Don’t let web scammers ruin your home sale

July 6, 2019

In June 2017, it was widely reported that more than $1 million was stolen from a New York Supreme Court judge by internet hackers / thieves pretending to be a party in her real estate transaction. The simple facts of the case are so startling it has alarmed Realtors and should wake up every homeowner and person with a smart phone or computer. The entire scam was based on three simple points. 1. A real estate transaction is where the money is. Every sale unlocks many thousands of dollars in cash, new loans, payoff of old loans, fees, etc. 2. All that money must pass through one ...

Home inspectors soon must have a license

June 29, 2019

Forty-plus years ago, professional home inspections didn’t exist. Real estate sales contracts had no references to inspecting the house or what to do if the buyer found something wrong. Today, all that has changed — for the better. Home inspectors have become central to the real estate transaction. Let’s look at what home inspectors do and don’t do. In 1976, there were a few people (mostly in big cities) who called themselves home inspectors, and they banded together and formed ASHI (The American Society of Home Inspectors). It was still 10-plus years later before our area ...

WABOR offers tips for vacationing residents

June 22, 2019

It’s vacation season and the Warren Area Board of Realtors reminds residents that planning a trip or vacating your home means more than just pulling out a map and taking off. It also should include a checklist of things to do to protect your home and valuables while you are away. Regardless of how long you’ll be gone, it’s important to be sure your home has a lived-in appearance. Tell-tale signs that invite burglars or vandals include overgrown lawns, piled-up newspapers, a full mailbox and no lights at night. This checklist will help you enjoy your time away with the knowledge ...

How Ohio will benefit from USMCA

June 16, 2019

President Donald Trump ran his 2016 presidential campaign on fighting for freer and fairer trade deals for workers in Ohio and across the country, and this promise helped propel him to victory. Americans from both sides of the aisle recognized the failure of outdated trade agreements like NAFTA and knew that new deals were needed to bring our trade relationship into the 21st century. In fact, in 2015, Nancy Pelosi even said: “It all comes back to: does this make a bigger paycheck for the American worker? NAFTA did not, and our experience is not good.” The new United ...

Seven reasons to own a home

June 15, 2019

There are many advantages to owning a home rather than renting one or renting an apartment. We will discuss them here: 1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home. The tax deductions you’re eligible to take for mortgage interest and property taxes greatly increase the financial benefits of homeownership. Note: Check IRA Publication 936: Home Mortgage Interest Deduction for details. 2. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. While ...

Returning to higher education is one answer to job loss

June 9, 2019

There’s no question our community has taken more than its share of economic hits, most recently with the idling of the General Motors’ Lordstown Assembly Complex. You don’t need to have worked at GM-Lordstown to be reeling from its closure. Suppliers have seen orders drop, while big and small businesses are getting less traffic. All of us are touched, even if the impact is indirect. What can we, as a community, do? What can we tell our family members, co-workers and friends who are worried about their future and whether they’ll be able to earn enough to pay their bills? A ...