http://leannesteiff.e-merge.com/blog/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ The Licking County Home Guide | By Leanne Steiff, REALTOR®, Lenne Steiff Sells Homes at e-Merge Real Estate | Updated September, 2026 Closing day is when you sign the final paperwork and get the keys. In Ohio, closings usually happen at a title company and take about an hour. Bring a photo ID, have your funds ready by wire or certified check, and call the title company to confirm wire instructions before you send any money.What should I bring to closing?A valid photo IDYour closing funds, by wire or certified checkProof of homeowners insurance, if your lender asksAny documents your lender or title company requestedHow do I avoid wire fraud?Scammers send fake emails with new wire instructions. Never trust wire instructions sent by email alone. Call the title company at a number you know is real to confirm before sending money.What will I sign?You'll sign the promissory note and mortgage, the final Closing Disclosure and several other lender and title documents. The closer explains each one. Take your time and ask questions.When do I get the keys?Usually at closing or shortly after, once the deed is recorded and funds are released. Your agent will confirm timing ahead of time."Closing should be a celebration, not a surprise. If we've done our jobs, the table is just signatures and handshakes." (Leanne Steiff)FAQHow long does a closing take in Ohio?About an hour for most buyers, sometimes less if everything is reviewed ahead of time.Can I close without going to the title company?Sometimes. Ask your title company about remote or mobile closing options.When will I see my final closing costs?On your Closing Disclosure, which you'll get at least three business days before closing.Have questions about buying in Licking County? Contact Leanne Steiff, REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate, at (614) 531-0546 or LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com. About Leanne Steiff: Leanne Steiff is a top-selling REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate and the agent behind Leanne Steiff Sells Homes. She's earned multiple sales awards and is a volunteer and leader in her community. Call (614) 531-0546 or visit LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com.  http://leannesteiff.e-merge.com/blog/337/closing-day-in-ohio:-what-to-bring-and-what-to-expect/ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:22:04 -0500 Many homes in rural Licking County use a private well for water and a septic system instead of city sewer. That's normal here, but it means a few extra steps before you buy. Test the well water, have the septic system pumped and inspected, and ask the seller for any maintenance records.What should a well inspection include?A water test for bacteria (like coliform) and nitrates is the minimum. Many buyers also check the flow rate, the well's condition and the pump. Your lender may require a water test for some loan types.What should a septic inspection include?A septic inspector typically pumps the tank, checks its condition and looks at how the drain field is working. A septic replacement can be expensive, so this inspection is worth every penny.How do I take care of a well and septic?Have the septic tank pumped every few yearsDon't pour grease, chemicals or wipes down the drainKeep cars and heavy equipment off the drain fieldTest your well water once a yearWho regulates wells and septic in Licking County?The Licking County Health Department handles private water systems and septic systems. They're a good resource for records, permits and local rules."The biggest surprise for buyers moving out from Columbus is wells and septic. Out here it's normal, but you want both inspected before you commit." (Leanne Steiff)FAQIs well water safe to drink?It can be, but test it. A lab test for bacteria and nitrates tells you if the water is safe or needs treatment.How often should a septic tank be pumped?Every few years for most households, depending on tank size and how many people live in the home.Can I get a mortgage on a home with a well and septic?Yes. Some loan types require a passing water test or septic inspection, so ask your lender early.Have questions about buying in Licking County? Contact Leanne Steiff, REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate, at (614) 531-0546 or LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com. About Leanne Steiff: Leanne Steiff is a top-selling REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate and the agent behind Leane Steiff Sells Homes. She's earned multiple sales awards and is a volunteer and leader in her community. Call (614) 531-0546 or visit LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com. http://leannesteiff.e-merge.com/blog/334/buying-a-home-with-a-well-and-septic-in-licking-county/ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 09:12:34 -0500 A home inspection in Licking County usually happens within the first week or two after your offer is accepted. A licensed inspector spends about 2 to 4 hours checking the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling. You get a written report, then decide whether to ask the seller for repairs, a credit or nothing at all.What does a home inspector check?Roof, gutters and atticFoundation, basement and signs of waterElectrical panel and outletsPlumbing and water heaterFurnace and air conditioningWindows, doors and appliancesWhat add-on inspections should I consider?Radon testing is a smart add-on in Ohio. Depending on the home, you may also want a well and septic inspection, a wood-destroying insect inspection or a sewer line scope. Your agent can help you decide.Should I go to the inspection?Yes, at least for the last half hour. The inspector can show you what they found, where the shut-offs are and how things work. It's the best free homeowner class you'll ever get.What should I ask the seller to fix?Focus on safety issues and big-ticket items, like the roof, furnace, electrical or water problems. Small cosmetic stuff is normal in any home and usually not worth negotiating over."Every inspection report looks scary at first. My job is to help buyers sort what really matters from the normal wear and tear." (Leanne Steiff)FAQIs a home inspection required in Ohio?No, but it's strongly recommended. It's your best chance to learn about a home's condition before you commit.Who pays for the home