4 Tips on How to Get a Home Loan

Maybe you're tired of paying your landlord's mortgage and anxious about how to get a home loan.

There are four key areas to focus on to get pre approved for a home loan. Your best strategy is to start several months ahead of when you'd like to buy a home. Getting pre approved is great, but being highly qualified means better loan terms and interest rates. This can have a dramatic effect on your finances over time.

How to Get a Home Loan

Mortgage lenders are going to look at a lot of things, including your debt-to-income ratio. I can tell you, as a Realtor working with clients and facilitating mortgage approvals there's a whole lot more to it.

You can have the down payment, long time at your job and maybe you don't carry a lot of debt. That doesn't mean you can get approved for a home loan. Even if you do, it doesn't mean you'll get the best terms either.

How to Get Pre Approved for a Mortgage

If you're serious about looking into how to get pre approved for a home loan, check out this page on getting a home loan:

4 Great Tips for Getting Pre Approved for Mortgage

I would advise you to do some research on what type of home loans will best suit your purpose too.

There are many different home loan types. Some save you money upfront, others save you more money over the mortgage term. Some are a balance of savings now and later. By the way, if you choose a great real estate agent, they can possibly get your closing costs covered.

One of the four tips for getting a home loan I will share with you is for after pre approval. Please do not go hog wild because you got an accepted offer on a home. Underwriters pay close attention to your credit report not just for pre approval purposes, but right up to the day of closing.

Don't open a store credit card like Home Depot just to get a 10% discount on a new washer and dryer. New credit accounts will lower your score. I've seen a 10 point dip cost home buyers their home loan going through and being issues. Don't scratch that spending itch until after closing.

Stumble Upon Cincinnati Suburbs Hot Real Estate

Boy did I get up early this morning, a lot of showings to schedule for our Cincinnati house-hunter clients. Just have a lot of other work to get out of the way before making those calls. I'm not even sure where some of these new Cincinnati home buyers found us, but one did mention StumbleUpon.

A long time ago, and at another brokerage, I did place a back-link on StumbleUpon to our real estate website's home page. That's how this particular client found us. Lucky me, I had put some tags in there, they helped the buyer find our Southern, Ohio real estate site.

I had forgotten all about this venue and its potential for posting about real estate in Cincinnati and its suburbs. Not everyone Googles, a lot of house hunters have their favorite forums for finding the right home. Facebook for example. Truth be told, even though I manage our business Facebook page and advertise our client’s homes for sale or market our Cincinnati community pages, I’m not all that social on my personal page. I do answer questions about housing, talk with buyers and sellers, and people wanting to find a good lease in the area.

I took a little break from Facebook and uploaded all the Cincinnati suburbs we have pages for on our site with direct links to their properties and listing information. Added some other pages too, like our mortgage calculator, rent vs buy a home, best home loans and first-time buyer. StumbleUpon is a lot easier than I remember.

So, I did a bunch of posting and then checked the listings and discovered StumbleUpon lets home buyers browse real estate on our website within StumbleUpon without having to leave it. Pretty nifty I think:

Stumble Upon Cincinnati Housing

I like the fact you can go to town with real estate and community tags here too. I also started using StumbleUpon as a place for curating real estate, housing and mortgage market news for future real estate blog posts.

There’s a lot of great places online for curating content, a lot of new forums you can find real estate information and housing market news. If you’re an agent, you may want to go back and visit some of your “golden-oldies”.

I’m not sure that StumbleUpon can be classified as “social media”, though you can work the “likes” and build an audience. But for real estate agents, whether you choose to get social or not, it’s a great place for your community, housing and real estate blog content.

What are some of your favorite places to find real estate content and develop ideas? It’s so easy to get in housing post rut on sites we typically use. I’m just glad a home buyer stumbled upon our Cincinnati housing site and brought the venue back to my attention.

Scoop.It - Scooping up Real Estate Articles

My newest place for posting about southern Ohio real estate - Scoop.It.

