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BRRS new smallThe year is finally coming to an end and 2013 is almost upon us.   2013 will mark the 18th year that Buyer’s Resource Realty Services has been representing and protecting ONLY home buyers in central Ohio.  We are the oldest established Exclusive Buyer Agency in Columbus, Ohio.  If you are a potential home buyer then Buyer’s Resource is your best choice.  No other real estate brokerage in Columbus that represents buyers exclusively can compare to our total experience and number of client transactions (1,000+).  We are dedicated home buyer advocates who always represent the best interests of the buyer.  For more information you can review my Testimonials & References!

Way back in 2007, I started this blog (HomeBuyer’s Advocate!) to be a resource of important real estate information for my clients and any potential home buyers.  I’ve been very fortunate that a few of my blog posts have been referenced in local newspapers and a national magazine publication (“This Old House”).  I honestly don’t know how this happened because I think I have the writing skills of a junior high school student (LOL!).   One of my major goals for 2013 will be to reach 100,000+ views on my blog.  Stayed tuned during the next few weeks for some interesting topics and posts for home buyers.  My upcoming blog posts will have timely and important tidbits of information that every home buyer should know before they start the journey of buying a home.

In 2013 I hope to continue and expand my blog as an invaluable resource for future home buyers.  My vision is for HomeBuyer’s Advocate Blog to be the preeminent resource for information in Columbus, Ohio for home buyers.

Good luck out there!

Please feel free to contact me if you need help or have questions.

How do you like you the “snowy background” on the blog?  I think it is very festive.

HomeBuyer Advocate Mike

Representing People, NOT Property!

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The title tells you everything you need to know! A very good video for home buyers from “The Balancing Act” show on cable channel “Lifetime”.  The National Association Exclusive Buyer’s Agents (NAEBA) is an organization that strives to give today’s home-buying consumers the level of service they deserve and are increasingly demanding. NAEBA members firmly believe that home buyers have the same full and equal representation rights as sellers in any real estate transaction.   We have NAEBA members throughout the world.

Exclusive Buyer Agents (EBA) are the guaranteed, highest and best representation possible for a home buyer.  We help our Buyer Clients, “Locate, Evaluate and Negotiate!”

Great information for the home buyer.

Good luck out there!

Please feel free to contact me if you need help or have questions

Home Buyer Advocate Mike

Representing People, NOT Property!

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superman-logoIf you are looking for help to buy a home in Columbus, Ohio then you should contact a Buyer’s Agent.  But, not all Buyer’s Agents are the same.  The best representation for a residential or investor home buyer in Columbus, Ohio is an Exclusive Buyer Agent (EBA) or Exclusive Buyer Broker (EBB).  An Exclusive Buyer Agent will always look out for your best interest and protect you in the home buying process.

Here are the TOP 10 reasons to use an Exclusive Buyer Agent:

  1.  We ONLY represent buyers.  We are EXPERTS at buyer representation.
  2.  We negotiate the BEST price and terms for you.
  3.  We don’t sell homes.  We advise, counsel and educate.
  4.  We assist Buyers in evaluating the BEST financing options.
  5.  We have a duty to DISCLOSE all material information to our Buyer’s.
  6.  We are Buyer advocates that work to PROTECT your investment.
  7.  We are the GUARANTEED highest level of representation.
  8.  We SAVE you time and money.  We pay attention to the details.
  9.  We provide MORE available homes to our Buyer’s than most other  agents.
  10.  We locate, evaluate and negotiate for our Buyer’s.

For more information contact an Exclusive (true) Buyer Agent today. 

Helping home buyers is our only speciality.

A true Buyer’s Agent (EBA) will have no conflicts of interest….ever!superman-picture

An Exclusive Buyer Agent is NOT Superman.  But, we are the home buyers best protection and advocate in the home buying process.

Good luck out there.

Home Buyer Advocate Mike

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Not Really!…..But I made you take a second to review our informative blog.  The Homebuyer’s Advocate Blog could possibly be the best real estate blog in central Ohio.  But that is for our subscribers & readers to comment on, NOT us.  I’m playfully breaking one of the most important commandments of blogging.

Rule #1 of blogging, thou shall not blatantly self-promote. 

10,000 Views

10,000 Views!!!

In the last year, hopefully our readers & subscribers feel the Homebuyers Advocate has been an excellent resource for EVERYTHING real estate in Columbus, Ohio.  We had a goal of reaching 10,000 views within the first year.  We came extremely close to our goal.  But, we fell short by only 13 days.  Our new goal for next year is 50,000 views by the end of year two.

We’ve had some good exposure in the last year.   Homebuyer’s Advocate Blog was used as a reference for a Columbus Dispatch news article in May, 2008.  Andrew Show, Owner of Buyer’s Resource Realty Services was a guest speaker on WTVN 610 radio station.  Our most popular blog post on home warranties was recently used as a reference in the current issue (September, 2008) of national magazine publication, This Old House Magazine”.

