Jody Deeds – Recognized as Contributing Author to Real Estate in 2008 Book of Top Ideas for the Challenging Market of 2008

Jody Deeds, one of the premier Realtors in Columbus, Ohio, recently joined hundreds of top agents as a contributing author to Real Estate in 2008.

Columbus, Ohio (Best Agent Business) December 19, 2007 – Jody Deeds, a top Realtor in Columbus, Ohio, joined with hundreds of top real estate agents around the country to write Real Estate in 2008 in less than a month.

Real Estate in 2008 (http://www.realestatein2008.org/) helps buyers, sellers, and agents succeed in a challenging 2008 market by providing hundreds of ideas from top agents. Chapters include ideas on how to find motivated buyers, how to convince buyers to buy, how to get sellers to price/position their homes and creative ideas from around the country. These are ideas from top real estate agents who collaborated in an industry-wide effort which was launched during the National Association of Realtor’s (NAR) conference in November 2007.

Jody provides a number of ideas as to why buyers should buy in 2008 and how sellers can prepare, price and position their homes to be sure they get sold in 2008. “The Market is still strong…You need to have a plan and see value and opportunity in places most overlook. It’s about getting creative and being swift to make a move,” said Jody.

“Jody contributed some great ideas to the book and shared her knowledge with other agents and consumers,” said Steve Kantor, President of Best Agent Business and author of Billion Dollar Agent – Lessons Learned. “Over 1,000 top agents around the country brainstormed and contributed ideas to write Real Estate in 2008 in record time. We wanted to help agents, buyers and sellers make the most of the 2008 real estate market.”

Jody Deeds has been involved in the real estate industry over 10 years, a licensed Realtor for 5 years and is with Solutions For Real Estate, an independent full service real estate brokerage. Her website, http://www.buyahomecolumbus.com/, provides information and buying and selling tips for the area.

Jody, as an expert in the local area, provides the following opinions on the local real estate market in 2008. “You have to be able to change with the market and create new streams of opportunity. 2008 will be a year of new strategies and challenges, but a year full of promise for those who are willing to embrace it,” said Jody.

About Best Agent Business:

Best Agent Business provides part-time real estate assistants to real estate agents. (http://www.bestagentbusiness.com/). The virtual real estate assistants work from home offices around the country helping top agents grow their business using their unique talents. Best Agent Business is also the author of Billion Dollar Agent – Lessons Learned (http://www.billiondollaragent.com/).

Contacts:

Jody Deeds, Realtor

Solutions For Real Estate

Phone: 614-755-9566

Email: jdeeds7@yahoo.com

http://www.buyahomecolumbus.com/

Steve Kantor, President

Best Agent Business

http://www.bestagentbusiness.com/

book2008@bestagentbusiness.com

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It’s a GREAT Time to Buy in Central Ohio – 8 Reasons to Buy a Home

1. Columbus is named one of the most AFFORDABLE places to RETIRE, according to U.S. News & World Report (October 2009)

2. Delaware County ranked #8 in the U.S. for the YOUNG & WEALTHY population nationwide (defined as 25-34 year olds, making over $100K annually), according to NielsenWire (September 2009)

3. Columbus is on top 10 list of cities across the country when it comes to Best Places for FINDING A JOB (August 2009)

4. Columbus made the Best Places to RAISE KIDS out of 52 cities across the nation, according to BusinessWeek

5. Ohio had the most cities on the list of top 30 nationwide that are the most WIRED (broadband connected), according to Forbes.com (January 2009)

6. Columbus is names as one of the top 100 PLACES to LIVE, according to RelocateAmerica (July 2009)

7. Columbus ranked #7 on Sperlings BestPlaces list of MANLIEST cities in the U.S.

8. Columbus is ranked the 8th Most STABLE market in the U.S., according to PMI Mortgage Insurance Corp.

Remember, not only do you have 8 great reasons to buy in Columbus, but you also have the HOMEBUYERS TAX CREDIT that is still available to FIRST TIME buyers for $8,000 and even MOVE-UP repeat home buyers FOR $6,500.

INTEREST RATES continue to be low, with an average of 5.06% for a 30year fixed loan, according to Bankrate.com.

If you or someone you know is considering a move, call me a call today at 614-755-9566 or visit us online at www.columbushomes4sale.com

ATTENTION HOME SELLERS: TOP 5 NASTY LITTLE HOMEBUYER TURNOFFS.

Ok…you or your Realtor have done a great job marketing your home and the showings are starting to schedule nicely. Don’t blow your first impression chance by doing these little things that immediately turn buyers off and make them run out the door, down the street and into the door of another home for sale instead of yours.

