Tips for Saving for Your New Ohio Home

Dreams of that Ohio home are not as far away as you think. Even if too much money got spent the past holiday season, worry no more. Home-buying is still in the cards with some easy money-saving tips to help bounce back and get into financial shape for the home of your dreams.

Save on Shopping

Building a savings account seems daunting when bills come in from holiday overspending. The best way to tackle the challenge head on is to create a budget and stick to it. Monitoring spending will help make sure the things being purchased are necessary without enough left over for savings. Here are some tips to cut back on lackadaisical spending and get back on budget:

• Plan meals for the week around coupons and local savings. Make a list and only buy off the list when shopping.
• Order online for discounts on goods or bulk items
• Buy generic when possible
• Remove credit cards from online shopping sites and wait 48 hours to avoid impulse buys
• Open separate checking account for home savings and create monthly auto transfer

Save Around the House

A great way to increase savings is to cut monthly expenses around the house. Some ways to build savings and cut costs at home include:

• Turn down the heat. A few degrees makes a huge difference in savings.
• Change air filters in HVAC system and get inspections regularly for increased efficiency
• Install programmable thermostat to pay for what's in use and not an empty house
• Turn off lights, fans and appliances not in use
• Unplug appliances or use power strip
• Replace old bulbs with LED or Energy Star bulbs for decreased energy use
• Have a yard sale. Get rid of things not in use and make money.
• Get tax breaks for donating items to charity

Dining and Entertainment

Everyone loves to eat out once in awhile but it can make a huge dent in the pocketbook every month. Here are some ways to lower entertainment costs:

• Cook and eat at home. A small investment of a crockpot can be a huge savings as well as a way to prepare delicious meals at a low cost.
• Invite friends over for potlucks instead of eating out
• Pack lunch to save on runs to the local food joints (also helps healthy eating resolutions)
• Entertain kids for free at the library, park, at-home movie nights or basement sports
• Swap vacation for staycation and find new ways to stay local and have fun
• Cancel unused memberships, subscriptions or other unused services

Thinking of buying a new home in Ohio in 2017? It is a great time to contact Choice Properties real estate agents for some of the best rates in the area. We are here to help educate and inform you of the best available options for the perfect Ohio home.

Dreams of that Ohio home are not as far away as you think. Even if too much money got spent the past holiday season, worry no more. Home-buying is still in the cards with some easy money-saving tips to help bounce back and get into financial shape for the home of your dreams.

Save Around the House

A great way to increase savings is to cut monthly expenses around the house. Some ways to build savings and cut costs at home include:

• Turn down the heat. A few degrees makes a huge difference in savings.
• Change air filters in HVAC system and get inspections regularly for increased efficiency
• Install programmable thermostat to pay for what's in use and not an empty house
• Turn off lights, fans and appliances not in use
• Unplug appliances or use power strip
• Replace old bulbs with LED or Energy Star bulbs for decreased energy use
• Have a yard sale. Get rid of things not in use and make money.
• Get tax breaks for donating items to charity

Dining and Entertainment

Everyone loves to eat out once in awhile but it can make a huge dent in the pocketbook every month. Here are some ways to lower entertainment costs:

• Cook and eat at home. A small investment of a crockpot can be a huge savings as well as a way to prepare delicious meals at a low cost.
• Invite friends over for potlucks instead of eating out
• Pack lunch to save on runs to the local food joints (also helps healthy eating resolutions)
• Entertain kids for free at the library, park, at-home movie nights or basement sports
• Swap vacation for staycation and find new ways to stay local and have fun
• Cancel unused memberships, subscriptions or other unused services

Thinking of buying a new home in Ohio? It is a great time to contact Choice Properties real estate agents for some of the best rates in the area. We are here to help educate and inform you of the best available options for the perfect Ohio home.

Buying a Home in DeGraff Ohio

DeGraff is a village located in Logan County, Ohio. As of 2010, the population was approximately 1,200 people. This small town is situated at the intersection of State Routes 235 and 508 making transportation to nearby towns and cities a viable option. Being a small village offers families seeking DeGraff homes a serene, rural atmosphere with access to affordable housing and excellent educational opportunities.

