At Home with Connie Sadowski, Real Estate Expert

  A showing is an opportunity for a buyer to determine if a home is right for them. Each of the different types of showing plays a valid and necessary role in marketing the home. Some buyers may start by looking at homes online, which can lead them to drive by the home to see if it still meets their interest before they schedule a showing. New Build Model Homes:  Take me with you to your visits and don’t register online when looking at homes. Builders/Sellers require I, your agent represent you on first and substantial visits so it’s imperative that I make first contact!  Open Houses:  Take me with you! Make sure you give agent at open house my name and number, Im a great agent to represent you in selling buying or building your home. Online showing : This is when a buyer looks at a home's listing online, including photos, videos, and a description. This can be a great way for buyers to get a general overview of a home and see if it is worth scheduling a showing. Dri...

  December saw a 5.7% decrease year over year in closed sales as the median sales price rose 7.3% in the latest Central Ohio Housing Report from Columbus REALTORS® As the central Ohio housing market embarks on a new year, we look back at the final month of 2023. In December, there were 1,917 closed sales in the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS, a 5.7 percent decrease over December 2022. The median sale price grew to $295,000, a 7.3 percent increase year-over-year.   In the peak of summer sales, homes in the region were spending about 17-18 days on the market. In December, that number rose to 30 days, the highest number since March.   The total inventory of homes for sale surpassed 3,000, marking a 9.7% rise over last December. Supply sits at 1.4 months, which is a 27.3 percent increase year-over-year. New listings in December were typical for a month that is traditionally sluggish in this category.  There were 1,434 new listings entered into the MLS in Decemb...

  If you're in a financially stable position, now might be the perfect time to embark on your homeownership journey. Buying a home today offers several advantages, including the opportunity to build equity and stabilize your housing costs in the face of rising expenses. Explore the reasons why purchasing a home now can be a wise decision in the current market. By purchasing a home today, you can start building equity, which is an investment in your future. Additionally, opting for a fixed-rate mortgage allows you to stabilize your monthly housing costs for the long term, even as other expenses continue to rise. This stability provides peace of mind in an ever-changing financial landscape. While housing costs experienced significant increases in 2021 due to a combination of factors, such as inflation, high demand, and low supply, the market has since moderated. If you decide to buy now, you can expect relatively stable house prices and potentially face less competition from other bu...

  Homebuyers in the market who are frustrated by the low inventory are finding what they want in new construction.  Among the obvious advantages are that it is fresh and new, has never been lived in, and can be personalized to an individual's taste and needs. New construction homes can be more expensive upfront, but they can save you money in the long run. These homes are built to the latest building codes, which means they are more energy-efficient and require less maintenance. They also come with warranties that can help protect you from unexpected repairs. New construction homes can be a great option for first-time homebuyers. They offer a blank slate that you can customize to your liking, and they don't have the same wear and tear as older homes. Working with a REALTOR®️can help you navigate the process of buying a new construction home. They can help you find the right builder, negotiate a good price, and make sure that the home is built to your specifications. ...

Owning a home not only provides a sense of stability and pride but also opens doors to potential tax benefits. As a homeowner, understanding tax credits can significantly impact your financial well-being. Let's delve into some key tax credits and deductions available to homeowners and how they can help you maximize savings. If you've made energy-efficient improvements to your home in the past year, you may qualify for the Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit. This credit allows you to claim a percentage of the cost of qualifying energy-efficient upgrades, such as solar panels, energy-efficient windows, and HVAC systems, up to certain limits. Not only do these upgrades help lower your utility bills, but they also contribute to a more sustainable future while providing tax savings. Another valuable tax credit available to homeowners is the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit. This credit applies to the installation of renewable energy systems, such as solar panel...

  Buying or selling a home is a big adventure; some thrill seekers may choose to take on both tasks at the same time. If you're finding yourself in the position of needing to buy and sell at the same time, here are some tips to help you navigate the possibly challenging course ahead of you. Evaluate Your Local Market For most buyers and sellers, selling their current home before putting an offer on another property is their best real estate option. But for others, it really depends on the local real estate market. If you're thinking of selling and buying at the same time, research the market in your target area. This can help you gauge whether it's a buyer or seller market. If many properties are available, it might be a good time to list. If inventory is low, you may need to wait until the market picks up again. The general rule of thumb is to sell first in a buyer's market and buy first in a seller's market; but this isn't always the case since every experienc...

  Dive into the art of home organization with my top tips. Ready to turn your house into a dream home? Let's declutter and design for a lifestyle that speaks volumes. Sure, I'd be happy to help! Organizing your home can make a significant difference in creating a comfortable and efficient living space. Here are some top tips for home organization: 1. **Declutter First:** Before organizing, go through your belongings and declutter. Donate or discard items you no longer need or use. This will make the organizing process much easier. 2. **Room by Room:** Take it one room at a time. Start with a room that needs the most attention. Divide the room into zones and focus on organizing one zone before moving on to the next. 3. **Storage Solutions:** Invest in storage solutions that suit your needs. Consider bins, baskets, shelves, and storage furniture. Utilize vertical space to maximize storage. 4. **Labeling:** Labeling is key to maintaining an organized space. Clearly label container...