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  • 4 Home Winterization Jobs Worth Hiring a Professional to Tackle

    Guest post by Bret Engle

    There’s something charming about getting ready for winter. As you unbox sweaters and stack firewood, don’t forget to make sure your house is ready for the season too. While some winterization tasks can be done DIY, others are above the average homeowner’s paygrade. Here are four projects on your to-do list that you should rely on professionals for:

    1. Install energy-efficient windows

    Inefficient single-pane windows could be spiking your winter energy bills. Replacing them with double-pane windows is a big project, but it pays for itself over time in reduced heating and cooling costs and increased home value. In addition to opting for double-pane, consider how the windows operate. According to the Department of Energy, awning, hopper, and casement windows are more airtight than sliding models.

    2. Inspect the roof

    Between freeze-thaw cycles and heavy snow loads, winter is the hardest season on your roof. Make sure it’s up for the challenge by scheduling a roof inspection each fall. A professional will assess the condition of your roof based on interior and exterior factors. They’ll check for roof sagging, damaged and broken shingles, corroded flashing, and signs of moisture accumulation on the roof, as well as signs of water damage on interior ceilings. It’s best to fix these problems as they arise rather than waiting and needing to replace the entire roof. In Franklin, OH, most homeowners can expect to spend between $6,000 and $8,053 on a new roof, which can make a dent in anyone’s budget.

    3. Clean the gutters

    Sure, you could clean the gutters by yourself. But who wants to spend a day perched on a ladder, digging in the muck? Not to mention, cleaning gutters is one of the more dangerous jobs around the house: According to the CDC, 43 percent of all fatal falls involve a ladder. Hiring someone to clean your gutters costs, on average, less than $200, and the small expense is worth saving yourself the trouble.  

    4. Maintain the furnace

    Fall furnace maintenance should be a part of every homeowner’s annual schedule. Not only do furnace inspections reduce the odds that you’ll end up heat-less in the middle of winter, it also protects your family from a potentially fatal carbon monoxide leak. During an inspection, an HVAC technician will test the furnace’s thermometer calibration, lubricate its motor, and ensure all parts are unobstructed and in good working condition.

     

    While some home winterization jobs are best left to professionals, other tasks homeowners can do themselves to save money and hone their handyman skills.

    Infographic Source: HomeAdvisor

    • Reverse ceiling fans: Many people don’t realize it, but most ceiling fans have two settings: one for summer and one for winter. Flipping the switch on ceiling fans will cause the blades to push warm air downward for winter to keep your house warmer.
    • Replace the furnace filter: A dirty air filter causes your HVAC system to work harder than it needs to, resulting in higher energy bills and a less comfortable home. Throw away your old furnace filter and replace it with a clean filter of the same size before turning the heat on.
    • Seal drafts around doors and windows: Worn-out weatherstripping and cracked caulk give cold air entry points into your home. Check doors and windows for drafts and seal air leaks as needed.
    • Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Fall prep is a good time to make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working condition.
    • Gather snow supplies: Don’t find yourself in a snowstorm without a shovel in sight. Go shopping for shovels, snow melt, ice scrapers, warm clothing, and any other necessary winter supplies before bad weather hits.
    • Prepare an emergency kit: Sometimes, there’s no shoveling your way out of bad weather. Make sure you’re prepared for getting snowed in by buying non-perishable foods, bottled water, batteries and flashlights, and firewood. If you don’t have a fireplace, consider purchasing a kerosene space heater for backup heat.

     

    There’s a lot to accomplish before winter arrives. Hiring professionals for the big jobs helps homeowners get everything done in time so they can enjoy the winter season in comfort.

    Image via Unsplash

  • Fur a Good Paws E-Card

    We wanted to share the adorable little e-card we received from Fur a Good Paws! Click on the card to visit their website and see the good work that they do for our furry friends.

  • Sell My Home Fast In Cincinnati & Dayton – 5 Tips to Help You Sell Quickly

    “Help! I’m Trying To Figure Out How To Sell My House Fast In Cincinnati & Dayton“

    5 Tips For Home Sellers

    If you own a house in Cincinnati & Dayton and want to sell it quickly, read this blog for 5 tips that will help you sell your house sooner!

