Ohio Capital Mortgage Blog

2 Must-Read Books for Serious Side Hustlers

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:00:00 GMT

A stunning statistic came to me at a meeting this weekend. The speaker stated that 89% of people are unsatisfied with their jobs. They’re biding time waiting on retirement, to finish school, until the kids are grown or until they find a better job. In the book Day Job to Dream Job , Central Ohio entrepreneur Kary Overbrunner likens a day job to being in prison. Working on someone else’s agenda, being there when they want you there and having little, if any, flexibility. Are you trading 5 for 2? Are you trading hours for dollars, wishing away your weeks for weekends? He shows how to take control of your work life. Written in clear steps, Kary outlines the process of creating a job you can fall in love with.

Or, maybe you’re not planning to give up your day job. Maybe you’re like many people who are content to stay in the 9-to-5 pace of life. It’s what you’re used to and while you have to be somewhere every day for a set number of hours, the pay is pretty good.

A young woman we’ll call Beth Ann, told me recently that she loved her job and had finally found something she loved. After slogging away her nights and weekends in the crazy hours of restaurant work for several years, she had found her perfect office day job. Beth Ann liked the people, the comradery and the bonuses. Recently, after a short family leave of absence, she returned to foreign landscape. They had rearranged, added new people. The ones she had known in the office now behaved differently and were no longer getting along.

Could your side hustle sustain you if your day job abruptly came to an end? Even more important, are you one of the 89 per cent waiting to leave your current job for greener pastures? It might be easy to forget that this country was founded on entrepreneurship. Fortunately, hundreds and thousands of people did not forget. If you’re a serious side hustler, you have something of the entrepreneurial spark in you.

Chris Guillebeau stumbled into entrepreneurship by trying some of the things others were doing to make money. The questions he asked himself was, “How can I get what I need by making something and selling it?” He didn’t want to cut costs or work fomr someone else. Armed with a list of what he wanted to accomplish, he figured out how to make it happen.

Chris wanted to visit every country in the world before he was 35, and created The Art of

Nonconformity, a blog about unconventional living. He’s authored several books including the $100 Dollar Start Up, and Side Hustle and daily podcasts for Side Hustle School. Kary had a wife and family to support along with a home and plenty of responsibilities. Early on, Chris was a young footloose and fancy free single man. Both of them found their dream job and now they share their expertise and processes with anyone willing to listen. Kary’s website offers not only books, but training and podcasts and many free and live events.

By reading either or both of these books of even following them, you can ramp up your existing side hustle or dive into one and change your life. Much success!

Are you Sabotaging Your Own Home Mortgage?

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 15:00:00 GMT

Buying a home is not a cookie cutter process. What worked for you may not work for your best friend. When working with a mortgage broker, loan officers are able to tailor fit your loan to your unique circumstances. While at its core each loan is about buying a home, the variables and moving parts continue to mystify buyers. It is the single most important financial transaction of your life. It can be exhilarating and exhausting. For some, it is short and sweet, for others it can be a years- long process dotted with legal problems.

Some of the variables are within your control. These can help speed the paperwork along, delay the home purchasing process or cause a deal to fall apart completely.

Verifications

If you’re currently paying rent, especially in cash, know in advance that it has to be verified. A payment history through bank statements, checks, or receipts. Find out acceptable ways of verifying payments with your loan officer and remember to be timely in delivering those records.

Outstanding Payments

Financial documents

Know in advance of going into the loan process that your financial statements and tax records will be necessary along with all documents that verify who you are. These include driver’s license, green cards, and social security cards.

Due to federal, state and local laws, your loan officer is required to ask for particular pieces of information. You are not being singled out, this level of scrutiny is required for all buyers. It can be uncomfortable and feel extremely invasive. Your failure to produce needed documentation slows down the process, prevents some participants from completing your application and moving the loan forward. The longer it takes for you to get the papers to them, the longer the whole procedure takes. In some cases, losing the opportunity to purchase.

Additionally, withholding information that could derail your deal is an equal time waster and could end up not only costing you the desired home, but money as well. Your loan officer feels a certain obligation to help you get the best loan possible and make the procedure as pain free as possible. Your co-operation is a valuable asset to them. In the long run, you’ll be glad you did it when you celebrate moving into your new home.

When it comes to purchases, you’re not safe to make any on credit until after the closing. From purchasing vacations, new vehicles, or even appliances for the new home, buying on credit before signing on the line is a no-no. If an urgent need should arise (like your car gets totaled in an accident) it’s best to talk with your loan officer about how best to navigate that event. Running out to get a new car may not be the best move until after your signature is dry and you’re handed keys to your home.

Additionally, vacations can pose problems if paperwork is needed and you’re not available to provide it. Purchases made on your credit card can affect fragile DTI and credit scores if you overspend.

If you have further questions about purchasing a home, refinancing or credit repair options, please call our office at 614-891-9000.

Spice up Your Spring Brunch with Moroccan Eggs

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 13:00:00 GMT

Although she makes this using eggs, she makes a vegan version using firm tofu with equal success. The recipe comes from Shaheen of Spoon Fork and Food.

OhioCapitalMortgage.com

I’m Retired, Can I Buy a Home?

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 15:00:00 GMT

Some things in life come with an age cap. Fortunately, purchasing a home is not one of them. Whether you’re downsizing from the family home, or moving into that perfect abode in a warmer climate that you’ve always dreamt of, points of consideration have more to do with budget than the number of years you’ve accrued.

Once you leave the work force, you won’t be getting a regular paycheck. Unless you’ve developed a retirement career, alternative streams of revenue or have become independently wealthy, you’ll be living on a fixed income.

It’s important to recognize that your income may not increase at the same rate as the cost of living. But even that doesn’t keep you out of the buying game. While being retired and purchasing a home has its own unique set of issues, before plunging in to home ownership weigh the benefits and the risks.

Can you afford the financial risk of owning?

Home ownership definitely has it’s perks. From painting the walls whatever color you choose to knocking down walls and changing the carpet. Want a garden? No problem. A walk in tub? Of course. You’re only limited by imagination and budget.

Sometimes owning a home can be less expensive than renting. For some, building home equity is important. A home offers financial security. Once you own your home outright, you won’t have monthly mortgage payments. And if you do have a mortgage, locking a fixed rate means your payments will not go up.

Whether you like a house with good bones that can be renovated (older home) or you don’t want to swing a hammer at all, (a new build) there are plenty of options. Still love raking, mowing and gardening? You might like a home with a decent yard and room for the grandkids to play. You can also choose a home that matches your maintenance preferences. Not into yardwork and shoveling? You may prefer a townhouse or condo.

Home Ownership Challenges

If you plan to travel and see the world, or have plans to move to another state or country in the near future, buying a home may not be your best option.

Although it’s a prickly subject, in the recent past home values have dropped off and many found themselves upside-down in their mortgages. Questions you want to ask yourself, is would you rather rent in your retirement years or pay a mortgage? Might it be possible to delay retiring to pay off the house?

Owning a house carries a price, of course. When appliances break, or the dwelling gets damaged, sometimes it’s more expensive than renting. You or someone you hire will be doing the repairs. Keep in mind those things that will continue to rise in price, like insurance, property taxes and other fees.

None of us can predict the future, but it’s wise to consider some of the additional possibilities that often come with aging. Will owning your home still be affordable if you or your spouse should fall seriously ill, become unable to drive or pass away? Do you need to be close to emergency services or friends and family members who can check in periodically or come to your aid if you or your spouse should fall?

Home ownership in your golden years can be a joy. Maintaining your independence, pursuing hobbies and interests and enjoying the rest after long years of work and responsibility. Sitting on your porch looking over your property and considering the accomplishments of your life, surrounded by loved ones, should be a wonderful experience. Retirement years can be a time of renewal, discovery and adventure. If you’re retired and have questions about home purchase or even refinancing to stretch those retirement dollars, please give us a call at 614.891.9000 and see what options are available to you. If you’re interested in prequalifying, visit our secure quick application . If you happen to be on Facebook , stop by and say hello.

Imposter or Impassioned? [Overcoming Side Hustle Doubts]

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:14:00 GMT

Is feeling like a fraud keeping you from succeeding in your side hustle? Get unstuck, ditch doubt and capture confidence.

Remember your first day on a new job? You likely didn’t understand the lingo or follow the flow of the job. Everyone around you seemed to know exactly what to do and when to do it. While you still trying to fit into the flow, everyone buzzed around you, a hive of activity. On your first day, no one expected you to know everything. You could rest on the simple phrase, “I’m new” for a good few weeks, sometimes months, and one lady said it for a full year!

You’re not an imposter when you’re starting out. Every business had a day one.
Some of the biggest brand names today (Apple and Amazon) proudly tell of their humble beginnings working out of their garages.

Maybe your dreams aren’t that enormous yet but you can’t always know how far reaching your side hustle will be. Many stories exist about people working side hustles to make ends meet or just get through college only to create a multimillion dollar empire.

Starting Pro Bono

Let’s say you’re a new writer and that’s your passion. What you might do is ask around and see who has a writing project they would let you do pro-bono. Consider writing for your local church, newspaper, or company newsletter. Get a few clips you can show those to prospective clients to get paid work. By treating each assignment in a professional manner, you will catch the notice of others who need your services.

Want to be a dog walker? If you’ve walked your own dog, you already have proven ability. If not, ask your neighbor if you can walk their do in exchange for a reference. Your love of dogs should be apparent from the first meeting with prospective clients. Get recommendations from those clients you’ve worked with before. By showing future clients that former clients were happy with your work, you’re proving yourself. Every bit of experience counts. Be sure to get recommendations from each new client and build your resume.

Coaching or teaching online? Consider a free podcast or YouTube video to people interested in your area of expertise. See what others are doing that you can implement in your classes. Are they vlogging? Using live feed Q&A? Get testimonials, positive comments and feedback and post them where that your potential clients can easily find them. Whether that’s your website, LinkedIn or another social media platform your prospects frequent. If your services are pricey, over a few hundred dollars, you may ask some of your former clients if they would be open to talking to curious future clients by phone.

Kick the Imposter to the Curb

Begin thinking of all the ways you can get past feeling like an imposter, and become confident in your hustle. Relax and be yourself. By being honest, helpful and looking people in the eye, you’ll exude self-assurance, and more clients will be willing to take a shot on you.

Some very gifted and even established writers had days where they felt like absolute frauds. At the beginning of each project, they wondered how they would complete their assignment. While some online coaches and teachers may not have the pedigree that some others would be looking for but they make up for it in passion and perseverance and a lot of experience. One instructor told me, I don’t have to know it all, I just have to stay ahead of the class.

Passion vs. Imposter

Have you ever heard the expression bloom where you’re planted? No matter where you are in your journey of side hustling, you’re further ahead of the majority of people trading their hours for dollars. Trust in what you know, what you don’t know can be learned.

As you continue learning, you increase your value and your expertise. If you desire to increase your income base you could ask current clients what other related services they might be interested in. One writer I know generated another stream of income by writing LinkedIn synopses and recommendation letters for coworkers. And now, it’s part of a marketing package she offers to new authors and busy clients who want a presence but don’t have the desire, time or inclination to write their own.

Side hustle writing

You might discover a recipe for healthy dog treats. This is a way to upsell to your busy, canine loving clients and develop another stream of income from your hustle. Invest in educating yourself about trends or additional ways to be of service to your clients. See what others are doing to increase their revenue.

If you’re coaching for fitness or weight loss, you might provide a monthly menu of quick and healthy dinners, or easy to pack lunches on your website. By being interested in solving problems for your clients, you will create more ways to add value your services. Listen to what your client’s needs are. This will go a long way toward making you a much-preferred professional.

Reach Out

Sometimes a mentor can help. There are small business associations all over the country. This can facilitate exponential growth, and help support confidence. A mentor believing in your abilities can help you get over the imposter syndrome. Good news, that could be considered a business expense related to ongoing education in your field—and a potential tax write off. (Check with your accountant or tax preparer.)

Feeling like a fraud doesn’t mean you are one. We all suffer with doubt from time to time. You might be having an off day or a string of bad ones. Or, it could mean you lack something that would help you progress. Find out what you need and own it. None of us are born with all the knowledge we need to get through life. We have to be intentional about gathering that at the appropriate time.

Some hustles are like on-the-job-training, you learn what you need to know as you work. A side hustle is no different. Lucky for you, there’s loads of videos, websites and podcasts from people willing to share information, much of it for free.

The High Road

It is extremely unwise in the information age to pad your resume or inflate any aspect of your side hustle history. The truth has a way of coming out. Just starting your side hustle but it’s been a life-long dream? Or a passion for years? That’ okay. A lot of people have those dreams. You’re one of the adventurous ones that gave yours traction. If a prospect isn’t interested in what you have to offer, don’t take it personally. It’s part of the package that you can’t be all things to all people.

Being honest, using best practices in your field and working with integrity will take you farther than being dishonest or taking shortcuts. If you’re just starting out, charge prices that reflect that and increase them as you become more skilled and educated.

