Supporting copy for the Request Service call out button.
Call us today for your FREE consultation: (419) 887 - 1717

Blog Post

First Time Home Buyer Tips

  • By 7019208551
  • 02 Oct, 2017

You will not find many things as emotional and exciting as the purchase of your first home. You may be looking for a condo near all the Downtown amenities, a new modern home in a family friendly suburb, or a vintage property in a historic area. Either way, if you follow the first time home buyer tips below, you could be well on your way to living the  American Dream!

Buying your first home is an extremely exciting step, but it is also very risky. More experienced buyers who have bought and sold a number of houses throughout their lifetime may be able to spot a money pit the minute they walk in. However, those without this expertise may find themselves so blinded by the excitement of becoming a property owner that they fail to see the home's shortcomings.

When looking for your first home, it is very easy to fall in love with every home you can afford! You have to think, are you engaged or married or possibly planning on having kids soon? Then that one bedroom condo in the Downtown high-rise in the hip part of town may not be the best buy even if it fits your budget.

Below are several tips for first time home buyers that will assist you with keeping your head in the game throughout the process, making certain that you get the best deal and the right home!


FIRST STEPS

- Get pre-approved for a loan

- Hire the right agent to work for YOU


WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A HOME?

  • Certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms
  • Overall square footage
  • Open vs closed floor plan
  • New home vs resale property
  • Space for an office or bonus room
  • One story or two
  • Home vs condo/townhouse
  • Garage, carport, or off-street parking
  • Home style, type, or a specific builder
  • Good school district
  • Onsite or close-by amenities


RESEARCH EACH HOME

  • How much the house last sold for
  • Homeowners Association details (if applicable)
  • Area development plans
  • Easement rules
  • Property boundaries
  • Your millage rate (used to calculate property taxes)
  • City/county responsibilities (i.e. garbage, utilities, etc.)
  • State tax
  • Property tax


CHECK OUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD

  • Preview the community at different times of the day/night. Each visit will give you a better perspective on the noise level, congestion, and how quiet or busy the neighborhood is.
  • If you have school age kids, visiting their prospective schools. You can also find out more details by visiting greatschools.org.
  • The commute time to/from work, school, or other important amenities.
  • Reviewing the state sex offender registry. If the area has a local sex offender site, make sure to check that too.
  • Visit the local police station or check out SpotCrime to determine the crime level in your future neighborhood.
  • Scan for distractions (i.e. is there a highway, public transportation service, entertainment venue, or processing plant nearby).

PREVIEW THE ENTIRE HOME

  • Leaky gutters
  • Cracks on outside walls
  • A sloping yard that could imply ground subsidence
  • Rotting woodwork or woodwork covered in holes that could be signs of a pest infestation
  • Concrete breaks or gaps
  • Fencing issues
  • The roof to include missing pieces or patched area
  • Outside air conditioning units
  • Chimney (if applicable)
  • Diseased vegetation or grass
  • Potential drainage issues

To read more tips and helpful information from this article, click here!



By 7019208551 02 Oct, 2017
You'd love to sell your home for more money wouldn't you? Well of course you would! It's no surprise that most home sellers have high expectations when selling their home. They want it to be fast and highly profitable! Below are some proven ways to ensure you get the most for your home.

1. Understand what buyers are looking for and then emphasize what makes your home desirable. Are there certain architectural features, views, or amenities that set your home apart from others.

2. Intelligent Renovation. What is that you ask? Things like structural, electrical and plumbing should be in tip top shape. After these are in order, start looking at cosmetic changes; things like paint, fixtures and hardware.

3. Beauty from the road to the door. This means that the home should be beautiful and inviting from the exterior including the driveway on up to the front door. Add some color the outside or bright flowers to make the home pop.

4. Pricing it correctly will ensure that more buyers view the home, which can ultimately lead to a quicker sale.

5. Effective online marketing is essential. We live in a digital age where more consumers begin their searches online. In fact, statistics show that nearly 90% of home buyers begin their search online. A good agent will know how to properly market the property online with high quality photos and videos to bring out the best in your home!

To read more, click here !

By 7019208551 02 Oct, 2017

Whether you’re selling your 3 bed suburban home or your 2 bed lake house, putting your home on the market can be very stressful. Week after week, showings require that your house be showable   at all times, not to mention the inconvenience of leaving at a moment’s notice. If you have pets or children, that stress is even greater! Keep in mind though, your home will the most attention and activity the first few weeks it’s on the market — so you need to hit the ground running and sell before your listing grows stale. “To sell a home quickly, it needs to show well, be marketed well, and priced correctly,” says Goran Forss, broker at Allison James Estates & Homes  in Temecula, CA. If you need to sell your home fast, these tried-and-true methods can help you get offers much quicker.

