On a scale of ONE to TEN

Purchasing a home is a definate TEN! Having support on your side-someone looking out for your best interest...someone who will be with you steo-by-step through the process is soemthing everyone should have. Even if you've purchased before...some things have changed. Some things forgotten. It's nice to know you have 24 hour support if needed while the process goes on to the closing. 614-273-8701

In 10 years or 30 years...how much do you think you've given the landlord??

It's a frightening thought, isn't it? To think about how much you are paying toward someone else's mortgage instead of your own?

Start with how much do you pay in rent?
$300?
$650?
$1000?

$300 for 10 years = $46,585.00
$650 x 10 years = $100,933.00
$1000 x 10 years = $155,282.00

How about what that money looks like over 30 years?

$300 x 30 years = $249,678.00
$650 x 30 years = $540,968.00
$1000x 30 years = $832,259.00

Invest in yourself. Quit investing in your landlord. Call me to see how we can get started in your future today.

here's one last first-time buyer tip for the week: don't be discouraged if you can't find the picture-perfect home of your dreams. If it's in a good neighborhood and the right price range for you, don't pass it by; that deck can always be added and the kitchen remodeled later. It will be your home, and you can do with it what you please.

Buying your first home can be a stressful process, but worthwhile once you've weighed the options and found your perfect fit. Remember, your first home will more than likely house a number of future firsts, as well. Make sure those firsts happen in a home that is right for you and your family.

15 BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH A BUYER'S REPRESENTATIVE

How I can save you time by:

1. Locating suitable properties.
2. Previewing properties.
3. Verifying the properties' condition.
4. Suggesting necessary inspections by experts.
5. Helping buyers determine what they can afford.
6. Verifying property taxes and utilities.
7. Verifying the value of the property.
8. Advising clients on structuring an offer.
9. Presenting the offer to the sellers' representative.
10. Negotiating favorable contract terms for the buyer.
11. Explaining legal documents needed for closing and helping secure them.
12. Assisting in securing financing.
13. Assisting buyers and their attorney in clarifying title, zoning, building codes, and access easements.
14. Referring them to qualified vendors.
15. Analyzing the future salability of the property.

10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Homebuying

1. Find a real estate agent that's simpatico. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It's critical that the agent you chose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, any more than there's a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don't usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won't stay on the market long.

3. Don't ask for too many opinions. It's natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

5. Don't try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to "win" by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6. Remember your home doesn't exist in a vacuum. Don't get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it's like to live in your new home.

7. Don't wait until you've found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don't leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer's remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home's most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.

Women are buying more homes...

Karen Phelan remembers how scared she was when she bought her first home 10 years ago. Newly divorced and broke, she'd saved for a year for a down payment on a modest house.

Karen Phelan at her Reno home, the second she has bought on her own.
By David Calvert for USA TODAY

"I just got tired of waiting for Mr. Right to come along and start the American dream," says Phelan, who owns her own company, which resells time-shares. Last year, she sold that house and bought a larger one in a gated golf-course community in Reno.

"They're kind of like emotional trophies," says Phelan, 43. "It's symbolic of success — of getting out there and doing it on my own and saying, 'I'm just as capable of doing it as the next person and doing it on my own and making it.' "

A lot of other women seem to feel the same way. Last year, single women snapped up one of every five homes sold. That's nearly 1.5 million, if you're counting — more than twice as many as single men bought, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The trend is striking, because in 1981, the number of single women and single men home buyers was virtually the same. Since then, the percentage of buyers who are single women has almost doubled, while the percentage of single men buyers slipped 1 percentage point to 9% last year.

By David Calvert for USA TODAY
Buying her first house "was really scary," Phelan says.


This rise of single-women homeowners is part of a greater social and economic shift that is reshaping American life.

"For the first time in history, women have access to the same resources men have always had — money, social status, power," says Donald Hantula, professor of organizational psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia.

"Women can go and acquire them on their own rather than searching for a mate to provide them. These demographic and social changes are not in line with how we adapted in the hunter-gatherer era."

This trend is forcing changes in real estate. The building industry is beginning to add features to homes with women in mind. Mortgage lenders are doing more to help women qualify for loans.

"There have been so many advances and innovations in the market to respond to them," says Regina Lowrie, chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association and the first woman to hold that post.

