Real Estate Laundry

A day at the North Market - Columbus, Ohio

August 26th, 2008 categories: Columbus, Local Communities, Short North

Front

Oh how to sum up such a unique place in a quick blog post? I’ll do the best I can, but you may want to check out The North Market’s website for more detailed information. The website introduces the market indicating:

“Since 1876, the North Market has been home to local butchers, bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and farmers. Over the years, our merchant offerings have expanded to include ethnic food specialties, gourmet groceries and unique gifts. We are proud of our rich, community history and would like to share our story!”

I hear much about Columbus being a “cowtown”, with my friends from NY and LA trashing our arts, restaurants and cultural offerings at every opportunity. Sure, we could never compete side by side with these cities, but Columbus is hip, accessible and a cool place to live and visit.

Over the years The North Market has been a favorite family spot for us. In the early days, when the kids were toddlers, it was more about the high ceilings, colorful fare and hustle and bustle.

Market

Today the shear variety of food offerings, masterful displays of everything from popcorn to fresh veggies, and the ability to escape for a while in the middle of the city are the draw.

Here are a few tips if you visit the market:

Be sure to walk around prior to making to your food choice. Many is the time I have gone for an old standby only to come across a new and tantalizing opportunity once I am already committed.
Take a deep breath. Not only will you enjoy the melding of scents from the various vendors, but you will help yourself relax and enjoy your time.
Be sure to check out the second floor. There are plenty of tables and a great view of the goings on.
If you park in the North Market lot be sure to have your ticket validated by one of the vendors you patronize.
Save room for some ice cream at Jeni’s! With an astonishing range of flavors and lots of fresh local ingredients, you will be glad you did.

Jeni's

May I recommend the Bourbon Butter Pecan??

Authored by Eric | Discussion: No Comments »

Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty is on the move!

August 12th, 2008 categories: About Realtors, Columbus, Local Communities

In late 2007, Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty(KWCP) purchased the 24,000 square foot building which has served as Equity’s headquarters located at 100 E. Wilson Bridge Rd. in Worthington, Ohio. In a move which will position KWCP for continued growth and a more visible market presence the acquisition was the next logical step in the Company’s progression.

Opening in August of 2002, KWCP has experienced rapid growth and success and was ranked 3rd out of the top 25 Real Estate Brokerages in Central Ohio by Business First based on 2007 production. Additionally, they were the largest independently owned and operated brokerage in Central Ohio completing over 1,500 transactions totaling more than $320 Million in sales out of a single office location in 2007.

100 E. Wilson Bridge

100 E. Wilson Bridge Rd. – Soon to be home for Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty

Keller Williams Realty has seen fantastic growth across the country due largely to their “agent-centric” philosophy and deep commitment to training and education.

Keller Williams Capital Partners currently has more than 150 agents. Plans are in place for renovations and a committee has been formed to oversee the transition to 100 E. Wilson Bridge Rd. in late 2008/early 2009.

Authored by Eric | Discussion: 1 Comment »

The Grass is Greener in the Columbus Real Estate Market

April 29th, 2008 categories: About Realtors, Columbus, Real Estate News, Real Estate Professionals

No, I am not talking about the long green grass we all have been mowing twice a week lately! I am talking about the Columbus Housing Market and some of the positives which seem to be repeatedly overlooked by the media bent on highlighting the negatives of our industry’s downturn.

Recently, The Columbus Board of Realtors, The Columbus Housing Partnership, and The Building Industry of Central Ohio have united to get the word out to the public about all the good things happening in the Columbus housing market. Through “The Grass is Greener Here” Campaign these organizations aim to inform the public about the reality of our current market through the following core points:

The Columbus, Ohio housing market is healthy and stable
It is a great time to buy
Low interest rates are helping to keep the market strong
There are many reasons to be optimistic
Waiting too long to get a good deal could cost Homebuyers in the end
Buyers and Sellers should talk to market experts and not allow the media to direct their housing plans
Homeownership is still a great investment

Check out The Grass is Greener Here to get detailed information on each of these points and gain some insight into the Central Ohio Housing Market.

