Lori Crabtree Realtor

02/22/2026

I’ve been showing a lot of fun houses this week. My favorite had a beautifulky finished opening/door in a wall to the basement stairs for cat access. It was shaped like a Gothic arch, with trim molding!

11/06/2025

NAR just published that only 21% of buyers are first timers -- the lowest percentage recorded since they started tracking in 1981. The average age of that buyer is 40. In the 1980's, most first-time home buyers were in their 20's. That time delay - let's say 15 years of non-ownership - averages a $150,000 loss in equity.

That's huge. I hate that folks are missing out on that kind of equity. First-time home buyer programs still exist. If anyone wonders what might be possible, holler.

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08/14/2025

As ever, our local market is complicated and doesn’t reflect national news. If you’re planning to list, it’s never too early to make a plan of action. If you’ve been thinking about buying, the same applies. Avoid talking heads on social media, even if their videos are compelling. Talk to your local expert who’s been navigating this market for more than a decade (hint: me).

06/25/2025

Psssst - you can buy a house with as little as 3% down, and sometimes it's possible for that to come in the form of a grant. Tell your friends.

06/05/2025

If you buy a house with established landscaping, give everything a full bloom cycle before making big changes. That old fashioned lilac might smell like magic in the spring. The rose bush might have blooms that change colors as they age and look wonderful in a vase. Clean it up & by all means ditch the invasive, but give yourself a year of someone else’s labor to see what happens!

05/14/2025

For someone thinking about selling, start talking to an agent before you spend money doing things to your house. An agent comes in with the perspective of not just what buyers in your market want, but what an inspector is going to find, or what an appraiser may call out. I've had folks spend so much money resolving things that have always bothered them, when what they really needed to do was paint their garage door. Always consult an expert. (Hint: it me.)

04/18/2025

This came up in a recent convo at an event, and it feels worth sharing. I'm not a mortgage broker (but I know some great ones!), but know enough to share this -
* 20% down is a myth. It's great, but not required.
* 3% down can get a conventional loan; 3.5% for FHA
* Some houses can be purchased for as little as $500 in closing costs.
* Downpayment assistance programs still exist.
* You can buy a *new* house for as little as 2% down.
* You don't need perfect credit. A 780 is great, but you can get a loan with scores in the 600s.
* Credit is very fixable for most people. HUGE changes can often be made within 6 months. Most people struggle with terrible credit at some point (including yours truly) - sometimes all that's needed are small adjustments to timing of payments or amounts.
* The Central Ohio market still isn't predicted to have any kind of downturn or softening. More people are moving here than are leaving. The cost of housing isn't going down any time soon, and while buying isn't for everyone, it can inflation-proof the biggest expense any of us has.

03/16/2025

Realtor.com did an article about exterior house colors & posted this study by Sherwin Williams. And I want to tell you - don’t let future resale keep you from having a colorful house! Buyers are SO TIRED of the grey.

03/04/2025

I’m proud to be a REALTOR®️. Specifically to be a member of Ohio and Columbus Realtors, where we believe that diversity makes us strong; that we fight for equity because it’s what is right; and that including everyone builds the kinds of communities we dream about.

02/25/2025

Realtor.com published their 10 Most Popular Neighborhoods list, and while none in Ohio made the top 10, there’s a central Ohio neighborhood in the “5 additional” that might surprise you.