Karen & Doug's "ikarensell" Blog

Shoot The Hills

2008-04-27T09:00:34Z

The 11th edition of this Hocking Hills Region spring event was quite the success, with photographers from many states dropping in for the weekend to compete for over $3,000 in cash and other prizes. The competition continues to grow in national stature, and pre-registrations were double the number of 2007. And this year, "Shoppe the Hills" was added to allow artists and other sponsors to show and sell their offerings in the Lodge at Hocking Hills State Park....word is that they all did a nice bit of business through the weekend of April 18-20.

The event is one of the highlight annual fundraisers for the Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park, an all-volunteer organization that works to provide funding for various state parks needs and projects (watch for more information about plans for the astronomical observatory....).

The competition rules meeting on Friday morning was standing-room-only, and just about all the chairs were filled for Sunday's awards ceremony in the very-large lower-level meeting room at the Lodge. The Lodge staff also put out a nice spread of goodies for those in attendance, and there wasn't much left to eat at the end! Looks like The Friends will have some additional logistical planning to do for 2009....many more amateur, pro and junior photographers can be expected next year, and Shoppe the Hills is likely to grow as well. By the way, although most folks know the famous Hocking Hills Region is in Hocking County, Shoot the Hills photo entries can be also be taken in Athens, Fairfield and Vinton counties....which underscores how the Hocking Hills has been growing in appeal beyond its traditional boundaries.

The event's official Web site is http://www.shootthehills.com/. Winning photographs will also be displayed in June on Time Warner Cable, by the way....stay tuned for additional information. You can take a peek at some of the event activities in a quick Visual Tour.

After the Storm: Hide-A-Way Hills (Ohio) Winter Tour

2008-03-09T17:31:39Z

'Twas an interesting and probably quite cozy and perhaps romantic weekend in "The Hills" from Hide-A-Way to Hocking. For folks who were able to make it through the snow prior to the Level 3 Snow Emergency Alerts, staying put (or simply getting stuck, as they say) in a warm cabin in the woods was no doubt a great tonic. Not a good weekend for the HAH Lodge and other restaurants and services in the area, and the white stuff (and whiteouts) no doubt put a heavy damper on lots of pre-spring events planned in the Hocking Hills Region...but peaceful and restful nonetheless.

Gave us an opportunity to do a quick update on Visual Tours of the Hide-A-Way Hills resort community, with perspectives during and after the storm....thanks for taking a peek.....

http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?T=1422360

Home Inspections and Expectations

2008-02-17T17:32:37Z

After watching two recent contracts die because of home inspections, (plus two others in the past 1-2 years), I figure it's well past time to examine the current reality a bit more closely. Maybe it's just another reflection of the dizzying buyers' market, but we're seeing stuff we just haven't before. One inspector wrote a couple of pages of flaws in electrical wiring.....which had been done by one the region's most respected and licensed electrical firms, to code and then some. There was a lot more to that story....suffice it to say I was able to comb through the verbage and counter much of what was written on my own. But the bottom line is that the buyer got skittish and walked. Guess that means I can also hang out a shingle that says I'm a home inspector....and by golly, I can!

Had an inspector a while back blow a sale on probably one of the best-built homes we've ever listed. He questioned wiring....for a home that had been built for a licensed electrician, who had used another licensed company to assist. He employed other basically bogus methods of "inspecting," and then proceeded to make offhand comments that completely spooked the young buyers and their parents. Of course, he had qualified himself as competent because he had worked in the construction trades, and had professional inspector credentials. Another agent yesterday informed me of a similar situation that stopped his clients in their search tracks; in this case, two home sales are not to be.

It also begs questions about disclosure after the fact. So after talking to some agents, I also discussed it with a practicing attorney who also happens to hold a real estate license....his legal persepective about home inspections in Ohio is that they are nothing more than opinions, unless conducted by a professional engineer (P.E.). And the reality is that few inspectors carry that sort of certification (and they charge accordingly....also a concern when buyers realize they'll be paying $400-500 for the inspection sale or no sale. There's also the matter of limited liability, usually limited to the cost of the inspection itself on contracts I've seen. As someone else noted, "what's that say about the value of an inspector's opinion?"

So let's say you've got a home inspection and subsequent blown contract, and you're now thinking new residenial property disclosure form. What to advise your client? The attorney we talked to said, opinions are like ___________, everyone has one. And a non-engineer home inspector's report is not, in his estimation, anything close to expert....so don't worry about the disclosures, he suggests, unless you have evidence of an immediate problem in need of a repair. He, along with a very respected to-the-letter-of-the-code-and-beyond homebuilder I also spoke with, also noted that all the inspection reports they read tend to be couched in very vague or evasive language.....likely indicating an admission of being expertise-challenged, or at least being driven primarily by liability fears. That's hardly an encouraging situation for either buyer or seller.

Another side of the legal advice advised disclose, disclose, disclose....no matter what, if you've got an inspector's written word. But isn't there any right to doubt or rule out an inspector's incompetence? Of course you can get another inspection (full or perhaps just a walkaround "pre-inspection")....but that could also put your client in a bind, depending on what comes up. The house could be re-activated under "as-is" status, but consider the red flags that phrase raises. There's usually no clear answer under the circumstances. It does suggest that agents spend more time upfront with sellers about the wisdom of pre-inspections in today's market.

Some of my best friends, as they say, are home inspectors.....so I'm not anti-inspections; we represent buyers as well as sellers and work with a number of inspectors we consider competent and then some. But unfortunately, we have no control over what caliber of inspector another agent brings to the table (and lest we forget, about only 20% of agents stay in the profession beyond 2 years). But as one of my friendly home inspectors said at a recent seminar.....get out and support HB 257. While there are interesting differences of opinion about licensing or certifying home inspectors, if a real estate agent has to be licensed (and thereby held fully financially accountable), why not a home inspector? After all, we're talking about most folks' biggest single investment.

