Real Estate Podcast with Amy Wengerd

Two situations that show the difference between the old and new markets. Today we have an important message for anyone looking to buy or sell in our market. The current market is very different from the one we had three to six months ago. We want to paint a picture of what's going on by comparing the past to the present—we think you'll find the comparison interesting. Three to six months ago, a $200,000 house might sell for $235,000. Interest rates were about 3.5% back then. The buyer in this first situation waived all their inspections, offered a $5,000 appraisal gap, and paid $5,000 toward the seller's closing costs. They let the sellers stay in the home for 60 days after closing and take the new fridge that they just bought. The buyer closed in 27 days, which is a quick turnaround. Their offer gets accepted, and their new monthly payment is $1,428 per month.  Interest rates have risen in our current market, but what about everything else? In the second scenario, the buyers buy the same $200,000 house. They pay $210,000 instead of $235,000, but they'll have a higher interest rate of 5.5%. They feel like the home will appraise, so they don't offer gap coverage. They do an inspection for informational purposes only, and each side pays their own closing costs. They close in the typical 40 days and give the seller only 10 days to vacate their home. Their monthly payment is $1,538. Yes, that monthly payment is $110 more than what the buyer got, but pay attention to everything else: The second buyer didn't pay for an appraisal gap or cover any seller closing costs, so they have $10,000 more than the first buyer. Let's say the second buyer takes $6,000 of that extra money and uses it to buy down their interest rate to 4.65%. That makes their monthly payment $1,440, which is only $12 more than it was for the first buyer. “Don't let higher interest rates scare you away from buying or selling.” On top of that, they used the $4,000 leftover to cover the costs of future home improvements that every buyer needs. They saved an extra monthly payment by not letting the sellers stay so long after closing, and they also kept that new fridge, saving the buyer $1,800. Their inspection also found mold in the attic, and the sellers decided to take care of that mold since they would have to disclose it anyway if they put the home back on the market, saving another $1,200. In total, the second buyer saved about $33,000. The sellers are also happy in both situations because they got more than the asking price in a very short time. Additionally, there is more inventory in our market now, so the sellers in the second situation would have an easier time finding their new house. We've been wanting this market to balance out for months, and now we're starting to see signs of that. Don't let higher interest rates scare you away from buying or selling. We are still making great deals every day. These situations are obviously hypothetical, but they are very true to what we're seeing today. If you want to buy, sell, or do both, please call or email us. We would love to help you make a plan to achieve your real estate goals. 

Anxious about buying a home in today's market? We can help you save money. We're definitely feeling the spring market here at the Amy Wengerd Group, and it's so exciting. I'm sure you've heard about all the offers that homes for sale are receiving and the terms that are being negotiated. Some homes are selling for 20% or even 30% over asking price! Buyers are even offering to pay for the seller's closing costs, and many are willing to bridge the gap if the appraisal comes in lower than the asking price. Buyers are willing to do almost anything to secure a house in our market. While we have to educate our buyers that this is what they're up against, something feels wrong about telling them that they have to pay that much more than the asking price to win a home. After all, we are concerned about our buyers' futures, and nobody can predict with certainty what's going to happen down the road. “Year to date, we have saved our buyers $137,800 on the asking prices of the homes they purchased.” That's why we're committed to educating you about the market and providing you with every possible option to secure your next purchase. Armed with this knowledge, you can then make an informed decision about whether you want to buy in this market or not. If you don't want to buy in this market, we'd totally understand. It might be better in some situations to put the home purchase on hold until the market cools down some. However, I do want to offer a ray of hope to all the homebuyers out there. Year to date, we have saved our buyers $137,800 on the asking price of the homes they have purchased. That's huge, especially considering that number is only over a 3.5-month period. Our buyers went through the whole process, did their inspections, and didn't all have to pay way more than asking price for their homes. In one case, a buyer paid $20,000 under asking price! If you're looking to buy a home, know that there are options available to you. We help people overcome obstacles every day, and we'd love to help you, too. Don't hesitate to give us a call or send us an email if you have any questions or need assistance with your home purchase. We hope to hear from you soon.

Here's what we're doing to combat the rise of waived home inspections. As you know, waiving the home inspection has become more common in real estate transactions these days. With so many buyers competing for each property, this is one strategy they're using to win. However, it's also creating some problems. If buyers move in and they find issues, many of them want the previous homeowner to help pay for the fixes. It would be nice if the world worked like that, but it doesn't. When you waive your inspection, the liability falls on you.  To combat this, I've started a program to help both sides of the transaction. For our sellers, I'm paying for a pre-listing home inspection that covers just the major areas of the house. I'm talking about looking at the electrical, plumbing, roof, and other major systems in a home that can cause problems.  Then our sellers can make that information available to buyers. It prevents the buyer from being caught off guard by issues and even allows our sellers to fix those issues before listing their homes and possibly get a higher price as a result. “It prevents the buyer from being caught off guard by any major issues.” What does this do for buyers? It lets them waive their inspections with confidence. You'll be aware of any problems upfront, and the inspection report will be disclosed. You won't be caught off guard by any major surprises once you move in. I am constantly looking for ways to help our clients on both sides of the transaction get through this hectic market. If you have any questions about buying a home, selling a home, or real estate in general, don't hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Rising rates might be unattractive but could help balance this market. Today I'll talk about interest rates and what the trends we're seeing may mean for buyers and our market in general. Today's average interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is 4.19%. At this same time last month, it was 3.68%. 4.19% is still a phenomenal rate, but they are on the rise. Honestly, rates have been unrealistically low for over 20 years now.  “My advice is to find a home soon and get locked in. ” Rising rates could help us balance out this seller's market. Otherwise, buyers who were already approved at the top of their price point won't be able to compete, especially with the multiple offers and the higher sale prices that are happening right now. My advice is to find a home soon and get locked in. In the last seven days in Stark and Summit counties, 25 homes that were previously pending and under contract are now back on the market. This could possibly be a great way to find a motivated seller. This is just one of the ways that I help my buyers navigate this market and successfully purchase a home without breaking the bank.  Contact me by phone or email to set up a private meeting where we can strategize and come up with the best way to put you in your new home. I look forward to hearing from you.

We have options to help both FSBO sellers and buyers looking at FSBO homes. We've seen a lot more for-sale-by-owner homes, or FSBOs, in our market lately. We have also heard many horror stories about what these FSBO sellers are going through. It's tempting to navigate real estate by yourself. It's a seller's market, so it should be easy, right? That's not always the case; there are a lot of pitfalls and obstacles even with contracts between professionals, let alone when you do it by yourself. That's why we're here to help. For buyers, we can represent you in a FSBO sale. We can work with the homeowners, negotiate the commission, and work it all out so that you have representation. The seller can still represent themselves in the transaction too. “We can be flexible with FSBO buyers and sellers.” We have options for sellers, too. We can offer a free open house where one of our buyer agents will hold your house open, and if they secure a buyer, they will represent that buyer. You can still represent yourself.  We also provide discounted professional photography and a free front picture of your house. We can even give you the state-required forms if you need them. Our team of 14 buyer agents would love to take a tour of your home and see if they have any buyers who would be interested.  We understand the temptation of listing FSBO, and we can be flexible with you. We want to be a resource for you, and we want to help out buyer clients if they are interested in a FSBO home. If you are interested in our resources, want to buy a for-sale-by-owner home, or have any other questions, feel free to call or email me or my team. We would love to help you however we can.

