qanda.htm

Q.We are subject to transfer, in view of that, where in Columbus should we live?

A. I will assume for discussion that you will buy in $500,000- $999,000 category and prefer to profit at resale.You should buy what many other people always want to own. The highest annual appreciation is in Old Arlington...So, if I were you, I would buy a 4 bedroom home with a family room in that neighborhood. It will go up in value, then quickly resell if you need to move on. I should select the home with the most resalable features.

Q. How about new construction with the same question in mind?

A.You need to know a lot about the areas to buy a new home and the factors that support ongoing values such as the area history voting for school bond issues. You also need to know a lot about which features will hold value later and which are trendy. Further, you need to know about the builders performance history and better yet, the future plans for the new construction areas...as to other projects that will be developed, land values, how many duplicates of house you select will be built. all of these factors affect value. You need my overview.

Q. What do you charge to sell a home?

A. My fee has remained 6% since 1971. If I love your house and it's location , we'll negotiate.

Q. Will you help us sell our home and bring us a buyer at 3%?

A. Possible if a buyer who wants it happens to be in my car at the time you ask me that question...otherwise, unlikely.

Q. What sort of marketing on line would you create for our home?

A. Create an individual web site and domain for your home in addition to standard marketing options. The home can then be advertised on line by it's address and easily recognized for additional information.

Q. Do you personally select the Best of Area Tours? Is that an automated process?

A. I do select the homes personally and update the tours continuously. There isn't a good way yet to automate the process. To select them, I assume that you are the customer who deserves to be shown only the best. To select the best homes, you have to know what I know. Know which locations, styles, and features have an opportunity to insulate the future value of your purchase. I think you still need imput about what to pay for it beyond finding what you LIKE.

Q. Do you represent Buyers or Sellers?

A. Both and sometimes at the same time. I do so honorably. The truth works. The whole truth only works better.

Q. Our home was built in before 1990. Do we need to update it to sell it?

A. Depends on how you feel about selling at the low end or the high end of what is possible for your particular home. While a few clients ask me to look at their homes periodically to see how to stay current, most people are only motivated by profit at time of resale.

So, I will help you. I will redesign it to it's highest potential and find the talent to get it done prior to marketing. The theory that a buyer could select any home in New Albany and turn around and profit hasn't proved out. The fact is, all houses built in all subdivisions in Central Ohio have to compete when offered for sale with the brand new. A seller has to be prepared to renovate, remove personal decorating, and in short, make it look like a model home to sell at top dollar. The only neighborhoods where "as is" actually works are the top school districts, i.e. closed communities like Bexley and Upper Arlington where you have to tear down to build new.

Q. What features are buyers seeking now?

A. Buyers want current as to kitchen with commercial looking appliances, kitchen open to a seating area, ideally with a fireplace and access to out of doors. Newly designed baths with quiet, neutral colors.. Baths should feature a separate shower and tub area..., brass trims are no longer popular. Hardwood flooring throughout or matching, neutral hard surface flooring on first floor , big closets, and no dead end rooms...more architectural detail than prior to 1990 on the outside, great windows, and high ceilings. Classic, not trendy while it may be difficult to see in the recently built , is essential to resale at highest numbers.

Q. Our home has been listed with another agent and for sale more than 12 months. What's wrong?

A. Your price is too high and or the features, condition, or decor need work....I can fix all of that with your cooperation. What I cannot fix are abrupt changes in the economic climate which make all efforts fail, even mine. The stock market typically affects high end sales positively or negatively long before popular price home sales are affected.