Down payments get all the attention, but closing costs are the number that catches a lot of buyers off guard. In Ohio, expect to pay roughly 2% to 5% of the purchase price — on a $250,000 home, that's $5,000 to $12,500 on top of your down payment. That total covers loan origination fees, an appraisal, title search and insurance, Ohio's conveyance fee, recording fees, and prepaid taxes and insurance. Buyers typically cover most of these, while sellers usually handle the conveyance fee and may agree to contribute toward a buyer's costs as part of negotiations — a common ask in today's market. When a direct credit request doesn't work, restructuring the offer to build costs into the purchase price is another option worth exploring with an experienced agent. Read the full breakdown, including how to prepare ahead of closing day, in the full post: Understanding Closing Costs When Buying a Home in Ohio

Only 5% of homes sold in the past year were For Sale By Owner—an all-time low, according to NAR's latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Meanwhile, 91% of sellers used an agent, a record high. That's a steep drop from the early 1980s, when FSBO made up roughly one in five home sales. Here's what surprises most people: FSBO sellers tend to net less, not more, even after saving on commission. NAR data shows a median FSBO sale price of $360,000 versus $425,000 for agent-assisted sales. Even after adjusting for differences like property type and location, FSBO sellers still tend to net roughly 5% to 6% less on comparable homes. Beyond pricing, FSBO sellers often run into legal disclosure requirements, contract and contingency complexities, limited buyer exposure without MLS access, and buyer hesitation from those who prefer working with a represented seller. Read the full breakdown, including honest tips for sellers still considering FSBO, in the full post: Is Selling...

A home that quietly appears on the MLS with zero buildup starts from a standing start — and in today's slower market, that can mean missing out on the momentum that comes from a strong launch. A coming soon campaign flips that timeline, building buyer and agent awareness 7 to 10 days before a listing officially goes live. Every listing we take on gets professional photography, drone footage for rural and acreage properties, a YouTube video tour, early social media visibility, retargeting ads, and exclusive Platform Marketing digital advertising — all in place before launch day, timed to a launch day open house that captures the interest already built. The goal isn't just an earlier start — it's a stronger one, with buyers already watching the moment your home officially lists. Read the full breakdown of how a coming soon campaign works in the full post: How a Coming Soon Campaign Gets More Eyes on Your Home Before Day One

Title: Highland County Ohio Prices Dip 17% — But Sellers Still Hold the Advantage Highland County's median sold price dropped 17% month over month to $207,500 — a number that might look alarming at first glance, but doesn't tell the whole story. Active listings remain low at 139, with 59 homes sold and 37 more moving into pending status in just the last 30 days. That's a healthy pace of activity, not a market slowing down. In smaller markets like Highland County, a single month's median price can shift significantly based on which homes happen to close in that window — a batch of more modest homes selling instead of higher-end properties can move the number without reflecting an actual drop in home values. For buyers, this month's numbers may mean more room to find a home at a comfortable price point — though with 64 homes already pending, well-priced listings aren't sitting long. For sellers, the fundamentals supporting a seller-favorable market haven't cha...

Home Inspection 101: What Southern Ohio Buyers Need to Know A home inspection is one of the most important steps in buying a home — a licensed inspector's top-to-bottom look at a property's structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, and major systems before you close. For buyers in Highland County and the surrounding Southern Ohio counties, a few things are easy to overlook: private well and septic systems need their own separate inspections, outbuildings and acreage often fall outside a standard inspection scope unless you ask, and radon testing is worth the small added cost given Ohio's moderate-to-high radon potential. Once you have your report, you generally have four options — move forward as-is, negotiate repairs, request a credit, or walk away if your contract includes an inspection contingency. Knowing which issues are worth negotiating and which are just normal wear takes local experience. Read the full breakdown of what a home inspection covers and what to do with...