Allied wants you to start preparing early for your move with our moving checklist. It’s really never too soon to begin planning for a move, and veteran movers have found that a comprehensive moving timeline and checklist is the best strategy to ensure a smooth relocation. Our moving checklist and timeline is also a great way to involve the entire family in the move and to spread some of the responsibilities to each person, including your children.

Timeline for Moving: Eight Weeks Before Move

• Contact your mover to make arrangements for moving day.
• Remove items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
• Start to use up things you can’t move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies.
• Contact the chamber of commerce or visitor’s and tourism bureaus in your new community for information on your new city.

Timeline for Moving: Six Weeks Before Move

• If you’re moving at an employer’s request, verify what expenses and responsibilities are theirs and which are yours.
• Contact the IRS and/or your accountant for information on what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
• Begin to inventory and evaluate your possessions. What can be sold or donated to a charitable organization? What haven’t you used within the last year?
• Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move: friends, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc.
• Obtain a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with local government, community and social news and activities.
• Locate all motor vehicle registration and licensing documents.
• If some of your goods are to be stored, make the necessary arrangements now. (Your relocation consultant should be able to help.)
• Contact schools, doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants and obtain copies of your personal records. Ask for referrals where possible.

Timeline for Moving: Four Weeks Before Move

• Submit a Change of Address form to the post office.
• Arrange special transportation for your pets  and plants.
• Contact utility and related companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection) for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.
• Contact coverage companies (auto, homeowner’s or renter’s, medical and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
• If you’re packing yourself, purchase moving boxes  from your local mover. Pack items that you won’t be needing in the next month.
• Plan a garage sale to sell unneeded items or arrange to donate them to charity.

Timeline for Moving: Three Weeks Before Move

• Make travel arrangements and reservations for your moving trip. However, don’t make plane reservations for the same day that you’re moving out. House closings are often delayed, and other unexpected situations often arise.
• Collect important papers (coverage, will, deeds, stock, etc.).
• Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new locale.

Timeline for Moving: Two Weeks Before Move

• Have your car checked and serviced for the trip. Also, make sure that your automobile is prepared (filled with the necessary antifreeze/coolant, for example) for the type of weather conditions you’ll be traveling in.
• If you’re moving out of or into a building with elevators, contact the building management to schedule use of the elevators.
• Contact your relocation consultant to review and confirm all arrangements for your move.

Timeline for Moving: One Week Before Move

• Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.
• Don’t forget to withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up any dry cleaning, return library books and rented videotapes, etc.
• Take pets to the veterinarian for any needed immunizations. Get copies of pets’ veterinary records.
• Drain gas and oil from power equipment (lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.).
• Give away plants not being moved.
• Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company. (Include your itinerary, emergency numbers, etc.)

Two to Three Days Before the Move

• Defrost your freezer and refrigerator. Block doors open so they can’t accidentally close on pets or children.
• Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move. (Again, your relocation consultant can help with arrangements for a third party to provide these services.)
• Pack a box of personal items that will be needed immediately at your new home. Have this box loaded last or carry it with you in your car.
• Organize and set aside those things that you’re taking with you so that they don’t get loaded on the van in error.
• Contact your relocation consultant to confirm arrival time of the moving van, as well as to notify them of any last minute details.

Timeline for Moving: Moving day

• Make sure that someone is at home to answer the van foreman’s questions.
• Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
• Read your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these — and all related papers — in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
• Follow the Allied Timeline for Moving
• You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as items are checked off of your moving checklist. Moreover, as the weeks roll by, your moving timeline will help ensure that nothing has been overlooked or omitted from your planning, and that alone will go a long way toward relieving some of your anxiety.

Click here for link to the Allied website:

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REALTORS® are licensed professionals and this is what we do everyday.  REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards.  Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime.  Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state); that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Contact us if we can help you with your Greater Cleveland real estate search or to assist you in finding a buyers’ agent.   Also, click here to check out our post “Are Your Relocation Employees Giving Up Their Negotiating Power?

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR)

website: http://www.jimandjoan.com

The White House has not yet confirmed on their website the signing of the above agreement.  In an appearance late this morning, the President did announce that he had signed the bill.

This certainly impacts all realtors and all real estate companies in Ohio.  If you are planning a relocation home purchase, you will want to read the details.