Some of the most critical demographic changes that have opened up the real estate market to women include: Women (and men) are marrying later. On average, women now wait until they're nearly 26 to walk down the aisle, about six years later than in 1960, according to Census data. On average, men today marry at age 27, an increase of five years in that same period.

•Divorce. A Census study showed that 73% of women who married between 1980 and 1984 reached their 10th anniversary, compared with 90% of women who married between 1945 and 1949. Still, as many as half of new marriages end in divorce.

•Women tend to live longer than men. The average man will die at 74, giving the average widow (who'll die at 79) five more years to buy a home on her own.

"The large pool of unmarried individuals reduces the social weight of marriage, in economics and politics," says Stephanie Coontz, professor of history and family studies at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash. "It creates tastes, habits and expectations, as well as voting blocs not tied to the role of wife or husband."

Unmarried women have more money than ever.

In part,that's because more women than men are going to college. Men have been the minority on college campuses since the 1970s, and they now make up just 44% of the student body. There are more women than ever on the job — 46% of the workforce — and the pay gap with men is closing.

The rush of single women to buy homes is impressive, coming after decades of sex discrimination by banks and real estate agents.

Before 1974, when Congress amended the Fair Housing Act to stop sex discrimination, it was hard for single women to get a mortgage, or even a credit card, in their own names.

If a woman was married, her income was usually discounted on a loan application, Coontz recalls, because the bank assumed she would stop working once she had children.

Those days are gone. Today, mortgage companies offer products to help low-income applicants qualify for loans.

If the latest technology or entertainment options in your new home, add the following questions :

Todays home needs technology options with TEETH!

1. Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups?

2. Are there enough telephone extensions or jacks?

3. Is the home prewired for home theater or multi-room audio and video?

4. Does the home have a local area network for linking computers?

5. Does the home already have wiring for DSL or other high-speed Internet connection?

6. Does the home have multizoning heating and cooling controls with programmable thermostats?

7. Does the homes have multiroom lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation features?

8. Is the home wired with multipurpose in-wall wiring that allows for reconfigurations to update services as technology changes?

Visit the Consumer Electronics Association (www.ce.org/techhomerating) for a complete Tech Home™ Rating Checklist.

10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector

1. What are your qualifications? Are you a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors or National Associaton of Home Inspectors?

2. Do you have a current license? Inspectors are not required to be licensed in every state.

3. How many inspections of properties such as this do you do each year?

4. Do you have a list of past clients I can contact?

5. Do you carry professional errors and omission insurance? May I have a copy of the policy?

6. Do you provide any guarantees of your work?

7. What specifically will the inspection cover?

8. What type of report will I receive after the inspection?

9. How long will the inspection take and how long will it take to receive the report?

10. How much will the inspection cost?

Portions adapted from Real Estate Checklists and Systems and used with permission. www.realestatechecklists.com

What Your Home Inspection Should Cover

What Your Home Inspection Should Cover

-Siding: Look for dents or buckling

-Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage

-Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks

-Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate (the higher the R value, the more effective the insulation is)

-Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping

-Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, pooling water, buckled shingles, or loose gutters and downspouts

-Ceilings, walls, and moldings: Look for loose pieces, dry wall that is pulling away.

-Porch/Deck: Loose railings or step, rot

-Electrical: Look for condition of fuse box/circuit breakers, number of outlets in each room

-Plumbing: Look for poor water pressure, banging pipes, rust spots or corrosion that indicate leaks, sufficient insulation

-Water Heater: Look for age, size adequate for house, speed of recovery, energy rating.

-Furnace/Air Conditioning: Look for age, energy rating. Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency; the higher the rating, the lower your fuel costs. However, other factors such as payback period and other operating costs, such as electricity to operate motors.

-Garage: Look for exterior in good repair; condition of floor—cracks, stains, etc.; condition of door mechanism.

-Basement: Look for water leakage, musty smell.

-Attic: Look for adequate ventilation, water leaks from roof.

-Septic Tanks (if applicable): Adequate absorption field capacity for the percolation rate in your area and the size of your family.

-Driveways/Sidewalks: Look for cracks, heaving pavement, crumbling near edges, stains.

How Comprehensive Is Your Home Warranty?