Here's where I advise home sellers to spend their money before listing. We've been receiving a ton of calls from homeowners lately who are interested in listing their homes this spring. They want to know what they should add or upgrade in their homes before they sell. Many think they need a full kitchen or basement remodel to get the best return on investment. Most of the time, what they should actually focus on surprises them. Today I'll go over some of the easy things you can do to get the best possible return. Most times when we meet with homeowners and evaluate their houses, we don't need to do the majority of things the sellers think they need to do. We've found that just cleaning the carpets will get a great ROI. Touching up your paint is an inexpensive fix, too. You might just need to re-paint a room or two. “You're going to move anyway, so you might as well pack up a bit early.” Decluttering is another great tip. We all accumulate stuff over the years that we like to hang onto, but the more you can pack away while you're selling your home, the better. The best way to get the best pictures of your property is to declutter your rooms to help them look better for photos. You're going to move anyway, so you might as well start a little early. Curb appeal is another area of focus that brings a great return on investment. A pop of color here and fresh mulch there can have a huge impact on how buyers perceive your property. My main point for today is that you don't have to necessarily make those large, expensive upgrades and finishes to get the best return on your investment. There are lots of things you can do to make your home appealing and increase your sale price without breaking the bank. It's a service that we're happy to provide here at The Amy Wengerd Group.  If you have any questions for me about selling your home or real estate in general, don't hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here's a story of how Amy's Guarantee helped a client get out of a pinch. You've probably heard about Amy's Guarantee for years through our ads: If we can't sell your house, we will buy it. What does that mean, and do we really do it? I wanted to share a recent story with you so you understand what we do here and what makes us so different. We were working with a couple who wanted to purchase their dream home. They wanted something bigger and closer to their work, but they had to sell their old home first. We made a contingent offer on their dream home, and even though we're in a seller's market, the seller agreed to our offer. However, that meant we had to sell my clients' home fast. “We didn't want to see them lose their dream home.” They prepped the home beautifully; we must have had 40 showings before they accepted an offer. We weren't hearing great things from the buyer's lender, and sure enough, their financing fell through, ending the contract. Our clients were in trouble of losing their dream home, so we stepped in and bought their old house. We closed on their house in eight days, which let them close on their dream home in time. This isn't typically how we do it, but it needed to be done. Our clients did everything right, so we didn't want to see them lose their dream home.  Thankfully, because of our experience and marketing, we don't usually have to buy our client's homes, but if we need to, we will. If you are looking to buy, sell, or just ask some questions about real estate, feel free to call or email me. Happy holidays!

This is my grateful Thanksgiving message to every one of you. Happy Thanksgiving! We've almost made it through 2021, and what a year it has been. Today I just wanted to say a very special thank you to the clients that we've been able to serve this year, those who have put their trust in us, and those of you who have sent us referrals. I hope that your Thanksgiving is wonderful, your Christmas is fantastic, and your new year is blessed and filled with all the things you're hoping it will contain.  I can't wait to see all of our present and past clients at our upcoming pie giveaway! If you haven't RSVP'd yet, please do. It may be too late to RSVP by the time you see this, but we also might have some extra pie to share anyway. Update: All pies spots have been claimed. “Have an exceptional holiday season!” If you're considering buying or selling, I'd love to speak with you about why the holiday and winter seasons can be an excellent time to enter the real estate market. I love providing the stats so you know exactly where you are in the current market and can make the best decisions for yourself and your family.  Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts, from me, my family, and all of our agents here. Have an exceptional holiday season! 

Homes are taking a little longer to sell, but there aren't that many on the market. It's been about a month since my last market update, and some things have happened in that time. I wanted to keep you all updated on our market, so I've put together some more stats to look at today: Stark County 421 homes for sale 33 days on market on average $239,000 average sales price Last month, the average days on market was 27, so homes are taking a bit longer to sell on average. Summit County 727 homes for sale 34 days on market on average $275,000 average sales price A month ago, the average days on market was 25. Homes are taking nine days longer to sell on average. This is very natural as we move towards the holidays season, and things start to slow down a little. “Here's your latest market update for Stark and Summit Counties.” In Stark County, 469 homes have been sold in the last 30 days. That's more than we have for sale right now, which means we have less than a 30-day supply of homes on the market. The same is true for Summit County, which had 755 sales over the last 30 days. All of this means that we are still in a very strong seller's market. Homes are taking a bit longer to sell. Sellers in Stark County are getting 103% over the asking price on average, and in Summit County, they're selling for 99.6% of the asking price on average. Overall, it's good news for both buyers and sellers. If you need any help at all in buying, selling, or just answering some real estate questions, please give me a call. I am confident that I can help you.

Here's a little information about the positions we're looking to fill. Happy fall, everyone. The Amy Wengerd Group, like many other companies, is experiencing growth right now, and we need members to join our team. We're looking for talented individuals to fill a few specific roles. You are some of the best sources of referrals that we could ask for, so we wanted to give a quick synopsis of what we're looking for right now! The first position is a marketing coordinator. We're looking for someone who's creative and has skills in videography, photography, and editing. This person will manage our social, digital, and print media platforms. They'll also help us nurture past clients so that we can grow even more. We are looking for someone who is also outgoing, forward-thinking, and has experience in helping real estate businesses grow through marketing. “Tech-savvy handymen are a huge plus.” We're also looking for a full-time client care specialist. This person sits at the front of our office, greets people, schedules closings, handles deliveries, and is in close contact with our clients. They call them after they've moved in, send cards and gifts, and let our clients always know that we're here for them no matter what. It's a crucial role.  Additionally, if you know of any great handymen, send them our way. With all of the listings we have, we're in desperate need of good, qualified contractors who can communicate well. Tech-savvy handymen are a huge plus. If you know anyone that would be good for any of these positions, don't hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We greatly appreciate all of you, and we hope to hear from you soon.

Here's why I'm so eager to help real estate investors succeed. I quickly want to speak to all of the current and future real estate investors today. Whether you're a seasoned investor looking to add to your portfolio or someone who is looking to make their first investment into rental properties,  I can help. I'm actually working with about 59 private investors right now who are looking to sell. They've given us off-market properties that they are wanting to sell to investors. They're rentals, duplexes, triplexes, and even vacant houses that need a little bit of work. Basically, they have any kind of property that an investor could want. Most of the properties are in Stark County. The investors we're working with prefer cash offers, so if you have the cash on hand, we can get a deal done quickly. This is a great opportunity to get started on or continue your investment journey. I'm eager to help you build more wealth through real estate. If you want to know more, reach out at amylwengerd@gmail.com and let's get started. If you have any additional real estate-related questions for me, don't hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here are three tips for better offers in multiple-offer situations. Many buyers are getting used to the fact that they are stepping into a multiple-offer situation every time they write an offer.  It's simply the reality of the market we're in right now.  Though I can't say when, the market will eventually balance out, but until then, here are three things to consider when you are in a multiple-offer situation. “Sellers are sometimes afraid of an overly inflated price.” 1. Your deposit. In Ohio, deposits aren't super high. I've seen other states where the deposit can be as much as 10% of the purchase price. In Ohio, I've seen $500 to $1,000. It's a great area where you can make your offer stand out to sellers. If you go to $2,500, this is going to let the seller know you have no intention of backing out of this offer. The larger that deposit, the more you are telling that seller that you are serious about purchasing their house and sticking with it till closing. Keep in mind that your deposit comes back to you at closing, so it just comes off the total amount that you have to bring anyway. 2. The price. Sellers are sometimes afraid of an overly inflated price, fearing that their homes will never appraise for that amount. They're also nervous that buyers are just willing to say whatever number in order to secure that deal. I just had a multiple-offer situation this past weekend where we had 11 offers on a property and the homeowners ended up choosing an offer that was $15,000 less than the highest offer because they felt that was closer to where it should be priced and that they wouldn't have any appraisal issues at that lower price. 3. Your lender. Out-of-state lenders may not understand our market, so they may give sellers poor advice or leave them with unanswered questions. There are so many great local lenders here who specialize in mortgages, so it's a safer bet to work with one. Doing so will make your offer stand out, especially if it's up against somebody else that nobody here recognizes. I know this market is super crazy right now. Reach out to us if you need anything at all, whether you're selling a house, buying a house, or investing. We look forward to speaking with you. Have a great day.