inspection?The buyer usually pays the inspector directly, typically at the time of the inspection.Can I back out after the inspection?If your contract includes an inspection contingency, you can usually negotiate or cancel within the agreed time frame.Have questions about buying in Licking County? Contact Leanne Steiff, REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate, at (614) 531-0546 or LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com. About Leanne Steiff: Leanne Steiff is a top-selling REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate and the agent behind Leanne Steiff Sells Homes. She's earned multiple sales awards and is a volunteer and leader in her community. Call (614) 531-0546 or visit LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com. http://leannesteiff.e-merge.com/blog/333/what-to-expect-at-a-home-inspection-in-licking-county/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:04:05 -0500 The Licking County Home Guide | By Leanne Steiff, REALTOR®, Steiff Sells Homes at e-Merge Real Estate | Updated October 9, 2026 A strong offer in Licking County is about more than price. In September 2026, homes sold for 99.6% of list price on average, so lowball offers rarely work on new listings. What wins is a fair price backed by recent sales, clean terms, a solid pre-approval and a closing date that works for the seller.How do I decide what to offer?Your agent pulls recent sales of similar homes nearby. That tells you what the home is worth today, not just what the seller is asking. Homes that have been on the market a while often have more room to negotiate.What makes an offer strong besides price?A full pre-approval from a reputable lenderA larger earnest money depositA closing date that fits the seller's plansFewer requests, like skipping minor repair asksFlexibility on things the seller cares about, like a short rent-backShould I write a letter to the seller?Skip it. Personal letters can raise fair housing concerns, and many listing agents won't pass them along. Let your terms do the talking.What if there are multiple offers?Decide your top number before you write the offer, not in the heat of the moment. Your agent can suggest options like an escalation clause, but never go past what you're comfortable paying."The best offers I write aren't always the highest. They're the ones that make the seller's life easier." (Leanne Steiff)FAQShould I offer under asking in Licking County?On fresh, well-priced listings, offers well below asking rarely work. On homes that have sat longer, there's often room to negotiate. How much earnest money should I offer?It's negotiable. A larger deposit shows the seller you're serious. Your agent can suggest an amount that fits the price and market. Can I ask the seller to pay closing costs?Yes, you can ask for seller concessions. It works best when the price and terms are otherwise strong.Have questions about buying in Licking County? Contact Leanne Steiff, REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate, at (614) 531-0546 or LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com. About Leanne Steiff: Leanne Steiff is a top-selling REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate and the agent behind Steiff Sells Homes. She's earned multiple sales awards and is a volunteer and leader in her community. Call (614) 531-0546 or visit LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com.  http://leannesteiff.e-merge.com/blog/331/how-to-make-a-strong-offer-on-a-home-in-licking-county/ Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:08:09 -0500 How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage in Licking County (and Why It Comes First)The Licking County Home Guide | By Leanne Steiff, REALTOR®, Leanne Steiff Sells Homes at e-Merge Real Estate | Updated October 9, 2026 Getting pre-approved is the first step to buying a home in Licking County, Ohio. A lender checks your income, savings and credit, then tells you in writing how much you can borrow. Most sellers won't take an offer seriously without a pre-approval letter, and it keeps you from falling for a home you can't afford.What's the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved?A pre-qualification is a quick estimate based on what you tell the lender. A pre-approval means the lender has actually pulled your credit and reviewed your documents. Sellers and listing agents in Licking County expect a pre-approval, not a pre-qualification.What do I need to get pre-approved?Two recent pay stubs and the last two years of W-2s (or tax returns if you're self-employed)Two months of bank statementsA photo IDInfo on any debts: car loans, student loans, credit cardsDetails on any gift money for your down paymentHow long does a pre-approval last?Most pre-approval letters are good for 60 to 90 days. If your search runs longer, your lender will refresh it with updated pay stubs and bank statements.Should I talk to more than one lender?Yes. Rates and fees vary, so compare at least two Loan Estimates. Ask each lender about FHA, VA, USDA (parts of rural Licking County qualify) and Ohio Housing Finance Agency down payment help."I tell every buyer: talk to a lender before you talk to me about houses. It's a lot more fun to shop when you already know your number." (Leanne Steiff)FAQDoes getting pre-approved hurt my credit?A pre-approval includes a credit check, which can cause a small, temporary dip. Several mortgage credit checks within a short window are usually treated as one.How much house can I afford in Licking County?Your lender decides based on income, debts and credit. For reference, the typical Licking County home sold for $340,000 in September 2026.Can I get pre-approved with no money down?VA and USDA loans can allow 0% down if you're eligible. Ask your lender which programs fit.Have questions about buying in Licking County? Contact Leanne Steiff, REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate, at (614) 531-0546 or LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com. About Leanne Steiff: Leanne Steiff is a top-selling REALTOR® with e-Merge Real Estate and the agent behind Leanne Steiff Sells Homes. She's earned multiple sales awards and is a volunteer and leader in her community. Call (614) 531-0546 or visit LeanneSteiff.e-merge.com.  http://leannesteiff.e-merge.com/blog/329/how-to-get-pre-approved-for-a-mortgage-in-licking-county/ Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:56:23 -0500