Is that home in contract already?!

If you live in Ohio, than I’m sure that you’ve heard about the “booming” housing market. Home sale statistics have been reported thoroughly on the news, social media, and in the papers. March home sales were reportedly the best they’ve EVER been, according to the Ohio Association of Realtors.

We get calls almost daily from buyers who have seen our listings on sites like: Zillow, Trulia, or Homefinder. Unfortunately, by the time you as the consumer see them populate on these consumer sites, you’ve already lost out, and missed your opportunity to a buyer that is working with a Realtor.

How do you avoid finding these homes that are already in contract or sold? The answer is simple. Work with a Realtor, work with us. In this seller’s market, it benefits ALL buyers to get all of the help and counsel that they can. If you have an experienced real estate team on your side, you have a much better chance at getting the home that you really want. In Ohio, over 99.9% of the time, buyers do not even pay for their real estate agent, the seller does. So why would you not have an agent advocating for you? The fact is, in this seller’s market, you need to be what we call “offer-ready”.  Working with us, The Detty Group, will save you a ton of stress and time, as we know all of the ins and outs of the process.

We urge buyers to come to us with any questions. We have lenders who are well versed in loan options that can help you save as much money as possible in this market with financing options such as: OFHA, USDA, and $0 origination fees for VA loans.

If you’re ready to buy a home, and haven’t been working with a Realtor, it’s time to give us a call/email and get us to be your home buying gladiators!

Kayla Staup, Realtor
The Detty Group- HER Realtors
TheDettyGroup@Gmail.com
Kayla’s Cell: 740-361-4207

 

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4 Signs It’s Time To Sell Your Home!

Hello Readers!

It may be only mid- January, but Spring buyers are out in full force! Have you heard the saying, “If you’re not early you’re late?” This rule applies to both buyers and sellers in Real Estate. If any of these apply to you, we’d love to hear from you! If you can think of a friend, family member, or perhaps co-worker who may be going through any of these situations… let us know, and pass our information along to them!

1. You’re feeling cramped, and you can’t add on
   Your family might not be growing, but that doesn’t mean your lifestyle still fits in your current house. If you’ve started working from home, for example, or you’ve adopted an extended family of indoor cats—or maybe you’ve just never gotten over your dream of having a sewing room—your house might be too small. Another option might be to finish an attic or basement, add another room, or even add a whole story to your home. But, of course, that won’t work for everyone.

   There’s never been a better time to be a “move up” buyer. The cost of owning a    home larger than your current, with interest rates at an all time low, may not even add much to your current mortgage.

2. You have too much space
   On the other hand, perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed by vacant rooms and silence. (Hello, empty nesters!) In this case, it no longer makes sense to have, say, four bedrooms and a basement. Saying goodbye to a family home can be difficult, but you should consider how feasible it is to stay. If yard work and house upkeep are getting to be a little too much, or soaring utility bills are cramping your style, it might make more sense to move.
   
   There are many families out there looking for your home! Let us get you downsized, and in a home better suited for you!

• You’re over the neighborhood
  Maybe you can no longer deal with the rigid rules of your homeowners association, or perhaps your neighbors turned their house into a rental for frat guys. Whatever the reason, neighborhood dynamics can change dramatically over time. Sometimes, you are the one  who has changed, or your family dynamic.. Maybe the 35-minute commute to work didn’t seem like such a big deal the first few years, but now you’re dreading it every day. Or your kids are getting older, which can be a big problem if you’re not in the right location.

  As the saying goes, “You’re not a tree… you can move.” Let us help you get from where you live… to where you’ll love!

• Remodeling won’t offer a return on your investment
  Giving your kitchen or bathroom a face-lift can make your house feel like new again, which might be all you need to decide you want to stay put for years. But that doesn’t mean it’s a financially sound decision.

  Before making significant improvements, you should give us a call to do the numbers for you and know the highest price point of your neighborhood. If your home is already similar in style and condition of some of the priciest homes in the neighborhood, remodeling might be a bad idea, and you should consider selling instead.

