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Lacy Smith & Associates


Direct: (614)327-6250
Office: (614)273-6385
Fax: (614)793-1066
Lacy.Smith@RealLiving.com  

Let me help you find a PLACE to CALL HOME!!!

CLICK HERE TO SEARCH HOMES AND FORECLOSURES!!


How can a Real Estate Agent help Me??

Buyer's
A Buyer’s Real Estate Agent educates you about your market.
Analyzes your wants and needs, an guides you to homes that fit your criteria.Coordinates the work of other needed professionals.
Negotiates on your behalf. Checks and double-checks paperwork and deadlines. Solves any problems that may arise.

Seller's
A Sell’s Real Estate Agent educates you about the market.
Analyzes your property value through CMA-Comparable Market Analysis.
Creates a Listing Presentation
Market your property for Sale on MLS, Local newspapers, websites
Help in staging your property
Communicate with seller often on property activity,
Schedule showing/Open House
Review all contract offers
Present all offers to seller for review
Negotiates on your behalf.
Schedule all appraise, repairs,
Checks and double-checks paperwork and deadlines once offer is accepted.
Solves any problems that may arise.

Eight Steps to Buying your Home!!

1. Decide to buy.
Although there are many good reasons for you to buy a home, wealth building ranks among the top of the list. I call home ownership the best “accidental investment” most people ever make. But, I believe when it is done right, home ownership becomes an “intentional investment” that lays the foundation for a life of financial security and personal choice. There are solid financial reasons to support your decision to buy a home, and, among these, equity buildup, value appreciation, and tax benefits stand out.
Base your decision to buy on facts, not fears.
If you are paying rent, you very likely can afford to buy.
There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. All you need to do is find a good buy and make sure you have the financial ability to hold it for the long run.
The lack of a substantial down payment doesn’t prevent you from making your first home purchase. There are programs to help!
A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily stop you from buying a home. There are people who can help!
The best way to get closer to buying your ultimate dream home is to buy your first home now. Now is a Great Time To BUY!
Buying a home doesn’t have to be complicated – I am here to help you along the way.

2. Hire an agent.
The typical real estate transaction involves at least two dozen separate individuals – insurance assessors, mortgage brokers and underwriters, inspectors, appraisers, escrow officers, buyer’s agents, seller’s agents, bankers, title researchers, and a number of other individuals whose actions and decisions have to be orchestrated in order to perform in harmony and get a home sale closed. It is the responsibility of your real estate agent to expertly coordinate all the professionals involved in your home purchase and to act as the advocate for you and your interests throughout.
Seven main roles of an real estate agent

Eight important questions to ask your agent

Qualifications are important. However, finding a solid, professional agent means getting beyond the resume, and into what makes an agent effective. Use the following questions as your starting point in hiring your licensed, professional real estate agent:
Why did you become a real estate agent?
Why should I work with you?
What do you do better than other real estate agents?
What process will you use to help me find the right home for my particular wants and needs?
What are the most common things that go wrong in a transaction and how would you handle them?
What are some mistakes that you think people make when buying their first home?
What other professionals do you suggest we work with and what are their credentials?
Can you provide me with references or testimonials from past clients?

3. Secure financing.
While you may find the thought of home ownership thrilling, the thought of taking on a mortgage may be downright chilling. Many first-time buyers start out confused about the process or nervous about making such a large financial commitment.
From start to finish, you will follow a six-step, easy-to-understand process to securing the financing for your first home.

Six steps to Financing a Home
Choose a loan officer (or mortgage specialist).
Make a loan application and get pre-approved.
Determine what you want to pay and select a loan option.
Submit to the lender an accepted purchase offer contract.
Get an appraisal and title commitment.
Obtain funding at closing.

4. Find your home.
You may think that shopping for homes starts with jumping in the car and driving all over town. And it’s true that hopping in the car to go look is probably the most exciting part of the home-buying process. However, driving around is fun for only so long – if weeks go by without finding what you’re looking for, the fun can fade pretty fast. That’s why I say that looking for your home begins with carefully assessing your values, wants, and needs, both for the short and long terms.

