Jon's Blog

The University of Akron Zips Ranked No.1 In NCAA Soccer

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:27:18 -0600

The University of Akron men's soccer team has been one of the most productive programs at the university since its inaugural season in 1955. No other program has been ranked among the nation's best at the university through its history. Yes, there have been spurts of greatness at the university among over the years:

John Heisman led the Zip's football team to a 12-6 victory over Ohio State in 1896.

Bob Huggins led the Zip's basketball program to several 20 game win seasons

The men's basketball team played in the NCAA tournament and ran into Earl "the Pearl" Monroe as they lost to Winston Salem.

The football team made a played in the Grantland Rice Bowl in 1968 only to be picked apart by a little known quarterback (at that time) by the name of Terry Bradshaw. Of course four super bowl rings later and an illustrious career with the Pittsburg Steelers, everyone knows who Terry Bradshaw is today.

Other sports have had some great accomplishments also. A fraternity brother of mine was part of the University's bowling team that won the national championship in 1968 and the women's program has posted numerous starling seasons over the years.

The men's soccer team, however has been consistently regarded as one of the nation's best programs and has made 23 NCAA Tournament appearance including seven of the last eight seasons.

As the Head Soccer Coach at Cuyahoga Falls High School in the 70s and 80s I was proud to have one of my players (David Wells) recruited and selected to play for The University of Akron. I watched my young student start every game for The University of Akron from 1986 - 1990 and compete in the National Championship game in Tacoma, Washington during his freshman year.

The University of Akron is considered to be an elite program on the national level and have been near the top of the national rankings for several years. They were the first Mid-American conference team in any sport to achieve a No. 1 national ranking in 2005. They are currently ranked No. 1 nationally and are 19-0 to date. Their 19 wins represents the fifth longest winning streak during a single season in NCAA history as well as a school record for victories.

Those of us who have followed Akron soccer closely over the years are watching intently and hoping that the men's soccer team will bring home a national championship this year. As the top ranked soccer team in the country, The University of Akron has long made its school and followers proud.

Best wishes to coach Caleb Parker and the men's soccer team as they pursue a national championship. Go Zips!

Home Buyer Tax Credit

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:37:32 -0600

Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended

Congress today approved legislation that will extend the first-time home buyer tax credit beyond its Nov. 30 deadline and expand it to a wider group of home buyers.

The legislation, which will be signed into law shortly by President Obama, will extend the $8,000 credit for first-time home buyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30.

Further, it has been expanded to include a new $6,500 credit for owners of existing homes who are purchasing a new primary residence. An existing home owner can claim the $6,500 tax credit if they have been residing in their primary residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight.

In more good news, the income eligibility limits to claim the full credit amount for both groups of home buyers have been raised from $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples.

www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

http://www.JonWHome.com

The University of Akron Football Program Enters a New Era

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 06:44:30 -0500

Infocision Stadium- Summa Field

The University of Akron entered a new era in Akron football on September 12, 2009 when they hosted Morgan State in their home opener in a new stadium. The new stadium is an "on-campus" facility and a vast improvement over the historic Rubber Bowl which was located some distance away from campus. The new "on-campus" stadium ought to attract thousands of university students who live in university dorms and off-campus housing giving the football program an opportunity to increase game attendance.

The University of Akron has a long football history dating back over 130 years. In 1968 the "Zips" played in the Grantland Rice Bowl but had the misfortune of running into a relatively unknown quarterback by the name of Terry Bradshaw. They lost to Louisiana Tech in that game 33-13 and, of course, we all know that Bradshaw went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

John Heisman coached at Buchtel College (now known as The University of Akron) in 1984. Interestingly enough, that season only had one game; a 12-6 victory of The Ohio State University.

On September 12, 2009 27,881 fans celebrated The University of Akron's home opener against Morgan State. No one in attendance was disappointed. Akron dominated the game and was on the front end of a 41 - 0 score. The result of the game, however, wasn't as important as the level of pride everyone felt for this university and their efforts to raise the football program to a highr level.

