It is just about a week until the $8000 first time homebuyer credit and the $6500 move-up buyer credit expires. We have heard a mixed bag of predictions from “experts” and industry folks as to what this will mean for the Columbus and Central Ohio Real estate market. Since this is my blog, you will…
The US Census bureau reported vacancy statistics this week, and the numbers are not good, in spite of some of the administrations efforts to improve homeownership. There are a total of 130.6 million households in the United States, and of that, 18.9 million are currently vacant. Those numbers are a bit higher than at the…
If we have learned anything from the housing crisis of the last 2 years, it is that the notion that we “deserve” a certain home or a certain lifestyle is ill conceived. It only takes talking to an elderly relative that lived through the depression and World War II to realize that we probably have…
It has been a wild couple of years, hasn’t it? I am not going to say I predicted it, by any means, but it seemed a little odd to me back in 2005 when an acquaintance with a 500-ish credit score and very modest income was able to qualify for a brand new $130,000 home. …
A great resolution for the new year is to READ MORE BOOKS and WATCH LESS TV. It’s on my family’s list, to be sure. A great book to start off with is Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. I read this one a few years ago, and it totally changed my…
I just recently saw this funny video that pokes fun at the frustrating process buyers are having in trying to take advantage of the bank owned foreclosure “deals” that are out there. Obviously, the producer of this short film exaggerates some of the frustrating factors, but most are based on reality. The guys that made…
Well, the final days of opportunity for the $8000 first time homebuyer tax credit are upon us. If someone wants to close by 11/30, then he or she (or they) must be ready to rock and roll right NOW… Most importantly, have that loan officer on speed dial, and make sure that he or she has all the…
Some of you may have heard recent reports that existing home sales are up. You also may have heard that the Federal Reserve chairman announced, “The Recession is Over…”. But, it may be a “jobless recovery”. OK, sure. That reminds me of the thinking that my 10-year old nephew exhibited when he saw a billboard…
I laugh everytime I watch this video. There is always a bit of truth in every comedy bit. Where is the truth here? OK, fellas, it is our better half’s who do the real deciding! Enjoy.
I recently finished up reading Thomas Stanley’s, “The Millionaire Next Door” (OK –I confess, I actually listened to the Book on CD in my car — but it was the COMPLETE, UNABRIDGED version!), and it really did shed some fresh light on my take on the housing market in Columbus and Central Ohio over the…
