Should You Downsize Your Home?

It seems like yesterday you experienced the thrill of purchasing your first home, perhaps filling the space with loving pets or children. Making family memories in your home is something to cherish, but what happens when your youngest child makes the move to college? Should you downsize your home? A smaller home means less cleaning and minimal maintenance, freeing you of time and money for new activities. If you are considering moving into a smaller space, you're not alone!

How to Know When It's Time to Downsize

Choosing to live in less space often has to do with craving a simpler, low-maintenance lifestyle. Downsizing is a common trend for those who have retired and prefer less space. Not only are these homes easier to maintain, but can be found in walkable neighborhoods with easy access to amenities such as culture, restaurants and nightlife.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Downsizing

• What will I miss in my larger home? Asking yourself what you will miss in your current home will help set you up for a plan. Perhaps you need the extra storage space, but will a rental storage unit help when downsizing?

• How much time will you save while cleaning and keeping up with yard work? One benefit of moving into a smaller home is less time spent on cleaning and yard work, which is something most people will find as a positive!

• How much will it cost to get rid of items/furniture I no longer need? If you don't have a thorough plan for selling or giving away your things, and you do it in a rush (giving valuables away to places and people you don't truly care about), you may start to feel right away that you're losing money. Take time to plan about donating extra furniture or selling it to ease your mind.

Finding Your New Home

Downsizing is a great option for many families. Not only do they save time and money in the long run, but often feel comfortable with their choice of easy living. If you are ready to find your new, smaller home, contact the award winning agents at Choice Properties today!

Choice Properties understands your needs and desires when it comes to the home search. We are here to help you define what you want, seek the best property and move forward feeling educated and able to make good decisions throughout the process. You can trust us to help you navigate it with the best real estate agents working for you. Call us to get started on your dream home search today.

Living Amongst Lovely New Homes for Sale in Quincy Ohio

Quincy is a village in Logan County, Ohio. The present population is around 700 people. Nearby towns include DeGraff and Bellefontaine. Quincy homes attract families seeking a small town where everyone knows one another with nearby access to bigger cities and attractions such as Indian Lake.

History

The village of Quincy was developed in 1830. Named for John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, Quincy real estate is among some of the more affordable options with proximity to bigger towns yet maintaining the serenity and peace of a quiet village.

Community

State Route 235 passes through Quincy from north to south. State Route 706 is located south of the village limits which begins at an intersection with State Route 235 which leads to DeGraff, only a few minutes away. Indian Lake is approximately thirty minutes away, making it a great destination for day or weekend trips for families seeking to get away and enjoy the beautiful waterside dining and activities. A few small businesses exist in Quincy. The Pines is a bar and restaurant which was renovated in 2007 to include some additions such as a shelter house and upgrades to the establishment. Nearby DeGraff offers additional opportunities for dining, entertainment and connection with neighbors and friends.

Approximately 700 people, including 191 families, call Quincy home. Nearly half of all households had children under the age of 18 living in them with a median age of 33 years old. Families searching for Quincy homes will enjoy a community with many young families, children and plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbors.

Schools

Riverside Local Schools are the closest district for young children in the area. Serving grades K-12, the elementary school currently has approximately 400 students enrolled while the high school (grades 7-12) has 380 students. The high school athletics department offers students many opportunities to get involved in sports of all kinds including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, softball and more. Both younger and older students will enjoy a rigorous learning environment focused on the student's pursuit of excellence.

Things to Do

While Quincy is a small village, there are many amenities available in nearby Indian Lake and DeGraff. Families who reside in Quincy homes are only thirty minutes away from various waterfront. Natural parks, caves and hiking trails exist as well as local campgrounds to spend time with family and friends. Bellefontaine is mere minutes away which has shopping, dining and entertainment for all ages. Camping and spending time in nature are among some of the favorite activities of families residing in Quincy.

When seeking Quincy real estate, the peace and serenity of a small village with local access to nearby towns such as Bellefontaine and Indian Lake make this a viable, affordable option for families seeking to live in a small village and know neighbors. The great schools also make this a place to consider setting down roots when searching for that perfect place to call home.

For more information about our award winning real estate agents at Choice Properties, give us a call!

Living the Good Life in Lewistown Ohio

Lewistown is also known as Lewis town or Lewiston. Located in Logan County, Ohio, it was originally the site of a Shawnee settlement. Indian Lake was once known as the Lewistown Reservoir and is currently unincorporated. As of the most recent census, the population hovered just under 700 people.

History

Native American tribes lived in the area around Lewistown. In the 1820s Lewistown was primarily inhabited by Seneca and Shawnee people. The Treaty of Lewistown caused the resettlement of 300 people to the 'western side of the Mississippi river.' Only a handful of white men lived in Lewistown but in the summer of 1832, Native Americans departed and some white families began to move in. Daniel Conley helped build the first frame house in the village while Henry Hanford opened a general store to become the first postmaster of Lewistown. A mill, steam sawmill, tavern and distillery were opened between 1835-1862 but the distillery was shut down by the government for failure to make tax returns.

Geography

Lewistown is located at the intersection of County Roads 54 and 91. State Route 274 is a short distance south with State Route 235 a short distance to the east.

Community

Approximately 693 people or 193 families live in Lewistown homes. More than one third of the families have children under the age of 18 living with them. One fourth of the population are under the age of 18, making this a young community of families. Lewistown real estate is an affordable option for families seeking a small community with close proximity to Indian Lake, activities, beach and water features approximately fifteen minutes away.

