Cleveland Home Buyer Education Series: Documents Needed for Loan Pre-Approval I often get asked by Greater Cleveland Home Buyers:What do I need to do to get pre-approved for a loan? In order for a buyer to write a purchase offer to buyer a home, virtually all sellers will require to know the buyer has the financial capacity to purchase their home.  The proof that the buyer has the financial capacity lies in buyer obtaining a verified pre-approval letter.Buyers often ask me what documents do they need to submit to a Mortgage Loan Officer (who can work for a bank, savings and loan, mortgage banker or even mortgage broker) who is responsible who will then collect all the documents, go through a process (oftentimes an automated process) to determine what loan amount the buyer qualifies for.... 02/11/2011

Cleveland Home Buyer and Seller Education Series: Closing Cost Assistance I often get asked by Greater Cleveland Home Buyers:Can the seller pay for my closing costs? I often get asked by Greater Cleveland Home Sellers:Why is the buyer asking me to pay for their closing costs?   When a buyer is purchasing a home, a buyer will incur costs that are required to be paid at closing. Closing costs such as lenders fees, title fees, escrow fees, and homeowner’s insurance can add up to 3-8K on average, depending on the particulars of a given transaction.The answer is either the buyer, the seller, or even both can divide up the buyer’s closing costs and pay for it. Some buyers today can be short on cash when it comes to paying for their portion of closing costs when purchasing a home.  Other buyer... 02/11/2011

Cleveland Home Buyer and Seller Education Series: Creating Good Will I often get asked by both Greater Cleveland Home Buyer and Home Sellers: How do I make this transaction successful?   Ignoring good will or even purposely and unilaterally adhering to WIIFM (what's in it for me) to the detriment of good will can cause a transaction to fall apart, and the financial consequences can be severe sometimes, but almost always, emotionally gut wrenching at a minimum. Ignore good will at your own peril. Creating good will in a transaction is very important yet I find it gets little attention when it comes to negotiating, general customer service, and community styles. There is an old saying: What goes around…comes around. Everyone involved in a real estate transaction should try and express goo... 02/11/2011

3736 West Blvd. CLEVELAND, OH 2BR/1BA Single Family House $37,000 Year Built 1951 Sq Footage 960 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 6,885 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionInvestor opportunity! Just rehab and flip. Two bedroom /one bath ranch located in the heart of West Blvd across from James Douglas Park. This home features wood floors, newer roof, new drive, and updated 100amp service. Big eat in kitchen. Deep front and back lot provides privacy from the street. This home is being sold as is and is priced for immediate sell. This is not a short sale, no red tape / or wait. Make an offer today! Property Features Hardwood floorRefrigeratorStove/OvenBasementWasherDryer Community Features Playground Other Special Features Simple ... 02/06/2011

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 02/06/2011

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 01/28/2011

Cleveland Home Buyer and Seller Education Series: Show me the earnest money   If you are purchasing a home in the Greater Cleveland Ohio area, the topic of earnest money is a topic that is not well understood by many first-time home buyers.  Since earnest money is real skin in the game for a buyer, it's important that a Cleveland, Ohio home buyer understand the ins and outs of earnest money. If you are at the point of the home buying process where you are thinking about writing an offer on a home you fell in love with, you are probably filled with excitement about the prospect of owning your own home, as well as a bit of stress (remind me to tell you someday about how I almost vomited all over my REALTOR when I was a 25 year-old first-time home buyer and stressed out before writing an o... 01/20/2011

Cleveland Great Big Home And Garden Expo 2011   The Great Big Home And Garden Expo takes place February 5th-13th at the Cleveland I-X Center and promises to be better than ever this year, with features and attractions suited for all ages. Here are just a few of the highlights that you can expect to see:     Idea Home - You will be able to tour an actual 3350 square foot home that will give you some great ideas for your very own home. There are some interesting design features as well as many "green" elements to this home.  Some of the features of this $1,000,000 home include: two waterfalls, an elevator, three fireplaces, a billiards room and entertainment center. The major "green" components to this home include: a wind turbine that powers the entire home by wind, solar-powered air con... 01/19/2011

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 01/18/2011

Attitude is not a platitude. Disclaimer: First off, I strongly dislike platitudes.  Sometimes, I will go back in my own advertising, marketing, blog writings, etc., and see a platitude and I cringe. This word attitude seems to conjure up the negative these days, and while that is certainly the case with someone with a bad attitude, the opposite can be just as powerful if not more.  With that out of the way, I was fortunate enough to both be a willing participant and also view what having a strong, positive attitude can have, not only on your own business and sense of self, but how attitude benefits others and you know what they say about what goes around… You see…we got hammered with 15” of snow yesterday and school was not canceled (thank goodness). We are also fortunate enough to have... 01/13/2011

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 01/11/2011

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 01/03/2011

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 12/27/2010

3736 West Blvd. CLEVELAND, OH 2BR/1BA Single Family House $37,000 Year Built 1951 Sq Footage 960 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 6,885 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionInvestor opportunity! Just rehab and flip. Two bedroom /one bath ranch located in the heart of West Blvd across from James Douglas Park. This home features wood floors, newer roof, new drive, and updated 100amp service. Big eat in kitchen. Deep front and back lot provides privacy from the street. This home is being sold as is and is priced for immediate sell. This is not a short sale, no red tape / or wait. Make an offer today! Property Features Hardwood floorRefrigeratorStove/OvenBasementWasherDryer Community Features Playground Other Special Features Simple ... 12/20/2010

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 12/20/2010

Yesterday my family attended the    Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concert             and we were delighted by another stupendous show! We are so lucky to have the Cleveland Orchestra in our cultural community!  The Cleveland Orchestra is world renowned and attracts some of the most talented people from all over. Yesterday's performance of the Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concert featured the Cleveland Orchestra Children's Chorus and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Director, Robert Porco, entertained us with his insightful music history, humor and engaging personality.   The audience participated in two Sing-alongs:  O Come, All Ye Faithful and Silent Night. The Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concert was held at Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra.  Severance Hall is a beau... 12/13/2010

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 12/12/2010

16009 Normandy CLEVELAND (WESTPARK), OH Reduced and looking for a family today! 3BR/2BA Single Family House $155,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DescriptionFeel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has updated ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & ceramic tiled separate laundry room completes this cozy home. Need more information contact Stan Stepak at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 440-476-0... 12/06/2010

  Last evening we enjoyed the Singing Angels Performing Choir at the 2010 Christmas Concert       Here they are in the traditional Old Fashion Carolers        Performing Choir led by Artistic Director, Charles Eversole                   Last evening was a combined performance and fund raising event.     Today, all Choruses are on Stage at the: Holiday Spectacular Benefit Concert - Sunday ShowFeaturing The Littlest Angels Training Chorus, the Reserve Chorus, and the Performing Chorus  at the Magnificat Center for the Performing Arts in Rocky River, OH   Looking for more Singing Angel information or how to get your child involved visit Cleveland's Singing Angels     12/05/2010

Cleveland Ohio - Clown Magic and More...Meet the Flower Clown I really love real estate, as there is always something new right around the corner.  By happenstance, my professional duties allowed me the good fortune to run into such a nice and engaging couple, and...after chatting for a while, I asked the husband what he did for a living and he responded with: I'm a Clown.  I was all smiles, thinking, and I thought I had a cool job where I get to meet so many fascinating and fun people, get to know them, help them, partner with them, etc.  But after listing to The Flower Clown talk about his profession, his love for all things clown, magic, mimes, balloon creations, uni-cycling and more, I became enchanted while simply listening to him.  I learned that The Flower Clown has been engaged ... 11/21/2010