I sometimes get bored with social media channels, lately I've been exploring other places for finding and posting real estate articles. I write a lot of posts about Cincinnati real estate markets, and was time to start find other places. Lo-and-behold, I found out I'm enjoying Scoop.It.

Ohio Real Estate on Scoop.It

So far I just have my short reads about different Cincinnati area communities like Mason, West Chester, Monroe and Indian Hill. But I was browsing and found a ton of great articles on real estate related topics from some major authorities on the subject on there. I'll be a while, but there's some really informative stuff to share on there!

Scooped Southern OH Real Estate

I think it's important as a Realtor into content marketing to sometimes walk away from the usual grinding on social media site that are perhaps too familiar and explore other possibilities. Obviously, no one person can stay on top of growing an audience on every platform. But don't dismiss posting on new venues as back linking correctly can boost your rankings.

I did take several months off of social media and working on our website. Partly due to family issues, but also was way overdue for some healthy rest. Back at it now, and feeling sharper about it too.

In addition to Scoop.It I've started using Storify too to some degree. Maybe it's just the change of screen I like or the format for real estate articles. I just feel like it's new and posting about my local housing markets doesn't feel as tedious.

Got a new .edu back-link too from the Dorm Debate, and an article on college housing not being affordable enough for students. It inspired me to get back in the saddle with creating premium articles with valuable content for readers.

So often, the same old stuff (not just about real estate) is just regurgitated and splattered out there on the web. Social sharing of real estate blog posts and racking up view stats might satisfy the ego, but never forget the purpose of what content marketing is supposed to serve.

It's alright to capitalize on news that affects real estate markets, especially your own. But have you ever noticed a flood of similar articles from different authors hit the social web at the same time?

Anyway, enough of this rant, viewing it as advice would be better. I just want to encourage you to step away from the norm, find some new venues for real estate content. Take some time to write about a real-life situation you experienced in your industry. That makes for awesome content.

Mason Ohio Homes for Sale - Deerfield Township

Homes for Sale, Mason Ohio - Deerfield Township Properties

Wow, been a while since I was on here, took a lovely vacation in Gatlinburg Tennessee, and driving around I noticed some of the homes resembled the homes for sale Deerfield Township Ohio from the very affordable to some of the outstanding luxury real estate.

Deerfield Township surrounds the homes for sale Mason Ohio offers, but one will find more unique and more private properties with thick wooded lots, larger spreads and gorgeous acres. A lucky few will have access to or border small ponds or creeks

Mason and Deerfield Township were Ranked 7th "Best Place to Live" by Money Magazine in 2013, and the proximity to amenities, West Chester and Cincinnati are outstanding.

As of today's posting, there are currently just under 200 amazing properties that include some feature-rich custom home builds. Many of the properties are award-wining former Homearama gems.

One the above community page, you easily sift and sort properties by price range and also check deerfield township homes for lease. The homes for sale in 44411 zip code, (Deerfield Township) are in close proximity to the real estate listings in 45040 which is Mason, OH.

Some of the homes are fine works of residential art by popular and notable home builders like Ryan Homes, Hensley Custom Building Group, Fischer Homes, Classic Living, Wieland Builders or Dixon Builders, just to name a few.

If you find these properties as alluring as I do, but want more choices in the area, check out the homes for sale Mason Ohio offers in the same general vicinity:

http://www.swohiorealestate.com/mason.php

Mason has just under 200 homes for sale, and a remarkable market to investigate. Both Mason and Deerfield Township offer fine homes starting at under $200,000 to approaching $2,500,000 and some absolutely intriguing luxury properties.

Enjoy your house hunting, let me know if you'd like some assistance - just click inquire or schedule a showing on any home of interest.

Surprising South Lebanon Listings

Homearama-Style Luxury Homes for Sale in South Lebanon OH

Wow, been a while since I've been on my Cincinnati Real Estate Yak, had to get some RX glasses and also some time out but wanted to give a shout out about the homes for sale South Lebanon offers and some of the hottest properties and locations in the area.

