The Best Apps for Homebuyers

Technology has made a huge impact on the process of buying and selling real estate, and it continues to evolve and shape our experience differently each day. For some homebuyers, it may be easier to rely on your local Realtor® to guide you through the steps from searching for homes to writing an offer to closing on that perfect new house, but many will want to take advantage of the plentiful resources available to us. These apps are some of the best available to homebuyers right now. Read on for details.

KW Realty
Over time, the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) has become more and more accessible to the general public. There are several home search apps that aid homebuyers, and Keller Williams has come up with one of the best. Not only does the KW app update regularly with the local MLS, it allows you to search for homes for sale or rent in the US and Canada. You can easily filter your search parameters, and once you find a home you like, simply hit the "Contact Agent" button to meet with a local Realtor® to view homes.

Free to download and use. Available for iPhone and Android. 

Homesnap
Another home search app, Homesnap takes things to a new level. While touring your favorite neighborhood, simply snap a photo of a home to get details like number of bedrooms, square footage, and price (this is estimated if it is not an active listing). Like the KW app, Homesnap is linked with the local MLS to give the most up-to-date information on the real estate marketplace. You can also easily share and send your favorite homes to anyone- including your local Realtor®. It's an extremely convenient way to interact with your agent as you flip through homes for sale anywhere you happen to be.

Free to download and use. Available for iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch. 

AroundMe
New to the neighborhood? Use AroundMe to locate local amenities including ATMs, coffee shops, hospitals, restaurants, and more. Once you find what you need, use the built-in GPS to get directions to your destination. Not just for home buyers, this app works around the world and is available in several languages. 

Free to download and use. Available for iPhone, Android, and Apple Watch.

WalkScore
Are you dependent on public transportation or simply don't want to have to drive everywhere you go? This is the app for you. Originally intended for rentals, WalkScore can be used by anyone who wants to know how to get around in their neighborhood. Find the Walk Score, Transit Score, and Bike Score for any area through this app. Scores are rated from 0-100, with a higher number meaning you're closer to a walker's/rider's/biker's paradise.

Free to download and use. Available for iPhone and Android.

MagicPlan
For the planners among us, having the dimensions of your new home before you move in would be great, right? Well you can do it with MagicPlan. Simply download the app and then take your phone along to your showing appointments to create a full floor plan of the home you plan to buy. Once you have followed the prompts from the app, you can choose to create your floor plan from several formats (some at a small fee), and then you will be able to visualize where your furniture will fit in the new space. 

Free to download with potential in-app purchases. Available for iPhone and Android.

Houzz
For your inner interior designer, Houzz is the best app to get design inspiration, shop for home decor items, and seek advice for your creative undertakings. Search by room type, design style, budget, and more to plan out color schemes, furniture purchases, and even landscaping projects. If you find that you need some guidance, you can reach out to the Houzz community or even search for a local professional through the app. 

Free to download and use. Available for iPhone and Android.

***Bonus for after move-in:
Nextdoor
Settled in your new place? Now it's time to meet the neighbors! Nextdoor allows you to do just that, in a secure space that is only open to people who live in your neighborhood. Each neighborhood can build the online community differently, but usually people will share news, post sale items, recommend local contractors, and invite neighbors to events, like any other social media platform. The app allows you to access the discussion on-the-go and is a great way to get involved in your new community. If your neighborhood doesn't have a Nextdoor page yet, you can start one yourself, and the site will help you do it.

Free to download and use. Available for iPhone and Android. 

Are you buying a home in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky this year? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today to get started!

How the Appraisal Impacts Your Home Sale

Market value, appraisal value, what does it all mean? How do these numbers impact your home sale? The short answer is that the market value determines the price at which you list your home. This is the price that a buyer is willing to pay for your home in the current real estate market conditions. Your local Realtor will be able to assist in pricing your home to sell quickly.

The appraised value of your home comes from a report completed by a licensed appraiser. The appraisal is a part of most real estate contracts, as the buyer's lender will not award a loan on a home that is priced above the appraised value. Because of this, some sellers may choose to have an appraisal done on their home before listing it for sale. It's important to keep in mind that, as the market shifts, the appraised value of a home may not be its true market value.

In a buyer's market, when inventory is high and demand is low, the market value of a home will usually fall below the appraised value. In a seller's market, when inventory is low and demand is high, sellers need to be careful of pricing their homes over the appraised value.

