The Future of Real Estate Has Now Arrived:

Centralized Showing Service - Showings.com

2008-12-03T10:34:00.002-05:00

Have you heard of Centralized Showing Service (CSS), www.showings.com? If you've been a home seller or a Realtor in the past year or two, you very well may have.

CSS is a national tele-company that sets up showings on select real estate listings for sale. And as a Realtor, there are a few big benefits to this/me:

1) Showings can be set up online: Sometimes it's a pain to call in and try to set up a showing that should take 10 seconds - only to sit on hold for 5 minutes.

2) CSS is open much later than most real estate offices: Many offices close at 5 PM. What if I want to schedule a last-minute showing for tonight at 7 PM and it's 5:15 PM now? Without CSS, I'm probably out of luck. And so are my clients.

3) CSS automatically requests feedback from the showing agents: This is the best part of CSS. They will request feedback from the showing automatically up to 4 times. And I can manually request showing more often if I need to.

4) Feedback request surveys can be customized for each listing: The feedback request surveys that are sent automatically on my behalf can be customized specifically for each of my listings. For example, if I have a listing that has some questionabl paint colors inside, I can specify the feedback survey to ask about the paint colors. And hopefully I will get an honest reponse from the showing agent.

5) I can send follow up messages and listing announcements to previous showing agents if we do any price reductions, bonuses, if there is anything else worth mentioning, etc.

CSS is attempting to become the sole company to schedule showings across the country. As far as Columbus, I say, "I'd love it if that happened."

--

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

Can the Government Keep Spending??? (RISMedia)

2008-12-01T14:16:00.003-05:00

Can the Government Keep Spending? Most Economists Say Yes

(This article is taken from RISMedia)

By Jack Chang

RISMEDIA, Nov. 28, 2008-(MCT)-Since the U.S. economy went into freefall in September, the federal government has announced hundreds of billions of dollars in bailouts and economic stimulus packages in attempts to shore up banks and reignite the economy.

The latest astronomical figure is an $800 billion, in a package announced Tuesday by the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department. Many are wondering, however, how long this spending can go on.

Here are a few answers:

Q: First of all, where does the money come from?

A: The bulk of the cash has been put up by lenders buying U.S. Treasury Department securities such as bonds, notes and short-term bills. Economists estimate that international investors have purchased as much as three-fourths of such securities, with many of them flocking to relatively safe U.S. investments amid global uncertainty.

Some of the spending also has been financed by securities issued by agencies such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Q: How much money has the U.S. government spent or loaned out since September?

A: Congress passed in early October a $700 billion bailout plan that gave the Treasury Department sweeping powers to buy distressed assets and keep banks afloat. About half of that money has already been loaned out.

The government also has injected $45 billion into a large bank, Citigroup, and $150 billion into a large insurer, American International Group.

On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department announced the latest round of spending, to the tune of $800 billion. One program would lend some $200 billion to holders of securities backed by consumer loans such as credit card loans and auto and student loans. The other program would spend up to $600 billion buying mortgage-backed assets from government-sponsored lenders such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress also have promised to pass a major stimulus plan that could cost $300 billion or more.

Q: How much of that money won’t be repaid?

A: So far, as much as $100 billion of the original bailout package used to buy assets at a loss, according to economist Barry Bosworth of the Brookings Institution, a left-of-center research group in Washington. Everything else, at least theoretically, will be repaid or could be recouped.

Q: How much longer can the government keep spending?

A: A lot longer, economists say. International investors will keep buying Treasury securities even though the interest rates on many of them are close to zero percent.

Q: Why?

A: The U.S. economy is still considered the world’s strongest and most stable, and investors still believe the U.S. will pay back its loans. They know they’ll at least get their money back even if they don’t make much in interest income.

Ironically, the U.S. has become the haven from the global economic storm, although the financial mess started here. That explains why the dollar has been climbing in value around the world while other currencies have plummeted.

Q: But should the U.S. government be spending so much money?

A: Most economists say yes. Although the federal budget deficit is projected to hit a trillion dollars next year, incurring massive debt at this point is eminently preferable to letting the U.S. economy slide into deep recession.

America can worry about cutting deficit spending when the economy starts growing at a healthy clip, economists said. The goal now is to get banks lending and consumers spending again.

Q: But will all this work?

A: It’s better than doing nothing. And letting firms such as Citigroup fail would send wider shock waves through the economy that could cost millions of jobs.

© 2008, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

--

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

Take a tour of TRULIA's Headquarters

2008-11-24T09:56:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-21T10:38:00.001-05:00

(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

2008-11-21T10:10:00.006-05:00

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

2008-11-20T15:59:00.003-05:00

(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.

--

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

Central Ohio October Housing Market Statistics

2008-11-20T15:45:00.004-05:00

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.

--

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

2008-11-03T09:37:00.002-05:00

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

What's Happening in Your Neighborhood: Market Snapshot

2008-10-30T18:18:00.002-04:00

MLS Market Snapshot: See What is Happening in Your Neighborhood Real Estate Market

This is something you will L-O-V-E, love, love, love. I've always had access to the MLS to see what is happening in your nieghborhood real estate market, and in the surrounding communities/neighborhoods.

But now, I have the ability to give you this information in an amazing format. See below:

So, if you want to know what the most recent sales stats are for a certain area, or you want to see information of the properties currently for sale in your neighborhood, click here to get your personal Market Snapshot delivered right to you.

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

Housing Market Goes Up While Wall St. Goes Down

2008-10-22T10:59:00.002-04:00

Real Estate Outlook: Real Estate Market Defying Odds
Kenneth R. Harney 10/14/2008 Copyright©2008 Realty Times.

The panic and fear that have been shaking Wall Street aren’t translating into negative numbers for real estate - - in fact, it’s been the reverse.

While the Dow Jones index peeled off a record fourteen hundred points in a matter of days, the latest pending home sales index was moving in the opposite direction - - up strongly to its highest level in more than a year. Pending sales jumped by 7.4 percent in the latest month, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Financial industry analysts had forecast a one and a half point DECLINE in the index for this month, but pent-up demand for housing, plus rock bottom bargain prices in many markets, convinced buyers that this is a good time to get off the sidelines and get into the game.

The pending home sales index measures new contracts for home purchases that haven’t yet gone to closing, but should do so in the near future. It’s a widely accepted predictor of sales activity two to three months down the road.

Mortgage rates and new loan applications also defied the negative spiral in the stock market: Applications for home purchases to be financed with conventional mortgages jumped by three percent last week, and new FHA applications were up by nearly 10 percent, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s national survey.

Interest rates on 30 year fixed rate loans dropped to 5.9 percent and 15 year rates hit 5.7 percent.

Why the sharp divergence in performance between home real estate and Wall Street?

One key reason is that real estate-which helped trigger the financial crisis through lending abuses and fraud-has been undergoing its own correction on pricing and underwriting practices for the past two and a half years.

It’s already taken its lumps and has now reached a point where prices in former boom markets are so affordable that smart buyers are swooping in.

Also-although we keep hearing about the global credit squeeze and banks’ unwillingness to lend money, that’s definitely NOT the case in the mortgage market. There’s plenty of money available – as long as you have a solid credit history and some downpayment cash.

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the FHA now account for well over 90 percent of home financing volume, and all three are backed by the federal government.

They’ve got a direct and virtually unlimited pipeline into the capital markets.

And with mortgage rates under 6 percent, no wonder consumers are shopping for – and buying – houses at great prices.

How To Install a Programmable Thermostat - The Home Depot

2008-09-30T12:12:00.001-04:00

(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"?

2008-09-17T10:12:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-16T16:42:00.003-04:00

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

2008-09-12T11:18:00.003-04:00

(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

McCain, Obama Differ on Housing Crisis

2008-08-29T10:12:00.001-04:00

This video is from the Associated Press YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/associatedpress).

First thought, it sounds like Obama's idea is only going to continue to make things worse. But please research this issue more to make your own decision.

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

My Online Marketing - 34+ Websites!

2008-08-26T14:50:00.006-04:00

I just put together this list of all of the websites that I market my listings on. And guess what... I promote each one of my listings on 34+ different websites!

The average Realtor promotes his/her listings on probably about 4 or 5, max.

FYI: Over 85% of home buyers begin looking for homes on the internet.

Who do you want promoting your listings?

You do the math.

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

10 Home Upgrades That Pay Off

2008-08-25T09:55:00.003-04:00

My wife subscribes to "Real Simple" magazine. Yes, my name is the one on the cover on the mailing address label, but I swear, it's her subscription. Seriously. I swear.

