Articles Tagged "Bath OH"

The first utility bill in a new home can mean an unpleasant surprise for the unsuspecting homeowner. Not only is the cost higher in a house than in an apartment, but energy costs are soaring across the globe. Fortunately, you can take measures to lower your utility bills, and our real estate agents would like to share them with you.

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While it's true that the housing market has cooled somewhat, there is still time to take advantage of the increased value of your home if you plan to sell. But before you set an asking price, our real estate agents want to help you maximize your profits by considering the hidden costs associated with the sale. Here are a few expenses they consider to be some of the most critical:

• Identify problems that could derail the sale.
  A pre-inspection will help you make any necessary repairs before the house is on the market. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars for a professional inspection, but you won't need to worry about surprises that could delay or prevent closing the sale.

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As the leaves begin to turn and the days get colder, it's time to get your home ready for the harsh winter months. If you've recently bought a house, you may be surprised by the amount and intensity of home maintenance activities. Homeownership is a huge investment that requires regular maintenance and care. That said, it can feel like a daunting chore, especially if you're a first-time homebuyer.

As summer draws to a close, here's an end-of-summer homeowner maintenance checklist from our real estate agents that can help you better protect your investment.

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Fall brings cooler temperatures with a crisp feel to the air, and with the hustle and bustle of school starting back, it's the perfect time to have some family fun on the weekends. Several farms and orchards around Stark county offer loads of activities for the whole family, making them a great place to visit for the day or afternoon.

Our real estate agents recommend checking out the following popular destinations for fall family fun in the area.

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How big should your down payment be?

When home prices rise, so do the down payments required to purchase those homes. This has long posed a roadblock for many would-be first-time homebuyers. But it doesn't have to be the case.

Our real estate agents share everything you need to know about making a down payment on a home.

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While the hot seller's market of the last few months has begun to cool down, there are still many people out there looking for North Canton homes for sale or Akron homes for sale. Today's Ohio homeowners easily benefit from the great interest in the local area and meet qualified buyers.

Our real estate agents know you want to get the most value for your home and finish the sales process as quickly as possible. In fact, it's usually for the best when the sale is complete within 30 days. After the 60-day mark, buyers may wonder if something is wrong with the home.

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The Akron Zoo has been a staple of family fun near Akron homes for sale for decades, with significant expansion since the early 2000s leading to new exhibits, rides for kids, special events, and amenities for visitors to enjoy. Summer is the perfect time to experience a fun, educational family outing to the Akron Zoo, with a busy schedule of special events, summer camps for kids, and many animals to see. Our real estate agents have the key information to help you plan your next family day at the Akron Zoo.

• Get to Know the Animals
  Did you know that the number of animals under the care of the Akron Zoo has increased by 200 percent over the last 15 years? Today, the zoo is home to a diverse collection of animals from both land and sea. The seven categories of animals living at the zoo include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and even carnivorous plants. There are many rare species to see here, like the Red Panda, Bald Eagle, Sumatran Tiger, Galapagos Tortoise, Giant Pacific Octopus, and South American Sea Nettle, to name just a few.

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Can you believe that the Fourth of July is already around the corner? As always, Ohio communities will be pulling out all the stops to celebrate this special day with community events that the whole family can enjoy. Both Akron and North Canton have some holiday events that you won't want to miss. Our real estate agents have all of the details on where to celebrate the Fourth of July in your favorite Ohio communities.

• North Canton Jaycees July Fourth Parade – 605 Fair Oaks Ave. SW., North Canton, OH 44720
  The North Canton Jaycees July Fourth Parade is always a local favorite near North Canton homes for sale, providing the perfect event to kick off your celebration of the big day. You can see the parade on 7th Street, Main, and Harmon starting at 10:30 AM, or catch the end of the parade at North Canton Middle School at the address listed above. The parade features a wide variety of entertainment, from classic cars to dance teams, with an easy sign-up process if you'd like to join the parade with your own local group.

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National Chocolate Ice Cream Day is June 7th, and for those of us with a sweet tooth, we can't wait! There are so many wonderful places to grab a delicious cone, sundae, or milkshake in Stark and Summit counties that it's impossible to choose just one. Instead, our real estate agents have put together a list of six favorites.

