William's Blog

UPDATE: Bring back the Murphy Bed!

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:45:47 -0500

I just received my latest copy of Dwell in the mail and low and behold, I spotted a murphy bed, scratch that, I mean a "wall bed" in it's pages. mobelform (intentional lowercase "m") features a variety of up to date, sleek options (prices not for the weak of heart). So if you are going for the local 900 square feet and below downtown condo option, a "wall bed" might just be right for you!

Previous article Bring Back The "Murphy Bed"! .

No need to steal those hotel towels anymore...

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 06:52:27 -0500

I did not know this until recently. A friend is rennovating a bathroom in a home that she will be selling and she was ordering fixtures online from a hotel that she saw when she stayed there. You can order everything from shower heads, curved shower rods, towels bedding or the BED! ... the list goes on. ...

Are you interested in having your home more like a vaction getaway? Check out these hotel sites:

Marriott Online Store

W Hotels - The Store

Westin at Home

"Somebody" just became a little greener

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:09:14 -0500

Go green: Make your home eco-friendly

ThisWeek News
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Bill Evans
With Earth Day on April 22 quickly approaching, now is a good time to give back to our planet.
The good news is there are many little things you can do around your home to make it more environmentally friendly.
Ask a qualified, professional real estate agent about ways to make your home more green, but for starters, here are some simple solutions that can make a big impact.
Many environmentally friendly home goods are also friendly to your monthly bills. When it is time to buy light bulbs, opt for the premium fluorescents; they will shine a pure white or buttery golden light. Although a bit more expensive at $3 to $12, these bulbs can cut your electric bill by 5 percent.
Another way to save is to purchase a flat-screen computer monitor. The old, bulky monitors not only take up space, but they also increase your electric bill. You will save by switching to an LCD flat-panel model because a flat screen uses as little as one-third of the electricity as the conventional tube-based models.
You should also consider this when shopping for large-screen TVs. The savings are in the LCDs and rear-projection models because they use less than half the energy of plasma TVs.
With summer quickly approaching, you may be hosting or attending a few barbecues, but what you may not know is that outdoor grilling doesn't just result in a tasty burger -- it is also good for the air. Outdoor grills use less energy than your kitchen electric stove and also keep heat out of the house, resulting in reduced air conditioning costs. Choose a grill that uses propane or natural gas, because they emit 5.6 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour, whereas a charcoal grill emits 11 pounds.
If you are tired of waking up with the burned coffee from your home coffee machine, try an energy-efficient coffee machine. It will brew your coffee at the exact recommended temperature; therefore, it does not waste any extra heat and you will never have burned coffee again.
We have been told about the importance of recycling, but do you really understand how it works? Becoming an expert recycler is a great way to start making your life and your home eco-friendly.
Local recycling practices may vary, but there are a few universal rules to follow. First, shopping bags never go in your recycling bins. Look on the bottom of your plastic items for a number and only put the items with a "1" or "2" in your bin. Also, don't put light bulbs, broken glass or bits of food into your bin because they slow the recycling process.
In the end, going green will make for a healthier lifestyle for you, your home and our planet. Call a real estate agent today for more tips on making your home eco-friendly.
Bill Evans is the president of Real Living HER, the largest residential real estate firm in Ohio. E-mail: mailto:Bill.Evans@RealLiving.com

Posted by William Robbins at 7:31 PM

Labels: energy, Environment, Green

March 2007 Trend Graphics

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 06:22:24 -0500

German Village Area (MLS Area 17) Price Range:$140,000- No Limit Single Family homes and Condos

Downtown Columbus (MLS Area 10) Price Range:$140,000- No Limit Single Family homes and Condos

Victorian Village Area (MLS Area 11) Price Range:$140,000- No Limit Single Family homes and Condos

Clintonville (MLS Area 37) Price Range:$140,000- No Limit Single Family homes and Condos

Olde Towne East Area Area (MLS Area 14) Price Range:$140,000- No Limit Single Family homes and Condos

For other areas or more specific price range, contact me
All reports from TRENDGRAPHICS. All reports presented are based on data supplied by the Columbus Board of Realtors, Northern Ohio Regional MLS, Centralized Real Estate Information Service, Greater Cincinnati MLS and Dayton Area Board of Realtors or theirs MLSs. Neither the Association nor their MLSs guarantee or are in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or their MLSs may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Apparently, I am a Blog to watch?

