Knox County Ohio Real Estate Information Archive

Aloha!  I am back from Hawaii, where I was honored to co-present the opening session of the Council of Residential Specialists’ Sell-A-Bration with Howard Brinton. 

I also was a featured panelist for a session on technology specialization; we discussed and explained today's latest and greatest real estate technologies such as hardware, software, websites, digital social networking, and advanced digital technologies including video and virtual tours.  

I believe that all in attendance learned a great deal at this event and, of course, a good time was had by all! 

I would love to put my put my expertise in residential real estate to work for you; if you are looking for the perfect Knox County OH property to call home, please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit SamMiller.net.  

As you have probably seen in the news this week, the Fed has recently cut interest rates again, bringing rates to the lowest they have been since 2005.

Here is my advice about why this is a great time to take advantage of these low rates if you are considering buying a home:

Freddie Mac currently lists the average interest on 30-year fixed loans at 5.69 percent—the lowest level since July 2005. Other rate declines include:

• 15-year fixed mortgages dropped to 5.21 percent from 5.43 percent a week ago.
• 5-year adjustable-rate average decreased to 5.4 percent from 5.63 percent.
• 1-year ARMs fell to 5.26 percent from 5.37 percent..

Observers generally agree that borrowing costs will remain at or near 6 percent for 2008 unless a U.S. recession surfaces—in which case they expect rates to decline further.

To learn more about Knox County OH real estate, please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit SamMiller.net. 

If you made a new year’s resolution to finally get around to those fix-up projects around the house, you may quickly find yourself overwhelmed – and under-funded – if you try to tackle everything at once.

RealEstateJournal.com has put together a list of pitfalls to avoid when remodeling your home in 2008.  Read the full article here, or check out the highlights below:

1. Ask for advice.  Talk with a local, experienced Realtor who can help you gauge your home’s current value.  Before you go pouring money into a remodeling project, it is valuable to know where your home currently stands and what you stand to gain by making improvements.  To request a complimentary market analysis of your Knox County OH home, please click here. 
2. Dig deeper.  Considering getting a home inspection before you remodel or put your home on the market.  This will give you a very clear idea of where you need to focus your fix-up efforts.
3. Look outside.  Pay attention to the condition of the exterior of your home – including the siding and windows.  Sure, you may want to put all of your money into those new hardwood floors, but structural repairs should always be the first priority.
4. Spend time in the bathroom.  Even small upgrades to a bathroom – new hardware or fixtures – can give it a whole new feel.  If you are thinking of selling your home this year, remember that buyers want to see a bathroom that can be used right away and is not in need of major repair.
5. Keep it small in the kitchen.  We’ve all heard that “the kitchen sells the home,” but remember that, if you are planning on selling your house, every buyer has their own taste in the kitchen, so it is best to keep things neutral and let the buyer customize it as they wish. 

If you are planning to buy or sell a home in 2008, please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit SamMiller.net to learn more about Knox County OH real estate.

The National Association of Realtors has published its predictions for the 2008 housing market, and the data looks positive so far.  Most noteworthy is the trend toward improving existing home sales. 

Lawrence Yun, senior NAR economist, said “Now that mortgage conditions have improved, some postponed activity should turn up in existing-home sales over the next couple of months, and I expect sales at fairly stable to slightly higher levels.” 

Existing home sales are expected to rise to $5.7 million in 2008 – making it the fifth highest year on record.  Existing home prices, which declined 1.9% to a median of $217,600 in 2007, are expected to go back up about .3% in 2008.  As Yun noted late in 2007 “even with a modest decline in the national aggregate price this year, it’s important to keep in mind that nearly two-thirds of the metro areas in the US are showing price increases … the apparent disparity results from fewer sales in high-cost areas, so a change in the mix is dragging down the national median home price.”

To find out the latest trends in Knox County OH real estate, please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit SamMiller.net.  To begin searching for Knox County OH homes, please use my complimentary MLS search.

Happy new year, Knox County!  I hope that everybody enjoyed a very happy holiday season, and that 2008 is off to a great start for you.  If you have been putting off making a resolution for this new year, why not make a few real estate resolutions now?  Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Know your credit!  Make a resolution to stay on top of your credit in 2008.  Begin by getting a detailed credit report so that you know where you stand as the year begins.  Check again at the end of the year to see how much your credit has improved!
• Keep a budget.  This can be a difficult one to stick to.  Many people start the year with an idealistic budget, but soon let it go out the window – oftentimes, along with any hopes of saving for real estate investment!  Begin with a goal of either setting aside a certain amount for a down payment on a real estate investment or putting away enough to make one extra mortgage payment in 2008.
• Research real estate web sites.  Be a snoop in 2008!  Use web sites like mine to keep tabs on what homes in your neighborhood are selling for, where the foreclosures near you are, and what the general market is like in your area.  When you are ready to make a real estate investment, you will already have a good feel for the local market.
• Out with the old!  Even if you are not planning to move in 2008, it never hurts to clean out your closets, garage, or attic and donate to charity.  You’ll make your home more appealing to prospective buyers if you are selling, and you’ll feel more organized if you are staying put.

Best wishes for a very happy and prosperous 2008!

For more information about Knox County OH real estate, please visit SamMiller.net or call me at 740-397-7800.  To begin searching for Knox County OH homes, please use my complimentary MLS search!

Attention, home sellers!  Even in an uncertain real estate market, there may be good news for you – depending on where you live.  The National Association of REALTORS® has published the results of its quarterly sales survey and found that the median home price continues to rise in most metropolitan areas.  The median is a typical market price – meaning half of all homes sold for more, and half of all homes sold for less.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the data underscores the fact that all real estate is local.  “Some metro areas are hot, while others are experiencing localized problems,” he said.