The best article we have found so far, comes from the Baltimore Sun:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/business/realestate/blog/2009/11/home_buyer_credits_pass_senate.html

It explains the expansion of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit to the benefits offered to most home buyers.  Here are a few of the most important details:

–$8,000 for first-timers signing contracts through April 30 and closing by June 30. That credit was due to expire at the end of the month.

–$6,500 for repeat buyers who have “lived in their current residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight,” the Los Angeles Times reports.

–Individual tax filers making no more than $125,000 and joint filers making no more than $225,000 could take the full credit, a significant increase of the income cap. The credit would decrease in value for people making more than those amounts, phasing out completely after $145,000 for singles and $245,000 for couples, the Times says.

–If the home you’re buying is priced over $800,000, you can’t partake.

The impact stretches beyond the first time home buyer, and will soon effect Ohio real estate prices.  We believe that all home buyers/home sellers should read the post on negotiating power:

 http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com/2009/11/04/are-your-relocation-employees-giving-up-negotiating-power/

Contact us for the latest details.

Contact us if we can help you with your home search or to assist you in finding a buyers’ agent. 

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR)

website: http://www.jimandjoan.com

Click here for entire article from RIS Media.  

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

REALTORS® are licensed professionals and this is what we do everyday.  REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards.  Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime.  Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state); that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Contact us if we can help you with your Greater Cleveland real estate search or to assist you in finding a buyers’ agent. 

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR)

website: http://www.jimandjoan.com

The next step is calling agents about homes they like, or going to open houses on their own.  Even in the process of relocation, home seekers often don’t want to bother an agent until they find a home or community they have an interest in.

This is why you need to be aware of the real estate laws in your state.  In Ohio, by contacting a listing agent and visiting a home they have listed without your (buyers’) agent, you are giving up your negotiating power.  If you visit an open house or schedule an appointment without your buyers’ agent, you are, in essence, hiring the sellers’ agent to represent you.   

Even though the employer may have contract with a relocation company or real estate brokerage to represent the corporation, the individual employee is likely to be unrepresented according to Ohio Real Estate Law. 

What is the solution?

Home buyers should select a buyers’ agent to represent them prior to beginning their search.  We strongly suggest they select their agent with the same care they would in selecting a listing agent.  Sign a simple agreement with the buyers’ agent.  This will protect the home buyers’ negotiating power. 

For relocation without a relocation company:     contact your home town real estate agent and ask them to refer you to a buyers’agent in your new city (they have the expertise to do the research for you and find an agent specific to your likes and needs). 

For local moves:  do the same due diligence in finding a buyers’agent as you would in finding a listing agent.

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

REALTORS® are licensed professionals and this is what we do everyday.  REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards.  Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime.  Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state); that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Contact us if we can help you with your home search or to assist you in finding a buyers’ agent. 

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR)

website: http://www.jimandjoan.com

http://seekingalpha.com/article/170465-homebuyer-tax-credit-not-a-done-deal

http://www.webcpa.com/news/Geithner-Urges-Extension-Homebuyer-Credit-52251-1.html

http://topnews.us/content/28083-congress-could-approve-extension-homebuyer-tax-credit-next-week-harry-reid

If you would like to stay informed on this issue, contact us.

REALTORS® are licensed professionals and real estate is what we do everyday.  REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards.  Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime.  Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state);  that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Call us if we can help you with your home search or to assist you in finding a Buyers’ Agent.

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR) website:  http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com

RE/MAX TRADITIONS

RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley. Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups. Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients

RISMEDIA, October 26, 2009—Existing-home sales bounced back strongly in September with first-time buyers driving much of the activity, marking five gains in the past six months, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing-home sales–including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops–jumped 9.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.57 million units in September from a level of 5.10 million in August, and are 9.2% higher than the 5.10 million-unit pace in September 2008. Sales activity is at the highest level in over two years, since it hit 5.73 million in July 2007. 

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said favorable conditions matched with a tax credit are boosting home sales. “Much of the momentum is from people responding to the first-time buyer tax credit, which is freeing many sellers to make a trade and buy another home,” he said. “We are hopeful the tax credit will be extended and possibly expanded to more buyers, at least through the middle of next year, because the rising sales momentum needs to continue for a few additional quarters until we reach a point of a self-sustaining recovery.” 

