Della Lambert's (dellashomes) Blog

Southwest Ranch

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:19:43 -0800

Fully rennovated 3 bedroom 2 full bath ranch with cathedral ceiling greatroom with corner marble fireplace. All the appliances are upscale and all will remain, including the washer and dryer in the first floor laundry. Closet organizers, new carpet, paint, vinyl, trim and doors. New shower pan, door, shower surround, as well as toilet and vanity in the master bath. Florida room, newer deck, fenced yard and more. Served by Southwestern city schools. 2 car garage with opener and new door. Motion sensing light in garage. Basement is waterproofed and large, with full basement height crawl space under master suite. For more detail and photos, go to www.DellaLambert.com.

Southwest Split

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:57:36 -0800

What a great value. This phenominal house has 3-4 bedrooms, a family room, living room/dining room and kitchen on the first floor, a second family room and bonus room, or fourth bedroom on the lower level, along with a half bath and laundry area, and three bedrooms and a full bath on the upper floor. Newer roof, siding, carpet and more. Cat 5 cable, all kitchen appliances and the washer and dryer will stay. There is a covered front porch and covered rear deck, both with newer planking. There is also a fenced yard with storage shed and basketball court. So many features to list..... See more about this fine home at www.DellaLamabert.com

Park-like setting

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:18:01 -0700

Park-like setting at this fabulous Southwestern City school property. 3 bedroom 2 story, with 2 full bathrooms, Huge park-like back yard, with deck and patio and privacy fence. Convenient location near freeway, shopping and parks. Updated kitchen with new cabinets, counters and flooring, large poured wall basement. Great condition and ready for new owners. $130's.

3-4 bedroom 2 bath ranch in SW schools under 110,000

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:51:33 -0700

Here is your opportunity to own a great home, over improved for the area. Three to four bedrooms, depending on whether or not you wish to have a formal dining room, and 2 full baths, both with marble floors. Gleaming hardwood floors in most of the above grade living space. Large kitchen with ceramic tile floors and white cabinets. Stone and stucco exterior and most insulated windows, make this a low maintenance home. Under all of this is a large basement with a little crawl space. two finished rooms, one is very large, and two undfinished rooms. Outside is a two car concrete block garage and a covered rear porch in the mostly fenced yard. Hurry, it is hard to find something like this in Southwestern City Schools or in South west Columbus.For photos and more visit www.Dellalambert.com and click on featured properties. The homes are in increasing price order. This gem is only 108,000.

Life on the lake

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:41:48 -0700

I just had to share this lovely home with you. It is a rare opportunity in Central Ohio to live on a semi-private body of water. Woodside Green south is a nice neighborhood in Gahanna with a well kept secret. In the midst of the neighborhood is a large pond. So large, that some call it a lake. Each of the homes bordering the pond have private access, as they actually own land under the water. There is a public access area at the south end of the pond for the other residents of the neighborhood, but each property at the pond's edge has exclusive access between their lot line...... no neighbors walking in your back yard.Not only is the setting unusual, but the home is one of a kind as well. Built by the community developer as his private home, it has all the amenities that you could want. The east facing family room, dinette and kitchen have so many windows that you rarely need lights during the day. In the evening, just step out onto the multi-tiered deck, and relax in the shade while overlooking the water. Just off the family room with a fireplace are french doors leading to the den, complete with chair rail. In fact, the woodwork throughout this house is something to make note of. Great details abound, including wood blinds on most windows. The formal dining room, formal living room, half bath, fully applianced kitchen and the first floor laundry complete the first floor. Hardwood floors can be found in both the foyer and the formal dining room. The second floor has four large bedrooms, including a master with luxury bath and walk-in closet. Each of the rooms is tastefully painted in a sophisticated palette. The poured concrete foundation creates a full basement, part of which is finished into a recreation or fitness room, while the balance is awaiting your personal touch. Additional features include a two car garage, gas forced air heat, central air conditioning and plentiful professionally designed landscape beds and terraces. To see more about this unusla find in Gahanna, Ohio, visit www.DellaLambert.com

Whose #1?