If an appraisal comes in below the offer price, then there are a few options. The seller may decide to lower the price to the appraised value, or the buyer can bring extra cash to the table to purchase the home. The buyer's lender will not approve a loan on a home that is higher than the appraised value, so one way or the other, the money will have to be adjusted.

How to Prepare
Although many items that are covered in the appraisal are fixed within a home and the attached grounds, there are some things you, as a seller, can do to ensure your home is rated at its best value. Many of these things are also recommended when staging your home, so if you have taken those steps before listing, you will be ready to go.

• Clean up - A clean home will always make a better impression than a cluttered, dirty one. Cleaning your home also makes it easier for the appraiser to move about and get where he needs to go.
• Maximize curb appeal - Mow the lawn, tidy up the landscaping, and put a fresh coat of paint on that porch. Small maintenance items like these can go a long way in making a first impression.
• Feature your updates - Any permanent changes that you have made to the house should be documented and shared with the appraiser, if possible. This is especially important for less apparent updates like a new HVAC system or roof. The appraiser will appreciate having these pointed out to him.
• Show comparable homes - Your local Realtor should be providing you with current market updates before and while you are on the market, but if you don't have some comparable homes on hand, she should provide this for you and present it to the appraiser.

Are you buying a home in Northern Virginia this year? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today to get started!

Originally posted on www.sarahknobbs.com.

How to Write an Offer

You've met with a Realtor, you've viewed the best homes on the market, and you found the one. Now you have to write a great offer to entice the seller to work with you. In a buyer's market, you may have more flexibility, and in a seller's market, the sellers have the advantage. A combination of low inventory and high demand means well-priced homes in the area sell fast, so you have to be extra careful when submitting your offer. Your local Realtor will be sure to guide you, and this post will help you understand all the moving parts.

Price
Of course one of the most important factors to whether or not the seller will want to work with you is the price you offer on their home. It is crucial to consult your local Realtor on this. You hired her to be the expert, so listen to her advice. She will know if the listed price is fair, or if the home is overpriced. This will help you avoid giving a lowball offer, which may offend the seller and cause you to lose the home you love.

Earnest Money Deposit
As part of the real estate contract, you are asked to give consideration (i.e. a monetary deposit) with your formal written offer. Generally speaking, this amounts to 1-3% of the sale price of the home. If you are in a competitive situation and you can afford it, your agent may recommend offering a higher earnest money deposit, or EMD, to show the seller that you are all in and will work with them towards a mutually agreeable settlement.

Contingencies
There are several contingencies that may become a part of a real estate contract. The most common contingencies are financing, appraisal, and home inspection. Depending on the location of your home, you may need or want additional inspections such as well and septic. A radon test may need to be included. Your financing (or cash offer) may result in a different type of contingency as well. Your local Realtor will advise you on which ones you will need to include in your offer and the best way to present them to the seller. 

Timelines
Just as you have a date in mind by which you want or need to move, the seller is probably in the same boat. Merging schedules can be tricky, so make sure your local Realtor contacts the seller so that you can smooth over the detail of the settlement date early on in negotiations. Other timelines will need to be assigned to each contingency, and your local Realtor will be sure to advise you on what is best.

Are you buying or selling a home in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky this year? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today to get started.

5 Unusual Items to Advertise When Selling Your Home

The great thing about homes are that every single one is unique. When you prepare to sell your home, the best things to focus on are the standout features of your individual residence. Of course buyers want to know about the kitchen, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces at a minimum, but there are some less obvious items that should not be overlooked when advertising your home to sell. See if your home boasts any of these 5 items, and shout it from the rooftop... or at least get it in the property description.

Storage
Everyone has stuff, and everyone needs places to put it. If you have large closets, built-in bookshelves, a pantry, or even an unfinished room in the basement, don't be shy about it. Buyers want to know that they can bring their collection of antique figurines or their massive library or whatever else is important to them. Plus, they want to make sure they can store their clothes and kitchen items with ease. Storage is a huge asset for any buyer.

Amenities
Does your neighborhood have a pool? A playground? A clubhouse? Walking trails? If you are nearby to any community amenities, let buyers know. Convenience can be a big motivator for buyers to make a move, especially if there are multiple homes in the same price range in your area. If you don't live in a neighborhood with a ton of amenities, think about other features of your location. Proximity to major roads, shopping, schools, and entertainment are all worth mentioning.

