Home Ownership still a good long term investment

May 5, 2015 at 12:43 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Consumers: Real Estate a ‘Good Investment’

Daily Real Estate News | Monday, April 27, 2015

Americans believe that real estate is the best long-term investment option for the second year in a row, according to a new survey by Gallup.

Americans Sold on Real Estate?

Consumers Show Shift in Home Ownership

Millennials Move Toward Home Ownership

Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends

Gallup polled over 1,000 adults and found that 31 percent of respondents considered real estate to be the best long-term investment. 25 percent of those surveyed said that stocks and mutual funds are the best long-term investment, followed by gold at 19 percent. This is a big change from 2011-2012 when gold was the most appealing investment.

“Real estate took a pounding in home values and consumer confidence after the subprime mortgage crisis that started in 2007 spurred the financial crisis of 2008, deepening the 2007-2009 recession,” Gallup reports. “Gold gained appeal during this time, likely due to its tangible quality, but this has proved to be temporary.”

While confidence in real estate declined during the global banking crisis and recession, real estate is now ranked as the top investment choice or tied for the top choice with all major gender, age and income groups. This sentiment echoes a recent generational trends study from NAR that reported that 79 percent of all buyers surveyed considered buying a home a “good financial investment.”

Besides real estate, stocks/mutual funds, and gold, survey respondents also listed savings accounts/CDs, and bonds as solid long-term investment options

http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2015/04/27/consumers-real-estate-good-investment

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Home Maintenance Must-Dos

March 6, 2015 at 2:47 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Change your furnace filters monthly. “It’s so easy to do but so critical,”  Clogged filters decrease furnace efficiency and can cause breakdowns.

Drain your water heater at least once a year. Sediment will drain out along with the water from the water tank. Removing sediment can prolong the heater’s useful life.

Clean the coils. If you have baseboard heating units that use hot water, clear dust from the coils inside the units to maximize heating efficiency. Clean dust whenever you see it accumulating. If you have a hot water boiler/furnace, you should also oil the pump inside the furnace twice a year. Look for the three spots on the pump designated for oiling.

 Check your circuits. Test the performance of the circuit breakers in your electrical circuit box twice a year by flipping them off and back on. If you have a circuit that keeps shutting off with normal daily electrical use, call an electrician. A faulty circuit breaker could indicate a short in the wiring inside your walls.

 Watch out for drips. Check under sinks periodically to look for leaks or water stains that might indicate leaks. Catching a small problem early can prevent water damage. Use a plunger to clean out sinks and tubs whenever water doesn’t drain normally.

 Be aware of life spans. Water heaters, furnaces, roofs, and other key components of your home should be replaced before they fail, based on their average useful lives. Here’s a general ballpark of the life span for key components:

    •  Exterior house paint: 5-10 years
    • Furnace: 15-50 years
    • Roof: 13-15 years
    • Water heater: 7-15 years
    • Wood deck staining: 4-7 years

Keep the wet out. Water is a major enemy of your house. Check each season for signs of water damage to your home. Flashing, the metal pieces used to seal the areas between roofs and chimneys and around doors and windows, are especially vulnerable to damage by wind or age. Loose flashing can let water seep under a roof or inside walls, which in turn can cause mold.

Get to the bottom of things. Check your home’s foundation for cracks or gaps that could let in water or varmints. Also look at the ground around your house. As homes age, they often sink slightly below the surrounding ground. This settling lets water puddle against the foundation and possibly damage. Doing major landscaping work also can cause changes to the ground’s pitch that let water flow toward the house.

 Look up. Chimneys take a great deal of weather abuse. Visually inspect them each year for signs of loose mortar or loose or missing bricks. Have the insides of chimneys cleaned every two to three years. Also check your roof for loose shingles or dangling gutters.

You can reach the staff of REALTOR® magazine via e-mail at narpubs@realtors.org. 

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NEWS Flash- Homes for sale increasing for central Ohio

October 24, 2014 at 12:18 pm · Filed under buying a home, columbus ohio, home search, Real Estate, selling a home ·Tagged , , ,

October 21, 2014 – Columbus, OH – There were 3,035 central Ohio homes and condos listed for sale in September 2014, which is a 6.8 percent jump from September 2013. The additional inventory brought the total number of homes and condos for sale to 9,408, which just trails August 2013 by 2.6 percent, according to Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Open the link below for more details on our local housing. “Traditionally activity starts to slow when kids are back in school and temperatures begin to dip. But last month, we saw more homes listed for sale than we’ve seen in September for the last several years,” Columbus REALTORS® 2014 President Milt Lustnauer said. “Sellers are getting the message that it’s a terrific time to put their home on the market and sell.