If you need to buy and sell in this market, I have a solution for you. How can my team’s new home trade-in program help you? If you’re looking to purchase a new home but have to sell your current home too, you have the option of making an offer on a home you like, but that offer will be contingent on your current home selling first. In this seller’s market, sellers are generally being presented with anywhere from 20 to 30 offers after listing. If one of those offers is dependent upon another house selling (that isn’t even on the market yet), they’ll probably accept a different one from the myriad of other buyers who’ve already sold their current homes.  You can also put your home on the market now, sell it, and then look for your next home. The problem, though, is that makes you a buyer in a seller’s market. We’re seeing buyers take longer to secure their new homes because, as I mentioned, they’re competing with 20 to 30 other offers at a time. We’ve heard of people in this situation staying in campers, with relatives, or in extended-stay hotels because they can’t quite get into their next home yet or the process is taking longer than they thought. “The expenses, stress, and hassle of making a double move aren’t fun.” The expenses, stress, and hassle of making a double move aren’t fun. Moving once is painful enough. Moving twice is doubly painful. That’s why my team and I created this program. Go to our website, click on “List With Us,” give us your information, and we’ll call you right away to schedule a consultation where we’ll discuss all of your selling options. If you decide that our home trade-in program makes the most sense, we’ll buy your current home from you. You’ll be able to close quickly and free up all that equity so you can make an offer on your new home without any contingencies. Also, get this: After you secure your new home, we’ll let you stay in your old home for up to 90 days so that you don’t have to make that costly, stressful double move.  We’ve been watching this seller’s market, and there are a lot of good things happening, but some unfortunate things are happening as well. If this home trade-in program can help just one person not have to make a double move and undergo what others have had to undergo, that’s what my team and I will do.  If you have questions about this program or are interested in taking advantage of it, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s why you don’t need to worry about an impending market crash. Along with the spring real estate market comes questions from both buyers and sellers about the current market we’re in and if this market could crash like the one in 2007 did. In my opinion, the answer is no. This market isn’t the same environment that led up to the 2007 crash.  Prices are high right now due to simple supply and demand. We have more buyers than homes for sale; competition and demand are very high, which will all translate to higher prices in any industry. However, one of the biggest differences in this market is our lending practices. From 2003 to 2006, lenders were granting loans that shouldn’t have been made. “This market isn’t the same environment that led up to the 2007 crash.” For example, stated income loans were given when a buyer would simply tell the bank how much money they made, nothing was verified, and they were given a loan. That sounds a bit crazy because it sets people up for failure. Also, lenders were putting people into houses with adjustable-rate mortgages. So the borrower may have been able to make the payment that day, but a year later when the payment was much higher, they weren’t able to make their payments. Those types of sub-standard loans no longer exist.  So yes, prices are high these days, but the people buying properties are qualified to sustain those payments, which is a massive difference between the two markets in question.  Think about this question for a moment: Would you rather buy a home in a market where prices are increasing or decreasing? Your initial answer might be that you want to buy when prices are lower. However, we want our houses to be worth more than what we paid for them. If you were looking for a property last year but didn’t buy, prices are higher today; if you wait even longer, prices will be even higher yet.  If you buy in a buyer’s market when prices are low or falling, your home won’t be worth as much because home values are declining. You want to buy in a market where home values are trending upward. All of this is to say that now is still a wonderful time to buy and sell!  Don’t worry, we have options for all those homeowners out there who are worried about selling and not having anywhere to go afterward. We have options that mean you don’t have to move twice, and you can make an offer on a new house without selling your current one first. Call or email us if you’re ready to begin the process of selling your property or buying one. We have you covered either way. We would love to be your real estate experts!

Here are the main things that matter to sellers when choosing an offer. Is there anything more important to a seller than the buyer’s price? In the current world of multiple offers, what makes the seller choose certain offers over others? Here are the top four things besides price that sellers consider when choosing an offer: 1. Deposit (earnest money). In Ohio, this amount has always been minimal—it’s not uncommon to get a $1,000 deposit on a $250,000 home. However, sellers are now leaning toward offers with higher deposits because it shows them the buyer is serious and less likely to back out of the deal. In other states, the deposit can be as much as 10% of the sales price! “You only have the pages of the contract to tell your story and prove you’re serious.” 2. Type of financing. If the house needs fresh paint or other items an appraiser may flag, the seller is much more likely to choose a cash or conventional offer. These buyers often come with fewer repair requests and surprises. If you’re getting a loan, check with your loan officer to see if you’re able to secure conventional financing. 3. Down payment. Frequently, the down payment line is left blank, which leaves the seller wondering if the buyer is financially strong. We always recommend that buyers indicate the amount they’re putting down, especially if they’re putting down 10% or more. 4. Inspections. This is a sensitive topic; we will never tell our buyers not to inspect a property, but we do feel obligated to tell them that they’ll probably be competing with others who have waived inspections or are doing them just for information, not to request repairs. Put yourself in the seller’s shoes: Would you rather accept an offer with four possible inspections or one that has waived them all?  Bottom line: As a buyer, you only have the pages of the contract to tell your story and prove you’re serious to the seller. We cover eight additional items with our buyers to ensure their offers stand out from the rest.  If you’re considering buying or selling or have any questions, please reach out to us via phone or email. We would be happy to help you.

Here’s a year-over-year comparison for the first quarter of 2021. March is almost over, so let’s take a look at the first quarter of 2021 for Stark and Summit counties and compare it to the first quarter of last year. January through March in 2020: Homes sold: 1,888 units Average days on market: 74 days Average sales price: $163,709 Average price per square foot: $92 January through March in 2021: Homes sold: 1,847 units Average days on market: 50 days Average sales price: $178,310 Average price per square foot: $105 If you’re a homeowner in our market, one of the biggest issues you face is having to sell your home before you can buy a new one. If you’re looking to either move up or downsize and take advantage of the current interest rates, we have a new option that makes it so you don’t have to sell your current home first. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more details. We’d love to discuss this option with you and help you move on to the next stage of your life.

In a competitive seller’s market, here’s what buyers need to win. In our last video, the message was for homeowners and sellers about effectively pricing their homes to obtain the highest sale price in this seller’s market. This time, we’re focusing on strategy solutions for homebuyers in the same type of market. “Lowball offers won’t work in this market.” In this seller’s market, multiple offers are commonplace, and offers over asking price are the norm. If you’re starting to think about purchasing a home, know that we have helped and will continue to help homebuyers be successful. The first thing you need is a strategy. Gone are the days of waiting to make an offer. If you hesitate, you will lose your chance. Lowball offers won’t work, either. Our team has decades of experience and we’ve successfully navigated through all of the different types of markets over the years. Our 15-step checklist for buyers helps us put you in a great position to win in a very competitive market. If you have any questions for us about buying a home or anything else related to real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Here’s how we help you price your home correctly for the current market. The media, real estate agents, buyers, and just about everyone else have been saying what a strong seller’s market we’re currently in, and it’s true. Due to the lack of inventory and strong buyer demand, home prices have substantially increased in our area. This is a great opportunity for sellers, but they should avoid one main pitfall. “Setting your house’s price too high helps to sell other properties on the market.” One service we provide is informing sellers of their home’s value by evaluating recent market data and comparing their houses to others that are for sale or have sold recently. We can then establish a price range for the property with which the seller is comfortable. However, some sellers want to push the market and raise their asking price. Occasionally that works, but often buyers and their agents realize the price is too high and choose to purchase another home. Setting your house’s price too high helps to sell other properties on the market, which is not what we want.  If we price your home aggressively without overpricing it, we can get you multiple offers, which drives up the price due to buyers competing for it. This is why you should hire a Realtor to help sell your house; we will thoroughly go over all the different strategies and find the one you’re most comfortable with that also helps achieve your goals.  Call or email us today for a free consultation or if you have any questions about pricing your property or real estate in general. We would love to help you.