	Check your home warranty policy to see which of the following items are covered. Also check to see if the policy covers the full replacement cost of an item.
	Plumbing
	Electrical Systems
	Water Heater
	Furnace
	Heating Ducts
	Water Pump
	Dishwasher
	Stove/Cooktop/Ovens
	Microwave
	Refrigerator
	Washer/Dryer
	Swimming Pool (may be optional)

5 Property Tax Questions You Need to Ask

	What is the assessed value of the property? Note that assessed value is generally less than market value. Ask to see a recent copy of the seller's tax bill to help you determine this information.
	How often are properties reassessed and when was the last reassessment done? Generally taxes jump most significantly when a property is reassessed.
	Will the sale of the property trigger a tax increase? Often the assessed value of the property may increase based on the amount you pay for the property. And in some areas, such as California, taxes may be frozen until resale.
	Is the amount of taxes paid comparable to other properties in the area? If not, it might be possible to appeal the tax assessment and lower the rate?
	Does the current tax bill reflect any special exemptions that you might not qualify for? For example, many tax districts offer reductions to those 65 or over.

10 Questions to Ask Your Condo Board

Before you buy, contact the condo board with the following questions. In the process, you'll learn how responsive—and organized—its members are.

1. What percentage of units is owner-occupied? What percentage is tenant-occupied? Generally, the higher the percentage of owner-occupied units, the more marketable the units will be at resale.

2. What covenants, by-laws, and restrictions govern the property? What grandfather clauses are in place? You may find, for instance, that those who buy a property after a certain date can't rent out their units, but buyers who bought earlier can. Ask for a copy of the bylaws to determine if you can live within them. And have an attorney review property docs, including the master deed, for you.

3. How much does the association keep in reserve? How is that money being invested?

4. Are association assessments keeping pace with the annual rate of inflation? Smart boards raise assessments a certain percentage each year to build reserves to fund future repairs. To determine if the assessment is reasonable, compare the rate to others in the area.

5. What does and doesn't the assessment cover—common area maintenance, recreational facilities, trash collection, snow removal?

6. What special assessments have been mandated in the past five years? How much was each owner responsible for? Some special assessments are unavoidable. But repeated, expensive assessments could be a red flag about the condition of the building or the board's fiscal policy.

7. How much turnover occurs in the building?

8. Is the project in litigation? If the builders or homeowners are involved in a lawsuit, reserves can be depleted quickly.

9. Is the developer reputable? Find out what other projects the developer has built and visit one if you can. Ask residents about their perceptions. Request an engineer's report for developments that have been reconverted from other uses to determine what shape the building is in. If the roof, windows, and bricks aren't in good repair, they become your problem once you buy.

10. Are multiple associations involved in the property? In very large developments, umbrella associations, as well as the smaller association into which you're buying, may require separate assessments.

10 Questions to Ask Your Lender

10 Questions to Ask Your Lender

Be sure you find a loan that fits your needs with these comprehensive questions.

1. What are the most popular mortgage loans you make? Why?

2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would best for us? Why?

3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?

4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so how much will it cost and how long will it be required? NOTE: Private mortgage insurance is usually required if you make less than a 20-percent downpayment, but most lenders will let you discontinue the policy when you've acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.

5. Who will service the loan? Your bank or another company?

6. What escrow requirements do you have?

7. How long is your loan lock-in period (the time that the quoted interest rate will be honored)? Will I be able to obtain a lower rate if they drop during this period?

8. How long will the loan approval process take?

9. How long will it take to close the loan?

10. Are there any charges or penalties for prepaying the loan?

Used with permission from Real Estate Checklists & Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com.

6 Creative Ways to Afford a Home

If your income and savings are making homebuying a challenge, consider these options.

1. Investigate local, state, and national downpayment assistance programs. These programs give loans or grants to cover all or part of your required downpayment. National programs include the Nehemiah program,http://www.getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream downpayment fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr02-014.cfm

2. Get the seller to provide financing. In some cases, sellers may be willing to finance all or part of the purchase price of the home and let you repay them gradually, just as you do with a mortgage.

3. Consider a shared-appreciation, or shared equity, arrangement. Under this arrangement, your family, friends, or even an third-party may buy a portion of the home and thus share in any appreciation when the home is sold. The owner/occupant usually pays the mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance costs, but all the investors' names are usually on the mortgage. There are companies that can help you find such an investor if your family can't participate.

4. Get help from your family. Perhaps a family member will loan you money for the downpayment and/or act as a cosigner for the mortgage. Lenders often like to have a cosigner if you have little credit history.

