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

 

Advertisement

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

 

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

Selling Your Home… What Do You NEED To Know?

Happy Thursday Afternoon Readers!

We have been quite busy here in the Real Estate Industry. With home prices all over Ohio steadily rising, and mortgage rates still at an all time low – it has been a perfect environment for both sellers and buyers alike. When Josh and I meet with sellers we sit down and discuss matters both big and small. When you are selling your home, one of your biggest investments, there is not detail too small! After our last appointment, I wanted to recap a few important discussion points that will be helpful if you’ve been thinking about selling!

1) Make sure that you are certain that you want to sell your home!
Now is not the time to have one foot in the door and one foot on the way out! When you and your family decide that it is the time to make a move, make up your mind and be confident in your decision to sell your home, and start the process. When you are ready to start the process call a Realtor, (Me 🙂 )! I know that selling your home may not always be an easy decision. There are more than a million factors that go into selling a home, but the biggest one is your emotional attachment to your home, and being ready to let go. While your memories are near and dear to your heart, you must be ready to move past them and make decisions based on solid selling advice from your Realtor, and not clouded by emotions. This first step is so important in moving towards getting your home sold, and can often be hard for a seller. That is what we are here for, as your Real Estate Professionals.

2) Pricing Your Home!
This point ties in directly with discussion point #1. When speaking with your Realtor, know that they have done extensive research on the value of your home (or at least we do). It is extremely important that you price your home based upon fair market value, and not how you feel about your home. It is crucial for you to remember that a buyer will only be willing to pay fair market for your home, and they do not have the emotional attachment that you may have. There are several factors that we use to determine a home’s value, but feelings on a home do not get factored in unfortunately.

3) All Things, Both Big And Small Matter!
A lot of sellers we meet focus on the “big” ticket items in their home in an effort to get a sale. While larger upgrades, depending on the location of your home, are very relevant – so are the smaller things as well! Stainless Steel appliances can go a long way in a kitchen in areas that the market is used to this being the norm, but what about your faucets, cabinet hardware, and sink? When getting your home ready to sell, it is important to think about the smaller items because often times they are just as important as the larger ones! Another great thing about making small changes to your home is that often time buyers actually appreciate the little things, and they don’t break the bank!

These 3 discussion items are the most common that we encounter when meeting with sellers. These items are both smart, and will put you in a position of strength when it comes to selling your home. Josh and I always tell our clients that in negotiating, it is always better to negotiate from a position of strength. We always put our clients’ needs first, and to help them accomplish their goals it is imperative that we help give them the tools to do so!

Thank you for reading, and be sure to check out our links at the bottom!

To get the market value of your home on today’s Real Estate market, click here!
To learn more about us, get our contact information, and our Real Estate background, click here!
Find us on Facebook, click here!

Tips To Sell Your Home This Fall!

Happy Thursday Afternoon!

If you are anything like me… you are ready to embrace fall! This happens to be my favorite time of year, and what is not to love about it? You have beautiful scenery, pumpkin spiced everything, and family get-togethers! Today we are going to talk about preparing your home to sell in the fall. We all already know that Springtime is one of the most popular time to list a home for sale, there is absolutely no reason to wait if you are ready to sell now. Buyers are on the hunt year round, and are prepared to buy anytime of the year. This can work to your advantage, especially if you know how to prepare your property to sell!

The great thing about this time of year, is that there usually are fewer homes on the market, so you have less competition. Having a home readily available can draw buyers right to you for a high priced sell, in minimum time. Take a second to read a few of these awesome tips to get your home in tip top shape to sell quick in the fall!