As we move into a new year, we will keep a close eye on the Knox County area market trends to see how prices affect sales volume.  Since the market changes month to month and neighborhood to area, please contact me at 740-397-7800 or visit SamMiller.net to get the latest information on Knox County OH real estate.  To receive a complimentary home value analysis, please click here.

Happy new year - see you in 2008!

Many homeowners have heard of a “1031 Exchange,” but few understand the basics of what an exchange actually entails.  Today I want to cover just a few of the basics of the process, as it can be an invaluable method of homeownership for investment homeowners.

What is a 1031 Exchange?

Put simply, it is the sale of one property in exchange for the purchase another property of similar value without the required payment of capital gains tax, all performed within a specific time frame.  An example of when you might use a 1031 Exchange, as opposed to selling a home and purchasing a new one outright:  you want to sell your current vacation home and purchase a new, similar one that has a few better features.  You have not yet owned your current vacation home for two years, so you are subject to substantial capital gains taxes when you sell it.  If you were to use a 1031 Exchange, you could “exchange” your current home for a new one and be relieved of the capital gains requirement.  It is this difference between "exchanging" and not simply buying and selling which, in the end, allows you, the taxpayer, to qualify for a deferred gain treatment. In a nutshell: sales are taxable with the IRS and 1031 exchanges are not. US CODE: Title 26, §1031. Exchange of Property Held for Productive Use or Investment

Important Rules of 1031 Exchange

1.   The total purchase price of the replacement "like kind" property must be equal to, or greater than the total net sales price of the relinquished, real estate, property.

2.   All the equity received from the sale, of the relinquished real estate property, must be used to acquire the replacement, "like kind" property.

1031 Timelines and Rules

Identification period – the seller has exactly 45 days from the sale of the original property to identify other replacement property(s) that he proposes or wishes to buy. 

Exchange period – the period during which the seller of the relinquished property must receive the replacement property.  This period ends exactly 180 days after the date on which the person transfers the property relinquished or the due date for the person's tax return for that taxable year in which the transfer of the relinquished property has occurred, whichever situation is earlier.

If you want to learn more about strategies for buying and selling investment properties, or are interested in Knox County OH real estate, please call me at 740-397-7800 or visit SamMiller.net.  To get started searching for Knox County OH real estate, please use my complimentary MLS search.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!

“Going green” has been one of the biggest trends of 2007, with homeowners seeking to make more environmentally-friendly choices on everything from cleaning products to flooring.  So it only makes sense that this concern for the environment should carry over into our holiday decorating this year.  Even if you have already “decked your halls,” it’s not too late to add some green décor to your display:

·        Use LED lights – using LED lights to decorate the inside and outside of your home will bring you many benefits.  The lights last a whopping 50,000 hours – that means you could actually pass these lights down to your grandchildren some day!  Adding to their cost effectiveness is the fact that you will be using 90% less energy with LED bulbs – Clark Griswald would be jealous.  LED lights are also safer – they don’t produce as much heat and considerably reduce the risk of fire, always a concern during the holiday season.

·        Use solar-powered decorations – the “new kid on the block” when it comes to holiday décor, these lights not only save you money on energy – they don’t use any energy at all!  Place the solar panels where they can collect light during the day, and the lights will automatically light up when it gets dark and shine for about 8 hours. 

·        Use mother nature’s decorations – forget going out to shop for decorations.  Some of the best décor can be found right in your own backyard!  Use a real Christmas tree rather than a manufactured, non-biodegradable one.  Even better, buy a young tree with roots and re-plant it after the holiday season!  A basket of pinecones make a beautiful and rustic centerpiece, and fresh pine straw can be made into a lovely and fragrant wreath to display.

Happy tree-trimming!

To learn more about Knox County OH real estate, please visit SamMiller.net or call me at 740-397-7800.  To receive a complimentary home value analysis, please click here.

Although the real estate market is still down in many areas, you may find yourself in a situation such as a job relocation that will force you to sell your home or purchase a new one.

This article from CNNMoney.com offers helpful information on how you can still make a smart move in this unpredictable real estate market.  Here is a summary of the tips:

• Sell smart – if you are trying to sell your home, you must set a realistic price based on the current market.  You should also discuss with your Realtor the current average “days on market” that most properties are taking to sell.  This will help you better plan for your move.  If you are not willing to list for the current market value, and you do not want your house to be on the market for long, consider waiting out this down market as it is likely to turn around soon.
• Spend wisely – try to follow the rule of thumb of spending no more than 20% of your home’s value on renovations.  At a time when your home may be worth less than it was this time last year, this is not the time to be sinking money into it.
• Foreclosures are still your problem – remember that, even though you are not facing foreclosure, the other properties in your neighborhood that are foreclosed upon will decrease your home’s value.  As a general rule, for every home that goes into foreclosure in your neighborhood, your property value drops about 1%.  That value will stay depressed for about two years.  To find out where the foreclosures are in your area, go to realtytrak.com or foreclosurenet.net and type in your zip code.
• Recheck your mortgage – many homeowners do not know what kind of mortgage they have.  If you are one of them, pull out your old closing documents and find out how often you're rate will increase and what caps there are to how much that increase can be.  This information should be on the Adjustable Rate Rider, among the first few pages in your documents.

Remember, the Knox County real estate market is always changing from month to month and neighborhood to neighborhood.  To find out what your home is worth, click here for a complimentary market analysis.  You may also visit SamMiller.net to learn more about Knox County OH real estate, or call me at 740-397-7800.