I am going to be starting a series of blogs on a few of the top builders in Central Ohio. This series of blogs will allow the buyer to learn more about each builder and shop around on their own! Part 1 of the Dominion Homes post will be about Dominion and the locations they build.
Dominion Homes has been in business since 1952. Today, Dominion Homes is a leading homebuilder in Columbus Ohio, as well as Louisville and Lexington Kentucky, and is among the top home builders in the country. There priority is and always has been to construct the best homes in the best communities for the customers, to provide great service, to be a leader in innovation and to be a good neighbor. It is this commitment that ensures their continued success in building affordable, high-quality homes.
Dominion Homes carefully plan their community’s years in advance, selecting convenient locations throughout Columbus, Lexington and Louisville. In doing so, they keep in mind all the things that are important to you. Nearby shopping, dining, entertainment and good schools. Lovely streetscapes and open green spaces to welcome you home. And lots of choices in home designs.
Here are the communities:
There are 10 locations in North Columbus. The communities are located in: Olentangy Schools, Delaware, Big Walnut, and River Valley Highlands Schools.
There are 17 locations in East Columbus. The communities are located in: North Fork Schools, Licking Heights, Reynoldsburg, Southwest Licking, Pickerington, Columbus, Lancaster, Canal Winchester and Groveport Schools.
There are 15 locations in South and West Columbus. The communities are located in: Teays Valley Schools, Southwestern, Hilliard, Marysville, and Columbus Schools.
If you are a buyer considering a new build, call me today! I work with a team of experts to offer all of my client’s one stop shopping. Please call me today to get started!
Showing posts with label First Time Homebuyers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label First Time Homebuyers. Show all posts
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
What is an EXPERIENCED Realtor and Why Should YOU work with one?
Why should you as a BUYER use an experienced realtor?
The key word is EXPERIENCED. The definition of experienced is: Having knowledge or skill in a particular field, esp. a profession or job, gained over a period of time.
Someone called me yesterday about looking at a home and when I asked if they were working with a realtor they responded, “Our brothers friend just got his real estate licenses a few months ago and we are going to use him.” I was thinking to myself..”A FEW MONTHS AGO”. A few months ago just isn’t enough EXPERIENCE for this market that we are in! It gets more and more challenging daily as an agent. If you don’t have experience under your belt than guess who suffers?? The buyer.
As a buyer you are risking the following by working with a realtor who isn’t experienced.
1. Losing the home
2. You could lose your earnest money
3. You may not be lead through the home buying process correctly so your journey will be very rough.
4. Issues may come up that your realtor can’t handle properly
5. If you are looking at foreclosures or HUDS you may miss your closing deadline and get stuck paying a ton of money in extension fees
6. If you are looking at foreclosures or HUDS you may move in and find out that there is an unexpected utility bill or HOA bill.
7. You could miss out on properties that our in your price range or that our available
These are just a few items that could happen if you use a realtor that isn’t experienced.
Here are a few questions to ask your realtor during the interview process to insure that the items above do not happen to you!
1. How many transaction have you successfully completed this year?
2. How many short sales, foreclosures, or HUDS have you completed?
3. Do you have a resume?
4. Do you have a list of recommendations and/or phone numbers of past clients that I can contact?
5. What is your cancellation percentage? (This is important to know so you can see if your realtor has a successful home buying process. The higher the cancellation percentage would mean that the agent isn’t successful at getting the deals closed.)
6. What is your turnaround time in helping a buyer find their dream home?
7. How many buyers do you work with at one time? (This is important so that you can see if they will have time to show you homes at the last minute if necessary. This is also important so that you can look on YOUR schedule and not the realtors schedule.)
8. Are you part time or full time?
9. Do you offer a performance guarantee?
10. Can I fire you if I am not 100% satisfied with your services?
11. How do you communicate with your buyers? (This is important because you want to make sure that the agent you are working with is flexible and communicates with you the way you want! Some buyers prefer text or emails over phone calls. )
12. What hours do you work? (This is important because some realtors do not work weekends or evenings. If you work an M-F, 8-5 job than how are they going to show you properties?)
The key word is EXPERIENCED. The definition of experienced is: Having knowledge or skill in a particular field, esp. a profession or job, gained over a period of time.
Someone called me yesterday about looking at a home and when I asked if they were working with a realtor they responded, “Our brothers friend just got his real estate licenses a few months ago and we are going to use him.” I was thinking to myself..”A FEW MONTHS AGO”. A few months ago just isn’t enough EXPERIENCE for this market that we are in! It gets more and more challenging daily as an agent. If you don’t have experience under your belt than guess who suffers?? The buyer.