Here are the three options you have if the appraisal comes in low. It’s difficult to believe we’re already this far into 2021, but all signs point to another seller’s market this year. With sellers continuing to benefit from low inventory, many buyers are paying way over asking price just to secure the home. However, what happens when the appraiser comes out to the property and finds the value of the home to be lower than the sales price? Here are the three options we have for when this situation arises: 1. Request a copy of the appraisal. Appraisers are human, just like the rest of us, and sometimes mistakes are made. So we first verify the appraisal to ensure all the house’s information is correct. “This is yet another reason to have competent representation.” 2. Submit a rebuttal. If all the information is accurate, then we can rebut the appraisal with the lender involved by supplying updated information about the property and any other comparable home sales that we feel will help justify a higher sales price. It can be challenging to get the appraiser to change their assessment, but we’ve done it successfully.  3. Ask the seller to adjust their price. If the other options have been exhausted, the buyer can ask the seller to lower their price to the appraised value. The homeowner isn’t required to do this, though, and will sometimes only consider this option if your contract says that the sale is contingent upon a satisfactory appraisal or the buyer’s loan won’t get approved based on the lower appraised value.  All of this is to say that we have options if we’re faced with a low appraisal. This is just another reason to have competent representation whether you’re a buyer or seller.  Call or email us if you have further questions about low appraisals or any other real estate matter. We’re here to help.

When comparing the stats from 2019 to 2020, your home could be worth more now. In the world of real estate, we’re in the process of wrapping up 2020, as any new contracts that are written for our clients now will likely close in January. So today I’m providing a recap of the Stark and Summit County real estate markets by comparing 2019 to 2020.  In Stark County from January 1, 2019, through the end of November 2019, the average sale price was $140,000, homes took an average of 36 days to sell, and sellers received 97.6% of their asking price. During that same stretch of 2020, the average sale price was $157,000, which is a 12% increase. Houses took an average of 29 days to sell, and sellers received 99% of their asking price. If you’re in Stark County, it’s fair to assume that your property could be worth 12% more this year than last.  “We’ve experienced an average value increase of approximately 10% for our properties.” In 2019, the average sale price for Summit County was $147,000, homes took an average of 42 days to sell, and sellers received 97% of their asking price. In 2020, the average sale price was $161,125, which is about a 9% increase. In both counties, we’ve experienced an average value increase of approximately 10% for our properties. For example, if your home was worth $150,000 in 2019, it could be worth $165,000 here in 2020. Though 2020 has been a difficult year overall, our local real estate market is giving homeowners a good reason to be in high spirits. Call or email us today if you’d like a free, customized valuation of your property or have any questions. As always, we’re here to help with any real estate needs you may have, and when you’re ready to buy or sell, we would love to help you.

Don’t part ways with your hard-earned money; beware of these mistakes. If you’re prepping your home for a sale, here are the top three mistakes you must avoid:  1. Updating any other level aside from the main one. The main level of your house, where the kitchen is located, is by far the most important place to invest your money when selling, so forget about updating the other levels. Of course, if you plan on living in your home for a long time and building equity, then feel free to update any other level that you want to. But for those getting ready to sell, don’t spend tons of money renovating rooms that aren’t on the main level. “Someone will buy your home because they like its location and layout, not because it has a brand-new furnace.” 2. Going crazy with interior renovations. We get asked all the time about materials, as in, “Should I install hardwood floors?” Here’s the truth, though: Replacing your carpet and repainting everything a neutral color are the only things you should focus on. Leave everything as it is. Don’t start wainscotting, installing crown molding in the bedrooms, making accent walls, etc. Those things won’t give you a good return on investment. If you want to install flooring, luxury vinyl tile is way less expensive than ceramic and it still looks fantastic.  3. Buying new appliances. If your furnace is old, don’t buy a new one unless your current one actually breaks down. Someone will buy your home because they like its location and layout, not because it has a brand-new furnace. Of course, that’s not to say a new furnace wouldn’t be a nice perk, but it’s definitely not the wisest way to spend your money in preparation of hitting the market. Our team has a warranty plan that we can use to negotiate during inspections should any issues arise regarding the age of any of our homeowners’ appliances. This warranty will cover the buyers for the first 12 months that they live in their house, so again: Don’t fret about your older appliances.  If these tips aren’t enough and you just need some more one-on-one advice on selling, that’s perfectly understandable. That’s why we’re here and ready to help. Give us a call or send an email and we will give you a free 20-minute in-home consultation and answer any other questions you may have. Our goal is to help you get the absolute most profit on your largest investment when it comes time to sell. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Our fall market presents a unique opportunity for homebuyers. It’s so hard to believe that we’re nearing the end of 2020, but we can imagine that there aren’t too many of you who are sad to see it go. Even though the year might be winding down, this hot real estate market isn’t letting up. Our team doesn’t let up, either; we closed almost $10 million worth of real estate in November just last year, which is unprecedented.   We operate at the same pace all year long. Seasons are irrelevant to us. This is typically the time of year where a lot of people decide to wait until after the holidays or until next spring to buy their new home, but here’s my question for you: WHY?!  “Money is virtually free to borrow right now.” Why on earth would you want to do that when we had buyers who were paying 10% to 20% over asking price last spring and all signs point to that same kind of market coming again in spring 2021? Wouldn’t you want some sort of negotiating power when buying your largest investment? Money is virtually free to borrow right now and historically, sellers are the most desperate and anxious to sell during the winter months. Assuming another mild winter, everything combined means now is the perfect time to buy. If you’ve been considering a home purchase at all, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We would be happy to give you advice and answer any questions you may have.

Here’s why you need someone in your corner with foresight and honesty. Here at the Amy Wengerd Group, we want to give you sound professional advice on your largest investment. It’s a big deal, and we don’t take it lightly. Here’s an example:  Recently, I was showing a house to a couple who wanted to make an offer on it. Based on what other homes in that area had sold for, and given the fact that the school district and neighborhood were particularly popular, fast-growing areas, I’m sure that my buyers would have encountered a multiple-offer situation.  “When you’re buying a house, you need solid advice that transcends the market of the moment.” After reviewing the comparable properties and talking on the phone several times, we realized that it wouldn’t be in their best interest to purchase that particular property. The main reason is that the couple was intent on pouring an additional $50,000 into the home for improvements, which by itself is not an issue—there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make a house a home. However, since we’re in a hot seller’s market and this property was already priced very high, that additional $50,000 investment would wreck any hopes of selling for a return in the future. If they were to sell in the next few years, they’d have to price their home way out of the market.  When you’re buying a house, you need solid advice that transcends the market of the moment. You need somebody who will go to bat for you and speak the truth, even if it’s not what you want to hear. A good investment is one that remains solid two to three years down the road when the market conditions could look completely different.  If you’re currently in the home-buying process or just starting to think about a purchase, we’d be honored to help you. We’re here to make sure you’ll get into a house that’s not only good for your present situation but your future interests as well. Call us today to get peace of mind on this all-important investment; we’d be more than happy to chat with you about your specific situation.