Okay, now that I got that out of the way...

The September 2008 issue of "Real Simple" has a great feature on 10 around-the-house improvements that are well worth the investment. My wife was reading this issue and said, "There's a story in here on 10 things you can do to your house to increase it's value. You should do a blog on this."

Okay. I should. I will.

I'll just list the 10 upgrades they mentioned, and then I'll give my two cents.

1) Painting
My two cents: Painting is one of the best things you can do for your house and it's appeal. As long as it's neutral. It is inexpensive compared to the impact that it can have on the "look" of the house. And remember, color outside is just as important as inside. The "Real Simple" feature mentions that statistically, pale yellow houses sell faster than other colored houses.

2) Adding Siding
My two cents: Again, just like paint, you want to go with a neutral color on the exterior of your home. Pink or purple or cobalt blue houses are the sore thumbs of the neighborhood. Siding looks good, and it holds up well. But if you don't put siding on your house, I don't see it as a big deal. You really just need to make sure the exterior of your home is in great condition, whether it's siding, wood, brick, stone, stucco, or whatever. Keep it in good condition by power washing it each year and inspecting it for problems, cracks, or chips.

3) Building a deck
My two cents: Some people like decks. And others love them. But surprisingly to me, I've met some people who don't like them at all. These people like just a nice-looking patio. I think the whole point is to provide an option for some outdoor living space.

4) Updating the kitchen
My two cents: Duh.

5) Replacing the windows
My two cents: Newer windows are a great investment for a couple reasons. First, they help save one your heating and cooling bills. And second, they look good and make a potential home buyer feel more comfortable knowing that they won't have to install new windows soon after they purchase the property.

6) Modifying a bathroom
My two cents: You can possibly do this inexpensively. People love: his and her sinks, nice counters, impressive fixtures, a good shower head, tile floors, and a good-looking shower curtain. Voila!

7) Landscaping
My two cents: This is one of the most overlooked items by home owners and sellers. You only get one chance to make a first impression. And the first impression comes from the exterior of the home and the landscaping. Make it look good and people will enter your home with a greater sense of optimism. Water your yard. Mulch. Plant flowers. Get rid of weeds.

8) Installing Air Ccondition
My two cents: Duh. This is a "must" nowadays. But use a programmable thermostat in combination.

9) Fixing up the basement
My two cents: If you have an old home with a creepy old basement that was never meant to be anything other than a small storage area, don't worry about finishing it. Just try to keep it clean. But if you have a big, wide open basement that can be finished, you will want to at least consider this as an option. Finishing a basement adds another story to your home! It can add another bedroom, it can add another family room, it can be anything you want it to be. And today, finished basements are often termed "man caves". Make sure you leave enough storage space though. People will never run out of a need for storage.

10) Putting in a swimming pool
My two cents: As a kid, growing up, I dreamed of having a house with a swimming pool. I thought how I would be the most popular kid in the neighborhood and everyone would be at my house playing all day long. Now, I know the truth. If you live in a place like Ohio where you have 6+ months of colder weather, a pool is probably not a good idea. It just costs too much to maintain, and you only get to use it for a few months at most. But if you live somewhere where it's warm all the time, get a pool. Be popular!

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

HUD Listings in Central Ohio

2008-08-22T15:57:00.003-04:00

The other day I received a blog comment asking me to post something about my HUD listings. So here it is...

And to be fair, first of all, it should be known that I am just part of a local listing brokerage that is working with a management company (NHMS) hired by HUD to help sell HUD's inventory of properties. Not all brokerages are part of this program, and not all agents are authorized to bid on HUD properties. So, if you need help with buying a HUD property, or you have any HUD-related questions, make sure you ask someone who knows what's going on with HUD (like me).

Anyways, I myself have a whopping total of 3 HUD homes listed for sale right now:

6076 Federalist Drive Galloway, OH 43119 $87,000

2258 Big Run Rd E Grove City, OH 43123 $68,000

165 Whitethorne Avenue Columbus, OH 43223 $21,500

Why only 3 listings? Well, I just had another 3 sell recently. And I'm obtaining more listings all the time.

So you ask, "Dan, if I want to look online at Ohio HUD homes, where do I go? Obviously, if I look at your featured listings, I'll only see 3 right now."

Answer: Go to www.NHMSI.com, click "Ohio Properties", and under "Homebuyer's Corner" click on whatever search method you'd like to use.

There you go. It's that easy.

All I ask is that if you find any HUD properties that you're interested in seeing, please call me to help you out. Same goes if you'd like to place an offer/bid on a HUD home. Hope that helps a little.

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

Great Questions and Answers:

2008-08-18T13:21:00.006-04:00

I ran across these Questions and Answers in the August print copy of "Ohio Realtor." I've copied and pasted the questions and answers from the accompanying online article: Click here to see the article.

There are some great Questions and Answers here. Let me know what you think:

Q: Does a listing agent have to present a verbal offer to purchase to a seller?
A: Yes, you are obligated to present all offers to purchase to the seller. While you should certainly attempt to persuade the prospective purchaser to reduce the offer to writing, if he/she refuses, the offer should still be presented to the seller. However if the offer is accepted, the contract will not be binding or enforceable until it is in writing and signed.

Q: The seller has received a full price offer on his property. However, he is refusing to accept this offer and says he wants to make a counteroffer for more than the asking price. Can the seller refuse a full price offer and "counter" for more than the listed price?
A: Yes. The seller is not legally required to accept an offer because it is "full price" and he can counter for more than the listed price. However, the listing broker could bring a claim against the seller for his commission based upon the theory that the broker has produced a ready, willing and able buyer on the terms provided for in the listing contract.

Q: If a seller rejects an offer to purchase must the seller indicate "rejected" on the face of the offer?
A: No. A seller can verbally reject an offer. However, it is best that the rejection is marked on the offer so there is no question that the offer was presented and that it was rejected.

Q: A listing agent describes an offer to an out-of-town seller over the telephone. The seller verbally indicates his acceptance of that offer, which the listing agent communicates to the buyer. Before the seller receives and signs the original offer, the listing agent receives another offer, which the seller wants to accept. Is there a binding contract with the first buyer?
A: No. Although the seller verbally accepted the first offer, under the Statute of Frauds there would not be a binding contract because the seller did not sign the offer. Therefore, the seller would be free to accept the second offer.

Q: Negotiations have been going back and forth between a seller and a buyer for over a week. The seller is considering a counteroffer from this buyer, when another higher offer is received. Is the listing agent required to notify the first buyer that another offer has been received and give that buyer an opportunity to increase his counteroffer?
A: No, there is nothing that legally requires the seller to give the first buyer an opportunity to raise his offer. Of course, if the seller wishes to give the first buyer such an opportunity, he may do so, and the listing agent would have to follow these instructions.

Q: A seller has received two offers to purchase his property. Can he make counteroffers to both buyers?
A: While he can do this, it is not recommended for the seller to make more than one counteroffer at a time. This is because both buyers could accept the counteroffer and deliver notice, thereby creating a binding contract with both parties.

Q: If a home does not appraise for the purchase price can the buyer automatically get out of the contract?
A: Clearly the buyer will be able to do so if the contract was contingent upon the home appraising for the purchase price. If not, the only other grounds for the buyer to get out of the contract will be if the contract was contingent on the buyer obtaining a specific amount of financing and the buyer cannot obtain that financing due to the low appraisal.

Q: On a listing submitted to MLS several appliances were checked as staying with the property. A contract to purchase was subsequently negotiated and closed. When the seller moved out, they took the appliances listed in the MLS, claiming that because the purchase contract did not provide that the appliances stayed, they did not have to leave them. The buyers thought they would stay because they were listed in the MLS. Who is right?
A: The sellers are. Although the appliances may have been listed in the MLS, the purchase contract is the legal document that controls the terms of sale between the buyers and sellers. Unless the appliances were listed in the purchase contract, the sellers were free to take them.

Q: Can a "back-up" buyer get out of a back-up contract at anytime if they find another property?
A: No. A back-up buyer is bound by the terms of the back-up contract. If the buyer wants the ability to terminate the contract if they find another home they would need to include this provision in the terms of the back-up contract.

Q: Is a buyer legally entitled to a "walk-through" before closing?
A: No. Ohio law does not provide the buyer with a legal right to a walk-through. If the buyer wants a walk-through prior to closing on the home the buyer should include this in the terms of the purchase contract.

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

New Listing and Reduced Price in Blacklick, OH. Only $155,000.

