Knox County Ohio Blog

Knox County OH Soil Analysis

2007-09-13T12:35:00.001-04:00

Have you ever really thought about the dirt that your home is sitting on? It may seem like just an afterthought when you’re out mowing the lawn or playing in the yard with the kids, but the details of the soil on your property can tell you a great deal about the history and future of the land upon which you tread every day.

The US Department of Agriculture’s has an extremely comprehensive Web Soil Survey website that contains digital maps and unbelievable amounts of digital soil data that has been methodically collected. Just type in your address and then explore almost anything you ever wanted to know about the soil upon which your home is sitting including chemical properties, erosion factors and likelihood, and its drainage class.

This information is invaluable if you are considering building an addition to your existing home or are purchasing property and want to feel confident in the makeup of the soil on which your family will live.

To get a complimentary comparative analysis of your home’s value, please click here - or feel free to visit my website or email me if you would like to learn more about Knox County OH real estate. I would love to help you invest in your future.

The Knox County Ohio Blog is on the Move!

2007-09-10T13:13:00.000-04:00

We’re not leaving! But we are moving the Knox County Ohio Blog to a new site next week.

Starting next week, please change your bookmarks to reflect our blog’s new location.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sam Recognized as Ohio’s Foreclosure Investing Expert!

2007-09-06T20:46:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine, Ralph Roberts of Warren, MI – who also happens to be one of the top Realtors in the nation – has written a book that is both extremely informative as well as timely for today’s real estate market. Foreclosure Investing For Dummies is a hands-on guide that covers all aspects of investing in foreclosures – which we all know are on the rise in almost every corner of America. In the book, Roberts navigates several topics including how to:

· Research property titles, mortgages, and deeds
· Build a strong investment team
· Obtain financing
· Network your way to success
· Avoid common pitfalls
· Invest with integrity

I am honored to have been included as the Contributing Realtor for Ohio, and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about investing in any foreclosures in the Knox County real estate market.

To learn more about investing in foreclosures or Knox County OH real estate, please visit my website or call me at 800-282-9096. You may also click here to view homes for sale in Knox County OH. I would love to help you invest in your future!

Knox County OH Real Estate Update

2007-08-30T15:04:00.000-04:00

If you’ve turned on the news or read a newspaper lately, you have certainly heard all of the buzz around the national housing market crisis. Some news media is even referring to it as “Mortgage Meltdown 2007.” In the wake of recent changes in interest rates and credit standards, Realty Trac (an online marketer of foreclosure properties) has announced that the recent influx of foreclosure filings showed now signs of easing as of July 2007.

Foreclosure filings in July 2007 showed a 9 percent rise over those filed in June 2006 and a startling 93 percent increase compared with July 2006.

Read the full article here, and please remember that an experienced Realtor is always your best resource if you think you may be facing foreclosure in the future. We can lay out your options for you and give you a realistic view of the current housing market.

To learn more about the latest in the housing market and Knox County OH real estate, please visit my website or call me today at 740-397-7800.

Tips for Homeowners in Knox County, OH

2007-08-23T10:34:00.000-04:00

We have all seen the recent coverage of Hurricane Dean and, hitting very close to home, the flooding in Findlay. If you are not familiar with your homeowners insurance policy coverage, now is a great time for homeowners everywhere to review their policies. Homeowners should take a good look at their policies before a natural disaster strikes so that they can know what to expect if and when you need to file a claim. Here are 5 tips for understanding your Homeowners Insurance:

1. Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item – these coverages must be purchased separately.

2. Look for dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may be a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately.

3. Understand replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you’ll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,000 and it costs $180,000 to replace it, you’ll only receive $150,000.

4. Understand actual cash value. If you choose not to replace your home when it’s destroyed, you’ll receive replacement cost, less depreciation.

5. Understand liability. Generally your homeowners insurance covers you for accidents that happen to other people on your property, including medical care, court costs, and awards by the court. However, there is usually an upper limit to the amount of coverage provided. Be sure that it’s sufficient if you have significant assets.

For more information about owning a home and Knox County OH real estate, please visit my website or call me at 740-397-7800. To learn how to help our neighbors in Findlay, please visit the American Red Cross’s website: http://www.redcross.org/.

How Walk-able is Your Knox County OH Neighborhood?

2007-08-16T12:03:00.000-04:00

This week I came across a website that is just so neat, I had to share it. www.WalkScore.com allows you to type in any address, and it will rate the “walk-ability” of that property by calculating its distance to things like the nearest grocery store, movie theater, library, school, park, and pharmacy.

We all know that walking is important for our health and, with all of the hype over “going green” lately, we know that walking instead of driving when possible is one way that we can all help to save the environment. In fact, it is recommended that adults tread 10,000 steps per day to reap the many benefits of walking. Why not consider the walk-ability of a neighborhood the next time you are in the market for a new home? Or, if you’ve recently moved to a new home, check out the walk-ability to various destinations in your new neighborhood.

To learn more about Knox County OH real estate and neighborhoods, please visit my website or call me today at 740-397-7800. I would love to help you find a new neighborhood to explore on foot!

Knox County OH Interest Rate Update

2007-08-09T10:10:00.000-04:00

The Real Estate Journal (a subsidiary of the Wall Street Journal Online), reported this week that tightening standards in lending may worsen the housing slump being felt in much of the country.

In the wake of the recent controversy surrounding the sub-prime lending market, more lenders in Knox County are being forced to raise interest rates and stick with loans that are considered less risky than mortgages that were being offered previously. It is no longer those with the weakest credit records who are feeling the sting of the tightening standards when it comes to credit, documented income, and down payment ability.

Read the full article here to learn how this trend may affect you if you are in the market for a mortgage.

If you are in the market for a mortgage in the Knox County OH area, I am glad to refer you to a reputable, knowledgeable and competitive mortgage lender who will take the time to explain your loan options to you. This will allow you to make an educated decision about which home loan is best for you considering the current market conditions. Just give me a call at 740-397-7800 or visit my website. I'm here to help.

Back To School In Knox County OH

2007-08-02T10:08:00.000-04:00

The summer is flying by – as it always seems to do – and it is almost time to start thinking about sending kids back to school again!

Whether you are new to the Knox County area or already have kids in school here, now is a good time to take a good look at how the schools are measuring up.

Below is a link to reviews of schools in Knox County OH – does YOUR child’s school make the grade?

Knox County School Reviews

To learn more about moving your family and Knox County OH real estate, please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit www.SamMiller.net.

10 Ways to Make Your House in Knox County OH More Saleable

2007-07-25T15:35:00.000-04:00

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

4. Get rid of smells! Even if you think you house does not have smells, spring for a good carpet and drape cleaning to eliminate any possible cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Keep the windows open when possible (if road noise is not an issue).

5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Clean your gutters. Remove any debris such as pine straw that has accumulated on the roof.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers. Remember, the door is the first part of the home potential buyers see!

To learn more about buying or selling a home in Knox County, OH please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit my Web site at http://www.sammiller.com/. I would love to help make your home more saleable!

Summer Fun in Knox County, OH - Part 2

2007-07-19T15:22:00.000-04:00

In continuing with the theme of curing kids’ summertime boredom, I’ve compiled a list of ways to get your children outdoors and exploring the beautiful natural surroundings of Knox County, OH:

1. Go on a Bug Hunt Equip your child with a baby food jar or bug jar and encourage them to look for natural life around them. Look under leaves & stumps (be sure to turn them back over), on tree trunks & leaves and in flowers. Handle the bugs gently and let them go when you are done. Name your favorite bug according to its colors, the way it moves or something different about it.

2. Listen to the World Around You Have your child sit and listen to the sounds of nature by closing their eyes, and counting on their fingers the different sounds they hear. Compare natural vs. unnatural sounds. Try this in several different habitats such as in a field, near a pond and in a forest and compare the kinds and numbers of sounds heard.

3. Look at Nature Before a visit to a park, have your child decorate two toilet paper rolls. Staple them together to make mini-binoculars. Take them outside for a game of "I Spy" looking for items from nature. Look for things near by, in middle range and far away.

4. Get a New Perspective Have your child lie face upward under a large tree. Have them look into the branches. Can they see the top branch? What patterns can they see. What other things are present? They can pretend to be the roots of the tree in the soil. What do they feel like? What animals can they see moving around in the tree?

5. Use Imagination Choose an area with natural ground coverings such as leaves, cones, wild grass etc. and sit down. Give your child 6 short pieces of straw or toothpicks. Have them pretend to shrink down to the size of an ant with you. Their job is to lead a nature walk for creatures the size of an ant by choosing 6 interesting things along a one meter stretch of ground. Encourage them to use their imagination!

6. Wet Noses Wet the underside of your child's nose with a small wet sponge. This improves their sense of smell just as it does for deer and rabbits. Find familiar smells such as flowers to try, then go on to other things like rubbing a leaf between your fingers and smelling or scratching a pine needle. Also try moss, bark, pitch or grabbing an handful of leafy soil etc.

7. Discover Color in Nature Get 10 old paint swatches of various natural colors from a paint store. Cut them into individual squares and take these and your child to a natural area. One at a time, have your child look for each color in nature. You will be amazed at what colors you can find if you really look!

8. Touching Nature Blindfold your child and lead them to a tree to get to know it by feeling the bark texture, finding branches and any other way to recognize a specific tree without looking at it. Still blind-folded, lead your child back to where you started. Now take off the blindfold and have them try to find their tree using their sense of touch to confirm it. What other senses helped them to locate their tree? (sounds, sense of balance, smells, warmth etc.)

