Parma OH Real Estate Tip:5 Simple and Easy Tips to Buying Real Estate in Parma OH

Posted on May 15, 2012 by michellegreen

For some buyers, buying a home is a stressful process. For others, it’s a fun and exciting process of choosing their dream home. In this article, I’ll give you 5 simple and easy tips to buying real estate in Parma OH to help you make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Tip#1-Create a “Dream” List
Create a list of everything you want in a house. What do you want the garden to look like? What kind of kitchen counter tops do you want? What kind of neighborhood? What kind of feel do you want?
Have your ideal home in mind when you go out home searching. Know which criteria you’re absolutely set on, and which you’re willing to compromise. Also be willing to be surprised by houses that you like, which you werenít expecting.

Tip #2-Understand the Whole Process
Understand the whole process, from beginning to end. This will help take pressure off your shoulders, so you can enjoy the process more.

Tip #3-Know Your Mortgage Options
There are tons of different mortgage options available. Do your research beforehand so you know exactly which options are available to you.

Tip #4-Get to Know Your Neighborhood
One of the important yet often overlooked areas of buying a home is the neighborhood. It’s important to know what kind of neighbors you have, whether or not there’s schools, playgrounds, shopping malls, groceries and the like in the area.
It’s also important to know the crime rate in the area as well as whether or not there’s a neighborhood watch.

Tip #5-Personalize Your Relationship with the Seller
Often times having a personalized relationship with the seller will help you close the deal. That isn’t to say become friends with the seller, but if the seller feels like you’ll really take care of their future home, they’re more likely to be willing to sell for a lower price.

These 5 tips should make your home buying experience both smoother and more enjoyable.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Parma OH real estate. For complete information about the Parma OH real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Parma OH real estate. Contact me at 440-342-0269 with any questions.

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Get the Best Deal for a Property in Strongsville OH by Using These 4 Powerful Negotiation Tactics, by Michelle Green, expert in Strongsville OH Real Estate

Posted on May 9, 2012 by michellegreen

Good negotiation skills can make the difference between a successful deal and an unsuccessful deal. It can be the difference between getting a bargain and being ripped off. Here are some negotiation tips for getting the best deal on a property in Strongsville OH.

Tip #1 – Position Yourself as the Chooser
It’s been said that whoever cares about the result less in a negotiation is likely to come out on top.
If you’re making an offer, the more it seems like you could take it or leave it, the more likely the seller is to acquiesce to your terms. The reverse is true as well.

Tip #2 – Have Reasons to Back Up Your Offer
If you make a low offer on a property, back it up with reasons.
Let’s take an example of a property that’s worth $100,000 and you wanted to offer $80,000. Which example is more compelling?

Ex #1 - “I’ll offer $80,000 for the property because the plumbing is 20 years old and will need repairs soon, the vacancy rate is high compared to nearby buildings and because the building is in violation of a couple building codes.”

Ex #2 - “My offer is $80,000.”

Giving the seller reasons for your number legitimizes your offer.

Tip #3 - Offer an Exact Number.
If you pick a number like $177,551 the seller is much less likely to want to argue than if you picked $180,000.
If you pick an exact figure for your offer, the subconscious psychology is that there’s a reason you picked that figure.

Tip #4 - Flattery Gets You Everywhere
The reality is that people enjoy dealing with people that make them feel good. In the end, they’re more likely to give you a better deal if the negotiation experience is a positive one than a negative one.

Remember that you’re on the same side. The seller wants to sell and you want to buy. Work together to create a win-win deal rather than try to “beat” the seller.

These four tips will get you a long way in getting a great deal for your property.
There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Strongsville OH real estate. For complete information about the Strongsville OH real estate market including current properties for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Strongsville OH real estate  MichelleWillSell.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 440-342-0269 or email me at michellegreenrealtor@gmail.com.

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Why Selling Your Own Home Is So Hard-Tips from North Royalton OH Real Estate Expert Michelle Green

Posted on May 8, 2012 by michellegreen

Why Selling Your Own Home Is So Hard-Tips from North Royalton OH Real Estate Expert Michelle Green

When it comes time to sell many homeowners think they can do all of the work themselves without an agent. The main reason they do this is to prevent having to pay a commission. But in the end, are they really saving anything?

