Central Ohio Real Estate

Glenn Beck RE Latest

2008-08-22T10:56:00Z

Ok, I am going out on a limb here because I am very positive and have to be with what we do for a living, but a little "water cooler" talk here. I happened by Glenn Beck last night on cable news and he was bashing the $7500 tax credit plan for first time buyers. Ok, I have to agree that it could have been done better - however, is he encouraging a world of landlords? Bottom line is that people need housing, the American Dream of homeownership is still alive and well. First time buyers (those that have not owned in 3+ years) who CAN get a mortgage now (with much more stringent credit requirements) are enjoying some of the lowest home prices and interest rates in a decade or more - and the market WILL bounce back. Not EVERYONE who has purchased a home in the last 5 years are over their heads if they had the proper guidance getting there. We do have a public that is very misinformed over financials and some that are not responsible - blame that on whomever you like - but if they do get into a home that the CAN afford as opposed to renting indefinately why discourage that? Should the entire housing industry come to a screeching halt because of this $53 trillion dollar Fannie/Freddie debt he is screaming about? What good will that do for recovery if people become renters, the public just gets scared to death over these rantings and do not get educated and work on their credit? This is a cycle that needed to end - values could not keep going up when earnings are not. It is good the days of "stated income" and interest only zero down loans are gone. The smart home buying consumers always knew there is not instant gratification when it comes to home ownership. They still know that, and if they are in a position to take advantage of the incentives now why yell at them? Let's hear a little more about the majority of owners who are still in pretty good shape. love their homes and quit telling horror stories about those that are not. Believe it or not, there really are smart homeowners out there with some equity. Bad news sure gets sponsors, huh?

Westport Home Builders?

2008-03-11T22:27:00Z

Hello my fellow Reliber's. I need your help, especially if you are over in the Indianapolis area. Can you share your experience with this builder? They are new to our area but it looks like from preliminary research they have been building in the Indianapolis market for quite awhile? I understand they have a new Vice President who jumped ship from one of our largest area home builders and they seem to be buying up some lots in some of our larger communities. They are selling lots of sq foot for the buck here in some communities where the homes on the secondary market cannot compete with their pricing. Anyone have experience with them in other areas? My buyers are questioning the quality and warranty reliability for the buck and I have not seen them really reaching out to the Realtor's here yet. Plus, we have just seen Beazer and Centex come and go here in a variety of communities. Any testimonials or tales would be welcomed. Thanks all!!

USA Today Article May Help Your Sellers & Buyers

2008-01-05T14:58:00Z

Hi all,

Just got this article in my in box this morning and thought I would share. I have sent it to a few of my clients, especially those that have been on the market awhile and are just itching to do something to stimulate activity. It's a tough time of year anyway in the midwest. Thought you all would be interested to see what our clients are reading in USA Today. Granted, it's not all rosey, but touches on what can be some pretty helpful hints.

http://www.builderonline.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=26&articleID=635562

Not Just A Job. . .An Adventure

2007-08-09T11:32:00Z

Several clients and friends who read my articles regularly suggested that I share with you some of the more humorous stories of my adventures in showing homes. Over the past several years, I’ve worked with home buyers showing literally hundreds of homes in the central Ohio area. Even after years of it, I still consider it a privilege to assist home buyers to find “the one”. I’ve had some unique showing experiences that may help some home owners know what not to do when your home is set to be toured. Here are a few that were downright laughable. Proof positive that a sense of humor is a requirement for selling real estate.

A nice young couple seeking their first home, a Condo. We entered one that apparently was not expecting us and the dirty laundry was just everywhere in the living room, socks, “skid marks”, you name it. But it gets better. Unannounced to me, they had a dog. My client was allergic to dogs. I opened the garage door entry and in ran (like lightening) what appeared to be a long haired Dachshund. A cute little fella that was REALLY scared that people were in his house. He proceeded to tinkle on the new pergo—and not just a little bit, all the way through the kitchen, and ran like the dickens to get away from us. So I scrambled for paper towels as my client held his breath stating he was very allergic (To imagine this, hold your nose and say “I am very allergic” - and I could not laugh at the time). My clients ran out the door and I managed to wrangle the little guy back into the garage. Needless to say, that condo “was not the one”.

A beautiful newer home was on the market for a great price. Over and over I brought buyers in for a peek. However, when you got to the master bedroom, “the peek” was a bit more than anyone bargained for. The home owners apparently had some pretty risky photos done of the wife in her pregnancy in little more than her skivvies and a feather boa to add some pizzazz. The first clients I brought through alerted me to this oversight (but maybe she was a bit of a proud exhibitionist). I alerted the listing agent in my feedback, but the photo stayed. So every time I showed the master after that, I would make my way in there to hide the pic and re-hang it as we were exiting. None of my folks ever picked that house—but I wondered if the home owners remembered it was there when they sat down at the table to close with the new buyers. Talk about curing nervous jitters by picturing someone in their underwear—wow.

And I have to add the infamous “poo shoe” story: Showing a pretty large family with several very active boys a home. It was spring and the kids were bored and wanted to be out in the yard while mom and dad toured. There was no indication of a dog there as the home was vacant—but apparently the “land mines” had not been part of the move for them (or a gift from the neighbors?). Back inside come the kids, and “what’s that smell?” Their Nikes had been the lucky winners of some pretty stinky souvenirs. Fortunately, I have my trusty basket of tools that might be handy when touring, and did have carpet cleaner spray and a scrub brush in my car and took care of that. The parents fussed at the kids and with some water, paper towels and elbow grease, we took care of their tennies and went on to the next home. We found them a house, but it wasn’t that one—and still we all talk and laugh about the infamous “poo shoe” tour.

These are just a few, I could write a book with tales like these. (Maybe I will someday) Do you have some great, or not so great, tour stories to tell? It really helps sellers to see their homes from "the buyers eyes" - do they know they get 15 minutes or less to make an impression? I share these, and other true tales with many, not only does it help to break the ice, but get's them thinking. One thing it does make it clear. Our career is not just a job, but an adventure!