Star One Launches New Mobile Website

Star One Realtors has recently launched their new Mobile Website!  Unlike other companies, Star One sees the value of operating a mobile site with features similar to that of a mobile App - By creating and maintaining a mobile site, Star One can provide ALL the features that consumers use and enjoy when searching for properties and information - WITHOUT having to download a clunky app that needs to be updated and takes up space on your phone!  Also, by having an online site - means it works on your phone - be it iPhone, Android or Blackberry.  If you have a data plan - you can use it on your phone!

Simply point your mobile phone browser to:  starone.com
The mobile site will load right up for you.

This simple interface immediately allows you to search by Address / MLS # or Agent Name.  Or use the "Find Near Me" tool to locate homes right where you are currently located.
You can also "Search for Properties", Look up an Agent by name and contact them directly through the interface.  Locate an office - and instantly launch your own mapping app to receive turn by turn directions.
Out on a Sunday and looking for Open Houses - One click locates available Open houses near you, by Address, or by features or Area.

Above, you can see the view if searched by agent.  You get immediate contact info for that agent, and can launch your phone's apps directly from the browser to contact them in the manner you prefer.  Also, below the agent info are their available listings.  If you select an individual listing, you get:

Yes - more detailed information, including all available photos, and particular statistics.  Also, A quick button will locate other homes close to the one your are viewing.  Now...for the cool part:

Just above the main photo, you can see a link for "English and Spanish".  By selecting one of these the website will audibly provide you the home information!  Allowing you to listen to the features, while scrolling through the photos of the home.  Now that's pretty sweet!

Remember - this allows you access to information on ALL properties currently listed in the Cincinnati MLS - not just the ones belonging to Star One Realtors.  So get out there and shop!

Chris W.
chris@chrisjwood.com

Realtor® Good Neighbor Award Winners Step Forward to Help People in Need

Congratulations to Mark Meinhardt as a Good Neighbor Award recipient! Mark received honorable mention and received a $2500 grant for the Sophie's Angel Run that they host every year. The intent of Sophie's Angel Run is:

• To raise awareness of lack of funding for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research
• Raise money for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research
• Keep Sophie’s Memory alive through educational scholarships at St. Jude School
• Help her family and immediate community through the grieving process

Click the link below to read about Mark and all the other winner's of the Good Neighbor Award. Click the link above to visit the Facebook page for Sophie's Angel Run to learn more about this wonderful charity, their efforts and how you can help!


www.sophiesangelrun.org

Realtor® Good Neighbor Award Winners Step Forward to Help People in Need | RealEstateRama:

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September Sales up Nearly 9%...Should I be excited?

While that is a good number, anytime we can see a positive number like that it's a good thing, There is another side to it. The Average price of those sales is down another -2.63%. Cincinnati has posted a third month with an increase in sales, however, a third month with a decrease in average price. We are still down on the year compared to this time in 2010 and we're down across the board on those numbers.

I have to say...all in all...not as bad as I had expected.  Homes are selling, but clearly the motivating factor in Buying a home is the price.  (Did you hear that Mr. and Mrs. Seller?)  Yes, your home can sell, but No, not likely for the amount that you would want, or perhaps need.

So, September overall looked like this:

We are likely up in September of 2011 because sales in September of 2010 were pretty slow after the Home Buyer Tax Credit ended.  Folks just needed to take a break, and most of the good inventory had been picked from the market.  What was left in 2010 was...shall we say, less than move in ready.  

Moving forward, I do expect us to return to a bit more normalcy, as sellers are smarter and more realistic about price and have gotten pretty creative in marketing their homes and attracting buyers.  Buyers continue to take their time to pick through the inventory, however, and that tends to slow things down a bit.   We'll move into the holiday season and likely see a normal reduction in sales - but we will see some sales!  

If you are looking at these numbers and thinking, how does this affect my home in my area then send me an email.  I will be happy to provide you with an Market Position Analysis showing you just how your home would stack up in today's market.  I do this for free, because I'm a nice guy and, well, You should know how your investment is doing.

Chris Wood

chris@chrisjwood.com

March Home Sales stink more than we want them too.

Ok...Don't shoot the messenger.

