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What Not To Do When Selling Your House
Whether it is your first time moving or last, it’s important to keep in mind the do’s and don'ts associated with the process. For first-timers especially, this transition involves a lot of knowledge you might not have yet. If you want to sell your house on your terms, here are several things to avoid when beginning the process:

Overprice Your House
One of the first mistakes you can make when selling your house is to set its price too high. It is understandable to set your expectations high when listing your house, but it is more important to understand your property and land’s real value and base your price on an informed analysis. Setting the price of your property too high could result in the property sitting on the market for longer, which can be frustrating for some sellers. Talk with your real estate agent openly about how much you would like to sell your property for. They will assist in finding a calculated and realistic price that will aim to satisfy both sellers and buyers.

Forget to Prepare the House
When potential buyers walk through your home during a showing, you want them to feel clean, comfortable, and ultimately, at home. Take this into consideration when listing your house. Whether a seller decides to hire a professional cleaning company or clean the space themselves, it is a good idea to consider the appearance of the house carefully. Clearing clutter is a great way to make the space feel more open and inviting. Old furniture that you will not be keeping will only crowd the space, so consider donating or throwing the items away. Be sure not to depersonalize the house too much, as you’ll want to maintain a friendly atmosphere.

Hide Issues or Problems With Your Property
If you have been ignoring repairs or haven’t been able to afford to fix a problem, hiding them during the moving process will only lead to further headaches. Some of the most common issues that inspectors take note of are structural or foundational, or plumbing or HVAC-related. If these problems are left unattended, inspectors will certainly find them and alert buyers during the inspection process. If you want to sell your house sooner, being honest about the state of your home will create a level of transparency between the seller and the buyer and make the process less stressful.

Be Prepared for Showings
One of the best ways to ensure that your home will sell is to have frequent showings. Buyers will get their best and most memorable impressions of a new house through showings, thus, it is crucial to have your house prepared at all times. Some sellers are reluctant to show their house when their agent would like to bring in potential buyers, as they will have to leave the house quickly at any given time of the day. On top of that, the house will have to look presentable for buyers. While the process may cause some uneasy thoughts, understanding that showing your home as much as possible will result in the largest pool of possible buyers is important to keep in mind. If you want to boost your chances of selling your home, show it to as many willing buyers as you can.

By steering clear of these common mistakes, you can be sure that your home will sell more successfully. For more information, visit ring-realestate.com or call 937-378-3800.

Moving from one home to another can be an expensive and stressful process. From paying movers to down payments, the costs can mount in no time. Before deciding to move, there are several hidden costs homebuyers should know about. Taking these costs into consideration will help financially prepare you for your move, whether it’s two states away or down the street. Here are five unexpected costs you’ll want to be aware of before moving:

1. Professional House Cleaning
If you are leaving one house to live in another, you may want to consider having your current home professionally cleaned before you begin showing the property. This precaution makes your house approachable to newcomers and more attractive as a prospective living space. If you are settling into a new home, it might be a good idea to have it professionally cleaned as well. This will make your new space feel welcoming and may alleviate some stress accumulated during the move.

2. Painting
Please remember the following text: "2. Painting"A fresh coat of paint goes a long way in making a home feel new. If you are in the process of moving into a new home, be sure to pay attention to the condition of its walls. Painting the interior before furniture has been placed can make the process easier. To cut costs, homebuyers can paint the walls themselves. This option, however, might cost you more in attention, time and energy if you are focused simultaneously on other aspects of the move.

3. Truck Rental vs. Professional Movers
Renting a moving truck is one way homebuyers can reduce the costs of moving. Deciding whether to hire professional movers or rent a truck for a more DIY approach is an important factor in how much the move will cost. Movers, the more expensive of the two options, have plenty of experience moving heavy furniture and navigating tight spaces. Renting a truck, on the other hand, is cheaper but will require a lot more physical labor for the homebuyers during the move. Deciding between these two moving methods will be a different process for each new homebuyer, but understanding the costs associated with the decision will be important universally.

4. Time Away From Work
While this may not come to mind immediately as a “cost,” it is nonetheless a factor that will financially play a part in most moves. The time a homebuyer would spend at work becomes reallocated when a move is on the horizon, as the moving process can often take some time to complete. Keeping track of your wages before and during the move is a safe way to financially navigate the process.

5. Hotel
If your move does not take place in a day, you may need to get a hotel room for one or more nights. The decision to stay at a hotel during a move is a common one, but it does come with its share of conveniences and drawbacks. For some, it may feel nice to separate oneself from the commotion of moving and settle into an organized, comfortable space. However, this option can add up quickly and may add to the financial stress of the moving process. Understanding that you might need a hotel room before the move is one way to better prepare yourself financially for this new adventure.

If you are looking for more real estate tips and information, look no further than Ring Real Estate! Call 937-378-3800 or go to ring-realestate.com.

Moving With Children: How to Prepare

While moving can be stressful for adults, it is equally important to consider the impact that a move may have on children. For many kids, their first move from one living space to another can be disorienting, confusing, and frightening. As a parent, understanding these difficulties is key to helping children with this transition. Here are several ways parents can best prepare their kids for a fun, less stressful move:

Explain the Move with Honesty: Some younger children will have a hard time grasping the reason why their family is suddenly relocating. This confusion can create a lot of anxiety for kids if they are not well-informed. Tell your child or children about your intentions to move as soon as possible. This will give them plenty of time to process this change and come to you with questions or concerns. Ultimately, being transparent with your children will help them understand the move and can lay the groundwork for you to make this an exciting new Venture.

