Kelley Weimer Preble County Ohio Real Estate & beyond

So, you've decided that you are outgrowing your home. Maybe the kids toys are overtaking the house and yard. Maybe that commute to work has turned into something you dread every morning. Maybe you want to spread out a little bit more in the fresh country air, and get out from city living.

Whatever the reason, you've made up your mind and are ready to make the jump. Or are you?

Take a good look around. Did you see anything that needs repaired? Painted? Touched up, hung up or taken down? Now, go take a second HARDER look. Because this is exactly what the buyers for your home will be doing.

Lord knows, I couldn't sell my house right now if I even wanted to! With two growing kids, not to mention a very hairy dog, even a good spring cleaning wouldn't have my house in show-ready condition. It takes more than that these days.

Lets face it...the market IS a little tougher than it used to be. That doesn't mean its dead. But it does mean this: Your price had better be dead on accurate. If its not, well, close is good too. But the condition of your home? IT MUST BE PRISTINE. I cant stress this enough.

Home buyers have sooooo many options today. There are new deals popping up every minute. So how will you get your house to standout? It better look good.

Dont get hung up on paint colors or the color of the carpet. If it looks Brady Bunch, I'll tell ya. However, I must add, I am a HUGE fan of the Brady Bunch. What should you focus on?

CLEAN windows. If they aren't new, make sure they look like they are. Good window coverings, dust free, and spotless window panes.

A CLEAN kitchen with counters cleaned off. Kitchens sell houses. PERIOD. Take the papers and magnets off that fridge too! (I'm guilty of this myself).

Got junk? Sell it, give it away, store it or box it. Stuff it in the garge. Thats OK. Buyers pay for square footage, and the house is where they should see space beyond their wildest dreams.

Lets talk about personal mementos...My Mother-in-law had a collection of the California Raisin guys. She displayed them proudly in her kitchen. Fine for her. NOT FINE for buyers. Take down the personal things. The gun rack, the stuffed coyote (ask my husband), the Hummels, the raisins, the Nascar memorabilia. There's nothing wrong with any of it, except that buyers may not appreciate it. You're moving anyways right? Box it up!

First Impressions! I am a huge dog lover. However, if I walk up to view your home, and have to step past land mines (aka dog doo) to just get inside, chances are my buyers wont be coming back or making an offer. You only get ONE chance. Clean up the yard, lay down some mulch even if you dont like or want flowers or shrubbery. Make sure the front door is nice. A clean welcome mat. Keep it simple. Keep it CLEAN.

Do you smell something? Well, I typically dont notice smells. At least dog. Because I am a dog lover, so it doesn't bother me. For some folks however, this is a HUGE turnoff. As are cat smells, cigarettes, stale smells, and yes, even bleach if you've gone overboard with it. Use your nose and keep the smells neutral.

Let your little light shine. I like my bedroom dark. Helps me sleep. Maybe you do to. Thats ok. But gee, when I show a home, its aggrevating and sometimes even scary, to trip around a pitch black house searching for the lights. Open the blinds if nothing else. Please!!!

Well, I'll get off my soap box now! Honestly, most homes I see in a weeks' time look great. But just yesterday I showed a home to a buyer. He really liked the price, the location and the layout. But when we went to the front door, the screen door was partially knocked in and just sort of....hanging there. That was it. His concern was..."If they cant take care of that one simple thing, how well have they cared for the rest of the home"?

Point taken.

Need more advice on staging your home? Want info on Preble County homes including Eaton, West Alexandria, Lewisburg and Lakengren? Contact me anytime at kelley@countrymilesold.com

YES! It has finally happened, after 37 long years. I was aked to be a Bunny. And who would have ever thought little ol' me? 5'3, short brown hair (well, ok, some grey too), glasses, the typical mother of two figure, weight of... (did you REALLY think I would put that in?) I didn't think I fit the profile of a bunny, to be honest!

Kelley A Weimer

a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Greetings! One of my New Years resolutions for this year was to focus on the positive. This being the case, I cannot watch the news! You know...what the media considers "newsworthy" is typically doom and gloom stuff.

BUT, in case you haven't caught it, there is some good news for FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS! How about money from the government for buying a home? Yep, you heard it right. A gift from Uncle Sam! The homeownership tax credit that the Federal Government enacted earlier this year should be the perfect reason for those of you fence-sitting about buying a home to make the jump!

OK. Need more incintive? Here it is: A NON RE-PAYABLE $8000 tax credit to any first time homebuyer purchasing between Jan 1, 2009 and Dec 1, 2009.

With the great selection of homes here in Eaton, Lakengren, Camden and elsewhere, combined with FAIR selling prices and great loan programs, this truly is a can't lose!