9. A Night time Experience Go with your child to a safe natural place at night. Cover your flashlight with red plastic so you won't startle the animals. Try out some of the ideas above to learn about plants & animals of the night. It takes about 20 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust from bright light to darkness.

10. A Rainy Day Experience Dress to stay dry but with your hands free (no umbrellas) and go out on a rainy day with your child. Peek into puddles. Listen for bird & frog calls. How many kinds of raindrops can you see? Can you find plants with a drip tip? Try to find out where animals go when it is raining.

For more information about real estate and living in Knox County, OH please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit my Web site at http://www.sammiller.com/.

Summer Fun In Knox County, OH - Part 1

2007-07-14T15:16:00.000-04:00

Summer is in full swing and as the novelty of being out of school begins to wear off, most parents are bracing themselves for the inevitable “I’m booooored” that is just bound to come out of their children’s mouths soon.

Below are links to several fun things to do with your children this summer to get them outside and enjoying this beautiful time of year in Knox County:

Places to camp in Knox County
Outdoor activities in Knox County (think horses, canoes, etc.)
Cultural activities in Knox County (think museums, tours, and gardens)
Knox County Park District

For more information about real estate and living in Knox County, OH please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit my Web site at www.SamMiller.com. Happy trails, and here’s to an exciting second half of the summer!

Kokosing Gap Trail: Ohio’s Finest Rail to Trail

2007-07-02T18:31:00.000-04:00

Once an active branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Kokosing Gap Trail offers Knox county residents a relaxing and very scenic means of exercise and recreation. Opened in 1991, the Trail is a 10-foot wide paved path that stretches 13.5 miles from Mount Vernon to Danville. Along its course, the Trail follows Knox County’s scenic Kokosing River and surrounding countryside. Forested hills, wetlands, family farms, and the river itself offer pleasant scenery, and many opportunities for memorable photos. Beginning in Mount Vernon’s Phillips Park, the trail runs east to historic Gambier, the home of nationally respected Kenyon College. Here, one can stop for a rest at one of the Trail’s restroom facilities and take photos with one of the Trail’s travelers from the past: and old steam engine, coal car, flatbed and caboose; a standing reminder of the legacy of America’s once great railroad system.

From Gambier, the trail continues northeast towards Howard, where the beautiful Apple Valley Lake and resort are located. Here, Trail goers will pass underneath Route 36 through a stone-arched tunnel, and then continue on towards Danville. It is in Danville where the 13.5-mile Kokosing Gap Trail ends, but if one wishes to travel further, the Mohican Valley Trail, which opened to the public in 1999, begins only a few blocks from where the Kokosing Trail ends.

The Trail is also a great place for nature lovers. In addition to the common squirrel, chipmunk, and deer, the Kokosing Gap Trail is also a great place for bird watchers. One of the most inspiring sights at the Trail is the rare spotting of the American Bald Eagle. At least one mating pair is reported to soar the skies along the Kokosing River, making the Trail one of the best places to try and spot this majestic, once endangered, bird of prey. With the 4th of July fast approaching, the spotting of the American Bald Eagle within Knox County could be one of the most memorable sights of the summer.

Parking for the Kokosing Gap Trail can be found in Mount Vernon, Gambier, Howard, and Danville. The trail features several river crossings on wooden-decked steel bridges, a few of which include observation decks where people can rest and take in the scenery or take a few photos. Recently, there has been some talk on extending the Trail to also run north to Fredericktown, Ohio. The Kokosing Gap Trail is a beautiful, relaxing stretch of path, which is enjoyable to people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether biking, walking, running or skating, the Trail is an excellent venue for exercise and shows off the beauty and rich history of Knox County.

Apple Valley Lake Fireworks

2007-06-30T06:34:00.000-04:00

Apple Valley Ohio residents will celebrate Independence Day on Saturday July 7th. The fireworks display will be set off near the Apple Valley Clubhouse towards the Apple Valley Lake. If you have never experienced the fireworks being set off over the lake it is absolutely gorgeous. Many property owners will actually view the fireworks from their boats while on the lake.

During this weekend there will be opportunities to view, tour and purchase Apple Valley lakefront homes and Apple Valley lakeview homes. For more information and to preselect homes you would like to see during this weekend visit http://www.sammiller.com/avplist.htm.

Village of Colonial Woods Condominium Event

2007-06-29T05:23:00.000-04:00

You are welcome to attend the model home Open House event on July 7th and 8th (Saturday & Sunday) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Visitors and prospective home buyers will have an opportunity to view the new clubhouse that includes a fitness center and swimming pool.

During the event we will have 3 different model homes available including the Canterbury, the Windsor and the Chateau designs. If you haven’t visited this tree surrounded condo community this is your chance to stop in and take a closer look.

This is an EPCON community by Stoneworks Development and represented by Sam Miller of RE/MAX Stars Realty. For more details visit http://www.sammiller.com/newcondos.htm.

The Village of Colonial Woods is located at 11889 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050.

Directions: Take Coshocton road east just past the Knox Community Hospital and turn left at the Mount Vernon Radio Station and Knox County Health Department follow 3/8ths of a mile and the development is on the left.

Mount Vernon Ohio Fireworks Celebration

2007-06-28T07:40:00.000-04:00

Residents from all of Knox County will visit Mount Vernon, Ohio on Tuesday July 3rd at the Memorial Park in Celebration of Independence Day. There will be many activities during the early evening hours including baseball/softball games, a skate board freestyle competition and even a timed basketball shooting competition.

Some of the best places to view the Mount Vernon Fireworks are from Memorial Park just off Mount Vernon Avenue, the Mount Vernon High School Football Stadium and also from the Mount Vernon Middle School and the High School parking lots and the soccer fields.

The Fireworks display is expected to begin at 10 p.m. or shortly after. Following the fireworks display we will post an online video of the fireworks at http://www.sammiller.com. The Mount Vernon Fireworks display is sponsored by the gentlemen pictured above.

Knox County Mortgage Rates Decline

2007-06-25T05:25:00.000-04:00

Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported a decline in mortgage interest rates this past week The first drop in rates in the past five weeks. Rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69 percent, down from last week's 6.71 percent.

A drop in interest rates is always good news for Knox County home buyers, but it is especially good news during the spring/summer selling season when inventories are at their highest levels of the year and when the majority of buyers are looking to buy.

Thinking of buying a home? You can get a daily list of Knox County homes for sale as they hit the market. Simply, click here!

Happy Fathers Day

2007-06-15T09:52:00.000-04:00

Father's Day is this Sunday. In honor of all the fathers and father figures, I’d like to share a short three minute movie titled: To A Child Love Is Spelled T-I-M-E. It’s one of my all time favorites, and it takes my breath away every time I watch it!

So sit back, turn up your speakers and click on the link below. And please share it with friends, family members and co-workers. They’ll love you for doing it!

Click here to watch the movie

June Is Homeownership Month

2007-06-14T11:05:00.000-04:00

June is National Homeownership Month. One of the first steps to realizing the American Dream of owning your own home is getting pre-approved for your home loan.

The current problems with the sub-prime mortgage market emphasize how critical it is to find a reputable, trust-worthy lender to work with. I work with mortgage lenders day in and day out and have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I am glad to refer you to knowledgeable, reputable and competitive lenders who will present you with all the options available to you, in order for you to make the best financial decision for you and your family. Just give me a call or send me an email. I am pleased to be able to help!

Also, please visit my website to view all Knox County homes for sale.

What's The Value Of Your Knox County Home?

2007-06-01T17:42:00.000-04:00

There are any number of websites providing home valuations these days. Most of these are computer generated and depend on local tax records for their information. My experience with local tax record information is it is incorrect most of the time.

One of the many FREE services I provide is an online home valuation service. Your home valuation is provided by my well qualified, experienced Team who know our local market and have probably sold homes in your neighborhood. They know if there are train tracks running behind a property, if there are power lines overhead or if the woods behind the house are being cut down for a shopping center....all things that effect the value of your home.

All you need to do to get your accurate price valuation is visit my website, complete a form giving some basic information and we'll take care of the rest. Your valuation will be emailed to you. There is no obligation whatsoever, and best of all, the service is completely free! I hope you take advantage of it!

Celebrate Our Heroes

2007-05-26T05:35:00.000-04:00

What Heroes Gave

by ©2001Roger J. Robicheau (Sp 5, US Army)
The Poetic Plumber

Each donned their uniform to be
Defenders of our liberty

Their mission sure, their spirits bright
Guard freedom’s home, be brave to fight

One final day each faced their call
Each gave their best enduring all

We’ll never know what they went through
But know they loved this country true

Deep down inside we should all feel
What heroes gave, their cost so real

We must stay thankful, grateful of
The gift of freedom through their love

Their loved ones bore the gravest pain
What we can’t know, some now sustain

To God I pray their pain will cease
And each will find long-lasting peace

Remember this from year to year
What heroes gave – shan’t disappear

We’ll never let their special day
Their time for honor slip away

These brave fought for a nation free
If not for them, where would we be?

60 Minutes Assault On Realtors

2007-05-18T14:49:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you saw the 60 Minutes segment last week, Chipping Away At Realtors Six Percent. It was a one sided, erroneous assault on the real estate industry and a far cry from the well-balanced, 'look at all sides of an issue' reporting that 60 Minutes has been known for.

To read the National Association of Realtors' response to the segment, click here.

For all your Knox County real estate information, visit SamMiller.com.

Making Money Buying Knox County Repo Listings

2007-05-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

The soft Knox County real estate market is a great time for real estate investors to consider buying repossessed homes. These properties usually need work, but pricing reflects this and presents opportunities for the 'do-it-yourselfer' or the professional to get in at a good price, invest some elbow grease and make money with rents collected.

