Sondra Johnson's (sondra) Blog

We've all heard the hubbub in the news about urgent housing issues... so how is the market really doing here in Central Ohio? Here's a few points to help get a perspective:Columbus' unemployment rates are the lowest in the state, sitting at 4.7% at the end of October.Statewide, Ohio has one forec...

That's a line from a report issued by Gary Watts, a real estate economist and forecaster for the real estate industry in California. There's been a lot of buzz in the real estate blog world over his report he presented August 2007 in Monterey, CA at a Coldwell Banker retreat titled, "The Real Sta...

Now that the reign of No-Money-Down, Credit-Doesn't-Matter loans are sinking into the sea, it's getting a little tougher for first time home buyers and those credit-challenged buyers to get the financing to buy a home.  Here's a couple of options:1. Fannie Mae offers an Expanded Approval program-...

Yes, Eric Clapton has purchased real estate in Columbus, Ohio. While some of the jet-set crowd might wrinkle their noses and giggle at the derogatory nickname of "Cow-lumbus," suggesting our city is not quite as sophisticated as the glam cities of the world, Eric and others smile and quietly enjo...

How is the Columbus and Central Ohio market REALLY doing?  Here's a look at the different communities and their home sales from January through the end of June- offically half-way through 2007......For Homes with a Columbus mailing address:4401 Homes sold in the first six months, with the average...

Well, it's just past the halfway mark in a hot, dry August, and Life in the home financing industry is suffering through a drought of its own.  American Home Mortgage, the 9th largest mortgage lender in the USA, suddenly closed their doors at the start of the month, leaving thousands of buyers si...

(Also known as... How A**holes Blow Off Good Realtors) I'm a Good Realtor. I complete lots of sales (experience), have happy clients, take ongoing Continuing Ed classes, get involved in the Realtor community with committees, etc. etc.  I ALSO communicate well, get back to people quickly whenever ...

Teresa Boardman is a realtor in St. Paul Minnesota who also writes a real estate blog.  She's posted a great article called ‘Timing Is Everything.' Teresa writes:"Somehow people have gotten the idea that buying and selling real estate frequently is a good idea, or even a way to get rich.  It didn...

Refinancing has become a popular topic of conversation.  "Should we or shouldn't we?  What makes the best financial sense?"   To "refinance" means that you substitute a new mortgage in place of your current one.  Here's an example: let's say your house is worth $300,000, and your current mortgage...