I will agree that the market has been tougher than in some of the glory days of the past, but homes are selling and Buyers are buying. The national media can not be all wrong, but it is critical to remember that real estate is very much a local business. There are always areas experiencing declines while others are seeing strong markets. Making generalizations on a national scale can be dangerous and serve to further erode confidence.

If Buying or Selling a home in the Columbus area may be in your future, get the facts, get a good real estate professional and get moving!

Authored by Eric | Discussion: 2 Comments »

New Price for this Mid-century Brick Ranch in Arlington Schools

March 28th, 2008 categories: Buying a Home, Local Communities, Real Estate News

Okay, Folks! This incredible custom built ranch home with extraordinary features is conveniently located in Shelbourne Kipling – within easy walking distance to Lane Road Library, Thompson Park, as well as easy access to freeways, dining, shopping, recreation & more! If you’d like to see this impeccably and lovingly maintained home, just give us a call or stop by our Open House this Sunday, March 30, from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm.

Among the numerous high-quality amenities:

Four Bedrooms
Two full baths and one half bath
Situation on a large 115’ x 145’ corner lot on a low traffic street
New garage door for the two car attached garage
Fresh paint in many rooms
New carpeting throughout
Some new light fixtures
Full basement
Electric range, wall oven, dishwasher, refrigerator and microwave included
Central air and gas forced-air heating
Upper Arlington Schools

Here, take a look inside see just how remarkable this home is:

The large foyer is inviting and graceful with travertine flooring, a new chandelier and large coat closet. This space is divided into two separate areas, the main entrance and the foyer, which is a great transitional space before entering the main living areas.

The large eat-in kitchen boasts immaculate custom cabinetry and a window over the sink looking out toward the rear patio and backyard. Tons of counter and cabinet space can be found here – in addition to a walk-in pantry. The adjacent eating space has a new chandelier andsliding door access to the rear patio as well as additional storage and counter space.

The amazing family room has a massive stone gas log/woodburning fireplace, thick, custom paneled walls and a sliding door leading to the backyard. The formal dining room has a new chandelier and large window facing the front yard. A sturdy pocket door separates this room from the kitchen, enabling privacy between the two spaces.

The massive formal living room is just off the entry and formal dining room and offers huge windows with a front yard view. What a great space to entertain or stretch out and relax!

Three bedrooms are located on the western side of the home. Now, the expansive owner’s suite has three (yes, you read it correctly) huge closets, new neutral carpeting and access to the large private bath. Two additional bedrooms offer ample closet space in each, pocket entrance doors (thereby saving interior space) and they share a second full-sized bath which can be accessed through the hall. The second full bath has a double-bowl ceramic-topped vanity, a separate vanity space and a shower/tub combination with glass door. A fourth bedroom can be used as a home office or creative space and it is located on the eastern side of the home within close proximity to the large half bath.

A first floor laundry is separated by a pocket door just off the eating space, fourth bedroom and half bath. It also has the entrances to the garage and basement and is large enough to also be utilized as a mudroom. A high quality utility sink with under-cabinet storage offers a convenient area to take care of muddy boots or stubborn stains.

YOWZA! While the wording above describes this home rather well, I can’t really say enough about the solid construction, the custom features, the absolute pristine condition and the soul of the home. This lovely space is ready for you to make your memories here!

Area amenities and websites to check out include:

Experience Columbus

Upper Arlington Community Website

Upper Arlington Super Site

Columbus Chamber of Commerce

UA Park, Recreation & Leisure

Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce

The Ohio State University

Authored by Eric | Discussion: No Comments »

Selling your home in Columbus�the third time is a charm.

March 27th, 2008 categories: Columbus, Real Estate News

We have all heard that the housing market is tough right now. If for any reason you have not heard this, you should climb out from whatever rock you have been hiding under.

