Mark Your Calendar-Affordable Housing Super Sunday Open House
Affordable Housing Super Sunday Open House will occur Sunday April 19th, 2009.
This event is sponsored by the Columbus Board of Realtors and will feature over 200 affordably priced ($125,000) homes all over the central Ohio area. If you spot by to visit any participation home on 4/19/2009 you can register to win one of the following exciting prizes:
Whirlpool Stainless Steel Smooth Top
Electric Range & 25 cu ft Side-by-Side
Refrigerator with water & ice Dispenser
courtesy Dominion Homes & Whirlpool
Wii Gaming Systems courtesy Perma View
(ANDERSON Replacement Windows) &
Tim Moffitt & Nancy Garrabrant, National
City Bank now a part of PNC
Wii Fit System courtesy First American
Title Insurance Company
This has become an annual event for the Columbus Board and gives the community an opportunity to see some great affordable homes. Mark your calendars for Affordable Housing Super Sunday Open House Sunday April 19th, 2009. A full listing of the homes that will be featured will be available in the Sunday April 19th, Columbus Dispatch and Columbusdispatch.com
If you need additional information or have any Columbus area real estate needs please call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com.
Other upcoming events: April is Fair Housing Month
In honor of Fair Housing Month the Columbus Urban League is sponsoring a "Buying Time" Workshop presented by National Speaker Mildred Wilkins President/Founder of Hom Ownership Matters.
Who should attend: Anyone who is experiencing a hardship that has or will prevent them from maintaining a current status on their mortgage payments.
The work shop will be free to the public and will focus on practical ways to handle foreclosure prevention and intervention. The focus will be arming the consumer with information and tools that will allow them to "Buy Time" by blocking their lenders foreclosure actions. Buying time can allow You to have:
Time to Work through Negotiations for Loan Modifications
Time to secure and close a reverse mortgage
Time to recover from an injury and return to work
Time to find a job and return to employment
Time to complete a short sale
This is a pre-foreclosure strategy workshop. If foreclosure has already been initiated or completed this workshop may not be helpful to keep you out of foreclosure but may prepare you for what to expect.
Do not miss this valuable opportunity to learn self help tools that may allow you to save your home.
Contact The Columbus Urban League or register by contacting Linda Stallworth at (614) 257-6300 to sign up for the course.
Need more information or need assistance with Columbus area real estate Call me at (614) 273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com
One of the surest signs of spring right up there with the time change and warmer weather is the return of Garage/Tag Sales. Here are a few tips to help insure that you declutter while having the best sale ever just remember: HOM AD.
•· Have everything clearly priced and affordable. Garage/Tag sale shoppers are looking for a bargain keep that in mind as you determine prices. Label items individually or decide on an easy pricing system. Some chose to color code with stickers i.e..Blue items .25, Red .50 or Yellow items $1.00.
•· Organize early. Its best begin organizing weeks prior to your sell. Start boxing up items for the sale. Use the 1 year rule and ask yourself: Have I used it, worn it or looked for it in the past 12 months. It the answer is no it goes. Provide original packing and instructions if possible. Pricing items early as you identify and pack them away will only help save time later.
•· Make plenty of signs leading traffic to your Columbus area sale. If they cannot find you they will not come. Be mindful of rules but where possible post signs and attach balloons, streamers or what every will make your sign eye catching to passing motorist.
•· Advertise your sale in local newspapers and online. Advertising is the key element to whether or not you have a successful sale. Ideally you want to have your ad run in local papers in the morning of your sale to catch those who start their day with a look through the paper. There are numerous sites that where you can aadvertise your sale for free, one such site is Garage Sale Tracker and Craig's List. Contact me if you would like to advertise your sale on my blog or website.
•· Donate leftovers. Make yourself a promise that no unsold items will be returned to your house. After your sale, box up all items and take them to a drop off box for charity. You will be doing a good deed for others and keeping your commitment to declutter.
With these tips, you're well on your way to having your best garage sale ever.
Want more money saving ideas like this one? See:
Drab Kitchen Make-Over...On a Budget
Quick-N -Easy Fix for Beat Up Woodwork....