Make it a habit to be generous, gracious and above board in every aspect of your hustle. You never know when that prospect will have a change of circumstance and suddenly need your services. Keep meticulous records, and if you need to collect taxes, be sure to do so. If you need to get a permit, it’s better to follow the letter of the law rather than incur fines. Be diligent in discovering the requirements of your hustle. It can save you legal headaches down the line. If you aren’t certain what steps you need to take, you can contact the Small Business Administration for help or resources.

Let us know on our facebook page if this article helped you and what you’re up to!

To FSBO or Not to FSBO

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:00:00 GMT

FSBO Pros

You get to keep the commission that you would have paid out.
You already have a qualified, interested buyer
You can find your own comparable properties online to get pricing
Flexible schedule and can show my home to prospective buyers
Post my own photos and data through social media and online apps.

FSBO Cons

Realtor Pros

Realtor Cons

Knowledge is power.

Even if you have gone through the home purchase/home sale before, it won’t make you an expert any more than driving a car makes you a mechanic. Government regulations continue to change and become more stringent. That may not be something you’re keeping up with, but you better believe your agent is. They are extremely knowledgeable about the laws, the market and staging. They know what people are looking for and how to present it. It’s their job to know. That information translates to savings of time and money, increased sales dollars by knowing how to read buyers and handling the closing.
In the end, the savings on commission may end up costing you more.

Moreover, you must take into consideration the laws that govern your locale. If you should run in to problems, you will likely need assistance either from a real estate attorney (who does not handle marketing your property) or a qualified agent. If you have more questions about buying or selling your home, please contact our office at (614) 891. 9000 or email one of our loan officers, listed under Our Team at: OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Homemade Mac & Cheese

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 15:30:00 GMT

As we head into the deep cold season, you may be staving off the chill of winter with one of your favorite comfort foods. Ben Jacoby, our resident insurance agent, volunteered this month’s recipe.

Topping the list of decadent classics, try out this gourmet version of Mac & Cheese with tasty bits of bacon. A mean that not only sticks to the ribs, but warms the heart.

This recipe is brought to you by http://www.chewoutloud.com

If you have questions about homeowners insurance or would like to discuss bundling, call us at Ohio Capital Mortgage (614)891-9000 and ask for Ben.

Are You Prepared for a Winter Emergency?

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 14:00:00 GMT

Heavy snow and ice can has been known to take down powerlines, large trees branches, trees and collapse roofs. In Central Ohio, being prepared for extreme winter weather can be the difference between life and death. Even though winters have been practically balmy with barely a flake of snow to be found the last few years, Native Ohioans are not fooled. Here, the weather changes on a dime. Many remember times when snow was a few feet deep and how quickly it can accumulate.

You don’t need feet of snow to have a winter emergency. Iced shut doors, windows or vehicles can spell crises. Power failure, extreme temperatures and unsafe traveling conditions can equal an emergency if you don’t have or can’t get what you need.

Maintaining body heat:

Keeping warm is a top priority in surviving a winter emergency. Layering with thermal underwear, t-shirts, and leggings traps heat close to your body. If you become overly warm it’s a simple matter to adjust by removing a layer. Wool socks are still ideal and keep feet warm even if they’re wet, or wear a couple pairs of sock. Mittens keep fingers warmer than gloves, but gloves are better than barehanded. Hats help maintain body temperature scarves keep your neck warm.

Keeping warm with Blankets, non-electric space heaters, a way to heat water in the event of any emergency, but in winter, heat sources that do not require power are of extreme importance.

Battery operated devices: a battery operated radio, flashlights for each room, extra batteries, non-powered options for equipment that will not work without electricity. Rechargeable battery packs for each mobile device.

Headlamps are great if you’re trying to read, play a game or otherwise need your hands free. Great for indoor and out door tasks.

Portable rechargeable generators (most often used for camping) can be used to jump car batteries, provide a limited amount of power and light. Some are not strong enough to power anything with a heating element including a coffee maker. They will recharge several phones, power a radio and smaller electronics. They vary in price and ability with at least one solar option.

At least three day supply of food you can open and prepare easily. These can be canned, bottled, and dried. It helps to maintain body heat if you have a way to heat food but if that isn’t feasible, ready to eat foods like raisins, figs, nuts, tuna pouches, and canned foods like stew are great to have on hand.

Water (one gallon per person per day)

Having a way to heat water will be greatly appreciated if you’re without power for very long. Having the ability to make hot drinks can go a long way toward keeping spirits up.

Remember these important points

Space Heaters

Space heaters vary, and propane is safe indoors as long as you follow the very specific manufacturers instructions. Kerosene heaters have been used for decades and circular ones come with the advantage of having an area where you can set a metal coffee pot or tea pot. These heaters light quickly and crank out the heat but, they’ve become controversial in recent years. Some require outside air flow to prevent noxious fumes building up in homes.

Keep a First aid kit, and a backup supply of the medications you take every day. Have an ice chest on hand and keep ice packs in the freezer for medications that need to be kept cool.

Entertainment

It can be dull sitting around waiting for the power to come on. Have books, board games, playing cards, sketch pads or writing implements to keep boredom at bay.

Exit Strategy

In the event that it becomes unsafe to stay in your home and are able to leave, have a plan. Designate a safe place to go if, such as a friend’s or neighbor’s house or shelter. Have a plan for getting there.

If you’re waiting for someone to come to your aid be prepared to briefly explain to rescue personnel how to help you move quickly and safely, for example: “take my inhalers,” “grab my insulin from the fridge” mention items like a walker or cane.

For more information regarding winter preparedness, checkout these additional sites: Ohio Department of Health :

Have a story to share about a power outage in your home? Comment on our Facebook page!

7 Simple & Low Cost Ways to Generate Traffic for Your Side Hustle

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 13:30:00 GMT

Let’s presume you’ve set up your website. Your statement is clear, your products are prominent and accessible and your contact page makes it easy to reach you. Are your clients accessing your website from a computer, tablet or mobile device? WordPress offers previews on most of their templates.

1. Check your website on your tablet and mobile devices. You could be losing as much as 40 percent of potential business if future clients can’t access your site on their mobile. Check how each page behaves on your devices. Make sure important information is easily found, and that hot buttons are easy to use even with “fat fingers.”

3. Do you offer value to your clients? This can motivate them to share their email address with you and help build your email list. You can offer your network discounts, specials and bonuses first, or exclusively. (Also, it’s best practices to offer unsubscribe if they decide your services don’t fit their needs.)
One savvy marketer offers classes to aspiring writers. Near the end of the course, she offers another smaller course to those attendees first, often at a significant discount. After that brief promotion, she opens it up to the public. She keeps her clients informed and adds value with interesting weekly email blasts and then by posting on linked in.

5. Resolve bad client experiences. Let’s face it, sometimes the best laid plans go terribly awry. The last thing you really want is someone out there bad mouthing your business. As much as it is within your ability to do so, try to resolve the issue and create a happy client. Expect that something will go wrong at some point and have several solutions available. This might mean doing another rewrite, offering your service at a discount, or some other benefit that makes your client happy. It’s always best to keep the lines of communication open. How you resolve conflict can speak volumes about your character and possibly not only win your client over, but create more referrals.

7. Consider generating a product. Most public speakers sell books, DVDs or CDs. A book could position you as an expert in your hustle. By creating an Author Page you have an additional platform of visibility. Promoting through various channels like iTunes, Amazon etc. help to develop an additional income stream for your business and gain credibility.

These are but a few of an amazing array of marketing techniques. Start with the ones that are most manageable and comfortable and gradually add to your base. Be consistent in your marketing and you will begin to see which ones are most viable and bring in the most leads. Make sure all of your platforms connect to your website and keep in mind that you will always be marketing and improving your reach.

If you know of other promotional techniques that have worked for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please comment on Facebook or if stop by our website at Ohio Capital Mortgage .

Is it Time to Call a Realtor? [First time home buyers]

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 13:26:00 GMT

Do I have to prequalify just to see what’s out there ?

Remember that buying and selling homes is how a realtor makes a living. That said, they can’t show each home to every curious Looky Lou who, for some is just being nosy about the neighbor’s home, or the behemoth mansion that sits on top of the hill. Showing a property is an investment of time, one that the realtor wants to turn into a sale with a serious and qualified buyer. A letter of prequalification from your local mortgage broker or lender gets you facetime with a Realtor.

There may be a number of reasons why you haven’t taken the plunge to prequalify (protecting your credit? We get it!) but, you’re still curious about homes in your area? You may scour Zillow, Trulia and Realtor.com online to find Open House listings. These allow you, the general public, to peruse the property, without prequalifying. You may even make an offer, but know that without that all important letter, your bid may not be taken seriously. If you make an offer without being preapproved, in all likelihood, you will lose out on the sale.

Can I talk to a realtor before I prequalification?

What’s the purpose of a pre-qualifying?

With a letter of prequalification, your Realtor is able to streamline the search and help you find a home meeting certain criteria in your price range. Have a clearly defined list of your wants, must–haves and your chosen neighborhoods.
The letter of prequalification is your backstage pass, your ticket in to homes at your level of purchasing power. It means you’re willing to take solid steps toward home purchase. You have invested in the process. A wise realtor will invest in you as much as you invest in the process.

Understand that prequalification is not the same as preapproval and the terminology is not interchangeable. The vast majority of lenders do not run credit for a prequalification. Preapproval means that you have allowed a lender to verify your financial assets and information, including a hard pull on your credit.

Does a mortgage prequalification affect my credit?

It depends on how often you apply and whether your lender or broker checks credit reports. Ask them what standard procedure is for your lender as office vary on this point. One source claims that all inquiries within a 14 day span count as one inquiry and appears as an inquiry.

Will a hard pull damage my credit?

During the application stage, rate shopping is common, as well as prequalifying with multiple lenders. Not only normal, but necessary when you’re talking about a payment you’re making for 10 to 30 years. Credit pulls for a home are necessary and legit. It can affect your score a few points or more and for up to 90 days (or longer).

Have questions about properties? To appease your curiosity: where to find property info in central Ohio for free: Franklin County Auditor

Ready to get started? Call our office at 614-891-9000. Ready to make the leap? Visit our secure application page .

Kitsy’s Bacon, Ham & Broccoli Quiche

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 15:10:00 GMT

Kitsy’s quiche makes a great breakfast or light dinner.

Bacon, Ham and Broccoli Quiche

Line a pie dish or quiche form with the pie crust and prick the bottom of the crust with a fork to keep it from ballooning up. Bake it 5 minutes only in a preheated 450 degree oven. Pie pans are usually smaller than quiche dishes. Use smaller amount of ingredients for pie pan, larger amount if the quiche dish is larger.

Sprinkle the veggies on the bottom of the crust. On top of them spread the cheese cubes over veggies and then spread the ham pieces evenly over the cheese.

Combine and beat together the eggs with the milk, nutmeg, and a little salt and pepper until well blended. Pour over the ham and cheese. The milk should come up to the top of the cheese and ham pieces.

Place strips of aluminum foil over the outer edge of the pie crust.

Bake the quiche for 15 minutes at 450 degrees.

Reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 30-45 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

Serve hot or well chilled.

Did you try it with or without bacon? We’d love to hear from you about your favorite recipes. Please comment or start the conversation with us on Facebook!

Happy New Year!

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 14:30:00 GMT

With Uber, Lyft and others standing by to get you safely home this New Year’s Eve, remember to be safe. The team at Ohio Capital Mortgage wishes you a happy, safe New Year! May all your dreams come true in 2018!

Merry Christmas!

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 13:01:00 GMT

In this season of giving, it is our hope that you have a holiday filled with family, friends and fun. The team at Ohio Capital wishes your home to be filled with hope, joy and love. From our hearts to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas.

~Brian Flaherty, owner

Bundling Your Insurance Plan: Is it a good idea?

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 14:30:00 GMT

We’ve all heard the adage that you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. Does that hold true for Insurance as well? You have a home, vehicles, a family to protect and a lot of questions. What can be bundled together in a package? Will it save you money? Or would you be better off shopping for each line of insurance individually?

When is it good?

You may be eligible for a multi-policy discount with significant savings. For most insurance companies, the largest available discount is the multi-policy discount when bundling home and auto insurance. In some cases, bundling your vehicles with your homeowners or adding life insurance can save as much as 20% meaning lower premiums and savings for you.

Commonly, when you own more than one vehicle and a house it pays to shop around. At the very least, call your current insurance agent to quote all your insurance needs. Carefully review how much the combined overall price would cost. Review on either a monthly or annual basis, if you add up the cost of Auto + Home + RV + Life + Bike = combined overall price. Typically, it saves you money to bundle but not always.

When getting quotes and shopping around, knowing the deductible amount provided in the quote is a MUST. It is shocking to know how little your payment increases when lowering your deductible. You may be able to snag a lower deductible by simply asking your agent the price difference between your available deductible options.