1. Almost Heaven Ice Cream — 6590 Middlebranch Ave. NE, Canton, OH 44721
   With award-winning chocolate, butter pecan, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream, this lovely little shop near Canton homes for sale is a must-visit. Almost Heaven Ice Cream features more than two dozen ice cream flavors along with sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, ice cream sandwiches, and so much more. If you want something extra special, order one of their dippy twisters, made with either dairy-free vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt vanilla mixed with your choice of delicious fruit.

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Color is the easiest way to inject your personality into any North Canton home for sale. Interior painting can be a messy project, but there are some tricks get the job done quicker and cleaner. Explore the top interior painting tips from our real estate agents below.

• Take Time to Pick Your Colors
  You have limitless color choices to choose from for your project. Lighter options make rooms feel spacious and airy, while bolder hues re-energize the décor. You can mix bold and lighter colors to create contrast and highlight accent pieces, art, and other accessories.

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As the weather warms up, it's the perfect time to head out on a family bike ride. Stark County has plenty of excellent parks with trails that cover forested areas, urban locations, and suburban sites.

Our real estate agents recommend the following trails in Stark County when you're ready to spend part of your day taking a family bike ride in area parks.

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Spring is here and spending time outdoors tops the list of things to do. Some people look forward to hiking their favorite trails or picnics in the park, while others enjoy relaxing in their backyard. If you prefer the comforts of home, our real estate agents recommend sprucing up your backyard with some beautiful patio plants.

Backyard patios and decks are ideal for potted plants. In Akron homes for sale, you can change out flowering plants to extend spring blooms well into the fall season. When temperatures start to drop, replace blooms with hardy greenery that will survive winter weather. To create a beautiful patio year-round, all you need is the right plants and decorative containers.

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It's always lovely when schedules line up perfectly. But, the reality is that when it comes to real estate transactions, there's likely to be a slight lag between the day you buy the home and the day you can move in. You may sell your home before you find a new home, may need to wait until the seller can move into their new home, or wait while the renovation company completes any necessary repairs or upgrades. Or, you may want to wait until you find the best deal on a house that fits within your budget. Our real estate agents know there are plenty of reasons you may need to rent a home, and we advise all clients to carefully think over the possibility of living in a short-term rental before moving into their new home.

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You've just purchased a new home from among North Canton homes for sale, and you're undoubtedly eager to pick out curtains, paint colors, and new furniture. But first, you should be aware of potential problems and how to avoid or at least prepare for them. Our real estate agents share how you can be ready for the following issues.

• Plumbing Problems
  Clogged pipes, burst pipes, and leaky pipes can cause significant damage to your home and property. This is why we strongly recommend a comprehensive plumbing inspection and maintenance visit with a certified plumber before you move in. This creates a thorough assessment of the plumbing and establishes a relationship with a plumber you can call should a plumbing problem emerge down the road.

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Planning a wedding is both exciting and a big undertaking. If you're waiting for the perfect time to get started, then we have some good news. March 1 is National Wedding Planning Day! This is a great opportunity to start wedding dress shopping if you're newly engaged. Our real estate agents have some awesome bridal shops to recommend around Stark and Summit counties. 

• Abbot's Bridal: 1280 S. Main St., North Canton, OH 44720
  If you're looking at North Canton homes for sale, then Abbot's Bridal is a convenient place to stop while you're in the area. They are a full-service bridal boutique, offering dresses from several designers, along with alteration services. Shoppers can find dresses in a wide range of prices as well as sizes. Abbot's Bridal requires appointments on Saturdays. They're open for walk-ins on Monday - Friday, although appointments are still recommended for the best service.

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Since ancient times, wine has been a significant element in religious and social traditions for cultures around the world. Join our real estate agents in celebrating National Drink Wine Day on Friday, February 18 with a toast at one of these popular wine bars near North Canton homes for sale. 

• Vinoteca Wine Bar - 4921 Hills and Dales Rd., Canton, OH 44708
  Vinoteca Wine Bar is just down the street from Canton homes for sale, but the sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance is truly a result of global influence. Husband-and-wife owners Sash and Rekha Parbhoo are from Johannesburg, South Africa, and Birmingham, England, respectively. On most nights, Sash and Rekha themselves will make recommendations and pour samples for you. Vinoteca has no on-site kitchen, but deliveries from neighboring restaurants are welcome. Hours are noon - 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, noon - 9:30 p.m. Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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Are you into music? Whether your child is learning to play a musical instrument, you're a dedicated musician yourself, or you simply love to listen, North Canton has a nice variety of music shops you'll want to visit.