    Tip #1 – Skip The Fix-Up

    One of the most time-consuming reasons that homes don’t get sold as quickly as the seller wants to sell is because of the renovations, repairs, and clean-up that needs to happen before the home can go on the market. Real estate agents understand what their buyers are looking for, so they usually urge sellers to make renovations. Unfortunately, the larger the renovation, the longer the sale is delayed.

    Tip #2 – Forget Retail

    When a home is sold “on the market” (usually listed by an agent), the prospective buyers are usually called “retail buyers,” meaning that the buyers are looking to buy a home that they want to live in. Unfortunately, retail buyers are notoriously unpredictable and they buy on their own timeline, which may not be your timeline! A better option is to think about selling to a professional home-buying company.

    Want more info about how to sell your Cincinnati & Dayton house quickly? Click here to fill out the form or give us a call at

    Tip #3 – Gather Your Data

    One surprisingly time-consuming piece of the sales process is when the buyer requires information that the seller needs to find. This might include information such as when the HVAC unit was installed or when the roof was last shingled, etc. Homeowners who anticipate these questions and have the answers at their fingertips can usually accelerate the buyer’s timeline and potentially sell their homes faster.

    Tip #4 – Bypass The Agent

    An agent is motivated to sell your house and try to get the best price for it. While that is important, it means that they may not always have your preferred timeline in mind – since an agent may choose to delay if they think they can get a higher price. Bypassing an agent and selling directly to a buyer, such as a buyer like us at Ohio Cash Buyers LLC will help you to sell your house faster. (We are home buyers and we have cash on hand to buy your house right now)

    Tip #5 – Get Ready To Decide

    It is our experience that homeowners who think they are ready to sell are not always truly ready. They WANT to sell but when it comes time to make a decision, they have difficulty moving forward. If you are really interested in selling fast, and you get in touch with a company like us, get ready because we can move very quickly and can even close in and put a check in your hands in about a week!

    Are you looking to “sell my home fast in Cincinnati & Dayton? Click here to fill out the form or call us at right now

  • Sell My House Fast In Cincinnati & Dayton – What Are My Options?

    “What Are My Options To Sell My House Fast In Cincinnati & Dayton?”

    Homeowners in Cincinnati & Dayton who want to sell their home quickly need to know what their options are…

    If you own a home and you’re thinking, wondering, “how do I sell my house fast in Cincinnati & Dayton,” this blog post is a quick tutorial on your available options, and how you decide which option is right for you.

    The speed of selling your home comes down to three main factors:

    1. How long you’re willing to take to sell your house
    2. How much you’re willing to spend to sell your house
    3. How much you’re asking for your house

    Option #1: What Is Your Timeline?

    The first factor is: how long are you willing to take to sell your house? Most people think of selling their home the traditional way, by listing through an agent. This method of selling can take 3 to 6 months (sometimes longer, depending on market conditions). So if you have a lot of time and are not in any rush, this might be a good option for you.

    However, many homeowners don’t want to wait that long. Usually people sell because they need to move and they don’t always have 3 to 6 months (or longer) to wait for a sale. So there is another option, and that is to bypass the agent and sell directly to a home buyer.

    If you’re in a hurry and want to sell your house right away, let us know. We can help! Just click here to fill out this form or call us at

    Option #2: How Much Do You Want To Spend?

    Most people are surprised by this question because they don’t realize that they have to spend money to sell their house but if you sell the traditional way, there are two times that you have to spend money: before you list, when you renovate your property to get it ready to sell; and after you sell, when you pay your real estate agent a commission for selling the property. Both of these can costs THOUSANDS of dollars.

    Not all homeowners are comfortable SPENDING all that money in order to SELL their house. If you’re a homeowner who would prefer to keep more in your pocket, you have another option: you can sell your house direct to a homebuyer like us at Ohio Cash Buyers LLC. We buy houses as-is and take care of all costs (and there are no fees or commissions).