When you need to file a claim and use the insurance service you’ve been paying for, your out of pocket cost would be lower. Let’s say your current homeowners insurance deductible is $2,000. Today you call your agent and discover that it would only cost an additional $100 a year to lower your deductible from $2,000 down to $1,000. Let’s say you decide to move forward with the lower deductible and six months down the road a windstorm rips off your roof. If it is agreed that it would cost $5,000 to replace your roof, you would be much happier knowing your out of pocket cost is $1,000 instead of $2,000.

If you get a bundle solely for pricing, you may be sacrificing quality of coverage and protection. Be sure to look through your current policy to see what you have and review with the quote you’d be getting. Double check your deductibles to make sure they’re affordable. If not, it’s advisable to keep shopping. It’s prudent to read through the policy yourself especially when starting over with a new carrier. Although you want to get a great price, you don’t want to risk not having proper coverage in the event of a catastrophe.

Don’t get suckered-in just on price alone. A good agent or insurance company will help you customize your policies to best meet your insurance goals and needs. Remember your special policy features, endorsements and riders.

When getting quotes based on low pricing, keep in mind, each insurance company has different claim pay out minimum and/or maximum limitations for certain items. If you are an avid art collector, ask your insurance agent how much is covered in the event of a fire that results in your art work being destroyed. Certain items such as jewelry, art work, firearms, sports memorabilia and similar collectible items have payout maximum limits. For example, if your house burned down, at the time of the fire you owned more than $20,000 in art work, when the claims adjuster explains that the maximum claim payout on your policy for art work is $5,000 you would be $15,000 short of what you owned and should have been covered for.

None of us want to sit around thinking about our homes being lost to a fire, reality is that house fires occur. The cost to replace your home and personal belongings are more likely to be higher than what you originally purchased the house for.

Our in-house agent Ben Jacoby cares about your protection and saving you money. If you’ve got questions about your homeowners policy or would like to get a quote please give us a call at (614) 891-9000.

Brian and Emily’s Family Ziti

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 14:30:00 GMT

This classic Italian casserole is shared by the owners of Ohio Capital Mortgage, Brian and Emily Flaherty. This recipe has been in their family for years. The fragrant, heart-warming aroma fills the kitchen while it bakes, reminding us that holidays are a time for family and friends.

Make one casserole for your family, or double to serve a crowd. This also freezes well, so you can pop into single serving containers and freeze for hot lunches later, or an easy dinner solution after a full day of shopping!

Directions:

Serve with your choice of salad or garlic toasted artisan bread. Enjoy!

How FICO Scores Can Help First time Home-buyers

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 15:00:00 GMT

What it requires to gather documentation, for credit scores and going through the credit check process, may not seem like time well spent if they discover a lower credit score than anticipated. All is not lost however.

What is FICO score? The Original name of the company was the Fair Isaac Company. They looked at specific credit data to predict consumer behavior. Using that they were able to determine the likelihood of a borrower’s ability to assume a larger line of credit, which would go bankrupt and those who would be profitable.

Are FICO scores important? While FICO has been the gold standard of scoring for about 90% of lenders, it had been the only qualified scoring system for years. When purchasing your credit score from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, you’re more likely to receive a Vantage score. In recent years, there has been controversy over the accuracy of other scores. Overall, the numbers are accurate. Though some differences exist, Fico treats missed mortgage payments the same as other missed payments. With VantageScore, late mortgage payments are more damaging. See the comparison chart here .

What factors affect my number? A lot of factors go into a score, but two that can really knock it down are high credit card balances and debts turned over to collections. Others include payment history recency, frequency and severity.

How to look at a low score: Although it is possible to buy a home with a low credit score, the interest rate rises significantly the lower it is. Additionally, a higher down payment will likely be required. Lower scores indicate to lenders that the buyer is a high risk candidate. What that also means, is that if your credit rating stays low, you will pay significantly more over the life of a home loan than another buyer with a better score.

How low is too low? Even though an FHA loan has the lowest credit requirements, a score under 500 is generally considered to be a bad loan. Since the housing crash, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform into law. This made it a lot tougher to qualify for a home loan. That said, it is quite often difficult to get approval for a home loan with a credit score between 500 and 579. Coming up with a 10% down payment usually stands in the way of most low-score home loans.

How long does score improvement take? Putting an exact time limit on how long it takes to raise a score is tricky. It depends on the reasons for a low score. If you’ve had wages garnished, declared bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan, these can affect your credit for years.

Each month that bills are paid on time raises the score. Paying down credit cards use accounts for 30% of your score. The higher your balance, the lower your score, so it makes sense to get these as lowered as quickly before applying for a mortgage.

Collections on your credit report negatively impact your credit score. But, these are not impossible to clear up and have removed from your account, however you must call them directly. Ask them if they’ll agree to a pay for delete. This is an agreement (in writing) that you agree to pay the balance and in return, the creditor removes the account from your credit report. Paying collection accounts doesn’t improve your score and unless the lender directs you to pay it off, without the agreement in place, there’s no reason to do so.

We want to see you succeed in owning the home of your dreams. If you have questions regarding credit repair services, we can help. Call our office today at (614) 891-9000. We can provide numbers to trustworthy resources that can help not only repair credit but maintain an excellent score. Stop by our Facebook page, we’d love to say hello!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Whether you celebrate the holiday with a traditional roasted turkey, a little more daring (deep fried!), or you’re serving a vegetarian feast, all of us at Ohio Capital Mortgage Family wish you a very

~ Brian Flaherty & the Ohio Capital Mortgage Team

HOLIDAY NETWORKING

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Holidays present a cornucopia of opportunities for meeting new people and forging new relationships. With so much goodwill in the air, it’s a fantastic time to strengthen or renew long-standing relationships. You can do this by attending office parties, business get-togethers and open houses. Or, host a gathering of your own.

Even though the very mention of “networking” may strike fear in the hearts of some, go with the intent of having a good time and connecting with new people. Don’t pressure yourself by thinking of making a sale or landing a new client, relax and build relationship. Prepare to introduce yourself and share your personal elevator pitch, what you do and who you do it for. Two or three quick sentences.

We all want to be found interesting. Show interest in another person, and treat each with dignity and respect. Ask about their family, job and aspirations. You can never go wrong being kind. You never know where it will lead.

Handing out your business cards is like sowing seed. You never know when the plant will spring to life. Have them with you everywhere you go.

Chat up More People at Mixers and Staff Gatherings

Present the best version of yourself. Wear appropriate clothing. Some people don’t talk business at celebrations. Not to worry. You want to build a connection. So relax and have a pleasant conversation. Keep them talking by asking open-ended questions to gather more information. Be a great listener and they’ll remember you as a great conversationalist.

Scheduling One on One Meetings

For some businesses, the holidays offer a slower pace. You may find it simpler to gain access and develop contacts with coffee meetings. In our busy society, not everyone has the flexibility to do this. But, by reaching out to an individual for a brief meeting, you may connect in a more meaningful way. Your prospect may even appreciate getting out of the office and away from ringing phones. If you like more quiet meetings, consider targeting individuals you want to work with.

A fter meeting someone remember these tips:

Stay in Touch

Remember to follow up. A pocket full of business contacts are useless if you fail to reach out and connect. Find a way to assist with information or a connection to keep the relationship mutual. Add value for the other person.

It’s never too late to catch up.

Life happens and time passes far too quickly. Before you throw out that business card, give them a call or shoot them an email. If you reach them mention how you met and briefly acknowledge the passage of time. Offer to reconnect over coffee or a meal. People move on, pick up different skills and change jobs. The person you met 6 months ago or even a year ago may have a new circle of influence and new connection possibilities. Schedule a lunch or coffee meeting and get together or chat on the phone.

Sending a thank you note can make a lasting impression. I have a box of thank you notes and carry some with me stamped so I can jot a quick note and mail one out the day of the meeting. Most people will share a business address if you don’t meet at their work location. Don’t be afraid to send your gratitude. People realize how little of it there is in the world. It sends the message that they are worth investing time and effort.

Not everyone follows you on all your social media channels. Be sure to let those closest to you know that you’re growing your side hustle. They can be an enormous support system and encourage you in your new endeavor.

With remote work and telecommute people are networking in ways that they weren’t even ten years ago. You might be shocked to discover how connected your inner circle is once you begin sharing about your business.

A compliment, a friendly smile can go a long way toward breaking the ice. Contacts are everywhere. Introduce yourself wherever you go and have something short and sweet to say and have a great holiday season!

Holiday Overload? Zap Potential Danger and Power Through Holidays Worry-Free

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 14:30:00 GMT

When I was a kid, my dad used to drive our family around the snowy neighborhood to see all the ways people decorated their homes with Christmas lights. We were bug-eyed and enthralled with the home of a dentist whose yard was lit up with dozens of scenes, animated and still. Since those days, many folks have turned Christmas lighting into its own art form and synching lights with music .

If you’ve moved into a new home, star showering the front of the house, or covering every inch of your roof, bushes and trees may sound appealing. But, before you start stringing miles of glittering lights together inside and out, you may wonder if your circuits can handle the load. If you have an considerably older home (75years or older) your circuit box capacity could be as low as 60 amps. If your home was built over 20 years ago or employed natural gas, it might be wired for 100 amps. And if it’s more recent, take heart! For the last 20 years, most newer homes rely almost completely on electric and 200 amps has become the new standard.

Circuits: How much is too much?

We use more energy in the fall and winter because it’s dark when we leave and come home. We may use our stoves, slow cookers and hot beverage makers more than usual. For those in colder climates like Ohio, we use more electric heating our homes.

Any electrical circuit with too many electrical devices turned on can exceed the limit. When it’s maxed out, the breakers automatically trip, shutting off the circuit in the main panel. But not always. Even if your outlet can handle it, cheaply made strings may overheat and fail. We recommend buying and using only UL listed products. Many counterfeit products are simply unsafe fire hazards according to Consumer Product Safety Commission.

If you’re tripping breakers even before adding holiday lights, you might try moving some of your smaller appliances to other convenient outlets. Outside, try using fewer strings per outlet to resolve the issue. Or use compact fluorescent bulbs or LED lights which use considerably less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Some people might be tempted to replace a 15 amp fuse with a 20 amp—don’t do it! Wires inside the walls can heat up and melt or worse, catch fire and burn the house to the ground. If your breaker still trips, we recommend talking with a qualified electrician about your options. You might need one or more dedicated lines added to your panel or a bigger breaker box.

A circuit is overloaded when:

Keep these simple calculations in mind: amps x volts = watts

Staying in the safe zone:

The amp rating of the circuit is located in tiny numbers on the circuit breaker switch or fuse. In most new homes, it’s very hard to overload with Christmas lights, and even less so with LED lights. Light strings should list recommendations on the box for how many can be linked together. (For Safe wattage guidelines multiply the total wattage by 0.8 to find the safe wattage: 1800 x 0.8 = 1440 watts.)

It’s wise to keep outlets in use clear of papers fabrics and anything else that could catch fire and check daily on those plugged in items that run longer than a few hours at a time. Keep in mind that overloading a circuit should cause the breaker to trip. However, they don’t always. And if you smell smoke, or suspect arcing, turn off the main power switch and call 911. If you see fire, exit the house immediately!

In the meantime, what are your holiday lighting plans? Do you decorate a little or a lot? If you have further questions, please comment on our Facebook page or visit us at OhioCapitalMortgage.com .

Jeff Harrison’s Chicken Reuben Casserole

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 12:30:00 GMT

Our own Jeff Harrison contributes this recipe, from his childhood. Jeff has been with Ohio Capital Mortgage for almost 8 years and in the mortgage game since 2000. He is a husband and doting father of a beautiful little baby girl. When he’s not with family or at work, he just might be flying over head.

Impressively, Jeff knew every ingredient of this twist on a classic by heart. Incidentally, his wife suggested using more seasoning on the chicken, so try it out and tell us what you think!

Ingredients:

Place chicken in a lightly oiled 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spoon sauerkraut over chicken. Place cheese slices over kraut. Pour dressing over all and cover dish with aluminum foil.

Bake in 350 oven for 60 minutes, or until juice is clear and fork is easily inserted. Garnish with caraway seeds, dill pickle or tomatoes.

Red Flags To Help You Avoid Being Targeted For Wire Fraud

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:00:00 GMT

Make no mistake, wire fraud is on the rise. In our increasingly time-crunched society, we’re able to view, find, and buy homes more expediently using the internet. With electronic sources playing commonly more prevalent roles in the often fast-paced communication between all players, vigilance is required to keep your personal information secure.

Wire fraud occurs when fund transfer instructions become altered, allowing fund–like your down paymen–to be diverted from the intended recipient and delivered to another account.

The convenience of free email accounts is hard to beat. But, when it comes to protecting your personal information, they often lack the firewalls, virus protection, and other security protocols found in company-issued e-mail accounts. Hackers watching an email chain patiently wait for weeks for their perfect opportunity.