A for sale by owner (FSBO) will always want to be there for all of the showings. This is because they have to be there to let them in. They have no way to screen potential buyers so they are, in essence, letting strangers roam through their house. This means that they have to be available all of the time, even if it is a last minute notice. If they aren’t available, are at work, or on vacation they miss a buyer.

Buyers are reluctant to see these homes without representation. The owners always want to guide them through the home and this makes buyers nervous. Plus, buyers like to have a representative to ask questions to and get advice from.

FSBOs generally overprice their house at least a little because they aren’t paying a commission. They do not have the up-to-date information on sales, the history of the neighborhood or the current market. They generally price based on what they need or want to get for their home.

Many buyers are relocated by their companies or move to North Royalton OH from another area. This means they have a buyer’s agent working for them in another state. These agents are looking at listed homes, and not FSBOs. These buyers do not have the time or desire to look for unlisted homes when there are so many listed ones available. FSBOs are missing out on this entire group of buyers.

Real estate professionals will probably not show these homes because the sellers are not willing to pay a commission. Even if they do agree to pay one, realtors know that they will end up doing almost all of the work since there isn’t another agent involved.

A FSBO does not have the marketing resources available that realtors do. An agent listing a home allows every other agent in the nation to gain access to their listing, They are available to answer questions, fax, call and even show your home and negotiate everything from contract to closing.

To learn how to avoid becoming a FSBO, contact North Royalton OH real estate expert Michelle Green at 440-342-0269.

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Should You Buy or Should You Rent by Parma OH real estate expert Michelle Green

Posted on May 7, 2012 by michellegreen

Should You Buy or Should You Rent by Parma OH real estate expert Michelle Green

If you have ever rented, then you have probably more than once wondered if you should rent or buy your own home. In our discussion today, we will give you three tips to consider.

Tip #1 – Have you considered all of the costs?

Now as much as it would be nice to own your own home, and as much as people are always willing to suggest that you should move into your own home, no one tells you about the various expenses that you will gain if you move in to your own home rather than rent your own home. Of course you have to pay the mortgage and the utilities just like you do if you rent. You also have to add on expenses such as insurance, taxes, maintenance and repairs, and improvements plus some considerations such as lawn care and snow removal if you live in that type of area.

Tip #2 – Home ownership responsibility

Are you ready to take on all the things that might occur if you were to purchase a home? Let me give you some examples. What are you going to do if the furnace goes out or the air conditioner goes out? What are you going to do if the sump pump stops working and your basement floods? What are you going to do if the roof starts leaking? These are all of the things that you are responsible for if you own a home rather than rent a home. You must remember that you are responsible for the appliances, painting, and carpeting, actually everything to do with the house. If something goes wrong with the house that you are renting, all you have to do is to call your landlord.

Tip #3 – Tax Advantages

There are some tax advantages to owning your own home, so it is important to remember this when making this decision. You may deduct what you have paid in interest, and this is an important tax consideration. You are also building up equity in your home, which is something that you will not do at all if you are renting a home.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Parma OH real estate. For complete information about the Parma OH real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Parma OH real estate at MichelleWillSell.com. So please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me direct at 440-342-0269.

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Internet Real Estate Expert Michelle Green Explains How to Use the Internet to Sell a House in Middleburg Hts. OH

Posted on May 3, 2012 by michellegreen

Internet Real Estate Expert Michelle Green Explains How to Use the Internet to Sell a House in Middleburg Hts. OH

The internet can be a powerful asset in selling your home in Middleburg Hts. OH. One of the toughest parts in selling your home is getting enough qualified buyers to look at your property. By using a wide range of internet resources near Middleburg Hts. OH, we can maximize the chances on making a sale by getting more qualified buyers to look at your property.

One great source of leads is the Multiple Listing Service, MLS for short. The MLS is an internet based system that real estate agents and buyers can access in order to find homes they’re interested in. By putting your property on the MLS, you drastically increase the chances that your home will be sold.

Another great source of buyers is Craigslist. Craigslist is a popular web based classifieds website, where buyers and agents go to find houses that they may be interested in looking at. By posting compelling advertisements on Craigslist, you can drasticically increase your house’s exposure.

