Fall and Halloween Things to do in Dayton

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Autumn has arrived full force and it’s time to soak it all in! The Lowry Team has put together this list of fun and scary fall and Halloween things to do in Dayton this season. Our list has activities to suit any autumnal mood so kick-start your fall adventures here!

Fall and Halloween Things to do in Dayton 2019

Fall on the Farm

Bonnybrook Farms – This farm features a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a petting zoo, pony rides, putt putt golf, and Adventure Wagon Rides.

Fulton Farm – Enjoy a fall hayride, pumpkins, a corn maze, farm animals, food, games, and more!

Lost Creek Reserve – A two day festival with pumpkins, farm animals, pony rides, and a corn maze.

Lucas Bros. – Activities include pick your own pumpkin, hayride through the woods, corn maze, straw maze, farm animals, and more!

McMonigle Farms – U-pick pumpkins, hayrides, corn maze, cow train rides, farm animals, straw maze, and play area.

Sizemore Farm – Pumpkin patch, dragon wagon rides, hayrides, kettle corn, apple cider, and more.

Warrick Farm – Hayrides, corn box, petting zoo, photo areas, pumpkins, and mums.

Windmill Farm – Hayrides, pumpkins, animals, face painting, play area, mums,

Young’s Jersey Dairy – Corn maze, hay bale maze, pumpkin bowling, hula hoop toss, photo areas, haunted wagon rides, pick your own pumpkin, and more.

Fall Festivals

Oktoberfest – Features family activities, outstanding artisans, live entertainment throughout the weekend, delicious food, a Weingarten, and a selection of more than 40 different craft and international beers.

Ale-O-Ween – 40+ Ohio craft breweries will feature seasonal beers and regional favorites. It’s a Halloween party, so come dressed to impress/scare. Also featuring live music, food, tarot card readings and the most awesome face painter you’ve ever seen!

Boo ‘n Brew – This first annual festival features a costume contest, beer garden, food trucks, live music, and trunk or treat.

Centerville Fall Festival – Bring your family to Stubbs Park for fun, free activities including hay rides, donut holes and cider, pumpkin painting, petting zoo, bounce house, face painting, games, and photo opportunities.

Tipp City Mum Festival – A 5k run, parade, arts & crafts, kids play area, live entertainment, pageant, and food.

Country Applefest – This 2 day festival features over 300 arts, crafts and food vendors, as well as live entertainment.

Fall Festival of Fun – Enjoy the Climbing Wall, Ricky’s Tiny Tikes, Luther’s Jungle, open gym play, games, and pumpkin decorating. The fun doesn’t stop there; a hayride around the Sports Complex will take you to a campfire to make s’mores.

Oakwood Family Fall Festival – Wagon rides take families along the route to view all of the scarecrows.  Games, rides, food and a costume parade are available in Shafor Park during the festival.

Sauerkraut Festival – This 2 day festival features 460 craft vendors, and over 60 delicious food vendors!

Fairborn Halloween Festival – Enjoy live music, food trucks, beer garden, shopping, games, parade, street vendors, Foy’s Haunted Museum, costume contest, trick or treat at booths, zombie walk, and more!

Wag-O-Ween – Bring your dog to trick or treat on the walk and wag trail, and enter a pet costume contest. There will also be pet adoptions, food trucks, photo booth, and an off-leash play area.

Bellbrook’s Halloween in the Park – Come walk the trail of tricks and treats where activity booths will be set up along the way. The first 300 kids will receive a ticket to the pumpkin patch where they can search for the perfect pumpkin to decorate at our decorating station on the patio. Come inside to listen to spooky tales by the Winters Library. Enjoy complimentary games, crafts, witch’s brew and fall family fun!

Haunted Houses and Attractions

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Forest Field Park Haunted Trail – Take a walk through the scary forest which is haunted by ghosts, zombies, and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods/nonperishable food items to be donated to local food banks. (children under 7 not admitted).

Sleepy Hollow at Haunted Mountain – Audiences will be immersed into a world class production, have their minds boggled in an escape room and be terrified on a haunted trail all under the control of the Headless Horseman!

Ghost Walk on Main – Learn and be entertained by local history, hear spooky stories, and enjoy refreshments and drinks compliments of Heart of Centerville businesses.

History Mystery, Mayhem, & Murder Tour – An evening walk through
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum that includes tales of Dayton’s own bank robbers, counterfeiters and murderers

Hotel of Terror – Face your fears is an intense haunted house, that will take you back in time to a hotel from the 1850’s.

