Here's a great buy on a home for sale in Brookfield Village, Hilliard Ohio

This new listing has a great location in the popular Brookfield Village ... convenient to downtown Hilliard, shopping and major access roads. Being a larger home (2368 sq ft), you'll find plenty of room for entertaining guests or family activities, both in formal or casual areas.

The traditional floor plan has a formal living room with a bay window and brick log-burning fireplace with raised hearth to dress up for the holidays. Nearby is a formal dining room with a view of a large shade tree. The kitchen has plenty of cabinetry, including a pantry, making meal prep easy. All the kitchen appliances stay. You'll love the large casual dining area with a bay window, and easy access to the backyard. A large 3-panel window brightens the Family Room, with plenty of space for a large TV and sectional sofa for watching football games.

Upstairs are 4 roomy bedrooms, with an extra spacious, private vaulted owner's suite which has a walk-in closet, bath area, 2-sink vanity, glass shower stall, jetted tub and enclosed commode area. Also, on the 2nd floor is the laundry room for added convenience.

The finished lower level features three distinct areas, a half bath, and a small room with a sink ... ideal as a wet bar. The backyard features a paver patio and is totally fenced for pets or kids. At only $194,900 it's a fantastic buy for this popular neighborhood!

 

If you would like more information on the Central Ohio area, then I recommend these links to pages on my web site or blog:

This post and photos are the property of Elaine Reese, Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio 43085.All material and photos are considered copyrighted and may not be used, copied or stolen by any other parties. Plagiarism is against the law!

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TAGS: central ohio, franklin county, hilliard ohio, home for sale, my listings, real estate market

Fall colors in the Olentangy River Valley in central Ohio

Saturday was certainly a pretty fall day. The Murph and I were out and about late in the afternoon, and with the fall foliage beginning to turn colors, I snapped some photos along the way. We were in the Powell, Dublin and Plain City areas, and although there are tons of homes in these suburbs, they are interspersed with natural areas.

The Murph got to see his first horses. For a change, he didn't bark at them. Guess he thought "those dogs were just TOO BIG to mess with". We went by a farm with a bunch of cows by the fence. Murph's nose was in overdrive as he got a whiff of fresh manure.

Tomorrow is supposed to be an equally pretty day. I recommend taking advantage of it by getting out to enjoy the scenery. It'll be gone too soon and it's a long time till March!

If you would like more information on the Central Ohio area, then I recommend these links to pages on my web site or blog:

This post and photos are the property of Elaine Reese, Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio 43085.All material and photos are considered copyrighted and may not be used, copied or stolen by any other parties. Plagiarism is against the law!

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TAGS: central ohio, delaware county, olentangy living, powell ohio, dublin ohio

Affordable 3BR home for sale in Stratford Woods, Delaware Ohio

This new listing is the home you've been looking for ... lots of space ... big fenced backyard ... in a popular neighborhood ... at an affordable price.

It has many of the features that buyers want such as a vaulted Great Room, loft for a home office, deck for entertaining, a HUGE kitchen with LOTS of cabinets, and a nicely finished lower level. It's in stellar condition so you can just move right in. Best of all, it's a way to buy into Stratford Woods below $200,000 with a price of $194,900 for 1904 sq ft in this 3BR home.

Stratford Woods is a terrific location with easy access to Polaris, Powell, Dublin, Worthington or Westerville. For peace of mind, the sellers are providing the buyers with a home and gas warranty.

Other features: Ceiling fans in all upstairs rooms plus the Great Room; easy care laminate flooring; hot/cold water in the garage; kitchen appliances stay; wood playgym can stay or go.

Click to see location map.

If you would like more information on the Central Ohio area, then I recommend these links to pages on my web site or blog:

This post and photos are the property of Elaine Reese, Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio 43085.All material and photos are considered copyrighted and may not be used, copied or stolen by any other parties. Plagiarism is against the law!

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TAGS: central ohio, delaware county, delaware ohio, stratford woods, home for sale in stratford woods, olentangy living, real estate market

This is what got us into this financial mess!

I drove by a builder's model today on my way to my open house. I couldn't believe this sign. The model wasn't open so I couldn't ask if this is a no-money-down program or perhaps a sweat-equity opportunity.

Even so, the builder is still encouraging people to buy when they will have no equity in their home.

Haven't they learned?

This subdivision has numerous resale homes for sale with many priced close to what the owners paid. They're having to compete with the builder's programs.