2008-08-13T18:32:00.003-04:00

Visit www.497Tourmaline.com to watch the online video tour of this listing!

Visit www.497Tourmaline.com to watch the online video tour of this listing!

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty

Did you see Bravo's Million Dollar Listing last night?

2008-08-06T15:23:00.004-04:00

Did you catch the premier of Season 2 for Bravo's Million Dollar Listing? The three guys at the center of this season's episodes are a strange selection. From watching last night's episode, I'd honestly only be comfortable with one of them as my Realtor. Madison Hildebrand (the guy in the middle, above). That name just sounds awesome. But anyways, the other 2 guys who are 21 and 30 seem like they're in this just for the money and the fame. I mean, one of them even blatantly used the death of a friend to get a listing. Wow, California real estate is a lot different than Columbus, OH.

Anyways, if you want to see what the fuss is about, check it out at Bravo TV Million Dollar Listing.

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

Redfin, a clever idea, a terrible business and a slow death

2008-07-21T17:21:00.001-04:00

I like this guy.

video from YouTube user: VancouverPenthouse

New Listing in Blacklick, OH - $160,000 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bath

2008-06-25T23:16:00.002-04:00

497 Tourmaline Drive Blacklick, OH 43004 - Real Estate For Sale Columbus, OH - ReeltyTV.com

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

Baseball Cards for Closing Costs???

2008-06-23T14:52:00.002-04:00

The following was written by David Reed, author of Mortgages 101 and Mortgage Confidential.

In the search for funds to close, there is an oft-overlooked source that could be right under your nose — or at least somewhere safely tucked away inside your closet. How about that 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card? Sound silly? It’s not. That baseball card has real value and can be readily sold to a collector.

But what if you did not want to part with your card or your prized PEZ collection? Could you access the equity in such items in order to buy a home? You bet you could. Be it an antique, a piece of artwork, car, collectable or any other asset.

The principle in such a transaction applies to any asset that can be independently appraised by a third party. To make this work, you need to be careful in both documenting the value of the asset as well as documenting the funds received should you sell it. For example, let’s say you have a first edition autographed copy of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote that’s worth $2,000. You would first have the book appraised by an expert. Keeping a copy of the appraisal, you could then sell the book and document the sale with a copy of the receipt and deposit the money into your bank account. Or, you could also borrow against the value of the book.

Lenders will allow for a secured loan to be counted as legitimate funds available for closing, as long as the terms on the loan are figured into your debt ratios. That way you won’t have to part with your beloved 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card or your copy of the Capote book. You can borrow against these — as long as you can find a lender willing to give you the loan. Collectables such as baseball cards, while valuable, are much less commonly used as assets than automobiles. But they can be just as fruitful.

So, if the lender can independently obtain a legitimate value assessment of the asset that matches up with the appraisal, then you potentially have another tool to help you fund your home purchase.

What Going On With HUD And Why Do I Have HUD Listings?

2008-06-13T14:37:00.005-04:00

It seems like everywhere you turn nowadays, it's "HUD this" and "HUD that." There are over 4,000 HUD properties in the state of Ohio alone!

You want me to backup? What's HUD? Let me explain.

HUD is a department of the Federal Government and stands for Housing and Urban Development. When a homebuyer, who had an FHA loan on their home can no longer afford to make payments and is going into foreclosure, HUD becomes the new owner of the home and tries to sell it back to the public to recoup as much of it's money as possible. Normally these homes are in need of some rehab and updates, so normally they're priced much lower than the Assessed and Market values. And sometimes you can find a gem/diamond in the rough.

Who can buy HUD homes? Simply put: Anyone who qualifies. It doesn't matter if you're an owner occupant or an investor or whatever.

And because there are so many HUD owned properties available right now, HUD has hired a management and marketing company called National Home Management Solution, LLC (NHMS) to help maintain these properties and get them sold. Obviously, the sooner they sell, the happier the government will be. And with so many of them right now, the way the government is looking at things is like this: there's a whole lot of money sitting out there, doing nothing.

If you didn't know, my brokerage, Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty, has been selected as one of a few Local Listing Brokers here in the Columbus area, meaning we get some of the HUD listings. We get to put them in the MLS and we get to put our signs in the yards of some of these houses.

I have been fortunate enough to be selected as one of a few agents from my brokerage to help market these homes, and in the past month or so, I have listed 3 HUD homes. This is probably going to be a continuing trend, so continue to watch for my updates about new HUD listings here in the Columbus area.

Here are my 3 HUD listings right now:

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

New HUD Listing in Hilliard. Hilliard Schools.

2008-06-13T14:31:00.004-04:00

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

Launched: www.villageofnewalbany.org

2008-06-10T14:53:00.004-04:00

New Albany's new website debuted recently with a new look and some very nice features. Sounds like a mom trying to describe the ugly kid from school years later: "He has a new look and some very nice features."

Anyways, check it out when you get a moment at www.villageofnewalbany.org. There are important and interesting links and information for all New Albany residents, as well as those individuals who are interested in moving to the area.

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

$10 Gas Gift Card for Home Buyers

2008-06-06T13:59:00.005-04:00

At www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com, if you are a home buyer and click the link on the main page to search for homes, you will have the opportunity to win a free $10 gas gift card.

So, if you are thinking about buying a new home in the Columbus, OH area, check out www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com to see what's available for you.

Benefits:
1) You will get to search for houses
2) You'll be entered to win a $10 gas gift card
3) You'll be able to create personal searches to view over and over
4) You'll get to save your favorite properties
5) You'll be emailed automatically every time a property matching your needs is listed!

Check it out and search the Columbus MLS and see Columbus Real Estate for Sale.

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

What? Zero Tax Increases Over the Next 3 Years?! Woohoo!

2008-06-03T09:01:00.002-04:00

On the heels of my last post where I dicussed how declining property values won't lower our taxes, I find this... a letter posted on the Franklin County Auditor's website. Read the letter from Joe Testa, the Auditor, here.

Here's the summary:

Joe Testa, Franklin County Auditor has ordered no increase in residential values for the 2008 appraisal update. Unless homeowners improve their property or voters pass new levies, there will be no increase in residential real estate taxes payable in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

County-wide property sales during the past three years are about 3% over the 2005 appraised values. The decreased number of market sales, flattening of the real estate market and the increase in foreclosures indicate there is not a sufficient basis for an increase in taxable value.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com
Columbus Real Estate
Franklin County Auditor
Property Taxes

If Property Values Decline, How Much of a Tax Break Will We See?

2008-06-03T08:53:00.003-04:00

See the full article with Franklin County's Auditor Joe Testa, here.

The short answer is, and I quote from the mouth of Mr. Testa, "The answer is, essentially none!"

Again, see the article here to find out why...

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

Drop in Listings May Suggest the Market is Turning Around

2008-06-03T08:41:00.002-04:00

News from the Columbus Board of Realtors, see the article here.

The number of homes listed for sale over the past two months is lower than the previous year suggesting the market may be beginning to adjust itself. The homes added to the market in April were 8.5 percent lower than April of 2007 according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

The number of new listings January through April is almost 12 percent lower than the same 3-month period last year.

What does this mean and why is it a good thing that there are less listings?

Well, the market has been so out of whack over the past few years, that we need a "stabilization." We need to reduce the number of listings because there is so much inventory right now. And because there are so many homes for sale, home prices are dropping. It's all about supply and demand.

And it now looks like the supply is coming back to the levels of demand. Slowly but surely.

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

Sorta' Funny YouTube Video About Home Inspections

2008-05-30T08:25:00.001-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owrPJVN4BRg

Okay, so here's a little, humorous video I found on YouTube today.

Obviously, I don't promote the use of "Presto Inspecto" or "Flaw be Gone" because all flaws and problems should be disclosed and revealed, but I figured I'd post this anyways.

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

video from YouTube user TheOSheaReport

Buy a HUD home for $100 Down?!!! Limited time. 7 steps.

2008-05-30T07:48:00.005-04:00

Instructions
Difficulty: Extremely Easy

Things You’ll Need:
Pre-approval Letter
Hud Authorized Realtor (me)
Earnest money deposit, often $500 - $1,500 (you will get this money back)
Live in the home after you purchase it (program is for owner-occupants)

Step1
Find a loan officer, bank or credit union, to have them go over your credit and get a pre-approval. You will be given a pre-approval letter. This will tell you exactly how much you can afford when it comes to your purchase. For this program, you'll be pre-approved for an FHA loan. Normally, FHA loans need a 3% down payment. For a limited time, HUD only requires $100!