This is great news as we still have qualified buyers looking for homes.” The average sales price of a home in September was $179,306, an increase of 2.5 percent from September 2013, marking the seventh month in a row for record high prices. The average price is the total volume divided by the number of homes sold. Year to date (January through September 2014), the average sale price of a home in central Ohio is $183,944 – up 5.2 percent from the first nine months of 2013. There were 2,349 central Ohio homes and condos sold in September 2014, an increase of 1.3 percent from September 2013. However at 20,432, year to date home sales are still trailing 2013 by 4.4 percent. “Home sales are down because inventory has been down this year,” added Lustnauer. “But with the increase in inventory last month, we’ll likely see a similar increase in sales.” “This also continues to be a great time to buy a home as there’s more inventory to choose from and interest rates remain at near their lowest this year.”

According to the latest Housing Market Confidence Index (by the Ohio Association of REALTORS®) 89 percent of central Ohio REALTORS® describe the current housing market as moderate to strong and 87 percent expect housing prices to rise over the next year. Fifty-three percent of central Ohio REALTORS® indicated that the level of interest potential buyers have shown in purchasing their first home has increased. Fifty-nine percent report an increase in multiple offers.

Current housing report – September 2014

All housing reports

Columbus REALTORS® is comprised of over 6,200 real estate professionals engaged in residential sales and leasing, commercial sales and leasing, property management, appraisal, consultation, real estate syndication, land development and more.

The Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Fayette, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway and Union Counties and parts of Athens, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Fairfield, Hocking, Knox, Logan, Marion, Muskingum, Perry and Ross Counties.

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Home for Sale- Hilliard, OH

November 7, 2012 at 4:26 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Home for sale 3477 Braid wood Dr., Hilliard, oh

Home for sale 3477 Braidwood Dr., Hilliard, OH

List Price: $189,000, Lot Size: 0.29 acres, Square Feet: 2,096, 4 bedrooms, 3 fullbaths, 3 season room, over sized garage- Other Amenities: Location, location- Freshly painted inside and out, professionally cleaned. Home includes: hardwood floors, master bedroom new carpet, new kitchen counter, sink/faucet and back splash, stainless steel appliances, some new light fixtures, updated lower level with full bath, bedroom with custom closet and large family room with wood burning fire place. Outside natural gas grill, large shade trees, neutral décor, nothing to do “just move in”!.. Just minutes from I 270, City parks, UA, Tuttle Crossing shopping mall, OSU, downtown Columbus and services in Hilliard schools.
________________________________________
Offered by PDS Real Estate – contact Susan Buhr, Broker at 614-527-7724
susan@pds-realestate.com for a private showing.
Visit our Web Site: www.pds-realestate.com

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Home for Sale in Ridgewood – Hilliard, OH

October 1, 2012 at 8:20 pm · Filed under buying a home, columbus ohio, Hilliard Ohio, home search, Real Estate, Realtor Columbus Ohio, selling a home

Hilliard Ohio home for sale

Home for sale hilliard ohio

Home for Sale- Ready-to-Move-in-Home- Located in Ridgewood!

3477 Braidwood Dr., Hilliard, OH 43026

List Price $194,500

Bedrooms: 4 – 3 up and 1 down Large living room with gas log/wood fire place. Plenty of storage
Bathrooms: 3 full
Dining room walks out to 3 season room
Garage: 2 car attached – work shop
Large eat-in kitchen,Fenced yard,3 season room
Large family wood fire place Large utility room Side balcony& Front porch

Other Amenities: Location, location- Freshly painted inside and out. Home includes: hardwood floors, master bedroom new carpet, new kitchen counter, sink and back splash, stainless steel appliances, some new light fixtures, updated lower level with full bath, bedroom with custom closet and large family room with wood burning fire place. Outside natural gas grill. Professionally cleaned, neutral décor, nothing to do “just move in”!.. Just minutes from I 270, City parks, UA, Tuttle Crossing shopping mall, OSU, downtown Columbus and services.
________________________________________
Offered by PDS Real Estate – contact Susan Buhr, Broker at 614-527-7724 susan@pds-realestate.com for a private showing.
Visit our Web Site: www.pds-realestate.com

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Columbus Ohio Home Stats

January 23, 2012 at 7:35 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

Columbus Ohio housing  market had a  drop in listings and elevated sales during the second half of 2011 brought the year-end months’ supply down to 6.6, more in keeping with levels seen during 2005. During the last few years, the months’ supply has regularly been in the double digits and was as high as 12.5 in November 2008.

