Pam Oster - REALTOR

11/06/09

It's OFFICIAL... President Obama JUST SIGNED into law an economic stimulus bill providing incentives to prospective homebuyers! This is terrific news for first timers and repeat buyers in the North Canton, Ohio area and beyond.

The brief overview: This bill is extending the popular $8,000 CREDIT for first-time homebuyers and the program is expanded to include a $6,500 CREDIT for existing homeowners who buy another home (after living in their current residence for at least five years).

Opportunity is knocking for buyers and sellers! Call DeHOFF REALTOR Pam Oster for more information and assistance on buying and selling homes in the Stark County, Ohio region. It would be my pleasure to assist all of your real estate needs!

Start your home shopping at: www.officialstarkcountyhomes.info

I can't believe I was last blogging as we approached the welcoming of Spring 2009. The winter chill was still in the air, as I remember. Where does the time go? Do you often find yourself asking that ??

I can say with great enthusiasm that I have had no time to blog as I have been busy doing Real Estate. What a great spring and summer market it has been! Home Buyers are purchasing to take advantage of the favorable interest rates and prices that favor them. Home Sellers are able to take advantage of the fact that buyers are back out in abundance. First Time Home Buyer's are able to take advantage of the government stimulus tax credit of up to $8,000. If you are considering a home purchase-run don't walk to the nearest REALTOR. The program is due to expire very soon. You must close on your home purchase by the end of Nov. '09, to qualify. If you are in the Canton, Ohio area-CALL ME and we will get you home shopping immediately. I will guide you from beginning to end.

We are quickly "falling" into a new season. The summer wind up is in full swing. The retail stores are now busy with back to school shoppers. The Holiday season is nearing,as well. Whether you have yet to start your family or now have small children-give your family the roots they deserve. Home ownership is the emotional stability we all crave as the seasons change and as life transitions through the years. It is what our parents provided for us. From a business point of view-it is now time to invest in yourself and your family...and no longer secure your landlords financial stability. Why Rent? This is the "right time" you have spoke of.

Opportunity is knocking-do not waste another moment. Time is not on your side, if you want to get your share of the stimulus money for First Time Home Buyers.

HOME IS A HEART FULL OF LOVING MEMORIES :)

For the price of Rent, you could own a great home like this in Stark County, Ohio. I helped my Buyer Client locate this adorable home. She had a wishlist and we toured homes until we found just the right one. I can assist you, too! Call Pam @ DeHOFF REALTORS 330.936.3480

Start your home search at www.officialstarkcountyhomes.info

In 2009, the Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates it's 46th year. Since opening in '63, the Museum has grown in size and with that came expansions for new galleries. This is a sports showplace. And if you have not been to it-plan a day to stop by! Even if you have visited years ago-come again! It ain't your grandfather's Football Shrine. This place is amazing. And Canton, Ohio is pleased and proud to have it here. Today, as the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame celebration has grown-it now takes over 4,200 volunteers to pull it off. I am proud to be one of those volunteers. It's planning time and our mid-summer event is taking shape. We have been working on the details since mid January.

Since those early years, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce have joined together to host the yearly enshrinement and celebrate the induction of football players, coaches and contributors into the Hall of Fame. It's a festival and it's a party! Stark County comes alive with festiveness that attracts visitors from around the country and from the world. The various events span over 11 days and has more than a dozen unique events. We enjoy national coverage during those days. Canton, Ohio is in the spotlight and we shine. Canton and football is always a winning combination at all levels.

We hope you will join us for a one of a kind celebration! The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival will entertain you with football, food( ribs-yum!), fireworks, fashion, celebrities,floats, music, hot air balloons and so much more.The Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans kick off the 2009 NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, August 9th. It is played in the Stadium adjacent to the Hall. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio, in the northwest corner of the city, just off Interstate Highway 77. On August 8th, the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Derrick Thomas, Ralph Wilson, Jr. Rod Woodson - take their rightful place in the Hall. Several days preceding these dates are when the other main events happen. Your invited.

Why Canton for the Hall of Fame Site?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio, for three primary reasons; (1) the American Professional Football Association, later renamed the National Football League, was founded in Canton on September 17, 1920. (2) the Canton bulldogs were an early-day pro football power, even before the days of the NFL. They were also the first two-time champion of the NFL in 1922 and 1923. The great Jim Thorpe, the first big-name athlete to play pro football, played his first pro football with the Bulldogs, starting in 1915. (3) Canton citizens early in the 1960's launched a determined and well-organized campaign to earn the site designation for their city.