Title companies can be hacked and if that happens, fraudsters will imitate their email address taking all the required information. Then, through email, they’ll jump in at the last moment and change closing information details to the buyer.

Anyone in the transaction using a free account, potentially puts the transaction at risk. All parties involved, should be on alert for foul play and if something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.

If You Become a Victim Of Wire Fraud Take these 4 Steps

Even the most careful of us will sometimes be targeted and tripped up. The FBI emphatically states that you must act quickly and recommends these actions:

Time is of the essence in cases of wire transfer fraud. When alerted within three days, the FBI reports a 70 percent success rate of getting the money. That success drops significantly as the funds move through a network of bank accounts. Being aware that these crimes can take place can help you be on guard if something seems fishy.

If you have any questions regarding this or other scams, please give us a call or stop by our website OhioCapitalMortgage.com .

9 Important Home Office Items for Your Side Hustle

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:30:00 GMT

Besides a nice deduction at the end of the year, separating space from the rest of your home makes it feel more like an office instead of just “working off the kitchen table.” You’ll feel more professional and it provides you with the ability to shut the door. Create a welcoming space if you plan to meet with clients.

Try these pointers to get your home office up and running pronto!

To get a nice deduction at the end of the year, and avoid potential problems, set up your office in compliance with IRS small business/home office guidelines . If you’re unsure about requirements, contact their office or your local SBA . We’d love to hear from you. Stop by our Facebook page and say hello or visit our website OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Save Time! Serve this Sensational Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 12:30:00 GMT

Add a quick salad or your favorite bread with this savory fall meal.

With daylight fading sooner, it seems everyone’s heading indoors to settle into the fall groove. Many of us enjoy pretty busy schedules and one thing that doesn’t have to be hectic is dinner. Whether you’re helping kiddos with homework or holding down a job and managing work/homelife balance, you can come home to the welcoming aroma of dinner cooking any night of the week by employing your slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

INGREDIENTS :

DIRECTIONS:

How To Fireproof Your Home In 10 Easy Steps

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 14:30:00 GMT

October 7-13 is Fire Prevention Week

Fall is a good time of year to build safety measures into your daily routine. Nationally, an estimated 2.3 deaths and 10.4 injuries occur per 1000 fires according to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). However, Ohio averages 2.8 deaths and 18 injuries. The stats for residential structure fires is even higher with the national average of 5.5 deaths and 26.2 injuries. In Ohio, for every 1000 fires, fire departments reported 6 deaths and a whopping 41.5 injuries. As of this writing, 72 people have already died from home fires meaning a shocking 12,000 fires have injured almost 500 people this year.

Your home and the people within it are worth protecting. By taking a careful look around your home, this check list can help you be more aware of the hazards and locate trouble spots before an accident occurs. Many fires can be prevented by exercising caution and addressing unsafe practices

It is important to have fire extinguishers on hand, (preferably one or more on each floor) and check your smoke alarms throughout the year. Start the habit of checking them bi-annually when the time changes occur. Obviously, if your alarm begins beeping, replace the battery immediately. Keep these points in mind and take care of potential hazards before they become deadly.

Be on the Lookout in these Areas of Your Home

3. Electrical issues like faulty wiring, outlets that spark or only work some of the time, should be addressed by a professional electrician. Blowing a fuse usually indicates overloaded circuits. It’s the safety system to prevent wires from overheating. Use correct wattage light bulbs in your lamps and fixtures to keep them from overheating and keep fabrics like curtains and sheers well away from bulbs. Additionally, noted Fire Chief Wes Kilcrease counsels against using inexpensive two pronged extension cords. “Always use a grounded (three prong) extension cord.

4. Laundry area: Regularly clean dryer lint out of the trap. A blocked lint trap prevents proper airflow. When the dryer runs excessively, elements inside the dryer can overheat. Lint is highly combustible. It can build up in the ductwork, vents and the heating element which can lead to fire. According to the USFA, 2900 dryer fires are reported each year, occurring mostly in fall and winter.

5. In the basement/ garage store flammable liquids (kerosene, gasoline, ether) and spray cans (bug repellents, paint) well away from heat sources and your furnace. Nor should aerosols be used in a closed in area with an open flame.

6. Alternate heat sources like older space heaters may be out of code. Look for UL Listed label.

7. Wood or pellet stoves must be cleaned and maintained regularly to prevent malfunctions. Over time, fly ash accumulates in flue ash traps potentially causing blockage. When ash is heated to its melting point, intake holes in the burn pot can become clogged when the ash re-solidifies. To avoid a fire inside the body of the stove, and potentially the pellet hopper, make sure to regularly empty ash pans. Keep the hopper swept free of sawdust, clean air filters and check the flue for ash and creosote buildup. Also, follow manufacturers recommendations for keeping flammable objects cleared away from the area surrounding your stove.

8. With any fireplace (have professionally cleaned annually by CSIA Chimney Sweep Institute of America) in the fall never use green or damp wood, trash, cardboard, wrapping paper or trees.

9. Remember to unplug all small appliances that have heat sources in them. This includes hair dryers, curling irons, hot rollers & straightens. In the kitchen, coffee makers, slow cooker and toaster ovens. Throughout the house, humidifiers and heating pads should be unplugged when not in use.

At Ohio Capital Mortgage we wish you a safe and happy fall and winter season! Have other fire prevention ideas we didn’t mention? Please comment on Facebook. As always, we’d love to hear from you so if you have more questions, please reach out or stop by our website OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Find Out Right Now: 8 Questions to Ask About Refinancing

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 12:30:00 GMT

Obviously, most of us are concerned about money: making it, keeping it and most of all, not wasting it. Many expenditures cannot be avoided. From needed car repairs, to unforeseen dental work or your water heater suddenly burns out. Life is filled with little surprises. Before long you have staggering debt or many payments to high-interest creditors Have you considered maximizing your house payment?

A refinance is basically trading your current mortgage for a newer one, with more ideal terms. The first loan gets paid off by the new one. You’d be correct in saying that a refinance doesn’t make sense for everyone and that’s certainly true. All it costs you is a little time and peek at your credit, no harm no foul. What does it take to qualify for a refi?

If you answer yes to one or more of these questions:

By looking at this loan as a do-over, you can make it into a different kind of loan. If you want to get out of an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) which can gradually increase interest rates in coming years you can lock into a low rate for the next 15 or 30. If you want to shorten the life of the loan, you may opt for lower interest and slightly higher payments over 15 years to pay it off sooner. If you need more money now and don’t mind extending the life of the loan, you may choose a 20 or 30 year loan and pay off credit card debt or other high interest loans.

Whatever you do, it could be worth the time and effort to find out where you stand. If you aren’t in a position to benefit, you can also find out what changes would need to present themselves in order for you to give it another look at a future time. Knowing the status of your home loan and how you can take advantage of your increasing equity should a need arise are worth find out.

Have more questions? Call our office at (614) 891-9000 and ask us how you can save money on your home loan through refinance. We offer a free, no obligation mortgage analysis to help you determine if this is a good move for you. Our secure application is available at OhioCapitalMortgage.com

Have comments? Please comment on our Facebook page!

A Timely Tale: Painting Your House This Fall

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 13:30:00 GMT

In Ohio, we joke a lot about weather changing every five minutes.

Thankfully, it’s easier now than ever to check the weather. It started out a crystal clear day when my landlord planned for us to paint the house in which I lived. I’d spent considerable time on a hot Indian Summer day closing and carefully covering all the first and second-floor windows with newspaper and sturdy tape. Unexpectedly, he was called away on some “emergency”. Three days passed in the little country house, which I should mention, had no a/c and the newspapers didn’t let in much light. I called the landlord questioning when we might get the job finished. Within the hour he arrived with industrial buckets of paint, extension rollers, and a power sprayer.

He sprayed, and I rolled, starting on the front then east side of the house. Progress seemed slow but we finished the back and started painting the west side of the house in the afternoon. The wind picked up and I worried the paint—exterior latex— would dry before I had a chance to roll it. At the time, I didn’t have a TV and hadn’t paid attention to the weather forecast. I figured he’d checked it or we wouldn’t be painting.

We were within twenty minutes of finishing the job, when, even over the buzz of the power sprayer, we heard a distinctive rumble. That’s right, a storm on the western horizon. I hoped by some miracle the paint would dry before the first drop of rain fell.

Norberg Paints in their article It’s Raining: When to Paint and When to Wait seemed to think that, despite stating that it takes about 4 hours for paint to cure, that rain would do little harm to the paint itself. It should be pointed out that Norberg Paints does business in Sioux Falls, ND with an average rainfall of 27 inches a year as compared to Ohio with an annual of 37.57.

What happened instead is that the wind blew dirt and grit into the paint. When it started raining, it wasn’t a soft rain that you might imagine barely touching the paint. It became a persistent downpour. When the storm ended over an hour later, the ruined paint on three sides was with scarring rivulets etched into it.

Thankfully, it’s easier now than ever to check the weather, even in the Midwest where we joke a lot about it changing every five minutes. And my advice to would be DIY home painters would be, paint on a clear day or after the threat of rain has passed.

If you have a story you’d like to share, we’d love to hear it. Comment below, or visit us at OhioCapitalMortgage.com , Facebook or Twitter.

Family Fun for September: Head to Lynd Fruit Farm

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 13:30:00 GMT

Generations of Sweetness

Since 1919, the family owned farm has been bringing delectable fresh fruit to the tables of country and city folk alike for 8 generations. With nearly 500 acres of orchards and berry plants, Lynd boasts 15 varieties of apples. If you want to pick a peck or buy a bag, they’ve got delicious selections to choose from that are sure to please everyone in your troop.

Over the years they’ve expanded their Farm Market to include popular Ohio Proud and Amish made items like local honey from Aimee’s Blue Ribbon Spices, Harv’s Bees, Hartzler’s roll butter, and Lucky Cat Bakery’s Artisan bread. They carry Bonhomie Acres, Pure Maple Syrup, and a considerable line of products from Brother Vets. Profits from Brother Vets’ soup, crisp & snack mixes benefit injured veterans.

Take the family and make it fun!

From picking your own apples, getting lost in the corn maze, browsing the farm market, and even Cowboy church, there’s a lot to see and do. Sign up for their newsletters or click here for your apple picking pdf . Peruse delicious, tried and true taste sensations on their recipe page. Get this amazing

Have you been to Lynd? We’d love to hear about your experience. Please come by and visit us and comment on Facebook !

9 Fixes to Complete Before Selling Your Home

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 12:30:00 GMT

Let’s be real, right now with homes selling faster than you can say “home-loan”, it might be possible to skate on a few fixes by selling “as is.” Because, honestly, you don’t want to invest much more in a house that you’re planning to sell.

Since an “as is” house needing repairs may not fetch the price you’re hoping for, peruse this short check list of reasonable requests home buyers make. To keep your for-sale house in the game and get top dollar, these should be taken care of before you put your house on the market. Otherwise, they may be used as buyer bargaining chips for lowering your price—sometimes considerably.

These could be deal breakers for many home owners:

1. Termites. A house with termites may not be structurally sound, and getting rid of them is no small task. Call your local pest control professionals and properly correct the problem.. Replace termite damaged wood. If you fail to disclose and damage is the buyer discovers damage, you would likely be subject to liability for damages as a result of any lack of disclosure.

2. Wildlife. Mice, squirrels and raccoons are particularly destructive. If you have not been successful in removing them and their entries sealed off, it’s time to call your local service. Wondering if you should tell your buyers? It’s better to err on the side of full disclosure even if the issue has been resolved.

3. Mold growth can affect air quality and pose serious health issues. Once it takes hold, it can be extremely difficult to eradicate. Depending on the location and severity it might be necessary to call in specialists. It is best to be informed about procedure to repair the problem.

4. Drainage or water problems. A client wanted to buy a home in which the seller insisted that their “dry basement” never had water. But a close inspection revealed brewing drainage issues. Because the soil sloped toward the house, it put pressure on the basement wall. Inside, a horizontal crack and soil above sill plates allowed water to seep in. Water trails leading to the drain and mold on the basement walls confirmed a leaky basement.

5. Radon levels above suggested EPA. While Radon is a naturally occurring gas, homebuyers are concerned with high levels causing lung cancer. For further interesting reading on simple ways to mitigate radon check out this article by Carl Brahe.

6. Major electrical defects . Anything that interferes with the normal function of a home, or could be hazardous. A rusting or sparking fusebox, exposed wiring, or

8. Well water problems. Lack of pressure or volume of water. As a seller you will want to have the water tested to remediate any contaminants like heavy metals, chemicals and microorganisms in the water. The State of Ohio does have standards in place. If you’re uncertain, look here .

9. Presence of lead paint . Federal regulations require that home sellers provide lead disclosures to home buyers who are buying a home built before 1978. Lead attacks the brain and central nervous system and can cause coma, convulsions and even death. Children exposed to lead may become mentally challenges and develop behavioral disorders. If you have performed lead tests you must disclose the results.