Even with the improvement, Yun said the market is underperforming. “Despite spectacular gains in the stock market, principally from the financial sector recovery, most of the 75 million home owning families have more wealth tied to their homes. Home values could soon turn consistently positive and help the broad base of middle-class families, but we are not there yet,” he said. “We’re getting early indications of price stabilization, but we need a steady supply of qualified buyers to meaningfully bring inventories down and return us to a period of normal, steady price growth and to fully remove consumer fears, which would then revive the broader economy. Without a firm foundation for middle-class wealth recovery, the post-recession economic growth likely will be one of the weakest in U.S. history.” 

Early information from a large annual consumer study to be released November 13, the 2009 National Association of Realtors® Profile “Potential first-time buyers can take heart in that affordability conditions this year are the highest on record dating back to 1970, but with the first-time buyer tax credit scheduled to expire at the end of next month, people could hold back from entering the market,” of Home Buyers and Sellers, shows that first-time home buyers accounted for more than 45% of home sales during the past year. A separate practitioner survey shows that distressed homes accounted for 29% of transactions in September. 

NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth, said affordability conditions remain historically high. he said. “Our read is that housing overshot on the downside because homes are selling for less than replacement construction costs in much of the country, and the home price-to-income ratio has fallen below the historical average,” McMillan said. 

Total housing inventory at the end of September fell 7.5% to 3.63 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 7.8-month supply at the current sales pace, down from an 9.3-month supply in August. Unsold inventory totals are 15.0% below a year ago. 

“The current housing supply is the lowest we’ve seen in two and a half years,” Yun said. “If we could continue to absorb inventory at this pace, home prices would return to normal, modest appreciation patterns next year. 

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.06% in September from 5.19% in August; the rate was 6.04% in September 2008. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $174,900 in September, which is 8.5% lower than September 2008. Distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes in the same area. 

Single-family home sales rose 9.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.89 million in September from a pace of 4.47 million in August, and are 7.7% above the 4.54 million-unit level in September 2008. The median existing single-family home price was $174,900 in September, which is 8.1% below a year ago. Existing condominium and co-op sales jumped 9.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 680,000 units in September from 620,000 in August, and are 9.7% above the 561,000-unit pace a year ago. The median existing condo price was $175,100 in September, down 11.7% from September 2008. 

Northeast
Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast increased 4.4% to an annual level of 950,000 in September, and are 11.8% higher than September 2008. The median price in the Northeast was $234,700, down 7.0% from a year ago. 

Midwest
Existing-home sales in the Midwest jumped 9.6% in September to a pace of 1.25 million and are 7.8% above a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $147,600, which is 1.0% below September 2008. 

South
In the South, existing-home sales rose 9.0% to an annual level of 2.06 million in September and are 10.8% higher than September 2008. The median price in the South was $153,500, down 7.6% from a year ago. 

West
Existing-home sales in the West surged 13.0% to an annual rate of 1.30 million in September and are 5.7% above a year ago. The median price in the West was $219,000, which is 15.0% below September 2008. 
Read more: http://rismedia.com/2009-10-25/big-rebound-in-existing-home-sales-shows-first-time-buyer-momentum/#ixzz0VWFJxjbN

REALTORS® are licensed professionals and real estate is what they do everyday. REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state); that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Call us if we can help you with your home search or to assist you in finding a Buyers’ Agent.

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR) website:http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com

RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley. Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups. Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients

We are pleased to share this information to you. We have been clients of Parkview Federal Savings and Richard Force for at least 10 years. We highly recommend his services.

Richard Force
Assistant Vice President
Bainbridge Savings
8500 Washington St.
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Phone: (440) 543-8889
Fax: (440) 543-8217
Email: Richard.Force@pvfsb.com

  The Following Rates are Effective for October 29, 2009

15 Year Fixed Rate Loan
Rate	Points	APR
4.375	0.000	4.459
4.875	No Cost*	4.916
A $165,000 mortgage loan at 4.375% will be paid in 180 monthly installments of $1,251.72.**

20 Year Fixed Rate Loan
Rate	Points	APR
4.875	0.000	4.942
5.500	No Cost*	5.534
A $165,000 mortgage loan at 4.875% will be paid in 240 monthly installments of $1,077.57.**

30 Year Fixed Rate Loan
Rate	Points	APR
5.000	0.000	5.050
5.500	No Cost*	5.525
A $165,000 mortgage loan at 5.000% will be paid in 360 monthly installments of $885.76.**

Home Equity Line of Credit
Tier	APR
$5000+	5.000
Home equity line of credit rates are based on the Prine Rate plus or minus a margin, the amount of the loan, credit score, and the APR that can range from 5.00% to 5.25%. Minimum rate is 5.00%, the Maximum rate is 24%.

