2009 Grand Leprechaun   

The Dublin and Powell Ohio St Patrick’s Day events are celebrations of Irish culture. It is believed that there are over 34 million Americans that have Irish ancestry. In Dublin, the capital of Ireland, there is a multi day St Patrick’s Day festival that includes a parade, family carnival, singing and dancing. The past weekend festivals in Dublin and Powell Ohio are reminiscent of the festivities in Dublin Ireland. 

 Everyone is Irish for a Day

Dublin Ohio lives up to its namesake. The Dublin Ohio St Patrick’s day parade is usually held the Saturday prior to March 17 which seldom falls on a Saturday. The parade started at 11:00 a.m. sharp led by Tom Seitz the 2009 Grand Leprechaun. It was a mild day so the streets were lined with many revelers. From many areas it was a challenge to see the parade if you didn’t come early enough to get a front row view. No matter were you stood you could hear the bagpipe brigade that made everyone tap their feet. The crowd enjoyed viewing the playful clowns and listing to the three Dublin high school marching bands, there were colorful floats, Irish step dancers, gymnast, and gals dancing on very tall stilts.

 The Blarney Hop

The Shoppes at River Ridge along with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life hosted the Blarney Hop which followed after the parade. At the hop there was food, inflatable games, children’s crafts, face painting along with many other fun activities. There was a large tent outside the Oakland Nursery Garden store that was large enough to accommodate Irish dance shows along with gardening demonstrations. To make sure everyone could enjoy the entire event a shuttle trolley was provided by the River Ridge merchants. At the Blarney Hop raffle tickets could be purchased that will benefit the American Cancer Society Dublin Relay For Life. Someone is going to win a trip for two to San Francisco, a diamond and emerald pendant and more. If you missed the hop, raffle tickets will be available until June. To purchase your tickets call 1-888-227-6446, extension 3205.

 St Patrick’s Day celebration in Powell

On Sunday March 15, 2009 the Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club sponsored a fabulous St Patrick’s Day celebration that was a public free event. The weather was truly a gift of Irish luck it was the warmest and sunniest day of the year. The flags that lined the road to the event were a beautiful sight. I arrived just in time to enjoy the Shamrock Club bagpipe band; that beautiful music is just too hard to describe. As I walked thru the event I notice the kids were having so much fun. There was face painting, a balloon artist, inflatables, a basketball court, Irish dancers, along with a performance from the Irish band Lone Raven. Now to make sure your year is full of good luck, Irish stew, corn beef and cabbage and green refreshments were available to keep up with Irish tradition. 

 Wishing you a very Happy St Patrick’s Day

I am sending you a four leaf clover.  As per the legend, the four leaf clover carries the following message - the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck. Remember the first day of spring is March 20, 2009   

2nd annual Carnival Event 3/14/09

The Johnnycake Corners Elementary PTO puts so much work into making the carnival a success. Many volunteers work hard to make the day enjoyable and profitable. I attended the carnival last year it was a fun day for the kids and parents a wonderful event.

 A great fundraiser

 All the profits from the carnival help to provide additional resources for the school. Last years carnival was very successful kudos to those that organized the very first carnival since the school just opened in the fall 2007.

Such a fun day

A great day for the kids to put their energies into playing games and eating their favorite foods. Not sure what will be availed this year you will just have to attend. Kids I am rooting for you, hope there is cotton candy and hot dogs again this year.

Silent auction and raffles

Many items have been donated. Last year there were beautiful baskets full of goodies to bid on. A boy’s bike and an American Girl Doll will be included in this year’s raffle. It’s always an honor to be asked to provide a donation to this special event.

Chrissa the 2009 American Girl Doll of the year

When called to make a donation to the carnival I was very happy to donate Chrissa. Every year the American Girl Doll company announces a brand new doll that is only available for one year. I love the message that Chrissa conveys, she is a girl that stands up for herself and others, she speaks out against bullying.

Please do attend 

Johnnycake Corners Elementary School
2nd annual Carnival
March 14, 2009 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
6783 Falling Meadows Drive
Galena, OH 43021

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.

Open house activity at a Worthington Ohio area condo

Last Sunday there was an open house at 68 Highbluffs Blvd. I wanted to provide an update on what was discussed at the open house.  The day was cold and dreary typical February weather; was hoping for a sunny day.  I was pleasantly surprised at the number of prospective buyers that stopped by. The condo is listed at $186,900 so it wasn’t surprising that all the open house guests were first time buyers. There was a little confusion about the terms of the first time buyer tax credit which was signed into law on February 17, 2009.

 Great opportunity for first time buyers

Some buyers were unsure if they could take advantage of the tax credit if they purchased a condo. All the buyers were aware of the tax credit they just were not sure of the following provisions.

