier a decision. However, there are a number of inviting options to consider. Mature baby boomers who are ready to enjoy the fruits of a lifetime of work and have the funds to invest in doing so, are converting the extra space vacated by the kids into everything from "wine cellars" to libraries.

Home offices are popular, and tap into a growing trend. They come in handy for organization and privacy, whether you've got a business or merely need a space to keep your bills and personal files straight.

Hobbies are big with boomers, so a hobby room for sewing and other crafts makes sense. A small home gym, with treadmill, weights and a TV to pass the time, is also a good investment for both fun and health.

On the other hand, many of today's homeowners are opting to add that extra room - or rooms - if they don't already have one, for entertaining guests, housing returning relatives, or setting up a separate but accessible space for an elderly parent or in-law. Before you do this, there are a number of questions to address, including what local zoning ordinances will allow for additions, and how the aesthetics and size of the addition will affect resale value.

There are also family matters to make sure everyone understands. While some younger families move grandma in with them, some older ones sell the house to a son or daughter and move into the addition themselves.; In all such situations, it's important to agree beforehand who owns what part of the house, whether rent will be charged, who will pay for any extra utility or property-tax costs, and other sensitive issues that don't have to become divisive ones.

The right real estate professional can give expert guidance. Programs like the SRES ("Seniors Real Estate Specialist") designation available to ERA Real Estate professionals are one guarantee of expertise in senior concerns, and programs like ERA^® Select Services are one great way of finding reliable contractors and possible discounts. Consult with your local real estate office, and no matter how your house may change, it will remain a place where everyone feels at home.

The Healthy Home: Minimizing Household Health Risks

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:48:27 -0800

The Healthy Home: Minimizing Household Health Risks

Indoors is where Americans spend 90 percent of their lives - 25 percent at work and 65 percent at home, and the latter is increasing as home offices become more common. So it's important to take a look at how healthy the home environment is.

Mold is one concern that has gotten a good deal of attention recently, involving possible problems with allergies, the brain and the circulatory system. Wherever there is a leak, condensation or flooding inside a house, causing housing material to stay damp for more than a few days, mold begins to grow. So it's important to clean and repair roof gutters regularly, grade your land away from the house foundation to keep water from running toward the house, keep air-conditioning pans clean, and keep household humidity low.

Radon is another naturally-occurring challenge that has become a common concern of potential homeowners. Radon is a gas that can cause lung cancer; it is present in soil and rock and can enter a home through basement walls and floors. Some states are more at risk than others, but the only way to be sure about levels of this colorless, odorless gas is to get a qualified radon inspection. When you have set this up (and decided with the current homeowner who will pay for the inspection and any abatement), make sure the test is conducted without interference, and that systems to disperse the gas from a high-radon house - such as a pipe-and-fan apparatus that can vent the gas before it enters the home - are arranged for before you move in.

Proper ventilation in general is important for any home - an adequate exchange of air from within and without, to minimize humidity and disperse possible toxins, is needed even in the most energy-efficient of structures. And you should always make sure that fireplaces, stoves, furnaces and dryers are not venting any particles, gases or other unhealthy substances into your house.

You should also be careful of everyday materials which can contain toxins (such as formaldehyde in carpets, to which alternatives are increasing), and, if your current or new home gets its water from a well, be sure to have it tested regularly. Consult a local real estate professional for help in honing in on how to make the house you seek the safest one for you.

It's only natural for buying a home to be a stressful prospect at first. But you shouldn't have to feel anything but confidence once you are living there. With a qualified real estate professional and the right advice, both phases of homeownership can be cause for celebration rather than concern.

Making Your (Dog) House a Home: Moving With Less Stress for Your Pets

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:13:57 -0800

Making Your (Dog) House a Home: Moving With Less Stress for Your Pets

Anyone who has ever moved knows that there are seemingly a million and one tasks to remember, from selecting a moving company to switching off utilities. All of the adjustments and changes involved in moving to a new home can be even more challenging when you have a pet. But there are ways to prepare to minimize the stress to your furred, feathered and finned friends.

The preparation process can be as crucial a stage as the move itself - familiar settings are disrupted as furniture gets moved and belongings packed away. A cat or dog will wonder who all these strangers are (potential buyers, inspectors, movers, etc.) and what's happening to the pet's familiar "territory" (changed location of litter boxes, favorite sleeping places, etc.) - which is how an animal sees your home.

