Columbus Ohio real estate

open houses may not help sell homes

Breaking News holding open houses does NOT sell the house? 

Say it isn't so? 

Tara Steele in News on AGBeat AgentGenius wrote "Report: open houses may not help sell homes."  AgentGenius writes to the real estate industry.  The Redfin (a real estate brokerage, not in this market) video about the science of open houses is funny. 

 


Nationwide Open House Weekend  2012

Columbus Ohio Open Houses

hmmm were the 101 open houses on the Columbus Board of REALTORS mls and the Real Living HER Open House List, last weekend. 

Useless? 

Waste of time?

Don't sell houses?

Don't even help sell houses?

Central Ohio Open Houses

Was a home in your neighborhood held open house this past weekend for the Nationwide Open House Weekend? Is the agent who held the open house regretting the lost two hours?

Columbus Ohio open houses are not for lazy agents

Tom held an open house.  Tom's open house sign: 

Real Living HER Open House sign  - Open House Overachiever

Tom (my manager)  is kind of an Overachiever when it comes to Open Houseson Columbus Life on Posterous:

"This was Nationwide Open House Weekend and my open house today was near my manager's open house.  I usually put up lots of signs  but TODAY I only used four signs but my open house was on the route to his. I use generic signs.  Tom uses personalized signs! 

We are an open house market.  Or parts of our market are good open house territory.

In addition to the Nationwide Open House Weekend, Real Living HER has a special three week open house promotion going on in central Ohio."


The point of the Redfin video?  San Francisco – 83 percent of listings hold an open house. There is a high correlatation between the homes that have an open house and those that sell within 90 days.   I wish we were San Francisco and you could count on the open house selling the house. 

Light Green Bars are homes for sale

The light green bars are homes for sale.  The dark green bars are homes sold for the past 15 months.

The light green bar shows why we are in my opinion a good open house market.  Or some parts of the Columbus Board of REALTORS mls is a good open house market.    This graph is Franklin County single family homes. 

There is inventory.... There are homes that need selling.  There are houses for buyers to look at.

I could also show you another graph with a short light green bar and plead that the Columbus Board of REALTORS mls (or parts of it) are a good open house market... of course the listing agent on a great listing in Clintonville wants an open house the first Sunday it is on the market.  

Is your neighborhood a good open house neighborhood? Not all neighborhoods are equal when it comes to open houses.  Perhaps Clintonville is the San Francisco of Columbus.

Real Living HER Spring Open House Prize Promotion - 42" HDTV

Real Living HER is holding our final week of the Open House Promotion next weekend, May 5 and 6, 2012...  Looking for open houses? The link in the right sidebar that says "Real Living HER Open House List" will get you there.

Real Living HER Open House Prize Promotion*  Terms & Conditions Individuals can qualify to receive a 42” HDTV Visiting an open house – Win by Chance Drawing: Individuals who attend a Real Living HER open house on 4/21-22,4/28-29, 5/5-6 must fill out a completed registration card and return it to the Real Living HER agent hosting the open house that day in order to qualify for a chance to win a 42” HDTV Registrants must be 18 years or older to win. One winner from each weekend (April 21 & 22, April 28 & 29, and May 5 & 6) is chosen through a random drawing that takes place the Thursday after the open house. You will be contacted either by email or by phone for detailed instructions on how to redeem your prize. See official rules on HERRealtor.com

The  funny Redfin (real estate company that is not in our market) video about Open Houses ends with the line: 

"Everywhere else, it most likely doesn’t really matter whether or not you hold an open house, but if you’ve got a good agent, he or she will probably hold one anyway.”

 

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This post provided by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER

Contact 614.388.8249

Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

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Selling your Home in Winter: December 2011

Jennifer, the author of this post is in Montana, they know snow...Selling your home in Winter: December 2011

I am hoping for a mild winter in Columbus, Ohio this year so perhaps this is unneccesary. I have heard the Old Farmers Almanac is calling for an UN mild winter here though.  Darn!

Thanks to Jennifer Owen for allowing her post originally titled Marketing your home in the Winter: December 2011 Challenge  to be Re-Blogged and shared with home owners elsewhere. 

