Monday, April 8, 2013

Columbus is SMART....

I heard this on the news last week while driving, I was super intrigued. I found this article and thought I'd share it with you, our wonderful readers.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Keller Williams is an amazing company

This is why all of us on Real Estate Group 3:16 work for this amazing company....

Global Real Estate Company Keller Williams Realty Rallies to Pay Commissions Denied to Des Moines Agents

Vice Chairman of the Board to Deliver $107,040 Check on Friday

 


 
DES MOINES, Iowa, Mar 21, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mo Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Board of Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the largest real estate franchise in agent count in the United States, will visit the Greater Des Moines market center on Friday, March 22nd, to deliver a gift of $107,040 to agents who have been denied commissions for helping their clients buy homes listed by a local competitor.

The Keller Williams Greater Des Moines market center opened in March 2012 with 23 agents. Since that time, its largest local competitor has paid Keller Williams associates only $1 in commissions on each of the listings the competitor controls. Driven by Keller Williams Realty's belief in doing the right thing, the Greater Des Moines associates have continued to put their clients first and sell the competitors' listings despite earning only $1. To date, the associates in Des Moines have been denied more than $100,000 in rightfully earned commissions.

Last month, during Keller Williams Realty's annual convention in Dallas, Anderson brought several Greater Des Moines associates on stage to honor their commitment to serving the Des Moines community and challenged the Keller Williams family to support their fellow agents.
"We are committed to making our Greater Des Moines family whole again," Anderson announced from the stage. "And we are going to continue to help them until these business practices end."

The response was overwhelming. Within minutes, fellow associates wrote checks and stuffed envelopes, more than covering the over $100,000 in commissions denied to associates to date.
Anderson will visit the Greater Des Moines market center on Friday, March 22nd at noon to meet with the agents, honor their commitment to client service, and deliver this first gift from the newly established KW Family Fund.

"The support of our Keller Williams family is a powerful statement of who we are. What an honor it is to be in business with a real estate organization who stands united, supports each other and is unwavering in their commitment to do the right thing always," said Brian Wentz, Team Leader, KWDSM.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Central Ohio Housing Report - Jan. 2013


Central Ohio Housing Report - Jan. 2013
Posted: 2/21/2013
Columbus Board of REALTORS®

January home sales highest since 2007

Central Ohio home sales during the first month of 2013 were the highest for January since 2007 just before the housing market began to feel the effects of the economic recession. The 1,374 closings exceeds the previous year by 20.4 percent (1,141) according to the Columbus Board of REATORS®.
“Housing activity was up abnormally high during the traditionally slower months at the end of the year,” said Chris Pedon, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “So we’re not surprised to see such a jump in closings last month.”
Home prices hit their lowest in several years during the recession but are well on their way back. The average sale price of a home sold in central Ohio in 2012 was $167,459, which is 7.2 percent higher than in 2011.The average sales price ($149,477) jumped 5.1 percent from January of 2011 and the median sales price ($129,000) was up 5.3 percent.
New listings as added to the market in January totaled 2,578, which is down 6.0 percent from last year. The number of homes for sale in central Ohio is down to 8,935 – the lowest since summer of 2002.
“We’ve watched inventory dwindle steadily over the last year as demand continued to grow,” added Pedon. “Homeowners that have been waiting to move up...Read More

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Who pays the closing costs in a short sale?

Short sales are part of our real estate market here in central Ohio and something everyone has questions about. Our team is comprised of agents who work with traditional sales and agents who are short sale experts working with Columbus homeowners every day.

While every situation is different there are a few questions you may have that applies to most homeowners feeling the pinch. 

Q: What is a short Sale?
A: Simply put, a short sale is when you sell your house for less than what is owed on the loan.

Q: Will a short sale cost money or will I need to pay the closing fees?
A: At the Real Estate Group 3:16 you will not have any out of pocket fees from the short sale of your distressed property. Any closings fees, appraisal, or other fees associated with selling your home will be taken out of the closing price of your property or paid for by the lender.


Check out our video about this question

Q: Do I qualify for a short sale?
A: Many homeowners do qualify for a short sale. A short sale client does not have equity in their home and usually owes more for the home that the current market value can support. Therefore the owner can not pay off the loan. There are several pre-qualifications for a short sale and because every sale is different, please ask a question below and we will be sure to answer it for you.


If your mortgage is underwater or if you can simply no longer afford your mortgage please take a minute to fill out or S.O.S (short or stay) form on our website. 


Friday, January 11, 2013

Do it! Take a look


After all these years of selling real estate, I still find it funny how many people are afraid to really "look" at houses. They forget that their "stuff" has to fit in the new place. Not only furniture but all the toys, pictures, books, dishes, towels, sheets....need I keep going.

Who wouldn't love a well organized closet space?
Buyers are nervous about opening closets, cabinets and drawers. Don't be. As soon as you walk in, open that coat closet. Is there room for your coats and guest coats? Where will you put shoes when you come in and kick them off after a long day at work? The space must work for you and the way you live.










In the kitchen...do you entertain a lot or try to avoid the room all together? Is there a place to store all your serving platters and those "special" dishes no one can ever touch because they are for guests only. 

Check to make sure lower cabinets have pull out shelves! Added bonus
Are the cabinets deep enough for your plates or would you have to go out and buy new smaller plates, this might make Bob Harper from Biggest Loser happy, but seriously, I want my steak and baked potato to fit on the same plate.

For some people they want a special place for their wine glasses. If you're like me, its those beautiful martini glasses. And if your anything like my husband you need room for all those small appliances that you just couldn't pass up at Target or worse, Williams Sonoma.(cha-ching)

Every woman knows drawer space in the master bath is a huge plus!
So don't be afraid to look in the closets and bathroom cabinets. You must make sure all your towels, sheets and medicines will have a home as well as some extra space in cabinets and closets for those times you need to make a mad dash cleaning spree because the mother-in-law is on her way.. 




Wednesday, November 28, 2012

EDIBLE CENTERPIECES

Edible Centerpieces? Okay, this may not have anything to do with Real Estate in Central Ohio, but it is just another way our team would like to bless our clients and followers. 

We know that a house is just a house until you make it a home. And one of the first things people do when they move into a home is...HAVE A PARTY. 

Using the food as a center piece is a fabulous way to save money on decorations, especially expensive floral centerpieces.


For a football party you could make a cream cheese football with crackers....
We found this cool recipe from our friends over at KRAFT FOODS

For a birthday party, the cake is the best way to dress up your table

Sugarplum Fairy Cakes & Creative Custom Confections
This is a cake hand crafted by Columbus's own Sugarplum Fairy Cakes and Creative Custom Confections for Lori's daughters 12th birthday party. Not only did the cake score a perfect "10" for technique but it tasted delicious as well. The rest of the table was simply dressed with a colorful table cloth (plastic of course) and gymnastics themed plates and napkins.

And if you just moved into your new home, you are probably going to have a house warming party to show off our new digs. You might want to try a tablescape like the one we found on this blog through or Pinterest boards. (hint, hint...follow us on Pinterest)

Punch bowl drinks with fruit, ice cream or colored ice cubes make great center pieces and would also add some color and pizazz to the table laden with yummy treats for your guests to enjoy between tours of your new home.

also a Pinterest find.



Having a party is all about having fun...not about spending money, and besides you just bought a new house with the help of Real Estate Group 3:16. Keep your party simple, laugh and have fun with your friends and family. Enjoy

This is a post by our very own in house caterer Libby...check out her bio.