Step2
Find a HUD authorized Realtor. This step can be done first because your HUD authorized Realtor can also help you find a loan officer. But either way, you will need a Realtor who is authorized to bid on HUD owned homes and you'll need to be pre-approved for an FHA loan.

Step3
Tell your Realtor what you are looking for: area, bedrooms, baths, garage, quality of home's condition, etc. Many HUD owned homes are in good condition, contrary to what you may hear otherwise.

Step4
You can find hud homes on www.nhmsi.com. Your Realtor will be checking this site as well. Obviously, there are other ways to find HUD homes as well (drive-by, newspaper, etc.).

Step5
When you find the home of your choice, you will need to produce the earnest money deposit. Earnest money shows that you are serious about the purchase of this home. Remember, you will get this money back at closing in the form of a check or it can be contributed to closing costs. I know that you are asking where the $100 down payment comes into play. Keep reading.

Step6
As stated in step 1, FHA loans are approved at 97% of the loan amount/purchase price, meaning you have to pay 3% towards the down payment. For example if your loan is for $160,000, your down payment would be $4,800. BUT NOW, HUD only requires a down payment of $100 as opposed to the 3%! This is a great program, but it ends in September 2008.

Step7
The money you put down as earnest money will go towards your closing cost, or it will be given back to you in the form of a check at closing! HUD may also pay 3% of your loan amount towards your closing cost!

Remember, you must live in the home after purchasing it. This is for owner-occupants.

Are you interested?

Maybe you just want to see what's available?

Contact me today, and we'll get started according to your own needs and timeframe.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
dchamilton@kw.com
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com

Update

2008-05-29T10:19:00.002-04:00

Okay, well, it's been a whole month since my last post here. Apologies, apologies, apologies. That new baby is keeping me busy.

And thankfully, so is the real estate world.

Yep, things are going well here in Central Ohio, and I'm going to try to make up for lost time by creating a few posts.

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

The Grass is Greener in Columbus, Ohio!

2008-04-28T15:07:00.002-04:00

The Columbus Board of REALTORS is helping people understand that real estate is local. Just because the market may be taking a big hit in areas like Florida and Las Vegas, it's stable and even thriving in some areas of Columbus.

For a flyer of the reasons why, CLICK HERE.

Or to visit the website regarding this campaign, visit www.ColumbusHousingFacts.com.

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

It's a boy! I'm a daddy!

2008-04-02T18:35:00.003-04:00

Join me in celebrating the birth of my baby boy, Hayden Daniel Hamilton! He was born 3/26/08, 6 lbs. 13 oz., and is 20 inches long:

I know this isn't real estate related, but I couldn't help posting this. I'm so excited! Thank you for letting me share.

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

TXT ME FRM UR CMPTR (Text Me From Your Computer)

2008-03-25T22:16:00.006-04:00

I've made it possible for internet users to send me a text message directly from their computer. Check it out here!

Who else could you text?

IDK? My BFF Jill?

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

Frontdoor.com - Check it out!

2008-03-25T08:51:00.002-04:00

There's a great new website out there on the internet. Frontdoor.com. I can't even really do it justice by writing about it here and trying to explain it. My suggestion is that you just go and check it out.

Also, this month, one of their featured topics is "Top 10 Tax Tips." So, be sure to check that out for sure so when you do your taxes this year, you can make sure that you're getting your moneys worth.

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

Ellen Degeneres Show - Real REALTOR Pics

2008-03-19T11:36:00.001-04:00

Oh man, if you go to www.YouTube.com and search "Ellen Realtor Pic" you will find some funny videos like this one of a segment Ellen does called Real REALTORS.

Do you have a funny REALTOR picture to send in? Let me know, and I'll tell you how to send it to Ellen.

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

Radon: What is it? How to test for it.

2008-03-18T07:58:00.001-04:00

A lot of people will say that Radon may really not cause lung cancer and that you don't need to test for it.

But if you want to be on the safe side, you can go to your local hardware store, buy a Radon test kit, send it off and get your results.

If your results show that you do have high levels of Radon in your home, you can call a Radon mitigation specialist. They can come out and conduct a much more professional Radon test for you to get more exact results.

And if you'd like to get rid of the Radon in your home, this mitigation company can help you with that as well. But be prepared, a mitigation system usually costs between $800 and $1300.

For a great Radon specialist here in Columbus, contact:
Radon Systems
www.radon-systems.com
5896 Chandler Ct
Westerville, OH 43082
(614) 891-6526

If you have any comments or questions, please let me know.

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

How do you buy a home with no down payment or closing costs? It's simple...

2008-03-11T09:34:00.002-04:00

Years ago, home buyer dreamed about owning a home, and they saved every penny for years until they could afford a 20% down payment. But realize, years ago, some homes cost $30,000 - $50,000 so a 20% down payment was only $6,000 or $10,000. Nowadays, a 20% down payment is more likely $30,000+! You probably can't afford that. I know I can't.

So, what is a home buyer to do? How are you supposed to ever be able to afford a home, especially with closing costs added into the equation possibly totalling about $4,000 on a simple $150,000 home?

Fear not.

You've probably seen signs that say things like, "Buy with no money down!" Before I was in real estate, when I saw a sign like that, I just chalked it up to being a scam or something like that. But it's most likely not.

There are many programs out there that let home buyers afford a home with NO DOWN PAYMENT and NO CLOSING COSTS! It's true! In fact, most of my deals recently have been for buyers in this exact situation.

How does it work?

Don't laugh when I say this, because it works. It reall does. The answer is:
You get the Seller to pay for your down payment and closing costs."

Hey, I said don't laugh. It really does work. Especially in today's market. Seller's just want their house to sell, so if you write it into the Purchase Contract and you give them a fair offer to begin with, there's a very good chance you could come to the closing with little or no money. Honest.

But let me tell you, it does help to have a Realtor who knows what they're doing in a situation like this. There can be lots of extra things involved, so you need someone who has the experience.

If you have any questions or you're interested in pursuing an option like this yourself, let me know. I'd be more than happy to help with anything, even if it's just to answer a question or two.

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

January sales stats are in for Columbus...

2008-02-28T14:03:00.001-05:00

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

Teachers, Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Technicians can get a HUD home at 50% OFF! No lie!

2008-02-28T08:16:00.002-05:00

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a program that most people do not know about. You can get a HUD home for 50% of the list price of the home if you are one of the following:

- Teacher (Pre-K through 12)
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Firefighter
- Emergency Medical Technician

It's called the "Good Neighbor Next Door" program, and if you're interested, please contact me for all the details. This could be too good to pass up! Wow.

PS - I wonder if Schwarzenegger's character in the movie "Kindergarten Cop" could have bought a house for 100% off the list price?? Hmmm....

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

What the heck is a short sale? A sale for people under 5 feet tall?

2008-02-27T21:43:00.002-05:00

If you're a home buyer, you've probably heard the term "short sale" thrown around here and there. And as I posted earlier this week, the term short sale is an oxymoron normally. First of all, it's not a short (or quick) process usually. Read my post from earlier this week for proof of that.

Here's how InmanWiki describes and defines short sale (if you're really interested in know more, click here to read the whole accompanying description...):

A Short Sale is when a homeowner owes more against the home than what the home is worth. What's important to note here, is that the homeowner MUST sell.

If the homeowner does not have to sell, or does not want to sell their home, there are MANY options available to homeowners. They could move into a more affordable home and rent out their existing home, they could take on a roommate, they could refinance (although this is not always the best path. Homeowners in a short sale situation are often in financial distress, which means higher rates and fees because you're seen as a higher credit risk to a new lender), they could talk with their existing lenders to re-configure the terms of the loan.

Click here to read the rest of the explanation of short sales.

So, if you're a buyer, and you're interested in purchasing a short sale home, you may be able to get a great deal right now.

If you're a seller, and you're in a situation where you have no other choice... contact me right away. We'll get you the help you need.

And always know, there's nothing to be embarrassed about if you come across financial hardship. Donald Trump was in debt $9 Million! Yep.

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

Ever Heard of "Buyer's Remorse"?

2008-02-27T11:44:00.003-05:00

Wikipedia defines "buyer's remorse" as:

Buyer's remorse is an emotional condition whereby a person feels remorse or regret after a purchase. It is frequently associated with the purchase of higher value items such as property, cars, computers, jewelry, etc. The common condition is brought on by an internal sense of doubt that the correct decision has been made. With high-value items such as a property, this is exacerbated by the fear that one may have acted without full and complete information, for example, the property was not fully surveyed or that (perhaps) one harbours doubts about the veracity of the surveyor. An equally common source of disquiet is a sense than one cannot actually afford the item or that it represents more of a want than a need, despite any protests to the contrary.

