How Many Houses Do I Need to Look at Before I Purchase?

Every buyer is different and therefore the number of properties a buyer will look at prior to purchasing will be an individual choice. There are some factors to take into consideration though to reduce the number of houses viewed in person yet still feel comfortable that you have done your research and found the best home for you.

Online Search
Many home buyers will start their search online. This is a great time saver. Buyers can quickly get an idea of the types of homes, features and pricing of certain homes in desired areas. Since it often takes 20-30 minutes to go through a home in person plus the drive time to and from each property, it is easy to see why viewing homes online is ideal.

Must-Have Features
Be sure to create a list of your desired features in your new home: the city or area; the number of bedrooms and bathrooms; and if a garage, basement or certain size lot is important. Once you know your must-have features, it will be easier to narrow down your search and avoid looking at homes that do not meet these criteria. Be sure to only list your must-have features so you do not miss out on a great home.

Pre-Approval
Getting pre-approved before beginning your home search is key. Otherwise you could waste valuable time and have your heart set on something you cannot afford. When you have a lender pre-approve you to purchase, you will know your required down payment, your cash needed at closing and your monthly payments. You may realize that you qualify for more of a payment but decide that you will feel more comfortable with your monthly payment in a lower range. Having a lender review your finances prior to beginning your home search will save you time.

There are no set rules when it comes to how many homes a buyer should view before making an offer. Being prepared though will save you time. Prepared buyers on average see approximately 5 to 6 houses in person before deciding to make an offer. This could change though from buyer to buyer depending upon their home work!

Today's New Listings!

27660 White Rd, Willoughby Hills

10076 Brookfield Dr, Mentor

8677 Johnnycake Ridge Rd, Mentor

11393 Somerset Trl, Concord

5212 Greenbriar Ln, Madison

Today's New Listings!

2884 Camelot Ct, Willoughby Hills

10598 Crary Lane Dr, Kirtland

6 S/L Muirfield Ln, Painesville Township

Price Reduction!

Price Reduction

9024 Regency Woods Dr, Kirtland 
$450,000 NEW PRICE!

Today's New Listings!

19 High Point Ln, Willoughby

6224 Seminole Trl, Mentor

199 Linden Dr, Painesville

Today's New Listings!

85 Shawondassee Dr, Eastlake

80 S/L Fairway Glenn Blvd, Willoughby

6941 Parmalee Dr, Mentor

18 S/L Muirfield Ln, Painesville Township

319 Hyder Dr, Madison

Today's New Listings!

38070 Rogers Rd, Willoughby Hills

8080 Harbor Creek Dr #304, Mentor-on-the-Lake

56 S/L Prestwick Path, Painesville Township

Price Reductions!

Price Reductions

12676 Main Market Rd, Troy 
$1,399,000 NEW PRICE!

657 2nd St #2, Fairport Harbor 
$205,900 NEW PRICE!

Today's New Listings!

5646 Frederick Dr, Mentor

11389 Pelican Cv #11389, Concord

6752 Bayside Dr, Madison

Today's New Listing!

8098 Stockbridge Rd, Mentor

 

Today's New Listings!

539 Dickerson Rd, Willowick

1829 East 290th St, Wickliffe

1350 Leeward Ln #D, Willoughby

9575 Lismore Ln, Mentor

1960 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

How Can a Seller Make More Money?

You have decided to sell your home! There are quite a few things that you should consider if you want to sell your home for thehighest price the current market can bear in the least amount of time.

Home Improvement Projects

Repairing and updating items in your home that are not working quite right or could benefit from looking more visually pleasingis worth the effort. One of the biggest bang for your buck is painting. A fresh coat of paint does wonders when listing a home and the cost is minimal compared to the return you will receive. Homes that feel well maintained sell for more money and in a quicker amount of time.

Correct Pricing 

This is without a doubt the most important task when listing a home. The price can always compensate the condition, location or market so it needs to reflect these items accordingly. Many sellers feel they should start their pricing higher and they can always lower it later or someone can always write a lower offer. The most efficient way to sell your home is to price it correctly in the first place. Buyers are in the market looking at many homes so they know right away when a home is overpriced as soonas they enter the home. The home is usually below the standards of the other homes they are looking at so they are not even interested in writing an offer. If the home was priced correctly the right buyers would see it and they would write an offer.

Seller’s Role 

You should try to accommodate all showing requests on your home. The buyer may not reschedule to look at your home and may even buy a house the same day they were supposed to view your home. Having your home on the market is not easy. It means having your home show ready at all times and having to leave your home often. The only way to sell your home for the most money in the least amount of time is to show it to as many potential buyers as possible.