On September 19, 2009 The University of Akron will host Indiana at their new stadium marking this the first time in history that a "Big 10" school traveled to Akron for a football game. Win or lose, Dr Proenza and the Board of Trustees are to be congratulated for their efforts in brining a "first class" facility to Akron and instilling a high level of pride for this growing football program in the Akron community.

http://www.jonwhome.com

635 Wertz Ave SW, Canton, OH 44710

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:02:11 -0500

Great invetment property in Canton. Close to a local hospital and elementary school. This home is "move-in" ready and will require minimal work in order to get ready for renters. This home is also a great deal for first-time home buyers.

Time is Running Out to Take Advantage of the 8K Tax Credit

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:16:53 -0500

Time is Running Out to Take Advantage of the 8K Tax Credit

Many "First-Time Home Buyers" have taken advantage of the $8,000.00 tax credit available to them under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

For many other "First-Time Home Buyers," however, time is running out. The law requires that a home must be purchased and closed on a principal residence before December 1, 2009.

The Key point to remember is that you must close before December 1, 2009.

Keep in mind that many transactions take between 45 and 60 days to close. In order to take advantage of the tax credit a prospective buyer will have to make their decision to purchase by the beginning or middle (at the latest) of October.

Historically low interest rates, affordable housing, and the $8,000.00 tax credit for "first-time home buyers" makes now the best time to buy.

Stage It For Success!

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:53:16 -0500

Staging a home adds appeal. When potential buyers view your home you want them to see it as a home that could be theirs. You want them to feel like it could be their home and not someone else's. I recently listed a home that was staged nicely and had "tons" of appeal. It was listed on April 6 and had a contract written on April 8. The seller listened and understood the importance of preparing their home for the market. They also understood the importance of staging their home to give it that "warm and inviting" appeal. http://www.JonWHome.com

Firestone Park Home

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:02:33 -0500

Firestone Park dream home! 5bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 kitchens, finished basement, 3 car garage and more! You'll enjoy this spacious brick Cape Cod located in Firestone Park. Property includes a double lot. Firestone Park is located in south Akron and is part of the rubber industry neighborhoods established in the early years of the Firetone Tire and Rubber Company. Firestone Country Club is located nearby and is also connected with the early years of Akron's Rubber Industry. http://www.JonWHome.com

Assistance for Home Buyers

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:07:27 -0500

Funds are available for homebuyers through the Welcome Home Program. These funds may be used by any home buyers who qualify under income levels based on family size.

Below you will find a brief summary of the Welcome Home Program. For more details, you can go to www.fhlbcin.com

Welcome Home Program

Welcome Home funds may be used to fund down payments and closing costs when you purchase your home. You must occupy the home as your primary residence and have income that falls within the low and moderate income levels.

Lenders participating in the Welcome Home Program will have funds available beginning May 1, 2009.

Funds may be used only to assist households whose incomes are at or below 80% of the income limits adopted by the appropriate state housing finance agency (and are adjusted for family size).

Homebuyers must contribute at least $500 of their own funds toward down payment and closing costs (60% of these funds may be received as a gift). This requirement is waived if the homebuyer is disabled (additional documentation may be required).

First-time homebuyers must complete a homebuyer counseling program. The counseling program must cover the following:

Mortgage financing
Credit-worthiness
Household budgeting
Home maintenance

Counseling is not required of other home buyers.

The loan will be forgiven over five years, at a rate of $1,000 a year. In other words, a home owner who used Welcome Home funds to purchase a home and received a $5,000 grant must occupy the home for no less than five years in order to have the entire amount of the grant forgiven. Selling the home in less than five years may require the home owner to pay back a portion of this grant.

Contact your lender to see if they participate in the Welcome Home program.

For more information, go to: www.fhlbcin.com

http://www.JonWHome.com

Meeting an AR Member

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:54:38 -0500

I was invited to an open house by an Active Rain member and attended. Michael Hoffman invited me to attend an open he was having on a home that was going to auction shortly. I enjoy meeting Active Rain members in my area face-to-face and Michael is no exception. He was gracious enough to talk to me about his auctions and explain some of the processes involved. I must say I learned a little more through our discussions. As we spoke, a few investor clients came to mind who might have an interest in Michael's auctions. I'll email them the information and see if they have an interest.