Did you know that we offer our sellers five different ways to sell their homes?   Here at exp Realty, we pride ourselves on our innovative and creative approach to marketing and selling homes. That said, did you know that we offer our sellers five different ways to sell their homes? We’ve realized that while most people will use our traditional home selling plan to get top dollar, there are many other sellers who have specific needs and goals that don’t always fit into our traditional plan. That’s why give options; we want to hear your goals and come up with a customized plan to exceed your expectations. Here are the five selling options that our team offers:  Traditional sale. This is the most familiar option, where you prep your house for sale, put a sign in the yard, schedule showings and inspections, etc. By using our award-winning marketing plan, we sold a house every 24 hours last year. Guaranteed sale. With this plan, we’ll come to an agreed-upon buyout price with you up front, and if we can’t sell your house in the first 59 days, we’ll buy your home from you at the agreed upon price. Fast-forward sale. This is our instant-offer program that allows sellers to skip over the home prep, inspections, appraisals, etc. Just 72 hours after meeting with you, we’ll make you an offer on your home. This plan isn’t meant for sellers who are looking to get top dollar for their home, but rather for those who are looking for a quick closing. Coming-soon program. This is the perfect solution for any homeowner who has work to do on their home before they can sell it, but who also don’t want to lose valuable marketing time. We’ll give you up to two weeks to prepare your house for sale, but while you’re doing that, we’ll be working to market your home to prospective buyers with signage, reaching out to our database, and social media. The best part is that there are no showings during that time.                                                                                              “We want to hear your goals and come up with a customized plan to exceed your expectations.” Private sales. With this plan, your house won’t technically be on the market, but we’ll help you sell it privately to a buyer for a price that you want. If you’re interested in selling your home or would like to learn more about any of these home selling plans in more detail, please give us a call or send an email today. Let us help you see which of our options is going to best help you achieve your real estate goals.

Stressed about your summer home sale? We have a fix for that.   Selling your home can be a huge hassle if you absolutely need to sell but don’t have the time, money, or energy required to do it well in the traditional fashion. Luckily, we have a program designed for sellers whose chief priority is to have an accelerated, pain-free process. Here’s how our Fast Forward Program works:  You call our office to see if you qualify.  I figure out your needs. If you do qualify, I’ll come to your house, discern whether there are any repairs that need to be addressed, and learn more about your particular selling circumstances.  I give you an offer for your home. Within 72 hours, you’ll hear back from me with a full-fledged offer—it’s literally that easy.  If you accept the offer, we can typically schedule the closing within about two weeks (or we can extend it longer if you need it). You’ll be able to fast-forward through all of the prep work, showings, open houses, inspections, appraisal process, and bank paperwork so you can arrive at the closing table and pocket your check.  Not everyone needs the absolute most money out of their home sale; depending on the circumstances (or personal preference), some would rather take a little less money just to have the process completed within a few short weeks.  If this sounds like you, give our team a call today or send us an email. Don’t fret; if it turns out this program isn’t the best way to meet your needs, we sell hundreds of homes every year using our award-winning marketing and my 23 years of real estate experience, so we have you covered either way. Also, feel free to reach out with any real estate questions you have. We look forward to hearing from you!

We offer our Coming Soon program to sellers, which helps promote your home.   We hope everyone is well and continuing to stay safe and healthy. Today’s message is for homeowners: We have a wonderful advantage for you here at the Amy Wengerd Group. We can help you achieve the highest sale price for your home in the shortest amount of time. It’s called our Coming Soon program, and it helps you promote your house to buyers. Most people need to work on their property before we send our photographer to the house. You may need to clean carpets, take down wallpaper, declutter, paint, etc. However, these things can take time that you don’t want to lose. Put us to work for you! We want to get the word out about your property to all potential buyers so they know your home will be on the market soon. “Put us to work for you!” We offer our Coming Soon program to all home sellers. We place a sign in your yard advertising your house as “Coming Soon,” and we promote it in our MLS to all local real estate agents and their clients, we expose your property to our database of over 14,000 clients, we talk to our team of seven exclusive buyer’s agents extensively about your home so they can match it to one of their current buyers. We also market your house to our social media followers— almost 3,000 people—and we advertise it on our exclusive Coming Soon website (cominghomes.com), which gives your property national exposure.  This is an exclusive website by the Amy Wengerd Group.  All of this is being done while you prep your home for sale. There are no showings during this time, so you don’t have to worry about that. All of this creates urgency and enthusiasm for your house so that on day one of your listing, we already have buyers waiting to see it. This program is just one way we can offer you an advantage, and get you the most money on your largest investment.  Call or email us today if you have any questions about the Coming Soon program or real estate in general. We would love to help you.

You may have heard that loan guidelines have become stricter. Here’s what you need to know about getting one.   I hope this message finds you safe, healthy, and doing well. You may have heard that some lenders are tightening their loan qualifying guidelines. This could mean they’re now requiring a higher credit score, higher down payment, more savings, or a combination of these. Banks want to ensure they’re providing loans to borrowers who are not considered high risk.  If you are pre-approved right now, double-check with your lender to ensure that pre-approval is still valid. If you’re considering buying a home this year, contact us so we can refer you to one of our preferred lenders who are still providing many options for loans and actively lending money. If you’re ready to buy, we encourage you to start the process immediately, before more potential lending changes arise. Buyers are still getting into gorgeous houses with very low interest rates and small down payments.  “If you are pre-approved right now, double-check with your lender to ensure that pre-approval still valid.” If you’re considering selling your property, don’t delay! Make sure your home is on the market soon, since we currently have extremely low inventory, and buyers still have the power to purchase because of excellent financing options. While many buyers are in the market and lending is good, chances are better that your house will be sold at a fantastic price. So if buying or selling is in your near future, now is certainly the time to act!  Call us at (330) 681-6090 or email us today for a free, no-obligation pre-approval and free home valuation, and let us guide you safely and successfully through the current market. Also, please contact us if you have any questions about real estate in general. We would love to help you. 

Due to the current health crisis, some may be struggling to pay their mortgage. We have four tips that will help you navigate this situation.   These are very difficult times for many people as we deal with this temporary health crisis. This challenging period will pass, and we believe our local economy will get through this and flourish afterward. Unfortunately, some of you may be in a position where you need to decide how to make your upcoming mortgage payment. If you’re in this situation, we have four tips to help you navigate these circumstances. First, do not simply stop paying your mortgage; that will cause many more problems.

If you’re a homeowner, we recommend refinancing now. Here’s why.   If you’re a homeowner who doesn’t have plans to sell, you should consider refinancing right now.   15-year mortgages are between 2% and 3%, while 30-year mortgages are just over 3%. If you’re paying more than this, it’s time to call your favorite lender. Don’t assume whoever your mortgage is through is your best contact. You can reach out to us and we’ll give you a list of lenders we trust. You’re free to call your current lender, but don’t forget to shop rates to ensure you get the best rate possible. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the rate you get is at least 1% lower to make the refinance worthwhile. For example, if you’re at 4.5% and you can get a 3.5% refinance, go for it!  “Make sure the rate you get is at least 1% lower to make the refinance worthwhile.” At the Amy Wengerd Group, we’re all about making the most money for people on their largest investment. In many cases, that means selling that investment, but refinancing can help you save tens of thousands of dollars over the next 10 to 15 years.  Of course, if refinancing is not your goal and you’re ready for a new home, we have you covered there as well. We’re your one-stop-shop for buying, selling, refinancing, or investing.  If you have questions about this topic or there’s anything we can help you with at all, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to help you.   

I’m discussing why millennials aren’t buying homes like previous generations and their reasons for it.   We are noticing a trend with our millennial buyers, which are people currently between the ages of 23 and 38. We’re observing that they’re taking longer to buy a home than older generations. They may seem eager to buy, but 75% of millennial buyers say they’re overwhelmed by the process of purchasing a house.  Younger adults have a lot on their minds. Studies show that millennials have many concerns, from job stability and relationships to the economy and the 2020 election. 47% of millennials say that growing up during the housing crisis has made them anxious about buying a home. This is because more than half say their family or someone they knew lost a house during that period.  “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” We get it; this can all be very overwhelming. However, one of my favorite quotes reminds us: “Where there is no risk, there is no reward.” We aren’t saying you should buy a home right away and without a plan. However, I encourage you to start your plan, write down your housing goals, set time frames to meet those goals, and take steps needed to achieve them. Remember: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” We can provide a private, risk-free consultation to help you compose a plan for buying a house. We can help you figure out how much you can spend on a property. It’s painless and can be done in minutes or even online. Then you can start to get excited about homeownership.  We are here for you no matter what stage in the process you’re in. Inaction usually comes from fear, but knowledge can often make that fear disappear.  Please call or email us today to discuss this topic further or if you have any questions. We’re here to help, and we can’t wait to speak with you.   

