Central Ohio Real Estate Posts

Lockbox Sox!

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:25:12 -0600

Here in Central Ohio we've been getting into that wonderful wintery January weather...when cars slide around, it's too cold to move, the world is covered in ice-and-snow lasagna, and you promise to yourself that you'll never complain about showing homes in 99 degree heat again. You try to remember that the sun wasn't a figment of your imagination...

One of the little perks of winter is the frozen lockbox. In today's morning meeting we discussed this fun little obstacle, when one agent recounted a recent story. She told us how she finally got into one of her listings which she wanted to prep ahead of time for an impending showing.

Invoking the name of MacGyver, she explained that she thought of slipping a wool glove over the box for a bit while she scraped off the walk and gave things a few minutes to thaw. It worked -- and everyone lived happily ever after.

Now, not that I would want anyone to try selling us more gadgets and widgets for our businesses...but that could lead to an interesting product idea: Lockbox Sox!

(Oh sure, there are other names we could use, but that one rhymes.)

Happy New Year everyone!

Reduce : Reuse : RECYCLE...Crayons?

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:34:36 -0500

A post to a local Freecycle group brought my attention to this creative little idea. Most homes with kids tend to have a stock of crayons...so what happens when they wear down into tiny pieces or get broken? Of course, most will probably toss them out.

How about recycling those little bits into fun-shaped multicolored crayons? Many people use muffin tins, candy or jello molds, or individual mini cake tins to melt down crayon pieces at low heat. A Martha Stewart webpage seems to be a resource that many refer to.

If you just want to dispose of crayon bits, try the "National Crayon Recycling Program" at Crazy Crayons. You ship them over and they'll do the rest. Finished crayons can be ordered from them at the website. (They need pictures of their finished work!)

You can also find many sources for colorful recycled crayons from crafters across the web. This may not save the world...but it's one way to squeeze a little bit more fun out of something that would have ended up in the trash!

Spend $14 to save hundreds of $

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:47:50 -0500

One small thing we can all do to reduce our energy costs is to check our homes for air leakage and places where heated or cooled air is not getting where it's supposed to go.

Here's a great tip for sealing air leaks from an agent who has become more aware of potential energy waste in his own home's heating and cooling system.

Do this now before things cool down around Central Ohio, and save!

Via Mike Hogan, MBA, EcoBroker:

Would you spend $14 to save yourself Hundreds of $ over the course of a year. Here's how...

After recently completing the EcoBroker Designation I became increasingly interested in tightening my home's envelope. So I decided to crawl under my house to check out the HVAC ductwork to see just how well it was installed.

Before I go any further- let me give you a little background on my house... I live a basic 3,000 Sq ft transitional built in 1999. It's like every other neighborhood that has sprang up over the past decade. One would think a $200k house(in 1999) would be built pretty well.

What I found in my crawl space made me furious. Ive been under the house several times- but I never really paid much attention to the ductwork connections. One of my ducts was barely attached- the duct was just fitted to the boot with nothing holding it. Before I went under I turned the air on so I could feel leaks. Each of my ducts were ill fitted to the boots and EVERY ONE had leaks. I could literally feel cold air escaping from each duct and junction box.

The fix was simple- I picked up some Nashua Aluminum tape from Home Depot for $14. And all I had to do was wrap the flexible duct one time with the tape- then add a second piece around each attaching the duct to the subfloor...making sure that I sealed the duct completely to the subfloor. It may take a little more tape for different boots but the point is to seal the duct completely. After the tape job was complete- I no longer felt cold air.

I've never checked behind my HVAC contractor when they do installs on renovations. But you can bet I'll be better prepared to check this going forward. I recommend you check your own ductwork... there are literally hundreds of $ of cold air escaping those ducts. For $14 and 30 minutes- you can stop the leaks.

Back to the Future with Renewable Energy -> Green Ohio Jobs?

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:16:11 -0500

Isn't it interesting that old ways of harnessing energy from our planet are coming back into style after years out of the spotlight? Some of the older - and cleaner - forms of converting kinetic energy to electrical energy are getting another look.

Most who are interested in Green concepts know about the renewed interest in wind energy using sleek, futuristic-looking windmills that are very different in style from the old ones we remember from Don Quixote movies and depictions of the Netherlands.

Another old standby, hydroelectric power, is also getting some attention - in this case for its potential to create jobs. The news source Business First of Columbus reports that there are plans to expand the use of hydroelectric plants along the Ohio River.

The Columbus-based power company American Municipal Power-Ohio has ordered turbines for power plants along the river from a York, Pennsylvania manufacturer, and there may be another factory added in the state of Ohio.

So, this interest in cleaner and Greener power can be a source of new jobs as well as cheaper power, and there is a broader plan by AMP-Ohio to expand the portion of its power that comes from renewable sources - in fact, the plan is that there will be FREE power in 35 years from the hydroelectric sources when their debt service has been retired.

Who couldn't like that view of the future?

Read the Business First story here.

Do You Know How Old Your Tires Are? (Driving Safety Tip)

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:58:20 -0500

We agents drive a lot! Even if you're not a real estate agent, you may drive a good deal too. Do you know how old your tires are? Tires that are older than six years may pose a safety risk.

I just got a little tip here from my auto insurance company...they recommend that tires be replaced after six years - even if they look ok. Tires are more prone to failure the older they are. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that if you live in a very hot area, such as parts of the American Southwest, or Florida, tires may age more quickly due to the heat.

Note that tires age whether they are being driven on or not! It's just the way tire materials are - they simply deteriorate over time.

Tires are required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to have coded manufacturing dates on them - these codes can be found on the outer OR inner sidewall (you'd have to remove the tire to see it in that case..).

A code ending in 4 numbers (Example: 2306) gives the week and year a tire was made, in this case the 23rd week of 2006. A code ending in 3 digits goes back to the 1990s when they started the date system, so "038" would mean the 3rd week of 1998.

Hoping this was a useful safety tip - I thank Liberty Mutual for their informative message!