Who would think that these little tiny things could do so much damage? And…ultimately cost you, the seller, more money. Your home sits. You pay more carrying costs for mortgage and utilities. Oh yeah…and that house you had your eye on…well…you might just miss out on a 30% equity advantage by purchasing now while the market is down.

So here they are. The top 5 nasty little buyer turn offs.

1. TOILETS. Flush them, clean them and close them for your open houses and showings. YUK!

2. PET ODORS. Cats are the worst and most difficult to rid the house of. But, any pet odors that smack you as soon as you walk in the door is sure to keep those buyers from making that offer.

3. FRITO SMELLS. OK..not really Frito chips, but those oh so stinky dirty laundry baskets, closets full of stinky shoes and other closet, laundry room and shoe nook smells. Please Fabreeze.

4. TRASH. The saying, “One mans trash is another mans treasure”, well NOT so much when trying to sell your home. Empy those trashcans and get rid of the funk.

5. BACKYARD POO POO. Unless you want your doggies poo poo dragged into your home, you might want to get rid of the stuff before buyers arrive. Nothing screams BUY ME, like smelly poo on your shoe.

There are plenty of others, but this will get your started. Think about how buyers will see your home and what they expect.

Preparing to sell your home takes some planning and expert advice, especially when it comes to setting the price.

You’ll find everyone becomes an expert and wants to offer their opinion on the price…neighbors, family, co-workers, etc.  And…while all of these individuals have good intentions and only want to help, it is crucial that you take into account all factors involved:  market conditions, similar style homes that have sold in your area, your homes currently on the market, is it a buyer’s market or seller’s market, condition of your home, how fast homes are selling, terms and incentives, etc.

Avoid testing the market!  Set a realistic price based on the facts involved.  Pricing too high will only help sell competing homes in the area and you’ll lose your initial rush of good qualified potential buyers.  The longer a home stays on the market, the lower the offers and less negotiating power there will be for you. 

How much you paid for the home and how much you want to profit, are important to you, these factors do not affect the market value of your home and what Buyer’s are willing to pay. 

For a personal pricing consultation, visit us at www.sellyourhomecolumbus.com.  

When you begin your search for a home, one of the first and most important steps in the process is speaking with a lender to find out what program is best and what you as a homebuyer are able to afford.

Most lenders will conduct a brief phone interview with you at no charge.  You’ll be asked to supply basic information such as names, address, income, debt, etc.   

Once your lender has established that you qualify for a loan, and you’ve made APPLICATION for that loan, they are REQUIRED BY LAW to provide you with a GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE within 3 days of making application for your loan and being approved for a loan. 

This Good Faith Estimate is only a general estimate of closing costs. This is so you have a general idea what to expect, how much items throughout the process will cost and who is responsible for them and at what point they’ll need to be paid for.

NEVER do business with a lender who refuses to provide you with this GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE.  If they’re unwilling or unable to provide you with one, move on to a different lender.  You will save a great deal of time, money and stress by doing so.

For a list of reputable lenders, give us a call at 614-755-9566 or visit our Preferred Partner section at www.buyahomecolumbus.com

You Don’t Make Money When You Sell a home, You Make Money When You BUY it!

Here are several strategies to consider when purchasing your next home.

Understand How Much Financing You Can Afford.   It’s crucial that you speak with several lenders and discuss the many financing programs available.  Each mortgage company sets its own limits for some items.  Be sure to shop and compare at least 2, preferably 3 lenders to find the best deal.  You Realtor can provide you with lender names and help you sift through the many options.

Do Your Homework Before You Shop.  Knowing what you can afford before you go shopping for your next home, can save you time and aggravation.  It’s always best to speak with a lender and do some preliminary homework, so you can have a pre-approval letter in hand when you make an offer.  The pre-approval letter will put you in a much better position to negotiate the price and terms.  So, before you head out to look at homes, be sure you know your comfort level regarding the price and monthly payment, and have that letter.

Location.  Remember, you make money when you BUY a home, not when you SELL.  By selecting a home in an area that continues to increase in value, has good curb appeal, and has attracting features, you’re setting yourself up to be in a good position later.  Now, you don’t want to buy the most expensive home in the neighborhood, but you don’t necessarily want to buy the lowest priced one either.  Be sure to take into account all of the factors that might hinder the sale of your new home down the road.  Your Realtor can help you determine the pros and cons , by doing a market analysis before you make the offer.  This will show you what homes have sold for, how long homes are on the market and other factors.