Horror Acres – An extreme haunted house and a corn “maze of insanity”.

Haunted Cave – The world’s longest haunt is located 80 feet below ground in real limestone caves.

Dayton Scream Park – One haunted trail, two haunted houses, and a maze.

We hope we’ve helped fill your calendar with plenty of fall and Halloween things to do in Dayton. The Lowry Team wishes you a safe and happy season with your family. When you’re ready to buy a home or sell a home in Dayton, give us a call or text at 513-368-3751.

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Fall and Halloween Things to do in Cincinnati

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Fall and Halloween Things to do in Cincinnati 2019

The cooler weather of fall gives us a chance to enjoy being outside and spending time with family and friends. Cincinnati is a city that is alive with so many things to do. From pumpkin patches to haunted houses in Cincinnati for Halloween, The Lowry Team has put together some creative, fun, and thrilling fall and Halloween things to do in Cincinnati during this season.

Pumpkin Patches in Cincinnati

Niederman Family Fall Festival – This fall festival features a 14 acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, bonfires, hayrides, a petting zoo, pig races, fall treats, and more. Runs from September 27th through October 27th, on Mondays – Thursdays 6PM-9PM, Fridays 6PM- 10PM, Saturdays 11AM – 10PM, Sunndays, 1PM – 6PM. Admission is $12, children under 2 are free. Located at 5110 Lesourdsville West Chester Road, Liberty Township OH 45011.

Hidden Valley Fruit Farm Fall Fun Days – This farm celebrates Apple Fest September 7-8, Apple Cider Donut Fest September 14-15, Caramel Apple Festival September 21-22, Scarecrow Festival September 28-29, Apple Cider Festival October 5-6, Pumpkin Festival October 12-13, Harvest Happenings Festival October 19-20, and Halloween Festival October 26-27. They have hayrides, train rides, petting zoo, a bounce house, playground, a pumpkin patch, and yummy fall treats. Located at 5474 N. State Rt. 48, Lebanon OH 45036.

Blooms and Berries Fall on the Farm – Hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a giant pumpkin bounce pad, cow train rides, a straw maze, farm animals, delicious fall treats, a giant kids slide, and a brand new beer garden. Admission is $11. Runs September 21st – October 31st. Located at 9669 S. State Rt. 48, Loveland OH 45140.

Irons Fruit Farm – Hayrides for pumpkins run between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The wagon ride is free – you just pay for the pumpkin you pick. They also have a corn maze, u-pick apples on September weekends, a bakery, and more! Located at 1640 Stubbs Mill Road, Lebanon OH 45036.

Brown’s Farm Fall Family Fun Weekends – Activities include a “Tiny Town” play village, fall displays and photo op areas, straw house maze, corn maze, children’s garden, farm animals, picnic areas, hayrides, a kiddie pumpkin patch, and a large pumpkin patch. Begins September 21st and runs through weekends in October, from 9 AM to 7 PM. Located at 11620 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton OH 45013.

Shaw Farms Fall Festival – This farm festival offers an interactive playground, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and live music. Certain special activities require admission fee. Starts the third weekend of September and runs through October weekends, from 9AM to 7PM. Located at 1737 Ohio 131, Milford OH 45150.

Corn Mazes in Cincinnati

Fall and Halloween Things to do in Cincinnati 2019 2

Shaw Farms – A 12.25 acre corn maze with over 2 miles of trails throughout. Admission is $6. Located at 1737 Ohio 131, Milford OH 45150.

Irons Fruit Farm – This 12 acre corn maze is open on weekends in September and October. Admission for children is $5, adults $7. Located at 1640 Stubbs Mill Road, Lebanon OH 45036.

Blooms & Berries – Every year the 7 acre corn maze features a different theme. They also have a smaller maze with a game/scavenger hunt for kids. Located at 9669 S. State Rt. 48, Loveland OH 45140.

Niederman Family Farm – This farm features a 14 acre corn maze, among other great fall activities. Located at 5110 Lesourdsville West Chester Road, Liberty Township OH 45011.

Fall Festivals in Cincinnati

The Great Pumpkin Fest at Keehner Park – A free family-friendly event featuring a costume contest, horse-and-wagon rides, petting zoos, a not-so-scary haunted trail, crafts, games and more! October 12th, from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Located at 7211 Barrett Road, West Chester OH 45069.

Liberty Township Fall Festival – A free, community event at Liberty Park with live music, food trucks, arts & crafts vendors, inflatables, touch-a-truck, and more. Saturday, September 28th from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Located at 6703 Yankee Road, Liberty Twp OH 45044.

