A winter treat at the Ohio Expo Center 

When visiting the show my tour always begins by walking thru the garden exhibits because it makes me feel that spring is just around the corner. Strolling through the garden displays allows you to enjoy the creativity of area landscape architects. This years garden creations illustrate favorite Hollywood movie themes such as Herbie the Love Bug, Jurassic Park, Mamma Mia, The Secret Garden, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lord of the Rings, Mary Poppins and my personal favorite Ratatouille. The Cedarbrook Landscaping Center created the Ratatouille display which makes you feel like you are in Paris complete with an Eiffel Tower, a French café with an outdoor pizza oven. I even shook hands with Remy the rat from the bistro named “La Ratatouille. Chef Auguste Gusteau the owner of the best restaurant in Paris, talks about his bestselling cookbook “Anyone Can Cook!” As visitors walk thru the Ratatouille garden they are surrounded by weeping willow and birch trees, rhododendrons, roses and lilacs which give this garden an extraordinary fragrance and a beautiful burst of color.

 Garden and home improvement ideas

Throughout the garden expo many exterior fireplaces give visitors ideas of what can be added to a new or existing outdoor living space. The fireplaces have been constructed to accommodate wood or gas logs. No garden show would be complete without a huge display of garden tools, mowers and mulch. The crowd was quite intrigued as they listened to Mel Bartholomew the developer of the square foot garden which is built in a box which produces more vegetables or flowers in less space. Mel’s garden techniques require fewer chemicals, less water and little weeding, tilling or digging. The garden expo is housed in its own building; all the home improvement vendors are located in another huge building. You can learn so much about what’s new on the market. If you are building a new home or need to replace a furnace, air conditioner, windows or a roof, you will be able to compare many products at the show

Solar roof vent and engineered counter tops

Insulation made from recycled newspapers

Every year at the show I always discover so many interesting products. The solar attic exhaust fan at the Able Roof display caught my attention. The vent is easy to install, no electrical wiring is required, sunlight powers the exhaust fan which removes hot unwanted air from an attic. I was impressed with a granite composite counter top that is constructed to fit right over an old countertop, no demolition, installs in one day, is resistant to heat, scratches and stains. The countertops are fabricated using crushed granite, quarts or glass to produce a beautiful engineered surface, the red glass countertop at the show was really gorgeous. I learn something new everyday. When I stopped by the Nu-Wool cellulose insulation display I was informed by the vendor that this insulation in now installed in all newly built Dominion Homes, a Central Ohio home builder. This energy-saving insulation if made from recycled newspapers it has superior thermal and air infiltration properties. Nu-Wool is considered a green product that is environmentally friendly; I was told that it could save up to 40% on energy bills.

Special Appearances

Dedicated Days

Demonstrations

There are special days during the show packed full of interesting venues for senior citizens and kids too. You can pick up many cooking, gardening and home improvement tips. Meet HGTV star designers Kim Myles and David Bromstad. The day I attended the show Kim Myles made an appearance she was fun to listen to; her message which was that decorating can be done on a budget. I learned that color is important to bring warmth to a home which can be accomplished by painting a room. A few cans of paint is not that expensive and if you don’t like the color just paint over it. Draperies and area rugs can really change the personality of a room. To my surprise a client’s young son made a special appearance at the show. Abhik a piano prodigy is only 7 years old he awed the crowd with his classical music. 

Still time to attend the show  

Don’t miss out many of the show exhibitors are offering special discounts. Discount tickets can be purchased at Home Depot. Show dates February 28 thru March 8. Ohio Expo Center, (Ohio State Fairgrounds) 717 E. 17th Ave.                                                   

Remy the rat from the  Ratatouille garden display was at the French café with the outdoor pizza oven.

 Staging vacant listings

It all started in 2007 when I listed many homes that were vacant. Upon obtaining these listings I knew that if they were given personality they would fetch a quicker sale. Working on a limited budget it was imperative that all of the staging selections were good quality, stylish and pleasing to the eye. 
 

Entry, living room, dining room kitchen, family room, bath

The entry is the most important area of the home. It’s the first and last impression the buyer will have of the home. It doesn’t take much to make the entry appealing a wreath on the front door, a nice throw rug which will allow the buyer to wipe off their shoes upon entering the home. If the area is large enough a small table with a lamp and a floral arrangement makes the entry quite pleasing.