    Option #3: Selling Price

    Some homeowners believe that the market price for their house will be high, so they’re willing to wait and gamble and see if a buyer will purchase it for that price. When a buyer is eventually found, they MIGHT offer more, the same, or less than the asking price.

    But not all homeowners like the “unknown” of this gamble. They don’t want to wait months in the hopes that someone will offer what they’re asking. They subscribe to the saying, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, meaning that they’d rather work with a home buyer – even one who might offer slightly less than a market price – in order to know EXACTLY how much they can get for their house right this very instant.

    If you’re a homeowner and you’re wondering, “What are my options to sell my house fast in Cincinnati & Dayton?” then it really comes down to these 3 factors that will determine whether you’re willing to list or to sell right now.

    If you want to sell your Cincinnati & Dayton house fast, we’d love to make you an offer. Give us a call at or click here now to fill out the form.

  • Cash For Houses In Cincinnati & Dayton – How Much Can You Get For Your House?

    How Much Cash For Houses In Cincinnati & Dayton Can You Get?

    If you’re thinking about selling your house, here’s how much money you can get

    Sellers are asking about cash for houses in Cincinnati & Dayton – they want to know how much they will get if they sell their house. If you’re thinking of selling and wondering how much you might get, this blog post will help to answer that question.

    An Important Definition

    Since this blog post will be read by people all over Cincinnati & Dayton (and surrounding areas), with various price prices reflected throughout the area, it’s difficult to write about a specific dollar figure. However, here’s an important concept that will help you understand how much people pay cash for houses in Cincinnati & Dayton…

    On The Market: When a house sold “on the market”, that means it’s usually listed by a real estate agent and sold after several potential buyers have seen the property and at least one has made an offer. Houses sold on the market will often be sold for approximately the same amount that other similar houses in the area have sold for. This is called “market price”.

    Off The Market: When a house is sold “off the market”, that usually means the homeowner has decided to sell their home directly to a buyer instead of list their home. Houses sold off the market will often be sold for slightly less than their market price, this is called “below market price.”

    At Ohio Cash Buyers LLC, we are professional home buyers who buy houses off the market. To learn more about what we do, click here to fill out the form or call us now at

    You might be reading this and asking, “why would anyone accept below market price, and less cash for houses in Cincinnati & Dayton than others?”

    That’s a good question but there’s more to the story:

    • Selling on the market usually means you’re selling it to a person who will choose to live in the house. They’re buying the house for themselves and their family. But when you sell off the market, you’re often selling to a company that might be investing in your house to turn it into a rental property or to renovate it and sell it.
    • Selling on the market usually means the buyer needs financing. Selling off the market, in a private sale, often means that a professional home-buying company is will to pay cash for houses in Cincinnati & Dayton. (That’s why some people prefer to sell off the market – they don’t want to wait for the seller to get financing; they want to know they’ve sold the house right away).
    • Selling on the market actually costs money… sometimes a lot of money. If your house needs renovations and repairs, you usually have to spend money to fix up your house before you sell it on the market. However, when you sell it off the market, such as to a company like us at Ohio Cash Buyers LLC, you may be able to sell your house as-is – saving the money (and the time and hassle).
    • Selling on the market through an agent will often result in commissions and fees to the agent for the work they did to sell your house. But selling off the market to a home buying company like Ohio Cash Buyers LLC usually means no commissions or fees or closing costs.

    How much can you get for your home? Selling on the market may mean you sell your house for more money but it takes longer and costs more; selling off the market may mean you sell your house for below market price but it’s faster and there are no expenses or fees.

    So, how much will sellers get in cash for houses in Cincinnati & Dayton? It depends on how you sell – on the market or off the market… and that is determined by how quickly you want to sell and how much time and money you’re willing to invest to sell.

    We pay cash for houses in Cincinnati & Dayton and we’d like to make a no-obligation offer on yours. Click here to fill out the form or call our office right now at

  • Home Buyers In Cincinnati & Dayton – We Analyze The 3 Ways To Sell

    Looking For Home Buyers In Cincinnati & Dayton?