Let Me Show You The GREEN

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:40:23 -0500

This is only one of the many possibilities for Building Green here in Central Ohio. This neighborhood is in Licking Heights Schools - there are several more communities to choose from where you may build one of about 40 different plans.

The model home at Creekstone is the builder's newest and includes the Green features standard in all their homes.

Interested in something even better than Energy Star?

Want to cancel out some down payment with a Work Equity program that's been in place for years?

Get in touch with me and let's get started!

Suzanne Champion | Coldwell Banker King Thompson | suzanne.champion@kingthompson.com | 614-282-6060

718 Loreto Lane, Blacklick, OH

The Future Is Here...BUILD GREEN NOW - !

4BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $209,240

Year Built	2008
Sq Footage	1,861
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	.17 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

The classic 2-story "Arlington" is only one of many plans to Build Green!

*Listing is an available lot.* We have others as well.

MODEL IS OPEN Sun - Mon - Wed - Thurs - Sat. - please e-mail me and I'll send you the specifics.

Creekstone boasts Sovereign's NEWEST model home with the Green features you're looking for. Visit us first, pick out your favorite home style, and choose one of several available communities around Central Ohio.

Build GREEN and be ahead of the curve - save energy NOW, enjoy better indoor air and greater comfort in your lifestyle - and have a GREEN home to resell in the future!

If you haven't heard about the Green trend yet...you will!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Walk-in closet	Living room	Dishwasher
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Basement
Laundry area - inside	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Built to SAVE YOU ENERGY - ask me how!

SEVERAL indoor air improvement features - visit the model for details!

Choice of 4th bedroom or loft

Choose den or dining room

2nd Floor laundry

Optional wrap front porch

Work with a professional designer to pick your finishes

39 more floor plans to choose from!

Don't wait...build GREEN and benefit NOW !

Cancel a HUGE chunk of down payment with WORK EQUITY

You won't believe how LOW your payments can be

List price reflects EXTREME UPGRADE promotion

This lot is in Licking Heights Schools

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Suzanne Champion

Coldwell Banker King Thompson

suzanne.champion@kingthompson.com

614-282-6060

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 21, 2008, 12:47pm PDT

Better Air Quality in Your Home...One Meaning of GREEN

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 15:15:22 -0500

There's no doubt that you'll be hearing more and more about Green from now on...Green Living, Green Building, Going Green. "Green" is a blanket term incorporating several practices that are aimed at making our environment healthier - from a more responsible, sustainable use of our natural resources and a reduction of waste, to a less toxic atmosphere both outdoors and in.

"Green" can directly impact our health as we reduce the pollution we come into contact with. One method of doing this is improving the air inside those boxes we call homes. Did you know that indoor air can be 4-5 times more polluted than the air outside?

Current air-improving Green Building practices may include:

Using low-VOC materials, such as paints and carpeting, that don't offgas great amounts of volatile organic compounds into the air.
Installing direct-vent fireplaces and furnaces which are designed to give off heat without affecting indoor air quality.
Installing timered fans to remove excess moisture - discouraging mold growth and effortlessly saving on energy.
Installing an exhaust fan in the garage to remove automobile and other fumes and discourage them from entering the home.
Making use of a radon reduction system that encourages this radioactive gas to bypass the inside of your home.

Here in Columbus Ohio, all of these items - and lots more - are standard in every home built by Sovereign Homes. ALL their homes are built Green! Yes, we here in Central Ohio are on the cutting edge.

Contact me to set up a tour through Sovereign's NEWEST house model. It has the Green features you (and maybe your home's future buyer) are looking for. Then pick out the style and location that's right for you!

If you think energy costs will be going down, then maybe this message isn't for you.

If you want healthier indoor air, energy savings, and a home built with caring for the planet in mind, I'd like to talk to you!

Growing "Green Collar Jobs" in Ohio

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:56:42 -0500

Whether you "believe in" global warming or not, there are good arguments to be made in support of building a less toxic environment, reducing waste, and reducing the production of things like plastic that never break down completely.

With the increasing interest in moving away from wasteful, toxic side effects of business practices that are still rooted in the 19th Century model of the Industrial Revolution, our new "green collar" job sector is going to grow. Emerging growth sectors which provide new-tech jobs is a happy feature of our relatively fast-moving response to new information about the big picture beyond our own personal back yard. It's a given that old-tech thinkers who have personally profited from practices that are becoming outdated are going to grouse about potential changes and a slowing of their old-tech gravy train, even if the new changes promise benefits on a bigger-picture scale. We've heard plenty of moaning in that direction already. However, all the complaining and cynicism in the world isn't going to stop progress. Old technologies routinely become obsolete...the manual washing machine, the car phone, the 8-track tape player. It's a fact of life, and now we're not looking for just a better mousetrap, we're looking at the wider effects on the planet of building it.

The point is - new ways of doing business are a source of job creation, and no matter what you think of "green," that is the direction many of the new jobs are going to be coming from. Some existing jobs will also get a boost as those skills are called for in the service of new purposes.

This Green Collar Blog makes note of a recent report on Ohio's potential in green-collar jobs by Robert Pollin and Jeanette Wicks-Lim of the Department of Economics and Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; it was commissioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

A page of the report specific to Ohio can be found here.

I count it as good news to hear that Ohio is positioned to benefit from this new economic direction.

Green Homes are WEIRD...right? (Building Green in Columbus, Ohio)

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:46:30 -0500

When you hear about "Green" homes...are you thinking about something built out of straw?

Do you think you're signing up to become a hippie if you build Green? Will your deed restrictions require a home-grown garden of organic veggies? Will there be somebody timing all your showers to make sure you save water?

What about the way these houses look...will they be some kind of weird-looking yurt?

.... And WHAT WILL THE NEIGHBORS THINK??!

...Relax.

Green homes don't have to look any different from a "regular" home. (It is true that in some areas, homes can be built with straw-bale construction, but that's not what I'm talking about here.)

There are all different degrees of Green and many Green features function behind the scenes without anyone ever noticing...except maybe in lower energy bills and better air quality at home.