  Give us a call to go over the numbers for you, and make sure you’re not over improving your home, and that you won’t be able to recoup your money!

If any of these sound like you… give us a call today to get started on your home selling story! If you’re not early… you’re already late! Spring buyers are already out in full force! Getting your home on the market now gives you less competition with other sellers, and also puts you at the front of the line for buyers!

Contact us today to get started on your home sale!
Visit our website by clicking HERE – and get your instant preliminary home value sent directly to your email!

Kayla Staup & Josh Detty
HER Realtors
740-361-4207
kayla.staup@herrealtors.com

USDA/RD Home Loans

Have you thought about purchasing a home, but you were concerned about how much money that you would have to bring to a closing. Would you like to live in Morrow, Marion, Delaware, or Richland County?  These counties are USDA/RD Loan eligible.

What is a USDA/Rural Development (RD) loan? For eligible suburban and rural home buyers, it’s a 100%, no-money down mortgage loan backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you’ve never heard of this option, you’re like most U.S. consumers because the USDA loan program wasn’t launched until the 1990s. Using a USDA loan, buyers can finance 100% of a home’s purchase price while getting access to better-than-average mortgage rates. This is because USDA mortgage rates are discounted as compared to rates with other low-downpayment loans.

What does this mean for you as a buyer who’s looking to purchase a home in a rural area? You could bring little to no money at all to the table when looking to purchase a home. If this is something you are interested in, and would like to speak with us about – don’t wait… contact us today! Click HERE to read our article on why Winter is such a great time to purchase a home!

We are bringing an HER Realtors’ office straight to our clients. Look for us in Mt. Gilead, Ohio soon!

Kayla Staup, HER Realtor
740-361-4207
kayla.staup@herrealtors.com

 

Save Money And Buy A Home Now!

Here in Central Ohio… the temperatures are definitely freezing this time of year! You may think that the housing market will do the same, cool down. You’d be surprised to know that right now, in the winter… may be the best time for you to buy a home…EVER!  Read these reasons why you should buy now… and not wait until Spring!

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise
The latest reports from the Columbus Board of Realtors is that home prices have appreciated by 6.3% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.2% over the next year. The market is only going to continue to rise for home prices. You’re going to pay more for a home, the longer you have to wait. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates are Projected to Increase
Your monthly housing cost is as much related to the price you pay for your home as it is to the mortgage interest rate you secure. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac & the National Association of Realtors are in unison, projecting that rates will increase by this time next year. An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way You’re Paying a Mortgage
There are some renters who have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s. As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to have equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person with that equity. Your landlord is the one pocketing the money you could be putting into the savings account that is your home, not theirs! Stop making your landlord rich. Own your home for the price you pay in rent!

 

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life
The cost of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.But what if they weren’t? Would you wait?Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide whether it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If you’re already paying more than $600-750 per/ month in rent… it’s time to make the move from renter to homeowner! Call us today to find out if you could be in a good position to buy. If you’re not in a good position, let us guide you to what you need to know to get you there!

Contact us anytime:
Kayla Staup, Realtor
740-361-4207
wesellohiohomes@gmail.com

Josh and Kayla are multi-million dollar producers!

Advantages Of Selling Your Home In The Winter

We are a little over a week into December, and winter has officially arrived here in Central Ohio. We are still listing homes, and getting them into contract in under a week – at full price! We want you to know all the advantages of selling your home this winter, and to set you up for a successful home sale!

There is a popular misconception that winter is the off season for real estate. Most people decide they are going to list their home for sale in the spring verses the winter. Sellers with their homes already listed often take their house off the market as soon as the cold hits and plan to re-list in the spring. Contrary to popular belief, experienced realtors know that there are many advantages to selling your home in the winter. It is actually a great time to sell. Here are just a few reasons why.

Motivated Buyers
Not only are there actually buyers out looking in the winter, but they are typically extremely motivated. People willing to brave the cold weather and snow are serious about finding a home. You will probably have less showings, but the people who come through will be more qualified. This is the ideal situation.

