Tips for Buying a Home in Indian Lake Ohio

Indian Lake, Ohio, was formerly known as Lewistown Reservoir and was named by European American settlers for the natives that roamed the region at the time. Originally a group of small lakes and wetlands, it has now become a destination for boating and fishing enthusiasts, as well as a wonderful place to call home for the Ohio residents that surround the lake. There are major fishing tournaments and boat shows held here annually, and you'll find ice fishing and snowmobiling in the winter.

Are you interested in buying a home in Indian Lake, Ohio? Today, the area attracts almost 1.5 million visitors every year with its first rate camping, swimming and boating facilities. You'll need to be savvy to snag up a home in such a popular location.  Fortunately for you, our experienced Indian Lake real estate agents have you covered!

Get a Good Ohio Real Estate Agent

Working with a reputable and knowledgeable realtor from the Indian Lake area is key to finding the best properties. And that doesn't mean your friend who flipped a house once. A professional realtor is worth the money you might spend and helps to ensure a smooth process from beginning to end. Finding an Indian Lake real estate agent who is experienced and knowledgeable, with a good reputation, is one of the most important things you can do, especially when wanting to buy a home in an appealing location like Indian Lake, Ohio. Learn about our award-winning real estate agents and book an appointment with a Choice Properties agent today.

Find a Mortgage Lender in Ohio

A lot of buyers find a home they like first, and then look for a mortgage lender. This is backwards because what tends to happen is that the buyers fall in love with a property, and then discover that they won't be able to afford it. Don't torture yourself. Ask your real estate agent to recommend a lender if you don't know of any and figure out how much of a loan you can get before you start looking at online listings. Then you can look for homes within your budget in full confidence that you can snag it up if it suits you.

Ohio Mortgage Interest Rates

Interest rates go up and down all the time. You might hear that interest rates are at an all time low, but that doesn't mean that you'll get a rock bottom rate. Interest rates differ with different people, depending on their credit and financial history. Different lenders have different rate ceilings. Home prices are negotiable, but loans remain the same. It is recommended that you shop around for the best interest rates before buying a home through mortgage loans.

Make a Quick Decision

Where a buyer might lose out is when they take too long to make up their mind. Real estate markets are volatile at best, therefore if you find a home that is in your budget, and checks off the must have points on your checklist, you should not hesitate. Submit an offer quickly, or you'll find that the house is off the market as soon as it appears in the listings. Being prepared ahead of time with a mortgage approval is key to making swift offers when they arise.

Buying in a location as attractive as Indian Lake, Ohio can be a competitive challenge. The best thing you can do is have a qualified real estate agent at your side to help locate and negotiate the home you want to own.

Call us today for a tour of locally available homes and advice on buying a home in Indian Lake Ohio!

Sorting through the Lake Cabins for Sale in Ohio

Ohio has some truly beautiful lakes, both natural and man made, that people come from miles away to view and enjoy. One of the must-see lakeside areas is Indian Lake right here in beautiful Logan County. If you've ever dreamed of living by the water, there are plenty of lake cabins for sale in Ohio. There are a lot of benefits to living on waterfront property, from the never-ending vacation to the gorgeous view. Learn how you can find the best lake cabins for sale in Ohio and move into your dream home!

When you look at lake cabins for sale in Ohio, you will see how much privacy they afford you. And there's a ton of water activities that you can do like boating, kayaking and fishing. Lake cabins aren't easy to come by, and they are in short supply. So when you do find a few options, how do you sort through them?

It goes without saying that you should carefully and comprehensively inspect the lake front property that you're considering. Water is great to live next to, but not great if it gets into your home. An expert inspection can help you understand whether you might have water intruding into the basement, or mildew and mold issues due to high moisture levels in the air.

Lake cabins for sale in Ohio are great, but not all waterfront property is the same. As you tour the available lake cabins along the coastline of Indian Lake with one of our award-winning Ohio real estate agents, consider the kind of privacy and lakefront experience your family wants. Many lake cabins for sale around Indian Lake offer lake access and proximity to fishing and swimming areas. Consider the proximity of neighbors if you're concerned about privacy.

Waterfront property in Logan County doesn't stay on the market long so speak with one of our agents about getting notified when desirable new properties become available. This allows you to keep an eye on the market to get the best lake cabins and waterfront homes in the area before others scoop them up.

Finally, it is always a good idea to check insurance requirements. A waterfront property will likely have an increased risk of flood damage. Regular insurance doesn't cover flood, and you will have to buy it separately, and the cost could be prohibitive for some homeowners. Knowing the costs of extras up front will help you decide whether you really want the property to begin with. Let's be honest though, who wouldn't want to live along Indian Lake, especially during the summer months when so many people flock to the are for boating, fishing, and lakeside parties. 

