Blog - Month: May 2019
Month: May 2019
Six Easy Photography Tips for Home Listings in Northeast Ohio
When you’re browsing houses online, have you ever noticed that only a few listings stick out? Sometimes it’s just a matter of great curb appeal, but a well-photographed home can be just as appealing as a pretty one. Photography is an art, but there are a few time-tested approaches to home photo shoots that are relatively easy to execute with a phone camera or point-and-shoot. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here are our six easy photography tips to make sure home shoppers stop to read what your listing is saying! Brightness Everybody loves lots of natural sunlight in a home! It makes spaces look cleaner and bigger. When you’re taking interior pictures for your listing, try shooting on a day with clear skies and tons of sunlight. Natural light is eye-catching, mood enhancing and can accent the best features of your property. Turn on HDR If you’re taking pictures with your smartphone, most have a High Dynamic Range (HDR) setting that automatically improves the details of your photo in various lighting conditions. This is turned on by default on most new phones. Here’s how check on an iPhone. Capture the Whole Space Your home may have many unique features, but too many closeups can take away from the view most shoppers are looking for. Make sure you’re capturing the most complete picture of both your front yard and each
3 Common Types of Mortgages Available in Northeast Ohio
Conventional, jumbo, balloon, fixed, ARMs, reverse, combination — What does it all mean?! As you begin shopping for a house, you’re also going to start shopping around for a mortgage. And, heads up homebuyer, there are many types of mortgage repayment options out there! Different mortgage products are designed to make purchasing a home possible for different types of people. So, what’s the best option for you? You’ll probably consult with someone at a bank or loan office about what works for your budget and long-term financial plans, but as you begin discussing your mortgage options with various lenders, it’s a good idea to know the “lingo.” To help you get started, here’s our list of 3 common mortgages available in Northeast Ohio! Conventional Mortgage Conventional mortgages (or fixed-rate mortgages) are one of the safest and most common types of home loans because they offer consistent, unchanging monthly payments. Because you lock in your interest rate at the beginning, you won’t have to worry about your loan becoming more expensive as the market shifts. Available anywhere between 10 to 40-year repayment terms, lenders can usually find something that works for any monthly budget. However, most homebuyers will choose between a 15 and 30-year mortgage. Interest-Only Mortgage Interest-only mortgages give you the option to defer payments on your lo
Home Ownership Costs to Consider When Shopping for Your First Home
It’s common knowledge that there’s a lot more to owning a home than paying the mortgage on time. From property taxes to periodic maintenance, there are plenty of additional expenses that go into maintaining a home while you are living in it. While many new home shoppers will draw direct comparisons between monthly mortgage payments and renting, there are plenty of additional costs to consider when you are about to buy your first house. Here’s our list of 4 expenses you should be thinking about when you’re buying a home. Home Improvement Even a move-in ready home will likely undergo some type of home-improvement project after purchase. It is estimated that 96 percent of Americans embark on some kind of improvement project after becoming homeowners. From adding a new deck to updating appliances, these projects average around $3,000 when completed by a professional. The most common types of home projects? The majority of projects are less exciting than you might think. The most common include carpet cleaning, yard work, gutter cleaning, HVAC maintenance, house cleaning, and pressure washing. Property Taxes You may be thinking, “I could be putting this $1,200 in rent towards a mortgage and actually own something!” You’re right. However, if you’re shopping for a home based on monthly cost of living, don’t forget to include the property taxes for your ci