Howard Cole, REALTOR®

Buying a home in Ohio involves several costs that might surprise a first-time homebuyer. It’s easy to focus on the monthly payment, but "cash to close" is the number that you need to have sitting in a bank account before beginning the process. That number includes your down payment plus all the administrative, legal, and government fees required to finalize the purchase. Let’s talk about how to manage expectations and some strategies to help you prepare. Upfront Costs Before you ever get to the closing table, you'll need to pay for an inspection and an appraisal. A general home inspection usually runs between $350 and $500 , and you pay it directly to the inspector.  Once you're under contract, your lender will order an appraisal to verify the home's value. For a conventional loan, this is about $500 , but if you're using a USDA or FHA loan, expect to pay closer to $700 or $800 . When you submit an offer, you'll provide an earnest money deposit to show th...

Getting your house ready to sell involves balancing curb appeal and mechanical integrity. A buyer might fall in love with your kitchen, but they’ll fall out of love if an inspector points out a $10,000 foundation issue.  The following checklist focuses on high-impact areas where a small investment upfront can help you avoid being at a disadvantage during negotiations.  Structural and mechanical systems The roof and HVAC systems are primary considerations. If a roof is near its end-of-life, addressing it upfront prevents a buyer from over-calculating the replacement cost in their offer. Similarly, a neglected furnace is an invitation for a buyer to negotiate for a $500 to $700 home warranty. Proactively servicing (keep your receipts!) these big-ticket items keep the negotiation focused on your home’s value rather than providing a buyer with leverage for price concessions. Interior surface updates Paint is a cost-effective way to make a space feel maintained. Neutral, light-co...