The Two Most Influential Rooms in Your Home

Which rooms in your home make the biggest difference to potential buyers? The KW Blog has the answers! According to buyers, the kitchen and the master bath are the most important rooms in your home. When deciding to undertake a remodeling project, the article advises to invest your money where it matters: by updating appliances and fixtures in these two rooms. For a kitchen, this may mean installing updated lighting, wooden cabinets, and stone or granite counter tops. To turn your master bath in to a spa, the article advises turning to decorative mirrors and updated faucets. For more information on how you can catch buyers' eyes with an updated kitchen and master bath, read the full article on the blog here.

Market Update

Summary: The housing market is in a completely different state than it was this time last year, with steady price increases, more solid inventory, and strong demand.

Details:  Median age of inventory is 94 days. This is a leading indicator of demand and has declined by 11.32 percent from last year. In Columbus in particular, inventory is scarce, with a median age of inventory of 78 days—less than three months! Home prices, on the other hand, have risen. Nationally, the median list price increased by 7.57% year-over–year. The median list price for homes in Columbus, Ohio is $148,500. –a smaller increase of 2.77%. Overall, the market did not experience the seasonal slowdown typical of the fall months, leaving buyers, sellers, and Real Estate agents working full steam ahead.

In today’s recovering market, there is never a bad time to buy or sell your home. I assist both buyers and sellers in Central Ohio. Contact me if you are looking for a qualified and caring agent to address your specific home needs. 

Click here to see market statistics for a wide variety of other major U.S. cities. 

The Inside Scoop on Winter House Hunting

Realtor.com recently published its Winter Home Buyer Report, which reveals the pros and cons when it comes to searching for a home in the winter months. The most common complaint involves insufficient inventory in a buyer’s preferred price range. 45% of respondents cited this as problematic, while 34% noted the lack of inventory in general. Many respondents also replied that the inclement weather makes house hunting less enjoyable. On the plus side, respondents claim that sellers are more motivated to sell and negotiate, home prices are better, and competition is less severe, allotting buyers more time to make a decision. House hunting in the winter also lets the buyer test a home’s “winter fitness” (drafty windows? inadequate heating system?). Real Estate agents are likely more available, and lenders and movers will be more accessible and sometimes more affordable. You also get the chance to see how well the streets are paved and whether the homes are decorated for the holidays.

Many people (approximately 25%) are currently searching for a home because they were unable to find one during the warmer months. It is also common to see winter buyers who are relocating. Unfortunately, the same problems that discouraged buyers in the summer and fall, such as low inventory, continue to hinder buyers now.

Are you in the market to sell or buy a home? Contact me to see what I can do for you!