Quiet & Upscale Community, Spacious Condo

2008-02-11T17:02:33Z

Close to all amenities, yet in a quiet country-like location is where you'll find this customized floor plan....stylish, open & certainly spacious, with custom quality and upgrades throughout.

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Quiet & Upscale Community, Spacious Condo

4910 Rays Circle, Dublin, OH 43016

$269,900

Property Type:	Condo
MLS Number:	2750849
Year Built:	2004
Square Feet:	2600
Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	3
Garage:	2
Stories:	1
Company:	Prudential Calhoon Company Realtors
Listing Agent:	Karen & Doug Parker
Office:	(614) 850-4909
Email:	The Karen & Doug Parker Team>The Karen & Doug Parker Team

NEW PRICE!
Free 24/7 Recorded Info: 800-437-0874, ID # 8004

Close to all amenities, yet in a quiet country-like location is where you'll find this customized floor plan....stylish, open & certainly spacious, with custom quality and upgrades throughout. You'll discover cherry cabinetry, granite counters, ceramic tile floors, cathedral & tray ceilings, California Closets and more. The wonderful builder-finished lower level offers generous gathering space, rec/game room, full bath, and bedroom w/walk-in closet. There's also a restful master suite with gorgeous custom bath, gourmet kitchen, stone fireplace, garage storage cabinets, additional storage and, of course, more.....

1st-Floor Laundry	2-Car Attached Garage	2-inch Plantation Blinds	6-Panel Doors
Backs to Green Space	Breakfast Bar	Built-ins	Cathedral Ceilings
Ceiling Fans	Central Air	Ceramic Tile Flooring	Covered Porch
Custom Cabinetry	Dining Room	Dishwasher	Downstairs Bedroom
Eat-In Area	Electric Range	Finished Lower Level	Gas Heat
Granite Counters	Kitchen Cabinet Pull-Outs	Kitchen Can Lights	Large Closets
Large Kitchen	Laundry Cabinets	Master Walk-In	Patio
Refrigerator	Security System	Smoothtop Range	Storm Door
Sun Room	Tray Ceiling	Water Conditioner	Water Softener

The information presented here is deemed reliable, though not guaranteed.

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Return to: Hilliard Real Estate

Karen & Doug Parker,
Prudential Calhoon Company Realtors?
Site Updated 2/10/08
This information is provided as a public service, and is for the exclusive personal and non-commercial use of our site visitors. Although all information is believed to be accurate, we cannot?warrant or guarantee?content?in any way. All information should be verified before acting upon it and it is the user\'s sole responsibility to do so.? ikarensell Enterprises Inc. reserves the right to remove or replace any and all information located on this web site found to be inaccurate, and will always stive to be proactive in doing so. All information or services provided are without warranty of any kind.??Any information submitted to this site will be used strictly for the purpose indicated. No information shall ever be sold or knowingly?provided to any third party.

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Cedar Hillside Hideaway in Gated Resort Community - Hideaway Hills...

2008-02-11T14:10:28Z

Your nearest neighbors are the birds & other wildlife attracted to the picturesque landscaping & tall trees that encircle the inviting decks which welcome you on all sides of this charming home...

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Cedar Hillside Hideaway

460 Yana Lane, Hide-A-Way Hills, OH 43107

$249,900

Property Type:	Single Family
MLS Number:	2805298
Square Feet:	2156 - w/finished walkout lower
Bedrooms:	3
Bathrooms:	3
Lot Size:	1.47 acres
Garage:	2
Stories:	1
Company:	Prudential Calhoon Company Realtors
Listing Agent:	Karen & Doug Parker
Office:	(614) 850-4909
Email:	The Karen & Doug Parker Team>The Karen & Doug Parker Team

FULL VIDEO TOUR AVAILABLE
3 Lots
& Lots of Room for Family, Friends & Entertaining!

Your nearest neighbors are the birds and other wildlife attracted to the picturesque landscaping and tall trees that encircle the inviting decks....which welcome you on all sides of this charming home, expanded and remodeled to a "T" in the 1990's. And with the golf course just above and the lake just below you, the location is central as well as scenic in this resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills. You'll find plenty of room for storage in the detached 2-car garagem which also provides a welcojming drive-to-the-door approach. Step inside to discover rustic knotty pine walls, classic French Doors, and a spacious great room with deck walkout...a gathering space built for entertaining and relaxing, graced by abundant wood windows overlooking the great outdoors. The updated kitchen is enhanced by the cozy eating & preparation island, along with warm wood cabinetry and an XXL walk-in pantry. The double-sized master retreat offers a private sitting area, plus an ovesized walk-in closet and full bath and bright walkout to the side deck. Downstairs you'll find two large bedrooms with double windows for lots of natural lighting, along with a recreation room with deck walkout, and a full bath, laundry room and extra storage closet. Whether you're looking for a special year-round or vacation home, this is one that will quickly move to the top of your short list!

*(property located within Hocking County, Marion Township)*

2-Car Detached Garage	24-Hour Security	3 Lots	Abundant Wildlife
Addl Off-Street Parking	All Natural Exterior	Attic Fan	Cathedral Ceiling
Ceiling Fans	Central Air	Community Airport	Community ATV Trails
Community Beach	Community Boat Docks	Community Boating Lake, Fishing Lakes	Community Golf Course
Community Lodge & Restaurant	Community Pool	Community Shooting Range	Community Stables
Community Tennis Courts	Covered Porch	Dining Room	Dishwasher
Finished Lower Level	French Doors	Gated Community	Great Room
Hall Linen Closet	Hocking Hills Region	Home Warranty Included	Kitchen Cabinet Pull-Outs
Kitchen Island	Large Closets	Laundry/Utility Room	Lighted Closets
Master Suite	Master Walk-In	Microwave	Patio
Plant Ledges	Propane Heat	Ravine	Rec Room
Refrigerator	Smoothtop Range	Stream	Updated Fixtures
Upper and Lower Decks	Walk-in Pantry	Well & Septic	Wooded Lot

The information presented here is deemed reliable, though not guaranteed.

