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Cleveland, OH Real Estate News

By Chris Olsen, Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate
(Olsen Ziegler Realty)
There used to be the four "Ps" of real estate: Place a sign in the yard, Put the home in the MLS, Put an ad in the paper, and pray that it sells! Selling your Greater Cleveland, Ohio home today has become the ultimate waiting game...one that requires (in our opinion) the three "Ps" - planning, preparation, and patience.  Planning is essential in any market, and especially in the current market.  Before you just select the first agent you talk to and the sign goes in the yard, make sure that agent has given you a complete, comprehensive presentation on what it will take to sell your home.  I don't mean just come up with a price and move forward, I mean complete and comprehensive-state of the market report, a full comparative market analysis, an evaluation of your home and its strengths a...
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By Chris Olsen, Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate
(Olsen Ziegler Realty)
You want what?  Say again?  You want references? How many homes have you bought and sold over the years?    How many job interviews have you had over the years?    Why are these two questions linked in some way?      Because sellers and buyers need to be more like interviewers and less like interviewees when it comes to real estate.  Real estate agents need to be held to the same standards as other professionals seeking employment. Why?  Because you are hiring one of them to perform a job for you, and a very important one, with serious financial consequences and emotional upheaval. I really think this gets lost in the whole manner in which consumers go about selecting real estate agents.  Somehow, I think consumers put way too much emphasis on "please help me sell my home" instead of "...
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 First time buyers that take advantage of the $8,000 Stimulas Program and also the OHFA Mortgage Credit Certificates program could revieve over $40,000 in Federal Tax Credits on a $110,000. Home Purchase.     IF you are a First Time Buyer (or plan on buying in a OHFA Targeted Area) you want to find out about this opportunity.  Here is a calculator that will do the math for you.  http://www.firsttimebuyers-mortgages.com/OHFAMCCTaxCalculator.php?Linked=TBradford The only catch is that OHFA has only authorized 12.5Million to this program and they estimate only the first 1,000 applications can be accepted.     If you have any questions, please give me a call. 
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By Svetlana Stolyarova, Local-n-Global Realty, Broker 216-548-4663
(Local-n-Global Realty, Cleveland and International Real Estate Solution)
Cleveland Real Estate - is one of my Google Alerts, which I receive and review daily. Today I was frustrated with two articles, where Cleveland was mentioned. What a wrong image of the city! The first one was about the World Press Photo Contest results. The winner is Anthony Suau with the picture of Cuyahoga County sheriff's deputy Robert Kole checking out a foreclosed home in Cleveland. Honestly, the mess captured on this winning photo is not extraordinary for foreclosed homes. We the Realtors(R) see much worse houses than one which grabbed the attention of talented photographer and the judges of this contest. The only difference is that we do not carry the guns while previewing these homes for our investors buyers. My frustration is so bad because too much left behind the scene. Yes, ...
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Entrepreneurs who feel they are not measuring up need to look at how their own self-image measures up   Bill Bartmann, a self-made billionaire, continues a series of interviews where he has been expressing his belief that success is driven by one's own self-image.  Bill said, "Self image is defined as how you see yourself, both physically and as to who you are.  Self-esteem directly affects one's self-image."   Bill Bartmann believes self-image plays a major role in being successful.  He explained, "If you think you are going to fail, or if you think you can't accomplish something, you will not be successful.  The better your self-image; the higher your self-esteem, the better you are able to face challenges and cope with problems.  Your self-image affects how you cope, your reactions a...
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By Chris Olsen, Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate
(Olsen Ziegler Realty)
Now that we are in the throes of winter and have had our share of snow-I think there is at least 12-14" of snow in our own yard, there is always that chance of warm-up which can create a multitude of problems from flooding to ice dams.  I was in our local service station just yesterday and another customer was telling us how her roof leaked into her home down through the walls and it is a huge mess.  Why did this happen? Because of an ice dam. Remember when you were a child and you thought that all those long, shiny icicles were the coolest things you ever saw hanging down from everyone's roof?  Well, as an adult, although they may have some semblance of beauty, they can represent a real problem.  Some icicles can be so heavy and so large that they actually tear a hole in your roof or s...
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By Tim Bradford, NMLS 250013
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) is planning on bringing back Down Payment Assistance early in February.   If you are a potential home buyer or a Realtor that would like more information on this program when it becomes available, please drop me a email.  Initial word from the OHFA is they will be offering 2.50% of the sales price as a gift/grant to buyers using this program.   Buyers will be required to participate in a Homebuyers Education program.  This post will be updated once additional information is received. 
