Eric Lowry's Articles Archives

Selling Your Cincinnati Home – Step 2

November 25, 2017 by Eric Lowry

513-368-3751 to Connect with a Top Real Estate Agent in Cincinnati

Home Values	Brand New Listings	Contact Us
West Chester	Liberty Township	Mason
Monroe	Fairfield Township	Fairfield

Step 2 to Selling Your Cincinnati Home : Price It Right

One of the most important steps in selling your home is determining what price to list it for. Research shows that a house priced right at market value sold in just half the time compared to homes priced above market value. In addition, homes priced at market value ended up selling for almost $4,000 more on average.

Pricing your home at or just below market value might seem a little counterintuitive, however it will work to your benefit. Many homeowners think that pricing their home a little over market value will leave them room for negotiation. In actuality, this just dramatically lessens the demand for your house (see the accompanying chart).

Instead of the seller trying to ‘win’ the negotiation with one buyer, they should price it so that demand for the home is maximized. By doing this, the seller will not be fighting with a buyer over the price, but will instead have multiple buyers fighting with each other over the house. This is especially likely to happen in the current market, as housing inventory is extremely low.

Your Realtor also plays a crucial role in pricing your home. They will perform a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) for you, which takes into account recent sales of similar homes in the same market area and current market trends. This will help educate and assist you as you decide what price you will put your house on the market for.

Questions about selling your house?
Call/text Eric Lowry and The Lowry Team at 513-368-3751.

Selling Your Cincinnati Home – Step 1

November 25, 2017 by Eric Lowry

513-368-3751 to Connect with a Top Real Estate Agent in Cincinnati

Home Values	Brand New Listings	Contact Us
West Chester	Liberty Township	Mason
Monroe	Fairfield Township	Fairfield

Step 1 to Selling Your Cincinnati Home: Hire a Real Estate Professional

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous and complicated journey. This is why you need an experienced real estate professional to guide you on the path to your ultimate goal.

The top 5 reasons you NEED a real estate professional in your corner haven’t changed, but have rather been strengthened by the projections of higher mortgage interest rates and home prices.

1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true real estate professional is an expert in his or her market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what?

There are over 180 possible steps that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, someone who knows what these actions are, to make sure that you achieve your dream?

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. After looking at the list of parties that you will need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll soon realize the value in selecting a real estate professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people who you will need to be knowledgeable of, and answer to, during the process.

4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the amount of time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to a study by Collateral Analytics, FSBOs achieve prices significantly lower than those from similar properties sold by real estate agents:

“FSBOs tend to sell for lower prices than comparable home sales, and in many cases below the average differential represented by the prevailing commission rate.”

Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional.

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and on the internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively and correctly price your home at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a lowball offer?

Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring a Realtor who has his or her finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying or selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic. Why would you make one of the most important financial decisions of your life without hiring a real estate professional?

Don’t hire an agent; hire a team…The Lowry Team! When you hire The Lowry Team, you are hiring an entire team of real estate specialists. The Lowry Team consists of members that are focused on areas of specialization including Listing Specialists, Buyer Specialists, Transaction/Listing Coordinator, Inside Sales Associates, and a Marketing Director. Every part of the buying or selling process is handled with care, expertise, and 100% focus to ensure that you have a positive and profitable real estate experience.

Questions about selling your house?
Call or text Eric Lowry at 513-368-3751.

Selling Your Home During the Holidays

November 24, 2017 by Eric Lowry

Every year around this time, home owners all over are deciding to either postpone putting their home on the market or take it off the market until after the holidays. There are several major reasons why this is a bad idea:

Relocation buyers are out there. Many companies are still hiring throughout the holidays and need their employees in their new positions as soon as possible.
Purchasers who are looking for homes during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy now.
You can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You will remain in control.
Homes show better when decorated for the holidays.
There is less competition for you as a seller right now.
The desire to own a home doesn’t stop when the holidays come. Buyers who were unable to find their dream home during the busy spring and summer months are still searching!
The supply of listings increases substantially after the holidays. Also, in many parts of the country, new construction will continue to surge reaching new heights in 2018, which will lessen the demand for your house.