Living in today's Green home can offer you a lot of peace of mind - you know you're not breathing harmful paint fumes, radon's being directed out of the home where needed, you're even avoiding carbon monoxide being put into the air by your gas appliances in the first place. And there's LOTS more.

There are MANY advantages to building Green, and I'll be discussing further details in future blog posts to explain WHY and HOW a home is being considered Green. (And YES...some homes are Greener than others!)

If you believe energy costs are going back down...then I completely understand why you would have no interest in a Green home. If you would like to learn more about one of the latest trends in building that can benefit you both now and in the future - get in touch with me today!

PS...you may also be surprised at how AFFORDABLE Green can be. Ask me how!

NEW Home for Sale in Reynoldsburg Schools - 6210 Kinver Edge Way

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:29:07 -0500

At the Reserve at McNaughten, our sales team is offering semi-custom "single family attached homes" by Romanelli Custom Homes. European style and quality will be yours in these spacious yet simplicity-oriented ranches with basements.

Should you decide on even more custom touches, your choice of home sites is available. The neighborhood is quiet and extremely convenient to Mount Carmel Hospital East and Route 270.

Suzanne Champion | Coldwell Banker King Thompson | suzanne.champion@kingthompson.com | 614-282-6060

6210 Kinver Edge Way, Columbus, OH

Don't give up space, style, or quality...DO enjoy simplicity!

2BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $295,000

Year Built	2006
Sq Footage	1,956
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	6,011 sqft
HOA/Maint	$60 per month

DESCRIPTION

(For a few more pictures, click on the VIRTUAL TOUR here - 6210 Kinver Edge Way.)

This home is the "sister" to 6204 Kinver Edge Way...they are set up twin single style and are both available! This "side" is the larger and its configuration is a bit different. Come see for yourself!

Come visit during model hours at 6192 Kinver Edge Way - just follow the blue & white OPEN HOUSE signs!

These patio-style attached single-family homes are semi-custom. We have a selection of homes ready to finish, each with its own personality. Or build your own to suit yourself!

Model Hours:

Saturdays & Sundays, 1-4 pm.
Tues, Wed, Thurs - 2-5 pm.

If you'd like to visit at another time, call or e-mail and I'll be pleased to make arrangements.

Brought to you by the New Homes and Condos Division of Coldwell Banker King Thompson and built by Romanelli Custom Homes.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Living room	Office/Den
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Granite countertop	Stainless steel appliances
Basement	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Spacious open plan gives you ROOM TO BREATHE!

2 bedrooms plus den - den can be guest room, 3rd bedroom, or office!

2 full baths

Owner's suite has dual sinks, walk-in closet, whirlpool tub & shower

Instant-touch direct vent fireplace - no muss, no fuss!

Large first-floor laundry room includes utility sink with cabinets

Lots of closets and large pantry in kitchen - save grocery trips!

FULL poured-wall basement (finishing additional) - 9' ceilings!

Relax on the deck - backs to trees and green space!

Homeowner Association membership includes lawn cutting

Initial landscaping included

Professional design time included

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Suzanne Champion

Coldwell Banker King Thompson

suzanne.champion@kingthompson.com

614-282-6060

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 4, 2008, 12:00pm PDT

The Reserve at McNaughten - NEW HOME for sale in Reynoldsburg Schools

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:16:56 -0500

One of the builders I represent is Romanelli Custom Homes. At the Reserve at McNaughten we bring you the simplicity and style you want! And, the neighborhood is both quiet and convenient. The large basements with 9' ceilings allow you to stretch out even further should you choose.

These homes are extremely convenient to Mount Carmel East Hospital and Route 270. Come visit us during model hours, or get in touch for a private showing. We have nearly finished homes, homes awaiting your custom choices, and of course, building sites for you to choose from should you prefer even more customizing.

Suzanne Champion | Coldwell Banker King Thompson | suzanne.champion@kingthompson.com | 614-282-6060

6204 Kinver Edge Way, Columbus, OH

A simpler life - without giving up style, space, or quality!

2BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $295,000

Year Built	2005
Sq Footage	1,851
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	6,141 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

(For a few more pictures, click on the VIRTUAL TOUR link here - 6204 Kinver Edge Way )

This home is the "sister" to 6210 Kinver Edge Way...they are set up twin single style and are both available!

Come visit during model hours at 6192 Kinver Edge Way - just follow the blue & white OPEN HOUSE signs!

These patio-style attached single-family homes are semi-custom. We have a selection of homes ready to finish, each with its own personality. Or build your own to suit yourself!

Model Hours:

Saturdays & Sundays, 1-4 pm.
Tues, Wed, Thurs - 2-5 pm.

If you'd like to visit at another time, call or e-mail and I'll be pleased to make arrangements.

Brought to you by the New Homes and Condos Division of Coldwell Banker King Thompson and built by Romanelli Custom Homes.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Living room	Office/Den
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Granite countertop	Stainless steel appliances
Basement	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Wonderful open plan - BIG feel even in the smaller of our homes!

YOUR CHOICE of granite colors, paint colors, tile, carpet, hardwood...

Choice of lighting packages available

2 bedrooms plus den - den can be guest room, 3rd bedroom, or office!

2 full baths

Owner's suite has dual sinks, walk-in closet, whirlpool tub & shower

Instant-touch direct vent fireplace - no muss, no fuss!

Large first-floor laundry room includes utility sink with cabinets

Lots of closets and large pantry in kitchen - save grocery trips!

FULL poured-wall basement (finishing additional) - 9' ceilings!

Homeowner Association membership includes lawn cuts

Initial landscaping included

Professional design time included

Relax on the deck - backs to trees and green space

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Suzanne Champion

Coldwell Banker King Thompson

suzanne.champion@kingthompson.com

614-282-6060

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Sep 4, 2008, 12:01pm PDT

Sensory Solutions- Using Your Senses to Locate Problem Areas

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:54:18 -0500

Pablo Gonzalez of Cathedral Properties out in California made some great points today for sellers wanting to present their home in the best light for buyers in this blog post.