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By Svetlana Stolyarova, Local-n-Global Realty, Broker 216-548-4663
(Local-n-Global Realty, Cleveland and International Real Estate Solution)
Few people called me this afternoon and warned about the winter storm coming to Cleveland tonight. It doesn't look like a storm for me as I am enjoying a warm, calm, nice Friday night with my family. Tomorrow is planned to be a very busy day for me and my clients: two showing tours with my buyers and one showing on my listing to out of town buyer. Hope, Cleveland winter will not scare our relocating buyers! So far it's simply beautiful. Love to enjoy four seasons in Cleveland? Need to buy or sell your Greater Cleveland RealEstate? Call Local-n-Global Real Estate Hotline 877-770-5551
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By Stanley Stepak, Realtor - Avon Lake, Avon, Bay Village, Westlake,
(Howard Hanna - Avon Lake, OH)
Stan Stepak | Howard Hanna | stanleystepak@howardhanna.com | 440-476-0234 14613 Glencliffe, Cleveland, OH Kamms Corner exclusive. Move in today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $119,000 Year Built 1950 Sq Footage 1,448 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 4,800 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Opportunity awaits for a first time homebuyer looking for place near local schools and shopping. This 3 bedroom/2 full bath home features a large living room with a natural burning fireplace. Bright light comes in from oversized double pain windows that surrounds the living space of the home. A country style galley kitchen includes a breakfast area with ample counter and cabinet storage space. There is an unfinished full basement with washer ...
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By Tim Hart
(VanDyk Mortgage-Branch Manager)
Prior to moving from Cleveland Ohio to the paradise of Fort Myers Beach 4 years ago, Sue was a mortgage loan officer for 7 years. She enjoys working at Hart Mortgage Services for the last four years and feels that it is her home away from home. Sue enjoys working with First Time Home Buyers, out of state borrowers and manufactured homes. She lives by her motto of communication + integrity + hard work= A happy client. Her greatest reward that she can receive from a job well done is your referral. Go Browns!! Check out the rest of her profile at Hart Mortgage Services!    
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If you see a Seller or Realtor offering to save you .50% off your interest rate if you buy a home, here is why you are seeing this happening.  An offer of a .50% Lower Rate might cause you to take a second look at the home and is an excellent marketing move on their part.   Below is why this is a Win-Win for the Seller and Buyer. Years ago it was quite common to pay 1, 2 or 3 points when you took out a mortgage loan.    Over the recent years it is quite common not to pay any points.   With the current mortgage enviroment before you finalize your mortgage application, you may want to consider paying a point or two in order to lower the rate on your loan.  What is a point?   Points are quoted as a percentage of the amount borrowed, therefore if you were to pay 1 Point on a $100,000 loan y...
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By Tim Bradford, NMLS 250013
With interest rates now being so low a number of people have asked if it is a good time to refinance.  Here is a calculator that I created to present information to homeowners to determine if refinancing made sense.  Remember this is only a tool that you can use to see if it might make sense to refinance your mortgage.           If after using this calculator, you believe it is in your best interest to refinance then call a loan officer that is authorized to do business in your state.   If in Ohio, please consider giving me a call.   If outside of Ohio consider searching ActiveRain for a Local Loan Officer.     I also suggest that you avoid using general internet searches to find the best rates in your state.  The most common companies that you will find are Lead Generation Companies th...
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By Sean Dreznin, Commercial Investment Real Estate Agent
(NAI Tampa Bay)
This is an article I read this morning from The Plain Dealer in Cleveland.   As I sit and wonder about things, like less people shopping, my friend who has lowered the thermostat to 52 degrees and was putting on an extra sweater to save some money this winter, I came across this story and thought it was certainly well presented and worthy of activerains legions comments and review. So here goes.  Enjoy!   Number of bankrupt Ohioans is growing and they're owing more     Originally Posted by Laura Johnston and Michael Sangiacomo/Plain Dealer Reprorters November 21, 2008 22:40PM Categories: Business Impact, Real Time News In the latest symptom of a sick economy, more Ohioans -- like others across the country -- are resorting to bankruptcy. They owe almost twice as much as in past generatio...
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Attention Veterans - 100% Financing is still available to Veterans, also they do offer 100% Cash Out.   Here is a chart that summarizes the refinance options.  VA Home Loan Refinance Program Comparison   VA Streamline Refinance VA Cash-out Refinance Cash-out Allowed No Yes Must Credit Qualify No Yes Must Income Qualify No Yes Appraisal Required No Yes Can Combine 1st and 2nd Mortgage No Yes Maximum Loan to Value (LTV)  No Maximum 100% Maximum Loan Amount $417,000 $417,000 VA Funding Fee .5% (unless exempt) 3% (unless exempt) Mortgage Lates Allowed In Last 12 Months 1(30 day) 0 Property Must Be Owner Occupied No Yes   Contact a local VA lender if you have any questions. 
