Ronald McDonald House 2024 At LifePoint Real Estate, community involvement is at the core of what we do. That’s why we were thrilled to extend our support to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio by volunteering to serve lunch and share some smiles. In addition to our recent volunteering efforts, we wanted to highlight some ongoing initiatives we’re passionate about. Throughout the year, our team comes together to create and donate blankets and snack packs for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. These small gestures provide comfort and nourishment during challenging times, a ..read more

The Impact of Intel Written by Samantha Reynolds If no other announcements are made in the chip manufacturing sector, New Albany’s Intel chip manufacturing facility will be the largest in the world – right in our backyards. The first phase of the development contains 2 fabs (or fabrication manufacturing facilities) at an initial cost of $20 billion (yes, billion with a B). Four additional fabs have been approved with a possible 7th and 8th fab under discussion. A website with information about the project itself and local traffic updates can be found here: https://newalbanyintel.com. On May 2n ..read more

When buying a house, there are many factors to consider – location, school district, commute, size…and of course, price. In today’s market, home buyers have several loan products available to finance their purchases. With interest rates on the rise, home buyers are exploring options outside of a traditional 30-year fixed loan. One such mortgage is an “assumable” mortgage”, but what exactly is an assumable mortgage? An assumable mortgage may be an attractive approach for a home buyer to get that dream home. With an assumable loan, the buyer takes on the already-existing loan the home seller ha ..read more

Owning a home is a big accomplishment and something that we all dream of. If you’re a first time home buyer, the process can seem daunting. There are so many things to think about – from getting pre-approved for a mortgage to finding the perfect home within your budget. To help you out, Matt Steinke with First Ohio Home Finance and I put together a short video with some tips for first time home buyers. We cover everything from how to create a budget to what to look for when you’re house hunting. We hope this video will give you the confidence you need to achieve your real estate goals. Thanks ..read more

What are adjustable-rate mortgages and how do they work? An adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, is a type of mortgage that has an interest rate that can change over time. The initial interest rate is usually lower than that of a fixed-rate mortgage, but it can increase (or decrease) periodically, typically in relation to an index such as the prime rate. This makes ARMs attractive to home buyers who plan to stay in their home for only a few years, as they can save money on interest payments in the short term. However, if interest rates rise significantly, the monthly payments on an ARM can becom ..read more

Earnest money, sometimes called a good faith deposit, is money the buyer places in escrow to show his/her earnest desire to purchase a property. Earnest money is not required, however, if there are multiple offers on a property, the earnest money may be used by the seller as a tiebreaker.  The money serves two primary purposes: it shows the seller that the buyer is serious and able in his/her desire to purchase the property and it ties up the buyer, so he/she is not free to purchase another property. The earnest money is usually placed in a non-interest-bearing escrow account.  When ..read more

You’ve found the perfect home and it has everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Spacious, modern kitchen. Gloriously open floor plan. Giant bedrooms. Great location and neighborhood. The only downside is the backyard is slightly smaller than you’d hoped. But no reason to stress. There are many ways you can optimize your outdoor space to make it feel much larger! Check out our favorites below. Separate Your Space. Breaking up your outdoor area into separate spaces or nooks can help make your backyard feel larger. Place items like planters, small walls, or outdoor light fixtures in between the spac ..read more

Green thumb or not, every homeowner should try their hand at growing fresh herbs. Here are 5 easy-to-grow herbs you can pick up and start tending to today. Mint. The perfect addition to a cool, refreshing summer drink, mint can be grown indoors in a wide pot of moderately rich soil. They recommend placing this herb in indirect light in an area with temperatures no more than 65 to 70 degrees during the day. Basil. This plant thrives off plenty of sunlight and warmth, so plant its seeds in a pot and place in a south-facing window. Once ready, this herb is a great addition to any tomato sauce or ..read more

The exterior of your home reflects your individual style just as much as the interior. If you feel the need to give your porch a new look and feel, then check out the ideas below. Plants. Bridge the gap between your front yard and porch area by introducing some natural elements. Install hanging planters on the roof of the porch and select beautiful greenery that trails down or add some flower boxes along the railings and plant colorful flowers or unique succulents. Color. Adding a pop of color can really liven up your porch. Try painting the ceiling, railing, or front door or, if you aren’t r ..read more

Summer is just around the corner so it’s the perfect time to start planning some fun projects for your backyard. Whether you are looking for new ways to entertain and host friends or you want to surprise your spouse or family with an improved aesthetic, here are some DIY projects that can help make your backyard even more spectacular. Fire Pit. If you buy the stones and materials yourself, you can make a firepit in less than a day and for under $100. Get ready for some s’mores and scary stories around the campfire right from your backyard. Tree Swing. Making a tire swing is another cheap proj ..read more