John Wirsing

As a general rule, as a Buyer, your interests will be best served if you have an Agent that is working for YOU! The listing agent has a fiduciary responsibility to the SELLER.
Your intersts can be best served by contacting a Realtor other than the Lister.
John Wirsing
Cell (440) 487-2193
Keller Williams Realty Greater Cleveland http://www.CallRealtorJohn.com - Wed Sep 3 2008, 07:28

The tax appraisal is just oneof the guidelines that I use in developing a "fair market value" for a property. How did you arrive at your selling price? IF you would like a comparative market analysis, I would be willing to assist you (unless your home is currently listed with a Realtor,. THAT WOULKD NOT BE ETHICAL.)
You may wish to visit http://johnwirsing.topproducerwebsite.com/instant-home-value.asp on my website. Or go to http://www.CallRealtorJohn.com and click on the INSTANT VALUE tab on my homepage. Then type in any address & you wil be able to see what properties in the area have sold for.
If I can be of help, you can call me at 440-487-2193 or e-mail at jwirsing@kw.com - Tue Sep 2 2008, 06:26

Good morning,
My first place to start would be with local zoning ordinances. Summit county auditor may be be a good starting place. What are the requirements for a buildable lot in your area?
After the guideline s have been established, you will need to have the property surveyed and filed. - Tue Sep 2 2008, 05:49

Hi Chris,
Jusr read Bill's answer about buying your new home. Some where along the way people got hung up about this idea of your home being an "INVESTMENT". Well, to some extent, this is true. Over the years, real estate has been a hedge.
Recently, real estate was the latest quick runup-similiar to the "dot.com"in late 1990's & the subsequent bust of 2000. Part of the reason for the mess that we are in, is that people have taken the equity out of their homes already by refinancing them or encumbering them through home equity loans and /or lines of credit.

First & foremost, your home is the refuge for you & your family to have a safe, secure & comfortable place to find your hang your hat.
From what you have stated, you have simply outrgrown the home that you are in now. It sounds like its time to get it up & sold so that you & your growing family can find that new home that you need. That is where you need to put your emphasis. Can you be checking out other house to get a better idea of what you like & don't like, what you can afford & whaich areas are the most attractive to you? ABSOLUTELY!! Do all of the looking around, If you are not in a position to be facing 2 mortgage--DON"T BUY THE NEXT HOME UNTIL YOU HAVE A DEAL LINED UP ON YOUR HOUSE.
A competent Realtor can often times co-ordinate the closing dates of properties to make things work for both parties to benefit. Sometimes, its not easy!
Again, I suggest that you a reasonable idea of what you house will sell at in todays's market & what you could expect to put in your pocket when all is said & done.
Please give me a call at 440-487-2193 or at jwirsing@kw.com - Sun Aug 24 2008, 21:50

Hi Chris,
The present market conditions are a great assist to STEP-UP buyers like you.
It sounds like you have realized that your home may not yield as musc on the market today as it may have 12 months ago. That is unfortunate. But, you can make this market WORK FOR YOU!
The nice part is that the home you may be buying has most likely also lost value over 12 months ago. Often, the more expensive that home is means that it has lost more dollars than a less expensive home.
You may find that you can now buy a home that 12 or 18 months ago was out of your price range.
I have lived in the Lake & Geauga markets for the past 30 years. I grew up in Wickliffe. So, I am familiar with the area.
If you would like, please call me at 440-487-2193 or e-mail me at jwirsing@kw.com. I would be happy to give you a FREE market analysis of what homes similiar to yours are selling for, (not what theya re listed at) and an estimate of your net proceeds.
I also have a "Round trip Loyalty Bonus" for people who list a home with me & then buy their next one using me as their Realtor.
Look forard to hearing from you. - Fri Aug 22 2008, 11:14

First question--Is it a one family or a two family? County records are not always accurate.
When you checked it out, what was it?
Regarding your mortgage commitment costs__Review your paperwork..
Have you paid an application fee?
How about for an appraisal?
If the lender has had an appraissal done at yoiur request, that is most likely your loss if you choose to back away from the deal now.
If you want to back away from this deal-How about pursuing a different property! Chances are that the current rates are higher than what they were when you received a loan commitment.
If I can be of any assistance, please let me know. - Fri Aug 22 2008, 09:50