The market conditions in Defiance, Ohio have continued to trudge along at a slow pace the first month or so of this year.  This past week there were only two homes sold in the city of Defiance. The sluggishness of this area, I believe has more to do with the weather than it does with the economy.  Though we've had our share of layoffs and loss of jobs in our market, the weather has been rough.  We have only had a few days this year that have been warm enough for people to actually want to get out and see houses.   This week proved the difficulties of the season with about 10 inches of snow being dropped on us. If, however, one were to venture out into this weather to search for a home, they would be pleasantly surprised at the number of homes that are available at a good price.  If we w... 02/12/2010

Here are the stats for the past week in Defiance city.  Not a whole lot of changes from the previous week.   Want more information? Contact me at scott@realtyfive.com Scott Williamswww.Realtyfive.com Realty Five of Defiance 02/12/2010

Here's a breakdown of activity for Defiance Ohio 43512 Want more info?  Contact me. Scott WilliamsRealty Five of DefianceScott@realtyfive.comwww.realtyfive.com 02/05/2010

Here are the numbers whether you like them or not.   There are currently 209 active lisings in market areas 61,62,63,64 (Defiance 43512)  The average listing price is $118,311, Median Price $94,900 with an average Days on the market of 156. Currently there are 12 homes that are classified "contingent"  one however has been contingent for what seems forever.  It's days on market are over 900.  it's a build that hasn't happened yet.  If we remove that one from the market stats  the low price is $39,900 high is $164,900 with an average of $101,018 There are 6 homes classified as "pending" there prices are $10,400, $18,000, $19,900, $39,900, $58,000 and $112,500. Finally there was one house sold this past week.  It was a 2 bedroom 964 sqft. home that sold for $18,000 and was on the market f... 02/05/2010

I thought that I'd take a moment this morning to check out the market for Defiance, Ohio for the past five years and see where we are at today in comparison to 2005. Below is a quick breakdown of what I found. Houses sold 2005: 3372006: 3652007: 3292008: 2362009: 239 Houses sold in December 2008: 16 Houses sold in December 2009: 19 Active List and Sold Price 2005 Area 61 of Defiance: Listed: $98617 Sold: $95,602 Area 62 of Defiance: Listed: $153,782 Sold: $172,700 Area 63 of Defiance: Listed: $111,818 Sold: $110,699 Area 64 of Defiance: Listed: $153,218 Sold: $159,960 Active List and Sold Price 2009 Area 61 of Defiance: Listed: $93,779 Sold: 86,122 Area 62 of Defiance: Listed: $114,968 Sold: $111,536 Area 63 of Defiance: Listed: $98,765 Sold: $93,985 Area 64 of Defiance: Listed: $167,83... 01/29/2010

I thought that I'd take a moment this morning to check out the market for Defiance, Ohio for the past five years and see where we are at today in comparison to 2005.  Below is a quick breakdown of what I found. Houses sold 2005: 3372006: 3652007: 3292008: 2362009: 239 Houses sold in December 2008: 16Houses sold in December 2009: 19   Active List and Sold Price 2005 Area 61 of Defiance: Listed: $98617  Sold: $95,602Area 62 of Defiance: Listed: $153,782 Sold: $172,700Area 63 of Defiance: Listed: $111,818 Sold: $110,699Area 64 of Defiance: Listed: $153,218 Sold: $159,960 Active List and Sold Price 2009 Area 61 of Defiance: Listed: $93,779 Sold: 86,122Area 62 of Defiance: Listed: $114,968 Sold: $111,536Area 63 of Defiance: Listed: $98,765 Sold: $93,985Area 64 of Defiance: Listed: $167,830 S... 01/25/2010

I could be preaching to the choir here since this is being written on a blog, but I wanted to write a little about the importance in using the Internet as a marketing tool to get a home sold in today's real estate market. The National Association of Realtors has laid out how people use the Internet, as well as, other means of marketing in order to find their home.  Below is information taken from the NAR 2009 Statistics of Home Buyers on how people find homes they purchase.      The Home Search Process ·        For more than one-third of home buyers, the first step in the home-buying process was looking online for properties. ·        Nine in ten homebuyers used the Internet to search for homes. ·        Real estate agents were viewed as a very useful information source by 81 percent of... 01/23/2010

