7 Ways to Protect Your Valuables 

Safety is essential for our clients and our agents. Unfortunately, not everyone that is house hunting is honest. Some people are tempted to steal items that catch their eye.

One of the most critical steps to prepare your home for the market is to protect your valuables from strangers passing through. Here are seven steps that help you keep your valuables safe.

1.  Remove all prescription drugs - Believe it or not, one of the most commonly "lifted" items is prescription drugs.
2. Secure weapons and cash - these items are easy to steal. Lock them in a safe or remove them from home.
3. Technology - iPads, smartphones, laptops, earbuds, and smartwatches are all popular with thieves. Lock them up or remove them for showings. 
4. Password protect large tech items such as desktop computers.
5. Remove valuable artwork and other items of value from the home before the photographer snaps the listing photos.
6. Lock up bills, letters, and anything with identifying information such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account numbers, dates of birth, and Wi-Fi or computer passwords.
7. The National Association of Realtors suggests that you also remove family photos.

We hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need assistance. 

The Pathway To Purchase A Home Plus Advice From Dave Ramsey.

The purchasing Pathway is a step-by-step game plan for what to expect from the first meeting with your agent to closing day.

1. Initial Appointment: The initial appointment can be at the real estate agent's office, a coffee shop, or in many cases, a home listed for sale. With so many buyers finding their homes on Zillow, meeting an agent at a listing has become the most common way to meet.
2. Determine the Purchasing Parameters: The location, price range, style, condition, needs, and wants.
3. Buyer gets Pre-Approved: If the buyer hasn't taken this crucial step before the initial appointment, the Realtor will advise them to get pre-approved before proceeding to step four.
4. View Homes: Viewing homes gives you the information you need to make a good decision. Finding the right home is a process of elimination.
5. Write the Offer: The agent writes the offer when the right home is found. When both parties have agreed to the terms of the offer and signed it, the offer becomes a legal contract to purchase. 
6. Earnest Money Deposit: Earnest money shows the seller that the buyer is serious about purchasing the property. Earnest money is kept in a trust account until closing.  
7. Perform Home Inspections: The buyer can hire a professional inspector to check the home's overall condition.
8. Final Walk-Through: Usually twenty-four to forty-eight hours before closing, the buyer can walk through the home and verify it is in the same condition as the day the offer was written.
9. Sign Closing Document: This is the day the buyer and seller sign all the documents required to transfer the home from the seller to the buyer, also called closing day.
10. Home Delivery: Depending on the occupancy date agreed to in the purchase contract, this is the day the new owner gets to move into the home. Sometimes this is the day of closing; sometimes, it is a week or two after. The date usually depends on each seller's situation.

The process of buying and selling a home can be overwhelming. It would be best if you always used a Realtor to help walk you through the process. We have helped hundreds of people through the process and would love to help you next.  

You can view and print the PDF version of The Purchasing Pathway here.

Best Home Improvements to Increase Value

What are the best home improvements you can make to increase the Value?  That is a great question that we hear all of the time.  Today we will look at ten renovations that reap returns on investment.  Very few improvements return 100%, so don't set your expectations too high.  It is also important not to over-improve your house compared to the surrounding neighborhood.  

What are the top 10 renovations that reap returns?

Steel Entry Door Replacement

Job Cost: $1,137

Resale Value: $974

Cost Recouped: 85.6%

Garage Door Replacement

Job Cost: $1496

Resale Value: $1,132

Cost Recouped: 75.7%

Wooden Window Replacement

Job Cost: $10,708

Resale Value: $7,852

Cost Recouped: 73.7%

Vinyl Siding Replacement

Job Cost: $11,192

Resale Value: $8,154

Cost Recouped: 72.9%

Wood Deck Addition

Job Cost: $9,327

Resale Value: $7,213

Cost Recouped: 77.3%

Minor Kitchen Remodel

Job Cost: $18,527

Resale Value: $13,977

Cost Recouped: 75.4%

Attic Bedroom Addition

Job Cost: $47,919

Resale Value: $34,916

Cost Recouped: 72.9%

Vinyl Window Replacement

Job Cost: $9,770

Resale Value: $6,961

Cost Recouped: 71.2%

Major Kitchen Remodel

Job Cost: $53,931

Resale Value: $37,139

Cost Recouped: 68.9%

(note the project values above are based on national averages)

According to Zillow, when you're preparing to sell, you should plan to make a couple of improvements before listing.  Zillow's research conducted by The Harris Poll in November 2022 finds that 65% of sellers who have sold a home within the past two years take on at least two home improvement projects to prepare their house for sale.  And nearly one-third of recent sellers surveyed think they could have gotten a higher price for their home had they made more home improvements or repairs before selling. 

