http://www.FeliciaRowe.comThe latest in relevant information & discussions for home buyers, sellers, and agents from the world of a real estate agent.Copyright 2005 - 2006 FeliciaRowe.com. All rights reserved. How often do we get the opportunity to get something for nothing?? It?s not a rhetorical question, most of us would agree not very often if at all.   However, I have had the pleasure of assisting many buyers in the recent week?s past and these wonderful clients have hit the lottery, figuratively speaking anyways.   I have seen them purchase a lot of house for next to nothing!    Now I know this shouldn?t be new news to anyone, unless you have forgot the golden rule of media? ?Always read between the lines?.   Lately we have been bombarded with words of recession,    bubbles bursting, jobs plummeting, cycles at stand, but as most great investors will tell you, buy a stock at a low price.   Real estate is the same.   If you have the means, the credit and the opportunity, my opinion is BUY!   Rates are good, prices are low and the cycle IS NOT at a stand still!   It will move back around and make its way to the top again! &nhttp://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/23/Now-is-the-Time!Thu, 08 May 2008 05:19:35 -0500 OPEN HOUSES the following houses will be held open with refreshments served : Sunday, April 27, 2008 2-4pm 23890 Thompson Road, Howard $273,750   Woodview, Fredericktown $200,000   7171 Billman Road, Gambier $149,900   114 Pennsylvania Avenue, Mount Vernon $123,750   250 Parrott Street, Mount Vernon $115,000 http://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/22/American-Home-WeekTue, 22 Apr 2008 03:22:41 -0500 Technology is a great tool that has transformed how business is done in the real estate industry, but does it replace agency? In fact statistically speaking, 80% of people ?In the Market? shop around before ever contacting an agent.   The internet offers a wide range of real estate search engines,   agent and brokerage websites,   foreclosure property information,     past sales and tax info ,and that?s   just to name a few.   People are being bombarded with information and spilling in from all media sources available; radio talk shows, television home and house flipping shows, newspapers, and magazines.   Everywhere you turn there is information.   Many times people are led to believe that they should just leave a real estate agent out of it, that they themselves have obtained enough knowledge to close the deal.   Nevertheless there is one thing that as a consumer should never forget;    a real estate agent is sohttp://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/21/Does-Technology-Replace-Agency?Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:23:58 -0500 It?s a new year with a fresh start.   We have great interest rates which is a great beginning to the comeback market.   People are starting to see that ?credit? matters once again and hard work truly does payoff.   Look across the country and no matter where you?re at, your market is, if nothing else ?Different? than it was 1 or 2 years ago.   The real estate bubble has officially BURST!   Now the question is what are we going to do about it?   I have watched how many of my colleagues have begun to slowly take a step out of real estate and focus their professional life else where.   Sellers have stayed homeowners of their current place and some buyers still have dreams of owning.   Many people are wallowing but I say ?STOP IT?!   The market is not over its different, things aren?t easy but they are certainly   doable and Sellers, if you have been on the market for a very long time, ask your agent why, however be prepared for http://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/20/Its-Different,-Yet-Doable--The-MarketWed, 16 Jan 2008 05:29:43 -0500 USA-1 Real Estate sponsored an event that numerous local Realtors from different offices around Knox County benefited .   The agents gathered at the Holiday Inn Express for the seminar presented by Luke Lumsden, a FIS (Foreclosure Intervention Specialist) from Columbus . Mr. Lumsden presented a three hour power point presentation specific to short sales and foreclosures. He informed the class that having the knowledge to help people in tough situations before their home is foreclosed on is powerful, and he gave insight on how to be more proactive during the rise of foreclosures. ? With foreclosures at an all time high, this seminar couldn't have happened at a better time. It's necessary to educate ourselves as professionals in order to better serve our clients, customers and community.? Felicia Rowe of USA-1 Real Estate stated during a break at the seminar. The real estate professionals walked away with more knowledge of how to deal with today?s real estate condithttp://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/19/News-ReleaseTue, 13 Nov 2007 01:43:44 -0500 So we have all been reading and watching the statistics of our current real estate market.  Its been gloomy and dreary all places of our nation.  Clouds reaching even in the once brightest and strongest of markets.  