How To Install a Programmable Thermostat - The Home Depot

(Video at www.iBlogColumbus.com)
The Home Depot has a YouTube Channel. And it is awesome! They have DIY videos on all kinds of projects, from big to small.

Here's a little one on installing a programmable thermostat to save on energy bills this winter. Click the play arrow to watch the video. And if you're reading this from somewhere other than www.iBlogColumbus.com, visit www.iBlogColumbus.com to watch the video.

Enjoy.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com
Columbus Real Estate For Sale

What is "Value Range Marketing"?

You may have heard of a term called, "Value Range Marketing" or "Value Range Pricing"; though if you're in the Central Ohio area, you probably have not. It's not that big here, yet. And who knows, it may never be. But let me tell you about it.

Value Range Marketing (VRM), aka Value Range Pricing (VRP), is a common practice in some real estate markets where a seller will indicate a price range in which a home seller will entertain offers. This is as opposed to setting a fixed price for a house.

For example, a seller in Ohio may sell their home for $225,000. A listing agent and seller using VRM may set the price at a range of $210,000 to $239,900. This means that the seller will consider any offers made starting at $210,000 (though they do not have to accept an offer if it comes in at $210,000).

Proponents of this marketing method say that homes using VRM sell faster and for higher price.

Most people that have never heard of it think, "Why the heck would I offer $225,000 on a home if the seller's marketing campaign is already telling me that they'd consider an offer of $210,000?"

What this VRM does is it gets the ball rolling. It gets offers in, and the hope is that though the first offer may come in low, at least they can begin Countering back and forth until they reach a price point that both parties are happy with.

Here's my take on this whole VRM thing: I see both sides of the story here. I can see why this method of marketing is successful in some areas. But right now, I don't think it would be successful here in the Central Ohio market. For one thing, the local MLS does not give the option of entering a Value Range. So, every property has to be marketed in the MLS with a fixed price. The price range has to be listed in the MLS remarks, and since it's an uncommon method here, most buyer's will just assume that if the range starts at $210,000, they will be able to get the home if they offer $210,000. So, it may work in some areas. But right now in Central Ohio, unless you have a good Realtor who know about this method, you could just be wasting your time. (A good Realtor, who knows about VRM though, could explain this marketing method very well to potential buyers and buyer's agents, and it could actually work well to bring in offers. Again, it needs to be a good, knowledgable Realtor though - like me).

Call me if you'd like to know more.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com

Frontdoor.com is a nice website for buyers and sellers

Company description: FrontDoor.com is an online real estate information service powered by Home & Garden Television (HGTV). FrontDoor.com is the recipient of the 2008 Inman Innovator Award for "Most Innovative Media Site."

This website has everything but the kitchen sink. Although, there may be an article or a video on the site somewhere about installing a kitchen sink... You can search for homes, get tips for buyers or sellers, watch real estate related videos, and more. Heck, it's like visiting www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com , except maybe even a little better (though probably not as directed at the Columbus, OH area.

Check it out sometime. www.frontdoor.com

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com

Hilarious - Refrigerators

(see above video)

When you buy a house, you may need to go buy new appliances, such as a new fridge. This is what your experience could be like. "This keeps all your food cold for $600..."

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com