100% Howard Hanna Money Back Guarantee Guidelines

If you didn't read yesterdays post - read it before you read this to understand the benefits of this program.

Obviously their are guidelines as in any program.

Seller's Application:

1. Minimum price in program - $75,000; Maximum price in program - $600,000
2. Listed with Howard Hanna with a present term of at least 180 days, at the full commission rate
3. Free-standing, single-family dwelling; no co-ops, cluster homes, or condominiums
4. Guarantee fee paid by buyer

Buyer's Application:

1. If buyer wants the Money Back Guarantee, the buyer pays 1% of sale price.
2. Buyer must sign Money Back Guarantee rider and Buyer application at time of presentation of offer
3. Howard Hanna must list and sell the property
4. Free-standing, single-family dwelling; no co-ops, cluster homes, or condominiums
5. Minimum price - $75,000; Maximum price - $600,000
6. Buyer must occupy home as residence

If Buyer Elects To Have Home Trade-In Company, Inc. Repurchase The Home:

1. Buyer must inform Home Trade-In Company, Inc. in writing of election to have home repurchased
2. Buyer must list the property with Howard Hanna
3. Buyer must first purchase a substitute dwelling for not less than 75% of the repurchase price of the first home.
4. Substitute dwelling must be purchased through Howard Hanna for the full selling side commission for sale of the substitute dwelling

Considering buying or selling your Northern Ohio Home? Give me a call. Lee Hisey, Realtor, Howard Hanna 440-315-6000 or LeeHisey@HowardHanna.com

Howard Hanna's 100% Money Back Guarantee!? What's that all about?

If the buyer of a home listed by Howard Hanna is not satisfied, they will buy the home back for 100% of it's purchase price. Are there requirements? Of course. Have they bought back homes? Yes they have.

Benefits to the Home Sellers:

• Sets the home apart from others on the market.
• Buyers are comfortable with a guarantee of knowing that Howard Hanna believes in the value of the home.
• Results in homes selling faster than competing properties.
• Results in homes selling for the highest fair market value.

Benefits to the Home Buyer:

• Gives buyers confidence in the value of the home they are purchasing.
• Overcomes many objections to buying.
• Reassures out-of-state buyers who are unsure of neighborhoods or markets.
• Gives confidence to increase the offer to meet the seller's price.
• shows that, unlike any other Real Estate company, Howard Hanna stands behind the property for 100% of the value.

Tomorrow I'll explain the guidelines. Considering Realtors? Give me a call at 440-315-6000 or email me at LeeHisey@HowardHanna.com.

Open House Success?

Most Realtors know that the open house is a way to obtain more clients/customers but seldom (most sources I googled show a less than one percent chance) result in the sale of the home being held open. Is it worth a shot? Sure - but realize it is a long one at best.

Being part of a "tour of homes" or a similar "event" may help improve the odds - but it is still a long shot. Assume you must hold your home open over 100 times to have a less than 1% chance of a buyer walking through the door. But does it happen? Yes.

What are some other options? Virtual tours with panoramic abilities allow a potential buyer to view the home from a variety of angles prior to actually going through the home. This saves the home owner all of the time and expense of preparing for an open-house over and over again. The party looking for a home can tour it from the comfort of their computer, and call if it looks like something they would be interested in. This increases the chance of them purchasing the home considerably.

Key Point: The virtual tour must be created in a way that keeps them interested, shows details and features in an attractive way, and looks professional. A slide show is not very effective. A moving shot going up or down a beautiful staircase, showing a deck or patio and then moving out to show the view, or showing the wood floors and moving up to the fireplace and finally the vaulted ceiling - those types of shots get telephone calls to see more!!

Interested in listing with an agent who can provide you with a real virtual tour and added Internet exposure - contact me today! Lee Hisey 440-315-6000 or leehisey@howardhanna.com

More Info on Howard Hanna + Realty One

More information from Plain Dealer "Crib Notes" ....

http://blog.cleveland.com/cribnotes/2008/11/yes_howard_hanna_did_in_fact_b.html

e4s Video: Entrepreneurs for Sustainability, Cleveland Ohio Region

Check out the new video. e4s supports and promotes "green" sustainable business practices in Northern Ohio. If you are a business owner and would like to learn more visit one of their meetings. Check their website at http://www.e4s.org for details.

Recycled Laying Boxes: Saves Resources - & the Chickens DON"T CARE !

