Plan your weekend househunting by viewing all the Open houses this weekend throughout Stark County, Summit County, Portage County and more.

Send us an email, or give us a call, and let us know your thoughts on any of the Open Houses you visited this weekend. If you would like to visit a home again, let us know and we'll make all the arrangements!

Now is a great time to BUY. And don't forget about the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit.

Making Home Affordable Program

On February 18, 2009, President Obama announced his Making Home Affordable Program, designed to help up to 7-9 million families avoid foreclosure by restructuring or refinancing their mortgages. In doing so, the plan not only helps responsible homeowners behind on their payments or at risk of defaulting, but prevents neighborhoods and communities from being pulled over the edge too, as defaults and foreclosures contribute to falling home values, failing local businesses, and lost jobs.

For more detailed information and guidelines about the Making Home Affordable Program click here:

MakingHomeAffordable.gov

From the National Association of REALTORS Web site.

Plain levy supporters thankful for passage

New tax dollars generated by passage of a 6.9-mill continuous levy will help Plain Local Schools maintain programs, parents and students said. But the district still must wait on changes being pondered by state legislators. Click here to see the Canton Repository's article on Plain Local's levy passage.

If you're looking for homes in Plain Local, DeHOFF REALTORS can help. Use DeHOFF's website to find homes in Plain, Ohio, or search homes and real estate for sale throughout Stark County, Ohio.

DeHOFF REALTORS has over 70 real estate agents that can help with your Plain Local home needs. Click to search DeHOFF real estate agents.

5 Things to do Before Putting Your Home on the Market

1. Have a pre-sale home inspection. Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.

2. Organize and clean. Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and exercise equipment. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.

3. Get replacement estimates. Do you have big-ticket items that are worn our or will need to be replaced soon, such your roof or carpeting? Get estimates on how much it would cost to replace them, even if you don’t plan to do it yourself. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and will be handy when negotiations begin.

4. Find your warranties. Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer and dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house.

5. Spruce up the curb appeal. Pretend you’re a buyer and stand outside of your home. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? Are pretty flowers or plants framing the entrance? Is the walkway free from cracks and impediments?

Consumers...Homeownership Alliance...We Can Take You Home
The Ohio Homeownership Alliance (OHA) is a public-private partnership of organizations committed to increasing homeownership throughout Ohio.
Learn more about homeownership opportunities and resources in Ohio by coming to our home pages:
Ohio Bankers Association is a non-profit organization owned by the commercial and savings banks of Ohio. Each of its more than 200 member institutions is committed to providing financial services that keep Ohio's communities strong. Locate a bank in your community at http://www.obanet.com/.
Ohio State Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has funding and affordable 'Homes for Sale'. Visit us at http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=oh.
Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association (OMBA) is dedicated to maintaining a strong housing, residential and commercial real estate finance system. Connect with experts in mortgage services and mortgage industry-related firms at http://www.ohiomba.org/.
Ohio Association of REALTORS is the trade association-of-choice for Ohio's real estate brokers and sales agents, and certified appraisers. Reach a REALTOR at http://www.ohiorealtors.org/.
Ohio Home Builders Association (OHBA), a proactive voice representing the residential construction industry in Ohio, whose 9,000-plus members and associate vendors take pride in housing Ohioans. Visit us at http://www.ohiohba.com/.
Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) provides financing for the acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of single-family housing and multi-family rental projects for low- and moderate-income consumers. And check out our first-time homebuyer program at http://www.odod.state.oh.us/ohfa.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development provides financing for individuals and families to purchase homes in rural areas. For 'No Downpayment Home Loans' visit us at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/oh/housing.htm.
Ohio Insurance Institute (OII), committed to strengthening consumer understanding and confidence in Ohio's property and casualty insurance industry. For facts about your homeowner insurance needs and related safety issues, visit us at http://www.ohioinsurance.org/.

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS -- WWW.DEHOFF.COM

Learn everything you need to know about the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, including which purchasers and properties qualify and for how much. http://www.dehoff.com/