Committed to Results

This is my committment, to get results for my clients. I do not take this lightly. I consider the goals of each client as my personal assignment to achieve. I am constantly looking for ways to make it happen for them. I have a strong work ethic and expect to be held accountable to succeed for my customer. 100% customer satisfaction is always my goal and you can't get that without results.

Columbus Area Real Estate Market update

This article was published in the In Contract magazine:
Home sales heat up in July
(August 23, 2007) Those central Ohioans interested in purchasing a home kept many sellers busy this summer as is evidenced by the rise in home sales last month. The 2,398 homes sold in July represent a five percent increase over the 2,283 sales last year according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
“The increase in home sales last month is good news for both buyers and sellers, says Brad Bennett, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Obviously those sellers whose homes are on the market sigh with relief when sales are increasing. But how does this benefit the buyer?”
“When you continue to have more homes for sale than buyers, as we’ve had for over a year now, home sales prices will flatten. Although this works in the buyer’s favor in the short term – i.e. the purchase of a home at a very competitive price, the buyer turned homeowner then wants to see the value of their home increase. In order for that to happen, the demand and supply need to move more towards a balanced market which requires either a decrease in housing inventory or an increase in sales. Thus the increase in sales is good news for buyers.”
In addition to the increase in home sales, the number of homes which went into contract last month increased almost two percent over the previous year which suggests that sales will be on the increase again in August.
The average sale price of a home sold in July was $184,521 which is 0.8 percent behind the average sale price for the same time last year. Year to date, the average sale price is $176,495 which is a mere 1.1 percent behind last year.
“There is still money available at good rates,” adds Bennett. “And we have many reputable lenders here in central Ohio. Ask your REALTOR® for a recommendation.”

Now is really a great time to buy

The Central Ohio market has reached an all time high with homes for sale. As a buyer, that means you have the greatest selection of homes to choose from. This does vary from one neighborhood to another. Currently, sellers need to price their homes to compete so year over year prices have remained stable or declined slightly. As the market corrects itself, prices will being to rise again. Mortgage rates have gone down again and are close to 40 year lows. If you are thinking of buying, work with your agent to find the best homes and they will help you negotiate the best price.

Virtual Tours

There are various web tools available to display houses and create virtual tours. Some are much more effective than others. In fact, some of them are very difficult to watch and make you dizzy. However, because some give you such a great sense for the home, you should click on the virtual tours on listings to see what you think. It can save a lot of time looking for houses if the "walk thru" does its job. This can help you narrow down the houses to visit in person. Having a floor plan to look at is also helpful and not common on used houses like it is for new construction. There is a product that combines the floor plan, with photo perpectives from different locations on the plan, with a walk thru and this tool is very effective. If you are curious take a look at this one which is for a great 9 acre country retreat in the Dublin, OH area. I think you will agree this is an effective way to view this property and make the decision to schedule a showing. Here is the link: http://www.seetheproperty.com/23130

I would love your feedback on this! Thanks!

Looking at empty houses

Sometimes you can be fooled by a vacant house. They can seem larger or smaller than actual because being empty removes perspective. They also lack personality! I have a house for sale that has been empty for the last 8 weeks and although it is a great house in a fantastic price range for Dublin, OH there have been no offers. The last few days were spent staging the house with some furniture, window coverings, wall hangings, etc. We are now anxious to see what happens. It really looks like an entirely different house. If you are looking in Dublin and want 250's price range, don't miss this one. The address is 337 Monterey Drive in Waterford Village.

Choosing a neighborhood

Get to know the neighborhood. You can learn a lot about the character of a neighborhood just by driving around. Also consider talking to some of the neighbors about concerns such as:
How do the children routinely reach their schools, play areas and friends' homes–by walking, bicycle, bus or do parents drive them? Is public transportation available for commuting or shopping? How far away is your place of worship? Do any local ordinances affect pets, parking, lawn care or other activities? What are the disadvantages of the neighborhood? Freeway, railroad or airplane noise? Factory pollution, heavy traffic, exposure to heavy storms, possible flooding? Are there homeowners' association restrictions? Beyond talking to the neighbors, here are some additional avenues for information: Drop in on local school board, government or other open community meetings. Visit the schools. Dine and shop in local establishments. (Tip: Be sure you overhear what the locals have to say about issues of neighborhood concern.) Subscribe and read the community newspaper(s). Ask your agent, who has excellent resources to share.
Buying a home requires a lot of introspection. Use these questions as you consider what type of community you'd like to live in and be sure to share your answers with your agent:
Which type of living do you prefer? Urban Suburban, Semi-rural, Rural
Which type of population density would you prefer? Low, Medium, High
Would you prefer a community whose population is: Decreasing, Stable, Increasing
Which natural features are the most important to you? Woods, Hills, Flat land, Rivers, Lakefront, Stream Pond
How do you commute to work? Walk, Drive, Car pool, Taxi, Bus, Train
What's the distance of your commute? 0-5 miles, 6-10 miles, 11-20 miles, 20+ miles
What's the maximum amount of time you'd be willing to have for your morning commute? Less than 20 minutes, Under 30 minutes, 1 hour
Would you use available public transportation for local trips or to visit nearby communities? Yes or No
Would you like to live near public transportation? Yes or No
Where do you prefer to shop? Central commercial districts, Shopping malls, Community shops, None, I prefer home delivery
Which type of school do you need now or in the next few years? Elementary, Middle/Junior High, Senior High, Community College, College/University
Which amenities would you desire to have nearby? Recreation, Entertainment, Music, Movies, Live Theater, Sports Arenas, Museums, Nightlife, Public Parks, Private Country Clubs, Fraternal Groups
Choosing a home you can afford in a desirable location is a wise choice, both from a personal and financial perspective. Keep in mind that the neighborhood is part of what you buy when you purchase a home. Find out where the neighborhood is going – and where it's been. The property value of houses in the neighborhood can tell you a lot, as well. Ask your agent for a comparative market analysis.