Thursday, May 30, 2019

Open Houses and Price Reduction!

Open Houses for June 2, 2019

11625 Lancaster Dr, Auburn 
Open 12-4pm
$749,900 
4bd 5ba
Call 440-537-6671

12358 Summerwood Dr, Concord  
Open 10-4pm
$389,900 
5bd 3ba
Call 440-283-7557

662 Jefferson Dr, Highland Heights  
Open 1-3pm
$250,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-339-3626

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

6748 Bayside Dr, Madison 
Open 1-4pm
$175,000
3bd 3ba
Call 440-796-6079

4861 Webb Rd, Perry  
Open 12-4pm
$475,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-279-8585

6430 Murray Ave, Ashtabula  
BY APPT
$149,500 NEW PRICE!
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

5599 Hickory St, Mentor-on-the-Lake  
BY APPT
$189,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

VL Lloyd Rd, Wickliffe 
BY APPT
$275,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

Old Willoughby Rd #Lot 27, Willoughby 
BY APPT
$379,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

VL Eddy Rd, Willoughby Hills  
BY APPT
$325,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

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

Price Reduction

1335 Perryville Pl, Ashtabula 
$34,900 NEW PRICE!

Today's New Listings!

10532 Briar Hill Dr, Kirtland

8538 Seaton Pl, Mentor

7950 Aileen Dr, Mentor

789 Asbury Pointe Ln, Painesville Township

63 Appaloosa Trl, Madison

Monday, May 27, 2019

Home Improvement Projects that can Hurt Your Home

Homeowners often renovate their homes to create enjoyment today with hopes of adding value that they can realize in the future. Not every home improvement project will increase the value or sale-ability of a home though. Some projects may even hurt a property's chance of selling. Here are a few home improvement projects to avoid:

•    Garage Conversion - Do not convert a garage into living space unless you add another garage to the property. You will exclude many home buyers who want a garage.

•    Combine Bedrooms - Do not combine two bedrooms to create a larger bedroom. This will exclude home buyers who are looking for a certain number of bedrooms.

•    Wallpaper - Do not wallpaper your home. This is more of a permanent treatment and is difficult to remove. Paint and pictures look just as nice and are easier to change.

•    Closet Removal - Do not remove a closet to create more space in a bedroom. This will make it more difficult to sell the home and may cause an appraisal issue as well.

Usually home improvement projects will increase the value of a property and help it sell quicker. Sometimes though, it will have the opposite effect. Keep these things in mind when deciding on your next home improvement project!

Today's New Listings!

8720 Palomino Trl, Kirtland

5636 Frederick Dr, Mentor

526 Belglove Pl, Painesville Township

6969 Williams Rd, Concord

11371 Mourning Dove Pl, Concord

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Monday, May 20, 2019

Questions to Consider When Relocating

No doubt, relocating causes butterflies but often it is difficult to determine if they indicate excitement and anticipation or nerves and cold feet. Giving yourself a few questions to consider when relocating might assist in resolving the issue. Listing out your considerations on paper helps make the decision.

Can you afford the move?
Take time to lay out your budget. Consider actual moving costs but also the cost of living in the new location. Whether or not your new salary will cover expenses in the new area requires doing the math.

Is your family on board?
The unity of mind with a spouse or significant others goes a long way in providing a successful relocation. On the converse, the lack of it can prove miserable. Consider what this move means for your spouse’s career and relationships. Also, take into account the impact on schooling, social activities and friendships of your children.

What am I leaving behind?
Your history with a place, both in length and memories, plays a significant role in the decision to relocate. Childhood friends, parents nearby or visions of future involvement create emotional ties which are not easily severed. On the other hand, negative experiences and few relational ties can create a desire for a fresh start.

What opportunities lay ahead?
Determining the opportunities that lay ahead in a new town, county, state or country is vital. Spend time in the new area and speak to as many people as possible. Consider what parts of your family’s current lifestyle might have to be omitted or might be enhanced by the move.

What is the backup plan?
Considering the ramifications of the relocation not working out is important. Knowing the permanency of a decision due to logistics or inconvenience weighs in the decision. Talk through options with your spouse or a trusted friend.

What about you?
Ultimately, the decision to relocate should reflect what you desire to do and not what you believe you should do. Consider your personality and whether or not you do well with change. Determine if the relocation will bring happiness or fulfillment. Finally, after the considerations and homework, the voice in your gut is worth heeding. After all, big risk can equal big reward!

Today's New Listings!

