HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Happy Holidays from the "4forU" Team!

This holiday season, we would like to thank our clients, Real Living HER & our affiliates for making 2008 such a great year. We faced many challenges as housing values declined, credit restrictions tightened & days on market increased. Working as a team, we brought over 50 transactions to the closing table and helped numerous buyers & sellers through a difficult market. It has been an honor!
May the spirit of Christmas fill your home with love!

Kelly, Jeanne, Maggie & Susan

Citywide House Hop

This Sunday, Real Living HER is sponsoring their second Citywide House Hop Open House event. The "4forU" Team has selected six outstanding properties to feature this Sunday. These homes represent a variety of options available on the market today and range in price from $235,000 to $1,250,000. The 4forU offers a significant advantage to Columbus buyers & sellers, because we cover the entire Central Ohio region. Please stop by and visit one of our open houses this Sunday between 1 & 3 PM!

German Village:
http://242ebeckst.realliving.com/
http://284learst.realliving.com/
http://177concordpl.realliving.com/

Upper Arlington:
http://2036beverlyrd.realliving.com/
http://1668mccoyrd.realliving.com/

Hilliard:
http://1400newellct.realliving.com/

CHOOSING A LENDER

There have been many recent changes in the mortgage industry, requiring increased consumer understanding. Following are 5 steps that will help buyers select a qualified lender!

1. Buyers should work with "well-capitalized" lenders who can ensure funds will be there at closing. As liquidity tightens, mortgage companies are struggling to fund their loans.

2. Buyers should work with a lender that can offer a variety of loan products. There are many types of loans available including FHA, VA, Conforming & Non-Conforming loans.

3. Buyers should ALWAYS get preapproved versus prequalified. I have learned this the hard way! Nobody benefits when time is spent house hunting, only to learn that the buyer does not qualify for a mortgage. Sellers should ALWAYS demand a fully underwritten preapproval (subject to appraisal) before tying up their property.

4. Sellers should also get preapproved if they are mortgaging their next transaction. Due to recent mortgage changes, some sellers may find that they no longer qualify for a new home loan after they sell their current residence.

5. Buyers should work with a lender that will give them an "on-time" closing guarantee. Recent documentation changes have slowed the processing time for many mortgage loans. An on-time guarantee demonstrates lender confidence in their ability to make the closing date.

Contact the "4forU" Team for a list of qualified lenders with proven performance records.

F.A.T.E.

Set the stage with fine art! Today we hosted a luncheon & open house for area Realtors at a magnificent estate along the Scioto River. The homeowners have already moved, and the home now sits vacant with over 7000 sq.ft. of living space. In an effort to enhance the overall ambience of the home, we utilized the services of F.A.T.E. (Fine Art To Enhance). They brought in the work of 7 local artists and created a gallery experience for guests to enjoy. The work selected was complimentary to the home and amplified the beauty of the architecture.

F.A.T.E. provides opportunities for area businesses & homeowners to lease fine art. One piece of fine art can do more to enhance a room than an entire cluster of furnishings. For more information, contact Michelle Brandt at 614-783-4931.

The "4forU" Team is always looking for creative ways to assist our sellers. Let us know what has worked well for you!

SMELLS THAT SELL!

It is a scientific fact that smells can evoke strong emotional reactions! Surveys indicate that many of our reactions to odors are based purely on emotional associations. This is especially important information for home sellers! I have opened many doors with prospective buyers only to be turned off by the smell of dogs, cats, cooking odors or strong chemical air fresheners. Although this can be an uncomfortable discussion with sellers, it is too important to overlook.

Scent preferences are a highly personal matter connected to personal memories & associations. A universally perceived pleasant fragrance is vanilla. Following are some recipes for homemade air fresheners that might just make a difference when marketing your home!

1. To quickly get rid of odors (especially fish), simply heat some white vinegar on the stove (DON'T BOIL), and after about 30 minutes, remove it. The slight vinegar smell dissipates quickly and takes any odors with it.
2. Pour a little white vinegar on a washrag and wipe the walls down lightly with it. As soon as it's dry, the room smells clean and "sweet" without the heavy scent of perfume.
3. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray. The baking soda absorbs the odor. You can also add some pure vanilla extract.
4. Tuck a dryer sheet under the couch or in air vents.
5. Dampen several cotton balls with pure vanilla extract and place in a dish for several hours in an odorous area of the house.
6. And don't forget to regularly open your windows and let some fresh air circulate!

Do you have a favorite trick for managing pesky odors? PLEASE SHARE!

Out With A Bang!

What a whirlwind week for The "4forU" Team! Some markets may be stalling, but there is plenty of activity in and around Columbus.

I learned some good lessons this week in the negotiation of new construction. After searching the re-sale market in Columbus suburbs, my young buyers decided to move forward with the purchase of an M/I inventory home. I think that it's important for anyone who is buying a new build in a developing community to understand all the pros and cons - and especially the importance of having a long-term commitment to that new home & community.

There are some great opportunities with builders right now, but it is more important than ever to have buyer respresentation. In an effort to secure buyers, there are special rate programs to investigate and plenty of negotiation room on base prices. Buyers need to be careful not to overspend on upgrades that serve as a smokescreen to the true price of the home.

And now a plug for me & my team... we are ALL certified new construction specialists. Don't think you are going to save money going it alone. Reputable builders do not offer discounts if you are not represented by a buyer's agent!

*** Click on the title link for a list of all July 4th festivities around Columbus!

REALTOR© CARE DAY

The second annual Realtor© Care Day took place on June 5th and was a terrific success. I worked on the Columbus Board's Committee to oversee the project and witnessed a great collaborative effort on the part of many to make the day a success. This year the CBR partnered with the Columbus Housing Partnership to enhance the Tray Lee Community Center, part of the American Addition community at Joyce & Sigsbee Roads.

The Tray Lee Community Center was raised up by Reverend Traylor and four dedicated women who wanted to provide an after school center for area children. A mural has been designed in their honor by Columbus artist, Greg Cantwell, depicting their faces and the faces of many important historical figures. It is a lasting tribute to the people whose contribution continues to enhance the lives of others.

Local area Realtors© took on projects closer to their home base. Here in Upper Arlington, Realtors© worked at the corner of Northam & Camden to assist a homeowner who was unable to care for the increasing overgrowth of bushes, weeds, etc. It was a great day to give back to the communities in which we live and work!