Category Archives: Real Estate Tips

Should you refinance your home even if you plan to sell?

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Should you refinance your home even if you plan to sell? – Wondering what to do in terms of your home refinancing when you plan to sell your house soon? Is it still worth refinancing?  Refinancing could still make sense in the long run.  Here are a few tips that will help aid your decision of refinancing your home.

 

Take advantage of lower interest rates

 

Investigating the process of refinancing is worth the time if it could save you money on your mortgage rates.  Who wouldn’t want to save some extra money?  The money save could be out towards a down payment on your next home (or that new car you have be eyeing).  Having a lower interest rate could lower the monthly mortgage payment and save you more money in the long run.  

 

Financial circumstances could change

 

You are planning on selling your home in the coming months but suddenly, your partner (or you) loses their income, or someone becomes ill, or your money for a new house is needed elsewhere in the family budget.  Refinancing could save you money in the meantime until you are ready for that new house.  You never know what could happen financially and taking advantage of refinancing to a lower interest rate could potentially be beneficial to the household income.

 

Facing a higher rate on your ARM loan

 

ARM interest rates adjust every so often and when the adjustment time is approaching, there is a possibility that the interest rate will increase.  Typically, it is in the best interest of the owner to refinance when they see the interest rate at a percentage they can afford before their adjustment period occurs and the interest rate ends up being higher than what they are currently paying.  It is always best to speak with a professional about ARM loans and interest rate forecasts, etc.


When the time comes to decide whether or not to refinance your home, it is always best to talk to a professional that can help you through the process.  They know the ins and outs of loans and the different types that will be the most beneficial to you.  Professionals in this area can help navigate through the loan vocabulary and help you better understand the process and if the timing is right to refinance your home loan.

Contact me today for a list of great mortgage professionals in this area.

 

 

Highly Likely To Recommend

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“Rita provided real estate services for my deceased mother’s home. She was very compassionate and empathetic through the whole process. Rita is very professional, ethical and knowledgeable. If you are looking for exemplary real estate experience, you will find it in Rita Boswell.”

05/02/2015 – bperrin bp
Sold a Single Family home in 2015 for approximately $125K in Blacklick, OH.

Highligh: A Treehouse in Columbus

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Highlight: A Treehouse in Columbus

What do you do when you find the perfect house lined with old shade trees? Build a treehouse!

That’s exactly what Mike and Jamie O’Leary did when they found their home in Clintonville, Ohio. All they needed was the right sized yard, an old tree that was big enough, and they were able to accomplish their dream.

It’s not just for kids, either! “I do yoga up there occasionally,” says Jamie.

Before this, they were living in Italian Village in a small industrial loft, so they really wanted to find something more “family friendly.” Although they loved living in Italian Village, they needed something more practical for kids.

The O’Leary’s wanted a place that kept them near certain things, such as parks, farmers’ markets, and libraries.

After a year of looking, they finally made a decision on the Clintonville house.  They adorned their home with pieces from Grandview Mercantile, IKEA, Clintonville online Facebook groups, Etsy, and Wholly Craft.

After moving around from Philadelphia, to D.C. and New York, they settled on Columbus to be closer to both of their families and found an amazing food and beer scene in central Ohio.

Mike aims to soundproof the garage for space to practice with his band, We Are The Movies, make the porch an art room for his daughter, finish the attics, clean up the yard with some landscaping, and making some improvements to the basement.

The O’Leary’s are very happy with their decision in Clintonville, as it is very kid-friendly and Clintonville did just top Columbus Underground’s reader poll as the Best Neighborhood of 2014. Let’s see if it can keep it’s title in 2015!

Do you spend any time in Clintonville, Ohio? Let us know in the comments below!

How To Sell Your Home in 2015

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How To Sell Your Home in 2015

If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2015, you’re in luck – it’s predicted that the real estate market will make it easier to buy and sell, with more options and buyers than last year. For first time sellers, preparing and putting your home on the market is often an overwhelming and stressful process. It’s difficult to know where to start, what to do and what’s the best way to do it. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with a number of tips for everything from home improvement, selecting a realtor and staging your home.

With this as a starting point, you’ll be sure to have your home sold in no time. Happy selling!