If you’ve decided to use this time of year to your advantage, you’ve made a great choice! Here are some tips to help guide you:

If possible, put your house on the market before you decorate for the holidays. Pictures of your home will be taken for the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and other marketing purposes looking as it normally would.
Once you have listed your house, decorate but don’t go overboard. You don’t want your house to seem cluttered and cramped. If necessary, move furniture out to accommodate your tree and other decorations.
Take advantage of this time of year when you have showings on your home. Your home feels even more cozy, warm and welcoming during the holidays. Appeal to all of the senses. Play Christmas music softly in the background. Bake Christmas cookies just before a showing and have them on a platter for the buyers to enjoy.
Lastly, use out of town guests to your advantage. Enlist their help in keeping your home clean and tidy. Assign everyone a task to complete each day. Delegate so you do not feel overwhelmed.

Thinking about selling your home during the holidays?
Call or text The Lowry Team at 513-368-3751

Christmas and Holiday Things to do in Cincinnati 2017

November 16, 2017 by Eric Lowry

If you’re looking for a list of Christmas and Holiday things to do in Cincinnati this holiday season, look no further! From ice skating to parades, and train rides to lights displays, we’ve got you covered!

Ongoing Holiday Events

Ice Skating on Fountain Square – Ice rink open October 27th – February 19th.

Skate with Santa – Every weekend from Thanksgiving until Christmas, Santa will lace up his skates and join families out on the ice for an hour of holiday-filled fun.

North Pole Express – Take a magical train ride with Santa Claus and his elves!

Water Wonderland with Scuba Santa – Meet Scuba Santa and his elves, visit Santa’s post office, enjoy holiday music, and more!

Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction – Take a journey to the North Pole, where you can can meet Mrs. Claus and Santa himself, and check out their special holiday train displays.

Krohn Conservatory Holiday Show – Cincinnati Choo Choo – Features an interactive train display, beautiful poinsettias, and seasonal plants.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Festivals

Olde West Chester Christmas Walk – Saturday, November 18th; 2:00 – 9:00 PM. Shopping, yummy treats, live music, crafts, games, visits with Santa, and more.

Liberty Center’s Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting – Saturday, November 18th; 6:00 – 9:30 PM. Enjoy live music, a holiday parade, a lights show, and visits with Santa.

Macy’s Light up the Square – Friday, November 24th; 6:00 – 11:00 PM. Live music, appearance by Santa Claus, ice skating, fireworks, holiday market, and the official tree lighting.

Lebanon Christmas Parade and Festival – Saturday, December 2nd; 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Two parades, gift and food vendors, Christmas carolers and other live music, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and much more!

Light Up Fairfield – Saturday, December 2nd; 1:00 – 6:00 PM. Holiday market, Santa visits, live music and carols, and tree lighting ceremony.

Light up OTR – 2017 event TBD. Enjoy this community-based holiday party held annually in Washington Park.

Christmas in Loveland – Saturday, December 16th; 4:00 – 9:00 PM. Live music and performances, a special showing of Frozen, visits with Santa, carriage rides, food trucks, ice carving, and much more!

Pioneer Christmas – Sunday, December 10th; 1:00 – 4:00 PM at Keehner Park in West Chester.

Santa-bration – December 22nd – 24th; 11 AM – 5 PM. Santa’s coming to Carol Anne’s Carousel! Enjoy winter crafts, photos with Santa, and carousel rides.

Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa at Maggiano’s – November 26th, December 2nd & 3rd, and December 9th & 10th. Enjoy a breakfast buffet, visits and pictures with Santa, and games and activity stations.

Santa’s Brunch at Voice of America Park – December 16th, 12:30pm – 3:00pm. A delicious buffet, live piano music and caroling, visits with Santa, and more. Registration is required before December 2nd.

Lights Displays

Holiday Lights on the Hill – November 17th – December 31st. A drive-thru holiday lights display.

Sharon Woods Holiday in Lights – November 17th – December 31st. Enjoy a mile long drive with beautiful lights displays. You can also get out of your car to enjoy Santaland with hot cocoa, carolers, visits with Santa, a holiday train display, and more.

Neiderman Family Farm – November 24th – December 30th. A free, walking display, featuring live music.

The Christmas Ranch – November 17th – December 23rd. Located on 110 acres, it features a walk-thru Christmas lights park with a Christmas village full of shops. There are also train rides, wagon rides, and much more!

Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights – November 18th – January 1st. Beautiful lights displays throughout the zoo, lights and music shows at Swan Lake, hot cocoa, snacks, and more.

Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island – November 10th – January 1st. This family event features a 2-mile car ride through Christmas displays and light shows which are synced to your favorite holiday songs.

Christmas Shows

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Sunday, December 3rd at the Aronoff Center.