If you’re in the market to sell your home, you need to know that all home remodel projects aren’t created equal. Here’s where you can get the best bang for your buck.     If you’re in the market to sell your home and wondering what you can do before selling to get the highest possible sale price, I have some great advice today. Many homeowners will spend a lot of money on upgrades and improvements that they think homeowners will appreciate, only to find out later that buyers won’t pay extra for it. Here are four things that you should keep in mind when determining what you should do before selling: 1. Be cautious about installing a pool in Northeast Ohio. Our pool season, unfortunately, is very short. Homebuyers just aren’t willing to pay dollar for dollar for this improvement. If you’re not going to sell right away and your family loves the pool, then spend away. Just know that if you spend $30,000 on a pool it doesn’t make your home worth $30,000 more. “A small bathroom remodel can be done relatively inexpensively and yield a great return.” 2. Consider how long you’re going to live in the house before taking on a big project. For example, if you want to install a gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles, you would need to stay in the house for 10-15 years to recoup that investment from an ROI perspective. 3. A small bathroom expansion or remodel is one of the best improvements you can make. It can be done relatively inexpensively and yield a great return. 4. When it’s time to sell, it’s important to neutralize your colors and return rooms to their intended purposes. If you have an extra bedroom that you use for an office or a gym, we always suggest that you convert that back to a bedroom or whatever its intended use is. If you have other questions about selling a home or anything else related to real estate, feel free to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.  

I’m sharing what our interest rate predictions could do for you in 2020.   Hello Northeast Ohio! Most of you likely haven’t heard the interest rate predictions for this year. Analysts are saying they could drop as low as 3.4%! What does that mean for you as a homebuyer?  I’ll give you a few examples, and each one assumes. In the following examples, payment assumes that the analysts’ predictions of a possible 3.4% interest rate this year come true. Also, this is with an FHA loan and a 3.5% down payment.  “Analysts are saying interest rates could drop as low as 3.4%!” On a $100,000 house, your payment would be roughly $675. On a loan of $150,000, your payment could run about $995. On a $200,000 loan, you’re looking at $1,290 for a payment. These are some incredibly affordable payments to either help you own your first home or to downsize.  Call us today, and let us provide a free, no-obligation pre-approval for your next mortgage. Also, if you have any questions, please reach out to us via phone or email. We are here to help.  

Here are a few important changes you can expect in the 2020 spring market.   As laid out in a recent report from CNBC, here are some trends that have changed how homebuyers will shop for homes in 2020: Last year, the number of homes for sale was down by 9.5% annually. From 2015 to 2018, the most popular month for looking at online listings was April, with January lagging behind by a full 16%. In 2019, however, January was the busiest month for Realtor.com because of the high competition for homes. The search for homes is starting earlier and earlier; buyers are tired of competing with so many people over one house. They’re also tired of paying way above the list price and losing their negotiation power. “The search for homes is starting earlier and earlier.” If you’re serious about purchasing a home this year, don’t wait until April! Give us a call today for a private, no-obligation, free buyer consultation so we can get you the best possible deal on your new home. Hope to hear from you soon!

If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy in 2020, here are two factors to consider.   Are you better off renting or buying in the new year? You’d think that us Realtors’ answer to this question would be, “Of course you have to buy a house!” However, that’s not always the case. We’re here to provide the public with solid advice—whether they use our services or not.  That being said, there are a couple of things to consider when making this decision.  “Homes appreciate slower in Northeast Ohio than they do in most of the rest of the country.” If you’re going to be in the area you intend to live in for a short period (two years or less), you’re better off renting because homes appreciate slower in Northeast Ohio than they do in most of the rest of the country. Keep in mind, though, that rentals in our area cost an average of $1,200 per month, so if you rent at that rate for three years, you’d lose at least $43,000. Very rarely do homebuyers lose out on $43,000 if they have to sell in three years.  Also, if you don’t qualify for a mortgage, finding a practical rental is a great option, too. This will allow you to save money and improve your credit score. You may have other reasons to rent instead of buy, and we’d be more than happy to discuss those with you if you’d like to talk more about this topic. We always want to tell you what we feel is best based on our experience and your situation.  As always, if you have any other real estate needs, feel free to reach out to us as well. We’re here to help. 

There are three ways you can tell if your home is overpriced.   Many homeowners come to us to voice their frustration that their home hasn’t sold, and almost every time, the reason why boils down to overpricing.  We at the Amy Wengerd Group always try to get the most money possible for our sellers no matter which market we’re in, and sometimes they prefer to list their house above our suggested price, and that’s fine. But what if you picked an agent with a great reputation and marketing plan and your home still isn’t selling? Here are the three ways to know if your home is overpriced: 1. No buyers or Realtors are contacting you about the house. This means no emails, texts, phone calls, etc.  “You always want to net the most money possible from your home sale, but you don’t want to sabotage it by pricing your home too high.” 2. Your home has showings, but no offers. In this situation, you’ll hear buyers tell you that they’d like to keep looking, or the house just isn’t for them, or they found something they liked better. Usually, this means they liked what they saw online, but they decided the home wasn’t a good value in person. In other words, you’re helping to sell the competition. 3. Potential buyers are making lowball offers. This doesn’t mean they want to “steal your house.” They may like it, but feel as though the price doesn’t align with current market conditions.  You always want to net the most money possible from your home sale, but you don’t want to sabotage it by pricing your home too high.  If you’d like some guidance on how to navigate this tricky process, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. We’d love to help you.

Before you put your home on the market, there are four repairs and upgrades you should make to ensure you earn top dollar.     Making certain upgrades and repairs to your home before you list it is a good idea, in general, but did you know that doing so can also help you earn top dollar? Here are four key projects most likely to bring a high return:  1. Improve and maintain your home’s curb appeal. The way your home looks when buyers pull up to it on the street will serve as their first (in-person) impression, so you need to make sure it’s a good one. Trim trees and bushes, add fresh mulch, and plant a few flowers to get everything looking neat and inviting.  2. Take care of minor repairs you’ve been putting off. If you’ve always meant to touch up your paint or fix that hole in your siding, now is the time to do so. Buyers are going to notice every little thing when they look at your home, so make sure there aren’t many issues for them to find before your home goes live on the market.  “Buyers will be able to better envision how they might utilize your home’s space after it’s been decluttered.” 3. Declutter. Cluttered homes look smaller and less clean than they may actually be, which can deter buyers. So as you get ready to sell your home, start packing away, selling, or trashing unwanted items. Your home will look much better once you do. Beyond that, buyers will be able to better envision how they might utilize your home’s space.  4. Make sure expensive systems and appliances are functioning properly. The last thing you want is to go under contract only for the buyer to find out your HVAC unit isn’t functioning properly. These are the sort of problems that home inspections are designed to identify, and leaving them unresolved could cost you your deal. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

  Looking to sell a home? Click Here   Looking to buy a home? Click Here Is the Fast Forward program the best option for your own selling goals? It just might be if:  As many of you know, The Amy Wengerd Group unveiled our Fast Forward program for home sellers earlier this year. We’re excited to report that it’s been a resounding success as we’ve been able to serve so many of our clients with it already. In fact, we just closed on a client’s house today!  1. You want to skip the traditional sale process.  2. You prefer to have an immediate sale.  3. You prioritize time over your home’s sale price.  4. You don’t want to list your home online or have people walk through it.  If you’re interested in pursuing one of these selling options, we’d be happy to have one of our listing specialists meet with you and go more in depth about what this program entails. If you like what you hear, we’ll make an offer on your home within 72 hours of our initial meeting. It’s that simple: no hassle, no showings, no waiting for a buyer to come along.  “It’s that simple: no hassle, no showings, no waiting for a buyer to come along.” If you’d like to sell your home the traditional way, we can help with that too and we promise equally amazing results.  If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to us today so we can find out which method is most appropriate for your situation. We look forward to hearing from you!  