LOT Loan
Rate	Points	APR
5.500	1.000	4.816
6.500	0.000	4.397

Fixed Rate Home Equity
Term	Rate	APR
60 mos	6.500	6.921
96 mos	6.750	7.025
144 mos	7.000	7.195
Home equity loan rates are fixed for the life of the loan. Based on a loan to value of 80%, a $25,000 loan at 7.000% is repaid in 144 monthly installments of $257.10

Turning your dreams into realityIn 1920, Park View Federal Savings Bank started out in one small office overlooking Cleveland’s Woodland Hills Park. Today, our branch network reaches across seven Northeastern Ohio counties. We have grown by being good at what we do. We are good at what we do because we stay focused on providing flexible, personalized banking solutions for our customers. The services and programs we offer are designed with this goal in mind.Your account with Park View Federal Savings Bank has a number; but we never forget that YOU have a name!
You know your account number; we know your name because personal service is our top priority.

As your needs grow and change over the years, you can count on Park View Federal to be flexible and ready to help.
Rates are subject to change without notice and require a checking account with Park View Federal or enrollment in our automatic payment program. Final loan approval is subject to the bank’s appraisals and underwriting standards. Property insurance is required.

Loans for owner-occupied homes only. Adjustable mortgage rates are subject to increase after consummation. Initial discounted rate reflects a reduction in the effective rate until the first adjustment (i.e., one year, three years, five years). Afterward, payment and APR may increase or decrease annually over the remaining 348 months. Maximum 2% rate decrease or increase per adjustment. Lifetime maximum annual contract rate 6% above the initial contact rate.

* $50,000 minimum loan amount

** Assumes a 20% down payment and a minimum credit score of 740 or higher.

Better service from a better bank

REALTORS® are licensed professionals and this is what they do everyday. REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state); that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Call us if we can help you with your home search or to assist you in finding a Buyers’ Agent.

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR) website:http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com

RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley. Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups. Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients ]]> http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com/2009/10/29/local-mortgage-rates-for-greater-cleveland-october-292009/feed/ 0 http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com/2009/10/29/homebuyer-tax-credit-would-expand-to-owners-under-senate-plan/ http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com/2009/10/29/homebuyer-tax-credit-would-expand-to-owners-under-senate-plan/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:46:41 +0000 Jim Norbuta http://www.yourclevelandrealtors.com/?p=908 Oct. 29 (Bloomberg) — The $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers would be extended and some people who already own residences could claim a benefit under a proposal by Senate Democrats.

An agreement reached yesterday by the Democrats would let homeowners who buy a new home qualify for a $6,500 credit if they have lived in their prior residence for five years, according to Regan Lachapelle, an aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

“The compromise we have now would expand the credit beyond first-time homebuyers,” Lachapelle said. Lawmakers expect to consider the measure as part of a bill to extend unemployment benefits, she said. That measure has been held up by a disagreement with Republicans over other proposed amendments.

Lawmakers have said they want to keep home sales from slipping as the economy struggles to recover from the worst drop in home prices since the Great Depression. The plan would extend the homebuyers credit, due to expire Nov. 30, to home purchases under contract by April 30, 2010, with borrowers allowed another 60 days to close the sale, according to a person familiar with the details of the agreement.

The credit would be available to individuals earning up to $125,000, or $250,000 for couples, up from $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples under the current law, Lachapelle said.

Operating Losses

The amendment on the homebuyers credit is being packaged with a separate proposal to extend and expand a tax break for companies with net operating losses.

Any legislation would have to be reconciled with a House unemployment measure approved last month that omits the homebuyer tax provisions and extends jobless benefits only in states with the highest unemployment rates.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, is waiting to see the final Senate agreement before deciding whether to support it, said spokesman Nadeam Elshami.

More than 1.2 million borrowers through Oct. 9 have claimed almost $8.5 billion of the $13.6 billion set aside for “first- time” homebuyer tax credits this year, according to U.S. Treasury data.

