September 2, 2010
By
Ann Newman
Are more Americans positioning themselves for home purchase? Although May’s data showed that home sales were down 26.8% as the home buyer tax credit concluded, a new survey conducted by Relocation.com suggests some families are opting for renting while they research—cash in hand—for deals on a new, more desirable home in their area.
Among the key findings of the survey: Of the 60% of individuals moving into rentals, 24% were previous homeowners who are renting temporarily while they look for a new home to purchase. Underscoring this finding is the fact that for many of these families, foreclosure was not the reason for moving—in fact, the number of consumers who moved due to foreclosure dropped by 70%.
Furthermore, many of these families stayed in the area (one in three made a short distance move of 100 miles or less), opting to remain in a location where they already know their schools, shopping districts and prime neighborhoods.
“While the housing market continues to flux from month to month, we’re seeing strong, continued interest as consumers looking to move start their research with us,” said Relocation.com Chairman and Founder Sharon Asher. “These findings suggest that more Americans may be poised to re-enter the housing market this year.”
The Relocation.com survey was conducted in early June 2010 and is a continuation of consumer surveys conducted since March 2009 to gauge moving and relocation attitudes and behaviors.
September 1, 2010
By
Debbie Milnar
Rick Popiolek presents this beautiful, multi-family home in the Old West End at 2274 Robinwood.
Front View of 2274 Robinwood in the Old West End
This beautifully restored 4-unit apartment, with a possible 5th in the attic, sits in the historic Old West End at 2274 Robinwood. Enjoy this quiet street in the middle of the Old West End community, close to the Toledo Museum of Art, downtown Toledo and the expressway. This apartment building provides an excellent source of cash flow and is low maintenance. The recent updates include hardwood floors, heating system and updated electrical with separate utilities for each unit.
Kitchen in 2274 Robinwood unit
For more information on this property or to reach Rick Popiolek, visit www.2274robinwood.danberry.com.
August 31, 2010
By
Debbie Milnar
Al Nissen presents this fabulous home in Bedford Twp. at 7831 Fir Drive.
Front view of 7831 Fir Drive
This full brick traditional ranch home at 7831 Fir Drive in Bedford Twp. is within minutes of Toledo! This home features 2340 square feet of living space on a ½ acre, side-load garage, stamped concrete, two fireplaces, hardwood flooring and solid oak doors and trim. Within the last ten years the roof has been replaced, oak trim, doors and flooring have been added, an auto start generator and windows have been upgraded to Cradco. Enjoy the local parks, excellent school and library systems and a wonderful YMCA facility! The recently reduced price of $179,900 puts this home at a very attractive cost per sq. ft. and places it well under the previous purchase price.
Beautiful wood floors in 7831 Fir Drive
For more information on this property or to reach Al Nissen, visit www.7831firdr.danberry.com.
Over the last two years we’ve seen a little bit of everything. Rates overall going lower and lower, the stock market up a little one day and down a lot the next which indirectly moves the rates and mortgage underwriting guidelines continuing to change. It all can be a little overwhelming for those in the market to buy a home. With all that being said it is probably one of the best times to buy a home!
Thirty year fixed rates in the mid 4′s make payments much lower than when they were in the 6′s just a few years ago – it can also give borrowers more purchasing power.
A $100,000 30-year mortgage at a fixed rate of 6.5% (where it was just a few years ago), makes a principle and interest payment $628.
A 30 year fixed rate at 4.5% makes a principle and interest payment $504 per month which is a $123 per month savings!
Another way to look at it is with a rate of 4.5% a borrower could finance $125,000 and have a principle and interest payment of $630. So, in other words, to have the same payment at 6.5% a borrower could afford a loan of $25,000 more to have roughly the same payment.
What this does is completely open up borrowers to a whole new range to look for their dream home! On top of these historically low rates, FHA financing remains a very strong program with as little at 3.5% down payment and a minimum 600 credit score needed.
While it is true underwriting has changed some over the years, the borrowers that should be buying still are able to with not much change to the underwriting process.
August 25, 2010
By
Debbie Milnar
Jeff Schaaf presents this fabulous home in West Toledo at 4209 Westway.
Front view of 4209 Westway in West Toledo
This two story traditional home located at 4209 Westway in West Toledo is close to shopping, expressways and lots of restaurants! The basement is finished into a rec room with gas fireplace. Recent updates to this property include a remodeled kitchen, plumbing and electrical upgrade in 2004 and new furnace, A/C and water heater in 2003. Also enjoy the garden pond in the backyard, making a tranquil environment even in this city neighborhood! All of these updates, plus three bedrooms and two full baths for under $90K! Home is move-in ready and available at closing!
Interior view of 4209 Westway in West Toledo
For more information on this property or to reach Jeff Schaaf, visit www.4209westway.danberry.com.
August 24, 2010
By
Debbie Milnar
Melissa Utterback presents this fabulous home in Maumee, Ohio at 834 Wall Street.
Front view of 834 Wall in Maumee, Ohio
This traditional ranch home at 834 Wall Street in Maumee, Ohio is situated on a half acre lot and features very low maintenance vinyl siding and an attached two car garage. This home is located in the River Road district in Maumee, which is the district for the newly built Fort Miami elementary school. You are also within minutes of the Anthony Wayne Trail, making commutes easy. Enjoy living within a mile of the Wolcott House, the home of the Maumee Valley Historical Society and a space which houses seven 19th century buildings. To find a half acre lot and an attached two car garage in this price range in Maumee is nearly impossible so come and check it out!
Back view of 834 Wall in Maumee, Ohio
For more information on this property or to reach Melissa Utterback, visit www.834wall.danberry.com.
August 20, 2010
By
Debbie Milnar
Norma Sliwinski presents this fabulous home in Oregon at 1021 S. Coy.
Front view of 1021 S. Coy
This traditional home at 1021 S. Coy in Oregon, Ohio sits on nearly two acres and has updates including the addition of a bonus room that could be a fourth bedroom, a new roof and two wood decks; one in front and one in back. The location will put you within minutes of the expressway, shopping and the library. Enjoy hosting parties in this fabulous yard featuring a large pond complete with slide and beach area! The winter months are fun too with skating and a small sledding hill.
View of pond at 1021 S. Coy
For more information on this property or to reach Norma Sliwinski, visit www.1021coy.danberry.com.
August 19, 2010
By
Dick Baker
Do trees boost a property's value?
Even if you hate raking in the fall, I’ll bet you would agree that a home site with nice trees has greater appeal than one that appears to be a former corn field.
A recent study by the U.S. Forest Service says the presence of street trees increases home values by an average of $7,000. That’s an awfully broad generalization, but any REALTOR will tell you that they in fact raise property values.
Way back in the 70’s I had a client ask me to provide him with an estimate of the value of a large tree in his front yard that was lost in a storm (he intended to make a claim on his homeowners insurance). That was a difficult exercise, however in the Internet age there are some interesting tools out there. In case you ever wondered about the value of a particular specimen in your yard, the Arbor Day Foundation offers an interesting tool on their site. Go to www.arborday.org/calculator and enter your ZIP code, the name of the tree and its diameter to learn the annual benefits of your tree. While you’re at it, you might want to browse their tree store. It’s an inexpensive way to get your next generation of trees going!
