New Albany Ohio Real Estate

In a recent blog post, I noted that home sales results for 2009 in New Albany, Ohio were off the 2008 pace.  I realize that what I didn’t say is that while sales are off, some homes in New Albany are selling.   With the spring selling season about to begin, I want to share some sure fire ways to make sure that your home is one of the ones that sells.   

New Albany Homes Accurately Priced are Selling

Buyers have a lot of homes to choose from right now, so pricing is critical.  You have to get the price correct right from the beginning.  Tony and I find that if you don’t separate your home from the “pack”, you run the risk of following the market down.  Leading the market is a much better place to be.  We have sold over 300 homes  in New Albany.  As New Albany realtors, we know how to price your home correctly. 

Homes for Sale Must Be in Tiptop condition

Pretend your home is competing in a beauty contest with other homes for sale in New Albany.  To win that contest, your home has to be the best.  Take an objective look at your home to see what needs to be repaired or replaced and put a plan into motion to take care of these things.  We have an extensive list of things you should to do to prepare your home for sale at our website.    

Dress Your New Albany Home for Success

Home staging works!  Select a New Albany real estate team who will use their home staging expertise to ensure your New Albany home looks like a “model”.  A staged home makes a great first impression and makes your home more universally appealing. I’m including a couple of photos of well staged rooms to give you the idea.

We’ve listed 3 recommendations to help position your New Albany home for a quicker, more profitable sale.  What other suggestions do you have to help sell a home for top dollar?  We’d love to hear from you so leave us a comment below and tell us what you think! 

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 Time is of the Essence.

We see that phrase a lot in real estate contracts.  It’s also very apropos when it comes to requesting a tax adjustment on your New Albany Home, from the Franklin County Auditor.  The deadline for filing is just around the corner; March 31, 2009.

Can I get my Real Estate taxes lowered? Yes, In three easy steps.

1.)   Do you have a case?

Well, if you believe that your home’s Market value on the tax rolls is substantially greater that the amount you could sell it for in today’s market, you have a good case to plead with the tax man.  Check out the auditors Property Search  page.  Enter you street number and address.  You will then be taken to the “Summary” page. 

 2) Prove Your Case.

“Wow, that crazy auditor has my home’s market value just slightly north of the Bellagio Hotel. If he’ll buy it for that, he can have it!”  So now you’re clear that his valuation is out of step with today’s market, you just gotta prove it. Okay, back on the Auditor’s Property Search summary page look to the left and click on map (GIS). Check out the homes around you and see if they are valued more reasonably and begin to build a file of  “Comparable properties”.  (Hint, look for ones that have sold recently.)

Next, got to our web site, and click on the “What’s My Home Worth Right Now” tab to get a real-time market analysis.

The other option is to hire a professional appraiser to do a market valuation appraisal on your property.  We have a number of appraisers whom we can recommend.

3. Go get ‘em tiger!

Okay, you’re almost ready.  Download the “Complaint Against Valuation of Real Property” form fill it out and follow the instructions for filing. 

Help is just a phone call (or email) away if you need it.

We’ve assisted many clients in this process and almost all have been successful in getting their taxes adjusted to reflect true market value.  If you have any questions regarding the process or comps, just give us a shout at 614-939-8944. 

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New Albany Ohio is following the same trends seen in the national economy with respect to housing.  Home sales in New Albany for the 1^st two months of 2009 dropped to the lowest level we’ve seen in the past 10 years.  As you can see in the chart below, unit sales are off 48% of the 2008 pace and 55% off 2006, the highest recorded year. 

A survey by Reuters of 47 professional forecasters, predict the economy will begin to recover in the second half of this year.  That said, we are seeing homes sell right now, that are priced in front of the market and in excellent condition; just not as many as in years past.

New Albany Real Estate Sales January, February - 10 Years in Review

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2008 Real Estate Activity in The Preserve

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2008 New Albany Links Homes Sold by Price Point

2008 New Albany Links Active Listings vs. Sold Listings

2008 New Albany Links Average $/Square Foot

2008 New Albany Links Homes Sold

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2008 New Albany Country Club Active Listing vs. Sold Listings

2008 NACC Average $/Square Foot

2008 NACC Units Sold

2008 NACC Homes Sold by Price Point

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2008 Hampsted Village Active Listings vs. Sold Listings

2008 Hampsted Village Average Price Per Square Foot

2008 Hampsted Village Homes Sold by Price Point

2008 Hampsted Village Homes Sold

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Albany, Ohio (December 1, 2008)  Certified Distressed Property Expert, Tony Thomas, of New Albany Realty in New Albany insists that foreclosure is not the answer to the current home ownership crisis looming throughout Franklin County.

“Foreclosure, not unlike a surgical procedure, should be viewed as the final recourse after everything else has been explored and not the first treatment choice,” said Thomas.  “Many Ohioans are fearful of their situations and do not realize that there are very positive steps that can be taken to avoid foreclosure.”

