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Columbus & Central Ohio, United States
DeLena Ciamacco is a well-known, respected Top Producing Realtor in Central Ohio. Her myriad of accomplishments, recognition, and professional credentials as they relate to Real Estate, make her a perfect individual to provide insight to the masses on all aspects of Real Estate sales. Her creativity and honest approach to marketing Real Estate has enabled her to succeed in her career. DeLena’s philosophy is “An educated and well prepared Buyer or Seller is a smart Buyer or Seller”. Her desire is to inform the public, by pulling from her 20+ years of Real Estate sales & Marketing, what is necessary to get to a successful closing in these challenging times.

Friday, May 18, 2012

QUALITY UNMATCHED!

JUST LISTED!
~183 S. Sunbury Rd~
All brick "English" home admired by most! Unobstructed Hoover views. ~3/4 acre extensively landscaped lot. Meticulously maintained home with gleaming wood floors, high ceilings & wide halls. Gorgeous 1st floor Master Suite with whirlpool Bath & french doors to paver Patio. Two possible In law suites with Kitchens , Baths, & Living areas. Finished Basement with Theatre & Exercise area. Extraordinary! 4 BR’s & 4.5 Baths! Nearly 5,600 SF! Westerville schools. Only $474,700! Call DeLena today!

Spring Listings In Full Bloom!


Nature is in full bloom across the nation. Many of today’s homeowners are unaware that Spring can be the ultimate time to list a home for sale. From beautiful lawns to temperate weather it’s prime time to lure in buyers.


Spring offers up a wide array of natural beauty. Green lawns, budding roses, and fragrant blossoms treat the eye and nose at every turn. This particular Spring, however, has a leg up on previous years.
Interest rates are still near historic lows, hovering well below 4.0 percent for the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. This translates to favorable terms for eager buyers.

Jobs have begun to return in sectors all across the economy, which equals into a larger pool of eligible and willing buyers. Finally, as home prices have stabilized more homes are now within reach of more buyers. Affordability rates are at generational highs.

Are you a seller who will be looking to buy? Today’s market conditions make for a great time to buy and move up (if you have equity built in your home). Let Springtime showcase your home in the most natural light and “spring” a buyer into action.

Need a reason for selling this season? Consider nature’s paintbrush. Curb appeal is your home’s first impression. Many designers create this by painting the front door or a home or adding a punch of color with , but Spring means that your punches of color need not end at the front step.


Add flower beds around your mailbox, trees, and some to line your walkways. Prune back trees and shrubs to give a neat and orderly appearance.

Finally, take a good, hard look at the exterior of your home. Spring is a good time to break out the paint and give your home a few touch ups. Clean out gutters and clean up any trash.



Next, consider the beautiful weather. Who wants to look at houses during ice and snow? Okay, so there are plenty of buyers who brave those elements, but having an open house or showing during beautiful Spring weather is always a plus. Instead of too hot or too cold your guests will be just right.


Finally, most families prefer to pack up kids when school is taking a break. That means they want to move during the Summer months. What does this mean for sellers? It means families are looking to buy in the Spring. This gives them plenty of time to look at homes and then go to closing, which can take from a few weeks to over a month.

Springtime is full of new growth opportunities. So, stop and smell the roses ... and list that home for sale!

Original post written by Carla Hill of Realty Times can be found here 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

First-Time Buyer Mistakes to Avoid

You've finally decided that now is the time for you to jump into the housing market! Perhaps you've done the math and want to take advantage of historically low interest rates and high levels of affordability. Maybe you have  new family that is quickly outgrowing your little rental. No matter the reason, buying real estate is a big responsibility. There are several rookie mistakes that many first-time home buyers can make. Keep reading for how to avoid them!

First, first-timers underestimate the importance of finding the right real estate agent. Not all agents are equal. Not only do their experience levels and commission rates vary widely, but every agent has their own unique personality. You want to be sure you find an agent that you feel comfortable with and that you respect. 

In order to find the best fit agent for your needs, set up several interviews with local agents. Ask them about their business. Do they have a cell number where you can reach them? Do they web conference on days you can't meet? How often do they send prospective homes to buyers? Be sure to ask for testimonials and references. Finally, just get a feel for how your two personalities will mesh. Does the agent seem to have your best interest at heart? Are they giving you the respect you deserve or treating you like a dunce?

Next, a common mistake for first-time agents is to consider what type of home you want. If you know ahead of time what you are looking for, the price range, as well as what you're willing to compromise on, you'll be much more likely to make a decision quickly about buying a specific home. 

This is important for two reasons. You don't want to make an impulsive decision, but you also don't want to wait so long that someone else swoops in and buys the house before you can make an offer! 

The third mistake is not considering that a home is an investment -- one where you don't want to lose your shirt down the line. Is this home priced right? Compare it to other similar homes. Is this home in a desirable location or is it next to a busy street, etc? Will is require a lot of work? When you go to resell this home, you want to make a profit or break even. 

You'll need to consider that you'll probably pay an agent a commission and will be paying closing costs at selling time. This is extra money on top of what you need to make on the sale of the home to break even.  Most experts say you need to stay in a home for at least 3 to 5 years in order to break even. This time frame could be even longer if home values continue to fall. Remember, homeownership is a long-term investment.

Next, ask your lender lots of questions and be proactive about finding the best deal. Different lenders will offer you different rates. Research your options. Would you be better served with a 15-year or 30-year note? 

Ask lots of questions about the difference between adjustable and fixed rate mortgages. Learn about points. Find out how much interest you'll pay over the life of the loan. The lender is there to serve you, so don't be shy about getting the information you need.

