Monday, March 26, 2018

Today's New Listings!

2413 Bunker Ln #B, Willoughby

V/L 2 Eagle Rd, Waite Hill

V/L 1 Eagle Rd, Waite Hill

7509 Acacia Ave, Mentor

425 S/L South Ashwood Ln, Painesville Township

1949 South Ashwood Ln, Painesville Township

5 Things to Know about Homeowner’s Insurance

When it comes to purchasing a home, there is nothing more important to buyers than making sure they know all of the upfront costs associated with the new home purchase as well as the ongoing monthly costs. One thing many first time home buyers overlook is the homeowner’s insurance policy that is needed on every home. Here are some things to know when purchasing homeowner’s insurance.

1. Credit is Important! Many insurance companies will base your insurance rate on your credit score. It will cost on average about 29% more to get home insurance if you do not have good credit. Therefore having good credit provides you with access to the best options that are out there for you.

2. Adequate Coverage! Make sure you are getting adequate coverage to rebuild your home should it be completely destroyed. Many buyers consider the price of the insurance policy only and not what it covers. Only later when a catastrophe hits do they realize they did not purchase enough coverage to build the same size or quality of home.

3. Optional Coverage! Homeowner’s insurance covers the structure of the home but may policies do not cover destruction due to natural disasters, neglect or to personal property. Therefore many homeowners should consider adding additional coverage for water backup, earthquake, mold or jewelry theft or disappearance.

4. Deductibles and Discounts! Homeowners can reduce their monthly insurance premiums by considering larger deductibles. Ask your insurance agent for a few payment options with different deductible amounts. Also, there are discounts for multiple policies so if you insure your car and your home with the same company, you will receive a discount. Also, certain professions will receive discounts such as teachers, policemen, firemen, doctors and nurses so be sure to ask your insurance agent.

5. Prior Claim Checks! Be sure your insurance agent performs a background check on the property to see if any prior insurance claims have been filed on the property. This is an important piece of information while still negotiating on a property. It may bring to light hidden defects of the property or  it may confirm or discredit the information on the property disclosure. Either way, this is key information every buyer should have upfront. Make sure your insurance agent offers this service or get a second option from an agent that does.

As you can see, there are several things to consider when purchasing homeowner’s insurance. Taking the time to ensure you are getting the best policy that is right for you is key since you may not review the policy again for another year or more. Homeowner’s insurance is just one piece of the puzzle when purchasing a home, but it is an important one!

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Open Houses!

Open Houses for March 25, 2018

10745 Holi Dale Dr, Chardon
Open 2-4pm
$239,900 NEW PRICE!  
3bd 2.5ba

9009 Bluejay Lane, Mentor
Open 12-2pm
$209,900
3bd 2ba

2632 Morningstar Dr, Madison
Open 12-2pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

1415 Parkview Dr, Madison
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

5599 Cardinal Dr, Mentor
Open 12-2pm
$265,000 
3bd 2.5ba

2996 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills
Open 1-3pm
$155,000 
2bd 1ba

Today's New Listings!

29944 Truman Ave, Wickliffe

5594 Ericson Ln, Willoughby

6592 Seneca Trl, Mentor

7452 Primrose Dr, Mentor-on-the-Lake

5565 Canyon Ridge Dr, Painesville

Monday, March 19, 2018

Tips to Secure a Mortgage if You Are Self-employed

If you are self-employed, either as a freelancer or as the owner of your own business, your income can fluctuate greatly from year to year. That can make it difficult to get approved for a mortgage, although there are some things you can do to improve your chances. Here are three tips for securing a mortgage if you are self-employed.

Good Credit Score
While your ability to pay back a mortgage is the most important factor in an approval, your credit score is a close second, and that goes for every borrower, not just those who are self-employed. If you have a credit score in the high range -- something above 750 or 760 -- it will help you get approved for a mortgage. To boost your score, make sure you pay all bills on time, pay down your debt levels and do not make any new big purchases or apply for new credit soon before you apply for a mortgage.

