Real Estate Blog
Time for an Appraisal?
One of the most important jobs for your real estate agent is to determine the value of your home by developing a Comparable Market Analysis, which will be used in pricing the home for the right amount. If your property isn’t attracting serious shoppers, your agent may recommend that you invest in an appraiser to get a second pricing opinion, as the appraiser will come in with an independent, unbiased opinion to help ensure your price is correct for the market. “An appraisal is important in today’s market especially, because it’s an...
read moreWeighing 30- and 15-year Fixed-Rate Mortgages
One important decision homebuyers face is whether to secure a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage or go for a 15-year one, which carries a lower interest rate. “All things equal, a 15-year mortgage allows you to pay off your mortgage twice as fast while saving a significant chunk of money on interest,” explains Mark Crosby, a mortgage expert in Wilmington, Del. Still, “I think the 30-year mortgage is a logical choice for most people because it has more advantages.” For starters, mortgage payments are less expensive with a 30-year mortgage,...
read moreIs It Worth The Cost?
A stressful part of putting your home on the market is trying to figure out what to fix and upgrade to get the very best price. An experienced agent will recommend projects to consider and ones to avoid. After all, just because you put money into a renovation project doesn’t mean you will recoup the money in a sale. You may also want to consult Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report for a breakdown of typical returns on renovation projects large and small. The 24th annual edition published earlier this year contains input...
read moreWinter Is Approaching … Is your Home Ready?
Autumn winds blow a chilly reminder that winter is fast approaching. Perform the following maintenance tips each fall to protect your property’s value and prevent major repairs. Roof, Gutters and Downspouts Rain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now’s the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don’t allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause...
read moreThe Importance of Assets
Mortgage lenders dissect the entire credit history of a potential client with strict attention to income, credit, collateral and assets. Of the four, assets are perhaps the least discussed yet may be the most important in securing credit and buying a home. Simply put, assets include the amount of money needed for the down payment, in addition to closing costs, pre-paid costs such as insurance and taxes, escrow fees and funds that would be available in case of an emergency. “Assets may be the truest reflection of a borrower’s fiscal...
read moreUnderstanding Closing Costs
You’ve found your dream home, the seller has accepted your offer, your loan has been approved and you’re eager to move into your new home. But before you get the key, there’s one more step-the closing. Also called the settlement, the closing is the process of passing ownership of property from seller to buyer. And it can be bewildering. As a buyer, you will sign what seems like endless piles of documents and will have to present a sizeable check for the down payment and various closing costs. It’s the fees...
read morePreparing Your House for Sale
You’ve Taken a Big Step and Decided to Sell Your House Now what should you do? To maximize that sale potential of your house you need to prepare it to show to potential buyers. Here are some tips and ideas to help you identify its strongest selling features. By walking you through your house step-by-step, from the first impressions to a room-by-room checklist, you’ll know where to focus your attention. Focus First on Curb Appeal Curb appeal is your first chance to entice buyers. Focusing your efforts in the front of your...
read moreThe 203k Mortgage
Real estate consumers today can find ample value in distressed homes – properties that are under a foreclosure order or up for short sale. In many cases, however, “distressed” speaks more for the condition of the homes than their recent financial histories, as they’ve sat empty for extended periods and have been subject to vandalism and theft. Those considering homes in need of repair and renovation should consider a 203k mortgage, which enables homebuyers to finance both the acquisition...
read more10 Ways to Go Green Today
10 Ways to Go Green Today Why Go Green? With all of the interest in Going Green across America, Prudential Real Estate took the time to investigate exactly what that means. According to “Global Green USA,” the Greening of America is fast becoming the number one concern of Gen X’ers entering into the real estate market. They are concerned about our planet and what they can do to make a difference. The world population has grown to over 6 billion people in 2000. It is estimated to reach a staggering 9 billion people by the year...
read moreOhio Heroes Program
Ohio Heroes: educators, military personnel, first-responders and health care providers make a difference everyday in our communities with the special contributions that they make. The Ohio Heroes Program recognizes these selfless individuals. Do I Qualify? The Ohio Heroes Program is available to the following full-time employees who are: Active Military, Active Reserve, or a Veteran – Qualified Active Duty Service personnel include Armed Services or Reserve Forces. Qualified veterans include military members honorably discharged...
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The information provided in this site is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed. The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of NORMLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Prudential Karam & Simon are noted and include the name of the listing brokers. The materials contained within this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of this broker. The information contained within this page is for personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be verified by personal inspection or with the appropriate professionals. Listings displayed on this website may be subject to prior sale or removal from sale; availability of any listing should always be independently verified.