Haunted Village at Sharon Woods – Heritage Village Museum at Sharon Woods park transforms into a haunted village for 6 nights of spooktacular fun in October. This family friendly event features wagon rides, walks through the cemetery, face painting, balloon animals, games, and trick-or-treat stations. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. This event occurs every Friday and Saturday, October 11th – 26th, from 6PM to 10PM. Admission is $10 for anyone ages 2 and up. Located at 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville OH 45241

Blue Ash Halloween Walk in the Woods – Enjoy a trick or treat walk, magic show, games, crafts, and more! This event is geared toward children 10 and under. Located at Blue Ash Nature Park on Saturday, October 26th at 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Operation Pumpkin – This annual fall festival features a giant pumpkin contest, pumpkin sculpting, a pet parade and costume contest, Little Miss Punkin contest, live music, food vendors, craft booths, rides for kids, and much more. Takes place October 11th – 13th in downtown Hamilton.

Sunflower Festival – Gorman Heritage Farm celebrates their annual Sunflower Festival October 5th and 6th from 10AM to 6PM. You can pick a pumpkin from the patch, stroll through the sunflower maze, take a hayride, and pet the friendly farm animals. There will also be local food trucks, crafts from local artisans, and live music. Adult admission is $8, children $5, ages 2 and under are free. Located at 10052 Reading Road, Cincinnati OH 45241.

Sauerkraut Festival – Enjoy the fall season with a scenic drive up to Waynesville for the annual Sauerkraut Festival, one of the premier craft festivals in the nation. They have over 450 vendors, including handmade crafts and delicious foods. Don’t forget to try the sauerkraut donuts! Takes place October 12th and 13th, from 9AM to 8PM. Located at 10B North Main Street, Waynesville OH 45068.

Findlay Market Fall Food Festival – This fun-filled festival features food, craft beer, live music, fall crafts, pumpkin painting, a scavenger hunt for the kids, and more! This takes place on October 20th from 10AM to 4PM. Located at 1801 Race Street, Cincinnati OH 45202

Fall Fest Weekend at Washington Park – Featuring a jam-packed entertainment lineup for all ages, and local vendors selling crafts, homemade items, baked goods, and more! Saturday, October 26th – Sunday, October 27th from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Located at 1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati OH 45202.

Autumn Fun Activities

Jack O Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction – Halloween fun for the whole family, featuring a trick or treat maze with kid-friendly ghosts, skeletons and more. Stop and color, or see Halloweenville, a miniature animated display. They also have the area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch, where kids get a free mini pumpkin. Also open this year are the two outdoor kid’s train rides themed for the Halloween season. This special fall event runs from September 28th to October 31st. Located at 7379 Squire Court, West Chester OH 45069

Lakota West Craft Show – Enjoy the area’s best annual fall craft show the first weekend of October. There will be over 220 indoor booths, lunch & concessions, on-site parking, and more. An ATM will be available. Entry is $2.00

HallZOOween- Every weekend in October from noon – 5PM, families can enjoy their favorite zoo all decked out for the fall season. There will be trick-or-treat stations, special animal encounters, Scare-ousel rides, Hogwarts Express train rides, Theater of Illusion shows, prizes, and more! Kids are encouraged to wear costumes.

Things to do in Cincinnati for Halloween

Haunted Houses in Cincinnati

Fall and Halloween Things to do in Cincinnati 2019 3

Land of Illusion – Unlimited access to their five haunted attractions, and enjoy live bands performing on the Stage of Rage and access to the Voodoo Lounge, a full service bar. Parking is $5/car, and admission is $36/person. Open in October on Fridays & Saturdays 8PM to 2AM, and Thursdays & Sundays 8PM to 11:30PM. Located at 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown OH 45042

The Dent Schoolhouse – Based on a horrifying true story of the Dent School murders, visitors can explore a real haunted house. Admission is $20+. Open weekends in September and October 7:30PM – 12AM, and Thursdays in October from 7:30PM – 10PM. Located at 5963 Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45248

USS Nightmare – This haunted steamboat attraction features 2 decks and over 30 minutes of horror. Admission is $20. Located at 101 Riverboat Row, Newport KY 41071

Halloween Haunt – Kings Island celebrates Halloween with haunted mazes, thrill rides, scare zones, live music, and lots of food. Admission starts at $31. Open Fridays and Saturdays September 20th -October 26th from 6PM to 1AM. Located at 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason OH 45040.