I gave away all of my poultry equipment several years ago when I decided I would never again raise poultry. Food prices started going up and food scraps were going into the trash or compost bin and I thought - "What a Waste".

I have 6 Cuckoo Marans (they lay the darkest eggs of all chickens) and 4 Americaunas (unfortunately three turned out to be roosters, and I have only one hen who has yet to start laying. Her egg should be blue)

I needed new boxes so I took scrap plywood from our recent "green" remodeling projects, 4 salvaged egg cartons, short pieces of 2 x 4's I had set aside and 8 gutter nails I had picked out of the gardens after the old gutters had been removed and recycled. The chickens are happy - and it didn't cost me any money!

Considering rural property in Northern Ohio? Give me a call: Lee Hisey, Howard Hanna 440-315-6000, leehisey@howardhanna.com.

Asbestos Removal and Greener Alternatives

There are many things to consider when remodeling or purchasing an older home. Homes built before 1980 have the strong likelihood of containing asbestos. Due to a steady progression of technology and green sustainable methods, there are many ways to ensure your home or property is asbestos free. If you are interested in saving money, remodeling and improving your carbon footprint, here is some information to get you on the right track.
Used in millions of homes throughout the last quarter of the 20th century, asbestos insulation can become a real dilemma for homeowners due to causing a variety of health problems, including Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesothelioma. These types of cancer take the lives of thousands each year.

Non-regulated asbestos material removal can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. Asbestos removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Once the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC), in a study conducted in 2003, estimated a savings of $50-$65 per square foot for well-constructed green buildings in the U.S. (see table below) during that year. The numbers continue to improve as more eco-friendly options become available, and those kinds of figures have finally begun to attract those who thought eco-friendly construction was just a bunch of hogwash.


Thanks to Jesse Herman, Mesothelioma Cancer Center, jesse@asbestos.com who provided this valuable information.

CONSIDERING PURCHASING A HOME IN NORTHERN OHIO? HEADLINES HAVE YOU WORRIED?

$125,000,000!!!!!!!!!

That's how much funding Howard Hanna Mortgage Services has per month for our clients. You can be certain that there is no shortage of mortgage money available for qualified individuals!

Considering purchasing a home and worried about financing? Contact the Hisey Group today and let us put you in touch with money available NOW!!

Lee Hisey 440-315-6000/leehisey@howardhanna.com
Ernie Hisey 216-218-5168/1-800-974-5184

Serving Western Cuyahoga and Medina Counties, Lorain County, and Northern Erie and Ottawa County to include the Lake Erie Islands.

Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Grafton, Sheffield Lake, Elyria, Vermilion, Lorain, Westlake, North Ridgeville, Wellington, Olmsted Falls, Catawba, Middle Bass Island, South Bass Island, Put In Bay, North Bass Island, Rattlesnake Island, Wakeman, Henrietta Township, Brownhelm Township, Lakewood, Litchfield, Valley City, Columbia Station, and more...

Rahn Emanuel - Hope for the Great Lakes

Just read the PD article on the President Elect's pick for the new White House Chief of Staff. See link:

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1226050421113430.xml&coll=2

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Home Improvements

A $500 dollar tax credit that expired in 2007 has been renewed for 2009. The credit will cover up to $5000 worth of improvements that qualify, and you get a $500 rebate! The bonus is that since it applies to improvements that save you energy - you get to keep even more of your money!! Sorry - 2008 improvements (and I made a lot of them) don't count.

The credit does not cover labor - only equipment. Here are some links for additional information:

www.energystar.gov
www.energyincentives.org

Realty One/Howard Hanna Merger: Things are moving along.

We've been changing our fliers, websites, business cards, stationary - it's a lot of work. I like our new look. A certified "Green" Realtor should work with a company with largely green signs and logo. I think our virtual tours are particularly attractive with the new framing and logo. We create a panoramic virtual tour with every listing, and appearance is everything.

Howard Hanna is now number one in most of our market area. Howard Hanna and Realty One Real Living combined would have had approximately 5600 homes sold in 2008, Russell Realtors approx. 1260, Keller Williams approx. 625 and Coldwell Banker approx. 515. Howard Hanna is now the hands down powerhouse in marketing Real Estate in Northern Ohio.

If you want to sell your home you need to list with the Hisey Group with Howard Hanna. We cover Cleveland's Westside, Avon Lake, Lorain, Westlake, North Ridgeville, Litchfield, Grafton, Wellington, Lorain, Vermilion, Put In Bay, Port Clinton, and all of the areas between.

