Here is some interesting information from www.trulia.com according to the Ohio Census Bureau. All information below is for the state of Ohio.
Median Household Income: $40,956 National Average: $41,994
Median Family Income: $50,037 National Average: $50,046
Per-Capita Income: $21,003 National Average: $21,587
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: $103,700 National Average: $119,600
Median Price Asked for Housing Units: $85,200 National Average: $89,600
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Monday, February 26, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Know Your Homes Heating System
Heating Systems
Here's a quick look at the most common types of heating systesms:
Forced-air systems: Heats air as it passes through the furnace. A blower and a system of ducts take the warm air throughout the house, and then back to the furnace.
Hot-water (hydronic) systems: Water gets heated in the boiler and is then circulated through pipes to radiators or convectors. The water then returns to the boiler to be reheated and begins the journey again. The water can be circulated either mechanically through the use of circulator motors (pumps) or via gravity, as is common in older homes.
Steam systems: These resemble hot-water systems, except that the water in the boiler is heated until it becomes steam and can travel under its own pressure through the pipes to radiators. Steam radiators get much hotter than water radiators and are therefore smaller. They should be covered to prevent burn injuries.
Electric systems: Use electrical resistance to generate radiant heat in baseboard units, or in cables embedded in the ceiling or floor.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Here's a quick look at the most common types of heating systesms:
Forced-air systems: Heats air as it passes through the furnace. A blower and a system of ducts take the warm air throughout the house, and then back to the furnace.
Hot-water (hydronic) systems: Water gets heated in the boiler and is then circulated through pipes to radiators or convectors. The water then returns to the boiler to be reheated and begins the journey again. The water can be circulated either mechanically through the use of circulator motors (pumps) or via gravity, as is common in older homes.
Steam systems: These resemble hot-water systems, except that the water in the boiler is heated until it becomes steam and can travel under its own pressure through the pipes to radiators. Steam radiators get much hotter than water radiators and are therefore smaller. They should be covered to prevent burn injuries.
Electric systems: Use electrical resistance to generate radiant heat in baseboard units, or in cables embedded in the ceiling or floor.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Credit Card Offers
Here is some useful information when considering all those credit card offers.
Know what a teaser rate is. A teaser rate is an introductory rate which is used to acquire new customers. Teaser rates generally only last 3-6 months. After the teaser rate expires make sure you know what the regular rate will be.
Teaser rates often apply only to new purchases. If you are trying to eliminate debt by utilizing a new card with a lower rate the temptation to purchase be work against you.
If you are transferring balances utilizing the teaser rate is an excellent way to save money. But, you have to know when the introductory period is going to expire and what the regular rate will be. The new rate may end up being higher than your current card and you may end up loosing the money you saved during the teaser rate period.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Know what a teaser rate is. A teaser rate is an introductory rate which is used to acquire new customers. Teaser rates generally only last 3-6 months. After the teaser rate expires make sure you know what the regular rate will be.
Teaser rates often apply only to new purchases. If you are trying to eliminate debt by utilizing a new card with a lower rate the temptation to purchase be work against you.
If you are transferring balances utilizing the teaser rate is an excellent way to save money. But, you have to know when the introductory period is going to expire and what the regular rate will be. The new rate may end up being higher than your current card and you may end up loosing the money you saved during the teaser rate period.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Winter Weather
Its winter in Northeast Ohio and staying indoors is generally the norm. As we count down to spring consider the following to make your indoor stay bearable.
Game Night Remember game night at your house with your family? You ordered a pizza, listened to some music and played a board game that could last into the wee hours of the night (well, maybe just 10 p.m.). Although your childhood years have passed, there's no reason you can't revive that old tradition with your new family or just a big group of friends! Whether it's a night in with the girls or just a few couples getting together to catch up, game night is a great way to enjoy a cold night in, when the bars seem a little too far away and the restaurants a little too crowded.
Scrap Booking Turn off the TV, turn on your favorite music and reminisce about the good old days, while making your memories last a lifetime. Scrap booking is something that is perfect to do alone or with others. Together you can share stories and memories while learning more about your friends and loved ones, or simply sit alone with your favorite CD and relive your days of yore.
Cooking You can do it! As a fun endeavor alone or with friends, try cooking a tough recipe that you've been dying to eat, but were too afraid to cook. Make pizza from scratch, stuff a chicken or even just try to perfect your macaroni and cheese — and hey, if it doesn't work out, you can always order pizza!