Questions to ask yourself
What do I want my home to be close to?
How much space do I need and why?
Which is more critical: location or size?
Would I be interested in a fixer-upper?
How important is home value appreciation?
Is neighborhood stability and priority?
Would I be interested in a condo?
Would I be interested in new home construction?
What features and amenities do I wasn’t? Which do I really need?

5. Make an offer.
When searching for your dream home, you were just that – a dreamer. Now that you’re writing an offer, you need to be a businessperson. You need to approach this process with a cool head and a realistic perspective o your market. The three basic components of an offer are price, terms, and contingencies (or “conditions” in Canada).
Price – the right price to offer must fairly reflect the true market value of the home you want to buy. My market research will help guide this decision.
Terms – the other financial and timing factors that will be included in the offer.
Terms fall under six basic categories in a real estate offer:
Schedule – a schedule of events that has to happen before closing.
Conveyances – the items that stay with the house when the sellers leave.
Commission – the real estate commission or fee, for both the agent who works with the seller and the agents who works with the buyer.
Closing costs – it’s standard for buyers to pay their closing costs, but if you want to roll the costs into the loan, you need to write that into the contract.
Home warranty – this covers repairs or replacement of appliances and major systems. You may ask the seller to pay for this.
Earnest money – this protects the sellers from the possibility of your unexpectedly pulling of the deal and makes a statement about the seriousness of your offer.

6. Perform due diligence.
Unlike most major purchases, once you buy a home, you can’t return it if something breaks or doesn’t quite work like it’s supposed to. That’s why home owner’s insurance and property inspections are so important.
A home owner’s insurance policy protects you in two ways:
Against loss or damage to the property itself
liability in case someone sustains an injury while on your property

The property inspection show expose the secret issues a home might hide so you know exactly what you’re getting into before you sign your closing papers.
Your major concern is structural damage.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Things that are easily fixed can be overlooked.
If you have a big problem show up in your inspection report, you should bring in a specialist. If the worst-case scenario turns out to be true, you might want to walk away from the purchase.

7. Close.
The final stage of the home buying process is the lender’s confirmation of the home’s value and legal statue, and your continued credit-worthiness. This entails a survey, appraisal, title search, and a final check of your credit and finance. Your agent will keep you posted on how each if progressing, but your work is pretty much done.
You just have a few pre-closing responsibilities:
Stay in control of your finances.
Return all phone calls and paperwork promptly.
Communicate with your agent at least once a week.
Several days before closing, confirm with your agent that all your documentation is in place and in order.
Obtain certified funds for closing.
Conduct a final walk-through.

On closing day, with the guidance of a settlement agent and your agent, you’ll sign documents that do the following:
Finalize your mortgage.
Pay the seller.
Pay your closing costs.
Transfer the title from the seller to you.
Make arrangements to legally record the transaction as a public record.
As long as you have clear expectations and follow directions, closing should be a momentous conclusion to your home-searching process and commencement of your home-owning experience.

8. Protect your investment.
Throughout the course of your home-buying experience, you’ve probably spent a lot of time with your real estate agent and you’ve gotten to know each other fairly well. There’s no reason to throw all that trust and rapport out the window just because the deal has closed. In fact, your agent wants you to keep in touch.
Even after you close on your house, you agent can still help you:
Handle your first tax return as a home owner.
Find contractors to help with home maintenance or remodeling.
Help your friends find homes.
Keep track of your home’s current market value.
Attention to you home’s maintenance needs is essential to protecting the long-term value of your investment.
Home maintenance falls into two categories:
Keeping it clean: Perform routine maintenance on your home’s systems, depending on their age and style.
Keeping an eye on it: Watch for signs of leaks, damage, and wear. Fixing small problems early can save you big money later.