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:43:41 -0800

It seems that every other week the national media is labeling Ohio the #1 state in the nation in foreclosures, then I hear from anoter source that the title belongs somewhere else. Why all the disturbance over who has it worse? Are we all that obsessed with being first that we don't care what we are first at? We clamour for information so that we can brag about being first or complain that we are suffering the most. What I want to know is what are we doing about it?Builders are shoving overpriced homes down the throats of consumers using introductory rates and large cash incentives or $'s off pricing, which is driving prices for resale homes even lower. The media says that the market is awful, focusing only on "lost" value rather than gained opportunity. Maybe if the media changed their perspective and talked about being one of, if not the most affordable states in the nation to buy a home or investment property, then sales will increase and prices will follow.Ohio is usually very stable, gaining a steady 3-4% a year. In 16 years only small pockets have done better for short periods of time. This is Ohio's opportunity. Prices are where they were 2-4 years ago. We are near what I think is the bottom, so this is opportunity time. A smart buyer will buy now and realize the gain when the properties rebound to their natural values. Just last week a builder, who is choosing to leave town, sold my client a spec home. A model just like it sold last year for 345,000 and my folks are paying 245,000. Great buys are in every price range, every school district and every style. Those of you who thought investment properties were out of reach, need to take a new look at homes in Ohio, especially Central Ohio. Where do you think all of the folks loosing their home to foreclosure are going to go? They have to rent from someone. Why not You?For more buying tips or information about the great opportunities out there, visit www.DellaLambert.com

My ideal traffic report

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:06:07 -0800

I have been hearing reports of slow traffic all day, but why? Salt trucks and plows have been busy, the roads are not icy, haven't been since I got on them at 7:30 this morning. My theory is that we have a lot of people who haven't seen, let alone driven in any amount of snow in their life, so they panic and drive like a 95 year old caterac patient. I would propose that the traffic report goes something like this: Native born residents with 4 wheel drive vehicles will be released to the roads for the first hour, begining at 7:00 this morning. At 8:00, the native born residents with regular vehicles will be given a half hour head start on the folks who moved here from points south who own 4 wheel drive vehicles. At 9:00 those transplanted residents, from points south, who have regular cars may begin their morning commute because the rest of us have already finished our email, voicemail, coffee, morning meeting and are making lunch plans, to begin about the time you arrive at work and no longer pose a problem for us.The end of the day report would begin the same, with the appropriate times inserted, but end...because the rest of us are enjoying a family dinner while you slide around on the roads without us to bump into.Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Family Home or Party Pad

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:12:02 -0800

This fabulous ranch has sophistication written all over it. Grand ceiling in the greatroom allows for transom windows over already long windows flanking the gas log fireplace. Adjacent is the eat-in kitchen that comes fully applianced. Just out the door is the 10 X 20 patio with mature landscaping. Three bedrooms total include a large master with vaulted ceiling, master shower bath and walk-in closet; one with leaded glass french doors, making it an ideal office; and a large 2nd bedroom closest to the second full bathroom with tub. The lower level is set up as a party zone. A "foyer" or sorts greats you at the bottom of the stairs and has access to the oversized laundry area. Next is the third full bath and then, at the end of the hallway is the party room, complete with video/sposrts viewing area, excercise area, dining area and a dance floor that rocks. The dance floor area left the floor joists exposed for hanging the mirror ball, strobe light and disco ball, and painted the underside of the first floor black, for effect. One fabulous feature is that the entire house is wired for sound. You music can be piped into every room, or just one, depending upon your mood. Don't blast yourself out of a room any more just to hear your tunes as you roam the house.Additional features include a wetbar in the basement, 2" blinds on every window up stairs, and ceiling lights in every room. Ceiling fans can be found in the great room and master bedroom. The 2 car garage is fully drywalled, and has an opener. The hme has a security system and a water filter in the kitchen. Hilliard Schools in the City of Columbus, just minutes from downtown.