5 Tips to Sell Your Home in 2015:

  • Know who’s looking and how much your home is worth. It’s predicted that 2015 will be a popular year for first-time home buyers. Many Millenials delayed buying when the recession hit, but many are now starting families and looking to purchase their first home. Make sure to prepare your home to attract this demographic, and know how much other homes in your neighborhood are worth.
  • Find a qualified real estate agent to work with you. The right agent can offer valuable knowledge, negotiate with potential buyers in your favor and guide you in the right direction. Ask your friends, neighbors and family for recommendations of real estate agents, or search online at reputable sites such as realtor.com. Attend open houses to see a potential agent in action and get a feel for how they do business.
  • Make your home sale-ready. This often means repairing, remodeling or staging for sale. The first step is to de-personalize the house. You may love the trendy colors, but neutral walls let prospective buyers can imagine the place as their own. Pack away family photos, knick-knacks and other personal items, make minor repairs like cleaning top to bottom and remove all the clutter that’s on your coffee table, kitchen counters and end tables, as well as anything you don’t need from your shelves. Your real estate agent will be able to give you more specific instructions for how to get your home ready for showing.
  • Get a professional home inspection. Most buyers will get a home inspection before signing any papers. Should they find anything serious, the buyer may offer less for your home than you were expecting. Prepare for this by taking care of any minor repairs before putting your home on the market and having your own inspection done. This way you can be aware of any problems and consider them when determining your asking price.

We hope these tips will help you sell your home this year. Leave a comment us below, or contact us if you have any questions!

4 Ways to Hide Speakers Throughout Your Home

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4 Ways to Hide Speakers Throughout Your Home

4 Ways to Hide Speakers Throughout Your Home

 

Instead of using one large speaker, you can use small ones throughout your house to achieve the same experience! Walking into a room and not even knowing where the noise is coming from might even increase that experience for the better. It might seem tricky if the space is small, however, there are a few fast and easy ways to hide these smaller speakers. If you do not have the money to buy new speakers, you can always use the things around your house or even transform them into something that could work better!

  • Hang them on the wall to look like a light
    1. Triad Speakers:
      1. Look like wall sconces but are actually speakers
      2. Ear level and perfect for surround sound
  • Find more information here
  • Hide them in the ceiling fan
    1. Soundolier Speakers:
      1. Nobody will guess the sound is coming from the ceiling fan
      2. With the fan in the middle of the room everyone will hear it
  • Find more information here
  • Practically invisible speakers
    1. TruAdio’s Ghost Speaker:
      1. As small as 4.5 inches
      2. Hides the frame of the speaker and makes it look smooth
  • Find more information here
  • Use your own furniture
    1. Cabinets with transparent faces make great spaces for hiding speakers
    2. Use furniture to hide wires behind
    3. Blend speakers in with things like picture frames

 

Nobody has to know where the sound is coming from, as long as it is there! If you do not have the money to afford new hidden speakers, just use the furniture around your house to disguise your old ones.

 

 

4 Home Updates That Will Hurt You at Selling

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4 home updates that will hurt you at selling

4 Home Updates That Will Hurt You at Selling- Updating your home is something that everyone wants to do, but thinking that they will make a positive return on their investment isn’t always accurate. Customized updates might be the best thing for you and your vision, however, they might not be the most practical option. Here are four home updates that will ultimately hurt you when you explore the options of selling your home.

 

Personalization

Personalizing your home might seem like the right idea for you; however, it won’t provide you with a positive ROI. It has the possibility of inhibiting the potential buyer from picturing themselves in your home, and therefore not purchasing it in the long run. To avoid an over personalization of your home, give it non-permanent personalized touches like furniture and accent colors.

 

 

Home Office Renovation

Many homeowners dish out a lot of cash to create their very own home office. Unfortunately for them, that isn’t necessarily an important feature that potential home buyers are looking for. To avoid this costly mistake, make updates to your home office that won’t necessarily be permanent. You want to give the person who buys your home the option of converting the room into a bedroom, or recreational room of their choice.

 

Additions

Additions to your home, like a sun room or additional garage, might end up hurting you in the long run. The extra space has the potential to hook the potential buyer into being a homeowner; however, they will not want to foot the bill of your expensive renovation and expansion.

