Our REALTORS® know how important it is for you to save money during and after your home purchase. After all, it's crucial to budget for home maintenance, repairs, and renovations. The average buyers of Mansfield homes for sale strive to save about 1% of the purchase price per year for these expenses.
Have you been considering adding solar panels to your home? Upgrading to solar energy is expensive upfront, but it can offer some substantial advantages in the short and long term. Keep reading for a basic introduction on solar from our REALTORS®.
In business, preparation is the key to success. When it comes to owning a home, preparation is the key that keeps things in top shape. Your home is a valuable investment, and it's imperative that you plan ahead for maintenance. For exceptional results, our REALTORS® recommend planning for the following tasks, so they don't fall through the cracks.
Congratulations! You just bought your first home and can't wait to move in. Suddenly you realize that you'll need to buy a lot of new furnishings to fill the house. Don't worry, our REALTORS® know that buying your first home is a big expense, and we have some helpful tips for furnishing your new home without breaking the bank.
Housing has been through a wild ride in 2022. As the action settles down, our REALTORS® want aspiring homeowners to know there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of. With the right strategy, 2023 can be the year you achieve the dream of homeownership.
If you're not looking forward to another glitz and glam New Year's Eve party, why not spend this year at home with your family? Our REALTORS® have some ideas for a family-friendly New Year's Eve where you can hang out with the kids and stay casual and cozy around the fire.
Unless you're the perfect gift giver, you've probably realized at the last minute that someone in your life is missing a present. Instead of purchasing a random gift, you should consider putting together a personalized mason jar. To help you get started, our REALTORS® have whipped up a quick list of our favorite mason jar gift ideas.
With the holidays weeks away, it's time to think about your plans for the season. A holiday dinner party is a terrific opportunity to celebrate with food, fun, and fellowship. Here are some tips from our REALTORS® for hosting a memorable holiday dinner party.
Throwing a holiday dinner party can be stressful, but it also gives you the opportunity to make memories with your family and friends. Feel like your current home doesn't have enough space for holiday festivities? Contact us to explore your options!
Have you hesitated to get a real live Christmas tree because you're afraid it won't last long enough, or do you struggle with keeping your tree going every year? Most of us love the sight and fresh scent of a live Christmas tree, which is why many Mansfield homes for sale are decorated for the holidays this time of year. Fortunately, a healthy, well-cared-for tree should last around five weeks, providing plenty of time for the holiday season. Here are a few tips from our REALTORS® on keeping your tree alive and well until after Christmas.
In the excitement of shopping for a home for the first time, it's tempting to rush into a purchase. But before you commit to buying, Our REALTORS® would like to remind you to answer a few important questions.
As temperatures dip colder, you can take plenty of steps to prepare your home and shield your budget from overheated utility bills. Our REALTORS® recommend taking action sooner rather than later to ensure you don't end up with an eye-popping surprise in the mail.
The holiday season is just around the corner, so it's time to fill your home with holiday cheer and special greetings for those houseguests who come to visit. Our REALTORS® have tips to help you welcome your guests into a home filled with cozy comforts.
November is a big month for those who serve our country, as we honor them on Veterans Day November 11. But November is also Military Family Month, acknowledging the sacrifices made by service members' families.
If you're military, you know how suddenly Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders can be handed down. Civilians may have ample time to plan and carry out a move, but for military personnel, PCS orders can come quickly and with no warning. Here are a few tips from our REALTORS® to make your move as smooth as possible.
You've done your financial homework. You've saved money and made sure your credit score is healthy. Now it's time to go house shopping! How exciting is that? But before you reach out to our REALTORS® to tour available Bucyrus homes for sale, have you decided what you want? If you haven't given much thought to architectural options, you may want to consider some of the most prevalent styles in the area.
If you love Halloween, it's time to prepare your home for the food and the festivities. Our REALTORS® want you to have a fun-filled night with spooky little trick-or-treaters who are excited about yummy candy, scary costumes, and furry creatures that go bump in the night.
As soon as the sun goes down in Galion neighborhoods, trick-or-treaters will make the rounds to load up their pumpkin pails with delicious treats. Before they arrive, you must ensure that your yard and home are safe for Halloween. Here are five tips for a safe, fun-filled evening.
Did you know that October is Fire Prevention Month? The timing of this important month of awareness isn't coincidental. October is the beginning of fall and, therefore, the beginning of the season where most Americans start heating their homes for the winter. The National Fire Protection Association reports that home heating equipment is the second biggest cause of house fires, making October a timely reminder to begin thinking about how to protect your home and your family this winter. Here are five important tips for fire prevention from our REALTORS®.