Lewisburg Haunted Cave – This one’s a bit of a hike to get to, but if you’re into haunted houses and attractions, this is a MUST. Experience the world’s longest haunted house experience in a real limestone cave that runs eighty feet below the ground. Open Fridays and Saturdays in September and October, from 7PM to midnight. Admission is $17. Located at 4392 Swishers Mill Road, Lewisburg OH 45338

Haunted Tours in Cincinnati

Queen City is Haunted Tours – Discover stories of grisly murders, deaths, and other disturbing tales buried within Cincinnati’s past. Tours last from 90 minutes to 2 hours. Tickets are $20. Tours begin at 1332 Vine Street, Cincinnati OH 45202

Newport is Haunted Tour – Experience a lantern lit tour filled with stories of murder, suicide, and lots of ghosts. Tours last from 90 minutes to 2 hours. Tickets are $20. Tours begin at 18 E 5th Street, Newport KY 41071

We hope we’ve helped fill your calendar with plenty of fall and Halloween things to do in Cincinnati. The Lowry Team wishes you a safe and happy season with your family. When you’re ready to buy a home or sell a home in Cincinnati, give us a call or text at 513-368-3751.

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How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

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Home Inspection Preparation

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

Preparing for a home inspection is something that more sellers should take into consideration. In a real estate transaction, the home inspection is the biggest hurdle that a home seller faces to have a successful sale, so it’s very important to know what to expect.

When selling real estate, the home inspection takes place within approximately the first week after an offer has been submitted by the buyer and accepted by the seller. A home inspection is paid for the buyer and is performed by a licensed professional home inspector.

Within the terms of the contract, this is called the “inspection contingency”. This means that the contract is dependent upon the successful negotiation and resolution of any inspection items. If the inspection reveals significant problems with the home or the buyer and seller can’t agree to repairs, the buyer may decide to “walk away” from the home. If this happens, they will be sending over a release to sign that terminates the contract.

It stands to reason that you want to be sure your home is in the best possible condition before the home inspection takes place. Home sale preparation is one of the keys to selling real estate, so getting your home ready for the inspection only makes sense. A home inspector is not going to be looking at any messes, but an unkempt home will give the impression of uncaring owners who may not be performing regular maintenance of items that shouldn’t be neglected.

One suggestion to help make the home inspection go more smoothly is to make it easier for the home inspector to do his job. It is common practice in real estate that the seller not be present while the home inspection is taking place. A couple easy things you can do before you leave the home is to make sure the inspector can access the attic and the entire basement. If the attic access is in a closet, remove any items that may block his way. Make sure the inspector will be able to see all the exterior walls in the basement, and have easy access to the HVAC system.

What Do Home Inspectors Check?

Home inspectors go over your home with a fine tooth comb. They generally start on the outside of your home and work their way in. Depending on the size of your home, an inspection can take anywhere from 1.5 – 5 hours. Most inspections fall within the 2-3 hour range.

Some common things inspectors look at on the exterior of your home can include:
-Proper grading to ensure water doesn’t easily get into the home
-Visual damage or cracks on the driveway
-Wood rot on trim or window sills
-Structural cracks on the foundation
-Electrical wiring coming into the house
-The state of the roof including shingles and sheathing, and the chimney

Some things that inspectors look for on the interior of the home can include (but are certainly not limited to):
-Signs of water penetration
-Structural defects
-Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems
-Any signs of insects or rodents
-Functionality of the windows, including any failed seals

Common Defects Found During Home Inspections

How to Prepare for a Home Inspection 2

The best way to prepare yourself for a home inspection is to understand what some of the most probable defects a home inspector is likely to find.

-Improper bathroom venting – In order to prevent mold issues in the attic of a home, current building codes require that a bath fan vent to the outside of the home. However, this wasn’t always the case. A lot of older homes still have it vented into the attic.

-Failed window seals – You can tell if your windows have failed seals by looking for any fogging between the glass panes.

-Chimney defects – This is most commonly just cracks and repointing or mortar. These are often found near the top of the chimney and have occurred over time due to the elements.

-Electrical violations – These are most common in homes where the homeowner has made improvements on his own and not hired a certified electrician. However, there are often a lack of GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms. Double tapped electrical breakers and non-grounded outlets are other common examples.

-Rotted exterior wood – This is most commonly found around exterior trim, window sills, and areas around decking.

-Minor plumbing defects – Some of the most common plumbing defects include dripping faucets, loose toilets, and slow or leaky drains.

