Don’t Wait! Spring Brings The Best Home Buyers!

Spring ushers in the feeling of renewal. Fresh rain, budding flowers, warmer temperatures, greener grass and a fresh start as we come out of our winter cocoons. Spring also brings something else when it comes to the real estate market. It brings the highest-paying buyers. These are READY-WILLING and ABLE buyers who are highly inspired to purchase your home.

And that means It’s Selling Season. My best advice is: don’t wait!

One thing I know for sure, in the 25 years of doing this, spring and summer are the best times to sell. Especially if you want top dollar for your home. Timing matters and it matters as much as location, if not more. The spring and summer seasons are when families with school-aged children are looking to move. This is by far the largest home-buying group. So doesn’t it make sense to be ready when they are?

This segment of our buying population emerges shortly after income tax season begins and is in full swing just before the school year ends. They spend the winter months preparing mentally for the daunting task of selling and buying another home to suit their family’s growing needs. Why is spring so important? Let me go a little deeper into the mindset of the best buyers.

Families with children have serious timelines and it all centers around the school year. In many school districts, you can’t even register children for school unless you have a verified address and that means mortgage statement, purchase contract, utility bills or signed lease.

Often times, families are moving to gain access to a particular district. It becomes what feels like a necessity to identify their next home. Another challenge, schools are ending the year in May. Conversely, school start back in session in August, only making the buyer demand stronger and the time to get things done feel much shorter.

What I've noticed is, no matter what type of market we are in (buyers or sellers), this group is extremely consistent. I'm definitely not saying there aren't any options. Fall also has a fairly brisk need for homes but it’s not typically with the same zest as the spring and summer folks.

So if the highest and best price is your goal when selling your home, this quick message is for you.

I’m Theresa Barron, the Owner/Broker of Take a Look Real Estate Brokers. Let me know if there is anything in the world I can do for you.

Email Theresa@ admin@takealookbrokers.com

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Call 614-778-8503

Here's Why Renters Should Become Homeowners

Register for our It’s Time to Own It event here.

As the middle class continues to decline and as political unrest continues to create feelings of uncertainty for many Americans, a longing for a sense of security pervades the nation. For those living in Central Ohio, these issues are exacerbated by skyrocketing rents. But we at Take A Look Real Estate Brokers are devoted to helping you to change not only your mindset, but your economic reality through homeownership. In this article we will share 5 reasons why you should consider home ownership as a better alternative to renting.

1. When you buy a home, you receive tax benefits that you wouldn’t receive as a renter. The tax laws are more supportive of owners of homes and business. According to mortgage calculator.org, homeowners in 2019 can deduct up to $750,000 in interest expenses and exclude up to $250,000 in capital appreciation. For many people, those deductions can be helpful to take care of other expenses or to put towards education, a business or retirement in the future.

2. When you own a home of a similar square footage as the one you currently rent, the monthly mortgage on that home is typically less. Where the average rents in Columbus are around $1,500 a month, a home with a $130K mortgage can garner you a monthly mortgage payment of under $1,000! That extra $500 in rent that you are giving to the owner of your home or apartment of complex is increasing his or her net worth… not your’s. Think about that the next time you pay your rent.

3. When you pay your mortgage, though you are giving it to your mortgage company to pay back your loan, you are still building a nest egg for yourself for your future. If you purchase wisely, at the point that your property increases in value, you then have equity. That equity can be used to purchase another property, to put towards education or retirement or even help you fund a business opportunity you have dreamed of. When you own, you are paying yourself. Remember that.

4. Neighborhoods that are populated by owners are better for the community. Compared to neighborhoods where consistency in upkeep and maintenance may be sub-par, owner filled communities tend to better maintained and cared for to a higher standard. Owners, take… well… ownership of their properties and yards. They understand that the upkeep will affect their investment and their futures. So they take great initiative to resolve the issues that arise. Also, in neighborhoods filled with owners, members pay closer attention to the traffic, the people, the children and the elderly with a little more care. Therefore, you are likely to feel safer and more secure than you would in a neighborhood of temporary renters.

5. Sometimes times get hard. Layoffs and medical concerns can create periods of a slower influx of income. Because of that paying, paying your monthly expenses could be a bit harder than in times of stability. Understandably, landlords aren’t always so forgiving of late payments, because often they are depending on the rent payments from their tenants to pay off mortgages of their own. In those cases, in Ohio, it only takes 3 days to get a notice tacked on your day and a request for you to pack up and move out. However, when you own your home, you get to buy yourself a little more time. Your payment might be due on the 1st, but by the 15th or even the 30th, no one is rushing to your door to serve you with a notice to vacate if you have not made that mortgage payment. This allows you greater freedoms and flexibility to reorganize your budget and find a creative solution for raising the money to get current.

Come on out to our “It’s Time To Own It” events on Saturday March 23, 2019 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm and on Wednesday March 27, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:30pm to learn how you can begin the process towards home ownership. We’ll have great speakers and you’ll be educated on getting credit and cash ready to purchase. You’ll hear from our agents, title agents and other real estate experts on everything from loans, to inspections, to appraisals, to closing expectations. To get registered click here and we look forward to seeing you at our brand new office at 2957 Stelzer Road!

Hot Areas Alert: Do You Own Property in the Following ZIP CODES?

Do you own property in these zip codes: 43211, 43201, 43203, 43206?   These zones are currently the hot button zones.  Investors are crawling and scouring looking for abandoned and vacant properties to buy for cash fast. The Franklin County Treasurer's Office is aggressively pursuing owners who have not paid their property tax obligation.  Investors know this and often use this information to leverage absentee owners into selling their properties for lower dollar values.  

Let me say this:

1. If you owe back taxes on your property and you want to keep your property, make arrangements to pay on a formal agreement with the Franklin County Treasury Department.  https://www.paydici.com/franklin-county-oh/search/new

2. If you are receiving “We BUY HOUSES Mail,” call me at 614-778-8503 especially if you want to sell BEFORE you call these people.

3. Understand this, whatever an investor is willing to pay off market, it is very likely much much lower than what the property will sell for on market: even after paying a commission.  

Bottom line, I love to see owners receive their fair market value.  If you don’t get your property in front of the market no matter what the conditions is, you are surely guaranteed to be giving away your hard earned equity.