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Log Cabin Turnkey Investment Opportunity

2008-02-11T13:39:22Z

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Established Rental Cabin Turnkey Opportunity

21678 State Route 278, Nelsonville, OH 45764

$124,900

Property Type:	Single Family
MLS Number:	2801307
Year Built:	2000
Square Feet:	620 - inc. loft
Bedrooms:	1
Bathrooms:	1
Lot Size:	5 acres
Stories:	1.5
Company:	Prudential Calhoon Company Realtors
Listing Agent:	Karen & Doug Parker
Office:	(614) 850-4909
Email:	The Karen & Doug Parker Team>The Karen & Doug Parker Team

Hocking County
New on Market

Nestled on five acres between historic Nelsonville and beautiful Lake Hope State Park you'll discover this cozy and charming log cabin. Rental records are available, and the property backs to 80 acres owned by the sellers. And it's all also close to events and amenities at Ohio University and the scenic Hocking Hills Region. This easy-care loft design includes all furnishings and appliances, including a stackable washer and dryer in the large utility room. There's also a corner gas log fireplace, satellite TV hookup, and drive-to-the-door convenience.

Air Conditioning	Cathedral Ceiling	Ceiling Fans	Covered Porch
Deck	Electric Heat	Electric Range	Gas Log Fireplace
Hiking Trails	Hot Tub	Laundry/Utility Room	Loft
Log Home	Microwave	Playset	Refrigerator
Satellite Dish	Turnkey	Washer/Dryer	Well & Septic
Wood Laminate Flooring	Wooded Acreage

The information presented here is deemed reliable, though not guaranteed.

Search for more properties

Return to: Hilliard Real Estate

Karen & Doug Parker,
Prudential Calhoon Company Realtors
Site Updated 2/10/08
This information is provided as a public service, and is for the exclusive personal and non-commercial use of our site visitors. Although all information is believed to be accurate, we cannot?warrant or guarantee?content?in any way. All information should be verified before acting upon it and it is the user\'s sole responsibility to do so.? ikarensell Enterprises Inc. reserves the right to remove or replace any and all information located on this web site found to be inaccurate, and will always stive to be proactive in doing so. All information or services provided are without warranty of any kind.??Any information submitted to this site will be used strictly for the purpose indicated. No information shall ever be sold or knowingly?provided to any third party.

About - Featured Listings - Search for Homes - Free Reports

Favorite Links - Apply Online - School Info - Community Links

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Is Hideaway Hills in The Hocking Hills? And What's the Difference? Episode 1...

2008-02-11T13:08:07Z

We've been known to call Hide-A-Way Hills a "Gateway to the Hocking Hills"...although many, if not most, who find the community do so after first coming to see "The Caves" and other areas that comprise Hocking Hills State Park....most notably, Old Man's Cave. No matter which comes first, there's a lot of common ground and certainly significant differences when it comes both to recreation, amenities, and definitely when it comes to buying a vacation home or acreage....or a place to retire, for that matter.

On the left above is Lake Hope, just below the city of Logan; most folks will see it as a drive-by as they make their way down Route 664 to Old Man's Cave. On the right is Lake of the Four Seasons, in Hide-A-Way Hills (also referred to as "HAH" or just "The Hills" by members. The photos point to some differences....Lake Hope is larger, but has a 10-horsepower limit (as do other state-operated lakes). Lake of the Four Seasons has no horsepower restrictions, and is operated by the HAH Club....which means, simply, the members/property owners.

(Quicknote: Much of Hideaway Hills rests within Hocking County (Marion Township), but part of the Club falls within Fairfield County.)

Hideaway Hills feels quite the same as the Hocking Hills, as you might guess. But HAH neighbors are closer together, given that the average lot size is about a half-acre....although many members own 2 or 3 adjacent lots. Those who want to "getaway" outside of neighbors' eyesight probably will opt for acreage in the Hocking Hills....and current laws require approximately 2 acres for a septic system permit in Hocking County (ditto in Fairfield County...). Hideaway Hills is all well and septic system, like most of the Hocking Hills....but wait, you say, aren't HAH lots less than 2 acres? Yes, but Hideaway Hills was platted as a resort community in the 1960's, and so you can build on the smaller parcels within the HAH gates.

That's another important difference....security. When we bought our first cabin in HAH years ago, we looked at resort communities within about 60-90 miles of Columbus. The difference for us was the 24-hour security at Hideaway Hills, and we really didn't mind being able to see our neighbor's place(s). Although property ownership in either Hideaway or Hocking Hills is essentially a lifestyle decision, you'll find most HAH members quite comfortable with, if not downright attracted to, the notion of a closer community sort of perspective on things.

There's more to compare and contrast, and we'll get to it future articles. But we do emphasize to clients and plain visitors that no matter which of the "Hills" your're referring to, they're close in both proximity and spirit. If you're in Hideaway Hills, there's so much you ought to see and do outside the gates. And while you're staying in the Hocking Hills, you're invited to come see us in HAH....you can make reservations to dine at the Club's lodge (restaurant and microbrewery), for example. If you'd like to take a tour of the community, just let us know (and by the way, you'll have to be with a member or real estate agent to tour HAH, although non-member agents can show specific HAH properties to their clients). We're also happy to help non-member agents show the community to their clients. And of course, we'll also be happy to show you around the Hocking Hills, too....the parks, shops, restaurants, and more!