-Mold and radon remediation – Mold and radon are the two biggest deal killers in real estate. Mold is something that will need to be tested and remediated by a mold specialist. After being remediated, the mold specialist would then need do a mold re-test to get the all-clear. The most common places to find mold are the attic, basement, and bathrooms.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas found in the ground that enters the home through the basement area. It is a known health hazard and most buyers will request that you have it mitigated by having a radon mitigation system installed and a second radon test done. The radon test should show safe levels below 4.0 pCi/L. This is relatively easy to have done.

Disclosure or Fixing Items Prior to Closing

When defects are listed on the home inspection report, the buyers then put together a list of repair requests that they want you to have completed by licensed professionals prior to closing or give them a repair allowance to have the repairs done themselves after closing.

This portion of the transaction is the inspection negotiation. As the seller, you can agree to either all, some, or none of the repairs. However, it is important to note that you if you refuse to make the repairs and the deal falls through, you will have to disclose all those known defects to any future potential buyers.

Bottom Line

If you want to keep your home sale on track, it is crucial to prepare for the home inspection.

Questions about selling your home?
Call/text 513-368-3751

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Buying a House in Spring 2019

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What You Need to Know About Buying a House This Spring

Buying a House in Spring 2019

Spring is the busiest time of year in Real Estate. It is known as house hunting season. The months of April, May, and June account for around 40% of all home sales for the entire year. If you are considering buying a home this Spring, here’s what you need to know.

Inventory is Low and Homes are Selling Fast

Currently, housing inventory in our area is extremely low. Not only is there a exceptionally low supply of houses for sale, but buyer demand is very high. You will have a lot of competition for just a few houses, which means the houses are selling very fast. Homes that are in good condition and are priced right, are selling in just days. In fact, many are even selling within just hours! So be prepared to act fast and get an offer submitted as soon as possible if you love the house. In this market, waiting to think it over can you mean you lose out.

What You Need To Do

You need to prepare yourself to be competitive in the housing market. That means you must be prepared to make a strong offer when you find the right house, and get it submitted quickly.

In addition to making a strong offer price, you must also provide a pre-approval letter with your offer. A pre-approval letter strengthens your offer because it shows the seller that you have the financial capability to purchase the home. So it’s imperative you choose the right lender and get pre-approved before looking at homes.

Start your search online so you can view full details and photos of all available homes for sale. Our Homes For Sale information is a direct feed from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and is updated several times a day so you will never miss a new listing!

Thinking of buying a house this Spring?
Call/text The Lowry Team at 513-368-3751.

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Cincinnati Real Estate Market Report February 2019

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Market conditions in our area are currently a “tale of two markets”. First, we have the luxury market where we are seeing a much longer average of days on the market, and a much larger supply of homes for sale.

In the entry-level and first move-up market, there is an extreme shortage of homes for sale. Homes in this price range can sell very quickly and for top dollar. The best time to sell your home is when there are a lot of potential buyers, but very few homes to choose from. That’s exactly what we have going on in our market right now. If you would like to sell your home for top dollar and get the terms you want, now is the time to get it on the market.

If you’re a buyer, you may be thinking now is not the best time to buy. Actually, that’s not true. Interest rates have come back down a little which makes buying a bit more affordable, i.e. lower monthly payments. Home prices and interest rates are projected to rise, so waiting to buy will cost you more money.

If you’re thinking of buying a home or selling a home,
call or text us at 513-368-3751.

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Tips for First Time Home Sellers

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Tips for First Time Home SellersSelling your home is a big deal, especially when it’s your first home. There are many aspects of the process to consider if you want to sell your home quickly and for the best possible price. From picking the right Realtor to pricing your home well, doing these things right will put you in the best position to get the results you want.

How to sell a home for the first time is not a process to be taken lightly. With all the steps that go into selling a home, it’s easy to make mistakes as a first time home seller without the proper guidance.

6 Best Tips for First Time Home Sellers

Pick The Right Realtor

While it is possible to sell your home without a Realtor, it’s definitely not recommended. Buying and selling homes are most likely the biggest purchases/sales you will ever make in your life, which means there is too much at stake with too many things that could go wrong. A good agent is skilled in handling all the details and helping you to avoid making costly mistakes.

Picking the right agent for you is extremely important as this will set the tone for how your whole experience will go. It’s recommended to meet with and interview several Realtors before choosing one. Do your homework and choose a Realtor who will help you accomplish your home sales goals.