Michael operates Ohio Real Estate Auctions. You can view his schedule of auctions at www.OhioRealEstateAuctions.com

Thank you Michael for taking the time to meet with me.

http://www.JonWHome.com

2652 Narrows Way, Akron, OH 44312

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:22:26 -0500

What A Deal This one will go fast. Check out the bargain on this 3-bedroom/2-bath condo located in Mill Run. This “free-standing” ranch home is within a short drive of local businesses and golf courses. You'll enjoy a beautiful master bedroom with walk-in closet and built-in shelves, master bath with corner garden tub, his and her sinks, impressive great room with fireplace, carpeting, casual family room, first floor laundry, 2 car garage, beautiful oak trim throughout, impressive crown molding and more! You will enjoy morning coffee and cool summer evenings on your maintenance free vinyl deck located in the back just off the kitchen area.

Sold in 2 Days

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:12:11 -0500

I recently listed a home in "Historic Ridgewood." It was listed on April 6 and had an offer on April 8.

We don't often get a "quick" sale on our listings but every now and then we get a home that will move fast. What is the difference between this home and other listings I've had?

Four factors come in mind:

Location
Price
Staging
Preparation

Location: This home is located in Historic Ridgewood in Canton, Ohio. There are several different architectural designs in this area that make it unique. The area also has a great history; you can read more about it by following the link below:

http://www.historicridgewood.com/

Price: The seller understood the importance of pricing a home to sell. We looked at the comps and did an analysis of homes in the area that had recently sold. We also had the benefit of a recent appraisal; however, it was two years old.

Staging: The seller did a great job in staging this home. Everything was perfect and the home had "tons" of appeal.

Preparation: Before we listed this home we did a "walk through" and identified areas that needed to be addressed in order to get the home ready for the market. There was some painting to be done and some minor repairs to be made. The seller made a checklist of all the things he needed to do and followed up by doing the needed work.

We took the view that a home could have a great deal of positive factors that may impress a buyer but it only takes one negative to offset all the good. The seller did a great job of doing the things he needed to do in order to eliminate any "negatives."

You can view the virtual tour of this home by going to my earlier post; 415 21st St NW, Canton, OH 44709

http://www.JonWHome.com

415 21st St NW, Canton, OH 44709

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:50:28 -0500

Experience a wide variety of architectural designs in Historic Ridgewood. This “Cottage Style” home offers 4 bedrooms, 1 full bath, formal dining room, first floor office, and breakfast nook. It has painted cedar siding, new gutters and downspouts, and new roof (March 2009). You will also find a back patio, deck, fenced-in yard, 2 car garage, and concrete driveway.

Zips Get Zapped

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:46:16 -0500

The University of Akron stepped up and played great basketball in their first NCAA Tournament game against Gonzaga last night; at least for the first 28 minutes. The Zips led at halftime 38 - 35 in a game that had upset written all over it. However, Gonzaga had different thoughts and came out fired up for the second half.

Akron led 52 - 51 with 9:43 left in the game but then Gonzaga burst their bubble with a 26 - 12 run from that point to the final buzzer.

The results did not surprise many people around the country who fully expected Gonzaga to win this game. I'm not sure it even surprised many Zip fans who knew they were facing a huge challenge against a powerful and talented Gonzaga team. Hope did rise to a high level as both teams went into the locker rooms at half time; the Zips were actually leading this game. They appeared to be standing up very well against a powerful opponent. Could they do it for the entire game? That was the questions.

Obviously, Akron was unable to keep up their tempo in the second half and quickly fell behind. They went a span of 13 minutes without scoring from the field and shot around 25% in the second half compared to a 42% shooting percentage in the first half.

It was the "Tale of Two Halves" and the second half was a dismal one for the Zips.

However, there is hope for this team and the Akron program. Four of the five starters will be back next year and they will add a 7 foot center next year to bolster their program and team. All of who follow Akron sports are hoping to see the team make another appearance in the NCAA tournament next year.

