Beautiful Condo in Sylvania School District!

Beautiful Condo in Sylvania School District
Posted by Heather Smith-LaPoint on September 15th, 2008
Beautiful Condo in Sylvania School Distirct Spectacular townhouse in Sylvania Township. Move-in ready! This end unit is surrounded by woods and offers 2 assigned parking spaces w/extra room. Updated kitchen included all new appliances, fresh paint and new carpet throughout. Private patio w/privacy fence, spacious basement, nice master w/bath.
Location: Toledo, OHSubdivision: PepperwoodPrice: $79,500MLS ID #: 46454102 beds, 1 baths, 1 half-baths930 Sq. Ft.Residential Property, CondominiumBuilt in 1981

Need somewhere to eat today?

This is a restaurant review from the Toledo Blade by Bill of Fare. I thought I would share it with you!

89 years of breakfast and lunches
In good times and bad, restaurants need to stay competitive in order to attract new customers and keep the regulars happy. That would include offering everything from coupon deals and free desserts to daily discounted specials. In greater Toledo's crowded dining environment, you do what you can to survive.
On the other hand, a very few restaurants have the savvy, or maybe it's just plain luck, to thrive for decades without any gimmicks at all. A case in point is the Coney Island in downtown Toledo, which has been serving up hot dogs and a variety of other modestly priced, stick-to-the-ribs food for an astonishing 89 years and counting.
The secret to the Coney Island's success isn't a secret at all: Since 1919, the eatery on North Superior Street, between Jackson Boulevard and Adams Street, has drawn many thousands of hungry Toledoans with its above-average chili dogs, served quickly and at a reasonable price, along with fair-to-middling breakfasts, soups, double burgers, chili mac, tuna melts, gyros, and excellent Greek salads every day but Sunday.
Its history, capsulized on the back of the small, crowded menu, is simple enough. Sofokles Constantine - Uncle Gus to all - came here from the island of Cyprus in 1918 and opened Atlantic Hot Dog on St. Clair Street with a cousin. They moved the restaurant to Superior Street the next year, renaming it the Coney Island.
Uncle Gus, a tall, spindly man well-known in the Greek community for sponsoring many Cypriots immigrating to Toledo, manned the hot dog grill until his death in 1985. His nephew, Frixos Stylianides, took over the place and has presided behind the counter ever since. In 1990, he oversaw the remodeling of the narrow eatery, which remains popular as a lunch-hour and carry-out destination.
Hot dogs, $1.50 each and topped with exceptionally good meat sauce, remain the restaurant's stock-in-trade, along with chili mac ($2.90 small/$3.60 large) and breakfasts all morning. But the double cheeseburger isn't bad as an alternative, and the price is right - $3.05.
We also doted on the Greek salad ($3.45 small/$3.95 large). Dripping with Greek dressing, it fills the plate with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, black olives, Salonika peppers, and a big slice of feta cheese on top. Also tasty was a $3.15 sausage and egg sandwich on wheat bread with cheese, as well as a gyro ($4.60) packed with meat, tomatoes, cucumber sauce, and feta.
If Mr. Stylianides decides to engage in a little hoopla next year as the Coney Island turns 90, it's a fair bet that customers from far and wide will want to drop by to toast him - with coffee, iced tea, milk shakes, hot chocolate, or even a foamy glass of beer, which is also on the menu.

Tips on Refinancing

Be specific about what loan you want. This makes it easier for a loan officer to find you the best rates.
Don’t rely on published rates. The rates you see in the news are probably the best rates that can be offered. They aren’t going to publish their worst rates.
Stay away from “no cost” refinancing. “No cost” normally means the closing costs are bundled in with your mortgage, meaning you are going to pay interest on them. It is in your best interest to just pay the closing costs yourself.
Make sure your new title is accurate. Ask your lender to review your file before it gets published.
Review the estimated closing costs carefully. If you don’t like what you see, call your lender immediately and don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation.
Take your time. Give yourself plenty of time to close. When rates are low, firms get swamped with business. Be patient and don’t expect the closing to happen too quickly.

Check out this Website!