Fall offers so many opportunities to stage your home, with some real advantages over summer. For one thing, the weather's cooler, and those shopping for their next house among Mansfield homes for sale may be more inclined to look and linger. We also have the opportunity for creative home staging, with a few fall displays of leaves, flowers, and fruits and some subtle fall scents in the home.
But fall also offers some challenges, particularly if you have trees with falling leaves. It can be you're expecting potential homebuyers just as your ash, birch, maple, and oak trees are shedding leaves. You'll have to be vigilant, raking as needed to keep the yard clear.
Though home trends come and go, filling your home with items you love to use will ensure that your home remains a comfortable, inviting haven.
Our REALTORS® know that it's important to have a space to work on your hobbies so that your home is a functional space you look forward to spending time in. Here are a few ways to repurpose an existing space for your hobbies.
Selling your home while you're still living in it is difficult for many sellers because it requires keeping the house show-ready, or not far from it, at all times. You never know when someone might schedule a showing, so you may have fairly short notice to clean and spruce up your home. Fortunately, decluttering and staging your home before listing it for sale will help prepare you for anything. Here are a few tips from our REALTORS® on decluttering when selling your home.
Before you can enjoy the pumpkin spice and everything nice that fall has in store, you have work to do as a homeowner. As you get ready to sit back and enjoy the beauty of the season, you have to take care of the landscaping and your home so that everything is ready for the cooler months ahead. Our REALTORS® suggest doing the following chores:
Autumn may be famous for ushering in pumpkin spice lattes, but our REALTORS® want to remind you that here in Ohio, fall also means more than 50 varieties of locally grown apples. Homebuyers shopping for Mansfield homes for sale may be interested to know that there are many opportunities nearby for them to take the kids to pick their own, like Apple Hill Orchards. But what are you going to do with all those apples? Here are a few kid-friendly ideas:
To build or buy? That's one of the first questions every homebuyer asks themselves before making a decision. Both choices offer plenty of benefits and plenty of challenges. Our REALTORS® know it's a difficult choice, but we also know that in most cases, buying a home is the better choice that offers far more advantages than drawbacks. As you consider your options, there are five key advantages every homebuyer should consider.
Summer sunshine and cool evening breezes are still here, so it's time to get outside and tackle some cleaning chores. Whether you prefer relaxing by the pool or hosting a family cookout, our REALTORS® know that it's much more fun in a clean outdoor environment.
If you're like most homeowners, you know outdoor chores aren't much fun, but they're necessary if you want a beautiful, safe home. Buyers looking for Galion homes for sale are impressed by well-manicured landscaping, clean decks and patios, spotless windows, and outdoor lighting. Take a look at seven outside cleaning tricks that will make your home shine.
Staging a home is one of the most effective ways to attract potential buyers. Like all things, it's easy to make a mistake when you haven't done it before. To help you out, our REALTORS® have put together a quick list of potential mistakes that you should avoid.
Can you believe summer is almost over? The first day of school is right around the corner, and while it will be a relief for some, it may be a frightening experience or a dreaded event for others. Our REALTORS® know that a new home can also mean a new school and would like to offer a few ideas to make the experience more positive.
When looking for Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, many buyers feel intimidated by the idea of the down payment. As in other kinds of loans, the down payment is the cash amount you'll "put down" to secure the transaction and get the financing you need.
Our REALTORS® know this is a potentially confusing issue. Advice about down payments has changed in recent years. Whenever the housing market takes a big swing, it's important to double-check all of your assumptions. A qualified real estate agent is the best person to ask.
Summer is an exciting season filled with fun activities. It means spending more time outdoors, catching up with friends, and enjoying the hot weather. Unfortunately, the weather is also ideal for bugs and mosquitoes during summer. Our REALTORS® compiled these tips to help you get rid of mosquitoes.
Of all the many delights of creating a backyard nature preserve, few can compare to the pleasures of watching hummingbirds visit your property. These fascinating creatures will provide hours of interest for you and your family, as you witness their vigorous aerobatics over your feeders or your hummingbird-attracting plants. Not only is it fun for you, but you're also helping hummingbirds survive by providing nectar, either in a feeder or in your choices of backyard plants.
If you've taken the plunge and bought a home from among Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, attracting hummingbirds is just one more way to maximize the enjoyment of your property while also helping out wildlife. Read on and try out these tips from our REALTORS® for attracting hummingbirds.
When looking for Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, how often do you consider the landscaping? Landscaping is essential, especially if the house is built on elevated or sloping yard space. Retaining walls not only help improve your yard but also present other benefits. Our REALTORS® have put together these benefits of retaining walls.
