A couple weeks ago we discussed credit scores. Sharon Natarus over at Wells Fargo passed along some information to me about how the credit score structure is changing a little. This may prompt you to do one of your alloted credit checks for the year. The changes made by the Fair Isaac Corp, creator of the FICO score, announced a new scoring rubric which has been instituted by the Better Business Bureau. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with a higher score a better score, and are used for a bank to determine the likelyhood a borrower will default on a loan. The new criteria is designed to be... [more...]

More details for HOMEARAMA 2009 are finalized! This year HOMEARAMA will take place from September 12-27 at the community developed by Rhein Interests.Five builders have signed on to participate in this year’s event at Carmelle. These include: Drees, Fischer Homes, John Henry Homes, K Homes and Summit Custom Home Builders.Home Builders Association Joe Cristo of Cristo Homes says, “The move to the fall is just one of the exciting changes patrons can expect to see at this year’s HOMEARAMA. In addition, we have assembled a team of marketing and building experts that will work to identify new... [more...]

I think it’s important to interview multiple potential Realtors. If you are in the Cincinnati area and I am one of those Realtors, I am confident I can meet your expectations. It’s important that the Realtor you find is a good fit. I often tell my clients that it’s an interview for all of us — we have to know we can work together successfully on the purchase of your home. As a buyer here in Cincinnati, you may be confused on what questions to ask a Realtor — especially if you are a first time buyer. I’ve tried to simplify the process for you with this handy list of Realtor questions. Anyone... [more...]

The Cincinnati USA Partnership (the economic development initiative of Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber) was ranked fourth in the nation for business expansion by Site Selection Magazine. Cincinnati has been in the top ten on this list for seven straight years. Site Selection is the oldest publication in the corporate real estate and economic development field. The decision, which puts Cincinnati right behind Houston, Dallas and Chicago, focuses on the number of business projects, new and retained employees and capital investments in projects. In 2008, there were 228 businesses in the 3-state, 15-county... [more...]

This is an extremely competitive time to sell your house. You need to find the best Realtor to represent you and meet your needs as a seller. I often recommend interviewing multiple Realtors before you settle on a choice. If you are in the Cincinnati area and interview me, I have confidence that you will choose me to represent you. But it’s important that you find someone who meets your expectations. It’s important for the Realtor, too — if you and a Realtor have completely different ideas about the sale of your home, it might not be a good fit. Beware of two important things. (1) Never... [more...]

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My newest listing is a great example of the historic homes Cincinnati has to offer. It just goes to show you: every home has a story! This beautiful 87-year-old, 3 bedroom home is in the Pleasant Ridge Neighborhood and has a unique feature — a working elevator from the 1940s! This home used to belong to a podiatrist who saw patients in his study. The elevator was installed to allow patients with various foot problems travel to the upstairs bathroom without trouble. The Shepard Elevator Company of Cincinnati, which acquired the Warner Elevator Company (also local, founded in 1890), became... [more...]

I always recommend that you interview multiple Realtors before selecting the right one for you. There are a lot of Realtors in the Cincinnati area, and you want to be sure you pick a good one! (I’ll be talking more about interviewing Realtors on the blog in the coming weeks.) Some Realtors are more professional and trustworthy than others. A lot of new Realtors hastily entered the market during the housing boom to make quick money. The truth is, about 10% of the Realtors do 90% of the business. There are a few key things to look for when doing your homework online — Here are some ways to... [more...]

ABR: Accredited Buyer’s Representative; A Real Estate professional who has been given the tools and training necessary to specifically meet the needs of buyers and is a member of REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of Realtors). Who is an ABR? I am! As an ABR, I have received special training in order to serve buyers better. Only about 4% of Realtors nationwide have earned this designation. REBAC has played a role in seeing that buyers can receive the same level of representation in real estate transactions that was previously only awarded to sellers. Basically,... [more...]

There is so much going on with Real Estate, the Economy, and Financing that I had to write an article on the ins and outs of a Good Faith Estimate. This should help all of you first time buyers, and those that have not purchased a home in a few years, to know what to expect when getting a loan in this market. As you may know, interest rates change about every 5 hours, so it is difficult to compare apples to apples with lenders in this market. Unless you get the rate at the exact same time, it may be a tenth of a percent off. The best way to be sure about your lender and your loan is to get a Good... [more...]

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