Less Competition
There are less homes listed for sale in the winter, and because of this, you have less competition. Other sellers are missing out on the best time to sell their homes. With less inventory on the market, sellers have more control.

Better Price For Your Home
Because there is less inventory, if you market your home right you have the potential to get top dollar. Sellers definitely have the upper hand in a winter transaction. In the summer months, buyers might have 30 homes to choose from. But in the winter, there may only be 10 that fit the same criteria. You have a much greater chance of someone submitting an offer on your home in the winter.

You Won’t Have To Move Until AFTER The New Year!
We meet with a lot of sellers this time of year that are hesitant to list their homes for sale in December with the thought that they would have to move before Christmas. The average real estate transaction takes 30-45 days to complete. This means if we listed your home today, got it in contract tomorrow… you wouldn’t be moving until 2017!

If you’re looking to get an advantage over other sellers in this crazy real estate market… the time to list your home may be now! You’d be taking advantage of motivated buyers, less competition, possibly netting a higher price, and you won’t have to move until after the holidays!

If you would like an instant preliminary home value sent directly to your email visit our home value website by clicking HERE!

If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, buying a home, or want more information on a neighborhood… contact us anytime!

Kayla Staup, Realtor
740-361-4207
wesellohiohomes@gmail.com

 

2016 Real Estate Trends

As 2016 is quickly approaching it’s end, I wanted to take a moment to talk about trends that we saw this year in Real Estate… and what we might come to expect for 2017.

Real Estate is just one big roller coaster. There are big upward swings, and there are low barrel rolls. For the last 2-3 years, we’ve been on one of Real Estate’s biggest upward swings since the founding of the housing market. Like all good things, the housing market high can only sustain these levels for so long before we are looking towards that gruesome low.

In 2012 we saw prices of homes raise 8%, in 2013 we saw an 11% raise, in 2014 we saw a 5% raise, and jump forward from 2015 & 2016 we saw increases fluctuate between 2-4%. What this tells us is that the housing market is starting to reach a plateau. This is a tale-tell sign of a housing market that is ready to take a dip.

This year what we found is that the pool of buyers is younger than before. Buyers between the ages of 25-34 have made up the majority of home sales, and to put things into a greater perspective – over 68% of these were 1st time home buyers. While many of these buyers had intentions of using the properties that they bought as their primary living homes, we did see a large surge in first time home buyer investors.

What 2016 brought to Real Estate, as well as politics — is the ever growing love of consumer technology. As a Realtor, being at the forefront of every social media outlet and posting site gives you a strong advantage over your competitors. More than 90% of home searches are started online. The first place a buyer falls in love with a home is online. Gone are the days of flipping through newspaper ads and looking at a grainy black and white picture of a property and hoping to attract a buyer. The internet has been around for a few decades now, and it has been ever evolving. To keep your home at the front of the line for buyers to preview… you’ll need a tech savvy agent to lead the way.

So… what can we expect to see in 2017? Be on the lookout for: Slowly rising mortgage rates, housing prices to level out, and for more people to make a move before the housing market takes it’s next roller coaster move!!

To get a preliminary home value sent directly to your email click HERE.
If you’ve been thinking of selling or buying a home, contact us anytime!
Kayla Staup, HER Realtors
740-361-4207
kayla.staup@herrealtors.com

 

 

 

 

Fall Is Prime Selling Time!!

There’s no doubt that Fall is the busiest season of the year. Kids are going back to school. There are the holiday’s right around the corner. You may not think that Fall would be the best time to sell your home… but, you may be wrong! Home inventory in Central Ohio is at an all time low, and when you partner that with historically low interest rates driving a high population of buyers — This Fall is actually the PERFECT time to sell your home!

According to the National Association of Realtors latest numbers, there is currently less than a 6 month supply of homes available on the market. What does that mean for you as a seller? This means that there currently aren’t enough homes on the market to keep up with buyer demand. This is great news for you if you’ve been considering making a move, and selling your home! The bad news for you is that the decreased inventory will not last much longer. Homeowners that bought their homes at the height of the housing market crisis in 06′, 07′, and 08, are now finally starting to see positive equity in their homes. Sellers that were unable to sell because they were underwater on their mortgages have finally come full circle with home prices in Central Ohio on the re-bound. What does this mean for you? This means that soon, there will be a lot more inventory on the market for your home to compete against!