Successful Open House

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:57:32 -0800

There is alot involved in hosting a successful open house. A great deal of the work will be completed by your listing agent, or open house host. Most good agents will have highlight sheets, and payment option sheets, or bring a lender with them to pre-qualify the buyers. Agents will also promote the open house to Real estate groups, in the paper and possibly by flyers or post cards.The seller plays a big role in a successful open house too. Remember what made you buy the home or what you find appealing in homes that you look at? Try to showcase those featurs again. Condition is huge. Does it LOOK well maintained, and cared for? Some easy things to do is use scratch cover for woodwork that is dried out or scratched and dented. It is amazing the difference it makes on kitchen and bathroom cabinets that have a natural wood finish. Touch up paint in the high trafic areas, don't forget the ceilings. A crisp white ceiling in a kitchen looks so much better and reflects so much more light than one that has been made dingy from cooking. Make sure that floors are deep cleaned and carpet is properly stretched, where necessary. Scour the kitchen and bathroom fixtures, make them shine. The same goes for the windows. Especially in the dreary months, you need all the natural light you can get. Clear the counters in the kitchen and bathroom, making them look more like what you see in model homes. Organize your closets and remove excess belongings. If the closets are cluttered you send the message that there isn't enough storage in your home. Clean cold air returns and exhaust fans and change your furnace filter. Make sure all lights function properly and all doors open and close completely. Make sure that your front porch and entry area are clean and clutter free. Don't load the house up with air fresheners. Consumers think you are trying to cover something up. If you do use some, use only one scent and use it sparingly. Speaking of odors...... keep after any pets in the home. Keep the food in an air tight container and clean after your pets daily.Some personal safety tips for open houses are also important. Remove ALL prescription drugs from your home prior to the open house. Also remove any valuables that easily fit into pockets. Do not leave jewelry boxes out in plain sight, unless they are filled with costume jewlery that has little or no value. Remove or place in a locked safe, any firearms or weapons. Remove valuable documents, or place in a safe. This includes credit cards, identification, social security numbers, bank statements, bills or other financial statements. Do not leave children's photos with identifying information on them either.For more tips on preparing for a successful open house, visit www.DellaLambert.com, or call your local real estate professional.

Ohio is Veteran Friendly

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:12:48 -0800

Ohio is inviting Veterans home to the heart of it all. Ohio offers a homestead reduction for those over 65 years of age, regardless of military service, without regard to the household income. The program dictates that Ohio does not collect taxes on the first $25,000 of value for their principal residence of anyone over the age of 65. http://goldenbuckeye.com/families/homestead.htmlIn addition to that, Ohio will not tax their military retirement checks. Ohio has even added a new protected class as of March of 2008. It will be illegal to discriminate against someone in houseing, lending and most other aspects, because of their military status. http://www.militarypolice.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=71 .For more information regarding buying property in Ohio, particularly Central Ohio, visit www.DellaLambert.com .

Grove City Town Center

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:25:52 -0800

Grove City is hosting a community meeting regarding the revitalization of the Town Center. Grove City's town center revitalization project began in the 1980's. As new growth continues it is wise for the community to continue to revisit the concepts and ensure that the future growth and renovation is sustained. The meeting will take place at Park street intermediate school, in rooms 177 and 178 on Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00pm. Park St intermediate is located at 3205 Park St. The market research and archetectural firms will be on hand, as well as city officials.The presentation will include economic, zoning, and parking issues as well as other aspects of the plan. At the end of the presentation, there will be information related to how interested parties can provide their input to the project. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.I hope to see you there.

Care Free Living

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:28:27 -0800

Two wonderful units available in a Planned Unit Development, known as Hardesty Heights, in West Columbus.In case you don't know a Planned unit development has what appear to be Condos, but are not. These units are attached row style structures with private patios and covered private parking. They offer a common party house, and large pool, tennis courts, walking paths, benches and scenic setting. All the groundskeeping outside of your sidewalk is provided by the association. The individual unit owners are responsible for their own roof, patio, carport and interior maintenance.I have two units for sale. The first has 3 bedrooms 1 full and 2 half baths, finished basement and all appliances. The second has 2 bedrooms 1.5 baths, is fully rennovated with new ceramic tile, cabinets, bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances and more. Both are bargain priced for your benfit and offer immediate possession. Both are located within 5 minutes drive of Dr.'s West Hiospital and are served by Southwestern City Schools.Take this opportunity to see the extra features found in these lovely units by going to www.DellaLambert.com and clicking on featured properties.

Rennovated Ranch in Columbus

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:08:47 -0800

Wow, 3 bedroom 2 full bath ranch with stone accents, pie shaped yard with in ground pool, complete with new liner, pump and filter. All for less than $120,000. New furnace and air conditioning, private, fenced lot with mature trees, some hardwood floors, new carpeting, paint and water heater. Beautiful new sliding glass patio door leading to covered patio. All in a convenient location in West Columbus. Buy this great house now while special programs and attractive interest rates are still available. See Photos and more comments at www.DellaLambert.com

