The above photos are a before and after of a home we renovated for a seller. Here is a the post where we describe (with photos) the transformation in detail. There is an age old saying: When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. This post is just a quick take on one aspect of getting a home sold. I relate this saying to the real estate industry's over reliance on price reductions to get a home to sell. While price is a huge percentage of the pie, and it's importance is not to be underestimated, I see all the time where sellers and perhaps listing agents by association, rely on this tool as the only main tool in the toolbox to get a home sold. The other aspect is: CONDITION. I have personally listed and sold many homes where CONDITION OUTWEIGHED PRICE in getting a home... 02/13/2010

Pricing Your Greater Cleveland Area Home - Flood Versus Drip Theory While much has been written about properly pricing a home from Day 1, and there is little new under the sun from a savvy listing agent's point of view, having an in-depth conversation with a seller can prove challenging. There is a lot to consider before getting to the actual recommendations, here are a few examples, but is by no means exhaustive: Recent comparable sales Pending sales Active competition Homes on the market that expired off the market unsold Trends -- Is the market going up or down? Rarely does it stay the same Location of the home Improvements, deferred maintenance, and overall condition of the home Price Per Square Foot Analysis Months of Housing Supply (MHS) Absorption Rates % Chance of Selling Seller... 02/12/2010

Rental property can have very stable, respectful and reliable tenants. Cleveland, OH Yes, that’s right! It all depends on product, location and good tenant screening. If you don’t have all three, your vacancy rate will be elevated. Let’s talk about product first. We advise our students that they furnish their properties with clean functional items, new linens and art work on the walls. What you are creating is an environment that is very pleasing to the tenant, one that not only the tenant will look forward to coming home to, but also one, through pictures on flyers, web sites and word of mouth, will attract new inquires. We are all for building and keeping a pipeline. Many furnished rooms for rent are not clean and contain aged, thread bear chairs, sofas, and soiled mattresses. Would y... 02/09/2010

Okay, Forbes.com has ranked Cleveland has having the worst winter weather of the largest 50 cities when comparing total precipitation, average annual temps, and total snowfall. Everyone I spoke with today around Cleveland were perplexed, but NOAA can't be wrong if they have gathered data over the past thirty years. What doesn't make any sense to me is:  Ask anyone who lives in Minneapolis or Chicago for that matter, who has worse winter weather, Minneapolis or Chicago or Cleveland.  If you were to line up a ton of people, I could pretty much guess that most everyone would rank Cleveland third of the three. I would love for the authors of this article to spend January in Minneapolis and then February in Cleveland (or vice versa) and see when they compare zero degrees in Minneapolis to 2... 02/09/2010

Cleveland Real Estate - 3821 W. 160th St. (Cleveland, Ohio) ...More information at www.cjharrington.com  or Call (440)336-0612 LinksTEAM CJ's SITEPhoto GalleryDescriptionWell maintained all brick 2 family with separate utilities for each suite! Vinyl replacement windows, freshly painted interior, remodeled baths, new vinyl flooring and carpet recently installed, newer furnaces and hot water tanks, new cabinetry-countertop-sink on 1st floor unit! CALL... (440)336-0612Or visit our website at www.cjharrington.com for real estate information across Cleveland, OH.Homes for Sale Search Access, Information on Foreclosures Listings, First Time Homebuyer's Guide, Tips on the $8000 Tax Credit, Home Value Report & Evaluation, Homes for Sale Search Access, And much more...FeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathroo... 02/08/2010

Cleveland Real Estate - 3821 W160th St. (Cleveland, Ohio) ...More information at www.cjharrington.com or Call (440)336-0612 LinksTEAM CJ's SITEPhoto GalleryDescriptionWell maintained all brick 2 family with separate utilities for each suite! Vinyl replacement windows, freshly painted interior, remodeled baths, new vinyl flooring and carpet recently installed, newer furnaces and hot water tanks, new cabinetry-countertop-sink on 1st floor unit! CALL... (440)336-0612Or visit our website at www.cjharrington.com for real estate information across Cleveland, OH.Homes for Sale Search Access, Information on Foreclosures Listings, First Time Homebuyer's Guide, Tips on the $8000 Tax Credit, Home Value Report & Evaluation, Homes for Sale Search Access, And much more...FeaturesUnits: 2Bedrooms: 2Ba... 02/08/2010