Via Jenifer Owens (Bozeman Montana Real Estate .net):

Winter Sales Tips

Need to sell your home during the winter months?  Don’t despair.  I know there are many real estate agents that suggest giving a listing some rest during the short winter days, but here’s what it could mean for your listing:

    
    If staged right on the outside, it can stand out amongst other homes that look drab and dreary

     There are fewer homes on the market to compete with yours (all the others just took a break)

           Buyers who trudge out to look at home during the winter are usually serious buyers, it isn’t a past time like it can be during the summer. 


If you are considering listing through the winter, here are some tips to help make yours stand out!
 
  

Make sure your photos show the winter months, they might highlight your garden during the summer, but your photos need to reflect the correct time of year.


Turn all your lights on for showings, it is darker out earlier, and usually a bit drab, don’t use energy efficient bulbs (for just a little while here), brighten up your home with all them lamps you can muster, and make sure the darkened
             closets have their lights on as well.

Always leave your front outside lights on.  Even if you don’t have a showing, there are plenty of folks who drive by, put your best foot forward, always.  See my home selling tips for adding splashes of color to the outside as well!

Provide a chair or bench by the front door to remove their shoes or put on booties so it is easy to preview your home even if the weather outside might promote tracking inside.

The smells of your home are much more prominent in the winter months since things are closed up.  Be aware of this and clean more often.  Boiling a pot of water with vanilla and cinnamon is a great way to make your home warm and
             inviting.

Clear off all the walks and steps, including decks!  People do want to see the outside as well, it is hard to access if you have 2 feet of snow piled against your patio door. 

If you live in a condo, make sure the common areas remain clean.  If your HOA is not keeping up with what is being tracked in, you may have to get the vacuum or broom out yourself to present an attractive approach to your home.

 

Luxury Big Sky homes for sale

 

Put your best foot forward!  Know that there are fewer homes to look at and make your shine, and that winter homes, if displayed correctly, can be magnificent!   If you have a Bozeman Home you would like to sell, please call, email or text.  We would love to meet with you to discuss our special marketing plans for your home!

 

 

 

 


   Jenifer Owens   Broker/Owner
   

 BozemanMontanaRealEstate.net
        2149 Durston  Ste 33   Bozeman, MT  59718 Cell:  406-209-0022

           Bozeman Montana Real Estate.net    Bozeman Montana Real Estate.net Facebook       Bozeman Montana Real Estate.net Twitter        Bozeman Montana Real Estate.net Blogger        Bozeman Montana Real Estate.net Trulia    Bozeman Montana Real Estate.net Zillow    

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This post provided by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER

Contact 614.388.8249

Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

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2 commentsMaureen McCabe Columbus Ohio real estate • December 13 2011 12:10PM

Home seller offers buyers booze...

Dagwood Sandwich Ohio DeliA home seller plying buyers with booze?  "Home Seller offers $1000 in Booze to  Buyers"

Booze and food? 

Hmmmmm  home buyer incentives 
The home or the incentive is not in Central Ohio...  The headline of the MSNBC article is "home seller offers $1000 in booze to buyers"  but the last paragraph says:

"It’s become kind of a talking point," according to the general manager at the nearby establishment, "As far as whether it’s going to work I don’t know. The rallying point seems to be actually how to spend the $1,000s. The best idea I’ve heard is a family of four coming in once or twice a month, enjoying a meal and going on their way."

The family of four selling the townhouse in a Chicago suburb is offering an incentive to the buyers of their home a $1000 tab at a nearby dining and drinking establishment.  It's a neighborhood place, it's called "Grandpa's Place."  If you were selling your home is there a neighborhood place you would want to work with to increase showings of your home?  A restaurant or bar nearby that you would work with?

The Glenview Illinois home seller seems to believe showings have picked up.  The article says: 

“Before the promotion we had two showings in seven weeks," The article goes on, "Since the promotion, ... we’ve had nine. It used to be that sellers would make cookies for buyers to show them that they were good. Now the onus is on the seller to sweeten the deal.”

Central Ohio incentives - home selling

I remember about 2007, 2008 Central Ohio home sellers using Michigan game tickets as an incentive to get their homes sold. Not every home seller in Central Ohio is a season ticket holder.  Does the Ohio State - Michigan game even have that kind of draw in 2011? 

Central Ohio neighborhoods

A neighborhood place...