Large Down Payment
The more money a bank lends you to buy a house, the more risk it is taking on that the money will not be paid back. If you are self-employed and considered a higher risk to begin with, one way you can alleviate some of that risk is to be able to put down a large amount of money. Putting down 20 percent is standard for a conventional loan and you should be willing to contribute at least that much. Putting down at least 20 percent also will save you money in the long run because you will not have to pay for mortgage insurance and you will pay less in finance charges over the life of the loan.

Significant Assets
One way to put a lender at ease about your ability to pay for a mortgage is to have significant reserves in the form of assets. If you have large amounts of money in regular savings, brokerage and retirement accounts, it offers a reserve for you to tap should your income take a dive. Other forms of property, such as personal and business property that is paid off and has value, are also good assets to show.

As you can see, when qualifying for a mortgage, in addition to your ability to repay the mortgage which is your debt to income ratio, a lender will also take into consideration a borrower’s credit score, size of the down payment and the amount of assets. A lender may be more lenient with a high debt to income ratio if one of these other positive factors are higher than the average as well!

Today's New Listings!

48 Shawondassee Dr, Timberlake

9251 Wyant Dr, Mentor

7740 Beaver Creek Dr, Mentor

1510 Villa Grande Dr, Painesville Township

7920 Oakridge Dr, Concord

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Open Houses, Price Reductions, & Lease Purchases!

Open Houses for March 18, 2018

8329 Bainbrook Dr, Chagrin Falls
Open 12:30-2:30pm
$619,900 
4bd 3.5ba

10925 Quail Hollow Dr, Concord
Open 12-4pm
$409,900 NEW PRICE!  
4bd 2.5ba

6525 Bayside Dr, Madison
Open 12-2pm
$149,900 
3bd 3ba

2632 Morningstar Dr, Madison
Open 12-2pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

1415 Parkview Dr, Madison
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

9009 Bluejay Lane, Mentor
Open 12-2pm
$209,900 NEW PRICE!  
3bd 2ba

615 Sandtrap Circle, Painesville
Open 12-2pm
$80,000 
3bd 2ba

2996 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills
Open 2-4pm
$155,000 
2bd 1ba

 
Price Reductions

9853 Johnnycake Ridge #305, Concord
$707 NEW PRICE!


Properties Considering Lease Purchase Option

V/L Mason Rd, Berlin Heights 
$200,000
Over 18 Acres of Residential Land!

6117 Saint Clair Ave, Cleveland
$164,900
Commercial Brick Building with Multiple Income Streams!

V/L Galloway Rd, Huron Township 
$400,000
Over 19 Acres of Residential Land!

V/L Columbus Ave, Sandusky
$100,000
27.9 Acre Lot in a High Traffic Area!

V/L Beatty Ln, Sandusky
$89,900
Private Wooded 5.71 Acre Residential Lot!

Today's New Listings!

5468 Melody Ln, Willoughby

8719 Blue Heron Way, Mentor

1102 Vista Lago Cir, Painesville Township

1075 S/L Ava June Dr, Painesville Township

6386 Painesville Warren Rd, Concord

Monday, March 12, 2018

Why is it so Important to Price a Home Correctly When Selling?

Selling a home is no easy feat. There are many factors to consider for a successful outcome, including finding a good realtor, repairing or replacing broken things in the home, and getting all the home’s paperwork together.

The most crucial step towards selling a home, however, is deciding how to price it. Here, you will you learn the importance of pricing a home correctly along with common mistakes to avoid when putting it on the market.

Pricing your home has a big impact on it selling within your timeframe at a number you are comfortable making off of it. It takes time, thought, and patience to reach the right number for your home. If it is priced accurately then you will have the highest chance of getting what it is worth, and you will not have to impede the process by constantly lowering your price.

When pricing your home, you must do your research. It is imperative to know exactly how much your home is worth, so have a professional home appraisal done on your house. Knowing this information will give you an idea of what you may be able to get for it.

Using market analysis will also aid you in knowing how to price your property. A market analysis can tell you what homes in your neighborhood like yours were sold for. Trying to price your home based on what other homes on the market in your neighborhood are priced at can get you in trouble.

