sue gabriel: North Olmsted, OH Housing Market Activity ~ week ending 6/5/09 - 06/06/09 07:21 AM
North Olmsted, OH Housing Market Activity ~ week ending 6/5/09
Hello everyone!
Welcome to North Olmsted, Ohio! We're one of the largest suburbs of Cleveland, and I happen to think one of the most diverse and convenient! Convenient to 2 major highways, the Ohio Turnpike, Cleveland-Hopkins Airport, a major shopping mall, and 20 minutes to downtown. Being born & raised a Clevelander, I made North Olmsted my home in 1994 ~ and I'm thrilled I did!
Almost every single time I go to the grocery store, or the library, or the high school to help in the bookstore, someone asks, "So … (0 comments)

sue gabriel: First-time Home Buyers - $8,000 Tax Credit for Down Payment!! - 05/12/09 07:20 AM
First-time Home Buyers - $8,000 Tax Credit for Down Payment!!
This was just announced today - and it's HUGE!!!
Daily Real Estate News  |  May 12, 2009  | 
Tax Credit Can Be Used for Down Payment
Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Tuesday said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.Previously, most buyers wouldn't receive the funds until after they filed their tax return, and that deterred some people from using the credit. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has … (2 comments)

sue gabriel: I'm finally going on a Honeymoon!!!! - 04/14/09 12:14 AM
Is this post real estate related? No, not really...except to say I'll be ON MY HONEYMOON the 2nd weekend of June in case someone needs me!! Actually, it will be our 4th anniversary, but we never did have an official honeymoon. He'd just moved here from Kentucky and funds were a tad tight. Then each year thereafter, well...you know how it is. "Life" gets in the way sometimes.
Then last night he said, "Pick a place. Any place." Well, we have a huge Amish population here in Ohio, and I've always wanted to spend some time in "Amish country". The shopping, … (5 comments)

sue gabriel: Everything happens for a reason! - 04/13/09 10:49 PM
That case of mistaken identity I wrote about recently? Well, I thought I'd post a follow-up. I did get the listing (it's on tour today!!), and they are wonderful folks! They're really counting on me to help them, and I'd love nothing more than to bring them a great offer!
When we met, it was like we'd known each other forever! And they're convinced I'm their good luck charm. Interestingly enough, because of how I came into their lives...and my name!
I jokingly said, "No pressure there!!"

My seller has been given some bad (and some good) advice from past … (8 comments)

sue gabriel: A Case of Mistaken Identity ~ But It's All Good!! - 03/24/09 12:38 AM
Yesterday, I received the most interesting phone call.
"Do you remember when you gave my friend and me your card at the restaurant last week? When you were waiting on us?"
*Blink*
For the record, I'm not a waitress, although I play one on TV my kids and hubby sometimes think I am!
The caller was having lunch with a friend and talking about her daughter's condo that had been listed for almost FOUR YEARS. Her daughter wasn't happy with her current realtor and was thinking of switching when the listing expires (in April). The friend apparently is also in … (17 comments)

sue gabriel: The New "Old-Fashioned Way"? - 03/21/09 04:45 AM
Ok, I'll admit it...I was dragged kicking and screaming into the world wide web 10 years ago. But I still called 411 to get phone numbers and looked up addresses in that big, white, now-almost-obsolete book that sits in the living room, under the telephone. Yes, I also still have a phone that PLUGS IN to the wall. Imagine that!!
                                                
 
 
So I had to chuckle this morning when I asked my husband, "What are your plans for today?"
Hubby: "I'm going to plot a route to some estate and moving sales." His hobby is "sale-ing".
Me: "Would you … (8 comments)

sue gabriel: Houses ARE Selling in Northeast Ohio! - 03/12/09 01:27 AM
In just the past 30 days, in my relatively small office of 33 agents, we've had the following activity:
30 homes in Contingency or Pending status and 12 Closings! In one of the coldest months of the year! And those buyers will soon be visiting Walmart and The Home Depot, putting much-needed money back into the economy.
This past week, I've personally had 2 buyers in multiple offer situations on bankowned properties. Unfortunately my one buyer was outbid on his, but the other couple is waiting patiently (ha!) by the phone...hoping I'll be calling with good news any minute. (me too!!) That house went on the market … (2 comments)

sue gabriel: The 10 Unhappiest American Cities?? Bah!! - 03/10/09 09:21 AM
Ok...how many of you read this in today's Daily Real Estate News?
10 Unhappiest American Cities No sun, no jobs and lots of foreclosures. This can be a recipe for unhappiness. Not surprisingly, some cities whose residents struggle with lots of these issues also have high levels of suicide, clinical depression, divorce and violent crime.BusinessWeek.com ranked 50 of the largest metros based on their misery and depression levels. The depression scoring is based on insurance reporting. The rest of the rankings come from the National Assembly of County & City Health Officials, FBI crime reports, the U.S. Weather Bureau and the … (6 comments)