Furniture selection

My allotted staging budget allowed me to purchase a living, dining room and kitchen collection. What has been learned from the staging experience is that it really doesn’t take much furniture to make a room look great  A limited amount of furniture makes a room look larger; just the right arrangement gives the room personality. Neutral colors work best which goes with any decor. A leather sofa and chair was selected for the family room staging which gives this room a casual look. Living rooms call for a more formal look so a nice Pottery Barn style sofa and chair was chosen. The dining room furniture consisted of an urban styled round dining table with matching dining room chairs accented with the popular X back styling. A matching side board gives the dining room a gorgeous touch. The kitchen is staged with a tall gathering table with wrought iron chairs.

 Accent pieces make a difference

 As the old saying goes it’s the small things that really make a difference. The Home Goods retail store is a very good source to purchase trendy accent items at very economical prices. Items purchased at the Home Goods store were pieces that brings the kitchen countertop to life such as a ceramic canisters set, a cute tin display sheet with the caption make from scratch, in the winter season a hot chocolate pot sitting on a tray with two mugs gives the home a warm and cozy feel. The kitchen being the heart of the home, it is very important to change the accent pieces to be in tune with the holidays and the four Central Ohio seasons. Some of the display items that are added upon the approaching holidays range from a box of valentine chocolates, St Patrick’s Day shamrock cookies, chocolate Easter eggs. In the spring a basket of tulips or daffodils are added, patriotic centerpieces at the 4th of July, a lemonade pitcher is a great summer accent piece, fall is time to display pumpkins and autumn leaves, fresh pine sprays and holiday ornaments are a great way to display the cheer of the last holidays of the year.

Lamps, end tables, a coffee table and a rug

 Lamps, end tables and a coffee table were chosen to make the living and family room collections complete. A really cool shag area rug is added to either the living room or the family room wherever the rug looks best. The rug is very versatile and was chosen to tie a room together. A nice coffee table book makes the house feel like home.

Pamper that bathroom

A luxurious towel set is added to the first floor bath along with a display of soap from Bath and Body Works. If space allows a candle arrangement is also a nice addition.   

 So many homes staged 

 I have been staging homes for two years now using all the items mentioned above at no extra charge to the clients’ homes that I have listed. In a market that has been challenging this service has paid off. Upon getting a home staged a good percentage of the time I have to make moving arrangements to pack up and move my collections on to another listing soon after a home is staged because the staged home has gone into contract. I am on a first name basis with the Leaders Moving Company. 

A very happy ending

The last listing that was staged received an offer quickly. The seller was very pleased and so was I because the buyer decided that she wanted to purchase all the furniture that was staged in that home. It took extra effort to plan setup and move all the staging collections. Now when I obtain a vacant listing I start dreaming of the personality that home could have if it was staged. Maybe just maybe I will stage again and start over with a new furniture collection.  

Houses for sale

Are like a valentine candy box full of special chocolates. Buyer’s that are looking to purchase a home is like choosing a chocolate from that special valentine box of candy; you never know what a home really looks like until you physically take a tour inside.

Those chocolates look so good

A listed home may present itself beautifully on the internet, upon reviewing those gorgeous photos you just are not able to pick up on a strong pet smell. Now don’t get me wrong I love our furry friends; if they are not maintained they can be a source of undesirable odors. Photos also don’t give you a good sense of the location of a home. Is a home located next to a busy road, a train track, is the backyard large enough. Upon reviewing a home online you can obtain a very good idea of the features that a home offers. Sometimes you are surprised after making a chocolate selection that caramel just might be a maple cream.

So many flavors to choose from

A good percentage of home buyers begin their home search online so, sellers, great photos of your home are a must to attract a prospective buyer. Great photos make a home appear more valuable. Buyers you must do your homework; make a list of all the features you are looking for in a home, including the neighborhoods that are most desirable to you. Sellers make sure your home is staged just right so buyers can picture themselves living in your home. Everyone has their favorite flavor in the valentine candy box.  Every home has its own flavor along with every buyer looking to select that perfect flavor that they will enjoy.

