This is a one minute video by Jack Canfield that I hope you enjoy.  It definitely has food for thought and somethings I think that everyone should think of.  I think I will put this one in my Favorites and play it before I complete the last task of the day to remind me of his message. http://bit.ly/8ygbCl   05/03/2011

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program also known as NSP or  Dream To Own  is a program that assists qualifying homebuyers with a grant of up to 20%, of the property purchase price , for down payment and closing costs.  This is a federally funded program that is designed to renovate properties that may be considered blight or in particularly hard hit foreclosure areas in Toledo, Ohio. The properties are renovated to move in condition sporting the likes of new updated kitchens, baths, carpet, ceramic tile, interior paint, new heating systems, hot water tanks, exterior siding, roofs, etc.  There are homes available in several areas of Toledo. If you would like more information regarding the qualifications for participation in this program and other downpayment assistance programs, please ... 02/21/2011

Spring has sprung the Real Estate Market early this year! At least it has in Northwest Ohio. Actually, I was on a conference call over the weekend with agents from across the country and with the exception of Pennsylvania, ALL of them said their phones are ringing off the hook right now. I'm sure everyone, including buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, the mailman, are all tired of this monstrously long and nasty winter we've experienced across the country. December and January were practically non-existent as far as the real estate market. Kind of hard to look at houses when there's 5 feet of snow to climb over just to get to the front door, right?   But then things calmed down a little and phones started ringing again. Then snow melted and the phones really started to ring. Yesterday sta... 02/21/2011

Danberry Realtors Fundraiser for Toledo Children's Hospital. Come on out and join the fun at John's Corner Bar in Toledo, OH. Located on Tedrow off South Byrne Rd. Thursday, February 17th 4-8pm DRINKS! FOOD! RAFFLES! Guest Bartenders!     02/14/2011

Have you heard that Wells Fargo is now offering FHA financing down to a 500 credit score? My in-house lender, Emily Yerkes (First Mortgage Consultants), confirms it is true. For the right buyer, the 600 credit score has now been lifted (with some additional stipulations.) Down payment - for credit scores of 580-599, a 5% down payment is needed. For scores between 500 and 579, 10% is needed. Debt to Income Ratio - FHA has always been flexible with the debt to income ratio. When going to a lower credit score, though, they're requiring ratios similar to what a conventional loan would want (31%/36% required). Limits on seller contributions - the seller contribution is limited to 3%. No gift funds - the down payment has to be the buyer's own money. FHA's existing rules on judgments, collecti... 02/14/2011

Electric Comnpany Tree Trimmers Need to Take An Art Class. I've been wanting to write this post for a long time. Suddenly, with all the bad weather, I felt now was the prudent time. Let me show you a few photos and then you can see for yourself what has me up in arms ...   Okay, so maybe not everyone is tuned into the esthetics of our area, but jeez ... THOSE ARE SOME UGLY TREES! Aside from the lack of beauteous (is that a word?) surroundings, one would think common sense would dictate the simple fact that ... if you do the math ... when those trees get coated with ice ... DOWN they are gonna come. On top of cars, perhaps. On top of pedestrians, perhaps. On top of electrical lines that these butcher jobs were meant to protect! In the future, Mr. Electric Company Employee, please think t... 02/08/2011

Over the weekend one of my closest friends died. He went into the hospital for a routine procedure which ended up not to be so routine. We spoke last week just before he went into the hospital; mostly about our plans for the year, usual stuff. Now, he's gone. His name is Wil Clay and he lead an extrordinary life. Below is a reflection of his life written by his children that I posted to his online art gallery wilclay.com He was an incredible artist, children's book author and illustrator, storyteller, and art teacher.   Wil Clay, graphic designer, illustrator, painter, sculptor and storyteller, passed away on January 13, 2011, in Toledo, Ohio, at the young age of 72. He is survived by his six children, more specifically five from his marriage to Ruth (Cureton) Clay,namely, Michael Clay ... 01/19/2011

