Mason Condo Market

There is an overabundance of condos on the market in Mason right now. There are 146 units for sale. The price range is $54,000 to $435,000. It is definitely a buyers market for condos.

One benefit to owning a condo is lower maintenance and no yard work!

But one drawback is the HOA or Homeowners Association monthly fees. These fees can be as little as $100 a month to $300 a month. That's in addition to your mortgage. These monthly fees usually cover outside maintenance of the unit and sometimes utilities are included. Each community is different.

A higher down payment may also be required from a lender if you plan to purchase a condo. New guidelines require a minimum of 10% down for a conventional loan. Talk to a qualified mortgage officer for details.

Monday Mason Stats

There are 460 active listings in the Mason 45040 zip today.
The bigger story is the 38 listings that are now listed as "pending" in the Cincinnati area MLS since Feb. 1st. The market is starting to heat up!

Great deals.. Great rates.. Is it time for you to make a move?

More Details - $8,000 Tax Credit

Many buyers are getting excited about the new 2009 Tax Credit. Check out this link for more details on how you can cash in!

https://email.sibcycline.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www2.cabr.org/files/HomebuyerTaxCredit.pdf

Now call Michelle Sloan, Sibcy Cline Realtor for a FREE Cincinnati Area Home Search. After a brief interview, Michelle will set you up to receive a personalized list of homes in your price range and area of interest.

Planning to Buy? - Things to Do

Many wanna-be buyers are being turned down for loans because of low credit scores or lack of down payment money. There are a few things you can do to gear up to get qualified for a mortgage.

1. Check out your credit history at www.annualcreditreport.com. What you don't know may hurt you.

2. Pay down debt and clean up any questionable accounts.

3. Start saving. A minimum of 3.5% will be required for a down payment on a loan.

Also, it is important to talk to a mortgage loan officer for some great advice. Often, a qualified mortgage officer can offer free advice about what accounts are dragging down your credit and explain how to raise your score.

If you need a referral for loan advice, contact Realtor Michelle Sloan.

Check This Out!

Home Sellers in $150K Price Range Get Ready

Some home sellers are seeing increased activity on their active listings as a result of the new taxpayers credit for first time homebuyers.

Most first time homebuyers are looking at homes priced below $150K.

This home in Deerfield twp is listed at $159,900. This charming 3BR - 2BA home w/private cul-de-sac setting is move in ready! Fresh paint & carpet; finished lower level; oversized garage; all in desirable Landen!

When homes in this price range start selling, that will soon provide some relief for the sellers in the $150-$200K price range. And so it goes...

Contact Sibcy Cline Realtor, Michelle Sloan if you are looking for a first time home in the $150's or a move up property in the $500's. Her years of experience will guide you to a great purchase.

ATTENTION FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS!

Part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes a Homebuyer Tax Credit.

The $8,000 tax credit is only available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. The tax credit will reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

An individual purchaser cannot make more than $75,000 in 2009 and a couple cannot make more than $125,000 to be eligible for the credit.

Contact a certified tax accountant for more details.

Contact Michelle Sloan, Sibcy Cline Realtor to find the perfect first home!

Monday Mason Stats

Here are the numbers for today in the 45040.

Active Listings - 465
Pending Properties since 2/1 - 24
Closed Properties since 2/1 - 9

Stimulus news on the way.. a tax credit will be available for new home buyers.. but not everyone will be able to cash in. Watch for details in the coming days.

How Much Can You Afford?

That's a great question and one a buyer should not take lightly. I recommend each buyer talk to a lender/loan officer before actually looking at homes. This way you won't find a home you love but you can't afford.

I can give you a list of reliable lenders who will meet with you personally and show you the latest programs available. Buyers should determine the amount you can afford each month and the amount of cash you will need at closing.

2009 is the year of change, especially in mortgage lending. The biggest change for buyers is the amount of money needed to put down on a loan. The minimum is 3.5% of the purchase price for FHA loans. Most conventional loans will require a minimum of 5% down payment. That does not include closing costs.

Talk to a lender/mortgage officer for details and get pre-qualified or pre-approved before looking at properties. This is very important.

Pre-qualified - A short conversation over the phone with a mortgage officer about your qualifications, income and debts. This is not a guarantee that you are truly qualified.

Pre-approved - The mortgage officer will actually check your credit and verify your income and debts. This is the best way to start the home buying process. The lender will also be able to give you a pre-approval letter, which will be important to have when you are ready to make an offer.