Living in Canton, Ohio has many benefits. And it is rich in history-not just football history. I call Canton my Home Sweet Home. I grew up here and remain. It has been a great place to raise my Daughter. She is in college now. I still own my first home and may just now be thinking about selling and down sizing. But I will remain in Canton. My next home or condo will be in the center of all I love, here in Canton.

If you are considering a move to Canton from across the country or just a move across town-Call me. I can help from beginning to end.

If you would like the full '09 Festival Events Calendar-I can email it to you! Just ask.

3/14/09 Pam Oster, Realtor DeHOFF REALTORS, N. Canton,Ohio www.officialstarkcountyhomes.com

WELCOME SPRING, WHEN LIFE COMES ALIVE IN EVERYTHING!

The Spring Real Estate Market is upon us-and it did arrive. The phone is ringing! Our DeHOFF office is busy and it feels terrific. We Realtors are out in full force and it is so nice to see everyone literally running through the office halls again- working contracts, hurrying to showing appointments and all the various details that never seem to stop when we are in the Spring market. We had the faith. We hoped it would not pass us by. Like clockwork it arrived by early March.

Is it just the promise of warm sunny days and colorful landscaping coming alive that brings the buyers out? I think that is always part of the allure of considering a home purchase. Spring is a time of renewal and change. In chilly Ohio, we also have had much time to get winter cabin fever within the walls of our homes. We reflect what we love and what we don't love about how we are currently living our life's at home. Lifestyles change-we outgrow our homes and the "need it" and"want it" changes. Life is about change.

This Spring we have a new allure drawing folks to the housing market. It is the terrific interest rates. And for the moment they are even lower than a few days ago. FHA is reported to be at 5.25% on a 30 year fixed mortgage with a credit score of 620 and 3.5% down. FHA can be a great opportunity! I have had many clients choose a FHA loan. Speak to a loan specialist- who knows what your personal situation may allow. If you are shopping in the Stark County, Ohio area and need a lender recommendation-call or email me. I would be happy to share my contacts. My best professional advise is don't start shopping until you make initial contact with a lender. You want to know you are headed in the right direction. Many buyers look at too much or less home than the lender will recommend. And frankly, some folks are not aware of how credit scores now work. What was considered a good score previously is now a fair score. While that sounds harsh, it is really only an adjusted back to the days of old-before the foreclosure crisis. The good news is that housing money is plentiful and is being loaned. It wasn't so long ago that 8% interest was common and 10-20% down payment was expected.

And there's more! For the "first timer" aka the first time home buyer more great news. It is the popular homeownership tax credit that the Federal Government rolled out. How does $8,000. sound? Who is eligible? The true first time home buyer and anyone who has not had ownership interest in a home for a period of 3 years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase. This program will end before the end of 2009, so if you qualify- time for serious thought...seriously! I would be happy to email you the flyer I have on this program. It includes all the details in an easy to understand format. My email: poster@dehoff.com

With all this good news, some sad news: the arrival of the Spring Real Estate market has fooled a few home shoppers because they over thought the home the worked so hard to find...only to let another buyer make the decision for them. The other buyer offered a contract and bid to win! The decision was made for both of them. We DeHoff office Realtors have shared many of those stories the last 2 weeks. Back to shopping they go. Real Estate is local, so do not get too caught up in the national news about destressed home sales. Learn what is happening in your area. In Canton, Ohio/Stark County, Ohio "things are happening". Welcome Spring!

Is it time to move up into your next home? Is it time to stop renting and invest in your future, not your landlords? No matter what your personal situation is, this may be the time to "get moving". Don't look back and say could of and should of. Let's Go Home Shopping!

3/13/09 Pam Oster, DeHOFF REALTOR www.officialstarkcountyhomes.info 330.936.3480

I recently wrote of my renewed interest in Feng Shui. It was inspired by a visitor to my open house. He found it of the utmost importance in considering the home I have listed. He did mention that there are several schools of Feng Shui. I am not sure what he meant exactly, but I assume that he may have been referring to types or depth. It continues to be on my mind, so I think I will likely follow this interest further. My goal is to read and learn more- allowing a time slot in my day planner at least once a week.