Ohio is still represented in the tournament by Ohio State, Cleveland State, Dayton, and Xavier.

www.JonWHome.com

Akron University Goes to the NCAA Tournament

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:58:22 -0500

The University of Akron has made the NCAA tournament by virtue of winning the Mid American Conference (MAC) championship. They were ranked fifth in the tournament and had to go through number 1 seed Bowling Green and number 2 seed Buffalo to earn the championship. Bowling Green and Buffalo were co-champions of the MAC regular season.

They accomplished this task by playing five games in seven days; but that's the stress teams play under in tournament competition.

They are going to the NCAA tournament for the fist time since 1986. The coach of the 1986 team was Bob Huggins. Yes, the same Bob Huggins that brought Cincinnati to the tournament several times and is now coaching West Virginia.

In my view, Bob Huggins is an outstanding basketball coach. During his years at Akron they consistently won 20 games or more each year; he raised the level of basketball at the university during his time there.

I had the good fortune to meet Bob just before his spot on a local sports radio talk show. I was heavily involved with soccer in the Akron area and Ohio at the time and appeared on a program with commentator Steve French that was devoted to talking about soccer and its development in our area. The "Bob Huggins Show" went on shortly after my spot and I had the opportunity to meet and speak with him before he went on. I've followed his career after he left Akron and have enjoyed his successes.

Now back to the NCAA tournament. Akron (ranked 13 in their bracket) drew number 4 Gonzaga for their first game. Most of us never heard of Gonzaga until Jerry "The Shark" brought them to the forefront of national attention with a serious run in the tournament many years ago. They have a strong program and are expected to put Akron away in the first round.

Of course, miracles do happen and those of us who follow Akron University sports are hoping for a good game and, yes, a victory. We will watch the game with interest and hope for the best. Gonzaga will be a huge test for this growing Akron University basketball program.

Go Zips!

www.JonWHome.com

Green, Ohio Residential Sales (Jan/Feb 2009)

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:17:51 -0500

Residential home sales in Green, Ohio increased slightly from the period January - February 2009. January sales for 2009 were double the sales recorded in January 2008 while February sales were slightly lower in 2009 than they were for the same period in 2008.

Total sales for January and February 2009 were slightly higher than the same period in 2008.

Typically, sales in December and January have been low in this market with increased sales beginning in the second month (February) of each year. 2009 sales for the first two months of the year exceeded sales recorded in each of the previous years going back to 2005. Even though this early trend is positive for the Green, Ohio market, sales data for months to follow will need to be monitored to determine if a positive market trend is beginning.

Summit County, Ohio sales data for the same period showed similar trends as Green, Ohio for most years dating back to 2005. However, Green, Ohio is demonstrating stronger levels of growth in it's historical sales than the county measures indicate.

Green, Ohio is a growing community and its sales data will most likely reflect it's growth in the months to come.

www.JonWHome.com

HIGHER, NON-JUMBO LOAN AMOUNTS EXTENDED

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:56:57 -0500

For those who are considering taking advantage of the $8,000 tax incentive for first-time homebuyers, there is some more good news that could make doing so easier and more accessible.

An extension is now officially in place on the higher loan limits for mortgages in the tier that lies just below what is considered a "jumbo" loan. First established last year, and now extended through the end of 2009, limits on this additional tier provide opportunities for many who are looking to either refi or, better yet, take the plunge into first time home ownership and grab a piece of the highly publicized $8,000 tax incentive.

Here are some key points about this higher loan limit extension, announced by the Fair Housing Finance Agency:

The non-jumbo, middle tier of home loans begins at loan amounts greater than $417,000 for single-unit homes.
The top end for this tier is $729,750 for single-unit homes.
The rates for these loans will again be slightly higher than conforming loan rates, but less expensive than the standard "jumbo" loan rates.
This higher limit on the non-jumbo tier is available in 250 counties across the United States.

The above information was provided by courtesy of:

Brian Thomas
Vice-President

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.