It is highly unlikely that your house will have more than one or possibly two of these concerns, depending on the age of your home. Many of these can be taken care of before you put your house on the market. It tends to put buyers at ease to know that you took steps to remedy issues that were out of order, especially when you have recent documentation of your activities like a bill for services. Knowing what potential home buyers need positions you for quick and easy sale.

If you have questions about your next home purchase, please feel free to call one of our loan officers at 614 891 9000 or stop by our website. OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Chilling with Chili & Fall Football

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:42:00 GMT

Here in Buckeye Country we take our tailgating very seriously.

Although our first game is away in Bloomington this year, there’s no reason why you can’t have a kick off right in your own home. You can start out your pregame celebration in a myriad of ways but with fall just around the corner you definitely want to get your chili on.

Slow Cooker Chili

Males 6 – 7 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 lbs. lean ground beef (optional)
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper (or ancho, or Anaheim)
3 cloves of garlic minced or pressed
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
2 (16 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1/2 C water, carrot juice tomato juice or broth
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 (15 oz.) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a big, deep non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add onion and sauté for 3 minutes until golden. Add garlic and sauté another minute until fragrant. Place both into a 6 or 7 quart slow cooker.

Return skillet to medium-high heat, add beef and cook stirring occasionally until beef has browned. Drain most of fat from beef, and put browned beef into slow cooker.
Add these ingredients to the slow cooker: diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, 1/2 cup water, juice or broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander and salt and pepper to taste. Stir mixture, cover with lid and cook on low heat for 5 – 6 hours.

Stir in both beans and heat through, about 15 minutes or longer if you prefer a thicker chili. If you like it thinner, add broth juice or more water. Adjust as necessary. Serve hot.

Top with these extras:
Shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, chopped red or green onions, cilantro, roasted peppers, sour cream, or hot sauce

Or use chili as a topping over fresh cornbread, baked russet potatoes, or tortilla chips.

Have a favorite chili recipe? Do you prefer beans or no beans? What are your must have ingredients? Comment on our Facebook page!

What’s Going on With My Gutters?

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 15:43:00 GMT

Don’t Turn a Blind Eye

Letting gutters take care of themselves can also lead to unexpected and detrimental growth. Twigs, branches, and leaves break down over time. Allowing debris to accumulate can provide the right kind of medium for seedpods and moss to take root. Anything in your gutters can stop or slow the drainage from your roof and cause a myriad of problems for your home.

Ideally, water and snow melt run off your roof into the gutters, traveling through the down spout and away from the foundation of your home via splash blocks or rain tiles. If any part of the system fails at any point along the way, it’s only a matter of time before other problems arise.

Avoiding Potential Problems

Clogged, bent, bowed, and incorrectly inclined gutters can cause water to collect, over exposing the wood of your home to excess water. The longer the condition goes uncorrected, the more damage it can do to your roof. It can cause gutters to rust through, wood rot, and weakening of the roof structure. Additionally, over full gutters can bow accumulating more water than they were intended to handle. A gallon of water equals 8 lbs. That weight can cause them to bend and pull away leaving wood fascia exposed or gutters may collapse.

If gutters get clogged, they’re not likely to clear on their own. The risks of overfull gutters could mean ceiling and wall leaks. If this happens, water can damage the interior of your home, including ceilings and walls as well as whatever is beneath the leak, including furniture, electronics, and flooring. If wires exist in the wall, contact with water can cause sparking which can lead to fire.

On the exterior, water spilling over can damage fascia boards or architectural elements below (doors, door frames, windows and window frames, or patio) which aren’t designed to endure that sort of exposure. Worst of all, water causes erosion and foundations can be seriously compromised.

Freezing Weather Reveals Problems

In winter, even more severe problems can occur: Ice dams. When your roof gets warm from the heat in your attic, it melts the underside of any snow. That meltwater trickles down your shingles until it reaches the eaves. Since the eaves extend beyond the warmth of the house, the water freezes again. Eventually, the water can build up to form an ice dam. The flatter the pitch of your roof, the more likely this is to occur. If the water does make it to the gutter, it can also refreeze there. A frozen backed up gutter can also put a lot of weight on your gutters and allow snow melt to run over the gutter, result in those pretty icicles that sparkle in the winter sun. Beautiful as they might be, they’re dangerous to your home and anyone standing below them. They signify that your gutters fail to drain correctly. According to Todd Miller , there preventative steps to avoid this.

If you don’t feel like checking your gutters is something you want to deal with in the spring and fall, professional services may be your best alternative. It might become your favorite check to write.

Comments and suggestions? Found something unique in your gutters? Please share your comments with us on Facebook. We invite you to stop by our website OhioCapitalMortgage.com .

How Do I Qualify for New Home Purchase?

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:30:00 GMT

Even with the current home buying frenzy at full tilt, it is possible to get a home by being prepared. With this quick 6-point check list, you can be at the top of your home buying game by having all of your ducks in a row.

Affordability

It doesn’t do you a lot of good to be looking at million dollar homes if your budget says you can only afford a home in the mid 200k zone. Income is a big factor on not only if you get a loan but the size of the loan for which you qualify. Determine early on, before you start looking, how much home you can afford by using this affordability calculator .

Preapproval vs. Prequalification

Knowing the difference between these two can sometimes be the difference between getting your home or watching it set sail. Prequalification is an educated estimate of your potential buying power and can be done over the phone. You can get a ballpark number of what your purchasing power could be.

In a much more formal process, pre-approval requires financial records, a completed application, and that a lender has taken your social and other financial information. Additionally, they’ll run a credit check, resulting in a hard pull on your report. While not a guaranteed loan commitment, it much closer to approval than prequalification.

Down Payment

At Ohio Capital Mortgage, minimum down payments range from 3 to 5 percent depending on credit score, income, and property location.

For those willing and able to put down 20 or more you will obtain the lowest rates, costs, and most favorable loan options.

Debt to Income Ratio

Another crucial point to address, would be to have the ideal DTI or debt to Income ratio. Mortgage lenders require that your total monthly debt must include car and student loans, and credit card bills, and anything else that shows up on your credit report. Groceries, insurance and general spending are not part of the DTI calculation. Keeping those totals under a certain percent makes you more attractive to lenders. Recent guideline changes vary depending on loan types and credit scores with. Fannie Mae update guidelines raising DTI to 50% with approved eligible findings. Use this mortgage calculator for quick figuring.

Know Your Score

Maintaining a credit score of 720 or better will grant you the most favorable mortgage rates. The easiest loan to qualify for is the Federal Housing Administration loan or the FHA. If your credit score comes in under 580, you have two options: rebuild your credit and improve your score or make sure you have a larger down payment.

Employment History

Longevity at a job is definitely a plus over the person who hops from job to job. Any favorable consideration you can attract benefits you and your loan. Also, working for commission or being self-employed won’t count against you if you have bank statements to verify income history.

In addition to saving you from unnecessary fees and thousands of dollars of interest over the life of your loan, you can have a much more enjoyable home buying experience. For more answers to your questions, please call our office and speak with one of our loan officers (614) 891-9000 or visit us on

facebook or OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Head Off Stress During Home Hunting

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 13:30:00 GMT

Maintain Your Exercise Routine

When tension starts cranking up and duties pile up it’s easy to let things slide off the schedule. Don’t let your exercise routine become a casualty. Regular work outs reduce stress, clear your head and help you sleep better at night.

Remember to Breathe

Even as few as 5 deep lung-cleansing breaths can change your outlook and lower your heart rate. Deep breathing can improve blood flow and help you think more clearly.

Crank up the Music

Or whatever makes you smile whether babbling brook, ocean, rain or boot scoot boogie. All the better if you can throw in a few dance steps. If you concerned about annoying neighbors, onlookers or officemates, remember the headphones.

Live in the Moment

Take time several times a day to be present and fully aware of where you are who you’re with and enjoy being in that space. The saying “Stop and smell the roses” may seem frivolous in the frenzy of home buying but it’s important to take breaks. Try to remember that it’s supposed to be a happy experience.

Heat natural fiber rice bags in an oven or microwave. Lie down and place bag on your neck and shoulders. Magnify this relaxation technique with soothing spa-type music, and lavender oil or chamomile tea.

Watch a Comedy

Laughing is good medicine and can help you refocus when frustrations run high or unexpected delays arise. Take a peek on Netflix, YouTube or your local comedy club.

Hopefully a few of these will help get you through the home buying process. If you have additional stress relievers that work for you, please share them. We’d love to pass them along to our followers. And, follow us on Facebook or come by our website at:

OhioCapitalMortgage.com

Do I Have to Pay HOA?

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 14:00:00 GMT

What is a Home Owners Association?

When you buy into a Common Interest Development (CID); as soon as you sign on the dotted line, you become a member of the association, there is no “opt out” clause. As a result, you are now legally bound to the associations conditions, covenants and deed restrictions. These are normally put in place for the protection and integrity of the neighborhood with everyone expected to participate in the upkeep and appearance of their property according to the rules. If you find them too restrictive, you can choose to buy elsewhere.

What’s the upside?

What are they responsible for?

The Homeowners Association takes care of much of the basic exterior maintenance. In a designated neighborhood, gated community or development, they also help maintain properties, driveways, entryways, snow and leaf removal. Find out if your HOA level of management. Sometimes more common than micro managing is undermanagement.

What does it cost?

What payment cycle does your HOA use? Fees normally run between $200 and $400 a month. Higher fees usually mean more amenities available. HOA fees can increase if a major expenses arise, like a new roof, road improvements and the like. They may include city services like garbage removal, water and sewage. All residents share equally in the upkeep of the common areas, as well as insurance to cover the exterior of the property.

What is the downside?

HOAs are legal and binding, so you want to find out what rights you’re signing away before committing your signature to ink. Some buyers find them too restrictive from dictating the color of your door, if and where you can have a satellite dish, fences or fence heights, to window coverings. Some eco-friendly villages may restrict the type of fertilizers and pesticides that can be used and the type of landscaping allowed.

When property values go up, insurance goes up, and HOA fees go up. Ideally, the association should allocate a certain percentage of incoming funds to the maintenance of special projects, or invite the entire community to vote about special assessments if reserves fail to cover costs. However, it is not unheard of for an HOA to contract work, like upgrading neighborhood streets, and then expect residents to foot the bill by raising HOA fees. Usually, this happens if the reserves cannot cover the expense. You can check to see if your HOA is in good standing by starting here . Additionally, if you think you are being wronged, you can find out if your HOA complies with the federal and state laws of Ohio here .

Each HOA is different so be sure to find out what the fees cover.

If you have more questions, stop by and OhioCapitalMortgage.com .

Mortgage Broker Vs. Bank Loan Officer

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:30:00 GMT

New home buyers frequently ask, “what’s the difference between a bank loan officer and a mortgage broker?” How they’re different can benefit you, but also depends on what you need. Most banks have more conservative guidelines, and if your circumstances are unusual, you may not be approved.

Factors that banks look at include payment history on your car, credit cards, and mortgage for the last two years. They want no collections or judgments (small medical collections excepted) for two years, a credit score 680 or over. Most lending institutions must evaluate if you are a candidate able to repay the loan. They check debt to income ratio is 43% or under, and that your mortgage payment is 30 percent of less of your provable income. Job and dwelling stability must be at least two years.

Bank Loan Officers

As employees of the bank, loan officers paid a set salary including bonuses for writing loans for that particular lender. A bank loan officer typically follows a specific procedure for approval as outlined by that institution. If your loan doesn’t fit the bank criteria, also referred to as overlays, your loan can be rejected. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a home loan.

Mortgage Brokers

Mortgage brokers can work independently or with a brokerage firm but earn through commissions, dependent on the loan amount. They are far more accessible to you and give you individualized attention that you won’t get working with a loan officer at a large bank. As licensed and regulated financial professionals, Mortgage Brokers have a well-developed collection of lenders they work with. Brokers gather documents, pull credit history and verify income and employment. With this information, they apply for loans, on your behalf. They will shop the rates and see which lender is the best fit for your particular needs.

After establishing the lender, the mortgage broker collaborates with the bank’s underwriting department, the title company and your real estate agent to keep your deal on track until the day of closing. The broker usually keeps you informed of their need for additional paper work, or when conditions change.

A mortgage broker does all the work for you, applying for loans, checking programs and pricing with different lenders, finding the lowest rate, negotiating terms and working for your approval.

By using a mortgage broker, you don’t have to fill out the applications for different lenders yourself, saving you loads of time. Brokers are also very skilled at working through the back and forth of underwriting departments. Even shrewd, experienced buyers know that it takes a lot of time, effort and communication to sail through the process. Brokers are set up to know the marketplace and provide you with loan product options to choose from. If you opt to apply on your own, shop at least three banks before making a decision that will affect your finances for years to come.

If you are leaning toward a mortgage broker, be sure to do your homework. Ask around among friends and relatives to get referrals and then check them out thoroughly by interviewing at least three potential candidates.

