Blog - Month: January 2019
Month: January 2019
We're Moving!
We have some BIG NEWS to share! We're Moving! Ohio First Land Title is expanding to Cuyahoga County on February 11th! We'll soon be calling 22649 Lorain Road in Fairview Park home. But don't worry... We're still serving all of Ohio! Our signings will always take place at a location of your convenience. We are so excited about this change and will see you around the
Home Improvement Projects That Can Increase Home Value
Every homeowner hopes that their house will gain value over time. Historically, purchasing a home is a good long-term investment with decent returns for well-kept properties. While simply keeping up with house cleaning and maintenance is a good way for your house to gain value over time, there are still more ways to increase your home value through home improvement projects. Here are a few go-to, DIY home improvement projects that can add value to your home. Landscaping While most homeowners will probably spend the majority of their at-home time indoors, having unique or attractive outdoor features can improve the value of your home. Plus, this is a great way to enjoy getting creative with landscaping! Here are some simple, yet impactful, ways to add interest outside: · Add an attractive walkway leading to the front door · Replace your front porch steps · Planting a small tree or new bushes · Adding some outdoor lighting to your property’s electrical · Re-level your front yard and plant new grass Kitchen Upgrades The kitchen is often a go-to for renovation. Most upgrades here offer instant utility and can make a huge visual impact — aren’t stainless steel refrigerators beautiful? Home projects in the kitchen can be as simple as upgrading an appliance, but you also ha
Financial Fraud Kill Chain — Know How to Respond to Fraud
In 2018, homebuyers were the most common target for wire fraud. Sadly, this will probably remain true for years to come. It’s not difficult for a fraudster to fool any homebuyer, lender, or escrow company with an authentic looking email that provides instructions on how to transfer money to a fake account, usually internationally. It happens more often than you think, and that’s why it’s very important that victims know they have a way to fight back: The Financial Fraud Kill Chain (FFKC). Here’s what you need to know about this tool for Americans who are victim to international wire fraud. What is the Financial Fraud Kill Chain? The Financial Fraud Kill Chain (FFKC) is an FBI initiative designed to help any victim of international fraud activity through email scams – like wire fraud in real estate – get their money back! The following must be true to initiate an FFKC action: · The transfer is $50,000.00 or more · The money was sent internationally · A SWIFT recall notice was initiated · The FBI is informed within 72 hours How to Report Fraud to the FBI All cases of fraud, even if they don’t meet the FFKC requirements above, should be reported to the FBI quickly. If you know that you’ve been a victim of this type of internet fraud, you should begin by promptly filing a comp
Winter Home Buying — 4 Reasons Why It’s Okay to Start Shopping Now
Have you ever been to an open house in the Spring? Something feels right about visiting a home you want to buy when the sky is a vibrant blue and you can see grass growing in the backyard. Then again, buying a home during the busiest real estate season comes with its own obstacles, like more competition and exhausted agents. Trying to move a couch in the middle of a blizzard is definitely a no go, but with 2019 promising to be another hot year for real estate, there may be a few good reasons to consider purchasing a home while the weather is still chilly. Here are 4 reasons to consider buying a home this winter season. Less Competition Not every homebuyer wants to get bundled up to look at a home. If you’re willing to trek through winter weather for an open house, you’re probably going to have less competition. That’s a good thing. While summer months promise a wider selection of homes, greater competition means that you can get priced out of more deals. So, put on those Northeast Ohio snow pants and shop for a home right now — there may be fewer options, but your money will go further. Lower Asking Prices Sellers and real estate agents know that a steamy market in the spring means that they can ask for more money and still make the sale. For those cooler months between Christmas and Easter, the asking price for a property will automatically be lower, so even without negotiating, you’re going to get a better deal. Negotiating is