Why Some Houses Don’t Sell

Posted on | September 24, 2009 | No Comments

Why Some Houses Don’t Sell
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

Why do some houses sell and others don’t?

There are many different answers to this question, but as I read an article by Tribune Media Services columnist Ilyce Glink, she pointed out some good answers.

Below are her top 6 reasons a home won’t sell..

– Lousy pictures on the Web.
– Priced too high for the neighborhood.
– Blah interior; ho-hum landscaping.
– Little online marketing and hard-to-find MLS listings.
– Low commissions.
– Miserable maintenance, including ceiling stains, leaky faucets, and ancient furnaces.

Now the good news…many of these are very easy (and inexpensive) to fix.

Lousy pictures. With more than 85% of buyers starting their home search on the internet these days, it is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE to have badly taken, or only one or two pictures online. Buyers simply will not ask to see your home. Period.

Priced too high. In this competitive real estate environment, there is no time for testing the waters. If you don’t have compare your house to CURRENT SOLD comparable homes, you may price yourself out of the race from the start. Don’t be fooled by active listings that suggest a higher price than the sold data (there is a reason they’re still active..).

Blah interior. Spruce it up if you want to move. Declutter and make your spaces feel as open as possible. Paint can be very cheap and you’ll be amazed at your return on investment. Landscaping (another great DIY project) also has a very high return.

Little online marketing. This one is the agent’s fault. If online marketing is important to you, which it should be (85% of all buyers start looking on the internet), than you need to choose an agent that has an online marketing strategy. Ask the agent what websites your home will be listed on and ask them to show you their current listings on all of those websites. If they only use the Cincinnati Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and their broker’s website, they are missing a significant portion of buyers on the internet.

Low commissions. Not offering a full commission to a buyer’s agent, or cheaping out on a listing agent are both critical mistakes. You are hiring someone to guide you through the largest financial transaction of your life, this is not the time to buy generic. On the other hand, make your Cincinnati Realtor prove they are worth that commission.

Miserable maintenance. If you neglect the little things like the leaky faucet, the buyer will wonder what other important things you don’t pay attention to. Keeping up with maintenance leaves your potential buyers at peace.

MLS Open House Saturday September 12 & Sunday September 13

Posted on | September 11, 2009 | No Comments

MLS Open House Saturday September 12 & Sunday September 13
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

There are over 2,570 Cincinnati open houses this weekend!

Need a few more reasons why it is A Great Time to Buy a Home in Cincinnati!

To find out which listings will be open, use this Open House Search

Cincinnati Mortgage Rates

Posted on | September 5, 2009 | No Comments

Cincinnati Mortgage Rates
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

CURRENT RATES:

JUMBO – 6.125% 30 YR FIXED

CONVENTIONAL – 5.25% 30 YR FIXED

FHA – 5.25% 30 YR FIXED

Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Posted on | September 4, 2009 | No Comments

Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

Should I buy a home now or wait? I’ve never been asked this question more than in the previous few years as real estate news and economic woes have dominated the news.
Buying or selling is a personal decision first and a business decision second for many people. People get married, babies are born, kids go off to college, etc. Buying or selling can be a need and not just a want.

When you read that home prices are falling or it is taking longer to sell a home it is certainly normal to question your decision or spend longer gathering information about what to do.

• Which way are prices trending?

• Which way are mortgage rates trending?

• Which way is the amount of homes for sale trending?

For anyone sitting on the fence, this is a MUST READ before jumping off!

Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Or as the great Warren Buffett said “We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.”

Mortgage rates are near historical lows, home prices are at lows, and inventory is starting to decrease (which will send prices higher and provide much less choice).

Call me today and ask Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?

Don’t miss Cincinnati MLS Open House Weekend

Posted on | September 3, 2009 | No Comments

Don’t miss Cincinnati MLS Open House Weekend
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

It couldn’t have come at a better time! Two weekends from now, Saturday and Sunday September 12th and 13th 2009, Cincinnati Realtors are holding a MEGA-OPEN-HOUSE (as we normally do twice a year).

The timing on this event is more crucial than normal because anyone that is planning to take advantage of the FREE $8,000 that the government is giving away is quickly running out of time.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, see $8,000 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER FEDERAL TAX CREDIT

This incentive program ends December 1st, 2009. If you do not close on a home by December 1st, 2009 you will NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE $8,000 TAX CREDIT.

To find out which listings will be open, use this Open House Search

First Time Home Buyers Federal Tax Credit

Posted on | August 19, 2009 | No Comments

First Time Home Buyers Federal Tax Credit
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

Every day I get asked a question about the First Time Home Buyers Federal Tax Credit. It can be confusing, and you may hear some conflicting stories out there, but here are some quick facts:

• Tax credit of 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000.
• The credit is REFUNDABLE. This means you can receive money back if you don’t owe taxes.
• Income limits are $75,000 for a single taxpayer and $150,000 for married taxpayers.
• Must own the home for 3 years.
• The tax credit is not meant to be used as a down-payment.

