Think Outside the Box - 11/29/09 10:18 PM
 
Think Outside the Box
This is such a cliché eh? 
I am not a fan of slogans, and whenever I hear this particular phrase, it makes me think of Taco Bell’s: Think Outside the Bun.  This slogan has been so overused – remember: Push the Envelope? 
The converse slogan of: When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
I do happen to like this slogan as it seems that real estate agents are viewed by most consumers as commodities and essentially do the same thing. 
Have a home to sell?  Quick, I’ll come … (3 comments)

Westlake Ohio Homes For Sale between $500,000 - $1,000,000 - 11/15/09 10:39 PM
Westlake Ohio Homes For Sale between $500,000 - $1,000,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Westlake Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/15/2009) 48 homes for sale in Westlake Ohio between $500,000 - $1,000,000.
Homes between $500,000 - $1,000,000 in Westlake Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Westlake Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Westlake Ohio Home
… (7 comments)

Westlake Ohio Homes For Sale between $250,000 - $500,000 - 11/15/09 10:36 PM
Westlake Ohio Homes For Sale between $250,000 - $500,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Westlake Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/15/2009) 93 homes for sale in Westlake Ohio between $250,000 - $500,000.
Homes between $250,000 - $500,000 in Westlake Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Westlake Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Westlake Ohio Home
… (0 comments)

I'll Just Offer the Buyer a Credit - 11/15/09 10:28 PM
For crying out loud, if the buyer is interested in my home and they don't like: _______________________________________________________________________
then I'll just offer them a credit at closing so they can put it in and pick out the color/material they like.
Let's think about it: How many times as a listing agent have you heard that?
What is your response back to your seller?
A listing agent's goal should be to not simply respond with the pros and cons to this question at that point in time.  The mere fact that the question has come up AND, here's the real important part:
If … (4 comments)

Cuyahoga County Tax Rates - 11/15/09 10:10 PM
I work regularly with relocation buyers who have decided to make Greater Cleveland their home.
Depending on where these buyers are relocating from, there are always questions about property taxes.  In some parts of the country, there is one tax rate for the entire county, and there may be 2-4 counties surrounding an entire metropolitan region -- for example, the Greater Washington, D.C. area.
However, here in Greater Cleveland, the county that surrounds the City of Cleveland is Cuyahoga County.  In Cuyahoga County, each community sets its own property tax rate.
 
Here are the tax rates for the all the … (1 comments)

Stream Stewardship for Residential Property Owners - Six Easy Steps - 11/15/09 09:59 PM
Some residential property owners are fortunate enough to have a stream running through their property or perhaps their property adjoins a common area or some other entity that has a stream.
People are willing to pay higher prices for property with natural amenities such as wildlife, streams, lakes, ponds, panoramic views, etc.
For people who have a stream on their property, there are six easy things to do that can help maintain the health and vitality of your stream and also benefit your downstream neighbors.
 
Don't mow the lawn to the edge of the stream. Leave a buffer.  Eliminating the … (0 comments)

Simple and Free Window Cleaning Service - 11/15/09 09:21 PM
Answer: You.
Question: How can I easily, quickly and for free, clean the outsides of my windows on my two-story home when I have windows that do NOT tilt in?
 
Now that you know the answer, the steps are easy.
I once bought a long painting pole that is threaded on one end so a threaded paint roller handle could be screwed on.
I was cruising down an aisle in Target last week with my son (he was after baseball cards) and I was after dog bones, when we ran by one of the cleaning aisles and I noticed this … (0 comments)

Attention Brecksville Residents: Fixed Gas Rate of $6.74 Through IGS Energy - 11/15/09 07:43 PM
The City of Brecksville has negotiated a fixed gas rate of $6.74 through IGS Energy.  There is NO early termination fee and it runs through October 2010.
If you are currently using an "Energy Choice" type of provider, please ensure the company does not charge an early termination fee.
 
