Ready To Take the Home Ownership Leap

Buying a first home is one of the most important decisions a person can make, but it can be a complex process. I can help make that process smooth and successful.

Make sure to follow these 5 crucial steps. 1) Evaluate life & finances, 2) Shop for a loan, 3) Find the right agent, 4) Find a house, 5) CLOSE THE DEAL.

For more information on buying your first home, choosing a lender, and finding the right property... contact me at andrew@guanciale.net or visit www.allaboutlickingcounty.com.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Jill & Drew Key West 2009 Fish Trip

This morning (7:30) Jill and I along with Captain Steve with Almost There Sportfishing Charters headed out to the "back country" and dropped line. We had a blast and caught between 50-60 fish. Grouper, yellow tail, snapper, and more. I am very proud of Jill she had more fun than I expected and reeled in a few big ones! She said she is a real fisherman now cause at the end of the day she had fish blood on her shirt. Captain Steve was a blast and made the trip a memory!

http://www.almostthere.net/

Selling a Home in a Buyer's Market

Although home appreciation has leveled off in some markets, sellers can still get good prices for their homes. The sale may take a bit longer, but a little creativity can help sellers move homes without having to drop the price.

The professionals at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC offer the following suggestions for sellers who want to speed the process:

Price Your Home According to the Current Market. Just because a house comparable to yours sold for a very high price last year does not mean you will be able to realize the same price when selling your home now. Work with a full-service real estate professional to determine the appropriate, competitive listing price for your home. Remember that in this market, your sales associate may encourage a list price in accordance with others currently on the market, rather than those previously sold. Visit the Home Value Estimator to get a sense of comparative sales prior to meeting with your sales associate.

FOR MORE INFO REGARDING SELLING YOUR HOME IN A BUYER'S MARKET VISIT...

http://www.coldwellbanker.com/servlet/News?action=viewNewsItem&contentId=1065942&customerType=Seller

Tips For Passing a Home Inspection

If you are thinking about selling your home, you may want to start thinking about home inspections. As most inspections thoroughly check the home's infrastructure, foundation and roof, most real estate experts recommend that you look for problems before putting your home on the market. Though older homes might have more concerns, homes of all ages and types should be given a checkup by homeowners prior to entering the market. This article describes the most common problems found by home inspectors and offers some tips on how your home can pass its eventual inspection.

Plumbing
If you know that you will be selling your home, you should try to repair all plumbing leaks as soon as possible. Besides checking for leaks throughout the home's plumbing system, a home inspector will also check the water pressure by running multiple faucets and flushing toilets. In some cases, an inspection may also include a check of the septic system. If you have experienced drainage problems in your home, you may want to consider contacting a professional to check the septic system prior to the home inspection.

Heating and Cooling Systems
As there are many types of heating and cooling systems, there is no standard test for home inspectors. However, regardless of what type of heating and cooling systems your home utilizes, you should try to ensure that everything is working properly prior to the home inspection. You may also want to consider having your heating and cooling units serviced prior to selling your home.

FOR MORE HOME INSPECTION TIPS VISIT...

http://www.coldwellbanker.com/servlet/News?action=viewNewsItem&contentId=14470481&customerType=Seller

Petey the American Pitbull from Little Rascals

Only in Key West will someone take a Sharpie and make their Pit Bull resemble Petey from Little Rascals..

SELLING TIPS!!!

Discover some useful tips that may help you sell your home faster and smarter.

Coldwell Banker King Thompson

Buying basics...

Jim Gillespie, President & CEO of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, covers the basics that first time home buyers need when getting ready to buy a home.

NEW LISTING : 261 Quentin Road, Newark

$94,500 - 2 bedroom, 1 bath

For more interior photos of this property visit...

www.allaboutlickingcounty.com

NEW LISTING - 31 Riverdale Road, Newark

$197,500 - 3bedroom, 2 bath

For more interior photos of this property visit

www.allaboutlickingcounty.com

NEW LISTING: 86 FAIRFIELD AVENUE, NEWARK $109,900

3 Bedroom
1 Bath
New windows
New roof
New siding
New carpet
Newer mechanicals
Many built-ins
Immediate Possession




For more photos visit http://www.allaboutlickingcounty.com/

Top economist offers hope for housing turnaround in Ohio

by Carl Horst

The nation's top real estate economist gave Ohio's REALTORS a sobering overview of the economic climate, but offered hope for a turnaround to the housing market by year-end during a presentation at the Ohio Association of REALTORS Winter Conference in early January.

The industry, hampered by difficult economic conditions, dampened consumer confidence and declining housing valuation, is weathering the current downturn and focusing on programs designed to reinvigorate the housing sector, Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS, told a packed room of industry leaders.

With the nation's economy currently mired in a recession, housing will play a key role in any recovery effort, he noted. "The depth of the recession is dependent upon whether we have a housing market recovery."

For more visit...
http://www.ohiorealtors.org/absolutenm/templates/article.aspx?articleid=7938&zoneid=88

Improve Value Thru Landscaping

Spring will be here soon and it is never too early to start planning and saving for landscaping. Whether it is rejuvenating your mature landscaping or starting from scratch, landscaping is key to curb appeal. There are many great local nurseries and landscapers in the Licking County area.

1. Stypula Brothers Landscaping 188 Westgate Dr. Newark, 740-522-8282

2. Albyn's Landscape & Nursery 11512 Marne RdNewark, OHP: 740-763-3359 www. albyns.com

3. Central Ohio Landscape and Design Brad Grigsby 740.404.4960

For further information on curb appeal and landscaping visit http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20090123_landscape.htm

Family-owned company gobbles up BP stores

Englefield Oil's purchase of 42 gas stations will make it No. 2 in central Ohio

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2009/02/01/englefield.ART_ART_02-01-09_D1_SJCNVUK.html?sid=101