Through assisting so many clients, we’ve gained a thorough understanding of what confuses buyers most about the real estate process. Here are three key things to remember to make your buying experience a success: 1. The process may take longer than you think. On average, it can take one to three months for a buyer to find a home that they like. That’s assuming that all the good houses are available and not flying off the market like they did this last spring. “It could take five months or more from start to finish.” 2.Once your offer is accepted, the bank will take approximately 40 days to process and approve your loan. 3.The homeowner may ask for additional time to stay in the house after closing. This is negotiable, but it should be something that you account for when you’re calculating your timeline. In the end, it could take four to five months for you to get into your new home when all is said and done. If you want to be in your new home by the holidays, you should give us a call today to get the process started. We’ll make sure it’s as smooth and fun as possible. If you have any other questions for me about buying a home or real estate in general, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

We at The Amy Wengerd Group have been offering our Guaranteed Sale Program to our clients for more than six years. Much to their satisfaction, we recently helped seven clients sell their home using this very program.  But how will you know if this program is right for you? Here are five scenarios where our Guaranteed Sale Program is just what the doctor ordered:  1. You want to make an offer on a new home without worrying about the sale of your current home  2. You want to know what you can expect and what you’ll net from your sale 3. You want to know that your home will sell in 59 days or less  4. You want the freedom to make solid plans and not worry about your sale  5. You have equity in your home and want the peace of mind that comes with a sale   “Your goals are our goals.” The bottom line is we’ll strive to get you the most money out of your sale, whether it’s through a traditional channel, our Guaranteed Sale Program, or our new instant offer program, your goals are our goals.  If you have any questions or would like to meet with one of our seller specialists to learn the specifics of our program, please give me or my team a call today. We look forward to serving you!  

Homebuyers often ask if it’s worth it to spend the money to hire a professional home inspector. As it turns out, there are three key reasons why you should engage the services of an experienced inspector before you buy a home: 1. You’ll gain a better understanding of your new home. Not only does a home inspector point out issues of concern, but they also answer any and all questions you might have about the systems in the house. Every house is different, so making sure that you have a good understanding of your new home is important. 2. They’ll find both current and future issues with the home. A home inspector won’t just find issues that currently beset the property, but they can also tell you which issues are most likely to arise in the future. It’s a really good idea to start a plan for home improvements in the future if you don’t want to be blindsided by costly repairs down the road. “Without the inspector’s report, it’s virtually impossible for us to address any repair issues with the homeowner.” 3. Home inspections will allow us to negotiate home repairs with the seller. A great inspector will provide you with a thorough report, complete with pictures and details, within 24 hours of your inspection. Without that report, it’s virtually impossible for us to address any repair issues with the homeowner. No matter what, we want to make sure that our homebuyers have the most information available when undergoing what is likely the largest investment of their lives. We work with some of the best home inspectors in the area, and we can even help you purchase a home warranty. If you are in need of assistance in your next real estate purchase, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. One of our buyer specialists will be happy to get you started on the right track.

If you haven’t heard by now, “Rambo 5: Last Blood” is coming to theaters in September. Anyone who knows me is aware that I’m a huge fan of Sylvester Stallone’s, and I’m apparently not the only one—the movie is being promoted all over social media. Speaking of social media: 15 years ago when Facebook started, who would have thought that we’d end up selling homes on Facebook? The internet has changed drastically in a relatively short period of time, and being mindful of your social media presence is key in our business. The Amy Wengerd Group’s Facebook page currently has over 2,300 followers, and that number grows every day. Each year on one of our social media sites, we give away almost $1,000 in prizes, and this doesn’t include all of our past client giveaways and the events that we hold for those past clients. Some of our real estate posts have reached over 20,000 people and have been shared hundreds of times. “Some of our real estate posts have reached over 20,000 people and have been shared hundreds of times.” We also use LinkedIn to network with other professionals in the area to help our business grow. Instagram works best for our younger buyers and sellers. Here, we recruit, sell homes, post giveaways, share stories, and help our clients harness the power of social media.  By following us on all our sites, you’ll allow us to help even more people, and hopefully, you’ll win something along the way. If you have any questions about utilizing social media to empower your business, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be happy to speak with you.

We’re at about the halfway point of 2019, which means it’s the perfect time to bring you an update on our local market. Today we’ll compare the numbers from January 1 to June 15 of 2018 against the numbers from that same period this year.  In the first half of 2018, Stark County had 1,967 sales compared to 1,869 sales up to this point in 2019—a 5% drop year over year.   The average price per square foot was $83 in 2018 and increased to $87 between January and mid-June this year.  Days on market remained relatively unchanged with 2018’s first half being 73 days and 2019’s first half being 70 days.  “These numbers are a signal that sellers in Stark or Summit County still have a lot to gain from our current market.” The average sale price between June January and June 2018 was $146,432 and rose to $154,948. That’s a 12% increase year over year for Stark County.  Halfway through 2018 in Summit County, there were 3,244 sales compared to 3,008 sales up to this point in 2019—a 7.3% drop year over year.  The average price per square foot was $94 in 2018 and increased to $99 between January and mid-June this year. That amounts to $8,500 more to the average Summit County homeowner. As for days on market, Summit County homes spent an average of 81 days on market in the first half of 2018 versus 72 days in 2019.     The average sale price between June January and June 2018 was $162,193 and rose to $171,267. That’s a 5% appreciation rate for homes in Summit County. Despite fewer sales, both the price per square foot and average sale price have increased, which signals that sellers in Stark or Summit County still have a lot to gain from our current market.  If you have any questions or would like a personalized market analysis of your home, please let us know! And have a great summer! 

As you can see, I’m holding a stack of papers, and printed on these papers are absorption rates that we track week to week. To better understand the market’s state at a given time, many buyers and sellers come to us asking about supply and demand in their particular area.  Absorption rate data is divided into area, county, and the townships and cities located within them. Let’s explore how instrumental this data is in serving our clients a little further:  Last year in North Canton, there was just a one month’s supply of homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range. Fast forward to 2019: We now have a three-month supply of homes in that same price range. With respect to those homes, this points to a slowdown in sales and more inventory from one year to the next.   “By careful comparison and analysis of absorption rate data, we can advise both our buyers and sellers based on the numbers for that particular week.” With all that in mind, we’ll advise our sellers whose home falls within that price point to yield to these conditions and to lean more toward a competitive pricing strategy. As for our buyers, we’ll share the encouraging news that there are more homes available in that price range than there were just a year earlier. We can also show them the data for the $300,000 to $350,000 range and, in this particular case, it only gets better: Inventory jumps from a three-month supply to a 7.5-month supply.  All of this is made possible by absorption rate data, and by careful comparison and analysis, we can advise both our buyers and sellers based on the numbers for that particular week. No matter if you’re a buyer or seller, please reach out to us and let us put our experience and expertise to work for you. We hope to hear from you very soon!  