Just south of Lebanon, and a gorgeous, lush area of Warren County with highly desirable regional attractions in comfortable driving distance, South Lebanon real estate is currently sporting some very nice homes for sale with a current average price of $388,647.

Affordable homes in the mid $100,000's to $200,000's, and a few single family residences perfect for a real estate investors portfolio under $100,000, properties that range from $500,000 to over one million boasting swanky luxury homes by popular builders and custom details that set them apart.

Take Vista Point / Rivers Bend or along Buena Vista Drive - here you'll find style and class in classic Homearama style with unforgettable, lavish residences.

All told there are about 60 properties available in this neighborhood, and well worth looking into if you're buying anywhere in the Kings Local School District.

To make your life easy, there are two ways to search homes for sale in South Lebanon. You can simply visit our community page with easy-sorting of properties by basic features:

http://www.swohiorealestate.com/south-lebanon.php

Or, if you want to get down to "nitty-gritty" details on real estate in South Lebanon, our custom property search is super easy to use.

More About South Lebanon OH Homes for Sale

A good number of these homes are welcoming works of art when it comes to living space, unusual to rare features and outdoor living spaces and features that have owners feeling like they are on vacation in a private setting.

Some of the homes are past award-winning Homearama homes from popular builders in the area such as Fischer Homes, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Talesin architect designs,

I love the details on the windows, high-end three dimensional shingles, artful blends of brick, wood and stone and the landscaping with some properties is near fairy-tale with perfectly situated flowers and shrubs hugging circular driveways, lining walkways and filtered sunlight through healthy shade trees.

Anyway, that's my bit for now on the Cincinnati Real Estate Yak. Visit our blog for more about buying and selling, home improvement, listings and communities.

Real Estate Lebanon Ohio Offers

A very popular SW Ohio real estate market, the homes for sale Lebanon Ohio offers present a great selection and wide range of price with many charming neighborhoods, one of my favorite markets.

House values in Lebanon continue to edge forward and with quality schools and city services I don't believe seller's are in danger of losing command anytime soon. The average sold price though continues to be in within 3-4% of asking price.

Among the current listings, I note a lot of activity and interest In homes for sale in Countryside 1-6, some really nice Lebanon subdivisions, Ironwood Shrun, Lakeside Landing and properties are hot in Shaker Run (gorgeous).

Homes for sale, Lebanon Ohio

Currently 98 homes for sale in Lebanon OH via the Cincinnati MLS with an average current asking price of $250,000 there is plenty to pick from.

See all Lebanon Ohio homes for sale:

http://www.swohiorealestate.com/lebanon.php

Additionally, you can search Lebanon (or other Cincinnati Metro Area communities) subdivisions and neighborhoods with our SW Ohio property search:

Despite the health median asking price, buyers will find affordable luxury property and on the flip side, some very frugal but attractive home in the low to mid $100,000's

.

Some of the other more popular locations of homes for sale in Lebanon Ohio are found in local areas and neighborhoods like Catalpa Ridge, Countryside and Countryside Estates, Horseshoe Falls, Keenland Estates and another one of my personal favorites - Turtle Creek Township.

Homes for sale, Turtle Creek Township:

Some of residential real estate Lebanon OH offers fall in the area of Turtle Creek Township, but this is also a community unto itself with over 100 current listings and talk about some unique, desirable luxury property!

Check the homes for sale in Turtle Creek Township. If you like Lebanon you’ll love this community and listings! Visit our site, this community is easy to find.

Mason Ohio Homes for Sale - Hot Subdivisions

Back again on my Cincinnati Real Estate Yak, this time to talk about Mason, Ohio homes for sale and point out some of the hottest subdivisions and locations.

My business partner Marty Snyder and I love showing homes in Mason and happy to assist.

Mason Ohio Homes for Sale

The median price of Mason Ohio homes for sale is currently around $210,000, however, with currently over 200 properties on the market there are many affordable homes for that price and under and no shortage of luxury homes.