With the housing industry slowly making a comeback, an old familar selling suggestion is back in vogue again. As the story goes, just bury a pocket-sized statuette of St. Joseph upside down in your yard and the home will sell. I respect the theory. I am a person of faith. Many sellers and Realtor's have stories to tell of this ritual. However, I think I am drawn to an alternative way to help homes sell, that can be lived daily and seems to have some "teeth" to it.

I found another description that mimics what was in my last blog. I think this may be a very good overview: Feng Shui, literally defined as "wind and water", is the practice of creating harmony and balance between all elements in the physical world, so that ones spirit may find more peace, good fortune, and prosperity as they proceed down life's path.

I believe this can have impact on my personal home and in the homes of some of my selling real estate clients. The main objective of Feng Shui, as I understand it, is to align your home with your life goals. Feng Shui real estate practices consist of ridding a home of it's negative energies and aligning the home towards positive elements. The belief's seems to be fairly complex yet the fundamentals of it seem doeable for anyone.

Today's research took me outdoors. I was so excited to find what I will be sharing with you, listed below. That quick taste of spring weather earlier this week had me thinking about getting into the garden. Everytime I took my dogs out on the beautiful day, I was planning my landscape revisions in my head.

Here is what I now know about incorporating the philosophy of Feng Shui into your garden:

Basically, if you place your belongings in the correct position in any physical environment, the residents of the area will invite balance and harmony into their lives. The art of Feng Shui divides any environment into eight sectors known as trigrams. Each trigram is represented by a compass direction and specific characteristics. The trigram is a guide when designing your garden. Finding a good book with a diagram of this;it helps to understand it better. I found one online, but can not wait to get to the book store!

Feng Shui Garden Designs

North

Represents: Career

Element: Water

Shapes: Waves and Curves

Color: Blue and Black

Number: 1

Cures: Ponds, waterfalls, fountains, metal accents, silver plants, metal chimes

Northeast

Represents: Knowledge

Element: Earth

Shapes: Flat, square or rectangular shapes

Color: Turquoise and Beige

Number: 8

Cures: Rocks, stone statues, stone benches, rock garden, ceramics, terra cotta planters or wall decorations

East

Represents: Family

Element: Wood

Shapes: Columns, tall rectangular shapes

Color: Green, Beige

Number: 3

Cures: Trees, herbs, decks, wood furniture, fountains

Southeast

Represents: Wealth and Abundance

Element: Wood

Shapes: Columns, tall rectangular shapes

Color: Green and Purple

Number: 4

Cures: Fruit trees, vegetable garden, flowers, decks, and pond

South

Represents: Fame and Future

Element: Fire

Shapes: Pointed and triangular shapes

Color: Red, Orange, and Blue

Number 9

Cures: Outdoor lights, barbeque, fire pit, triangular decorations or triangular flower shapes, and wood furniture

Southwest

Represents: Personal Relationships

Element: Earth

Shapes: Low and flat square surfaces

Color: Yellow, Pink, and Beige

Number: 2

Cures: Plants in pairs, two lounge chairs, pink flowers, earth items in multiples of two

West

Represents: Children and Creativity

Element: Metal

Shapes: Circles and arches

Color: White and Metallic

Number: 7

Cures: Children's play area, area for your hobby interests, metal decorations, wrought iron furniture, and metal wind chimes

Northwest

Represents: Travel and Helpful People

Element: Metal

Shapes: Circle and Arches

Color: White, Grey, and Metallic

Number: 6

Cures: Metal Wind chimes, metal archway, wrought iron, and metal decorations

Garden Paths

•Pathway should gently meander to the front door.

•Straight pathways create negative chi.

•Soften by using plantings of flowers in colours such as blue, pink, green, white and yellow.

•Front door should not be wider than the pathway leading up to the door.

Trees

•Do not place too close to each other and thin them to allow the sun to shine brightly on your property.

•Avoid trees with sharp pointed leaves. Ideal plants and trees have rounded leaves.

•Trees behind a property offer protection.

•Place two trees on either side of the door for protection. The trees should not hide the home from the street but rather as an accent.

·Trees represent wealth, prosperity, and abundance, therefore it is important to keep them healthy and strong.

View Ohio Real Estate at www.pamosterhomes.com

SEARCHING FOR YOUR NEXT HOME or SELLING YOUR CANTON,OHIO HOME shouldn't be complicated. Call in a Real Estate professional to help you get to Sold quickly. I will worry about all the details.

Pam Oster, REALTOR DeHOFF REALTORS serving Stark County, Ohio 330.936.3480