by Tammy Murphy | Oct 3, 2025 | Current Events, Estate Planning, Facing Foreclosure, Neighbor Chat, Real Estate News, Real Homes to Love
Feature Topic: Property Taxes — Then vs. Now
Property taxes in Ohio have become one of the biggest burdens on homeowners. Let’s look at a real-world example:
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2018: A family buys a home for $150,000 in Montgomery County. At that time, their property taxes were roughly $2,800/year.
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2025: That same home may now be valued closer to $225,000 (a 50% increase). Property taxes have climbed to about $4,200/year.
That’s an extra $1,400 every year — without the family making any changes or upgrades. Over 7 years, this adds up to nearly $10,000 more out of their pocket.
This is why Property Tax Reform is such an urgent issue. Homeownership should create stability — not financial strain.
❗ Surprising Fact
Ohio law requires schools to get the first 20 “mills” of property taxes, no matter what happens to values. That floor keeps taxes from ever dropping, even when home values rise dramatically.
Property Tax Reform – Have You Signed Yet?
I’m helping organize a petition for Property Tax Reform in Ohio. If you’d like to review the petition and add your signature, stop by my RH2L office. Every voice matters, and your support helps move this conversation forward.
by Tammy Murphy | Oct 1, 2025 | Current Events, Market Updates, Real Estate News, Real Homes to Love
The real estate market is shifting:
Homes are staying on the market longer
Sellers are offering incentives (home warranties, closing cost help, title coverage)
Price adjustments are popping up
Translation? Buyers have more room to negotiate, and sellers need a smart strategy to stand out.
And with new property tax assessments making the rounds, now’s a great time to check your home’s true market value — whether for peace of mind, to file a dispute, or just to keep tabs on your equity.
As always, referrals mean the world to me! If you know someone who’s thinking about a move, I’d love to help them navigate this season of change.
by Tammy Murphy | Aug 15, 2025 | Buyers, Investor Relations, Neighbor Chat, Networking, Real Estate News, Real Homes to Love
Let’s Talk: Property Taxes, Deed Scams, and Why Trusted Professionals Matter More Than Ever
If you’ve lived in the Dayton area for more than a minute, you’ve likely heard the buzz: rising property taxes, deed fraud cases, and a lot of folks wondering if they can “go it alone” in real estate to save a few bucks.
As your local broker and neighbor, I think it’s time we keep the conversation going — not with panic, but with perspective, knowledge, and solutions.
The Property Tax Question: Where’s It All Going?
You’re not imagining things — property tax bills have crept up, and many homeowners are now paying more despite no major changes to their homes. While school funding and community infrastructure are important, transparency and fairness are equally critical.
What you can do:
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Make sure your property is assessed correctly (yes, errors happen!)
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Learn how levies work and when to vote on them
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Speak up at local meetings or connect with others advocating for reform
Want a real-time look at what your home is worth in today’s market (not just the tax office’s guess)? Let’s talk — I can provide a no-pressure CMA.
️♂️ Deed Scams Are Real — But Preventable
We’ve seen a rise in deed scams and title fraud — especially targeting seniors and out-of-town owners. Scammers file false documents to try to “claim” ownership of your property.
Protect yourself by:
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Signing up for property fraud alerts through your County Recorder’s Office
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Monitoring mail for unexpected notices tied to your home
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Working with a trusted real estate professional and title company when buying or refinancing
Bonus tip: If you’re unsure what notices are legit, send them to me — I’ll happily review them for you.
The Value of Working With Real Estate Professionals
In a world of DIY tools and online listings, it might seem like you can handle buying or selling a home solo. But when things go wrong — and they often do — you want someone who knows how to navigate the curves.
✅ Pricing strategies
✅ Legal disclosures
✅ Contract deadlines
✅ Negotiation power
✅ And yes — avoiding scams or unexpected fees
This isn’t just a transaction — it’s your home, your equity, and your peace of mind.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
If you’ve had questions about your property taxes, concerns about recent scams, or just need advice on whether now is the right time to make a move — you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Send me a message
Give me a call / text 937-838-0997
☕ Or come sit down over a cup of coffee / tea — no pressure, just real answers.
Let’s protect what you’ve worked hard for — and make informed decisions together.
by Tammy Murphy | Aug 2, 2025 | Market Updates, Neighbor Chat, Networking, Real Estate News, Real Homes to Love
July 2025 Real Estate Market Update: Strong Summer Momentum in Dayton
Hello, Dayton! Summer is in full swing, and the local housing market is showing continued resilience and growth. July 2025 brought impressive gains in home prices and sales, reinforcing the strong upward trend in the Miami Valley’s real estate market.
Homes Sold: 1,426 (+5.8% YoY)
Total Sales Volume: $434M (+13.9%)
Median Price: $270,000 (+9%)
Average Price: $304,479 (+7.7%)
New Listings: 1,837 (+12.3%)
Active Inventory: 2,357 homes (1.65-month supply)
July’s data shows that buyers remain active in the market, and homes continue to sell at their asking price, maintaining a 100% sale-to-list price ratio. This is a clear signal of a healthy, competitive market.