I'll add that I recommend having a formal pre-inspection before putting a home on the market. It's a very small investment that allows a seller to know in advance about problems that could become expensive, contract-threatening sticking points when the buyer has *their* inspector through.

Stay in control of the situation by fixing, cleaning, updating and staging your home beforehand, WITHOUT pressure - making your home look worry-free and the EASY CHOICE for the buyer!

And now, Pablo:

Via Pablo Gonzalez:

When preparing your home for the real estate market, one needs a fresh and honest perspective about the total effect of the house - and not just your own. Prospective buyers notice everything because walking through your house is a totally new experience for them. They feel the air temperature, notice cleanliness and colors, hear noises and smell odors. As a seller, you need to create a similar experience for yourself in order to locate all problem areas that need to be corrected. So, you think your home is ready to show?

Give your house a sensory test by changing your perspective. Walk through and analyze your house twice - once during the day and once at night. You'll notice those dirty windows more during the day but may miss the debris clouding the overhead kitchen light that's more noticeable at night. Also, try crawling across a room on your hands and knees - you're more likely to come across those grimy baseboards or unsightly bare electrical outlets when you're closer to the ground. Lying on your back will provide a better look at ceiling fans, lighting, spots on the ceiling, cobwebs in corners or cracks at the top of walls. Fix what you find and then give the home one more test: Recruit a trusted friend to put it through the same scrutiny. Be sure that you and your friend each use your senses to analyze the house - sight, smell, hearing, and touch.

Sight is the most obvious sense to use when searching for problem areas. Before analyzing each room, make sure light bulbs are the appropriate wattage and work properly. Then, look closely at the walls for scratches, marks, cobwebs, missing or broken light switch plates, and mold or mildew. Are wall clocks dusted and set properly? Check ceilings for brown spots, water stains, dirt, cob webs and dusty fans. Analyzing the floor may seem ridiculous since you walk on it all the time, but often defects are overlooked during the course of the day. Search for uneven floors, worn or soiled carpet, and water stains. Do area rugs need to be cleaned or replaced? Does the wood floor need refinishing? In the kitchen and bathrooms, test faucets for leaks and replace if necessary. Also check the walls, shower, tub and sink for mold. Scrub with a mixture of bleach and water to eliminate mold and mildew. Everything should look clean and sparkling.

Often odor is a more accurate indicator of a problem than sight. A carpet may look clean but after crawling across it you might detect odors from pets, smoke and ground-in food. A peculiar smell is often caused by mold especially in bathrooms, though unnoticed water damage my cause this problem in other areas of the house, too. Like other odor sources, mold can usually be removed but will return if the cause is not addressed. Do you need better ventilation in the bathroom?

Is there a leak in the bedroom ceiling or windows causing mold and mildew? Often banishing odors takes little more than identifying the cause - cigarette smoke and butts, old tennis shoes, pets, dead critters in the attic or basement, dirty litter boxes - then cleaning and freshening the area. Ban smoking in the house while it's on the market, send pets to live elsewhere, clean drapes and carpets, and empty ashes from the fireplace. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to come in, and replace odors with lightly scented candles or potpourri.

Just as one gets used to looking at certain problems - such as the stain your son made on the carpet when he spilled his barbecue chicken last summer - it's natural to stop hearing minor sounds after awhile. Be certain, though, that the buyer will hear them. Most likely your trusted friend will point them out, too. Is there a chorus of squeaks throughout the house?

Perhaps it's time to have the air conditioner and heater checked for dirty filters or loose fan belts. Or is one of the squeaks coming from a lose door hinge? Squeaky doors and windows can be silenced with a good spray of WD-40 applied to their tracks. Does it sound like an intruder is trying to break a window? It could be the tree that scrapes the dining room window when the wind blows. A quick trim would alleviate the problem.

Bathrooms have their own set of noises - does the toilet keep running after it's been flushed? Does the tub faucet drip when not in use? These are often silenced inexpensively by replacing the float mechanism in the toilet tank and washers in the faucet. Often taking care of noises will also reduce costs in electricity and water.

How does one experience the sense of touch - or feeling - in a house? Certainly the temperature plays a part. You don't want a buyer to shiver while walking through your house, nor do you want her sweating bullets, either.

If you prefer extreme temperatures in your home, look to your trusted friend for guidance in the temperature department. Buyers will also touch doorknobs and mini-blind levers, so make sure they all turn easily. The same goes for knobs and levers on any appliances and cabinets. Repair or replace those that require extra pressure to turn or open. And don't forget that fingers also find hidden dirt, so while the white glove test may seem a bit trite, this may be a good time to use it. Buyers don't want to feel dust and grime on their hands after using the banister, opening a cabinet or leaning across a window sill.

Now you know what you should experience during your sensory home tour. Take a few moments to prepare your mind for the experience: Go outside for a few minutes, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths - a home selling equivalent to cleansing your palate between dinner courses. Enter your home, close the door and tour your home the sensory way.

Are You Behind The Times? Realtors Need to Provide VALUE to Their Clients

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:38:08 -0500

In a recent Inman News article contributed by Joel Burslem (Inman News reports about the real estate industry), the opinion was advanced that not all Realtors are alike when it comes to the marketing services we provide - and that we need to keep up with the times in order to maintain our value to sellers.

I completely agree.

Inman says that we should be able to "demonstrate to consumers that [we] have an aggressive multi-modal marketing package in place for each and every listing."

The article reports that many agents are behind the times and mentions that while at least 80 percent of buyers begin their home searches online, Consumer Reports notes in its findings a few company track records regarding today's marketing practices. They found that 85 percent of agents with [company with red signs] advertised homes on the web, while only 76 percent of [red and blue] agents did so, followed by 75 percent of [gold] agents.

Inman says these numbers "are still unacceptable." (P.S...100% of THIS agent markets widely on the web!) --->

The author says that "Agents should be syndicating their listings across the Net, taking dozens of high quality photos of the home," and may consider using other media such as blogs, single property sites, and video. "Any or all of these approaches can add value (either real or perceived) to the bottom line of the transaction."