As a real estate agent we have very little contact with an appraiser.  After the purchase contract has been agreed on, the lender order the appraiser to appraise the property.  Right? The Appraisal Institute recently released some tips for buyers and sellers so that their home can sell in a timely manner.  See what you think of their recommendations: --Understand the role of appraisals --Make sure their lender hires a qualified appraiser (designations such as SRA, SRPA or MAI) --Accompany appraiser during the inspection --Request a copy of the report --Appeal the appraisal if it is appropriate --Ask the lender to order another appraisal but an appraiser with a designation --If not happy, file a report with the state board or professional appraisal organizations Let me know what you thin... 01/14/2011

Interest rates are low.  You have a 30-year mortgage at a higher interest rate, You are thinking of refinancing to a 15-year mortgage because of the low interest rates.  Why might this not be a good idea? --You have locked yourself into a higher payment.  Depending on where you live, the job market could be fluctuating and home equity could be harder to access. --You will not have as much cash available.  With the higher payments you will not have as much cash which means you may not be able to do the things you want to do.  You will be at the mercy of the bank, the declining real estate market, your job, and the possibility that you may have to sell. --Refinancing to a 30 year mortgage.  This would have resulted in lower payments which would have created money for a savings account, a ... 01/08/2011

As a homeowner who is thinking of refinancing with a lower interest rate, it is very similar to getting a new mortgage.  Your new mortgage will be used to pay off your existing mortgage--which is like buying your home all over again.  You will have closing costs such as broker fees, appraisal fees, title search, inspections and administrative fees. How can you reduce your closing costs?  Here are some suggestions: --Check with your current lender.  Because they want to keep your business, they will try to offer you the lowest rates possible and reduce your fees to keep you a customer. --Check out your credit report.  If there are any outstanding issues, work at getting them removed or reduced.  A high credit score will help you receive the lowest interest rate possible saving you thousa... 01/08/2011

Of course, there are the student test scores, population data, education quality scores and the median list prices of homes.  In addition to the school performance rating, clients look for greater accessibility to community facilities such as parks, pools, tennis courts, running/biking trails, retail store and restaurants are also a factor. Buyers and sellers in cities with top ranked schools or school districts can often expect to see higher median list prices of homes as compared to the statewide median list price.  How can the consumer search for academic excellence and affordable housing?  Move, Inc., a leader in online real estate, releases median list prices in ten communities ranked with high education quality scores.  Also, they provide tips on how to search for schools before s... 01/06/2011

This is the time of year that many homeowners think of projects for their home.  Some of the projects will enhance the appearance of their home and some will do much more about saving on your energy bills.  In today's economy reducing your energy bills should be high on your list of "to do's". Here's some ideas to achieve lowering your monthly bills: --bamboo flooring --spray cellulose to insulate the walls --recycled paper countertops --bamboo cabinets in the kitchen and baths --solar tubes in the kitchen that reflects light from the sun and moon --low-flow plumbing --rain barrels to collect rain runoff --compact fluorescent light bulbs --tankless water heater (eliminates constantly heating water) --energy efficient windows & appliances The Federal Government is offering tax credits fo... 01/02/2011

Houses are Living Breathing Creatures and They Don't Like It When They're Ignored  I know this sounds a little psycho, but think about it for a minute. How many times have we, as real estate professionals, entered a vacant home and felt despair wafting through the air? Even with a dried up Renuzit in every room.   How many times have we seen our perfectly lovely listing that's occupied digress to a hornet's nest of problems when it's vacated? Sort of like a teenager throwing a temper tantrum. How many times have we breathed a sigh of relief when our sellers have winterized a home in a timely manner, only to have a showing agent call and say that water pipes have frozen and burst? Maybe like a broken heart?     How many times have we seen a home with gutters in need of a "haircut", and t... 12/30/2010

OH – Loan Modifications are tough. Lenders don’t want to reduce your payment or reduce the amount you owe. It’s insane. Don’t even get me started on the topic of the nation’s courts being tilted in the favor of the big banks! Most loan modifications end in failure because the banks are so hard to work with. In a recent story in the news, a New Jersey Company is accused of defrauding homeowners out of thousands of dollars. Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here. According to the story, one couple had more than $2,800 billed to their credit card but received no loan modification. Another customer paid more than $3,500 and received no assistance. Your best bet for a successful loan modification is to negotiate it yourself. No one els... 12/30/2010

