Jim Hairston Blog
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18
6 Charities to Support on Giving Tuesday Dec. 3 in Mansfield
As you plan your holiday gift-giving, why not brighten the season for those less fortunate? Take part in the National Day of Giving on Tuesday, December 3 with a donation to one of these deserving charities around Mansfield suggested by our REALTORS®.
- The Shelby Foundation - 142 N. Gamble St., Suite F, Shelby 44875
Your donations to the Shelby Foundation go a long way toward building the community around Shelby homes for sale. The Foundation has a broad-based mission to support education, arts and culture, healthcare and other programs that strengthen and empower local residents of all ages. Contributions may be earmarked for specific funds or purposes of your choice. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays.
11
Homebuyers: Don't Drive Yourself Crazy Commuting
It's true that location matters when it comes to buying a home. A top location can offer a great school district, great amenities, convenient access to shopping, and a low crime rate. However, your commute time to work is another important factor to consider when looking for Mansfield homes for sale. It can be tempting to ignore a long commute if it would mean foregoing what is an otherwise perfect home. But will the time and cost of a long commute be worth it?
The Costs of a Long Commute
The average American commutes for approximately 25.4 minutes each way. But those in larger metropolitan areas are subject to an extremely long commute of up to 1.5 hours each way. Extreme commuters spend at least 15 hours a week on the road without getting paid for it. As the time adds up, so do your travel expenses, especially gas and car maintenance. In most cases, the savings realized by purchasing a home in a suburban area result in a higher cost overall. Adding a distant commute to your housing expenses can exceed 30% of your gross monthly income.
4
National Scholarship Month: Colleges & Universities Around Mansfield
Life is a journey and a formal education can help you chart your course. Whether your goal is to become a teacher, doctor, lawyer, or join the ranks as one of our REALTORS®, there are some fantastic educational institutions in the area. National Scholarship Month is the perfect time to take a look over degree options and the multitude of scholarship opportunities that are available.
- Ohio State University at Mansfield - 1680 University Drive, Mansfield, OH 44906
Ohio State University has satellite campuses all over the state, and one of the best is right here in Mansfield. The university offers programs in accounting, engineering, agribusiness, biochemistry, and nearly 100 other disciplines. OSU's motto is "education for citizenship," and you will find many people throughout Mansfield are OSU graduates who apply that motto daily as they make our community one of the best in the state.
28
Inheriting a Home: Take These 5 Steps First
Although it can be a result of a rather unfortunate life event, inheriting a house can change your life forever. If you are in a position to determine what to do with the property, an inherited home can be a cornerstone of your long-term financial well-being. We understand that such a sudden change can be overwhelming, and you may have many factors to consider when you're deciding what to do with this inheritance. With this in mind, Our REALTORS® have five pieces of advice they give all of our clients to help them decide whether it's in their best interest to sell it, rent it, or keep it as a primary residence.
- Accurately Assess the Debt Situation
It can be difficult to process this when you're going through a period of grieving, but in some cases, an inheritance can be more of a burden than a helping hand. Before you make any plans for the disposition of the property, you need to get a handle on any debt that you inherited along with it. Does the property currently have a mortgage, or is it paid off? If it does have a mortgage, does it have sufficient equity to make a sale profitable? Were any financial instruments such as a reverse mortgage used to leverage this equity? Can you afford the mortgage payments every month? The answers to these questions will be crucial when you're deciding what to do next.
21
Historic Homeownership: Is It Right for You?
Old homes are filled with charming details and touches that give them a fascinating appeal. Older Mansfield homes for sale conjure images of strong communities and simpler times. Each home is a reflection of the builder's interests and the style of the era. While purchasing an older home can give you a truly distinctive property, it can also come with unique challenges that you can't ignore.
Historic Charm in Every Room
From the intricacies of the crown molding above an ornate fireplace to the antique door handles and solid oak floors, older homes are filled with fine details that will win your heart over. These finishing touches reflect the trends of the time the house was built and may also include trends from periods when the home underwent renovation or the addition of new rooms. In Ohio, it is not uncommon to find a Victorian-era home with Georgian, Spanish, or Mid-Century Modern accents sprinkled in over the years.
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