As 2009 comes to an end it also is the beginning of a new decade of our lives.  The past ten years have been filled with all sorts of newsworthy things in our world. We've seen the best in humanity and the worst in humanity.  The year 2000 came with all it's perceived baggage as Y2K was the huge scare and the end of the world projections were abundant.  It also marked the beginning of a new chapter of our lives in the Williams household as my son Connor was born in March 2000.  2001 was of course marred by the September 11 attacks.  It was a moment in time that we can all say what we were doing when it happened.  We were reminded of it's realities just this week as another attempt on an airline happened.  This post is not, however, about what was, but rather what will be.  Back in 2000 ... 12/31/2009

  It didn't take long for someone to realize how much a difference a real estate company can make.  Pictured above is Suzanne who has the distinguishing title of being the very first person to close on a home with our new company.  Not only did she choose us to be her real estate representatives but she blessed us by purchasing Mark and Holly's house, one of our listings, thus giving us our first listing sold too! Exciting News: Because we represented both the buyer and the seller in this transaction we are able to donate 5% of our gross commissions from both parties thus giving a total of 10% away to two of our local charitable organizations.  5% will  go to Global Outreach Ministries located at 602 Clinton St. here in Defiance and the other 5% is going to Tiana's Shining Hope, a fund... 12/05/2009

According to the National Association of Realtors pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001. The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, increased 3.7 percent to 114.1 from 110.0 in September, and is 31.8 percent above October 2008 when it was 86.6. The rise from a year ago is the biggest annual increase ever recorded for the index, which is at the highest level since March 2006 when it was 115.2. It is believed that the historic low interest rates and the home buyer tax credits are contributing to the increase.  Eventually, the inventory will begin to stabalize and decrease.  When this happens we should expect home prices to begin gaining traction. If you a... 12/01/2009

It was just announced this morning that the sale of existing homes jumped 10.2% last month.  It is assumed that most of that had to do with the ending of the first time home buyer's tax credit.  However, that credit was extended until next summer plus there was the addition of the tax credit for existing home owners.    I would suggest that if you are considering taking advantage of the tax credits that are available to not wait until the end for a couple of reasons.  1) The more people who wait, the higher demand for the houses toward the end thus providing less choice of homes and potential higher prices.  2) The more buyers in a particualar time frame, the harder it is for the houses to get closed on time because the lenders and others involved get back logged.   Just some thoughts f... 11/23/2009

Here are the market stats for the Defiance area this year from January 1 through November 8, 2009.  These statistics are only for areas that would be considered Defiance, Ohio.  If you would like stats for your particular area, just let me know and I can get them to you.   Total Homes Listed: 427 Avg. List Price: $109,209 Total Sold Units: 206 Avg. Sold Price: $94,456 Avg. Days on Market: 154   I will try and keep this up-to-date for you every week so you will have a better picture of what's happening in our market.   Thanks and have a great week! scott 11/09/2009

Our first whole week in business has been absolutely crazy, but good.  We stayed extremely busy trying to don the "normal" things you would need to do in a real estate company, but had to also do the things that don't happen except when you open one.   We finally received 11 yard signs today.  We ordered 20 that were supposed to be here on Tuesday, but it all worked out just fine.  Jeri, our sales rep, has been working real hard trying to get things done for us.  Anyway, we placed our signs in the yards of the three listings we have and they really look sharp.    Tomorrow night is the annual Halloween parade here in Defiance.  We have a cart all decked out and ready to go.  It's a big deal here.  If the weather cooperates there will be a few thousand people there.  I can't think of a be... 10/30/2009