A Christmas Carol – November 22nd – December 30th at Playhouse in the Park.

The Nutcracker – December 14th – 24th at the Aronoff Center.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Holiday Show – December 21st at the U.S. Bank Arena.

Polar Express Pajama Party – December 16th and 17th at Newport on the Levee.

A Christmas Story the Musical – December 5th – 10th at the Aronoff Center.

Holiday Pops – December 8th – 10th at Music Hall.

98 Degrees at Christmas – December 15th at the Aronoff Center.

Holiday Shopping / Markets

Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt on Fountain Square – Every weekend from November 24th – December 9th.

City Flea’s Holiday Market – December 16th at Washington Park.

Findlay Market’s Holiday Market – December 2nd & 3rd, 9 AM – 3 PM.

Art on Vine Holiday Gift Show – December 17th, Noon – 7 PM at Rhinegeist.

Miscellaneous

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl – Saturday, December 2nd, 12PM – 8PM.

Cincinnati Santacon – The 10th Annual Cincinnati Santacon will be held on Saturday, December 9th.

Hopefully this list of Christmas and holiday things to do in Cincinnati has helped fill your calendar with lots of fun! We here at The Lowry Team wish you a happy, safe, and fun Christmas and holiday season!

You might also be interested in:

Things to do for New Years Eve in Cincinnati

Family Friendly Things do to for New Years Eve

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Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at Liberty Center

November 16, 2017 by Eric Lowry

You won’t want to miss this year’s annual Christmas parade and tree lighting at Liberty Center this Saturday, November 18th.

This fun family event is a great way to officially kick off the holiday season! Starting at 10 AM there will be special holiday shopping “Silver Promotions”. At Noon there will be live performances with special visits from some North Pole guests. Some of the live dance performers include STAR Performance, SDA Studios, Academy of Dance, and Jeanie Moreland Dance Studio

From 2:00 – 5:00, you can stop by the Club Clubhouse for some cookie decorating, and a viewing of the movie Elf! There will also be hourly readings of classic holiday books in the Discovery Center.

At 6 PM is when the real party starts! There will be a spectacular parade with giant balloon characters, and a beautiful tree lighting ceremony. Shortly after, at 7PM, Santa Claus will arrive in the Living Room for visits and photos. The magic also continues with carriage rides and a concert.

Don’t miss out on these great Christmas events:

Olde West Chester Christmas Walk

Christmas and Holiday Things to do in Cincinnati

Things to do Thanksgiving Weekend

This information is provided courtesy of The Lowry Team. We hope your holiday season is filled with fun, friends, and family!

Thinking of buying or selling a house?
Call or text The Lowry Team at 513-368-3751.

10 Reasons Why Now is the Best Time to Sell Your House

November 12, 2017 by Eric Lowry

10 Reasons Why Now is the Best Time to Sell Your House

1. There are motivated buyers in the market that must buy for job and tax reasons.

2. During the holiday season there are typically less homes on the market and this year it is more true than ever. Less supply means less competition. Less competition means more money in your pocket.

3. Interest rates are incredibly low right now, which allows a home buyer to afford more in the
market. When rates are low, buyers tend to present higher purchase offers.
4. Many people have time off during the holidays, which increases their availability to see
homes. Home buyers that buy during the holiday season tend to be serious buyers.

5. Home buying is an emotional purchase and emotions tend to run high during the holiday
season. Strategically, having the opportunity to work off a buyer’s emotion is in your
favor. They tend to offer a higher price when emotions are involved.

6. The holiday season reminds many people of family. The home is the foundation of the
family unit. More people become motivated to buy during the holidays, more than
other times of the year.

Click here for a free home value estimate.

7. Many sellers will wait and list after the first of the year, which causes a lot of new
inventory of homes for sale in January. The longer you wait; the more competition you create for
yourself. You can expect a flood of new home inventory in 1st quarter of 2018. As supply
increases, your likelihood of getting an offer at an acceptable price decreases.

8. Since most people do not want to move during the holidays, you can secure a contract
now while your selling opportunity is high and arrange for a delayed closing with the buyer(s).

9. Companies typically bring new talent in starting at the beginning of the year. These
new hires are looking at property now. You must be on the market to take advantage.
of these buyers.

10. Selling now can give you more buying power later. By selling your home now, you can
buy after January when the market becomes saturated with listings as a noncontingent
buyer. This gives you negotiating power!

To discuss the best plan for your family and home,
please call or text Eric Lowry at 513-368-3751.