Tag Archive for: Columbus Ohio real estate

Labor Day traditionally signifies the end of summer in the United States, but in Columbus there are plenty of events and activities to close out the summer in style! Check out our list of things to do on Labor Day Weekend in Columbus.

Festivals

Columbus Greek Festival

Columbus Greek Festival

Sep 03, 2021

The Columbus Greek Festival is back for its traditional Labor Day celebration at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in downtown Columbus. Enjoy Greek dancing, food and more. Get additional details on the annual festival here. Read More

Breakaway Music Festival

Breakaway Music Festival

Sep 03, 2021

Breakaway is the fastest growing multi-city music festival with events in the mid west including Ohio, Michigan, The Carolinas and Tennessee. Read More

Obetz Zucchinifest

Obetz Zucchinifest

Sep 03, 2021

Free admission, free concerts and everything zucchini at this four-day, family-friendly event! National entertainment rocks the Zucchinifest main stage in Fortress Obetz with free concerts on Saturday and Sunday. Local artists perform throughout the weekend. Read More

2021 Bexley Brewfest

2021 Bexley Brewfest

Sep 05, 2021

The 2021 Bexley Brewfest will be held in conjunction with the Bexley Labor Day Celebration. Enjoy music, food, delicious beer and events for children. Read More

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

Sep 06, 2021

This annual free event at Northam Park is currently scheduled from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., though subject to change due to COVID-19. Get the latest updates here. Read More

Events

September 2021 Gallery Hop

September 2021 Gallery Hop

Sep 04, 2021

Check out the September Virtual Gallery Hop on Saturday, September 4. To participate, follow @ShortNorthArtsDistrict on Instagram account or the Short North Arts District Facebook and click the SNAD profile image to watch all the Virtual Gallery Hop Stories. Read More

Bike the Cbus 2021

Bike the Cbus 2021

Sep 05, 2021

Columbus Ohio’s original city-wide ride since 2008, Bike the Cbus is a bicycle tour, for all ages and abilities, highlighting our city’s unique and evolving neighborhoods. #BiketheCbus. Follow our Facebook page or website for more details. Read More

Music @ the Museum

Music @ the Museum

Sep 05, 2021

Join us Sundays afternoons at the Columbus Museum of Art for special presentations of solo repertoire paired with art work. A musician from the Westerville Symphony will play for 10-15 minutes at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 on select Sundays May 16 through September 26. Read More

Massive Day-- Presented by Columbus Crew and Land Grant

Massive Day– Presented by Columbus Crew and Land Grant

Sep 05, 2021

Columbus Crew and Land-Grant Brewing Co. are excited to present: MASSIVE DAY – an all-day celebration of Columbus’s own Black & Gold! Join us on Sunday, September 5 (Labor Day Weekend) in the Beer Garden for a family-friendly day filled with live music and Crew giveaways. Read More

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Home prices have been on a tear lately, rising 18% in just the last year.

It has homeowners sitting on unprecedented amounts of equity — about $8.1 trillion of it, in fact. According to Black Knight, the average homeowner gained 11% in tappable equity during just the first quarter of this year.

Though homeowners of all ages can leverage this equity and sell for big profits, it’s baby boomers like Patti and Mike who are uniquely poised for gains. These homeowners have often lived in their homes for decades and, in many cases, paid off their mortgages completely.

“Every single friend of mine, all of their parents are calling me, asking ‘Dana, what should we do?’” says Dana Bull, a real estate agent with Sagan Harborside Sotheby’s International Realty in Marblehead, Massachusetts. “They know they’ve got a unique opportunity where their properties have appreciated so much to a point that they never even thought possible in their lifetime.”

Are you a baby boomer wondering how to best use your rising home equity? Here are your options.

Selling is likely first to mind for many older homeowners. According to ATTOM Data Solutions, the average home seller makes a whopping $94,500 in profits these days — up more than $34,000 since just last year.

Those profits can help boomers achieve any number of financial goals, from padding their nest eggs or making investments to buying a new house or even retiring early.

“This age is a sweet spot because they’re starting to think about retirement and getting a certain dollar amount in the sale of their home can expedite their retirement,” Bull says. “It can bring them to that next chapter in life and give them financial cushioning that they never thought possible.”

According to a survey from Realtor.com, around 12% of baby boomers plan to sell their homes in the next year — a larger share than any other generation surveyed. Many of those sellers will choose to rent, opting for lower-maintenance apartments or townhomes. Others will buy but downsize, like Patti and Mike, or use the funds to move closer to grandkids or to sunnier locales.