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 06:18:46 -0500

"To celebrate the first day of Project Blogger, I've decided to release the first update to the list of 500 real estate blogs to watch that I published back in October 2006. My goal with this edition was to ensure that I had a real estate blog for every state, and I believe I've accomplished that task. It is, as always, a work in progress, as I haven't added many fine Active Rain bloggers, and I also haven't removed weblogs that have become inactive in the last 6 months (though part of the reason that I haven't removed them is that I'm hoping they become active again!)."- Pittsburg Homes Daily

MIDTOWN Realtors Third Thursday Open House:

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:30:02 -0500

Downtown - Short North Area - Olde Town East - German Village Area

View the entire list of Open House's here.

Find Statistics by Zip Code:

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:28:48 -0500

Visit ZipCodeFacts.com.

February 2007 Trend Graphics

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:27:57 -0500

Downtown Columbus (MLS Area 10)

Price Range:$140,000- No Limit

Single Family Homes and Condos

Victorian Village Area (MLS Area 11)

Price Range:$140,000- No Limit

Single Family Homes and Condos

Olde Towne East Area (MLS Area 14)

Price Range:$140,000- No Limit
Single Family Homes and Condos

German Village Area (MLS Area 17)

Price Range:$140,000- No Limit

Single Family Homes and Condos

Clintonville (MLS Area 37)
Price Range:$140,000- No Limit
Single Family Homes and Condos

For other areas or more specific price range, contact me
....
All reports from TRENDGRAPHICS. All reports presented are based on data supplied by the Columbus Board of Realtors, Northern Ohio Regional MLS, Centralized Real Estate Information Service, Greater Cincinnati MLS and Dayton Area Board of Realtors or theirs MLSs. Neither the Association nor their MLSs guarantee or are in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or their MLSs may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Selling your house? Neutralize!

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 08:26:16 -0600

When preparing to sell your home, expect that you may need to neutralize you home. You may love the color of your walls, furniture, a window coverings, etc, but the point of getting your home ready to sell is that you want to showcase the features of your home and appeal to as many potential home buyers as possible. While the room at the top left may feel warm and pleasing to most people, the room on the right feels more spacious and airy and that's what you are selling, space! When painting, use high quality paints and finishes. Bold colors/ patterns on window coverings, furniture and rugs should also be removed or slip covered. Uncovered windows add light and show depth beyond the room itself (make sure the windows are clean). When looking for a slip cover, pick a neutral color and try to match your paint to it, this allows for the furniture to blend in and creates the illusion of more space. Repositioning/ angling furniture also can help. Removing extra/ bold patterned rugs on hardwood floors to showcase the wood and visually makes a room feel bigger.

If you are selling a home that is missing a feature, such as a defined dining space, reposition a living space to allow for a table and chairs to show versatility. Loft like living is "in", make the most of it. You may not live this way, but if you sell quickly (and that is the point of all of this), you will not have to put up with it very long.

If you are confused about any of these things, any "good" Real Estate Agent should be well versed in staging a home for sale.

Sometimes businesses that do good things, do bad things too.

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:36:59 -0600

There is a lot more to this story than what I can get into in one blog entry, but I think it is worth mentioning. For the benefit of those who do not live in the "Southside" of Columbus, there is an incredibly charming corner of a neighborhood that sticks out to those who drive by. I have found myself on more than one occasion being nosey and trying to see if anyone lives in the home/ homes pictured above. I love old houses and will probably always live in one. Although this home is surrounded by what some might not call the "ideal" neighbors (commercial properties, etc), I have thought , they (whoever they are) are lucky to live in that house. It so happens, no one lived in that or any of those houses. They have been owned by Childrens Hospital who is right across the street and have sit empty and to some extent, in disrepair, for up to 20 years. Now they are slated to be torn down (not moved or incorporated in a new development) to make way for a multi million dollar Ronald McDonald house. Which is great...except for the fact, that Childrens just completed a huge Ronald McDonald house 2 years ago, it's sits diagonal across the street from these homes. So, what is to happen to that structure? It is going to be demolished also, because they have outgrown it in two years and they are currently turning away families who need to stay there. So, why not just add an addition on the lot next to it where they are demolishing another building? It now does not fit in the plans at that location (conveniently, they are going to build another huge addition there). What a waste all around historically and environmentally. Buildings with history in this community are why people including myself choose to invest and live her, once that is gone, what's left? The answer: a huge 3 story building that towers over the neighborhood.

But wait, Childrens helps sick children, yes, they do and it's a wonderful thing, but lets remember, Childrens is a business and they are in the business of sick children. Would they let any other business do this to a community? So my question is, are they (Childrens) always beyond reproach? It seems so, Childrens announced after great debate, they will demolish the homes in the coming weeks.

For more info: Houses in way of hospital expansion can't be saved by Sue Hagen, ThisWeek German Village

What I am working on...

