Resources and Links for Columbus Ohio Buyers and Sellers

by villagepartners on April 17, 2013

Web Site Resources for Consumers

1.Credit Union Consumer Facts

http://www.cuna.org/data/consumer/advice/retire_home/hometoc.html

2. EnergyGuide.com

Provides an easy way to assess energy use and get quick tips on saving energy.

3. Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov

A one-stop shop for advice on testing for and mitigating pollutants, from lead paint to radon to mold.

4.Equifax, www.eqifax.com

A source of credit reports.

5.Experian (formerly TRW), www.experian.com

A source of credit reports.

6. Federal Citizen Information Center, http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/results.tpl?id1=17&startat=1&–woSECTIONSdatarq=17&–SECTIONSword=ww

Offers a list of consumer articles about home sales, financing, and maintenance.

7. Ginnie Mae, http://www.ginniemae.gov

Provides advice to buyers on affordability and homeownership, including calculators.

8. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm

Offers advice to buyers on finance, fair housing, and more.

9. ImproveNet, www.improvenet.com

Provides links to contractors and architects for remodeling projects for buyers and repair services for sellers. For a small charge, buyers can use the site’s Estimators to determine how much renovating a property they’re considering would cost.

10. Moving.com

Helps buyers and sellers with packing tips and timetables, online mover links, and places to store belongings so that homes look less cluttered.

11. REALTOR.com

Offers consumer information for buyers and sellers as well as home listings and links to service providers.

12. Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC), http://www.rebac.net/hbk.html

Offers a homebuyer’s kit with useful information and checklists.

13. Trans Union Corporation, www.transunion.com

A source of credit reports.

 

For more information or if you are thinking about buying or selling a home, click here to contact The Village Partners or call/text 740-587-0141.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Packing Tips

by villagepartners on April 10, 2013

1. Develop a master “to do” list so you won’t forget something critical.

2. Sort and get rid of things you no longer want or need. Have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle.

3. Don’t throw out everything. If your inclination is to just toss it, ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d feel if you no longer had it.

4. Pack like items together. Put toys with toys, kitchen utensils with kitchen utensils.

5. Decide what if anything you plan to move yourself. Precious items, such as family photos, valuable breakables, or must-haves during the move, should probably stay with you.

6. Use the right box for the item. Loose items encourage breakage.

7. Put heavy items in small boxes so they’re easier to lift. Keep weight under 50 lbs. if possible.

8. Don’t over-pack boxes and increase the chances they will break.

9. Wrap every fragile item separately and pad bottom and sides of boxes.

10. Label every box on all sides. You never know how they’ll be stacked and you don’t want to have to move other boxes aside to find out what’s there.

11. Use color-coded labels to indicate which room each item should go in. Color-code a floor plan for your new house to help movers.

12. Keep your moving documents together, including phone numbers, driver’s name, and van number. Also keep your address book handy.

13. Back up your computer files before moving your computer.

14. Inspect each box and all furniture for damage as soon as it arrives.

15. Remember, most movers won’t take plants

For more information or if you are thinking about buying or selling a home, click here to contact The Village Partners or call/text 740-587-0141.

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10 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs

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1. Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower. 2. Buy your homeowners and auto policies from the same company. You’ll usually qualify for a discount. But make sure that the savings really yields the lowest price. 3. Make your home less susceptible [...]

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Buyers should arrange home owners insurance in the first 10 days after going into contract to determine the insurability of the property that they are purchasing.   1. Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These coverages must be bought separately. [...]

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Siding: Look for dents or buckling Foundations: Look for cracks or water seepage Exterior Brick: Look for cracked bricks or mortar pulling away from bricks Insulation: Look for condition, adequate rating for climate Doors and Windows: Look for loose or tight fits, condition of locks, condition of weatherstripping Roof: Look for age, conditions of flashing, [...]

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Title Insurance in the Columbus Ohio Region:

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In Columbus and the Central Ohio region sellers typically determine the title company that will be used to provide title insurance and handle closing. It is a standard clause in the Columbus Board of Realtors contract that the sellers provide the buyer with title insurance at closing. 5 Things to Understand About Title Insurance 1. [...]

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Search Tools for the Columbus Region

February 27, 2013

1. What is it? An online tool from the Columbus Multiple Listing Service that allows you to easily see the houses that are available for sale that meet the criteria you specify. You can use the client website to search for a new home, or to see what is happening in the real estate market [...]

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Things a Lender Needs From You

February 20, 2013

1. Copies of driver’s licenses or state ID’s 2. W-2 forms or business tax return forms if you’re self-employed for the last two or three years for every person signing the loan. 3. Copies of one or more months of pay stubs from every person signing the loan. 4. Copies of two months of bank [...]

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10 Questions to Ask Your Lender

February 13, 2013

Be sure you find a loan that fits your needs with these comprehensive questions. 1. What are the most popular mortgage loans you offer? 2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for us? Why? 3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable? 4. Will I have to buy [...]

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