Gearing up for Open House Sunday

If you love going to Open Houses, just to browse. That's great. As a Realtor, I love visitors, even if they are "just looking".

A great resource to search for open houses across the Cincinnati area is http://www.sibcycline.com/. Just click on the open house tab and you can search for open houses by location. Even other brokers open houses are listed. That's one stop shopping!

If you want to visit me, tomorrow I'll be at an open house at my listing 3873 Thorngate in Mason. Cute 2 BR 2 BA condo. Sellers are motivated. There are 32 other open houses in Mason on Sunday. Please let me know if you came because you saw it on this blog!

Looking for the Perfect Home

What a beautiful day to show homes in the Mason and Kings Mills area. I showed 8 homes in the area today in the $300K-$400K price range.

When looking at homes with a Realtor, it's important to take good notes because after about 3 or 4 homes the details start to get fuzzy.

A Realtor can show any property, listed by any broker. It's also important to only work with one Realtor instead of hopping from one listing agent to another.

The advantages of working with one Realtor:

1. The Realtor gets to know a buyer's wants and needs

2. Saves time - Realtor can schedule several showings in one day

3. Realtors work on commission only. A good Realtor will work hard for their client because their commission depends on it!

Michelle Sloan, Sibcy Cline Realtor will help you find the perfect home.

Wind Damage

Did your home suffer from wind damage over the last 24 hours? Shingles and siding missing with the wind?

You are not alone. The blue tarps will be out once again to protect homes from water damage.

If you need help, Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services for a quality home repair referral. Check out http://www.sibcycline.com/ and click on Home Services on the dropdown menu. Make sure to mention you were referred to Home Services from Michelle Sloan, Sibcy Cline Realtor.

Real Estate Referrals - Anywhere in the World!

Do you have a friend or relative planning to move in the next 6 months??

Do they need a qualified Realtor in their home or destination city?

Contact Michelle Sloan, Sibcy Cline Realtor for a real estate referral anywhere in the United States and in many countries around the world! msloan@sibcycline.com

Michelle Sloan is connected with the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Let her connections work for you!

Monday Mason Stats

What a busy week in the 45040! The warmer weather has many buyers thinking "spring"! Realtors around Mason and Deerfield township are reporting good traffic at Sunday's open houses.

Today there are 457 active listings in the 45040 zip code. New listings are getting the most attention.

If you are planning to buy a home in the next 6 months, it's not too early to get in touch with a Realtor and start looking. Contact Michelle Sloan, Realtor with Sibcy Cline for all your real estate needs in the Northeast Cincinnati area. http://www.sloansellshomes.com/ for more info.

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FUN Friday

Its cold and wet outside. If you are looking to get the preschoolers out of the house to burn off some energy, you may want to stop by Run Jump-n-Play on Duke Blvd.

It's an indoor playground. The kids love it!

For more information check out http://www.runjumpnplay.com/

Sun and Snow - Think Spring!

Now is a great time to buy a home. It is true, it is a buyer's market. But it is also a great time to think about selling your home.

So many homeowners are thinking about selling their home "in the spring". Think spring... NOW!

If you live in the northern Cincinnati area, make an appointment with Michelle Sloan in February, if you want to put your home on the market in March or April. Michelle will provide you with a FREE Competitive Market Analysis and valuable tips to get your home ready to show! It only takes about an hour and you'll be ready when the snow melts and the birds start singing!

Call Michelle Sloan, Sibcy Cline Realtor today at 513-600-5277. If you live outside the Cincinnati area, Michelle has the resources to hook you up with a qualified Realtor in your area. If you prefer email, msloan@sibcycline.com

Crooked Tree Subdivision - Mason

The Crooked Tree Subdivision is one of the largest communities in Mason/Deerfield twp. It is located north of Bethany Rd. and south of Brewer and is comprised of 200+ homes.

There are currently 16 homes for sale in this subdivision ranging in price from $250,000 to $430,000.

For information regarding the homeowners association check out http://www.crookedtreeca.org/covenents.htm

Monday Mason Stats

There are 452 active listings in the 45040 zip this week. 6 properties went under contract this week and are now pending.

This listing in Mason is being offered at $325,000 in the Village Lakes subdivision. This beautiful home features 4 Bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, an updated gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and 1st floor laundry.

Buyers who want to schedule a personal showing of this home or any other in the Mason area, contact Michelle Sloan, Sibcy Cline Realtor at 513-600-5277.