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Pros and Cons of FSBO

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Pros and Cons of FSBO – Once you’ve deciding to sell your home, some choose to work with a real estate professional and some choose to sell “For Sale By Owner” or FSBO. Ultimately, you don’t have to sell your home using a real estate professional but there are definitely pros and cons of selling your home FSBO. Here are a few to help you decide the right path for you…

Pros of Selling a Home FSBO:

  • Save Money – You won’t have to pay 2 real estate agents. Instead you will only be in charge of paying the agent of the buyer unless you work with the buyer directly.
  • You Are In Control – You can control how your home is staged, marketed, when you show the home, etc.
  • It’s Your Home – You know the home better than anyone. You can point out the amenities and items in the home like no one else.

Cons of Selling a Home FSBO:

  • No Help – Without an agent, you are in charge of marketing, pricing, showing, staging, negotiating, finding a buyer, doing the paperwork, etc.
  • Pricing – This is a touchy subject. Too high and you lose interest. Too low and you lose money. Real estate pros know the strategy and how to negotiate the best price for you and your home.
  • Less Visibility – This is what real estate pros do. They have a marketing strategy for your home to get you the most exposure and to target the right buyers. Without the right marketing you have less visibility.
  • Contracts – Real estate pros tell you what you need, what it means and handle the leg work for you. When you sell a home FSBO, you can get that info from a title company or an attorney but you will still most likely pay a fee for that information.

There are pros and cons to every situation. It won’t hurt to interview a real estate professional to get your questions answered and to see which route is best for you. It’s important that when you want to hire a real estate agent that it’s the right one. We recommend you interview a few to find the right one for you.

 

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!

Things to do in Central Ohio – January

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Things to do in Central Ohio – January There are so many things going on in the Central Ohio area this month, so ring in the new year with all of the events and activities available to you. No matter what you’re looking for, you will have no trouble keeping your time occupied. Here are five things going on near you this month.

1. The John Schwab Band

When: The first Friday of the month

Admission: Free to attend

Leave the kids at home and gather your friends for a night out on the town. Live music and happy hour prices are a great way to wind down after a long week, so make your way out to LaScala for a good time.

2. Worthington Historical Society Antiques Show

When: Saturdays and Sundays this month

Admission: $8

Whether you’re into antiquing or not, this will definitely be a not-to-miss antiques show. There will be an amazing selection of high-quality items available for purchase with a number of new exhibitors.

3. MAC Short Film Night

When: January 7

Admission: Free

If you’re looking for a different way to spend your date night, this is definitely worth checking out. You will have the opportunity to view locally made and inspired films at the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington.

4. Hear & Now Author Series: Marja Mills

When: January 29

Admission: $5 – $10

Make your way out to the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington to hear from Marja Mills. She will share tales of her life in Alabama, living next door to the amazing author Harper Lee.

5. Westerville Symphony Orchestra Tunes and Tales

When: January 31

Admission: Free

If you have children between the ages of 3 and 8, this is perfect and directed towards them; however, no matter how old your kids are bring them out to the Westerville Public Library. The library, in partnership with Westerville Symphony Orchestra, will present an integration of musical adventure and storytelling, Ferdinand the Bull.

For more information on all of the great events and activities available to you in Central Ohio, visit here.

4 Things To Do In Central Ohio This December

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4 Things To Do In Central Ohio This December  – Tis the holiday season! It’s a festive time of year, and it’s such a fun time to be here in Central Ohio. The spirit of the season is everywhere and there are plenty of fun things to do. If you’re looking to get out of the house between decorating your tree and baking holiday goodies, we’ve gathered a few of our favorite events and activities going on in December below. Check them out and get ready for a great month!