Questions to ask:

Considering these key points will help you find the broker or lender that is the best fit for you.

If you have questions, you can call us and talk to a loan officer or stop by our website, Ohio Capital Mortgage or visit us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter .

What Everyone Should Know About Fences

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 14:30:00 GMT

What’s the Right Fence for You?

With so many fence options available, it’s important to know what you require of your fence before building or installing one. Keep in mind that a little homework ahead of time and can save you from unnecessary aggravation. You’ll want to consider fence maintenance so that your fence will serve you for many years to come.

The reasons for installing fences are as many as the people who want them installed. Generally, fences fall into four categories. Whether installed professionally or built yourself, each category is defined by its purpose. Each one has its own maintenance and price points which require careful consideration to get the most effective, longest lasting fence for your budget.

Fence Types

Security fences are often chain link and held up with metal bars. They’re designed to contain children and pets keep them from wandering off, prevent intruders and theft.

Privacy fences are often made of netting, plastic, wood, or other materials designed to enclose an area making it free from intrusion. Chain link fences can be covered to offer privacy with netting, plants or colored slats. They block your view of neighboring yards (and yours from them) and maintain privacy for you and your household.

Safety fences are required in all 50 states where pools, spas, and hot tubs are contained. Because of the liability issues surrounding pools, it is suggested that you check with your local city government to find out what their fencing requirements are as most states require signage on public and residential fences.

Being Neighborly

Avoid potential disputes with neighbors by knowing HOA do’s and don’ts. They are within their rights to dictate height style and maintenance. Be sure to have your yard surveyed to make certain where boundaries lie. Research your local zoning codes to find out where they’re allowed, the type and height limits. Additionally, if restrictions are not to your liking, find out what the procedures are for appeal. Maybe a compromise can be reached.

Discuss plans with any your neighbors that your fence will adjoin and settle any property line issues before the installation. Most neighbors don’t want to be surprised by fence installation. One courtesy is to put the most finished face toward your neighbor’s yard or the street. Once your fence is installed, it is your responsibility to clean and maintain the fence.

Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you. Please comment below, or stop our website at OhioCapitalMortgage.com . We look forward to seeing you there.

18 Fun Summer Festivals to Get You Out of the House

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 13:00:00 GMT

Let the Good Times Roll!

With summer in full swing you may want to take advantage of some festivals that are happening in and around the greater Columbus Area. Feeling like a musical vibe? If a little drive time doesn’t scare you, throw down the top and cruise over to the Dayton Blues for one day this weekend 7/16 – Dayton Blues Festival . But if you’re a die-hard festival goer, it’s hard to beat our own three-day Columbus Jazz and Rib festival. Serving up hot ribs and cool jazz & delighting foodies and music lovers since the 80’s. Tickets are on sale for this must hear, see, and taste event. Check out the lineup on the official site. 7/21-7/23 – Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest

If you’d hoped to attend the Hippie Festival in Logan, just a heads up that its sold out. However, there are local festivals aplenty for the remainder of July. From the Classic Car Show to a Serbian Festival. Many of them are family friendly but if you’re not certain, be sure to check out their website or Facebook page before you go. There’s sure to be something for everyone!

July Events Around Greater Columbus

Stay Ahead of the Heat with These 7 Tips

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:00:00 GMT

Here in Central Ohio, air conditioners have been buzzing for a couple of months. Although the sweltering days of summer loom near, many have already lowered the thermostat and shut the windows just to remove stickiness from the air. If you haven’t already done so, familiarize yourself with your air conditioning system with an eye toward maintenance. Keeping your unit working at top efficiency is easy with these 7 simple tips. You’ll keep cool all summer, avoid costly emergency breakdowns, and help your unit run at peak efficiency which saves money on your on utility bills.

All of these tasks can be done by a homeowner. If at any time you feel unsafe, it is best to err on the side of caution. Your local heating and a/c co will be more than happy to help. A trained pro will also come out and check your refrigerant levels and do some internal cleaning to ensure it’s working efficiently and lasts as long as it should.

1. Be sure to replace the air filter with one of good quality. The condition of your air filters significantly affects indoor air quality. Keeping them clean helps your system work at its peak. Filters that are choked with dust have a harder time drawing air which also makes your air conditioning unit work harder and longer to cool the air.

2. Examine the thermostat. Turning the temperature down and sliding the tab to cool should cause the air to kick on. Also, you might consider getting a programmable unit that can save you even more money.

3. Outside, the condenser unit fan should blow warm air when it runs. Nothing should touch the cabinet, allowing air to circulate freely and unobstructed. If you notice significant debris inside, it is advisable to clean it out. First, shut off the power, then remove the fan grill to get inside. Clear out with a wet/dry vac or hose.

4. Take a look at the fins. Air must flow through them for peak efficiency. If they are bent, using a butter knife, gently straighten them so as not to damage the embedded tubing. Return the fan cage and screw back together.

5. Additionally, notice the two pipes at the back. The top one should be insulated, and the insulation should be in good repair. The lower pipe, a Freon liquid line, should be warm.

6. Keep plants shrubs and trees away from the cabinet of the condenser coil unit. Giving it room to breathe helps the unit maintain peak effectiveness and prevents organic matter from interfering with the fan. Check to make sure the fan isn’t loose, rattling or bent. There should be no smells, hard starting or oil on the ground.

A unit with crumpled fins.

7. An evaporator drain line is usually routed into a basement floor drain, utility sink, or outdoors. Mold and mildew form inside the pipe and in some cases forms a clog which prevents waters drainage. Water can back up in the house causing stains and floor damage. Prevent clogs in the drain line by developing a yearly routine of pouring a cup of bleach mix (half water and half bleach) into the access hole each spring. This kills off mold and mildew which prevents buildup. If you’re not familiar, have your AC tech show you where it is. Remember to turn your power back on to have a cool summer!

Are Flying Insects Ruining Your Summer Fun?

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:30:00 GMT

Summer is made for backyard barbecues and lazing in the sun.

You don’t have to be a homeowner to know how fun backyard get-togethers are. But as a homeowner, you can employ eye-pleasing botanicals to repel flying insects. No more circling your festivities and threatening to spoil the fun for you or your guests.

Flies

Flies love strong odors like garbage and decay. By limiting food sources in your yard they will seek food elsewhere. Bag up grass clippings in fly-proof bags, be sure to tie up trash bags, seat trashcan lids properly, and don’t forget to check your yard for animal droppings. If you still experiencing an overabundance of flies, consider growing natural repellants in your flowerbeds like basil, lavender, lemon grass, lemon thyme, mint, and rosemary. Additionally, keeping a bird house welcomes a natural solution. Consider installing marigolds and chrysanthemums that not only repel bugs but add a splash of beauty.

Wasps & Hornets

When they are not behaving badly, wasps and hornets are actually a homeowner’s friend. They hunt down spiders, flies and other annoying bugs. If you don’t want them in the areas where you entertain, you’ll be happy to discover they’re respectfully territorial. Purchasing paper lantern shaped decoys or hanging a paper bag tied at the top. Although results vary paper and mud wasps are said to mistake the bag for a nest, they will not build within 200 feet.

Again, minimizing food sources plays a role. Scavenging wasps cannot resist sugary drinks, decaying fruit, meat and fragrant garbage. Keep your containers covered and You can draw them away from your home with an easy to assemble homemade wasp trap. A quick Google search for DIY wasp trap will show you how to use ingredients found in your kitchen to lure them away.

Mosquitos

To minimize mosquitoes in your yard, remove all standing water in birdbaths, tire swings and toys. Standing water is the perfect environment for mosquitoes to thrive. During her life span, the female lays eggs which cannot hatch unless they’re in as little as an inch of water. Their entire development stage takes place in water, and if you have a swimming pool, always maintain chemical balance and run filters. A neglected pool contains the perfect breeding ground for the creation of thousands of mosquitoes in a few short weeks.

In addition, naturally repel mosquito with fragrant herbs and plants like basil, lemon-thyme, sage and Ever Gray lavender. Since many herbs can be used in the kitchen and also repel flies you’ll be getting double duty from them. While some of these require boiling and straining to make into a spritz, lavender and citronella only require crushing the leaves and rubbing them on your skin. Lavender spires are beautiful and like pungent French Marigolds add a bright bit of color, while keeping mosquitoes (and rabbits) away. If your mosquito problem is extreme, consider installing bat houses. Bats are also fantastic for reducing mosquito populations. You can buy or build your own

For more resources and information, click links below.

Bat house plans , wasp traps & decoys , fly repellents.

Stop by for a visit anytime at OhioCapitalMortgage.com

Home Painting Pro Tips

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 13:30:00 GMT

Think of painting your home as investing.

It goes without saying that painting your home is no small undertaking. That said, few things are as quick and effective as a fresh coat of paint for improving not only the look of your home and boosting curb appeal. Paint is one of the least expensive ways to revive the look of your home. Because you’ll want to preserve the wood and keep your home looking it’s best for many years to come, you will want to use the best quality covering available.

“Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well.” ~Philip Stanhope

Although I doubt the Earl of Chesterfield ever held a paintbrush much less painted a house, the words certainly ring true when it comes to painting your home. We contacted Brendan Radtke, a professional painter in Columbus, Ohio.

“Consider painting your home an investment.” With that in mind, you want to use the highest quality paint you can get. It’s formulated to protect the wood in your home. Buying the best exterior paint will not only help to protect and beautify, you may avoid having to repaint for 6 to 10 years.

You’ll save money doing it yourself.

By doing it yourself, you will save money, but it’s a serious time commitment that you’ll want to plan for and give it the attention it deserves. Survey your home with a critical eye to determine if there are holes to fill, trim needs repaired or replaced. Searching for how much scraping must be done, where mildew may need to be removed or power washed.

“Most dirt and dust can be scrubbed or wiped off. Every deck needs power washed, but not every house needs it. If you power wash on a Monday, you’ll want to be sure to let it dry thoroughly before painting. Wait to paint until Thursday.” Removing old peeling or flaking paint is a must and may even require sanding to smooth the edges. In order for the new paint to adhere properly, the surface must be free of dust dirt. If surfaces support mildew, that must be cleaned. If it rained recently, you can employ the “sidewalk test” which is if the sidewalks are dry your house is dry enough to paint.

You are quality assurance–go the distance.

Brendan stated that a lot of homes have far more cracks, gaps, and knotholes than they might expect. Because caulk is an inexpensive remedy he recommends not skimping. “There’s just no way to get enough paint into a crack to protect the home. When water gets in there, it starts rotting the wood, and you can’t see it because it’s working under the paint. Most homeowners forget about caulk.”

Anywhere two boards meet, water can potentially collect water and joins should be caulked. The idea is to prevent water from getting in and causing wood rot, which can cause leaks. An average sized, three-bedroom house commonly needs between 8-10 tubes of caulk.

“If you don’t use enough, then all the money you spend on the paint, even the best paint, is wasted.” Most plain silicone caulk, though waterproof, isn’t paintable and that’s something to be aware of. He recommends buying any paintable caulk, but personally prefers a blend of silicone and acrylic. Brendan’s secret sauce? Siliconized Acrylic Latex caulk, which has the best of both and can flex with temperature ranges we get in Ohio. Painting with a primer adds an extra layer .of protection to the exterior and primes the caulk.

You get what you pay for.

Many high-quality paints have good durability. Consumer Search online recently posted an article listing Behr Premium Ultra at around $35 and Valspar Duramax around $40. Brendan has used most of the major top end paint brands, recommends priming which preps the surface to accept the paint and two coats of paint. He stands behind Sherwin Williams Emerald .

Although it’s pricey at $75 a gallon, he points out that SW offers quarterly specials with significant savings between 30-40% for those who sign up for their sales notifications. Although Emerald is a latex based paint, once it’s dry, it doesn’t come off, even if you scrub it with a Brillo pad. Since discovering it, he uses nothing else, even professionally, and used it to paint his own house because he was so impressed with its durability. He appreciates that until it dries, it flows well and cleans up with water.

If you remember to look at your painting project as an investment, lengthening the life of your home, it will be easier to spend the necessary money to do the job well. In the end, you will have beautiful and lasting results.

We’d love to have you come by our website at OhioCapitalMortgage.com or follow us on Facebook or @OhioCapital

Is Your Backyard Pool Ready?

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 16:26:00 GMT

Are You Ready for a Pool?

One of the privileges of being a homeowner is your option to install a pool. When temperatures rise to sweltering, it’s great for cooling off, exercising in, entertaining kids guests and throwing pool parties. You might ask yourself why you want one yourself, and who will make use of it? Your desire to entertain clients may look very different from the pool that allows children a distraction from the heat.

The myriad of pool types along with the scope of prices involved can feel incredibly daunting. You’ll want to know if you’re making the right pool choice for your temperate zone, adding value to your home, and getting the most out of a rather pricey investment. There’s much more to consider than just the price tag.

How long is pool set up?