For many home buyers, owning a house by the lake is a dream come true. It is achievable for you and your family with help from expert realtors in the Indian Lake area who know where to find the best lakeside cabins and homes. With some careful planning you will be able to find the right lake side property and get moved into your dream home!

Choice Properties Real Estate Agents know more about lake cabins for sale in Ohio than anyone in the region.

Call us today to find out what exciting new properties are available for you and your family!

Bellefontaine, which means 'beautiful spring' in French, is one of America's hidden gems. The seat of Logan County Ohio, it is a great place for home buyers to find something special that's perfect for raising a family or vacationing in the summer. Houses in Bellefontaine Ohio come at appealing prices and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer for families that value close community and rural adventures. If you are considering buying a home in Bellefontaine, consult with one of our Logan County real estate agents and keep our home buying secrets in mind.

10 Secrets for Buyers Looking for Houses in Bellefontaine Ohio

Hold On To Your Money

It's wise not to make any big purchases or move money around in the 3 to 6 months before you buy a new home. This way you don't affect your credit profile and lenders can see that you're a reliable prospect. Getting approved for a mortgage is a key part of the home buying process and timing is key with your credit score.

Get Pre-Approval

Not pre-qualified, pre-approved. There is a bit difference between the two. Anyone can be pre-qualified for a loan, but when you're pre-approved that means a lender has looked at all your financial information and told you the exact amount they will lend you. Not only does this make you look good to the seller, it also means you won't be looking at houses outside of your price range.

Don't Skip The Home Inspection

If you are not familiar with houses in Bellefontaine Ohio, then you should get the best home inspector available and follow him around when he inspects the property you're interested in. Asking questions and taking notes will allow you use the information you learn in negotiations later, and also give you an idea of what renovations the home will need after you take ownership.

Know Your Market

These days it's easy to check out an entire marketplace online. There are websites that will show you what houses have sold for in the area you're looking at, so you're not going in blind. Once you know how long the home has been on the market, you will be able to make a competitive offer. Ask your real estate agent about the current market and what you can expect, as those professionals have their ear to the ground on latest trends and developments.

Choose Wisely

Houses in Bellefontaine, Ohio range from $40,000 to $300,000. That's a huge range to choose from. The secret is to get a house within your budget in the neighborhood of your choice. Even if the home isn't exactly what you wanted, you can improve on it, build on it, and make it your own over time. Neighborhoods rarely change. A smaller, less expensive house in a great neighborhood will always sell and will appreciate more in value.

Forget Timing The Market

Don't even try to time the market. It is practically impossible to anticipate the housing market. If you have found the perfect house and can afford it, that is the time to buy. However, do understand what the market is like at the time you're buying. Your Choice Properties real estate agent can help you understand the current state of the housing market in Bellefontaine.

Understand Bidding

When you make an opening bid, it should only be based on what you can afford and what you truly believe the property is worth at that time. A low bid rarely works, but a fair and reasonable one should get you through the door.

Do Some Digging

Many sellers are behind on their property taxes, and that is valuable information for you as a buyer. You can easily find that out at the county clerk's office for houses in Bellefontaine, Ohio. If someone is behind on taxes or has other liens of note, you can factor this into the purchase negotiations.

Looks Aren't Everything

This may sound counter-intuitive, but finding a house that has great bones, such as plumbing, electricity, roof etc, and doesn't look so pretty on the inside or outside, is actually a better buy. Those are easy fixes to make to with paint and furniture. Replacing entire internal systems will cost you an arm and a leg.

Explore The Neighborhood

Make sure you go to the neighborhood you'll be living in during different times of the day, so you can really get the lay of the land. Do your regular commute to work. Find out where the nearest grocery stores are located. A house in a good school district has greater value. It's important to spend time in the neighborhood that you'll be calling home to get a real sense of what life in that neighborhood is going to be like.

If you're looking to buy or sell houses in Bellefontaine Ohio,
contact the experts here at Choice Properties Real Estate to learn how you can find the best deals on homes in Logan County.

So you're checking out homes for sale in Indian Lake Ohio. You've been given some great leads and the agent explains that time is of the essence. What do you do now? Of course you go take a look at the home, take a few notes, and decide that you have enough information to make your home buying decision. However, there are a few other considerations to factor in before you make a decision. If you buy a property without doing a thorough inspection, you'll be discovering problems after the sale is done. And that is a scenario you want to avoid. Here are ways to properly evaluate a potential home for your family right here in the beautiful Indian Lake, Ohio area!

Start Outside

Pause a minute before you go indoors. The exterior of a property hides thousands of dollars of value. A good place to start is with the most expensive exterior upgrades, like the roof. Roofs come at a substantial cost and many homeowners do not replace them until absolutely necessary. Even just looking at the roof should give you an idea of its age and condition. Will you need to put in a new roof when you buy, and if so do you have the budget for it?

