Erin Williams: Realtor

The Raines Group is proud to announce that Erin Williams, one of their two Directors of Operations, will be spending more time as an active Realtor. She has gained a plethora of knowledge from processing numerous real estate transactions over the past six years. This hands-on experience with a top-notch team has driven her to this decision to close some of her own deals.

If you are ready for a real estate professional with years of expertise, contact Erin today at 614-418-7437. She is eager to help you with your real estate needs.

A top team

 The Raines Group is a powerful and cohesive team of real estate consultants and supporting staff, and a fact that is not going unnoticed by Realtor.com and Realtor magazine. The team is featured online as part of The Masters Series, which can be found by going to the website at www.realtormag.com and clicking on the featured video “Masters Series: The Team Experts,” or clicking here. Additionally, the team is featured in the November/December issue of Realtor magazine.

If you are interested in working with a top notch team as featured in these national publications, contact The Raines Group today. The Raines Group is ready to help serve you with your buying or selling needs, particularly if they are in the Central Ohio area including New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or surrounding areas. Come experience the best the industry has to offer! Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

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Real estate sales in Columbus are improving and will hopefully continue the upward trend

In Columbus, Ohio the recent spike in real estate sales seems directly linked to the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. The Ohio Association of Realtors would like to see an extension of the credit. 

In September, real estate sales reached the highest level since September of 2006 in the Columbus area, a bright light indeed.  Hand in hand with the increase in home sales was an increase in building permits in Central Ohio. 

The majority of the homes being purchased in the Central Ohio real estate market are first time homes, displaying that the tax credit is working. Real estate professionals would like for the tax credit and positive trend to continue. There is a push on to extend the tax credit, and realtors in Central Ohio and across the Country are doing what they can to let the legislature know their desire.

The Raines Group is excited to welcome Coach Bob Fitzgerald to their office this week. Bob is a well-known former Top Producer, speaker for Mike Ferry, and Founder of Fitzgerald Real Estate Coaching, Inc. CEO of The Raines Group, Sandy Raines, firmly believes in offering coaching for her team members so they can become the best realtors possible. Bringing Bob Fitzgerald to her team is just another example of how strong The Raines Group is, and why they are the #1 real estate team in Ohio (according to The Wall Street Journal and LORE magazine).

Members of The Raines Group are skilled individuals, ready to help you with your real estate needs. Located in New Albany, The Raines Group serves the Central Ohio area and is a division of Real Living HER, recently named the “Best Residential Real Estate Agency” in the November issue of Columbus C.E.O. magazine’s “Best of Business 2009″ section.

If you are interested in using the services of a realtors who are experienced and passionate, please contact The Raines Group today at 614-418-7417.

Ron Cadieux - Here to Help

The Raines Group is well-known for their knowledge of and ability to sell luxury homes in Central Ohio. Being ranked #1 in the state of Ohio by The Wall Street Journal and LORE magazine is a distinction they enjoy having. Recently, one of the team members, Ron Cadieux, has branched out to another area by becoming a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE). He is offering his services to homeowners who may need them.

Through extensive training, Ron has gained a wealth of knowledge for homeowners facing complex real estate situations, and can illustrate options for foreclosure avoidance. Financial difficulties can be burdensome to any family, but the process of foreclosure can be avoided. It is imperative for homeowners to understand their options, and Ron is available to help determine the best course of action.

Please contact Ron Cadieux if you are interested in using expertise of a professional to avoid foreclosure.  Contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

What a fantastic home in Westerville!

Located at 4416 Plymouth Rock Court, Westerville in the Ravine at Blendon neighborhood this inspiring home features 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and approximately 3,460 sq ft of living space, plus a further finished lower level spanning 1,490 square feet. This home really does give the feeling of spaciousness.

The property features an open floor plan which includes an oversized entry, formal dining and living rooms, study, gourmet kitchen as well as a unique solarium.

Upstairs, there is an impressive owners suite featuring recessed lighting, neutral decor as well as a corner jetted tub in the bathroom. On the lower level there is a recreation room as well as the fifth bedroom and final bathroom.

The outside space is impressive too, there is lush landscaping, and a gorgeous wraparound porch, this home offers plenty of space to entertain family and friends in the great outdoors.