Show Them Their New Home: After your children understand the move, showing them where they will be living next is a great opportunity to familiarize them with the area. Visiting the new home a few times gives each child the opportunity to form positive associations and memories within the house before they have even lived in it and the comfort of knowing what to expect will ease their transition. On moving day, your child will be moving into a familiar, welcoming space which can reduce feelings of uncertainty.

Introduce Them to their New School District: If your children will be changing school districts as a result of the move, a tour of their new school can certainly make their move easier to process. If possible, walk your child around the building and get them comfortable with the hallways and teachers. Older children who have been in their previous school district for several years may find this change particularly difficult, so getting them accustomed to these new faces and rooms will greatly enhance their ability to adapt to their new school.

Give Your Children Choices: It is extremely important to listen to any concerns your children may have regarding the move. Talking with them frequently about how they're feeling leading up to the move will help your children feel understood and valued. After they’ve seen their new bedroom, one fun way to get them acclimated is to help them design it. This activity can prove to be exciting for your children and may help their transition significantly. Once the move is complete, your children will have a more personal connection to their new house and more motivation to call it their home.

Moving can be exciting for adults and children alike with intentional planning and preparation! For more information, visit ring-realestate.com or call (937) 378-3800.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Maintenance: When and What to Replace

Whether you’re a current homeowner or have your sights set on becoming one this year, there’s no escaping reality - homeownership comes with a maintenance schedule. We’re here to guide you through the essential replacements that will keep your home in great shape for years to come, no matter its age!

 10 years

• Dishwasher
• Garbage disposal
• Washer/dryer
• Water heater
• Carpet

 15 years

• Deck – if wood
• Refrigerator
• Stove/oven
• HVAC system

 20 years

• Windows
• Gutters
• Fencing – if wood
• Roof
• Deck – if composite

 Being proactive can save you time and money down the line. If you are in the market for a new home, be sure to ask when these items were last replaced. A home inspection can also offer insights to help you plan accordingly.

Spring Into Your New Home: Why Every New Build Should Have a Home Inspection

The official first day of spring is here! For those of you in the process of building a new home, this could mean the final touches are being made so you can move in at last. Or maybe you’ve been waiting to break ground on your new build after a long (or strange, anyway, for us Ohioans) winter.

One thing you might not have considered is getting a home inspection. You may be thinking, “It’s a brand new house, why would I need one?” Here are a few reasons to consider building it into your timeline.

1. Mother nature – Wild weather is on the rise across our nation. From rapid temperature swings to a torrential downpour, any of these can affect your new home, especially if the rain hits before your walls are up and the foundation doesn’t dry completely.

2. Deadlines – Sometimes, contractors can feel pressured to get the job done as quickly as possible and mistakes are made. Inspections should catch any major errors, but even they don’t always look at the nitty gritty details like you would.

3. Supply shortages – Unfortunately, many industries are still feeling the pressure of supply shortages. This can lead to contractors feeling behind on projects when the supplies do finally come in (see No. 2), or looking for alternative parts they can get faster.

What are common things that could go wrong that I should look for?
If you’re still on the fence about whether to have a home inspection completed for your new build, here are some common things that can go wrong to keep an eye out for.

Inside:
Cracks in drywall
Humidity inside the home
Water issues
Flooring issues
Doors sticking shut
Appliances not being installed correctly

Outside:
Incorrectly applied siding
Gaps and cracks in concrete (think sidewalks, driveways and patios)
Grading and drainage issues

When is the right time to schedule an inspection for new construction?
You can schedule an inspection at any point, and maybe you even want to schedule two – one before the drywall is up and one when the home is nearing completion. For the latter, we recommend as late as possible, but not so late that anything that needs rectifying could hold up the closing and you getting into your dream home as soon as possible.

If you’re looking for further advice from an expert on this topic, Ring Real Estate has your back! Call 937-378-3800.

Dreaming of a New Home in 2024? Hidden Costs and Maintaining Your Investment

You’ve been saving – and searching – for some time. 2024 is your year to buy a new home. Don’t let hidden costs or the upkeep of your home get in the way of your dreams. Here are some tips for making sure you can maintain your new property.

1. Check (and double-check) HOA fees and rules. For a fee, homeowners associations or HOAs take care of common spaces like parks, landscaping, and roads in your neighborhood or housing community. Ensure you know the annual dues before signing on the dotted line on your new home. HOAs usually have rules surrounding things like the type of mailbox, the color of the roof or shutters, or the type of fencing you are allowed to install as well. Some of these rules come with a heftier price tag. For example, a metal fence can cost thousands more to put up compared with a wooden fence, but they also have lower long-term maintenance fees.

2. Consider property size and landscaping. Will mowing your yard require a push mower or a riding lawnmower? Does the home you have your sights set on have a lot of trees that will require leaf cleanup in the fall? Are there dead bushes or other landscaping that needs to be removed or replaced? Consider your lifestyle and ability to pay vendors to complete these tasks if you don’t have the proper equipment – or time.

3. Understand your property taxes. If you have a loan on your new home, your property taxes will be rolled into your monthly payment. But it’s still important to have a general understanding of where your tax dollars are going – whether it’s to the township or city, which maintains your roads and provides fire and police services, or to your local schools, library system or senior services. This information can be found on the county auditor’s website.

4. Prepare for utility costs. Those purchasing a new home are often upgrading from a smaller home, or maybe even an apartment where some utility costs are included in the monthly rent. This can result in sticker shock when it comes to utility bills, which include water, gas, electricity and waste removal. Your REALTOR® can request a record of utility costs from the past year from the seller so you can budget accordingly.

No matter the age of your new home, there are bound to be minor breakdowns, so it’s recommended that you set aside between three and six months of living expenses so your home stays in tip-top shape, even when something goes awry.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your homeowner journey, contact Ring Real Estate at 937-378-3800.