Schools

A school was founded in Lewistown in 1833. Initially housed in a log cabin, it was moved to a frame building in 1840. The Lewistown special school district was founded in 1874 but is now known as the Indian Lake Local Schools. This school district recently acquired the title of "Excellent with Distinction" by the Ohio Department of Education. Grades K-12 attend the elementary, middle and high schools in the area with an enrollment of approximately 1,800 students. Families who live in Lewistown homes will enjoy a small school where kids can get to know one another and build long lasting friendships.

Things to Do

While Lewistown is a small village, there are many amenities available in nearby Indian Lake. Waterfront dining, sports and recreation, beach access and extracurricular activities are all part of living near a beautiful lake. Lewistown real estate is affordable and in close proximity to the lake while maintaining the privacy and serenity of small village life. Indian Lake is a thriving, vibrant community which includes shopping and natural parks within a short distance. Museums and cultural activities are nearby in Columbus, accessible by highway.

When seeking Lewistown real estate, consider the serenity and peace of a small village with access to resort style living in Indian Lake. Great schools and friendly neighbors make this a place to put on top of the list when doing a search for that perfect home.

5 Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender

Purchasing a home is a large investment of time, energy and resources. Consumers who decide to buy property should take time to consider all the options and challenges involved in the process. Learn some of the best questions to ask a potential mortgage lender and what to avoid when starting out the search.

Avoid Buyer's Remorse

Twenty-one percent of home buyers reported buyer's remorse over the lender. People who became dissatisfied cited lack of communication, unmet expectations and pressures to select specific products as reasons for not liking a chosen lender. People who are happy with mortgage professionals cited quick, friendly responses that were combined with fair pricing. Trust is key when building rapport with a lender and is something to watch for in the selection process.

Finding a Lender

A lender or broker who works with an individual, couples or families will ultimately be the best one to choose for a property purchase. Whether meeting face-to-face or working online and over the phone, a lender should meet some general requirements. Get started with the following five open-ended questions.

Is the timing right? Lenders should look at all facets of an individual's portfolio, including debt-to-income ratio, how much a person plans to put down and other factors. A lender should explain a situation in a way that is easily understood.

Should I repay personal debts prior to closing? Good lenders will suggest looking at a person's credit history to see how to improve the credit score. According to credit reporting agency Experian, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. Anything over 800 is excellent which can help bring down interest rates and increase the likelihood of a good deal. Free reports can be ordered online or supplied by the lender.

What should I know about pay points? An interest rate may be paired with mortgage discount points. One discount point typically amounts to 1 percent of the loan amount. One point on a $250,000 mortgage might equal $2,500. The longer a person plans to live in a home, the more sense it makes to pay points.

What will closing costs be in the end? Any lender will make sure consumers understand all the costs up front that will be involved. Scammers can wipe away buyer's closing funds during electronic transfers so it is best to understand how money is transferred, and how much, once the deal closes.

Who services the loan? A servicer is the company that collects mortgage payments and deals with late or missed payments. Some lenders service their own mortgages or outsource servicing. Others may sell the mortgage. While a consumer typically has no say on who services the loan, the question is a good one to give lenders. It will provide an opportunity to understand the scope of business and commitment to consumers.

Buying a home is an exciting time for potential owners but finding the right one can take some time. Choice Properties is committed to helping potential buyers find the right opportunity at the right price. Call us to find out how to get started on your home search needs.

The Indian Lakes region is a beautiful, scenic place to buy a home. Bellefontaine has top rated schools, amazing community of people and has been growing in popularity for individuals and families looking for affordable homes. Learn some things to do before looking to buy a home in Bellefontaine.

Checklist for Buying a Home in Bellefontaine

No matter whether a person is a first-time buyer or experienced owner, a house purchase requires some checks before moving forward. The following is a great start.

Strengthen credit scores

Generally speaking, the higher a credit score, the more desirable it appears to potential lenders. Anything below 660 or 680 may result in paying fees or a higher down payment. To get the best rates available, stay above 700 but, ideally, a score at 750 or above will receive the best mortgage rates. Review credit reports prior to applying for a mortgage to assess credit worthiness and make any adjustments.

Go low

FHA financing accounts for one-fifth of loans which dictates a payment cannot exceed 31% of monthly income. A safe formula is to stay at or below 28% of gross monthly income. Calculate mortgage payments in the desired price range, along with expenses and bank the difference.

Save money

Depending on credit and financing, it generally helps to save enough for a down payment between 3% to 20% of the home's price. To receive an FHA loan, a credit score must be 580 or higher. Saving up now can result in lower, shorter payments and save money in the long run.

Build up savings

Loan fees can add up including closing costs. Building savings is something people can do to save up for anticipated costs. Save up anywhere from 3 to 5 months' worth of mortgage payments to demonstrate financial stability. Having money in the bank can demonstrate to the financer equity and are generally considered lower risk for mortgages.

Get pre-approved

Serious home buyers must focus on the most important thing which is getting everything in order. Prior to shopping, look at financing and get that in place. The preapproval process is much more extensive than it was a few years ago.

Buying the dream house

Bellefontaine is a beautiful area with lots of places to search for the perfect home. Do some research to find the right home that will keep the family happy for years to come. Whether it is a vacation property or permanent home, focus on finding the right home, in the right price range which is affordable and has most of the desired amenities. Step back, be certain the home is the right one and only move forward when it feels right.

Speaking with an experienced, qualified real estate agent can help guide a home search. A Choice Properties real estate agent can support individuals in the search for a property in Bellefontaine and surrounding areas.