Basing your price on what you see around you may put you at risk of pricing too high. Many people selling their homes make a mistake when thinking pricing it high and lowering it later will help them make the best deal. Often, this logic backfires because they end up having to lower their price so much that they sell it for less than it is worth. Do not assume what you see around you is the most economical; do your research.

Any personal attachments to your home should be severed once you are considering selling it. If you still have an emotional connection to your house when you are putting it on the market, this may hurt your chance of selling your home for the best price possible. Do not get wrapped up in thoughts of how much time and effort you have invested over the years. Those feelings will likely cloud your judgement when considering how much your home is worth.

Emotions factor into why people overprice their homes, and that is why it is important to work with someone who can help you see the real picture. Use a trustworthy, responsible realtor who will be honest with you to get the best value for your property.

You have about ten days from the time your home is placed on the market to generate the most movement and response to your listing. Priced correctly, your home has a much greater chance of attracting potential buyers. You can save time by putting your house on the market at a realistic cost, making serious buyers more inclined to make offers faster than unrealistic prices allow them to.

When pricing your home, it is important to determine what is of more significance to you. Do you want to save more time or make more money? Pricing your house at the right number can help you do both simultaneously, but if it is more important to save time one or to make more money, knowing what matters more will you price your home accordingly.

For instance, if you need to sell quickly to move at a certain time, you may want to list your home at a lower price to attract more potential buyers. A home listed for less than its value could put you at risk for losing money, but if selling quickly is the more pertinent task, lowering the price can save you a lot of time.

To get the most money from your home, there are some things you can do to get your house in order. Fixing any flaws, interior or exterior, will give your home more value. Invest in hiring professionals to repair or replace any damages.

Declutter your home and keep it tidy. Any potential buyers will want to be able to see themselves in your place and see the home as theirs. Allowing them this visual will influence their decision. Do not confuse them with a cluttered or unkempt space.

Show off the best parts of your home. Let your open house showcase all your home’s selling factors and make your potential buyers understand the value of your home.

Selling your home on the market can be a stressful process, and you do not want to make it any harder than it needs to be. Appropriate pricing is the most vital part of selling your home as it can mean the difference between selling in four weeks or four months. If pricing your home is proving to be difficult for you, hire a professional to help you get where you need to be.

Today's New Listings!

5350 Strawberry Ln, Willoughby

7651 Ohio St, Mentor

521 Walker Ln, Painesville

7930 Pleasantview Trl, Concord

10528 Nobhill Ln, Concord

5335 Naylor St, Perry

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Open Houses & Lease Purchases!

Open Houses for March 11, 2018

8329 Bainbrook Dr, Chagrin Falls
Open 12:30-4:30pm
$619,900 
4bd 3.5ba

10745 Holi Dale Dr, Chardon
Open 12-2pm
$249,900 
3bd 2.5ba

6529 Bayside Dr, Madison
Open 12-2pm
$159,900 
4bd 2.5ba

2632 Morningstar Dr, Madison
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

1415 Parkview Dr, Madison
Open 12-2pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

615 Sandtrap Circle, Painesville
Open 12-2pm
$80,000 
3bd 2ba


Properties Considering Lease Purchase Option

V/L Mason Rd, Berlin Heights 
$200,000
Over 18 Acres of Residential Land!

6117 Saint Clair Ave, Cleveland
$164,900
Commercial Brick Building with Multiple Income Streams!

V/L Galloway Rd, Huron Township 
$400,000
Over 19 Acres of Residential Land!

V/L Columbus Ave, Sandusky
$100,000
27.9 Acre Lot in a High Traffic Area!

V/L Beatty Ln, Sandusky
$89,900
Private Wooded 5.71 Acre Residential Lot!

Today's New Listings!

