This weekend I’m attending real estate/relocation meetings.  The agenda arrived with a note indicating the dress code was very casual.  In my mind very casual dress code means cargo pants, t-shirts and flip/flops. 

I called another attendee to reaffirm flip/flops and she was thinking- flats not heels for the meetings. Oh oh.

Without a common point of reference, it’s very easy to misinterpret the real definition of very casual.  Imagine how hard it would be to decipher the real meaning if I had just heard about the dress code from via voicemail?

Yet everyday, well meaning buyers and sellers make verbal agreements on all sorts of contract items through their real estate agents. 

Their intentions are good.  People are busy and it is often difficult to print an addendum, sign the change and then send it on to the next party for signatures.

But remember the old saying…”Verbal contracts are as good as the paper they are written on!”

Play it smart- get any and all agreements in writing.  Then, if there are any questions or problems- the buyers and sellers have a common point of reference to resolve the problem.  Verbal commitments are not binding and some (not all) people turn into flip/flops when there are required to execute the verbal agreement.

Tie up every item in the purchase contract with initials and/or signatures- and eliminate problems. 

Take the time to initial (or sign) and date any changes to the purchase contract.  If you haven’t decided on who is going to represent you in your next real estate deal and would like to talk- call 513-300-4090 or send an email.

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2nd look at….”they say a picture is worth a thousand words!”

So in lieu of a long drawn out description on the current market- the charts below compare 2007 to 2008 closed sales for condominiums for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties.

The dates covered for both years is 01/01- 05/15- an apples to apples comparison.

Sales for both single family homes and condominiums have declined but the greater Cincinnati market is in much better shape than many other places.

If you need more data or more details call (513-300-4090) or send an email.

Related Article: USA Today Discovers Cincinnati

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words!

So in lieu of a long drawn out description on the current market- the charts below compare 2007 to 2008 closed sales for single family homes. The dates covered for both years is 01/01- 05/15- an apples to apples comparison.

If you need more data or more details call (513-300-4090) or send an email.

Want to be the first to see the numbers for condominiums- subscribe now.

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Last night’s email headline from the Cincinnati Business Courier alerted us to the story.  This morning’s Cincinnati Enquire headlined “Town Center Proposed for Liberty Township“.  And if you have driven east on Hamilton Mason Road recently- the construction arrows and detours are a sure sign of impending growth.

Home owners always want to know how much (if any) the development will boost their property values.  It is a great question!

Unfortunately there isn’t any easy way to estimate the impact. Commercial development is usually good for the surrounding areas:  increased tax revenues; variety of businesses attracting a diverse population for shopping and entertainment; increased exposure for the area.

Along with all the benefits comes the inevitable traffic problems which may divert frustrated shoppers to drive through normally quiet subdivisions - in order to cut some time off their trip.

If you currently live on a residential street with the potential of becoming a “cut through” for mall traffic- the value of your real estate may be impacted.  Otherwise only time will tell if there is any positive or negative impact to residential real estate.

Remember for every buyer who wants a quiet dead end street, there is also a buyer who wants all the amenities within 2 minutes of their home.

The impact on your particular property will depend on how traffic is routed. The Township’s planners have a lot of examples to review for do’s (Easton) and don’ts (Fields Ertel, Union Center Blvd) in order to minimize congested traffic in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

There is no formula for homeowners, in the path of large commercial development, to estimate long term impact. 

As a property owner, I strongly encourage you to become “engaged” with the process and stay informed.  Click onto the Liberty Township site and plan ahead so you can attend zoning meetings.

Still have questions or want to share your thoughts- call me (513-300-4090), send an email or comment below.  Stay up with all the latest real estate news and subscribe today.

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As a home owner I have come to view my home’s eccentric features as charming.  Buyers may not be as enchanted with these “problems”.

As a Realtor if I a potential listing had mini maple trees growing out of the deck, because the owner didn’t bother to sweep up the seeds -  well that would cleaned up prior to listing the property.  Cupboard doors that stick, a bedroom door that won’t stay open, an electric outlet that doesn’t work…all these items and more would be on a giant “honey do” list to be fixed before the property is offered for sale.

It is so easy to “miss” little problems, I strongly suggest that sellers have a home inspection performed and fix the problems.  This is a win/win for both the sellers and buyers.  Having completed an inspection, the sellers knows what needs fixing.  Buyers still have the option to have the home inspected, but may feel more comfortable with their offer after reviewing your inspection report and seeing the receipts for repairs.

Now on to staging and decluttering.

As a real estate agent I am acutely aware of how critical home staging has become in this buyer driven market.  However as a homeowner I struggle with stripping every personal item off the walls and shelves.  Our family spent many years (way too many) in this home and a few pictures of happy kids shouldn’t really deter buyers from purchasing a home. Or does it?

We need to get rid of all the “stuff” accumulated over the years- things we haven’t looked at or used in decades. As I see it there are 2 ways to declutter. 1. Rent a Rumpke Garbage Truck, park it on the driveway and just toss everything. 2.  Hire a neutral third party to help with the sorting.   Because I know as soon as I open a box of memorabilia…I rationalize reasons to hang onto the contents. 

From an economic and sanity perspective, it will be worth my time and money to hire a professional staging company….and follow their directions.

Finally, as a Realtor I know how much my home is really worth!

After all we just installed a new roof, new landscaping for the backyard is on the way, the deck was redone last year and…..blah…blah….blah….blah.

If and when we put the house on the market, the value is in the eyes of  the buyers.  End of discussion.  If there are 3 homes in our subdivision up for sale- pricing competitively to capture the next buyer is the only way to sell quickly. 

Remember- a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) presented 3 weeks ago during a meeting with an agent may not be accurate today.  The market changes daily and as a seller I need to adjust my pricing accordingly…trying out a higher price for even a week is a good way to lose buyers in today’s market.  They don’t look and make a low ball offer….they don’t even look at the property.

Years ago I decided that when it comes to selling my property, hiring professionals and allowing them to work in my best interest is the only way to go.  I am very pragmatic with my clients (some would say “blunt”) but I know when it comes time to sell our wonderful, spacious, well loved, family home……- I will be teaming with (unemotional) professionals for assistance.  (After all who wants to buy a home from an emotionally involved seller?)

If you think you need unemotional, clear headed real estate advice- give me a call (513-300-4090) or send an email.

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