4070 Bridgewater Pkwy
Stow, OH 44224-6307

(330) 923-8085

www.JonWHome.com

Update: $8,000 TAX CREDIT FOR HOMEBUYERS

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:53:42 -0500

The $787 Billion stimulus bill is made up of tax cuts and spending programs aimed at reviving the US economy. Although the package was scaled down from nearly $1 Trillion, it still stands as the largest anti-recession effort since World War II. One of the major benefits of the plan is a tax credit for new homebuyers. According to the plan, first-time homebuyers who purchase homes from the start of the year until the end of November 2009 may be eligible for the lower of an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit.

It's important to remember that the $8,000 tax credit is just that... a tax credit. It's a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if you were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for the $8,000 tax credit, you would owe nothing.

Better still, the incentive is refundable, which means you can receive a check for the credit even if you have little income tax liability. For example, if you're liable for $4,000 in income tax, you can offset that $4,000 with half of the tax incentive... and still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

Who Qualifies?
The $8,000 incentive starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000 and is phased out completely at incomes of $170,000 for couples and $95,000 for single filers. To break down what this phase-out means, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) offers the following examples:

Example 1: Assume that a married couple has a modified adjusted gross income of $160,000. The applicable phase-out threshold is $150,000, and the couple is $10,000 over this amount. Dividing $10,000 by $20,000 yields 0.5. When you subtract 0.5 from 1.0, the result is 0.5. To determine the amount of the partial first-time homebuyer incentive to this couple, multiply $8,000 by 0.5. The result is $4,000.

Example 2: Assume that an individual homebuyer has a modified adjusted gross income of $88,000. The buyer's income exceeds $75,000 by $13,000. Dividing $13,000 by $20,000 yields 0.65. When you subtract 0.65 from 1.0, the result is 0.35. Multiplying $8,000 by 0.35 shows that the buyer is eligible to reduce the tax liability by $2,800.

Remember, these are general examples. Borrowers should consult a tax advisor to provide guidance relevant to their specific circumstances.

What Type of Home Qualifies?
The tax credit is applicable to any home that will be used as a principle residence. Based on that guideline, qualifying "homes" include single-family detached homes, as well as attached homes such as townhouses and condominiums. In addition, manufactured homes and houseboats used for principle residence also qualify. Buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their homes within three years.

The above information was provided by courtesy of:

Brian Thomas
Vice-President

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.

4070 Bridgewater Pkwy
Stow, OH 44224-6307

(330) 923-8085

www.JonWHome.com

HOMEOWNER AFFORDABILITY AND STABILITY PLAN

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:50:22 -0500

President Obama unveiled his plan to help stabilize the housing market and keep millions of borrowers in their homes. The Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan includes two initiatives to help struggling homeowners. One is an incentive for homeowners who have less than 20% equity in their homes, or who owe more than their home is worth. The second part attempts to lower monthly payments for homeowners at risk of losing their home. Here is a brief overview of both initiatives.

Less than 20% equity in your home? Under current rules, those families who own less than 20% equity in their homes have a difficult time taking advantage of the historically low interest rates. This initiative is open to homeowners who have conforming loans that are guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The plan would enable them to move to a new loan for up to 105% of their homes value.

According to the plan, "credit-worthy" or "responsible" homeowners can refinance their mortgage into a 30- or 15-year, fixed-rate loan based on current market rates. The new loan, however, cannot include prepayment penalties or balloon payments. For many families, this low-cost option may help reduce their monthly payments by up to thousands of dollars per year. As with the rest of the plan, details about this initiative will be released at a future date-including what, if any, credit score requirements will be included.

On the verge of default? This initiative aims at providing help to individual families as well as entire neighborhoods by helping reduce foreclosures and stabilize home prices. It is intended to help homeowners who are struggling to afford their monthly payments, but cannot sell their homes because prices have fallen significantly. The goal of this initiative is simple: "reduce the amount homeowners owe per month to sustainable levels." Homeowners who are current on their loans but are struggling can still apply for this program. As such, this is one of the few programs designed to help homeowners who may face delinquency soon, but are current at the moment.

Since the focus of this initiative is on helping families and neighborhoods, investment properties do not qualify.

The above information was provided by courtesy of:

Brian Thomas
Vice-President

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.

4070 Bridgewater Pkwy
Stow, OH 44224-6307

(330) 923-8085

www.JonWHome.com

How Do We Measure Success?