Homes Sold: 8,251 (-2.8% YoY)
Sales Volume: $2.42B (+2.9%)
Median Price: $255,000 (+7.1%)
Average Price: $293,666 (+5.9%)
New Listings: 10,746 (+3.9%)
Even with a small dip in total units sold year-to-date, the upward movement in prices and total sales volume shows that the Dayton market remains strong. Buyers are paying more for homes, and sellers are seeing steady appreciation in property values.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
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For Sellers: Rising median and average prices, along with a strong sale-to-list ratio, make this an excellent time to consider listing your home. Even with inventory levels increasing, homes continue to sell quickly and at competitive prices.
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For Buyers: While sales are slightly down, the influx of new listings provides more options. With prices on the rise, acting sooner rather than later can help secure a home before values climb further.
Let’s Connect!
The Dayton market continues to offer opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you’d like a no-obligation assessment of your home’s value or want to explore your buying power in today’s market, we’re here to help. Reach out and let’s make your real estate goals a reality!
by Tammy Murphy | Jul 26, 2025 | Estate Planning, Neighbor Chat, Real Homes to Love, Sellers, Senior Living
Downsizing Sounds Simple — So Why Do So Many People Regret It?
When you hear the word “downsizing,” you probably picture something positive:
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A simpler lifestyle
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Lower bills
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Less to clean and manage
And sure — all of that can be true.
But here’s the thing no one talks about:
Downsizing is just as emotional — and sometimes more complicated — than moving into your first home.
Because it’s not just about square footage.
It’s about shifting your lifestyle, your priorities, and sometimes your identity.
The Real Cost of “Just Getting Out”
Many homeowners tell me they’re ready to “get out of this big house” or “finally let go of all this stuff.”
But when we dig deeper, what they’re really saying is:
“I’m not sure what comes next… and I just want someone to help me make sense of it.”
If that’s you — I hear you.
I’ve worked with dozens of clients who made quick downsizing decisions… and ended up regretting parts of the process they didn’t think to plan for. And the frustrating part? These regrets were 100% avoidable.
It’s Not Just a Move — It’s a Life Shift
Selling your longtime home isn’t just about packing boxes. It’s about:
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Releasing a version of your life that may have worked for decades
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Letting go of items tied to memories, not just utility
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Planning for health, energy, and lifestyle needs you haven’t even experienced yet
It’s not scary. But it does deserve some thoughtful prep.
Before You Sell, Watch This
I just recorded a quick 3-minute video that breaks down the three biggest regrets people have when they downsize too soon. It’s short, direct, and based on real-life stories I’ve seen over and over again.
Watch VIDEO here:
Even if you’re just thinking about downsizing — you’ll be glad you saw this first.
Grab the Free Checklist That Goes With It
To help you take the next step — with clarity — I’ve created a Downsizer Readiness Checklist. It covers the emotional, financial, and logistical parts of this process that most people overlook.
✅ Know what to keep, donate, or toss
✅ Think through your health and aging needs
✅ Avoid financial surprises
✅ Make the move with purpose, not panic
Download the checklist here
You Deserve to Downsize With Confidence
If you’ve outgrown your current space — or it’s outgrown you — you deserve a next home that supports your lifestyle and your peace of mind.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Let’s talk through your options — no pressure, just a real conversation about what’s right for you.
Call or Text Tammy at 937-838-0997
Or email me directly at [email protected]
by Tammy Murphy | Jul 23, 2025 | BLOG, Current Events, Neighbor Chat, Networking, Real Estate News, Real Homes to Love
✈️ Ready to Vacation? Don’t Forget These Home Safety Tips!
As summer peaks and travel plans take off, there’s one checklist every traveler should complete before heading out the door—and it’s not your packing list. It’s your Home Safety Checklist.
We believe in seamless travel experiences from start to finish—and that includes peace of mind while you’re away. That’s why The REAL-TEA Podcast hopes to bring you a powerful reminder that smart travel includes smart security at home. Our co-host at MapDotTravels is available if you have NOT yet booked your vacation or need any help in making plans!
️ Mark Your Calendar:
Tune in to our upcoming episode of The REAL-TEA on August 5th, where Elle and Tammy share their favorite vacation spots and the essential home safety tips every homeowner needs before traveling.
They’ll dive into:
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Vacation planning made easy ️
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Smart tech tools that add security without hassle
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Common-sense tips that save you from costly mistakes
Here’s a Sneak Peek of What You’ll Learn:
Before you hop on that plane or hit the road, here are just a few things you should do:
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Use smart plugs to automate lighting while you’re away.
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Pause mail delivery so your home doesn’t scream “nobody’s home.”
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Install motion sensor lights to deter unwanted visitors.
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Avoid oversharing on social media until you return.
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Let a trusted neighbor know you’re gone and ask them to keep an eye out.
Want the full checklist?
Home Safety Checklist for Vacation – your must-have guide to prepping your home before a trip!
From Elle:
“As a full-service travel advisor with MapDotTravels, I want every trip to start stress-free and end with beautiful memories—not home emergencies. This checklist is part of the full-circle service we offer—making sure your home is safe while you enjoy the world.”
