Category: Blog

Richland County, Ohio has become one of the quickest growing economic areas in the last few years. With communities like Mansfield, Lexington, and Shelby shifting focus to the growth of small businesses Richland County is having lots of business open and established ones are expanding. With being a center point between Cleveland and Columbus there is a lot of opportunity for families and business people alike.

Richland County has a population of just over 120,000. The population is composed of prominently homeowners and citizens who identify as conservatives. While a large portion of residents own there home, the rent for Richland County properties is far below the national median sitting around $650 monthly. Attractions like Snow Trails, B & O Bike Trail, Malabar Farm, Mohican State Park, and the Mansfield Carousel District all call the county home. There is a branch of The Ohio State University, as well as North Central State College, Madison Adult Career Center and Pioneer Career and Technical Center creating expanded educational opportunities for residents. There are many community events such as Mansfield’s Final Fridays, Shelby Bicycle Days, and Lexington Blueberry Festival for all ages to enjoy.

OhioHealth Mansfield Hosptial, Catalyst Life Services, and Jay Industries are three of the area’s leading employers with Gorman-Rupp, Hi-Point Firearms, and NextGen films being at the top of the list as well. With the recent inflation of business growth as well as these long term employers, Richland County was awarded a B (on an A-F scale) from Niche.com for employment opportunities. The cost of living is lower than the national average, so the average household income of $44k a year makes for comfortable living.

There are a plethora of public and private schools for students to attend with each city, town, and village having their own district for the most part. There are a large number of private religious-based schooling options such as St. Peter’s and Mansfield Christian School. Alternative Education Centers for youth that have been in trouble or need extra guidance. The area was rated as a mid-range C for crime, although strong efforts are being made to reduce the crime rate. National Median Crime rate for 2018 was rated as a 4, which puts Richland County’s 4.2 just above the average.

Whether you are an individual, family, or retiree Richland County is sure to have an area suit for the property you are looking for. From ranches farmhouses in the rolling hills to city neighborhoods and small towns Ark Realty wants to help you find the perfect Richland County property to call home. Our agents have deep rooted local roots and can help you focus in on a city, town, or village that best fits your lifestyle. For more about homes in Richland County, visit our office listings.

Crawford County Ohio has long been considered the Bratwurst Capital of America with its German Roots and Carle’s Bratwurst headquarters, but the area has a lot of great things to offer for someone moving to the area. With small towns and a rural feel while being a center point between larger Ohio cities, it’s a convenient spot for someone looking to settle down with a family or spend their retired years.

The county as a whole has just over 42,000 residents with most of them being found in Bucyrus and Galion. Both of these small towns have been focusing on rebuilding small businesses and finding new opportunities for community events. With Bucyrus having First Friday and Galion having Third Friday, it has given the businesses a new way to connect with residents. Both towns are opening new parks and recreational areas and making updates to long-standing parks. Schools come by no shortage with six public school districts and several religion-based districts within the county. Each school offers standard education, sport teams, and extra-curricular clubs. North Central State College offers secondary education classes in Bucyrus as well.

The area offers 5 main industrial employers, and has many local businesses based employment opportunities. With Avita Health Systems moving into the Crawford County Healthcare sector has opened a large job field with high demand. The average household income sits roughly around $42,000 a year. The cost of living is considered to be low on the Niche Living Scale. The low cost of living creates an ideal living area for middle-class Americans. Most Crawford County Residents own their home, but renting is not uncommon within the county either. Home prices are on average about half of the national median sale price while rental options are in the 75% cost percentile when comparing to the national percentile.

Crawford County offers a strong justice system that had drastically reduced the crime rate in the last 5 years. Violent crimes and property crimes are both now rated B on an A-F scale. Within those 5 years, the county has also seen an influx in older population, and an increase of residents with a college education. With the communities looking to find new commerce and building opportunities, it is expected that the positive trend will be continued through the next 5 years and beyond.

Moving to Crawford County offers a lot of benefits to any family or individual. With job opportunities, community engagement, and plenty of ways to enjoy what is to offer there is truly something for anyone. Ark Realty wants to help you find a home or property in Crawford County where you can call home and thrive along with the growth.