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:57:49 -0600

The measure of a man's success is not always found in the amount of wealth accumulated over a lifetime but rather in the influence he's had on others. The contributions to mankind are great indications that a person has touched many lives and inspired so many to succeed.

We often find our successes in those of others who we have touched and influenced to advance their own lives in positive ways. We find it in the lives of others who carry on our legacy and continue to contribute to society in the same way we influenced their lives.

We hope that in our time that we have been a positive role model for others and that we have helped them grow as individuals.

Sometimes we never know how strong our influence has been. We don't look for accolades nor do we seek out an accounting of all our good deeds. Much of what we do, we do quietly and on a regular basis. It's the way we live our lives and how we approach working with others that counts most.

Andy Garcia is a figure in my personal life that had a positive influence on the direction I took and the interests I pursued. He influenced me in my choice of universities and pointed me in a direction that would place me in an environment where he knew I would have support and other role models that would welcome me. I chose the University of Akron because this was where Andy Garcia went to school. He was an icon in Akron football and basketball and knew many of those who were icons themselves in Akron University sports history.

When he learned I had chosen The University of Akron he was quick to give me a list of names of people I needed to connect with while at the University. Among those he named were Kenneth "Red" Cochrane and Andy Maluk; both were icons in Akron sports history. I took time to meet both of these men and once I mentioned Andy's name both men broke out in wide smiles and inquired as to how he was doing and spoke fondly of him. They welcomed me warmly and always greeted me with a smile when they saw me on campus.

Andy passed away in 1998 but his memory lives on. The Conneaut Area School District named the gymnasium after him (while he was still alive) and you can find a stone in the beach area of Township Park that commemorates his dedicated service.

His funeral was held in the high school gymnasium; the one that was named after him. I traveled to Conneaut to attend his funeral and pay my last respects. As I pulled into a parking space another car pulled into the parking space across from me. Immediately I noticed that the car also had Summit County license plates and I easily recognized the person that got out of the car. Jack Greynolds was an icon in his own right as a famed basketball coach at Barberton High School in Summit County. He had been an associate of Andy Garcia's and was there to pay his last respects as well. Jack has since passed on as but his accomplishments and contributions to Summit County athletics are well remembered.

In the news reports of Andy's death it was obvious that he had touched so many lives during his time. There were comments from past athletes and former teachers that had known him over the year as well as comments from several coaches that had known him and even one NFL coach that had played for him in high school.

I was recently inducted into the State Soccer Hall of Fame and take pride in having been recognized for my contributions. Andy Garcia, in his lifetime, was inducted into seven halls of fame; one of them posthumously. I had the privilege of being with him and his family when he was inducted into The University of Akron sports hall of fame and took advantage of this opportunity to speak with him of the influence he had had on my life. I was proud to have had him as a mentor and coach; and later in life as a friend.

It's not often that we get to hear about how much positive influences we have had on the lives of others but I felt a great sense of pride in having had the opportunity to let him know that he had touched my life in so many ways. Andy has passed on in this life but he continues to live in the hearts of so many lives he touched over his time.

www.JonWHome.com

Checking Out the Facts

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:52:05 -0600

Fact Check is a site I like to go to in order to cut through the political rhetoric (or "spin") that we are constantly bombarded with by members of both political parties. Fact Check makes the following statement regarding their mission:

"We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding."

You can connect to the site by following this link: http://www.factcheck.org/

Many claims of Democrats slipping in earmarks for frivolous projects aren't true.

Republicans claim that the new stimulus law says the government will tell physicians what procedures can and can't be performed. It doesn't.

Obama claims the stimulus legislation will do all sorts of things. But there are no guarantees.

Democrats launch radio ads attacking 28 House Republicans, taking some facts out of context.

Fact Check, in my experience, has taken members of all political parties to task regarding the truthfulness of their statements. It is refreshing to have a site that not only investigates political claims but also provides an honest analysis of what our political leaders are saying.

www.JonWHome.com

Cuyahoga Falls to Receive Federal Grant Money to Improve Neighborhoods

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:50:45 -0600

The city of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio has announced that it is eligible to receive $780,000 in federally subsidized money to purchase foreclosed homes and rehabilitate them. The money comes in the form of a grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the grant is to permit municipalities to purchase foreclosed and abandoned homes.