 

Luxury Upgrades

Any type of luxury upgrade to your existing home sounds like it would be a benefit and provide a positive turn on your investment, right? No, not every luxury upgrade is beneficial. Unless you have a very high-end home, making upgrades like marble floors and custom bathrooms, will likely not pay off in the long run.

 

Customized updates to your home might be the best thing for you at the time, however, it might not be the best option for you to get the best return on your investment. To learn more about home updates that will hurt you when you sell your home, visit here.

6 Tips To Budget For Your First Home

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6 Tips To Budget For Your First Home – There is a lot to consider when buying your first home. Don’t just save for the down payment, consider other hidden costs. Don’t forget about the home inspection, repairs, closing costs and even moving expenses. Follow these next few tips when buying your next home.

1. Home Inspections – Home inspections are highly encouraged in order to make sure that there are not any major issues with the home you are buying.You never want to buy a home without an inspection. Inspections can cost $300 and upward depending on the type of inspection you get. Remember, the more thorough the better.

2. Closing Costs – According to bank rates annual survey, the average closing cost for a $200,000 home is about $3,754. Talk with a lender to get a general idea of what those costs will be. Closing costs usually cover lender fees, title fees, appraisal, and more.

3. Try Auto-Saving – Did you know that most banks can set up automatic transfers to your savings account from your checking account each month? You can also request that a certain percentage of each paycheck be deposited into your savings account. These are both effective strategies when saving for a big purchase and will add up before you know it!

4. Down Payment – Talk to your lender to get a general idea of what your down payment for your next home will be, as well as your loan options. The percentage of a down payment can vary greatly from buyer to buyer, but it is generally more cost effective to put down a higher rate. A larger down payment can save you on interest in the end depending on the home you choose, the loan you choose, and the money you have saved up. Talk to your lender about your options so you can plan.

5. Moving Expenses – Moving expenses are usually overlooked and end up costing more than anticipated. Planning ahead can help you avoid extra costs. Ask friends and family for help or do research on the most cost effective options in your area.

6. Decorating Expenses – Buying a new home is a very exciting process, especially once you are moved in and ready to decorate. Plan a budget for decorating costs as they can add up quickly as excitement increases.  Furniture and large items can be purchased on credit to avoid up-front costs, as long as you plan on making regular payments. Always plan ahead and do your research but don’t forget to have fun!

Keep these tips in mind as you think about your next home purchase. It is essential to have a set budget and to plan ahead. Let us know in the comment section how these tips have helped you or if you have any tips of your own!

 

10 Reasons To Make Sure A Home Is Inspected Before Buying

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10 Reasons To Make Sure A Home Is Inspected Before Buying - Rita Bosewell1

 

10 Reasons To Make Sure A Home Is Inspected Before Buying – Buying a home is a major investment and can be a lot to take on. Having a home inspection before you buy your new home is one of the key ingredients in the home buying process. Here are ten reasons why you should make sure a home has been inspected by a professional before you buy.

1. It can prepare you for projects you might have to complete upon moving in to your new home. If you’re not able to complete the projects, then the home isn’t for you.

2. Depending on the results of the inspection, you can decide on what to offer for the home. A less than perfect home inspection can often warrant a lower offer price.

3. You will learn about the ins and outs of your new home.

4. It will help you make sure the home you are moving into is safe and livable, for the whole family.

5. It will provide you with the actual value of the home, which in the long run can help you determine how much return you will get on your investment in the future.

6. If you’re in a high-risk area, having a home inspection can let you know if your home is able to withstand earthquakes or natural disasters.

7. You can get recommendations from a home inspector and if you choose to follow them, it could save you a lot of money in the long run.

8. You will have an accurate evaluation of the entire home before you choose to purchase it for you and your family.

9. It gives you a deeper look, past the shiny floors and clean exterior.

10. Above all else, it gives you peace of mind knowing that a professional has given your new home the stamp of approval.

To learn more about why you should make sure a home inspection has been completed before buying your new home, visit here. What do you think about these tips? Have you had your home inspected before buying? Comment to share with us!