So you ask, is this common? Isn't this just something that people joke about having?

Yes, it's common.

No, it's not just a joke.

Buyer's remorse is real, and it is sometimes very powerful. But if you've been helped to your decision by a real estate agent who is very knowledgable and acts more as a consultant than a "yes-man," you can be pretty certain you've made the correct decision when purchasing a home.

In fact, I talk about every pro and every con of a property with my buyers before we make a decision. Plus, I even talk to them about buyer's remorse, and I make sure they are completely comfortable every step of the way. You need a Realtor who will do the same.

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

Short Sales are Oxymorons...

2008-02-26T21:32:00.002-05:00

Short sales are becoming more and more popular now because of the looming foreclosure crisis. But just like the terms "jumbo shrimp" or "old news", a "short sale" is not a "short" sale at all. In fact, usually short sales take a really long time.

For example, I wrote an offer on a short sale property in mid-January. The offer still hasn't been reviewed and approved by the bank yet. The earliest we'll most likely be closing is late-March, maybe even April. Is 3 months a "short" sale? No way Jose.

Don't get me wrong. Sometimes short sales can progress and close fairly quickly, but not usually, unfortunately.

For more on short sales, or what a short sale is, please feel free to comment or contact me.

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

Credit Scores

2008-02-21T20:07:00.002-05:00

I found this post about boosting your credit score at InmanWiki.com, written by Ilyce R. Glink:

If you want to raise your credit score, then you'll want to keep your credit cards open as long as possible. Unless you absolutely have to close an account, you're better off keeping it open.

If you feel as though you have too many lines of credit open (which can also be a negative when it comes to your credit score), then pull a copy of your credit history at www.annualcreditreport.com and see which accounts have been opened the longest.

Keep the oldest accounts open and then close some of the others in writing. You'll want to make sure that any balances on the card are paid off before you close the account (or you'll wind up trashing your credit history unnecessarily).

In general, it doesn't hurt you to have a couple of gas cards and a department store card. What really hurts is when you don't pay your bills on time.

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

Have You Heard of Yahoo Live?????

2008-02-14T09:23:00.002-05:00

Have you heard of a new project by Yahoo called Yahoo Live? It's basically a video website like YouTube, but all of the videos on the site are LIVE. That's right. Nothing is recorded. It is all showing up on the site via webcam. Here is one of the most popular channels (as the site is still in it's first week of release and people are not broadcasting a lot yet:

The Aquarium Channel:

How cool would it be to have a webcam set up in my office or at one of my Open Houses? Hmmmm........

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

YouTube's Rival in Real Estate

2008-02-14T09:09:00.002-05:00

The following video is one of my listings being hosted on a real estate video website called Wellcome Mat. The thing that separates Wellcome Mat from YouTube is the fact that you can add scenes to the video, such as the kitchen, the master bedroom, or the family room. It's really very nice! Check it out below:

Real Estate For Sale - Columbus / Marysville OH

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com
www.WellcomeMat.com/HamiltonHomes

Video about www.OpenHouse.com

2008-02-13T12:58:00.005-05:00

From InmanTV.com:
"Ben Phillips is vice president and managing director of Realogy's OpenHouse.com, which recently began accepting open house listings from all brokers, including those not affiliated with Realogy's brands. Phillips talks about whether open houses actually help sell homes and why Realogy decided to open the site to everyone."

Want to sell your home and get maximum exposure, including numerous Open Houses? Contact me today!

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

Swap This House!

2008-02-10T09:39:00.002-05:00

This really is becoming a much more common thing.

Contact me if you're interested in doing this in Columbus.

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

The "Denial" Stage

2008-02-08T07:49:00.000-05:00

This section is from an article from the Inman News Blog, posted by Jessica Swesey. I thought it was quite interesting and wanted to share it with you. I'll continue with my opinion at the end:

"Denial is a defense mechanism in which a person is faced with a fact that is too painful to accept and rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence." --Wikipedia entry.

Zillow leaked some survey results today showing that 77 percent of homeowners polled nationwide said they believe their home has held or increased value in 2007, despite all the news reports of the sagging market, credit crunch and depressed values.

At last month's Real Estate Connect conference in New York, Barry Ritholtz, chief market strategist of Ritholtz Research and CEO and director of equity research for Fusion IQ, noted the similarities between the market and the five stages of grief learned in college psychology class.

As in grief, Ritholtz pinned denial as the first stage. When the market began to slow, some analysts and experts, and especially industry groups like the National Association of Realtors, said the slowdown would be short-lived.

At the next stage, there was an admission that there was a housing problem but a denial that it was impacting the overall economy.

One would think that we've been past this denial stage for some time, but Zillow's survey conducted by Harris Interactive, paints a different picture among homeowners. About a third of homeowners surveyed (36 percent) said they believe their homes had actually increased in value during 2007.

Interesting huh? Real estate is a part of life, therefore when there is grief in real estate, it must follow the same stages of grief in life.

The overall point of the article is to say the sellers are in denial about home values over the past year or two. I do hate to be the bearer of bad news but sometimes that's my job when it comes to real estate: Do not expect that your home has appreciated in value over the past couple years. In all honesty, don't expect that it's value has even stayed the same.

Yes, you're home's value may have actually decreased from 2005. For many of you, this won't be a big deal because you've been living in your home for over 5 years. In that case, even though the value has decreased a little over the past year or so, you're still coming out ahead because from 2000-2005 the value increased at a much greater rate than this decrease.

But if you've purchased a home in 2005, 2006, or 2007, don't ecpect to sell your home now and make a profit (unless you bought a fixer-upper or something comparable). The market is stabilizing itself now, and property values are getting themselves back to where they should be. They were probably too inflated in '04 and '05.

Please be realistic. If you want to sell your home to make a profit, you're going to need to wait another couple years at the very least before you try to sell. If you want to break even, you may even have to wait.

Don't kill the messenger.

But please trust me... things will work themselves out, and things will be back to normal sooner than you probably think. I'm sure of it.

Contact me if you have questions.

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

"Did You Know?" (This is a great video if you've never seen it)

2008-02-06T10:28:00.001-05:00

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

E*Trade Baby Spoof / Parody - Super Bowl Ad - Real Estate

2008-02-05T11:37:00.001-05:00

Dan Hamilton and Hamilton Homes Group of Keller...
(more)
Added: February 05, 2008
Dan Hamilton and Hamilton Homes Group of Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty in Columbus, OH teamed up with the E-Trade Baby from Super Bowl XLII (42).

Seriously though... if you or someone you know (even outside Columbus, OH) are thinking about buying or selling a home, please contact me.

In Columbus, I can offer you the best real estate services and the most care as you buy or sell your home.

Outside Columbus: I can get you in touch with the perfect Realtor for your personality and needs.

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

New Listing - Video Tour

2008-02-04T14:59:00.001-05:00

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

My Super Bowl Ad - I Could Only Afford to Show 14 Seconds of the Ad

2008-02-04T11:17:00.001-05:00

This is my commercial for Super Bowl XLII. Unfortunately, SuperBowl Ads are a lot more expensive than I realized, and I could only afford 14 seconds.

If you or someone you know is thinking about buying or selling a home, please do not hesitate to contact me.

www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com
(614) 944-5936
dchamilton@kw.com

(Obviously, this is not a real Super Bowl ad; just a spoof/parody).

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

REALTORS® Know Your Market

2008-02-04T09:40:00.001-05:00

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

A REALTOR® is Someone You Can Trust

2008-02-04T09:38:00.001-05:00

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

Tax Help for those Facing Foreclosure or Short Sales

2008-01-31T07:45:00.000-05:00

From Ilyce R. Glink at Inman News:

It's January, which means it's time to start thinking about filing your taxes. But you may need extra tax help this year, thanks to an active December on Capitol Hill.

In late December, President Bush signed the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, which provides tax help for homeowners facing foreclosure or who sell their homes in a short sale.

Previously, if the value of your home declined and your bank or lender forgave a portion of your mortgage debt, the tax code treated the amount forgiven as income that could be taxed, according to Eric L. Smith, a spokesman for the IRS.

