Making the Most of a Buyer’s Market

 
There has never been a better time than now to start looking for a house! Interest rates are down, and it certainly is a buyer’s market. Of course, with all the homes for sale, there are open houses everywhere.

Previous Homearamas have been hosted by communities such as The Vintage Club, a gated community that has both large homes and condominiums to suit families and empty nesters alike; Vista Pointe at River’s Bend, home to Ohio’s only Tournament Players Club golf course; Chestnut Hill, located just next to the Deerfield Township Park and Cultural Center; and Ivy Trails, a natural and still largely wooded community in Anderson and Union Townships.

This year’s Homearama was held at Long Cove, a community in Mason. These luxury homes range in price from about $800,000 to almost $2 million and are situated around a 150-foot wide winding waterway. Residents can kayak, fish or canoe right in their backyards! There were several trends in these homes that you can look for in others as you look for your dream house!:

• The cold sterility of stainless steel is no longer tres chic. Look for more copper in your kitchen.
• Think outside the box. Square rooms are so last season!
• Get a super-duper shower with multiple sprayers; The best ones even have room to groove.
• Get a brighter look in the kitchen with glass-front cabinets.
• Instead of traditional 4-by-4 tiles, look for smaller tile arrangements.
• Light granite countertops are still chic.

 
Your realtor will be able to get you to open houses, but if you are the type who wants to help look for your own house, here are some Web sites to check out when you are looking for open houses:

• For Sale by Owner. This Web site lists homes for sale by their owner. Many of the online listings also offer virtual tours. It also gives you tips about getting your credit report and finding the right mortgage.
• Homescape. Cincinnati.com now has a beta version of Homescape, an engine that searches local listings from the multiple listing service, builders and private sellers.
• Another great resource for home buyers is the Home Buyer’s Fair. Held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 12 at the Westwood Town Hall. At the Fair, you can get tips on how to qualify for a loan, how to understand your credit score, and how to avoid predatory lending. You can also learn about the importance of a home inspection and down payment grants and special loan programs. The Fair is designed for first-time homebuyers and current home owners looking to re-locate, expand or downsize. Everyone who attends will receive a free power-primer about buying a house, including eight how-to sessions to help you through buying a house.

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Photo: istockphoto.com