Mistakes Home Sellers Make

Orange County Realtors, Drew and Linda Hartanov, have a great post on their Blog... 4 Common Mistakes Home Sellers Make and How To Avoid Them.

Take a look and then contact me, 740-397-7800 with any questions you might have about how these mistakes relate to the Hampton Roads housing market.

You can receive a Market Valuation of your home by visiting: http://www.sammiller.com/lhome.htm

5 Powerful Buying Strategies

A post on Hampton Roads Real Estate Blog by Realtor and friend, Dave Macklin in Virginia Beach, Virginia gives 5 Powerful Buying Strategies for today’s buyers. These strategies include:

1. Don't Get "Pre-Qualified!" Get "Pre-Approved"

2. Sell First, Then Buy

3. Play the Game of Nines

4. Don't Be Pushed Into Any House

5. Stop Calling Ads!

Read this important post and put yourself in the best possible position to buy a home. Then contact me, or visit my website, so I can represent your best interests when buying your Ohio home. I will take care of you just like family.

Realtors Help Rebuild New Orleans

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® announced a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity encouraging each of the nation’s local REALTOR® associations to sponsor and build a new Habitat home in the Gulf Coast region.

NAR will hold its annual convention in New Orleans this fall, at which time, approximately 30,000 REALTORS® will deliver hands-on help to clean up damaged neighborhoods and build 54 new Habitat for Humanity homes.

There is no better way to honor the community we will be visiting in November, New Orleans, than to help it rebuild.
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Thinking of buying or selling real estate? Visit my website. You can view all real estate listings here.

How To Move On A Budget

Whether you are moving across the street or across the country, all moves require the same patience and preparation. After notifying your current landlord (if you rent), it's important to establish a budget for moving expenses as soon as you can.

Determine Your Spending Comfort Level
Before you can initiate a move, you must first have an understanding for what you are comfortable spending on your move. The budget will differ depending on the amount of belongings you are moving as well as the distance of the move itself. Other moving expenses are involved in the cost of a move such as: when are you moving? Typically, moving expenses during the week are less than weekends. Also, the least expensive time of the year to move is between October and April.

Ways to Save
The most important factor to consider when budgeting your move is the more work you are willing to do, the less your move will cost. For instance, if you are willing to pack and load and unload your belongings onto and off of the truck, there are movers who will handle the driving and will charge you considerably less than a full-service mover who will handle all the aspects of you move from packing to loading to driving to unloading.

Check if Storage is Included
While you will most likely move straight from your current home to your new home, there may be some period of time between moving out and moving in. This will require storage of your belongings which must also be considered in your budget. If you are using a full-service mover, they will commonly include some storage into your quote. However, if you are moving yourself, you must make these arrangements ahead of time.

You should also remember to include in your budget such extras as:

• hotel room, if you will need a place to stay while your belongings are in route
  
• car rental if you will be shipping your car
  
• utilities fees for shutting off or turning on existing or new services
  
• a tip for the movers
  
• pizza and/or refreshments for friends/family helping you pack/load

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Thinking of buying or selling a home? Visit my website for a current market value of yur home and to view all local real estate listings.

7 Reasons To Own Your Own Home

1. Tax Breaks – The interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes and some of your closing costs are all tax deductible.

2. Gains – Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices have increased an average of 5.4% annually. While no one can guarantee appreciation rates, the National Association of Realtors found a typical homeowner has approximately $50,000 of unrealized gain in their home.

3. Equity – Rent money is money that is thrown away while mortgage payments build equity. In 2003, the average renter was worth $5,000. the average homeowner was worth $175,000.

4. Savings – building equity in your home is a ready made savings plan. When you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 as gain without paying federal income tax.

5. Predictability – Unlike rent, your mortgage payments don’t increase. Your housing costs may actually decline as you own your home longer. Keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs may rise, however.

6. Freedom – The home is yours. You may decorate and make improvements as you wish, as well as, benefit from the improvements you make.

7. Stability – Being members of a community allows you to participate in community activities, establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

If you are considering buying your first home, contact me, 740-397-7800. I will be assist you in determining if renting or buying is the right decision for you.