IGS Energy can be reached at 1-800-280-4474.
… (0 comments)

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Refunds Slowing to A Crawl Thanks To Fraud - 11/15/09 07:26 PM
The IRS has acknowledged that 2008 Amended Tax Returns for the first-time homebuyer tax credit has hit a brick wall in that refunds that were taking 6 weeks to process are now taking up to 20 weeks.
Why's that?  Good question.
You can probably guess: FRAUD.
Yes, you got it.  Some questionable claims were filed by none other than: IRS Employees.  Filers as young as 4  years old were also asking for the refund.
These questionable claims are estimated to total in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
 
Let's think about this for a second.  The IRS has all of … (2 comments)

Whose Customer Service Policy is Better: Best Buy or Yours? - 11/15/09 06:55 PM
I recently ordered a television from Best Buy.  The rep in the store said that customer service will call you the night before to let you know the window.  I asked if I could pick the time-slot and asked how long the window was.  He said 2 hours and NO.  No?  Say What?
You mean to tell me in this day and age, one can't have enough "intelligent scheduling" to at least give the customer a few options?
Sure enough, customer service called the evening before.  She politely informed me they would be at my home between 2-4pm the next day.  … (76 comments)

Shaker Heights Ohio Homes For Sale from $1,000,000+ - 11/08/09 07:26 PM
Shaker Heights Ohio Homes For Sale from $1,000,000+.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Shaker Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/8/2009) 9 homes for sale in Shaker Heights Ohio from $1,000,000+.
Homes from $1,000,000+ in Shaker Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Shaker Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
Olsen Ziegler Realty -- An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Shaker Heights Ohio Home
… (0 comments)

Google's Godzilla-Sized Eyeballs Will Soon Be 360x360x360 - 11/08/09 07:14 PM
I wonder if Aldous Huxley had lived in a time sufficient to forecast the pervasiveness and invasive nature of technology, what his novel of today would be like forecasting the future in the age of Google?
ActiveRain members have accumulated a vast store of knowledge and techniques on how to get visible on Google <a good thing> but ponder a moment on how the reverse (Google Knowing Us) will soon dwarf in comparison, our efforts to reach out to the world.
Don't get me wrong, I love technology and I think Google is perhaps the coolest tech company except for Apple … (9 comments)

Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale from $800,000+ - 11/08/09 05:46 PM
Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale from $800,000+.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Cleveland Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/8/2009) 15 homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio from $800,000+.
Homes from $800,000+ in Cleveland Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Cleveland Heights Ohio Home
… (0 comments)

Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $500,000 - $800,000 - 11/08/09 05:43 PM
Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $500,000 - $800,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Cleveland Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/8/2009) 15 homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio between $500,000 - $800,000.
Homes between $500,000 - $800,000 in Cleveland Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Cleveland Heights Ohio … (0 comments)

Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $350,000 - $500,000 - 11/08/09 05:39 PM
Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $350,000 - $500,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Cleveland Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/8/2009) 19 homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio between $350,000 - $500,000.
Homes between $350,000 - $500,000 in Cleveland Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Cleveland Heights Ohio … (0 comments)

Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $250,000 - $350,000 - 11/08/09 05:26 PM
Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $250,000 - $350,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Cleveland Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/8/2009) 42 homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio between $250,000 - $350,000.
Homes between $250,000 - $350,000 in Cleveland Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Cleveland Heights Ohio … (0 comments)

The Brownstones in Franklin at First and Church - Franklin TN Real Estate - 11/08/09 08:37 AM
I think Mike's post is an exceptional example of using technology.  Both the slideshow and the home search feature are well done.
Via Mike Nastri Franklin TN Homes (Keller Williams Realty):
The Brownstones in Franklin at First and Church - Franklin TN Real Estate
These are classic Brownstone in Franklin style homes in the heart of Historic Downtown Franklin TN.  If you love Franklin and the urban lifestyle in a quaint southern town, you'll love these.  Enjoy the slide show below from Franklin's streets and scroll below that to the current Brownstone listings.


 
The current listings are below.  Click on … (0 comments)

Short Sale Net Proceeds Versus Foreclosure -- Where's the Beef? - 11/05/09 06:54 PM
I talk to my colleagues all the time on how banks, lenders, underlying investors, etc. absolutely BLOW SHORT SALE residential real estate deals out of the water on a regular basis, like they are getting a glass of water from the tap!  In fact, it's so routine and the short sale problem is so huge, that it barely gets a public mention anymore.
I think there should be a national database (or setup by a non-profit) that tracks (both property specific and aggregated at various higher levels such as neighborhood, municipality, region, state) the net difference (probably universally a net loss) … (7 comments)

Proposed Federal Housing Tax Credit Bill By This Friday, November 6th, 2009? - 11/05/09 04:57 PM
I have been reading various websites which states the House of Representatives voted today 403-12 to expand the federal housing tax credit and it "MAY" be signed by the President this Friday.
Here is link one of the many articles on it.
I hope some CPAs and Tax Attorneys jump in here in addition to real estate professionals.
 
