Keepin’ It Real in Real Estate

By Rebecca Collins

First things first! Congratulations to Mr. Sunny Martin, Publisher Extraordinaire, on the inaugural issue of Mahogany Columbus Magazine. I look forward to being a part of Columbus’ new urban style magazine team. Real Estate. “Real property that includes land and anything permanently attached to it or built on it, whether natural or manmade”. There are several different categories of real estate which include residential, commercial, industrial, land, and special use.

Let’s talk residential. Being a fulltime Realtor, I am pretty sure this is the #1 question I get asked, “Is now a good time to buy a home or sell my home”? There are many different variables to consider when buying or selling.

1) Thinking of buying a home?

During our initial consultation, here are a few questions to consider:

Is this your first purchase? (If so, you could be eligible for first-time home buyer benefits). If this is not your first purchase, do you have a home to sell? (This is a factor in structuring an offer to purchase) Why do you want to purchase right now or in the future?

What is your motivation?

Where would you like to live? What area(s) of town interest you?

Are you financing the purchase? If so, have you spoken with a lender (bank, mortgage broker, credit union, etc.) Remember, pre-qualification first and THEN

1)11house hunting! Do you have an approximate idea of your current credit score?

2) Thinking of selling your home?

Here are a few questions for you:

Why are you thinking of selling? What is your motivation? This question opens discussion regarding your next move. Are you downsizing? What does that look like (one-story floor plan, condominium, etc.)? Are you moving out of the area? Are you staying in Ohio or moving to another state? (I can help with this process whether you are staying in Ohio or moving somewhere else!)

What do you feel your house is worth and why? Price is driven by how much someone is willing to pay for your home. There is price and then there is value. We will discuss both.

Tell me about any recent renovations, repairs, updates, etc., that have been completed within the last 5 years.

Understand, these are not exhaustive lists, however, the answers I receive help me determine if it is truly a good time for a client to buy a home or sell their home, and what strategies we should employ. The Greater Columbus area is growing, growing, growing! It is consistently rated as one of the top U.S. cities to live, work, and play. I remind myself daily, there is always someone out here looking to buy a home or sell a home today. It’s ALWAYS a good time for someone.

“It’s not how big the house is It’s how happy the home is.”

Rebecca Collins, Realtor, GRI, SRS, RENE e-Merge Real Estate (614)565-9056

Rebecca.Collins@e-Merge.com rebeccacollins.e-merge.com