What chance do those sellers have?

After my open house, I stopped by a local restaurant to pick up carry-out. While I was waiting, a lady approached me, having recognized me from my blog. (It's hard to get away from this business!) She told me about her mother's home which is listed in another area east of Columbus. Her Mom's home is for sale in the $400's. Her parents purchased it for in the $500's. Her Dad is now deceased and Mom needs to sell even if it means selling at a loss. She asked me what my thoughts were on the bail-out program and whether it would help her Mom.

I didn't have a good answer for her. Will another bail-out program in the future be needed for the buyers who CONTINUE to buy with NO-MONEY-DOWN!

This is the "Main Street USA" that the politicians profess to "care about". They're focused on getting large groups registered so they can vote come Nov 4. Do those new voters own homes? Do they understand the impact the candidates' programs will have on homeowners? Do they understand the impact the candidates' programs will have on the financial markets or small business owners, who employ more people than big businesses?

The NAR (via Realtor® magazine) made a statement quite some time ago that "if real estate is our job, then politics is our business" or something like that. Most of us avoid stating a preference for one candidate over the other for fear of alienating clients or potential clients.

Our industry is full of self-employed small businesses, such as inspectors, roofers, plumbers, electricians, chimney sweeps, general handymen, landscapers, and on and on. What will each candidates' programs do for those people? Or for us?

Is it time that we should speak up?

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TAGS: central ohio, real estate market, new home builders

Are Sellers & Buyers Friends or Foe?

Selling or buying a home can be a wonderful experience ... or a troublesome one. It all depends on the parties involved. Naturally, having it be a wonderful, joyous, exciting time is the preferred outcome and that's what happens in the majority of sales.

HOW TO BECOME A FRIEND

First of all both parties should rejoice in the fact that they share some things in common - they both like the house and they both want to move to a different home than where they are living now. Having a buyer choose a seller's home is a complement to the seller. Likewise, having a seller trust the buyer enough to allow them to walk through the home and investigate its innermost corners during an inspection, is a complement to the buyer.

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Follow the GOLDEN RULE!
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Both parties should recognize that the Contract for the purchase of a home MUST be a win-win for both parties or it won't become a Contract. The negotiation process to settle on the details of the Contract will attempt to find a common ground between the two parties. To some people, the closing/possession date is more important than the purchase price. To others the price may be more critical and they are more flexible on other terms. It's a give & take to find which terms are acceptable to both parties. Keeping an open mind and looking for workable solutions during negotiations will result in both parties being satisfied.

What it really boils down to is having RESPECT for the other party. People that remember that the others are people as well - with feelings, emotions, and maybe some financial concerns - will usually do much, much better in the negotiation process. Often, when both parties work together and respect each other, good things happen. A seller may decide to leave something for the buyer that the buyer otherwise would have to purchase. The buyer may be willing to overlook some moving dust if events happen to cause the seller to run out of time during the moving process. I've even had sellers plan a neighborhood BBQ to introduce the buyers to their new neighbors. That's wonderful!

HOW TO BECOME A FOE

  • Start out with an attitude of it's MY way or the highway!
  • Make DEMANDS rather than suggest SOLUTIONS.
  • Treat the other side as if they were an inanimate object - not a real person with feelings.
  • If you're the buyer and the seller gave you a good price for the home, add to the seller's financial pain by submitting a 2-page list of remedies you demand be fixed.
  • If you're the seller and the buyer paid full or nearly full list price, refuse to do ANY of the requested repairs even though they may be legitimate.
  • Threaten to pull out of the Contract every chance you get. That keeps everybody on their toes, keeps stress levels high and makes you feel powerful.

WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE?

If you're a seller and have friends in the neighborhood, do you really want the buyer telling your friends what an arse you were? Likewise, if you're a buyer, do you want the seller to alert your new neighbors such they decide it's best to not get acquainted with you or welcome you? Obviously neither is the desired situation. So go into your home buying or selling process with a positive attitude and you'll eventually be so glad you did, when everybody has a great time at the closing table.

If you would like more information on the Central Ohio area, then I recommend these links to pages on my web site or blog:

This post and photos are the property of Elaine Reese, Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio 43085.All material and photos are considered copyrighted and may not be used, copied or stolen by any other parties. Plagiarism is against the law!

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TAGS: central ohio, buyers, sellers, real estate market, olentangy living