Can you make money in a soft market by buying, fixing up and reselling? It depends on the numbers, but is more difficult in a soft market when appreciation slows. This is something we need to look at carefully.

I offer a service where you can have repossed properties emailed to you as they hit the market. It is easy to enroll. Just visit my website, click on 'E-mail Repo Listings' and you are done!

Knox County Real Estate Podcast

2007-05-05T10:06:00.000-04:00

This month's edition covers Knox County real estate market activity and how incentives can play a big role in bringing buyers and sellers to the table! Features special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.

download podcast mp3 file

subscribe to podcast feed

Give me call at 740-397-7800 with questions or comments about the podcast and for all your Knox County real estate needs.

Making A Vacant Home More Sellable

2007-04-28T07:49:00.000-04:00

Homes show better when they are furnished. Not only are spatial relationships easier to judge, but furniture can hide a multitude of sins. There is a reason for builder's furnishing their models rather than showing them vacant! When vacant, everything shows...the good, the bad and the ugly!

But, there are things you can do to make a vacant house show in a more positive light.

1. Arrange for exterior maintenance.
First impressions count and you don't want to stop maintaining the lawn just because you have vacated the house. Arrange for a neighbor to cut the grass or hire a lawn service. If you have a sprinkler system, keep it working.

If the house is on the market in the fall, arrange for leaf clean up and if selling in the winter, snow removal.
Spruce up beds with fresh mulch and plan annuals for color.

2. Paint of fix up as required
Repair or repaint the exterior as needed. Remember those first impressions.

3. Paint and fix up inside
Go through the house after the furniture has been removed and touch-up or repaint any walls or woodwork that need it.

Make any repairs that are needed. If the little things are maintained, the buyer feels comfortable that the big things have been maintained, also.

4. Neutralize colors
A bold wall color can be dramatic when complimented by furniture and accessories. But in an empty room, bold colors just become sore-thumbs. Neutralize colors as needed.

5. Leave furniture
If possible leave the furniture in the house or rent furniture. Empty rooms appear to be smaller than they actually are.

6. Clean thoroughly
Clean the house from top to bottom and in every knook and cranny. Clean sells!
If the house has been on the market for a couple of months have a cleaning service come in and clean again. Empty houses get dirty.

Leave the security system activated and give instructions to your Realtor on how to turn it on and off.

To some buyers, a vacant housecan be plus because they if they need to move in quickly. Be sure to let prospects know you can close quickly.

For any questions concerning selling a vacant house in Knox County, give me a call at 740-397-7800 or visit my website. You'll be glad you did!

Interest Rates Drop For Knox County Home Buyers

2007-04-20T16:49:00.000-04:00

Positive inflation news resulted in a drop in interest rates this week according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey. Interest rates this week for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.17 percent, compared to last week's 6.22 percent. This is the first drop in rates in the last six weeks.

A drop in interest rates is always good news, but it is the icing on the cake when it happens during the spring buying/selling season when inventory is at its peak. Spring is when buyers have the most homes to choose from and now have great rates as a bonus.

Are you thinking of buying Knox County real estate? Visit KnoxCountyMLS.com to have new listings emailed to you as they hit the market. It's fast, easy and hassle-free.

Safe Tax Filing Online

2007-04-15T11:13:00.000-04:00

There have been reports in the last few days of scams with online tax filing websites. With 73 percent of returns being filed online, scams are a real problem. MarketWatch.com has informative tips on how to stay safe online and protect your personal information.

To protect yourself against scams when buying a home and have someone looking out for your best interests, give me a call at 740-397-7800 or visit my website, your Knox County real estate resource center.

Prepaid Interest Tax Deduction For Knox County Home Buyers

2007-04-08T06:14:00.000-04:00

Tax Day is only a few days away! One of the many benefits of home ownership is that the interest you pay on your home mortgage is tax deductible. Your lender sent you a year-end statement back in January showing the interest you paid for the year. This number should be used on your tax return.

In addition to this, Knox County home buyers can also deduct the pre-paid interest, which was paid at settlement. This pre-paid interest is not reflected on your lender's year-end statement. It is documented on your HUD-1 statement from closing. The HUD-1 is the document that reflects all the monies related to your transaction. Add this figure to the figure your lender provided for a total of all the interest you paid for the year.

More information on home mortgage interest can be found in IRS Publication 936. for more information on Knox County real estate, visit my website or give me a call at 740-397-7800.

Knox County Appraisals Taking Place

2007-03-30T16:57:00.000-04:00

The state of Ohio mandates that property be re-examined and re-appraised by the County every 6 years. This re-appraisal process is currently taking place in Knox County.

Listers, or appraisers, will knock on your door to ask about any changes that have been done to the house in the past six years, however, they do not need to inspect inside. If you are not home when the Lister comes to your home, he/she will leave an information card for you to complete and mail in. The Lister will walk the property to perform the exterior inspection.

Listers will be carrying identification cards to confirm their legitimacy.

The county appraisal of your property's value is not always the same as the property's market value. You can learn the market value of your Knox County home by visiting my website or giving me a call at 740-397-7800.

Knox County Mortgage Lenders Tighten Standards

2007-03-24T07:17:00.000-04:00

MarketWatch.com reports Knox County mortgage lenders, as well as lenders around the country, are tightening underwriting requirements in response to the problems facing the subprime mortgage market. Subprime mortgages are loans used by the riskiest borrowers. A record number of foreclosures currently plagues this industry.

Lenders are limiting options even for the most creditworthy borrowers. They also are shying away from loans that cover 100% of a property's value and looking askance at cash-out refinancing requests.

Are you getting a mortgage to finance your new home? Visit my website or contact me at 740-397-7800 for a referral to a reputable, responsible and competitive lender.

Pleasant Township Development Approved

2007-03-16T16:22:00.000-04:00

The Knox County Regional Planning Commission approved a sketch plan for a proposed major subdivision on 30 acres of land in Pleasant Township. Full story...

Lower Interest Rates For Knox County Home Buyers

2007-03-10T09:10:00.000-05:00

Knox County home buyers experienced lower interest rates this week according to the Primary Mortgage Market Survey conducted by FreddieMac.com. The weekly survey reported the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to be 6.14% compared to last week's 6.18%.
This is the third week of dropping rates and the lowest rate since the beginning of the year.

Lower interest rates is excellent news for home buyers. Traditionally, rates increase in the spring which is prime buying season for Knox County real estate. Inventory increases in the spring meaning there are more homes to choose from. Add to this lower rates and buyers will have their cake and eat it too.

Are you buying a home this spring? If so, visit my website to view all Knox County real estate listings and give me a call, 740-397-7800. I am at your service!

Colonial Woods Condominiums Grand Opening

2007-03-02T14:52:00.000-05:00

Colonial Woods

Grand Opening

Sam Miller of RE/MAX Stars Realty has been chosen by Stone Works Development, LLC to exclusively represent you with the buying process of the new Epcon Community in Mt. Vernon.

Join The Sam Miller Team on March 3 and 4 from 11:00 to 6:00 for the grand opening of the model and club house at Colonial Woods.
When completed, Colonial Woods will be home to 126 residential ranch condos located at 11899 Upper Gilchrist Road.

"This community, designed exclusively for a active adult market, which is the first of its kind in Knox County," said Eriech Horvath, CEO of Stone Works. "We are confident we will reach an unmet need in the area for maintenance-free ranch living."

Colonial Woods condos are selling in the $150s to $190s and square footage ranges from 1,300 in the Villa to 1,950 in the Chateau. The deluxe club house, heated pool and fitness center will be amenities offered. Stone Works is also developing Epcon Communities in Heath (River Oaks), Newark/Granville (Reddington Village), and Zanesville (Wellington Place).

Stone Works Development LLC, is a real estate development company focused on the surrounding areas of central Ohio. Epcon Communities, Inc., headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, is the nation's preeminent developer and builder of single-story, residential condominium communities. Founded in 1986, Epcon has franchises in 29 states.

Please contact us for more information about this exciting community, 740-397-7800!

Buy Now? Or Gamble On A Price Drop?

2007-02-22T12:09:00.000-05:00

In a slowing real estate market, many home buyers struggle with the decision whether to buy now while interest rates are low or sit tight and wait for a possible drop in prices. This may come down to the old saying, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

It is always a good time to buy when interest rates are low. Could they go lower? Maybe. But, they could also go higher. Rates in the last year have been fairly stable, inching up or down only slightly. There is no reason right now to expect that this will change dramatically anytime soon.

You can drive yourself crazy waiting for rates to drop another quarter of a point. I know I have done this myself while refinancing a loan. I watched rates daily and never was able to lock in the lowest rate. I was too afraid something better would come along and it never did.

Should you wait for prices to drop? While I can't predict what Knox County home prices will do, I can tell you the the National Association of Realtors is predicting an increasingly stronger market throughout 2007 and into 2008. And spring is coming. Spring is the busiest time for real estate and prices historically increase in the spring. You may not being seeing increasing prices in the coming months.

Have questions about rising interest rates or the Knox County real estate market. Give me a call, 740-397-7800, or visit my website. I'm here to help.

Housing Starts Plummet To Lowest Point In Ten Years

2007-02-18T07:45:00.000-05:00

The National Association of Home Builders reports a 14.3% plummet in new housing starts in January, bringing construction of new homes to the lowest point in 10 years.

Construction slowed to a seasonally adjusted rate of 1.408 million units, which is 34.8% behind January 2006. These figures were unexpectedly low and account for builders selling built-up inventories of unsold homes.