For that reason, it's actually a good idea to change the "landscape" a little more - on the animal's behalf. Designate a room to remain just for your pet while the move proceeds around them, with their familiar toys, food and water bowls, sandbox (for cats), and so forth. This way they'll have a reassuring (if rearranged) space to spend the moving process in. It will also minimize the chance of escape by anxious animals while people are coming and going from your house more than usual, and reduce the danger of a scared cat hiding itself in the moving boxes with potentially tragic results.

Such precautions help calm your pet for the developments ahead - the move itself is stressful for pets and people alike, though this too can be minimized. If you're flying, check ahead to see which airlines allow pets as "carry-ons." The cargo bay is a possibility, but will isolate and possibly frighten your pet. In either case, anxiety and exposure to the elements will be lessened if you can book a direct flight.

If you drive, make sure you know where to find hotels that allow pets rather than leaving them in the vehicle (never a good idea in terms of safety or exposure to changing temperatures), and, especially with a dog, schedule frequent "rest stops" for both animal and owner. For birds, rodents and fish, "homes away from home" can work well - transport your bird or hamster in its cage, and your fish in a plastic container of water, roomy enough for the number of fish and changed regularly for long trips.

It's always a useful idea to consult a veterinarian for all the fine points, and a qualified real estate professional to help with all the questions a house-move poses; pet-compatible services are one of many matters a real estate sales associate can look into for you. With some advance planning and help from local experts, Fido's longest walk can have a happy destination.

Helping Military Heroes buy Homes and Real Estate in Greater Cincinnati

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:35:37 -0800

11.11.10 Veterans Day Special

MILITARY HEROES REAL ESTATE SPECIAL

In honor of this Veterans Day 2010, I'm offering any military veteran a 33% rebate of my commission when they use me to buy their next home. This offer is valid for the next 12 months. This is essentially free money since the buyer doesn't pay to be represented by a real estate agent. This is the least I can do for the freedom these military heroes afford all of us. Call or email with any questions or to find out more. No obligations, no stings, no BS!

Using Your Energy Wisely: Alternative Energy in the Home

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:23:42 -0800

Using Your Energy Wisely: Alternative Energy in the Home

Energy costs are on everyone's mind, and alternatives are a hot property - though many homebuyers aren't sure how to find and evaluate them. There are a number of technologies to choose from which can help make your next house the home of the future.

Alternative energy gives new meaning to the real estate mantra of "location, location, location" - what works in sunny California may be different from what works on the windy plains. But just as there are many styles of homes for buyers' diverse tastes, there are varied options in energy systems - with more than one sometimes working hand-in-hand for the same house.

Wind power - an ancient energy source now seen in high-tech "windmill farms" with tall propeller-like turbines - has come down in the cost for generating electricity by over 80 percent since 1981. Geothermal energy - home heating powered by underground steam warmed up by the temperature of the earth itself - is a source getting more attention in the American West.

Relocating homeowners can choose to move to areas where wind generation is lowering electricity costs, while geothermal energy has applications for both large-scale power plants and individual homes. There has also been progress in residential settings with fuel cells, power systems that convert natural gas fuel to electricity through a chemical reaction with hydrogen, producing just water as a byproduct.

Perhaps the most familiar and popular source of renewable alternative energy remains the sun itself. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert sunlight to electricity, have shown great energy-bill savings and homeowner satisfaction. These systems, which have been likened to a car that makes its own gas, are now available in the form of roof tiles that can integrate attractively with regular roofing.

Households that use roof tiles have found some 80 percent of their electricity needs supplied by them The homes can remain on the conventional power grid for the rest; at sunnier times when the home produces more energy than it can use, it goes back into the grid and credits the homeowners' account, literally turning back their electric meter. Across the country rebates from utility companies and tax credits from government are available for such setups. It's a way of contributing not only to the global community by using up less nonrenewable energy, but also to your own neighbors by freeing up conventional power.

Solar tiles are growing in popularity with home-development builders, and are seen as paying for themselves in savings and simplicity of maintenance. The savings increase considerably in combination with energy-efficient appliances. For example, in Sylmar, California's Village Green complex, this mix is a standard feature and the average resident has been shown to pay one-tenth in monthly utility bills what other town residents pay.

Your local real estate professional can help advise you on what energy alternatives are most available and may work best in your area. A little shopping around may shed light on options that make yesterday's technological dreams today's homeowner dream-come-true.

The Helpful Home

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:47:00 -0800

The Helpful Home: How Accessibility Features Can Serve Homeowners of All Ages and Abilities

We all need a helping hand from time to time, but prefer to remain as independent as possible. Accessible features in a home are a way of lending ourselves a hand, and staying in our own house for much longer than we otherwise might.