FlexibilityMany buyers look to stay in their home for several years and through multiple stages of life. Just because they are a young couple starting out doesn't mean they will stay just two. Buyers look for homes that have potential to grow and change with them. Empty nesters may look for a home with the option of single-level living to ease the way into old age, families might look for space in the yard for an addition, or a buyer might prefer an unfinished basement to add in a workshop or theatre room. 

EfficiencyEnergy Star- rated appliances, LED lightbulbs, tankless water heaters, multi-paned windows, and blown-in insulation are all items that should be advertised when selling your home. These features lower energy costs and are often things that buyers will not have to worry about or replace very soon after purchasing a home. An educated buyer will look for long-term saving options like these when searching for a home.

Eco-friendlinessGoing green is not just a trend anymore. The use of recycled materials in your home is something to share with potential buyers. Bamboo or cork flooring are beautiful materials that stand out in a listing description, as do recycled glass countertops or composite decking made from recycled plastic and wood products. Items that are eco-friendly are often also energy-efficient and long-lasting, so it's a win-win for the new owner. 

Are you buying or selling a home in Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky this year? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today to get started.

5 Ways to Protect Your Finances When Buying a Home

The search for your next home is always exciting, but it can often be filled with traps and pitfalls if you are not careful. Below you'll find 5 great ways to protect yourself in your next home purchase. Don't be a statistic; do your due diligence and get settled in a home that you can afford comfortably.

1. Be cautious about distressed properties
Many buyers seek out short sale homes or homes in foreclosure as a way to get a bargain on a new home. While some of these homes are still in good condition, many are not. It's important when you are considering a foreclosure or short sale home to do your homework. Be sure to hire a competent home inspector, and if major issues are found, hire a licensed contractor to analyze the problem and see if you can afford the fix. Even if a home is priced below market value, a fixer-upper can cost you more at the end of the day.

2. Watch out for overpriced FSBOs
Some buyers will talk to FSBOs (For Sale By Owner) because they want to cut out the Realtor commission and save themselves 3% on the price of the home. In theory, that could work, but many times FSBOs are actually priced higher than the market value because they haven't been priced by a professional. Be sure to talk to your buyers agent about the neighborhood values to ensure that you are not being wooed by an enthusiastic owner to pay too much for your home.

3. Don't borrow the full amount your lender offers
When you sit down to talk to a lender, they will review your financial situation with you to determine what you are able to borrow. They all have their systems in place that will give you a price they feel you can afford in the long-term. However, it's not always the best idea to shop at the top of your budget. While the lender knows a lot about your credit and expenses, they can't decide what monthly payment you are comfortable with. That needs to be a discussion between you and anyone else who is sharing that monthly mortgage payment with you.

4. Maintain a cash reserve 
Besides determining the amount of money you want to borrow to buy a house, you have to look at what liquid funds you have at your disposal. It's never a good idea to spend your entire savings on a down payment for a house. Keep a reserve available for taxes, utilities, repairs, and maintenance. Many homebuyers don't realize how much they will need to spend to move into a new home, especially first-time homebuyers. Keep your spending conservative with your home purchase, and you will be able to comfortably enjoy it for years to come.

5. Hire a strong buyer agent
This is perhaps the single best thing you can do to protect yourself when buying a home. A strong buyer agent will guide you through all of the above and more. They will make sure you see the best homes in your price range, and that you understand all of the costs involved in living there. A knowledgeable agent will know about the local HOAs, any special assessments, and they will be able to negotiate the best sales price for you. Don't sell yourself short; hire a strong buyer agent to help you and get to closing without the headaches.

Are you buying a home in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky this year? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today to get started!

Originally posted on www.sarahknobbs.com.

5 Tips for Selling a Greater Cincy Home in Winter

Many people say that spring and summer are the best times to sell a home. While each season has its advantages and disadvantages, winter is actually a great time to sell your home in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Keep reading to get tips and advice to make your home stand out and get it sold for the best value in winter.

 

1. Dress up the front of your house to make it feel warm and inviting. Don't go overboard!  You want to make sure that you enhance the curb appeal of your home, not hide it. Strategically placed lights and greenery are often enough to create the idea of a welcoming home.  As in other seasons, you want to create that great first impression with curb appeal.

 

2. One of the biggest things is a simple one-- make sure to keep the house clean and all walkways clear of leaves, snow, and other debris. If buyers need to trek through a few inches of snow on the way into your home, or if they enter a kitchen with dirty dishes all over the counter, that sets the wrong tone for the showing.