Walkscore.com
Are you interested in knowing what the most walkable city in the country is? Walkable refers to the amount of businesses. Entertainment, restaurants, etc. that are within walking distance of a specific location. In this website, walkscore.com, you can type in an address and it will tell you your walkscore on a scale of worst to best. It will also bring up a list of different types of places, from restaurants to grocery stores to parks, and give you the exact distance from your location. It will also show you a map that gives the location of all these places in comparison to your location. This is a great website to check out if you are looking into buying a home. Simply type in the address and you will have a list of everything that is close to that home.

Check out the walkscore for Toledo, OH in general

Check out the walkscore for Maumee, OH

To look at any other city, simply type in the city name in the search box ant walkscore.com

Tips on Saving

I found this great article in the Toledo Blade and wanted to share it with you. It was published Sunday, July 27th and written by Ryan E. Smith.

No one denies that the economy today is putting the squeeze on consumers who find themselves trapped by rising fuel prices and the ailing housing market. While many grapple with the reality of having to cut back and find ways to make their dollars stretch further, there are some out there who remember even worse times.Senior citizens who lived through the desperation of the Depression and the rationing of World War II have plenty of ideas about how to get by when times get tough. Some of their practices were limited to the unique circumstances in which they grew up; others they still practice today. The Blade visited the J. Frank Troy Senior Center in the central city and Swan Creek Retirement Village in South Toledo to tap into the collective memory and wisdom of what some call the Greatest Generation.Inspired by those conversations, here are some suggestions.—Ryan E. Smith1. Plant a modern victory garden. — Ray Barker, 78, Bowling GreenDuring World War II, millions of Americans planted Victory Gardens in yards and other plots of land, accounting for up to 40 percent of nationally consumed vegetable produce. Now, as food prices rise, consumer plans to pursue vegetable and fruit gardening are up 7 percent over last year, according to a February study by the Garden Writers Association.
2. Buy used items or make your own.— Marjorie Hoskins, 80, West Toledo Consider just one example: A shirt at a local Goodwill Industries store usually sells for only $3, no matter if it’s new or used. Jeans are $5 and a suit costs just $10.Not surprisingly, national Goodwill store sales for the first four months of this year are up 6 percent compared to the same time last year, according to a spokesman.
3. Don’t eat out so much. Cook things from scratch, freeze some for later, and plan menus around leftovers. — Lois Grasser, 80, South Toledo Americans eat out a lot — 5.8 times per week on average, according to the National Restaurant Association’s 2008 industry forecast. That can add up to a lot, with annual spending on food away from home topping more than $1,000 per person.
4.Get rid of extra credit cards and don’t carry a balance. — Bill Cameron, 81, South ToledoThe average U.S. consumer carries four credit cards, and 14 percent of the population has more than 10, a survey released last year by Experian Consumer Direct showed. An expert there recommends paying on time each month and keeping the balance low compared to one’s credit limit.
5. Ride the bus and walk to nearby stores. — Rose N. McGee, 87, West ToledoA 2008 report by the American Automobile Association calculates that the annual cost (including gas, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, and other expenses) of owning a small sedan that’s driven 15,000 miles per year is $6,320. Compare that to $480 for 12 monthly passes to ride TARTA.6.Shop smarter; look for sales and use coupons. — Betsy Reynolds, 86, SouthToledoClipping coupons for 20 minutes can save consumers 20 percent on their weekly expenses, according to the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council. Last year, Americans saved $2.6 billion with coupons at supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, and more.
7. Write out a budget and stick to it. — Elmer Lotshaw, 84, Waterville TownshipMore than a third of Americans do not use budgets regularly,according to a 2007 financial IQ survey by Consumer Action and Capital One Financial Corporation.The two groups say that creating a realistic budget means establishing short- and long-term financial goals and capturing all household expenditures, including setting aside money for saving.8.Trade for goods and services. — Frank Florez, 85, West ToledoMr. Florez remembers a time in the 1930s when his family traded chickensfor gasoline. Now, Web sites like Craigslist.com and uSwapIt.com make it easier than ever for cash-strapped consumers who want to barter goods
9. Don’t buy what you can’t afford. — Louis Ravin, 96, South ToledoJust because you want something doesn’t mean you need it, especially if you don’t have the money. The good news is that examples abound of happy people who don’t have a big house, the newest iPhone, or a giant plasma TV.