As a buyer you are risking the following by working with a realtor who isn’t experienced.
1. Losing the home
2. You could lose your earnest money
3. You may not be lead through the home buying process correctly so your journey will be very rough.
4. Issues may come up that your realtor can’t handle properly
5. If you are looking at foreclosures or HUDS you may miss your closing deadline and get stuck paying a ton of money in extension fees
6. If you are looking at foreclosures or HUDS you may move in and find out that there is an unexpected utility bill or HOA bill.
7. You could miss out on properties that our in your price range or that our available
These are just a few items that could happen if you use a realtor that isn’t experienced.
Here are a few questions to ask your realtor during the interview process to insure that the items above do not happen to you!
1. How many transaction have you successfully completed this year?
2. How many short sales, foreclosures, or HUDS have you completed?
3. Do you have a resume?
4. Do you have a list of recommendations and/or phone numbers of past clients that I can contact?
5. What is your cancellation percentage? (This is important to know so you can see if your realtor has a successful home buying process. The higher the cancellation percentage would mean that the agent isn’t successful at getting the deals closed.)
6. What is your turnaround time in helping a buyer find their dream home?
7. How many buyers do you work with at one time? (This is important so that you can see if they will have time to show you homes at the last minute if necessary. This is also important so that you can look on YOUR schedule and not the realtors schedule.)
8. Are you part time or full time?
9. Do you offer a performance guarantee?
10. Can I fire you if I am not 100% satisfied with your services?
11. How do you communicate with your buyers? (This is important because you want to make sure that the agent you are working with is flexible and communicates with you the way you want! Some buyers prefer text or emails over phone calls. )
12. What hours do you work? (This is important because some realtors do not work weekends or evenings. If you work an M-F, 8-5 job than how are they going to show you properties?)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Need to improve your credit score in 30-45 days to buy a home?? READ THIS....
How to increase your credit score by 10-100 points
To improve your score you have to know where you currently stand. You can get 1 free report a year to see what is reporting on your report. To know exact FICO scores you will have to pay. Here is exactly what you need to do.
- Do you have a Judgment? If so pay it off immediately! Go to the courthouse directly and ask for a receipt. After paying it off send a copy of the receipt to each credit bureau to show that it has been paid.
- Do you have a credit card? If so make sure that your balance remaining is only at 10% of your limit. No more than 30%. For example if you credit limit is $1000.00 you should only have a balance of $100.00. Anything over 30% drops your credit score. If you do not have a credit card than you should look into getting one. If you can’t qualify for a credit card look into getting a secured credit card. A secured credit card is where the bank issues you a line of credit equal to what you give them in a security deposit.
- Do you have any installment loans? This would be loans such as cars, personal loans, mortgages and/or student loans. These types of loans increase your score faster. Especially over time this shows you are consistent and responsible.
- Do you have old accounts that are still showing active? If so close those accounts! The more lines of credit you have open could hinder your scores.
- Do you have items reporting incorrectly? If so dispute those items through that credit bureau. This could help increase your score drastically! Find out the credit bureau that is reporting this wrong and go to there website. You can either dispute it on line or fill out their dispute form and fax it over to their office. They will ask for a brief explanation and if the item has been paid they may ask for proof so be prepared!
Doing these items can increase your score in the next 30-45 days! If you need help please feel free to contact me. I helped 4 home buyers last year increase their scores so that they can buy their dream home!!
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To improve your score you have to know where you currently stand. You can get 1 free report a year to see what is reporting on your report. To know exact FICO scores you will have to pay. Here is exactly what you need to do.
- Do you have a Judgment? If so pay it off immediately! Go to the courthouse directly and ask for a receipt. After paying it off send a copy of the receipt to each credit bureau to show that it has been paid.
- Do you have a credit card? If so make sure that your balance remaining is only at 10% of your limit. No more than 30%. For example if you credit limit is $1000.00 you should only have a balance of $100.00. Anything over 30% drops your credit score. If you do not have a credit card than you should look into getting one. If you can’t qualify for a credit card look into getting a secured credit card. A secured credit card is where the bank issues you a line of credit equal to what you give them in a security deposit.
- Do you have any installment loans? This would be loans such as cars, personal loans, mortgages and/or student loans. These types of loans increase your score faster. Especially over time this shows you are consistent and responsible.
- Do you have old accounts that are still showing active? If so close those accounts! The more lines of credit you have open could hinder your scores.
- Do you have items reporting incorrectly? If so dispute those items through that credit bureau. This could help increase your score drastically! Find out the credit bureau that is reporting this wrong and go to there website. You can either dispute it on line or fill out their dispute form and fax it over to their office. They will ask for a brief explanation and if the item has been paid they may ask for proof so be prepared!
