Shanna N. Lafontaine
RE/MAX Affiliates Inc.
614-599-HOME (4663)
"Your Home, My Serious Business"


Let me be your REALTOR FOR LIFE!

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Thank you for visiting me on the web. My site contains a multitude of tools to help you search for your next home, sell your existing home and learn more about buying and selling real estate.

Sit back, relax and have fun while browsing through the options.  Check out "Why use a realtor?" to better understand the importance of working with a professional, and be sure to check out the local info link to pick up lots of useful information about greater Columbus.

If you are thinking of building your dream home or planning on buying new construction check out New Homes and Construction to learn more about buying a brand new home.

If you are moving to Columbus from another part of Ohio or from out of state you will find my FREE relocation package and local information sections useful.

If you are looking to sell your home please visit the Seller's Corner to learn how I can help you with the marketing and a quick sale of your home.  Also check out common Home Selling Mistakes to help prevent your home from sitting on the market while the competition sells.

I would be delighted to assist you with your next real estate transaction, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to provide you answers to any questions you may have, and become your realtor for life.

Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) program for first-time homebuyers 



The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) will be making $12.5 million in Mortgage Credit Certificates available to approximately the first 1,000 qualified homebuyers statewide.

  • Must be a first-time buyer
  • Loan must have closed on or after March 23
  • Can be used with the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit
  • Can be taken every year for the life of the loan

An MCC creates an income tax deduction that reduces a household's federal income tax liability and allows the household to have more available income to make mortgage payments.

Homebuyers who qualify receive a Mortgage Credit Certificate from OHFA, which can be used to reduce their household's tax burden every year for the life of their loan.  With an MCC, a percentageof what you pay in mortgage interest (20, 25, or 30 percent)  becomesa tax credit that you can deduct dollar-for-dollar from your income tax liability.

The remaining 80, 75, or 70 percent of mortgage interest continues to qualify as an itemized tax deduction, as long as you have sufficient tax liability.

 

 

March home sales up 54 percent

Numbers of home sales and new listings both on the increase

There were 1,704 central Ohio homes sold during March of 2010. This is 54.1 percent higher than the previous month and 25.3 percent higher than March of 2009. First quarter saw 3,873 homes sell in central Ohio which is 12.5 percent more than home sales during January through March of 2009, according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

There were 4,949 residential homes put on the market last month – a 44.3 percent increase over new listings the previous month and 32.8 percent higher than homes listed in March of 2009.

 “The central Ohio housing market is on fire right now,” exclaims Sue Lusk-Gleich, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.  “There’s no question the home buyer tax credits have a lot to do with our market activity. But the significant increase in listings as well as rising sale prices are clear evidence that our local market is regaining its strength.”

- Columbus Board of Realtors>