Our REALTORS® know that the Fourth of July is one of Ohio's biggest holidays, and starting this year, there will be new ways to celebrate at home. Beginning on July 1, 2022, Ohio's new fireworks law goes into effect, allowing adult residents to use consumer fireworks on certain holidays throughout the year. If you've just finished shopping for Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale and want to celebrate the Fourth of July in your new yard, it's important to practice good safety habits for consumer fireworks use.
Going green is the best way to keep some green in your wallet this year. If you're searching for ways you can reduce your environmental footprint, protect the ecosystem, and save money at the same time, then the following are five home features our REALTORS® recommend taking a look at as you consider upgrades for your home.
Aging brings many changes in lifestyle and personal needs that can have a significant impact on finances. While some seniors choose to remain in their homes and age in place, others choose to downsize and move to smaller homes. If you're considering a move, our REALTORS® have some tips to make downsizing to a new home a smoother transition.
If you're considering moving to Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, finding a home with the right amenities is essential for your senior years. Take a look at five home features that are important to your safety, health, lifestyle, and finances in your senior years.
The ideal for a garden or lawn does not include pesky weeds, which, if allowed to go unaddressed, can crowd out your cultivated plants, take up fertilizer and water, and leave you with a landscape far from your plan.
No doubt you're in love with that home you bought from among Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, and you want to improve it, inside and out. Springtime is, of course, prime time for cultivating your garden and creating a healthy-looking lawn. Among other tasks, that means keeping weeds out.
Even in a buyer's market with plenty of affordable houses with little competition, buying a home is a stressful endeavor. This stress is amplified in today's market, where prices remain high and scant inventory leads to bidding wars. You can quickly become emotionally drained between finding a home that suits your needs and navigating a grueling loan approval process. Our REALTORS® can take some of the strain off your shoulders, but it's just as important to arm yourself with information to avoid buyer burnout.
Read on for some tips and tricks on navigating what can be both a stressful and joyful journey.
Most potential buyers looking into Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale want large outdoor spaces to undertake different projects. Composting has especially become popular among homeowners who want a sustainable way of reducing trash. Our REALTORS® are also great fans of composting, and they share their top tips below in honor of Learn About Composting Day on May 29.
May 22nd is Buy a Musical Instrument Day. A good quality instrument is important for a music lover, but having the right place to play it is just as important. There are plenty of Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, and our REALTORS® can help you find one with an extra room that you can use as a music room. Here are some tips for setting up the ideal space.
If you're like most people, you can probably close your eyes and hear your mother saying, "No playing with your friends until you get that bedroom clean!" With the eyerolls and the grumbling, you probably turned a half-hour job into an all-day nightmare. But does it have to be that much of a struggle? May 10th is National Clean Your Room Day, and our REALTORS® have a few suggestions that may help your kids get in the habit of keeping a tidy room without the tears and frustration.
A new home is a blank slate. That said, our REALTORS® know how hard it can be to get organized when moving into a new home. Most garages end up being junk purgatories where items that don't yet have storage space end up. Unfortunately, this leads to garages getting cluttered almost to the point where you can't use them for their intended purpose—to park your car.
Every April 26 is dedicated to proper planning, cleaning up, and decluttering. It's a great time to get some spring cleaning done on Get Organized Day. Here are some tips to help you clear the clutter after you've found a house among Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale.
There are many reasons to concentrate your gardening efforts on creating a colorful, cool, and intriguing patio with container plants. Maybe you're lacking room in the yard to landscape it satisfactorily. Or, you spend a lot of time on the patio entertaining guests or just relaxing.
Whether it's trees for shade or height, shrubs for privacy, or vibrant annuals for your color fix, container gardening on your patio is a big winner in our climate. After all, we can protect those plants over the winter and enjoy them in spring in any of these Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale.
Waking up to see what the Easter Bunny left is almost as exciting as looking for Santa's gifts. But Easter festivities don't need to be limited to eating the ears off a chocolate rabbit. Our REALTORS® have some great suggestions for family time before the big day.
While many homeowners keep dogs and cats, other people desire non-traditional animals that are just as loving as dogs and cats. Our REALTORS®, who are also pet-lovers, highlight some unconventional pets to consider below.
April 2nd is National DIY Day, so it's time to get started on some projects around the house. Roll up your sleeves, get out your tools, and tackle five home improvement projects that will make your home shine. Our REALTORS® know that a little elbow grease goes a long way in boosting your home's resale value in today's market.