Your favorite chocolates could be gone soon

Traditionally after the super bowl game is over buyers become serious about their home searches.  Now is a great time to purchase a home; interest rates have been hovering around the 5% range for a 30 year fixed mortgage loan. There is still a good selection to choose from so if you are serious about purchasing a home just like all the chocolates in the valentine candy box they don’t last forever. Great news for first time buyers in Central Ohio; the Ohio Housing Finance Agency is now offering a down payment assistance grant loan product. All homebuyers using this grant must complete a homebuyer education program. Serious buyers you need to make your home selections soon before all your favorite chocolates are completely gone from the Valentine candy box.

Happy New Year… 2009 will be here soon…

I am sitting at my desk typing on my computer. All client greeting cards have been processed the old fashion way via a first class stamp. Call me an old fogey; for me it’s fun to open a holiday card from a family member or a friend it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling that I just can’t get from an e-mail. I love it when glitter spills out of a card and if a handwritten note is included that is very special because it’s becoming a lost art.

Text and e-mail messages are all the rage these days

The Real Living HER Worthington office recently participated in a Salvation Army bell-ringing event. I was struck by the message at the top of the kettle. For those who don’t carry cash you are now able to make a charitable contribution via a text message.

Almost everything and anything can be given or purchased online

You can text a contribution to the Salvation Army. The Mid Ohio food bank has a dedicated button that allows you to make contributions online.  Almost everything and anything can be given or purchased online even live Christmas trees; yes a live Christmas tree can be shipped right to your front door. I am thinking that the next generation will do absolutely everything online. Years from now I guess everyone will have to tour a museum to see what a newspaper looks like because many newspaper companies are filing for bankruptcy due to so much information that can be found online.

It’s amazing what you can find online

While compiling my Christmas cards I was listening to Christmas carols on YouTube, thought that you would enjoy listening to the carol below. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Orange Township is the anchor in the Lewis Center zip code which is 43035

Lewis Center does not have an official identity. From the area history that I have read Lewis Center was named after the William L. Lewis family that donated land for a railroad station. I am thinking that the railroad station might have been located at the current railroad crossing on Lewis Center Road but there is no evidence of that today. There is no Lewis Center town center or village green like the neighboring communities of Worthington, Westerville and Powell. Residents that live in the Lewis Center zip code consider the geographic area they live in as Lewis Center

Boundaries

The majority of Orange Township lies within the Lewis Center zip code; a small portion of the township sits in the Powell and Delaware zip codes. The south boundary is Lazelle Rd. the west boundary juts a few miles from the east side of the Olentangy River which abuts Liberty township, the north boundary extends to Shanahan Rd and the east boundary extends a few miles east of Africa Rd which abuts Genoa Township. Orange Township has a population of about 15,000 residents, encompasses almost 22 square miles, is 20 miles north of downtown Columbus and is south of the City of Delaware, and sits in Southern Delaware County. Orange Township has experienced a tremendous amount of growth from 1990 thru 2006.

Growth

Orange Township’s population increased from 3,789 to 12,464 between 1990 and 2000. Many building permits were approved during that time period which included both residential and commercial developments. The orange township trustees along with the zoning board members were extremely busy revising and approving the plans for all this development. I personally built a home in Orange Township in 1989; at that time Orange Township was a very rural area the nearest grocery store was 10 miles away. By 1999 three major grocery stores opened in the township. Around this time a major defeat hit the township a large portion of the township was annexed into Columbus so that a retail expansion was able to come to fruition which is now known today as the Polaris Fashion Place. This area has become a huge retail shopping Mecca; many restaurants were also built a truly wonderful shopping and dining experience. These establishments are in the Columbus City limits with a Lewis Center mailing address.

Parks

As an orange township resident pre-township development expansion many of my neighbors were instrumental in laying the ground work for the Orange Township parks that exist today. The residents voiced their opinions and the trustees listened which resulted in 3 wonderful parks for residents to enjoy which include North Orange, Ro Park and the Orange Township Hall Park. The North Orange park includes an awesome pool, soccer and ball fields, walking trails, a picnic shelter pavilion with a huge stone fireplace. At the Ro Park you will find the tallest play equipment in the state, along with a huge umbrella canopy to shade everyone on those hot summer days. I have been watching the progress of the soon to be completed Leisure Trail that will connect the Villages of Oak Creek subdivision with the Township Hall Park which includes a stocked pond with fishing being allowed on a catch and release basis, gazebo and picnic tables.

