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By
Real Estate Agent with Casmi Photography

I sometimes think that I should place just those words in classified ads across the country.  I am not sure what else to try.

Why?  Well, here are the numbers for the last 3 years (June 1 through today for 05, 06, 07) in Toledo, Ohio.  Keep in mind that this is within the city limits and not the greater metropolitan area.  For some these numbers won't seem all that bad, but in this area they are devastating.

Over all (total area MLS listings) there are approx. 7,000 listings (+/-) and approx. 3,000 (+/-) of those are vacant or abandoned.  This is truly affecting quality of life here in Toledo, not to mention the adverse effect this is having on property values.  We're in trouble - big trouble.

But there is a silver lining.  How so, you ask?  Investors can pick up some really nice homes for below market value (in some cases way below) and get a decent return on their investment.

See for yourself....

Our local officials have been attempting to come up with new plans to help revitalize our area.  Some things work, some don't.  But that's true in any effort.  We just keep trying.  Sooner or later it will work and these numbers will all turn around.

Interested in investing?  Now is the time.  But if you see investing in Real Estate as being as glamorous as all those 'flipping' shows on television, I don't recommend it.  If you are using a buy and hold strategy, the potential to do well is there.

If you have any questions or want to discuss this more, feel free to give me a call.  I'll be glad to talk with you about it. 

 

Posted by

 

Carol Smith

Casmi Photography

Mebane, NC 27302

919-418-6549

casmiphotography@triad.rr.com

 

 

Comments (7)

Larry Wright
nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA
Carol ... this resembles the downtown & hilltop areas of Tacoma WA several years ago.  The entire area is almost all revitalized now.  It won't be easy but your City officials can do it.  And yes ... the investors must participate.
Aug 27, 2007 02:30 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Larry - Thanks for your comment.  I realize that there are many cities that are undergoing a 'renaissance' of sorts but when it's your own hometown you are, naturally, more concerned.

Do you have any idea where I might find the plan or information on just how Tacoma pulled it off?  I have studied the Paducah, KY progress and am finding a lot of inspiration from Pittsburgh, PA and their revival.  I can't help thinking that if we (Toledo in general) took the best points of all the plans that we may be able to come up with some ideas that we could tweak for this area.

Thanks again! 

Aug 27, 2007 03:11 AM
Anonymous
Roland Hansen
Very Interesting.
Aug 27, 2007 12:33 PM
#3
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Carol, I just read today that it is wonderful to buy a home now but be prepared to hold onto it for five years.  It didn't list WHY however.  And I also read that they were auctioning off homes which I don't recall seeing...On the other hand, I see homes selling here rather quickly.  For the most part, they are not on the market for that long and I suspect the ones that are might be overpriced.  Thanks for the information.
Aug 27, 2007 01:41 PM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Carole - I can't speak for other markets, but here in our little city of <300,000 there is a high unemployment rate and not much hope on the immediate horizon for improvement.

The theory is that it will take 5 years for the spiral to complete its descent and come back to a 'normal' level of appreciation.  Still, some neighborhoods are holding value better than others.  But that's what happens when you have so many different socioeconomic factors in such a small area.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Aug 27, 2007 02:12 PM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire
Hi Carol... the numbers are definately discouraging! I think the vacancies would disturb me the most..that leads to problems. I will tell you your days on market are quite a bit less than ours (our average 130 )...why would that be??
Aug 27, 2007 02:21 PM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Joan - The vacancies are the most troubling.  We have a problem here with 'house stripping' where thieves strip off the aluminum siding and sell it for scrap, and then sometimes they break into the houses and take the furnaces. the copper plumbing, electrical wiring, anything not nailed down - and then that's not a guarantee either.  This makes the house virtually worthless and when it doesn't sell in a conventional manner it goes to auction and brings about 20 - 30% of market value.  This affects the comps for other homes in the neighborhood and the spiral continues.

A few years ago we were averaging about 70 DOM as opposed to the 90+ now.  And the backlog of abandoned homes that the banks aren't even aware of until they get a notice from the city citing them as a nuisance property is staggering.

It will turn around - if we all live long enough.  :) 

Aug 27, 2007 03:39 PM