Thursday, March 28, 2019

Open Houses and Price Reduction!

Open Houses for March 31, 2019

11130 River Rd, Chardon 
Open 2-5pm
$829,900 
4bd 4ba
Call 440-221-0075

1220 W 67th St, Cleveland 
Open 1-3pm
$300,000
4bd 1ba
Call 440-339-3626

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
Open 1-4pm
$329,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-637-3791

670 Bridle Ct, Geneva 
Open 1-3pm
$189,900 
2bd 3ba
Call 440-479-7379

2985 Gale Rd, Willoughby 
Open 1:30-3:30pm
$325,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-479-7379

38257 Hurricane, Willoughby 
Open 11-5pm
$309,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-537-6671

1265 Watermark Lane, Fairport Harbor  
BY APPT
$184,900 NEW PRICE!
3bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

8941 Billings Rd, Kirtland 
BY APPT
$375,000 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

6748 Bayside Dr, Madison  
BY APPT
$175,000 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

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

6385 Winterhaven Dr, Madison 
BY APPT
$112,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

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

Price Reduction

657 2nd St #2, Fairport Harbor  
$203,900 NEW PRICE!

Today's New Listings!

VL Eddy Rd, Willoughby Hills

8590 Cardinal Dr, Kirtland

521 Belglove Ln, Painesville Township

1748 Muirfield Ln, Painesville Township

10220 Prouty Rd, Concord

Monday, March 25, 2019

Advantages of Buying with a Lease Purchase Option

Buyers who are not able to get traditional financing having another option. A lease purchase option is a type of temporary owner financing in which the owner rents the property to the buyer for a period of time until the buyer can get financing from a bank. Often this time period is for one year or less but sometimes a seller will accept a lease purchase for two years or more depending upon other favorable factors such as a larger down payment, a larger monthly payment or a larger purchase price. It often depends how the financing is structured that will determine the length of time a seller will be willing to offer temporary financing. What are the advantages though to the buyer?

Little to No Money Down
A buyer may be able to structure a lease purchase option with little to no down payment. Of course the normal security deposit and first month’s rent would be required but otherwise the monthly payment could be increased above the going rental rate and this increase can be applied towards the buyer’s down payment at the end of the rental period. It is usually a good idea to make sure the buyer has at least a 3.50% - 5% down payment either upfront or by the end of the rental term since the buyer needs this amount to put down with traditional financing.

Flexible Financing Terms
Just as the down payment is flexible so can the rest of the terms since the negotiating is between the seller and buyer. So if a buyer has a good sized down payment but only wants to pay the going rental rate and wants to negotiate a lower sales price at the end, it is possible. In addition, a lease purchase option is in fact an option to the buyer. If the buyer chooses not to purchase the property at the end of the lease, they have that right. They often will lose their down payment that they applied upfront or accumulated with their monthly payments as a recourse to the sellers for not completing the purchase.

Raise Credit or Down Payment
A lease purchase option gives a buyer time to correct their credit or raise the funds for a down payment. Sometimes a buyer cannot purchase because they are waiting for a specific time to pass such as with a bankruptcy or for a certain action to happen such as a divorce decree to be filed. A lease purchase option provides a buyer with this needed time while living in the home.

Investor Leverage
Investors can use this type of financing as well. It provides an investor the advantage to use leverage by having control of a property and making a profit from it before they even own the property. It also limits their personal responsibility and liability because the property is not totally theirs yet.

As you can see, there are several advantages for a buyer to use a lease purchase option. A seller will often consider this type of financing if a property has been on the market for a long period of time. It is wise to consult a Realtor to make sure you address all of the key terms and follow the lending guidelines that will eventually come into play. It is also recommended that you have an attorney draw up your lease purchase option so that the language protects you!

Today's New Listings!

4407 Center St, Willoughby

38863 Courtland Dr, Willoughby

38257 Hurricane Dr, Willoughby

64 Ranally Way, Willoughby

6839 Chablis Ct, Mentor

11010 Quail Hollow Dr, Concord

6990 Auburn Ridge Dr, Concord

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Open Houses!