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 12:45:25 -0600

Pictured above are three of the houses that, if approved, Childrens Hospital will demolish to make way for a new Ronald McDonald house to replace the 2 year old one that they have outgrown.

Read more here:
Houses in way of hospital expansion can't be saved-ThisWeek News
Children's field gripes over expansion plans -The Columbus Dispatch
Neighborhoods Concerned about Children's Hospital Expansion- Columbus RetroMetro

Closing at the end of this month, the owners of "the bungalow"(also closing the same day), after much effort, will close on the above beautiful Clintoville home. Plans include a completely new kitchen and finishing the huge 3rd floor in preparation to adopt two children.

There will also be some new info on a few new listings in the coming week in Schumacher Place, Merion Village and Clintonville.

Links:

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 12:43:44 -0600

Sensational space-saving kitchens-CNNMoney.com

Home buying: Buy now? Or wait for a price drop?- CNN Money.com

Reducing clutter, sprucing up can go far in selling home-SNPonline.com

Planning session slated for Barrett, Beck schools- ThisWeek News

Clintonville makes the list...

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 12:06:53 -0600

Clintonville (MLS Area 37)
Price Range:$140,000- No Limit
Single Family homes and Condos

I have had a lot of buyer interest in Clintonville and for that reason, it now will make my regular list of trend graphics. Inventory is DOWN over last January. Sales/ Pending Sales are UP! If I were gambling, my money would be on Clintonville! Why? Houses are for the most part bigger/ more affordable, the diversity of architecture is great and families moving away from the downtown market are loving the neighborhood.

For other areas or more specific price range, contact me

All reports from TRENDGRAPHICS. All reports presented are based on data supplied by the Columbus Board of Realtors, Northern Ohio Regional MLS, Centralized Real Estate Information Service, Greater Cincinnati MLS and Dayton Area Board of Realtors or theirs MLSs. Neither the Association nor their MLSs guarantee or are in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or their MLSs may not reflect all real estate activities in the market. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

January 2007 Trend Graphics

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 12:04:57 -0600

WOW! It looks like sellers took advantage of what was an unseasonably warm January/ the winter buyer traffic and listed homes early for the Spring. Increase in inevntory over last January is growing, but sales/ pending sales are not. It is still very much a buyers market.

German Village Area (MLS Area 17)
Price Range:$140,000- No Limit

Single Family homes and Condos

Victorian Village Area (MLS Area 11)
Price Range:$140,000- No Limit
Single Family homes and Condos

Olde Towne East Area (MLS Area 14)
Price Range:$140,000- No Limit

Single Family homes and Condos

Downtown Columbus (MLS Area 10)
Price Range:$140,000- No Limit
Single Family homes and Condos

For other areas or more specific price range, contact me.

Not everyone watches HGTV?

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:08:05 -0600

It wasn't until recently, when I went on a listing presentation that I realized not everyone watches the same countless hours of House Hunters, House Hunters International, ReDesign, Small Sapce/ Big Style, Buy Me, Design to Sell , etc that I do. They (the sellers) looked at me with blank stares after mention decluttering and staging to sell, I flat out asked, don't you watch HGTV? They said "no". It occurred to me that maybe not everyone chooses to spend their free time the same way I do. For those people, I recommend the HGTV website. Especially, the Real Estate Advice page. It has a great selection of topics for people looking to buy, sell or invest in Real Estate. Check it out.

I want one, BAD!

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 08:43:10 -0600

I received a subscription to Dwell magazine for the new year and this is probably one of my favorite things in it. Modern Cabana, I want one bad! I know just where to put it. The concept is to add living space when space is limited. Use it as a home office, guest house or yoga studio... Check out the website it is very attractive!

Also, check out Modern Shed.

Whether you believe it or not, "Global warming man-made, will continue"

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 06:18:08 -0600

(photo: Reuters)

Global warming man-made, will continue -Yahoo! News A top U.S. government scientist, Susan Solomon, said "there can be no question that the increase in greenhouse gases are dominated by human activities."

What if I were going to sell my home...

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 07:32:40 -0600

Disclaimer: I am not selling my home anytime soon. ...

Background info: My home was purchased for $178,000 in the early Spring of 2004. It is 1307 square feet. 3 bedrooms/ 1 (huge) full bath. The third bedroom is very small and is better suited for an office/ nursery (which is typical for homes in this area). The kitchen is a galley kitchen, which is long not wide. The home has a lot of the original integrity intact and has some very spacious rooms.

What are recent home sale comparables? The average estimate for a home of the approximate size in the area sold for around $145 per square foot or $190,000. The approximate highest estimate is around $175 per square foot or $230,000. If I were selling my home now, looking at the comparables, I would rate my home as slightly above average, so I would list my home at maybe $199,900.