Regionally, housing starts last month decreased by 28.5% to 301,000 units in the West, 15.2% to 195,000 units in the Midwest, and 11.8% to 716,000 units in the South. Starts rose 8.9% to 196,000 units in the Northeast.

Builders are more negotiable when sitting on unsold inventory. It costs money to carry vacant houses each month. Now is a great time to think about buying a new home in Knox County. If you are in the market for a new home. Give me a call, 740-397-7800. I can help!

Sam Miller Is Featured Speaker at Realtor Conference

2007-02-10T13:54:00.000-05:00

I was a featured speaker at the 19th annual CRS Sell-a-bration® held last week in Las Vegas, NV. The Certified Residential Specialist designation is held by the top 4 percent of Realtors around the world. Sell-a-bration®, held annually, was attended by 1,000 of these top producing agents.

My topic, Taking Your Business To The Next Level, included effective real estate marketing, how to make the real estate process easier for buyers and sellers and new Internet technologies that benefit everyone involved in real estate. I shared useful methods of getting more out of your day by using my time management techniques, home pricing concepts that work in any real estate market to generate serious interest and get homes sold.

It was an honor to be invited to address one of the industry’s most exclusive gatherings. The annual Sell-a-bration® provides a forum for top agents and brokers in residential real estate to interact with and learn from one another. Sell-a-bration® features unparalleled education sessions, top keynote speakers, and social and networking opportunities, which provide attendees with ideas and techniques that will have an immediate impact on their businesses.

Sam Miller am committed to providing outstanding service to his customers and clients. My use of technology for effective communication and service has made added to my unique success.

My clients are continually complimenting me on the service, tools and technology I use to meet their needs. I owe that to my association with the CRS members and to the fact that we share among ourselves so freely. In short, as s Certified Residential Specialist, I am surrounded by the best agents in real estate. I share with them, they share with me, and we all translate our newfound knowledge into increased services for our clients.”

Click here to visit my website, your source for Knox County real estate or give me a call, 740-397-7800. I will help you anyway I can.

Tips To Sell Your Knox County Home In February

2007-02-02T17:02:00.000-05:00

Spring is the prime selling season, but buyers who are house hunting in the middle of winter are serious buyers. They may be transferring from out of the area and have a deadline to get settled and on the job or their lease is up and they need to move.

Whatever the reason, there are things sellers can do to make their home more attractive to this group of serious buyers.

1. Keep walks and driveways free of ice and snow. Buyers don't want to navigate treacherous terrain getting to your front door.

2. Don't skimp on the heat. Buyers like a warm and comfortable atmosphere. If your home is cold they will think the heat doesn't work properly.

3. Make your home as light as possible. Keep curtains and blinds open. Use the highest watt age bulbs and have all the lights on during showings. Hose off the outside of your windows to show your house is well cared for.

4. Set the mood. Play soft music and have a plate of fresh baked cookies out for the buyers. There is nothing like the smell of newly baked cookies and buyers get hungry looking at houses.

5. Ask buyers to remove their shoes. This conveys a pride of ownership and keeps the house ready for the next buyer going through.

2006 Third Best Year For Sales

2007-01-27T08:23:00.000-05:00

The National Association of Realtors® reports existing-home sales eased but prices stabilized as inventories tightened in December, while 2006 was the third-highest sales year on record.

Total existing-home sales – Total existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – eased 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 6.22 million units in December from a level of 6.27 million in November. Sales were 7.9 percent lower than a 6.75 million-unit pace in December 2005. There were 6,480,000 existing-home sales in all of 2006, down 8.4 percent from a record 7,075,000 in 2005. The second highest total was 6,779,000 in 2004; NAR began tracking home sales in 1968.

CNNMoney.com Reports Housing Start Rebound

2007-01-20T08:31:00.000-05:00

CNNMoney.com reports the pace of homebuilding rebounded in December, with housing starts jumping to an annual pace of 1.64 million from a revised 1.57 million rate in November. The rebound took place even as single-family home construction remained weak. Read full story...

All forecasts call for 2007 real estate sales to be stronger than 2006, making this a great time to buy Knox County real estate. Visit SamMiller.com to search all Knox County homes for sale.

Paying Points Doesn't Pay

2007-01-13T06:05:00.000-05:00

FreddieMac.com reported interest rates inched up this week. The average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.21 percent compared to the previous week's 6.18 percent.

When rates inch up, borrowers become more interested in paying upfront discount points to reduce their interest rate over the life of the loan. One discount point is equal to one percent of the loan balance and is paid at the time of closing.

A new study by MarketWatch.com indicates that paying upfront points rarely saves the borrower money. You must weigh the upfront costs against the long term savings and most borrowers over-estimate the amount of time they will pay on the loan without refinancing or actually own the house.

If you are thinking of buying a home and are weighing your options concerning paying discount points, contact me. I'm glad to discuss this with you and assist with you with making a good home buying decision.

Also, visit KnoxCountyMLS.com to receive new Knox County real estate listings as they hit the market. It's fast, easy, convenient and FREE.

Consumer Confidence Booms

2007-01-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Consumer Confidence Index boomed in December, increasing 3.70 points from the November index of 105.3 to 109.0. while it may be too early to predict, the increase may be an indication that the housing slump across most of the country has run it's course and is on the upswing.

New Home Sales Increase In November

2006-12-28T14:24:00.000-05:00

CNNMoney.com reports an increase in new home sales in November. While not near the record breaking pace of 2005, November sales were 7 percent higher than in July, the lowest month for sales year-to-date.

Inventories are still at record highs, but the tide may have turned in the new home market. Read the full story...

7 Mortgage Tips For 2007

2006-12-22T07:06:00.000-05:00

BankRate.com has just released it's 7 smart mortgage moves for 2007 whether you already have a mortgage or are considering getting one. Read the full article to learn about the benefits of making pre-payments to paying mortgage insurance rather than getting a piggyback mortgage.

Contact me if you would like to talk with a reputable mortgage lender. I can recommend a lender who will provide you with superior products and service.

Tax Deduction Created For Mortgage Insurance

2006-12-16T06:44:00.000-05:00

Mortgage insurance is one of those fees that borrowers hate, but lenders love. to a borrower, it is throwing money down the drain. The a lender, it is minimizing his risk. The insurance is charged on private and government home loans if the down payment is less than 20 percent. Legislation just passed by Congress will allow us to deduct the mortgage insurance premium on our tax returns. Full story...

The Knox County Real Estate Podcast

2006-12-08T09:14:00.000-05:00

Don't miss this month's podcast covering Knox County real estate market trends, as well as, how to navigate buying and selling in the midst of the upcoming holidays and featuring special guest Terri Murphy of US Learning.

Interest Rates Decline For Fifth Week

2006-12-01T16:04:00.000-05:00

FreddieMac.com reports long term interest rates declined this week for the fifth consecutive week. The average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is 6.14 percent for the week ending Nov. 30. Down from 6.18 percent last week.

Rates like this make buying a new home for Christmas a great idea. Visit KnoxCountyListings to view all the homes and all the information, 24 hours a day...without having to speak to an agent.

Democrats And Housing

2006-11-26T08:51:00.000-05:00

Homeowners and prospective home buyers will see changes when the Democrats take control of both houses of Congress early in 2007. Democrats have different priorities from Republicans on issues such as affordable housing, land-use restrictions and predatory lending. Full story...

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Knox County, visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current market value of your home and more.

Sam Miller Offers Client Discounts From Lowes

2006-11-20T11:03:00.000-05:00

Sam Miller Partners With Lowes and Obtains Client Discounts

Before homeowners list their homes they typically spend time preparing their home for sale. I offer my clients a specialized Video/DVD's called "Preparing Your Home For Sale" that shows homeowners some tips and tricks that help get your home in show ready condition and now I have something new for each homeowner I represent. I have recently negotiated a 10% discount for my clients with Lowes along with other additional rebates and free delivery offers on major appliances. I can register anyone wanting me to list their home with me and all you need to do is let me know you will be selling your home and within a week or less you should get your discount certificate in the mail from me. It is SUPER easy and you can use the certificate to save up to $1,000.

Consider that when most people list their home they spend time cleaning the interior and exterior of their home, they do some repainting of walls and trim if needed, they replace old or worn carpeting, they add brighter wattage light bulbs, they clear out the clutter from the basements, closets and garage space in an attempt to make the house look and show it's best.
This is yet another reason why it is always best to work with The Sam Miller Team...we can save you time, money and provide you added value beyond just selling your home.

For homebuyers I have good news for you also because I can register you once you place your purchase offer on your home and I can get you a 10% discount also. This will come in handy when you want to do decorating or make personalized changes to your new home. I can also register you to receive rebates towards features like paint, door key sets, free delivery on appliances over $397 and I can even get you a 20% discount on special order carpeting. If you want decorating tips for your new home I can now get you a FREE subscription for "Lowes Creative Ideas" which is great magazine for Home and Garden ideas and improvements.

Watch for additional announcements for future discounts for my clients and customers because I am committed to providing you with value and service after the purchase and sale of your home. Contact or visit my website if you would like to experience this kind of service!