Hide-A-Way Hills Technology Update

2008-02-11T11:31:26Z

There's now wireless internet access available in the Lodge at Hideaway Hills...but we'd guess that it won't turn things into a everyone-hunched-over-their-laptop sort of environment, as "The Hills" is a social setting as much as anything else. Folks also often ask about wired home internet access in the community, along with cable and satellite TV. Since Time Warner has now taken over the operation of the community's cable system, we can direcly compare things as well as anticipate what's likely to happen in the relatively near future. Currently, members who basically live on the east side of Lake of the Four Seasons ("the big lake") have Verizon phone service....which means they can most probably get DSL high-speed interenet service, which is always address-specific. Our HAH home has DSL, and we've found it to be at least as dependable and speedy as the Road Runner service we had at our home and now at our condo in Hilliard. Cable broadband service can be affected by the number of users along the "line" at any given time....so if we're working on the internet at our condo on a school snow day, we see a slowdown. DSL is not technically affected by the number of subscribers online.

So what's up down the road? Time Warner intends to complete the fiber optic cable rebuild that was (somewhat) started by the previous cable provider (Adelphia)....often referred to in the cable business as a rebuilt of "the plant." That's now projected for 2009. When it's done, Time Warner will be fully in the "bundling" business in Hideaway Hills....meaning, packaging high-speed internet, digital cable TV, and telephone. We have that full Time-Warner Road Runner package in our condo, with the price of all three services in Hilliard costing about what we now pay for DSL and telephone service from Verizon.

And Time Warner will surely price its initial service bundles to significantly undercut what a HAH member might now be paying in total to Verizon and Time Warner. So Verizon would then have to respond, as would AT+T....which maintains telephone service on "the other" side of the big lake. AT+T subscribers are currently limited to dial-up internet service....so AT+T would at the very least be thinking of providing DSL sometime soon. Of course, legal and technical development in the area of non-traditional "cable" TV service delivery will also come into play along the way.

As we always used to say in the broadcasting business, please stay tuned....

Hide-A-Way Hills Visual Tour

Hide-A-Way Hills video tour

(and stay tuned for new tours come spring....these tours are a bit dated now, given changes in appearance throughout Hideaway Hills....lots of volunteer work and updates through 2007!)

Hilliard Schools Levy, Teachers Contract Vote

2008-02-11T10:54:31Z

Like others in the community, we were disappointed to see that prospects for a successful end to the negotiations between the school board and teachers union (Hilliard Education Association) dimmed last week when the teachers voted overwhelmingly against the board's last offer....which was to be a firm and final one, as everyone understood from various news coverage. Sad, because no matter what side you stand on (and cliched or not), the kids are held hostage....given that the operating levy passage on March 4 becomes more problematic, and the levy covers ongoing operating funds.

Voters will usually tend toward the simplest reason to vote no, and the teachers' contract vote can unfortunately provide a quick way out. And the coverage now makes it clear that health insurance is the biggest hurdle, along with the traditional annual percentage increase.....at issue is about $66 per month for a teacher opting for the family health plan, we're told. Again, we'd ask both sides to talk candidly with the voters about the meaning and impact of built-in "step" increases across the salary schedule, along with any annual percentage increase in a new contract. When that's done, the public can literally and figuratively measure the school district world in light of their own personal and employment situations....so that they aren't inclined toward that easiest reason to vote no.

Essentially wedged in-between in all of this are the volunteers working on the Vote For Strong Schools committee, who have less-than-enough time to both get out the word about the true meaning and impact of the operating levy and raise the necessary funds to do so. If you're asked to make a donation of time and/or money, please at least let your thoughts and questions be known, as the volunteers will be happy to pro-actively share them with those responsible for operating the district....and that includes administration and staff. We'd suggest that a donation to facilitate communication is something apart from the negotiations.

Ash Cave Sweetheart Hike 2/9/08 - Hocking Hills State Park

2008-02-11T10:13:31Z

Sweetheart Hike - Visual Tour

Whether you're headed for a daytrip to Old Man's Cave, renting or staying at a cabin in the Hocking Hills area or Hide-A-Way Hills, there's always lots more to do and see than you might think. Sorry for the after-the-fact posting here, but here's a special annual Hocking Hills Region event you should consider for your 2009 planning calendar....the Sweetheart Hike to Ash Cave. Close to 200 hikers turned out for a naturalist-guided tour along the soft-and-easy walk from the Rt. 56 parking lot to the cave and falls area. The traditional chocolate rose awards went to those teling the warmest sweetheart stories....including a couple who told of getting married in Ash Cave. You'll also find refreshments at the end of the journey, courtesy of the park volunteers from the Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park....for more info, visit http://www.friendsofhockinghills.org/.

Ohio State Parks - Friends of the Hocking Hills and others

2008-02-10T13:30:59Z

If you're at all intererested in or passionate about our state park system and state-managed recreation areas, please note that the parks are scrambling to determine how to cut budgets by about $4-million prior to the end of their fiscal year....leaving just a few months to make major budget adjustments for this year, under orders from Governor Strickland. So it's not just the schools that have been told that there's no money for any state funding increases, and decreases will be the new order of business.

The parks will have to likewise for 2009, but they'll at least a bit more time to figure out where and how to get along with significantly less. In the case of the Hocking Hills Region parks, this news arrives as visitor registrations continue to rise...by approximately 20% from 2005-06, with a healthy jump expected from 2006-07 (final figures to be announced at the Hocking Hills Tourism Association's Annual Meeting, later this month). The Hocking Hills parks greet over 2-million visitors per year these days, and there are now over 700 rental cabins available in the area....and spreading beyond just Hocking County.

