Seller Info | The Columbus Team | Columbus & Central Ohio Real Estate

Tips for Moving With Kids and Pets

August 19, 2019 by The Columbus Team

Moving day. It brings a mix of emotions and details to organize. And moving with kids or pets adds another layer of planning.

We want to put you at ease and decrease the stress of your move. There are ways to ensure the move to your new home will run smoothly. Preparation is key.

Follow these tips to prepare for your move with a family and pets…

Moving with Kids

If your kids will be changing schools find ways to help soothe the emotional impact it may have. Get a photo of their new teacher/s and school so your children can start to visualize the new environment. And if you’re moving during the school year, be sure to take extra steps to ease the transition.
Involve your kids in the move. Ask your kids to help write lists to prepare for the move, allow them to choose a theme for their room decor, and give them opportunities to make some other decisions about the move as well.
Give your kids an essentials box. This is a box that they can pack with their favorite things and it will be the first box to be opened once you arrive at the new house. An added touch like this will help your children have the comfort of familiar things with them from the start.
Consider purchasing your kids a move gift. This can be anything from new white board for their room or a baseball to new bedding or clothing. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, but an item they will enjoy and find comfort in.
Lower your expectations for the kids behavior on the day of your move. Be prepared to be patient and flexible. While you have a lot to do, some boxes can wait to be unpacked in order to attend to your kids needs during the transition.

Moving with Pets

Order a new tag for your pet or update your pet’s microchip with your new address.
Have at least a week’s worth of food and any necessary medication for your pet during the move.
Carry a large bottle of water from home for your pet’s drinking water, in case none is available for any period of time.
Establish a relationship with a vet close to your new home.
If traveling by air, consult your airline about rules and requirements for pet travel.
If you’re moving internationally, check on quarantine and health laws around importing a domestic animal.
Pack your pet’s bedding, favorite toys, and comfort objects with you, so they are available immediately upon arrival to the new home.
Upon arrival to your new home, double-check that fences, pet doors, and pet features are clean, free of hazards, and work smoothly with no possibility of escape.
Offer quiet, calm opportunities for your pet to explore additional indoor space and become acclimated with the new surroundings.
Even if your pet is normally safe off-leash, use the leash until your pet has settled in.

If you have additional tried-and-true tips for moving with kids and pets, leave a comment below!

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

June 10, 2019 by The Columbus Team

Many people are looking for ways to make their homes more energy efficient. The reasons vary from saving money on utility bills, helping the environment, and increasing the value of their home. Some of the ways to do this require significant changes to your home, and others can be smaller changes.

Invest in New Doors and Windows

While this is a major expense, getting new energy efficient windows and doors can really help with the utility bill. The latest windows are double paned and offer excellent insulation. Some options even come with tinting, another value-add to the efficiency. When it comes to doors, make sure you are choosing the right insulation for the Columbus climate. If you can’t afford new doors, adding an efficient storm door is a good alternative.

Replace Lightbulbs with LED bulbs

This is one of the easiest things to do. LED Bulbs are much more efficient than the old incandescent bulbs of the past. They are more expensive, but they also last much longer, making it a double money saver. You can buy LED bulbs for almost every lamp and lighting fixture you can purchase.

Check Your Insulation

If your home is not brand new, check your insulation. This is especially important if there were water leaks or damage to your roof. Insulation can settle if it is the fiberglass kind. So even if you had enough insulation when it was installed, it may not be enough now. You may only have to add to it and not completely replace it.

Install Energy Efficient Appliances

All new appliances are energy efficient, but even if you replaced your appliances five years ago, more efficient machines are out now. The biggest energy user besides a HVAC system is your clothes dryer. Replacing it can add significant savings to your energy bill. The other great thing about replacing appliances is that you can do them one at a time when your budget allows. Look for the Energy Star label on appliances.

Get a Tankless Water Heater

Think of all the energy you will save by not heating a bunch of water daily. Installing a tankless water heater means you have hot water only when you need it. Another advantage is there is a lot less chance of the water leaking from a tankless water heater than a traditional water heater. The tankless also takes up much less space. They are expensive to install, but long-term savings will outweigh this cost.

Making your home more energy efficient is a great selling point if you plan on selling your home in the future. Even if you aren’t planning to sell, making your home more energy efficient is a great way to save money. Doing all of these things will also help the environment because you are using less energy. Some of these improvements, such as installing energy efficient windows and doors, may qualify for a tax credit, check with your tax advisor or someone from our team.

Finding the Best Realtor Who Is the Right Fit For You

May 27, 2019 by The Columbus Team

You’re ready to sell or buy a home. You find yourself searching Google for “realtors near me”. Or perhaps you’re soliciting online advice from an agent listed on Zillow. In today’s technological world, it’s easy to spontaneously hire a realtor without getting to know them first.

What happens when you meet the realtor for the first time and discover it’s not the right fit? Finding the best realtor for you from the start is going to make the home purchasing process smoother. Or if you’re selling a home, it can mean a quicker sale and better price. Getting stuck in an agreement with a realtor who isn’t the right fit is the last thing anyone wants.

The relationship between you and your realtor is an important part of the home buying or selling process. A high stakes financial exchange is at the core of your relationship with this person. You need to know that your realtor has your best interest in mind.

How To Find the Right Realtor

Do your research to find a realtor who is the right fit for you. Here are some recommended action steps:

Ask your family and friends for references. If you’re moving to a new city, ask your new colleagues or parents at your children’s new school for a referral.

