Lancaster · Move-Up Buyers
Selling and Buying Your Next Home in Lancaster, Ohio
Selling your home and buying your next one? I plan and coordinate both, so the move is as smooth as possible.
Moving up in Lancaster
Many people come to Lancaster because they want more house for their budget. If you already own a home here and want a bigger one, you are doing two transactions at once, and the order matters.
We begin with a plan. I prepare a comparative market analysis of your Lancaster home so you can see its potential market value and your estimated proceeds after selling expenses. Then we work out what you can spend on the next one with your lender.
Talk to Jill About Your Move
Two moves, one plan
I coordinate listing your home, reviewing offers, searching for your next one, inspections, financing and closing dates, so the two sides fit together. Depending on your situation, we may talk about a home-sale contingency or about negotiating extra time in your current home after closing. Each option has advantages and risks, and I explain them.
We also plan for the unexpected: what happens if your home sells before you find another, or you find the right home first. More on my move-up page.
What Lancaster adds to the plan
Lots of Lancaster homes sit outside the city limits, and there is more opportunity for acreage nearby. If your next home is one of them, I walk you through what that means for that property before you write an offer. If it is in one of the newer subdivisions, ask about the HOA fee first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sell my Lancaster home before I buy?
It depends on your situation. We work with your lender to explore your options, such as selling first or carrying two mortgages for a short time, and decide the best approach together.
What if I find a home before mine sells?
We talk about that ahead of time and make backup plans, so you are prepared whichever happens first.
Lancaster
What move-up buyers looks like in Lancaster
Older neighborhoods, a couple of newer subdivisions and lots of homes outside the city, about 40 minutes from Columbus.
- The homes
- Older neighborhoods without HOAs, a couple of newer subdivisions with HOAs, and plenty of homes outside the city limits.
- Why people choose it
- People choose Lancaster for its historic small city feel. It isn't as crowded as Columbus or Pickerington, the commute to Columbus isn't bad, homes are generally more affordable, and there is more opportunity for acreage nearby. It attracts buyers who want more house for their budget.
- Schools people ask about
- Lancaster City Schools has two junior high schools and one high school, in a new building that opened this fall.
- Getting around
- Columbus is about 40 minutes from Lancaster, and Hocking Hills, a big attraction area, is about 30 minutes away.
- Nearby
- Downtown Lancaster has several restaurants and shops, including O'Huids Gaelic Pub, Provisions Deli and Bakery, Maria's Mexican restaurant, Bob's Backyard BBQ and the Ale House, plus the Sherman House Museum (where General Sherman was born), the Ohio Glass Museum, the Georgian Museum, the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in the historic Reese-Peters House, Gay Fad Studio, and Art & Clay on Main Street.
- The trade-off
- Compared with Pickerington, Lancaster has a historic small city feel, homes that are generally more affordable, and more opportunity for acreage nearby.
Move-Up Buyers: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Jill Howell?