Perhaps simultaneously buying a new home and selling your current home is an approach that lines up with your real estate goals. If that’s the case, there are three solutions to help you maneuver through the process smoothly:  Speak with a reputable lender to learn all your options first. Your lender may reveal that you have enough equity in your current home to extract and use as a down payment on your new home—what’s known as a bridge loan. We have lenders who can help you with this option.  If you’re selling first, place a contingency offer on your new home. With this contingency, any purchase you make hinges on the sale of your current home. Until then, you’re not obligated to go through with buying a home.  “Your lender may reveal that you have enough equity in your current home to extract and use as a down payment on your new home.” It will also allow us to extend the closing date on your purchase if necessary. Say our original closing date is set for May 25, which would mean your first payment is scheduled for July 1. By extending your closing date to June 1, though, your first payment won’t be due until August 1—that one extra week gives us a much larger window of time to sell your home.  Finally, sell your home through our exclusive guaranteed sale program. You’ve heard it on the radio and we’ve said it for years: If we can’t sell your home through the traditional course in 59 days or less, we will buy the home ourselves. You’ll be made aware of the buyout price and any fees up front so you can plan for your next purchase without any uncertainty about your home sale.  What if you’re already eyeing a property you love, and you’d like to make a speedy sale? No worries! We can even give you an instant offer on your home, in which you can set the closing date.  As you can see, we have just about every situation covered for your specific buyer and seller needs. Just reach out to us. We’d be happy to help! 

This is the time of year that homeowners begin asking me questions about selling their home for the most possible money. If selling for the most is your goal, here are three major mistakes that you should avoid making, lest you risk potentially sabotaging your own sale: 1. Setting the wrong price. Overpricing isn’t the only mistake a seller should avoid making; you should also avoid underpricing your home—it may cause them to think that something is wrong with your home. Of course, overpricing can push away buyers who think your home is too expensive. That’s why hiring an experienced agent can save you thousands of dollars and lots of grief. “The more buyers that we can expose your home to early on, the better the chances we have of presenting you with a great offer early on.” 2. Failing to prepare your home for sale. One of the first things we have to do when selling your home is list it online to the hundreds of different websites where we market homes. That means it’s very important to spend time decluttering, neutralizing, and revamping your curb appeal to make it look its best when our photographer comes to your home. Great listing photos will increase the number of showings you get, which then greatly increases your chances of getting a great offer. 3. Turning down showing requests. Requests to view your home may not always come at the most convenient time, but the more buyers that we can expose your home to early on, the better the chances we have of presenting you with a great offer early on. If you’re thinking of selling your home, reach out to us. Let’s set up a private tour of your home where we can create a home selling strategy tailored specifically to you.

The current spring market is already shaping up to be quite lively, so if you’ve been thinking of putting your home on the market this year, now may be the perfect time.  With inventory at just three months’ worth of homes in both Stark and Summit County and rates currently at an incredible 4.25% for 30-year fixed mortgages, it’s no wonder why buyers are coming out in droves. As a seller, this means you’ve got a fantastic window of opportunity before you. High demand equates to more money in your pocket, after all.  So if you’re considering a sale, why not let our team help maximize your success? There are three different ways we can help you sell: 1. Our traditional sale. This method is the one we use most. It implements our award-winning, nationally recognized marketing plan, and has been specifically designed to help you sell quickly and for top dollar.  “Our goal is to help you sell in a way that best suits your needs.” 2. Our guaranteed sale. If we can’t buy your home within 59 days, we’ll buy it from you directly for a price you agree on up front.  3. Our instant offer. This third method, which is also the latest addition to our repertoire, eliminates the hassle of a traditional selling experience. If you’d rather avoid listing your home on the open market, we’d be happy to make an offer on your home ourselves. All it takes is a simple meeting to talk about your goals. Within 72 hours of that meeting, we’ll present you with an offer and get moving on your home sale.  Whatever option you choose, our goal is to help you sell in a way that best suits your needs.  If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me or my team a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Most of you probably remember that crazy windstorm we experienced a couple weeks ago. If so, let me ask you: Have you had your roof checked out since then? Unless the wind visibly damaged your home, you probably haven’t thought about it much. The good news is that we know of a company who will do a free roof inspection for you, inform you if your roof did, in fact, suffer wind damage, and tell you if you are eligible to get a new roof by filing an insurance claim. The message is just another way that we help make sure our homeowners are getting the best possible customer service. If you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, all you need to do is reach out to us.

If you’re an investor and you’d like to add to your portfolio, either with more rentals or with a fix-and-flip property, I have great news. We have several opportunities just like this available, and we’re adding investors daily to our list who want to have the inside scoop on properties that are perfect for these types of investments. “It’s our pleasure to help local investors grow their business.” To have your name added to this list, just email me your name, contact information, the price range you’d buy in, whether you’d pay in cash or use a loan, and whether you’d like a remodel or a rental unit. It’s that easy! It’s our pleasure to help local investors grow their business by giving them a chance to buy homes that aren’t even on the market yet. Of course, if you have any questions about this opportunity, feel free to shoot me an email as well. I look forward to speaking with you.

I’ve been selling real estate for two decades, so as you can imagine, I meet homeowners who have many different needs. Every now and then, we meet with someone who doesn’t need to sell quickly. For everyone else, though, selling a home can be scary and overwhelming, and they don’t like the idea of strangers viewing their home for weeks or months on end. Sometimes, we deal with people who have to sell their loved one’s home from a different state. In other cases, it’s someone who just loves the convenience of a quick sale and would rather not deal with an investor who’s going to give them 50 or 60 cents on the dollar for their largest investment. “This is just another way we help Northeast Ohio home sellers and provide them with as many options as possible to get their home sold.” It’s because of these types of situations that we created the Fast Forward Program. How does it work? There are three steps involved: 1. We set an appointment to view your home and discuss your goals. 2. We give you your home’s current market value. 3. We provide you with an offer to purchase your home within 72 hours. This is just another way we help Northeast Ohio home sellers and provide them with as many options as possible to get their home sold.   On average, we sell a home every 24 hours just by using our proven, nationally recognized marketing program, so either way, we have your home sale covered. If you have any questions about how this program works or you’re thinking of selling your home soon, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to help you.

For years now, we’ve been providing homeowners in Northeast Ohio another option besides the traditional way of selling a home. That option is our Guaranteed Sale Program. You see, almost every homeowner we meet with asks the same questions: When do you think my home will sell? How much do you think it will sell for? What if my home doesn’t sell? We developed our program in response to having heard these questions so many times. This program is designed to give you peace of mind, because, if for any reason we can’t sell your home, it gives you another option. “If for any reason we can’t sell your home, we’ll buy it from you for the agreed upon price.” How does it work? There are four steps involved. We set an appointment to view your home and discuss your goals. We give you your home’s fair market value. We agree on a guaranteed sale price. We list your home using our nationally recognized marketing program. On average, we sell a home every 24 hours, so in most cases, you won’t even need this program. However, if for any reason we can’t sell your home, we’ll buy it from you for the agreed-upon price. If you’d like to learn more about how this program works or you’re thinking of selling your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Call us today, and rest easy tonight.

We know that your home is your largest investment, so if you’re considering selling your property, what can you do to maximize your earnings? Today we’d like to share the two tips our team provides sellers to help them earn up to 18% more for their home. 1. Prepare your home. Homes that have been prepared for the market actually sell for between 5% to 7% more than listings that aren’t. In other words, your property should be move-in ready. Our team would be happy to help you with this process. We can guide you toward the changes you should and shouldn’t make as you prepare your listing, so that any money spent in the process goes toward bringing you a return. You may be surprised to learn which upgrades and investments are (or aren’t) worth making before you list. “You may be surprised to learn which upgrades and investments are (or aren’t) worth making before you list.” 2. Order a pre-listing inspection. When you partner with our team, this is something we provide to you at no charge. Essentially, we hire a local inspector to visit your property and check for any structural, mechanical, or safety issues that a buyer might otherwise notice later on in the process. Finding and eliminating these issues before you begin receiving offers will ensure that you remain in control of the deal throughout the transaction. Having a pre-listing inspection could potentially save you thousands. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call, send us an email, or visit www.amysguarantee.com. We look forward to hearing from you soon.