Certified EcoBroker: Green, Eco-Conscious Realtor For Cleveland, Ohio west to the Lake Erie Islands

Are you considering Green, Eco features in your next home? Are you considering selling a home with energy saving features, natural areas and landscaping, features made of sustainable products, and water saving features?

The Hisey Group serves Cleveland's western suburbs, Lorain County, Western Medina County, and Lake Erie bordering communities west to the Lake Erie Islands (Catawba, Middle Bass, North Bass, Rattlesnake Island, South Bass to include the Village of Put In Bay, and Kelleys Island).

As a certified EcoBroker with Howard Hanna I can focus on those features within your marketing material including a virtual tour, fliers, and major internet exposure. I will educate buyers and sellers regarding "Green" features and their benefits.

We don't just market and show homes based on eco features. Every home is special and unique. If you are a buyer we will try to find homes with those special characteristics you are looking for. "Green" homes, historic homes, horse and alpaca property, waterfronts, island homes, new exciting urban opportunities. This is an exciting time in Northern Ohio, and as the market recovers we are confident that you will have more opportunities and options than in the past. If you are considering selling we use virtual tours to sell those unique aspects to potential buyers. We typically take 50 to 150 pictures of you home, property, neighborhood and community and incorporate them into multiple websites (certified epro), your flier, virtual tour, and other marketing efforts.

Give us a call for more information at 440-315-6000 or email LeeHisey@HowardHanna.com.

Howard Hanna + Realty One = #1 in Ohio

Howard Hanna and Realty One have truly become a regional powerhouse. The combined companies will now have 79 offices with 2,804 Howard Hanna sales associates. That is a lot of support in marketing your property!

Howard Hanna will have a total of 4,394 sales associates and 157 sales offices in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. While other companies are shrinking and pulling back Howard Hanna is growing and expanding.

The Hisey Group LLC - NOW HOWARD HANNA!!
Proudly serving our clients for almost 50 years. Considering purchasing or selling Northern Ohio Real Estate? Contact the Hisey Group at 1-800-974-5184 24 hr vm/Ernie Hisey 216-218-5168/Lee Hisey 440-315-6000/HiseyGroup@gmail.com.

Your Howard Hanna Real Estate Team for "Cleveland's Westside to the Lake Erie Islands"!

Serving Avon, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Bay Village, Eaton, Grafton, Grafton Township, Litchfield, Wellington, Oberlin, Amherst, Put In Bay, North Bass Island, South Bass Island, Middle Bass Island, Rattlesnake Island, Catawba Island, Marblehead, Sheffield Lake, Vermilion, Lorain, Elyria, Valley City, Wakeman, Brownhelm Township, Pittsfield, Penfield, LaGrange, and all of North Central Ohio.

Realty One Purchased by Howard Hanna

Howard Hanna has purchased Realty One Real Living, and the Realtor world is buzzing. We've seen numbers, but essentially Howard Hanna will now hold approx. 40% of the market share in Northeast Ohio with approximately 1500 Ohio Realtors.. The two largest, strongest companies in our area are now forming one company. Howard Hanna and Realty One have always battled over first and second place over recent years, and together they will form a powerful force for marketing your unique Ohio property.

We will pass along information as we receive it, but with relocation services, internet presence, inventory, marketing outlets and methods, and local, regional, national and international marketing efforts this company will be the major force in marketing and selling real estate in Northern Ohio.

This change will take place gradually over many months. Realty One signs will gradually be replaced by new signs. As always communication with all customers and clients will be a priority for the Hisey Group, LLC. We'll keep you posted!!

New Website: Ohio Waterfront Condominiums, Lakefront, Riverfront and Island Condos

Looking for a waterfront condominium in Northern Ohio? Lake Erie frontage, islands, and rivers feeding Lake Erie in North Central Ohio have some of the most beautiful condominium developments in Ohio. Amenities can include the usual pools, club house, golf and tennis - but additionally they may have marina facilities, beach access, boat ramps and waterfront walkways. The views of course can be amazing!

Visit our new site can be found through:

http://www.CondosOnLakeErie.com and
http://www.OhioWaterfrontCondos.com

Looking for a waterfront condominium? We'd be happy to have one of our buyers specialists arrange a waterfront condo tour for you. Why wait for an open house and fight the crowds?

Considering selling your lakefront, riverfront, or island condominium? Give us a call today at 440-315-6000. Call now for early spring listings. We take extensive tour photos and do virtual tours of your unit as well as the development as a whole.