Real Estate Resources
Buyer's Resources

How Much Can You Afford?
Understanding how much you can afford is one of the most important rules of home buying. Depending on your individual situation, your budget can affect everything from the neighborhoods where you look, to the size of the house, and even what type of financing you choose.

Understanding Different Types of Loans
Today's homebuyer has more financing options than have ever been available before. From traditional mortgages to adjustable-rate and hybrid loans, there are financing packages designed to meet the needs of virtually anyone.

Refinancing
Refinancing your home can be an excellent way to bring down your monthly mortgage payment, raise cash, or consolidate debts with high interest rates.

Leveraging Your Money
One of the greatest financial aspects of buying a home is the ability to leverage your money.

15-Year, 30-Year, or a Biweekly Mortgage?
In the past, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage was the standard choice for most homebuyers.

Saving for the Down Payment
Saving funds for a down payment should be part of an overall program to get your finances in order prior to shopping for a home.

Closing Costs
he bundle of fees associated with the buying or selling of a home are called closing costs.

How Mortgage Loans Work
Excluding property taxes and insurance, a traditional fixed-rate mortgage payment consist of two parts: (1) interest on the loan and (2) payment towards the principal, or unpaid balance of the loan.

When Should You Pay Points on a Loan?
When it comes to comparing interest rates for a mortgage loan, homebuyers often have the option of choosing a loan with a lower interest rate by paying points.

All About Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) differ from fixed-rate mortgages in that the interest rate and monthly payment can change over the life of the loan.

How Much Can You Afford?
Understanding how much you can afford is one of the most important rules of home buying.

Getting Your Finances in Order
A crucial step in starting your search for a new home is having a clear idea of your financial situation.

Mortgage Glossary
Learn more about mortgage terms.

Get Pre-Qualified Now!
Start the home buying process and learn what lenders know about you.

Preferred Partners
Work with our approved partners

Hilliard, Ohio, real estate
Article on recent Hilliard, Ohio, real estate news

Question: Why buy a condo?
Condos are an appealing way to enter the housing market and minimize your cost, maintenance commitment while still investing in the future.

Local School Reports
Learn more about local school systems from the selection of free reports from the Ohio Department of Education.

The Condo buying process.
How much can you afford? Starting your search? Follow the steps through the home buying process.

Working with Builders
Our condo experts work with the best builders in Columbus and Central Ohio. Get our free report on building from scratch. Then we'll get in touch with you to start the process.

Bethel Village--Bethel Commons--differences

Have you ever wondered about the condo communities along

Bethel Road
? There are several and our clients who live along this corridor love the location! They

What Happened to the Condo Market

There are multiple influences affecting today's condo market. The following article addresses multiple influences on today's condo market and explains their potential effects.


What to expect in Grandview Heights
--What to Expect in Grandview--

When Buying an Older Home in Columbus
-An insight into the older homes of Columbus-

August Housing Statistics-- A Growing Buyer's Market
A summary of year to date data suggesting the increased number of listings in the Columbus real estate market.

Bethel Village--Bethel Commons--differences

Have you ever wondered about the condo communities along

Bethel Road
? There are several and our clients who live along this corridor love the location! They

Local Utility Companies & Phone Numbers
Are you moving or planning to move? Make sure you call your local utilities for disconnection!

Safety and Moving Tips
Moving into a new home in a new city can be stressful enough. Follow this simple tips for making it safe and avoid the headaches.

History of Hilliard
In 1852, John Reed Hilliard bought ten acres of farmland in western Franklin County, Ohio from Hoseah High and Abraham Wendell.

More about Sunbury, Ohio
Sunbury is home to the Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial that commemorates every Ohio Soldier that has bravely given his or her life in service to the USA since 9/11.

History of Columbus
Columbus, Ohio ha sa rich and diverse historical background, from Native American Mounds to the revitalized Downtown.

Seller's Resources

Free Comparative Market Analysis
Get your free report detailing what your home is worth based on your neighborhood and comparable homes that have sold recently.

History of Delaware
The part of the Olentangy River now occupied by Delaware hosted a Delaware Native American village prior to the founding of the town in 1808.

I love Avery Estates!
Avery Estates in Hilliard is the best!

I like to tell you about Avery Estates!
How can I tell you how great Avery Estates are?!

What happened to the Columbus Ohio Condo Market

I get this question all the time! As a local realtor it is my job to be up to date onColumbus Ohiocondos for sale. My clients who have condo

Recommended Resources

The Elements of Location
When you are in the market for a home, how should you evaluate the properties that appeal to you?

Understanding the Bottom Line
An important part of buying a house is sitting down with your Realtor or a mortgage lender to get a clear idea of how much you can afford.

Credit Card Common Sense
You have to have a reasonably good financial foundation before a lender will approve you for a mortgage loan.

Recommended Links

Nolo.com

Chamber of Commerce


What is a Condominium or Condo?

Condominiums, or condos, are essentially apartments that are individually owned.

A condominium is a form of home ownership in which individual units of a larger complex are sold, not rented. These units may be renovated apartments, townhouses or even commercial warehouses. Contrary to popular belief, the word 'condominium' does not apply to the type of unit itself, but the legal ownership arrangement. Any multi-unit structure can 'go condominium', meaning occupants must either vacate the premises or purchase their apartments outright.
Those who purchase units in a condominium technically own everything from their walls inward. All of the individual homeowners have shared rights to most common areas, such as the elevators, hallways, pools and club houses. Maintenance of these areas becomes the responsibility of a condominium association. Every owner owns a share of interest in the condominium association, plus an obligation to pay monthly dues or special assessment fees for larger maintenance problems.
A condominium arrangement is not the best option for every potential homeowner. There can be a noticeable lack of privacy in the common areas--the pool must be shared with every other condominium owner, for example. Those who would prefer to own all of their amenities and maintain their own lawn and garden may want to pursue single home ownership options instead of a condominium. It can also be more difficult to sell a condominium unit as opposed to a home with acreage. Condo owners only own their units, not the ground beneath them.