Realtors and mortgage bankers said the credits, which are available for taxpayers who haven’t owned a home in the past three years, have helped stabilize housing sales this year.

“Already we’ve seen the impact of this credit in jump- starting the housing sector,” Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, said on the Senate floor. He said it would be a “great mistake” to allow the break to lapse. Dodd estimated that more than 70 percent of current homebuyers would be eligible for the break.

Reid Cites Support

While the tax credit speeds demand for homes from next year to this year, it won’t necessarily increase overall sales, said Scott Buchta, head of investment strategy at Guggenheim Securities LLC in Chicago.

“They do need to expand the credit to get more people involved, but at the end of the day you are paying people tax dollars to do what they probably would have done anyway,” Buchta said. “If it is passed, home sales of lower-priced homes should continue to hold their ground. However, if it is not passed we will probably see home sales slow down as we wait for natural demand to build up again.”

Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said on the Senate floor yesterday that there is significant support among both parties for the homebuyers’ tax credit. He said the other amendments sought by Republicans are unrelated to the unemployment bill and are designed to embarrass his colleagues.

Republicans want to vote on amendments on immigration and to bar funding for the community activist group ACORN.

Not Far From Agreement

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, agreed that most lawmakers support the unemployment and homebuyer measures. “We’re not that far away from an agreement,” he said yesterday.

The $2.4 billion unemployment measure would extend jobless benefits by 14 weeks in all states and provide an additional six weeks of benefits in states with the highest unemployment rates.

About 1.9 million Americans will exhaust their unemployment benefits by the end of this year unless Congress acts, the Labor Department said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Dawn Kopecki in Washington at dkopecki@bloomberg.com; Brian Faler in Washington at bfaler@bloomberg.net

REALTORS® are licensed professionals and this is what they do everyday.  REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards.  Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime.  Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state); that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Call us if we can help you with your home search or to assist you in finding a Buyers’ Agent.

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®

Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR)
website: http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com

RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley. Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups. Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients

As you look through the listings and find homes that are of interest to you, what is the first step you make toward beginning your search?

Many of you call the listing agent for the first property you find of interest.  

THAT COULD BE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE THAT YOU WILL EVER MAKE IN  BUYING A HOME OR IN FINDING AN AGENT TO REPRESENT YOU!!!

Please be aware that under Ohio Real Estate law, if you contact the listing agent about their listing, they are working for the seller, not you.  What will that do for your negotiating power?

Here’s another important question: Is this random selection the best way to find a real estate professional to assist you?

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU FIND YOUR BUYERS’ AGENT FIRST

For relocation:   contact your home town real estate agent and ask them to refer you to a BUYERS AGENT in your new city(they have the expertise to do the research for you). 

For local moves:  do the same due diligence in finding a BUYERS AGENT as you would in finding a listing agent

Contact agents by e-mail or phone and check out their website and blogs.

REALTORS® are licensed professionals and this is what they do everyday.  REALTORS® subscribe to a stringent code of ethics and standards.  Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime.  Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change (and vary by state); that’s why having a professional REALTOR® on your side is critical.

Call us if we can help you with your home search or to assist you in finding a Buyers’ Agent. 

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
Accredited Buyers’ Representative (ABR)

website: http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com

RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley. Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups. Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients

In an area where homes are selling at and above County Appraised Values, there is one home for sale that is worth your attention.  As we approach our tenth year as Realtors®, I can’t remember a single home priced this far below it’s appraised value.

This is not bank owned or a short sale to the best of our knowledge.  It is currently occupied. The home is in a small development of upscale properties,  there is a large neighborhood pond, sits on a 3 acre private lot, and is listed for $107,000 below the County Appraised Value….and this is the ASKING PRICE.

If you are looking for a beautiful home and a potentially terrific investment:

                                                CONTACT US SOON

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
website: http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com

RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®

Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley. Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.

YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups. Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients.

Here is an excellent question asked regarding our blog post on LinkedIn:

Hi Jim:

Since many appraisals were inflated, I’m wondering how much of a “fudge factor” there might be in that $107,000 swing?   How about in other homes for sale that refer to a figure that’s under the appraisal?   What would be a conservative approach to looking at those figures?