It's good for the business,  "Grandpa's Place"; is promoting the neighborhood home for sale.  It sounds as if there are a number of homes for sale in their neighborhood. 

Are incentives to increase traffic a good idea?   

In my opinion no one is going to buy your place because of a $1000 tab at a nearby Central Ohio restaurant (or bar.) Will more people see your home if you stand out from the competition in some way?    Maybe.

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Photo Credit: That is the world famous Ohio Deli Dagwood Sandwich, in Columbus, Ohio.  The photo Dagwood Sandwich Ohio Deli is part of Sam Howzit's Flicker photostream.  The photo is licensed with a Creative Commons license which allows me to share it here.  He reports he ate 3/4 of the sandwich.  Looks like a Coke in the photo... no booze....

 

 

 

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This post provided by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER

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Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

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Buyers New Conservative Approach to Home Buying

Sabrina's Farmville

Navona Hart, broker - owner and real estate agent of Real Living Cornerstone in Farmville Virginia shared this interesting information about consumers "Conservative Approach" to home buying.

Real Living Cornerstone is Real Living HER's cousin in Farmville VA (Farmville like Facebook???? don't you love that?)  Are people still playing Farmville on Facebook?

Thanks to Navona for allowing her post to be Re-Blogged.  I think this is interesting for buyers... but also for home sellers.  A lot of what is true in Farmville VA about Buyers New Conservative Approach to Home Buying  may be true in Columbus, OH too.

The Sabrina's Farm image of Farmville is from Sabrina Dent's Flickr Photostream Love the bunnies.

 

Via Navona Hart (Real Living Cornerstone):

I know that price is a driving force in this market.  I know that condition is a driving force in this market.  What I am also seeing is something that I believe to be a LARGER FORCE.  The consumer's conservative approach to home buying.  My buyers are putting interesting restraints on what they will or will not buy. 

Price is important and always has been.  Is the property priced fairly is often the number one asked question. The buyers are more concerned than every about are they paying too much. Sellers need to consider this before putting a price tag on their house--assuming a buyer will just make an offer.  The message the buyers are actually receiving is the seller is unrealistic, wants too much for their home, is hard to work with.  The buyers do not believe in the "make an offer just because it is a nice house" approach.   

Condition is a primary consideration.  If a home is not well maintained the buyers are more cautious.  They are less likely to believe that they can fix it, and if they assume they can fix it they are also assuming it will cost a lot more money than it might actually cost to fix.  The message for the seller is fix your plumbing, electrical, & mechanical concerns. 

So here is the twist, the buyers are thinking about the finances of a home much deeper then they ever have before. They do not want to lose their home, they do not want to be financially strapped, they do not trust that their lender is qualifying them for an amount they can actually afford.  First time home-buyers are coming in with detailed home finance budgets

Buyers are putting a ceiling on their purchase price that is significantly below what they qualify for. Buyers are pushing back if they feel they are being pushed into a price that they do not want to pay. Buyers want agents to respect their pricing limits and to help them achieve their goals.

The buyers are approaching a home with a 10 year maintenance plan.  The buyers are thinking thru their budgets that far in advance.  The buyers are considering large items like a roof, heating and cooling systems and making sure that if something were to come up that it would fit in their budget to repair. When a home is going to need major overhaul on several systems in the first 5 years that is causing buyers to pause and rethink their home purchase choices.

The buyers are asking for history of utilities as a pre-requirement of contract writing.

The buyers are getting quotes on insurance before they purchase.

This new buyer approach is a welcome approach in my business.  If buyers years ago had a budget and had considered some of these items we may not have the crisis in home ownership that we are seeing now. 

Navona Hart
434-390-4004
Located in Farmville, VA
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Find homes for sale in Central Virginia with Real Living Cornerstone
Receive a FREE market trend report at http://www.homevaluesincentralvirginia.com

Serving Central Virginia from Lynchburg to Farmville to Richmond and everywhere in between!

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This post provided by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER

Contact 614.388.8249

Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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email: MaureenatMaureenMcCabe.com   @

Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

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How to Prepare the Home for the Open House - From A New Perspective

 

The new perspective?  Home Inspection!  Chrissy Doremus a home inspector from Chantilly, Virginia allowed her post 'How to Prepare the Home for the Open House'  to be Re-Blogged.