In a quick review of the March 2011 numbers compared to 2010 March numbers we can really see the effects of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.  In an effort to "clean up" the numbers, the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors is releasing numbers using a 3-year rolling average.  This can be helpful to see what is going on - while attempting to take out some of the affects of the tax credit.  These numbers are below: 

Closings:
March 2009:  1,389
March 2010:  1,594
March 2011:  1,477

3 year Avg:  1,487
# Closings:  -0.7%

Now, for you purists out there, me being one of them, Let's just look at the straight up number compared to last year.

Closings:March 2010:  1,594
March 2011:  1,477

# Closings:  -7.34%
Gross Volume:  -18.93%  (yep, that's pretty Gross)
Average Price:  -12.51%

(yeah, I see why they might want to Average those things out over 3 months rather than just a straight up comparison).  That's just Nasty.

 There are some trends that are looking up, like the local job market - Unemployment dropped last month to 8.9%, the best reading since January 2008, as well as Cincinnati's numbers on housing - we are out performing other major Ohio cities like Dayton, Columbus and the Cleveland/Akron area by significant margins.

So, while there are some items that we can cling to to improve our mood this Spring - until people start buying houses again, we will be grasping at the wind.  Rates on Loans are still quite impressive - if you can get one.  The number of hoops to jump through to get a loan have increased greatly with lenders continuing to be more and more cautious about where they put their money.  (Wouldn't you?)  

Meanwhile, Inventory continues to increase with an apparent lack of buyers on the market - this makes for once again some long marketing times for those folks trying to sell.  Hopefully some Sun will brighten those days waiting with an influx of buyers - the non-fence-sitting type.  (Hey, it's my dream I can see it how I want).  In the meantime - as it has been, PRICE will continue to be a driving factor in sales.  If you are thinking about selling - now is the time to talk to a professional so that you are aware of your options.  Give me a call and we get those options sorted out.

Chris W.

FHA Announces Increase to Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium

From a recent announcement by the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors we get some confirmation that loans are going to start costing more money. It's a big increase when you see what it does to your monthly payments

 From CABR:

HUD Mortgagee Letter 11-10 includes an announcement from FHA regarding an increase to the Annual Mortgage Insurance Premium on standard FHA loan programs and a change that affects case numbers.

Here are the 7 things you need to know about these changes:

1. These changes are effective April 18^th, 2011.

2. The Annual Insurance Premium will increase .25% for standard forward mortgages*. The Upfront Mortgage Insurance** remains at 1.00%.

3. The Annual Premium was .90% is now 1.15% for LTVs GREATER than 95% on 30-year loans

4. The Annual Premium was .85% is now 1.10% for LTVs EQUAL to or LESS than 95% on 30-year loans

5. The Annual Premium  was .25% is now .50% for LTVs GREATER than 90% on 15-year loans

6. The Annual Premium was 0% is now .25% for LTVs EQUAL to or LESS than 90% on 15-year loans

To illustrate, on a home priced at $163,000 with 3.5% down, the monthly payment was $118 per month and is now $151 per month-- a $33 per month increase.

I believe we'll start to see these types of changes in all types of loans - Banks have been tightening up their requirements for some time, but now they are going to start requiring more money down, and still charging you more - even if you have the money to put down.

Chris Wood
REALTOR

Loveland City Schools to add 3.5mil levy on ballot in May

In a January board meeting a resolution was passed to add an Operating Levy to the May 2011 Ballot. Click here to ready the announcement by Loveland District: Loveland City Schools

You may recall a levy that was difficult to pass back in 2008, took them twice to get it done. That levy was a non-increase and the board promised to not ask for more money until 2012. That Levy is set to expire January 2012, when this new one will take affect. - So the board can say that promises were kept. This upcoming Levy is being asked to help cover increase operating costs and is expected to generate around2.7 million additional dollars for the district.

Loveland Board of Education President, Dr. Kathryn Lorenz said, "It is always difficult to come to the community asking for additional funds, but the Board believes that we have been responsible with the taxpayer funds entrusted to the district and can show additional funds are needed now. The new funds are not for added programs, but rather, to continue programming and maintain the district's academic excellence."