Tim, Cleveland State University

Here is our answer:

Tim,You have a terrific question based on the information that was provided to you. Here are some additional facts that might help you in substantiating the value for this property.First, this 15 year old home has had only one owner. The appraisal was not done by a bank trying to sell a mortgage note, it was done by the county. Other homes in the area are selling near or above county appraised value.While looking at figures is one part of determining a “fair market value” for a property, viewing similar properties in the immediate area is essential in establishing an offer for a property. My clients and I have covered this thoroughly.In my opinion, what we have here is a more motivated seller than your average seller in this area. There are a few sellers who have determined that moving on is more important than making a profit, but not very many. Since this house was built 15 years ago, the asking price may be slightly above or at the original purchase price.

This home is stone on all sides. I can’t begin to tell you what the stone alone would cost today, but I’m guessing in the $100,000 range.

SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET A VERY GOOD BUY HERE….

Does this answer your question?

Many Blessings,

Jim

 

OUR ORIGINAL POST FOLLOWS:

 

NO, we are not trying to sell one of our own listings….it is not bank-owned or a short sale (to the best of our knowledge). It located in a small development of fine homes on a private lot, less than 5 minutes from the highway.

We recently showed this home in the Bainbridge/Chagrin Falls/Aurora area that far surpassed others available in this price range. Our clients decided to buy another property, even though we all agreed that this was, by far, the best value. It was their 2nd choice for reasons we can explain.

If you are searching anywhere near this area in the $400-600,000 price range, call us to see this home. You will be amazed.

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
website: http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com

RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®

Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley. Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.

YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups. Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients.

This is a relocation question recently posted on LinkedIn:

Is there any market at all for ‘modern’ homes in Cleveland suburbs? My wife and I would love to build a home in a lake or geauga county suburb that looks like it belongs in LA, Miami, or NYC. Would a “highly-modern” home be hard to sell down the road given the real estate trends in Cleveland?

Here is our reply:

What a terrific question. We recently sold a home in the Bainbridge Township /Chagrin Falls/Aurora area that looked like it belonged near Biscayne Bay or North Miami. We will add the photo of the house to the front page of our website for your review: http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com/
The style is Mediterranean, and very unusual for the Cleveland Market. However, this builder has sold a number of homes of this style in our area. The interior features included a home theatre, wine cellar, audio system, zone heating…we could go on and on. It was green built and 5 star energy rated.
It was unusual for our community, but we wouldn’t call it modern. Oh, by the way, the exterior features include a covered veranda with fireplace and a 2 story water feature. It is a spectacular home and in a community of upscale homes, each with their own unique architectural design. We’ll be glad to take you to see this area. There are additional lots available.

We still haven’t answered your question…because we would have to ask you a few more questions about your definition of “highly modern”.  However, caution would be advisable in the Cleveland market.

Their reply:   Interesting. Thanks for the insightful thoughts!

If you have any questions about real estate or relocation, you can e-mail them to us from our website.  You’ll receive a prompt reply. 

Jim Norbuta, Realtor®
RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®

Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities of Greater Cleveland.

YourClevelandRealtors.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and  local community groups.  Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients.

(The following is specific to one area of Greater Cleveland.  If you are a home buyer or home seller, and especially if relocation is the reason for your move, this detail is extremely important to you.  Please do not make financial decisions without knowing the facts about your community. If you are buying or selling a home, this same type of analysis will be done for your community/neighborhood. )

44022     CHAGRIN FALLS      44023

INVENTORY REPORT FOR July 30, 2009

Price Range                  Active&Contingent     Pending& Sold        Current Inventory

$150,000 – $300,000         137                             87                                 9 months

$300,001 – $500,000        137                              71                                 12 months

$500,001 +                      106                             29                                  22 months

….TOTALS……..              380                           187

Total Homes for Sale                 380

Average Sales/Month                 31.2

Months of Inventory                 12.2

First impressions might cause you to think that sales are increasing dramatically in the Chagrin Valley area.  The truth is that fewer homes are being listed in CHAGRIN FALLS 44022 & 44023, while rate of sale stayed virtually the same at 31 homes per month.  The same could be true for Solon, Twinsburg, Aurora, and Russell.  If you need to know this information for your specific area, for developments like Laurel Springs, Barrington, and Canyon Lakes, give us a call.  The above numbers may be eye openers for many of you.  If you are currently selling your home, you may not be aware of these recent changes.  Most importantly, ALL BUYERS AND SELLERS should be aware of them for your street, neighborhood, and community.  The numbers can change dramatically by location, even within your local community.  There are also significant variances between price groups.

