dream home

My Philosophy for Buyers

When I work with buyers my goal is to provide a well rounded high quality experience. Whether you are renting, purchasing a home for the first time or are a savvy real estate client with experience, I will provide a personalized approach to make the process as easy and fun for you as possible. Moving is said to be the 3rd most stressful life event and normally it coincides with many other stressful life events - a wedding, divorce, death of a loved one, relocation, etc. Whatever the reason for your move, you should be focused on choosing the place that suits you, your budget and your needs. My job is to do all of the research, the appointment setting, have the difficult conversations, fight for your best interests, maintain all of the paperwork, deadlines and keep you up to date in a concise manner every step of the way so you don't have to be stressed.

I firmly believe that what type of home you live in and where that home is located directly affects your lifestyle. There are a lot of factors when it comes to choosing a home and there are practical, functional, and aspirational aspects that need to be prioritized. A great real estate agent can tell you whether or not you can find what you're looking for in your price range. Sometimes a small bump in price range can make a huge difference. However, a lot of buyers are pre-approved for a lot more than they need to spend to be happy and that extra money a month has an impact on their lifestyle. If you love to travel and eat out frequently or require a babysitter often the home you choose shouldn't limit those aspects of your life, where you live should enhance your lifestyle. 

Why do you need a REALTOR?

As a licensed real estate professional I provide much more than the service of helping you find your ideal home.  Realtors are expert negotiators with other agents, seasoned financial advisors with clients, and superb navigators around the local neighborhood.  They are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and must abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice enforced by the NAR.  A professional Realtor is your best resource when buying your home.

Let me be your guide!

As a knowledgeable Realtor I...

•Can save you endless amounts of time, money, and frustration.

•Know the housing market inside and out and can help you avoid the “wild goose chase.”

•Can help you with any home, even if it is listed elsewhere or if it is being sold directly by the owner.

•Know the best lenders in the area and can help you understand the importance of being pre-approved for a mortgage. I can also discuss  and negotiate down payments, closing costs, and monthly payment options that suit you.

•Am an excellent source for both general and specific information about the community such as schools, churches, shopping, and transportation --plus tips on home inspections and pricing.

•Am experienced at presenting your offer to the homeowner and can help you through the process of negotiating the best price. We bring objectivity to the buying transaction, and we can point out the advantages and the disadvantages of a particular property.

AM FREE! The best thing about me as your Realtor is that all this help will not cost you a cent.  The Seller pays my commission to my Brokerage so there is no reason not to be represented by someone with your best interest in mind. 

  1. Contact me so that I can connect you with a mortgage agent to get pre-approved and find out what you can afford to spend before we start the search process.
  2. We'll meet and discuss your budget, housing needs and dreams (Pinterest is a BIG help here) to create a profile of what you're looking for. I will set you up on a listing search through the MLS that only agents have access to so you will receive an email every time a home that matches your criteria comes on the market. Getting these listings through an agent before they pop up on the third party sites (zillow, realtor.com, trulia, etc.) is KEY to gain a competitive advantage for negotiations. 
  3. Once the right property is found, an offer to purchase is written up, presented and negotiated. If accepted, I will prepare a timeline with responsibilities for all parties involved and you are officially in contract!
  4. While you are in contract you will need to fulfill any contingencies like financing and inspection, but don't worry I'll guide you through the entire process to get you to the closing table.
  5. On closing day you will sign lots of paperwork, transfer funds, get your keys and start the next chapter of your life (with a special closing gift from yours truly)!

To learn more about the home buying process or for help finding the perfect rental for you in the least stressful way, get in touch with me! You can email me at pfjohnson@kw.com or call/text me at 614.638.5817 so we can meet for coffee or a drink and get to know each other. I specialize in urban neighborhoods but can help anywhere in greater Columbus! Keep in mind that my commission is paid for by the seller of the home so there is no reason not to have me doing all the dirty work for you and fighting to get you the best deal on your dream home!

Increasing Your Home's Appeal

When you are preparing your home for sale, remember the 60-second rule: That's all the time you have to create a winning first impression.

Here are some simple to significant ways to maximize your home's appeal:

Exterior

  • Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter.
  • Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds.
  • Apply fresh paint to wooden fences.
  • Tighten and clean all door handles.
  • Clean windows inside and out.
  • Powerwash home's exterior.
  • Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
  • Paint the front door.
  • Buy a new welcome mat.
  • Place potted flowers near the front door.


Interior

  • Evaluate the furniture in each room and remove anything that interrupts "the flow" or makes the room appear smaller. Consider renting a storage unit to move items off-site.
  • Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves.
  • Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
  • Shampoo carpets.
  • Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks.
  • Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
  • Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
  • Clean or paint walls and ceilings.
  • Replace worn cabinet and door knobs.
  • Fix or replace discolored grout.
  • Replace broken tiles.
  • Replace worn countertops.

Special details for showings

  • Turn on all the lights.
  • Open all drapes and shutters in the daytime.
  • Keep pets secured outdoors.
  • Buy new towels for bathrooms.
  • Buy new bedding for bedrooms.
  • Replace old lamps or lampshades.
  • Play quiet background music.
  • Light the fireplace or clean out the ashes and light a candelabrum.
  • Infuse home with a comforting scent, such as apple spice or vanilla.
  • Set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party.
  • Vacate the property while it is being shown.
  • ** For an extra touch, bake some treats in the oven the morning of the kitchen is warm, smells good and people think of themselves cooking and eating in "their new" kitchen. 

Create Your Home Wish List

Before the home search begins, I want to know as much as possible about the features and amenities you desire. To help me serve you, analyze what you want and what you need in a home's features and amenities.

 

Features:

  • Age: Do you prefer historic properties, newer or a new build?
  • Type: Single Family, Condo?
  • Style: Do you have a special preference for ranches, cape cods, or another style of construction?
  • Bedrooms: How many?
  • Bathrooms: How many? Are they updated?
  • Living and Dining Areas: A traditional, formal layout, or a more open, contemporary plan?
  • Stories: How many?
  • Square feet: How much space?
  • Kitchen: How big? Recently updated? How important on a scale of 1-10?
  • Storage: Big closets, a shed, an extra-large garage?
  • Parking: A garage or carport? Room for how many cars?
  • Extras: Attic or basement?

Amenities:

  • Office
  • Play/exercise room
  • Security system
  • Sprinkler system
  • Workshop/Studio
  • In-law suite
  • Fireplace
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Sidewalk
  • Wooded lot
  • Patio, deck, or porch
  • Laundry room

Make a pinterest board for you home inspiration so I will get a visual for your style and taste! Check out mine here: www.pinterest.com/ColumbestHomes