About Morrow County, OH

Brighter is Better (In Morrow County Real Estate)

I always tell my sellers to make sure when my office calls to schedule a showing by an agent, to please make sure that all the lights in the house are turned on. I realize that since they're going to work at 7:30 in the morning and the showing may not be scheduled until 3pm, that yes, these lights will be on all day long and this will increase the electric bill, but it's well worth the added expense to not lose a buyer because of poor lighting.

Sometimes I walk into a home that is basically attractive, yet it communicates the feeling that something is lacking. Then we see that all of the drapes are closed, interior lights are off and there is a lot of overgrown shrubbery blocking the sunlight that might otherwise pour through the windows.

A dark house is not as appealing to most buyers as one that is flooded with light. As a part of your preparations to market your home, try to maximize the light in your home.

Make sure that all the windows are clean and the drapes are open when the house is being shown. A fresh coat of light paint can do a lot to brighten up the interior. If your house has very dark paneling, and you do not wish to repaint the walls, you may want to consider adding additional lamps. Your real estate agent may be able to provide other simple and cost-effective ideas about how to maximize your home's appeal.

Listen to your real estate professional and take his/her advice. You hired them to sell your home and they have the experience and the know how and are asking for you to partner with them to get your home sold.

Finding That "Just Right Home" in Morrow County

You Must Be This Tall to Ride

Do you remember going to the Ohio State Fair or Six Flags as a child? There was a terrific ride your older siblings were going on but there, at the entrance gate, was a sign that read "You must be this tall to ride."

After standing in line and thinking you had just about made it, you found out that you weren't tall enough. Not only was it disappointing, it was slightly embarrassing. You never want to go through that again.

People are staying longer in their homes according to the National Association of Realtors and the U.S. Census. Over time, even a modest appreciation could result in a significant gain and homeowners should have a strategy to minimize possible taxes.

Maintenance on a principal residence is not deductible but improvements can add to the basis which can reduce the gain in the sale. Improvements are easily identified if they add to the value of a home, prolong its useful life or adapt it to new uses.

Receipts and other proof, such as pictures, should be kept during ownership and for several years after the sale of the home. They can include the closing statements from the purchase and sale of the home and all receipts for improvements, additions or other items that affect the home's adjusted basis or cost.

For a principal residence, basis includes the price paid, plus certain acquisition costs and capital improvements made. When the property is sold for more than the basis, there is a gain. Currently, homeowners that meet the requirements can exclude up to $250,000 of gain if single or up to $500,000 if married filing jointly.

A simple strategy is to put documents that affect the basis of the home in one envelope. Any receipt for money spent on the home that isn't the house payment or utilities, goes into the envelope. Your tax advisor will be able to sort through them to determine the capital improvements.

For more information on determining basis or capital improvements, see IRS publication 523, Selling Your Home.

Thanks to "The Patriot" in Morrow County

WOW! I have to tell everybody what a great group of folks there are at The Patriot Bar in Cardnington, OH. They called us (Hospice of Morrow County) a few weeks agot and told us they were wanting to host a benefit for Hospice on September 17th.

Many of our board members and staff went down on Saturday and they had an auction, a live band, 50/50 raffle, "chair" massages, cornhole tournement, lots of food ... and of course lots of drink as well.

Our sincere and many thanks to establishment owner Shannon O'Leary and her patrons for making the day a true success. We hope that you can stop by "The Patriot" sometime, lift a cold one and say "Thank You" to the crowd.

To find out more about our Hospice of Morrow County, click this link