Park officials tell us that the Ohio State Parks themselves have never had a dedicated source of funding, so there's no continuing stream from any sort of licensing (such as watercraft as fishing). For the future, it appears that "Friends" groups, as they are known, are likely to wind up serving as such primary sources of cash for both operating and capital needs. You might have noticed the "pipe safes" for donations in certain areas of the parks....that's "The Friends" at work. The size, impact and acceptance of the various parks' Friends organizations across the state vary....a very important point to note. Less-visited parks in very rural areas might find themselves more in jeopardy, given the current funding situation. Those nearer to sizeable population centers have more to draw on for volunteers and financial support.

Although not uncommon in other states' parks, it's doubtful that we'll see admission or user fees in Ohio's 72 State Parks anytime soon. The longtime thinking here concerns insurance and liability claims....when admission fees are charged, the more successful liability/injury claims are seen.

There will be a general symposium of statewide Friends groups on April 5, at Mohican State Park. Although the groups have a common general goal, their ability to reach it for their respective parks can differ dramaticaly. If you'd like more information about the Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park, please pay a visit to our site.

Hilliard City School District – March Operating Levy Election

2008-01-27T12:50:16Z

As a current member of Hilliard Schools' volunteer Citizen's Finance Committee, a former member of the school district's Board of Education, and a founding member of the political action committee CAGH (formed to foster voter approval of the new Bradley High School), I believe the upcoming March 4 operating levy vote is certainly as important as any in my memory, and perhaps more so in light of current economic news and ongoing conflict over state funding. We've lived and worked in the Hilliard area since we moved to Ohio in 1988, and have seen first-hand the growth of the district from about 4,000 to the current 15,000 students. While the district is no longer the fastest-growing in the state(as it was in the 1990's), the notion that the city and district (and they are very different things, as elsewhere in Ohio) are no longer growing is off the mark. Add at least a couple hundred new students per year, and you can project real needs for the next few years, especially in light of reduced state contributions to local district budgets (such as the loss of the tangible personal property tax).

Unfortunately, the current picture is a bit clouded by the continuing negotiations, currently in an arbitration stage, between the teachers and the school board over a new contract. I'll emphasize "unfortunately" because any lack of an agreement (and certainly hints of antagonism) can be fairly expected to dampen enthusiasm for that critical "yes" vote. While I am not privy to details of the negotiations, of course, it's probably no secret that the impasse points greatly to diverging views on money and benefits. As voter response relates to both areas, consider the "average" person who contrasts their private sector job (and benefits) against those of the teachers. In fairness, as a former teacher myself, I will attest to the long hours (much longer than conventional wisdom would have it) that justify the salaries of truly committed and effective educators.

But the fact is that the general voter's perception of benefits beyond pure salary is greatly affected by changes across the corporate world in recent years....most notably, health insurance and retirement plans. While it's understandable that no one is naturally inclined to "give back" things they have previously won, a dose of realism (and a close look at overall school funding expectations) is indeed much more essential in the year 2008.

And what's at stake? The district cutbacks (required by law to achieve balanced budgeting) necessitated by a loss at the polls in March will affect what does or doesn't happen in the classroom....yes, "It's The Kids, ____________" more so than the economy. And property values will be affected, without doubt; best case scenario is that it will negatively add to the current "buyers' market" when it comes to purchase prices. If overall home values decrease, there will be a substntial learning curve before they rebound....as they say, only time will tell. The view from here is that the decrease in one's home value will far exceed the increased taxes.

Voters have a right to expect teachers to understand the general public's work reality and point of view, and to openly acknowledge and justify how they are compensated. The fact that they are unionized does not shield them from such obligations. There simply needs to be more forthright discussions about the value of total compensation, by the district and the teachers. Without that, the levy is in jeopardy; voters will always gravitate to the easiest reason to vote "no." At the risk of cliche and crudity, ultimately the teachers risk fostering the feeling that they are holding citizens' feet to the proverbial fire, with kids as hostages.

Hide-A-Way Hills: Home Prices, Appreciation and History

2008-01-27T10:41:07Z

Because of the significant variety of homes in the community, built by many builders across a few decades, sale prices have tended to vary by year and across all price ranges. It's probably true that emotion plays an even greater role than usual in a home purchase in "The Hills." Moreover, Hide-A-Way Hills Club (that's the legal name....commonly referred to as Hideaway Hills, HAH, or just "The Hills") contains both primary and vacation homes for members, and the potential market for each type can certainly vary according to the outside economy....for example, if buyers are enjoying solid returns on other financial investments they might be more apt to consider a second home. Or perhaps the vacation "market" might encourage people to stay closer to home....given the cost of gasoline and ease of travel, for instance. These influences can also be perceived or real, of course.

The majority of homes in HAH can be fairly considered as primary residences, although a number of those member owners might elect to spend a good portion of the year in warmer winter climates. Remember that HAH began its life as a vacation resort community in 1961, with many original buyers from the central Ohio area looking for a weekend getaway. As the years progressed, members retired and sold their primary homes in order to make HAH their primary residence....while also opting to maintain vacation homes in another area of the country. It's not at all unusual to find long-time HAH members who have owned more than a couple of homes in the community.

We sense a bit of a change in membership these days, as more potential members consider buying vacation property closer to home; this is true across the Hocking Hills Region, as well as in Hide-A-Way Hills. Although it may not appear dramatic, the change seems to be tending toward more "part-time" residence members. So "The Hills" might well be coming full circle, whereby more members are looking at it as a good choice for a vacation home. The Club does offer a good amount of water, and the 24-hour security can certainly be a major attraction for those who aren't living in their homes year-round. At the same time, the general spirit of community will always appeal to many people looking for primary homes....and, after all, HAH is very much a "small town" when all is said and done.