5. Lease with the option to buy. Renting the home for a year or more will give you the chance to save more toward your downpayment. And in many cases, owners will apply some of the rental amount toward the purchase price. You usually have to pay a small, nonrefundable option fee to the owner.

6. See if you can qualify for a short-term second mortgage to give you the money to make a higher downpayment. This may be possible if you have a good income and little other debt.

10 Things a Lender Needs From You

1. W-2 forms or business tax return forms if you're self-employed for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan.

2. Copies of at least one pay stub for every person signing the loan.

3. Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings accounts.

4. Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years.

5. Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of value, e.g., a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.

6. Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement.

7. Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension.

8. Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts of any outstanding balances.

9. Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and car loans.

10. Addresses where you have lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if appropriate.

Choices That Will Affect Your Loan:

	Mortgage term.
	Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms. The longer the term, the lower the monthly payment if the same amount is borrowed. However, you pay more interest overall if you borrow for a longer term.
	Fixed or adjustable interest rates.
	A fixed rate allows you to lock in a low rate for as long as you hold the mortgage and is usually a good choice if interest rates are low. An adjustable-rate mortgage is designed so that interest rates will rise as interest rates increase; however they usually offer a lower rate in the first years of the mortgage.
	ARMs also usually have a limit as to how much the interest rate can be increased and how frequently they can be raised.
	ARMs are a good choice when interest rates are high or when you expect your income to grow significantly in the coming years.
	Balloon mortgages offer very low interest rates for a short period of time—often three to seven years. Payments usually cover only the interest, so the principal owed is not reduced. However, this type of loan may be a good choice if you think you will sell your home in a few years.
	Government-backed loans, sponsored by agencies such as the Federal Housing Administration (www.fha.gov) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (www.va.gov), offer special terms, including lower downpayments or reduced interest rates—to qualified buyers.
	For help in determining how much your monthly payment will be for various loan amounts, use this online calculator.
	http://www.realtor.org/realtororg.NSF/pages/FMCalculators?OpenDocument&Login

5 Things to Understand about Homeowners Insurance

1. Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These coverages must be bought separately.

2. Look for dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately.

3. Understand replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you'll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,000 and it costs $180,000 to replace it, you'll only receive $150,000.

4. Understand actual cash value. If you chose not to replace your home when it's destroyed, you'll receive replacement cost, less depreciation. This is called actual cash value.

5. Understand liability. Generally your homeowners insurance covers you for accidents that happen to other people on your property, including medical care, court costs, and awards by the court. However, there is usually an upper limit to the amount of coverage provided. Be sure that it's sufficient if you have significant assets.

Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs

1. Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that
occurs, your premiums will be lower.

2. Buy your homeowners and auto policies from the same company and you'll usually qualify for a discount. But make sure that the savings really yields the lowest price.

3. Make your home less susceptible to damage. Keep roofs and drains in good repair. Retrofit your house to protect against natural disasters common to your area.

4. Keep your home safer. Install smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and dead-bolt locks. All of these will usually qualify for a discount.

5. Be sure you insure your house for the correct amount. Remember, you're covering replacement cost, not market value.

6. Ask about other discounts. For example, retirees who are home more than working people may qualify for a discount on theft insurance.

7. Stay with the same insurer. Especially in today's tight insurance market, your current vendor is more likely to give you a good price.

8. See if you belong to any groups—associations, alumni groups—that offer lower insurance rates.

9. Review your policy limits and the value of your home and possessions annually. Some items depreciate and may not need as much coverage.

10. See if there's a government-backed insurance plan. In some high-risk areas, such as coasts, federal or state government may back plans to lower rates. Ask your agent.

5 Things to Understand About Title Insurance

1. It protects your ownership right to your home both from fraudulent claims against your ownership and from mistakes made in earlier sales, such a mistake in the spelling of a person's name or an inaccurate description of the property.

2. It's a one-time cost usually based on the price of the property.

3. It's usually paid for by the sellers.

4. There are both lender title policies, which protect the lender, and owner title policies, which protect you. The lender will probably require a lender policy.

5. Discounts on premiums are sometimes available if the home has been bought within only a few years since not as much work is required to check the title. Ask the title company if this discount is available.

What Not to Overlook on a Final Walk-Through

Be sure that:

Repairs you've requested have been made.