8985 Riverwood Way, Kirtland

9263 Regency Woods Dr, Kirtland

8501 Hemlock Ridge Dr, Kirtland

7061 Hodgson Rd, Mentor

530 Belglove Pl, Painesville Township

24 Ava June Dr, Painesville Township

12358 Summerwood Dr, Concord

4861 Webb Rd, Perry

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Open Houses and Price Reductions!

Open Houses for May 19, 2019

6430 Murray Ave, Ashtabula  
Open 1:30-3pm
$150,000 NEW PRICE!
3bd 2ba
Call 440-813-5762

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
Open 1-4pm
$315,000 NEW PRICE!
4bd 3ba
Call 440-637-3791

12358 Summerwood Dr, Concord 
Open 2-4pm
$389,900 
Call 440-479-7379

670 Bridle Ct, Geneva 
Open 2-4pm
$175,000 NEW PRICE!
2bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

662 Jefferson Dr, Highland Heights  
Open 12-6pm
$260,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-339-3626

8941 Billings Rd, Kirtland 
Open 11-1pm
$375,000 
3bd 3ba
Call 216-390-1373

6750 Bayside Dr, Madison 
Open 11-1pm
$164,900 
3bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

6385 Winterhaven Dr, Madison 
Open 12-2pm
$112,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-289-8213

6917 Wilson Mills Rd, Mayfield Village  
Open 12-2pm
$175,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-796-6079

5955 Grovewood Dr, Mentor 
Open 12-2pm
$199,900 NEW PRICE!
3bd 2ba
Call 440-413-0588

7574 Miami Rd, Mentor-on-the-Lake  
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$136,900 
3bd 1ba
Call 440-289-8213

4861 Webb Rd, Perry 
Open 12-3pm
$475,000 
Call 440-525-3331

38257 Hurricane Dr, Willoughby 
Open 1-3pm
$309,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-283-7557

Price Reductions

1763 Warrensville Center Rd, South Euclid 
$109,900 NEW PRICE!

1220 W 67th St, Cleveland 
$285,000 NEW PRICE!

Today's New Listings!

29267 Oakdale Rd, Willowick

33881 Beach Park Dr, Eastlake

6490 Seneca Trl, Mentor

50 Bryn Mawr Dr, Painesville Township

Monday, May 13, 2019

The Best Home Improvement Projects

With the housing market rebounding, now is the time to invest in your most valuable asset. It is worth noting that certain renovation projects will bring a larger return on investment yet most projects will not provide a 100% return. This means that while you are adding equity to your property, you may not necessarily recoup all of the money spent renovating it. There are many reasons for this but it comes down to the fact that buyers are considering the whole package and not just one particular aspect. That being said, here are projects that are worth the investment. These figures are based upon a report by Remodeling Magazine and are based upon national averages. In certain regions, different remodels may be worth more or less but this is a good indicator overall.

Front Door
The Front door is the gateway to your home. Buyers typically make a decision within minutes of seeing a house and the entryway can have a huge effect on that decision. By upgrading your front door, you can have a whopping return of 96.6%. This is the most return of any updates available.

Deck Addition
With an 87.4% return, adding a wood deck is a great way to add value to your home. Many potential buyers are looking for spaces that can be used to entertain guests as well as outside spaces that they can enjoy. A deck accomplishes both of these desires.

Siding
Updating your siding can have up to an 87% return. Buyers typically want a house that does not have major issues and siding can be a significant problem if it needs replaced. In addition to the practical benefit, siding now comes in a variety of colors so it can add a bit of flair to your home.

Attic Bedroom
One of the best renovations you can do to your home is to add an extra bedroom. This is because it opens up your target market and widens the appeal. One of the most popular places to do this is in a walk-up attic since it is already a framed part of the home. It can have an 84.3% return.

Garage Door
This may seem like a trivial component but garages can have a significant impact on the appearance of a house. A new, inviting door can work wonders on improving the overall feel of your property. A new garage door can have an 83.7% return.

Kitchen
Minor kitchen remodels such as appliance upgrades, addition of extra lighting and adding storage can have an 82% return. If you decide to make major renovations, you can expect a 74.2% return.

Bathroom
Upgrading the bathroom is always a good idea. Buyers do not want a bathroom that is old, dirty or outdated. Like the kitchen, as long as you do not go overboard with the renovation, this can have a solid return on investment. Most bathroom remodels generate a 72.5% return. If you want to go even further and add a new bathroom, it will have a 60% return.