As more members of the baby boom generation - which comprises the largest segment of America's population - reach retirement age, many of them show a preference for "aging in place" in their own homes rather than moving to traditional elderly communities and facilities. This trend has created more interest than ever in the designing and retrofitting of homes for maximum ease of use. Heightened awareness of the needs of disabled people of all ages, and increased legislative attention to their rights, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have also helped drive a trend which can benefit all homebuyers.

What has come to be called "Universal Design" is a set of standards for making every house a welcoming home for inhabitants of all ability levels. These include placing light switches and thermostats low enough, and electrical outlets high enough, for anyone to reach; outfitting hallways with railings and showers with grab-bars and stools; replacing doorknobs with levers; offering ramps as well as stairs, and doorways that can accommodate wheelchairs; and minimizing falling risks through secure, low-pile carpeting.

Though there was a time when accessibility was considered an obstacle to resale value and desirability, attitudes - and demographics - have changed, and Universal Design is now considered a resale advantage. This potential extra salability can be achieved through minimal effort and expense. For instance, in many cases a room can be made wheelchair-accessible simply by changing the direction of a swinging door.

The simplicity of such measures - and their popularity with potential homebuyers - makes it equally desirable to build a new home with these considerations in mind, or to retrofit an existing home with them. No one has to feel they've turned their home into a medical facility -you can avoid this with some smart and simple methods that enhance convenience and are common sense for all homeowners, while maintaining the more intangible comforts of home, like independence and familiar communities.

In addition to the convenience offered by making these types of upgrades to a home, there are government loan programs that can help subsidize accessibility modifications. Talk to a local real estate professional about accessible-home options in any area where you may be interested in buying; he or she can also find out about financing opportunities and other ways to keep your path to satisfying and secure homeownership a clear one.

More Great News about Home Sales!

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:43:07 -0700

Even more great news about September sales:

http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/residential-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-new-home-sales-report-us-census-bureau-and-the-department-of-housing-and-urban-development-sales-of-new-single-family-houses-september-2010-3391.php

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Home Sales Jump Again!!!

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:33:42 -0700

More good news that is worth spreading:

http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/residential-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-housing-market-double-dip-home-buyer-tax-credit-expiration-national-association-of-realtors-nar-existing-home-sales-september-home-sales-3378.php

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Housing Starts Rise in Sept...

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:27:13 -0700

More good news...Starting to see some depth to these green shoots:

http://rismedia.com/2010-10-20/single-family-housing-starts-rise-4-4-percent-in-september-2010/#more-50453

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Great News for Cincinnati Real Estate

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:57:43 -0700

Check out the latest news for Cincinnati homes:

http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/residential-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-best-residential-markets-to-buy-a-home-worst-housing-markets-local-market-monitor-inc-carolyn-beggs-home-foreclosure-rates-wall-street-journal-3312.php

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Smart Money Is Buying Real Estate

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:52:26 -0700

Guess who is buying this beaten down real estate...keeep in mind the population is only growing...:

http://multifamilyexecutive.com/dispositions-and-transactions/amid-increasing-transaction-intensity-reits-continue-to-add-units.aspx

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

More Good Housing News

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:49:25 -0700

Someone needs to help disseminate the good news seeing the some folks love to keep the battered housing market suppressed. Here is more solid news out of a recently cooled market, New York City...:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-01/manhattan-apartment-sales-jump-19-as-jobs-stabilize-mortgage-rates-slide.html

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Home Sales Up Again 7.6% in August!

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 10:26:32 -0700

More great news about home sales. Apparently another rise in Agust according to the NAR. Get full story here: http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/residential-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-existing-home-sales-national-association-of-realtors-home-buyer-tax-credit-nar-homes-for-sale-lawrence-yun-median-existing-home-price-3215.php.

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Home Buyers Profit with Rehab Loans

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:22:42 -0700

Home buyers in Cincinnati often ask me what a 203k loan is and if it is appropriate for them. For the ambitious home buyer looking for upside potential, the short answer may be yes.

A 203k loan is a type of FHA loan for home buyers that want to finance into the loan the extra money for home repairs. These loans are predominantly used for distressed homes like foreclosures and short sales; however they don't need to be limited to those homes. For example, if a home buyer wants to purchase a home but it needs some updating or maybe a new HVAC or roof, this type of loan should be considered if financing those upgrades into the loan rather than pay cash or using a credit card is more desirable.

FHA 203k loans are for owner occupants however there are similar products for investors although those loans typically have different qualifications. When a utilizes an FHA 203k loan the home buyer purchases the home for the price they or their buyer's agent negotiates for them, they borrow the money from the bank in the amount of the purchase price plus any amount necessary for the repairs and upgrades minus the down payment. Down payment is typically a minimum of 3.5% but ask the lender for specifics.