As you search through Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, you may notice they're the perfect place to start a family— and that includes a furry family, too! If you've been thinking of heading down to a local shelter and giving a puppy its "forever home," you'll need to prepare your property for its arrival. In honor of National Puppy Day on March 23rd, our REALTORS® have put together some quick tips to get it ready.
A butterfly garden is a perfect investment if you dream of a colorful and lively yard as you browse through Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale. Beyond adding color to your garden, butterflies are active pollinators and will enhance the health of your plants. A little planning is necessary to grow a successful butterfly garden, and you can start with the tips below.
What better time to have fun with your kids than a St. Patrick's Day celebration at home. Our REALTORS® share five family-friendly activities to help you observe St Patrick's Day with family.
If you're looking to get a jump on spring cleaning, using vinegar to clean your Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale is effective, economical, and easy. And you probably already have some in your kitchen. It's natural and safer than many commercially marketed cleaners too. Vinegar does a stellar job cleaning around the house, and it is especially effective for the following six tasks.
When surveying Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, you need an emergency plan for after your family moves in. Emergencies like power outages, fires, and natural disasters can be scary, but they don't need to be disastrous as long as you're prepared. Our REALTORS® have compiled some common crises and their responses below.
Remember when Valentine's Day meant a class party with lots of homemade cookies and a carton of milk? Times have changed and most schools don't allow such activities anymore, but that doesn't mean kids of today need to miss out. Our own kitchens are great party venues. Our REALTORS® would like to share a few tips with you to help bring those parties home! For easier clean-up after the fact, line the counters with waxed paper before you begin.
Whether you're buying a home or fixing up a home you've lived in for many years, our REALTORS® know just how quickly the cost of renovations can rise through the roof. If you aren't careful, the simple, cost-effective renovation can end up taking a hefty bite out of your savings. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to ensure your renovation gets done without breaking the bank.
Create a Plan
Determine what renovations you need, which you want, and which will add the greatest value to your home. Always put the "need" renovations first, as these typically include plumbing systems, electrical systems, roofing, and other critical renovations for safety and comfort.
Our REALTORS® have been getting many questions about what to expect from the housing market in the coming year. No matter whether you're interested in Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, there are plenty of opportunities.
The big question on everyone's mind is how financing will change in 2022.
Over the last year, many places in the country have seen home prices skyrocket. Homeowners have had the chance to attract abundant attention, with many homes receiving competitive bids from multiple buyers at once. As a result, quite a few homes have sold for well over asking price.
If you've been searching through the long list of amazing Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, you've probably already noticed that each one is chock-full of unique designs and amenities. It may not take long, however, before you're ready to add something extra to your new or existing home.
Let's take a look at a handful of home improvement trends for 2022 and beyond.
Are you planning to sell your house this year to take advantage of the seller's market? That's a great idea, but our REALTORS® would like to call your attention to a few things you will want to address before you do. Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale are certain to bring healthy profits to the sellers, but maximizing those profits is still important. Here's how that can be done:
Cleaning can be a tedious chore, and some areas are easy to overlook. In fact, our REALTORS® find that many Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale aren't as clean as they seem. Over time, the neglected areas in your home get grimier as they accumulate dust, mold, pet dander, and mildew. Explore the five things in your home that require a deep clean below.
Congratulations! You've found the perfect Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, and you're about to ring in the New Year in your new home. Spending New Year's Eve at home is a fantastic opportunity to bond with your loved ones while counting down to midnight.
Here's are some fun ideas to try out this NYE.
When selling a home, you often have a lot of decisions to make. One of those decisions has to do with what you leave behind and what you take with you to your new home. Many things, you can either take or leave depending on your own needs. However, there are a few things you cannot legally take with you when selling a home. Our REALTORS® would like to present you with a list of these items below.
Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases most people will ever make. And, just like when you go shopping at the store, the sticker price is not the home's total price. This can come as a shock to many first-time home sellers and first-time homebuyers alike, which is why our REALTORS® want you to know everything about closing costs and how they affect the final price you pay for your new dream home.
While cold weather seems to be here to stay in Ohio, you still have time to get your home ready before any significant snowfall arrives. Our REALTORS® suggest checking these maintenance tasks off your to-do list for Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale. You'll be glad you did!
Is it beginning to feel a lot like Christmas? Whether you're still looking at Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale or you've already closed the deal, spending Christmas in a new home has to be very exciting. Our REALTORS® want to remind those who celebrate the holiday that they have one more decision to make very soon: What kind of Christmas tree should grace your home?