Ready to buy or sell Columbus area real estate call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com
With the recent rise in new constructions it is a great time to review some new construction basics regarding warranty. Contractor Problems are one of the largest numbers of complaints received by the Better Business Bureau. These types of stats makes it important that you are knowledgeable and informed about how to insure that your Columbus area home remains the dream that you fell in love with, and does not become your worst nightmare. Listed below are a few things to pay attention to in order to make sure your contractor doesn't end up as your complaint:
Understand what your Warranty Covers
Basically there are two types of warranties. The first is called an express warranty, and is given to the buyer by the contractor. The usual time frame for this warranty lasts between one to ten years, with one year being standard and the most common. Everything from minor cosmetic flows to major defects is generally covered.
An implied warranty that lasts seven to ten years and basically states that the residence has to be habitable. This is the second type of warranty and the specifics can varies depending on the state you live in. To have your defect covered by this warranty, you have to be able to prove that it's a health or safety hazard. If you have concerns in this area it is advised that you seek an attorney that can interpret the legal process and remedy...
Not All Defects are ‘Defects'
Not all defects are reasons to sound the alarm. There are specific rules that determine whether or not a defect qualifies as something that must be addressed. An example would be a small crack in the interior of your new Columbus area would be considered to be a normal defect. Cracks that would need to be repaired are those longer than 3/16 of an inch, according to the National Association of Home Builders'® guidelines for performance. Although pesky, hammer marks or nail pops only count if you can see them from more than six feet away.
Document Document Document
After a real defect has been identified, document everything. Keep a log and take photos. Ideally this will be smoothly worked out by your builder but if it is not you will need your documentation should you decide to pursue other actions. For added peace of mind, you may want to hire an independent inspector or structural engineer, to give your house a full examination prior to closing and moving in.
Buying Brand New Columbus Area Home can be enjoyable when you work with a REALTOR® like me who has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process. Call me today at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com
LINKS:
Implied warranty - http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/implied-warranty-real-estate-contract-lawyers.html
National Association of Home Builders - http://www.nahb.org/
Contractor - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_contractor
For More Home Buying Tips See:
There are great incentives for first-time Columbus area real estate buyers. Big tax incentives and money put into the banking and financing industries to give buyers more availability to loans makes now the best time to move when looking for a home. This environment won't last-exactly. Some of the elements put in place are geared toward a strong future for the housing market, but many of the advantages are only good for now.
Tax Relief
First-time Columbus Area real estate buyers, meaning those who have not owned a home in the past three years, are eligible for a big tax break on income taxes. Next year at tax time all buyers have to do is report the new home purchase to get $8,000 dollars back. That's a big incentive. The drawback is it's only good for this year. It is retroactive to the beginning of 2009 so even if you have already bought that home you can still claim it, but if you drag your feet hoping for better mortgage financing, or just a better time for your family to get a new home, you will miss out after December 31, 2009.
OHFA
The Ohio Finance Authority has decided that as of March 30th, 2009 buyers who qualify can use their $8000 stimulus tax incentive to help with down payment and closing costs. This will allow more Columbus area buyers the opportunity to take advantage of the outstanding inventory of homes available. This program is scheduled to run through November 2009, however, funds are limited so don't miss out.
Affordable Housing
Right now is the time to buy because of prices, too. Thanks to the failings of the housing market, there are tons of homes for sale at prices they would not normally be listed at. If the stimulus plan improves the economy the way it is hoped it will, that won't last. This week there has already been signs that home sales are on the rise. That's great news for homeowners, but not great for those who wait to take advantage of the greatly reduced home prices.
Columbus area real estate buyers need to take advantages of all that 2009 and the current real estate market have to offer. There are great deals that may never happen again-Do not miss this golden opportunity to grow your personal net value.
If you're interested in taking advantage of the 2009 stimulus plan or have any other real estate concerns, I can help. Call me at 614-273-6406 or email me at Vanessa.simmons@realliving.com for more information.
LINKS:
Big tax break on income taxes: http://www.realtor.org/government_affairs/gapublic/american_recovery_reinvestment_act_home#taxcredit
Mortgage financing: http://mortgage.freedomblogging.com/2009/02/18/obama-mortgage-rescue-promises-75-billion-in-aid/6767/
Ohio Finance Authority: http://www.centralohiorealestatecafe.com/post/1002788/-8000-dollar-tax-credit-down-payment-assistance-hurry-limited-funds
Stimulus plan: http://centralohiorealestateinformation.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-stimulus-bill-can-help-you-get-your.html
I am an ABR that specializes in short sales. I like working with first time buyers and first time sellers. I take great pride in providing my clients with the information to make them feel empowered..
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