In other words, if your lender forgave $20,000 in mortgage debt because your house was worth $20,000 less than your mortgage balance, the IRS treated this debt forgiveness the same as income that you earned from your job -- and required you to add $20,000 in phantom income to the amount of your annual income and pay tax on it at your marginal tax rate.

Instead of getting tax help at a time of great need, you were getting a kick in the pants the following April 15.

Under the new rule, taxpayers can exclude up to $2 million of mortgage debt forgiven in 2007, 2008 or 2009 on their principal residence. (The limit is $1 million for a married person filing a separate return.) According to Smith, mortgage debt reduced through restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, both qualify for the tax exclusion.

It's worth noting that the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 applies only to principal residences, not second homes or investment property, says Chet Burgess, an enrolled agent who owns Brookwood Tax Services, in Atlanta. The rules from IRS Section 121 define what a qualified principal residence is, but at a baseline, you must live there the majority of the year.

The IRS doesn't make it easy. You may need some additional tax help to be sure you're filling out the forms correctly.

If this is you, or someone you know, please look into this. If you need any advice or help, let me know. I'll get you in touch with the right people.

Maybe Tax Season will be better than you expected this year.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com
Search Columbus MLS
Homes For Sale Columbus, OH

Funny Ads from Ameriquest Mortgage

2008-01-30T09:05:00.001-05:00

I promise, I won't judge too quickly either when you're ready to buy or sell. Just let me know.

Video posted by YouTube user redboy76.

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

World Clock - Very Cool

2008-01-29T14:35:00.000-05:00

Larger View - See it here...

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

Selling? Fix It Up or Offer a Buyer's Credit?

2008-01-29T13:55:00.000-05:00

The following was copy and pasted from an article written by Dian Hymer of Inman News:

A common opinion expressed by sellers is that it's pointless to fix up a place for someone else whose decorating preferences might be quite different. For example, why not just offer a credit to the buyers so that they can either change the carpet or refinish the hardwood floors -- whichever they prefer?

The problem with this approach is that most buyers have a difficult time imagining how a home will look fixed up. They remember what they see, not what the house could look like with this or that improvement.

Imagine there are five homes listed for sale in an area, all similarly priced, but not all in the same condition. Three houses have old, worn carpet covering most of the floors; one has linoleum over the floor; and the fifth has pristine, recently refinished hardwood floors. Most buyers will gravitate to the home with the beautiful hardwood floors.

The best houses in the best condition and offered for the best price usually sell quickly. A fast sale is important to some sellers in this market. The sooner your home is sold, the sooner you stop paying mortgage payments, property taxes and various maintenance costs.

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

Frightening Video on Foreclosure Crisis

2008-01-29T09:23:00.000-05:00

The above video was posted on CBSNews.com regarding the subprime foreclosure crisis impacting California (an much of the United States). Watch the whole video and see that this whole thing started from a combination of misinformation and greed.

Feel free to comment.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com
Search the Columbus MLS

New Listing! Real Estate For Sale, Columbus Home For Sale

2008-01-28T15:03:00.000-05:00

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

Tax Rebate To Stimulate Economy?

2008-01-25T09:27:00.001-05:00

What will you do with your money? Feel free to comment.

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

October 2007 Stats for Columbus MLS

2008-01-19T23:22:00.000-05:00

From www.ColumbusRealtors.com:

The number of listings added to the market in October was down for the third month in a row, a strong indicator that the market is beginning to correct itself. The 3,578 homes listed last month is down 6.9 percent from one year ago. In addition, new listings in August and September were down 8.3 percent and 5.7 percent respectively according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

"The record number of listings added to the market each month has tilted the scales strongly in favor of the buyer this year," said Brad Bennett, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. "As the inventory of homes has been roughly sixty percent higher than our norm, sellers have had to lower prices to compete for the buyer. This has caused home values to appear lower than they actually are. As the listing pace slows, inventory levels will drop and home prices will rise again as the market begins to correct itself."

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

Reality Realty TV

2008-01-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

Usually on Sunday mornings my wife and I are at church. But this Sunday, we're both recovering from being sick, so we decided to stay in. For those of you who have been in a similar situation, you know what this means: you get to see TV shows you never even knew existed!

Most of the shows on are pretty bad. Lots of infomercials. But I did find one that I want to mention. Your Home Columbus.

Your Home Columbus is on NBC from 12:00-12:30 and it features do-it-yourself projects and tips to help bring extra value to your home. Plus, there is a great website to accompany this show, www.YourHomeColumbus.com.

So, I'm not suggesting you skip church or your regular productive activities, but if you're home on Sunday mornings at 12:00-12:30, check this show out. And at some point, check out their website.

Plus, it's all local... filmed in Columbus by Columbus businesses.

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

YouTube Video - Mortgage Fraud

2008-01-10T12:28:00.001-05:00

If you have any questions about this or any other related questions, contact your lender or contact me. We will get this sorted out.

Video posted by YouTube user AvoidFraud.

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

Homes are Selling. I promise.

2008-01-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

If you listen to media reports, you might think 2007 was a horrible year for real estate. Surprise, you're wrong. Very wrong.

In fact, 2007 was one of the top 5 years in real estate sales history. Honest.

So, why the negative media reporting? Well, compared to 2004 and 2005, in 2007, sales stats were down. But what do you expect when the market was at such a boom period in '04 and '05. The market has to stabilize. And it is doing just that.

Also, there are some areas of the U.S. that are really thriving. According to Forbes.com, Salt Lake City, Charlotte, San Jose, and Raleigh are the 5 Best Housing Markets right now.

So, don't believe everything you hear from the media. They're looking for a story. Unfortunately, most of them are reporting the wrong story.

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

Ohio State National Championship Game Tonight

2008-01-07T14:35:00.001-05:00

As if you didn't already know... Ohio State takes on LSU for the BCS National Championship tonight.

Go Bucks!

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

2008: Is the Market Really as Bad as they Say?

2008-01-03T14:05:00.001-05:00

Here is a recent article I found on InmanNews.com (written by Bernice Ross):

Laurence Yun, the chief economist for NAR, had plenty of positive news for Realtors at last month's conference. Yun attributed much of today's subprime mortgage problem to greed. Wall Street wanted the 10-12 percent return that subprime mortgages yielded as opposed to the smaller returns from more traditional mortgage products. His take on the Wall Street types: "They gambled. They lost."

Yun's outlook for 2008 sees a shift from greedy speculators to serious homeowners. 2008 will be a year of opportunity where there will be serious, healthy business. Furthermore, Yun predicted that the market returns to normal by 2009.

According to Yun, one of the biggest mistakes that reporters make is talking about national trends. Nationally, 2007 was the fifth best year ever on record. Home prices declined about 1.5 percent after a 50 percent run up in prices.

The challenge is that national numbers are pretty much irrelevant. Yun argues that talking about national averages is about as effective as having a national weather forecast. Like the weather, all real estate markets are local. In fact, you may have a buyer's market and a seller's market operating within a single market area based exclusively upon price point. Here are the other key pieces of positive news from Yun's economic report:

1. New housing starts: Even though these are dropping, there was too much building in recent years. The market is simply adjusting to normal supply-and-demand pressures. The inventory is "being controlled which makes stabilization occur more quickly."

2. Foreclosures: According to Yun, the 41 percent increase in foreclosures has resulted primarily from investor-heavy real estate purchases in Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada. The majority of these individuals are flippers whose investments did not payoff. More importantly, the number of foreclosures in Utah, New Mexico, North Carolina and South Carolina is actually declining.

3. Under-priced markets and superstar cities: Although the coastal markets are still overpriced, Middle America is under priced. Nevertheless, Yun cites a new trend termed, "superstar" cities. These cities will command premium prices, regardless of what the market does. There is so much wealth concentrated in these areas, that measurements are simply not predictive. In addition to London, Paris, Tokyo and New York, Yun also identified San Francisco, Miami and Seattle as potential new superstar cities.

4. The recovery has started: Other than the three states hit heavily by job losses in the automotive industry (Indiana, Michigan and Ohio), the states that first experienced a downturn in the Northeast, are now in recovery. Specifically, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island were the first to feel the slump and are now well into a recovery. Furthermore, there appears to be a pent-up demand for first-time buyer properties due to a large number of Gen Ys (born 1977 to 1994) that are now buying their first homes. Falling interest rates will motivate many of these buyers to step into the market now.

5. New jobs and corporate profits are still strong: Corporate profits are still strong with companies as diverse as Microsoft and Jack Daniels reporting close to record profits. Furthermore, the economy has generated 4 million net new jobs and wages are rising.