Open Houses for March 24, 2019

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
Open 1-4pm
$329,000
4bd 3ba
Call 440-637-3791

1265 Watermark Lane, Fairport Harbor  
Open 12-3pm
$184,900 NEW PRICE!
3bd 3ba
Call 440-525-3331

8941 Billings Rd, Kirtland 
Open 11-1pm
$375,000 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

6750 Bayside, Madison 
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$164,900 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-488-1061

6385 Winterhaven, Madison 
Open 12-2pm
$112,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-488-1061

7574 Miami Rd, Mentor-on-the-Lake  
Open 10-12pm
$139,900 
3bd 1ba
Call 440-251-0791

2985 Gale Rd, Willoughby 
Open 12:30-2:30pm
$325,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-251-0791

38257 Hurricane, Willoughby 
Open 12-6pm
$325,000 
Call 440-339-3626

11130 River Rd, Chardon 
BY APPT
$829,900 
4bd 4ba
Call 440-296-5006

657 2nd St #2, Fairport Harbor  
BY APPT
$204,900 
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!

30401 Eddy Rd, Willoughby Hills

913 Tradewinds Cv, Painesville Township

7801 Mountain Ash Dr, Concord

153 Amy Ave, Madison

Monday, March 18, 2019

Today's New Listings!

38562 Ranally Way, Willoughby

38693 Andrews Ridge Way, Willoughby

30651 Eddy Rd, Willoughby Hills

10785 Rockwood Dr, Kirtland

486 Prestwick Path, Painesville Township

7 Reasons You Should Use a Realtor to Sell Your Property

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.
  1. 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 know what is going on in your area so that they are able to better determine the best plan of action to sell your home.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 recommended 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
Use a Realtor When Selling Your Home. 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!

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Open Houses and Price Reduction!

Open Houses for March 17, 2019

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
Open 1-4pm
$329,000 NEW PRICE!
4bd 3ba
Call 440-637-3791

11393 Somerset Trl, Concord 
Open 1-3pm
$325,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-413-0588

Price Reduction

657 2nd St #2, Fairport Harbor   
$204,900 NEW PRICE!

Today's New Listings!

5452 Kellogg Ct, Willoughby

8400 Ashton Ct, Mentor

1943 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

769 Sunset Rd, Madison

Monday, March 11, 2019

Location, Location, Location - Things to Consider When Deciding Where to Live

Deciding where to live should be a home buyer’s first task. Many buyers though describe the type of home they want to live in and are open to many areas. This usually results in another move within a few years because the homeowner realizes they should have considered their lifestyle and the things they like to do and made choosing a location the priority.

Commuting Nightmares
If your new home is quite a distance from work, family or hobbies you like to do, then you could spend a good amount of time in the car. This is time that could be spent enjoying your home and spending time with family and friends. Even though a buyer may not mind driving, when it adds up to several hours each week, it will begin to mentally and physically weigh on a person and cause unnecessary stress.

Healthy Lifestyle
Many buyers today are looking for communities that are easy accessible with walking/biking paths. Real estate companies have recognized this and offer Walkability ratings on their websites. Sitting for long periods of time indoors is not healthy. It is ideal to choose a community where you can get out and roam to the neighborhood coffee shop, the gym or a nearby park.

Future Appreciation
If there truly is more than one location that will offer you everything you need, then choose the location that has the best chance of increasing in value. Appreciation is a great determining factor when choosing where to live since it takes your future earnings into consideration. A real estate professional can help you determine areas that are expected to increase in value over the next several years.

At the end of the day, location should be the first consideration when deciding where to live since the home itself should not be the only deciding factor. The surrounding area plays a big part in a homeowner’s happiness and therefore should be given the attention it deserves. A buyer will be happier in the long run!

Today's New Listings!