If you're here on the web reading this, you already know that some of us are aware that we need to engage the "multi-modal" approach to help sell a home. We are willing to do that - knowing that selling a house on the web represents quite a time commitment. Such e-marketing is revisited and revised continually while your home is up for sale - it's not like a physical yard sign that works without added effort from the day it's installed in your yard until it comes out after closing.

I believe in providing value to you and will not "list and run!" If you're looking for an agent who wants to earn your business and get your home SOLD, look here!

Delicious Food, Great Prices - El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, Wilmington Ohio

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:11:30 -0500

This past week I was in Wilmington, Ohio, earning my Certified New Home Sales Professional designation. After class on Thursday, it was suggested that classmates gather at a Mexican restaurant near the hotel where we were meeting. It was a good suggestion!

I just wanted to say a few words about the El Dorado restaurant. The food was very good, the prices were great, and the service was friendly. There was plenty of room for a large group, and other seating that works for smaller parties. The complimentary salsa and tortilla chips were what they should be - fresh and tasty, and most likely made in the restaurant.

I'm not likely to sell any real estate in Wilmington since it's rather far away from my MLS stomping grounds, but if you're ever there - do consider the El Dorado! I'd provide you a picture of my enchiladas suizas, but I'd have felt a little silly pointing a camera at my plate...maybe next time!

I'll note that Wilmington has attractive, good-sized homes built in the latter half of the 19th century, with features such as wraparound porches and gingerbread details. (It also has homes that have been added over time up to the present, of course.) Not unusually for Ohio, it's in an actively farming area bursting with corn and soybean crops growing thick and green. One office of our National Weather Service is located there.

BTW, this is the first time the phrase "enchiladas suizas" has been posted on ActiveRain! LOL. (These are a chicken enchilada that includes a delicious green (verde) chile/tomatillo sauce. I LOVE spicy food, but these are not a spicy dish, though flavorful - and recommended!)

Hmm...there's a Mexican restaurant that -is- near me which I've heard is very good too. I'll let you know how it is once I get a chance to get over there!

Home Buyers: Your Columbus Ohio Home Search Should Be This Easy!

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:05:28 -0500

Make things easier on yourself when hunting down Columbus Ohio homes for sale. As a Realtor who often holds open houses, I hear many visitors say that they're spending a lot of time driving around town on their own, looking for signs on open house days, as their main method of house hunting.

This is not efficient by a long shot...it can cost you a lot in time and money. It is so easy to ask an agent to set up a custom home search that sends you updates by e-mail - it couldn't be more convenient! This will include notifications of anything that pops up new to the market. You can narrow down the homes for sale to what you like and TARGET them. As your agent, I would then set up showings for us and get you quickly on your way.

All of us agents use our MLS systems to craft searches. However...not all agents are as skilled at this as others. (Many are just not comfortable with computers at all...I explain computer basics to other agents constantly...many still do not know how to upload pictures, or the difference between a network drive and a local hard disk...how to move things from one folder to another...or even how to GET from one folder to another. I don't know how they get along without knowing these things!) You want an agent who knows how to pinpoint what you want, quickly and efficiently. I happen to be very good at this.

If you're a first-time buyer and are unsure about the process of home buying - I make that easy with a little preliminary meeting at the office to go over the buying timeline and familiarize you with the forms and paperwork we'll need. (Many first-time buyers don't realize that the purchase process can get them their new house keys in about 30 days from the acceptance of their offer. It can be that fast once you've selected the home you want and are ready with your lender pre-approval letter!)

Other househunters go to the internet themselves - which is great! I love working with savvy buyers. However, do keep in mind that some websites contain out of date information, and others can't be searched with the level of detail that a Realtor can offer. The internet is a good place to start sifting through some of the options, narrow down the kind of home you like best, and get an idea of what you can expect at your preferred price point -- but when you get serious about buying, it's time to put your agent to work for you! (By the way...many who have not purchased a home before don't realize that commission is not charged to the buyer.)

Of course, FINDING that house here in "Greater Columbus" is only the beginning. A Realtor's true work begins after that - from negotiating the best possible price and terms for you, on through coordinating the tasks that need to get done by the correct deadlines and the right people, all the way up to the closing date.

So buyers...let me make househunting - and then the rest of the buying process - easy for you. (If you're moving to the Columbus area (also known as Central Ohio) from out of town, my custom search system also works well!)

Use this quick form to let me know what my custom home search should bring you!

RealtorLinkBack.com Network Experiment

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:07:47 -0500

This is an experimental post based on an idea from Peggy Linton of RealtorLinkBack.com.

1. Daytona Beach Real Estate

2. Ponce Inlet Real Estate

3. Columbus Ohio Real Estate, Westerville Ohio Real Estate

I believe the idea is that we're creating links to each other to build a tiny sub-network of sites. I'm curious as to whether anything will seem different around here or not.

Honestly, I'm far more interested in building web presence via building content, and I accept that it can take a while. I'm not as interested in tweaking strategies and tech "tips and tricks." (I really hate that phrase actually. It seems like everyone's looking for shortcuts all the time.)

But then, back when I took the SATs I refused to take any classes to beef up artificially what I already knew. I felt that cram courses amounted to cheating. I didn't take any extra courses for my grad school tests (GREs) either...and I scored 780 / 710 / 760. And I hadn't taken a math class (that's the 710 score) in YEARS at that point. Good enough I say. ;)

Aaanyway....wonder if this linking thingy will have any effect at all.

Building GREEN in Columbus Ohio

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:14:33 -0500

I believe that "green" building practices are a true wave of the future. Today I attended another class on green building to make sure that I'm keeping current on local initiatives and practices in the industry. It was given by a builder in our area who is committed to building green at all of their price points.

Around ActiveRain I have said that I don't like to make predictions. What I mean is that when something is essentially guesswork (such as when we'll begin seeing more of a seller's market...who knows?), I don't bother. Some things, however, can be seen as clear trends. It's a safe bet that green living and green building are going to grow in importance for those concerned with the planet, their energy expenses, their health and their family's personal safety.

