Most of us only encounter property surveyors when we drive by construction projects. But did you know they also can help when you’re buying a home or adding an addition, fence, shed, etc. to an existing home? Their tools and methods may seem inscrutable—just what is that camera-looking thing, anyway? (Answer: a digital theodolite, used to measure angles. Now you know.) But […]
All posts by Jason Opland
Columbus OH Housing Market Report – April 2016
Inventory finally inching up in central Ohio Central Ohio housing inventory finally began inching up during the month of April, with the total inventory coming in at 5,361. This is a 1.2% increase over the previous month, though still down 23.4% from April 2015. There were 3,910 central Ohio homes and condos added to the […]
Strategies to Help Homebuyers Win Multiple Offer Situations
Low inventory and rising prices have created a market environment where multiple offers are increasingly common. When prices are rising and new listings are priced using historic 3-6 month old comparable sales, new inventory is often underpriced. Educated brokers and buyers understand this and quickly offer list or better when the market supports this. With home prices on the […]
Mortgage Rates: Expected to Rise but Steady For Now
Mortgage rates held near their recent lows this week, with 30-year, fixed-rate loans averaging 3.59%. Last week, the average rate was 3.58%. A year ago it was 3.65%, according to Freddie Mac. Policymakers at the Fed raised short-term interest rates in December, causing people to worry that mortgage rates would rise, too. Thus far they […]
What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About the Current Housing Market
Low inventory levels are a defining characteristic of the current housing market. While it is not a universal condition, a low inventory of homes on the market seems to be prevalent in many desirable areas including right here in Columbus. As you’ve probably heard the real estate market is thriving and in fact activity has sky rocketed! In […]
Tips to Buying a New Home
Buying a new home entails an entirely different set of issues than buying a pre-owned (existing) home. You have access to more information on the building materials and systems than you do on existing construction and as a subsequent buyer, but unknowns lurk, including: What will the completed neighborhood look like? Will it include all […]
What You Need to Know About Pocket Listings
Over the past several years, “pocket listings” have become a more mainstream option for quietly marketing a home. You probably haven’t heard this real estate term before but here’s what today’s home buyers and sellers need to know about pocket listings. A pocket listing is an unofficial, off-market listing Also known as a “quiet” or […]
Buying a Home for Airbnb Short Term Rental
Airbnb, which matches travelers with property owners who have a couch, a room, or an entire property to rent, has become powerful force in the real estate market. The company began in 2008 as an online platform matching budget travelers with people looking to make money from renting unused space in their homes. Today […]
How We Help to Sell Inherited Properties in Probate
The process of going through probate can be time-consuming and stressful. While every situation is unique, we understand that recently inherited properties are typically the consequence of losing a loved one. We understand that inheriting a property in this manner can be a difficult situation for the parties involved. For many “now-owners,” this can be a daunting […]
Is the Columbus Real Estate Market a Buyers Market or a Sellers Market?
Is the Columbus Real Estate Market a buyers market or a sellers market? During the housing bubble of the early-to-mid 2000s, the real estate market was considered to be a seller’s market. Property was in high demand and was likely to sell even if it was overpriced or not in the best condition. In many cases, homes […]