Modern appliances offer many features and options that can enhance your comfort and reduce your monthly utility bills. While appliances require a significant investment, many will pay for themselves in terms of comfort and resale value. When you're considering which appliances to add to your home, the following are some that our REALTORS® recommend because they will give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Our REALTORS® know that no matter what your homebuying goals are, the process of getting a loan can seem intimidating. Whether you're looking at Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, the question of financing looms large for most buyers.
If you're a U.S. military veteran, the Veterans Administration loan program may be a good fit for you.
Known popularly as the "VA home loan," it's one of the biggest benefits offered to America's veterans. It grants a wide range of perks compared to conventional loans, including no down payment and attractive rates. There are many other advantages that you might qualify for.
Congratulations on your new home! You looked at the Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale and made one of them your own. What better way to show it to your friends and family than to host your first Thanksgiving dinner? That may seem rather daunting at first, but our REALTORS® want to encourage you to give it a try by sharing this helpful guide.
The wise homeowner doesn't wait until the last minute to winterize an Ohio home. You've probably already cleaned your gutters and insulated your windows to keep out icy drafts. Our REALTORS® want to call your attention to one more critical action to take if your home has a fireplace. Be sure to call a chimney sweep to inspect and clean the chimney.
Fall weather is just around the corner, and thousands of children are anxiously awaiting Halloween. Before your street is lined with little ghosts, goblins, furry creatures, and storybook heroes this year, our REALTORS® have some tips to keep your trick-or-treaters safe.
The fun of trick-or-treating on Halloween night can be quickly overshadowed injuries like cuts and bruises, falls, and animal bites. Trick-or-treaters in areas with Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale should be protected from scary things that may be lurking in the front yard. To prepare for a safe Halloween, follow these tips to get your yard trick-or-treat ready.
Different people have different priorities when purchasing a home. From the kitchen layout to the number of bathrooms, it's important to mull over every aspect of a house before making a decision. You don't want to experience buyer's remorse, especially after a purchase as big as a home. That's why our REALTORS® make a point of guiding you through every step of the home-buying process.
When it comes to bathroom remodeling, there are several factors you must consider. The size and style of the bathroom are essential. For instance, do you need a handicap-accessible bathroom? Do you want a bathtub or shower or both? On the subject of bathtubs, there's a dizzying array of sizes, styles, and materials available in the market today.
Let's remove some of the stress that comes with shopping for a tub by going through some of the essential factors you need to consider. Here's a rough guide on how to choose the perfect bathtub.
Our REALTORS® know one of the best things about owning your own home is being able to enjoy all kinds of seasonal activities in your outdoor space. And fall is a great time to do exactly that. Crisp air and colorful leaves truly make it a season to enjoy here in Ohio. And while those colorful leaves look stunning on the trees, eventually you'll probably need to clean up some in your yard.
As far as yard work goes, getting rid of the leaves isn't a horrible chore. Raking a few leaves can even help you enjoy the fall weather and maybe even get a little excited about the season. But depending on the size of your yard and how you do it, it can get time-consuming. And who wouldn't rather be spending their time enjoying fire pits, football games, or hayrides instead? So try these tools to make leaf clean up at your Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale a whole lot easier.
Buying a home is a smart investment. Incorporating smart home tech into your new home enhances the value and comfort of that investment. Our REALTORS® keep a keen eye on the future of smart technology and highly recommend the following features and systems that will make maintaining, protecting, and enjoying your home a little bit easier.
Smart Lighting Lights Up Your Life
Smart lighting is easy to install and can significantly improve both security and comfort. Smart lighting systems allow you to control everything from brightness to color. This lets you set the mood for special occasions and improve the illumination outside your home to make it easier for guests to find their way around during an evening gathering.
Before looking at Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, many would-be buyers take time to improve their credit scores. As a general rule, the better your credit is, the easier it is to access home loans on favorable terms. That usually means better interest rates and saving thousands over a mortgage's life.
Our REALTORS® have helped many clients understand how to tackle this process. We have spoken to many people who have put off their plans to buy a home due to their low credit score, even when they have substantial current income.
Luckily, you can improve your credit score in 2021 no matter where you start from!
The housing market is pretty hot nowadays, and investors are flipping like it's 2006 again. If you've been browsing homes for a while, you've probably come across flipped houses. But, buying a flipped house can be risky business. Our REALTORS® are more than happy to guide you through the process and ensure you avoid any pitfalls.
If you're looking to buy a house in this market– for instance, these Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale – knowledge is the best tool you have at your disposal. So, here's a guide to help you figure out whether a flipped house is worth it.
House flipping occurs when a real estate investor buys a house, makes some upgrades, and sells it at a profit. House flippers do it to make money. That's not to say you should discount these houses. You can get a great deal on the house, considering you don't have to dig further into your pocket to make renovations.