Keep these indoor endeavors in mind and you'll be sure to make the most of your nights in.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Game Night Remember game night at your house with your family? You ordered a pizza, listened to some music and played a board game that could last into the wee hours of the night (well, maybe just 10 p.m.). Although your childhood years have passed, there's no reason you can't revive that old tradition with your new family or just a big group of friends! Whether it's a night in with the girls or just a few couples getting together to catch up, game night is a great way to enjoy a cold night in, when the bars seem a little too far away and the restaurants a little too crowded.
Scrap Booking Turn off the TV, turn on your favorite music and reminisce about the good old days, while making your memories last a lifetime. Scrap booking is something that is perfect to do alone or with others. Together you can share stories and memories while learning more about your friends and loved ones, or simply sit alone with your favorite CD and relive your days of yore.
Cooking You can do it! As a fun endeavor alone or with friends, try cooking a tough recipe that you've been dying to eat, but were too afraid to cook. Make pizza from scratch, stuff a chicken or even just try to perfect your macaroni and cheese — and hey, if it doesn't work out, you can always order pizza!
Keep these indoor endeavors in mind and you'll be sure to make the most of your nights in.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Debt Information
Whether you are thinking of purchasing your first home or looking to upgrade the amount of debt you are carrying is something lenders examine closely. Whether you have your debt under control or need to get it under control here is some information that should be useful.
1. Figure out what you owe and what it is costing you. Write down outstanding balances and
interest rates on all credit cards and loans.
2. Good debt and bad debt
A student loan is an example of good debt. A student loan is an investment in your future which will outlast the debt. You can take years to pay off a student loan and depending on your income you may be able to deduct the interest. http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch05.html
Bad debt has high interest rates and only loose value over time. Credit cards and auto loans are examples of bad debt. The average interest rate on a credit card is 15% and average interest rate on auto loans is between 7 and 8%.
3. Control your lenders
Stop using credit cards, just keep one for emergencies. Call your creditors and ask them for a better rate. You can also transfer credit card balances to a lower rate card or explore introductory rate offers. If you are considering introductory rate offers beware of the balance transfer fee which is usually 3% of the balance transferred. Introductory rates usually have strict limitions. Know the teaser rate, when it expires and what the new rate will be. Also, know what will result in the loss of the teaser rate such as a late payment. Something else to consider, don't close the account with your old credit card company, an unused credit card can actually help raise your credit score.
4. Student Loan Costs
If you are in school the average rate is 6.54% or if you've started repaying the rate is 7.14%. Shop for a better rate. http://simpletution.com
5. Spend Wiser
Develop a budget to see what your spending and whats left at the end of each month. Look for unnecessary spending for example, forgo happy hour, pack a lunch instead of eating out, bring your own coffee instead of stopping at the local coffee shop. Apply the extra money to your credit card payments.
Source: http://money.aol.com/
Questions or comments write or email:
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Time to Buy?
If you finally decided its time to purchase a home, here is some information that will hel.
If you do start your home search, it's important to know what to look for. Don't just narrow your search by how much you can afford to spend — also have an idea of the specific features you want your new home to have. Remember, you're looking for a home to express your lifestyle and values, a place to spend time with family and friends and a place to retreat at the end of the day.
Ask yourself the following questions to fine tune your search criteria and realize what — other than price — is important:
What features are most important to me?
Do I want special features like a garden, patio or pool?
What are the local schools like?
Do I want a newly constructed house?
Does the house need a lot of repairs?
Once the search is over and you've found the right home for you, the next step is to make the seller an offer in writing. Your offer is often the first step toward negotiating a contract. But be sure to focus on more than money during this stage, and focus on all the details of the purchase, such as:
How will you finance the home?
What is the amount of the down payment?
What inspections will be performed?
What are the terms of cancellation?
How would you settle disputes that may arise?decided its your time to purchase a home, here are some points to help you along.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
If you do start your home search, it's important to know what to look for. Don't just narrow your search by how much you can afford to spend — also have an idea of the specific features you want your new home to have. Remember, you're looking for a home to express your lifestyle and values, a place to spend time with family and friends and a place to retreat at the end of the day.
Ask yourself the following questions to fine tune your search criteria and realize what — other than price — is important:
What features are most important to me?
Do I want special features like a garden, patio or pool?
What are the local schools like?
Do I want a newly constructed house?
Does the house need a lot of repairs?