If you’ve been in your starter home, watching and waiting for the perfect time to move up… there may never be a better time than now.  Over the next 12 months, CoreLogic predicts that prices are projected to increase by at least 5.3%. What will this mean for you? If you are trying to move up into a higher priced home, you will spend more money in your down-payment, as well as in your overall mortgage payment, than if you bought a home now. The latest financing report from Freddie Mac states that you can lock in a 30 year fixed mortgage at 3.46%. With interest rates this low, it’s almost free money! Waiting for interest rates to rise, which they are projected to do over the next year, would cost you even more money!

I’ve never met a client, either buyer or seller, that is just ‘okay’ with throwing their hard earned money out the window. If saving the most money possible is important to you, than don’t wait. Sell your home with us this Fall!

As Realtors, Josh and I have our pulse on the real estate market in Central Ohio. With over millions in sales already this year, we are equipped to help you get from where you live now, to where you will love. If you’ve considered selling your home, check out our preliminary home value link by clicking HERE. You’ll get a free, instant preliminary home value sent directly to your email.

Contact us anytime:
Kayla Staup, Realtor
740-361-4207
kayla.staup@herrealtors.com

Curb Appeal- Yes, It’s Important!

The world of real estate has been on fire for the last three years in a row. The average market time for a home in the Central Ohio area is approximately 90 days, with many that are priced right, and in good condition, selling even more quickly. A question we get often is, “How do we set our home apart from others in our neighborhood, or in our price range?” So today, we’re going to talk about one thing that can make your home stand out from the rest. Curb appeal.

Your home may have a lot of qualities and features that would appeal to potential buyers. However, if your home has no curb appeal, those potential buyers may never make it inside your front door. First impressions are formed at the curb so there is no doubt that curb appeal matters when selling your home.

A well manicured lawn and an attractive landscape indicate to buyers that you care about your home. Overgrown shrubs, debris on the walkway and an overall sense of untidiness tends to make buyers think that if you neglect your exterior space, you might also fail to properly care for the interior of your home.

It’s the curb appeal of your home that makes it inviting. A new coat of paint on the front door makes it look clean and fresh. Plants, flowers, garden art and walkways give your home personality. Those features can distinguish it from other houses in your neighborhood. It could be the curb appeal of your home that draws buyers to it instead of to a similar house with no curb appeal.

When you’re trying to sell your house, you want to immediately capture the interest of buyers. Landscape lighting will assure that your home looks warm and inviting when potential buyers drive by it at night. You could include both daytime and evening photos of your home in the real estate photo collection as a way to impress and influence buyers. Enhancing your curb appeal could make your home sell faster – and for more money!

If you have any questions about the value of your home contact us directly via email: kayla.staup@herrealtors.com

You can get a preliminary home value sent to your email instantly by visiting our website:www.myohiohomevalue.com

Summer Is Selling Season!!

When you are thinking of selling your home in Central Ohio, Summer is your best friend! At the end of May, and rolling into June – we are in the thick of home selling season! Are you hoping to sell in the summer, and capitalize on the RED HOT seller’s market? If so, you should know that in Ohio, the volume of home sales in June is typically 29% above average for any other month of the year. Why is this the case? We really see home buyer activity jump right after Memorial Day. This double-digit percentage jump is largely in part to the fact that buyers with families want to move during the Summer when school is out of session. More homes are sold in the Summer than any other time of the year.

What can you do to make your house sell quickly? This is a common questions that our sellers ask. One of the most important things is to take care of all of the odds and ends around your home. One example of this would be: Walk into your home using the front door. So many of us take advantage of walking into our homes via the garage, or another point of entry. When a buyer comes into your home, they will be using the front door. If you’ve got chipped paint around your door frame, a bird’s nest above your door light, or if your doorbell doesn’t work – it’s best to take care of these small simple fixes now, to get your home into great showing condition. These little details are what truly set homes apart. Leave the rest to us! We will help guide you through what you need to know to sell your home quickly, and for the most money possible. We have a 5/5 star rating with our clients, and with over a decade of experience selling homes in Ohio, you’ll feel at ease knowing we’re working for you! 