… (0 comments)

Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $200,000 - $250,000 - 11/01/09 10:58 PM
Cleveland Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $200,000 - $250,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the Cleveland Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/1/2009) 25 homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio between $200,000 - $250,000.
Homes between $200,000 - $250,000 in Cleveland Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in Cleveland Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your Cleveland Heights Ohio … (0 comments)

University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale from $250,000+ - 11/01/09 10:52 PM
University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale from $250,000+.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the University Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/1/2009) 4 homes for sale in University Heights Ohio from $250,000+.
Homes from $250,000+ in University Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in University Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your University Heights Ohio Home
… (1 comments)

University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $200,000 - $250,000 - 11/01/09 10:48 PM
University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $200,000 - $250,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the University Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/1/2009) 13 homes for sale in University Heights Ohio between $200,000 - $250,000.
Homes between $200,000 - $250,000 in University Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in University Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your University Heights Ohio … (0 comments)

University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $150,000 - $200,000 - 11/01/09 10:44 PM
University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $150,000 - $200,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the University Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/1/2009) 38 homes for sale in University Heights Ohio between $150,000 - $200,000.
Homes between $150,000 - $200,000 in University Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in University Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your University Heights Ohio … (0 comments)

University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $100,000 - $150,000 - 11/01/09 10:41 PM
University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale between $100,000 - $150,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the University Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/1/2009) 65 homes for sale in University Heights Ohio between $100,000 - $150,000.
Homes between $100,000 - $150,000 in University Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in University Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your University Heights Ohio … (0 comments)

University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale up to $100,000 - 11/01/09 10:36 PM
University Heights Ohio Homes For Sale up to $100,000.
As a Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) and a REALTOR with strong negotiating experience, I would be happy to assist you with your next home purchase or sale in the University Heights Ohio real estate marketplace.
Here are currently (as of 11/1/2009) 14 homes for sale in University Heights Ohio up to $100,000.
Homes up to $100,000 in University Heights Ohio
View all the homes for sale in University Heights Ohio at Olsen Ziegler Realty
Happy searching!
An innovative and cost-effective way to buy and sell your University Heights Ohio Home
… (0 comments)

Just Sold: $1,140,000 - 4546 Hunting Valley Drive, Brecksville, Ohio 44141 - 11/01/09 10:27 PM
I recently sold 4546 Hunting Valley Drive in Brecksville, Ohio 44141 for $1,140,000.
This home never entered the market.  My buyers were searching for a home with some very specific requirements and needs and there was nothing on the market that met their criteria.  I used my professional and cordial relationships with various agents who specialize in the luxury home market and fortunately, was able to locate a property that met all of this buyer's requirements.
As the co-owner and broker of Olsen Ziegler Realty, I take great pride in listening to each client's needs and presenting them with a very … (1 comments)

Just Sold - 9189 Eldorado Trail, Strongsville, Ohio 44136 - 11/01/09 08:47 PM
I just sold 9189 Eldorado Trail in Strongsville, Ohio 44136 this past week to my very happy, first-time home buyers.  This is a limited-maintenance Pulte New Home development named Schneider Reserve and this community is selling out fast. 
When the real estate market is down for new home construction across the country and this new home development is experiencing very strong sales, it's obvious Pulte hit the mark with this development.
I think Pulte does an excellent job with their designs, flexible finishing options and outstanding customer service. The floor plans in this development are impressive and the pricing is very … (0 comments)

Locally Owned Business in Brecksville Ohio -- Star Sports - 11/01/09 08:25 PM
Star Sports 7032 Mill Road, Brecksville, Ohio 44141 (440) 838-4414 is the place to go if you are looking for Bee's clothing and accessories for the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools.  The BBH Bee's colors are red and yellow.
I took my two kids into the store this past week to pickup a "Go Bee's" yard sign -- a common sight around Brecksville and Broadview Heights.
The Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District is ranked #11 in the entire State of Ohio and has the highest rating given by the State: "Excellent with Distinction."
If you want to view my latest Brecksville Ohio Real Estate … (0 comments)

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course Brecksville Ohio - 11/01/09 05:26 PM
Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in scenic Brecksville, Ohio is a wonderful and locally-owned treasure.  Sleepy Hollow Golf Course is owned by the Cleveland Metroparks.
I live in Brecksville Ohio and drive past Sleepy Hollow Golf Course every day, and most days, I drive by at least 6-8 times.  I always admire the beauty of Golf Course and the views it provides, how the views look during the different seasons and how incredibly busy this course is during the playing season.
Sometimes, I use this course as a 5-minute respite from the hectic pace of life and I will just sit back … (5 comments)