In a perfect world, you'd have several months to fully prepare for a move. But in the real world, you often learn you need to move at the last minute. Maybe your house sold faster than you ever dreamed it would, or perhaps you stumbled upon the house of your dreams and bought it quickly. Regardless of why you need to move in a hurry, Our REALTORS® have some tips to help you out.
Homeowners are constantly hit with a barrage of sales pitches for home improvements that will boost its value, from solar panels to water softeners. But how do you know whether an investment is truly worth it in terms of ongoing benefits and return on investment? Our REALTORS® felt that you should have some facts at your disposal in order to make an informed decision about water softeners.
Moving presents the perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted or less-used items. And while you could easily donate, trash, or recycle those items, hosting a garage sale is an excellent way to pare down your possessions and earn some extra cash at the same time. Plus, you'll spend a lot less time packing and save money by not having to pay for transporting things that are going to add clutter to your new life. Now you just need to figure out how to make a profitable and hassle-free garage sale. Our REALTORS® are here to help you with the following tips.
Moving from an apartment into your first home is exciting. But, it's also a bit nerve-wracking as you ponder plans for all the additional space you now have at your disposal. Our REALTORS® understand how you feel, and there are plenty of things you can do to keep your mind focused on the tasks ahead. The following tips will help you tie a bow on all the details so that you can enjoy settling into your new home.
Our REALTORS® know raising chickens is a fun way to improve your diet and enjoy animal companionship.
Whether looking at Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, there's plenty of potential to use your yard as a place for feathered friends. Just be aware of the zoning ordinances that may apply to you. Richland County has its own zoning requirements. Mansfield requires at least three acres of land and a permit.
Let's look at some of the most important things to know about raising chickens.
When that fabulous old house on the hill looms large in your thoughts, it's easy to get swept up in the nostalgia of the past. Whether it's memories of your youth or a longing for the days of yore, it's important to know what you could be getting into. While old houses most certainly have their charms, our REALTORS® know that it's important to look for warts, as well. That said, owning an older home is most certainly rewarding if you are willing to put in the work and resources required to maintain it.
Pets are bona fide, integral members of the family. But finding a home with pet-friendly features can be quite a hassle leaving many animal lovers in a pickle. Let our REALTORS® find you safe, welcoming homes for creatures great and small, like these pet-proof Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale.
Every year an estimated 40,000 pets die in home fires, mostly from smoke inhalation and inability to escape. Not only is it essential to find a home that has features designed to keep your pets safe, but you should be more mindful of the fire-related hazards in your home.
It's vital to pet-proof your home. Here are some pet fire safety tips to start you off.
While most homebuyers consider a garage a necessary or important home feature, many buyers overlook potential problems that may be lurking in the space. If you're looking around at Ohio homes for sale, our REALTORS® at Haring Realty can help you find a beautiful home with a two-car garage that's in great shape.
A garage is an asset to any home because it can serve many purposes. As a utilitarian space, its primary purpose is storage and protection for your car, which is a big expense. However, a garage can also provide a large amount of storage space for a washer and dryer, lawn care equipment, tools, household items, and clothing. Most homeowners with a two-car attached garage use the space for much more than storing vehicles.
Although your garage is separated from your living spaces in Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale, it's still space with structural components that need attention. Your garage can reveal telltale signs of damage that can have a significant impact on a home's investment. To avoid problems and expensive repairs, pay attention to your garage.
You've been browsing Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale for quite some time now and have finally found something perfect for you and your family's needs. You're ready to take the plunge and put in an offer on the house. But how long should you wait ?There's really no conventional answer to that question. But in a seller's market, when inventory is low and demand is high, you may have to go above and beyond to make sure you submit an early offer and that it stands out from the competition. Here's what you should know about making early offers along with strategies for making a winning one.
Making an offer isn't as simple as knocking on the door and informing the seller you'll take the house. Your intentions trigger the start of an intricate process between you and the seller. Don't expect the seller to accept your offer just because it came in first. Sellers usually think they've priced their home too low when an offer comes in fast. So, they want the house to have the longest exposure possible on the open market and get bids from a large number of buyers. An early offer would need to be mighty attractive for the seller to accept it instead of waiting too long for better offers.
Are you tired of mowing lawns and cleaning gutters? If you're approaching retirement, you may be one of the millions of Americans that are looking for ways to simplify their lives by selling the family home and moving to a townhouse or condominium. But is this the right time to make a move? Our REALTORS® will be happy to help you assess your personal situation to help you make that decision.