    We Analyze The 3 Ways To Sell Your Home In Cincinnati & Dayton

    If you own a home and are thinking about selling to home buyers in Cincinnati & Dayton, you have a number of selling options available to you. In this blog post, we’ll look at those 3 ways and break them down to help you determine which way is best for you.

    For most people, owning a home is the largest purchase of their lives. So it’s not surprising that the process of buying a home or selling a home can be extremely complex.

    Over the years, three home-selling options have developed to allow homeowners like you to sell to home buyers in Cincinnati & Dayton. As you think about selling your home, you need to decide which way to sell is best for you, given your goals and timeline to sell.

    Not sure with of these methods below is right for you? Click here to fill out the form or call

    and we’d be happy to give you a no-obligation consultation

    Home-Selling Method #1: Sell Through A Real Estate

    This is the traditional way to sell your home, so it’s also the most common. In this home-selling method, the homeowner chooses a real estate agent who will list the house.

    The agent acts as a “middleman,” showing prospective home buyers in Cincinnati & Dayton through your house until one of those buyers decides to buy. They’ll make an offer, the agent will negotiate on your behalf, and then you’ll close.

    The timeline on this selling method can take months (the average is 3-6 months). Sellers who choose this method prefer to gamble on the timeline to do less work (the agent does the work) and with the hopes of selling at the market price. However, sellers who use this method will often need to spend money up-front to repair their house first, and then spend money after the sale on agent fees and commissions.

    Home-Selling Method #2: Sell On Your Own

    This method of selling has grown up in response to a desire to save money on agent commissions. The process is very similar to the above method of selling but it’s done by the homeowner themselves, and not by an agent.

    The homeowner lists their house, shows it to prospective buyers, negotiates with the buyer, and closes the deal.

    There are a lot of similarities – the timeline is usually the same and the homeowner will still have to pay up-front for repairs on their house to make it sellable. Sellers who choose this method don’t mind the extra work involved in showing their house; they usually choose this method to save money on commissions.

    Home-Selling Method #3: Sell Direct To Home Buyer In Cincinnati & Dayton

    This method of selling is gaining popularity as homeowners look for a third way to sell. This process is very different – it’s also faster, easier, and doesn’t cost the homeowner anything (so it’s not surprising that this method is gaining popularity).

    Rather than listing and showing the house or negotiating, the homeowner simply sells their house direct to a professional home buyers in Cincinnati & Dayton with cash and who is ready to buy the house as-is right now.

    It’s faster – the buyer has money and is ready to buy; it’s easier on the seller – there is no expense or effort to repair the house before it’s sold; and it doesn’t cost the homeowner anything – professional home buyers (like what we do here at Ohio Cash Buyers LLC) usually pay closing costs and fees.

    As professional home buyers in Cincinnati & Dayton, we love helping sellers sell their house faster, easier, and for no fees. If you want to learn more about our service and how we can help you, connect with us by filling out the form here or by calling

  • Where Can I Buy Real Estate Notes In Ohio? — 3 Great Places To Find Them

    If you want to invest in real estate without the pain and challenge and frustration of actually owning and caring for a real estate property asset then perhaps you’re thinking about investing in notes. If you are a note investor, or want to become one, maybe you’re asking the question, “where can I buy real estate notes in Ohio?”

    Real Estate Frustrations

    Maybe you’re sick of having to deal with the tenants and toilets and termites and trashed houses… maybe you don’t want to have to hound your tenants for overdue rent.

    Owning real estate can be a lucrative step toward financial freedom but owning real estate property can be a problem. So it’s not a surprise that many investors are warming up to the possibility of investing with real estate notes.

    Real Estate Notes

    Investing in notes is an increasingly popular way to build your investing portfolio without the frustration of owning a property. You hold the paper, get the cash flow, but don’t have to worry anymore about whether the roof leaks! If you want to learn more about how to invest in notes, or if you’re asking, “where can I buy real estate notes in Ohio” want to see our inventory of real estate notes, give our office a call at

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    Where Can I Buy Real Estate Notes In Ohio

    There are several places you can potentially buy real estate notes. We’ll list them here, but be aware that this information is constantly evolving (and it may differ by state) so always check first to make sure this still applies.