 

3. Don't be shy with the light and the heat. When you sell a home in the winter, turn on all the lights before showings and open the blinds. Allowing more light creates a more welcoming atmosphere, and buyers will see your home at its best. Also be sure to keep your thermostat set at a comfortable temperature all day when you have a showing. Not only does a cold home make buyers feel uncomfortable, but they will also start questioning whether your HVAC system is working.

 

4. Something many do not consider when preparing a home for showing is providing sound, specifically music. You could put on jazz, classical, or any other music you feel wouldn't distract from the house. Having soft music in the background makes the home feel more alive, and buyers will be more comfortable moving around and evaluating the home.

 

5. Be sure to take advantage of the lower inventory in the wintertime and highlight the unique features of your home. Your Realtor should have all items of significance listed in the MLS and in their in-home flyer, but you might take the time to place a small notice outside of each room to point out the important features. If you have a new water heater, you might notate that outside of your utility room, or you could list the materials used in your beautiful kitchen renovation so buyers know exactly what they are getting.

Are you buying or selling a home in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky this year? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today to get started.

DIY Guide to Decluttering Your Greater Cincy Home

The new year causes many of us to reflect on the previous year and set goals to improve. For some, they decide to go to the gym more often or eat better. Others set work or professional goals to achieve.

This post is for the people who want to take back their homes from the clutter in the new year. Clutter often builds up slowly over time until you look around and wonder how it all got there. Fear not! There is a simple 3-step method to make it all go away.

Define Your Goals
Before beginning, you want to take the time to make a plan. Go through each room of your house and decide what needs to be done in each location. Track this either with pen and paper, or use something like Google Docs or Evernote to ensure you don't forget the details.

Once you know what has to be done, determine the priority of each area. Is your office overflowing with outdated paperwork? Are your kitchen cabinets bursting with cookware you never use? Decide which location will give you the most satisfaction when it is not full of clutter, and make that your #1 priority. Rank the other areas in relative importance from high to low.

The last (and often overlooked) part of goal-setting is choosing a timeline. If your kitchen is the first location to tackle, maybe you want to sort out all the old cookware by Sunday evening, so you can cook without the clutter through the workweek. Whatever the timeline is, make sure you stick to it so you complete the other items on your list.

Decide How to SortSorting as you go through the clutter is important. You can make your sorting process very simple by dividing everything you encounter into 3 categories: Keep, Trash, and Storage. 

Keep - these are items that you use on a regular basis that are functional or items that bring you joy. What does that mean? Anything that you can instantly recall the last time you used it and you know it works, keep it. If you have something that you would use if it wasn't broken, but it just sits on a shelf waiting for you to fix it for months and months, just get rid of it. An item that brings you joy could be anything from a sports jersey to a toy from your childhood to a family heirloom. These items might not be very practical, but their existence makes you happy.

Trash - If an item is broken and can't be easily fixed, trash it. If you haven't used something in over a year (and it's not a seasonal item), trash it. If you're keeping a horrible gift solely out of obligation to Great Aunt Mildred, trash it. Trashing it doesn't have to mean you fill endless garbage bags as you go through your house, however. Many items can be recycled or donated, or you could have a yard sale. 

Storage - For seasonal items, or for things with emotional significance that don't fit elsewhere in your home, storage is the way to go. Whether it's your own attic/basement storage, or you pay for a storage unit, take the time to organize what you store. Items that you pull out for holidays should be easily accessible. If you are keeping things because you plan to buy a larger house one day, those might not need to be as accessible.

Set Aside Time to Work
Even if it's only 15 minutes a day, or 1 hour on Saturdays, commit to that time. If you skip it, the clutter will stay. If you struggle with this, make it a game. Get someone to join you in the activity and make it a contest, or give yourself a reward for keeping to your schedule. However you do it, you just have to make sure that it gets done. The best reward to keeping to your schedule will be the new, clean look your home has when you are done. 

Thinking of selling a home in Northern Virginia in 2016? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today to get started.

8 Reasons to Stage Your Home to Sell [Before and After Photos]

When you decide to sell your home, you are making a huge change in your life. Most likely, you are selling your largest investment, so it is vital that you take the necessary steps to get the best value for your home.

