Appealing Your Butler County Ohio Property Tax Bill

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Appealing Your Butler County Ohio Property Tax Bill

Chances are pretty good that you are paying more in property taxes than you should be. So, your property tax bill comes in the mail in January 2014 and you totally disagree with the valuation that has been given to your home.  What can you do?

You can appeal your property tax value, present a case to the county review board and try to get the value changed.  When you appeal your property tax bill one of three things can happen:

1.  You get a decrease in your tax valuation, which results in a decrease in your property taxes.

2.  The value is found to be accurate and does not change – your taxes stay the same too.

3.  Your property tax valuation increases as a result of your hearing, which results in an increase in your property taxes.

So, why would you appeal?  The only reason to appeal your property tax bill is to prove that the Butler County Auditor’s value exceeds the market value.  It is important to note here that the value indicated on your tax bill will be the value as established on January 1st, 2013. You are going to be trying to prove a revised value for January 1st, 2013.  You are not trying to establish what today’s market value of your home is. A well researched appeal can slash your property taxes.

>> Would you like to see what homes are selling for in your neighborhood? Find Out Here <<

**Important note:  The deadline each year to file an appeal of your Butler County Ohio property tax bill is March 31st at 5:00PM, which falls on a Monday this year. Appeals submitted after this time will be dismissed.

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How Home Ownership Impacts Your Net Worth

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Holiday Events in Cincinnati

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Holiday Events in Cincinnati

Christmas EventsLooking for some Christmas fun for your family in the Cincinnati area? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The Lowry Team knows the the value of spending time with family, so here we have listed for you numerous holiday events in Cincinnati that your whole family can enjoy!

Sharon Woods Holiday In Lights – Holiday in Lights is open nightly from Friday, November 22nd to Tuesday, December 31st. Admission is $13 per vehicle ($45 for buses and 15 passenger vans).

Mason Christmas Festival – This festival is Friday, December 6th from 6:00PM – 9:00PM. There will be carolers, carriage rides, magic shows, food and drinks, and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will even be there!

Fountain Square Ice Skating – The ice rink is open from November 24th to January 1st. Admission is $3.00 per person, and $3.00 for skate rental.

Lebanon Christmas Parade – This annual holiday parade and festival  is on Saturday, December 7th. The festival goes from 10:00AM- 8:00PM, however the actual parades take place at 1:00PM and 7:00PM. There will be holiday decorations, carolers, live entertainment,  pictures with Santa, and more!

Light Up Fairfield – On Saturday, December 7th from 3:00Pm – 6:00PM, the city of Fairfield will ring in the holiday season with Santa Claus. There will be food vendors, fun activities, a holiday market, visits with Santa, carolers, and an official tree lighting ceremony.

Trans Siberian Orchestra Holiday Show – The Orchestra puts on an amazing holiday show of music and lights that will be at the US Bank Arena on Friday, December 13th with shows at 4:00PM and 8:00PM.

Fairfield Community Arts Center’s The Nutcracker – The Fairfield Community Arts Center is putting on their rendition of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Shows will be December 6-7 and 13-14 at 7:00PM, December 7-8 and 14-15 at 2:00PM. Admission is $15/Adult, and $10/Child.

Playhouse In The Park’s A Christmas Carol -The Playhouse’s annual show of A Christmas Carol will take place from November 27th – December 29th, with numerous choices for show times. Ticket prices vary depending upon seating location. They use hundreds of costumes and thrilling special effects, making The Christmas Carol their most popular production of the year.

The Aronoff Center’s The Nutcracker Ballet – The Aronoff Center puts on their annual show of The Nutcracker Ballet. Ticket prices start at $32/person, with numerous dates and times to choose from.

Entertrainment Junction Christmas – Entertrainment Junction, located in West Chester, is celebrating Christmas this year with a Main Street Holiday Train display, visits to see Santa and his reindeer at the North Pole, the Elf workshop, and more!

Newport Aquarium’s Scuba Santa – The Aquarium’s annual Scuba Santa show is from November 29th – January 1st, with numerous show times. At Scuba Santa’s show you can also visit Santa’s post office and write him a letter, play reindeer roundup, and more.

Cincinnati Museum Center’s Holiday Trains– The Cincinnati Museum Center is featuring Duke Energy’s Holiday Junction train display from  November 8th through January 5th. There’s a lot to such as visit with Santa, ride the train, and even visit the talking reindeer.

Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights – The Cincinnati Zoo’s annual Festival of Lights is open now through January 4th. The festival features a wild lights show on Swan Lake, visits with Santa Claus, a Polar Express train ride, and of course lots of hot chocolate.

Krohn Conservatory’s Christmas In Cincinnati Railway Display -Krohn Conservatory is having a holiday train display that features many Cincinnati landmarks from November 16th through January 5th. Admission is $7/Adult, $4/Child.

Fountain Square’s New Year’s Eve Blast – Ring in the New Year down on Fountain Square. There will be music, a dance contest, food vendors, ice skating, and of course, fireworks at midnight!

This list of holiday events in Cincinnati is provided courtesy of The Lowry Team at Keller Williams Realty. We hope this list helps you have some holiday fun with your family; and we wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving From The Lowry Team

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Happy Thanksgiving From The Lowry Team

We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!
We are very grateful to everyone who has made our success in real estate possible.

happy_thanksgiving

Need To Sell Your Home Short Sale In Mason?