Timing.  Consider the length of time you plan to live in your new home.  It takes about 3 years to be in a position to make money from the sale of your home.  Unless you purchased the home at a drastic under market value price, or had a large down payment, you’ll either break even when you sell or you could possible lose money.  So, be sure to consider your future plans and length of time you plan to stay in your new home.

For a FREE Buyer Consultation to help you position yourself to purchase your next home, visit us at www.buyahomecolumbus.com

Deciding whether to buy or sell first can be a difficult decision.  Both have pros and cons depending on your particular situation.  Here are some things to consider when making your next move.

Buying First and Then Selling, may create 2 mortgage payments, which most people aren’t comfortable handling.   Also, buying before you sell could end up costing you much more in the long run…you’ll be more inclined to lower your price to get it sold and not lose out on your new home, plus the carrying costs to keep the old home maintained and the utilities on, can deplete your savings rather quickly.  In addition, you may not qualify for a loan on your new home if you haven’t sold the old one first.  Unless you have a plan of action in place that has taken into consideration these factors, buying before you sell might not be the best way to go.

But, What About Selling Before you Buy.  This too can create some challenges.  Where will you live if your current home sells before you’ve found your new home?  Are you prepared to pay the new owner rent until you can find a new place to live?  Where will you store all of your belongings if you can’t move everything into your temporary living space?

One advantage to putting your home on the market BEFORE you buy a new home is that you’ll have a much better position in negotiating with the seller, than if you didn’t have your home on the market yet.

Every situation is unique.  Be sure to discuss all options with your Realtor and lender, and then decide the best position to take for your situation.

If you need to make a move, but have a home to sell, visit us at www.sellyourhomecolumbus.com  We’ll help you sort through the options.

Mold, Mildew and Musty Odors

Water leaks are usually to blame for these issues.  These leaks could be from leaky water pipes, toilets, showers, tubs, roof leaks and gutter problems.  If you notice leaks for areas needing repair, it is extremely important to have those items remedied immediately to prevent structural damage and potential health issues.

High humidity caused by everyday tasks such as showers, cooking and drying clothes, can also be culprits.  Indoor humidity levels should be maintained between 30%-50%.

High Energy Bills

High energy bills can usually be traced to windows, heating and cooling equipment, and insulation.  To reduce your energy costs, it’s important to have your furnace and air conditioning units serviced regularly.  If windows have condensation between the panes or have broken locks and seals, contact the manufacturer to see if they are still under warranty.

Damp Basement

Primary source of damp basements are water leaks and high humidity.  Again, look for water pipe leaks, as well as basement wall cracks and areas where water may be penetrating.  Have these issues repaired immediately.

Drafty Rooms

Common areas for cold air leaking in the home can be found around doors, windows, light fixtures, electrical outlets.   The biggest leaks are usually in the attic and around recessed lighting.

Be sure to have your contractor check the air and furnace units to check for air leaks and to make sure there is a balanced airflow.  In addition, caulking around window sills and door jambs will help prevent drafts.

Dust

Dust can penetrate your home through air leaks around windows, doors, and air ducts.  To reduce dust in your home change your furnace filter, and vacuum regularly.  Furnace filters should be changed once a month.  Be sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside of your home.  Leave shoes at the front door instead of wearing them throughout your home.

Moisture on Windows

Windows that get condensation on them, are usually a result of old windows, and single pane windows with aluminum frames. Ignoring this issue could lead to deterioration and rotting of wooden trim, sills and framing, and could lead to mold and mildew.

Consider replacing with storm windows.  If cost is an issue, you can use install a shrink film or polyethylene sheet.  Window insulation kits can be purchased at your local hardware store.

Ice Dams

These usually occur after heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures for several days.  As temperatures warm, and the snow and ice begin to melt, water begins to drain along the roof under the snow.    When this water reaches the overhang, it refreezes and creates the ice dam.  This can cause roof damage and could lead to water leaks.

Fixing the roof leak will not prevent future ice dams.  You’ll need to seal the air leaks, in the attic, and add insulation  Make sure there is adequate ventilation in the attic and be sure to keep gutters free from debris throughout the year.

For information about buying or selling a home, visit us at www.buyahomecolumbus.com

Is it Monday?  Right before a holiday weekend?  The day of an Open House?

Sellers…Want to know the answer?  Send me an e-mail and I’ll clue you in on a little secret that could help you get it SOLD!

Buyers…Got your eye on a home and want to know if the price has changed? Get FREE e-mail updates.

Visit us www.sellyourhomecolumbus.com