Our real estate agents recommend the following music shops around North Canton.

Stark County

• Pellegrino Music & Lesson Center - 5040 Everhard Rd. NW, Canton, OH 44718
  Located in the Belden Village area near North Canton homes for sale, Pellegrino Music & Lesson Center has served the area's music needs for 51 years. The family-owned and operated business offers nearly everything related to music, including the sale and rental of music instruments, music lessons, sheet music, and sound system design and installation. The shop also repairs musical instruments and prides itself on top-level quality and service.

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Our real estate agents know it's never too early to get your home ready for market. If your plans for 2022 include moving to a new home in the spring, now is the right time to put a plan together so that your home is ready to go when you're ready to make your move. You can take the following steps now to ensure the process isn't overwhelming later.

• Go Easy On the Cosmetic Upgrades
  It's a seller's market, so you don't have to spend a lot of money to attract an offer. While you can still paint the walls of the main living areas and bedrooms a neutral color, you can skip the installation of pricey appliances, new windows, etc.

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Pumpkin pie may be a Thanksgiving staple, but there's no reason you can't enjoy this treat in December as well. In fact, December 25th (yes, you read that right) is National Pumpkin Pie Day. Why not celebrate it with a slice? There are many bakeries and restaurants serving delicious pumpkin pies in the area around North Canton and Akron. Our real estate agents have tracked down the best places to get one of these pies during December. 

• Gardner Pie - 191 Logan Pkwy., Akron, OH 44319 
  Gardner Pie is a quaint Akron bakeshop that serves hundreds of pies a day to residents of Summit County. They offer pumpkin pie as part of their seasonal lineup throughout December, including a tiny 6-inch pie meant to be shared by just two people. Since pie is their specialty, you know it'll be a treat worthy of a spot on the table during any gathering you host this month — maybe even your Christmas dinner!

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Whether you're fixing a light snack, preparing dinner for a group of friends, or simply grabbing a drink out of the fridge, your home's kitchen gets used multiple times every single day. This is why homeowners put such a heavy focus on creating the perfect balance between appearance and functionality — and that's exactly why kitchen islands are all the rage. Let's look at a few kitchen island basics and which type of island our real estate agents believe could be right for you.

Proper Kitchen Size for an Island

If you've ever seen a kitchen island in the home of a friend or while checking out North Canton homes for sale or Akron homes for sale, then you already know that they take up a good amount of room. Even a small island will be at least 2 by 4 feet, but you also need enough room for people to walk around them comfortably. As a general rule, your kitchen should be a minimum of 8 feet deep and 12 feet long, with 40 inches by 40 inches of open space.

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As a homeowner, there are many things you can do to protect your home from the unexpected, like installing a home security system or performing regular maintenance. But one thing you can't control is what Mother Nature throws your way. From hurricanes and tornadoes to earthquakes and floods, extreme weather events are becoming more regular, with some disastrous results. That's why having the right insurance coverage is so important. It can lessen the burden of getting your house back together after it's been hit by wild weather. Here, our real estate agents will walk you through the basics of homeowners insurance to help you better prepare for unexpected damage before it's too late.

How a Homeowners Insurance Policy Protects You

• Damage to the Interior or Exterior of the Home
  If your home is damaged or destroyed by lightning, fire, hail, hurricane, vandalism, and other covered disasters, your insurance provider will pay to repair or completely rebuild the home. Destruction from earthquakes, floods, and routine wear and tear is generally not covered. Most standard policies also cover freestanding garages, gazebos, tool sheds, or any other structure that's not attached to the house.

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A custom-decorated cake can make any occasion more special since it lets you tailor the design to its recipients' interests, a party's theme, or anything else you'd like. Choose your favorite fillings, icings, colors, and more, and work with a local baker around Summit County to get just the look and taste you're looking for.
  
Our real estate agents recommend trying one of the following bakeries when you need a custom-decorated cake.

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Our real estate agents never need an excuse to enjoy a delicious bowl of pasta — but just in case you do, you'll be glad to know that World Pasta Day is coming soon. That's right — there's an entire day dedicated to this amazing comfort food! 