Township Hall

In 2000 the Orange Township trustees started to realize that a larger township hall was needed to serve the residents, so an estate was purchased from the Holderman family which encompassed 25 acres. I loved that the township didn’t build a modern building they purchased an existing estate, remodeled it and has preserved the beautiful land that surrounds the hall. It’s quite fitting that the township hall sits somewhat in the middle of the Lewis Center geographic zip code boundary. If you want to call Orange Township your home there is a good selection of single family homes and condominiums in all price ranges for first time home buyers and mid range buyer’s, along with exclusive multi million dollar estates. Something for everyone a beautiful place to call home.

Please scroll to the bottom of the post to see the following information

• A list of Polaris Area communities
• Slide show and Map
• Sold statistic chart

View Larger Map

Subdivision	Sold	Avg S.F.	Avg Sold Price
Abbey Knoll
Sold 07	9	2,593	$282,378
Sold 08	10	2,525	$272,806
Sold 09	0	0	0
Alum Crossing
Sold 07	2	3,051	$349,715
Sold 08	1	3,752	$380,000
Sold 09	0	0	0
Avonlea
Sold 07	1	3,350	$451,800
Sold 08	0	0	0
Sold 09	0	0	0
Bale Kenyon Bluffs
Sold 07	0	0	0
Sold 08	1	2,367	$263,850
Sold 09	0	0	0
Bryn Mawr
Sold 07	3	2,770	$318,000
Sold 08	5	2,772	$297,220
Sold 09	3	3,135	$295,350
Cross Creek
Sold 07	3	2,963	$305,666
Sold 08	8	2,901	$301,857
Sold 09	0	0	0
Glen Oak
Sold 07	7	2,209	$223,185
Sold 08	8	2,208	$220,868
Sold 09	4	2,264	$228,104
Estates of Glen Oak
Sold 07	3	3,022	$312,783
Sold 08	14	2,858	$271,644
Sold 09	1	2,665	$279,030
Lake Shore
Sold 07	4	3,139	$463,649
Sold 08	8	3,350	$439,403
Sold 09	2	3,913	$451,370
Little Bear Village Condos
Sold 07	0	0	0
Sold 08	1	3,540	$439,000
Sold 09	0	0	0
Marina at Alum Creek
Sold 07	6	2,641	$270,466
Sold 08	0	0	0
Sold 09	0	0	0
Mariners Watch
Sold 07	0	0	0
Sold 08	3	2,406	$294,945
Sold 09	0	0	0
McCammon Estates
Sold 07	5	3,320	$403,090
Sold 08	8	2,918	$336,562
Sold 09	1	2,500	$285,901
McCammon Chase
Sold 07	3	3,377	$578,234
Sold 08	6	3,025	$487,133
Sold 09	1	3,782	$336,000
Nicoya
Sold 07	0	0	0