Walking the entire exterior is also a good idea, as you may be able to see if there are any cracks or shifts in the foundation, a major issue in itself. Check out the basement or a crawl space. Look closely at the siding or the paint. Does the house need a new paint job or new siding? You may decide against the home without ever going inside just based on the condition of the exterior elements. The property should be well kept and something you will want to maintain for the next ten years.

Step Inside

Most homes for sale in Indian Lake Ohio are staged these days, so it can be easy get dazzled by the furniture displays and interior concepts but fail to notice anything that should be a red flag. So ignore the bells and whistles for a moment, and focus on some essentials; like the windows. New windows are a great value to any home and if the windows in your prospective home are in good condition, that's a clear sign that the previous owner took home insulation and energy costs seriously. Next look at other big ticket items like the furnace, water heater, septic tank, and the electricals. Old electrical wiring will need replacing and that can run into a lot of money.  These things are the nuts and bolts of a home and should be in good condition if you're going to assume responsibility for them. 

A home's value is not always on the function, however. When evaluating homes for sale in Indian Lake Ohio, consider the spaciousness of the family room and the proximity of the bedrooms to one another. Learning how your family will live in the home and utilize the space can give you a complete perspective on the home's value to you and your family in the long run. There are many homes for sale in Indian Lake, Ohio, and you want to get the best one for your family.

Upgrades

The big selling points in homes are usually the kitchen and bathrooms. It's not enough for them to be in good working order, as you need to take interior upgrades into account. What sort of appliances come with the purchase? Do the cabinets stand out? Is the backsplash recent? Ask relevant questions to find out how much work you'll need to put into the house once it's yours. This goes for the bathrooms to. Inspect the flooring and the shower, and pay attention to drainage. These are little things that can add to your budget if water leaks go unnoticed for a long time. There are ways to save, but savings cannot come at the expense of the kitchen or bathrooms.  

You will find many great homes for sale in Indian Lakes, Ohio, but you may have only one opportunity to inspect a new property. This is why it is important to go prepared, take as many notes as possible and even pictures if the owners allow it. Checklists are readily available and should be taken with you each time to go to see a new property. Finally, you can run your notes by an experienced contractor to get an estimate of what renovations will cost you. At the end of the day, the better organized you are, the easier it will be to pick the right home for you.

For more information about homes for sale in Indian Lake Ohio,
contact the real estate agents at Choice Properties Real Estate today!

Land for Sale in Logan County Ohio

Logan County has a lot of natural resources and attractions, making it a perfect place for you to buy land. There are must see places like Indian Lake and downtown Bellefontaine, and plenty of culture and history. Now that you've decided you want to build your next home from the ground up, why not consider land for sale in Logan County, Ohio?

Before you get serious about laying down a foundation and starting to build your dream home, you should be aware that purchasing land comes with challenges, from zoning restrictions and easements to environmental regulations. Follow our tips, and you'll be looking at land for sale in Logan County, Ohio in no time. Here are some do's and don'ts of buying vacant land, to help you avoid buyer's remorse.

Work With A Land Pro

Working with a real estate agent who specializes in the sale of vacant land in Ohio is important and will help you navigate the finer details of the process. This is especially important if you've never bought land before and are unfamiliar with negotiations and performing due diligence. Choice Properties has a team of the best Ohio real estate agents and can help you navigate the process of buying land in Logan Country.

Choose The Right Builder

When you've found the perfect piece of land for sale in Logan County Ohio, you'll also have to find a home builder to craft your dream home. Choosing the right Ohio home builder is as important as choosing the right plot of land. Speak to different builders and ask for recommendations from others who have been through the process. Something to keep in mind here is that the land you buy may come with a particular builder already attached to it. If that isn't something you want, you may have to keep looking.

A Loan Is Unlikely

Usually a land purchase can't be leveraged with a lending institution the way a home purchase can be. There are loans available for land purchases, but generally they aren't more than 40 to 50 percent of the value, assuming you have a good relationship with the lender. So it is likely that you'll have to pay cash, if it's just land with no existing structures. Our agents can help you identify sources of funding if you're interested in buying land in Logan County.

Double Check The Property

Whether it's land for sale in Logan County, Ohio or anywhere else, you will absolutely have to conduct a site visit and walk the whole property.  You may have an idea of what you want your home layout to look like, but the property will dictate the reality of your options. Ensure that you know all the quirks of the property you want to buy and get a good sense of what the land has to offer.

Infrastructure, Utilities, and Limitations

There are sometimes hidden fees associated with buying land, depending on the parcel in question. You'll have to find out whether there's a fee for water and sewer connections, for example. Will you be able to get internet or cable access? And furthermore, what are the restrictions on the property? Will you be able to build your new home exactly the way you want to? All these are things you need to check before you commit to buying land in Ohio.

If you're looking for land for sale in Logan County, Ohio or anywhere else in this great region, contact the experienced agents at Choice Properties Real Estate today to find out how we can help you get the land you've been dreaming about!