Looking at home sales under $300,000, and prices-per-square foot, the past few years have been relatively stable and positive overall. The average number annual sales of homes in this range has been in the low 30's, using information from the Columbus Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service and assuming some additional transaction not handled by Realtors. The actual numbers below are taken only from the Columbus MLS, and are thus approximate:

2007 - $ 97/sq ft (27 solds)

2006 - $ 83/sq ft (31 solds)

2005 - $ 94/sq ft (29 solds)

2004 - $ 93/sq ft (30 solds)

2003 - $ 79/sq ft (34 solds)

2002 - $ 79/sq ft (44 solds) (*2004-07 saw an increase in the number of $300,000+ sales)

Please note that these figures will also be approximate as a result of occasional incorrect or unavailable information regarding square footage in MLS listings and/or public records. It's also worth noting that, because of the primary/vacation home reality, along with the age of the community itself, that many homes will see significant improvements or additions after purchase.

While the overall picture brightened significantly in 2007 (along with sales in the overall Hocking Hills Region), 2006 appeared to have been a off year for property sales in Hide-A-Way Hills:

50-100,000 100-150,000 150-200,000 200-250,000 250-300,000 300,000+

2007 $ 84.21 (4) $ 93.22 (14) $ 100.48 (4) $ 86.89 (3) $122.35 (2) $129.43 (3)

2006 66.69 (10) 82.16 (7) 82.62 (4) 78.93 (6) 106.07 (4) 134.53 (5)

2005 67.11 (7) 109.82 (12) 96.26 (5) 107.10 (5) -0- 133.70 (5)

*source: Columbus Board of Realtors Multiple Listings Service (MLS)...total sales in parentheses)

Across the board, sold prices-per-square foot decreased. Various reasons can be cited to explain this, including owners' needs for a quick sale (for financial or family reasons), or the need for significant repairs....along with what was probably the start of a declining market which hadn't yet seen the full impact of the opening of the Lancaster bypass for Route 33. Anyone who has owned property in HAH for more than 2-3 years can tell you horror stories about traffic and stop lights prior to the bypass. If you doubt the impact of the bypass, consider that visitor registrations in the Hocking Hills welcome centers were up over 20% from 2005 to 2006...and the Hocking Hills Tourism marketing budget was increased by two-thirds in 2007, largely funded by additional monies from the county's bed tax. Overnight lodging in Hocking Hills cabin rentals was also up by about 18%.

That does suggest an important point to note about Hide-A-Way Hills Club deed restrictions. Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are prohibited, as the members have elected to limit the impact of "weekend renters" with an eye toward the impact on amenities and upkeep, as well as the overall environment. While there are still a handful of cabins/homes in HAH that can be rented on a short-term basis, recent legal agreement prevents them from being used as such once they are resold.....under the terms of the agreement, the small number of existing rental units at the time were "grandfathered" only until such time as the properties were acquired by a new owner. How this Club rule affects resale value depends very much on your plans and needs, and "investment" perspective. But while a member can certainly allow friends and family to make use of a vacation home, it cannot be used as a short-term rental cabin.

For those looking for major isolation and acreage, HAH might not do. Legally a private club, but in lifestyle a small town, it offers a self-contained yet "hideaway" atmosphere certainly well suited for those looking to live and work a bit more "communally" than normal. For those looking to live, either full or part-time, amidst the beauty of southeastern Ohio, there are definite points and counterpoints regarding privacy, security and amenities, area by area, parcel by parcel.

We've also learned a good amount of misinformation about Hide-A-Way Hills through our years as members, from prospective members who've "heard" from agents or others about how various things do or don't work in the community. Also worth noting is that marketing and selling (as well as buying) in HAH is certainly beyong the ordinary, and likely at least a bit more time consuming....there's simple much more to see, do, and consider before making a decision.

We tell prospective members that they can elect to be as social or as private as they prefer in Hide-A-Way Hills, although you do have to get used to seeing your neighbors....and having them at least wave at you or say hello. The Club is owned and operated by the members, so volunteerism has long been an essential hallmark of day-to-day living. The amenities are overseen by volunteer committees, and only members can serve on the Board of Trustees; there is no "company" or business entity that either owns or determines what happens in the Club. In 2007, members voted to approve annual monthly assessment increases for the next five years, to be based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)....with an annual cap of no more than 5%. (69% of votes cast "for" the plan). Members also approved a one-time assessment for dam repairs required by the state, with that work to begin in 2008.

A comprehensive review and explanation of the story behind the story of Hide-A-Way Hills requires much more than a couple of pages of words and numbers, and we welcome any questions you might have...and will gladly provide you with copies of the various Club legal documents that are essential reading prior to buying property and becoming a member. Please call us for a no-obligation and up-close personal tour of the community....by far the best and fairest way to begin your process.

(If you're interested in visual evidence of the increased interest in the overall Hocking Hills Region, please take a look at our video of the Hocking Hills Winter Hike (1/19/08), or its companion Visual Tour. We found a cast of thousands, and on a quite cold winter morning!

(Hide-A-Way Hills video)

Fed Rate Cut, Media Coverage, and Real Estate Markets

2008-01-24T11:40:14Z

So what's the impact on the general public and real estate markets of the Federal Reserve's rate cut on January 22, 2008? If you're watching the cable news channels, it's probably hard to say how the various commentators are reading their tea leaves...especially depending upon how ratings-conscious they might be. Interestingly, this morning (1/24/08) on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show, the host was asking why so much bad financial news gets blown out of proportion....of course, that never is the case on their channel. Context of the complaints was the fact that unemployment claims have been down for a number of consecutive weeks.

Conventional wisdom and history would suggest that the cut, which is the biggest in over 20 years, won't decrease 30-year mortgage rates. Per the norm, it should lighten the load for those facing various consumer credit challenges (non-home loans, credit cards, etc.) as well as adjustable rate mortgages.

The economist (from CNBC) who was being interviewed on today's Morning Joe show stated that it would be far more preferable to let the market run it's course....and if that means and uncertain market and lower stock prices, "that's too bad." The host suggested that the rate cut, along with other expected upcoming financial actions by the President and Congress, make for a case of "too little, too late." The guess here is that neither was thinking too much about the average homeowner, but rather the daily stock market traders. The points they made about the need to encourage capital development was well made, though.