Hiring a great Realtor is the first step, but not the only thing you can do to get your home sold. Hiring a professional home stager can greatly increase the value that buyers find in your home. Keep reading for the 8 reasons to stage your home for sale. We've included some before-and-after photos of one of our Virginia team's recent listings.

Reason #1: The cost of staging will be returned to you in the sale of your home.

According to a 2015 National Association of Realtors report, more than half of buyers think a staged home is worth at least 1% more than an otherwise equal home. That means for a $200,000 home, staging adds at least $2000 to the value, and only costs an average of $675 per home!

Reason #2: You will make more money on your home sale if you stage your home.

That same NAR survey revealed that only 4% of Realtors feel that staging does not impact a buyer's view on the value of a home. That means that 96% of buyers will view a staged home in a more positive light.

Reason #3: A picture is worth 1000 words, and yours will be better looking than the competition.

More than 90% of buyers now search for homes online. That means that if you don't have amazing photos, your home will be overlooked by many buyers. Your home's photos are truly the first impression of your house-- don't you want them to be the best they can be?

Reason #4: Stagers give an objective viewpoint to your home and its features.

Your home is your refuge from the world. Even if you never thought you would live there forever, chances are you have made some memories there. It is difficult for many sellers to detach themselves from their homes enough to de-personalize and de-clutter enough to attract buyers. That's where the stager comes in to help.

Reason #5: Your home will look bigger and brighter after staging.

Professional stagers know how to arrange your furniture to set your rooms at their best advantage. They know if you should add light fixtures to a space, change the curtains to let more light in, or paint the walls to make everything look bigger and brighter. That means better photos and a better look when buyers enter your home for the first time.

Reason #6: Staging will help your home sell faster.

There are 3 factors that impact the sale of a home: location, condition, and price. Your location is fixed, and your Realtor will advise you on the price that will result in a successful sale based on the condition of your home. If you can improve the condition of your home through staging, you will be able to sell quickly and for a higher price than before.

Reason #7: If you don't stage your home, you are helping the competition. 

While every home is unique, making your home stand out in a good way will put it ahead of other homes in buyers' minds. If you choose to sell your home as-is, there's a good chance you are helping another home in your area sell faster, because the buyers didn't see your home in its best light from the beginning.

Reason #8: You can relax knowing that you have done everything you can to sell your home.

The combination of a great Realtor and talented staging team means you have hired the best people to help you sell your home. The responsibility now falls to their talents, and you just have to sit back and review the offers that come in.

Are you selling your home in 2016? Contact Greater Cincy Homes today and take advantage of our decades of combined experience in the Greater Cincinnati real estate market.

Have you seen our Columbia Road Listing?

Approximately 11000 Square Feet inside. 22 Acres outside. Woods, open space, streams and much more! This is a SPECTACULAR home features beautiful custom details throughout! There are a few photos below; for the full feast, click here 3023 Columbia Road Union Township Ohio

3023 Columbia Road, Union Township Ohio

My personal favorite is the outdoor living area complete with fireplace adjacent to the in-ground pool. 

You'll LOVE the view from here!

Columbia Road Pool and Outdoor Living Area

Click the links above for more information, pricing and photos. 

Or visit www.greatercincyhomes.net to see all of our Featured Properties

FSBO: Why Agents are Worth MORE Than What You Pay Them

Why 'For Sale by Owner' Doesn't Save you the Commission

Since hiring a  professional real estate agent to sell a home became a popular, sellers have been trying to sell their homes themselves to save the commissions that agents charge.

In many situations, a full time real estate agent will charge a 6% commission as a brokerage fee to assist a homeowner in selling their home. Brokers often make an offer of half of their listed commission to other real estate agents to bring their buyers and ultimately purchase the home.

But do homeowners really save the 6% commission?
A seller must put themselves in a buyer's shoes to fully understand the big picture. A home buyer who sees the "For Sale By Owner" sign in the yard, they too understand that the home seller is not paying a commission to an agent. The buyer feels like since there is no commission being paid that they too can save some money if they purchase this home. Both parties can't save 6% commission so usually the buyer and seller end up negotiating for the savings.

Experience and Costly Mistakes
Homeowners likely sell a home 6 or 7 times in their lifetime. A good professional real estate agent sells somewhere around 30-50 houses per year. The average homeowner will make mistakes that a professional will not make. Lack of experience with negotiations, inspections, title issues, qualifying the buyer, and other hurdles can certainly cost the seller thousands.