Home Energy Saving Tips

Here are some helpful tips for saving energy in your home.

1. Try lowering the thermostat and dressing warmer. Just lowering the thermostat 1 or 2 degrees can make a change in your energy consumption.
2. Lower your thermostat at night and whenever you are not in the house. Also, try closing off and not heating rooms that you don’t use.
3. Make sure your refrigerator is set between 37 and 40 degrees F. Also, keep your refrigerator stocked because it is much easier to keep a stocked refrigerator cool than an empty one.
4. Try lowering the temperature on your electric water heater to 120 degrees F. Also, try turning it off when you are leaving for an extended amount of time.
5. Consider buying a new refrigerator if yours is over 10 years old. New refrigerators use much less energy than older refrigerators.
6. Try air drying your clothes instead of using a dryer. Also, wash with cold or warm water but rinse with cold water.
7. Only wash full loads of dishes and let them air dry.
8. Turn off computers, lights, and other electronic devices when you leave the house. This will make a big difference.
9. Try using a microwave or toaster oven to cook smaller items.
10. Try taking shorter showers and install a low-flow shower head.

Top Scams on Homeowners and How to Watch Out For Them

Homeowners are the targets of many scams. Here is a list of 10 homeowner scams:

1. Bogus Health and Fitness Claims
2. Misleading Prize Offers
3. Unscrupulous Moving Practices
4. Identity Theft
5. Unwanted Office Supplies or Bogus Directory Scams
6. Work at Home Scams/ Bogus Employment Services
7. Overpayment Schemes
8. Door-to-door Sales Schemes
9. Lottery and Sweepstakes Fraud
10. Unscrupulous Used Vehicles Sales Practices

Mortgage fraud can be the result of identity theft. Here are some helpful tips for avoiding identity theft:

1. Never leave receipts in random places such as bank machines, gas stations, or trashcans.
2. Always sign your credit cards. Never give your credit to someone else to use. Report lost cards immediately. Keep an eye on your monthly statements to see if anything shows up that shouldn’t.
3. Shred important documents, such as pre-approved credit card applications, bills, and credit card receipts.
4. Avoid keeping written record of any of your credit card information. This is an easy way for someone else to get a hold of them.
5. Never give others personal information, such as your social security or pin number, over the phone, unless you initiated the call.
6. Always get your mail immediately. Don’t leave it in the mailbox for long. Never leave mail lying around.

Furnishing Your House on a Budget

ere are some steps and tips to furnishing your house on a budget:

1. Look for auctions! You can find these in newspapers or free shopper papers. You can find anything from small knick knacks to major appliances. This is a great way to find just about anything for a reasonable, cheap price.
2. Also try looking at classified ad listings. You can find many low cost items here. Most of the time you can find “bigger” items such as furniture and appliances in the classified sections of the newspapers.
3. Yard sales and garage sales are also great places to find deals on furniture and other household items. Check your local newspapers for information on garage sales. Sometimes, you can find entire neighborhoods that are having garage sales.
4. Antique stores are also great places to find items. Some people are afraid to try antique stores because they think they are too expensive. But really, you can find some great deals. Also, don’t be afraid to bargain with the salesperson. This is how business is done!
5. Keep an eye out for vintage buildings. During renovation, fixtures and other items may often be sold for a cheap price.
6. Try a fresh coat of paint. This is often a great way to spruce up a room. Also, you can find in-store specials on paint.

