My goal is to share my knowledge of the real estate industry as well as available properties. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Feel free to call or text me at 440-346-2031.
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Thursday, May 31, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Monday, May 28, 2018
Why You Should Use a Realtor?
Many people question the value of a Realtor often wondering if the commissions they receive is worth the time and effort they put in. The simple response is Yes! There are several reasons why Realtors should be used to sell a property.
Local Real Estate Knowledge
A great Realtor has a lot of knowledge about the local real estate market. They have an understanding of and can provide you with a realistic parameter of what you can expect to sell your home for. They have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which holds data that can provide you with the sales of comparable homes in the area. It is imperative that your Realtor knows what is going on in your area so that they are able to better determine the best plan of action to sell your home.
Real Estate Experience
Realtors have experience selling homes and have an idea of what sells and what does not. While you may think that your sunflower border in the kitchen is adorable, your Realtor is likely going to tell you that borders are dated and you need to paint the kitchen. These little details can make a huge difference when you sell your home. A good Realtor has an eye for details and can pick out different elements of your house that will stand out to potential buyers.
Ability to Price Home Correctly
Trying to sell your home without the use of a Realtor can actually cost you money. Because of the data that Realtors have access to, they are better equipped to make a list price recommendation. By listing too low, you run the risk of losing money but priced too high and you run the risk of delaying the sale and later having to reduce the price. A Realtor has the knowledge and expertise to help you price the home where it will sell quickly and for the most amount of money. In fact, the National Association of Realtors has statistics that show homes sold with a Realtor actually sell for money.
Real Estate Marketing Skills
Marketing is a huge part of real estate. Skilled Realtors know how to market homes with pictures, videos, and great descriptors as well as which online sites to post your home to that will drive buyers to your listing. They are also responsible for marketing, arranging and managing open houses and showings. Everyone is busy so it would be difficult for a homeowner to manage six showings on a day they have to be at work. This is why you have a Realtor.
Professional Real Estate Connections
Realtors that have been in the business a long time have a long list of professional connections and contacts. If you come across a need during the sale of your home (inspections, septic repair, etc.), a good Realtor can recommend several professionals to meet these needs. These kinds of things frequently come up during the process of selling a home. Having a Realtor with a pocket full of resources is extremely helpful.
Real Estate Negotiation Skills
A Realtor is very knowledgeable about the entire selling and buying process including the negotiations. Negotiations can be tricky. You do not want to immediately accept your first offer nor do you want to counter an offer at too high of a price that will cause the buyer to walk away from the table. Your Realtor will have experience in negotiations and can give advice and recommendations throughout this process. This can ease some of your anxiety as well as get you more money on the sale.
Facilitate Real Estate Closings
There is a lot of paperwork involved in both buying and selling real estate. It is not uncommon to feel like you are signing your life away. You may encounter state contracts, title documents as well as lender contracts. Fortunately, your Realtor can help explain the documents you are required to sign so that you can feel comfortable throughout the process.
Using a Realtor is the most effective method to sell your home. An agent can help you choose the best list price, market your home, get potential buyers in for showings, negotiate the best deal on your behalf and assist with the closing process. All of these services make a Realtor commission worth it. You have a better chance of selling your home quickly and for more money with a real estate agent!
Friday, May 25, 2018
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Monday, May 21, 2018
Buying a Condo is Different Than Buying a House
Many buyers assume that choosing to purchase a condominium rather than a house is a decision based upon preference only but there are differences that should be considered.
Home Owners Association
All condominiums come with some type of home owners association. The HOA generally handles common areas such as landscaping, snow removal, exterior of the buildings and amenities such as a swimming pool or fitness center. Not only are there monthly fees required to pay for the maintenance and repair of the common areas but HOA’s normally have rules that need to be followed. Many condos will not allow fences or sheds to be installed and some have pet restrictions. When purchasing a condo, buyers will weigh the costs and restrictions of each HOA versus the benefits they offer. The HOA fees also affect the amount of loan a buyer will qualify for. Often a condo buyer cannot qualify for as much as a home buyer due to these extra fees calculated in their monthly obligations.
Amenities
Condominiums usually come with several perks such as landscaping and snow plowing handled professionally, exterior of the home taken care of and amenities such as a swimming pool or fitness center. While a good majority of potential buyers would love the perks and amenities that a condominium offers, they are not willing to make the trade for a smaller space without a yard of their own.
Renting Restrictions
Many first time home buyers purchase a condominium as a starter home thinking that they can rent it out in the future when they decide to upgrade to a large home. Many investors consider a condominium a good investment as well. It should be noted though that many condominiums restrict renting in their complex though so this should be verified prior to purchasing a condominium.
There are many benefits to purchasing a condominium but buyers need to be sure they are aware of all of the pros and cons of such a purchase. Let a real estate agent help you navigate the condo world!
Friday, May 18, 2018
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Open Houses & Price Reductions!
Open Houses for May 20, 2018
910 W 50th, Ashtabula
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$67,500
3bd 2ba
3633 Samar Dr, Ashtabula
Open 2-4pm
$324,900
3bd 3ba
18765 Auburn Glen Dr, Chagrin Falls
Open 12-2pm
$474,900 NEW PRICE!
4bd 5ba
7555 Hunting Lake Dr, Concord
Open 12-2pm
$359,900
3bd 3ba
10925 Quail Hollow Dr, Concord
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$399,999
4bd 3ba
1793 Som Center Rd, Gates Mills
Open 1-3pm
$329,000
6917 Wilson Mills, Gates Mills
Open 1-4pm
$189,900
3bd 2ba
1068 Cranbrook, Highland Hts
Open 12-4pm
$299,900
9009 Bluejay, Mentor
Open 12-2pm
$209,900
3bd 2ba
5820 Oriole Ct, Mentor
Open 3-5pm
$265,000
4bd 3ba
484 Riverside Dr, Painesville Twp
Open 11am-1pm
$154,900
3bd 2ba
2911 Maine Ave, Perry
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$187,500
3bd 2ba
Price Reductions
2996 Som Center Rd, Willoughby Hills
$150,000 NEW PRICE!