One of the best things about pasta is that there are so many different ways to prepare it. This means you could order a pasta dish every time you go out to eat and never get bored. Whether you've just moved into one of the beautiful North Canton homes for sale or you're a long-time resident, now is a great time to visit one (or more!) of the area's best Italian restaurants. Here are a few we recommend.

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Colder weather is right around the corner, and that means it's almost fireplace season! Our real estate agents love seeing the glimmer in homebuyers' eyes when they start thinking about relaxing by their new fireplace on chilly evenings. But, before you light that first fall fire, you'll want to check your chimney. 

Now is the perfect time to review some important fireplace safety tips. These simple steps will help keep you and your family safe from the potential dangers that come with fireplace use.

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Before you peruse real estate listings or pick out curtains, there's one thing you need to check that's more important than anything on your list. That one thing is your credit score because it will determine your ability to qualify for a mortgage and the amount of money you'll pay over the life of that loan. What you find may surprise you, but our real estate agents know there are some things you can do to get those numbers up to where you can qualify for the most favorable loan terms and the best interest rates.

The average credit score in the United States is 711. That's considered "good" credit. Those with "very good" credit have scores between 740-799, and those with "exceptional" credit fall between 800-850. These three ranges will allow you to qualify for most loans, but the higher the score, the better the loan terms and the lower the lender's interest rates.

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Since Stark and Summit counties in Northeast Ohio have many beautiful rivers, lakes, and other waterways, kayaking is a popular pastime in the area. Whether you prefer calm or swifter waters, you'll have your choice of many locations where you can get your kayak in the water or rent one to use. Our real estate agents suggest visiting the following locations to get started on your kayaking adventure.

Stark County

• Trailhead Canoe Livery - 135 Lake Ave. NW, Massillon, OH 44647  
  For a relatively tame adventure, explore a calm, scenic stretch of the Tuscarawas River via kayak (or canoe) at Trailhead Canoe Livery near Massillon homes for sale. Choose from a shorter 3-mile trip that's a good choice if you have young kids, or pick a 6-mile journey for an adventure that lasts over 2 hours. Some pedal/paddle trips are also offered if you'd prefer to rent a bike to reach the launch area, where you'll then embark on your kayaking trip.

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If you're looking for a way to boost your home's value, our real estate agents will advise you that you'll get the best return on investment from a fresh paint job. You can take years off the face of a kitchen by painting the cabinets. Our North Canton homes for sale are selling quickly, as are our Akron homes for sale, and fetching good prices, but with these five steps to a gorgeous kitchen, you can demand even more. 

• Make a plan
  Consider your budget, your time, and your expertise. You will have to decide between spraying and brushing. Spraying has the advantages of more durable lacquers, faster drying times, and smoother results. Brushing means no overspray and no expensive equipment. While an air compressor and spray gun can be rented at most home improvement stores, it will still take a little practice to achieve the best results. Drying time for spray lacquers is as short as a half-hour as opposed to about 24 hours for brushed enamels.

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The new homeowner's to-do list should be divided into two basic categories. Let's take a look at the top things that need to go on the list.

Before You Move In

• Get Connected
  One of the first things to do before moving into your new home is to make sure the utilities have been connected and are running properly. From electricity to gas and Internet to phone, make sure everything is as expected.

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Is your house soon going to be added to North Canton homes for sale listings? Our real estate agents can tell you that two of the most important rooms in your house are the kitchen and master bathroom. These are areas where you spend a great deal of time at the start and end of your day. They're also the areas where buyers often look for bells and whistles. So, upgrading your kitchen and bathroom(s) to contemporary tastes and styles is a sure-fire way to add value to your home and charm house hunters.

Kitchen Remodel

A major kitchen remodel can lead the way in commanding higher prices by some margin. In fact, you could recoup between 62 and 70 percent of your total renovation costs when you sell your home. Kitchens, however, are the most expensive rooms to renovate. You need to plan your reno and choose the upgrades that make the most sense for your wallet and goals.

• Repaint or Replace Cabinets
  Cabinets take a lot of abuse on a daily basis, giving the kitchen a dated and ignored look. Choosing new, high-quality cabinets is one of the best ways to give your kitchen a completely new and luxurious look. If you're on a budget remodel, repainting or resurfacing the cabinets and adding in new hardware can give your cabinets a new look without the installation cost.

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There's so much to do in spring. Inside you've got spring cleaning, but outside needs major attention as well. However, it's not that hard to make your property's front yard stand out from other North Canton homes for sale or Akron homes for sale. Let's take a look at some of the ways you can makeover your front yard.