In any case, another rate drop by the Federal Reserve is expected later this month. Mortgage folks are suggesting that there's no good reason to expect fixed home loan rates to fall any further...and that it's more likely that the opposite will occur. So the ongoing NAR campaign about "a great time to buy" might be even more pointed at the start of 2008.

Schools and Property Taxes and Home Values

2008-01-16T16:00:06Z

Local school districts face painful decisions as voters vent their frustration over rising property taxes. While voters reel over the ultimate effect of yo-yoing energy costs, for example, how are they most likely to respond in the ballot booths?

The upcoming operating levy for the Hilliard (Ohio) City School District will be an important case in point for 2008 and beyond, as the district has been relatively fortunate through the past 15-20 years in passing various levies and bond issues. Opening a third high school in 2009 takes us back to 1997 and the addition of the district's second high school....as a formerly "rural" or outlying district found things changing quickly, with many longtime residents wondering what (and who) was responsible. That scenario has been repeated across central Ohio, and other districts have found it much more difficult to get voters to say yes....Canal Winchester appears to be in one of those "close but only almost" cycles that others have struggled with. There's no doubt that a successful campaign will be more difficult to achieve amidst the bad economic blues news that now surrounds us.

Are schools wandering spendthrift paths, and should they be more fiscally and educationally accountable? The first answer is probably a matter of perception, and which news sources one relies upon. The second is a simple yes, but complicated at that.

What´s been referred to as a national property tax revolt is easily understood from either side of the tax billing. Local governments are asked to do more with less, and population growth stretches things further. At the same time, our expectations tend to be higher3;we´re less willing to accept what used to be considered adequate services. This, too, is a not unexpected result of a consumer-based economy.

Governing bodies read the same headlines as the general public. Housing prices have risen dramatically3;.and, of course, have continued to fuel the economy. The bearers of the tax codes simply decide that if property assessments more closely reflect actual market values, then all is fair. But what about those who have no near-term intention of capitalizing on the increased value of their property?

It´s been noted that ever-increasing property taxes are unfair because they are taxes on unrealized gains. But "unrealized" here is purely an accounting term, and applicable only if gains cannot be accessed. In the case of increased home values, legions of homeowners have tapped their rising equity to acquire other things they need3;or simply want. During the recent economic slowdown, it wasn´t business that supplied most of the fuel for the economy3;it was individuals, taking the "profits" from their homes.

And it´s also important to consider just what it was that drove up home values. Any number of factors can be cited, but ultimately it´s a matter of supply and demand, right, and that old cliché "location, location, location"3;.? Yes, but in many if not most communities it´s primarily a matter of schools. Good schools at the very least prop up the value of community real estate.

What about senior citizens, or those on fixed incomes? Aren´t they being blindsided and driven from their homes and neighborhoods? Again, the answer appears simple but the changing nature of our economy requires more thought and research. Reverse mortgages allow anyone to tap into the increased equity in their homes; it´s a topic you can find often in publications directed at seniors, not just something the local banker peddles.

When school levies and bond issues fail, there´s no shortage of rhetoric on the editorial pages. Certainly in Ohio, the biggest target is state funding. Does the overall formula need to be revised? No doubt. Is there a magic one-size-fits-all answer?

Let students be satisfied with less, we often respond. Why should taxpayers be forced to pay for extracurricular activities? OK, good question, and it begs another3;.why should taxpayers have been forced to pay for the extracurricular activities we adults enjoyed through our school years? Each generation owes the next a boost of vision, opportunities and confidence. The things we benefited from in school were likely better than those our parents and grandparents had.

In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that I served on the Hilliard (Ohio) City School District Board of Education during the mid-late 1990´s, when Hilliard was the state´s fastest-growing school district, and also currently serve on the volunteer Financial Advisory Committee. I´ve also taught both high school and college, and readily empathize with those who teach and those who administrate. We ask more and more of them as days progress, and their average or median salaries tend to lag behind what they often could earn outside of education. Those who do the job well also carry it home with them nightly; consider trying to fall asleep to thoughts of any number of students´ needs, performance and oh-so-varying personal and family situations.

Should we expect them to be the best they can be? Yes, that´s a valid expectation, but it´s only with the community´s true encouragement that it´s likely to be fulfilled. Too often today, we allow simple complaining and agenda-driver criticism to masquerade as interest and support.

Real Estate Market - Bad News Blues

2008-01-16T14:41:29Z

At a local board of Realtors meeting yesterday, another husband & wife team asked me if we'd be interested in working with them and some other agents to come up with some sort of counterefforts to the current constant flow of bad news about the housing market. We're familiar with the NAR campaign, and our Columbus board continues to do it's own "a great time to buy" campaign, but we're wondering if some other markets or local boards or realtors' groups might have tried something similar....if so, what was your overall plan, media use, and results? We'd be especially interested in efforts from smaller markets, as the group we're talking about is from Lancaster/southeast Ohio rather than central Ohio/Columbus.

We try to point out to clients that the media stories do indeed present a skewed view, with emphasis on the exceptions rather than the rules.....that's just the nature of the beast today, especially because of the advent of so many news outlets and the scramble for ratings and demographics. We also suggest to folks that even what you tend to see on the "home" shows (makeovers, etc.) across the networks highlight the singular sorts of situations (and personalities involved) that will draw the most viewers.

As a sidebar, we heard some interesting thoughts at a local real estate investors' group meeting last week in Columbus. Most of those attending appeared to not be real estate agents, and there was a bit of bashing going on about MLS statistics (such as accusations of the misleading nature of "Days on the Market") and also the NAR economic and market outlooks. But the upside was that even this group was advising its members to buy now....with the caveat that they should be "buying low" and "selling low" (referring to rehabs and wholesaling) in today's market.