Here are some answers to basic questions. PLEASE, to be sure that my info is correct and for your own protection, I do advise that you consult with an Accountant or Attorney regarding this tax credit, just so there are no last minute surprises.

Who is eligible: Only first-time homebuyers. A person is considered a first time homebuyer if they have not had onwership of a home in the three years prior to the 2009 purchase.

How does it work: Any home that is purchased for $80,000 or more qualifies for the full $8000.00 credit. So, if you purchase a home for $75,000, the credit will be for $7500. If you purchase a home for $50,000, the credit will be $5000.00 If you purchase a home for $120,000, the credit will be for $8000.00

How does this work with my taxes: Every dollar of the tax credit reduces income taxes by a dollar. So lets say for the 2009 year, you purchased a home for $80,000, and owe the IRS $1500.00. The tax credit you receive of $8000 from your home purchase, will be applied to your total tax bill of $1500. So you will get back "in pocket" $7500.00 ($8000. credit less $1500 that you owed).

Is there an income limit: Yes. Individuals cannot make more than $75,000. Married couple who file jointly cannot make more than $150,000. Well, this is Preble County folks, we should be OK here!

Do I have to repay this: NO, NEVER!

How do I get the money: Buy a house! Then, simply claim the tax credit on your IRS form 1040. The credit will be reflected on a new form 5405 that will be attached to the 1040. Form 5405 can be found at www.irs.gov

So, lets see....free money, loads of choices, and a Realtor (me of course ) to guide you along your way.

What are you waiting for? Call me today and lets get started!

Kelley A Weimer

a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

I think my dog hates me. He didn't always, this has only recently become a consideration. VERY recently, like..Sunday. How do I know? Well, this past Sunday morning, I took my Mom and Dad to the airport to catch a plane for their week-long cruise. Me? I get to stay home in the lovely Ohio weather (insert sracasm here), pick up their mail everyday, water their plants, and...dog sit.

Not just any dog mind you. A 6 month old lab-beagle mix. A baby pretty much. Eddie is adorable, and therein lies the problem. My dog, Ted, is a 10 year old Golden Retriever. He's a little long in the tooth now, showing his age. He's very comfortable with muliple naps, and a schedule that he could set his watch by, if he had one.

So the entry of Eddie into the house has caused a lot of stress for Ted. No longer is all of the attention focused on Ted. It's all on Eddie. Well, it sort of has to be. Sure, he's only 6 months old, but in dog world, thats equivalent to a toddler, as in a "terrible two". Sometimes he's sweet as can be. Other times he bites, he jumps. He has run off with my underwear, peed in my bathroom (no, not in the toilet unfortunatly!) and has put everything in his mouth, from a pinecone to a rubber band to dog doo, his and others. The resemblance to a two-year old is uncanny!

And in the midst of all the training, chasing and loving that I have been giving to Eddie, poor Ted has had to take a back seat. And yep, I'm feelin' pretty guilty!

Frankly, I dont know how people own more than one dog and ever feel like they can give out equal amounts of attention to both.

Once Eddie heads back home, I plan to give Ted extra attention and some good walks too, to let out that stress. I guess in the meantime, I'll try to let him have some peace and quiet, while I chase down Eddie and my underwear!

Kelley Weimer

A house"SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County Ohio and Beyond,

including Eaton, West Alexandria, Lewisburg and Lake Lakengren.

Dear Diary,

Lately life has been rough. I'm happy to say real estate has been good so far this year, but work for my husband, and many of my friends is not the best.

See, my husband works for an automobile supplier. No, not one of the big Three. And I mean no disrespect at all to the big 3, or to any families out there suffering now because of the state of those auto makers. BUT, there's a lot more of us out there who aren't accounted for. My husband, and lots of my friends work for Neaton Auto, a supplier to Honda and Nissan. So there's no stories about them on the local news, no bail out opportunities from the government. But they hurt all the same.

Funny that I can be selling houses, yet worrying from month to month about paying for mine.

Still and all, I made it a goal this New Year to focus on the POSITIVE, even if some days its real hard to find. So thats my passion...STAYING POSITIVE! And boy, do I have a great family to help me with this, and I am thankful for them. We took the kids to Disney World in September of 2008. I wasn't sure we could do it , or even if we should. But I look at this picture below and have NO regrets, just thankfulness that God has blessed me beyond measure...

Somehow, and all you parents know this, seeing the smile of your child makes the weight of the world disappear...So this picture is on my desk, on my computer wallpaper, in my mind...

So, dear diary, I will keep the smiles in my heart and in my attitude, and let God take care of the rest.

Kelley Weimer

A house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County Ohio and Beyond, including Eaton, West Alexandria, Lewisburg and Lake Lakengren.