Tony Thomas recently completed certification in Los Angeles, California as a Distressed Property Expert. Thomas views his CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) designation and his commitment to help financially distressed homeowners, as both a responsibility and an obligation to his profession. His focus with homeowners facing foreclosure is to give them the hope of a dignified solution to their financial crisis through current lender loan modification, loan refinancing (short or long-term) or a short sale (a lender-approved sale at less than the outstanding loan balance).

Over 85% of the clients served by CDPE real estate professionals avoid foreclosure.  Alex Charfen founder of the Distressed Property Institute believes that homeowners surrounded by a strong CDPE real estate agent team including legal and financial referrals have the greatest chance of avoiding foreclosure and at minimal financial investment to the homeowner.

Thomas’ commitment to help save homeowners from Foreclosure occurred after participating in numerous short sales and bank owned transactions.  Witnessing the helplessness, utter sense of aloneness and guilt felt by homeowners facing foreclosure compelled Thomas to act as a homeowner advocate lending a helping hand of expertise and compassion.  With his ten years of real estate experience, his commitment to education, strong marketing, systems development and checklists, combined with his knowledge of the pre-foreclosure process, have given his clients an advantage in this current epidemic of foreclosures.

“Not having a clear understanding of the elements and consequences of foreclosure lead many homeowners to just give up,” said Thomas.  “And believe me there is a huge difference in life after foreclosure as opposed to life without foreclosure. We may not be able to save every house, but we can offer the saving hand to every financially distressed homeowner.” 

For a confidential phone interview regarding your real estate questions, contact Tony Thomas at (614) 939-1234 or tonyt@newalbanyrealty.com.

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December 1-6

New Albany Cares Week-New Albany High School Eagle Ambassadors. Food collection to benefit-Mid-Ohio Food Bank ~ Drive thru on Sat. Dec 6th from 8:00- 12:00 at the bus loop between the high school and middle schools. 

December 4 

A Remarkable Evening New Albany Community Foundation, New Albany Signature Series For ticket information call Hinson Ltd 416-7100

December 5

Junior League Kick Off Party, 464-2717, 7-10 p.m., New Albany Ballet Company. Tickets: http://www.jlcolumbus.org/. $75 each, includes admission to tour.

December 6

It’s a Wonderful House Holiday Tour of Homes 464-2717   10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tickets $20 Advance; $25 at door. http://www.jlcolumbus.org/   All proceeds fund Junior League of Columbus Charities. 

December 7

Holiday Celebration at Market Square 855-4400   www.newalbanychamber.com ”Ring in the Season” 1-5 p.m. Train rides, crafts, cookie decorating, Visits with Santa, Jingle Bell Horse & Buggy Rides, Caroling & tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.

December 10

TechStart, New Albany Country Club, Free Networking event 5:30-7:30 p.m. 487-3700. Register http://www.techcolumbus.org/

Dec. 11^th & 13^th

Hayley Gallery - Jewelry trunk show at 45 Second St. NA http://www.hayleygallery.com/ 855-4856

December 12-14

“Nutcracker 2008″ Presented by the New Albany Ballet Company ~ 939-9058 

December 13

Kids Holiday Toy Drive-Kick off Plain Township Fire Department ~ firedept@plaintownship.org. 855-7370

December 18

Chamber’s Annual Holiday Salute at the Hilton at Easton 11:30 a.m. $25 per person. http://www.newalbanychamber.com/

December 21

3 p.m. Holiday Pops Concert at the McCoy Center With the New Albany Symphony http://www.newalbanysymphony.com/ 

Dec. 31

Hayley Gallery Artist Opening Reception & 2^nd Annual New Year’s Eve Party FREE Featuring mixed media artist Kim Thanasiu 9:30 p.m.till ? 45 Second St. NA 855-4856 http://www.hayleygallery.com/

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Today’s shifting economy has created some hardships and heartache within the real estate market, even in New Albany, Ohio.  You may have heard the term “short sale” being used lately with regards to real estate.   Many are unfamiliar with what a short sale is.  The “short” in short sale refers to a situation where the debt owed on a property is more than the current market value of the property.  In order for a property to transfer to a new owner, the seller’s lender needs to agree to accept less than is owed on the home. 

Short Sale vs Foreclosure

A short sale can be a way to prevent a foreclosure which is advantageous to both the seller and the lender.  The advantages to a short sale include a negotiated settlement with the bank and without attorneys or a court appearance.  The seller’s credit is “bruised” but not ruined and you can buy a home again in two years.  A short sale inevitably saves the lender money over the cost of the foreclosure process often making it the best solution for all parties. 

How Can Kate & Tony Help?

It’s important to have an advocate working for you - someone you can trust who will assist you through the bureaucracy of the mortgage industry.  We have counseled and assisted numerous clients through this process.  It’s a time consuming process but resolving this in the pre-foreclosure period is far more desirable than dealing with foreclosure.  It allows a seller to get on with their lives.  Tony and I welcome your questions.  Please contact Kate or Tony Thomas for a private consultation if you or someone you know finds themself needing to consider a short sale strategy.  You aren’t alone - we can help.

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