A lush green lawn can be a great way to attract attention when you list your home among Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale. Green grass is a real eye-catcher, so you won't want to neglect nourishing the green in your lawn this summer.
So how do you get there, transforming your thin, sparse, weedy lawn to a perfect, uniform expanse of healthy-looking green? Follow the tips below, and you'll see some big improvements this summer.
Real estate markets across the country are red hot. It is not uncommon for sellers to receive numerous offers within days of listing their property. Time and time again, our REALTORS® have seen homes sell for well above their listing price. If you have your eye on the perfect property for your next home, we recommend taking the time to get prepared before you jump into the pool of buyers eager to get their hands on your dream home.
Our community has been blessed with many exquisite mature trees, some of which have gracefully shaded our towns for more than a hundred years. Many of the most beautiful Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale boast the majestic beauty of giant white ash trees or red oaks. As you seek to add value to your property, investing in trees is a wise option. But before you buy, there are some important options to consider, from what you plant to where you plant it. This handy guide may help you begin:
Since the COVID lockdowns began last year, almost half of U.S. employees shifted to remote work. The dining table was fine for some time. But as weeks turned into months and months into a year, we started looking for working spaces out on the patio, in the kitchen nook, or behind closed bedroom doors. Now more than ever before, people are saying goodbye to open floor spaces and seeking to find designated home office spaces from which they can be as efficient and productive as possible. And so the "cloffice" trend re-emerged. According to the 2021 Pinterest trend report, there has been a two-fold increase in the volume of searches for "cloffice ideas" on the platform over the past year.
If you're unfamiliar, a cloffice is a closet that has been converted into a functioning office space. It offers a functional yet design-savvy way to create a feasible workspace at home when square footage is tight. Here are tips for creating a stylish, affordable cloffice as recommended by our REALTORS®.
Choosing the perfect paint color for your home can make a huge difference. After all, the color of your walls provides a backdrop for all your interior. If you just bought a new home, painting is a great way to put your personal stamp on the home and begin the next phase of your life. Conversely, if you're putting your property on the market but it's looking a little too "well-loved," a crisp coat of paint can help create a better first impression and potentially increase your home's value.
But with the vast array of color choices available today, choosing the right color can be a painstaking process, especially if you get things wrong and have to start all over again. So skip the do-overs and find the perfect paint color by doing your homework and evaluating your options before you don your overalls or lay down the drop cloth. No matter what aesthetic or shade you're looking for, these foolproof tips by our REALTORS® will help you select the perfect paint color every single time.
The march toward summer is well underway, and it's time to turn your attention to the deck outside your home. As the weather warms up, our REALTORS® know the deck is one of the first things prospective buyers of Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale will look at as their thoughts turn to summer BBQs and time with family and friends. If your deck needs an overhaul, you'll want to act quickly before local contractors run out of time to do the work for you.
Start with a Wash
Dirt, dust, and grime can obscure the true condition of your deck. Watch the weather for a sunny, wind-free period to give your deck a good scrub and a deep clean with soap and a powerwasher. Make sure to follow instructions and keep the powerwasher at a safe distance from the wood to avoid scoring and damaging it. If you come across any stubborn stains or debris stuck in crevices, a stiff brush and a putty knife can usually remove it.
Your home is more than a place to live; it's an asset you want to protect. Whether you're remodeling a room, building an addition, or simply changing an appliance out, our REALTORS® strongly advise all of our clients to vet and question any potential contractor thoroughly. Asking the following five questions will help ensure that the contractor you hire will get the job done efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
At Haring Realty, our REALTORS® know that some aspects of the home-buying process can be confusing.
Even buyers who have been through it all before don't know everything. And it can be even more worrisome for first-time buyers, who wonder about all the things they aren't familiar with yet. That can put a damper on the fun of looking at Mansfield or Ashland homes for sale.
One subject comes up again and again: Financing. Where to find a mortgage and how to get the best deal.
Choosing the best mortgage for you can save you thousands of dollars across the life of your mortgage. But buyers often go into the process knowing little about one of the most important factors that can influence your mortgage terms: your FICO score.
Spring brings warm sunshine that motivates people to get outdoors. It's the perfect time to buy or sell a home and make that move you've been dreaming about. If you're considering a change this spring, our REALTORS® at Haring Realty can help you with selling your existing home, as well as searching for Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale that fit your lifestyle and financial goals.
Whether you're a buyer or a seller, one thing that's important to any home is great curb appeal. That means having a front yard that's picture-perfect with a well-maintained landscape. With spring just around the corner, it's time to give your front yard a makeover that deserves attention.