Get Professional Help

Realtors are your best source for pricing your home correctly, marketing it to the masses, showing the property, negotiating on your behalf and facilitating an ontime closing. The commission paid is well worth all of the knowledge, experience and real estate tools. Realtors often bring in a higher sales price than a for sale by owner listing as well so it is worth talking with a Realtor.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when listing your home for sale. Taking these things into consideration up front can help you sell your home quicker and for more money!

Today's New Listings!

38573 Fairway Glenn Blvd, Willoughby

2985 Gale Rd, Willoughby

10109 Hoose Rd, Mentor

31 S/L Muirfield Ln, Painesville Township

1957 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

Today's New Listings!

734 Cherokee Trl, Willoughby

770 North Creek Dr, Painesville Township

2 S/L Muirfield Ln, Painesville Township

1956 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

Open Houses!

Open Houses for December 16, 2018 

7300 Hunter’s Trail, Concord 
Open 1-3pm
$324,900 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-279-8585

9024 Regency Woods, Kirtland
Open 12-3pm
$479,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-221-0075

1966 Spring Grove, Madison
Open 1:30-3:30pm
$199,900 NEW PRICE!
3bd 2ba
Call 440-525-3331

1576 Algiers Dr, Mayfield Heights
Open 11am-1pm
$150,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-525-3331

7151 Green Valley, Mentor 
Open 11am-1pm
$280,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

7574 Miami Rd, Mentor-on-the-Lake  
Open 12-2pm
$139,900 
3bd 1ba
Call 440-289-8213

2150 Kimberly Ct, Wickliffe 
Open 1-3pm
$375,000 NEW PRICE!
4bd 4ba
Call 440-339-3626

2965 Rockefeller, Willoughby Hills  
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$399,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-537-6671

V/L Gale Rd, Willoughby  
Open 12:30-4:30pm
$325,000 
Call 440-479-7379

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
BY APPT
$360,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

657 2nd St #2, Fairport Harbor 
BY APPT
$209,900 
2bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

6917 Wilson Mills, Mayfield Village 
BY APPT
$179,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

Today's New Listings!

1022 Beachview Rd, Willoughby

1941 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

1945 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

6040 Nature View Ct, Painesville

3246 Katie Ct, Perry

Today's New Listings!

38553 Fairway Glenn Blvd, Willoughby

11 Meadowlawn Dr #13, Mentor

Today's New Listings!

1125 East 341st St, Eastlake

1240 Leeward Ln #D, Willoughby

4055 Skiff St, Willoughby

38529 Fairway Glenn Blvd, Willoughby

5950 White Oak Dr, Mentor

375 Fairgrounds Rd, 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!

Today's New Listings!

38902 Johnnycake Ridge Rd, Willoughby

9495 Metcalf, Waite Hill

867 Skinner Ave, Painesville

366 Appletree Dr, Painesville

2574 Circle Dr, Perry

Today's New Listings!

4869 Crestwood Ave, Willoughby

1545 Westover Dr, Willoughby

2976 Legend Ln, Willoughby Hills

6230 Brambleside Ln, Mentor

993 Tradewinds Cv, Painesville

Open Houses and Price Reduction!

Open Houses for December 9, 2018 

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
Open 1-4pm
$360,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-637-3791

657 2nd St #2, Fairport Harbor 
Open 12-2pm
$209,900 
2bd 2ba
Call 330-232-2689

9024 Regency Woods, Kirtland
Open 12-3pm
$479,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-221-0075

6744 Bayside Dr, Madison 
Open 2-4pm
$157,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-289-8213

1576 Algiers Dr, Mayfield Heights
Open 1-3pm
$150,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-525-3331

6917 Wilson Mills, Mayfield Village
Open 11am-1pm
$179,900 
Call 440-289-8213

7151 Green Valley, Mentor 
Open 11am-1pm
$280,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

2150 Kimberly Ct, Wickliffe 
Open 1-3pm
$379,900 
4bd 4ba
Call 440-339-3626

2965 Rockefeller, Willoughby Hills  
Open 12-2pm
$399,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-413-0588

13506 Shirley Dr, Leroy
BY APPT
$350,000 
4bd 4ba
Call 440-296-5006

6834 Chapel Rd, Madison
BY APPT
$359,900 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

1966 Spring Grove, Madison
BY APPT
$199,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

Price Reduction

998 Academy Ct, Painesville 
$73,500 NEW PRICE! 

Today's New Listings!

7171 Village Dr, Mentor

7854 Driftwood Dr, Mentor-on-the-Lake

4E Maple Spring Dr, Painesville Township

11350 Alexa Dr, Concord

3968 Call Rd, Perry

Today's New Listings!

30410 Harrison St, Willowick

37632 Sturbridge Ln, Willoughby

8228 Deepwood Blvd #10-10, Mentor

7746 Ellington Pl, Mentor

14738 Balch Rd, Leroy

Today's New Listings!

