Take a tour of TRULIA's Headquarters

The video is not extremely exciting, but I can tell you that the company is - exciting, I mean.

If you've never visited, check out www.Trulia.com.

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

Installing a Hot Water Heater Blanket

(video from YouTube.com/nationalsierraclub)

Here is a simple step-by-step on how to install a hot water heater blanket. It's pretty simple, and it's definitely affordable. Better yet, it will actually help you SAVE money.

I just installed one on my hot water tank about a month ago. It took me about 30 minutes and cost me about $20 at Home Depot.

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

How an Appraisal Can Keep You From Buying a Home

With the Housing Market in the current struggle we find it today, and with the financial crisis America seems to be facing, do we really need another thing that can kill a real estate deal?

Well, whether we need it or not, it's here. Appraisals are killing more real estate deals than ever.

Mortgage lenders are not the only ones that have received the blame for the housing bust of the past couple years. Appraisers are lumped into that category - and for good reason.

A few years ago, everyone was getting loans. But appraisers were also appraising houses for more than they were probably really worth. And now, because of the spotlight upon them, they're being extremely stingy with the appraisal amounts they're giving.

I just had a home in contract with a purchase price of $65,000. It was a GREAT deal for my client. The other homes in the neighborhood and surrounding areas are listed for between $95,000 and $140,000. The recent comparable sales show most sales falling around $107,000+.

But guess what. The appraisal came back too low. And when an appraisal comes in low, it means the buyer can finance less of the price of the house, and therefore, the buyer needs to pay more down payment. It's a deal killer. And especially in this situation, it's completely uncalled for. The appraised value should have been much higher than the purchase price. So now, I'm scrambling to try to hold this deal together by pulling paperwork and comparables, presenting it to whoever will listen to me. We'll see what happens, but it looks like the appraisal has killed my deal for now.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty

http://www.hamiltonhomesgroup.com/

Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bills

(videos from the Home Depot's YouTube Channel)



Click the button next to the play arrow in the bottom left corner of the video player to browse the other videos in the series.

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Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
http://www.hamiltonhomesgroup.com/

Central Ohio October Housing Market Statistics

National financial debacles take their toll on local housing


(From the Columbus Board of Realtors)


(Nov. 20, 2008) Economic pressures continued to influence the central Ohio housing market in October, the Columbus Board of REALTORS® said Thursday.

There were 1,609 single-family homes and condominiums sold during October, 9.8 percent behind the same month in 2007, but still in keeping with pre-boom sales levels.

“People kept asking us how negative national economic news would impact housing here in central Ohio, and I think it’s pretty obvious that it has led to lower consumer confidence, which is keeping a lot of buyers on the sidelines right now,” says Greg Hrabcak, president of the board.

“October sales are a result of contracts written in September, when the stock market took a dive and many people experienced a significant loss of savings and investments, so it’s no surprise that last month’s sales are almost 10 percent lower than last year."

“However, I think demand for housing will increase into 2009, particularly as investors and first-time buyers come back into the market,” adds Hrabcak.

October saw the area’s lowest inventory since December 2006. With 15,798 listings, the market had fewer homes for sale than at any other time in nearly two years, supporting the market correction the housing industry seeks.

New listings also fell in October to their lowest point this year, another key indication that the central Ohio market is returning to pre-boom inventory levels.

“With supplies in central Ohio declining, home prices will head back up,” says Hrabcak. “Most central Ohio homes are not decreasing in value¬, it’s just that current supply and demand influences how much you can sell that home for.”

Sales prices in October were less than one percent behind those in October 2007. The average sale price of a home was $163,774 last month, compared with $164,844 in October 2007.

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

Tomorrow is the big day. You and I will be voting for the next President of the United States.

Want to know where the candidates stand on the current Housing situation? Click here to find out.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

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