Winter Weather Preparation Tips

Due to the cooler temperatures in your area, we would like to advise you of some winter weather tips and recommendations that will help you have a safe winter season:

Make sure your attic is well insulated and ventilated: Contact a professional to assess that your home is properly insulated and ventilated to help prevent ice dam formation. An improperly insulated or ventilated attic can cause snow and ice to melt and then re-freeze on your roof. This may lead to ice dam formation, which prevents water from effectively draining off of your roof, and could cause water to backup and flow into your home. Have your heating systems, vents and chimneys inspected: Have a professional inspect, repair and clean your home heating systems on a regular basis. You will also want to make sure all vents and chimneys are clear from any obstructions or debris to ensure exhaust exits your home. Protect your home against frozen pipes: Your interior plumbing systems and water sources must be well insulated and protected from freezing temperatures. If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period of time, it is recommended that you have your water systems drained and valves shut off to prevent frozen pipes. Remove Snow and Ice: If it is safe and reasonable to do so, you should regularly remove snow and ice accumulation from your roof, decks, entryways and walkways to help maintain your home’s structural integrity. We recommend you contact a professional to help if you are unable to safely handle manage this on your own. Clear your gutters: Clear your gutters of any debris or ice to ensure rain water and melted snow clears from your roof instead of backing up and flowing into your home through vents or ice dams. Contact a professional if you are unable to safely access and clear your gutters on your own. Inspect Sump Pumps: If your home has a sump pump drainage system, check to make sure your sump pump equipment and drainage system work properly. Have an auxiliary battery or generator available to power your system in the event you lose electricity during a storm. Confirm your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors work: Improperly maintained or defective heating systems can cause dangerous carbon monoxide gas to enter your home. Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors regularly to confirm they work properly and are fully charged. Contact your local Fire Department or a professional if you need help installing and testing the detectors in your home. Make sure your vehicle is prepared: You should keep a first-aid kit, warm clothing and blankets, flares, a small shovel, non-perishable food, water and car battery charging equipment in your vehicle at all times. These items will come in handy if you are stranded on the road during inclement weather.

5656 Lawrence Road Cincinnati, OH 45248

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/A8P6KD/5656-Lawrence-Road-Cincinnati-OH-1524861

Fantastic 4 BR, 2 BA in Oak Hills. Beautiful natural wood floors, handmade wood kitchen cabinets and a finished LL. Entertain and enjoy the summer on the Covered Patio and in the Pool. Freshly painted and New Carpet. PRICED TO SELL! All submitted offers will be reviewed on 2/12/17 @ 5:00pm

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square feet: 1,751

Price: $130,000

For more information about this property, please contact Michelle Meenach at or mmeenach@starone.com. You can also text 4139830 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://michellemeenach.viewcincinnatihomes.com/

MLS ID: 1524861

https://www.facebook.com/MeenachProperties https://twitter.com/MichelleMeenach https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8jAfTCxurkvgIG85RXcsFQ

5242 Stonelick Williams Corner Road Stonelick Twp, OH 45103

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/BAJ6SE/5242-Stonelick-Williams-Corner-Road-Stonelick-Twp-OH-1524608

Breathtaking Views and Country Living on 10 acres, only 15 minutes from Eastgate and Milford. NEW... Carpet, Roof, Furnace and Kitchen with natural woodworking. 2 walkout patios with Natiral Stonework. Beautiful peaceful setting. Eligible for USDA Financing with $0 DOWN!!

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

Square feet: 2,496

Price: $299,900

For more information about this property, please contact Michelle Meenach at or mmeenach@starone.com. You can also text 4137250 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://michellemeenach.viewcincinnatihomes.com/

MLS ID: 1524608

https://www.facebook.com/MeenachProperties https://twitter.com/MichelleMeenach https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8jAfTCxurkvgIG85RXcsFQ

5 Savvy Negotiating Tips I Use with My Buyers

Anyone buying a property wants to get the best price. A smart offer can not only help successfully close the deal, but it can also earn me your gratitude and loyalty by saving you thousands of dollars, both upfront and over the life of a mortgage.

1. How to read the market.Here are five tips to put your home in a better negotiating position:

2017 is likely to remain a seller’s market for the most part, though buyers are expected to have more choice in 2018 or 2019. You should be aware of this so we can set expectations. If demand is hot and properties are scarce, I urge you to think twice about playing hardball — or you may find the potential Buyer selling the house to someone else.

2. Be realistic about price.

The seller’s market means one of the toughest dilemmas I have is figuring out how to counsel you when you fallen in love with a house beyond your means.  Be very careful when looking at houses where the List Price is higher than you can afford.  I know it "has been completed updated, has great views, and was just amazing."  But houses like that are going to get multiple offers and sell above asking price.

Be realistic and understand... if there’s an incredible house and you’re already at the top price you can handle, there is a very good chance that you could be outbid.  You can save a lot of time and emotion and frustration if you just move on.

3.  I highly discourage unworkable “lowball” offers.

The housing market has heated up in many parts of the country, so gently I discourage those who want to get tough with the sellers. We’re not in a market anymore where you can lowball somebody $20,000 below the list price.  Look at the listing and selling prices within a half mile to help determine what’s reasonable. Don’t lose your bid on a house to save $5,000!!

If you’ve found your dream house, do you really want to let it go for a $5,000 difference?

4. I encourage you to do your homework.

Check the MLS to find out how long the house has been listed. If it’s been on the market longer than the average amount of time in that area, the seller may be ready to bargain. Any problems with the house? Sellers are require to disclosing this information by law.

5. Help yourself by getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Getting pre-approval on a mortgage means you will know their price range and have a better chance at a smooth closing. Without it, your offers are going to fall apart more often than not.  Because a Seller will choose an offer that includes a Pre-Approval.

When Should Buyers Lock in a Mortgage Rate?

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017

A rate lock helps protect your buyers from fluctuating mortgage rates as they’re getting ready to buy a home. It locks in the interest rate for a loan for a certain period of time until the buyer makes it to closing. Your buyers will know what to expect and won’t then fall mercy to a week of rising rates, for example. However, if rates dip, they could get stuck paying a higher rate too. So it can be a catch-22.

Here is when your buyers likely will want to lock in their mortgage rate right away:

1. An offer has been made, accepted, and is under contract. Many lenders will lock in a rate for free for 30 days. But you may want to lock in for longer, for example, if the buyer is giving sellers more time to find a home or if they’re self-employed and a lender needs longer in underwriting their loan. As such, lock-ins are also available for 90 days, 120 days, or even 150 days. But expect to pay to get longer lock in periods.

2. Interest rates are rising. If interest rates are trending higher, lock in sooner rather than later, say mortgage experts.

3. Interest rates are volatile. If interest rates are going both up and down, buyers may want to lock in sooner for greater stability during their house hunt. “Rates today are unusually volatile—they are making large moves up and down in short periods of time,” says Joe Parsons, a loan officer at Caliber Home Loans in Dublin, Calif. “For this reason, prudent borrowers are locking their rates early in the process.”

4. You may not qualify for a loan otherwise. A buyer may need to lock in a rate sooner if they are borrowing near their limits. A fluctuation in rate could prevent them from getting their loan approved. For instance, if a higher interest rate pushes a buyer’s monthly mortgage payment above a 28 percent threshold (most lenders believe a house payment should be no greater than 28 percent of your gross monthly income) then a lender may not approve her for a mortgage.

“An early rate lock means there are no hidden surprise down the road,” says Mark Livingstone, president of Cornerstone First Financial, a mortgage lender in Washington, D.C.

Source: “When to Lock in Mortgage Rates: 4 Signs It’s Time,” realtor.com® (Jan. 23, 2017)

Beechwood Road Union Twp, OH 45244

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/3A4A9E/Beechwood-Road-Union-Twp-OH-1524163

ATTN Builders & Developers! Beautiful wooded setting directly across from Polo Fields in Milford Schools. Water gas sewer cable & electric at street. Quick access to 275 at Beechwood Rd to Milford Pkwy. Rear of prop is heavily wooded & slopes to a creek. View from sites will be breath taking & full of bright colors in fall! View alone is desirable!

Bathrooms: 0.00

Price: $250,000

For more information about this property, please contact Michelle Meenach at or mmeenach@starone.com. You can also text 4128046 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://michellemeenach.viewcincinnatihomes.com/

MLS ID: 1524163

https://www.facebook.com/MeenachProperties https://twitter.com/MichelleMeenach https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8jAfTCxurkvgIG85RXcsFQ