Ohio is the place to be for many individuals and families. There is a natural beauty, parks, and close access to highways which provide opportunities to explore nearby cities and towns. No matter what someone is looking to see or do, there is always something happening right in your backyard. To get there, however, takes a few steps before a final move is completed. 

The Right Move

People who want to move often look for similar things. They want safety, established communities, great schools, arts, and lower cost of living than where they are from. With all these in mind, it is no wonder people are looking to Ohio as the place to live. Compared with other states, Ohio's cost-of-living is one of the best in the nation. Housing prices are low and costs for electric, water, heat, and other utilities remain lower than the national average. Some other great features to consider:

• Transit routes are all over, from door-to-door bus routes to national airports and upgrades being made every year, there are myriad ways to get to and from major cities and local towns
• Schools offer diversity, generous funding, and increasing opportunities in athletics and STEM programs
• Sports and recreation are high on the list for Ohioans. Whether you support state teams or national champs, there are many reasons to love Ohio

Be Prepared

Don't leave prep work until the last minute. Moving is a considerable expense and stressor. To best prepare for a move, it helps to have some key things in your back pocket:

• Outstanding realtor: don't move without having someone in your corner to help find the best home, place to live, and amenities to suit your family's needs
• Find a way to transport furniture and goods well before the move. Researching helps lower costs, including discounts to book online or in advance of the move date (if known)
• Research the weather. Depending on where you move from, the weather might be a rude awakening when it comes to winter. Snow, sleet, ice, and rain are all part of a fall to winter scenario. Be prepared to buy the necessary equipment like snow blowers, shovels, and more to cope with it in your new home

When the day finally comes to make the big move, get a checklist together. Write everything down, check the mail to be sure all bills will be forwarded and review school checklists. Everything can be sorted when the move happens if it is quick, but it helps to have some things done in advance with a follow-up list for after the move. Proper planning helps people manage their new life in a new place but what matters is being able to finally put everything in one place and begin to grow roots in the great state of Ohio. 

When people look for a great place to live, they think of Choice Properties. We are the best in our area for helping families make the right choice for them when it comes to where to live and what type of home you desire. We help you from sale of your home to close on the new property. 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.

Along with budgeting to purchase your first home, you may want to consider budgeting for items you will need to go along with your new house. Buying a home is an exciting time and can easily overtake your thoughts! However, you may not have thought about the list of items you need with a home that you did not need with an apartment. Stay tuned to learn what to purchase after buying your first home, leaving you fully prepared for tackling this journey head-on. 

New Locks

The first step when moving into a new home is changing the locks and updating your keys. There's a chance the previous owners gave friends or family a number of spare keys. Avoid any misunderstandings or worries by changing your locks. 

Lawnmower

For those who do not plan on hiring a lawn care service, purchasing a lawnmower definitely makes the top of the list. Take time to research brands and pricing to find one that fits with your needs and budget. 

Gardening Tools

While browsing lawnmower options are your local improvement store, don't forget to look through other outdoor necessities! Most likely, you will need a garden hose to wash cards, water flower beds, or to keep your grass green. Along with a hose, you should also consider a rake for leaves, weedwacker, or shovels for snow. It's best to be fully prepared when moving into your new home. 

Handyman Tools 

Buying an older home may mean small repairs here and there. It's highly advised to have a stocked tool box for last minute fixes, or for DIY projects! When purchasing a tool box, be sure it comes with:

• Hammar 
• Assorted screwdrivers
• Hacksaw 
• Pliers 
• Plumber's wrench
• Power drill 
• Staple gun
• Tape measure 

Miscellaneous Items to Purchase for Your New Home

Along with the essentials, you may also feel the need to purchase:

• Patio furniture 
• Outdoor grill 
• Window coverings (blinds, drapes, curtains)
• New kitchen appliances 
• New linens and towels

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.

5 Tips for Finding Ohio Property for Sale

Buying a new property can be a daunting task. The sheer amount of Ohio property for sale is overwhelming, and you may not know where to begin. Our years of experience in real estate in Ohio have taught us the best tips and tricks to find the perfect property for our customers. Using our tips will help you do the same.

Buyer's Best Interests

Naturally, you have your own best interests in mind when you're looking to make a big purchase. Consider here whether the seller's listing agent will also have your best interests in the transaction. Probably not. The dual agent representation scenario is the most common one in Ohio, however you can ask a different realtor to represent you exclusively. A buyer's agent will look out for you, and the seller should have no objection because it won't cost them anything. Beyond negotiating a transaction for you, a buyer's agent can also help you locate and look at properties within your budget, if you haven't been able to find one.

Professional Appraisals

When you apply for a mortgage, the lending institution will ask for a professional appraisal of the home you want to buy. This is to make sure that the agreed upon price is justified according to the current market value of the property. A professional appraiser will look at comparable Ohio property for sale, and arrive at a value. It's a cost that's well worth your while, and using a third party professional appraiser will ensure that you get an unbiased opinion.

Know Your Budget

The mistake a lot of buyers make, is finding a property they love first, and then finding out that it's out of their price range. The smart way is to figure out your budget first, and then look only at properties that fall within it. It is not advisable to buy so close to your target amount, that you become anxious at the thought of any further fees or repairs. There are a couple other approaches you can use, like adjustable rate mortgages to increase your budget and get you into a home you really want, that might be a little bit beyond your price range.