If the ground is prepared and ready, depending on the kind of pool, an above ground pool can be enjoyed within a day. For an inground, the average runs between 6 to 10 weeks. In much of Ohio, unless you’re able to begin digging in early May, that’s just about half the summer.

Where will your pool be placed?

Depending on whether you plan to go above or below ground you may investigate soil samples from your yard for an inground or level the ground for above ground. (See our link at the bottom of this post for reviews on above ground pools.) Even still, you may be surprised to discover that under the topsoil of your yard there may be cable, gas, electric or sewer lines, a high-water table. It is possible to discover the completely unexpected like an unmarked cemetery or even a former garbage dump which can run into unforeseen costs.

Above or Below Ground?

Depending on whether you plan to go above or below ground, you may investigate soil samples from your yard for an inground or level the ground for above ground. (See our link at the bottom of this post for reviews on above ground pools.) Even still, you may be surprised to discover that under the topsoil of your yard there may be cable, gas, electric & sewer lines or a high-water table. You might even discover the completely unexpected like an unmarked cemetery or even a former garbage dump which can run into unforeseen costs.

Local Requirements and Restrictions?

Barring the strange and unpredictable, a clearance of at least 8 feet is required for heavy machinery to have ample space to move in. Look into zoning and building laws for your property. Additionally, there may be further restrictions or requirements, like fencing in your pool. Additionally, heating your pool not only doubles the season in Ohio but keeps water temperatures comfortable if you like swimming or doing water exercises in the early morning. You might want to consider additional features like lighting, a waterslide, jacuzzi, kiddie pool or exterior shower or landscaping that would let you enjoy your pool throughout the year.

Maintaining Your New Pool

You’ll want to give considerable care and consideration to pool maintenance. Should you do it yourself or hire a professional service? Find out what it requires to maintain your pool by talking to your seller or other pool owners in your area. It may come down to a few simple questions: How much time do you want to spend with your pool? Do you like or want to keep up with weekly cleaning? For a more in-depth review of what it requires, check this post by Brett Rotelli of InTheSwim .

The Best and Worst Pools and Why .

Whatever you choose, Ohio Capital Mortgage wishes you a safe and happy summer! Visit us at OhioCapitalMortgage.com , Facebook or Twitter.

What Everybody Ought to Know About Missing a Payment

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 13:30:00 GMT

All credit scores are not equal

Let’s face it, the way houses are selling faster than Fidget Spinners you can’t afford to let your credit score drop for any reason. Doing so could cost you not only precious time that must now be used to correct or improve your score, but means that you’ll most likely lose out on property you hoped to purchase.

Additionally, you want to be certain that you’re keeping track of the correct type of score. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently cracked down on TransUnion and Equifax who, using proprietary scoring models, deceived consumers regarding the cost of credit scores and their actual usefulness. (The CFPB ordered TransUnion and Equifax to pay over 20 million in fines and restitutions.)

The Gold Standard of accurate scoring

Fair Isaac Corporation model, FICO, is used most often used by lenders. While you can get free scores online, watch for wording like “educational” or “estimated” which may indicate that these scores may not be actual, or usable when buying a home. Using a model other than FICO, could have you scrambling for ways to boost your score without much time to accomplish the feat. See our link below to some clever ways you might gain your score for next to nothing.

Checking your credit report doesn’t damage your credit rating. A “soft pull” for a look-see barely gets notice compared to a “hard pull” which is when you apply for a credit card, car loan or home loan. Additionally, the soft pull will vanish quickly from your report. Should you find yourself among those with higher scores, it can’t be overstated how important it is to protect it. Credit scores affect insurance rates, where you live, your line of credit and even the job you get.

Having an excellent score does not exempt you from penalties if you fail to make timely payments. In face, the opposite is true in most cases. The moment a financial difficulty arises, seek out creditors for amenable solutions rather than let it be reported to the credit bureau. Here’s a sample of what could potentially happen:

Current score and points lost for 30 day delinquency

• 681-700 — 70-90 points
• 701-720– 90-110 points
• 721 and above– 110-130 points

This scoring system penalizes all payments over 30 days late (and more so 60 and 90 days delinquent) to prevent re-occurrence. Not only do those delinquencies negatively impact higher scorers, there’s the added sting of slow recovery, is made difficult by design. Someone with a 760 has more credit available to them, bigger house, bigger car, student loans, more credit cards and signature loans. And when they are delinquent lenders want it to hurt.

Current score and recovery time
• 680-700 — six months to recover score
• 700-720 — a year and a half
• 720 and up — three years.

Frequency, Severity and Recency

Your FICO score uses three additional criteria to evaluate your score. What that means is that a new late payment can hurt your score more than one from over two years ago. If you trend toward chronically late on payments that negatively impacts as much as the amount that’s past due.

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, it’s worth the cost to get an accurate score. If you don’t have the score you thought you had, or have items on your report that need to be addressed, take care of it as soon as possible. Stay on track with your payments.

Be informed about credit repair resources and score generation . Learn more about credit scores and what changes are on the horizon.

If you have questions, please call our office 96140 891-9000 for straight talk about your credit score or visit our website at OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Is the Air in Your Home Making You Sick?

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:30:00 GMT

Spring and Summer are excellent time to get outdoors and breathe fresh air. Many of us in Ohio can hardly wait to open our windows. But soon, when it gets too hot, the windows will close and we’ll switch from fresh to conditioned air.

Unfortunately, the air we breathe inside can be worse than outside. Bacteria, pet dander, house dust, mites, cockroaches, and even pollen might be affecting the air quality of your home. Some contaminants trigger allergic reactions while others can cause infectious illnesses like the flu, measles and chicken pox.

Even humidity can be problematic. Standing water, water damaged or chronically wet surfaces are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, insects, mildew and mold. Molds and mildews release disease-causing mycotoxins into the air. Due to their small size, many biological contaminants can be inhaled.

Some diseases have been traced back to dust and mold in home cooling and heating systems and humidifiers, which then disperses it throughout the entire home.
Symptoms include:

If you suspect your home may be at the root of your health concerns, start with simple and affordable solutions.

Secondly, keeping kitchen counters clean, dishes washed and food put away helps prevent unwanted pests like flies and cockroaches which carry germs and disease. Properly storing food helps prevent it from molding.

In addition, keeping bathrooms dry, clean and floors picked up will help to counter mold. Taking hot steamy showers increases the humidy in the air, giving mildew a perfect playground in which to thrive. Using a ceiling fan vented to the outdoors reduces the humidity as does leaving the door open after you towel off (remember to hang your towel!)

If you have a basement, inspect it thoroughly for cracks, signs of leaking or mold on the walls, floor or joists. Basements are notoriously musty because aren’t waterproof. Others will remain dry until a rain storm comes along and then you might see water on the floor or springing through the walls. It’s a good practice to check your basement periodically.

Remove standing water and run a dehumidifier to decrease high levels of humidity to the acceptable 30-50 percent. Remove any porous wet and/or moldy building materials because once these are affected it is difficult if not impossible to restore to an uncontaminated state. It may also be necessary to hire professionals to clean duct work as they often harbor dust and mold spores.

For even more helpful tips on air quality in your home, check out this article by Denise Mann on Web MD .

SMART BUYERS TIP: INVEST IN A GOOD HOME INSPECTION

Thu, 25 May 2017 13:00:00 GMT

A home inspection should be fairly close to the top of your list before buying a home. A detailed analysis of the home’s condition is a peek behind the curtain, as it were. Since your new dwelling will be one of the most important investments of your life, avoid shortcuts that in the long run will end up costing you more. Although an inspection may seem pricey on the front end, it’s considerably cheaper than replacing plumbing, or dealing with foundation issues or mitigating radon gas. Regardless of the price, a home inspection is still considered to be an inexpensive way to find out the true condition of your home.

Every home has its secrets, shortcomings and risks. This is your first opportunity to see the real status of your new abode and get to know it intimately and provides you with critical data to make informed decisions and see exactly what you are about to acquire. This will help detail which repairs are pressing and which can be delayed, and what you might expect to be done before you purchase. Knowledge of your potential home is an excellent bargaining tool. You can suggest potential safety hazards be addressed or negotiate for a lower price.

What may be a deal breaker for some will not be true for everyone. A good home inspector can potentially help you avoid being financially responsible for a money pit. He will point out future issues so you can prepare for them. Sometimes an inspector recommends an additional inspection. You would be wise to heed his advice.

Additional home inspections:
• Evidence of destructive organisms. Pest and insect problems
• Radon gas (ask your inspector)
• Well water testing
• Septic tank inspection
• Lead-based paint and asbestos

This is not an appraisal. This is not to determine the value of your house. Again, it is a visual inspection to reveal safety, condition, system defects and hazardous materials.

WHAT INSPECTORS SEEK

Scan through this checklist to see what inspectors look for. It is never recommended that you attempt to inspect your home on your own. Your professional home inspector has years of exeperience and will want you there. They want to inform you and answer your questions. A good one can tell you the price ranges of any number of repairs. If they don’t want you present, it’s a red flag. Here’s a general list.

• Appliances
• Windows
• Roofing
• Air Conditioning
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Heating Systems/furnace
• Mold
• Structural issues

HOW DO I FIND ONE? WHO PAYS FOR IT?

States vary so You will want to conduct your own research and find your own home inspector. You can get one on the recommendation of friends or family or look into the AHIA. A realtor’s job is to sell a home and the buyer wants to sell. You want someone looking out for your best interests, not someone who has an agenda. You can locate an inspector through referrals or American Society of Home Inspectors includes Canada.

WHY YOU WANT ONE

This may be the single largest purchase of your life. The normal life of a home has plenty of built-in costs. The peace of mind that comes from knowing what you can expect will help you sleep more soundly. Many homebuyers who waive their right to a home inspection often regret that decision in the future when problems arise. They may be minor or life threatening. Is it worth the risk? Such a decision can end up costing tens of thousands. It gives they buyer an out if they are not comfortable with the condition of the property. Learn everything you can before signing the dotted line and turning over your hard-earned money.

CAUTIONARY TALE

One couple stumbled onto an excellent looking property below market value, just exactly at their price point. After preapproval, the would-be home owners hired a building inspector. During the inspection, they were shown outdated hazardous wiring, dangerous DIY patch-ins and significant foundation troubles. Rotting sill plates and black mold made this property a health hazard. The buyers wisely walked away.

Though disappointed, they sighed with relief feeling they’d dodged a bullet.
Without that inspection, every extra penny of their future income would be going toward repairs on a home instead of toward cosmetic fixes they had imagined. They saved themselves years of anguish. That’s the value of a great home inspector.

For up to date news you can use for homebuyers and homeowners, come visit us at any of our social media locations. We look forward to seeing you there!

Website: OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Twitter @OhioCapitalMortgage .

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When termites come a-calling

Thu, 18 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT

One lazy, warm spring day, my eye happened upon a strange sight while sitting by a window. Out of the ground streamed flying insects, one after another. They looked harmless, their wings quiet and invisible unless the sun hit them just so. This went on for nearly twenty minutes and because of that I mentioned it to someone. They were swarming termites, dispersing from their underground nest. Later, they drop to the ground where they lose their wings. They pair up with a mate and begin a new colony.

In the US, termite damage costs hundreds of millions of dollars each year. While they’re a known problem from coast to coast, species vary. Ohio is home to subterranean termites. I you don’t live in Ohio, click the map link at the end of this article to determine your termite risk.

Outside, you may find mud tubes on fences, wood piles or wood stumps on your property. While less concerning than if you see them leaving from the base of your home, porch, window sills or doors, it is advisable to remove these threats. Termites search for and find vulnerabilities in your home, cracks in the foundations or other weak points around wiring and plumbing. Once inside, they can and often do go undetected for years in a home, even in exposed wood. In slab homes, they often begin at the baseboards and then move up into the walls. In homes with basements, they can begin at sillplates, or come through cracks and gaps.

Although drywood termites are not established in Ohio, they can travel in wooden objects such as furniture and crates and be inadvertently introduced to a home where they’ll establish a colony. To run your own termite inspection, check out this informative step by step article by Mike Dukes or hire a reputable professional to inspect your home.

If you’re among the lucky ones who have no termite damage, consider preventive measures by creating a termite barrier. Additionally, you don’t want anything sitting up against your home that might allow termites easy entry. Remove woodpiles and organic matter like leaves and mulch made of wood chips. Termite control can be obtained in better garden stores and hardware centers for considerably less money than hiring a pest control company, but you must weigh the pros and cons of such an action. A simple oversight could cost considerably more than professional services.

If you do find evidence of termites you now must consider your options. Will you treat yourself or hire a professional? The general consensus regarding the most important investment of your life seems to be that if little invaders are making your home their lunch, it’s time to call in heavy hitters. A quick Google search can help you make an informed decision. You can get the name of reputable companies in your area by doing a little homework. References from friends, Angie’s List, or listings like this that review exterminator companies can be an enormous help.