The news this morning - it appears that GM is going to need to file bankruptcy because they couldn't reach an agreement with the shareholders. I'm not putting them down but having a GMAC name attached to our company has become somewhat of a burden. Because we have a GMAC franchise name many people are wondering whether or not we will be affected by all of this. Because GMAC Real Estate was purchased by a profitable company back in September we are happy to announce that we are not affected at all by the problems that GM is going through. The new company is working diligently to get us a new name and a new identity. I am pleased so far with the news the new company is sending out to us, and the support we are being promised. I am even more pleased that we aren't going to have to explain ... 05/27/2009

Just got back from our first time at this annual event.  My wife & I both met many wonderful people, most of which play an important roll in the real estate transaction.  There was great food, great company, and most importantly, great contacts for referral business.  Special thanks to InterNACHI (InterNational Association of Certified Home Inspectors) for providing us booth accessories.  Also a big congrats to the Realtors who took home cash by spinning our cash wheel - Laurie Merrilat & Chris Ricica, both of ReMax Realty of Defiance, Cindy Gustwiller of AmeraMade Realty in Bryan, and Larry Fillinger of Century 21 Strait Realty of Defiance.  04/21/2009

I had the privelege of having a home inspected by Joshua Frederick of Aspec Home Inspections a couple of weeks ago and it was truly a good experience.  Joshua did a very thorough inspection on the home and was very detailed in his descriptions to my potential buyers.  It was really a nice treat to see that he came prepared with a box of treats, coffee and things to do for the buyers and/or kids for those moments that they had some time to kill.  I think the thing that sold me the most on him and his service was the wonderful email that I received from my buyers on how much they were impressed with his professionalism and his attention to details. If you're in the need of a home inspection don't hesitate to contact Joshua Fredrick as I give him two thumbs up! His web address is www.aspe... 01/13/2009

It's definitely been a challenging year in real estate, to say the least, here in Defiance, Ohio.  The national market media machine has definitely affected how people in our area perceive the current market and we've had to try and buck that trend all year.  The national market has consistently described the nation in dire straits, but locally it has not been as depressed as some areas of the country. The naysayers say that 2009 is going to be as bad or worse, but I am looking forward to 2009 as a time of new opportunities and great bargains.  There hasn't been a better time to buy real estate than right now.  The interest rates are extremely low, the market is flooded with homes and the pricces are depressed.  A person buying a home can get so much more home in today's market than the... 01/02/2009

Defiance, Ohio (a.k.a D-Town) is once again growing and proving, once again that it is, "A great place to live", if not the best. I recently attended an open house/tour with my 9 year old son, Braden, and I was blown away, to say the least.  The school's advanced technology and massive size is very, very impressive.  This facility will surely provide the staff & resources to bring out the greatest potential in every child's future (including all 4 of mine!). Three of the four old elementary school buildings are already accounted for, including a Senior Center, Catholic School, & City Building. This new, modern elementary school will surely provide yet another attractive lure for growth in our great city.  See more pics & info here. And as always, Contact Us for all of your home & proper... 12/23/2008

Here's some pictures that one of my collegues Gina Montez, took of Defiance after our ice storm the other night.  It's been pretty crazy at there is at least 1/2 inch of ice on everything.  Last night, I was driving through downtown and all the lights were out.  I actually enjoyed the look of the town.  It was all fixed by this morning.  Enjoy the picts and if you are looking for another great agent in this area, besides me of course, Gina Montez is excellent.  You can contact her at gmontez@butlermohr.com or go to her blog at :  http://activerain.com/blogs/gmontez                     12/20/2008

Yep, you read that right!  I called Denise Davenport at The State Bank here in Defiance Ohio and confirmed it.  The rates for a 30 year fixed mortgage for a person with A credit was being promoted at 5.0%.  I then followed up the call with a call to Ryan Frederick at Sherwood State Bank, Defiance Branch and he gave me the same number. That's great news for the real estate market.  I know that it will create a bunch of refinances, but if buyers have been on the fence waiting for whatever reason to purchase a home.  Now might be the perfect time to buy.  With the decline in home values and the decline in interest rates, buyers are at a prime position to get a lot more home for the money.   For example, a $100,000 loan at 6.5%, which is where it was at just a month ago would have a payment... 12/13/2008