Top Tips For Selling A Home During The Holidays

2006-11-17T18:50:00.000-05:00

Consider potential buyers spiritual backgrounds in your market before decorating for a holiday.
-Minimize holiday decorations to keep focus on your home and its features and benefits.
-Less is more when decorating a home for the holidays while you are trying to sell. Streamline the amount of holiday specific decorations you display.
-Christmas trees and other large holiday decorations consume space that might make rooms appear smaller.
-Install and remove exterior holiday decorations 2 weeks before and after holiday.
-Turn off lighted holiday decorations before showings, buyers should focus on your home and not your decorations.
-If you are having out-of-town house guests, ask your agent to postpone showings until after your guests depart.
-Leave out a plate of home-made holiday treats for potential buyers.
-Display summer photos of home and gardens to inform buyers of the features of the home in other seasons.
-Before showings remove snow, ice and leaves from walkways and driveways. Don't overlook outside entrances to basements, garages, and porches.
-If you plan to close the purchase or sale of a home near a holiday, check with your agent, title, company and lender to verify two business days before closing that they have all the required documents and funds have been wired to complete the transaction.
-If you are closing on your new home, select a mid-week day, early in the day, to schedule your closing time, to accommodate last minute delays by a mortgage loan processor, insurance or title company.
-If you plan to move during the holidays, keep in mind that moving companies will require more notice and could charge additional fees for packing, moving and delivering household goods on week-ends and holidays.

Thinking of buying or selling Knox County real estate? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current value of your home and more.

Should You Try to Sell Your Home During the Holiday Season?

2006-11-13T16:52:00.000-05:00

A common misconception is that trying to sell a home during the holidays is a bad idea. If you are serious about selling, it can be an excellent time to list. During the holidays buyers are more serious. They have a different motivation like using vacation time to search for property. They're doing that because they have to buy, rather than want to buy. Remember Thanksgiving and Christmas is one day a piece not two months.

10 reasons why you should list your home during the holidays

1. Most November and December buyers are particularly serious and very likely facing some sort of deadline.
2. January is the biggest transfer month of the year and job transferee’s use the holidays to house hunt.
3. Many people want to buy before the end of the year for financial and tax reasons. Investors usually want to close escrow by year-end for tax purposes.
4. Most sellers wait until spring or summer to list their home. This means that during the winter months your property will have far less competition versus any other time of the year.
5. Homes show well when decorated for the holidays creating a sense of family and people are much more emotionally drawn to the house, emotion sells.
6. Many people take vacation around the holidays allowing more time to look for a home.
7. Remodeling, decorating, appliance installation and other services are more available and at less of a premium.
8. There is plenty of mortgage money available for buyers.
9. Lenders aren't as busy and can process loans faster.
10. Showings will be fewer and less intrusive, but more likely to be fruitful with motivated, qualified buyers.

Thinking of buying or selling Knox County real estate? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current value of your home and more.

Questions To Ask When Buying A Home

2006-10-28T13:49:00.000-04:00

While gourmet kitchens are nice, picking a home that meets the whole family’s needs is more important. Here are the questions to ask about the homes you are considering.

1. Area Recreation
Is there neighborhood pool or a covered tot lot? Are there walking trails or other safe places to exercise?

2. The Backyard
Is the backyard safe for pets and children?

3. Storage
Is there adequate storage for lawn care and play equipment?

4. Bedrooms
Whose bedroom is over the garage? Will you be able to open the garage without waking up the baby?

5. Bring in Groceries
Does the garage open into the kitchen for ease with groceries or do you have to trek through the entire house?

6. Homeowner's Association
How invasive are the homeowner association’s rules? Will the association allow you to put up a basketball hoop or install a swing set? Where can you park extra cars?

7. Location
How far away are the grocery store, post office, bank, park, gas station, and schools?

8. Washer & Dryer
Where are the washer and dryer located? Will operating them during naptime or evening hours disturb sleepers?

9. Internet Access
Does the area have good Internet access?

10. Children
What is the ratio of adults to children and how many older children are there vs. younger ones?
(Source: Realtor Magazine Online)

Thinking of buying or selling Knox County real estate? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current value of your home and more.

Small Business Tax Advantages

2006-10-20T16:50:00.000-04:00

Small business owners can take advantage of accelerated tax depreciation benefits just by purchasing a new Land Rover before December 31, 2006. See your tax advisor to determine if you are eligible for this benefit. Visit landroverusa.com/taxbreak for details.

There are also tax advantages to owning Knox County real estate. The interest you pay on the mortgage for your personal residence is tax deductible. Are you thinking of buying Knox county real estate? Visit SamMiller.com to view all Knox County real estate listings.

500 Real Estate Blogs To Watch

2006-10-14T05:52:00.000-04:00

It is always nice to know people when someone thinks you are doing a good job. What a thrill it is to have this blog on the Pittsburgh Homes Daily list of 500 Real Estate Blogs To Watch. The number of real estate blogs has grown by leaps and bounds recently and it is an honor to be recognized as one of the better ones. Continue to enjoy!

Also, visit my website and contact me for all your Knox County, Ohio real estate needs.

NAR 2006 Home Price Analysis

2006-10-06T12:45:00.000-04:00

2006 Home Price Analysis for Columbus

The National Association's 2006 Home Price Analysis gives insight into the fundamentals and direction of the housing market for Columbus and the surrounding area. The 11-page downloadable market report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices:

* The health of the local job market
* The prevalence of "non-traditional" home financing options
* Debt-to-income ratios
* Net migration patterns

These reports reflect data available through August 2006.
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If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Know County (just outside Columbus), visit my website to view all reral estate listings, get the current market value of your home and more!

Tags: nar home price analysis, national association of realtors, columbus home price anlysis, knox county real estate, knox county homes for sale

Tips For Choosing The Right Place To Retire

2006-09-30T14:53:00.000-04:00

Thinking of retiring but can't decide between city living and a small town, between warm desert sunshine and sunsets over the ocean or between a mountain cabin and a contemporary condo? USNews.com has a wonderful article with 5 tips to help you choose your retirement location wisely. Factors to take into consideration are: cost of living, the local economy, proximity to home, amenities and weather. Read more...

Be sure to visit www.FindYourSpot.com. Here you answer a short survey and receive approximately 20 locations in the U.S. that match your criteria. It's fun and you'll learn about places you probably don't even know exist. Have fun.

If you are thinking of retiring, you might want to know the current market value of your home. I offer a FREE service to receive a current market valuation by email. It's quick and easy.

Tags: retirement locations, tips to retirement, knox county market value

Make Sure The Price Is Right When Selling Your Home

2006-09-22T15:39:00.000-04:00

Any Realtor will tell you there are 3 factors that effect a successful home sale...price, condition and location. And price is the most important. If not priced correctly the condition and location don't matter.

As a Realtor, I talk with people about price, condition and locaiton constantly, but often it is good to have this reinforced by a third party. BankRate.com has a great article on pricing your home to sell.

"Setting the correct asking price is the most important step in the process of selling your home," says William F. Supple Jr., author of "How to Sell Your Own Home" and publisher of "Picket Fences," a monthly magazine for homeowners." Read more.

Visit my website to learn the current market value of your Knox county home.

Tags: bankrate.com, picket fences price your home to sell, sammiller.com, knox county market values

Identity Theft

2006-09-15T09:37:00.000-04:00

Identity theft is a serious crime impacting more than 10 million victims each year. Often, consumers first learn they are identity theft victims when they are in the process of buying or renting a home and ruining thier dream of homeownership. The National Association of Realtors is working with the Federal Trade Commission to educate comsumers to minimize the risk of identity theft. This new initiative, Deter-Detect-Defend is focused on empowering consumers to protect themselves against identity and to minimize its impact.

Together, the NAR and FTC hope to educate consumers to take the necessary steps to deter, detect and defend against identity theft and make it more difficult for identity thieves to steal a consumer’s personal information. This will help consumers better protect their credit, and increase the likelihood of realizing their home ownership dreams.

Deter Identity Theft
Consumers can deter identity thieves by safeguarding their personal information.

Detect Identity Theft
Consumers can detect suspicious activity by routinely monitoring their financial accounts and billing statements. Many consumers learn that their identity has been stolen after the damage has been done. The faster consumers detect the theft, the more they can limit the damage.

Defend Against Identity Theft
Consumers should defend against identity theft as soon as they suspect a problem. It’s important to act quickly to minimize the damage.

Tags: identity theft, national association of realtors, federal trade commission, deter-detect-defend

Six Factors Effecting Your Sale

2006-09-08T15:04:00.000-04:00

Six Factors That Effect The Sale
Of Your HOME...And Who Controls Them

Controlled by Seller

1. Product
If the property shows poorly, or has major defects which cannot be or are not corrected, a sale may not take place until the defects are corrected or until the price is adjusted to compensate for them.

2. Price
If the product has not sold after a reasonable length of time but other similar properties have sold, then a price reduction may be in order. If this is true and the price is not reduced, the price may delay or prevent the sale. The appraisal will be based on the most recent sales in the area and the property must appraise no lower than the sales price.

Controlled by The Market*

3. Financing
If the financing costs too much, or if the Seller requires a higher down payment than most people buying in that area are paying, then the financing may delay or prevent the sale.

4. Timing
The timing is the condition of the real estate market at the time of the sale. It may be a Seller’s market or a Buyer’s market. Neither the seller nor the real estate agent can change the condition of the market at the time the property is for sale. It must be accepted for what it is.

5. Competition
Every Buyer makes decisions about which home to buy and how much it is worth by other choices available at the time of purchase. The supply of other homes the Buyer will compare with your home is constantly changing from week to week and month to month. The current competition always affects the Buyer’s opinion of your home and what they will think it is worth. So the question is, what will be the Buyer’s other choices at the time they are shown your property?

Controlled by Realtor

6. Marketing

My marketing is unique. However, even the very best marketing has its limitations because promotion cannot overcome any of the first five factors if they are out of balance and are not corrected.

*Neither the Seller nor the Realtor creates or controls the market. All the Seller and the Realtor can do is work with the information available from the market and place the home in a favorable position in regards to the other homes on the market.