It is true, inventory and average days on market are up, prices are down and the mortgage industry is seeing some long overdue restructuring which is making it tougher for Buyers to obtain financing.

According to the Columbus Board of Realtors, there were 1459 homes sold in Columbus in February which was a 5.8% decline from the same month in 2007. The encouraging news is 1689 homes went under contract in February, up 5.6% from the previous February. The bottom line is that homes are still selling, though it is more critical than ever they be properly prepared for the market and priced appropriately.

If you are currently selling your home or considering a sale, you should know a successful sale will require you to sell your home 3 times. You must “sell” your home to:

The Buyer
The Inspector
The Appraiser

The Buyer

Buyers today have the luxury of choosing between lots of homes. This can be a good thing, but can also lead to indecision and tends to focus Buyers on getting a “deal”. To combat this, be sure your home is in top condition and priced aggressively. Elevate yourself above the clutter of the current market and make it easy for a Buyer to say “yes” to your home.

The Inspector

The Home Inspector is hired by the Buyer to evaluate a home’s condition and to assess the need for future repairs and maintenance. Do not discount the power a Home Inspector holds in affecting a Buyer’s decision to move forward with a home purchase. If you have deferred maintenance, address the issues prior to listing your home. Having a transaction foiled by by poor inspection results can cost you time and money and is largely avoidable by addressing known issues up front.

The Appraiser

The Appraiser is hired by the lender to establish the value of a property. This is done to ensure the bank does not lend more money than the home is worth. With current market conditions and a decline in prices, I would anticipate Appraisals becoming more of a challenge. Historically, if the home was priced within reason in comparison to the recent market, the appraisal process was smooth. Given the recent woes in the mortgage industry one can assume lenders will be more and more cautious about lending. New standards are already in the works to ensure the integrity of the appraisal process.

In closing, do not let this post or the media banter keep you from selling your home. Just be realistic about your expectations, the time it may take to sell and the amount you may settle on. Check out What is your Home worth in today’s market? and What to do if you really want to sell your home for more information and contact us if you have questions or need assistance.

Tags: home+inspector, appraisal, mortgage, home+buying

Authored by Eric | Discussion: No Comments »

Whoa! Stop the Car and Check Out this New Westerville Listing!

January 25th, 2008 categories: Real Estate News, Westerville

Now THIS Westerville listing will make your brakes squeal (in a good way).

You just might want to take a good look at this one. And after you do, just give us a call and we’ll make arrangements for you to see this impeccably maintained three-level split home located in Glengary Heights in the Westerville School District.

Some details regarding this sweet home:

Price: $137,900

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 1

Garage: 1 Car attached

Square feet: 1,300

Lot size: 63′ x 115′ w/fenced backyard!

The high quality updates to this home are numerous and among them are:

New carpeting
Fresh coat of paint in every room
New ceramic tile in the entryway, kitchen, bathroom and lower level
New closet doors in hall, bedroom, and lower level
New closet organizers/shelving
New kitchen cabinetry, sink, counter-tops, lighting, stove, dishwasher and microwave
New bathroom vanity, light fixtures, medicine cabinet, sink, counter-top, bead board, tub/shower surround and commode
New exterior soffitts
New exterior lighting
New deck
New fuse box
Many new interior light fixtures

You didn’t think you’d have to update this, now did you? Thankfully, you can just move right in to this sweet home and start enjoying it immediately. Really.

Just to give you a peek at this three bedroom, one bath bi-level, below are some photos. Go on now, don’t be shy! You can even stop by our Open House this Sunday, January 27th from 2:00 to 4:00pm for an even better look!

And to give you an idea of the area amenities, go ahead and check out these links:

Authored by Eric | Discussion: 2 Comments »

Columbus Ohio Housing Market - Any Good News?

January 3rd, 2008 categories: Columbus, Local Communities

Well, if you read the paper or watch the news, you surely hear just how bad the housing market is all over the country. I won�t lie and tell you everything is just fine and it�s the best market we�ve seen. I will propose, however, that there are some positives.