If you are looking to purchase a home in the next few months, please give us a call.  We show all properties listed by any real estate broker and most for sale by owner homes.  If you find a home on any website, we can schedule a showing for you.  Most importantly, our purchase analysis for buyers includes the street, neighborhood, and the local community facts.  All the details you need to make a good decision.

This past week we assisted a buyer in purchasing a home in the Chagrin Falls/Bainbridge area.  They had narrowed their search to 2 homes.  One home was a tremendous value, and the other was a home that fulfilled their dreams.  They selected the home of their dreams.  The other home is still available, and we would be excited to show it to you.  It’s priced in the $400-500,000 range and will fulfill someone’s dream home requirements.

For families and individuals involved in a relocation transfer, you’re timing is excellent.  The Greater Cleveland Community has so much to offer and is one of the most affordable major metropolitan areas in the country.

YouClevelandRealtor.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and  local community groups.  Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients.

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor
RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®

Serving the Greater Cleveland communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.

44202     Aurora      44202

INVENTORY REPORT FOR October 10, 2009

Price Range                  Active&Contingent     Pending& Sold        Current Inventory

$150,000 – $300,000                 104                             40                          16 months

$300,001 – $500,000                  65                             27                           14 months

$500,001 +                                  46                               6                           46   months

….TOTALS……..                         215                          73

Total Homes for Sale                  215

Average Sales/Month                  12.2

Months of Inventory                   18

This is your tracking report for Aurora.  Average months inventory was reduced 2 months since our July report.  Improvement has been seen in Chagrin Falls, Solon, Bainbridge, Auburn, Twinsburg, Aurora, and Russell.  You need to know this information for your specific area.  The above numbers may be eye openers for many of you.  If you are currently selling your home, you may not be aware of recent changes.  Most importantly, ALL BUYERS AND SELLERS should be aware of them for your street, neighborhood, and community.  The numbers can change dramatically by location, even within your local community.

If you are looking to purchase a home in the next few months, please give us a call.  We show all properties listed by any real estate broker and most for sale by owner homes.  Most importantly, our purchase analysis for buyers includes the street, neighborhood, and the local community facts.

If your interest is in homes priced above $500,000, the above chart indicates an inventory of 58 months.  If you are ready to negotiate, there are still excellent values available in every price range.

For families and individuals involved in a relocation transfer, you’re timing is excellent.  The Greater Cleveland Community has so much to offer and is one of the most affordable major metropolitan areas in the country.

YouClevelandRealtor.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups.  Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients.

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor
RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®

Serving the communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.

44202     Aurora      44202

INVENTORY REPORT FOR July 30, 2009

Price Range                  Active&Contingent     Pending& Sold        Current Inventory

$150,000 – $300,000                 99                             31                           19 months

$300,001 – $500,000                 64                           26                           15 months

$500,001 +                             39                             4                            58   months

….TOTALS……..                         202                           61

Total Homes for Sale                  202

Average Sales/Month                  10.2

Months of Inventory                   20

This is your tracking report for Aurora.  Yes, there are a lot of properties for sale, but things are improving.  Improvement has been seen in Chagrin Falls, Solon, Bainbridge, Auburn, Twinsburg, Aurora, and Russell.  If you need to know this information for your specific area, for developments like Laurel Springs, Barrington, and Canyon Lakes, give us a call.  The above numbers may be eye openers for many of you.  If you are currently selling your home, you may not be aware of recent changes.  Most importantly, ALL BUYERS AND SELLERS should be aware of them for your street, neighborhood, and community.  The numbers can change dramatically by location, even within your local community.

If you are looking to purchase a home in the next few months, please give us a call.  We are in our show all properties listed by any real estate broker and most for sale by owner homes.  Most importantly, our purchase analysis for buyers includes the street, neighborhood, and the local community facts.

If your interest is in homes priced above $500,000, the above chart indicates an inventory of 58 months.  If you are ready to negotiate, there are still excellent values available in every price range.

For families and individuals involved in a relocation transfer, you’re timing is excellent.  The Greater Cleveland Community has so much to offer and is one of the most affordable major metropolitan areas in the country.

YouClevelandRealtor.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders, and local community groups.  Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients.