But I am not selling, so what do I get from all of this? I get a lot, actually. I know I max out for the size of my home in this location at $230,000. Let's say I plan to move in two years , where so I think that price might be? Maybe $240's? Depending on the market...maybe more/ maybe less.

Where is my home's areas of opportunities? What are people going to want from my home to get it to be an "above average" home?

I need to update my kitchen: New appliances, new counters, more storage and please God, a dishwasher!
I need to add overall storage without taking away valuable square feet: Maybe a built-in for the bathroom, finish off the staircase to the basement.
A 1/2 bath: possibly.
A Garage: cross that out, the space isn't big enough.
Curb appeal: note to self, get rid of the chain link fence & fill in that crack on the steps.

What's my budget? Here's where I need to decide, do I want to make any money when I sell my house? If I do, I know I am not putting in a $50,000 kitchen any time soon.

So what's to learn from this? Unless it is the home you will be in for the rest of your life, know the market value of your home:

When you buy it: Do not overpay for a home. Consider the comparables and what improvements you will need to make to it when you buy it.

While you live in it: DO NOT over-improve your home!

When you sell it: DO NOT become the "I have to sell at this price" person, the market decides the value of your home, not me, not you.

Links:

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 07:58:38 -0600

Solar home in Va. getting high marks -Yahoo! News

Goofing off now part of corporate culture -The Columbus Dispatch

Real estate: Who's buying now -CNNMoney.com

Small projects that pay off big -CNNMoney.com

"You'll make or break your sale in the kitchen," says Sid Davis, author of Home Makeovers That Sell. "It's the first room people head to when they look at a home, and if it doesn't meet their expectations, forget it." -CNNMoney

What I am working on: January 2007

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 07:19:07 -0600

It has been usually busy for January? I am by no means complaining. I have taken on a few new projects and this week has me full of them.

(Photo: the Beck Street Academy)

This week I attended the Barrett Middle School and Beck Street Academy- Pre- Public Workshop focus group, which is a part of the South Side Plan Ammendment (which means nothing to you if you do not live there). As a member of the Schumacher Place Civic Association, this is part of what I selected as my community project. Basically the first meeting was a walkthru of the two schools, Barrett Middle School being closed and Beck Street Academy/ School being used as temporary housing for the Livingston School while thier school gets rebuilt. The point of all of this for me, the Beck Street Academy (built in the 1890's) is a landmark in Schumacher Place (right outside German Village) that is not recognized on a Local Historic Register and that is my goal. An interesting process of which I have no clue on how it works, but I am slowly learning. I am sure I will have much more to write on this later.

(Photo: right after the Open House January 21, 2007)

"If you price it right (and it's a cute house), they will come..." The Bungalow, after incredible turnout to two Open House's in amazingly awful weather (pouring rain one weekend, two inches of snow in the morning the next) and 4 offers within the first two weeks is in the early stages of contract. The owners are thrilled. More on this later...

(Photo: Lil'P)

Lil'P, my pug, had what I have diagnosed as "the slows" for a few days this week, however she is doing much better.
Friends had a little baby girl this week.
Albert, the stray hound/ beagle mix that I found at Starbucks in the Fall, had his first Dr's appointment yesterday to get his shots. It looks like Albert is sticking around after all.

How it works: Direct Mail

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 07:37:37 -0600

(above: postcard front)

There is a service to HER Agents called Direct Mail. Not only do I like the quality of the postcard, but the customizable features enable me to target to who I market the home. Here's how it works...for example, when I listed the above house, I entered it into HER's website and loaded all of the photos (up to 26 pictures) as a "Real Time Listing", meaning that the second I pressed enter, the listing was available on HER's website, when HER's website recognizes that the listing is on the MLS, it sends me an alert to a promotion for 100 Free Color Postcards. Sizes available are 5.5" x 4.25" or giant sized 8.5" x 5.5" (pictured above). I can choose the picture that I want to upload on the front and the back and customize all of the writing. It doesn't stop there. Once I create the design, I can target who I am sending them to. I can send it to neighbors, a saved distribution list and more. In this case, the home is priced at $169,900 which is right around the average First Time Home Buyer price range, so I chose to send it to 100 people who rent in the German Village Area (which is where the home is). If they haven't received the card already, they should be receiving it right abouuuuut...now. It's great exposure for the house to people who may actually be considering purchasing a home. (And ok, I admit it, it's great exposure for me too.) The postcard really stands out, I couldn't create a better ad for the home, myself. And the best part is, that all I had to do to get them, is take pictures and enter it online ...or as I like to call it...my job!