28400 Cresthaven Dr, Willowick

1681 Mapledale Rd, Wickliffe

507 East Overlook Dr, Eastlake

8753 Far Bar Rd, Kirtland

1920 Marsh Ln, Painesville

7391 Mountain Quail Pl, Concord

Monday, March 5, 2018

Should I Get Preapproved Before Looking at Homes

If you are looking to buy a home, then you should consider getting preapproved before you even begin your search. There are some benefits of getting preapproved as well as drawbacks for failing to do so.

Benefit of Getting Preapproved. Having a preapproval letter attached to your offer can go a long way to ensure you get top consideration from the seller. This is because some major concerns of the seller are lifted – you are able to pay for the home and you know what the monthly payments will be, so you have all of the financial information you should need to make an offer.

Drawback of Failing to Get Preapproved. A drawback in failing to get preapproved in the first place is that you could fall in love with a specific house or location only to find out later that you do not qualify for that price range. Being preapproved means you know your budget, you know what you have to work with and can target your specific price range rather than wasting time and hoping you will be a match.

Sellers Require Preapproved Buyers. Most sellers today require a preapproval letter with an offer or they will not even consider the offer. Sellers want some assurances that a deal will come to fruition and a preapproval letter goes a long way in meeting this need.

Get Preapproved Right Away. Getting preapproved is a good step to take as early on in the home buying process as possible. It will save you a lot of time by targeting the right properties in the first place and it will add value to your offer with a seller by making them feel comfortable enough to accept an offer and know that the deal will go through. Speak with a mortgage professional today to get preapproved so that you can have the best experience in finding the right home, at the right price with a payment that is comfortable to you. Your dream home is just around the corner!

Today's New Listings!

2160 North Bay Dr, Willoughby

8845 Sanctuary Dr, Kirtland Hills

1565 Poplar Ln, Painesville

1998 South Ashwood Ln, Painesville Township

2060 South Ashwood Ln, Painesville Township

8286 Hemingway Ln, Concord

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Open Houses Listings, Price Reductions, & Lease Purchases!

Open Houses for March 4, 2018

6000 Lake Rd W #C323, Ashtabula
Open 1:30-3:30pm
$94,500 
3bd 2ba

8329 Bainbrook Dr, Chagrin Falls
Open 12:30-2:30pm
$619,900 
4bd 3.5ba

10745 Holi Dale Dr, Chardon
Open 2-4pm
$249,900 
3bd 2.5ba

6527 Bayside Dr, Madison
Open 1-3pm
$150,000 
3bd 2.5ba

2632 Morningstar Dr, Madison
Open 12-2pm, 2:30-4:30pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

1415 Parkview Dr, Madison
Open 12-2pm
$100,000 
3bd 2ba

9009 Bluejay Lane, Mentor
Open 12-2pm
$224,900 
3bd 2ba

5700 Davis Dr, Mentor on the Lake
Open 12-2pm
$139,900 
3bd 2ba

615 Sandtrap Circle, Painesville
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$80,000 
3bd 2ba

2996 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills
Open 1-3pm
$155,000 
2bd 1ba

 
Price Reductions

725 Ohio Ave, Ashtabula
$74,900 NEW PRICE!

384 E 211 St, Euclid
$55,000 NEW PRICE!


Properties Considering Lease Purchase Option

V/L Mason Rd, Berlin Heights 
$200,000
Over 18 Acres of Residential Land!

6117 Saint Clair Ave, Cleveland
$164,900
Commercial Brick Building with Multiple Income Streams!

V/L Galloway Rd, Huron Township 
$400,000
Over 19 Acres of Residential Land!

V/L Columbus Ave, Sandusky
$100,000
27.9 Acre Lot in a High Traffic Area!

V/L Beatty Ln, Sandusky
$89,900
Private Wooded 5.71 Acre Residential Lot!

Today's New Listings!

38660 North Bay Dr, Willoughby

5710 Meister Rd, Mentor

7988 Walcott Way, Mentor

44 Ava June Dr, Painesville Township

9975 Stone Hollow Rd, Concord

Today's New Listings!

34645 Willow Creek Pl, Willoughby  - $399,000 1331 Bennett Rd, Madison - $329,900 7165 Hawthorne Dr, Mentor - $274,900 4423 Ashwood Ave...