The levy request is being asked because revenue from multiple sources is being lost. Federal Stimulus funds, personal tangible property revenue as well as tax dollars from Duke Energy. The board is expecting this levy to pass, but has stated that they are preparing a plan should it fail - likely including the usual threats of busing service, extra curricular activities, etc.

We will watch carefully as this unfolds and we move toward voting day. I expect to see a ramp up of conversation on this topic as we enter late March and throughout April. Check back for more updates!

Chris W.

REALTOR
chris@chrisjwood.com

Home for Sale in Lebanon Oh

This great home, located in Lebanon, has everything you could want. That is, if you want quite possible the largest master bathroom you've ever seen, HUGE walk in closet, updated kitchen with new stainless steel appliances.

This home is tucked away in a neighborhood that offers great basketball courts, proximity to walking and bike trails and minutes from the Countryside YMCA.  Offering a formal dining room, family room, walk out off the kitchen and 3 bedrooms with second floor laundry.  A full basement is ready for your creativity.













If you would like to see more of this home, visit:

402stonegate.chrisjwood.com

Where you can take a virtual tour, see additional photos, calculate your mortgage and schedule a private showing.

Chris Wood
REALTOR
chris@chrisjwood.com

A monthly list of To do Items for your Home!

Courtesy of our good friends over at Home Services Link!  Where you can find contractors you can trust, fast and easy - you name the project, they find you a contractor.

January - Flooring -  Are your carpets showing a little wear and tear? Have you always dreamed of having beautiful hardwood floors? Refinishing wood floors and replacing old carpet can reinvent a room without changing anything else. So kick-start your year with new flooring that is sure to wow (for less). January is the best time to take advantage of bargains. During this month you'll find the lowest prices on flooring material due to slow sales.

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February - Get rid of the clutter, Storage - There's no need to scrimp and save for an extravagant renovation project like adding a second story. Simply clearing up the clutter in your home can double it in size. Maximize winter's down time by organizing your closets, drawers, garage, computer files and storage areas. Focus on one room at a time and schedule different rooms for different days. Utilize a good all-in-one copier/printer/scanner to digitize paper documents and eliminate mounds of paper clutter. Need budget storage? Wire shelving systems brings order to closets and garages -- without costing a bundle. For your closets or office, turn to a professional for some great systems that can make like a lot easier.

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March - Spring Cleaning -  Don't be overwhelmed by the thought of spring cleaning. Breeze through the mess that winter has left behind by tackling it in a room-by-room fashion. Wash windows and floors; polish furniture; clean bathrooms; dust lightbulbs and light fixtures; tame clutter zones; and polish wood furniture. No time for a big scrubfest? Remember, you have a whole month -- so don't try to get all your spring cleaning done at once. Break it down and you can clean your home in just 10 minutes a day.  OR you can hire a professional for less than a few hundred dollars to handle the large items while you knock out the little nuances.

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April - April showers bring May flowers, and a need to check your gutters -Rain gutters carry away thousands of gallons of water from your house's exterior and foundation walls. But after a harsh winter of diverting rainwater and melted snow from the roof, your gutters are due for an inspection and cleaning before the heavy rains begin. It's advisable to revisit this project late in the fall too when leaves, twigs and other debris have fallen and collected in gutters.  CAUTION, this is something that many homeowners try themselves, this is a project that should only be performed by a professional, you don't want to take a chance of falling off the roof.

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May - Get your deck ready for grilling - Pressure washing is a fast and easy way to blast grime, mold and mildew off of your home's exterior, decks, driveways, and sidewalks. Pressure washing is a potentially hazardous job, so stand at least three feet away from the surface you're cleaning. Make sure to avoid windows, light fixtures, and anything else that could break under the pressure. If you're not comfortable using the equipment, simply hose off the surface instead. Many companies can make your deck look brand new with their special products and tools.

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June - Better make your AC is ready! - A properly maintained air conditioning system will run more efficiently, use less energy and lower your utility bills. For window air conditioning units, clean the filter and coils. Concerning central air conditioning units, it's highly recommended that you call a professional to inspect your system. In addition to pro help, you can DIY clean your system by replacing your air conditioner filters regularly; this will cut down significantly on dust and allergens in the home. Also, clean the condenser and evaporator coil in the unit.

