buyers: Mandatory Whole House Inspection
- 01/15/08 03:31 AM
As a responsible Realtor, and Accredited Buyers Representative (trained and experienced in hundreds of purchases) it is absolutely necessary for buyers to conduct a whole house inspection before purchasing a home. I have compiled a selection of frequently asked questions that my clients have and my commentary on each. A Home Inspection is an absolute must when making your largest investment! Having your future home and your largest investment inspected by a licensed inspector is an absolute must! As an Accredited Buyers Representative, I require all of my buyers to get a home inspection. The home inspection simply allows you to … (8 comments)
buyers: Winter Real Estate Market is BOOMING!
- 01/15/08 03:30 AM
Who said that Real Estate is slow during the Winter/Holidays??????? Certainly not ME!!! I stand behind my statement that I have told to countless sellers each fall - “The winter market is a GREAT time to SELL your home!” - and I mean SELL your home. Imagine for a moment (don’t close your eyes because you need to read, but just imagine). It is cold out, November or December, a crisp 34 degrees in the air. It may be snowing or spitting at you as you walk along the streets, up slippery stairs (be careful!) to homes that are for sale; … (2 comments)
buyers: Foreclosures Doom and Gloom? Think Again: Great Cincinnati Real Estate Market
- 01/15/08 03:29 AM
Update on Mortgages in Ohio Real Estate The Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association (OMBA) released some very interesting data regarding their Q3 2007 figures that I felt compelled to share with my readers in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a resident, Realtor and Certified Residential Specialist, I feel that it is increasingly the local Realtors job to educate their local public on the state of the Real Estate market. I always suggest that the more local the data and information the better. You can’t form opinions regarding the Real Estate market from national news, based on California, Nevada or New York; you must look … (0 comments)
buyers: Cincinnati Riverfront Homes - River House Landing
- 01/15/08 03:28 AM
Northern Kentucky has already captured a significant revival with the addition of the Newport on the Levee complex. Stores and restaurants (and a wonderful AMC movie complex) took advantage of this central location, and crowds continue to flock to the area from Kentucky and Ohio. Once again, Kentucky has won the battle with riverfront housing. First, the Ascent, while not exactly on the shores of the Ohio River, represents the first dramatic departure from the typical and out-dated buildings of Northern Kentucky. The Ascent building, designed by world-renowned architects, Studio Daniel Libeskind (designers of the World Trade Center redesign and memorial), … (0 comments)
buyers: Can You Afford To Hire A Realtor Without A CRS?
- 01/15/08 03:26 AM
The answer is, why wouldn't you get a premium service without any added cost to you? That is the question asked of me sitting at a kitchen table a week ago. A seller with two homes, not by choice, in a down market, priced too high and on the market for over 6 months said to me, "Why didn't my first Realtor show me this information, I could have made a more informed decision about my original list price and the market in my area?" I was saddened to hear how her previous Realtor did not do the necessary research that … (5 comments)
buyers: The Home Buying Process: Step 2 - Defining the Type and Location of your home.
- 01/15/08 03:25 AM
After reading The Home Buying Process Step 1, you know where your financial boundaries are, and you have a pre-approval letter, we are ready to go shopping for a house! There are many factors that figure into defining the type and location of your home. Factors such as where you work, what type of schools you desire, what type of home you are looking for, the ability to walk to restaurants, being near a bus line, and how much return on your investment you hope to gain, if any. I have individual resources for schools, area appreciation and demographics that I … (0 comments)
buyers: Foreclosures: Good For Some, Not For Many
- 09/07/07 01:01 AM
Depending on the price range of buyer that I work, with, I almost always get the question during our hunting, “What about Foreclosures?” Usually in the price ranges below 200K, we see a large amount of bank owned properties in foreclosure or accepting a short sale (when the bank will take less for the property than what they have lent out on it). Foreclosures are perfect for certain people but I will stand behind the statement that they are not a good idea for first time buyers, or for people who intend to use the home for their primary residence. That being … (2 comments)
buyers: Why People Are Afaird To Buy Your Home (FSBO's)
- 08/28/07 02:26 AM
Attention: For Sale By Owners! Why People Are Afraid To Buy From You! Many homeowners believe to maximize their home sale they should sell it themselves. At first glance, they feel selling a home is simple. Why should they pay a broker fee for something they could do themselves? In fact, 12% of all the homes sold last year were sold For Sale By Owner (FSBO). However, close to half of the FSBO's said that they would hire a professional next time they sold. Thirty percent said they were unhappy with the results they achieved by choosing FSBO. Why? Many FSBO's told us the … (12 comments)