Maximum Exposure & Time = Money
Real estate professionals have tools at their disposal such as the MLS (multiple listing service) and other technological marketing tools to generate traffic to your home. What's more is that agents have relationships with other agents in the market that represent buyers who may be interested in a home like yours.

Having these tools, agents are likely to sell your home much faster than you may be able to. Some FSBOs might say "So what? I don't have to sell fast to get top dollar." Math doesn't lie. If you have a mortgage on a home, you make an interest payment on your home mortgage. Interest is the cost of borrowing money and a cost that you cannot get back. Every month that goes by that you do not sell your home, you pay added interest that you will never see back.

The average days on market for a good agent are under 30 days, therefore a good agent will have your home sold and you can save added interest on your mortgage. FSBOs usually try to market their home themselves for 30-60 days before listing with an agent. By waiting, the homeowner has lost whatever interest they have paid on the mortgage.

So what should a homeowner do?
It is a difficult concept to grasp. It is easy to think that not paying a commission will save you more money than you can make on your own. However, less than 3% of homeowners are able to sell their home without the help of a real estate agent and 85% of FSBOs eventually list and sell with a Realtor.

A smart homeowner will find a fantastic Realtor that sells at least 40+ houses per year and has experience in the area where their home is. Interview this agent and ask difficult questions about what will that agent do to get the home sold. Work on a detailed plan to market and sell the home with the agent and listen to their advice when they give it to you.

If you are looking for the right agent to call, my contact information is below. Together, we can discuss the marketing plan that will get your home sold and you moved on to your new home.

Aaron Smith
Greater Cincy Homes
859-360-9997
greatercincyhomes.net

Special Loan Program for Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Doctors

Special Financing for Physicians in the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Area

Whether you just passed your boards or whether you have been in practice for years, when you are buying a home in Cincinnati you have options when it comes to financing.

Are you a Resident, Fellow, or New Physician?
Are you currently in residency or set to begin new residency within 90 days of the closing date OR scheduled to complete medical residency/fellowship and under contract to work within 90 days of the closing
date OR have commenced work within the last 12 months with a hospital, physician group?

You may be able to get financing up to 100% of the home value on a new purchase, up to $500,000 or 95% up to $1 million.

Established in Medicine?
Are you a licensed doctor who has been employed as a non-Intern/Resident/Fellow for at least 12 months
by a hospital or physician group or self-employed for at least 2 years as an MD or DO?

You may be able to get financing up to 100% of the home value on a new purchase up to $650,000. Or refinance a 100% loan-to-value up to $650,000, 90% up to $1 million, or 85% up to $1.5 million.

For more information about the Physician's Loan Program, call Aaron Smith with Greater Cincy Homes at 859-360-9997 or send us a message at GreaterCincyHomes.net.

Greater Cincinnati $0 down USDA Financing

Most people have no clue that the United States Department of Agriculture has a program where a home buyer can buy their next house with NO DOWN PAYMENT. This is otherwise known as a rural housing loan. As you can see from the map located below, there are still lots of attractive areas to live in the rural housing areas.

Looking at the map below, anything that is not shaded in the orange, qualifies for USDA Rural Financing. The link below will take you to USDA's website where you can check the eligibility of a particular address.

Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky USDA Financing

Search homes in USDA housing territory.

Make sure to double check with the USDA website whether each individual address qualifies for their financing. USDA has income limits, so if your income exceeds a certain amount (based on location), you may not qualify for the loan.

Low Ballin' - Offers That Could Hurt You

The Greater Cincy Homes team received an offer for one of our wonderful listings this afternoon. This was very exciting because the sellers are new grandparents and they are looking forward to making the next step into a ranch style house with a couple of acres.

Though we received an offer, it left a little to be desired. First of all, the agents handwriting on the contract was something a 3rd grader would laugh at. Next, the offer was ridiculously low. The buyer was a first timer who seemingly just picked a number out of thin air.

Doing a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) before making an offer on a house would be a great idea. How do you know what to offer on a house when you have no idea what it is worth. Also, if you are working with an agent that is helping you make the offer, make sure their handwriting is legible and they print neatly on the contract so all parties can see that they were offering $698,000 instead of $648,000.

Also, making a low ball offer may upset the seller into being difficult to negotiate with. Fortunately, our well mannered seller didn't take offense.

Greater Cincy Homes wishes you happy buying and selling.

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