Township

The village of DeGraff is located within Township of Miami, a minor civil division (MCD) of Logan County. As of 2010, 476 households and 347 families resided in the village. Nearly 40 percent of households in DeGraff have children under the age of 18 years old and the median age within the village is 34.8 years. Young families seeking opportunities to purchase DeGraff real estate can enjoy the opportunities of connecting with other families with younger children while raising them in a small town.

Community

Nearby Bellefontaine is a mere 15 minute drive from DeGraff with access to shopping, dining and entertainment options. Within DeGraff there are a handful of small businesses catering to people who wish to dine out on pizza, subs or pub food. Entertainment options include a local library, livestock auctions and movies at a cinema in nearby Bellefontaine. DeGraff homes reside in a small close-knit community surrounded by larger towns and cities but for those seeking quiet, residential living away from the hustle and bustle this is a great option.

Schools

Riverside Local Schools district was formed by consolidation of Quincy and DeGraff School Districts in 1960. From 1960 to 2002, the elementary school facilities were housed in the former Quincy building and junior high and high school facilities were contained within the DeGraff building. Beginning in 2002-2003, Riverside Local School District merged into a new building which housed all grades K-12. District owned farm land was used to build the new facility with replacement of all athletic facilities being replaced. Many activities are available to children of all ages with a pursuit of academic excellence by administrators and staff alike. Plenty of opportunities to volunteer and participate in school sports, arts and academic clubs are available as well as chances for parents to get involved. The district has around 800 students total. A smaller school means more opportunities for families to connect and invest into the children and community.

Living in the village of DeGraff affords families seeking DeGraff real estate opportunities to purchase homes at all price points. The beauty of a small town is getting to know all of the local families and raise kids in a safe and supportive environment with excellent schools close to, but far enough away from, big city living.

For more information on finding Ohio property for sale, give us a call today to speak with our award winning realtors!

3 Steps to Prepare Your House for Sale

Selling your house and preparing for the next step in life is an exciting moment. When putting your house on the market, there are a few key points to remember to help attract the best buyer. Here are three steps to prepare your house for sale:

Get Organized

The importance of cleaning and de-cluttering cannot be overstated. Some of the following ideas help to streamline the process to make it easier.

• Declutter before cleaning. Get rid of unnecessary and unwanted items. Donate them to charity or consider selling or giving away items on Craigslist or neighborhood share groups. People who recycle may be willing to pick up and haul away large metal items as well.
• Deep clean the house. The biggest investment of time will come from getting everyone involved to spiffy up the home from floor to ceiling. Kitchens and bathrooms are especially important. Clean the inside and outside of windows to create a better overall aesthetic for the home.
• Storage areas should be clean and organized. This ends a signal to potential buyers the home is cared for and not in a haphazard way. Keeping spaces up will benefit sellers.

Make Repairs

Problems with the house need to be taken care of prior to resale. Look for easy fixes that can be done without too much help from outside contractors (which can cost lots of extra money).

• Fix leaky faucets and running toilets
• Replace caulking around tubs, showers and sinks
• Freshen up and repair grout as needed
• Repair walls and repaint them in neutral colors
• Fix cracked or broken windows
• Replace or repair damaged screens
• Replace bulbs that are burned out

Curb Appeal

First impressions go a long way to making a deal on a property for sale. Potential buyers want to love the outside of a person's home before stepping inside. Extend spring cleaning to the outside of the home for maximum appeal.

• Trim bushes, shrubs and trees. Vegetation should not touch roof or siding.
• Repair broken downspouts and gutters
• Apply mulch, river rock or pea gravel where appropriate to improve landscaping
• Dress up the outside with seasonally appropriate plants to freshen up the yard along with hanging plants near the front of the house

With a little bit of elbow grease, a home can look good as new for potential buyers who are excited to see the beautiful, welcoming home of their dreams.

Choice Properties helps sellers and buyers get off on the right foot with tips, tools and resources. Call us to find out how our top notch realty specialists can assist you with your buying and selling needs.

Living in Bellefontaine Ohio

The city of Bellefontaine is located in Logan County, Ohio. Residents who seek Bellefontaine real estate will enjoy a growing micropolis with an estimated population of 13,322. Families seeking Bellefontaine homes will find a historically rich and diverse community with excellent schools and activities to enjoy year round.