(Did you know that if you're eligible for the new first-time home buyer tax credit, you can ALSO use it if you purchase a new home? You can also benefit from other tax credits when buying green...)

If you're interested in building a green home (or other new home) in the Columbus / Central Ohio area, I would love to work with you! There is no commission charge for you to have a professional agent help oversee the project with you to ensure your important investment is on course, that the details are completed correctly, deadlines are met, and procedures are followed.

More to come...!

Help-U-Sell Filing Bankruptcy

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:05:01 -0500

Inman News reports : "Help-U-Sell franchiser files bankruptcy" ---

http://www.inman.com/news/2008/08/15/help-u-sell-franchiser-files-bankruptcy

One of their regional owners - their first franchisee in the US in fact - is quoted as saying that "he believed the company was headed down the path toward bankruptcy as far back as 2006."

They've survived a few previous upheavals, so we can't say for sure what will happen, but the article mentions a few key supporters who have left or have lost their confidence in the firm.

Certainly, real estate times are hard for everyone right now. Although I can appreciate that many sellers want to save money by going with a limited service broker (who makes more money when their agents help BUYERS purchase from full-service brokers' listings), it may not be the best way to get a home SOLD.

Many businesses raise their prices when operating expenses prove to be too high, but then they risk the loss of customers. What solutions will this company find? It will be interesting to see what happens with them - who, it has to be said, have built a name for themselves.

You Agents Are ALL THE SAME! (FSBO sellers, what do you think?)

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:05:49 -0500

As a real estate agent, I've certainly been on the receiving end of the perception that many people who are -not- agents think that we're all alike.

There have been some posts here on Active Rain recently that show that it can be hard to tell some agents apart because of their use of canned scripts, or the fact that they don't do anything differently from any other agent so there's no reason for a buyer or seller to choose them over someone else.

However, when you're trying to sell your home, have you thought about the potential ADVANTAGE to seeming similar?

Now, I don't mean that your house does better being similar to another, although it certainly should not seem worse! Your home does need to offer at least what other homes in its price range are offering. Or, some type of tradeoff might work, such as one more garage space instead of the larger basement another might have. In any case, you CANNOT expect that a buyer is going to pay more for your home if they can get the same for less down the street. Period.

But what do I mean here - where's the advantage in similarity?

Well...from a buyer's eye view, I'll be honest...a For-Sale-By-Owner home is an "oddball" property. Did you know that when we go out touring homes with buyers to see the homes we've set up showings on, buyers completely IGNORE the homes that have By-Owner signs in front of them? It is a rare buyer that ever asks about them at all. (And the signs are still up after that buyer has bought...) In this severe buyer's market, buyers have enough to choose from in professional listings that they don't need to go down a perceived level and deal with an oddball situation with all kinds of unknowns.

We agents ARE "all the same"...in that we have a streamlined, smooth, and well-oiled process for transacting a purchase. A buyer (accompanied by their buyer agent) knows that the listing agents have gathered information in an organized manner, with nothing left out. All the i's will be dotted and the t's crossed along the way, we know the questions that need to be asked and what needs to be scheduled when, which other professionals need to be orchestrated for everything to be put in its proper place and so on, throughout the entire process.

A buyer can easily compare apples to apples when home shopping the professional listings, and know that when they write an offer, there's a set of procedures and practices already in place for what should happen along the way toward closing. They are confident in committing to an investment in a home, knowing that things are being taken care of by a professional on the other end.

If you're thinking of selling your home, the buyer's perception is of utmost importance. If you can't get a buyer comfortable, confident, and interested, you can't sell. There's no way around that. Selling a home isn't just about the physical home. You MUST factor in the buyer's potential sense of hassle and the amount of trouble they would wish to take on in the form of negotiation and transactional logistics.

Don't underestimate the importance of making things easier on a buyer, because, once again, there are MANY choices out there between sellers who ARE making it easy. (Not to mention that selling with us is also far easier on YOU with the tasks we take off your hands!) From a buyer's perspective, the perceived hassle factor makes a huge difference in what they will even consider LOOKING at. They have a limited amount of valuable time too, so they will use a natural process of elimination. If we were in a seller's market, things could be different. But we're NOT in a seller's market. Not even close!

I'll illustrate with a silly little example about "making it easy" that occurred in my own home recently.

I am passionate about living more "green" and I make a point of recycling as much paper around the house as I can. My husband goes along with this, but not if it takes any more than usual effort. Well, we had a small wastebasket in the kitchen that matched our decor, but it didn't have a permanent pop-top lid, it was just a wastebasket with a liner. (We use our disposal for kitchen scraps!) Right NEXT to the wastebasket was a paper grocery bag from Trader Joe's which was intended for recycling paper items. Where did the husband toss his paper? In the trash can. (Ok...it was exactly the SAME effort to put the paper in the recycling, but he didn't perceive it as worth the trouble!)

So recently, I went out and got a spring-closure wastebasket that is always closed when not in use - even though we don't put anything in there that "needs" a closed can. Now the Trader Joe's bag sits next to that. And guess where the paper goes now? In the bag! Why? Because I made it EASIER to put it where it's supposed to go. I didn't even point it out or make any comment about my honey's habits. I just engineered the environment to respond to a natural behavior in my "client."

As a home seller, are you insisting the buyer change their natural behavior, or are you willing to aim your product to meet them where they're already going?

By analogy, a buyer's perception of transactional ease is going to favor broker-listed homes. There's no question that we can MARKET a home better than an owner, but I'm just pointing out another way we provide value by providing consistency and confidence - values you may not have thought of before. And that, ultimately, means MORE and FASTER money in YOUR pocket.

Looking for a Foreclosure to Buy? How NOT to do it!

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:49:32 -0500

I just got off the phone with someone who called about a foreclosed home I had listed...

...last year.

First, the twisted little story of the little foreclosure that couldn't:

In November of 2007, I listed a little bank-owned house out on the east side of our fair capital city. The auditor had somehow missed the half bath that was in the finished basement, so I thought I had a pretty good little listing considering that the garage door (and most of the garage, which is detached) needed to be replaced. It had a sizeable kitchen and a little deck out back.

