Barb Szabo's Blog: Ohio

You Bought A House, or Did You?

Although this market has and continues to have its challenges, we still occasionally see some "hot " properties. What's a hot property? A home in good condition in a nice location and well priced.

These homes will typically get a lot of showings and there will likely be multiple bids. Yes, even in this market! Many buyers and sellers are motivated by the tax credit and are putting their "best foot forward", viewing this as a great time to buy or sell.

So you find a great home and make a WRITTEN offer. Your agent then gets that offer to the listing agent. This could be by e-mail, fax, or even hand delivered.

Your agent receives an e-mail counteroffer from the listing agent. You are happy with the terms, tell your agent that you accept and instruct your agent to notify the listing agent that you accept. Your agent does so.

You are thrilled because you now believe you have purchased a home.

But have you??

Here's my answer. Maybe. Maybe not.

In order for an offer to be fully accepted, it must be signed by all parties with initials by any material change and delivered to all parties. Delivery can be through the agents for the buyer and the seller.  Until and unless this has been done, there may not be a contract.

It is entirely possible that even though you have a verbal or e-mail acceptance, another offer may come in. Unless the contract has been signed, initialed, and delivered to the seller, the listing agent has a duty to let the seller know that another contract has been submitted. You may then be in a multiple offer situation.

So when a buyer says to me "Barb, now that we have negotiated an offer, the seller can't sell it to anyone else can they?" My response is, until the contract is signed, initialed, dated, and returned to me, the seller may very well sell it to someone else.

This can and does happen, and buyers get very angry when it does. So if you see a home that you "just love", and you are ready, willing, and able, know that time may be of the essence. Make yourself available to meet with your agent to sign the necessary papers, and to initial any agreed upon changes in a timely manner.

Laws may vary from state to state so if you have questions about your contract and what is considered legally binding, consult a real estate attorney.

New Hampton Broadview Heights Ohio Real Estate Market Update Jan/Feb 2010

Below is the market activity for condos, clusters, and single family homes for January and February 2010. The numbers for pending and closed sales are low, which is to be expected at this time of year and coming out of 4th quarter. The activity in recent weeks has improved and I would expect a nice increase in the number of pending and closed sales as we end the first quarter and head into second quarter.

It is estimated that close to 90% of home buyers and sellers begin their search on line, making it critical that your home have a strong on line presence. I can give that to you through the internet sites seen below:

Below is the market activity for condos, clusters, and single family homes for January and February 2010. The numbers for pending and closed sales are low, which is to be expected at this time of year and coming out of 4th quarter. The activity in recent weeks has improved and I would expect a nice increase in the number of pending and closed sales as we end the first quarter and head into second quarter.

MacIntosh Farms Broadview Heights Ohio Jan/Feb 2010

It is estimated that close to 90% of home buyers and sellers begin their search on line, making it critical that your home have a strong on line presence. I can give that to you through the internet sites seen below:

Walsh Jesuit High School Cuyahoga Falls Ohio to Present "The Wizard of Oz"!

My daughter Ein has loved this musical since she was a very little girl.

*We went through at least 5 pairs of ruby red slippers

*She knows every song by heart

*She sang "Over the Rainbow" as a first grader and won 1st place!

*She sang "Over the Rainbow" as an eighth grader (Katharine McPhee style) and was amazing!

Now she is a part of this wonderful production. She is an 'apple throwing tree", sings vocals on just about every song and is the understudy to Glinda. There will be fire and smoke and flying, oh my! You will not want to miss this fantastic show!

SHOW DATES AND TIMES

• Thursday, March 11th, at 7:00 p.m.

• Friday, March 12th, at 7:30 pm.

• Saturday, March 13th, at 7:30 p.m.

• Sunday, March 14th, at 2:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, March 17th, at 7:00 p.m.

• Thursday, March 18th, at 7:00 p.m.

• Friday, March 19th, at 7:30 p.m.

                               • Saturday, March 20th, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

                               • Sunday, March 21st, at 2:00 p.m.

TICKETS Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.

Special group rates for organizations and schools are also available.

Preview nights are at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9th, and Wednesday, March 10th; all preview seats are $5.

Tickets may be purchased:

• At the door prior to show time (cash/check)

• By contacting Suzanne Fielder at suzanne.fielder@gmail.com or 330.239.4454 (cash/check)

• Online on the school website

Contesting Your Real Estate Property Taxes

With so many homes selling below the county valuation, many buyers are wondering if they can get their property taxes reduced.
While I may not be able to answer that with a resounding yes, I can point you  in the right direction to get the process started. If  you do not agree with the assessment of your property taxes you do have the right to appeal that valuation with the Cuyahoga County Board of Revision. In Cuyahoga County,  the auditor, the treasurer, and the president of the board of county commissioners each appoint members to the board of revision. There are 3 panels to hear the complaints.