If you’re thinking of selling your home contact us today! You can visit our home value website that will deliver a preliminary instant home value to your email in a matter of seconds – www.myohiohomevalue.com

This article brought to you by: Kayla Staup, Realtor –

Kayla Staup & Josh Detty
HER Realtors
Cell: (740)361-4207
kayla.staup@herrealtors.com
To learn more about us… check out our websites!
www.iheartohiohomes.com
www.facebook.com/JoshDettyRealtor

Real Estate Myths (Part 1)!!!

If I sit back and think really hard, I can remember the first tall tale that I can remember being told; “If you make funny faces at someone, your face will get stuck like that.” I can attribute that tall tale to my grandmother.

Now older, and hopefully a little more wise, I think about all of the tall tales that I hear about Realtors, buying & selling homes, and just real estate transactions in general. I think that it is time I break down these real estate myths and put the truth out there, so here we go! Part 1 of this 2 part series for your reading pleasure!!

1. All Real Estate Agents Are The Same And Created Equal: This myth can be applied to other professions as well such as: doctors, lawyers, teachers…ect. There are several THOUSAND licensed real estate agents in Central Ohio alone, and no… we aren’t all the same! Every single agent has a different skill set, a different experience level, and different personality. For example: An agent who has only ever worked with HUD/Short Sale/Bank Owned homes, may not be your best bet to list an owner occupied home! Buying / Selling a home will most likely be the largest investment you ever make in your life. Make sure you have a great professional, or a team of professionals (like us) to be there for you!
2. Overprice Your Home So You Can Negotiate Later: Out of all of the myths, this has to be one of the absolute worst for sellers to believe! When you overprice your home, you need to understand that your home will not sell. Buyers are now more educated than ever, and over 90% of them are represented by a real estate professional who is even more educated! It is important for sellers to understand that if they start off over pricing their home, and their home does not sell, you start to rack up your “days on market time”. Your “days on market time” is defined by how long your home has been on the market, or for sale. Once you start breaching the 90 day period here in the Central Ohio market… your home is going to gain a stigma. “No one else wanted to buy that home, there must be something wrong with it”, is what buyers will start to say about your home. Even if you come down in price down the line… you are now the home that no one wanted. Over pricing your home leads you down a path of two options: 1) You don’t sell your home or 2) You end up selling your home for less than if you would have priced it right from the get-go! Overpricing your home is just a horrible idea, and you shouldn’t do it!
3. Selling your home “For Sale By Owner” Will Save You TONS Of Money: You know what else would save you a TON of money? Preforming that open heart surgery that you need… all by yourself. Oh…. you’re not a medically trained Cardiologist? You wouldn’t want to risk your life, or that of a loved one… just because you thought there could possibly be a chance of saving a little bit of money? Well… I completely agree with you!! The same applies to buying or selling real estate by yourself, without having been professionally trained to do so. The internet is a great place to obtain information, but garbage in – garbage out. You read the wrong DYI article, and you could land yourself in a heap of trouble! There’s one saying that isn’t a tall tale: “You think that it’s expensive to hire a professional? Try hiring an amateur!” A licensed real estate professional is statistically more likely to sell your home for a higher net amount, and with less hiccups through the process. The real estate profession can be traced back in the US to as early as 1908. For a profession that has been around for over a century and continues to grow…. how about giving us a try?

Interested in selling your home, and curious what the value of your home is? For an instant home value sent to your email… CLICK HERE!!!

Josh and I have been selling homes in Central Ohio for over a decade. If you’re looking for respected, honest, and loyal agents to help you buy or sell a home anywhere in Ohio reach out to me directly!

Kayla Staup
Cell: 740-361-4207
Email: kayla.staup@herrealtors.com