1. Embrace Fall – Just because you are selling your home, don’t skimp out on fall decorations. Keep the overall feel of your home in tune with the holiday that is approaching whether it is Halloween or Thanksgiving. Buyers will be able to see themselves, and their families enjoying holidays in your home. When a buyer can start envisioning themselves in your home… that is a great thing!
2. Make Sure Your Home Is Ready – Work with your Realtor *aka* “ME 🙂 ” to think of options and/or repairs to make your home the best it can be! Buyers appreciate things like good insulation, and energy efficient furnaces, especially when cooler weather is on the horizon!
3. Keep It Clean – Curb Appeal.. Curb Appeal… Curb Appeal. It is extremely important that no matter what season  you are selling your home in that you maintain the curb appeal to your home. In Fall, you especially want to make sure that the exterior of your home is clean! This means raking leaves, clearing out decaying plants that may still be lingering from Spring & Summer, and making sure that you keep it going because in Fall it is an ongoing process! While taking away the Summer plant favorites, bring out some Mums to really make your home have the feel of fall!
4. Let Your Realtor Help You Price Accordingly- This is a very important step, and without following through with this one… steps 1-3 are almost pointless! To sell your home, it needs to be priced to compete in the current market, no matter what time of year you sell! The longer a home sits on the market, the more prone that home is to gaining a stigma and making it an even harder sell! It is far better to price your home right THE FIRST TIME, and get the very best offer you can! Sometimes we use a strategy to price slightly below market value to bring in more buyers. The theory behind this strategy is that a well kept home, reasonably priced, will bring in far more buyers to compete with each other… than an over priced home will.

If you are serious about selling your home, there is no “bad time” of year to do it! Follow these helpful suggestions and you will be prepared to sell your home before Winter arrives… which brings a whole new set of selling tips!

If you are interested in selling your home, or buying a home… get our contact information by clicking, “here”

If you would like a fair market value of your Central Ohio home emailed to you just click “here”

How To Obtain A Home Loan & Buy A Home

Welcome Readers! It is Monday again, we’ve survived the weekend, and now we have to survive the week! I spoke to a few new home buyers this weekend, and as my clients usually do… they are inspiring today’s article! I want to talk to you today about home loans. The majority of home buyers obtain a loan to purchase a home, but if you’ve never purchased a home, or if it has been awhile… you may need some information to get you started. I’ll list the basics from start to finish, and by the end of reading you’ll be ready to call a lender to get started!

1. What is your credit score? If you’ve never checked it out for yourself… there is no time like the present. A website that I would recommend is www.creditkarma.com. This website is free, and you will get your credit report from 2/3 of the credit agencies. What is a good credit score? The scores between 740-850 will get you the very best rates on your home loan. Credit scores between 620-740, you will get marginal rates on a loan, and are still in a wonderful position to buy a home! If your scores are 620 or below, now is most likely not the right time for you to consider buying a home. If you fall between the 620 credit score, or below, and would like to know how you can raise that score contact me!
2. Get a pre-approval – If you fall into the category of a credit score of 620+, now it is time to talk to a lender. I have contact information for many lenders that I work with, and could happily give you a couple of referrals for you to speak with. A common misconception about a pre-approval is that it will hurt your credit score. Please stop believing this! It is not true! A pre-approval from a lender is a tentative commitment that a lender gives a buyer based upon these common factors: Income, Debts, Assets, and Credit Scores. What does a pre-approval do for you as a buyer? It will tell you exactly what you can spend on a home, thus making it one of the most valuable steps when buying!
3. Start looking for your new home! – As a Realtor, this happens to be my FAVORITE step! Now that you have steps 1 & 2 completed the fun part can begin! We can start looking at homes that best fit your family needs.
4. Don’t make mistakes at the last minute!-  As a Realtor, this happens to be my LEAST favorite step! More often than you may realize, buyers make these last minute mistakes while in the home buying process, and they ruin the entire transaction. Many lenders will need to recheck your employment status and credit right before you close on your new home. Do NOT under any circumstances do these three things: quit your job, take out any new loans (like an auto loan), or apply for any new lines of credit or credit cards. By doing any of those three things, you will likely be denied the home loan.

I hope that this article was short, sweet, and informative to you as a potential buyer. If you have any further questions, I am always open to answering any that you may have. It is my goal to give readers as much information as possible to make buying and selling real estate in Central Ohio a great experience, with me as your Realtor 🙂

Click, “HERE”, for my contact information.

Click, “HERE”, if you would like to receive a free & instant value of your home to your email!