Today's Home Buying Process

Whether you have never bought a home before, or it's been a few years, the home buying process is probably a little more complicated than you think. Finding a great agent and loan officer to work with are important steps in making sure you're prepared for the whole process. But your first step is determining what you need in a new home as well as what you would like in the perfect home, and understanding the difference. Most parts of Cincinnati have very low inventory available, so you may end up deciding on a home that has all the right bones but needs cosmetic updates -- remember to leave room in your budget for future improvements!

How to Make the Most of a Seller's Market

All signs point to plenty of buyers looking to sell homes, but most areas of Cincinnati are seeing low inventory. Homes are going pending quickly, especially the best ones in "move-in ready" condition. If you've been thinking about selling your home, this may be a great time to get a custom market evaluation from me to learn what your home might sell for and how to best prepare your home to sell.

The most successful buyers have thoroughly researched their financing options and are ready to make an offer quickly after seeing a home. Most sellers will not accept an offer that does not have a solid mortgage pre-approval letter, or proof of cash funds. So, if you are thinking about buying and you have not yet started the pre-approval process, it's time to get on that! I have some recommended lenders for you on the Helpful Info tab above. If you are worried about affording a home, be sure to ask about available grant programs which offer money toward your down payment and/or closing costs. And if you want to buy but also have a home to sell, I can help you estimate appropriate timelines for marketing your home and finding the next one!

How Do I Change Utilities?

There's so much going on when you're buying or selling a home -- even more if you're doing both at the same time -- that it's easy to forget the details. Changing over the utilities is a fairly important detail, though: can you imagine moving into your new home, only to realize that the power has been turned off?  The general rule of thumb in Cincinnati is that the seller should contact the utility companies at least one week before closing to allow time for final readings to be scheduled. The buyer should also contact the utility companies during this time to set up their accounts; if you haven't had a previous account in good standing with any of these companies, you may need to provide additional information which can take a few more days.

You can also ask some utility companies about the average bill for an address when you're deciding whether to make an offer on a property. Usage is different for everyone, but chances are a very high number means that there is room for improvement in the efficiency of the home. Finally, television and internet service can vary by street rather than municipality, so you'll need to Google those options!

Today's Most Expensive Listings

HomeVisit

Yesterday I shared some very affordable listings from my hometown, Anderson Township. But just for fun, let's take a look at the most expensive (and presumably luxurious) Cincinnati area homes for sale! Just so you know, I'm not including new construction -- saving that for another post -- and all of the clickthrough links go to Realtor.com which will provide you with the listing broker information. These are not my listings, so I am available to represent any potential buyers!

• 2555 Handasyde Avenue: This gorgeous 7872 square foot Tudor home on a prestigious Hyde Park street boasts six bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms, three fireplaces, and a four car garage. Listed at $2,200,000.
• 9 Beech Crest Lane: Just down Madison Road from one of my favorite streets, Keys Crescent, is this stunning five bedroom home in Walnut Hills. With six and a half bathrooms, 7277 square feet of living space, and an indoor sauna, this 1917 gem has been recently updated with all the luxury finishes. Asking $2,195,000.
• 1206 Edwards Road: Only 3 blocks from Hyde Park Square, this 7200 square foot home has a heated lap pool and separate swimming pool and a private guest house. The main house has six bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. Listed for $2,295,000.
• 3815 Erie Avenue: Another Hyde Park stunner, but with its own name: Stone Cliff. This 5+ acre estate has recently been LEED certified and updated, which for a 9500 square foot home is probably a good long-term strategy. Five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms, encased in gorgeous Tudor styling, can be yours for $3,900,000.
• 1901 William Howard Taft Road: Heard of Zaring Builders? This was the home of Alan Zaring, a custom built 8500+ square foot overlooking the Ohio River and surrounding areas. With five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms, and a spacious rear terrace with a fountain and rose garden, this Walnut Hills mansion can be yours for $3,250,000.