No matter where you’re posting your house, the key to getting qualified buyers to physically come and look is a great ad. The most important thing is to have photos that are compelling. Often times that means hiring a professional photographer to take the photos.
If you don’t have pictures at all, most people will just skip over your ad completely. Afterall, there are so many houses that do have pictures. Why would they risk wasting their time on a house that doesn’t?

It’s also important to put down your price and whether or not you’re willing to negotiate. Remember, the idea is to get qualified buyers in to your house, not just anyone. If you have a set price and you’re not willing to negotiate, then buyers who want to make lowball offers are just wasting your time.

In this article, we’ve briefly covered some of the ways to use the internet to sell your house quickly. There’s a lot of information available to you about selling a house in Middleburg Hts. OH. For complete information about the Middleburg Hts. OH real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Middleburg Hts. OH real estate at MichelleWillSell.com.

Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than happy to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 440-342-0269 or email me at michellegreenrealtor@gmail.com.

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Real Estate Agent Michelle Green Addresses Whether Home Staging Really Sells Strongsville OH Homes

Posted on May 3, 2012 by michellegreen

Real Estate Agent Michelle Green Addresses Whether Home Staging Really Sells Strongsville OH Homes

Most people these days have at least heard the term “home staging”. This is where you set up your home in such a way that maximizes the space and gives people a good feeling about the layout. It’s important when selling your Strongsville OH home to put your best foot forward, and home staging is the way to accomplish this. However, if you don’t have the money to hire a professional Strongsville OH home stager to assess your home, and then take some of these tips into consideration.

Clutter: The very first thing you should do is go around your home and get rid of any clutter. This includes taking all the things off of your refrigerator and countertops. By having a lot of things stuck to refrigerator or on your counter, it takes away from the space and makes everything seem smaller. Remember that you’re going for a streamlined look and cleanliness makes everything look larger.

Stand in the road: Take a look at your house from the perspective of potential buyers. Look your curb appeal and decide what needs to be trimmed, painted or even removed from your front yard to make the home look more inviting.

Clean: This might seem like the simplest of all tasks, but you need to work on cleaning your Strongsville OH house like it’s brand-new. When people walk in, they need to feel like they’re getting a new house and not moving into someone else’s mess. No one wants to move in to a house and live with someone else’s dirt and dust.

Turn on the lights: Open your window shades and turn on all your lights when showing your home because more light means more space. People get the feeling of a bigger space when there’s more light.

For more information on getting your Strongsville OH real estate ready to sell, visit my website at MichelleWillSell.com call me directly at 440-342-0269 for free tips on staging your home the right way to get it sold quickly.

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Practical House Selling Tips for Houses in North Royalton OH by Real Estate Expert Michelle Green

Posted on May 2, 2012 by michellegreen

As an experienced North Royalton OH real estate agent , I’ve helped many clients buy and sell many houses in North Royalton OH. In this article, I’m going to reveal some of the top practical tips I’ve found to help you sell any house in the North Royalton OH real estate market. By the end of this article, you’ll have a very concrete idea of how you can sell your house quickly, with little to no stress.

Stage Your House

One secret that most real estate agents don’t like to share is how much better a staged home does than a home that isn’t staged.

Staging a home may seem like a daunting task for someone who’s never done is before, but it’s really just a process that takes a few simple steps. As a North Royalton OH real estate agent who does recommend staging your North Royalton OH home for sale I am able to help you find a North Royalton OH Stager that can assist you in making you home ready to sell.

1.Making repairs. Any repairs that need to be done on any part of the house, the floor, the fixtures or the appliances should be done before showing the house.

2.Clean out your stuff. Put anything that doesn’t belong into storage. You know what they say “Less is More” this will definitely help buyers to see the potential of the space in your home.

3.Make your house really sparkle. Make the front yard beautiful, have the carpets steam washes, have the windows wiped every day. You may even want to do a quick but of dusting of shelves and other object in your home to make sure that your home stands out from the rest.

Price it Right

Choosing the right price is very important. If you price it too low, you’ll make too little from the sale. However, the big downfall of most sellers is pricing too high. When you use the expertise of a North Royalton OH agent you will be able to price you home at the right market value and be able to get the most out of yourhome for sale.