 

 

Via Chrissy Doremus ~ U.S. Inspect ~ Home Inspections (U.S. Inspect):

We all know that problems with larger items or systems like roofs, or basements can become issues when selling a home. But often—it is not the“big” things—but many smaller items “all added-up” that can cost or slow down a sale.

Luckily, making some smart choices and small repairs prior to the open house can cost very little, but make a big difference. Here are some ideas—beyond the basics—to help prepare the home for the open house (and, incidentally, the home inspection that will soon follow when all your hard work pays off!).

This checklist is a unique guide for home sellers and their agents about ways to prepare the home for the open house from a home inspection perspective. It can help eliminate red flags and address some commonly overlooked areas of the home, that could otherwise show up later in home inspection reports and at negotiation tables.

How to prepare the home for the open houseMake Sure It’s Accessible

  • All exterior doors should be accessible. Just because the secondary entrance is not currently in use, doesn’t mean that others won’t want to check it out.
  • All interior areas should be accessible. Don’t lock the dog in a spare room or otherwise reduce access to the features in the home for buyers and inspectors.
  • The crawl space access should be clear.
  • Make sure the A/C unit is uncovered and de-winterized.
  • Remove anything blocking the Electrical Panel. It needs to be accessible to the inspector later.
  • Remove excess belongings from utility rooms used for storage.
  • Make sure the attic is accessible and the stairs can be pulled down without endangering belongings or people below.
  • Remove excess personal belongings from closets, so they are clear for buyers and inspectors.

Make Sure It’s On

  • Make sure the sprinkler system is turned on.
  • Make sure the A/C System is on, as seasonally applicable.
  • All utilities should be on (Electricity, Gas, Water and all Pilots lights).


Make Sure It Works

  • All door locks should be operable.
  • Doors should also open and close properly, and with ease.
  • Make sure smoke detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
  • Make sure CO detectors are installed and have fresh batteries.
  • Make sure appliances are working: dishwasher, oven, microwave, and garbage disposal.
  • Replace any burned-out light bulbs. You don’t want to leave any questions about the integrity of the electrical system.


Make Some Necessary Repairs

  • Repair Leaks, drips, or water stains. If there is water anywhere where it shouldn't be, it's time to take care of it and repair the damage it left behind.
  • Make sure all light switches operate properly, eliminating any “mystery switches” that could give buyers doubts about the quality of the electrical system.
  • Eliminate anything that wiggles, shakes or teeters. While homeowners may know where to grab the basement handrail so it doesn't wobble, buyers won't and inspectors will be sure to list the item in the report.
  • If you have any water penetration issues, in a basement for example, it's better to address it now, rather than later.

Complete A Few Chores

  • Remove debris from gutters/downspouts.
  • Trim shrubs away from the foundation and away from A/C Condenser Unit.
  • Remove wood, debris or stored items away from the foundation.
  • Clear debris from under the refrigerator.
  • Remove debris from shower drains.
  • Clear the clutter.
  • Dryer vents should be cleaned/cleared.
  • Remove “creative wiring” such as extension cords used in attic, interior and exterior spaces. 
  • Install a clean heating/A/C filter.
  • Consider having the A/C unit cleaned and serviced especially if it’s been a while.
  • Consider having the fireplace and chimney cleaned.

When There Are Pets

  • It’s best that pets are removed from the premises when possible. Also keep in mind that buyers (and inspectors on inspection day) need access to the entire home, so the garage and the backyard are not a great idea.
  • Repair pet damage. Scratched or urine-soaked wood floor, wood trim, walls, or carpet should be repaired or replaced.


When There Are Children/Babies

  • Consider propping baby gates open so that walking through the home is easy.
  • Reduce toy clutter if possible.

Check out this blog post as a handout in our Agent Resource Center.

Posted by: Chrissy Doremus, U.S. Inspect Blog

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This post provided by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER

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Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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Where do we disclose the snakes?

The question "Where do we disclose the snakes?"  could just as well be where do we disclose the

bedbugs?

skunks?

bats in our belfry?

Where do we disclose the ...?

The question is where do you disclose the presence of a pest or the treatment / removal of the presence of a pest to prospective buyers of your Ohio home?  Answer below... I want to share this video with you first.  Scared of snakes?  I am.