6. A weak dollar may harbinger more foreign investment in U.S. real estate
Although the decline of the U.S. dollar will end up costing us more when we go overseas or purchase imports, it has resulted in more manufacturing jobs returning to the U.S. It also may mean more foreign investment in U.S. properties as well. Just a few years ago, the Canadian dollar was only worth 70 cents in U.S. currency. Today, the Canadian dollar has been hovering at about $1.05 to $1.10 U.S. What this means is that we can expect more Canadians and Europeans to be purchasing U.S. property, because our prices are approximately 50 percent cheaper than they were just three years ago.

7. Real estate: Still the best shelter: For those agents who represent reluctant first-time buyers, Yun points to some interesting research from the Federal Reserve. Between 1995 and 2004, the average renter accumulated $4,000 in wealth. In contrast, the average homeowner accumulated $184,400. Furthermore, the typical homeowner holds their property for six years. Within this period of time, NAR's research shows that approximately 97 percent of the homeowners will have a positive equity position after that period of time.

Bottom line: 2008 represents the best window that buyers will have to find excellent deals with excellent financing. Get the word out there. If they wait, prices and interest rates will be higher and the reluctant buyer may be forced out of the market.

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

Wines for the Holidays and to Celebrate a New Home!

2007-12-12T23:06:00.000-05:00

Okay, so my brother Ryan Hamilton is the Wine and Bar Manager at Fleming's Steakhouse in Naples, FL. This week he was interviewed by the local news show "Fox 4 News Rising" to discuss wines for the holidays.

There are two clips... one on red wines, and one on white wines.

Since it's the Holiday Season, I figured I'd post these videos in case any of you are interested in wines. Wines are great when celebrating the Holidays, or when celebrating the purchase of a new home!

Clip 2: Red Wines

Clip 1: White Wines

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

More on the Mortgage Rate Freeze.

2007-12-12T09:43:00.001-05:00

Video with more info on the Mortgage Rate Freeze I just posted on earlier today. Please watch, and/or please read the 2nd post below on this page.

Video posted on YouTube by ueser PhilDeCarolis.

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

Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report

2007-12-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

A website, www.CostvsValue.com, has released its 2007 report comparing remodeling cost versus the value gained by doing those specific remodels. (Click here to read the report for Columbus, OH) - OR - (click here to read the report for other areas around the country).

If you're thinking of investing in any remodelling projects in 2008, make sure you're doing something that will actually add value to your property. And if you have any questions, or if you would like a professional's opinion, feel free to contact me.

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

Mortgage Rate Freeze for Certain Subprime Mortgages

2007-12-12T09:12:00.000-05:00

From the Associate Press and as posted in this article from www.BusinessWeek.com......

Congressional aides say the Bush administration has hammered out an agreement with industry to freeze interest rates for certain subprime mortgages for five years in an effort to combat a soaring tide of foreclosures.

These aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details have not yet been released, said the five-year moratorium represented a compromise between desires by banking regulators for a longer time frame of as much as seven years and industry arguments that the freeze should only last one to two years. (Click here to continue reading...)

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

Video Tour of My Newest Listing

2007-12-03T12:37:00.001-05:00

October Sales Stats Are In (Columbus Area)

2007-11-28T14:16:00.000-05:00

The website www.ColumbusRealtors.com has just posted the sales statistics from the month of October. The article also stated:

The number of listings added to the market in October was down for the third month in a row, a strong indicator that the market is beginning to correct itself. The 3,578 homes listed last month is down 6.9 percent from one year ago. In addition, new listings in August and September were down 8.3 percent and 5.7 percent respectively according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

Click here to read the full story.

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

Two New Albany Condo Listings You'll Love

2007-11-28T11:41:00.000-05:00

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

Brian Regan, Funniest Man Alive - Sorta' Deals With Real Estate

2007-11-07T15:28:00.001-05:00

Okay, so this is Brian Regan, my favorite stand-up comedian. Here is a clip of him talking about moving and using UPS for his boxing needs.

It's not really about real estate, but since he is talking about moving I felt I could post it without anyone arguing.

Plus, I've been wanting to incorporate the genius of Brian Regan into my real estate career. So, here it is.

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

(video from YouTube user ennuimarch)

PODS at Odds --- See, I can write clever titles.

2007-11-06T16:44:00.000-05:00

If you don't know what PODS are, you've at least seen them around. PODS are Portable On-Site Deliverable Storage units. And a lot of people who are either moving or running out of home storage space rent these PODS to store their belongings. It's basically the same thing as renting a storage unit, but with PODS, you don't have to take your stuff to the storage unit. The storage unit comes to you, you then load it up, and then the PODS are taken away from your property and stored safely.

Well, as I just read in Westerville's November 1, 2007's issue of "This Week Community Newspapers", the Westerville Planning Commission has ammended the rules and restrictions on the use of PODS.

A portion of the article, written by Lin Rice, reads:

The code change would require residents to obtain a temporary use permit from the city in order to place a PODS unit on their property; the unit cannot be on the property for more than 14 days. It must also be placed on a paved surface, and the use of PODS for one site would be limited to no more than twice in a 12-month period.

Just an FYI for all you Westerville PODS people.

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

No Maxtown Rd/Spring Rd Condos...

2007-11-06T16:34:00.001-05:00

According to "This Week Community Newspapers" writer Lin Rice, there will be no condos built at the corner of Maxtown Rd and Spring Rd in Westerville. The lot is owned by M/I Homes.

In the article, Rice writes,

"The application, set for final development plan approval on Oct. 24, was withdrawn on Oct. 23..."

"The wooded lot on which the condominiums were slated for construction is currently surrounded by developed properties."

"To the immediate south of the parcel is Otterbein College's proposed equine science facility; to the east is the Mariner's Cove subdivision; to the west across Spring Road is the Millstone Creek subdivision; and across Maxtown Road to the north is a Genoa Township single-family residential area, according to Westerville city staff reports."

Well, this should make those surrounding subdivisions happy.

(A portion of the above information was obtained from "This Week Community Newspapers" November 1, 2007)

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

South Campus Gateway Area - Fashion Show on the Sidewalk!

2007-10-22T14:02:00.001-04:00

Now this is a great way to market your product - host a show directly outside your store for the public.

Now, if only I could get houses to walk down the runway.

(video posted by YouTube user ColumbusUnderground)

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

August Home Sale Stats are In...

2007-10-22T13:46:00.001-04:00

Wow, with almost 19,800 homes on the market in Columbus, we have almost doubled the number of homes for sale at the same time 5 years ago.

And interest rates are still hovering around 40-year lows.

It really is a great time to be a home buyer!

(information and statistics above summarized and posted from www.ColumbusRealtors.com)

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

Now is a Great Time to Buy - Campaign

2007-10-22T13:28:00.000-04:00

The Columbus Board of Realtors has joined the fight against the negative attention to the current real estate market. If you're a reader of this blog, you know that I believe the media makes the real estate market look worse and more volatile than it actually is.

So, the Columbus Board of Realtors has begun placing the following ads in "The Columbus Dispatch" in an attempt to help show buyers that NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!

(click each image below to view each ad in full size .pdf format)

It's a Buyers Market... When are you going to Buy?

Words that describe the housing market: Less Risky. Stable. Dependable.

Housing. It's not as Bad as they Say.

Confused about the housing market? Not surprising.

Here's the scoop on the Central Ohio housing market.

Our housing market slow? Compared to what?!

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

Columbus is America's 3rd Most Stable Housing Market

2007-10-10T11:56:00.000-04:00

Forbes Magazine is running a current feature on America's most stable housing markets, and guess who is #3? Yes, it is none other than our very own Columbus, Ohio.

Click here to read the article.

This is great news for everyone here in Columbus.

And again, this just goes to show that everything you're hearing about how bad the market is right now, is the media basically scaring everyone to death. Yes, the market is really poor in Cali and Florida, but here in Columbus, we're only experiencing a slight slowdown for Sellers. Plus, it's a GREAT time to be a buyer; one of the best times in fact.

And if you read Forbes Magazine's feature, you'll see that Columbus is projected to have the 8th fastest sales rate in 2008! Woohoo!

