Dee Bares

06/03/2026

Coldwell Banker Realty appears to have the strongest overall representation among top producers, with more agents ranked in the top standings than any other brokerage shown.

06/03/2026

06/02/2026

❓ What should I NOT do before closing?

Don’t finance furniture. Don’t buy a car. Don’t quit your job. Don’t move money around without talking to your lender. Don’t miss payments. The financial picture that got you approved should remain as stable as possible until after closing.

📞 Every question is important.

Dee Bares
☎️ 513-223-3242
Dee Bares -Casa Nueva Vida Nueva

NMLS #2291911

06/02/2026

If so, review your closing documents before considering a refinance. Depending on the program, refinancing before a certain period has passed could require repayment of some or all of the down payment assistance you received.

Dee Bares -Casa Nueva Vida Nueva
NMLS 2291911

06/02/2026

I’m getting a lot of calls from homeowners wanting to refinance because they heard about the new low OHFA rates.

Before you get excited about the rate, ask yourself this:

⚠️ DID YOU RECEIVE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE when you bought your home?

If so, review your closing documents before considering a refinance. Depending on the program, refinancing before a certain period has passed could require repayment of some or all of the down payment assistance you received.

ALSO CONSIDER:

• How much did you pay in DISCOUNT POINTS to get your current rate?

• How much will the REFINANCE COST?

• How long have you been in your current loan?

• Will the monthly savings outweigh the costs?

⚠️ REMEMBER: REFINANCING IS NOT FREE.

As a lender, I’d rather give you honest advice than push a loan that doesn’t benefit you. Sometimes refinancing makes sense, and sometimes it doesn’t.

If you paid points to obtain your current rate, are you willing to lose the benefit of money you’ve already spent?

⚠️ A LOWER RATE DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN A BETTER FINANCIAL DECISION.

For many homeowners, refinancing into a new 30 year mortgage means resetting the amortization schedule. After years of making payments, you may already be past the stage where the largest portion of each payment goes toward interest.

Before making a decision, look at the COMPLETE PICTURE, NOT JUST THE RATE.

If you’re considering refinancing, let’s review the numbers and determine whether it truly makes financial sense for your situation

📲 Dee Bares -Casa Nueva Vida Nueva
NMLS 2291911

06/02/2026

Understand What Actually Builds a FICO Score

The main FICO factors are:

1. Payment history — about 35%
2. Credit utilization — about 30%
3. Length of credit history — about 15%
4. New credit/inquiries — about 10%
5. Credit mix — about 10%

The two fastest-moving categories are:

* utilization
* recent payment behavior

That’s where most rapid score improvement happens.

06/02/2026

As a lender, I see this happen all the time. Realtors put buyers under contract on properties that don’t qualify for OHFA, and then the lender ends up being blamed for the problem.

Verifying property eligibility before an offer is submitted can prevent a lot of headaches for everyone involved.

BUYERS: Ask questions. Don’t assume a property qualifies.

REALTORS: Do your due diligence. Verify eligibility before writing the offer.

A GOOD REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL will take a few minutes to do the research. It can prevent a lot of headaches later and help get you to the closing table. 🙏🏼💜🏡

06/02/2026

📲 Dee Bares 513-223-3242
Dee Bares -Casa Nueva Vida Nueva

06/02/2026

Itzhak Perlman remains one of the most celebrated violinists in the world, and his performance of the theme from Schindler’s List is often regarded as one of the defining recordings of his career.

Many violinists can play the notes of Schindler’s List, but few can make the violin speak the way Itzhak Perlman does.

When the violin cries, and your heart weeps along with it…

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06/02/2026

BEFORE YOU GET EXCITED ABOUT OHFA RATES AS LOW AS 3.5%, take a look at the official OHFA Target Area map.

Many of the posts being shared highlight the rate but don’t always explain that PROPERTY LOCATION CAN MATTER. Not every property is located within an eligible Target Area, and income limits and other program requirements may also apply.

If you see a low rate advertised without the full eligibility requirements, you may begin shopping for homes believing you qualify, only to learn later that the property location, income limits, or other program guidelines MAKE YOU INELIGIBLE for that specific rate or program.

THE RATES ARE REAL. THE PROGRAMS ARE REAL. But YOU DESERVE THE FULL PICTURE before you start planning around a specific loan program.

If a low rate or down payment assistance program is an important part of your STRATEGY, make sure you understand the requirements BEFORE YOU TOUR HOMES OR MAKE AN OFFER. The last thing you want is to fall in love with a home, only to discover later that the property or your situation doesn’t qualify for the program you were counting on.

ASK QUESTIONS. REVIEW THE REQUIREMENTS. UNDERSTAND YOUR OPTIONS.

GOOD PROFESSIONALS EDUCATE FIRST AND SELL SECOND.