One truth holds true, however, if you find evidence, do somethingsooner rather than later. The longer you let it go the worse it will be. Termites only die out when the wood runs out. In the meantime, they’re procreating and likely becoming a larger colony, which means more of them doing more damage. By acting now, and remaining vigilant, you can save costly repairs and maintain the integrity of your home.

Termite Zone Map

Questions about financing a new home? Visit our website at OhioCapitalMortgage.com.

Powerwashing Pointers to Improve Curb Appeal

Thu, 11 May 2017 13:00:00 GMT

“Zebra Striping” Photo by Ethan Dunlap Concrete by Dunlap Tomball, Texas

Pressure washing your driveway is a task that should be undertaken with extreme caution. Water under pressure from a spray nozzle can and does cause instantaneous damage to eyes and skin and serious injuries every year. Wear the proper protection and be mindful at all times where your jet is streaming.

“Clean concrete is 80% of curb appeal,” says Neil Wein of Fortune-Johnson, construction manager of Georgia based company. “You can do it yourself, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can cause permanent damage to your home and driveway.”

For one, pressure washers are not a must-own piece of equipment for home owners. As a result, your tool rental service may just rent you a unit without asking what your exact intentions are. That in mind, you may not get the nozzle on the sprayer that is best for you.

“What you really want is not a nozzle. It’s a circular attachment made for cleaning flat surfaces. The rotary head spins and cleans the concrete. It not only saves you a bunch of time, but helps minimize the damage you can cause to your driveway.”

Power washing concrete, if not done correctly, can ruin it for all time. Yes, you will clean the crud out of it, but you may also blast out the fine particles. Sometimes known as “zebra striping,” which results from getting too close and too far from the surface. Getting too close permanently etches the concrete while being too far away does not clean. You must maintain a uniform distance while cleaning to provide the best results. “Using a wand on a large, flat concrete surface takes much longer and is much more difficult to manage than using the rotary attachment.”

“Ideally, you want to maintain a constant distance from the surface. The rotating head spins when the water emerges which causes a floating sensation above the concrete. It is less likely that you will create zebra striping and the cleaning process goes faster.” He added that almost always the appropriate nozzles need to be requested. While some people run bleach solutions through the pressure washer, Wein advises against it.

“Bleaching would probably be used on wood surfaces such as decks. Acid and detergents are generally used for concrete. It is best to wet the area first, and apply the cleaning solution of choice, mixed per manufacturer’s directions, with a garden sprayer. I personally prefer not to run any solutions through a pressure washer.”

By keeping these pointers in mind, using a power washer can be a wonderful tool. But like all tools, it demands a high level of respect. Done right and done well, you can exponentially increase your curb appeal and maintain safety.

Visit our site at OhioCapitalMortgage.com

Warm temperatures may also bring uninvited house guests

Thu, 04 May 2017 12:30:00 GMT

Nationally, Ohio cities grab several of the top ten slots for high property crime rates, which not only includes burglary but car theft and larceny. Even if you don’t live in one of the high-risk cities, you might be interested in these stats.
How thieves operate:
• A burglary happens every 15 seconds.
• 65% of burglaries take place between 6 am and 6 pm when most people work.
• Slightly over one-third of all burglars enter through the front door.
• Their first targets inside: the master bedroom, dining room, and home office.

Knowing what burglars are looking for and where they expect to find it can help you protect your home and valuables.

Master bedrooms usually contain a trove of treasures. The dining room may hold that Lunt sterling silver flatware that’s been in your family for three generations. The home office generally contains a myriad of electronics and valuable information like personal date, banking, and tax information. Here’s a brief list of high-value items:
• Safes containing cash, coin collections or important documents
• Gaming systems, laptops, phones
• Gold
• Guns
• Collector’s pieces, artwork,
• Silver

While no house is 100% impenetrable, you can make breaking in more difficult which slows thieves down making your home less desirable to break into.

• Don’t advertise your pricey belongings
• Make sure doors and windows are locked when you are not home.
• Play a radio or television very loud to make it appear as though someone is home.
• Get an inside dog.
• Have your neighborhood police officer over for a visit to point out
vulnerabilities
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Install motion sensor lights and turn out exterior lights at night
• Install a security system

In the coming weeks, we’ll detail ways to help you secure your home with additional layers of protection. From inexpensive deterrents to clever hiding places for your valuables. To keep up to date you can catch us on twitter @OhioCapitalMortgage, and on Facebook and our website: OhioCapitalMortgage.com

Apartment Dweller to Home Owner: What you need to know

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:00:00 GMT

Planning ahead can save you time and headaches when purchasing a home. Find out what you need to know before you need to know it.

It is a well-known fact that apartment life has a lot to offer: Someone takes care of the grounds from mowing, edging and snow removal. If something breaks they fix it. Some provide trash pickup and recycling. They usually have assigned parking, some offer garages. Most apartments are near jobs, businesses and schools, usually on bus routes. Renting affords some unique opportunities, especially if your life is in transition, your career is not yet established or you’re finishing higher education, especially if one intends to relocate after graduation. Having the freedom to pick up and move to another apartment across town or across the country is part of the appeal.

An upside to renting an apartment is that it is relatively easy to secure one even for the very young. An application fee, a credit check, a security deposit, and once approved, you’ve got a key to your new digs. If you later discover you don’t like the neighborhood, you can find another one. This freedom appeals to the single, newly single and couples starting out as well as those who are downsizing. Renting allows the financially savvy to save money.

While some people feel the need to be transient, still others feel strongly about putting down roots. For them, renting may be a stepping stone in the goal to buy a home. If you fall into this category, and are a first time potential homebuyer, many pitfalls can keep you from your goal. While socking money away in saving for the down payment, keep in mind these factors that can aid your ability to buy a home.

Find a job you can work for at least two years. If you work a second job to build up your savings, know that you may not be able to list that job for income purposes if it changes. None of us can see into the future. Occasionally a job loss will come out of left field. If you are able to get another job in the same field, should keep you in the running.

Manage spending by not maxing out your credit cards and adding to your savings regularly. If you have debt, especially student loans, make certain that you pay all of your bills on time. This goes a long way toward showing responsibility. Some credit reporting goes back as far as ten years (bankruptcy, repossessions etc.) and most lenders require a history of on-time payments. Even one missed payment can prevent you from purchasing until you have a succession of on-time payments. This period of time is generally one year.

Buying a new car can impact a home loan already in progress. However, if your plans for pre-approval are at least six months off, timely modest car payments will further your credit score as long as you keep your debt to income ratio around 43%.

If you are self-employed lenders require you to keep meticulous records and to have filed income taxes for the last two years. Most lenders require proof of funds and that is easier for all parties concerned when you have a bank account. More so if you are a business owner.

When purchasing a home, filling our paperwork and dealing with lenders, it is imperative that you are completely honest. If you have any questions discuss them your loan officer, especially those things which may potentially prevent closing the deal. By keeping these points in mind as you begin your journey, you will be on your way to purchasing a home with fewer delays and a lot less stress.

Swing by our site and say hello at OhioCapitalMortgage.com .

First Year Home Ownership: Taking Care of Your Lawn (Part 2)

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:00:00 GMT

Understanding how to choose the right plants for your zone

You’re standing in front of you recently purchased castle imagining what your blue front door would look like framed by white flowering Dogwoods in spring and if you want creeping thyme of flowering ground cover between the flagstones of your front walk. If you aren’t great at things like that, have no botanical aspirations and your budget allows, you may want to hire a professional landscaper. But if you love digging in the dirt and saying “I did it” you may not have to look any further than your local gardening center. One advantage of buying local is that the plants are acclimated to your temperate zone.

All together there are 26 plant hardiness zones, which are the Annual Extreme Minimum Temperatures. These zones are numbered and temps range from minus 60 (-51 C) degrees to 70 Fahrenheit (21.1 C) Most of Ohio falls into 6a, if you’re in another state, you’ll want to know your zone number .

Be mindful when purchasing plants from catalogs

When buying from catalogs you want to pay special attention to the zone where your plant choices thrive and match them to your zone. For example, you probably don’t want to plant a Date Palm tree in Cleveland, Ohio. The cycle of warmth required for that tree to thrive and fruit does not exist there. If you insist on a palm, your local gardening center might suggest overwintering it in a pot from fall to late spring in a dry-heated green house. But to save yourself lugging heavy pots back and forth twice a year, consider purchasing those trees, shrubs and flowers native to the area.

Your well-equipped gardening center can also inform you about growth rates of trees and shrubs and what happens with their roots. Willows require planting 50 feet from known water sources like water and sewage lines. Their roots can also interfere with gas and electrical lines. Take into account what might be falling from your tree: fruit, needles, excessive leaves, burs and sap are some considerations.

A relative of mine loved traveling to the deep south and picking up Azalea bushes there. She claimed that the colors of flowers could not be obtained in Ohio. They usually lasted through the flowering phase and into fall. But when the hard frosts and freezing temperature embraced our fickle-weather state, the Azaleas died, unable to survive our sometimes brutally cold winters.

Additionally, pay attention to your flower types.

If you intend to buy and plant once and enjoy forever, you’ll want to know the difference between annuals, biennials and perennials. You can take advantage of sales at your local hardware store or grocery, and you may luck out and find someone who really does know plants. But more often than not you will be talking to an hourly employee hired to water plants so keep this in mind if you are asking for advice. Numerous resources exist for the newbie gardener. Poke around on Pinterest, Google and online magazine like Mother Earth News

You’ll want to pay particular attention to where the sun falls in your yard. Some shade-loving plants wither and die in full sun while full-sun loving plants yellow in too much shade. By keeping these pointers in mind, you’ll soon be up to your elbows in dirt with healthy foliage popping up everywhere.

Many resources exist for lawn and garden care: Pinterest, Google, and online gardening magazines. Who knows, maybe your neighbors will be knocking on your door asking for planting advice!~

First Year Home Ownership: Taking Care of Your Lawn Part 1

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:00:00 GMT

Part of buying a home is being able to personalize your yard and garden.

So, you just bought your first home.

You’re in a new neighborhood and winter is over. Facing the upkeep of your exterior can seem daunting. Additionally, your new neighbors will be taking stock of how you care for your lawn. The pressure’s on. Even with the unpredictable in Ohio, you can still create a beautiful yard. The following tips can help you get your lawn looking great in no time.

In this two-part series, we’ll cover the basics of keeping your lawn presentable and personalizing it to make it yours.

Take a tour of your yard with a notebook or clipboard. Make a list of what needs attention. You can break these tasks into subcategories that can be tackled in a few hours or over a weekend.

Picking up.

Maybe you’ve got branches littering the yard and last autumn’s leaves wedged in the corners or your property, not to mention those spindly dry perennial stalks poking out of your planting beds where it looks like flowers used to be. Cleaning up your yard might seem overwhelming. But To keep yourself motivated, think about tackling small tasks. Keep a checklist that you can scratch off as you make progress to keep yourself motivated.

Peruse planting beds. If this is your first year in your new home, you may want to wait and see what pops out of your flower beds. You might be pleasantly surprised. However, if they’re empty, consider a visit to your local gardening center to purchase plants appropriate for your zone. For more curb appeal, start with the front of your home. Looking for opportunities to talk to and get to know your neighbors? Ask them about the plants growing in their yards. Find out what they would have done differently. Think of your yard as a palette and brighten it with seasonal blooming flowers, or if you like sitting out doors in evenings, choose aromatic moon flowers that open after sundown.

Some basic tools you’ll need

Using heavy gloves, and a heavy garden rake, clear out all debris from your lawn and flower beds. This includes all organic matter that you don’t want in your soil like twigs and branches, dog and cat droppings, pine cones paper, metal and glass and those knotty root balls that make planting difficult. Your grass will thank you for a thorough raking too. Thatch build up is largely dead matted grass. It exists between the soil and the green vegetation. To maintain optimum lawn healthy, it should be removed when it gets to be about half an inch thick. This process is known as de-thatching.

Many neighborhoods have waste pickup for yard debris. You can check with your neighbors to find out when collectors come through your neighborhood. Be sure to package all your waste as directed by your waste removal collector. In some cases, they may refuse to pick it up if not handled correctly. Rake organic debris into piles and use labeled yard waste bags.

Grind up organic material with a lawn mower

If you are lucky enough to have a mulching lawn mower, know that everything that lands in your yard is not easily compostable. Paper does not break down quickly and animal feces carries pathogens that can make you and your family sick. It should go without saying that glass, plastic bags and paper needs to be properly disposed of in refuse cans. Leaves can be mown over and turned into the soil unless they’ve started to mold. If so, get rid of them.

Assess any bare patches in your lawn. It may be as simple as laying down a bit of moisture retaining straw and re-seeding. If you have small children or pets, or plan to spend a lot of time in your lawn with bare feet, you may want to evaluate your choice of fertilizer. While you work in your yard, consider well-placed design elements like a fountain or mosaic stepping stone to add interest and personality. Whatever you do, choose the little touches which makes you happy to personalize your new home.~