1. Remove or trim back dead or damaged plants.
   Your yard will look neglected if you don't deal with broken limbs, the skeletal remains of last year's perennials, or dead ornamental grasses. Be systematic. Start with the trees and shrubs. You may need to hire a tree specialist to cut down dead shrubs or trim broken limbs. Move on to the flower beds. Trim and bag up the brown twigs, weeds, leaves, and grasses.

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Mother's Day is just around the corner, so it's time to plan a special day for your mom. Our area is filled with wonderful restaurants and diners where you and your mom can enjoy a special mother's day brunch. Before mother's day arrives, our real estate agents want to share a list of great restaurants in the area where you and your mom can enjoy a special day.

If you live in Stark and Summit counties, dining out is easy with hundreds of restaurants that serve different types of cuisine. Whether you're in the mood for breakfast or fine dining, you can treat your mom to a delicious meal that fits your budget. We have chosen some of our favorite places for a mother's day brunch that your mom is sure to enjoy.

• Mustard Seed Market & Cafe - 3885 Medina Rd. Akron, OH 44303
  You and your mom can enjoy the casual atmosphere and look at some Fairlawn homes for sale after a wonderful meal. Specialties here include homemade soups, lobster bisque, beef chili, and fresh-baked bread. The Mustard Seed specializes in healthy, organic food, and each day they bake a variety of bread like Challah braid, chili cheddar, harvest sourdough, parmesan peppercorn, and rosemary olive oil.

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The decision to buy a home is among the most important decisions you'll ever make. As with all big decisions, it isn't one you want to walk into blindly. Our real estate agents understand that it's perfectly normal to want to focus on finding your dream home. However, the largest and most important detail to take care of is the mortgage, and you should get the preapproval process out of the way before ever starting your search. 

The Importance of Preapproval

Preapproval is your ticket to comfortable homeownership. Unlike pre-qualification, the preapproval process is more in-depth and detailed. Your lender will thoroughly review your W2 statements, bank records, credit reports, tax records, employment records, etc. This is often referred to as the "4 C's" since the lender will look at your capacity to pay the mortgage, your credit, the capital/cash reserves you have access to, and the collateral you're putting down for the loan.

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From the outside, it's easy for home valuation to feel like one big mystery. Even though you might be familiar with many of the ingredients that go into a home valuation, you might be wondering how your real estate agent mixes them all together to identify the right listing price for the home. Our real estate agents are here to provide an industry perspective and help you unravel the mystery of home valuation.

• Understanding What Goes Into a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
  Let's say you're trying to price a home to compete with other Akron homes for sale. A CMA is one of the most important tools that your agent will use to help determine the value of the home. By comparing the home with similar properties that were part of recent real estate transactions in the same market, you can find an asking price that fits that market. A CMA takes into account homes that are currently for sale, homes that have recently sold, and homes that were listed but didn't sell. The process works best when there are more homes in your market with a similar size, amenities, and features.

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Adding storage to your home isn't limited to grabbing plastic bins and stacking them in the attic or garage. Innovative storage solutions enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home while cleaning out the junk drawer. Our real estate agents are familiar with some fun and nifty ways to add innovative storage options to your home.

• Add a loft bed.
  Loft beds are great storage solutions in small bedrooms, especially for children. Kids love sleeping in a loft bed. The loft bed allows you to keep a desk or drawer under the bed for additional storage.

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If 2020 taught us anything, it's that modern technology is a more flexible tool than we ever realized. In the past year, more than just shopping moved online. Businesses big and small realized how productive office workers could be from home. We figured out how to offer even the most location-based services online, and the internet even enabled us to keep some semblance of our social lives, with things like watch parties and Zoom happy hours.

We may be itching to get back to "normal," but we've discovered how some things can be better, too. Buying a home, for instance, will be easier than ever now that we've discovered how much of the traditional process can be done virtually. Here are just a few things that, with the help of one of our real estate agents, are more convenient than ever.

1. Virtual Tours
   Before 2020, many real estate agents were already starting to offer virtual tours in their listings, with video and 3D pictures accompanying regular images. With everything going virtual, of course, these virtual tours have become much more robust, enabling you to get a much better feel for a property house, just from the listing and virtual tour. Many North Canton homes for sale now include these improved virtual tours in their listings.

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