If you choose to buy, agents say proceed with caution: By going this route, you’ll face the same high prices you just capitalized on. Supply is also limited in most housing markets, so you may find yourself with few homes to choose from — not to mention some stiff competition.

“This is a smart time for older homeowners to sell their home — but only if they have a clear plan of where they are going,” says Glenn Phillips, CEO at Lake Homes Realty in Hoover, Alabama. “The challenge is that, while they may get a premium for their current home, they will also pay a premium for their next home while also facing very limited choices. To sell fast without a clear plan could end up being costly over the long term.”

Another option is to rent in a 55-and-up, senior or independent living community. For those not wanting a long-term commitment, options like Brightview — a resort-style senior living community with locations across the East Coast — allow you to stay on a month-by-month basis.

“We know life can change in an instant,” says Denise Manifold, vice president of sales at the company.

Turn your equity into cash — without selling

Selling your house isn’t the only way to capitalize on the hot housing market. You can also tap your equity using financial products like home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) or a cash-out refinance.

These allow you to turn a portion of your equity into cash, which you can then use for virtually anything — medical bills, paying off debts or even aging-in-place renovations on your property.

Going this route also allows you to avoid the potential taxes you’d face on your home sale. For married couples, you’ll pay capital gains taxes on any profits over $500,000. For single homeowners, the threshold is just $250,000.

“Tapping into your home equity for necessary or unexpected expenses can be a great way to create short-term liquidity without having to sell your investments and realize a capital gain or loss,” says Gabrielle Clemens, an accredited estate planner and managing director at Clemens Private Wealth Management in Boston.

“You can use the funds to pay off high-interest credit card debt, remodel your home with features to help you age in place, delay filing for Social Security until you qualify for a higher benefit, buy long-term care insurance, help grandchildren with college tuition or pay the tax bill,” she says.

Still, while useful, home equity loans, HELOCs and refinances all require a monthly payment, something retirees — or anyone on a limited income, for that matter — might be hesitant to take on. If a payment sounds unappealing in your case, you can also look at options like a reverse mortgage or equity-sharing agreement.

With equity sharing, you essentially sell off a portion of your home’s equity, getting a lump sum in return. According to Rachel Keohan, head of marketing at equity-sharing company Hometap, it’s “a great option for accessing their home equity for a variety of uses without taking on debt.” Companies like Hometap gets paid a percentage of profits when the home eventually sells.

Consider a reverse mortgage — but take care

Reverse mortgages may be another route to consider — at least if you’re 62 or older. These work like a mortgage loan, only backward. With these loans, the lender pays you — often monthly, and then collects the total balance plus interest once you die or sell the house.

According to Steve Resch, vice president of retirement strategies at Finance America Reverse, now is a particularly good time to get a reverse mortgage if it suits your goals.

“The proceeds that you can get from a reverse mortgage is determined by the homeowner’s age, the value of the property and the interest rates,” Resch says. “So, we’ve got record-high home values and record-low interest rates, which means a borrower can really get a tremendous amount of money — much more so than they could just a couple of years ago.”

You can also use a reverse mortgage to buy a new house entirely, something Joshua Ezell, a real estate broker with Breakthrough Real Estate & Property Management in Phoenix, often recommends to his clients.

“Utilizing a reverse mortgage allows a buyer to purchase a nicer or larger home and keep more money in the bank,” Ezell says. “It also has the added benefit of also not having a house payment.”

If you do opt for a reverse mortgage, be careful about how you structure your payments, as there are many choices. You want to avoid running out of proceeds too early. You’ll also need to continue covering property taxes, insurance and other costs, or risk losing the home to foreclosure. Talk to a financial advisor if you’re considering a reverse mortgage of any kind. They can walk you through the full implications and risks of these products, as well as how one may impact your retirement goals.

The time is now

Whatever you decide to do, experts say you should make your move fast. Recent data shows for-sale inventory is rising (at least slightly), and when you throw in slowing demand from burned-out buyers, it seems the red-hot market may soon be cooling off.

“We are seeing people accelerate their plans to take advantage of the market,” says Rick Ruvin, a partner at Falk Ruvin Gallagher Real Estate in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. “In many markets, sanity is returning, and the level of competition is softening. Prices tend to rise, plateau and then fall. Many are sensing we are headed into a plateau phase.”

Keep reading.

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

With the new decade comes new kitchen and bath trends that are popping up all over the internet! Will you be bold enough to try some of these trends in your own home or keep them safely tucked away on your pin board? Either way you can incorporate some of these trends without breaking the bank!

