Posts made by author 'Jay Mattlin'

Tons of people think the number 13 is unlucky. Some don't. But pretty much everyone has at least heard that the number 13 is unlucky.

With Friday the 13th upon us, I thought it'd be fun and interesting to send along some superstitions we come across in the real estate industry, which you may have never heard about…

Lucky numbers

Real estate agents sometimes find themselves working with clients who have superstitions based upon lucky (and unlucky) numbers.

This is often a cultural superstition. And the lucky or unlucky numbers are different from culture to culture.

This can affect whether or not someone will buy a house, if the street address is an unlucky number, or even adds up to an unlucky number.

It can also affect the specific dollar amount they will offer or accept for a house…

What direction a house faces

Does your house face East? If it does, that's great… for some potential buyers.

In general terms, chattel, is a personal possession. In legal terms, chattel is defined as "an item of property other than real estate."

Why is this a real estate term? 

Typically, when purchasing a home, the buyer will ask for certain personal property that belongs to the seller to remain with the real estate. This is often the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, window coverings, and other appliances. Sometimes though, the buyer would like to keep something of the seller's like a patio set or the sectional sofa in the basement living room.

The bank that is financing the home will likely allow such things like the kitchen appliances to be in the purchase contract as those are seen as "normal" items to sell with a house. A couch or patio set however is not normal and should not be part of the purchase contract. If the buyer wishes to purchase those items with the house, the buyer and seller typically will have their own agreement separate o...

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It has been just over a year since I earned my Ohio Estate License and I wanted to share how the last year has been for both people considering getting their licenses and for my current and future clients. Here are some things I have learned.

Picking Your Broker

This was no something I was prepared for before I applied to sit for my test. I have been around real estate since I was 18 and I know a lot of people in real estate and many of them are scattered all over brokerages here in Lancaster. Some are with Better Homes or with Gorsuch or HER or Rise Realty and the list goes on. I had a hard time choosing just from talking to other agents so I setup meetings with several brokers here in town. That really helped me make a decision.

Do not just choose your broker because you know people at that brokerage or because of the name or because they have the most signs in yards. Choose the brokerage that feels right to you. In my case,...

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A curb offer is when a buyer makes an offer on a property without actually seeing the inside of the property. Generally this type of offer is used by investors to purchase a rental property but in today's fast paced market, it has been used to purchase owner occupied homes as well. 

Are you aware that June is National Homeownership month?

Probably not. Because you're too busy working to afford the home you live in, whether you rent it or own it.

Why should you care?

If you poke around and read anything you can find about it, you're being urged to recognize and celebrate the benefits of homeownership.

That seems kind of a weird thing to ask you to do. Do you really have the time or care? What're you supposed to do, throw a party? Sit alone and contemplate it? Invite some friends out for coffee and chat about it?

You've got to figure that the people who actively promote it probably have their reasons and motives for pushing it. (You know, like real estate agents, mortgage lenders, and the government.)

It makes you wonder…

Why do they push it, other than to make money?

Is it really the "American Dream"? Or is it just a packaged ploy?

Is it all it's cracked up to be? What about a...

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