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Need To Sell Your Home Short Sale In Mason?

Short Sale Assistance

If you are a distressed homeowner considering selling your home short sale in Mason, or any other area in Ohio, you may qualify for Ohio’s New Transition Assistance Program. The state of Ohio has developed a new program to help financially distressed homeowners. Ohio homeowners who are pursuing a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure may be eligibile for financial help with their relocation to alternative housing.

The financial help comes from the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which is part of the Save The Dream Ohio Program. The program is providing up to $5,000 in transition assistance to qualified homeowners who can no longer afford to live their homes and are pursuing a short sale. These  funds may be used in addition to any other transition assistance that the homeowner may be receiving. If you are distressed Ohio homeowner considering doing a short sale, you may apply for this assistance program.

The Lowry Team has over 15 years working with short sales in Mason, West Chester, Liberty Township, Fairfield, and other northern suburbs of Cincinnati. If you are you looking to do a short sale or want more information, contact Eric Lowry  at (513) 874-1830.

The Lowry Team Welcomes New Team Member Kristy Curry as a Buyer Specialist

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The Lowry Team Welcomes New Team Member Kristy Curry

as a Buyer Specialist

Kristy CurryThe Lowry Team with Keller Williams Realty is excited to announce that Kristy Curry is joining the team as a Buyer Specialist. Kristy Curry is a full time real estate professional specializing in the Northern Cincinnati suburbs. Kristy is very dedicated and committed to providing her clients with professional and personalized service. Kristy’s goal is to make your home buying experience stress free and easy. Eric Lowry, CEO of Lowry Team, says, “We are extremely excited to have Kristy Curry join The Lowry Team. Kristy’s experience, care for her clients and knowledge of the area are excellent qualities that she brings to The Lowry Team.”

When Kristy is not working, her interests include spending time with her husband and three boys. Kristy lives in Liberty Township and is involved in various activities in the community as well as serving at her church.

The Lowry Team – Keller Williams Realty is an award winning, full service real estate firm specializing in West Chester, Liberty Township, Mason, Monroe and the Northern Suburbs of Cincinnati. The Lowry Team’s culture is that of a fun, high energy group who prides themselves on providing personal, professional real estate service. The Lowry Team is “Different By Design”… taking a team approach to home buying and selling. The Lowry Team consists of members that are focused on areas of specialization including Listing Specialists, Buyer Specialists, Transaction/Listing Coordinator and a Marketing Director.

Other articles that may interest you:

Selling Your Home During The Holidays

How Home Ownership Impacts Your Net Worth

First Time Homebuyer Series: Contract To Closing

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First Time Homebuyer Series: Contract To Closing

Contract To ClosingBuying a home for the first time can seem to be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. This article is part of a three part series dedicated to helping you, a first time homebuyer, understand the process of buying a home. This time you will learn what happens from the time when you find that perfect home to actually getting the keys in your hand.

Making An Offer – Once you find your dream home, you will discuss making an offer with your Realtor. Your Realtor will help guide you to a reasonable offer. The home seller will then determine if they want to accept, decline or submit a counter-offer.

Loan Application – Once the contract is negotiated, you will go back to your lender to apply for the financing necessary to purchase the home. If you are a first time homebuyer in the Cincinnati area, the Lowry Team can set you up with a preferred lender who will work with you to get you the best possible home mortgage.

Appraisal – Before finalizing your mortgage, your lender will require you to have a home appraisal. A home appraiser will tour the home and compare it to other properties in terms of size, condition, location, and amenities. For the most part, the appraiser will generate a fair market value that falls within the same range the buyer expects. However, every once in a while, a home doesn’t appraise, which means the generated value is less than what you have agreed to pay for the home. If this happens, your lender won’t write you a loan for more than the home’s appraised value, so it would be up to you to come up with the funds to cover the difference. This may seem like a scary possibility if you are first time homebuyer, but it doesn’t happen often, and there are solutions to this that you can discuss with your Realtor.

Due Diligence – A whole-home inspection is a very important part of buying a home that you won’t want to skimp on. While the seller is required to disclose any latent defects to the buyer, there may be some issues that they aren’t aware of. The home inspector thoroughly inspects the home to make sure that they are no other latent defects that could affect your decision to purchase the home.

Homeowner’s Insurance -Not only is homeowner’s insurance important, it is required when buying a home. You will have to present proof of your policy at the closing.  A basic homeowner’s insurance policy protects you against loss or damages to the property itself, and also against liability in case someone sustains an injury while on your property. As a first time homebuyer, all the different choices of policies can be overwhelming so it is important to do your research and possibly even consult your attorney on what would be best for you.

Closing – As a first time homebuyer, closing day is a very exciting day for you. On closing day you can typically expect to sit around a table with everyone involved in the deal and a bunch of pens, signing your name so many times you’ll lose count. At closing, payment arrangements will be made, documents will read, etc. Depending upon your negotiated occupancy date on the contract, you may get the keys handed to you right at closing, or you may have a certain time to wait until you get the keys. After closing, it’s done. You are no longer a renter, or a first time homebuyer, you are a home owner! Now it’s time to move in, relax, and paint the walls whatever color you want!

Read The Rest Of The First Time Homebuyer Series:

First Time Homebuyer Series:  Can You Afford To Keep Renting?

First Time Homebuyer Series:  3 Steps To Getting Started