The Richest Man

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:56:24 -0800

I started reading a book at my open house this sunday. It is called the Richest Man in Babylon. It was given to me by a loan officer who wants my business. What amazed me as I read it was that the principals in the book were news to people. I suppose that it is really, if you look around at the economy and the credit situations people are in. As a Realtor, I have met many folks in the throws of financial disaster, but they look good. They can't pay their mortgage, but they are planning a superbowl party with their plasma big screen. They have collection agents calling, but their son just had a huge birthday party at the trendiest kids party place. Why do we as a society feel the need to impress others at the expense of our own future? The biggest concepts that society needs from that book, or any other money management course are ...1. Spend less than you bring in2. Invest the extra in safe invesments and allow those profits to go to work for you.3. Make yourself more valuable so that your earnings can increase- get an education, learn a skill, or become better at what you do.I was fortunate to have a great set of parents who taught me these values when I was in the hand-me down clothes from my older cousins and when I was playing a made up game with my neighbor, and making a pool out of sheet plastic, a picnic table and some rocks. I am the mother of two wonderful, smart girls who get told "no" alot when it comes to the extras in life. It can be hard in this society to do without what others feel are necessities, and ask your kids to do without. Tell me. Why does a third grader need a juke phone, or a razor, or an Ipod? Why do children who can't spell properly or read at their grade level need ps2's and Wii's and guitar hero? Why do elementary age children need to wear Tommy Hilfiger and Abercrombie? Maybe we are in the economy we are in, because america's value system got derailed. I have been and will continue to be an advocate for family budgets, credit repair and living with limited debt. Those of you who haven't read the book, you might want to check it out of your local library and recommend it to the credit challenged folks you encounter. To the lender that sent it to me, thanks. I plan on purchasing more and giving them to folks I meet who just haven't been taught the laws of money and the relatively simple way to reach financial security.Here's to a safe, productive, financially rewarding 2008 to all of you.Della

Grove City Parks and Rec is Award Winning

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 07:29:39 -0800

The Southwest Messenger reported that Grove City Parks and Recreation department has won a national honorable mention from National Alliance for Youth Sports. NAYS is a non-profit organization that awards quality children's sports programs who take the time to educate the children as well as adult participants in the sports programs. Any childrens' sports program can apply. In '07, 5 organizations received top honors, while Grove City Parks and Recreation was noted to be one of 10 honorable mentions. (I checked the NAYS site, but the '07 awards have not yet been posted. I will provide the Link here, so you may check out the honor once they are posted. http://www.nays.org/IntMain.cfm?Cat=11&Page=66 )Grove City Parks and Rec department is now taking registrations for youth baseball. They are also looking for volunteer coaches and team sponsors. There is a background check completed for all adult volunteers. Children ages 5-16 are elegible to participate. The teams are co-ed. They are also looking for OHSAA certified officials. For more information go to http://www.grovecityohio.gov/cityDepartments/parksRec/teamSports.cfm .Good luck to all of Grove City's youth teams this season.Della Lambert

Art and Dining in Grove City

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:05:47 -0800

Just a few nights ago, the Grove City Chamber had a wonderful reception in the Career Academy Cafe. For those who didn't know it, they offer walk in dining opportunities Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Jazz Street Cafe. The head chef used to work at Brio, so you know the food is good. (Here is a link to the School and the Culinary arts program. http://www.swcs.us/buildings/SWCAWeb/%20At ) At the same time, Southwestern City Schools was having "Reflections" display and judging. I am a member of the Grove City Chamber, Realtor who needs to network, and the chairperson for my daughters' school, and my two girls had artwork on display. So of course I was there.For those that don't know, National PTA hosts a program called Reflections where they ask school aged children to create art around a central theme. This year's theme was "I can make a difference by..." I was bursting with pride when I saw their two pieces of art as they were preparing them for the show. My oldest painted a home with two cars in the driveway and two people on the sidewalk. One asked the other, "Why aren't you taking your car?" The response was "If I walk more and drive less, I can save the world from global warming." (Never mind that my real estate vehicle is an SUV.) The other daughter painted a girl helping a boy who had fallen on the playground. The winners from the local judging will advance to state and then national judging. No news yet who will advance to the next round. Good luck to all of you.I am proud of my girls for participating, as I am proud of all the other students who took the time to create art that wasn't a part of a school grade, but art with a message. You should have seen some of the talent we have in our school system. I am also proud of the fine work and quality food that the students in the culinary arts program produced for us. Delicate deserts, tasty appetizers and a wonderful punch. I even spoke to a young man who dreams of having his own coffee shop some day with his father. That will wait, right now he is looking forward to creating a beautiful wedding cake for a lucky couple. If you have an upcoming envent, the culinary arts department offers catering services as well.