1. Get a Storage Unit

Most people will place any clutter into their closets. Don't so this! People that tour your home will most certainly open the closets to check out the storage space.  The general rule? Get rid of a third of your stuff. “If you don’t use it every day, store it,” says Justin Seeby, principal at the Graham Seeby Group with Keller Williams Intown Realty  in Atlanta, GA. Not to mention, if you use a portable storage unit, it can easily be transported to your new home!

2. Hire a professional to stage and take photos

Hiring a professional home stager ensures that your home is seen from a buyer's perspective. The first place a potential home buyer looks is the listing photos. Studies show that a listing with more than 6 photos will be twice as likely to be viewed by purchasers.

3. Find the right real estate agent

Do not hire an agent just because they are from your hometown or a fan of the same football team. What matters is a track record that proves they can sell your home and for top dollar. Do they know the benefits of your neighborhood, can they give you advice on what buyers will like and not like about your home? You also need to make sure they promote their listings on social media as the majority of buyers today are beginning their search online. 

4. Promote it yourself

Do some of the marketing yourself! Promote it on your personal social media forums and send the listing to friends and family. You never know who may be looking to buy in your area! Take a flyer around to your neighbors!

5. Remove personal items

Removing personal photos will allow a prospective buyer to envision themselves living in your home. Your children's pictures are most certainly cute, but they are your pictures, not a potential buyer.

6. Make small upgrades

Updates things like fixtures, kitchen hardware, towels, shower curtain, etc. Rather than spending a fortune on a full kitchen remodel, upgrade the appliances instead. Minor upgrades can have a major impact.

7. Light it up

Brighten up the home with high wattage light bulbs, more natural light and lighter paint colors.


8. Amp up curb appeal

The first thing people see about your home is the curb appeal. If it doesn't appeal to them and welcome them to your home, they more then likely won't want to see the inside. Minor things like trimming hedges ad bushes, refreshing the mulch and edging can go a long way.

9. Sell at the right time

It probably comes as no surprise that Spring and Summer are typically the best times to sell your home. You also need to price the home right. Just because you feel your home may be worth more doesn't mean that someone will pay your magic number for it! Your home is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.


To read more about how to sell your home fast, click here !





By 7019208551 20 Sep, 2017

You’ve finally settled into your new home.

You’re hanging pictures and pinning ideas  for your favorite bath.

But in all your excitement, are you missing something? Now that you’re a bonafide homeowner are there things you should know that you don’t?

Probably so. Here are six mistakes new homeowners often make, and why they’re critically important to avoid.

#1 Not Knowing Where the Main Water Shutoff Valve is

#2 Not Calling 811 Before Digging a Hole

#3 Not Checking the Slope of Foundation Soil

#4 Not Knowing the Depth of Attic Insulation

#5 Carelessly Drilling into Walls

#6 Cutting Down a Tree

To read this article in it's entirety, click here !


By 7019208551 18 Sep, 2017

Buying a house: It’s a big deal. It’s not like purchasing a pair of shoes, a new suit or even a car, for that matter. While it’s certainly fun and exciting, it can also be downright confusing.

While brunching with a friend the other day, our discussion turned to real estate. She’s a 28 year old ready to dip her toe in the market. Like most first timers, she quickly realized that she had no idea where to start.

“Tell me how to buy a house. I’m like a baby… I know nothing.” Her words, verbatim.


Two hours (and several mimosas) later, she had a darn good idea of the process. Here, I’ve recapped our discussion, broken down into ten basic steps. If it’s your first (or even your second) time buying, you’re going to have lot of questions and will need guidance and a bit of handholding. But this outline will set you in the right direction.

1. Establish Your Real Estate Goals

2. Start Building Your Dream Team

3. Talk To Lender

4. House Hunt

5. Get an Accepted Offer

6. Do Your Due Diligence

7. Loop in an Attorney for the Purchase and Sale

8. Secure Your Mortgage

9. Pass Papers

10. Celebrate!

To read the article in it's entirety, click here !


By 7019208551 15 Sep, 2017
Rylan Realty has chosen the winner of our Date Night for 2 drawing at the Wedding Dreams Bridal Show at the Pinnacle in Maumee, OH August 27, 2017.
By 7019208551 15 Aug, 2017
Rylan Realty Group is proud to announce the addition of their newest team member, Christopher Bateson! Chris lives in Swanton with his wife Kristy and their 3 kids. Prior to real estate he was in the IT field for 8 years as well as serving in the Air Force Reserves for 6 years.  When not working hard to buy and sell houses, Chris enjoys spending time with his family,  bowling or watching the Buckeyes! No matter what he is doing though, he'll always have the time to take your call! If you are looking to buy or sell, give him a call at (419)388-1491 or shoot him an email at chris@rylanrealtygroup.com!
Share by: