Cape Cod & Drive In Movie Memories!

Cape Cod & Drive In Movie Memories

Greater Columbus, Ohio has many neighborhoods throughout the city offering the Cape Cod style home also known as Story and a Half and Short Two Stories. They're a very livable floor plan with a good amount of space for the money. My Aunt Norma and Uncle Mert owned a Cape Cod in the Linden area behind the old Linden-Air Drive-In on Cleveland Avenue. Their home was located at the end of the street and if we positioned ourselves just right, we could see the movies from the big tree or from Cousin Patti's upstairs side bedroom window. No sound but no big whoop. We would make up our own stories and lines. Anyway, cousin Patti was 18 to my 10 years of age so I thought she was dreamy especially with her blue, rhinestone, cat eyed glasses. She usually locked herself away when we came over so I had to hang out w/my other cousin Wayne Dean. We were the same age except he and I were born 11 days apart so the families usually celebrated our birthdays together. We both felt gypped. Anyway, sometimes cousin Patti would be gone. I would sneak upstairs while Wayne Dean played with his matchbox cars. He never missed me. Cousin Patti's upstairs bedroom was huge! She had shades of pink and knotty pine everywhere else. Gleaming wood, built in drawers, built in shelving, a window seat, cool, sloped ceilings and even a built in vanity by the window so she could put on her makeup every day. Her vanity dripped with pearls, chains, baubles and shiny lovelies that screamed for me to try them on... so I did. That's when my love affair w/Pink, Bling and Cape Cods began. Cousin Patti loved that bedroom and so did I!

  

        

Things To Check Out in Columbus This Month!

Are you stuck in a rut this winter? It’s easy to hibernate inside once the cold weather hits, but Columbus has so much to offer this month that you’ll drop your Snuggie and remote control and head out on the town. Whether you’re looking for a fun time with the family, a date night or a night out with friends, Columbus has something to offer. Below are a few events we’re looking forward to in February – we hope you’ll enjoy them as well.

·         Columbus Coffee Tour: Feb. 1, Columbus Aquatics Center, 9:30 a.m. – Are you a coffee lover? Or are you looking to see what local options Columbus has instead of hitting up Starbucks? This tour will take you to three local coffee venues where you can learn more about coffee roasting and try some free samples. The cost is $50. More information is available here.

·         Disney on Ice: Feb. 5-9, Nationwide Arena – You’ve watched the movies with your kids dozens of times, so why not take them to see the real thing? Watch your favorite Disney characters whirl and twirl on the ice for a great time with the whole family. Tickets are $16-51 and can be purchased here.

·         Ohio State Shakespeare School Tour-As You Like It: Feb. 7-9, Lincoln Theatre – If you’re a fan of the Bard you’ll enjoy this rendition of As You Like It put on by the OSU Department of Theatre. Tickets are $15-20. Head to their web site for more information.

·         Family Friday Night: Feb. 28, 5-9 p.m., COSI – Bring your kids out for a fun night filled with learning! COSI offers extended hours and a reduced admission price for families. Check out all of the permanent exhibits, a movie in the Extreme Screen theater and a variety of educational hands-on demonstrations. Admission is $10.95. More information can be found here.

·         Columbus Symphony Masterworks-Romeo and Juliet: Feb. 14-15, Ohio Theatre – Looking for a date idea for Valentine’s Day? Celebrate with your loved one and Shakespeare’s famous star-crossed lovers by listening to selections from settings of the story, presented by the Columbus Symphony. For more information, visit their web site.

Are you thinking of attending any of these events? Do you know of another exciting happening going on in Columbus? Let us know!

Can You Negotiate Closing Costs?

Buying a new home can be quite an expensive process, and it is important for most people to save money where they can. One question that many people consider is whether or not they can negotiate closing costs during the transaction. In many cases, third parties generate the closing costs and typically don’t change; additionally there are some costs that can’t be negotiated. Here are three things to remember about negotiating closing costs.

What Are Closing Costs

Closing costs are fees, which are charged by lenders and third parties, and related to the purchase of the home. When the title of the home is conveyed to the new buyer, this is typically referred to as the closing. The closing costs for a home don’t necessarily always go to the buyer or the seller, that is determined by negotiations at the end of the transaction. The closing costs likely incurred include loan origination fees, discount points, appraisal fees, title searches, title insurance, survey, taxes, deed-recording fees and credit report charges.

Negotiate with the Seller

You can always negotiate who pays the closing costs with the seller. In some cases, the seller will be willing to “pay” a buyer to finalize the sale and purchase the home. When the seller pays the buyer’s closing costs, it give the buyer more incentive to close the deal on the home right away. Additionally, another thing to consider is that you can get a no-closing cost mortgage, which means you won’t pay any of the closing costs when you close on the mortgage.

What Are Negotiable Closing Costs

There are a number of closing costs in any given transaction that are negotiable. Those costs include: origination fees, appraisal fees, administrative fees, attorney fees and title insurance fees, among others. Even if you think you are getting a good deal at the time, it is always important to remember that these things are negotiable and can save you money in the long run.

Buying a home is a huge expense and a milestone in your life. To save yourself time and money, know what costs are negotiable and who you can negotiate with to make sure you get the best deal for you. For more information about negotiating your closing costs, visit here.

6 Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Real Estate Agent

It's important to interview an agent before hiring one - in an interview you can find out their record for buying and selling homes, find out what area they're most comfortable and familiar working in, and if they'll be a good fit overall for your needs. 

Here are 6 questions to ask each and every real estate agent you interview:

1. What advertising and marketing plans do you have for my home? Will you list my home online and in print? (Agents should recommend that you list your home for sale in local newspapers and on popular online listing sites such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realbird). In other words, how will you make sure that my home is sold in a timely manner and for a good price?
   
   
2. What is your personal track record and reputation in the real estate world? It’s important for agents you’re interviewing to bring evidence of their success in selling and/or buying homes (depending on their specialty). Additionally, the agent should bring a reference list that gives you contact information for previous clients.
   
   
3. How many homes have you sold/bought in my area? It is very important that agents be familiar with the area that they’re working in so that they can provide you with an accurate and reasonable estimate for your listing price and can give you a timeline for selling your home.
   
   
4. When your listings sell, how close is the selling price to the asking price (on average)?
   
   
5. How long does it take for your listings to sell, on average?
   
   
6. Are you currently working with other buyers/sellers? If the agent is working with both buyers and sellers, this could increase your chances of selling your home quickly, as the agent may be able to pair you up with another client.
   
   
7. If I’m unhappy with the work you are doing, what are my options? It is important to think ahead and plan for all possible scenarios. Make sure that the agent you hire is willing to take the time and effort to make sure that you get what you want.

By asking and evaluating the responses that agents have to these questions, you will be able to determine whether or not the agent is a good fit for you and whether or not he/she will be able to find you the home you want.

What Goes With You When You Sell A Home?

When you are selling a home, you will want to establish what items you will be taking with you in the move and which ones you’ll be leaving behind.

Generally things that are not attached to the property go with the seller. If there are things you are absolutely certain you want to take with you that are attached, make sure you tell your Realtor and so that they are included in the listing and you don’t end up breaking any potential buyer’s heart.

There are several areas which generally feature in this type of discussion:

Lighting: Lighting fixtures are often something that people are attached to because they often reflect personal style. In general things that are attached to the home such as lighting fixtures are generally considered to be part of the home. For example, when I bought my condo, the owners wanted to take their crystal chandelier in the dining room with them. For me this wasn’t an issue, the chandelier wasn’t my style and I was happy with having the chance to replace it with something else. However if I hadn’t known this in advance and I had my heart set on the way the dining room looked with the chandelier it  could have been an issue. Fixtures are to remain in the home unless the seller explicitly stated the item is not to be included in the sale. The seller also needs ensure that the item be removed without damage to the home. Lamps are moveable items and are considered personal items that can be claimed by the seller when they vacate the home.

Appliances:  Appliances are often an area where the buyer and seller can negotiate.  In some cases, the buyer may actually prefer that the seller remove appliances because they have their own. Other times, the seller may be ready to take the appliances but could use them as an incentive to get the buyer to pay the list price because the buyer won’t have to pay for new appliances. If you are absolutely certain that you want to take the appliances with you make sure your agent notes that. If you are willing to negotiate let your agent know that too. Most appliances are moveable items that the seller would normally be allowed to remove from the home. Moveable items are considered personal items or possessions of the seller.

Landscaping: Plants, shrubs and trees are items that are affixed to the property and will remain with the home however if you have container gardens or perhaps flower-filled urns on the front porch those can be negotiable. Backyard equipment, such as lawn chairs, tables, swings and grills, are all considered personal items. The swing set may get a bit tricky because it can be claimed that it is attached to the ground in some cases. The seller may often be very willing to sell all of the backyard items for a price.

Window Treatments: Window treatments are another area that can be negotiated. Often window treatments were bought to fit the specific size and shape of the windows and so the seller may not be interested in taking them to a new home. If you are planning to leave the window treatments behind be sure to let your agent know so that it can be added to the listing. This is often a great selling point to use because it means the person can move in and not have to worry about privacy.

To learn more about what is generally taken with the home seller and what is left behind in a sale, go here. 

FOR SALE: 115 B W. Ticonderoga Drive, Westerville, Ohio

115B W. Ticonderoga Drive is a desirable 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath brick condo in the heart of Westerville -- you can't beat the convenient location! Fresh paint, new cupboards, smooth top range, counter tops. Slate entry, new berber carpet. Custom window blinds. Patio with privacy fence. First floor laundry. Pool, tennis, club house. 2 dedicated parking spots. Must see! Dial Darla for more information: 614-395-1516

Maintaining Your Home This Fall

Is your home ready for winter’s frosty temperatures and severe weather?

We all know about “spring cleaning”, but it is just as important to clean and prepare your home in the fall-before winter is here. This checklist, from Better Homes and Gardens, covers all the necessary maintenance for your home and will help homeowners prepare and protect their home this winter.

• Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts to protect exterior surfaces and keep water out of the basement
• Seal any gaps or cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk to reduce drafts and to keep the heat in
• Inspect roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents-putting this off can be detrimental and disastrous (it’s much harder to find and fix the leak when its under snow and ice)
• Repair damaged sidewalks, driveways, and steps-look for cracks more than 1/8-inch wide, uneven sections, loose railings on steps, disintegration of asphalt, or washed-out materials on loose-fill paths-these may not seem dangerous now but when it gets cold and icy out they can be hazardous
• Drain and winterize all outdoor faucets and irrigation systems-it’s easier than dealing with a busted pipe later!
• Clean or replace dirty/old furnace filters-filters that are clogged can make it harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature and can increase your utility bills during the winter months
• Have a professional inspect your HVAC system
• Check fireplaces for build-up; hire a professional chimney sweep (better)-accumulations in a flue or chimney can result in a devastating chimney and/or house fire
• Inspect any gas-fired room heaters-an improperly maintained gas heater can spew poisons into the air of your home, which can be very dangerous
• Inspect wood stoves before firing up-cracks in wood-stove-stovepipes can release toxic fumes into your home,  so check for corrosion, holes, or loose joints often
• Test smoke and CO monitors and replace the batteries
• Inspect (or install) fire extinguishers-there should be at least one fire extinguisher in your home
• Review fire escape plans
• Rid your home of old newspapers and other fire hazards

Be sure to do regular cleaning and maintenance along with the specific chores on this list to ensure that your home and your family are prepared and protected this winter. For more great tips from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, click here!

FOR SALE: 1437 N Fahlander Drive, Columbus

Pride of ownership flows from this immaculate 4-level split home! Most all major mechanicals have been updated including roof! You'll love relaxing in the oversized Florida Room during the coming fall evenings or having picnics in the gazebo in your fenced yard! Living and dining rooms are graced by a beautiful fireplace and kitchen is open to the family room. Plus you still have oodles of storage in the basement and deep garage.

DIAL DARLA at 614-431-1003 or RealtorDarla@aol.com!

ARRRRRE you looking to buy or sell a home, mateys?

The Real Estate Aces celebrated International Talk Like a Pirate Day today, Sept. 19 by dressing up like our favorite scalawags! Cap'n Darla and the crew here to help you landlubbers sell your treasured home for lots of booty, and even give you tips on making sure you've trimmed the sails and swabbed the decks before buyers come to see it!

NEW LISTING: 1060 Wetmore Rd., Columbus

Meticulous seller has done all the work for you! Sparkling clean and all the upgrades you want! Desirable ranch style with handsome hardwood floors, spacious kitchen and bedrooms, finished man-cave in the basement, Florida Room out back and 2.5 car garage with room for all your tools, workbench, and even room for the cars! So much room to roam you can host the holidays at your place w/plenty of room for all! Even a half-bath and 4th bedroom in lower level for man-cave guests! MLS# 213029591

DIAL DARLA at 614-431-1003 or RealtorDarla@aol.com!

Things To Do In Central Ohio - September 2013

Summer is coming to a close and back-to-school fever is in the air. Continue to take advantage of the wonderful weather and the resources that Central Ohio has to keep you entertained. Here are some events going on in the area this month.

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

When: September 2, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

Head out to Northam Park for a day to celebrate the arts! The Arts Festival will showcase nearly 200 fine art and fine craft artists from all over the country. Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival is the best way to kick off the month!

Longaberger Heritage Days Fall Festival

When: September 7, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

This is one of Longaberger’s most anticipated events of the year. Weave your own basket at Heritage Day and participate in other family friends events. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy fall festival food, live music and entertainment, and of course win prizes and give-aways.

All-Horse Parade

When: September 8, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

Horses, ponies and wagons, Oh My! Head out to Delaware County Fair for the one and only horse parade experience. Bring the whole family and your neighbors to witness this once-in-a-year experience. You won’t be disappointed!

USA vs. Mexico 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

When: September 10, 8:00 p.m.

Admission: TBA

Soccer fans throughout Ohio: you don’t want to miss this one! Head out to Crew Stadium to cheer on the U.S. soccer team as they take on Mexico in this battle of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

Chalk The Block

When: September 28, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

This two-day event located at Easton Town Center is the perfect was to round out the month. Standby and watch as artists decorate the Town Square with unique and Colorful artwork that will be sure to leave you mesmerized.

How To Use Video To Sell Your Home

Most sellers, buyers, and real estate agents know the value of including pictures of a home in a for sale listing, but a new trend is emerging that is making it easier to sell a home. Many real estate agents are now encouraging their clients to create short videos that show off the best features of their home, yard, neighborhood, and city to include in their marketing strategy. Such videos have been shown to help certain homes stand out to potential buyers and even help to generate more people that might be interested in your home. So, if you’re serious about selling, you should consider making a short film that highlights all of the great things about your home and area to include with your for sale listing.

Social media has been of great help to many home buyers and sellers, since information can spread so quickly through sites like Facebook, YouTube, Trulia, and more. It doesn’t take much effort for people to click ‘play’ on your video, so broadcasting your sale through social media is a great, low-effort way to get your home to sell quicker. In 2012 only about 3% of real estate agents were using videos to help sell their clients’ homes, and fewer than that used videos that included the seller talking about their home on camera. This is why video tours of homes and neighborhoods have been so successful-they’re rare!

Recently, many agents and other companies in the world of real estate have started to notice the benefits of using video to sell homes; for example, Zillow has partnered with StudioNow, a suite of services to help agents – many of whom lack video-editing skills – make these short productions.

What do these videos look like though? How are they made?

Here are a few tips…

Homeowner Interview – homeowner answering interview questions about what they love most about their home and neighborhood. This is a great way to bring your property to life and to inform potential buyers of all the wonderful things they’re getting when they purchase your home.