buyers: From Our Trusted Inspector: Water Heaters
- 08/28/07 02:22 AM
This has been a crazy summer with so many sales, and so many inspections, I thought an article on water heaters might come in handy. My most knowledgeable inspector Mike Patton has shed some light on some common issues with water heaters, and expansion tanks. A condo I had for sale this summer had the smelly water issue, and it was simply remedied with a new water heater, and the smell was gone. I hope this helps anyone with water heater questions or issues. Mikes thoughts are below… Several customers have asked about water heaters, problems, and concerns associated with them. … (0 comments)
buyers: Buying or Selling: Transferring Your Utilities
- 08/28/07 02:21 AM
Transferring utilities is something ost people forget when all of the other aspects of moving and buying a house are at the front of their minds. You will want to schedule these utility moves for the day of closing. Both water and electric need to get a final meter reading. Usually there is an exterior water reader, H20 Water sent via radio waves, but Duke Energy usually needs to get into the house in the Hyde Park areas, in the older homes. They will tell you on the phone if this is the case, and we will need to arrange to have … (0 comments)
buyers: Thinking Resale Before You Buy
- 03/27/07 01:19 PM
Very often when working with buyer clients, I find they want to know why they should be thinking about resale, before they have even purchased a home. In this economy of the 21st century people are buying and selling Real Estate on the average of 2-5 years (ages 23-40), and even more often if they are just climbing the corporate ladder and are in for many relocations in a shorter period of time. This being said, in many cities in the US, with a few in the Cincinnati area, there is little to no appreciation in just 2 years time, and … (0 comments)
buyers: What is Title Insurance and Why do I need it?
- 03/21/07 03:22 AM
This is a question that often occurs during the time leading up to the closing, or while sitting in the closing room, signing your life away. As and ABR, I work hard to educate my clients to the importance of protecting your own investment, while the bank REQUIRES you to pay to protect their investment. I recommend buying title insurance to protect the money you have in the house the day you buy it, or your down payment, and to protect the equity you gain as you live and improve your homes over the years. If something was found incorrect … (1 comments)
buyers: Buyer and Seller Closing Costs and the HUD-1 Explained
- 03/11/07 08:27 AM
The HUD Statement Whether I am working with a first time buyer or seller, I am always asked 'What are typical closing costs for selling or buying a home?' For buyers, a great deal depends on your down payment, and the day of the month you close the loan. There are less pre-paid costs towards the end of the month. With taxes, depending on the month of the year, you may be asked to escrow very little money for taxes, or up to 8 months. For the seller, the costs are more predictable, except if you have agreed to … (2 comments)
buyers: No Money Down PLUS Loans
- 03/11/07 08:25 AM
I was recently scanning the loan programs for a client of mine looking for 100% financing. It turns out that 100% financing is the most common form of financing in the US today. After looking into some options for them, this particular “No Money Down Plus” program seemed to be a fit for my clients. Sharon Natarus of Wells Fargo has made some additional comments below on this new product: Here are some thoughts on the 100% NO Money Down Program. Many people have chosen the 80/20 program over the last several years, but there is a nice alternative for people … (0 comments)
buyers: Grounded vs. Non-Grounded Outlets
- 03/07/07 01:38 AM
As I go about representing my buyers as an ABR, I find the same topics surfacing each time my clients go through a Whole House Inspection. The issue of the grounded and not grounded outlets. What does it mean, what are they used for, and what happens if they aren't grounded. After weeks of begging for simple answers to this question, I give you my trusted Licensed Whole House Inspectors response... Amy, In response to your questions pertaining to receptacles commonly found in residential homes I will start with the basics of the old and the new. First, though I would … (29 comments)
buyers: A Buyer's Market Continues
- 03/07/07 01:33 AM
The Number 1 Question I have been asked in the last month as a Certified Residential Specialist is: "Is it the right time to buy Real Estate and why?" Usually the very next question is "Where should I invest?" and that second question is for another blog topic! To answer this question, for me, a well seasoned Accredited Buyers Representative, is second nature. <!--more--> Absolutely! In this buyers market, it's the right time to buy. There are several reasons I am confident in my advice. To begin, there are more homes on the market than buyers. It's simple supply and demand. … (0 comments)
As a responsible Realtor, and Accredited Buyers Representative (trained and experienced in hundreds of purchases) it is absolutely necessary for buyers to conduct a whole house inspection before purchasing a home. I have compiled a selection of frequently asked questions that my clients have and my commentary on each.
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