Pros and Cons on Buying a Condo

Condominiums - Pros

  • Condominiums are generally less expensive than single family homes
  • You may be able to afford to live in a more expensive neighborhood
  • Easy lifestyle - the condominium homeowners association often covers roof replacement, exterior maintenance, common area maintenance, and other expenses
  • Good "lock and leave" vacation homes
  • Condominiums often include amenities such as a community pool

Condominiums - Cons
  • Noise from neighbors, including those above and below your unit
  • Homeowners' association fees and politics, and CC&R restrictions
  • Parking at condominiums is often in a common area not attached to the home
  • No yard
  • Some condo buildings may have stairs

Those who may benefit the most from condominium living are veteran apartment renters who don't mind having close neighbors. Others may not want to be bothered with external maintenance or the responsibility of lawn care. The overall price of a condominium townhouse may be much lower than an equivalent single-unit home. Buying a condominium does allow equity to build, unlike paying monthly rent in an apartment complex.
One thing to be aware of when living in a condominium setting is the political reality of an owners' association. Decisions may be made in monthly meetings which will cost individual owners more money, but not necessarily deliver equal benefits for all. It can be nearly impossible to avoid being affected by at least one condo board decision, so active participation in meetings and discussions may be more compulsory than you might expect. Condominium living may be more advantageous financially than apartment rentals, but it does require more active participation in community events.


Looking for Homes for Sale in Columbus or Central Ohio?
ColumbusHomeCommunities.com is the Definitive Guide to Homes for Sale in Columbus Ohio!
Looking for Foreclosures, Short Sales or HUD Homes for Sale in Columbus or Central Ohio?
Foreclosure Buyer's Guide for Columbus Ohio Homes for Sale!
What is Foreclosure?
What is Foreclosure VS Short Sale?

Looking for NEW Homes for Sale in Columbus or Central Ohio?
NewHomeColumbusOhio.com presents Regency at Highland Lakes!

Looking for Homes for Sale in Columbus or Central Ohio?
ColumbusHomeCommunities.com is the Definitive Guide to Homes for Sale in Columbus Ohio!

Looking for NEW Homes for Sale in Columbus or Central Ohio?
NewHomeColumbusOhio.com presents Regency at Highland Lakes!


Learn more about Columbus and Central Ohio Condo Communities, school districts, price ranges, and taxes.

Bexley Condos - Bexley is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. Incorporated as a village in 1908, Bexley is an old tree-lined suburb of Ohio's capital, Columbus, located on the banks of Alum Creek right next to Driving Park.
Canal Winchester Condos - Canal Winchester is a village in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census.
Columbus Condos - Columbus is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located near the geographic center of the state, Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County, although parts of the city also extend into Delaware and Fairfield counties.
Delaware Condos - Delaware is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Delaware County.
Dublin Condos - Dublin is a city in Franklin, Delaware, and Union counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 31,392 at the 2000 census. In 2007, the population was estimated to be 37,954, and Dublin continues to be one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Columbus.
Gahanna Condos - Gahanna is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 32,636 at the 2000 census.
Grandview Heights Condos - Grandview Heights is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,695 at the 2000 census.
Granville Condos - Granville is a village in Licking County, Ohio, United States, founded by settlers from Granville, Massachusetts, a town of which it now has three times the population.
Grove City Condos - Grove City, founded in 1852, is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 27,075 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Columbus.
Groveport Condos - Groveport is a village in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,865 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 4,926 as of July 2006.
Hilliard Condos - Hilliard is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 24,230 at the 2000 census. Hilliard's population was estimated to be 26,656 in 2005, and the city continues to grow.
Lewis Center Condos - Lewis Center is an unincorporated community in northwestern Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio, United States, located between Columbus and Delaware.
New Albany Condos - New Albany is a village in Franklin and Licking Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio, just northeast of the state capital of Columbus.
Pataskala Condos - Pataskala is a city in Licking County, Ohio, United States. The population was 10,249 at the 2000 census; a 2006 estimate reported a population of 12,643.
Pickerington Condos - Pickerington is a city situated in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the central region of the U.S. state of Ohio.
Powell Condos - Powell is a city in Delaware County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,247 at the 2000 census.
Reynoldsburg Condos - Reynoldsburg is a city in Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties in the U.S. state of Ohio.
Sunbury Condos - Sunbury is a village in Delaware County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,630 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 3,252 as of July 1, 2006.
Upper Arlington Condos - Upper Arlington is a suburban city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States, on the northwest side of the Columbus metropolitan area.
Westerville Condos - Westerville is a city in Franklin and Delaware Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a suburb of Columbus. The population was 35,318 at the 2000 census.
Worthington Condos - Worthington is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 14,125 at the 2000 census.
Cincinnati Condos - Cincinnati is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The population within city limits was 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's third-largest city.
Cincinnati Homes for Sale - Cincinnati is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The population within city limits was 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's third-largest city.
Cincinnati Foreclosure Homes for Sale - Cincinnati is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The population within city limits was 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's third-largest city.