Tips for Negotiating the Purchase of Your Dream Home

1. To start off, offer close to the asking price. This is a good idea because you will not offend the seller by bringing an offer too low. The seller may either accept the offer or counter for a slightly higher offer.
2. Don’t fall in love. It’s important to not love the house so much that you end up paying way more than you can afford due to a bidding war. Prepare yourself to walk away when the counter offers are not coming down enough. There are other fish in the sea!
3. In a slow market, it is a good idea to offer as much as you can afford. Sellers are usually unmotivated in a slow market so give them your best offer so that they don’t get offended and refuse to work with you.
4. Try some bargaining tactics. If the seller seems highly motivated, use some terms such as repairs to bargain with them. If this happens, the seller may accept a lower offer if you say that you will make some of the repairs.
5. If you do fall in love with a home that you feel is overpriced, offer a low amount but be prepared to go higher. You may find yourself with a desperate seller that will just counter a little higher than your offer, and you could get the house for less than you imagined you could.
6. Research the neighborhood. Check out what other, similar houses have sold for. Also consider how long the house has been on the market. If the house has been on the market for a while, you may want to bid low because the seller may just accept it.
7. Keep in mind that a lot of sellers are advised not to accept the first offer, so don’t be too firm! Be prepared to accept more than your original offer.
8. Don’t get caught up in the emotion! Be prepared to walk away from the deal if you have to. This is a good way to make sure that you don’t pay too much for your home.
9. Always do your negotiating in writing and NEVER accept verbal offers.

The negotiation process can get very tricky sometimes. Make sure that you are prepared. If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry. A real estate agent is the best person to help you negotiate. They’ve done it many times on either side of the table and they sometimes can guess what the seller is thinking. They will be able to give you advice on what to do during the entire process. But don’t feel like you have to listen to everything your real estate agent says. In the end it is 100% your decision!

If you need any help finding a home, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I would be happy to help you negotiate!

Ten Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector

1. How long have you been in the home inspecting business? How many home inspections have you done? It is important to have a home inspector with a lot of experience so that you can be sure that all parts of your future home are thoroughly inspected.
2. What does your home inspector cover? You should make sure that all state requirements are met for your home inspection.
3. Do you offer repairs based on the home inspection? Sometimes the home inspectors are able to repair some of the problems they may find.
4. Do you have experience in residential inspections? It is important that your home inspector has experience in residential inspections. Construction and engineering experience is helpful, but residential experience is a must.
5. How long will the inspection take? The average time is 2-3 hours.
6. Will I be able to attend the inspection? If the inspector refuses to allow this, you may want to reconsider your choice. This could be a red flag. It is a good idea to see your future home with the help of an expert on your side.
7. What kind of inspection report do you provide? How long will it take to receive this report? Most inspectors provide their report within 24 hours of the inspection.
8. How much will it cost? A typical range is between $300-$500.
9. Are you a member of a professional home inspector association? Request to see their ID. Make sure your home inspector is qualified.
10. Do you work to continue your education in order to keep your expertise up to date? The inspector’s commitment to furthering his/her education is a good measure of their professionalism.

What’s the difference between being PREQUALIFIED and PREAPPROVED for a loan?

If you are prequalified for a loan, it means you can potentially get a loan, assuming all of the information that was given was accurate and true.

If you are preapproved for a loan, it means that you have gone through an extensive financial background check. This includes looking at your credit history, previous tax returns, and verifying your employment status. This also means that the lender is ready to give you a loan. When you are preapproved, the lender will give you a preapproval letter that states that you are approved for a loan. This letter is valid for 60 days after it was written.

Most sellers prefer that potential buyers are preapproved rather than prequalifed. This gives them added assurance that the deal will not fall through based on the buyer’s financial status.

What is flipping a house?

The key to making money in real estate is learning how to flip a house. Any experienced or inexperienced person can flip a house. You don’t even need help from anyone else! Here are the key steps towards flipping a house.

Begin by buying a HUD repo which allows you to buy a house with no money down. Now, you can begin working on flipping this house. Make all of the updates and upgrades. Then put the house on the market, preferably with a Realtor. Once this house is sold, you can go straight into buying another fixer-upper. This time you can buy the house with all cash. Work on flipping this house, put it on the market, and once it sells you will have even more money collected and can buy another house to flip.

One of the key things that makes this formula work is buying the right house. The key is to buy a house that needs only cosmetic repairs, not structural changes. Cosmetic repairs include painting, updating lighting fixtures and plumbing fixtures, and installing new carpeting and flooring.

If you use this formula to your advantage, you can make as much profit as $100,000 a month! The key is getting started. Don’t believe others when they say that in order to successfully flip houses, you need a lot of starting money. You can a buy a house with no money down and the sellers can often help you with closing costs.