Doing these items can increase your score in the next 30-45 days! If you need help please feel free to contact me. I helped 4 home buyers last year increase their scores so that they can buy their dream home!!
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Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Is Rent to Own for you??
Rent to own has its pros and cons. I have been getting so many calls this week from buyers asking if I had any homes available for rent to own. I decided to write this note about the pros and cons for a buyer if they decided to do this. It was scary to see how many people were so uneducated about it and who weren’t even going to research it to find out what their risks were! They were just desperate to live in a home they weren’t researching this.
Here are the advantages:
1. Perfect solution to live in a home if you have past credit problems
2. If you are going through a divorce with children and need to live in a home
3. If you can not afford a down payment
4. It is very easy to qualify most of the time credit score isn’t even considered.
5. You can try the home out before you buy
Here are the disadvantages:
1. The tax benefit of OWNING doesn’t exist.
2. You do not get a huge variety of homes
3. You have to settle for a home that you wouldn’t normally settle for if you were able to buy
4. The sales price in some cases isn’t negotiable
5. Most of the time the homes that are available for rent to own is a home that the seller can’t sell. In most cases the home has been on the market for a year or longer
6. What are the penalties if you can’t buy or decided not to buy? READ THE AGREEMENT!!!
7. Are there any liens on the property? This is something that is checked by a title company when you are purchasing the home. When you are renting the home you skip this process! When it is for you to purchase the property the title must be clear of all liens.
8. What happens to you and your family if the owner stops making the payments to the mortgage company? What happens to your down payment?
9. What happens if your contract states you must pay X amount for the home and values drop again! Are you stuck paying the higher amount? Do you lose your upfront money?
10. If you are renting a new home from a builder READ THAT AGREEMENT!! The first year payment may only include the rent without full assessed taxes! This could change your 2nd year payments by $100.00’s per month!!!
There are so many problems that exist with this program. I had a girl call me yesterday in tears because she had signed a lease to own a year ago. The agreement said that she had to buy the home after 2 years. During this time she paid every month on time. She found out that the seller wasn’t making the mortgage payments and the bank had begun foreclosure!! She is now going to lose her $3000.00 deposit and has to find another home in 30 days for her and her 3 children before she ends up on the streets.
Today a couple called to ask me if I could help them get out of their lease to own contract. After reading through the small print the builder was charging them a $6,000 penalty if they couldn’t close when the rent to own period was up!! They couldn’t buy because their credit scores were still very low. Now they are out their upfront money they put down and on top of that a $6,000 penalty for not closing!!
Please read the fine lines!! If it sounds to good to be true it probably is!! Why would you want to settle on a house that has been sitting on the market for YEARS!! This is a buyers market, rates/prices are low, and there are many programs available with little or no money down!! Even if your credit scores are low work on getting them up so you can actually take advantage of this BUYERS MARKET!! A rent to own is ONLY HELPING THE SELLER!!! Call me if you need help building your credit! I have a program in place to help raise your credit scores so you can buy your dream home when the time is right!
Here are the advantages:
1. Perfect solution to live in a home if you have past credit problems
2. If you are going through a divorce with children and need to live in a home
3. If you can not afford a down payment
4. It is very easy to qualify most of the time credit score isn’t even considered.
5. You can try the home out before you buy
Here are the disadvantages:
1. The tax benefit of OWNING doesn’t exist.
2. You do not get a huge variety of homes
3. You have to settle for a home that you wouldn’t normally settle for if you were able to buy
4. The sales price in some cases isn’t negotiable
5. Most of the time the homes that are available for rent to own is a home that the seller can’t sell. In most cases the home has been on the market for a year or longer
6. What are the penalties if you can’t buy or decided not to buy? READ THE AGREEMENT!!!
7. Are there any liens on the property? This is something that is checked by a title company when you are purchasing the home. When you are renting the home you skip this process! When it is for you to purchase the property the title must be clear of all liens.
8. What happens to you and your family if the owner stops making the payments to the mortgage company? What happens to your down payment?
9. What happens if your contract states you must pay X amount for the home and values drop again! Are you stuck paying the higher amount? Do you lose your upfront money?
10. If you are renting a new home from a builder READ THAT AGREEMENT!! The first year payment may only include the rent without full assessed taxes! This could change your 2nd year payments by $100.00’s per month!!!
There are so many problems that exist with this program. I had a girl call me yesterday in tears because she had signed a lease to own a year ago. The agreement said that she had to buy the home after 2 years. During this time she paid every month on time. She found out that the seller wasn’t making the mortgage payments and the bank had begun foreclosure!! She is now going to lose her $3000.00 deposit and has to find another home in 30 days for her and her 3 children before she ends up on the streets.