Climate resets "Doomsday Clock"

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 11:17:34 -0600

"Humankind's collective impacts on the biosphere, climate and oceans are unprecedented," said Sir Martin. "These environmentally driven threats 'threats without enemies' - should loom as large in the political perspective as did the East/West political divide during the Cold War era."
source: Climate resets 'Doomsday Clock'

Ways I am trying to be "Green"

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:26:34 -0600

In December I had my "Green" revelation...and even if you do not "believe" in Global Warming after 70 degrees in December, you must admit wasting energy and our natural resources cannot be be good for the planet? I am no "tree hugger" and I am not claiming to be the most energy efficient individual, but I am working on it.
...
So, I set out on my search on ways I can start to be a little greener and here's what I found.

The easy one...Recycling. For I think it's $5 a quarter, Rumpke comes to my home on Tuesdays and picks up my curbside recycling. You should see how many wine bottles I have.
I started switching out my regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. This is a hard one, all of my bulbs were Reveal, so I am starting gradually in the basement and stairwell and then working my way outside first. Faqs about compact fluorescent bulbs.
I switched to 100% recycled or partially recycled papers for my home and work printing. Real Estate Agents use an incredibly wasteful amount of paper, just in fliers alone...my outdoor fliers for my listings are on 100% recycled copy paper for nicer presentations, I am switching to 30% recycled printing paper. And for basic everyday use, 100% recycled copy paper. All available at Staples. I have not found a glossy brochure paper for my fliers, but I am still looking.
I am getting educated and passing info along to home owners and friends...from Energy Star appliances, Low VOC Paint, renewable resource building products like Bamboo Flooring, etc.

I am lucky enough to have a friend/ client who just purchased a home that is researching and using Green friendly materials...so, I will get first hand knowledge of some of these products in the future and most likely you will see them here.

No picture available

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:23:26 -0600

Like what you see? If anyone even reads what I write here, I'll be surprised. It's like picking up a magazine or book with a blank cover...you wouldn't. So why would the typical buyer/ agent looking online for a home want to see your home that is for sale when there are no pictures? I am not sure if the typical Seller has any idea how the MLS works. The moment your agent pushes the active button you home is listed on the MLS, the next morning at 4am, the MLS sends your home to anyone that has a search set up that matches the criteria of your home. Every morning dozens, if not hundreds maybe even thousands of people are online looking at homes, who is going to want to click on your home if there is not even one picture to show them what it looks like? Likely, not many. The first 30 days of your home being on the market is the most crucial, after those 30 days, the perception is, something is "wrong" with that home. So why would you not start off on the right foot and get the most exposure you can? Yesterday alone, in the German Village Area, 13 homes came onto the market, of those 9 do not have any pictures. 8 out of 13 of these homes are over $150,000. One without pictures is an $800,000 Single Family Home (I somehow doubt this home is not photogenic) !

So, as a Seller, how do you protect your investment when selling with an agent? Ask to see a marketing plan. Any Agent who's knows what they are doing will have a marketing plan/ strategy. Ask to see examples of their work (fliers, etc), look at their website (see if the photos they do have are appealing) and finally ask them how they are going to get your home maximum exposure... hopefully it's more than sticking a sign with an empty flier box on it in your front yard. Ok, I'm done complaining.

Ways I am trying to be "Green"...

William Robbins (HER Real Living) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 07:04:48 -0600

In December I had my "Green" revelation...and even if you do not "believe" in Global Warming after 70 degrees in December, you must admit wasting energy and our natural resources cannot be be good for the planet? I am no "tree hugger" and I am not claiming to be the most energy efficient individual, but I am working on it.

So, I set out on my search on ways I can start to be a little greener and here's what I found.

The easy one...Recycling. For I think it's $5 a quarter, Rumpke comes to my home on Tuesdays and picks up my curbside recycling. You should see how many wine bottles I have.
I started switching out my regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. This is a hard one, all of my bulbs were Reveal, so I am starting gradually in the basement and stairwell and then working my way outside first. Faqs about compact fluorescent bulbs.
I switched to 100% recycled or partially recycled papers for my home and work printing. Real Estate Agents use an incredibly wasteful amount of paper, just in fliers alone...my outdoor fliers for my listings are on 100% recycled copy paper for nicer presentations, I am switching to 30% recycled printing paper. And for basic everyday use, 100% recycled copy paper. All available at Staples. I have not found a glossy brochure paper for my fliers, but I am still looking.
I am getting educated and passing info along to home owners and friends...from Energy Star appliances, Low VOC Paint, renewable resource building products like Bamboo Flooring, etc.