Get Paid to Buy a House

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:49:50 -0800

I know, it sounds too good to be true, but it happens. I personally have helped many families do just that. The secret is in knowing how to structure your offer and where to go for the money. In one case, my investor buyer was paid $1,100 at closing, then collected rent of $1,500 on the following friday. A single family home buyer received their returned rent deposit of $700 from their landlord, $725 at the closing for their home and didn't make a mortgage payment for nearly 45 days. Their new loan payment was less than they had been paying in rent. I know, you think this is trickery, or predatory lending, right? Wrong. Both of these buyers secured 30 year fixed rate financing for the properties. We simply talked to the right lenders, those with community loan products that had low costs and low interest rates. Then the lender and I formulated our buying strategy, the buyer located the property and we executed the plan. Using the right loan and additional funds either from the seller, in the form of points and closing costs help, or from a community down payment assistance program, not the charity programs that are getting all the heat, we coverd the balance of the expenses. Even under FHA guidelines the buyer can walk away with cash to them as long as it doesn't exceed the amount already invested plus the tax credit from the seller. Experience makes the difference. With a great agent and a great lender comes a great experience. For help identifying the appropriate program in your area, contact a good mortgage originator at a local bank or savings and loan and a great Real Estate professional. Don't know one, send me a note and I'll give it the old college try.

West Jefferson

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:01:49 -0800

Wow! This is how many of us grew up. A great house on a large lot ina small town with deer out your back door. Didn't think it existed within a half hour of Columbus? Well, you were wrong. 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths in this spacious cape cod home. Hardwood floors in all of the bedrooms. Blonde woodwork and lots of windows. Brick and stucco exterior are easy to maintain. Oversized 2 car garage with sliding doors over floor to ceiling storage. Upper floor has no sloped ceilings or walls, instead there iw a walk-in attic the full length of the home across the front, freing up your basement for entertaining or hobby space. The full basement is divided but not yet finished. Over 2/3 of an acre backing to a tree farmer's field. Just Reduced to $185,000

Clintonville Charmer

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:50:58 -0800

What a find, nearly 2,200 sq ft of finished living space on the first two floors. Gorgeous hardwood floors and natural woodwork, wagon wheel windows flanking a stone woodburning fireplace, and sweeping sidewalk punctuate the classical style of clintoville. Additional features include walk-in closets in every one of the four bedrooms. 2 Closets in the first floor master. Three full bathrooms, 2 very large and recently updated. Some leaded glass windows, all natural doors and original hardware. Enjoy the seasons on the deck, or patio, in the fenced yard or in the garden patch behind the two car garage. You can see one school from the breakfast nook and are just a few short blocks away from another. Great view of the fall foliage in the ravine across the street. This is a unique cape in that there are no sloped ceilings or walls upstairs. Instead the rooms are boxes inside the roofline, leaving a walk-in attic the full length of the home. Don't wait or this hidden treasure will be found by another.

Is this Market Killing You?

Della Lambert (Keller Williams Consultants Realty) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:37:57 -0800

I couldn't believe me ears. One of the agents in my office called me to ask for my advice in a situation that in 16 years, I had never encountered. I've sold bank owned properties where I've rousted a sleeping squatter, I've been the go between in divorce sales, and the consoler in estate sales, but I never thought I would have to act as a body guard. Some time ago, I'll call her Sue, one of my agents helped inherited buyers place a contract on a home. She inherited them from a casualty of the market, another agent who quit. Thinking the other professional had done her job in pre-qualifying the folks, she proceded with locating the home, then called her favorite lender to do the loan. Well, her guy had gotten promoted and was no longer originating loans, so he suggested Sue talk to his replacement. The loan was originated and Sue proceded with normal conversations with the lender verifying that things were on track. Some time later, about a week before the scheduled closing, Sue checked with the lender only to get no response. She climbed the ladder of responsibility every few days until she reached the boss of the boss who opened the lender's desk to find over 100 files that had been opened, then neglected. Sue got furious then realized she may be able to save this. I put her in touch with my lender who has worked miracles before. He promised to look into it, but they would need an extension. Sue met with the seller, their broker and the buyer. The seller consented to an extension but then said, " If you don't close on time, "I'll Kill You!" Sue laughed it off until the seller said "I'm serious, you'll be dead". What disturbed me the most was that the other licensee just sat there and did nothing, and said nothing. Sue promptly left and called me. The seller has been reported to the police. What would you have done in her shoes, or in the shoes of the listing broker? What has this market come to that sellers are threatening physical violence over what used to be a simple transaction?