What to Expect at Your Home Inspection – Part Two

 

One of the most important elements of the Cincinnati home buying experience, and perhaps the most stress inducing portion of the process, is the home inspection.  In Part One of this series, I shared with you this thought: Just because the inspector wrote down a “problem”, that doesn’t make it so. Some “problems” are nothing more than items that can be fixed with a screw driver or by pushing the re-set button on the GFCI outlet. An inspection report that lists 5 or 6 of these types of “problems” nearly inevitably causes a nervous home buyer to doubt his purchase decision. Look objectively at the report. Dirty gas fireplaces can be easily cleaned by a homeowner. Smoke detectors can be installed after you move in. Wobbly banisters serve no real threat to your health. Just get out the screwdriver. Read more

What to Expect at Your Home Inspection – Part One

By this point, everyone agrees that a home inspection is a necessary part of the home buying and selling process in Cincinnati.  I still firmly believe that before any one puts their home on the market they should invest in a home inspection, make the necessary repairs or collect estimates. There is just no argument.  This will save the home seller money.  I don’t understand why an individual homeowner believes he or she is immune from that phenomenon….but I’ll go on about that another day.   As the majority of sellers are unwilling to jump on the bandwagon and put their home in order before selling, as a home buyer in Cincinnati, you might as well anticipate obtaining your own home inspection.  There are so many misunderstandings about the scope of the home inspector’s practice, I thought I would share a horror story or two, (yes, all true) and put out a few ideas for discussion. Read more

The “Buyer’s Market” Pricing Conundrum

Pricing is a vexing issue for both sellers and potential buyers in this so called buyer’s market. One reason say “so called” is that there are many homes artificially inflating the number of homes on the market. They are not priced realistically and simply will not sell, at least not any time soon. The sellers are either unable or unwilling to grasp the reality of the current market or think it magically doesn’t apply to them. Their homes may as well not even be on the market because, in essence, they aren’t. They are wasting their own and other people’s time. Similarly, buyers who are trying to “steal” well priced homes by making insulting offers also are not actual buyers. They are time (as well as gas) wasters. Read more

1st Time Home Buyers of Cincinnati Real Estate -This is for you!

With all attention on the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or more widely known as the Stimulus Package, prospective home buyers may be wondering how this will impact the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit that was created in July 2008. With the recent revisions, the federal government has maintained a huge incentive for first time buyers to take advantage of lower home prices, historically low interest rates, and an all-important tax credit! Read more

203K Rehabilitation Program – Breaking it down into 12 Easy Steps

I toured a home with a friend of mine the other day. She is tired of apartment living and with low, low interest rates, and a record number of homes in foreclosure, she realizes that now might just be a good time to make a move. Do you think that might have anything to do with hanging out with me? Nope. Me either. Anyway, we toured one home that, with a little love and a lot of work, will be a real good investment. We saw several issues commonly found in lender owned homes.  Then we went to the lower level and saw the “big problem”.  This home has a block foundation that is cracking horizontally, shifting, and needs attention…pronto. It’s a perfect contender for the 203k. Read more

Relocating to Cincinnati- Where to find Homes for Sale & A Good Realtor to Assist

Moving to a new area is such an adventure! If you have a potential move to the Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky area in your future, I can bet you have plenty of questions. You want to make sure the agent taking care of your new home needs can help guide you to your destination city, answer questions about neighborhoods and new home builders, help you find shopping and schools. Relax. Yes, Relax. We are here to help, and will be here every step of the way. Read more

For Outstanding Service & Representation, Commit to One RE/MAX Agent

Ready to jump into the market? Good!! Interest rates are low. Inventory is high, and sellers are feeling “negotiable”. It’s the perfect time to buy. You’ve done things right. Your loan is in place. Now you’ve found a handful of homes that you might like to see. Ok, so you start to call the realtors. 5 Houses. 5 Agents. 5 Phone Calls.  The 1st  listing agent asks “So, have you been working with an agent?”  The 2nd agent asks “So, have you been working with an agent?”   See a pattern? Why so many questions? Why don’t they JUST set an appointment to show the home? Read more

What to Expect When Buying a Lender-Owned Home

In another article, I talked about lender-owned homes, and what to expect.  The condition of these homes is generally disappointing to most potential home buyers.  Home buyers that tell me they want to explore this market generally look at a couple, and then they quickly dismiss the idea. So, have I ever sold a foreclosure property? Sure have.  The process of buying from the bank is quite a bit different than buying from a private owner. Very different.  So, if we are going to do this, let’s know what we are getting into! Read more

How to Interview a Potential Lender

When it’s time to consider whether to work with a bank or a mortgage broker to obtain a loan for your new home, many people feel overwhelmed and confused. Even within a well established name in the banking and lending field, there are loan officers that are more knowledgeable than others, and provide a greater level of service and communication than their co-workers. Mortgage rules and regulations have changed recently, and you need a good, well informed loan officer to assist you.  Read more

Home Buyer Worksheet – The “Wants” and “Needs” in My New Home

What kind of home do you want? Seems like a simple question doesn’t it? Ranch? Split-Level? Wooded view or a sidewalk community?  Buyers can often become overwhelmed with the numerous options on the market. Take a minute to review this checklist. Think about your “wants” and “needs”.  You’ll find that it helps to organize your thoughts as your go through the home buying process. Read more

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