Southeast Ohio

2007-09-08T09:46:11Z

The state of Ohio's Department of Natural Resources' purchase of conservation easements on thousands of acres in Vinton County begs the question of its impact on land values, local economies, and tourism. The simplest answer might be that the Hocking Hills Region is moving a bit further south and east. The junction of Routes 93 and 56 will probably get busier, and we're likely to see much more use of less-known recreation spots such as Lake Hope State Park.

It's been said that at least a part of the reason for the purchase is the increasing price for land in Hocking County. When you find folks willing to pay upwards of $50,000 for a basic two-acre parcel in what are essentially log/wood vacation home "neighborhoods," something's certainly up. Clients of ours bought and sold acreage between 2005 and 2007 and saw very large double-digit appreciation over that time.

The Hocking Hills Tourism Association noted earlier this year that overnight lodging was up by about 18% over 2006, and it's also significant that the HHTA marketing budget is up dramatically....funded much by lodging taxes, of course. Looks like folks are staying closer to home, and when they rent for a few weekends and consider buying a second home or investment land, sticker shock can set in and they inquire about lower-priced options outside of the Hocking Hills Region. At that point they can also discover other vacation home options, such as the gated resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills....while you can't buy "big" acreage there, you do get access to a wide range of amenities.

Longtime local residents complain that speculation is making life difficult for them in various ways, but the fact remains that the demographic makeup of the region is changing.

Home Videos

2007-09-08T07:49:33Z

Am wondering about the appeal and impact of home video tours now available (in beta version) on realtor.com, and guessing that few agents are posting them. Initally we could see the amount of views taken of our online videos ("Vidego"), but that function's been out of commission for a number of days now. How impotant is this added capability to buyers?

A recent presentation by Visual Tour at our MLS' tech day noted that only about five percent of our MLS listings included any sort of virtual tours. If that's true, is is cost or techphobia that gets in the way? We've been producing video as well as Visual Tours of our listings for a few years now, and comments we get indicate appreciation for more comprehensive views of homes...but we sometimes wonder if they might unintentionally remove too much of the "mystery" that can attract potential buyers to a showing.

Hide-A-Way Hills & Second Homes

2007-07-26T10:17:33Z

We've been members of Hideaway Hills, a private gated community & certainly one of Ohio's best-kept secrets (intentional or not....) since 1999, and have built a new home (sort of in between a full-time and second home) here after remodeling an older cabin and selling it to friends a few years ago. We're a private club, not a municipality, owned and operated by the members. We have full-time employees in security, maintenance, food
service, and general office. We just hired a new general manager, lodge manager, and chef, after our
previous GM retired after 20+ years of service.
All amenities (golf course, lakes, tennis, etc.) are overseen by committees made up of members; everyone is purely a volunteer except for our employees. Volunteerism has been a hallmark of "The Hills" for decades. Prices for homes on the big lake have historically run $150+ per square foot, with homes valued anywhere between approx. $300,000 to maybe a million for a few select residences. Homes on the smaller fishing lakes are of course a bit less, and general homes off the water sell between $90-110 per sq.ft. if they're not in need of major makeovers.
The club has been here since the 1960's, with very many long-time members still around. It began as a weekend resort community, and gradually changed to more of a year-round home place....although not a few folks who had weekend cabins here years ago now have retired here and have second homes elsewhere....FL, AZ, motorhomes, etc.
HAH was planned as a resort community in the 1960's, with most lots approximately .5 acre. The original developers (long since gone) were essentially lot salespeople. There are many folks who bought adjacent lots,
so you'll often find listings that includes 2-3 lots.....still paying only one monthly assessment unless they decide to build something else on one of the adjacent lots.
We bought our first place here in HAH, which was strictly a vacation place, because of the 24-hour security. Our main entrance is always guard gated, and we also maintain 4 "back gates" which can be accessed by special
openers...to make life easier for members who might live 5 miles or so from the front gate.

When we bought our first place, we looked at about all the lake communities within 60-90 miles of central Ohio. We kept coming back to HAH because of the 24-hour security and value for the amenities....don't think you'll find anyplace offering the range of things we have here for $128 per month, the current monthly assessment everyone pays for upkeep of the club and its amenities. The blub offers lakes, fishing, boating, pools, tennis, lodge & restaurant (with microbrewery), plus airstrip, ATV track, shooting range, playground, beach, outdoor non-denominational chapel, stables, and more.....quite a bargain, by just about any standards!

To Re or Not To Re....

2007-06-26T08:37:30Z

After seeing the cable news channels report this morning about the May housing market figures, read in the local paper that the market's the softest it's been since 1992. While all real estate might indeed be local, this former broadcaster knows that news these days tends ever more so to not be....so what the consumers see is what we get. So how best to bump things up out on the street as an agent? What are the odds against selling a "non-neutral" home....especially in light of the fact that so much of what we see as real estate reality TV tends to avoid the "neutral" in the housing market; what we often recommend that sellers do (or buyers buy) is likely to be much different than what most folks are seeing on TV.

We've taken more than a few listings of homes that wouldn't be defined as neutral. Local realtors do walk-throughs and their obvious comments is...."too much color." Maybe that's just an easy way to avoid having to say something truly helpful or thoughtful....or even challenging. Of course, we've already discussed this situation and the likely reactions with the client upfront....but re-painting or re-doing anything tends not to be high on the list when a family's about to move, for whatever reason. And then there's that pesky stuff about "normal life" (jobs, soccer and baseball games, family gatherings, medical appointments, etc.) that makes the "re" question so much more vexing.

And of course there's the matter of folks having to grapple with the notion that their tastes and sense of style are a bit behind the curve. In any case, it seems that the various "markets" we must deal with...buying, selling, remodeling, marketing, media and such....continue to apparently contradict themselves.