8329 Bainbrook Dr, Chagrin Falls
$599,900 NEW PRICE!
725 Ohio Ave, Ashtabula
$73,900 NEW PRICE!
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Monday, May 14, 2018
Should I Sell Before I Buy or Should I Buy Before I Sell?
Should I sell before I buy or should I buy before I sell? This is a common question from current homeowners who would like to move. Sellers are nervous to sell first and then not be able to find a new home that meets their needs. They are also nervous of finding the home of their dreams and purchasing it before they sell and then having two mortgage payments until their first home sells. Let’s explore the advantages of buying a new home prior to selling your existing home.
Time to Move
One of the advantages of buying a new home prior to selling your existing home is that you will have plenty of time to get the new home ready to move into with updates such as painting and new flooring prior to actually having to move in. This is a nice option rather than having to do the updates while living in the home. Also, you will have time to pack your current residence and move into the new home and can even do it over time if you choose.
Move Only Once
By purchasing a new home first, you will avoid the need to possibly have to move twice. If you sold your home first but had no place to move, you might need to put your belongs into storage and move into temporary housing until you find your new home and close on it. You will likely incur rental charges both with a storage unit and housing. Purchasing a new home first will avoid the hassle of having to move twice.
Disadvantage
In spite of the good things this option offers, the biggest disadvantage of buying before selling is the possibility of paying two mortgages at the same time. This will be the case if you have already bought a new home but you are unable to find a buyer quickly for your existing home. If there is only a month or two overlap, that might be a better option than moving twice and incurring rental charges. If the timeframe is longer than two months, it may not be worth buying before selling.
Summary
You can buy a new home prior to selling your existing home. There are advantages and disadvantages to this option. There are also ways to minimize the risk of buying before selling. A competent real estate agent deals with this situation often and can provide options such as contracts with contingency clauses, rent back options, etc. Contact a Realtor today to help you buy a new home prior to selling your existing home!
Friday, May 11, 2018
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Price Reductions!
Price Reductions
8329 Bainbrook Dr, Chagrin Falls
$559,900 NEW PRICE!
725 Ohio Ave, Ashtabula
$73,900 NEW PRICE!
10745 Holi Dale Dr, Chardon
$234,900 NEW PRICE!
6394 Timeless Ln, Madison
$49,900 NEW PRICE!
3633 Samar Dr, Ashtabula
$299,900 NEW PRICE!
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Monday, May 7, 2018
My Offer Was Accepted! Now What?
You have spent months looking for the perfect home. You found it, wrote an offer and it was accepted! You already provided your lender with your income and asset statements before you even started looking for a home, so you know you qualify. So what else do you need to do except wait for closing? There are actually several things you still need to do before you can put your feet up!
Inspections
The very first thing you need to do is schedule your home inspection. Contracts usually allow a buyer seven to ten days to perform a general home inspection as well as more specific inspections. When you initially wrote the offer to purchase the home, your agent should have advised you on the importance of conducting a home inspection. By checking this option, the purchase is now ‘contingent upon a home inspection’. This is a term that will give you a right but not the obligation to hire the assistance of a home inspector as well as other professionals who can take a close look at the home. After the inspections, you can request that the seller make repairs to the home prior to closing; ask for a repair allowance to be given to you at closing or if the repairs are substantial, you can decide not to go ahead with the purchase. As you can see, home inspections are imperative on a home purchase.
Loan Application
Although you provided your lender with your financial information upfront so that you could be issued a pre-approval letter, it is now time to make formal loan application. Now that you have an address, a sales price and a time-frame you can apply for a specific loan amount and lock in a rate for a specific time period. This should be done within a few days of your offer being accepted and often is preferred to be made after the home inspection but be careful to coordinate and follow the dates in your purchase contract. Your lender will likely need you to provide updated income and asset statements from the last time you turned them in. Once your loan has been processed, there may be additional requirements from the lender as well. Turn in everything as soon as possible so there are no delays with the loan which could cause your closing to be delayed.
Homeowner’s Insurance
If you are financing your new purchase, homeowner’s insurance needs to be in place prior to final loan approval. This is because the lender needs to know that you qualify with the payment including your monthly homeowner’s insurance obligation. Buyers sometimes overlook this requirement or rush through the process which can cause complications or consequences later. Closings have been delayed due to lack of insurance but worse is when a catastrophe occurs to the property and the homeowner finds out they do not have adequate coverage to repair or rebuild without coming out of pocket. Take the time to make sure you are getting the right coverage so that you are protected in the future.
Summary
After your offer is accepted, now the hard work begins! Do your home inspections, make loan application and get your insurance in place so that you are ready for closing. Once you close on your new home, then you can sit in your new yard and enjoy the sunshine!
Friday, May 4, 2018
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
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...
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9956 Johnnycake Ridge Rd #C2, Concord - $135,000 7651 Thorntail Ct, Concord - $435,000 1370 E 348th St, Eastlake - $159,900 10236 Hoba...
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34645 Willow Creek Pl, Willoughby - $399,000 1331 Bennett Rd, Madison - $329,900 7165 Hawthorne Dr, Mentor - $274,900 4423 Ashwood Ave...
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7249 Button Rd, Concord - $399,900 7768 Jo Ann Dr, Concord - $499,900 34403 Iris Ln, Eastlake - $249,900 SL 109 Bedaos, Mentor - $408...