2433 Michelle Ct, Willoughby Hills

9542 Hoose Rd, Mentor

8681 Hilltop Dr, Mentor

9470 Highbridge Ct, Mentor

1965 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

419 Prestwick Path, Painesville Township

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Open Houses!

Open Houses for March 10, 2019

1035 Bunker Hill, Ashtabula 
Open 11-1pm
$115,900 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

11130 River Rd, Chardon 
Open 12-2pm
$829,900 
4bd 4ba
Call 440-279-8585

657 2nd St #2, Fairport Harbor   
Open 2-4pm
$204,900 
2bd 2ba
Call 330-232-2689  

1265 Watermark Lane, Fairport Harbor  
Open 12-2pm
$189,900 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-525-3331

8941 Billings Rd, Kirtland  
Open 12-2pm
$375,000
3bd 3ba
Call 440-339-3626

6748 Bayside Dr, Madison 
Open 12-2pm
$175,000 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

7386 Goldenrod Dr, Mentor-on-the-Lake 
Open 10-12pm
$129,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-251-0791

2985 Gale Rd, Willoughby 
Open 12:30-2:30pm
$325,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-251-0791

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
BY APPT
$330,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

11393 Somerset Trl, Concord 
BY APPT
$325,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

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

7574 Miami Rd, Mentor-on-the-Lake  
BY APPT
$139,900 
3bd 1ba
Call 440-296-5006

Today's New Listings!

2135 Farroni Dr, Willoughby

38746 A T Hill Pl, Willoughby

4750 Figgie Dr, Willoughby

5356 Highland Way, Mentor

S/L 98 Burgundy Ct, Concord

Monday, March 4, 2019

Why a Seller Should Always Counter an Offer

Normally there are two options when an offer is presented on a home. The seller can either accept the offer as presented or counter the offer to terms that are more favorable to the seller. Sometimes though when an offer is considerably lower than the asking price, a seller may feel insulted by the offer and refuse to counter at all. This is a mistake.

Do Not Stop the Negotiating
If a buyer takes the time to write an offer on a home, they are interested. They may want to start the negotiating lower than a seller would like but a seller should never stop the ball from rolling. If a seller refuses to counter an offer citing, “It is too low to even counter”, the buyer may be insulted as well and walk away from the deal. Sometimes buyers like to play the game. Sometimes they want to throw a low ball offer in the first time to see where a seller is at and then they will get reasonable. It is in the seller’s best interest to keep negotiating as long as the buyer is willing to negotiate.

Price Your Home Right
A seller should price their home right to begin with. Buyers are looking at several homes in the same price range so they can tell right away if a home is a good deal or if it is overpriced. If it is marked higher than the current market, the number of showings and potential buyers will be much lower. If a buyer writes an offer, it will likely be lower than the market because they know there are limited prospects looking at the home since it is overpriced. On the other hand, a home priced correctly may have multiple offers on it at one time.

First Offer is Usually Your Best
A seller should try and work with their first offer as much as possible to make it come to fruition. Sellers sometimes feel that since they received one offer, they will receive another offer if this deal does not come together. That is often not the case. Many times a home will sit on the market for months after the first offer dies and the seller will end up selling the home for less than what the first buyer was willing to pay. In addition to the lower sales price, the seller incurred additional months of payments, taxes, insurance, etc.

First 10 Days on the Market are Most Critical
The first ten days a home is on the market is when it will receive the greatest number of showings both online and in person. For this reason, a home that is priced correctly is likely to receive an offer as soon as it is listed for sale. The showings will diminish greatly afterwards so this is something a seller should keep in mind when they put their home on the market.

For all of these reasons, there are only two options for sellers when they receive an offer: Accept or Counter. It is in a seller’s best interest to never stop the ball from rolling!

Today's New Listings!

2113 Farroni Dr, Willoughby

7691 Fairview Ave, Kirtland

1692 S/L Muirfield Ln, Painesville Township

1961 Torrey Park Trl, Painesville Township

5650 Canyon View Dr, Painesville

3950 Dugan Farms, Perry

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...