Under the Ohio Neighborhood Stabilization program, the city will be able to purchase about seven homes and rehabilitate them. Some homes that are considered "blighted" may be torn down. The city will be able to sell or rent homes they've rehabbed at "below market" prices to those who qualify based on income levels. Down payment assistance programs are available to assist those who qualify under the program guidelines.

Cuyahoga Falls has had over 200 homes that were foreclosed on during 2008; of those homes, about 75 were abandoned.

According to a December, 2008 news release from the Ohio Lt. Governor's office: "The award recipients may use these federal funds to improve neighborhoods by purchasing and redeveloping abandoned and foreclosed properties, establishing land banks, and demolishing blighted structures."

Other Summit County communities scheduled to receive grant money include:

Summit City of Akron $2,988,550

Summit City of Barberton $1,212,098

Summit City of Cuyahoga Falls $783,204

More information on the Ohio Neighborhood Stabilization Program can be found by following the link below:

http://www.ohiohome.org/nsp/default.aspx

Vehicle Mileage Tax in the News

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 08:10:34 -0600

It is tough enough to have to pay high taxes on gasoline consumption but the reality is that governments need revenue to maintain our highway system. I can live with per gallon taxes on the gasoline I purchase to operate my vehicle.

However, there are advocates in Washington who are pusing for implementation of a "vehicle mileage tax." I am taking issue with this concept for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, I do not want the government having a gps system placed in my car to track my mileage and then assessing me with a tax based on what they say are the miles I traveled.

Secondly, it is an unfair tax. It does not reward high mileage vehicle owners and does nothing to eliminate the gas guzzlers that are on the road. It does absolutely nothing to motivate automakers to improve technology and produce high efficiency cars.

Perhaps the greatest reason for our government having an interest in a vehicle mileage tax is that they will have a revenue source in place should we ever reach the point where we eliminate petroleum-based products as the fuel that powers our vehicles. We are still a long way from having vehicles that operate on something other than gasoline but some of those products are on the horizon.

The present administration is "nixing" the concept; at least for now. However, as time progresses and technology improves alternate fuel vehicles, we will see the day come where our government will implement this tax. I hope that day never comes but it may.

I guess what will really irritates me more than anything else is the thought of our government applying that tax to the miles I put on my golf cart. Now that will really upset me.

Ohio Governor Plans for School Changes

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:36:06 -0600

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Ohio's system of education was unconstitutional years ago. In fact, that ruling came down while I was still active as and educator/school administrator. I retired from public education in August, 2000 and the state continued to ignore the Ohio Supreme Court ruling; until now (January 28, 2009).

You and I, as private citizens, would be in a whole lot of "hot water" should we even dare to ignore a local court order let alone one from the state's highest court. I guess state governments are "above the law!"

But that's water over the dam(n) "oops!"

Governor Strickland today called for a complete overhaul of the state's school funding system. The Governor's plan would call for the state to assume 55% of the school's funding (it is expected to grow to 59% by the time his plan is fully implemented). When I was involved with public education the state funded education at a 47% level; during my time in public education that funding level dropped to 40% (maybe lower).

More and more of the burden of funding public schools was placed on individual home owners and that was a critical part of the Supreme Court ruling that found Ohio's school funding system unconstitutional. Despite the court's ruling, the state continued to shift more of the burden (for school funding) to home owners.

Since local school taxes in Ohio are one of the few taxes voters have a say in at the polls, these taxes issues were largely voted down in many of Ohio's communities. The result was serious financial difficulties by Ohio's schools and drastic cuts required to remain fiscally responsible. This was done at the same time when Ohio (and No Child Left Behind) demanded higher standards and presented serious consequences for "failing" schools. It was a vicious cycle and one that did not go without "pain."