The lender for the loan will require the home buyer receive formal estimates or bids from a single contractor handling the entire job (i.e. general contractor) or from each and every contractor if the home buyer plans to manage the process themselves. In my experience, it has been much easier for the homeowner to allow a single general contractor manage the job if there are going to be more than 3 separate areas of work and the separate contractors that come with that work (i.e. roofing, pluming, flooring, painting, foundation, etc.). For a little extra money the process seems to go much smoother when the job management duties are kept to a minimum.

For an ambitious home buyer choosing to renovate and fix up a property a 203k loan may be the way to go. Often times the typical home buyer doesn't want to deal with properties that are less than perfect for them (i.e. properties that will require some repair work and upgrades to get it up to today's standards). For the ambitious home buyer willing to invest a little time and patience, purchasing a home that has some deferred maintenance and utilizing a 203k loan to finance the purchase may pay off down the road. For example, if the buyer finds a home for $150,000 that needs $40,000 in work but will be worth around $235,000 once the work is completed will have about $45,000 in equity. If the buyer wants, they can then sell this home, keep all of the profit for themselves and then go and repeat the process.

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Why Use a Buyer’s Agent when Home Shopping

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:13:04 -0700

If you're planning on purchasing a home, here are four reasons to use a buyer's agent:

1) Legitimate Comparable Sales. A buyer's agent is someone that will provide a list of relevant comparable sales for the immediate area and provide guidance on what the maximum purchase price should be. A home buyer shouldn't simply rely on the appraisal of the property and assume whatever the home appraises for is what it is typically worth. The home buyer needs to know what other similar homes have recently sold for in the area and what the maximum amount is that they should be paying.

2) Expert Negotiations. Even though the buyer's agent shows you recent comparable sales and identifies what the maximum amount is that you should pay, the buyer's agent should be able to leverage other extenuating circumstances such as market conditions, days on market, possibilities of future developments, homes lack of certain features, etc. to get the home buyer the best possible price on the home.

3) Experts Provided. A buyer's agent should have readily available a list of quality reasonably priced home experts that the home buyer can lean on if need be. On the list should be at minimum a well experienced home inspector, licensed plumber, licensed electrician, roofer, flooring specialist, handyman/punch out person, professional painter, landscaper, concrete contractor, deck specialist, and of course a reliable well educated loan officer. If you're buyer's agent can't provide this list they may not have the experience you're looking for.

4) Listing Agent. It may seem obvious that the listing agent's job is to represent the seller in selling the home. Well, if that is the listing agent's job it would seem obvious that they will have a hard time representing the buyer as well. It is simply a good idea to have a disinterested party representing you in a real estate transaction. If you were buying a McDonald's restaurant, would you have the seller's attorney represent you, or take the sellers' accountant's word regarding the profit/loss statement of the business? Hopefully not! The same is true for real estate. Be sure and have a disinterested party represent you to ensure they ask the right questions and comb through the details of the transaction.

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market! If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

We Sell Your Home in Greater Cincinnati or We Buy It, Guaranteed

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:18:50 -0700

Home sellers know that selling in this market has been challenging to say the least. Though I see markets improving it is always a good idea to have a plan "B". There are many good reasons why people would like to sell their homes for example, so they can move up to a larger home, maybe to a different school system, or maybe they're ready to downsize the space but would like to have more bells and whistles. It is sometimes difficult, not to mention scary to pin down the new home without having the current home sold. That's where we come in!

We're so sure at ERA REAL Solutions that we will sell your home in Greater Cincinnati, that if we do not within the listing term, we will purchase it at the end of the term. The listing term ranges from 180-270. This huge benefit allows you to go into the new construction or resale home market and offer on homes without the worry or hassle of needing to sell you current home.

If I can be of any assistance or show you what we can offer please don't hesitate to call or email. Our service, values and expertise are vital in this market!

If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.

Housing Starts Up 10.5%, Another Good Sign

Michael Vazquez (ERA Real Solutions Realty) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:45:28 -0700

With housing starts up in August it looks like buyers are definately wading back into the market. I think appreciation is right around the corner.

Here'a a nother good article:

http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/residential-real-estate-1/real-estate-new-home-starts-us-census-bureau-and-the-department-of-housing-and-urban-development-hud-housing-numbers-new-home-construction-housing-permits-3197.php

If you need help with any real estate needs or want to SEARCH the MLS for FREE check out www.ISellCincinnati.com or email mike@ISellCincinnati.com or call 513-325-1959.