Want more information?  You can view the complete report here.

Renting VS. Buying

The big question many people ask is should I buy or rent a home? Our economy is consumer-driven, and our culture has become an instant gratification culture where we have to have what everyone else has. With those two things in mind, it is easy to see why so many people want to buy homes before they are ready instead of renting.

Is it okay to rent?

Absolutely! Renting is a step you take on the path to owning a home. Renting should not be the end game but a place where you learn to live independently, get established in a steady job, and manage a home and your finances. While you rent, you should pay off your debt, save an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses, and then save for a downpayment. You will want at least ten percent saved for a downpayment plus an additional three percent for closing costs and other expenses associated with buying a home.

Advantages of Renting

The most significant advantage of renting is maintenance-free living. When the furnace goes out or the drains back up, you call the landlord, and they fix the issue. There is no out-of-pocket cost for you. When you own the home, you also own the cost of repairs. That is why we suggest only buying once you are debt free and have a fully funded emergency fund.  

Advantages of Buying

The best advantage of buying a home is, It Is Yours! A home is the largest purchase most people will ever make, and when it is paid off, it counts toward your net worth. Most millionaires have paid for homes. Another perk is your mortgage payment can be less than a rent payment. A third advantage is while you are paying off the mortgage, the interest you pay the bank is tax deductible.  

Let's recap what we have discussed today.

1.  There isn't anything wrong with renting while you get established
2.  Renting should not be the goal
3.  Don't buy until you are debt free and have a fully funded emergency fund
4.  Save at least ten percent for a downpayment
5.  Take a fifteen year fixed rate mortgage where the payment is no more than twenty-five percent of your take-home pay

Featured Listing - 10540 Lois Lane Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Your Weekend Home Is Waiting For You

It is that time of year again to start planning your summer activities.  If you love the outdoors, fishing, hiking, and boating, or appreciate getting away from the day-to-day business of life and relaxing for the weekend, this Rocky Fork Lake home is waiting for you to make it yours.

This lovely home is just four minutes from the lake.  The home sits on just over a half-acre lot, has a two-car (26 x 22) detached garage with electric and concrete floor, and a 10 x 14 shed with lofts.  The well-maintained house offers two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a spacious living room.  New water heater 2022, New garage door opener 2021.

Priced to sell at $89,900.  Call for a private showing today!

View more photos and request a showing here.

The summer home-buying season is approaching fast.  If you have shopped for a home in the past ten years, you have probably heard of and used Zillow.  Other real estate search sites exist, but Zillow is the biggest and probably the most popular.

How Does Zillow Work?

Zillow has agreements with multiple listing services (MLS) across the country, giving them access to all the homes for sale.  So when a customer searches Zillow for homes for sale in Hillsboro, Ohio 45133, all the available homes are displayed on their site from the local MLS for the area.  They also allow property owners to list their homes for sale by owner (FSBO).

When a consumer finds a house they are interested in, there is a convenient option for them to request additional information or a private showing of the home.  Zillow calls this a tour request.  Once a customer requests information or a tour request, they are connected to a local agent from that area.

Zillow calls these agents Premier Agents.  Premier Agents are local real estate agents who have agreed to partner with Zillow by advertising their services on the Zillow website.  Each Premier Agent is paying Zillow to be connected with their users.  So, if you have an agent that you want to help you buy a home, do not request information and property tours from Zillow.  Share the property with your agent and let them schedule a showing for you.  If you still need an agent, Zillow is a great place to connect with one.  We have partnered with them since 2015 and have had the opportunity to serve hundreds of clients. 

Looking at homes and meeting an agent aren't the only things you can do on Zillow.  You can also connect with a mortgage lender to get pre-approved.  Getting pre-approved is one of the most important things you can do when buying a home.  This is step number three in our How To Buy A Home Guide.