If you have any questions about flipping a house or would like to start flipping houses, feel free to contact me. I can help you find the best houses to flip and can also help you sell them with maximum exposure once they are flipped. You can email me at luhring@bex.net or call me at 419-460-5587.

Helpful Home Staging Tips

Here are some helpful tips for staging your home for maximum profit. Although small things like adding a vase of flowers or painting a room will not always deter a potential buyer, many buyers have an easier time imagining themselves in the home when there are things that make the home look “homey.” As an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP), I have been professionally trained in home staging and I am available to help you stage your home for maximum profit. If you should choose to list your house and would like me to do it, I would be happy to help you and give advice to you about staging your home. For now, here are some helpful tips:

1. Try to clean up all clutter in your home. Buyers who are looking at a cluttered home maybe distracted by the clutter and not even give the home a chance. If the home is clean and tidy, the buyer can look at the important things in the home, like if they like the layout.
2. Curb appeal is very important. Make sure the “drive-by” view of your home is appealing. Try planting some simple flowers and making sure your lawn is freshly mowed before a showing.
3. Take a walk-thru of your home and notice what items your eyes catch. If your eyes are drawn to an unsightly spot on the wall where your 2-year old got a hold of a crayon, maybe you should consider painting the room.
4. Clean, clean, clean. Always make sure your home is clean for a buyer. Like I said before, buyers can better imagine themselves in a clean and tidy house.
5. Find someone to make the minor repairs in your home, a fix-it person. Make sure no taps are dripping and all cupboards shut and open properly. If they don’t, find someone you trust to help you fix these. Or do it yourself!
6. Stuffiness is bad. Let some air into your home before a showing (especially if you are not using air-conditioning). No one likes to walk through a stuffy house.
7. Try staging your home with fresh flowers. They let in a light, pleasant scent and are visually pleasing. They make the home seem fresh and up-kept.
8. Let some light in. Natural lighting always looks better than artificial lighting. Try opening your blinds or pulling them up. Let the outdoors in!
9. Try playing some soft, pleasant music in the background for showings. It’s normally better to have a CD in rather than a radio station because some people don’t like to listen to the commercials. And make sure it is not turned up too loud, so that the buyers and the buyers’ real estate agent can talk about your home without shouting.

What to do when Buying a House

Buying and owning a home is a dream for many people. But there are so many things you have to put in order for the transaction to go smoothly. You want the purchase of your dream home to be as perfect as possible. Here are some tips for a smooth transaction:

1. Make sure your credit is strong. It is a good idea to resolve any credit disputes and pay off all credit cards prior to buying a house. Also, check your credit score. You can easily do this online for free. This will give you an idea as to what your credit score is like and will let you know if you need to do something to improve it.
2. Use a mortgage calculator to determine how much you can afford in the purchase of your home. Then make sure you get pre-approved by lender you trust. Many home sellers will not accept offers from buyers who are not pre-approved.
3. Meet with a loan officer before contacting your real estate agent. This way, you can have a better idea of how much you can afford in a home before you see houses and become attached to one.
4. Sign up for a MLS (Multiple Listing Service) alert service so that you can see all of the homes for sale in your price range and criteria. This way you can pick out the ones that are the most attractive to you and schedule a showing.
5. Make the decision from the beginning that you will not “fall in love” with a house until you have closed. This way you can be sure to get the best price for the home and not have your emotions mixed in with your decision making process.
6. Research the areas and find the one that best suits your needs. It is a good idea to really put some time and effort into choosing the right area based on school districts, entertainment, grocery stores, and other shopping. You want to find the perfect area before you begin shopping for your dream home.
7. Make sure you are detailed in describing what you want in a home. You want to make sure that you find the home that has as many of the amenities you seek as possible.
8. Take your time. It is important to not rush into something, unless you don’t have a choice. If you have the time, shop around.
9. Look at many things when considering a home, from the area to the potential problems. It is important to consider the resale value of your home in order to make a confident decision.
10. Always schedule a home inspection. This way you can have a professional expert look at the house before you buy it. You can always back out based on an inspection, as long as it is within the inspection deadline. It is a good idea to have many types of inspections, such as the general inspection, pests, dry rot, radon, flood plains, and hazardous material. Also make sure you check into crime rates and local sex offenders lists.