Wondering what to look for when interviewing agents? There are numerous things to keep in mind. You will want to look for a Realtor, or better yet a Realtor Team, with recent and positive client feedback/reviews.

You’ll also want to look for an agent who sells homes close to the list price (ask what their list-to-sale-price ratio is) as this demonstrates an understanding of the market. In addition, it’s imperative to make sure they have an outstanding marketing plan set in place. Over 90% of home buyers find their home online so you want to have an agent who has the skills to make your home stand out.

Tips for First Time Home Sellers 2Price Your Home Appropriately

Picking the right Realtor and pricing your home well go hand-in-hand. Helping you price your home correctly is another skill a good agent will have. Everyone wants to sell their home for the highest possible price; but be careful, if you price it too high it will repel potential buyers.

If it’s priced too high it can sit on the market for a while, which can cause it to develop a stigma with potential buyers who might then believe that it’s undesirable in some way and then provide you with low-ball offers. In the end, this can cause you to end up selling it for less than you otherwise might have had you priced it well at the start.

It’s important to talk with your Realtor to go over all the information and to set a good price for your home. This is where the Realtor’s list-to-sale-price-ratio becomes very significant (meaning they have a good record of selling homes close to their original list price). You don’t want to end up with an agent who blatantly misrepresents the value of your home by providing an unrealistic market value just to get you to sign a contract with them. You want an agent who is successful at pricing and selling homes so you can reach your home sales goals in the best time frame for the best price.

Spend Time Getting Your Home Ready

If you want to sell your home for the best price possible, it’s important to spend some time getting your house in tip-top shape before putting it on the market. Your Realtor will be able to advise you on specific things you should do. The following are some common examples of things you can do to make a significant impact on first impressions of potential buyers:

Exterior Home Tips:

  • Make sure your curb appeal is excellent
  • Make any necessary repairs to any obvious defects like rotted siding or trim
  • Tidy up any patios, decks, and walkways
  • Freshen up your landscaping by pulling weeds, trimming bushes, and planting flowers for a pop of color

Interior Home Tips:

  • Deep clean your home from top to bottom. This is one of the cheapest things you can do that will have a significant impact.
  • Declutter as much as possible
  • Paint any rooms that need a neutral coat of paint
  • Add brighter light bulbs in darker areas of the home
  • Clean your carpets, or have worn carpets replaced

Be Ready To Move If You Get An Offer

When you put your home on the market, you should be prepared to accept an offer at any time. In a hot sellers’ market, homes sometimes sell within hours of being listed. When someone makes an offer on your home and you accept it, you will need to be ready to quickly finalize your plans for relocation and start getting your things set to be moved out of your home.

If you are selling and buying a home at the same time, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Your Realtor will help you find a new home and make sure the timelines for closings match up so that both sales will progress smoothly.

Understand What The Costs Will Be For ClosingTips for First Time Home Sellers 3

There can be a lot of extra costs associated with selling your home so it’s important to make sure that you know exactly what to expect. Before closing, your lender will go over all the numbers in detail with you, but if you’d like a rough estimate before listing, your Realtor can go over what is called a “net sheet” with you. The following items are some common expenses:

  • Depending on the price range of your home, it can be common for buyers to request that the seller pay to cover their closing costs. Buyer closing costs generally range from $3,000 – $5,500. You can offset these closing costs via negotiating the sale price of the home.
  • Realtors’ commissions range by area, but most commonly are 6%. This is split between the sellers’ agent and the buyers’ agent.
  • Pay to bring your property taxes current if taxes in your area are paid in arrears.
  • Home warranty plans are often included with the sale of the home. This is optional, but beneficial for numerous reasons.

While this isn’t a complete list of all the costs that can be incurred while selling a home, it can help you get an idea of the wide range of potential costs to expect.

Know Your Local Market

It’s important to have a basic understanding of the current market conditions in your area. Every area is unique, which means that what works in one area may not work in another.

There are a lot of factors that go into real estate markets, which is why it’s important to have an experienced Realtor to help you have a clear understanding of what to expect. Your Realtor should be an expert on your local market. Your agent should know what homes similar to yours are selling for, and how to compare your home to recent sales of those similar homes to decide on the best list price. The more your Realtor knows about your area, the better job he/she can do when selling your home.

Bottom Line

There are a lot of things to take into account when selling your home, which is why if you want to sell your home for the best possible price in the best time frame, you will want to make sure to start by hiring a good Realtor. Once you have a Realtor using their expertise to look out for your best interests, the rest of the pieces will fall into place.

 Questions about selling your home?
Call/text 513-368-3751

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