Here are some important points for you to remember:

• All challenges must be filed between Jan. 1st. and March 31st
• Before filing  you should review the board of revision's rules of practice and filing guidelines
• the staff of the board of revisions is available to you to answer questions in person or by phone
• Be prepared to prove/justify why your valuation is incorrect by bringing your recent purchase contract, or, if your home has not sold recently, by bringing comparable sales. Pictures may also be helpful to show the home's condition.
• You may get the necessary form by calling the Board of Rvision at 216-443-7195
• You may also get the form online by visiting here

Counties vary in terms of policy and procedure so make sure you read all instructions before proceeding and if there is something you do not understand, be sure to consult an attorney.

Cuyahoga county

Summit county

Medina county

Geauga county


If you would like to know what your home is worth, please contact me. I am happy to help.

Move into this comfortable condo and enjoy all the amenities of Brecksville! This 2 bedroom, one bath condo is ready to move into and offers a newer furnace and hot water tank, dining room and kitchen with ceramic tile floor, and spacious living room with sliding doors leading to deck. Outside, there is a common area with a gazebo and open grilling. Join the recreation center and you'll have use of an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness area, game room, a huge outdoor playground and more! Located in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights school system.

Brecksville-Broadview Heights School System

Brecksville Ohio in the Summertime

Brecksville Ohio Community Center

Here is a sampling of my internet marketing:

Texas Hold 'Em Tournament at Assumption Church in Broadview Heights Ohio

My husband and I have been parishioners of Assumption parish in Broadview Heights Ohio for 20 years. Our daughter was baptized there, made her First Communion and then was confirmed there. I've been in the choir since 1991 and Lou joined shortly thereafter. For about 5 years I directed the choir too and loved it. I always say Erin came out of the womb singing and those of you who read my blog know she's blossoming into quite the singer.

We have been so blessed over the years so we try to help out at as many fund raisers as we can but find it's easy to do. From the church picnic in August, to the Lenten fish frys, to car washes by the teens, it never seems like a fund raiser. It's just is a good time. The people of Assumption Parish are like a second family to me so when we volunteer for something it feels more like a party than work.

So all you poker playin guys and gals, grab some friends and plan to attend this year's

Broadview Heights Ohio City Council PASSES Deer Hunting Ordinance

The passage of this ordinance has been a hot topic in Broadview heights Ohio for quite some time now. You could not pick up a copy of the Broadview Journal or the Sun Star Courier without reading about this issue. And of course, you could read about it on line. The ordinance, which will be placed in its entirety on Broadview Height's website, will allow for bow hunting of deer. There have understandably been many comments from those that are strongly opposed and those that are strongly for this ordinance. Please check the website in the upcoming weeks to read the written ordinance. I could not find any information as to when it will be posted so check periodically and I will do the same.

The ordinance passed 4-3 .

Those FOR were:

Helen Dunlap

Tom Pavlica

Roy Stewart

George Stelmaschuk

Those AGAINST were:

Robert Boldt

Jennifer Mahnic

Joe Price

According to an article by Ed Hightower, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the US  with more than 20,000 people hospitalized and nearly 500 killed each year. In addition, carbon monoxide poisonings have been on the rise, increasing 36% between  2001 and 2006. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas, which is why it can kill so quickly.

Many people may think, myself included, that the only possible solution is a plug in carbon monoxide detector, which will sound an alarm if CO is detected at that location. The problem with this is that the detector may be in  a location, such as a basement, which may be furthest from the bedrooms, and those sleeping in those bedrooms may not hear the alarm. Some detectors use batteries....need I say more?

Tom Olecki of Broadview Heating, Broadview Heights, Ohio offers another solution. A company called CO Authority manufactures a detector that can be mounted by a trained professional in the furnace plenum. This detector constantly monitors the air that comes out of the registers. If CO is detected, this detector actually turns off your furnace and sounds a warning. Power comes from the furnace so batteries are not needed.  The cost to install these detectors is between $400 and $450.

Call Tom Olecki at Broadview Heating 440-526-7310 for more information. Broadview Heating is located at 4111 E. Royalton Rd. in Broadview Heights Ohio.

Always consult a licensed heating professional!