Finally, don't be greedy or low-ball sellers. This may be a buyers market, but if you offer too little or ask too much in concessions you may turn the seller off. They don't have to sell their home to you! 

Avoid these common first-time buyer mistakes and you're sure to have a fun and rewarding buying experience!

Original post written by Carla Hill of Realty Times can be found here

EXTREMELY NICE & EXTENSIVELY UPGRADED...

JUST LISTED!
~8108 Millway Loop~
Two-Story home on ~1/3 acre lot with custom paver patio! Gorgeous wood floors everywhere! Two-Story Great Room with wood floors, wall of windows & floor to ceiling stone fireplace. "Dream" Kitchen with tons of maple cabinets, granite countertops & island. Master Suite boasts 2 walk-in closets & whirlpool Bath. Full Basement, white 6 panel doors, irrigation, sec system & so much more! 4 BR's & 3.5 Baths. Over 3,200 SF. Olentangy Schools. Only $429,900! Call Delena Today!

NEW LISTING in WESTERVILLE!!


JUST LISTED!
~4951Whistlewood Lane~

LOCATED ON THE 17th  HOLE!
Beautiful condo in Little Turtle. Two story with hardwood floors, new A/C ~2010, updated Kitchen with granite countertops. Master Bedroom has private Bath and Balcony. Finished lower level with gas log Fireplace, 3rd bedroom or Den. New Stanic sliding glass doors in Master Bedroom & Dining room. Huge deck with views of golf course. Seller will pay 6 months of condo fees with reasonable offer. 2 BR’s & 2.5 Baths! Nearly 2,100 SF! Only $ 112,500! Westerville schools! Call DeLena today!

Monday, May 14, 2012

The Benefits of Owning a Home


We all know the social benefits of owning a home. Homeownership gives family stability, creates lower high school dropout rates, and of course gives the opportunity to create meaningful and lasting relationships.

In addition to these great pluses, owning a home can be your largest financial asset.
First, you'll have access to homeowner tax breaks, which include the mortgage interest deduction (MID), property tax deduction, and credits for green-friendly updates to your home.
What all of these deductions mean is you can save money on your taxes each year. That's money back in your pocket. Additionally, the eco updates you do will save you money in the long run on operating costs of the house. Some of these great updates can include energy efficient windows and doors, and solar panels.

You may have heard that real estate is a good investment. You may also be wondering if that is still true when home values are declining. The truth is that real estate has always been a good “long-term” investment. The fact that many people were making bank by buying and selling real estate in the mid-2000's was more of a fluke than the norm. Twenty to fifty percent appreciation rates are not the norm. In general, during healthy economic times, appreciation averages four to six percent. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that from 1972 to 2005 appreciation averaged 6.5 percent.

Today's home prices are still declining, but financial experts predict this will abate in the next year or so and yearly appreciation rates will return. As you begin to see appreciation, you'll start to earn equity. This is one of the biggest advantages homeownership has over renting. Renting means paying money to the landlord. Once that rent check is written that money is gone. As you pay your monthly mortgage payment you're building equity. You will one day soon owe less than the home is worth. The difference in between is equity.

Homeownership also gives you a certain financial freedom and stability. You can take out a home equity loan for improvements or if you need some cash. You can sell your home down the road and use those profits towards retirement, a dream home, or even a dream vacation.

Homeownership is a great way to introduce long term stability to your life, even in uncertain economic times. Today's historically low interest rates and low prices mean now is a great time to make an investment in your future.

Original post written by Carla Hill of Realty Times can be found here 

Understanding Appraisals


It's a term homeowners and sellers hear all the time. What does "appraisal" really mean and how will it affect your ability to make a deal?

As the market dips and continues to struggle across the nation, many sellers are finding themselves in an unhappy predicament. They have a buyer lined up and an offer on the table, but wait...... the buyer's financing has now fallen through. The asking price of the home has come in over the appraised value. 

This has led to a unnaturally high number of contract cancellations. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), "Twenty-one percent of NAR members in January reported delays in contracts, and 33 percent said contracts fell through.. The number of contract cancellations remains mostly unchanged from December. An increase in the past year of contract cancellations or delays has been blamed on more lenders declining mortgage applications from stricter underwriting standards and low appraisals coming in under the agreed upon contract price."

Here are some things you need to know about appraisals:

First, it's true that lenders usually won't write a mortgage for more than a home is "worth". This sets them up for a large financial burden should the prospective borrower default on their loan. They will, instead, write a mortgage for whichever price is less, be it the sale price or the appraised value. From a business standpoint it is logical. For a stalled and unpredictable housing market, it is downright frustrating.

An appraisal is figured by your local tax office (appraiser's office). They calculate what the market value of your home is based on, the square footage and specifics of your home. Do you have a fireplace, hardwood floors, and four bedrooms? You'll pay more in taxes and have a higher appraised home than the same home with no fireplace and laminate floors.
You generally receive a statement from the tax office each year showing you the appraised value of your home. If you feel this is in error be sure to contest it! 

It is much more likely in this market that homes are appraised for less than sellers are wanting to sell their home for. This is due partly to an ailing labor market that continues to drag home prices down. Appraisals are a tricky business. They are objective and are easily influenced by local market factors. 

Your local area's market conditions directly affect the appraised value of your home. If there are 10 houses on your street and 4 of them are in foreclosure, you're in for a shock when it comes to the current value of your home. These foreclosed homes could sell at a 15 to 20 percent discount over your home.

According to the NAR, "Distressed sales, which tend to sell at steep discounts, continue to hamper home prices nationwide. Foreclosures and short sales accounted for 35 percent of all January home sales, which is up slightly from 32 percent in December."


Original article written by Carla Hill for Realty Times at this link 
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