Spring is the undisputed champion of home selling seasons. With the holidays over, flowers in bloom, and the weather warming up, homebuyers come out of hibernation ready to hit open houses and get moving on the purchase process. If you're thinking of selling your home this year, spring is a great time to move forward with those plans. However, it can be tempting to go it alone because you want to save some money or think you'll not have a problem selling your house because there are plenty of buyers in the market.
The truth is there's a lot that goes into making a successful sale. You may not even know the basics of how real estate transactions work. Agents do more than just listing your home. They take care of the time-consuming tasks, handle the legal aspects of the sale, and ensure your home stands out from other Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale. Here are more reasons why you should list your home with an agent this spring.
Did you know the fourth Sunday in March starts National Spring Cleaning Week? It's the perfect time to get started with that cleaning to-do list and give Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale a spring fresh look and feel. If you've just moved in or are looking to sell, this job is probably top on your list! Spring cleaning can seem like an enormous and demanding task, but these supplies will help you tackle just about any spring cleaning job quickly and easily.
You probably already have most of these supplies, since they are used for general cleaning. For most people spring cleaning means doing a deep, detailed cleaning and getting all those spots that are hard to reach or don't get cleaned very often. So take the opportunity to make sure what you have is in working order and replace any cleaners you're running low on. These supplies are the must-haves that will help you tackle a lot of general cleaning tasks.
Your home is as much an investment in your comfort as it is your financial future. Over the years, you'll make changes and alterations to your home that reflect your tastes and interests. However, our REALTORS® have seen time and time again situations where homeowners have gotten a little too comfortable. And, in the process, decreased the curb appeal and market value of their home. As you consider all the changes and alterations you can make, the following are six we strongly advise against.
One of the first things any home seller does is declutter and reorganize. Of course, you want buyers to know that your home has the storage space they need. But it can be a challenge to store those everyday items you still need at your Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale in a way that is both useful and appealing. Adding one or more of these storage solutions to your home might be just what you need.
Are you getting your house ready to sell? Making it look its best doesn't have to mean expensive, time-consuming updates and renovations. Here are five easy projects our real estate agents recommend. All of them are things you can do yourself, and that will make a substantial difference in how well your house shows.
When cold weather starts forcing you to be inside more, take advantage of this time to declutter your home. True decluttering isn't just better organization; it's also getting rid of all the excess stuff we accumulate over time. It's especially important to declutter if you're thinking about listing your home with one of our REALTORS®. However, decluttering can be a big job, so here are a few tips to help guide you through the process.
Richland County, Ohio offers no shortage of fun places to enjoy the holiday season. From cutting a tree to hopping aboard a wagon ride, dozens of local farms and farm markets offer a chance to get into the Christmas spirit. Our REALTORS® are especially fond of Kleerview Farm, home of Santa's Barnyard Express!
Just 10 minutes outside Bellville, Ohio, Kleerview Farm is nestled in the Clear Fork Valley, surrounded by the rolling hills and farmlands of Richland County. Every year, countless locals and visitors flock to the 230-acre farm to cut Christmas trees, take part in all kinds of fun holiday happenings – and to meet the herd of reindeer that call Kleerview Farm home.
A rich history and bright future come together in Richland County, Ohio. It's a great place to put down roots, literally and metaphorically – the county's name comes from the fertile soil found here – and thanks to the help of the Ohio Genealogical Society, it's a place where many Ohioans can trace their families back through the years and miles. So whether you're interested in learning more about your family's history or planning for its future, our REALTORS® believe Richland County is a great place to do so.
The Richland County village of Bellville is an excellent example of this region's unique and fascinating history. Founded in 1808 and the site of a minor gold rush in 1853, it's a tight-knit but welcoming community that offers small-town charm just minutes from the larger city of Mansfield. The Bellville Bandstand, built in 1879, still stands in the heart of the village, and you can trace the path of the B&O Railroad right through Bellville.
If you're looking for the perfect house in a small town, you'll find it in Ohio among our Bellville homes for sale. As a local, you'll settle into a beautiful, affordable home in a quiet neighborhood. When you need fun and excitement, you can make an hour-long drive to Columbus, but you don't have to. Bellville residents enjoy art and culture venues, museums and wineries, and great places to shop, relax, and eat.
Our REALTORS® invite you to spend a weekend touring Bellville homes and getting to know our town. If you love trains, burgers or both, be sure to make a stop at the Buckeye Express Diner. It's an Ohio State Buckeye-themed restaurant serving homemade comfort food inside a pair of repurposed passenger train cars.