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor
RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®

Serving the communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.

Also, visit our post, Signs that the Market has Turned:  http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com/2009/07/14/signs-that-the-real-estate-market-has-turned%e2%80%a6/

(The following is specific to one area of Greater Cleveland.  If you are a home buyer or home seller, and especially if relocation is the reason for your move, this detail is extremely important to you.  Please do not make financial decisions without knowing the facts about your community. If you are buying or selling a home, this same type of analysis will be done for your community/neighborhood. )

44022     CHAGRIN FALLS      44023

INVENTORY REPORT FOR July 30, 2009

Price Range                  Active&Contingent     Pending& Sold        Current Inventory

$150,000 – $300,000         185                              90              12 months/last month 15

$300,001 – $500,000        178                              65               16 months/last month 20

$500,001 +                      178                             34             31 months/last month 51

….TOTALS……..                     541                            189

Total Homes for Sale                 541

Average Sales/Month                 31.5

Months of Inventory                 17

This past month reflects tremendous improvement in the sale of homes in CHAGRIN FALLS.  The same is likely to be true for Solon, Twinsburg, Aurora, and Russell.  If you need to know this information for your specific area,  for developments like Laurel Springs, Barrington, and Canyon Lakes, give us a call.  The above numbers may be eye openers for many of you.  If you are currently selling your home, you may not be aware of these recent changes.  Most importantly, ALL BUYERS AND SELLERS should be aware of them for your street, neighborhood, and community.  The numbers can change dramatically by location, even within your local community.

If you are looking to purchase a home in the next few months, please give us a call.  We are in our show all properties listed by any real estate broker and most for sale by owner homes.  Most importantly, our purchase analysis for buyers includes the street, neighborhood, and the local community facts.

If your interest is in homes priced above $500,000, the above chart indicates an inventory of 31 months, a dramatic improvement of 48 months  just 30 days ago.  If you are ready to negotiate, there are still excellent values available in every price range.

For families and individuals involved in a relocation transfer, you’re timing is excellant.  The Greater Cleveland Community has so much to offer and is one of the most affordable major metropolitan areas in the country.

YouClevelandRealtor.com website contains information on mortgage rates, lenders,and  local community groups.  Our services are designed for Executive Relocation & Luxury Home Market and are provided to all of our clients.

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor
RE/MAX TRADITIONS
RE/MAX RELOCATION
OUR PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE MOVE AT A TIME ®

Serving the communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.

Also, visit our post, Signs that the Market has Turned:  http://www.findingclevelandhomes.com/2009/07/14/signs-that-the-real-estate-market-has-turned%e2%80%a6/

The key change, in my estimation, is what the sellers are doing with offers that come across the table. 

Buyers and sellers (buyers agents/sellers agents) would normally use the same market facts to arrive at what they determine to be fair market value for a property.  Somehow, and in about 90% of the cases, there would be a significant discrepancy in the values reached by buyer and seller.

In today’s market, sellers have changed.  While still not willing to listen to low ball offers, sellers are now compelled to see the picture from the other side of the table.  When they do, transactions have been the result.

That’s the way we find it in the suburban Greater Cleveland market.

Good reasons to buy now…low mortgage rates, home prices have dropped, tax credit for 1^st time buyers, more properties available, and MOTIVATED SELLERS.   

Now is a great time to contact us…   

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor

RE/MAX TRADITIONS

Serving the communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities in Ohio and beyond.

Fabulous Condo! Well-maintained! One-floor Plan! Vaulted Ceilings, Wood Floors, Terrific Master Suite W/Jetted Tub, Lots Of Storage, All Appliances. Come See All The Special Features Of This Home.                    $199,000

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor

RE/MAX TRADITIONS

Serving the communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.

FIREWORKS

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
July 5, 2009 – 6:30 PM
Festivities begin at 6:30 P.M. with Food and Entertainment. Fireworks begin at Dusk. RIVER ROAD PARK

JULY 4th CEREMONY

07/04/09            9:30AM – 10:30AM                

Look forward to seeing you this weekend.

Jim & Joan Norbuta

Realtor

RE/MAX TRADITIONS

Serving the communites of Aurora, Auburn, Bainbridge Township, Chagrin Falls, Solon, Twinsburg, and all of the Chagrin Valley.  Call us for referrals to outstanding RE/MAX agents in other communities.