Tag Archives: central ohio real estate market news

Columbus Top Mortgage Lenders

Posted on 03/28/2012 | Leave a comment

Columbus Business First just published its “Top of the List” for Mortgage Lenders. The criteria for the list was the number of first-mortgage loans. Many of the home mortgage lenders saw a decrease in the number of loans issued for 2011 which follows the drop-off in home sales.

The Top 5 on the list and the numbers of home loans closed is:

  1. Fifth Third – 6271 loans
  2. Union Savings – 4491 loans
  3. Huntington Bank – 3736 loans
  4. Wells Fargo – 2650 loans
  5. Third Federal – 1653 loans

Read the entire article

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Buyers, Central Ohio, Home buying process, Lenders

Tagged , ,

We’re Slurping in Obama’s Spaghetti!

Posted on 03/14/2012 | Leave a comment

Obama's spaghettiIn my former career as a Marketing Manager, when we had idea-creation meetings, we would throw out any thought that came to mind then someone would record all the ideas on a placard and tape them to the wall. That is the  ”throw the spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks” process.

Throwing spaghetti is what Obama has been doing in trying to fix the housing doldrums. So far, he’s thrown six different mortgage financing directives up against the wall, and they’re not sticking because they were poorly planned. They merely make good sound bytes for an election year.

Wall Street Journal’s Smart Money just listed five of the mortgage stimulus programs and recorded their success … or rather non-success.

HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program)

  • Projected to help 3-4 million homeowners
  • Actually helped 933,000

HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program)

  • Projected to help 4-5 million homeowners
  • Actually helped nearly 1 million

FHA Short Refi Program

  • Projected to help 4 million homeowners
  • Actually helped 880,000

FHA Secure

  • Projected to help 80,000 homeowners
  • Actually helped 3290

Hope for Homeowners

  • Projected to help 400,000 homeowners
  • Actually helped 764

Read the Wall Street Journal article

Read National Association of Realtors Opinion of Obama’s 2012 Budget

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Central Ohio, Lenders, Sellers

Tagged ,

A rising TIDE lifts all boats … until the cops get there

Posted on 03/12/2012 | Leave a comment

When I list a home, I give the homeowner a sheet that has a list of safety precautions. Then we discuss what and why they need to do (or not do) certain things to keep themselves and their possessions safe.

Well, it seems I need to add another item to the list of things to hide or secure in addition to jewelry, account numbers and prescription drugs. You’re probably not going to believe THIS one. I’ll leave you in suspense. You’ve GOT to read this article. THE NEW FAVORITE OF  DRUG DEALERS

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Central Ohio, Home selling process, Homes, Homes for sale, Safety, Sellers, Sellers

Tagged , ,

Our Tax Rates Keep Going Up … Surprised?

Posted on 03/09/2012 | Leave a comment

Every year after the local property tax rates are published on the Auditor’s web site, I update a tax graph that compares the various rates for nearby school districts. I frequently get questions or requests from readers regarding these graphs.

Well, I just updated the graph again and this year there were some noticeable changes in the districts’ relationships with each other. Most noticeable is that the top tax rate is now approaching $100 (that’s per $1000 of assessed value). For all prior years, New Albany had the highest tax rate by far. Now the Hilliard district is higher than New Albany’s. There are other changes as well. For comparison, view the graph I posted a year ago to see how much things have changed. View 2011 graph.

2012 Tax Rates by Central Ohio School District

2012 central ohio tax rates by school district

Click to enlarge. Note that the base is at $20 not $0

NOTE: On March 6, Westerville approved a school levy. I doubt that the increase of that levy has been incorporated into the Auditor’s web site data at this writing.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Central Ohio, Delaware County, Delaware Ohio, Dublin Ohio, Franklin County, Galena Ohio, Hilliard Ohio, Lewis Center Ohio, Powell Ohio, Schools, Worthington Ohio

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Real Living HER is #1 in Home Sales

Posted on 02/27/2012 | Leave a comment

2011 Broker Share of Market is in and Real Living HER maintains its #1 status again. No other broker even comes close. For the entire 2011 year, Real Living HER agents sold 6,184 units. The next nearest competitor (CBKT – 4681) sold only 76% of the number that Real Living HER agents sold.

2011 Broker Homes Sold in central Ohio

Click to enlarge chart, then click again

Many home sellers and buyers select their agent first and the broker second, however, in order for the agent to do a stellar job for the client, it’s important for the agent to have access to the best techie tools, internet exposure, and marketing materials to provide the client with the best service. That’s where Real Living HER really shines.

If you’re planning to sell or buy this Spring, make sure you choose the #1 broker. Give me a call and we’ll get started.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Buyers, Central Ohio, Home buying process, Homes, Homes for sale, Housing stats, Real Living HER, Realtors®, Uncategorized

Tagged , ,

Homes For Sale in Olentangy SD

Posted on 02/13/2012 | Leave a comment

It’s time to start searching for a home if you want to move by the end of the school year. I work mostly in the Olentangy school district area, and there are many homes available for buyers to choose. The following chart shows the number of homes for sale as of this afternoon. It changes all the time but this gives you a glimpse into the variety you’ll have to view. There are also many new home builders that will be more than willing to build your home from scratch. Some are starting to offer special deals, since the economy has impacted their business moreso than the resale market.

Zip # For Sale Sq Ft Avg $
43015 72 3590 $530,599
43065 154 3818 $505,680
43082 30 3394 $415,546
43021 49 3137 $359,076
43035 119 2728 $296,505

If you’re into luxury homes, there are 13 homes priced over $1 million with an average sq ft of 7883. All are located west of Rt 23 with most being in the various subdivisions along the Olentangy River between Powell Rd up to the junction with Rt 23 (south of Delaware).

If you’re ready to start looking, give me a call and we’ll go shopping. Remember, interest rates are rock bottom!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Buyers, Central Ohio, Delaware County, Galena Ohio, Homes, Homes for sale, Lewis Center Ohio, Powell Ohio

Tagged , , ,