Governor Strickland also outlined a number of measures that will be taken:

The school year will be increased from 180 to 200 days
All day kindergarten will be required
The Ohio Graduation Test will be eliminated and will be replaced by the ACT college entrance exam
School districts will be audited by the Department of Education to determine how well they are performing against state performance standards
The State will take control of school districts that do not comply with new state academic standards as well as operating standards; the state will replace district leaders as well

There are other provisions in Governor Strickland's plan. Whether or not it will impact Ohio's schools is a matter yet to be seen but at least it's the first attempt in Ohio to address the Ohio Supreme Court's ruling of many years ago.

http://www/JonWHome.com

Track Legend Glenn “Jeep” Davis Dies

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:55:14 -0600

Summit County, Ohio has been blessed with numerous athletic heroes as well as many others who excelled in other fields. The likes of Jesse Owens, Nate Thurmun, Hal Naragon, Dante Lavelli, LeBron James, etc. hailed from Summit County Ohio.

Glenn "Jeep" Davis was also one of those special athletes who made his home in Summit County, Ohio.

Glenn "Jeep" Davis made his impact on our community in several ways. He was best known for his achievements in track and field at The Ohio State University as well as the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. But "Jeep" Davis also played professional football for the Detroit Lions (2 seasons) and was and educator and coach at Barberton High School (Barberton, Ohio).

Glenn "Jeep" Davis passed away this morning (January 28, 2009) and will be long remembered by those who's lives he impacted during his long and "special" life.

Below are some of his accomplishments:

Known to a generation as the greatest hurdler in the world after winning gold medals in the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics
In 2006, the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame acknowledged Davis as the greatest athlete in county history.
A youth basketball coach once told him, ‘‘You'll never be a good athlete.''
He became the first freshman to play varsity basketball at Follensbee High School in West Virginia.
He single-handedly won the high school state track and field championship for Barberton High in 1954.
Won his first Olympic gold medal in Australia
While at The Ohio State University he set the world record in the 440-yard dash at the 1958 Big Ten Championships. He also won the 440 at the NCAA Track and Field Championships
Davis was a key figure on the U.S. track team that toured Europe in the summer of 1958. He set the world record in the 400-yard hurdles and won nine of the 10 races he competed in over a 14-day span.
Davis was honored as the top amateur athlete in the United States when he was voted the James E. Sullivan Award winner in 1958

Bill Lilly, a staff writer for the Akron Beacon Journal, wrote an outstanding article on "Jeep" Davis. You can read his article reporting the death of Glenn "Jeep" Davis by reading the following article in the Akron Beacon Journal:

http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/38530959.html

http://www/JonWHome.com

$7,500 Tax Credit Repayment Likely to be Eliminated

Jon Wnoroski, Summit County Realtor (Keller Williams Chervenic Realty) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:02:46 -0600

An earlier post I made (When is a "tax credit" not a tax credit?) addressed the $7,500 tax credit and how the repayment clause makes it a "no interest" loan rather than a tax credit. I also mentioned that the NAR was lobbying to have the "repayment" requirement eliminated. While reading my daily NAR news, I found the article listed below:

As reported by the National Association of Realtors®:

"Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel has released an outline of a $275 Billion tax package to be included in the Obama economic stimulus bill. Among its many provisions is one that would eliminate the repayment feature of the $7500 first-time homebuyer tax credit. An outline of the Senate Finance Committee package is expected shortly, as well, and is likely to also include the provision to eliminate the tax credit feature. Ways and Means markup on the bill is tentatively scheduled for January 22, 2009. The Finance Committee's deliberations will be roughly concurrent with Ways and Means.

The June 30, 2009 expiration for the credit remains intact in the Ways and Means package. NAR is working to have the effective date extended through the end of the year so that the more robust credit can have an impact. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, has introduced H.R. 525, a bill that would extend the tax credit through December 31, 2009. NAR has sent the attached letter to every member of the Ways and Means Committee urging members to support Mr. Lewis's effort to move the effective date."

Read NAR's Letter to the House Ways and Means Committee

There is no doubt that the elimination of the repayment requirement on this tax credit would truly make it a "tax credit" and be another "perk" for first-time home buyers along with low interest rates and high inventories.

http://www/JonWHome.com