Check online references. Go through the realtor’s website, read Google and Yelp reviews. Watch for comments that speak to the professional’s expertise and knowledge of the communities in which you’re purchasing or selling a home.

Go to open houses to meet realtors. This is a great way to see them in action and see how they interact with potential buyers. Ask good questions to determine if they would work well with you on the selling or buying of a home.

If you’re not ready to buy or sell, don’t commit to a realtor until you are. It’s better they know when you’re ready to take action. Remember, a realtor is getting paid a commission based on a sale so you don’t want to waste everyone’s time if you’re not ready. At the same time, don’t get pressured into moving too quickly.

What To Look For in a Realtor

Is the realtor an active listener? Experienced real estate professionals will likely have many more ideas than you could imagine about the purchase or sale of a home. That’s what they’re getting paid for, they’re the experts. However, if the realtor you’re considering working with isn’t also actively listening to what you want, it may not be the right fit. Have an initial in-person meeting or phone consult to determine if the realtor understands what you’re looking for in a new home or the sale of your current home.

Have you anticipated what the home sale process will be like for your weekly routine? Ask your prospective realtor what the plan of action is for selling your house and/or helping you purchase a new home. Learn what their expectations for showings, open houses, etc. And also, be upfront about the flexibility of your schedule, etc. Make sure that you and the realtor are going to work well together. Remember the home sale process can take several months. Know that you can work with the plan you and your realtor set up to make the sale happen.

We understand the work and emotions that go into buying or selling a home. The last thing you want is to be in an agreement with a real estate agent that isn’t attentive to what you’re looking for. A relationship with a realtor is a two-way street. Make sure you’re a good fit for each other so that you find the right home and/or get the most out of one you’re selling.

At The Columbus Team, our experienced agents will guide you through the home buying and selling process from start to finish. But more than that, we’re committed to ensuring you’re with the right realtor. Listening closely to your needs and preferences is of utmost importance. Each of our agents is dedicated to helping you accomplish your individual real estate goals. Contact us to meet find out if our team is the right fit for you.

5 Tips for Preparing Your Home For Sale

April 22, 2019 by The Columbus Team

The housing market in Columbus continues to be fierce for buyers and sellers alike.

The Columbus Team is here to help and save you money. There’s no sense in spending more than necessary to make updates. In fact, we make sure you have all the necessary information to ensure your home is ready to be listed.

The following are 5 tips for preparing your home for sale:

Pack and Declutter. Go through each room and pack your belongings to prepare your home for sale. If you’re still living there, leave your essentials but put away everything else. Decluttering and removing as many of your belongings as possible will help potential buyers visualize the home as their own. That means cleaning out those messy closets too!
Get Photo Ready. We have a House Coach on our team that can help you prepare your home for sale. This includes staging the layout and decor so that your home will look its best in photos and for showings.
Repair. Determine if there are any major repairs that need to take place such as, replacing leaky roof, etc. before selling your home. Minor changes can also make an impact. Changing light fixtures or faucets can add extra appeal, but these changes may not be necessary. Consult with our team to determine what to prioritize, add or remove from your repair list.
Ensure Curb Appeal. The outside of your house is going to be the first thing potential buyers see when they arrive for a showing or drive by. Keep things tidy, including a well-manicured lawn and landscaping. Consider adding to the curb appeal by planting some flowers, power washing your front steps, or even adding a welcome mat at the front door.
Deep Clean and Remove Smells. Do a deep clean and make every surface shine. Also eliminate any odors. For example, if you cooked and there was smoke in the kitchen be sure to get rid of the smell before a showing. These easy-to-do tasks will enhance the potential buyers experience and remove any distractions.

Our team is ready to help you prepare your home for sale. Contact us today to get started!

When is the Best Time to List My Home for Sale?

April 15, 2019 by The Columbus Team

You may be wondering, “When is the best time to list my home for sale?”

Ask anyone and they’ll likely tell you the best time to list your home for sale is in the spring. But wait a minute! If you’re worried you’ve missed the spring market, we have news for you. There are still buyers looking for their perfect home, as we head into summer and yours could be it!

A recent study conducted by Zillow reveals, USA homes listed for sale in early May sell for $1,600 more than the average listing throughout the year. However, some cities do better listing in early June. This includes Columbus, Ohio! Homes in Columbus can get $2,900 more during the first couple weeks of June.

You might remember from one of our recent articles, that more buyers have reentered the market due to lower mortgage rates. More houses are going on the market now that winter is behind us. This will cause houses to have higher value, which is a great opportunity for sellers. List your home during the first two weeks of June for the chance to get your best price.

Ready to list your home? Start the process now so that it’s ready by the first week of June. Go through the following steps to get ready:

Contact us to book a complimentary market analysis to know what the value of your home is in this market.
We can help you determine what repairs or enhancements need to happen
Give your house that extra dose of “curb appeal”. For example, plant some flowers or put some fresh paint on the porch.
Spring clean and remove anything personal from your walls and shelves. A potential buyer needs to walk through the house visualizing it as their own. You may need to temporarily rent a storage space for some of your belongings.
Take advantage of the Memorial Day long weekend to put the finishing touches.
Our House Coach can help with the final details too!

Our experts here at The Columbus Team will let you know what needs to be done to prepare to list your home and get the best sale price. We know listing your home can seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help every step of the way. Our priority is to make buying or selling a home as simple, easy, and stress-free as possible.