1. Determine how much you can afford, and get pre-approved — How do you figure out how much you can afford? The recommended starting amount is a property that is two, no more than three, times your household income. Of course, your down payment, credit, and debt to income ratio will also come into play here. Once you have an idea of what your budget is, it’s time to head to the bank. The lender will help you get pre-qualified. You’ll provide basic details about your current finances, like income, savings, and investments you have. Later down the line, the banker will look a little more in-depth to get you approved for credit.
2. Find a real estate agent and property search — Once you know what you can afford, and a general idea of what loan amount you can get approved for, it’s time to find a real estate agent to work with. Your agent will help you through the home buying process from start to finish. They can help provide you with information about the neighborhoods you are looking in. Once you find a home, that meets your needs, the agent will help you make sure the home is ready and help negotiate the sale. While looking at homes, it can be helpful to make notes of things you like and do not like to look for in future properties. Checking things like plumbing and electricity are in working order are small details that seem like no big deal, but can be costly for you if missed.
3. You found a home, now what? — Congrats, you finally found a place that you fell in love with! Put in an offer. This moves the house into something called escrow. Now it’s time to get back with your lender. Loan approval should be an easy step since you’ve been pre-approved. You should plan to discuss your finances in more depth and bring things like w-2 and tax information, pay stubs, and bank statements. While your waiting for your loan is a prime time to have the house professionally inspected. Your agent can help arrange the inspection. The house will be checked over for anything that could need a major repair, like structural or utility damage. Depending on this inspection, you may need to negotiate fixes be completed before closing, or withdraw your interest at all. You should also have the home appraised. This will tell you that the listing price is fair for the home, and the neighborhood it’s in.
4. Closing — You’re happy with the home inspection results are clear, the appraisal is fair, and have your loan approved so now you’re ready to start closing the sale. Your lender should arrange the paperwork to be done through a title company. This will include checking that there are no issues with the property being able to be sold and your loan information. Shortly after the paperwork is completed, the check will be delivered to the seller and the home is yours!

The right agent can be a big difference. Your agent can turn around and help you sell your previous property, or even help you move your valuables. Home buying can be stressful but with the right agent, it can be a smooth and easy process. Let Ark Realty agents help find your new home!

Congratulations on your decision to move! There is one question you should answer before you start looking. Do you want to buy it? Or rent? You may have a thought in mind already but there are pros and cons to both options, and they can change depending on where you are at this stage of life. Here are some things to consider at the beginning of your home hunting.

Commitment

Is this a permanent move? Are you thinking about growing your family? Would you move for a new job? Knowing how long you want to stay in a new home should influence your decision to rent or buy. Buying can make sense if you are planning to stay at your new location for at least 5-7 years. If you change your mind and decide to move after buying a house, you could be saddling yourself with a lot of debt and paperwork. Renters have the flexibility to sign leases and move when they want. Buying a house is a commitment and you must be prepared to stick to it. That commitment comes with a lot of benefits! You can now decorate, remodel, and make this place your own! You also have the stability of being your own landlord and not being forced to move out. Deciding the level of commitment you want to put into your new home is crucial in the buy vs. rent decision.

Freedom

Both buying and renting come with their own kinds of freedom. As mentioned in above point, renting has a limited lease, allowing you to move once it is up, but a landlord still can ask you to leave. A house you have bought comes with the freedom to do as you please: get a cat, play your music loud, burn candles, or just go crazy! Renters will have to agree to the rules put down by their landlords or face eviction. But renters make a deal with their landlords and in exchange for this rule-following, they are free from the responsibilities of repairs, maintenance, and other unpleasant duties. Homeowners have a responsibility to care for their own homes or live with the consequences. Which of these freedoms is most important to you?

Cost

Finally, we come to the cost. Many people always assume it is cheaper to rent than to buy. This is not necessarily true. You have to compare similarly sized homes and neighborhoods to get a true comparison. Several factors are still in play even then: where you live, the direction of the housing market, interest rates, and your return on investment. Here are a few things to consider. Do you have a steady income? Whether buying or renting, paying your bills is a must. Buying a home can be the same monthly cost as renting, just stretched over a longer period of time. But if your financial situation changes, it is much easier to get out of a lease than a mortgage. When buying, in addition to the initial price there are also fees, down payment, closing costs, and interest payments to consider as you budget. Depending on where you are financially, the answer to buying or renting is different for many people.

As you get started on your search, consider what is important to you. How long do you want to stay in your new home? What sort of freedom or perks are you looking forward to? How much can you afford to spend? Answering these questions can help get you on the right path to your new home. Happy hunting!