Blog - - Month: October 2019
Month: October 2019
Homebuying in Ohio: Earnest Money Checks and Deposits
Buying a home in Northeast Ohio? Many steps in the homebuying process are pretty universal — getting pre-approved for a mortgage, ordering an appraisal, purchasing title insurance. However, some states like Ohio have a unique tradition called earnest money. If you’re planning to purchase a home here, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with this part of the real estate transaction. What is Earnest Money? In some real estate transactions, earnest money is an extra deposit made at the very beginning of the closing process to the current property owner that demonstrates “good faith” that you seriously intend to purchase from them. This non-refundable deposit acts as a sort of insurance policy for the seller as they follow steps towards closing such as title searches, home inspections or repairs. This way, if you choose to walk away from a real estate deal, the seller can recoup some costs. Remember… When you’re ready to deposit earnest money, you are indicating that you are very serious about buying a home. You should always consult with your realtor to decide if this is the right next step. Is Earnest Money Always Non-Refundable? Usually, earnest money is a non-refundable transaction, but there are a few situations where you could get your money back for problems that are not your fault. These include issues with the property such as: · A faile
Four Zillow Alternatives for Homebuyers in Northeast Ohio
Shopping for a new home? Zillow.com and Realtor.com offer simple and effective resources to help you find listings near you, but in a hot housing market like the one in Northeast Ohio, by the time you find a property on one of these listing networks, it’s usually too late. But don’t worry… There are plenty of alternatives to find listings and schedule open houses. While you’re checking out properties around Cleveland, OH, be sure to try one of the Zillow alternatives below. Use Search Engines Assuming you already have the Zillow app on your phone, you don’t have to limit yourself to what you can find on listing platforms to find a house. There are still plenty of sellers out there who don’t use Zillow, Realtor.com or Trulia. However, to uncover these hidden listing gems, you’ll need to do a little digging. Start by searching “homes for sale near me” and hunt for realtor’s names and websites in the results. Often times, websites that are directly managed by a realtor are easier for them to update than syndicating a third-party ad, so you can find more “real-time” results. Social Media Social media platforms are buzzing with listing information — especially Fac
Three Simple Fall Décor Ideas for Homes in Northeast Ohio
In case you missed it, Fall has officially arrived! With the cooler temperatures and changing leaves all around, there are lots of ways to bring the themes of the season into your home. That doesn’t mean everything needs to be pumpkin-themed, though! There are plenty of tasteful ways to reflect the fall season and bring a warm, cozy feeling into every room of your home. From vintage pillows to textured fabrics, here are three ways to welcome Autumn into your home in 2019. Oversized Blankets Do you have a giant, plaid blanket stowed away in your closet? It’s time to put it on display! Repurposing cozy plaid or tartan blankets into tablecloths and furniture covers can transform any space into a more warm and inviting place. Pro tip: even if you don’t plan to put your fuzzy blankets on display, consider keeping them neatly folded in your living space as the temperatures drop. Autumn is a pretty mild season in Northeast Ohio, so you can wait to turn on the heat and snuggle up with a warm blanket when the temperature drops in the evening. Make it Vintage Each year, fall brings back sentimental feelings around the harvest — a time when local farmers would bring in the crops and celebrate a successful bounty. While there are certainly fewer farms in Northeast Ohio in 2019, you can still capture the spirit of the harvest season with vintage or rustic furniture pieces. Pillows with vintage prints and rich, seas