The market changes continuously so communication of the market changes from the Realtor to Seller is vital. So, in addition to the best Marketing, I will supply you with a constant flow of information which will help you determine if:

The PRODUCT is right…….the PRICE is right…...the FINANCING is right ….
And what the TIMING and COMPETITIONS are.

Thinking of selling your Knox county home? Contact me to put my marketing experience to work for you? And visit my website to get the current market value of your home.

Tags: selling a home in Knox county, knox county home sale, knox county market value

Mortgage Rates Drop

2006-09-01T14:32:00.000-04:00

Freddie Mac Reports Drop In Interest Rates

Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey revealed interest rates on 30 year fixed-rate mortgages to be 6.44 percent, down from last week's average of 6.48 percent. This is the lowest rates have been since the beginning of April 2006.

"Mortgage rates continued to drift lower this week in large part because of the cooling in the housing market and in consumer confidence, thus giving financial markets reason to believe that economic growth will moderate and inflation will remain in check," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.

If you want more information on how the lower rates effect your home buying power, contact me or visit my website. Here you can view all Knox County real estate listings, get the current market value of you home, free reports and more.

Tags: freddie mac mortgage market survey, interest rates drop, mortgage rates drop, knox county real estate, knox county real estate listings, knox county market values

Ohio State In Top 50 Business Schools

2006-08-24T15:24:00.000-04:00

Ohio State University Ranks In Top 50 Business Schools.

US News & World Report's latest survey of America's Best Business Schools 2007 has ranked Ohio State University 22nd. The average starting salary for a graduate of the business school is $80,081. Pretty impressive!

If you have graduated from Ohio State and are thinking of buying a home, visit my website. Here you can view all Ohio real estate listings, get buyer tips, free reports and more!

Tags: US News & World Report ranks Ohio State, Ohio State ranks as America's best business school, salary for Ohio State graduate, Ohio real estate listings

Back To School For Mount Vernon

2006-08-17T14:52:00.000-04:00

Back to school links for Mount Vernon parents and students

Summer is coming to an end and the Mount Vernon public schools re-open next week. I thought it would be a could time to gather helpful links to prepare for school next week.

Knox County Educational Service Center

Ohio Deparetment Of Education

Ohio Public Library Information Newtork

Homeschooling In Ohio

Danville Local Schools

Mount Vernon City Schools

Knox County Private Schools

Back To School Safety Checklist

Going Back to School

Family Fun

Tags: Knox County Public Schools, Ohio Homeschooling, Knox county private schools, Danville city schools, Mount Vernon city schools

2006-08-11T08:25:00.000-04:00

Ohio Ranks 4 In Closing Costs

Ohio ranks four in BankRate.com's annual mortgage closing cost comparison survey. Good faith estimates were obtained from ten lenders in all 50 states. Lender, title and settlement costs totalled an average of $3,024.

Ohio's settlement costs average $3,354. The number one ranking goes to New York for the second year in a row with average costs of $3,887. While Missouri came in last with $2,713 in costs. Ohio's fourth place ranking is up from the number 10 spot in 2005.

The key to getting the best deal on your mortgage is to shop around. If you are in the market to purchase a home, contact me and I will counsel you on the questions to ask a lender ensuring the best possible pricing.
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Thinking of buying or selling real estate in Knox County? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current value of your home, free reports and more!

Tags: bankrate.com, mortgage, loan, closing cost, Ohio, New York, buy, sell, home, real estate, listing, Sam Miller

2006-08-03T09:09:00.000-04:00

Knox County Is New Home For COTC

The old theater building on South Main Street in Mount Vernon became the new permanent campus for Central Ohio Technical College yesterday.

“While COTC has actually been offering classes in Mount Vernon for 20 years, it was three years ago that the college renewed our commitment to finding a permanent home in the area,” said Bonnie Coe, President of COTC.

The permanent home for the COTC Knox Campus was made possible because of the dedication of community and industry leaders to improve their local economy and to provide more rewarding job opportunities. COTC will offer some of its expanded Knox County curriculum in the building this fall, and will gradually occupy and renovate additional areas of the building as current tenant leases expire. Evertually, the facility is expected to serve a student population of 1,000 or more.
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Thinking of buying or selling a home in Knox County? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current value of your home, free reports and more!

Tags: knox county, COTC, Central Ohio Technical College, Mount Vernon, college, campus, buy, sell, home, real estate, listings, buyer, seller, sam miller Bonnie Coe

2006-07-28T05:29:00.000-04:00

Legislation Modernizes FHA Lending

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed "The Expanding American Homeownership Act,” which will increase homeownership opportunities for millions of Americans by modernizing the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and returning it to its traditional role as an important financing option in today’s housing market.

The Expanding American Homeownership Act will:

1) Eliminate the current statutory three percent minimum down payment, reducing a significant barrier to homeownership. FHA’s existing down payment requirement does not meet the demands of today’s marketplace, where most first-time homebuyers put down two percent or less. The "new” FHA would offer a variety of down payment options.

2) Create a new, risk-based insurance premium structure for FHA that would match the premium amount with the credit profile of the borrower. It would replace the current structure, in which there is standard premium amount for all borrowers, while still protecting the soundness of its Insurance Fund. FHA would have the flexibility to charge a lower premium for low-risk borrowers, and to charge higher-risk borrowers a slightly higher premium.

3) Increase and simplify FHA’s loan limits. FHA’s loan limit in high-cost areas would rise from 87 to 100 percent of the GSE conforming loan limit and in lower-cost areas from 48 to 65 percent of the conforming loan limit. This change is crucial in today’s housing market. In many areas of the country, the existing FHA limits are lower than the cost of new construction, eliminating FHA financing as an option for buyers of new homes in those markets. FHA has simply been priced out of the market in other areas, such as California, where FHA insured only about 5,000 home mortgages in all of 2005, down 95 percent from 109,000 in 2000.
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Thinking of buying or selling Knox county real estate? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current market value of your home, free reports and more!

Tags: HUD, FHA, loan, legislation, insurance, buy, sell, real estate, Knox County

2006-07-21T07:08:00.000-04:00

10 Best Big Cities

Congratulations to our neighbors in Columbus, Ohio for making Money Magazine's Top 10 Best Big Cities list, coming in at #8 behind Colorado Springs, CO, Austin, TX, Mesa, AZ, Raleigh, NC, San Diego, CA, Virginia Beach, VA and Omaha, NE.

Median housing prices in Columbus are $188,987 compared to the average price of $259,566 for other Top Cities. Columbus also scored high marks for it's higher education opportunities with 12 campuses compared to an average of 8 for the other cities on the list. High 'Quality of Life' scores make Columbus the city we know and love.

Columbus we are proud to your 'best small town' neighbors!
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Thinking of buying or selliing a home in Knox County? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get a free market analysis for your home, free reports and more.

Tags: columbus, ohio, money magazine, top 10, higher education, housing, prices, knox county, buy, sell, real estate

2006-07-14T13:40:00.000-04:00

Commissioners Adopt Amendments

The Knox County Board of Commissioners passed three motions yesterday adopting amendments to the Knox County Subdivision Regulations. The amendments will become effective on Aug. 12.

The first amendment clarifies the definition of subdivision, as to what can be reviewed in a minor subdivision, and requires a preliminary plat for all major subdivisions.

The second amendment enacts rules governing the subdivision of land between 5.001 acres and 20 acres. Adoption of this amendment formalizes procedures which have already been in effect informally in the county.

The third amendment defines the term “original tract.” The amendment allows the setting of a point in time when all tracts in Knox County would become “original tracts.” That point in time will be Aug. 12, 2006, the effective date of the amendment. After that date, a maximum of four subdivisions (5 lots) under Ohio Revised Code 711.131 would apply to that parcel without regard to ownership.
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Thinking of buying or selling a home in Knox County? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get a free home evaluation, free reports and more!

Tags: know county, amendment, commissioners, subdivision, real estate

2006-07-06T15:25:00.000-04:00

What is a tax-deferred exchange?

In a typical transaction, the property owner is taxed on any gain realized from the sale. However, through a Section 1031 Exchange, the tax on the gain is deferred until some future date.

Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that no gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use in a trade or business, or for investment. A tax-deferred exchange is a method by which a property owner trades one or more relinquished properties for one or more replacement properties of "like-kind", while deferring the payment of federal income taxes and some state taxes on the transaction.

The theory behind Section 1031 is that when a property owner has reinvested the sale proceeds into another property, the economic gain has not been realized in a way that generates funds to pay any tax. In other words, the taxpayer's investment is still the same, only the form has changed (e.g. vacant land exchanged for apartment building). Therefore, it would be unfair to force the taxpayer to pay tax on a "paper" gain.

The like-kind exchange under Section 1031 is tax-deferred, not tax-free. When the replacement property is ultimately sold (not as part of another exchange), the original deferred gain, plus any additional gain realized since the purchase of the replacement property, is subject to tax.

If you have questions on tax deferred exchanges or Ohio real estate in general, contact me or visit my website. I'm glad to help!

2006-06-30T08:55:00.000-04:00

Interest Rates Hiked Again

Wall Street cheered loudly yesterday after the Federal Reserve bumped interest rates up a notch to 5.25%, but also signaled that future increases could be less likely. The news was good for stocks, but what about your mortgage?

What does this mean if you are in the market to buy a home? Give me a call or visit my website. I will introduce you to a well-qualified, experienced, knowledgeable loan officer who can answer all your questions.