Homes spent an average of 100 days on the market during 2011, a reduction of four days from the average time to sell a home in 2010.

Did you know – School districts experiencing the highest home sales in 2011 included Columbus, South-Western (Grove City), Olentangy, Hilliard, Westerville, Dublin, Worthington, Groveport Madison and New Albany.

Open up this link for the full housing report, http://www.columbusrealtors.com/NewsDetail.aspx?article=44269568

PDS Real Estate provides listing and buyer representation services, call us at 614-527-7724 or email Susan Buhr.

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Home for Sale Lancaster, OH

November 29, 2011 at 4:56 pm · Filed under buying a home, home search, Real Estate, Realtor Columbus Ohio, selling a home

1821 W Fair Ave., Lancaster, OH is for sale – This beauitful ranch with four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, finished basement and two car detached is priced to sell $95,000. It offers a large two tier deck that opens up into a large back yard with a stream for your enjoyment. This home is ready to move in.

1821 W Fair Ave., Lancaster, Oh is for sale, listing price $95,000

1821 W Fair Ave., Lancaster, Oh is for sale, listing price $95,


Call PDS Real Estate at 614-527-7724 for showing visit our website http://www.pds-realestate.com

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Ohio Housing Market Stats

November 7, 2011 at 4:13 pm · Filed under buying a home, columbus ohio, home search, Real Estate, selling a home, Uncategorized

Orange and Yellow fall leaves

Search for a home in the fall

Ohio housing market stats – The economic downturn really shook the foundation of the Ohio housing marketplace, yet the state REALTORS remain optimistic and hopeful of improving conditions as we forward. Sales in third quarter 2011 increased 18.8 percent reaching 28,322 sales compare the 23,856 posted during the period a year ago.
During the first nine months of 2011 sales reached 74,871 a 3.4 percent decrease from the 77,471 sales posted during the same period a year age. The average sales price (January through September) this year 2011 is $129,865, a 3 percent decrease from the $133,819 mark set during the period a year ago.
PDS Real Estate provides real estate services for home seller’s and home buyer’s for Central and Columbus Ohio. We can be reached at 614-527-7724 or susan@pds-realestate.com. Visit our web site at http://www.pds-realestate.com our site provides full access, to all consumers, of the local MLS.

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Land for Sale 3.7 acres- heart of residential stable neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio

November 3, 2011 at 3:57 pm · Filed under buying a home, columbus ohio, Hilliard Ohio, home search, Real Estate, Realtor Columbus Ohio, selling a home

3.7 acres for sale 1200 vera place columbus, oh

1200 Vera Place, Columbus, oh 3.7 acres build your dream home

Lot for sale- 1200 Vera Place, Columbus, OH- Location, Location and location – 1200 Vera Place, Columbus Ohio -Build your dream home-Land for sale $99,000 3.7 acres with trees and lots of privacy. This beautiful lot is located in the heart of residential stable neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio. All utilities at entrance and with easy access to I70 W, parks and services, just minutes from downtown Columbus and airport.
Call PDS Real Estate at 614-527-7724 for additional information. Please visit our web site at http://www.pds-realestate.com for access to MLS.

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First Time Home Buyers Considerations

September 26, 2011 at 3:34 pm · Filed under buying a home, columbus ohio, Energy, Hilliard Ohio, home search, Interest rate deduction

Buy a home

Home buying

Buying a house is a big decision, but don’t let scary headlines deter you. There are great deals to be had in today’s market.
What do first-time buyers really need to know about today’s market? Here are some things to consider.
• Interest rates are at historic lows, with 30-year fixed rates between 4 and 5 percent! This is incredible. Imagine the difference between an interest rate of 4 percent and one at 13 percent. For a $100,000 with 3.5 percent down, you’ll find a payment near $568 a month. For the exact same home at 13 percent you’ll see a monthly payment of just over $1,000.
• Home prices fell after the bubble burst, leaving affordability rates at generational highs. This means there are great deals to be had. In addition, there are a large number of foreclosure and short sale properties available, sometimes at even more savings.
• There are reasons to buy other than just making a sound financial investment. If you plan on remaining in your home for many years to come, then now is a good time to buy regardless of pricing fluctuations. The social benefits still remain strong and your home will be an investment over the long-term.
• Hiring a knowledgeable real estate professional can be an excellent first step on your way to finding the right home for you. They can help answer all of your questions about the process. There’s no reason to go into this process blindly. Let them guide you.
PDS Real Estate is a brokerage that services Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison and Fairfield counties. Contact at us 614-527-7724 or by email susan@pds-realestate.com
Visit our web site http://www.pds-realestate.com

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