The logic behind pricing high is that “If it doesn’t sell, we can always take a lower offer.” However, a price that’s too high often just scares away potential buyers instead.

Pricing your house correctly is very important. Remeber that a North Royalton OH Real Estate agent has the tools needed to make sure that you are pricing your home right, so that you will be able to sell in a timely fashion.

Choosing a Great North Royalton OH Agent

Working with a good North Royalton OH agent will make your home selling experience much smoother and much faster. Furthermore, you’ll save on average 16% over selling to FSBO (for sale by owner), which more than recoups for the commission.

Choosing a good North Royalton OH agent can be tricky, especially when there are so many North Royalton OH real estate agents to choose from. You want to find an agent who’s experienced in the North Royalton OH area. You want to find an agent you can trust. You want to find an agent who can both market and sell.

If you haven’t found an agent in North Royalton OH area who meets your needs, why not give me a call for a free consultation? I can be reached at 1-440-342-0269 or by email at michellegreenrealtor@gmail.com.

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Twenty Terms You Must Know and Understand Before You Sign Off On Your Mortgage in Parma OH!

Posted on May 1, 2012 by michellegreen

Buying a home in Parma OH is a major achievement in most everyone’s life. Pride of ownership, tax breaks and equity are just a few of the many benefits you’ll enjoy with your new home.

Your home purchase may also be one of the largest you will ever make. During the emotional excitement of buying your Parma OH home, you may encounter terms with which you are unfamiliar.

For some, it can be bit embarrassing to ask what they consider too many questions. Others may make a note of their questions but simply forget to revisit those points.
To ensure that you have complete confidence during your home loan process, invest a moment to read this report and become familiar with the concepts and terms you’ll encounter when applying for a mortgage in Parma OH.

Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the more successful your decisions will be and the more soundly you will sleep at night having made them.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Also referred to as a Variable Rate Mortgage. A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically based on a pre-selected index.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) An interest rate that reflects the cost of a mortgage as a yearly rate. This rate takes into account any points and fees and is based on the loan going to it’s full-term.

Assumption An agreement between buyer and seller in which the buyer assumes responsibility for the seller’s existing mortgage. This agreement usually saves the buyer money because closing costs and the current interest rate, possibly higher, do not apply.
Buy-down A method of lowering the buyer’s monthly payment for a short period of time. The lender or home-builder subsidizes the mortgage by lowering the interest rate for the first few years of a loan.

Caps A limit in the amount the interest rate or monthly payments for an adjustable rate mortgage that may change.

Closing Also referred to as settlement. The meeting at the conclusion of a real estate sale in which the property and funds are exchanged between the two parties involved.

Debt-to-Income Ratio The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results from dividing a borrower’s monthly payment obligation on long-term debts by the borrower’s gross monthly income.

Discount Points Prepaid interest assessed at closing by the lender. A point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.

Down Payment Cash paid by the buyer at closing that makes up the difference between purchase price and the mortgage amount.

Earnest Money Money given by a buyer to a seller as a deposit to commit the buyer to the future transaction. Earnest money is subtracted from closing costs.

Equity The value an owner has in real estate over and above the obligation against the property. Equity is fair market value minus the current indebtedness.

Escrow Funds given to a third party which will be held to cover payments such as tax or insurance payments and earnest money deposits.

Fixed Rate Mortgage A mortgage in which the interest rate remains constant throughout the life of the loan.

Loan-to-Value Ratio The ratio between the amount of the mortgage loan and the appraised value of the property.

Market Value The price that a property could possibly bring in the marketplace.
Mortgage Insurance Insurance that protects lenders against loss if a borrower defaults. This is required when the loan-to-value ratio is greater than 80 percent.

Origination Fee A fee charged by a lender for processing a loan application; usually computed as a percentage of the loan.

PITI Refers to Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance.
Underwriting The decision-making process of granting a loan to a potential home-buyer.

Variable Rate Mortgage Also referred to as Adjustable Rate Mortgage. A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically based on a pre-selected index.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Parma OH real estate. For complete information about the Parma OH real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Parma OH real estate. So please feel free to contact me with any of your mortgage questions and I will me more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 440-342-0269 or email me at michellegreenrealtor@gmail.com.