Stan Stepak | Howard Hanna Real Estate Services | 440-476-0234 16009 Normandy, Cleveland (westpark), OH 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $159,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,332 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .138 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Feel at home in this brick colonial located in the heart of the Westpark/ Kamms area. Hardwood floors in living & dining room. Painted in todays modern colors. Beautiful working gas fireplace hightlights the living room. Kitchen has been updated with ceramic flooring. Upstairs are 3 comfortable sized bedrooms with a full bath. Downstairs a 21x15 rec.rm with 2nd full bath & separate laundry room completes this cozy home. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Fireplac... 02/03/2010

Stan Stepak | Howard Hanna Real Estate Services | stanleystepak@howardhanna.com | 440-476-0234 15722 Munn, Cleveland (westpark), OH 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $159,100 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,335 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This Westpark home is waiting and ready. Freshly painted in today’s colors with wood floors and crown moldings throughout. A decorative fireplace outlines the living room as does the refinished built-ins in the dining room with modern lighting fixtures. A three season porch off the dining room exits out to the landscaped yard. The kitchen has new oak cabinets, updated countertop and recessed lighting. Walk upstairs to an extra large master bedroom... 02/03/2010

Stan Stepak | Howard Hanna Real Estate Services | stanleystepak@howardhanna.com | 440-476-0234 15722 Munn, Cleveland (westpark), OH 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $159,100 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,335 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This Westpark home is waiting and ready. Freshly painted in today’s colors with wood floors and crown moldings throughout. A decorative fireplace outlines the living room as does the refinished built-ins in the dining room with modern lighting fixtures. A three season porch off the dining room exits out to the landscaped yard. The kitchen has new oak cabinets, updated countertop and recessed lighting. Walk upstairs to an extra large master bedroom... 02/01/2010

Price: $44,900 FIZBER.com ID 13927896 Single Family with 2 bed, 1.0 bath, in 12022 erwin Cleveland, OH, 44135 http://www.fizber.com/13927896/ 12022 erwin - For Sale By Owner Property Details: Type: Single Family Address: 12022 erwin, Cleveland, OH, 44135 Sq footage: 798.0 Floors: n/a Bathrooms: 1.0 Bedrooms: 2 Year built: 1950 View full property details and seller's contacts. View more Ohio homes for sale. Homes for Sale by Owner. Description: 2 bedroom,no basement,newer windows,roof,furnace,air,hot water tank,garage roof replaced,has 110/220 in garage,updated eletric box in house,fresh paint,new tile kitchen and bath,patio and awning in back yard,needs some cosmetics,readyto move in,cheap utilitys,loctaed 1/2 mile from brookpark off west 130 nice area,house vacant need to sell asap,wi... 01/21/2010

Has anyone ever experienced a vertigo-like sensation in a home (usually very old homes) with more than the usual sloping floors?  If so, I would love to hear your perspective, stories, and outcome.  If not, please let me know that too. For those of you agents, home inspectors, appraisers and the like, who have never experienced this, the feeling is akin to feeling light-headed, varying degrees of wooziness or a mild form of how you feel after you get off a merry-go-round. I once was in an old home where I and one of the buyer's both experienced vertigo-like symptoms from the sloping floors.  I regularly show old homes and I have been in many an old home with sloping floors.  It is not uncommon for 80+ year old homes to have varying degrees of sloping, and for me to not experience these ... 01/16/2010

Cleveland International Piano Competition: Exciting Announcements For 2010 I love to list the reasons why people should move to Cleveland. Yesterday, January 9, 2010 one more exciting reason was announced at the Cleveland International Piano Competition party hosted by Dr. Jim Gibbs. Karen Knowlton, Executive director of the Cleveland Piano Competition told about the 2010 concert series.  Cleveland is the city of a rich cultural legacy, living tradition of visual and performing arts, and International flavor. No wonder that Cleveland International Piano Competition is worldwide renowned and very popular among young pianists all over the world. Clevelanders and guests of our city will enjoy three wonderful performances during 2010. Russian community of Greater Cleveland is proudly suppor... 01/10/2010

New Year used to be the main celebration of the year back to Russia. Actually, It was the only celebration , which united everyone in joy, and hope, and happiness. It's always been a magic night. It still is. We have a big Russian community here in Cleveland OH. We keep the traditions of New Year celebration here in Cleveland, too. I am really happy to extend the best wishes for New Year to all my friends, clients, colleagues, partners, no matter what cultural background they have and what community they belong.  Some people like to attend big parties, some people perform in funny home made and home staged plays, some enjoy warm and joyful family gatherings. No matter how and where you celebrate a New Year, let 2010 be a prosperous, successful, happy year, full of fun, friendship, love ... 12/31/2009