Our mission statement for The Homebuyer’s Advocate Blog is to be the premier information resource for home owners in central Ohio with a primary focus on saving home owners money or preserving their equity/appreciation. 

If you are a home owner or potential home owner in Central Ohio our blog is a growing database of important news and information that you need to be aware of. 

If you take a second to review a few of our 37 blog posts, I bet you will find some information that will save you some money.

Good luck out there!

Be Informed, Subscribe NOW!

Home Buyer Advocate Mike

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Taxes

Taxes

Franklin County has a great automated monthly prepay system for paying your real estate taxes that will pay you interest.  The Franklin County Treasurer will pay the “average Joe” home owner the same interest rate that the Treasurer earns on its multi-million dollar portfolio.  This is really a groundbreaking achievement for the Franklin County Treasurer’s office.  The Treasurer sought and obtained a change in state law that allowed them to pay interest on monthly tax payments by home owners.  Banks are still NOT allowed to pay interest on escrow accounts that collect property tax payments.

The interest rate that you can earn from the Treasurer’s office will be a better rate than most short-term bank accounts (checking, savings or money market accounts).  For example, in 2007, the Treasurer’s interest rate fluctuated between 3.5% – 5.5%.  Last year, I had a so called “high yield money market account” with an investment company that only earned between 1.75% – 2.25%.  I think the Treasurer’s new monthly prepay system for real estate taxes that also pays interest is a first-rate service.   Many homeowners in Franklin County are not even aware of this service.

A  Franklin County home owner could possibly earn a couple hundred dollars a year.   For example, a $265,000 home in Franklin County with yearly real estate taxes of $5,000 a year would have approximately earned $200 – $220 in an interest credit for 2007. The interest that you earn will be credited back against your real estate taxes, to LOWER your taxes!  To get more info, you can visit the Franklin County Treasurer web site.  The process is very simple and easy to set up.  You just have to fill out one simple form.

If you are currently escrowing your real estate taxes with your lender then you will need to check with your lender to see if you are eligible to stop the escrow of real estate taxes.  Most lenders will allow you to stop escrowing for real estate taxes if you have 20% – 30% equity.  But, every bank has different policies and procedures, so before you do anything make sure you first check with your mortgage lender.  You want to make sure you are eligible and there are no fees or costs involved to stop escrowing for your real estate taxes.

As of right now, Franklin County is the only local county in central Ohio that offers this great service.  If you have questions, you can contact The Treasurer’s office for more information  (614) 462-7515. 

I think this is a wonderful service by our Treasurer’s office.  A great benefit for being a home owner in Franklin County.  You have the “worry free” convenience of automatic monthly payments of your real estate taxes that also pays you a great short term interest rate that you probably can’t get at any bank.  And best of all, the Treasurer’s program is FREE.  There is no fee or set up charge to join the program.

Shake Down!

Shake Down!

Don’t let the “Tax Man” shake you down!   Click here for other possible ways to reduce your property taxes and/or save some “greenbacks”! 

HomeBuyer Advocate Mike

 

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After years of failed attempts, it finally looks like we will have some licensing regulations in place for Home Inspectors in the State of Ohio by 2009.  House bill (HB) 257 recently passed the Ohio House of Representatives by a wide margin (83-11).  The bill will be reviewed by the Ohio Senate later this year when the legislature reconvenes after the November 4th election.

With all the problems in the last few years in real estate, it would be “political suicide” for any political official (wink, wink Gov. Ted Strickland) not to pass some positive legislation.  Legislation designed to regulate & license Ohio’s home inspection industry is long over due.

For too long, any “Joe Schmoe” could print up a business card on their home computer and start a home inspection business.  Because of this reason, there are inexperienced, unqualified inspectors in our area.  This is a problem for a potential home buyer.  The problems we have had in the home inspection industry are really “small potatoes” compared to all the other major problems in real estate (lenders, fraud, greed, non-disclosure, foreclosures, etc.).  But, this is a good thing.  This means legislation will probably get passed in the State of Ohio.

The new Home Inspection Licensing will probably include the following provisions:

1.  Criminal penalties for performing home inspections without a license.

2.  Creation of a process for investigating complaints filed against inspectors.

3.  Creation of the Ohio Home Inspection Board to regulate the industry.

4.  Creating minimum standards and guidelines for performing inspections.

Hopefully our state legislature will have the home inspection bill passed soon.  I am confident that home buyers in 2009 will have the protection of home inspection regulation and licensing.
Home Inspector

Home Inspector

Check out my previous past about “Home Inspection Nightmares”.  This blog post also has good links to find qualified home inspectors in your area via The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI)

Good luck out there!

HomeBuyer Advocate Mike

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Finally a good article that fully explains everything the consumer needs to know about buyer agents.  Broderick Perkins with deadlinenews.com has put out one of the best articles that I could find explaining the differences among “so called” buyer agents.  Fake Buyer Agents have always been a problem for the average home buyer.  Hopefully, similar articles will follow in the future.  Watch out and good luck out there!