What does this all mean, will it ever bounce back? If so, when?  Many have been asking these questions and reading every report printed, its been theory that we will not see an increase in real estate earlier than late Fall 2008 or possible Spring 2009. Many factors decide the fate of real estate.  Some are of course; the cost of money, politics, trust, environment and income.  With foreclosures being at an all time high, its hard for either party to trust, getting the money is difficult and our environment is constantly changing, thus leaving many buyers without the "perfect home" and sellers stuck with an investment they prefer to unload.  As a real estate professional and a bit of a visionary, I see hope.  Ihttp://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/18/Take-This-Tough-Market-and-Turn-ItTue, 30 Oct 2007 12:36:50 -0500   Buyers beware of falling under the misunderstanding that you are saving money if you purchase your next piece of real estate on your own.   Buyers that THINK they are saving money by choosing not to be represented in real estate transactions are actually taking a very PRICEY RISK!   When buyers go unrepresented they are taking a huge gamble and risking time, money and their best interest.    All buyers should be represented and when they choose to use a real estate agent it?s FREE!   The buyer never pays the agent, the seller does and the payment of commission has been agreed upon before the listing was ever marketed.   Meaning the seller is going to pay a predetermined amount (usually 7%) regardless if the buyer has an agent or not.   A real estate agent is not the only person that can help, an attorney can also get the job done for around $250- $600.   But why pay the extra money when you can get a trained real estate profehttp://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/17/Buyers-BewareMon, 12 Mar 2007 03:53:11 -0500 So we have all seen the infomercials, internet ads and sometimes even in the local newspaper advertising incredible home loan interest rates of 4.2, 3.6 and even the occasional 2.8%.   If you're in the market to purchase a new home, you've probably been shopping around and you realize that the "norm" yet always fluctuating is usually around 6.75%.   So how and why are these so-called banks and lenders offering such extreme differences?   They're TEASING you, hence the term "Teaser rate".   Such rates are frequently driven by dishonest mortgage brokers or self divulged loan officers, rarely by trustworthy mortgage bankers.   The difference ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortgage_broker ) all though both may be paid a commission for their work, brokers are independents working with a multitude of different lenders (not all banks) that will pay the highest commission to them and rarely work in the best interest of the client (you). &nbshttp://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/16/Teaser-RatesSun, 04 Mar 2007 02:21:23 -0500 The New Year has arrived and buyers are searching for their next home. As the trend would show, real estate is typically booming during Spring time. Whether you are a buyer or seller, now is the time to prepare! If you are a buyer looking for that perfect property make sure you know the housing market. Using a Realtor is the best way to stay on top of an ever fluctuating market. An agent main goals are to help you find a home for the best price, in the quickest amount of time and for the least amount of hassle. Springtime often gives a buyer the upper hand in the home purchasing process. A lot of time more sellers list their property, thus allowing a buyer more home options. Most of the time a buyer can get more house per dollar. If you are thinking about placing your house on the market or already have, be prepared! Buyers are looking and you will most likely see an increase of showings of your property. It so very important that you home stands out! Make those showing http://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/15/Are-You-Ready?Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:59:16 -0500 So you know what you like, but do you know what you want? Are you a buyer that loves the old, charming neighborhoods, but you also like a few homes you've seen in that great new subdivision?  Well I have a few ideas that might help narrow your choices. When trying to decide between and old versus a new neighborhood, first think about the style of house you prefer and then think about your day-to-day lifestyle.  Do you appreciate hand-beveled hardwood floors or is a durable laminate wood look-a-like or  stain-resistant carpet more your style?  You also will what to consider the following: Cost.  Older homes can have a unique charm, but you may have to budget for higher maintenance costs, while newer home are often much more energy efficient. Not to say you can't make an older home more efficient by putting in new windows and insulation you could give a historic home a "Like" new quality. Style.  While older homes may be roomier, newer homes can prhttp://www.feliciarowe.com/Resources/Blog/14/Old-vs.-NewFri, 29 Dec 2006 03:35:57 -0500