Today a couple called to ask me if I could help them get out of their lease to own contract. After reading through the small print the builder was charging them a $6,000 penalty if they couldn’t close when the rent to own period was up!! They couldn’t buy because their credit scores were still very low. Now they are out their upfront money they put down and on top of that a $6,000 penalty for not closing!!
Please read the fine lines!! If it sounds to good to be true it probably is!! Why would you want to settle on a house that has been sitting on the market for YEARS!! This is a buyers market, rates/prices are low, and there are many programs available with little or no money down!! Even if your credit scores are low work on getting them up so you can actually take advantage of this BUYERS MARKET!! A rent to own is ONLY HELPING THE SELLER!!! Call me if you need help building your credit! I have a program in place to help raise your credit scores so you can buy your dream home when the time is right!
BUY A HUD HOME for 50% OFF OF LIST PRICE!!!!
Listen up!! Are you or someone you know a Firefighter, Teacher, Law Enforcement, or Emergency Medical Technician?? If so please contact me to get a list of HUD Homes that qualify for the Good Neighbor Next Door Program! This program offers a 50% discount off of HUD Homes!! That's right!! If the house is $100,000 you can buy it for $50,000!!!! What are you waiting for!!
Please have them contact me at hay.molly@gmail.com or 614-581-2086! This is a new program and I am not sure how long it will be around! Message me for details!!
I am an experienced HUD agent and would love to help you or anyone you know that may qualify for this program!
Molly Hay, HUD certified REALTOR
Re/max Town Center
Please have them contact me at hay.molly@gmail.com or 614-581-2086! This is a new program and I am not sure how long it will be around! Message me for details!!
I am an experienced HUD agent and would love to help you or anyone you know that may qualify for this program!
Molly Hay, HUD certified REALTOR
Re/max Town Center
Monday, January 31, 2011
Were you serving our country during the homebuyers tax credit? READ THIS.....
Were you serving our country while the tax credit was going on last year? Did you know that the government has extended this credit for Military, Foreign Services, and the Intelligence Community!Congress has acknowledged the unique circumstances affecting members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community by making the following exceptions that apply to both the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers.
With proper documentation you may be eligible to take advantage of this amazing offer to first time home buyers. In order for you to be eligible for this last time opportunity you must have been deployed outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period of December 8, 2008 - May 1, 2010.
You must find a home and enter into a binding contract by April 30, 2011 and close by June 30, 2011.
If you are eligible for this 2nd chance opportunity...Call me today! I would love to set up a buyer/seller consultation to help you find your dream home and answer all of your questions. I guarantee a seamless process!!!
Molly Hay
Re/Max Town Center
614-581-2086 (Call or Text 24-7)
hay.molly@gmail.com
With proper documentation you may be eligible to take advantage of this amazing offer to first time home buyers. In order for you to be eligible for this last time opportunity you must have been deployed outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period of December 8, 2008 - May 1, 2010.
You must find a home and enter into a binding contract by April 30, 2011 and close by June 30, 2011.
If you are eligible for this 2nd chance opportunity...Call me today! I would love to set up a buyer/seller consultation to help you find your dream home and answer all of your questions. I guarantee a seamless process!!!
Molly Hay
Re/Max Town Center
614-581-2086 (Call or Text 24-7)
hay.molly@gmail.com
Friday, January 28, 2011
For Sale: 1st Floor Master in the Village of Canal Winchester! Priced like a bank owned or foreclosure
Sellers loss is your gain!! Priced like a bank owned or foreclosure!!
Overview Maps Photos Features |
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 | Molly Hay Re/Max Town Center (614) 581-2086 hay.molly@gmail.com http://mollyhay.postlets.com         Listed by: Re/Max Town Center |
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Monday, December 6, 2010
Why you should work with a realtor
Why You Should Work With a REALTOR® when you are buying or selling a home
Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.
1. You’ll have an expert to guide you through the process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2. Get objective information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
3. Find the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to find all available properties. In fact most of the homes you find on line will have incorrect pricing or sold months ago.
4. Benefit from their negotiating experience. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5. Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
6. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.
7. Experience. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.
8. Buying and selling is emotional. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, home buying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.
Not all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.
1. You’ll have an expert to guide you through the process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2. Get objective information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
3. Find the best property out there. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to find all available properties. In fact most of the homes you find on line will have incorrect pricing or sold months ago.
4. Benefit from their negotiating experience. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5. Property marketing power. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
6. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.
7. Experience. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.
8. Buying and selling is emotional. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, home buying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.
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