For more pictures and information on this home, please check out our listing page on our website or for recording information over the telephone please call 1-800-498-1480 and input code 2390. This home will not last long so early inspection is recommended.

Looking to relocate? Now is definitely the time to buy!

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

New Albany Chamber of Commerce does many things to promote conducting business in New Albany and the surrounding communities.

This March they are hosting an event about the local Real Estate Market as part of its regular monthly meeting.  Dubbed “THE NEW ALBANY REAL ESTATE MARKET“. The Chamber will present top home improvements for preparing your home for sale, how to obtain your best value in a purchase, and the housing options in New Albany.

This is a great chance to learn more about the local market, top home improvements for preparing for sale, how to obtain your best
value in a purchase, and more about New Albany itself. Ultimately now is the time to buy with low rates and an attractive selection of inventory available for purchase  as well as housing affordability at record levels!

If guests or members wish to attend they can RSVP to 855-4400 or complete the online flyer. The cost is $22 for non members and $18 for members. The event is held at the New Albany Links Golf Club at 7100 New Albany Links Dr., New Albany, Ohio from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Now is definitely the time to buy!

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

Despite the National Association of Realtor’s saying that the level of pending home sales has fallen 7.7% the level of home affordability is at record levels!

NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index showed that in January the index fell 7.7% to 80.6%.  Its lowest level since the index was created in 2001. However the news is not necessarily negative as the data is skewed due to the waiting for the passage of the 2009 stimulus bill.

Buyers who were on the fence before, now have concrete data showing them what programs the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have put in place for buyers. Such as the new $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit.

However, there is also excellent news in terms of housing affordability. NAR President Charles McMillan has this to say; “Housing affordability is at a record high – the buying power of a typical family has risen significantly,” he said. “With the drop in interest rates, a median-income family can afford a home costing $20,000 more than a year ago for the same monthly mortgage payment. With the strong housing stimulus, we are hopeful inventory will get trimmed and which will help prices stabilize in many areas by the end of this year.”

This is another reason showing that now is definitely the time to buy!

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

Despite any negative press at the moment the national housing picture is improving. :)

Many are trying to predict what will occur in 2009 with Real Estate however if you look at the facts the stars are aligned for a much better year overall. With recent legislation from the federal government such as the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which was passed by Congress on February 13th there are now more tax cuts coming to Americans through new government programs.

The most notable program in this bill is the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit which does not need to be repaid – like last years $7,500 credit. Also, the requirement to fall into the first time home buyer category is only to not have had an interest as owner or co-owner of a property in the last three years. Therefore, you could have sold a home in 2005 or 2006 at the peak and now be in the market looking for a property again. Under these rules you would qualify! This is great news!

Also, there is the Obama administration’s massive $275 billion relief program to keep three to four million home owners out of foreclosure, and to refinance three to four million mortgages where owners can’t otherwise qualify for a new loan because of property value declines.

These two programs alone should help sure up confidence in the Real Estate market for this year. Total applications for new mortgages last week exploded — up by an extraordinary 48 percent, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications for conventional loans to buy houses were up by 11 percent. With rates so low it is no wonder that many are looking to buy a home.

Want help in searching for your dream property in the Columbus Metropolitan area in Central Ohio?

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

The results are finally in! After many weeks of waiting the final December 2008 Real Estate statistics are in from the Columbus Board of Realtors.

Overall the 2008 housing picture was not as bad as national headlines portrayed in Central Ohio. In fact the area was mentioned as one of the most stable in the entire country.

Despite home sales dipping slightly for 2008 compared to 2007, With only 13,533 homes for sale in December, the month marked the lowest inventory level since April 2005.

Gary Parsons President of the Columbus Board of Realtors has this to say: “The declining inventory of homes, coupled with historically-low mortgage interest rates should prompt home price increases in 2009…There’s a reason…that now is a great time to buy is because the ability of buyers to stretch their housing dollar probably couldn’t get much better.”

Also, homes on average, were listed for 8 days less in 2008 than 2007 – down from 108 days from initial listing through to sale to 100.

What does this mean for New Albany? Well, with a declining level of inventory, fewer homes coming to the market for sale we could well see an increase in prices in 2009-2010. Ultimately the market is becoming more balanced and the attractive conditions for buyers right now won’t last forever!

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417