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By Kevin Cahill, REALTY Funnels software, 6 Figure Month coaching
(REALean brokered by eXp Realty)
Today, two articles were featured on the cover of the Cleveland Plain Dealer... both very well written, both thoroughly research, these articles illuminate the difficulties of Cleveland's real estate market.  Impacted by the national credit crunch affecting all industries, as well as impacted by years of job losses and movement away from Cleveland's urban core, Cleveland faces challenges, and opportunities.  Here are links to those two articles: Shaheen Samavati wrote this article: Homes in Greater Cleveland beginning to inch up in value modest increases in sales activity seem to be starting to stabilize home prices, experts say http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business-8/1225269219317840.xml&coll=2   Michelle Jarboe wrote this article: Flats East Bank proje...
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By Svetlana Stolyarova, Local-n-Global Realty, Broker 216-548-4663
(Local-n-Global Realty, Cleveland and International Real Estate Solution)
Good news for Greater Cleveland is that we have a big pool of domestic and internationl investors interested in buying Greater Cleveland Real Estate. Smart investors are attracted by low housing prices, steady rental market, great projects to revive Downtown Cleveland, including The Euclid Corridor, University Circle, Cleveland State University. The perfect strategic location, Lake Erie with a huge supply of fresh water, great transportation system, deep cultural traditions, rich multilingual and multicultural communities, top hospitals like Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, excellent educational opportunities, lovingly cared metroparks - all these features attract more and more people to invest in Cleveland. I would celebrate this if it were not a huge concern over the way how...
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By Kevin Cahill, REALTY Funnels software, 6 Figure Month coaching
(REALean brokered by eXp Realty)
My daughter Emily is attending the new Montessori High School in University Circle; she loves it!  Their website is www.montessorihighschool.org .  Be sure to check it out.  Many of the new faculty and staff of this intellectually enriching school are choosing to live in Cleveland Heights! Location, Location, Location: Montessori High School faculty make Cleveland Heights home by Jean Buchannan Montessori High School's classroom building at 11025 Magnolia Drive. Designed by Charles F. Schweinfurth, the structure houses classrooms, music practice rooms, an art and design studio, and a multi-media conference area.  It is said to be one of the finest examples of Federalist architecture in Northeast Ohio. View Image Gallery When a new Montessori High School (MHS) opens in University Circle ...
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Consumers appreciate the dedication Gary Collins displays as he provides a vital service and educates them on fire safety    Cleveland, OH - A fire hazard may be lurking in your clothes dryer, according to Gary Collins, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard in Cleveland, Ohio. Up to 15000 dryer related fires occur in the U.S. each year with devastating results. Dryer Vent Wizard, specializes in dryer vent cleaning and repair in homes and commercial buildings to reduce the risk of dryer fires.    "I am committed to increasing public awareness in my community," said Gary Collins.  "By providing our service and explaining the importance of dryer vent maintenance to our customers, we are doing our part to keep our community safe and help prevent fires."    According to Collins, many dryer vents are no...
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Gary Collins strives to educate consumers to promote dryer vent fire safety awareness with "Don't Let Your Dryer Start A Fire" Campaign                                                                                        Cleveland, OH -- October is Fire Prevention month across the United States;  Dryer Vent Wizard, Dry Clothes, Safe Homes is supporting the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in fire prevention awareness efforts by launching "Don't Let Your Dryer Start a Fire, Keep Your Home Safe and Sound," campaign.    "We find most consumers think it's normal for their dryer to take more than one cycle to dry a load of clothing; they are not aware that this is a warning sign of potential fire hazard," says Gary Collins, DVW franchise owner who is part of a nationwide chain ...
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By Gary Collins
(Dryer Vent Wizard of Greater Cleveland)
Don't let your dryer start a fire; keep your home safe and sound.  Dryer Vent Wizard professionally inspects and cleans clothing dryers for homeowners and in commercially-owned buildings. Poorly maintained dryer vents cause fire hazards and cost substantially more to operate.   Why Dryer Vent Cleaning is so Important! •·                     Dryer vents clogged with lint cost $18-24 more per month. •·                     There are 15,500 fires every year caused by dryer vents. •·                     Dryer manufacturers recommend you clean your dryer vent every year. •·                     Regular dryer vent maintenance prolongs the life of your dryer.   Our services include: •·                     Dryer vent cleaning •·                     Dryer vent repair •·                     Dryer v...
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