Recap Of What We Discussed Today

1. Zillow is a great place to shop for a home.
2. Zillow is an excellent place to meet a real estate agent if you don't have one already.
3. If you have a trusted agent, either use their website and app to search or share the properties you find on Zillow with them. Do not request information or property tours.
4. You can get pre-approved with a mortgage lender through Zillow. Many Premier Agents partner with Lenders on Zillow to give the customer a one-stop approach to the home-buying process. Connect with our Zillow mortgage partner here. 

The Home Buying Process

Buying a home for most people is the most significant expense they will ever have. Knowing what steps to take will make the process less stressful and put you in the best position to accomplish your goal. This article aims to lay out the best path toward home ownership. Watch Dave Ramsey's 7 Tips For First-Time Home Buyers Video above for even more great advice.

We have broken the Home Buying Process down into eight steps. The eight steps work best when walked out in order. Steps one through four are the steps you take to get ready. You can't build a house without a building plan. The same goes for buying a home. Steps five through eight cover the house hunting to the closing.

How To Buy A Home

1.  Decide On Location:  When deciding where to buy a home, things to consider include local schools, cost of living in that area, crime, distance to shopping and entertainment, and how close it is to your job.
2. Prepare Your Finances:  You should only buy a home once you are debt free, have an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses saved, and have at least a ten percent down payment saved. Need help making a plan to accomplish step two? Contact us for more information.
3. Get Pre-Approved:  Connect with a mortgage lender and get pre-approved for a fifteen-year fixed-rate mortgage with a payment that is no more than 25% of your take-home pay.
4.  Choose a Realtor:  Your home purchase is too important to trust a two or three-star real estate agent. Having a five-star agent who cares more about serving than selling you would be best.
5. Shop For Homes:  This is where the real fun starts. Your agent will set up a customized search based on the specifics you have told them about the kind of house you want. As homes come on the market, your agent will schedule showings and take you through the homes.
6. Write An Offer:  When you find the right house, your agent will walk you through the process of writing the offer and negotiating the terms of the sale.
7. Inspections/Loan Process/Appraisal:  After the terms of the purchase have been agreed to by both parties, the next step is to conduct inspections of the property. During this stage, the bank will process your loan and evaluate the home you are purchasing.
8. Closing:  This is the day you have been waiting for! Closing takes place at a Title Company or Attorney's office. Closing usually takes about an hour. Closing is when you sign all loan documents and pay your down payment. At the end of the closing, you are the property's new owner.

What It Means To Be Ramsey Trusted

Ramsey Solutions is America's trusted source for sound financial guidance. The Ramsey Show (AKA The Dave Ramsey Show) can be heard on radio stations nationwide on weekdays from 2-5 PM Eastern. If you have ever listened to the show, you are familiar with the Endorsed Local Provider Program. The Ramsey Team interviews pros in different professions, and if that pro meets the Ramsey standards, they earn the title "Ramsey Trusted." When one of their fans needs help in an area such as investing, taxes, or real estate, that fan can request to be connected with a Ramsey Trusted Pro (Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider).

Only the best of the best can become Ramsey Trusted.

Here's what it means to be endorsed by Ramsey:

1.  Shared Values: We fully believe in the Ramsey mission and teachings. That means we are here to walk alongside you and help you win on your journey.
2. Service You Deserve: We value serving over selling and are always dedicated to providing the excellent customer service you deserve.
3. Real Relationships: We work closely with the Ramsey team to ensure we meet their high standards. And we care about helping you make the best decision for you and your family.
4. Worthy Of Trust: We have the full backing of the Ramsey Team, who has helped millions get (and stay!) out of debt and work toward financial peace.

Learn more about "Ramsey Trusted" here.

We are proud to be Ramsey Trusted. We are one of the millions Ramsey has helped get out of debt. We have coordinated Financial Peace University at our Church and graduated from Ramsey Master Coach Training. Being Trusted by Ramsey is an incredible honor for us.

We are looking forward to working with you!

Real Estate Market Activity Report

Stay up to date on the direction of your local real estate market.  We share a report for each city in our service area every month.  Today we are sharing the Milford, Ohio, market update.  View the full report here.

Find out how much your home is worth with our instant property valuation

Wilmington Real Estate Market Activity Report 3/10/23

The Real Estate Market Activity Report For Wilmington, Ohio, is available for review today.  You may have already seen the report if you follow us on Facebook.  If not, you can read the full report here.  What stuck out to me the most is how much stronger the Wilmington market seems compared to the Hillsboro market.

Click Here To Read The Full Report