2006-06-22T06:55:00.000-04:00

Landscaping Improvements Pay Off Big

Money spent sprucing up the yard with trees, shrubs, lighting, and patios is well worth it — especially when it comes time to sell the home, a new study says. The report, by Arbor National Mortgage, found that 84 percent of real estate professionals believe a house on a treed lot would fetch at least 20 percent more than one on a lot without trees.

Another of the company’s surveys suggested that while shelling out for top-of-the line landscaping may only bring in an additional 4 percent to 5 percent, spending minimal amounts has a penalty. Homes with average landscaping sell for 20 percent more than homes with just fair landscaping.

The American Society of Landscape Architects suggests budgeting 5 percent to 10 percent of a home’s value for its initial landscaping.Before launching into a landscaping project, keep these pointers in mind:

1. If you can't afford to hire a landscape architect, check out the services offered by nurseries and big-box home improvement retailers, such as Home Depot. Many offer design services — sometimes without charge — if you are buy plants there.

2. You can save about half the cost of landscaping if you do the work yourself. But keep in mind that large trees are often killed when carried uncovered in the back of the buyer's SUV from the nursery to the house, not because they are planted poorly. Also, most nurseries won't guarantee plants they don't install.

3. If you're trying to stick to a tight budget, remember that a few larger plants will have a greater visual impact than many small ones.

4.Before planting trees, determine how large they will become and what leaf pattern will develop. If you plant a big tree too close to the house, the growing roots could cause the foundation to crack. And if you place it too near a sidewalk or driveway, root expansion could cause the pavement to buckle.

Source: Orlando Sentinel, Lew Sichelman (6/11/06)
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Want to know how your landscaping has increased the value of your Knox County home? Visit my website for a Free home evaluation.

2006-06-15T10:53:00.000-04:00

Theft Proof Your House

School is out! And this means family vacations. When preparing to leave home on vacation, we all put much time and effort into what we are taking with us, but not much thought to what we are leaving behind...our home.

Vacation time is prime time for burglars. Most communities experience a 10-18% increase in burglaries during the summer months. So, you will want to do everything you can to protect what is yours while you are not at home.

It surprised me to learn that most burglaries occur during daylight hours. CNN.com has 5 commom sense tips to make it hard for thefts to get into your home. Follow these tips and be safe!
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Thinking of buying or selling a home? Visit my website to view all Knox County real estate listings and to get a Free home valuation.

2006-06-08T11:04:00.000-04:00

Who Needs A Survey?

A property survey is a map of a property showing where structures, easements and boundaries are located. To most buyers, being required by the mortgage company to have an updated survey for closing just seems like a waste of money. And, who wants to spend more money than absolutely necessary?

But, a survey is like insurance. The chances of you ever really needing it are slim, but if you ever do need it, you will be glad you have it. CNNMoney.com has a great article about folks who wished they had a survey. Be sure to take a look.

Thinking of buying or selling a home? Visit my website. Here you can look at all homes listed for sale in Hampton Roads and get a Price Valuation.

2006-06-06T11:47:00.000-04:00

What Is A Contingency Contract?

Sandra Nickel, Realtor in Montgomery, AL, has an excellent post on contingency contracts. What are they and should you as a seller accept one. It is short, sweet and informative.

Please contact us with any questions you have about contingency contracts or real estate in Knox County, Ohio.

2006-06-02T10:20:00.000-04:00

Tips to Make Painting Easier

Summer is almost here and if your household is anything like mine, there is a list of "do-it-yourself" projects that doesn't end. For many of us, painting tops the list; it not only protects the interior of our homes, painting is a great way to liven things up.
Giving interior walls a fresh coat of paint is well within the abilities of most of us. So, I wanted to share the following helpful hints from Wagner Spray Tech to get you started on your paint project:

Preparation

* Good surface preparation is the key to a long-lasting and great-looking paint job. Repair cracks or chips, sand and smooth rough edges, and clean chalky surfaces. Give the walls 24 hours to dry after you have wiped them down.

* Assemble all painting tools and cleanup supplies before you start. You will need paint (one gallon per every 300 to 400 square feet), painter's tape, drop cloths, brushes, rollers, paint tray liners, paint thinner and rags. For fast, easy painting, consider a power sprayer or power roller. Recent innovations make these tools easy to use, easy to control, easy to switch colors and easy to clean.

* Protect floors and furniture with a drop cloth or sheet.

*Cover trim with a low-tack painter's tape to protect trim. Low-tack or less sticky tapes are easier to remove and less likely to harm wood.

*Protect windows with Glass Mask, a liquid product that is easier to apply than traditional tape. The product comes in a plastic tube that fits easily in the palm of the hand. To apply, simply press the attached applicator pad to the window and glide it along the trim that will be painted. Once the liquid is completely dry, you can paint the trim. Any paint that laps onto the Glass Mask can easily be scraped off with the included blade. One tube of Glass Mask will cover about the same lineal footage as three rolls of traditional tape. The product is available at hardware, paint supply and home warehouse stores.

* Remove loose fibers from roller covers with painter's tape or a lint roller before using.
Painting

* Spray or roll from top to bottom, left to right to cover neatly and evenly. Lighter, multiple coats will cover better than one heavy layer of paint.

* Sprayers offer the best and most efficient coverage when painting large areas or exteriors. After spraying, back roll to ensure even coverage.

* Use a quality brush or roller.

* Place a garbage bag over your paint tray, brush or roller to prevent the paint from drying. This will keep the paint for 24 hours - and let you take a break without worrying that your paint will dry out.

Clean Up

* For water-based paints, rinse brushes, rollers and tools with water. For oil-based paints, use paint thinner. Some power sprayers and rollers now offer disposable wet parts that don't need to be cleaned and are inexpensive to replace. This also allows easier color changes during the painting process.

* Use bristle protectors that fit over brushes and protect them when not in use. They are available at most hardware stores.

* Use a fine-tooth comb to loosen any debris left in the bristles after clean up.

To learn more, visit www.wagnerspraytech.com.
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If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, visit my website. Here you can view all local real estate listings.

2006-05-31T14:44:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-25T17:11:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-19T06:18:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-11T15:57:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-05-04T09:10:00.000-04:00

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.

2006-04-26T22:02:00.000-04:00

Considering a Home Remodel? Make Sure It Will Pay Off

If your family has to wait in line to take a shower, or if you're storing pots and pans in the laundry room due to lack of cabinet space, it could be time to consider a home remodeling project. Not only will an updated space make your house more pleasant for you and your family, it can pay off in higher resale value.

To find out if your project will add to the resale value of your home, take stock of other houses in your neighborhood. Have many of them been upgraded in the past few years? If everyone on the block has added a bathroom or upgraded their master suite, these projects would be worth considering. On the other hand, you may not want to price your house out of the market by adding a third or fourth garage if that's not the standard in your area.

Remodeling Magazine conducts an annual survey that compares construction costs with resale values. Over the past four years, bathroom and kitchen remodeling have consistently shown good returns on investment. In 2005, a kitchen remodel that included updating cabinet fronts; replacing the oven, stove, sink and faucet; adding new paint or wall coverings; and replacing existing flooring recouped 98.5 percent of the job cost at resale time as a national average.

Bathroom remodels pay off even better. Updating a bathroom that is 25 years old with new fixtures, tub, and toilet; adding new tile, a solid surface vanity counter, ceramic floor and wallpaper recoups on average 102.2 percent.

Of course, you won't want to tackle a home improvement project solely for the resale value, especially if you intend to stay put for a while. A remodel can contribute to a better quality of living for your family while your house increases in value. "Choose an improvement that makes sense for you and your family and one that you can afford," says Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education for Experian, a global information solutions company.

To decide if a home remodeling project is right for you, make a list of features that you would like in the room to be renovated, taking into account how you and your family use the space. Consider traffic patterns, lighting and special features you'd like, such as a wet bar or walk-in shower.

Next, figure out how much you can spend on the project. You might want to consider taking out a home equity loan to finance the remodel. Because the loan is secured by your home, it will likely have a lower annual percentage rate, and you may get some tax breaks, too. The amount you can borrow is limited by the equity you have in your home. Other factors that may influence the amount you can borrow include your credit history, income and current financial responsibilities. Also, be sure to have a plan for how you will repay the loan. You don't want to put your home at risk or add too much stress to the family budget.

To make sure your financing is ready when you are, visit a credit reporting company online such as www.experian.com to quickly and easily access your credit report. "If you notice anything questionable, such as accounts you don't recognize, or payment disputes, deal with those issues before applying for a home equity loan," says Sweet. "It can also be helpful to have your credit score which will tell you specifically the factors in your credit history that could be considered risky by lenders."

Finally, get bids from several contractors to see how your budget and the cost of your dream remodel compare. Ask friends, neighbors and co-workers for recommendations, or ask your lender if they're familiar with the contractors you're considering. Another great way to check out a company is SmartBusinessReports, also available through Experian. These business credit reports provide consumers with background information, comprehensive financial information and credit risk facts about the business they are considering using in an easy-to-read, online format.

As with any big project, you'll need to be flexible and not let the inevitable glitches get in the way of the big picture - when you're done, you'll have a beautiful new space for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. (ARA)

If you would like input from a real estate professional as to whether or not your home improvement project will add resale value to your home or if you are over-improving for the neighborhood, just give us a call at 740-397-7800. We are glad to help.

You can also receive the current market value of your home by clicking here.

2006-04-20T07:32:00.000-04:00

Post-Contract Pitfalls

Selling a home is like climbing Mount Everest – getting a signed contract is a great accomplishment, but that's only half the journey. The typical home sale today involves more than 20 steps after the initial contract is accepted to complete the transaction.