So we listed it, of course at a price higher than I'd recommended, and we got a few calls as the season headed toward winter. I'd have to check on the house and make periodic reports. I got the bank to lower the price. And then one day in mid-December or so an agent who had set up a showing on the property called me, saying she couldn't get the combination lock to work. I thought "NOW what...? Mechanical failure? User error? Who knows..." I said I would check the lockbox when I went out there in the next couple of days and update her on when she could get in.

Then when I got out there...there was a completely different lockbox on the front door. ???

It took me and my asset manager quite a while to track down what was going on. The lienholder we were working for had apparently sold the asset to another, and the new lienholder had simply changed the locks and taken my lockbox without any notice. I could not show the property for the last 2 months of the listing, no matter who called to see it. We couldn't get any answers from the bank. They never told me to cancel the listing.

Well, if you can't show it...you can't sell it. And in mid-February the listing simply expired, just as I and my asset manager finally got some information about the mystery of what was going on.

Two weeks later the new lienholder then listed the property at a higher price. After they re-lowered it to our former price, they withdrew it from that other agent last month. She couldn't sell it over the spring and summer. I had a very interested buyer last January, but was prevented from showing the darn thing by the owner! Great going, bank! So now the house is just sitting there. Not even on the market.

Back to today...I got a call this afternoon about the house. I knew what the caller would be telling me...

Yet another poor soul had PAID some silly search website for a list of foreclosed homes. And I had to explain to her that she was talking to the agent who had the house listed last year. Yes, she was calling on information she had paid for that was OUT OF DATE by AT LEAST 6 MONTHS. She wasn't too happy about that.

Buyers...if you're looking for a bank-owned home, PLEASE just talk to a Realtor who knows how to search for them! Not only is this FREE, but it's ACCURATE. It's up to date. And you'll get guidance throughout your purchase process!

Work with an agent who represents you, the buyer - an agent who has an understanding of how purchasing a foreclosure works, and who understands the things that don't work. Buying from a bank can be a quite different process from purchasing a house being sold by a regular homeowner.

If you're looking for foreclosed homes in the Columbus Ohio area and surrounding cities and towns, I'd be pleased to help you with that. As long as you have a realistic outlook on the process, you can certainly find some good deals at all price ranges. Happy bargain hunting...!

Home Sellers: Would you list with an agent who doesn't know...

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:25:10 -0500

...what time it is?

How about WHAT SEASON?

With homes staying on the market for longer these days, you want to have your house listing keep up with the times. If you live in an area with changeable seasons and your house now looks better than its exterior listing picture, make sure you have an agent who is AWARE enough to come out and retake the outside photo(s)!

You might be surprised at how many homes on our Multiple Listing Service still had SNOW in their main picture last month. (I'm not surprised...this happens every year we have snow!) We can joke about "Christmas in July" and all that, but when it comes to selling your house it's NOT FUNNY.

Some of the snowy pictures were on expired listings that had been on the market for 6 months. What does this mean? It means the agents who took these listings didn't even LOOK at them for 6 months. No wonder they expired. They were listed with drive-by agents who didn't give a fig about getting the home SOLD!

Your Realtor should UPDATE your house listing to reflect changes, including updating pictures when there's an advantage to doing so. They should be working out of a resource collection of at least 25 decent photos of your house's features for an extended marketing program.

In order to market a home properly today, your agent needs to promote your home actively all over the internet, as well as create virtual tours, brochures, and flyers. Are they doing this in the summer with winter's collection of images? No...they're not doing it at all. Any agent who hasn't even looked at their listing in months is clearly NOT actively marketing your home.

So why should their name be on the sign in your yard?

Home Sellers: You Only Get One Chance...

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:08:13 -0500

You know what they say...

"You only get one chance to make a first impression."

We've all heard that before, and it's hardly news.

In fact, much of the time, it's not even that important. For instance, we've all met people we weren't particularly impressed with on our first meeting, but got to know and like very much over time.

When you're selling a home, however, a good first impression is critical. It is especially important in a buyer's market, because your home must compete with others you have no control over. Under most circumstances, you DO have control over the showing condition of your own house. Increase your home's competitiveness by looking at it from a buyer's-eye view, and then addressing shortcomings before the first home shopper arrives - preferably before your property is even listed.

These tips on polishing the outside appearance of your home were presented in a newsletter by David Sobel, who is vice president of sales for Home Warranty of America. I am not sure who the original author if that list is - but in real estate, valuable tips always bear repeating.

I summarize these tips in the checklist below, in my own words and with a few additional notes. [As someone who almost became a professor, I do not plagiarize or present others' material as my own! I guarantee you original posts, EVERY time.]

A few things your can do to increase your home's curb appeal - (and hopefully, selling price!)

Your front door and garage doors may need to be painted or stained. If there are dents, consider replacement. (I'll add here that trim work is also an important appeal point, especially around the front door.)
If the outside of the house needs paint, the best thing to do is a full professional job - but if that's not possible, the worst-looking spots should be addressed. Shutters should be painted if needed. Straighten crooked shutters.
Powerwash siding if needed.
Clean out the gutters. (I add: inexpensive gutter guards can be purchased at a home improvement store - get one piece and check if it will work before you do the whole thing.)
Replace missing roof shingles if it's at a reasonable cost - you don't want to invite worries about roof replacement if it's still very sound.
Clean the windows, inside and out.
Update the outside light fixtures, especially if they are worn or dirty.
Repair any driveway damage.
Worn sheds and other unsightly yard structures should be removed. Have the ground re-scaped to match surroundings.
Freshen landscaping beds with new mulch, and put in seasonally and regionally appropriate plants.
Neaten up any landscaping bricks or stones that look out of place.
If you have bare spots under shade trees, put in shade-tolerant plants or ground cover. Landscape edging with bricks, stones, or low fencing looks nice around these areas if done well.
Trim and prune bushes and trees. The old and dying ones should be replaced with a similar size and type. Remove any tree limbs that hang over the roof.
Keep up with lawn care and weeding. Snow removal is important too. (I add: If the house will be vacant, consider subscribing to a yard care service. As a selling point, you can even offer the new buyers a few months of lawn care to ease their transition - especially if your home is likely to be purchased by first-timers!)
Wash and paint or seal a deck. Make sure the plants around it look great. Patio furniture should be in excellent condition if you're using it to stage the deck.