    Buy Notes Offline – one place to buy notes is offline, such as from banks and lenders (the mortgage originators) or from hedge funds (who used to buy a lot of notes). However, this can be a complex and time-consuming method to buy notes since it’s very “relationship-driven.” Fortunately, there are other ways to buy notes!

    Buy Notes Online – another place to buy notes is online. You cans sometimes even buy notes on a site like Craigslist! However, the problem is that if you’re new to note investing, it might not be advisable to just buy notes wherever you happen to see them for sale. If you do choose to buy them online, make sure it’s a reputable site.

    Buy Notes From A Broker – Perhaps the best way to buy notes is through a broker. A good note broker will have built a reputation that can give you the assurance of reliability. And, they’ll also have established relationships (such as with banks or hedge funds) to access an inventory of notes that you might be able to access on your own. It’s also easier to buy from a broker, too, because you can identify your investing goals and then the broker can tap into their network to find the best real estate note investments for you.

    If you want to invest in notes, then click here and enter your info and we’ll get in touch to help you find the right notes for you.

  • Working With A Real Estate Note Broker In Ohio And Cincinnati & Dayton — 4 Tips To Get Started

    If you’re thinking about diversifying your real estate investing portfolio, and perhaps looking beyond the traditional investing methods of single family property rehabbing or rentals, you might be looking at investing in real estate notes. If you are looking into notes further, read these 4 tips for working with a real estate note broker in Ohio and Cincinnati & Dayton.

    Tip #1. Find A Real Estate Note Broker With Experience

    Real estate note investing has some similarities to real estate property investing but also some differences. And the real keys to success for brokers are a solid track record of helping others, and a deep list of great relationships. So talk to your real estate broker and see if they have both. What kind of experience do they have with note investing (and with helping others invest in notes) and what kind of relationships have the developed?

    Tip #2. Find A Real Estate Note Broker With Testimonials

    Although there are many ways to measure the success of a real estate note broker, one way is through how many testimonials and case studies they have. Do they have a lot of testimonials? Do they have a lot of case studies? (Sometimes they might have one or the other and that’s okay). Ultimately, you’re looking for someone who can show that they’ve helped others.

    Tip #3. When Working With A Real Estate Note Broker In Ohio And Cincinnati & Dayton, Ask About Note Availability

    Great brokers have access to a lot of notes. They won’t necessarily own those notes themselves but they should access to them. (A broker’s inventory is likely not made of entirely of notes THEY own). You just want to make sure they have a lot of notes available. This gives you the assurance that they can pull the cream of the crop just for you, and that they can find the right notes based on your investing goals.

    If you want to see our inventory, click here and enter your information.

    Tip #4. Work With A Real Estate Note Broker Who Helps With Insight And Guidance

    Real estate note brokers aren’t licensed investment representatives, so don’t expect that level of financial advice. However, good real estate note brokers should be able to provide you with some insight and general guidance, perhaps through blog posts or over the phone, that can help you understand how to invest in real estate notes.

    A great place to start working with a real estate note broker in Ohio and Cincinnati & Dayton is by reading this blog that you’re reading right now and seeing what information is available and how you can apply it in your investing. But then go deeper by getting in touch with the note broker to see if they have other ideas, insights, or even educational programs that can help you.

     

    To learn more about notes, about how we can help you invest in notes, or to see our inventory of notes, just pick up the phone and call our team at or click here and enter your information

  • Selling A Note With Owner Financing In Ohio – Breaking It Down

    If you are reading this post, maybe you’re looking to sell a note or maybe you’re looking for someone who is selling a note with owner financing in Ohio. Let’s break down the facts so you understand how it works and so you have all the info you need to move forward.