Here are 4 events taking place during the month of December:

  1. Illuminating Shopping Event, December 4, 6 p.m., Downtown Worthington: Want to start your holiday shopping? This fun event in downtown Worthington will be fun for all! The streets are lined with luminaries while shoppers enjoy wine and cheese, live music, carriage rides and special sales. Visit the city’s event posting for more information.
  2. Holly Days in Historic Dublin, December 6, Downtown Dublin: Start the holidays off right with this fun event in Dublin! Enjoy festive activities for adults and children, food, drink and live entertainment. See this website to learn more.
  3. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, December 4-6, multiple times, Columbus Children’s Theatre: This classic Christmas tale comes to life at the Columbus Children’s Theatre! A couple struggle to put on a church Christmas pageant and hilarity ensues. Visit the theatre website for more details.
  4. Holiday Carriage Rides, through December 23, Easton Town Center: Enjoy the beauty of Easton Town Center decorated for the holidays with an exciting carriage ride! Cost is $10, with children riding free with an adult. See Easton’s website for more information.

Have a safe and happy holiday season! Tell us about your plans by leaving a comment below.

4 Things To Do In Central Ohio This November

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4 Things To Do In Central Ohio This November – November is here! We love this month because the weather is still warm enough to enjoy, plus the craziness of the holiday season hasn’t started. It’s time to get out of the house before the winter weather hits. Luckily, there are several fun and exciting events going on in Central Ohio during November. We’ve outlined a few of our favorite things to do below. Check them out and enjoy!

Here are our top things to do during the month of November:

  1. Worthington Farmers Market, every Saturday, 8 a.m., Downtown Worthington: Enjoy the last of autumn’s fresh apples, squash and more by visiting this weekly farmers market, located in scenic Downtown Worthington. See the city’s event post for more information.
  2. Hot Chocolate 15K/5K, November 16, The Arena District: Are you a runner? Chocolate lover? Both? If so, this race is for you. Run through Columbus’ Arena District and enjoy the post-race party, complete with plenty of chocolate, inflatables, music and more! See the race website for more details.
  3. Veterans Day Program, November 11, 11 a.m., Village Green Park: Honor and remember our veterans, both past and present, at Powell’s annual Veterans Day celebration. See the event’s page on the City of Powell website to learn more.
  4. Holiday Open House, November 30, 12 p.m., Downtown Worthington: Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at this open house event in Downtown Worthington. Stop and visit Santa at the Worthington Inn, enjoy musical entertainment and refreshments, plus much more. See the city’s event page for more information.

What are your favorite things to do in November? Tell us by leaving a comment below!

Why Should Someone Choose Rita As Their Realtor?

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Why Should Someone Choose Rita As Their Realtor? Buying or selling your home is a huge task. Whether this is your first time, or you’ve done it a million times, a little help from a professional can always help you in the best possible way. Rita Boswell prides herself on the communication she has between herself and her clients. She’s an expert on residential real estate sales and listing, single family homes, condominiums, distressed properties, short sales, downsizing, relocation, and working with buyers and sellers. She is a great resource when it comes to the real estate market, and you can always expect honesty and integrity from her – something that isn’t true for every agent you work with in your lifetime.

About Rita

Rita may not have started her career as a real estate professional; however, that has been a great benefit and has given her a broad background and set of skills that not many professionals have. She began her career as an accounting and support operations manager, where she learned business skills that she applies to her life in the real estate business today. As a native of central Ohio, she is familiar with the area and can provide the best possible advice to buyers and sellers.

Location

Rita’s office is located in the heart of Worthington, Ohio. She serves a number of communities surrounding central Ohio, including: Clintonville, Delaware, Dublin, Gahanna, Galena, Hilliard, Lewis Center, Powell, Sunbury, Upper Arlington, Westerville and Worthington. Working and living in the area gives her an extra advantage when it comes to being a great resource for her clients. Her knowledge digs deeper than the surface, making her a reliable and trusted real estate professional.

What she has to offer

Rita has plenty to offer to individuals and families who are looking to buy or sell their home. Not only does she have extensive knowledge of the real estate industry, but she is familiar with the ins and outs of central Ohio, and keeps your best interest at heart as a homeowner. Her listings range from condos to single family homes to rentals and everything in between, and she works to ensure that her clients are happy and satisfied with their home in the area.

 

To learn more about Rita, and all of the wonderful things she has to offer that will help you sell your home and find your next home, visit here.