Conclusion
While this is not a list of every possible renovation you can perform, these are the ones that offer the best returns on investment. If you plan on selling your home in the near future, focusing on these projects can have a huge impact on how fast your home sells and for how much!

Today's New Listings!

5122 Shepherds Glen, Willoughby

84 S/L Ranally Way, Willoughby

2370 River Rd, Willoughby Hills

10640 Bayshire Trl, Kirtland

7064 Enfield Dr, Mentor

1748 Muirfield Ln, Painesville Township

300 Mountainside Dr, Painesville

36 Ava June Dr, Painesville Township

2431 Forest Glen Rd, Madison

Monday, May 6, 2019

Is Building a New Home a Better Value than Buying an Existing Home?

Anyone who is on the market for a new home has asked themselves this question. Should I buy an existing home or build my own home? This can be a tricky question to answer and each individual will have a different point of view. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons for each option in relation to Value.

Pros to Building a New Home

Everything is New - When you build a new home, you do not have to worry about replacing major items in the near future, updating fixtures or repairing anything. There are no additional costs to move into the home or live there for several years to come.

Custom Design - A custom home will have a floorplan that fits the way you live and will have features that are unique to you so you will not have to make major renovations to retrofit the home to your needs.

Utility Savings - With newer energy efficient equipment and appliances, you can reduce your monthly utility costs which provides a significant annual savings.

Cons to Building a New Home

Double Payments - You will need somewhere to live during the construction of your new home which often means you will continue to pay a mortgage until your home is complete. There are also payments due on the construction of a new home such as the initial down payment, interest, land tax, insurance, allowance overages, etc.

Building Costs – Material costs are expensive when buying all new even though you can realize some savings when buying in bulk. Also labor and material costs increase as new builds increase in a market which can wreak havoc on a building budget.

Pros to Buying an Existing Home

Cost Approach – An existing home often sells less per square foot than a new home. The price of an existing home often does not give full value to the material costs used to build or finish the home, the upgrades or the cost of the land which means you can purchase an existing home with upgraded features on a premium lot for a lot less than a new build with the same features and lot placement. This makes buying an existing home a good value.

Cons to Buying an Existing Home

Repair Costs - There can be expensive repairs lurking around every corner. Even though everything checked out at a home inspection, a major item may need to be replaced in 1-3 years. Also, the home and its equipment may not be energy efficient costing you additional dollars every month.

Conclusion 

As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Although building new will cost more initially, it will save money over the long haul with regards to repairs, updates and utility costs. If you look at the cost per square foot, then buying an existing home might make more sense. Therefore the decision to build new or buy existing will be based on preference since both options are good values!

Today's New Listings!

29308 Armadale Ave, Wickliffe

8784 Ascot Pl, Kirtland

5423 Pinehill Dr, Mentor-on-the-Lake

1612 Clipper Cv, Painesville

8260 Morley Rd, Concord

3350 Michigan, Perry

164 Amy Ave, Madison

5871 Shore Dr, Madison

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Open Houses!

Open Houses for May 5, 2019

10806 Ellison Creek Dr, Concord 
Open 12-4pm
$425,000 
4bd 5ba
Call 440-488-1061

1265 Watermark Lane, Fairport Harbor  
Open 2:30-4:30pm
$179,900 NEW PRICE!
3bd 3ba
Call 330-232-2698

670 Bridle Ct, Geneva 
Open 2-4pm
$185,000 
2bd 3ba
Call 440-413-1963

64 Rosa St, Kipton 
Open 1-3pm
$120,000 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-339-3626

5955 Grovewood Dr, Mentor 
Open 12-3pm
$209,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-413-0588

7574 Miami Rd, Mentor-on-the-Lake  
Open 1-3pm
$136,900 NEW PRICE!
3bd 1ba
Call 440-796-6079

777 River’s Edge Ln, Painesville  
Open 12-2pm
$160,000 
2bd 2ba
Call 440-537-6671

38257 Hurricane Dr, Willoughby 
Open 1-4pm
$309,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-221-0075

6430 Murray Ave, Ashtabula  
BY APPT
$154,900 
3bd 2ba
Call 440-296-5006

6651 Breezewood Rd, Concord 
BY APPT
$329,000 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

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

6752 Bayside Dr, Madison 
BY APPT
$184,900 
4bd 3ba
Call 440-296-5006

Today's New Listings!

72 S/L Ranally Way, Willoughby

1528 Arbor Dr, Willoughby

64 S/L Ranally Way, Willoughby

8528 Seaton Pl, Mentor

2177 Old Mill Rd, Madison

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...