 

HomeBuyer Advocate Mike

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Another “somewhat” good article about buyer’s agents popped up over the weekend in the Columbus Dispatch newspaper.  Buyer’s agents work on clients behalf, using one can help bring a better deal on home purchase.  This story was written by Mary Ellen Slayter of The Washington Post.  Mary has a decent history of writing informative articles (for example, Watching Out for You, the Buyer) that help educate home buyers and explain the virtues of using a buyer’s agent.

But, like many writers, Mary’s articles fall  short of providing accurate information.  Mary’s main sources and references in her articles are mainly tainted by traditional  real estate agents and organizations that are trying to promote the real estate industry in general, and NOT really promoting true buyer advocacy.  The most important issue for any potential home buyer is to first find a qualified Exclusive (true) Buyer Agent (EBA).  Articles like Mary’s do more harm than good because they don’t clearer state the important differences between a traditional real estate buyer agent and an Exclusive Buyer Agent.

Many traditional buyer agents will sell homes and take listings.  This creates a huge, conflict of interest to any home buyer and exposes them to being “sold” properties by their so called buyer agent instead of their buyer agent being their advocate and adviser.  Almost all Exclusive (true) Buyer Agent have access to all homes in their market but they do NOT SELL homes or take listings at all!  An Exclusive Buyer Agent is the highest, best representation possible for any home buyer.

Many traditional buyer agents are just using the “title” to try and capture business.  Mary’s suggestion for finding a buyer agent, “Another way to find a buyer’s agent is to visit open houses” is probably one of  the most negligent and craziest suggestions that I’ve ever heard.  Home buyers should start at the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) if they are trying to find a good, qualified buyer agent.  Good luck!

HomeBuyer Advocate Mike 

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 Television

In 2000,  we won FIRST PLACE in the television advertising category for a medium/small real estate firm in the State of Ohio.  The advertising & promotion contest was  Blue Ribbon  sponsored by the Ohio Association of Realtors (OAR).  These television commercials were conceived & produced in Central Ohio by a good friend of mine who is in advertising.  We produced these commercials for the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA).  NAEBA is our professional trade organization.  I hope you enjoy these spots.  I am really proud of the commercials.  I think the messages of these commercials are very powerful.  Today’s home buyer really has to question their “so called” buyers agent’s loyalty, competency and advocacy.  The home buyer really has to be aware of their agents duties and required disclosures to them or LACK OF!  The 30 second spots are funny, informative and controversial.

Cannonball II   http://youtube.com/watch?v=agN7p1lGvtQ  

(This is not a clip of that great Burt Reynolds sequel movie in the 70’s – Cannonball Run)

Problem             http://youtube.com/watch?v=1c15qPWkAz8

Flight Path        http://youtube.com/watch?v=1ASHpSARguU 

Watercooler      http://youtube.com/watch?v=5OR8JSETKVs 

SOB                   http://youtube.com/watch?v=C1KfYDx_DAI  

Thinking            http://youtube.com/watch?v=mTaiJqGDmPg   

Hounds              http://youtube.com/watch?v=cKFtTGCzHJ0   

Cannonball        http://youtube.com/watch?v=1xD37nhebGU     

In the future I hope to have more home buyer advocate clips on my main youtube site:

http://youtube.com/profile?user=OSUMike64

Ohio Association of Realtors Award Certificate 

I hope you enjoyed these funny, informative spots.

HomeBuyer Advocate Mike

 

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The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) is back in the news again.  The July 17, 2007 Newsweek Magazine touts the huge benefits of using an Exclusive Buyer Agent that belongs to NAEBA.   Not all Buyer Agents are the same.

Don’t be FOOLED!  Many traditional real estate agents just use the title of a Buyer Agent in order to “drum up” more business.  The best representation and protection for any residential or investor home buyer is an Exclusive Buyer Agent.  Exclusive Buyer agent simply means that the agent will NEVER take listings or sell homes.  You will not be steered toward company listings or SOLD a home.

An Exclusive Buyer Agent is the guaranteed highest and best form of representation available for a home buyer.  Exclusive Buyer Agents will have access to all the homes on the market and probably have access to more homes then even a traditional real estate agent.  Every potential home buyer should read this Newsweek Magazine article.  It is great information.

I also really appreciate that the author of the article quoted Stephen Brobeck of the Consumer Federation of America (CFA).    For nearly 30 years, the CFA has been the PREMIER consumer advocacy group in the country.  The CFA works to advance pro-consumer policies dealing with food, agriculture, real estate, finance and communication.  From nearly day one!, the CFA has always advocated using an Exclusive Buyer Agent instead of any other type of “so called” Buyer Agent.

So don’t settle for anything less then a true Exclusive Buyer Agent from NAEBA

HomeBuyer Advocate Mike

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HomeBuyer Advocate Mike


Representing People, NOT Property in Columbus, Ohio. If you are a home buyer, then you need me to protect you. I can help you get the best price and terms for your next home purchase. You must use a true Buyer Broker! 1.614.805.7607

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