This is the time to buy! So, contact me today if you're thinking about buying in the next year or two. You won't regret it.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com
dchamilton@kw.com

Another New Listing - 5999 Bentgate Lane - $279,900

2007-10-03T21:46:00.001-04:00

www.5999Bentgate.com
5999 Bentgate Lane
Columbus, OH 43230
Columbus MLS # 2746693
Status: Active/For Sale

Property Features:
Free-Standing Condo
Great Community
3 bedrooms
2.5 bath
Florida Room
Finished Lower Level
Vaulted Ceilings
Gas Fireplace
Pool Table stays
Like-New Appliances
Nice kitchen
Master Suite
Walk-in closet
Attached master bath w/ his/her sinks
2-car garage
Community has an in-ground pool,
fitness center,
clubhouse,
miniature golf

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty

New Listing - 5788 Aristides Way New Albany, Ohio - $150,000

2007-10-03T21:45:00.001-04:00

www.5788Aristides.com
5788 Aristides Way
New Albany, OH 43054
Columbus MLS # 2746770
Status: Active/For Sale

Property Features:
2 Bedrooms
2.5 Baths
Condo in New Albany Park
END UNIT
Finished Lower Level
Pond in back w/ fountain
Pond/Wetlands in front
Large side yard
Preserve on side
Gas fireplace
Large master suite
walk-in closet
attached master bath
vaulted ceilings
deck/patio
nice kitchen
1-car garage, attached

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty

Lifestyle Communities is on YouTube too.

2007-09-12T14:26:00.001-04:00

Lifestyle Communities, one of Central Ohio's top builders, has it's own YouTube Channel just like me. To watch, go to www.YouTube.com/LifestyleCommunities.

And to watch my YouTube Channel, go to www.YouTube.com/HamiltonHomes

(video above posted by YouTube user LifestyleCommunities)

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

Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster

2007-09-12T12:07:00.000-04:00

There is a good article on Inman News today, posted by Robert J. Bruss. His article is about bi-monthly mortgage payments versus the good ol' fashioned once-a-month payments. I'll copy and paste it here:

DEAR BOB: I have frequently heard if your mortgage calls for monthly payments, you can make a significant interest savings if you pay twice monthly. For example, my mortgage payment is due on the first day of each month. I would like to pay half of my monthly payment 15 days before the due date and the remainder on the due date. But my lender says the only way I can do this is through a third-party company, which will then charge me a sign-up fee of several hundred dollars plus a monthly fee. If I just pay the lender twice a month doesn't the lender have to accept my payments and credit my account when received and then calculate the interest based on my payments? --Arthur L.

DEAR ARTHUR: No. You've been hanging around with the wrong crowd. When you obtained your home loan, you agreed to pay monthly payments due on the first day of each month with a grace period of a few days. The lender does not have to accept any payments less than the full amount due each month.

The plan you describe is called a biweekly mortgage. A few lenders offer these mortgages, but they have not proven to be popular.

There are some third-party companies that, for a hefty fee, will deduct from your checking or savings account half of your regular principal and interest payment on the first day of each month and the other half on the 15th day of each month.

The result is the equivalent of making 13 monthly mortgage payments every 12 months, thus shortening your mortgage's life by about seven years and saving substantial interest.

However, you can do this yourself at no extra cost. Just divide your monthly mortgage principal and interest payment by 12 and add that amount to each regular mortgage payment.

For example, if your principal and interest payment is $1,200, dividing by 12 results in $100. By adding $100 extra principal payment each month (which the lender must accept), you accomplish the same interest savings as a biweekly mortgage.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
(614) 944-5936
dchamilton@kw.com
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com

Did You Know? Buyers Don't Pay To Use A Realtor

2007-09-12T08:26:00.000-04:00

Watch Video #1: Buyers Don't Pay a Realtor. It's FREE!

Watch Video #2: What's Next Then?

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty
(614) 944-5936
dchamilton@kw.com
www.HamiltonHomesGroup.com

"Perks" Make this One of the Best Times to Buy

2007-08-31T09:42:00.001-04:00

Think the real estate market is down, and now is NOT a good time to buy a home? THINK AGAIN!!!

And we're seeing this here in Columbus, too. Sellers are offering to pay for closing costs, or a few months of the association fees if applicable, and even throwing in large flat screen TVs to sweeten the deal! This real estate market has not been burst - it's just a little slower than it has been the past 3 or 4 years. It's still a great time to buy.

Again, you know who to call if you have any questions or need anything. Me. Yes, me.

Dan Hamilton
Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty

(video posted by conniedegroot - Fox News's "Neil Cavuto Show" Featuring Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills Real Estate Agent Connie De Groot. Aired August 28, 2007.)

What is up with this? Funny or no?

2007-08-30T17:22:00.001-04:00

(video from sunnykidd2007)
Check out this new commercial for a company called ePerks. Is this funny or not? It's walking a pretty tight line, but I think it might be a little funny.

By the way, if you do need a new agent... you know who to call. Me. Yes, me.

Dan Hamilton

Introducing: CUBEDUDE

2007-08-29T15:36:00.001-04:00

(video from vikingmm at YouTube)
Here is a video that sums up the affected real estate market in 58 seconds. Nice job Cubedude. Nice job.

Real Estate Movie - Comedy

2007-08-26T01:05:00.001-04:00

Closing Escrow

I've never heard of this movie before today, but given my profession and my love for all things "funny," I may try to see this.

It looks like a lot of the cast from Comedy Central's "Reno 9-1-1."

If it's anything like the movie "Best in Show," we've got a winner here...

Dan Hamilton

Lenders Going Out Of Business

2007-08-23T11:36:00.001-04:00

Well, it's starting to escalate here in Columbus too. Every day I hear of another subprime lender in Columbus who has "closed up shop."

If you're looking to buy, or thinking of buying a home, you need to make sure you're choosing the right lender. If this is you, contact me, and I will get you on the right path.

For what it's worth, it's still a great time to buy a home with the end of summer upon us.

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

OSU Football in 2007 (Video)

2007-08-20T16:03:00.001-04:00

(video)
Okay, I know this has nothing to do with Real Estate, but hey... this is Columbus right? Go Bucks! Go Beanie!

West Nile Foreclosures

2007-08-14T23:43:00.001-04:00

Foreclosures are bad for many reasons, but who would have thought about this....

New Listing - Could be as Affordable as Rent

2007-08-14T16:27:00.000-04:00

For Sale
7036 Cavalcade Drive
New Albany, OH 43054
Columbus MLS # 2738777

CURRENT LIST PRICE: $94,500

Condo
New Albany Park
1 bedroom
1.5 baths
finished lower level
nice community
clubhouse
in-ground pool
24-hr fitness center
appliances stay
big kitchen
lots of living space
VERY AFFORDABLE

How My Black Lab is Like the Housing Market

2007-08-01T14:16:00.000-04:00

VS.

You may think this sounds like a silly post, but it's true. My dog, Durden, is like the real estate market. Right now, he's shedding like a mad-man. (Do mad-men shed?)

What happens when the weather gets warmer? Dogs shed their winter coats. AND... many homeowners shed their homes by putting them up for sale.

The winter months are stereotypically the slower months in real estate. Why? Well, for one thing, sellers don't want to have to think about moving in the dead of winter when there's snow everywhere. They want to remain comfortable. Plus, they know buyers are thinking the same thing, so that means there will be less buyers for their home if they do decide to sell. And on top of that, during the winter months, the sky is gray, the ground is gray and white, and the trees are bare. There is no color. Color helps sell real estate.

So, homeowners wait till the weather gets a little warmer. The trees start blooming. The grass gets greener. Homebuyers start popping up all over. And then, sellers start shedding their homes.

The housing market is just like a shedding dog.

Although, I don't think I ever get the housing market in my mouth. And I definitely don't need to vacuum the housing market every day.

Dan Hamilton

Price Reductions are Important

2007-07-19T17:17:00.000-04:00

Price reductions are more than important... many times, they are a shortcut to a sold home. Now, that's important!

Why are they important?
1) Because your home needs to be priced at fair market value.
If your home is priced too high, it's going to take a long time to sell, and there's a good chance it will NEVER sell. Maybe you're already priced correctly. But if you are, and your property isn't selling, then you need to figure out what is the other reason your property isn't selling? And sometimes, that reason can be overlooked by buyers if your property is priced a little below fair market value.
2) Sometimes doing a "token" price reduction is a good idea, even if it's slight.
This is good because it shows buyers you are motivated to sell, and you are willing to work with buyers in terms of price (and maybe other areas as well). Plus, this gives your Realtor a reason to send out more marketing pieces and emails announcing the price reduction, and therefore, RE-announcing your property for sale.

So, if you're looking to sell your property, and it's been over 30 days with no sale, no offers, nothing - it's possibly time for a price reduction. Send me an email if you have any questions. dchamilton@kw.com

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