When shopping for a new home, consider traffic patterns along with other factors.  A house with ample floor space can feel crowded if the arrangement is awkward.  Start the evaluation with the entries. Is there a convenient "service" entry, in addition to the formal entrance?Ideally, sleeping quarters should be accessible without passing through the living or family rooms.  You may want the master bedroom separated from the children's or guest rooms.  A home office may require privacy and a separate entrance.  At least one bath should be accessible to guests without sacrificing privacy. 04/25/2008

The first and last thing to remember when buying a home is that verbal agreements do not hold water.  Until your purchase offer is signed by the seller (s), and their signed acceptance is presented to your agent and/or you, the seller can entertain and even accept another offer.Once you have a binding contract, the seller is usually obligated to sell the home to you, unless you both agree to cancel.  But the seller is under no such obligation during the negotiating process unless there is a contract.To avoid disappointment, keep in close contact with your agent until the agreement is signed, sealed, and delivered. 04/25/2008

Shopping for a new home?  Don't wait until you find your new dream home to list your present one.You will invest a lot of time finding a new home.  Then you may discover you are in a poor position to bargain.  You are a contingent buyer, since your offer depends on the sale of your present home.What if the seller gets a better offer while you are trying to sell?  You may lose the home of your dreamsList your home with a real estate broker before you start house hunting.  You can set the occupancy date, if necessary, to give yourself time to find your next home. 04/25/2008

What happens when you pay for a title search?  First the Title Company looks up county records for the property in question.  Records are kept for every transaction in which the title changes hands, and in which a lien is placed against a property.If the title has been searched before, the record of that search can usually be examined.  If the search shows the title is clear, that is with no claims against it, title insurance can be issued.The function of title insurance is to protect the insured against claims which were not revealed in the search, should an undiscovered claim arise. 01/08/2008

Normally, homebuyers receive a warranty regarding the status of the property.  However, an "AS-IS" sale means the seller promises nothing about the physical condition, possible problems to potential repars associated with the property.If the buyer discovers a problem after closing, it's too late to make a claim against the seller.  That's why it's imperative never to agree to buy "AS-IS" unless the transaction is contingent upon obtaining a professional inspection that you deem satisfactory.When the real estate professional writes this contingency into the offer, you can negate the deal and demand your deposit back if the condition is not met. 01/08/2008

You're selling your home. You know it has a few drawbacks. Should you ignore them? Try to pretend they don't exist?Absolutely not. Turn faults into features. For example, your home may have a smaller-than-average kitchen. Instead of assuming this is a flaw, imagine how attractive a compact kitchen may be to someone whose idea of cooking is popping a ready-to-heat dinner into the microwave.The same can be said for lot size; to a gardener, a large lot can be paradise, to others a small lot spells weekends free of yard work.An experienced agent can help find the buyer who wants what your home has to offer.Mark E. FryPresident 12/19/2007

It's easy for novice homebuyers and sellers to make mistakes. That's why real estate professionals strongly recommend putting all offers in writing.An oral offer is not enforceable, so the seller has no reason to respond. Furthermore, it could disrupt the negotiating process to the seller's disadvantage.Consider this scenario: The home is listed at $150,000. The buyer asks the seller, would you take $135,000? If the seller says yes, the buyer, observing the rapid acquiescence to an oral proposition, has every incentive to present a written offer even lower than that amount.Mark E. FryPresident 12/19/2007

In most cases you cannot borrow from a down payment on a home...unless you can borrow from yourself!If you have invested in a 401(K) plan, you can borrow for a down payment without drawing either penalties from the IRS or disapproval from the lender. The loan must be paid back in equal quarterly payments, but you may take several years to complete the repayment.The "penalty" comes in the form of double taxation on the interest payments on the loan. Once when you us after-tax dollars to repay the loan, and again when you withdraw the money after you reach 59 1/2. These are difficult to put together. Be sure you have a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor to assist you.Mark E. FryPresident 12/19/2007

Contingencies abound in the settlement of real estate transactions. The following are a few of the conditions upon which closing may depend:-- The buyer's ability to obtain adequate financing.-- Appraisal at an agreed upon amount.-- Satisfactory termite inspection.-- Further inspection, during which the buyer may bring in experts to determine the condition of the less visible aspects of the property, such as plumbing, wiring and foundation.Approval of the preliminary title report, which may reveal encumbrances or alter the description of the property.Let your agent help you; experienced agents are used to dealing with contingence.Mark E. FryPresident 12/19/2007

You may discover one day when you open your mail that your lender has sold your mortgage to another financial institution. It's not that your lender doesn't want your business. Most mortgages today are eventually grouped together with others in a practice called packaging, and sold on the secondary market. The bank recoups its investment, making more money abailable for local lending. The requirements of major buyers in the secondary market can exert a significant influence on the local lending practices.The sale of your mortgage on the secondary market has no effect on the terms of your agreement. If your lender continues to accept payments and handle paperwork, you may never know your mortgage has been sold.Mark E. FryPresident 12/19/2007

It's spring time! Are you ready to clean out your TREASURES and turn them to CASH? Mark your calendars now for Saturday, June 2nd, and get ready to bring your treasures to our Gigantic Garage and Auction Sale!!Watch for more news about how you can turn your TREASURES to CASH and help the Fraternal Order of Police. "Shop With a Cop" at the same time.Robert Abbott, AuctioneerAbbotts AuctionMark E. FryPresident 12/19/2007

When you list with one of our Participating Agents January 1st through March 31st, 2007 !Why not set your home apart from the others!List with one of our Participating Agent's during January 1st through March 31st, 2007 and receive a basic home warranty coverage FREE! Your home will be covered while it is listed with us and transfers to your new buyer for twelve months after closing.Some conditions and restrictions apply.Call your participating agent for more information!Mark E. FryPresident 12/19/2007

Welcome Everyone, We would like to thank you for visiting one of our many little spaces on the internet.  We are just getting started so please be patient as we work to provide you with as much information as possible about our company and the market in the Central Ohio area! Thanks again. 12/12/2007