See All Homes for Sale in Mason Ohio:

http://www.swohiorealestate.com/mason.php

The only problem is that homes for sale in Mason in the subdivisions listed below sell faster than pancakes cook and you need a very response agent if you want a chance at having a successful offer in, and even then could face multiple offers.

The Homes for Sale Mason Ohio Offers - Hot Locations

Cherry Brook - One of the premier communities of Mason and a pool community, this subdivision is popular with executive and high level management types, I assume part of it is a gorgeous, quiet neighborhood with limited access, but also for the numerous golf courses. Some of the homes for sale in Mason Ohio border golf parks and have fantastic views and some homes are tucked away in the numerous cul-de-sac streets. 

Please note: Homes for sale in Mason Ohio sell very fast - if you should visit any listing links and homes are not currently available, we can send you notifications within minutes of new listings become available in your area of choice.

Buyers exploring the market will find the homes for sale in Cherry Brook are quite spacious and have surprising features and details. Just outside the City of Mason's boundaries in Deerfield Township you can avoid paying more property tax and yet be a part of one of the most highly touted public schools in the Cincinnati area.

Cherry Brook is near Union Centre for shopping with plenty more to be had in West Chester and Cincinnati or Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe. You're also near King's Island Amusement Park for family outings.

Please note that Cherry Brook is not complete, and it's better to enlist the help of professional representation, the builder reps want you to spend as much as possible, it's our job to save you money and protect your interests.

Check out our reviews - We save you thousands.

Crooked Tree - The homes for sale in Crooked Tree represent one of the largest housing developments in Mason, OH. With around 500 homes, and as of today's date this morning there are 15 homes for sale in Crooked Tree.

Interestingly, Crooked Tree is sort of a subdivision within Deerfield Township, another subdivision of Mason and Cincinnati. Going yet more micro, Crooked Tree itself has different areas like The Oaks at Crooked Tree. There was once an outstanding community golf course, but this too has been slated for more development. No worries, there are plenty of nearby quality courses.

Crooked Tree also benefits from the Mason Ohio School District - one of the best in Ohio according to many sources.

Deerfield Township - One of our absolute favorite real estate markets, you could say it's a marvelous blend of gentle, attractive suburb and country living depending on which location you choose. As of today, there are currently 200 active listings. Homes for sale in Deerfield Township are sometimes available in coveted places like Roberts Park - The Meadows. Being a homeowner in this neighborhood makes you a member of the posh Four Bridges Country Club, perfect for avid golf players and socializing.

Some of the hottest most enviable neighborhoods for Deerfield Township real estate include Cherry Brook, Deerfield, Greenfield, King's View, Vintage Oaks and Long Cove.

You can search any subdivision in SW Ohio with our property search and easily customize and refine your results. Bookmark favorites, get email notifications of properties minutes after they are listed.


Landen Cove / Landen Lake, Landen Sailboat - Homes for sale in Landen Cove are part of Deerfield Township, another fantastic area. As of today, only two properties are available and both magnificent homes. Landen Lake is a collections of small communities, some of which are waterfront and include detached homes, landominiums and condominiums.

A sub-area of Landen Cove, Sailboat Pointe offers waterfront condos properties and access to Landen Lake. The Landominiums of Sailboat Pointe allow you to own the land while your HOA takes care of the property, a roof repair or other maintenance is funding by your HOA. Sailboat Pointe residents have access to tennis courts, community pool, walking and biking trails and boat slips are available.

The lake isn't for water skiing and sports, but for quiet enjoyment like swimming and fishing. The 65 acre, one mile long lake only allows electric trolling motors and all boats must be twenty feet or less.

Long Cove - Here's where you going to find some of the most swanky homes for sale, Mason Ohio offers. Million dollar plus executive homes, estates, mansions and some of the finest luxury real estate in Ohio.

Again, you can search the homes for sale Mason Ohio offers by visiting our SW Ohio popular communities page and select Mason or use the property search to located homes by subdivision or with other specific criteria.