Kitchen Trends

Warm Wood Grains

COURTESY OF MICHAEL LEE

Wood surfaces bring warmth and natural beauty to any space, and the material has taken a leading role in kitchens. Warm wood tones balance a crisp white kitchen and enhance deep green and blue toned cabinets which are another popular trend this year. Natural finishes pair well with a variety of styles, including contemporary cabinetry and traditional countertops. If a kitchen update isn’t in your budget this year consider adding decorative wood bowls or a nice wood butcher block to your counter tops with cute kitchen accessories sitting on top. Adding wood chairs to your island will warm the space as well.

Bold Cabinet Colors

Looking for something unique that shows your personality or provides a bold statement? A different color of paint on your cabinets can make all the difference and separate you from the pack. Not ready to go bold in your entire kitchen? Maybe start with your kitchen island or bottom cabinets!

Open Shelving

Looking for a way to give your kitchen a modern design? Try open shelving. Open shelving is a great alternative for those hard-to-reach cupboards. Turn them into an eye-catching spot by displaying a beautiful piece of art. If you don’t want to commit all the way, try open frame cabinetry. You can still show off your prized items through glass panes without scrapping the cabinetry altogether.

Bathroom Trends

Bold Tile Patterns

While deciding on the tiles for your bathroom don’t shy away from experimenting. The use of clashing tile that are different in texture and colors might just end up giving your bathroom a timeless yet chic look. To keep your project budget friendly, consider doing just one wall in your bathroom with tile to get the same bold look without blowing your budget.

Floating Vanities

Floating vanities are one of the hippest trends right now. Homeowners can choose from various floating vanities including many different types of wood. These vanities appear airy and seamless, making them perfect for any bathroom. Floating vanities don’t have to cost a fortune. There are many budget friendly options available at your local hardware store, Ikea and even DIY options!

Brass Finishes

House Beautiful

Brass finishes are a great way to add a little luxe to your life. Replacing outdated old fixtures with brass fixtures can be an easy and inexpensive way to update any bathroom.

From the Donut Fest to Wonderball, Columbus kicks off the year with an eclectic assortment of events.

Conservatory Aglow

January 1-4, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm

Light artist and sculptor Jen Lewin conceived ‘The Pool’ as a huge puddle of light that would invite viewers to jump in—literally—and create their own art together. The concentric circles of 100 glowing computerized pads light up when you step on them, sending ripples of light and color throughout the installation as you move. https://www.columbusmakesart.com/event/31919-conservatory-aglow

January 4th, 10:00 am-1:00 pm

Come out to Mayor Ginther’s Community Day at the Franklin Park Adventure Center – a free, fun-filled family event with activities, food and music. https://www.columbus.gov

Wild Ohio Weekend

January 4-5, 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Join the Ohio History Center for a weekend of natural history programming and learn more about the plants and animals that call Ohio home. https://www.ohiohistory.org/participate/event-calendar/ohio-history-center/wild-ohio

COSI After Dark: Fun for Adults

January 9, 5:30 pm-10:00 pm

COSI isn’t just for kids!  COSI hosts monthly COSI After Dark, adult-only, after-hours events to let the adults have the run of the place.  This event will feature exhibits, concessions and cash bar, and fun! https://cosi.org/adults/cosi-after-dark

The Ohio Home and Remodeling Show

January 10-12, 10:00 am-6:00 pm

Planning a home renovation project for the new year or looking for tips on how to finish those last few to-dos on your list? The second annual Ohio Home + Remodeling Show is here to help!  https://ohiohomeandremodelingshow.com/

Powell Winter Market

January 11, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

The Powell Winter Market is teaming up with the stunning, new Swan Lake Event Center to bring you some of your favorite makers and growers from the Powell Farmers Market. https://www.facebook.com/events/1409472735884513/

Columbus Winter Beer Fest

January 17-18, 7:00 pm-11:30 pm

Columbus’s Biggest Party Of Winter Returns for the 10th Anniversary at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Party for a cause! All proceeds of Columbus Winter Beerfest benefit Animal Rescue Partners, Inc., I Have A Dream Pet Rescue as well as numerous other local non-profit organizations that volunteer at the event. http://columbusbeerfest.com/

Wonderball 2020

January 25, 8:00 pm-12:00 am

Show us what you’re made of! Get dressed up in your favorite black & white attire and celebrate the creative spirit of Columbus at Wonderball. This fashionable evening of local food, music, performance, and interactive, unexpected experiences supports a vibrant arts community at the Museum and throughout Central Ohio. http://www.columbusmuseum.org/wonderball/

