Homearama 2019 Kensington of Mason

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Homearama 2019 Kensington of Mason

Cincinnati’s luxury home show, Homearama 2019, will begin on Saturday, June 8th and will run through June 23rd. The show this year will be located in the Kensington community in Deerfield Township. This will be the 56th year of the home show, and the 18th time it is being held in Warren County.

Kensington is the premier luxury new home community in Deerfield Township. Kensington is and English garden-inspired community, and offers many great amenities for residents. The neighborhood has over 20 acres of green space, walking trails, landscaped gardens, a pool / community area, yard games, outdoor movie projection space, and an outdoor fireplace. Kensington is located in the highly acclaimed Mason City School District.

See homes for sale in Mason City School District here.

This year’s show will feature 10 fully decorated and landscaped luxury homes in a variety of architectural styles. Eight builders are participating in this year’s home show to feature the latest building trends and interior design. The builders include Classic Living Homes, Fischer Homes, J&K Custom Homes, John Candle Homes, Robert Lucke Homes, WP Land Co., Walker Homes, and Wieland Builders . The homes are all expected to be priced at $900,000+.

Homearama 2016 took place at the Oaks of West Chester. Homearama 2017 took place at Rivercrest. Homearama 2018 was located at The Highlands at Heritage Hill.

Tickets for the show are $19.
Homearama Kensington is located at:
5780 Fields Ertel Road 
Cincinnati, OH 45249

For more information about Kensington,
call or text 513-368-3751

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Easter Egg Hunts in Cincinnati 2019

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West Chester Liberty Township Mason
Monroe Fairfield Township Fairfield

This year Easter falls on Sunday, April 21st, and there’s plenty of fun ideas for things to do for Easter in Cincinnati! Check out this list of Easter egg hunts, places to get pictures with the Easter Bunny, and unique Easter Brunch ideas!

Easter Egg Hunts in Cincinnati 2019

Easter Egg Hunts:

Easter Bunny Express – April 6th, 13th – 14th, 19th – 20th, and 27th. – Ride the Easter Bunny Express to the LM&M Junction for a visit with the Easter Bunny and Farmer Brown. Children will be able to take part in one of two Easter egg hunts to get candy and small prizes.

Deerfield Township Easter Egg Hunt – April 20th – Enjoy this FREE events with booths, activities, giveaways, face painting and more! There will be visits with the Easter Bunny and age-divided Easter egg hunts!

Keehner Park Easter Egg Hunt – April 20th – This is another FREE community event in West Chester! Bring a bag or basket to collect eggs! This event is open to children up to 8 years old. Egg hunts will be divided into multiple age groups.

Fairfield Township Easter Egg Hunt – April 14th – A FREE Easter egg hunt open to children ages 0-12. There will be hunts separated by age groups. There will also be face painting, games, and food trucks.

Hoppin’ at Harbin – April 13th – At Harbin Park, enjoy a free Easter egg Hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, games, crafts, and prizes! There will be separate hunts for 3 different age groups up to 8 years old.

Liberty Park Egg Hunt – April 20th – Located at Liberty Park behind the Lakota Family YMCA. There will be age group Easter egg hunts, and visits with the Easter Bunny.

Flashlight Egg Hunt – April 10th – Check out Hamilton’s Forest Run nighttime egg hunt! When the sun goes down, grab your flashlight and basket for a unique Easter Egg Hunt experience! There will be prizes, activities, and more.

Elk Creek Flashlight Egg Hunt – April 17th – When the park is dark, your flashlight will be your guide! Bring your own flashlight and join in the fun! Egg cartons will be provided for collecting. Be sure to look out for the golden eggs to redeem for extra prizes! Separate hunts based on age.

Cincinnati Zoo’s Easter Celebration – April 20th – There will be treat stations throughout the zoo, animal egg hunts, visits with the Easter Bunny, and more! There will also be 4 special Golden Eggs hidden throughout the park, which can be turned into the Welcome Center for a prize!

Easter Egg Hunt at Washington Park – April 13th – Over-the-Rhine’s biggest egg hunt returns to Washington Park with over 10,000 candy-filled eggs, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, and playtime with baby farm animals. For ages 3-10. This event is also FREE.

Dog-Gone Bone Hunt – April 14th – Bring your pooch for an egg hunt designed for dogs! Plastic eggs filled with dog treats will be scattered/hidden over a well-defined area in the park. Find a golden egg which can be redeemed for a prize! Some activities include: shopping at dog-friendly vendors, concessions, dog obstacle course, and more!

Pictures with the Easter Bunny:

Easter Egg Hunts in Cincinnati 2019 2

Easter Bunny Photos at The Liberty Center – Get pictures taken with the Easter Bunny at The Liberty Center. You can either purchase a professional print or snap your own on your camera.

Pictures with the Easter Bunny at Kenwood Mall – March 29th – April 20th – Hop on over to visit with the Easter Bunny and get pictures taken with him!

Easter Brunch:

BB Riverboat Easter Cruises – April 21st – Celebrate Easter and enjoy the spring weather. Climb aboard a Riverboat for one of their annual Easter cruises including a delicious buffet meal, relaxing atmosphere and outstanding views. You can enjoy a hearty brunch or a traditional Easter dinner featuring ham and chicken. Even the Easter Bunny will attend! There are several different cruises throughout Easter Sunday.

We hope this list of great Easter events and Easter Egg Hunts in Cincinnati helps you plan some fun for your weekend! Happy Easter!!

This list is provided courtesy of Lowry Team Real Estate. 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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Under $200,000 Under $300,000 Under $400,000

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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