Obtain copies of paid bills and any related warranties.

All items that were included in the sale price—draperies, lighting fixtures—are still there.
screens and storm windows are in place or stored.
all appliances are operating.

Intercom, doorbell, and alarm are operational.
hot water heater is working.

HVAC is working.

No plants or shrubs have been removed from the yard.

Garage door opener and other remotes are available.

Instruction books and warranties on appliances and fixtures are there.

All personal items of the sellers and all debris have been removed.

Common Closing Costs for Buyers

The lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier's check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:

-Downpayment.
-Loan origination fees.
-Points, or loan discount fees you pay to receive a lower interest rate.
-Appraisal fee.
-Credit report.
-Private mortgage insurance premium.
-Insurance escrow for homeowners insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage.
-Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mortgage, then pay the insurance or taxes for you.
-Deed recording fees.
-Title insurance policy premiums.
-Survey.
-Inspection fees—building inspection, termites, etc.
-Notary fees.
-Prorations for your share of costs such as utility bills and property taxes.

*A Note About Prorations. Because such costs are usually paid on either a monthly or yearly basis, you might have to pay a bill for services used by the sellers before they moved. Proration is a way for the sellers to pay you back or for you to pay them for bills they may have paid in advance. For example, the gas company usually sends a bill each month for the gas used during the previous month. But assume you buy the home on the 6th of the month. You would owe the gas company for only the days from the 6th to the end for the month. The seller would owe for the first 5 days. The bill would be prorated for the number of days in the month, and then each person would be responsible for the days of his or her ownership.

What to Keep From Your Closing

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) statement.
This form, sometimes called a HUD 1 statement, itemizes all the costs associated with the closing. You'll need for income tax purposes and when you sell the home.

The Truth in Lending Statement summarizes the terms of your mortgage loan.

The mortgage and the note (two pieces of paper) spell out the legal terms of your mortgage obligation and the agreed-upon repayment terms.

The deed transfers ownership of the property to you.

Affidavits swearing to various statements by either party. For example, the sellers will often sign an affidavit stating that they have not incurred any liens on the property.

Riders are amendments to the sales contract that affect your rights. For example, if you buy a condominium, you may have a rider outline the condo association's rules and restrictions.

Insurance policies provide a record and proof of your coverage.

Tips for Packing Like a Pro

1. Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critical.

2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. Don't throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you'd feel if you no longer had it.

4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.

5. Decide what if anything you plan to move yourself. Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you.

6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items encourage breakage.

7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they're easier to lift. Keep weight under 50 lbs. if possible.

8. Don't over-pack boxes and increase the chances they will break.

9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.

10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they'll be stacked and you don't want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what's there.

11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.

12. Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, driver's name and van number. Also keep your address book handy.

13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.

14. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.

15. Remember, most movers won't take plants.

To estimate your moving costs, use this calculator courtesy of REALTOR.com












. Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critical.

2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. Don't throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you'd feel if you no longer had it.

4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.

5. Decide what if anything you plan to move yourself. Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you.

6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items encourage breakage.

7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they're easier to lift. Keep weight under 50 lbs. if possible.

8. Don't over-pack boxes and increase the chances they will break.

9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.

10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they'll be stacked and you don't want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what's there.

11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.

12. Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, driver's name and van number. Also keep your address book handy.

13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.

14. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.

15. Remember, most movers won't take plants.

To estimate your moving costs, use this calculator courtesy of REALTOR.com













Tips for Packing Like a Pro

1. Develop a master "to do" list so you won't forget something critical.

2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. Don't throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you'd feel if you no longer had it.

4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.

5. Decide what if anything you plan to move yourself. Precious items such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move should probably stay with you.

6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items encourage breakage.

7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they're easier to lift. Keep weight under 50 lbs. if possible.

8. Don't over-pack boxes and increase the chances they will break.

9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.

10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they'll be stacked and you don't want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what's there.

11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.

12. Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, driver's name and van number. Also keep your address book handy.

13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.

14. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.

15. Remember, most movers won't take plants.

To estimate your moving costs, use this calculator courtesy of REALTOR.com

Partners in Home Buying!

Working with Home Buyers..Whether their first home, last home, or somewhere in-between, a relationship is built. It is important to me that you be comfortable with our relationship.

I want you to feel as if you can ask as many questions as you need and I will answer everyone and...as many times as you want to ask. I want you to know that you might need to look at many houses find it on your first time out.