Buying Out Of State

Ohio property for sale is in demand, and you may be a buyer from out of state. In this case you will be concerned about how you will be able to monitor the purchase of a home long distance. You can look up the National Association of Realtors which is a nation-wide network of real estate sales professionals. You'll be able to find a real estate agent in the area where you are looking to purchase. Choice Properties can help you select the perfect home for you in Ohio and assist you to strike a deal when you have made that selection. Working with our agency will give you a real advantage as we have local knowledge.

Commission

It won't cost you more to be represented by a buyer's agent when it comes to commission, because the listing agent will split the sales commission with them. Commission is usually paid by the seller of the home. Only in one circumstance would you, as the buyer, pay commission to your agent, and that is when the house you are purchasing is FSBO, ie for sale by owner. This is where the owner has not listed the property with any selling agents, and would not want to pay the commission. In this case, it would be fair to expect the buyer to pay it, in consideration for the agent finding the home.

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

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!

Ohio lakefront living is beneficial in so many ways. Relaxation and peace are not the only reasons being by water increases overall health. Ohio has many beautiful spots to choose from when selecting the optimal lakefront property. Learn more about why waterfront homes provide so much for people who enjoy the serenity of living by a lake.

Health Benefits of Ohio Lakefront Living

Improve Cognitive Functioning

People are likely to enter a quiet, meditative state when near water. Close proximity to water floods the brain with feel good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. Because of this, people can enhance brain processing while slowing down to enjoy the peace being by water brings.

Fresh Air

Air quality near lakes is higher than inland air which makes it a healthy choice for individuals who want fresh, clean breezes blowing through their windows. After a day out on the lake or spending time near a lake, people tend to feel more refreshed and ready for the days ahead. Living that way every day is like being on permanent vacation.

Sounds of Silence

The soothing sounds of water coming up to shore or nature hovering nearby the water can be extremely relaxing. Nature and water have ways of calming down the senses from the overload of living with too much hustle and bustle. Spas use fountains with running water for this reason. Living near water will bottle this spa effect and bring it home to provide relaxation and a refuge from the outside world.

The "Blue Mind" Effect

Compelling research has shown that water tends to draw people in towards it, like a magnet. Much of a person's daily stress can be relieved by living closer to water. Green spaces in communities help reduce stress and water can provide the same effect.

Immunity

Immune systems function like a well-oiled machine. When stress is high, the machine may not run at optimal potential. As stress decreases, as it can do near water, a person will experience more positive health benefits inside the body including increased immunity. Lakefront living provides a healthier, more relaxed lifestyle in which to exist.

Lakefront living is a great opportunity to take advantage of all the health benefits it offers. Choice Properties provides the best selection of lakefront living at affordable price points and seeks to give you the best service through our top notch realtors.

Let us help you find the best lakefront Ohio property.

Give us a call today!

Selling a home in Indian Lakes does not have to be a hassle. Most places are experiencing a buyer's market with slower prices. Sellers must be prepared for an average of four months to sell a home. Learn ten tips for selling an Indian Lake home on the current market.

10 Steps to Selling Your Indian Lake Home

Recognize every market's differences

Every town, city and area will have a different trend. Regional markets are more important to look at than national markets. Try the following tips to review the Indian Lake market:

• Speak with a handful of professionals

• Do research

• Listen to gut instinct

Home inspection

Get a home inspected before calling a real estate agent. Early warning signs such as big repairs to be made can make the difference on deciding to buy a property. If a problem is discovered, it can be fixed prior to selling to help resale value.

Shape Up

Potential buyers will be interested in a home that looks and feels good. Six weeks prior to putting a home on the market is a great time to do the following:

• Fresh coat of paint

• Pressure-washing of the front walk and porch, polishing and general clean up

• Put in new mulch, landscaping elements and flowers to freshen up the look of the front

Marketing plan

Think about whether to find a real estate agent or do the selling without one. Selling without an agent can save the real estate commission but potential buyers may feel without an agent there are some disadvantages to buying the home.

Check into relocation company

Some companies may provide a list of real estate pros who will work with a person at a discount. If selling in a tight market, every little bit helps.

Interview real estate agents

Interview a few agents to ask opinions before putting the home on the market. Experience speaks volumes so look for agents with loads of experience selling in the area.

Set a price

People who overprice homes are wasting buyer's time as similar homes can be looked up on real estate apps online. Track actual sales prices and set it accordingly.

Understand the price

Many sellers won't make as much as neighbors who sell a home. It may be wise to wait a bit to sell until the price goes up as it is not advisable to undervalue a home.

Get rid of junk

Buyers will be fussy. Throw things out, store or donate that are not needed. Clear out clutter as buyers look for space and light.

Stay on top of the market

Be aware of market changes. Keep looking at comps and see trends before others do. The real estate market should be approached with cautious optimism.

Choice Properties real estate agents are able to assist sellers with putting a home on the market. Contact one of our experienced agents to find out how we can assist you in selling your property in Indian Lake.