Sold 08	0	0	0
Sold 09	0	0	0
Oak Creek
Sold 07	20	2,191	$235,885
Sold 08	21	2,050	$228,652
Sold 09	1	2,171	$219,000
Oak Creek East
Sold 07	3	1,869	$229,666
Sold 08	5	1,954	$219,480
Sold 09	0	0	0
Villages of Oak Creek
Sold 07	32	2,175	$241,495
Sold 08	27	2,219	$241,853
Sold 09	2	1,924	$221,000
Olde State Farms
Sold 07	4	2,920	$412,700
Sold 08	6	2,931	$373,000
Sold 09	0	0	0
Oldefield
Sold 07	1	2,591	$295,000
Sold 08	5	2,598	$319,909
Sold 09	0	0	0
Olentangy Crossings
Sold 07	0	0	0
Sold 08	2	3,092	$498,333
Sold 09	0	0	0
Olentangy Glade
Sold 07	11	1,792	$190,331
Sold 08	6	1,520	$184,750
Sold 09	0	0	0
Olentangy Meadows
Sold 07	10	1,884	$240,940
Sold 08	10	1,751	$198,951
Sold 09	4	1,849	$192,814
Village at Olentangy Meadows
Sold 07	3	1,629	$167,870
Sold 08	5	1,490	$153,210
Sold 09	1	1,630	$162,000
Parkshore
Sold 07	8	3,111	$405,625
Sold 08	6	3,162	$387,567
Sold 09	0	0	0
Piatt Meadows
Sold 07	9	2,133	$232,766
Sold 08	5	2,082	$211,380
Sold 09	0	0	0
Rivers Edge
Sold 07	3	2,481	$243,200
Sold 08	4	2,546	$252,616
Sold 09	0	0	0
Shadow Creek
Sold 07	4	2,287	$208,100
Sold 08	2	2,368	$186,250
Sold 09	0	0	0
Summerfield Village
Sold 07	5	2,197	$236,800
Sold 08	2	2,665	$237,500
Sold 09	0	0	0
The Shores
Sold 07	29	2,974	$355,887
Sold 08	8	2,908	$353,852
Sold 09	0	0	0
Village at Alum Creek
Sold 07	16	2,646	$275,337
Sold 08	16	2,659	$271,541
Sold 09	1	2,392	$226,500
Walker Woods/Walker Woods Estates
Sold 07	17	2,872	$332,874
Sold 08	7	2,590	$303,586
Sold 09	0	0	0
Waverly Place
Sold 07	5	2,991	$377,600
Sold 08	2	2,911	$349,500
Sold 09	1	2,708	$401,500
Willow Springs
Sold 07	3	2,656	$283,233
Sold 08	3	2,675	$271,750
Sold 09	0	0	0
Willow Springs North
Sold 07	3	2,919	$342,583
Sold 08	2	3,242	$309,950
Sold 09	0	0	0
Wilshire
Sold 07	23	2,786	$307,455
Sold 08	17	2,751	$301,414
Sold 09	2	2,605	$280,500
Woods at Bale Kenyon
Sold 07	1	2,460	$350,000
Sold 08	3	2,827	$342,333
Sold 09	0	0	0
Woods of Olentangy
Sold 07	12	1,584	$181,775
Sold 08	8	1,414	$180,488
Sold 09	1	1,452	$184,900
Wynstone
Sold 07	18	1,454	$178,038
Sold 08	9	1,360	$173,550
Sold 09	1	1,748	$193,500
Wynstone Village
Sold 07
Sold 08	3	1,867	$191,667
Sold 09	0	0	0