What you want to do is eliminate as many perceived negatives as you can. Buyers have many homes to see, so they tend to make choices easier for themselves by saying NO to any house that makes saying no easy!

And - the more blemishes a buyer can point to, the more power they will have to get you to reduce your selling price. Take as many of these items off the table as possible from the start!

A home gets more attention when it's FRESH to the market -

make sure it's ready for its close-up before the camera starts rolling!

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If you're thinking about selling a home in the Central Ohio area, ask me for a free First Step packet!

Sellers: How NOT to market your home!

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:45:21 -0500

If you want to sell your home, you know that buyers want to see lots of pictures of the house before they'll even think about getting in a car to come see it. When it comes to photos, you want both QUANTITY and QUALITY in your listing.

One listing for an upscale home I saw that expired recently (no wonder) was being "marketed" with 2 exterior pictures only - one with the sun in the wrong place for any visibility, and one fuzzy closeup with no real focus on any selling points. That was IT. This was a custom build in the $400,000s that we are told has great details. So...let's see a few? This house was on the market for over a year.

There's no excuse for not having as many pictures as the listing websites can handle, with the greater disk space and bandwidth we enjoy on the internet today. For one thing, on some websites a buyer can sort listings by the number of pictures per ad, like they can on Realtor.com - THE biggest portal for real estate searches on the internet. Do you want to take the chance that your house will be sifted to the bottom of the list?

Are these agents you'd prefer to list with? I just did a search in one popular city in the $175000 - $225000 range on Realtor.com to take a quick sample - out of 141 resulting listings, 58 only had ONE PHOTO - a whopping 41% ! Sellers want value from the listing fees they'll be paying...couldn't these agents have made the effort to take more photos and showcase the home to an interested audience? An effort to market is no batch of small potatoes to a seller who is expecting their $200K home to be well advertised, especially in our current buyer's market.

What message might a buyer receive when there's only one listing picture of your home? Foreclosure listings, for example, tend to provide one picture only. Usually the interior of these houses are not shown because they're downright ugly and in terrible condition. Plus, they are being marketed to investors who are expected to offer low prices on these fixer-uppers. Investor buyers aren't interested in beauty, they're interested in CHEAP. What about YOUR buyers?

When competitive listings in your price range are saying "HELLO!" with bunches of photos showing off updated interiors that are neat and clean, what might a listing with only one photo of the outside be saying?

When I market a home I take more pictures than I can use. Then I can work with the seller to choose the best ones. I spend quite a bit of time editing the photos to make sure they showcase the features of the home as best they can. If we're still not quite satisfied, I will go back to the home and take MORE pictures to add to the listing or replace pictures that aren't great.

I can then use these images to extend the marketing onto more websites, in flyers and fact sheets, and so on.

Don't take chances or waste valuable time exposing your home to the market without the quality of decent photomarketing. It's crucial in this economy to choose an agent who will ACTIVELY MARKET your home!

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If you're thinking about selling a home in the Central Ohio area, ask me for a free First Step packet!

Licensing for Ohio Home Inspectors On the Way?

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:05:17 -0500

The Ohio Realtor newspaper published by the Ohio Association of Realtors reports that the first step toward requiring home inspectors to be licensed in order to practice has passed in the Ohio House. This question has been a topic of conversation in the housing industry for a number of years and has been supported by the Ohio Association of Realtors for over a decade.

The inspectors working pursuant to transactions I've had have been very competent - in fact, these same inspectors have said themselves that they wished Ohio did require licensing. Many of them voluntarily join ASHI in order to show that they are professionals willing to prove it. I believe that licensing is a positive step forward and will go far toward allowing both buyers and sellers to make more confident decisions about the physical health of their biggest investment - the home in question.

Speaking of questions, the article I read was worded such that for a moment, I feared that inspections were intended to be allowed only if there were a contract on the property, which would have ruled out sellers' own inspections being done before buyers started making offers - I recommend that sellers take the initiative and get one for themselves in order that they know what the situation is before anyone else starts pointing out flaws, so that they can fix them or at least be prepared. When I looked at the measure more closely - you can get more information at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=127_HB_257 - I saw that the proposal requires inspections to take place only with written contracts between the client and the *inspector*. That made a lot more sense.

The Ohio Senate will not be considering passage until after reconvening November 4, so stay tuned. I think we are headed in the direction of inspector licensing.

Ohio General Assembly is Working to Help Our Economy

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:49:51 -0500

Ohio's state government is acting to provide a welcome push for more job creation through improvements in our physical environment, encouragement for new college graduates to stay in Ohio, investing in greener energy, and more.

House Bill 554 is a package of $1.57 billion in investments placed toward biomedical research, "advanced" energy production, local infrastructure improvements, and continued support for our Historic Preservation Tax Credit, encouraging the revitalized use of existing structures. The Bill is also about funding new incentives for Ohio's college students in the form of access to internships, cooperative education programs, and jobs while they are still in school, increasing the chances that grads will stay here upon completing degrees.

A second part of the package, tied to a November bond issue vote, is aimed at renewing the Clean Ohio program. This plan targets the preservation of greenspace, farmland, and reclaiming brownfield sites so that we can maximize the highest and best uses of the land on which we live.

Everyone has something to say about the state of the real estate market these days. It's one thing to send taxpayers a little cash to buy a few items, and it's another to make proposals to encourage home buyers directly, but the economic health of a market must also be addressed by creating conditions where livelihoods are a likelihood and, in effect, "staging" our state so that people and businesses find it an attractive place to call home.

Thanks to State Senator David Goodman for making the effort to keep us informed through his newsletter.