Much of what needs to be done before the closing is the responsibility of appraisers, loan processors, attorneys, and inspectors — my role as your REALTOR® is to coordinate those responsibilities, helping to ensure that others do their jobs promptly and correctly and that the closing isn't jeopardized.

Many steps between contract ratification and closing involve the cooperation of both buyer and seller, and attentive REALTORS® on both sides of the transaction will troubleshoot and keep everyone on track.

Time Estimates for Delays

When things go wrong, closing can easily fall behind. Here's how much time to expect on particular delays:

One-Week Delays
1. Buyer submits incorrect information to lender.
2. Source of downpayment changes.
3. Escrow fails to notify parties about missing documents.
4. Principals leave town without signing all necessary papers.
5. Unknown defects are discovered in the property.
6. Last-minute liens discovered.
7. Cloud on title.
8. Move-out date changes.

Two-Week Delays
1. Lender decides at the last minute it doesn't approve of the borrower or the property.
2. Lender raises interest rates.
3. Lender requires last minute reappraisal or repairs.
4. Appraisal too low.

As your REALTOR®, I have extensive experience in handling problems that may arise during the time between contract and closing; I can anticipate difficulties and address them in time to ensure a smooth settlement for all involved.

Give me a call, 740-397-7800, so I can ensure you a smooth settlement with your next purchase or sale of real estate.

2006-04-13T11:57:00.000-04:00

Housing Market To Stay on High Plateau

Home sales should remain strong this year according to a report just released from the National Association of Realtors. The association expects sales to move up and down somewhat over for the rest of the year, but are predicting 2006 as being the third strongest year in history.

NAR President Thomas M. Stevens from Vienna, Va., said home prices are expected to cool, but not as much as in earlier projections. Click here to read the full report.

So if you were waiting for the real estate market to go bust before you buy, you probably shouldn't hesitate any longer. Visit my website, www.SamMiller.com, or contact me by phone, 740-397-7800, or e-mail. I will show you how you can take advantage of this strong market and low interest rates.

2006-04-06T08:04:00.000-04:00

Important Tax Information For Knox County Home Owners

The April 15 tax deadline is only a few days away and hopefully you are well on your way to completing your tax return and you won’t be one of those people in line at the post office late at night on April 14!

If you purchased a home in 2005, you will need the HUD-1 Statement from the closing on your new home, when calculating your taxes. This is the document itemizing the monies at closing. Your accountant or tax advisor will be able to tell you which of your closing costs are tax deductible.

The mortgage interest that is reflected on the HUD-1 is not calculated in the interest reflected on your year end statement that you will receive from your mortgage company. So, be sure to add the interest in the HUD-1 to other interest paid for the year.

If I can help with any other questions concerning the purchase of your home last year or if you are considering buying a home this year, give me a call, 740-397-7800. I’m glad to help. Or visit my website, www.SamMiller.com. You will find a wealth of information there.

2006-03-30T10:43:00.000-05:00

Where Does Your Mulch Come From?

You may want to check with the companies that you hire to do your mulched beds this year, to make sure they know where the mulch they use is coming from. Or, if you buy your own mulch, be very careful about buying mulch it. After the hurricane in New Orleans many trees were blown over. These trees were then turned into mulch and the state is trying to get rid of tons and tons of this mulch to any state or company who will come and haul it away. So it will be showing up in Home Depot and Lowes at dirt cheap prices with one huge problem...Formosan Termites will be the bonus in many of those bags.

New Orleans is one of the few areas in the country were the Formosan Termites has gotten a strong hold and most of the trees blown down were already badly infested with those termites. Now we may have the worst case of transporting a problem to all parts of the country that we have ever had. These termites can eat a house in no time at all and we have no good control against them, so tell your friends that own homes to avoid cheap mulch and know were it came from.
For more information on Formosan termites, visit: www.agctr.lsu.edu/en/environment/insects/Termites

It is also a good idea to get a termite inspection this year. We recommend having your home inspected every year, but it sounds like this year it will be even more important. If you need a referral to a reputable termite company, just give me a call, 740-397-7800, or drop me a note. I am happy to help!

2006-03-23T10:49:00.000-05:00

Affordable Home Values Available

Affordability for the Knox County area still remains exceptional
compared to other larger housing markets throughout Ohio.

Our average home prices, in most cases, is nearly 50% less in Knox County compared to similar homes that are located in Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. Knox County has so much to offer and the quality of life is hard to beat. Now I understand why so many people are moving away from the bigger cities to our area…the quality of life here is just amazing.

From January 1, 2006 through February 21, 2006 the average sales price for a Knox County Home is $122,629. This year has been the most active start for Knox County real estate that I have ever seen during the past 20 years and the market shows no signs of slowing down. If the market continues at it’s active pace this could be an all time record year for home sales and home values in Knox County.

Are you interested in the current value of your home? Click here...it will be emailed to you.

2006-03-16T08:59:00.000-05:00

Money-Saving Tips For Your Home

According to the Alliance to Save Energy, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, American consumers and businesses spend some $21 billion annually, on lighting alone, and could cut their costs in half with energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures while improving the environment. Installing efficient lighting in American homes and businesses would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 140 million tons each year--as much as eliminating all the carbon dioxide produced by the state of New Jersey! Isn't that amazing?

I found a website (sponsored by the EPA and the DOE) that shows how to save money on energy bills by incorporating their energy efficiency suggestions. It's http://hes.lbl.gov.

Whatever stage you are at with your housing needs, I would like to meet you and get to know you and your family. That way you won't be working with a stranger when it comes to making important real estate decisions. Remember, I am here to help! give me a call at your convenience, 740-397-7800 or visit my website, www.SamMiller.com.

2006-03-02T06:33:00.000-05:00

What Is Your Home Really Worth?

A new website claims to give the numbers in Knox County and beyond.

Wherever you live in Knox County from Apple Valley to Mt. Vernon, if you plan to buy or sell a home, one of the most important pieces of information you will need is the home's current value in reasonably accurate terms.

Well, Zillow.com is a new national website that purports to be able to tell you that so that you - uh - won't need a Realtor like me.

Well, I just read a good post on this by my friend Margaret Rome in Baltimore, Maryland and want to share it with you. It really says it all:

"In the last few days, a new Web site launched with great fanfare but spotty performance. When CNN included a story about it on their evening news, the site couldn’t keep up with the hits.

Why all the fuss? Zillow promises to give homebuyers and sellers up to date and complete information about the value of their home and comparables in their area. Some have suggested this will make real estate agents obsolete because people will be able to price their own homes to be competitive.

The early returns are that the site’s information is incomplete and sometimes wrong, which makes the suggested price ranges they give hard to justify. In some cases, the range is optimistically high, and for others, I’ve negotiated sales higher than their top amount.

The site depends on public records for its data. But public records will not show factors, like recent additions and improvements or the condition of the interior, that affect price. Public records can also be wrong; a friend of mine checked her house and said she wants that fireplace she’s supposed to have, but will not give up the second bathroom they didn’t count. If the information about a house is wrong, how valid is the price estimate? In time, the site will undoubtedly improve, but for now – caution.

There is no question about real estate agents becoming an endangered species because of this or any other site. Price is only one factor in buying or selling your home, and getting to the settlement table means avoiding traps and overcoming obstacles. A top agent will be experienced at:
• negotiating the terms of your contract,
• making sure only qualified buyers troop through your home,
• meeting and dealing with appraisers, and
• working with home inspectors and title companies to be sure you are protected from start to finish.

Buying or selling a home is an emotionally-charged transaction. Now more than ever it pays to have an experienced professional on your side. Embrace the benefits of new technology, but don’t fall into the trap of believing it will replace market knowledge and personal service.
The end of real estate agents? Not any time soon. Margaret"

Visit Margaret Rome's Blog here.

I am glad to provide you with a complete, accurate home evaluaton. Click here for your no-obligation report.

2006-02-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

State of the Market Activity Report

The Knox County real estate market continues to show strong signs of growth in 2006. Many areas locally are already surpassing previous statistics compared to the same months in 2005 and the tone of the market is quite healthy. Affordable home values continue to drive our housing market and this segment currently accounts for nearly 30% of our activity and sales.

First time buyers have never had more opportunity than they have today. There are so many specialty loan programs engineered for moderate to low income families that offer buyers an opportunity to purchase with little or no zero money down. Years ago not having a down payment saved was a massive barrier when trying to purchase a home but this is no longer the case. Today with the new 80/20 and streamlined mortgages have opened up the doors to homeownership wider and faster than ever before.

The move up buyer is the largest segment of our local housing market today. Move up transactions are existing homeowners who are selling their current homes and replacing them with either new homes or larger more expensive homes. The move up buyers account for more than 40% of all market activity and based on sales in January and February this market is showing signs of growing by potentially 10% in 2006. There are many logical reasons why this market is expanding so quickly but the biggest reason is due to the growing number of new homes being built. Mount Vernon, Apple Valley, Fredericktown and Centerburg are each seeing a jump in the number of new homes being built and it doesn’t look like there are any slowing signs in sight. Apple Valley continues to lead the Knox County in new home starts per year and this is partially due to the low cost of entry and lot acquisition cost.

When you consider that the average residential sales price in Knox County for a home that sold between January 1, 2006 through February 21, 2006 was only $122,629 it’s very easy to see why our Knox County real estate market is so active. The value and quality of a home you can buy in Knox County is remarkable compared to other larger markets such as Columbus, New Albany, Granville, Newark, Delaware and other Columbus suburbs and this is another driving force. When you combine affordable housing, streamlined financing with no downpayment options and a community that offers superior quality of life with desirable small town amenities you have the makings of a very attractive real estate market.

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