If you have read my posts before, you know I try to put an upside slant to the housing market in general. I would be crazy not to as I make my living as a Real Estate Professional and do all I can to further the success of our industry.

I am not naive to the challenges facing the housing market, but feel obligated to fight back with what may be some hopeful news.

Looking at the chart below you will see a couple of statistics worthy of note. First, according to the Columbus Board of Realtors (CBR), the average sale price in November of 2007 was 2.1% higher than in November 2006. With all the talk of prices dropping so dramatically this should be a bit of an eye opener. On top of this it is worth mentioning that the year to date average sales price is down only 1.2% in the Columbus Multiple Listing service

Stats%20Nov%2007

CBR notes in a recent article that �the number of homes added to the market in November dropped almost 18 percent from the month prior. However, homes that went into contract or sold were only 13 percent lower than in October.”

Brad Bennett, the outgoing CBR President states - “Right now we have around ten homes on the market for every one buyer — a buyer’s market. A balanced market is about 6.5 or 7 homes for every buyer. So, a slowing in the number of listings added to the market is good news.”
Now for you Sellers out there, don�t be discouraged. Over 1,500 homes sold in November with another 1,500 + going into contract. Just be sure to prepare, stage and price your home properly.
If you are waiting to make a transition until your home�s value increases, keep in mind the value of the home you purchase will likely have increased as well. Be sure to make an informed decision about the right time to buy and/or sell.
To learn more about your options in today�s market and determine if the time is right for you to make a move please contact us now.
Relaed must reads: Columbus Housing Market is Stable, Spooky Real Estate

Authored by Eric | Discussion: No Comments »

Santa on a Pontoon Boat?

December 19th, 2007 categories: Entertainment, Local Communities, Real Estate News, Recreation

As seen at Indian Lake, about an hour Northwest of Columbus.

Christmas Boat 001

Let’s hope Rudolph and his pals can swim!

Authored by Eric | Discussion: No Comments »

7540 Scioto Parkway, Powell, Oh. 43065

December 12th, 2007 categories: Columbus, Local Communities, Our Listings, Powell

Click here for more information or to schedule a showing!

Front

This one has it all! Immaculate condition and great location in desirable golf course community. Enjoy the flow of this open floor plan with cook’s sized kitchen, vaulted great room, loft and professionally finished lower level with bedroom/den and full bath. Fantastic outdor spaces are accented by extensive landscaping, freshly painted deck and paver patio

The location offers convenient access to freeways, shopping, recreation and dining including:

Price: $319,900

Bedrooms: 3 (Could have 4^th in finished lower level)

Baths: 3.5

Garage: 2 Car attached

Schools: Buckeye Valley

Square feet: 2,919 per Auditor (does not include lower level)

Rooms:

Great Room
Eating Space
First floor utility
First Floor Den
Loft
Formal Dining Room
Lower level family room and additional den or bedroom

Heating/Cooling: Gas/Central Air

Features:

Spacious loft offering space for toys, media area or exercise space
Deck and paver patio overlooking rear yard
Wood floors in entry, dining room, kitchen and eating space
Cook’s kitchen with eating bar open to the great room and breakfast room
First floor owners suite with luxury bath featuring soaking tub and double vanity
Lovingly maintained always

Authored by Eric | Discussion: No Comments »

Let it Snow!

December 6th, 2007 categories: Columbus, Local Communities, Real Estate Professionals, Westerville

As I was out and about this morning for the Northeast/Westerville Realtor Association Holiday Breakfast, I took a few shots to capture the morning sun and our first blanket of snow this winter. These are taken near Everal Barn and Homestead. My family and I love the snow. From skiing and snowboarding to winter hikes, snowballs and snow angels, we say “bring it on!”

For those of you who despise the white stuff, I hope you will at least enjoy the photos.

CIMG0839