Below is a great video that I found that helps explain the first time home buyer tax credit. Feel free to call me with any questions, I’m always available to help!

Posted on | August 19, 2009 | No Comments

Cincinnati Mortgage Rate Update
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

Rates are currently at 5.25% FIXED FOR 30 YEARS! FHA and Conventional!!

Call me TODAY to speak with a mortgage consultant. It is free and confidential to find out if you qualify for a mortgage loan.

For first time home buyers, the federal tax credit of up to $8000 is set to expire on December 1st, 2009. You must close on your new home before that date to qualify. Please call me at 513.259.8333 or email Matt@MattClarkCincinnati.com with any questions or if you would like to know the details on the first time home buyer tax credit.

2233 Ronda Avenue, Norwood, Ohio

Posted on | June 14, 2009 | No Comments

Welcome to 2233 Ronda Avenue in Norwood, Ohio
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

Attention ALL FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS!!
This is a great home for you!

2 bedrooms, 1 full bath
Very manageable house and yard
Eligible for the $8,000 Federal First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit!!

Today’s price $101,500
**(please call 513.259.8333 for current pricing and availability)

Absolutely cute 2 bedroom home on a great quiet street! Ronda Avenue being a cul-de-sac is why it stays so quiet and is a very sought after location. Enjoy cool summer breezes on covered side patio. The rear yard is a perfect size for your favorite pet and is very manageable if you are looking for a low maintenance lifestyle.

Very well built home with charming details still intact. Eat in kitchen, large dining room, and wide open basement just waiting to be turned into a great rec room. Large insulated attic space provides an excellent amount of storage for a two bedroom home.

THIS ONE IS ELIGIBLE FOR $8,OOO FIRST TIME BUYER TAX CREDIT!

View more photos in the 2233 Ronda Ave photo gallery.

For your personal tour of this home or any other home on the market, feel free to call me at 513.259.8333 or email Matt@MattClarkCincinnati.com to set a showing time.

OPEN HOUSE SUN 4/26 3-5pm

Posted on | April 25, 2009 | No Comments

This is a great 5 bedroom, 2 full bath home with a large open finished lower level. The kitchen has just been completely updated with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Hardwood floors throughout the main level, new paint, new roof, nothing to do but move in and start entertaining!

Here is one view of the kitchen which includes a breakfast nook that walks out to the spectacular patio! This home is in the Mariemont City School District.

Corbin Park OPEN HOUSE Sunday 3/29 1-4pm!

Posted on | March 26, 2009 | No Comments

Corbin Park OPEN HOUSE Sunday 3/29 1-4pm!
by Matt Clark, Cincinnati Realtor
Cincinnati Real Estate

Check out this entertaining space!
Green features and cool homes usually go hand in hand and this is truly the case at Corbin Park!

The details:

11 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

• Rooftop terraces

• multi-level decks

• Flexible, open spaces

• Park-like setting with river and city views

• Custom interiors

• 5 minutes from downtown

• Elevator standard

• Tax abated and LEED Certified

• Prices from $637,500 to $795,000

Here is a look at the site plan for Corbin Park. This development has been limited to only 11 single family homes. Give me call today to make sure you get the location you want!

Green Features of Corbin Park:
The homes of Corbin Park have been designed with these “Green” features to be constructed as energy efficient as possible with little added expense to the home. These homes can be built for an additional cost to United States Green Building Counsel’s “LEED for Homes” standards.

• ROOF: Not Your typical oil based asphalt shingles that need to be replaced every 15 or 20 years, but a high wind resistant, heat reflective, KYNAR coated metal roof that should last a lifetime. These roofs meet EPA Energy Star Products Program performance criteria.

• FRAMING: 2×6 construction allowing a 30% increase in insulation, greatly reducing heating and cooling cost.

• WINDOWS: Pella Architect Series insulated windows. Rated number 1 by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for energy efficiency for the last 2 years. Almost twice as efficient as the standard double pane windows, Pella Energy Star-Qualified products reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

• DECKING: Environmentally friendly Timbertech decking. Timbertech is made of renewable and recycled material which requires little or no maintenance.

• PLUMBING: High Efficient Energy Star-Rated Power Vent gas water heater.

• LIGHTING: Intelligent Lutron Lighting Control System. This system is programmable for different levels of intensity which reduces energy consumption and increases the life of the bulbs.

• APPLIANCES: All GE Energy Star-Rated appliances.

• LOCATION: Corbin Park is conveniently located 5 minutes from Downtown Cincinnati and within walking distance of Parks, Restaurants, and new Retail.

You won’t believe the size of this master bedroom!

It’s 42X 14 feet! (and there is no reason to ever leave..)

For more information or for the full brochure, give me a call at 513-533-5864 or send me an email at matt@mattclarkcincinnati.com

« go back — keep looking »

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First Time Home Buyer Guide:
Are you a first time home buyer or just in need of some creative ideas for your home? This Creative Ideas Guide from Lowes features great tips on painting, how to be more green, and easy updates to make your home standout.

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