I am sure the snake story that is hot now is the same snake house that was in the news back in 2006...  Here's a link about the Idaho snake house a discussion with other real estate agents mostly in the Mid-west, Great Lakes States back in 2006.

2011 hot video on the Internet along with the story that the house is on the market again 

It's got to be the same house.  There could NOT be more than one snake house could there?  The home is on the market, bank owned and the price has been slashed to $109,900 according to Internet scuttlebutt.  The appraised value without snakes is much higher... the last owners did NOT know about the snakes before they bought?

Where do we disclose the...?

Aren't you glad you live in Ohio?  Aren't you glad your home is not built on a "snake den or hibernaculum" 

As a seller of residential property in Ohio, the Residential Property Disclosure is typically where you disclose snakes, bedbugs, skunks to the buyer of your home.  You would be disclosing roof leaks, roof repairs, water in the basement....  The Residential Property Disclosure form is also where you would want to disclose the presence of pests.

Even if your home's been featured on Youtube... you'd need to disclose to buyers of your home...for your protection in the future.

Central Ohio

Central Ohio bed bugs... recommendations to REALTORS®

bed bug contingency....

Central Ohio WHO inspects for bed bugs

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Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

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Brookside Estates Home Sales 2010

Brookside Estates Home Sales 2010   

  • Range of homes sale price $115,500 to $275,000
  • 10 single family homes sold
  • 2010 average sale price $192,835   Columbus Ohio 43235
  • 2009 average sale price $196,665
  • 2008 average sale price $224,407
  • 2007 average sale price $220,664
  • 2006 average sale price $218,292

Sell your Brookside Estates  home

 

Brookside Estates real estate

Columbus, Ohio 43235 real estate

Worthington schools

This included Brookside Estates and Brookside Estates West.

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Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

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Worthington Highlands Home Sales 2010

Worthington Highlands Home Sales 2010  Worthington Highlands

11 homes sold

  • Range of homes sale price $138,000* to $242,000
  • 11 single family homes sold

Worthington Highlands Home Sales History

  • 2010 average sale price $213,510
  • 2009 average sale price $207,419
  • 2008 average sale price $219,145
  • 2007 average sale price $224,427
  • 2006 average sale price $215,269

Sell your Worthington Highlands home

Worthington Highlands

Worthington schools

 

As homeowners in Worthington Highlands know the neighorhood has a Westerville address.  As selllers in Worthington Highlands come to find out, Worthington Highlands  that Westerville mailing address  can confuse home buyers.  The  Worthington Highlands neighborhood gets left out in some "Worthington" home searches.

Far North Columbus Identity Crisis Columbus Ohio real estate  The Far North Columbus area is partly in Columbus, Olentangy and Worthington schools.  Mailing addresses include Columbus, Lewis Center, Westerville and Worthington zip codes.

*Distress sale 

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Worthingview Home Sales 2010

Worthingview Home Sales 2010   Worthingview

  • Range of homes sale price $187,500 to $273,000
  • 8 single family homes sold

Worthingview Home Sales past 5 years

  • 2010 average sale price$223,063
  • 2009 average sale price $197,650
  • 2008 average sale price $207,250
  • 2007 average sale price $217,750
  • 2006 average sale price $211,867

Sell your Worthingview home

More about Worthingview

Columbus, Ohio 43235 real estate

Worthington schools

 

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Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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email: MaureenatMaureenMcCabe.com   @

Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

Non Member comments occasionally closed due to heavy spam! 


 

Olentangy Highlands Home Sales 2010

Olentangy Highlands Home Sales 2010



View Olentangy Highlands in a larger map
  • Range of homes sale price $218,000 to $376,500
  • 6 single family homes sold

Olentangy Highlands Home Sales History

  • 2010 average sale price $279,750
  • 2009 average sale price $254,175
  • 2008 average sale price $296,727
  • 2007 average sale price $286,234
  • 2006 average sale price $295,300

Sell your Olentangy Highlands homes

 

Olentangy Highlands

Columbus Ohio 43085 real estate

Worthington schools

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Contact 614.388.8249

Website: MaureenMcCabe.com

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email: MaureenatMaureenMcCabe.com   @

Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

Non Member comments occasionally closed due to heavy spam!