History

Bellefontaine gained its name from the French words "beautiful spring." Several springs are purported to be dotted around the area which led to its name. Sometime around 1777, the Shawnee war chief Blue Jacket (Weyapiersenwah) built a settlement in Bellefontaine known as Blue Jacket's Town. They occupied a village along the Scioto River but once the American Revolutionary War reached Ohio, Blue Jacket and other American Indians relocated to be closer to British allies in Detroit. Settlers moved into the area from Virginia. Government granted tracts of land were given to war veterans as payment for service which planted seeds for what is now modern day Bellefontaine. Honda began manufacturing motorcycles in Marysville, Ohio in 1979 with expansion of operations to Bellefontaine. Honda is currently the largest employer.

Geography

Bellefontaine boasted the largest roundhouse between New York and St. Louis. Modern day rail travel has changed but the city still sits at a junction of lines going to Cleveland, Indianapolis and Dayton. Campbell Hill is the highest point in Bellefontaine. The Ohio Hi-Point Vocational Technical District opened a school on the hill in 1974 which was renamed to present day Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.

Community

A recent United States census noted nearly 46,000 people living in the micropolitan area within Logan County, Ohio. Bellefontaine grew in population by 8.7 percent between 1990 and 2000 due in large part to economic growth and a booming real estate market which found more families seeking to own Bellefontaine real estate. McKinley Street holds distinction as the 'shortest street in America' at about 20 feet in length. Holland Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with live events and performances making a comeback after a hiatus.

Schools

Bellefontaine City Schools currently operate three elementary, one intermediate school, one middle school and one high school. Combined, the enrollment is approximately 2,800 students. The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center is located at Campbell Hill offering both secondary and post-secondary educational options. Several colleges operate satellite campuses in the area including Ohio State University and Urbana University. Bellefontaine homes are built around the excellent school district with a strong tradition of academic and competitive athletic excellence including art and music programs. The school district ranks in the top 5% of schools in Ohio.

Activities

Bellefontaine homes and neighborhoods are the centerpiece of life in Bellefontaine. Enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, outdoor trails and the lake year round. Restaurants and many waterfront dining options are available to enjoy. When looking to buy a home, look no further than Bellefontaine real estate to meet the family's needs for excellence in education, entertainment and quality of life in this historic city.

For more information on speaking with our award winning real estates at Choice Properties, give us a call! 

Ohio is a Great Place to Buy an Investment Property

The investment market in Ohio is full of great places to seek out the property that is best suited for an individual's desires and needs. Many people seek investment property because renting feels like pouring money into a funnel and never getting the equity desired back out. For this reason, Ohio is the perfect place to stop searching and to start buying. Find out some reasons why.

Ohio Market

It is important to do research on where the best places to purchase property are located. Three cities in Ohio - Toledo, Dayton and Cleveland - are on the top 10 lists of markets where it is better to buy property than rent. The main reason for this is the rebounding effect following the recession of properties becoming available. Do not get too caught up in lists as they are not the only factors to consider when looking to buy a home.

Saving Money

Ohio is a more affordable state in which to purchase property due to many factors. One of these is geography. When property is next to a lake or has nature surround it, the property values go up. It is the law of supply and demand. In the long run, purchasing property closer to water or near where property values are higher is likely to save money down the road. Some rental property prices are higher than carrying a house mortgage, making it more affordable to purchase.

More Bang for the Buck

Transplants or people who move into the area from other cities often find money goes further in Ohio than elsewhere. The abundance of homes that are bigger and offer more amenities is one of the biggest reasons to choose a home in Ohio. Particularly families who relocate from coastal areas where space is more limited in large cities, available property can seem overwhelming large. People must keep in mind the quality of life both inside and outside the house matters. More room in the budget affords more room for entertainment, travel and doing things outdoors.

Families who are looking for properties to purchase need look no further than Ohio. With plenty of available options near water and close to shopping, dining and entertainment there is no end to what is on offer. Contact one of our top notch realtors at Choice Properties who specialize in the Ohio market to find the property that is right for you.