Once the search is over and you've found the right home for you, the next step is to make the seller an offer in writing. Your offer is often the first step toward negotiating a contract. But be sure to focus on more than money during this stage, and focus on all the details of the purchase, such as:
How will you finance the home?
What is the amount of the down payment?
What inspections will be performed?
What are the terms of cancellation?
How would you settle disputes that may arise?decided its your time to purchase a home, here are some points to help you along.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Do It Yourself Tips
Do Your Homework
Even if you think you know what you're doing, it's a good idea to see how others do it. Research your project on the Internet, watch television shows or even ask the opinion of a friend or the clerk at your hardware store. By acquiring as much information as you can before starting your project, you can ensure that you'll be ready for any complications that may come up. If your DIY endeavor is a large one, you may need to call your building department for a permit.
Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
There's nothing worse than getting involved in a big project when you realize you don't have the right tools or materials — this situation can really slow you down. Also, DIYers often search for the best bargain when buying their equipment instead of searching for top quality. Always lean towards quality when buying tools or equipment — it will save you time and a lot of stress!
Prepare Your Work Area
Your work area should be reasonably accessible. If suppliers are delivering materials to your home, prepare a clear area where they can put the materials. When working outside, remember to put your equipment away if possible. If you need to leave materials outside overnight, have a plan for protecting them from inclement weather. For those who have children, try to set up your work area as far away as possible from your kids' play area and make sure you keep any dangerous tools out of their reach.
Safety First
Always wear safety goggles, hard hats and gloves when necessary. Also, open some windows when you're painting or staining, or stripping old finishes off of floors or walls.
Do the Math
When building walls, hanging drywall or cutting baseboards, counter tops or pipe, it's critical that your measurements are accurate. We recommend that you double- and triple-check your measurements. If your calculations are off, make sure they're off on the long side. You can always make something shorter — you can't make it longer.
Don't Take on the Impossible
If you need a new roof and you're afraid of heights, don't even think about taking on the project yourself. If you're even slightly uncomfortable or unfamiliar with a certain project, hire a professional! Don't do anything you know you can't do — it will just waste your time and money.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Even if you think you know what you're doing, it's a good idea to see how others do it. Research your project on the Internet, watch television shows or even ask the opinion of a friend or the clerk at your hardware store. By acquiring as much information as you can before starting your project, you can ensure that you'll be ready for any complications that may come up. If your DIY endeavor is a large one, you may need to call your building department for a permit.
Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
There's nothing worse than getting involved in a big project when you realize you don't have the right tools or materials — this situation can really slow you down. Also, DIYers often search for the best bargain when buying their equipment instead of searching for top quality. Always lean towards quality when buying tools or equipment — it will save you time and a lot of stress!
Prepare Your Work Area
Your work area should be reasonably accessible. If suppliers are delivering materials to your home, prepare a clear area where they can put the materials. When working outside, remember to put your equipment away if possible. If you need to leave materials outside overnight, have a plan for protecting them from inclement weather. For those who have children, try to set up your work area as far away as possible from your kids' play area and make sure you keep any dangerous tools out of their reach.
Safety First
Always wear safety goggles, hard hats and gloves when necessary. Also, open some windows when you're painting or staining, or stripping old finishes off of floors or walls.
Do the Math
When building walls, hanging drywall or cutting baseboards, counter tops or pipe, it's critical that your measurements are accurate. We recommend that you double- and triple-check your measurements. If your calculations are off, make sure they're off on the long side. You can always make something shorter — you can't make it longer.
Don't Take on the Impossible
If you need a new roof and you're afraid of heights, don't even think about taking on the project yourself. If you're even slightly uncomfortable or unfamiliar with a certain project, hire a professional! Don't do anything you know you can't do — it will just waste your time and money.
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Selling a Home in Stow, Cuyahoga Falls or Akron, Ohio
Selling a home in Stow, Cuyahoga Falls or Akron, Ohio? Here are the latest market statistics for December 2006. There were less homes available for sale compared to November and October 2006, the other statistics were relatively the same.
| City | Homes For Sale | Sold | Days on Market | Median Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stow | 159 | 17 | 94 | $150,000 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | 288 | 28 | 75 | $110,000 |
| Akron | 1815 | 173 | 84 | $60,000 |
Ohio home price
Questions or comments write or email:
eugene.dougherty@realliving.com
www.realtyone.com/eugene.dougherty
YOUR Personal Guide to Real Estate
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