Certifications and Recognitions

     

Graduated from Hondros University College in Real Estate

     

Real Estate Law

     

Real Estate Finance

     

Real Estate Appraisal

     

Real Estate Principles & Practices

     

Graduated from Real Living University for Real Estate

     

Ohio Agency Core Law

     

Ohio Canons of Ethics

     

Fair Housing/Civic Rights

     

Real Estate Investing

     

Relocations

     

Columbus Board of Realtors Member

     

Ohio Association of Realtors Member

     

National Association of Realtors Member

     

Member of Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

     

Affordable Housing Committee Member

Specialization

I specialize in all aspect of the buying and selling of residental properties, condo, townhouse, Investment properties, Multi-Family Homes, Foreclosures, Short sale, Bank own properties, Land Development, Land Lots,Custom or semi-custom single-family home, investment property,commerical buildings, in and around the Greater Columbus Area, including Columbus, Delaware, Lewis Center, Powell, Westerville, Dublin, Hilliard, Worthington, Blacklick, New Albany, Canal Winchester, Marysville, Bexley, and Grove City. I monitor all home sales and market conditions in these areas.
I'm also very knowledgeable about area demographics, including local school.

Thinking of relocating? I'm the Relocation Specialist for Columbus, Powell, Lewis Center, Dublin, Hilliard, Westerville, areas. Helping buyers acquire the property of there Dreams!

Thinking of Relocating to Ohio? Call me to discuss you options.

Why choose me as your Realtor you ask?

     

I have knowledge and experience with working with homes in your area, and the latest technology to market your house.

     

I have a strong work ethic, and a passion to help buyers and sellers meet their personal goals. I bring a positive attitude and experience in marketing and selling.

Personal

I'm an Ohio native, having lived in Columbus for over 40 years. I have two children, both of whom are in college.
I graduated from Real Living University for Real Estate.
For the past 10 years I have been an avid real estate investor. Specializing in Single family homes, Condo’s, HUD Property, Auction, Bank Own properties. Investment properties/Rentals.
This gives me great insight into all aspects of real estate transactions from marketing a home to closing and everything in between.

I'm an investor who takes great pride in building/reinventing things making them better. Seeing the possibilities in every home.
I will devote my full attention to marketing your most valuable assets Your Home!

Veteran Engineer with over 20 year of service at Honda of America in Marysville Ohio.


Testimonials

I wanted to thank Lacy Smith with HER for working so hard to find the home of my dreams. I have learned a lot over the past few months during my search. Lacy stayed with me from start to finish. Lacy gave me great ideas and is very knowledgeable in the home buying process. I feel I got a great home at a price I can afford. I would not have gotten this great of a price without him. Lacy communicated with me every step of the way. Lacy exceeded my expectation.
Thank you Lacy for making my home-buying experience rewarding and enjoyable!"
Matt Domino Mon Jul 14, 2008.

As a first-time buyer, Lacy Smith made my experience a very enjoyable one. Throughout the process, I felt as if I was a part of his family and that Lacy was working hard to find me the best home possible. I would recommend Lacy to anyone of my friends or relatives looking to buy or sell their home.
Ray Dalton Thu Apr 10, 2008

Peace of Mind Plan!!

If your heart is set on a new home, but you’re stressed about the economic realities we all face, Real Living has your answer.
Real Living’s Peace of Mind plan is
designed to provide the comfort you
deserve and the confidence you need
to make your move a reality.
Here’s how it works:

When you are represented by a Real Living agent during the purchase of your next home, and finance through Real Living Mortgage, Real Living will provide you with one year of insurance benefits that cover a monthly mortgage payment of up to $1,500 for up to six months if you become involuntarily unemployed during the first year you are in your new home.

Call me today, to get more information about this program.

Lacy Smith & Associates
Real Estate Experience You Can Trust!!
Real Living HER
379 West Olentangy Street
Powell, OH 43065
Phone: (614) 273-6385
Cell: (614) 327-6250
Fax: (614)793-1066

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Real Living HER, 77 E. Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215. Licensed in Ohio.

Modified: 10/30/2009 11:26:13 PM
The information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. H.E.R. LLC does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.