    How Notes Work

    A note is a real estate investment based on a mortgage. It works like this: a home buyer purchases a house and gets a mortgage. The lender provides the mortgage and anticipates the mortgage to be repaid. That mortgage note has value (the future potential repayments) so if the lender wants to access that value, they can sell that note to someone else. A note investor gives money to the lender and, in exchange, is investing the potential of earning those mortgage repayments still to come.

    A note is a great way to diversify your investment portfolio out of strictly real estate while still enjoying the potential for cash flow.

    What Is Owner Financing

    Owner financing is when the owner of an investment carries a mortgage, allowing the buyer to buy from them instead of taking out a loan from a bank. Home sellers, for example, might sell their house through owner financing, accepting regular “mortgage” payments paid to them over time instead of to a bank.

    Owner financing is helpful especially if you’re buying an investment and don’t have the capital or credit, or don’t want to spend all of your capital at once but would rather spread out the payments.

    Selling A Note With Owner Financing In Ohio

    If you’ve been searching for information about selling a note with owner financing, chances are you’re looking for any of the following possibilities, which may seem confusing.

    1. You have a note and you’re looking to sell it with owner financing, so that the note investor takes the note but pays you a regular income
    2. You are looking for a note investor or broker who is selling a note with owner financing in Ohio, so that you can pay them a regular amount for your note investment
    3. Or perhaps you have a note on a property that has seller financing and you’re looking to sell that note
    4. Or maybe you are looking to buy a note from a seller on a property with owner financing

    As you can see, it’s potentially quite complicated and there are many shades of meaning to the simple phrase: “selling a note with owner financing in Ohio”.

    Fortunately, we’re here to help sort it all out. Just pick up the phone and give us a call at

    . We can walk you through the fuller meanings of each one and help figure out which one you’re looking for.

    If you’re thinking about investing in notes, let us help you figure out which notes are right for you and how to add notes to your portfolio.

    Click here to enter your information and we’ll get in touch to talk about selling notes with owner financing

  • How To Value A Real Estate Note For Ohio Note Buyers And Sellers

    If you have investing in a note or are thinking of investing in one, of your first thoughts will be to the value of the note – how much is it worth and how much can you buy or sell it for?

    So you’re probably wondering how to understand the value of a real estate note in Cincinnati & Dayton note buyers and sellers. 

    There isn’t an easy answer but in this blog post you’ll learn some of the ways that a note can be valued, to make you better informed…

    How To Value A Real Estate Note For Cincinnati & Dayton

    While note all of these factors will influence the value of every note, it’s important to see how a note can be valued. Probably the best strategy is to get in touch with us and we can help you understand how we value the notes we sell. Reach out to our team by clicking here or by calling

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    • You can value a note by the amount owed on the note, including both the principal and interest owning.
    • You can value a note by whether or not it’s a performing or non-performing note (although the definition of performing versus non-performing varies, in general you’ll find that a non-performing note is one where the person who is supposed to be paying the underlying mortgage is not paying it back. It’s important to note that non-performing notes still have a value!)
    • You can value a note by what position that note has in a line-up of mortgages on the property (such as a first position or a second position).
    • You can value a note by how much equity is in a note (notes may be equity, partial equity, or no equity).

    As you can see, there are many factors that can go into how to value a real estate note for Ohio note buyers and sellers. In some ways, even the economy and the location of the property will play a factor in the value of the note, since houses in some areas might be priced lower than houses in other areas.

    If you’re thinking about investing in notes, you also need to remember this: the value of a note is not just the specific price of how much the note costs to invest in, but rather how much value you’ll get out of the note once you’ve invested in it.

    Example: Consider two investments – a portfolio of performing notes or, for the same price, a rental property. Different investors may have different opinions on which one is valued higher even if they could be bought for the same price… but the portfolio of performing notes will generally produce cash flow little or no work while the rental property may require a lot of work to maintain. (Note: this is a simplification for illustration purposes only; of course there are other factors at work here!)

    If you want to learn more about notes, find out what kind of notes we have and how we value them, simply click here and enter your information on the next page to get in touch with us.