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5 Simple and Easy Tips to Buying Real Estate in Middleburg Hts. OH, By Experienced Middleburg Hts. OH Agent Michelle Green

Posted on April 26, 2012 by michellegreen

For some buyers, buying a home is a stressful process. For others, it’s a fun and exciting process of choosing their dream home. In this article, I’ll give you 5 simple and easy tips to buying real estate in Ashland Oregon to help you make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Tip#1: Create a “Dream” List
Create a list of everything you want in a house. What do you want the garden to look like? What kind of kitchen counter tops do you want? What kind of neighborhood? What kind of feel do you want?

Have your ideal home in mind when you go out home searching. Know which criteria youíre absolutely set on, and which you’re willing to compromise. Also be willing to be surprised by houses that you like, which you weren’t expecting.

Tip #2: Understand the Whole Process
Understand the whole process, from beginning to end. This will help take pressure off your shoulders, so you can enjoy the process more.

Tip #3: Know Your Mortgage Options
There are tons of different mortgage options available. Do your research beforehand so you know exactly which options are available to you.

Tip #4: Get to Know Your Neighborhood
One of the important yet often overlooked areas of buying a home is the neighborhood. It’s important to know what kind of neighbors you have, whether or not there’s schools, playgrounds, shopping malls, groceries and the like in the area.

It’s also important to know the crime rate in the area as well as whether or not there’s a neighborhood watch.

Tip #5: Personalize Your Relationship with the Seller
Often times having a personalized relationship with the seller will help you close the deal. That isn’t to say become friends with the seller, but if the seller feels like you’ll really take care of their future home, they’re more likely to be willing to sell for a lower price.
These 5 tips should make your home buying experience both smoother and more enjoyable.

There is a lot of free information available to you about buying, selling or investing in Middleburg Hts. OH real estate. For complete information about the Middleburg Hts. OH real estate market including current homes for sale, property values and more please visit the most complete website online dedicated to everything Middleburg Hts. OH real estate at MichelleWillSell.com. Please feel free to contact me with any of your real estate or mortgage related questions and I will be more than glad to answer your questions. Call me on my cell at 440-342-0269 or email me at michellegreenrealtor@gmail.com.

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Strongsville OH Real Estate Expert Michelle Green Tells You About Mold – A Common Health Problem Which Can Affect Homeowners.

Posted on April 25, 2012 by michellegreen

Strongsville OH Real Estate Expert Michelle Green Tells You About Mold – A Common Health Problem Which Can Affect Homeowners.

When you check out Strongsville OH homes you should naturally take a look at the building itself and carefully examine it. However, certain things such as mold, can often be undetectable to the naked eye.

Homeowners in any area can have problems with mold and mildew. A lot of homeowners think that they would not be affected by these problems as they do not have moisture in their homes. In a lot of cases, the problem occurs in an area that is hidden from view. If it is not addressed quickly it can rapidly spread and become a major headache for the homeowner. In order for mold and mildew to grow, there needs to be a constant presence of moisture in the area.

Molds grow by digesting moisture and produce microscopic spores which are undetectable in the air until they land on a damp area and start to grow. While there are no ways that will guarantee that your house is going to be completely free of mold, you can control the moisture levels to prevent an infestation of mold.

The problems posed by mold and mildew are not all about affecting your home’s structure. It can also affect the health of the occupants, particularly children and senior citizens. It can also be especially dangerous to people who have breathing related illnesses such as asthma.

It is important to act immediately in the event that you discover a leak in your home. Repairs should be performed within 2 days at the most in order to prevent the growth and spread of mold. Any areas that are infested should go through a thorough cleaning with either a special detergent or simply bleach and water.

Make sure that you dry up all the water used during cleaning once the area was completely scrubbed of any mold. However, if some material was damaged so badly that it cannot be cleaned, it should then be replaced. If you have a serious problem with mold in your home, don’t hesitate to call a professional. There are companies which specialize in removing mold and preventing it from reappearing in your home again.

If you want more information on how to better protect yourself when buying Strongsville OH real estate, contact local real estate expert Michelle Green at 440-342-0269 today!

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