Subdivision	Sold	Avg S.F.	Avg. Sold Price
Retreat at Grand Oak
Sold 07	6	1,683	$191,567
Sold 08	0	0	0
Hidden Reserve
Sold 07	0	0	0
Sold 08	2	1,200	$131,070
Hidden Springs
Sold 07	5	1,237	$128,010
Sold 08	5	1,299	$141,103
Parkview Northeast
Sold 07	11	975	$119,174
Sold 08	5	947	$112,380
Village at Olentangy Meadows
Sold 07	1	1,433	$168,360
Sold 08	5	1,490	$153,210
Village of Olentangy
Sold 07	7	2,043	$189,957
Sold 08	3	1,896	$167,533
Village at Polaris Green
Sold 07	3	1,709	$173,792
Sold 08	5	1,197	$152,462
Village at Polaris Park
Sold 07	18	1,437	$146,067
Sold 08	10	1,443	$146,740
Village at Walker Woods
Sold 07	5	1,517	$166,180
Sold 08	2	1,652	$157,450

Subdivisions	Township	Schools	City	Zip
Abbey Knoll	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Alum Crossing	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Alum Estate	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Avonlea	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Bryn Mawr	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Cross Creek	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Deep Run	Orange	Olentangy	Powell	43065
Fox Ridge	Orange	Olentangy	Powell	43065
Glen Oak	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Estates at Glen	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Green Meadows	Orange	Olentangy	Powell	43065
Hickory Ridge	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Hidden Cove	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Hidden Reserve Condos	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Hidden Springs Condos	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Highmeadows Villiage	Orange	Olentangy	Powell	43065
Lake Shore	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Marina at Alum Creek	Berlin	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Little Bear Village	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
McCammon Chase	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
McCammon Estates	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Northpoint Meadows	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Nicoya	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
North Falls Condos	Orange	Olentangy Schools	Delaware	43015
North Orange	Orange	Olentangy Schools	Delaware	43015
Oak Creek	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Village at Oak Creek	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Olde State Farms	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Olentangy Crossing	Orange	Olentangy	Delaware	43015
Olentangy Glade	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Olentangy Meadows	City of Columbus & Orange TWP	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Village at Olentangy Meadows	City of Columbus & Orange TWP	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Woods at Olentangy	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Park Place	Orange	Olentangy	Delaware	Ohio
Park Place Village	Orange	Olentangy	Delaware	43015
Parkshore	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Parkview Northeast Condos	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Village at Polaris Park	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Olentangy	Columbus	43240
Prestwick Commons	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Olentangy	Columbus	43240
Prestwick Green	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Olentangy	Columbus	43240
Piatt Meadows	Berlin	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Traditions at Polaris	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Worthington	Westerville	43081
Regency at Highland Lakes Condos	Orange	Olentangy	Westerville	43082
The Retreat Condos	City of Columbus & Orange TWP	Olentangy	Columbus	43240
Riverbend	Orange	Olentangy	Powell	43065
Villas at Riverbend Condos	Orange	Olentangy	Powell	43065
River's Edge	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Slate Creek	Orange	Olentangy	Delaware	43015
Shadow Creek	Berlin	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Summerfield Village	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
The Shores	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Village at Alum Creek	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Village At Hidden Ravines Condos	Orange	Olentangy	Powell	43065
Village at Walker Woods Condos	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Estates at Walker Woods	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Walker Woods	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Waverly Place	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Willow Springs & Willow Springs North	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Wilshire	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Woodstone	Orange	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Woods at Polaris Condos	City of Columbus & Orange TWP	Olentangy	Columbus	43240
Wynstone Village	City of Columbus & Orange TWP	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035
Wynstone	City of Columbus / Polaris Area	Olentangy	Lewis Center	43035

Real Living HER Citywide Open House Hop

Hippity Hop to the biggest Real Living Open House promotion of the year. Over 700 homes will be open on October 26, 2008 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. So many homes to see, if you are a serious buyer there’s a good chance you will find that perfect home you will fall in love with. Prices are great, home selections are great which can be purchased at very desirable interest rates.

A special coupon just for you

Visit a Citywide House Hop property this coming Sunday on October 26, a Real Living HER agent will validate your coupon which could fetch you a real cool deal of $2,500 savings on the processing of your loan thru Real Living mortgage. If you are a first time home buyer you might want to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit that is available for homes purchased between August 9, 2008 through July 1, 2009. Now that’s a real deal.

Promotion rules and regulations can be found at the Real Living HER website

The terms of the tax credit are explained along with the deadline for cashing in on the $2,500 Real Living lending incentives, along with a complete list of homes that will be open.

Now don’t miss out on all the fun

Please stop by to see me at my open house located at 567 Glenside Lane Powell Ohio across from Highbanks Metro Park. Treat yourself; this home is wonderfully maintained, priced to sell; write an offer, take advantage of the Citywide House Hop incentives which will enable you to enjoy celebrating the holidays in your new home that you found at the hop.

How does a real estate agent do business without electricity?

What an experience. It all started as I was driving to the office on Sunday morning on September 14, 2008. Thought to myself that the weather was weird the wind was picking up and the clouds were moving so fast. My open house was scheduled from 2-4 p.m.; it was extremely busy and many prospective buyers came thru heard the wind howling but had no time to look outside. Upon the open house completion thought it was strange that the front yard was totally covered with leaves and that numerous fallen tree branches covered the backyard. As I went back into the house all the lights were out, don’t remember turning off the lights. That was the beginning of the wrath of the storm’s damage.

Retrieving open house signs

It was a struggle to hold onto the open house signs in 75 mile per hour winds which almost blew me away. Driving home was a challenge all the traffic lights were out. Most Central Ohio drivers must have forgotten that when a traffic light is out you need to treat it as a 4 way stop, thought that I might be hit from behind many times, safely made it to my home which was without electricity. The first night is always fun without power; my husband and I joined our neighbors for a candlelight dinner of mac-n-cheese an easy meal to cook on a gas stove.