OH – GMAC, was the financing arm of General Motors. It was taken over by Uncle Sam and has been mostly privatized as Ally Financial. However, many people still have loans from the original GMAC. Some of these homeowners want to short sale, but are curious about how it works. Discover how other sellers successfully did a short sale to avoid foreclosure by clicking here. A GMAC short sale is not too much different from other short sales. To start a short sale with GMAC, first call them at the 800 number on your most recent statement. That number is currently 800-850-4622. Most of GMAC’s loans have been sold. The first thing you or your short sale realtors should do is find out who owns the loan now. On our last GMAC short sale, the loan had been sold to a Wall Street “Sliced and Diced” Fu... 12/25/2010

Subject: Weekly Note from your Toledo Ohio Realtor Dee Nofziger Weekly Thought: I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my goal. What do YOU want to Accomplish in 2011? Yes, anything is possible!! Have heard of the actor Jim Carrey?  Before he was rich and famous, he was a broke and tired actor. He walked up Hollywood Hills and wrote himself a check for $10 million dollars. The check was dated for five years later, Thanksgiving 1995.  He added a notation to the check "for acting services rendered". He carried this check with him at all times, sometimes he would just pull it out to keep his dream alive and have it clearly visible in his mind. The rest is history. Five years later he was paid $10 million for a movie. The good book says "Without ... 12/15/2010

Attention all you beer afficiandos!  I am pleased to announce that Great Black Swamp Brewing Co, LLC, located on Monroe Street, in Toledo, Ohio is officially open for business. The brewery will be offering several styles of beer in kegs for wholesale distribution.  The styles will include Bullfrog Stout, Mosquito Red, Sandpiper Golden Ale, Wild Duck IPA and Bayfront Pale Ale.  It is currently on tap at Miss Cue Sports Cafe, located at 1720 S. Reynolds Road, Toledo, OH 43614. Great place to order a cold Sandpiper Golden Ale and enjoy one of the 22 pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, air hockey, Golden Tee Live 2009, Silver Strike, various video and redemption games and a digital downloading juke box. They also have several TV's showing your favorite games. Look for it at your local tavern,... 12/10/2010

Reasons to List or Re-List your Home during The Holidays. The past few days I've taken a look at reasons why The Holidays are still a good time to list a home for sale. One by one my posts outlined those reasons. Now to put them all together in one place for you. Hope this sparked some conversations this week between real estate agents and consumers - and vice versa. I guess the bottom line is that in this economy, why would you take your home off the market PERIOD? What if that perfect buyer is out there, waiting to find YOUR home. For some reason they just haven't noticed it yet. If it's not listed, they won't EVER find it. What if you wait til springtime to re-list - and they need to find a home by February? Or December 30th? What if your home is at the top of their loan approval amo... 12/07/2010

Flash Mob Random Act of CultureFlash Singing of Handel's Hallelujah Chorusat the food court of Westfield Franklin Park Mall sing at 10:00 a.m. Sat. Dec 11organized by Masterworks Chorale Here's a fun way for singers to start their weekend! Please join us and forward this to anyone who might like to participate or just watch & listen: If you haven't seen videos of flash culture events in other cities, take a look here and here. For a public domain score of the Hallelujah Chorus, click hereDetails: Bring the Hallelujah Chorus if you do not have it memorized. Click link above to get a score. Wear whatever you would wear to go shopping. Singing at 10:00 am Dec. 11 in the Food Court at Westfield Mall. (We don't want to look organized, so just come a little early and hang out, buy a coffee, w... 12/07/2010

Reason #8 to list or relist your home during the holidays: Financial Analysis. Rates may go up, and tax advantages may go down after the first of the year. They might not, but they could, and if they do...? Stay tuned for the Final Analysis ... Previous Posts: Reason #1 to list (or re-list) your home during The Holidays Reason #2 to list (or re-list) your home during The Holidays Reason #3 to list (or re-list) your home during The Holidays Reason #4 to list (or re-list) your home during The Holidays Reason #5 to list (or re-list) your home during The Holidays Reason #6 to list (or re-list) your home during The Holidays Reason #7 to list (or re-list) your home during The Holidays   12/07/2010