Is it wise to list your home or condo in Cleveland during the Holiday season? Many Cleveland Real Estate agents are traditionally on their vacation at this time of year. Some experts, on the contrary, believe that Holiday season is the best time to show your homes in Cleveland to serious home buyers. Let's see what are advantages and disadvantages of selling a house in Cleveland OH during the Holidays. Disadvantages: We have real winters in Cleveland! It may be cold, snowy, hard to see the driveway or roof, hard to walk around the yard It's hard to show the properties as daylight time is shorter It may be disturbing and inconvenient for homeowners to show the properties due to family gatherings, cooking, gift packing, etc.                    Advantages: There are no "Just lookers" on th... 12/19/2009

So you're relocating to Cleveland? Now what? Picking up and relocating can be a very stressful time. Often times when families relocate they are given very little time to find a place to call home. Sure, home will be in or around Cleveland but will it be North (nope, the only thing North is a Lake) East, South or West? Relocating to Cleveland doesn't have to be so stressful. As a resident of the area for over 28 years I can point out areas that may interest you after just a short phone conversation. I lived in the Southwest Suburbs of Cleveland for all 28 years. However, I have worked in all areas of the city. As a full time Realtor I will devote my time to finding you the perfect place to call home. I will even provide you with your very own site to visit so that you can keep up with h... 12/06/2009

Stan Stepak | Howard Hanna Real Estate Services | stanleystepak@howardhanna.com | 440-476-0234 15722 Munn, Cleveland (westpark), OH 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $163,900 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 1,335 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This Westpark home is waiting and ready. Freshly painted in today’s colors with wood floors and crown moldings throughout. A decorative fireplace outlines the living room as does the refinished built-ins in the dining room with modern lighting fixtures. A three season porch off the dining room exits out to the landscaped yard. The kitchen has new oak cabinets, updated countertop and recessed lighting. Walk upstairs to an extra large master bedroom... 12/04/2009

  Think Outside the Box This is such a cliché eh?  I am not a fan of slogans, and whenever I hear this particular phrase, it makes me think of Taco Bell’s: Think Outside the Bun.  This slogan has been so overused – remember: Push the Envelope?  The converse slogan of: When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I do happen to like this slogan as it seems that real estate agents are viewed by most consumers as commodities and essentially do the same thing.  Have a home to sell?  Quick, I’ll come over and: Put a sign in the yard Put it in the MLS Place an ad – print, online Put photos online And other new fangled marketing techniques like social media sites, video tours perhaps and other “new and improved” ideas. But…how does this differentiate you from the other kazillio... 11/29/2009

It's time to check out your credit score if you consider to buy a home in Cleveland OH or anywhere in the United States in few months, so you can still benefit from Home buyers tax credit. Monitoring and reviewing your credit reports is a good idea for everyone. According to Equifax,  more than 27 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years only this year about 500,000 people will be robbed by identity thievs there is likely to be a "mass victimization" of the consumers within the next two years it may take six months to two years to recover from identity theft. Even if you get pre-approved by the mortgage lender and If you are going to buy a house within next few months, it might be wise to monitor your credit in order to avoid unwilling surprises. Cons... 11/29/2009

 Happy Thanksgiving from Cleveland OH. Thanksgiving Day is my favorite American holiday. Spirit of gratitude makes people better, more kind, more thoughtful, more connected.   In this season of gratitude and love I want to thank all my friends, my loving family, wonderful clients, reliable partners, our neighbors, our  contractors and wish all of you you a happy Thanksgiving Day!     11/25/2009

Can it be too many advantages of buying Real Estate now? Why in the world people who need to buy the house in Solon, Mayfield Heights or anywhere in Greater Cleveland are still thinking and waiting for something?   Isn't it better just do it?   Simple list of opportunities for both first time home buyers and for moving up buyers is impressive. Still a very good inventory of solid homes and condos Still very attractive prices More chances to do your due diligence - inspect the property, get it fixed by sellers if necessary As a result, much better condition of the property  More qualified Real estate professionals working for you. It's not a secret that many part timers or agents who could not earn enough to support their family or lifestyle, simply left Real estate for other occupations... 11/17/2009