Day one of the power outages

Not sure what damage the storm has caused. Received a voice mail message from my office manager informing all the Worthington office agents that there was no electricity, internet, or phone service and that the office was closed. As luck would have it my cell phone is now out of juice, laptop needs to be recharged and I need gas in my car. Decided to venture out to see what was open, found a gas station that was doing a brisk business, by the end of the day that station was out of gas. Charged my cell phone in the car as I was driving, with a full tank of gas was comfortable with visiting my clients to make sure they were all ok. My first stop was to visit clients who live in Powell; they survived the storm and there was no storm damage to their homes, then it was on to Dublin everyone was a-ok. As I was on my way to Worthington was saddened to see how much damage the storm caused , so many old trees were blown down, streets were closed because downed trees were hanging on power lines. My clients and their homes fared well only one house had a branch fall against the house and there was no damage.

How do I deliver an offer to you?

Received a call from an agent who wanted to know how he was going to get an offer to me.  No e-mail, no internet access, no fax, no computer power. It was back to the basics the old fashion way of doing business the original tools of the trade, a pencil and paper. The offer was hand written and hand delivered just like in the old days when I first got into the real estate business; 15 years ago the fax machine was just becoming popular. Met the agent at Panera Bread which was one of the few businesses that had electricity it was a perfect meeting place because I could now catch up on my internet correspondence along with recharging my laptop. Glad that I found a gas station earlier in the day that was open it would have been shoe leather express or bicycle power to pick up the offer. Where there is a will there is a way to get a real estate deal done. Thank heavens for cell phone car chargers, pencils, paper and Panera Bread that had internet access, oh the wonderful world of technology. The electricity is now back on and its back to work in the usual way, receiving faxes by e-mail, recharging my laptop and cell phone using good old fashion electricity.

Little Bear is Lewis Center’s newest neighborhood

Located in Orange Township this new community was planned to accommodate 90 new homes and a condominium village that surrounds a golf course. The Little Bear golf club was completed in 2007. The facility consists of an 11 hole golf course, a pro shop, a fitness center and a banquet room. The golf course was designed by Michael Hurdzan a renowned golf architect. There are 3 large lakes, a stone waterfall, 22 sand traps and over 600 trees have been planted.

A unique golf concept

The golf course was built to fulfill a needed niche. It’s a course designed for those that might want to get a round of golf in on their lunch hour, just the right size for seniors, young children and for those learning to play golf. There are 5 front and 5 back holes and an Island green. The par 3 layout could be a challenge for experienced players but is also enjoyable for new players too. The course is open to the public; the Little Bear residents are able to purchase a yearly membership. Golf lessons can be purchased to sharpen your skills. There are leagues for all levels of experience.

Fitness center and personal trainers

The fitness center is open to the public. State of the art equipment and personal trainers are available to get you in shape, group classes, 1-hour sessions and pilates.

Banquet Room

Great facility for a corporate function or an awesome place to host that special party, the golf course view is splendid. There is an in-house caterer that can prepare a specific menu for a sit-down dinner or buffet style event.

3 Custom Home Builders

Bob Webb, Truberry and Kenric Fine Homes offer many home designs that you can custom build on any of the remaining Little Bear community lots. These luxury homes are being offered from $400,000 to $600,000; you are able to tour the 3 builders’ luxurious model homes which are decorated to the nines. The prime location is very convenient to the Polaris shopping and dining district and just minutes to freeways.

Condominium Village

Very open ranch floor plans built by David Pettit. When completed there will be 54 units. There are many units still available to purchase, buyers have the ability to customize their units which is very unusual for condos that are currently under construction. Within the building footprint there are over 200 floor plans to choose from. Interior square footage ranges from 1,600 to 2,000 with full basements and extra large 2 car garages. Prices range from the high $200,000 to low $400,000.

If you are thinking of building a new custom home or a condo the Little Bear community could be the perfect location for you contact me today for more details about this neighborhood.

July 3, 2008 – Parade and Fireworks

Red, White and Boom is the best Columbus Ohio premiere celebration of the year; the festivities start with a huge parade and a fantastic fireworks display that begins at 10 p.m. The parade will start at 6:00 p.m. on Broad Street at COSI; most spectators stake out their special viewing spot hours before the fireworks are fired off. Take note the Red White and Boom launch site has been moved to a new location this year, which is at the rear of Vets Memorial, the spectacular fireworks display will be shot over the Scioto River.