July - Paint - A fresh coat of paint is the easiest and cheapest way to dramatically change a room's appearance. It not only adds to your home's appeal, it can even make it look cleaner.

August - Get Ready For Guests, Deep Clean Your Carpet - After a messy winter and active summer, nearly a year's worth of spills, foot traffic, accidents and lively pets have taken a toll on your carpets. Give flooring a quality cleaning to remove dust, dirt and grime buildup that is embedded deep down in carpet fibers. Shampooing or deep cleaning your carpeting will give it a tidy appearance, as well as a fresh smell.

September - Roof Repair - Roof shingles will eventually come loose in spots, so take advantage of the reasonable fall temperatures to inspect your roof for loose and damaged shingles. The harsh winds and cold winter weather can exacerbate shingles, potentially causing a small roof leak. Make sure to repair damage well in advance of the first snowfall.

October - Yard Work - Your thoughts may be turning towards winter, but this is a time to actually start prepping for spring. To ensure a beautiful lawn next year, complete important yard work such as raking leaves, fertilizing, top dressing, and re-seeding in the fall.

November - Fires may be romantic, but make sure they're safe as well - With winter just around the corner, now is the perfect time to prepare your fireplace. Part of this preparation includes inspecting and cleaning the accumulation of soot, ashes and debris from your wood-burning, gas or electric fireplace. Doing this will assure safe and efficient heating of your home come winter.

December - It's here...BURR.  Winterize your home - Old Man Winter is ready to roar and wreak havoc on your home and energy bills. Combat the chill by sealing gaps around door and windows with weather-stripping: an easy, inexpensive tool for sealing openings, staying warm, and reducing your heating bills.

Chris Wood
chris@chrisjwood.com

Closing out the year...with baited breath

We closed out December with 1,197 Homes being sold through our Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati and 16,903 homes sold in all of 2010.  How does that compare to last year you ask?  I'm glad you did!

Comparatively, we sold 9.80% fewer homes in December of 2010 than we did in December 2009.  I can try to dig into the bright side here but quite frankly, I don't have the energy for it.  Let's face it, that number stinks; now - let's get on with getting on.  As we look overall through 2010, we can see that home prices do seem to have stabilized a bit, and while inventory still seems a high for the volume (or lack thereof) of buyers in the market we seem to be moving in a positive direction.  As an added benefit, rent prices are increasing and with continued low rates and still depressed home prices it can quickly become advantageous for renters to buy.

For the year of 2010, we sold 16,903 homes which is 10.15% fewer homes than were sold in 2009 but as I said earlier the median price of homes is 0.88% positive over the median price of homes sold in 2009.  If you are a "glass is half full" kind of person this number is for you.  I could make it look better by reporting the "Average" - but I don't really like averages and I feel that the median numbers give us a much better view of what the market is REALLY doing.

Getting inside these numbers we see a few things. #1 - Lender involvement in the above numbers for 2010 is just above 30%.  That means that over 30% of 2010's sales where short sales, foreclosure properties, etc.  Believe it or not that number is down by -1.23% over 2009.  But don't expect that number to decline anymore through 2011 - in fact, it may approach closer to 40% again by the time the year is out.  #2 - Lenders are sitting on close to 3 Million properties that are currently over 3 months delinquent in their mortgage payments.  This is a problem that will not be going away in a year or two.  You could look at this foreclosure market a variety of ways.  For another view of this you can visit The Angry Capitalist and enjoy Dan's insight on the housing market - the economy and what's wrong with the world, and you for that matter!  There are some good reads there - I don't agree with all of them but he's a smart guy and I always enjoy a different perspective.  We've got a long way to go here and I expect 2011 will provide us with some ups and downs - much like 2010.  What this country needs right now are jobs!  Solve that quandary and you will be amazed at how quickly other things will follow suit.

My advice, if you are thinking about putting your house on the market - think long and hard about why.  And before you do, consult with a REALTOR® to find out what the market is willing to pay for your home.  A good plan, starts with good planning.

Chris Wood
chris@chrisjwood.com