Tips To Strengthen Your Credit Score

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Tips To Strengthen Your Credit Score – This is always a tricky subject. Just for the simple fact that everyone’s situation is different. To help you out, here are a few tips from Bankrate that will help you move in the right direction…

Watch Your Credit Limit – A way to help strengthen your credit score is to keep the balances on your credit cards low. How much revolving credit you have vs. how much you’re actually using. According to Bankrate, the optimum is 10% or lower.

Reduce The Number Of Cards – This isn’t what you think! This means stop using all of your credit cards. Instead have one or two cards you use for everything. It may hurt your credit score to have a $50 balance on one card and a $30 balance on another. Instead, pay those off and keep to just a few main cards.

Good Debt vs. Bad Debt – Good debt is where you have a long history of repayment records, such as a car loan. Some try to get this removed from their credit report once they pay it off thinking it could be harmful to their score when in fact it can be great for their credit score.

Pulling Credit – When shopping for your next big purchase such as a home, car, etc, these lenders will need to pull your credit score to see what loan options you have. Try sticking to a short time frame when shopping around and pulling your credit score with different companies.

Pay Bills On Time – This might seem obvious but it’s even more important when you are trying to make a big purchase. If you are saving up for a home, don’t pass on paying that electric bill because you need that money for your down payment. Mistakes like this can change your credit score which can effect the purchase of your home.

Don’t Hint Risk – Missing payments or paying less on your credit card than you usually do can hint risk to your card issuer. Taking out cash advances or paying for a divorce attorney can do this as well. Although it doesn’t necessarily effect your credit score, it is still something you should avoid.

Stay Informed – Whether you are looking to make a big purchase or not, it’s still important to know where you stand on your credit report. However, don’t obsess over until the moment comes where you are ready to make that big purchase. Pay your bills on time, keep a low balance on your card and create some consistency. Feel free to monitor your score every four months or so to know where you stand.

With these tips in mind, strengthening your credit score will be an easier process! Do you have any tips to share? Comment to share with us!

10 Tips To Save Money On Landscaping

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10 Tips To Save Money On Landscaping – The outside of your home is the first impression people see. Whether you’re trying to sell your home, or just update the look, landscaping is a great way to create more curb appeal for your home. Landscaping can be an expensive project, but with the right tools you can make it work right within your budget. Here are ten tips to save money on landscaping.

1. Make A List

Make a list or a picture board of inspirations and looks you want to create for your home. That way you will have a better idea of what you need to purchase.

2. Do Your Research

Conduct research to figure out where you can the things you need at the most inexpensive prices.

3. Avoid Impulse Buys

When you go to the store to purchase the materials you need, don’t get suckered into buying something you don’t need because you think it will look cool. Stick to your list – and your gut – to purchase only the things you’ve planned to buy.

4. Don’t Overplant

Make sure you don’t plant too many flowers or shrubs in your front lawn, it can look tacky and crowded. Stick to a minimal look and wait until it grows in. If you still want more after that, add it.

5. Talk To A Pro

You don’t necessarily have to hire someone to do the landscaping for your home; however, hiring a pro for a consultation will be well worth the money.

6. Cheaper Isn’t Always Better

Don’t assume that buying cheaper will help your budget. Cheaper isn’t always better and you might end up paying even more money to fix the mistake.

7. Shop End-Of-Season Sales

If you shop at the end of the season, you will have cheaper and more materials to use the following season.

8. Be Neighborly

There is a chance that you’re not the only one in the neighborhood working on your landscaping. If you’re renting equipment offer to split the cost and share it for a day.

9. Check Out Craigslist

Some people are willing to just give things away. Check out Craigslist before you buy anything, who knows, you may find it for free.

10. Make Your Own Compost

You can convert kitchen and garden refuse in a hommade compost to improve the soil’s tilth, aeration, and water-holding capacity.

To learn about more ways to save money on landscaping, visit here. Keep these money saving tips in mind when updating your landscape before fall! What do you think of these tips? How do you save money on landscaping? Comment to share with us!

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 – 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!