• Only owner occupied single family homes, condos and town homes qualify, must be a principal residence
• Purchase time frame is from January 1, 2009 thru November 30, 2009
• Credit is for 10% of the value of the home up to $8,000 ($4,000 for a married individual filing separately)
• Buyer’s income can’t exceed $75,000; joint return income not too exceed $150,000
• Definition of a first time buyer – have never owned a single family home, condo or town home or those without an ownership interest within the previous three years
• No repayment is required unless the buyer ceased to use the home as a principal residence within 36 months of the date of the purchase then the total amount is due.  

Condo purchase scenario

One interested buyer asked what needed to be done to purchase this condo

• Buyer needs to provide the seller with a lender pre-approval letter
• If a buyer is approved for an FHA loan they will need a 3.5% down payment $6,541
• Closing cost could range from $1,500 to $2,100 depending on the lender and title company charges 
• Principal/interest payment would be $1,003, taxes $301, mortgage insurance $85 condo fee $115 – total estimated monthly payment would be $1,504 based on a 30 year FHA loan with 5% interest.
• If you had $400 in monthly debt your annual income should be no less than $56,000 a year

 Looking to purchase a real deal

I had the following comments from the open house attendees. Is this condo a model, the buyers loved all the quality features such as the  ceramic tile floors, quality carpet, 42” maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, rubbed bronze lighting fixtures, 3 floors of finished living space, so much storage space, gas log fireplace and the huge kitchen pantry. Both bedrooms have a private bath, the front load washer and dryer does remain, there is a two car garage, maintenance free living and yes you will have fun at the clubhouse and pool.

In conclusion

If you are a first time buyer please do not delay; the tax credit is a home buying incentive that you should not pass on. A few years ago I was fortunate to purchase a Toyota Prius which enabled me to take advantage of a tax credit that was available at that time; that credit is no longer offered. So don’t miss out on what could be the best investment of your lifetime. Before making any financial decisions it’s best to talk to a tax accountant and a reputable lender. At Real Living HER we have a Wells Fargo mortgage affiliate who is always available to explain the loan process in detail. If you are interested in learning more about the mortgage process please don’t hesitate to contact June Zepp, e-mail June.e.Zepp@reallivingmortgage.com office 614-825-8806

 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.

Using green building concepts

On a warm beautiful November day a good friend of mine gave me a tour of her new custom built home. The farmhouse design offers a very open floor plan with a grand kitchen being the center of attention. As we toured the home she pointed out the following green concepts that were used when building her home. The walls were constructed using 2 x 6 lumber which she said adds to increase the insulation value. The insulation is made from recycled newspapers. The windows are low-e-glass which helps stop heat loss. The front and back porches offer shade which saves on cooling costs. I commented on the beautiful quartz countertops that were used in the kitchen and most of the bathrooms. The quartz came from a bone yard where discarded quartz slabs can be purchased at a very economical price which helps the environment by keeping construction waste out of landfills.

No fireplace in this home

Did you know that a masonry fireplace is very inefficient and drafty, a good source of sending your heating dollars straight up the flue. A fireplace robs your home of heat. When using a fireplace all the warm air is drawn up the chimney causing a heating system to work longer and harder to keep the entire home warm. This home is heated by a Geothermal furnace; this furnace uses minimal energy to operate and is very cost effective and uses no fossil fuels which is non-polluting.

Recycled ceramic tile floors and wood scraped oak floors

The owner made use of recycled ceramic tile floors throughout the home. Most recycled ceramic tiles are manufactured with materials such as broken window panes and clear bottle glass. The wood floors were laid using short pieces of Bellawood oak scraped planks that were leftover from other construction projects.

Beautiful custom cabinetry so many built-ins

An Amish craftsman constructed every piece of cabinetry throughout the home, beautiful custom kitchen and bathroom cabinets, window seats everywhere and a custom hutch in the dining room.

No cathedral ceilings or a two- story entry

With 2-story entries and cathedral ceilings there is too much volume to heat and is not energy efficient.

Energy star appliances

The new appliances in this home are rated to be energy efficient; they cost less to operate and use less energy which helps to conserve natural resources. No incandescent light bulbs in this home, compact florescent light bulbs are everywhere they last up to ten times longer and use 75 percent less energy

Low-flow faucets, showerheads and water saving toilets

Water conservation is very important, low-flow fixtures save water and money. In addition, low-flow faucets and showerheads save energy by reducing the amount of hot water that is used.

Green decorating for the holidays

Decorate a live potted evergreen tree that can be planted in your yard after the holidays. Fresh evergreen branches make beautiful displays along with providing a wonderful fragrance through-out the home, natural decorations of fresh colorful fruits create dramatic holiday displays. LED lights are very energy efficient which will help you save on your holiday electric bill. Even the Columbus Ohio Zoo Wildlight Holiday display is becoming green; half of the 2008 displays have been converted to LED lights.

In future posts I will be providing you with more green building concepts that are being used in Central Ohio.

The photo of the tree was taken at the 2008 Columbus Wildlights “Rhythms Around the Watering Hole” a new animated light show set to holiday music. The show is nine minutes, which can be enjoyed every half hour. To enjoy the show you must attend before it ends on January 3, 2009.

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

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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.