I will be there until we find 'the right home' you.

-I will explain agency representation and present you with an agency disclosure. This is not a contract. It is an explanation of how agents work in the state of Ohio.

-I will discuss the entire process of Buying from the disclosure to the closing table and we will go through it step-by-step.

-I will always provide service without regard to your race, nationality, gender, religion, handicaps, or familial status, income, outcome, in-law, outlaw.

-I will provide you a list of homes in your price range that meets your needs...I will not show you homes that you do not qualify for or that you are not interested in seeing.

-I will assist with mortgage information if you need help with finding a lender.

-I will provide neighborhood information for you as well as recent home sales in the area you are interested in buying.

-I will help put the home of your dreams in contract and negotiate on your behalf ensuring that all agreements are put into wiring and provided to you. If it is a new build, I will see you through the process and make sure you have your own representation.

-I will coordinate all Realtor, Builder, termite and gasoline reports, inspections, and lender information to the closing.

-I will work behind the screens to make sure that everything goes together smoothly that you have the information to make an informed decision about your new home.

Click on the photo and let me know when you want to get started!

"New Homes: A Great Investment"

Buying a home is not only about creating a space to call home, but it is quite possibly the most important investment you will ever make. Buying a new home offers a wonderful opportunity for financial stability and growth, especially for buyers who don't have a lot of money to use for down payment.

Unlike a car, which is worth less as soon as you drive it off the lot, a new home is worth more soon after you move into it. Look at it this way, when you sell your home in the future, you will be taking advantage of selling at a premium, while having purchased at a minimum. Another advantage is the limited amount of maintenance and upkeep required with a new home vs. an existing house. Rather than spending thousands during your time in this home to replace anything from carpet to the roof, you are covered by builder's and manufacturer's warranties.

Here is the quick math. If you purchased a new home today for $180,000 and experienced the typical 5% in annual appreciation of that property your home would be worth $229,730 after 5 years. So what does that mean to you? Well in 5 years with no money down your investment would have grown almost $50,000. Imagine a savings account that automatically grew every month by over $800! A new home can save more for the future than most buyers are currently paying for rent.
Guest writer: Jim King

NEW BUILDS....a REAL possibility!

Buying a home is not only about creating a space to call home, but it is quite possibly the most important investment you will ever make. Buying a new home offers a wonderful opportunity for financial stability and growth, especially for buyers who don't have a lot of money to use for down payment.

Unlike a car, which is worth less as soon as you drive it off the lot, a new home is worth more soon after you move into it. Look at it this way, when you sell your home in the future, you will be taking advantage of selling at a premium, while having purchased at a minimum. Another advantage is the limited amount of maintenance and upkeep required with a new home vs. an existing house. Rather than spending thousands during your time in this home to replace anything from carpet to the roof, you are covered by builder's and manufacturer's warranties.

Here is the quick math. If you purchased a new home today for $180,000 and experienced the typical 5% in annual appreciation of that property your home would be worth $229,730 after 5 years. So what does that mean to you? Well in 5 years with no money down your investment would have grown almost $50,000. Imagine a savings account that automatically grew every month by over $800! A new home can save more for the future than most buyers are currently paying for rent........ submitted by guest writer: Jim King

Most House Problems...things to keep in mind

The 10 Most Frequent House Problems
Recent surveys by U.S. and Canadian home inspectors resulted in a list of the most frequently found problems in the homes they have inspected:

1. Improper Surface Grading/Drainage
This was by far the most frequently found problem, reported by 35.8% of the survey respondents. It is responsible for the most common of household maladies: water penetration of the basement or crawl space.

2. Improper Electrical Wiring
A significant number (19.9%) chose this item as the most common home defect, which includes such situations as insufficient electrical service to the house, inadequate overload protection, and amateur, often dangerous, wiring connections.

3. Roof Damage
Although reported by only 8.5% of the respondents as the most common problem, roof leakage, caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing, was considered by inspectors to be a frequent problem.

4. Heating Systems
Problems in this category include broken or malfunctioning operation controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal.

5. Poor Overall Maintenance
Even the novice home buyer is usually aware of this situation, demonstrated by such signs as cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces, crumbling masonry, makeshift wiring or plumbing, and broken fixtures or appliances. See the rest of the problems and notes at (Home Hints eNews)
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