Length – Once the video has been filmed and edited (they should only be 2 or 3 minutes long)

Where to post – Everywhere! First, upload it to YouTube then ask your agent to upload it to popular social media sites like Facebook, or include a link on Twitter, and to sites like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, RealBird, and other search sites. You also want to ‘tag’ your video appropriately so that it generates a lot of traffic. You can experiment with different tags on different sites to see what generates the most traffic, but this step is usually one that is easier when working with an experienced real estate agent or knowledgeable third party.

Keep it simple – Remember to keep it simple-no special effects or loud music.

Watch for motion sickness – If you plan on walking through your home with a camera, make sure to be aware that some will not be able to watch the entire video. The camera will shake and the video can be blurry. Try standing still while taking the video and mixing still pictures in between the videos to break up the movement.

Finally, brag! You’re trying to sell your home, so really sell it; talk about the great neighbors, the summer festivals, the conveniences of having a walk-in closet-anything you can think of!

To read more on using video to sell your home, check out the original article from MSN.

NEW LISTING: 1283 Snohomish Ave, Worthington

Seller has gone through w/a fine-tooth comb! Sparkling fresh and clean! This townhome style offers updates galore. including bathrooms, kitchen cabinetry, counter tops, appliances, front door, HVAC/AC, driveway, sump pump. Great room has corner fireplace, oversized Master BR w/double closet, finished media/hobby/play room in LL plus good sized utility rm for storage & W/D hookups. Back yard patio area is privacy fenced & gated plus large open green space is your view! EZ2C! 

DIAL DARLA to see this Worthington home at 614-431-1003 or RealtorDarla@aol.com!

NEW LISTING: 2070 E Ravine Place, Reynoldsburg

ROOM FOR EVERYONE IN THIS DREAM HOME! The whole family will be comfortable in this 4-6 bedroom home with over 2,700 sq. ft. of living space! Finished lower level with extra kitchen, rec room, 2 bedrooms and full bath! Gorgeous eat-in kitchen with hardwood floors and master suite with vaulted ceilings, double vanity and garden tub. First-floor den makes the perfect home office and the rear deck is ideal for your next big barbecue! Everything you are looking for!

Dial Darla today at 614-431-1003 or RealtorDarla@aol.com to see this Reynoldsburg home!

NEW LISTING: 6453 Cherokee Rose Drive

CULINARY FANTASY FULFILLED!! Welcome home to this FRESH, clean 3 BR, 2 Bath, split-level in friendly Westerville! The modernized, open floor plan w/vaulted ceilings offers a sprawling, oversized, renovated kitchen w/new stainless steel appliances, cabinetry & laminate flooring. New carpeting, large family room, updated bath fixtures, new roof & attached two-car garage mean you're living in style and comfort! Located in desirable Westerville Schools. Simply move in! DIAL DARLA at 614-431-1003!

Who Pays Closing Costs?

Closing costs are a mix of fees from the lender, title company, real estate agent, etc. Depending on your situation, what is included in your list of closing costs might be different. In some cases you can add these fees into your purchase offer, asking the seller to pay some if not all of your closing costs. Talk to your real estate agent about how this will work in your specific situation.

When purchasing a home, there are many costs you might not be prepared for...

• Home Inspection
• Appraisal
• Loan Application Fee
• Down Payment
• Closing Costs
• Moving Fees
• New Furniture
• Paint and Updates to the new home

The list goes on, right? So what costs can be covered by someone else? In most real estate markets, closing costs are part of the negotiation process. When you write an offer, you might be able to negotiate part or all of your closing costs to be paid for by the seller. How? It just depends on the situation, the terms of the offer, the amount you are asking for, etc.

So do sellers always pay closing costs for the buyer?

No, not always. But what it typically comes down to is the bottom line number. This means the seller takes your offer and all of the conditions, plugs it into a formula that will tell them what they will net or in some cases what the will owe. If that number is where they need to be and you asked them to pay for your closing costs, you might get them paid for by the seller. Again, it just depends on the situation, the market, the seller, your offer, etc.

So, now what?

Talk to your real estate agent about closing cost. When you go to write an offer make sure you think about closing costs. Do you want that to be something that is negotiated in? Having more money in your pocket after purchasing a home can be great to update, decorate, and fix things in your new home.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.