29216 Oakdale Rd, Willowick

7660 Eagle Mills Rd, Willoughby

7639 King Memorial, Mentor

5797 Middle Ridge Rd, Madison

158 Amy Ave, Madison

Benefit of Home Improvements To Sell Your Property

Part of the process of remodeling your home includes finding out what your return on investment (ROI) will be. There are some projects you should never sink your teeth into because you’ll lose money on it. However, there are others that provide a pretty good ROI. Every year, Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report is published. This report details which home projects offer the best ROI for any given particular year. HouseLogic has taken this data since 2002 and compiled a report of their own that tells us which projects continue to have the best ROI over time. This is what they found.
Steel Entry Door Replacements – 98.0% ROI
Replacing your front door is one of the most fun and valuable projects you can do for your home. New front entry doors come in three flavors – steel, fiberglass and wood. Steel entry door replacements offer the highest ROI.
There’s a lot to consider when replacing your front door. There is a ton of hardware to choose from including locks, door knockers, door handles, kick plates and more. Furthermore, there are other considerations such as your front door configuration, color, style, the type of glass it has and more.
Fiber Cement Siding Replacement – 83.9% ROI
Replacing your siding has ended up on this list three times. Of course, siding replacement remodels do not apply to you if you have a house made from of brick or stone. However, for the many houses that are made out of some sort of replaceable siding, replacing that siding with the fiber cement siding can offer a value of up to 83.9 percent ROI.
Fiber cement is among the strongest and longest lasting materials you can replace your current siding with. It is a manufactured material – it won’t rust or fray. If you choose the right color, you don’t need to paint it.
Minor Kitchen Remodel – 81.8% ROI
Minor kitchen remodels do not entail ripping out your entire kitchen and replacing it. Instead, we are talking about minor upgrades. In this case, the word “minor” is nothing to be scoffed at. Things like a countertop replacement or a stove upgrade qualify as minor upgrades. Other upgrades may include a new kitchen floor, new cabinetry or even a new faucet. When it comes to improving your kitchen, you can get the most out of upgrading the utilities. In other words, things that people need and use the most. These things include plumbing, lighting, stove and ovens.
Vinyl Siding Replacement – 81.5% ROI
Vinyl siding is the next cheapest and most economical option for replacing your current siding. As a manufactured material, it also doesn’t rust, fray or erode. Vinyl comes in several colors – eliminating the need to repaint.
Garage Door Replacement – 80.7% ROI
Garage doors have two functions – they open and close. Do you know what else garage doors do? It keeps your car safe from the elements. It keeps your workshop safe. It gives you a place to put dirty tools such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers. More often than not, you’ll see garages used as a storage area. They keep rodents, intruders, and inclement weather from damaging your stuff.
Wood Deck Addition – 80.6% ROI
Wooden decks are among the nicest features homes can have. At least, that’s my opinion. A wooden deck with a functional awning that keeps your deck shaded from the sun and protected from rain will allow you to go outside without really going outside. It’s great for backyard barbecues, having your friends over, or simply stargazing. Some people choose to build their wooden deck around an above ground pool, giving the illusion that the pool is actually built underground – when it’s not. See what I did there?
Foam-Backed Vinyl Siding Replacement – 79.5% ROI
Foam-backed vinyl siding placement offers an element of insulation to your home. This can have a direct cost correlation to your heating and cooling bills. Insulation keeps the summer heat out in the winter heat in. The beautiful thing about vinyl is that it can be made to look like other, more expensive materials such as wood, brick or even stone.
Attic Bedroom Remodel – 79.3% ROI
Turning your attic into a bedroom is one of the other areas that is proven to be an excellent investment for your home, year after year. It’s kind of a novelty when you lay down on a bed in an attic and you know that the roof is right there within arms reach. On top of that, you’re far above the ground, and heat rises, keeping you warm at night.
Vinyl Window Replacement – 78.6% ROI
When you replace your windows with a newer, vinyl window, you can expect up to a 78.6 percent return on your investment. Newer windows have many options – including insulating options. Double pane windows have pressurized air or gas in between the panes offering and element of insulation. Some windows have mini blinds built in between the panes, eliminating the need for you ever to buy window treatments.
Bathroom Remodel – 77.1% ROI
Finally, bathroom remodels always give the perception of being worth a lot. In this case, the more you spend, the more you’ll get in return. The cheapest bathroom remodels include tiling the bathtub area, replacing shower fixtures, and replacing your sink and accompanying cabinet.

Today's New Listings!

6101 Cabot Ct, Mentor

8329 Beaumont Dr, Mentor

9351 Canterbury Ln, Mentor

351 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township