Columbus Donut Fest

January 26, 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Get ready for Columbus’s Biggest Donut Celebration on January 26th at Strongwater Food & Spirits. We’re bringing together Donut Makers, Donut Enthusiasts, Coffee Shops and a Craft Bar Menu for a food lovers’ dream event. https://www.columbusdonutfest.com

614 Restaurant Week

January 20-25, 4:00 pm 11:00 pm

Discover the booming restaurant scene of Columbus with the annual Restaurant Week. Over 120 Columbus eateries offer special discounted prices on three-course meals. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/(614)-restaurant-week/66327/

Being self-employed comes with many benefits. Buying a home isn’t one of them. When you work for yourself, the home buying process will be a little different than people who have jobs that provide them with W2’s at the end of the year. What’s the difference? You will need to provide a lot more documentation.

Because your income is structured differently you typically need to show at least two years of tax returns, which includes your 1040 tax returns, and all schedules. Why? Your bank is looking for consistencies in your income that show you are making enough money to get approved for the loan amount you want.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Individuals that are self-employed (yours truly included), tend to want to write off EVERYTHING we can! When you do this, you reduce your overall net income. This makes getting a mortgage harder because it reduces your debt-to-income ratio. If you plan on buying a home in the near future hold back on many deductions as possible. This may hurt you come tax time but it will help you in the long run to get the mortgage you want (and it’s only temporary, after you get the house you can go back to taking those deductions).

Make sure you register and license your business. This will show the bank you have a legitimate business.

Consider paying yourself as an employee so you can give yourself a W2 at the end of the year.

And of course, if possible lower your debt. Banks will see you as less of a risk if you don’t carry a lot of debt.

It’s not impossible to buy a home if you are self-employed. You just need to come up with a game plan so you’re not shocked when it comes time to chat with a lender!

Whenever anyone mentions that they’re thinking of putting their house up for sale it seems that everyone wants to give their opinions on the subject. Because of that, a lot of myths have developed that seem to go around like the game, Telephone. Let’s debunk those myths so that when you’re ready to sell, you know the facts!

MYTH #1: Automated Home Evaluations Are Always Accurate

Have you ever seen an Ad on Facebook that says “CLICK HERE to automatically determine your home’s market value” or something along those lines? If the answer is yes, I promise you’re not alone. The problem with the automated home evaluations is that they are not taking every factor into consideration and can result in false information, causing you to believe that your home value is less than what it actually is or even higher than what is realistic.

The internet doesn’t know if you refinished your hardwood floors, updated all your landscaping, added a brand-new deck or any other update you’ve put your hard earned money and possibly even your own valuable time into to improve your home.

What type of evaluation could give you an accurate answer? One where a LOCAL Real Estate Agent asks you for your contact info so they can conduct a personalized market analysis after asking you for more details about your home. Even better, schedule a consultation so that Agent can see your home in person and give you the MOST accurate answer. Listing Consultations cost you zero dollars and you have no obligation to order the for-sale sign and start signing afterwards.

MYTH #2: If You Don’t Have an Open House, Your Home Won’t Sell

Have you ever heard the actual stats on the success of an Open House? According to a 2017 survey by the National Association of REALTORS, only 7 percent of buyers find the home they buy through an Open House.

This isn’t to say that your home shouldn’t have an Open House when it’s for sale, but, it also isn’t the most effective marketing strategy. Holding an Open House will help increase exposure when your home first hits the market. It’s recommended to have your Agent hold one the first week that your home is on the market in order to drive as much traffic as possible to your listing. However, make sure your Agent has other marketing strategies they use other than standing around your house for a couple of hours every weekend.

MYTH #3: If You Price Your House on the High End, You’ll Have Room to Negotiate

Many sellers believe that if they price their house high, they’ll end up at the price they actually want. The problem with this is, that you’ll be decreasing the demand (number of interested buyers) when you first list your home which will automatically create a mindset that the home is priced too high.

When your home hits the market, you want to make sure you are drawing from the biggest pool of buyers to get as much exposure as possible. Pricing it on the high end will eliminate buyers who can afford the price you actually want because their budget might not go up to the price you’re starting with. Instead, price it at or slightly below the market value to increase demand, competition and ultimately more money in your pocket.

If you’re thinking of listing your home in the near future, you’re already in a better position knowing the truth about these common seller myths. To be even more prepared, make sure you schedule a listing consultation with a Haven Real Estate Agent to find out what else you should know before listing your home for sale.

Check out our sellers page to learn more how Haven can help you achieve your home selling goals!