Other Central Ohio 4th of July community events

If you missed the downtown parade you can catch the Upper Arlington Ohio Parade – Northwest Blvd, which begins at 9:00 a.m. on the 4th of July; this parade is noted for its wonderful floats. The Orange Celebration Parade in Lewis Center Ohio – Powell Rd and Old State Rd begins at 10 a.m. Andrea Cambern from WBNS-TV is the 2008 Grand Marshal. You will be able to enjoy listening to the Olentangy High School Marching Band. Many area communities celebrate the 4th with neighborhood parades and picnics. The Green-High Meadows, Harbor Pointe and Meadows at Cheshire communities plan special events for neighbors to enjoy a day of entertainment, games and good food.

Green-High Meadows Community – Powell Ohio

The festivities starts with a huge parade lead by Orange Township fire trucks; the community kids decorate their bikes, wagons and scooters. There are floats and the Orange Township trustees mingle with the crowd. A picnic follows after the parade there’s plenty of good food, games for the kids, and a raffle that offers terrific prizes. There is even a patriotic pet contest.

Harbor Pointe Community – Galena Ohio

Everyone loves a parade especially the neighborhood kids who ride their decorated bikes in a huge group with the music of the Real Living Calliope following behind. After the parade there is a neighborhood gathering, everyone brings a dish to share so there is plenty of good food to enjoy. The kids will have a blast tumbling in the Super Games inflatables, the Taylor Station Band will provide soft rock music.

Meadows at Cheshire Community – Galena Ohio

A group of residents that play marching band instruments gather together a few weeks before the holiday to practice, they play patriotic tunes as they march thru the neighborhood on the 4th of July.

Happy 4th of July 2008

A great day for family and friends to gather together to enjoy parades, picnics and fireworks. 4th of July is more than a day of fun festivities; it’s a day to commemorate the founding fathers of our country for their pursuit of liberty and justice for all. Many have made sacrifices so that we are able to enjoy our freedoms.

Dad’s day survey

On the way to the office one morning listening to the radio, the chitchat of the DJs caught my attention. They mentioned the top 3 requests dads make for their special day. At the top of the list was food, the majority of dads wanted to enjoy a special meal with their families. In second place dads enjoyed mementos made by their children. Third on the list were electronic gadget gifts; please forget ties and shirts, that’s so old school.

That special meal for dad

The guys in my family love to eat steak, ribs and barbeque chicken. A drive thru the Polaris dining district in Lewis Center Ohio would be a great treat for dad on his special day. So many restaurants to choose from, a few new ones recently opened. I stopped in to see what was going on at Eddie Merlots which just opened a few weeks ago; a huge place located across from the Hilton convention center which is due to open soon. Wow what a place, very chic, the bar is especially cool; they advertise exceptional service and exceptional prime aged steaks if you are looking for atmosphere and a great steak, I am sure dad would enjoy dinner at this restaurant. Mitchell’s Steakhouse just relocated from Crosswoods, Worthington Ohio to Polaris-Lewis Center, voted as one of the “Best Steakhouses” in the city of Columbus; Mitchell’s offers a great selection of steak and seafood. For casual dining Hoggy’s is known for it’s yummy BBQ, applewood smoked ribs, wings and pulled pork and the prime rib is quite tasty. City Barbeque loads a huge smoker daily to guarantee the very best hickory smoked ribs, chicken and brisket, the side dishes are so delicious especially the baked beans with brisket.

Special tribute to my dad

My dad is no longer with us as he passed way a few years ago. If dad were still alive he would have enjoyed dining at every one of the restaurants mentioned in this post. I was raised in an era where moms did everything around the house with dads not being too involved in their children’s lives. Our home was quite different from our friends; dad was very much a part of our lives. My mother worked a full time job as a nurse mostly the night shift. In mom’s absence dad made sure there was dinner on the table, he even did laundry, made sure we made it on time to girl scouts and all our other activities. During the summer months my sister and I marched in a baton and drum corps, dad was one of the chaperones that traveled with the group. My fondest memory of dad was when a base drummer was needed, my dad volunteered to march with the band he tried to keep a perfect beat, what a sight, every time I think of this event it brings a smile to my face. So, kids, you will always remember those special moments that you spent with your dad.

A huge thank you goes to all dads for being there for your children.

Check out Karen’s listings; you just might see a listed home that your dad would really love.