Summer Safety Tips

FINALLY summer is here! Now is the time to spend your spare hours outside in the sun or in the water. With kids begging to play outside and out of your sight, it is important to teach them how to take care of themselves and protect themselves against the sun and other outdoor dangers. Here are some helpful tips for staying safe outdoors this summer.

1. When it comes to the heat, most people will seek relief in a pool or lake this summer. With this in mind, it is important that you and your children know how to swim. Take some swimming lessons at the local pool or YMCA. Also, teach your children to always swim with a friend, or to always have someone watching them. Never swim alone!
2. Swim in supervised areas only and make sure to obey all swimming rules. These rules are probably there for a reason.
3. Don’t mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgment, coordination, and balance, and also reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.
4. Never swim during a storm. If you plan on going swimming later on, check the local forecast to see if any bad weather is coming.
5. When boating, beware of weather changes. Choppy water and wind shifts are a good indication of bad weather. Always bring a radio to check the weather throughout your trip.
6. Make sure you are prepared with all of the appropriate supplies, such as sun tan lotion, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and extra sunglasses.
7. Always tell someone where you are going and who you are going with.
8. Make sure you check your boat, supplies, boat balance, engine and fuel supply before you leave.
9. When it comes to the sun, make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
10. Take frequent breaks from working in the sun. It is important to give your body a break from the sun and heat.

For more summer safety tips, visit the American Red Cross website. Click Here!

Heather Smith-LaPoint is an ASP (Accredited Staging Professional)

Heather Smith-LaPoint has been certified as an official ASP, or Accredited Staging Professional. She has taken the two day class that taught her many techniques important in staging a home for a quick sale. ASP real estate agents are true professionals who have been trained under strict guidelines that have been developed for over 30 years.

Here are some simple home projects that could greatly increase your chances for a quick sale of your house:

93% of ASP staged homes sell in one month or less, compared to the average market time of 160 days for non-ASP staged homes. This is why it is important to have a professional like Heather on your side.

Click Here to go to the official ASP (Accredited Staging Professional) Website

How to Plan a Neighborhood Block Party!

Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to plan a neighborhood block party, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to initiate such an adventure. Some of us haven’t talked to our neighbors in months or have yet to even say hi to our neighbors. Planning a neighborhood block party is hard to do alone, so it’s a good idea to get some of your neighbors involved. Here are some helpful tips for planning a neighborhood block party.

The first step is to get reacquainted with your neighbors. This means you need to actually talk to them to see what they think about having a neighborhood block party. If you can’t meet them in person, send out flyers to the whole neighborhood. This is a great way to get the most people involved in the party as possible. You won’t only find people to help you, but you will also find out how many people plan on attending the block party. The initial meeting is to generate a small group of people to help plan the party.
The next step is to pick the date. This is a great thing to discuss while meeting your neighbors in person. Choose the date when the most people will be able to attend.
Depending on where you live, you may need to let your town or city officials know about your block party. This way they may be able to barricade your street during the party to ensure safety.
Once you’ve chosen a date, now you need to decide what kind of block party this will be. Should people bring their own food? Or should you have it catered? A lot of this decision boils down to funds. When it comes to paying for the food, you can have people pay a small fee up front. Maybe you could have people pay a small fee for hamburgers and hot dogs, but also have them bring a dish to pass around.
Once the date is set, it’s time to send out the invitations. Make them colorful and fun. Be sure to include the obvious information, such as the date, location, and time. But also include information about the food, such as a request for them to bring a dish.
Next you need to plan some activities for the party. There will probably be many types of people at your party, from children to elderly people. It’s a good idea to have games for young children, older children, teenagers, and even adults. You may need to find some people to actually run the games at the party. Some great ideas for games can be corn hole, or bean bag toss, horse shoes, and even volleyball ( if the location permits).
Finally, make sure you have some people to help clean up after the party. It’s no fun to be stuck at the end of the party cleaning up everything. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and have some people stay after to help clean up.

Now you’re set to hold the perfect block party! If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be guaranteed to have a successful block party.