Greater Cincinnati Luxury Market Update – Multiple Listing Service Stats

A few months ago I gave you information about the upscale housing market in the Greater Cincinnati area.  Those areas included Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Clermont counties.  We discussed the Jumbo Mortgage Market, and how tight control on the interest rates for the luxury home market may be slowing the housing market, at the “grass roots” level.

I just put together an update with closed sales stats through November 15, 2009.  I thought you might like an update. Read more

Greater Cincinnati Real Estate Single Family Sales Stats – 2009 to Date

Did you see that gorgeous full moon last night?  It was a beautiful sight.  I love the chilly nights and cool days.  The leaves are everywhere! I have to confess:  We don’t do a great job of raking at our house. Never have and probably never will. We just like the look of the scattered leaves. I am glad to see that several of our neighbors do too.  We aren’t the only house on the block with a “leaf lawn”. Read more

Once Upon a Time, In a Land Far Away, The Re-Fi Appraisal Wasn’t So Deadly

Once upon a time (13 years ago), in a far away land (east side of Cincinnati) lived a beautiful princess (well, I’m “ok” looking, but certainly no princess).  The beautiful princess wanted to help nice people live in pretty castles. When it came time for nice people to sell their castle, the princess wanted to make sure her nice clients took home plenty of gold coins as a result of the sale. The princess was a pretty quick learner, and very quickly became a trusted expert in castle buying and selling in the far away land. Then, one day, a terrible darkness fell across the land. Suddenly, the castles were not selling quickly, or for as much coin! Suddenly the nice people were cranky! They didn’t like what the princess would show them! Some sounded distinctly like grumbling dragons when they spoke to her after reviewing numbers and hard evidence that the castle market was slowing dramatically. Many wanted to send her to the dungeon. Others just tossed her off the highest turret. She often landed in the moat and her princess frocks would be soiled. Read more

Things to do in Cincinnati – June

 

The Invisible Deck and the “Unfinished” Finished Basement

While we are at it, let’s imagine a pool in the yard, because this beautiful, private cull de sac lot is perfect for a pool! If we squint, we can imagine the gleaming hardwood vs. the beat up, 50 year old floors that haven’t been tended to since the home was built. There’s no dishwasher here, BUT you could put a dishwasher in. Don’t see a garage? No problem! There’s plenty of room to build a detached garage on the property.  Is there a theme to this article? Absolutely.

You Must Sell What You Have. Don’t Try to Sell Your Vision Read more

Serious Sellers Satisfaction Package!

The Real Cincy Group with RE/MAX Unlimited Introduces the “Serious Sellers” Satisfaction Package!

Are you ready to Get Serious and get your home SOLD in 2009?   

Great! ….Here’s How! Read more

Things to do in Cincinnati – April

 Spring has arrived! These pics are from my yard and neighborhood. It’s just beautiful up and down the street. Flowers coming alive. Gardens being tended to. The wonderful smell of mulch!  The “aggressive” yard guys in the community have already pulled out the lawn mower!   We aren’t quite ready for that at our house, but it is just a matter of time. So, in between thinking about what to plant this year, getting the mower ready so you aren’t the last guy in the neighborhood to do something about the lawn, let’s find something fun to do. Even adamant gardeners need a night out! Read more

What to Expect at Your Home Inspection – Part Two

 

One of the most important elements of the Cincinnati home buying experience, and perhaps the most stress inducing portion of the process, is the home inspection.  In Part One of this series, I shared with you this thought: Just because the inspector wrote down a “problem”, that doesn’t make it so. Some “problems” are nothing more than items that can be fixed with a screw driver or by pushing the re-set button on the GFCI outlet. An inspection report that lists 5 or 6 of these types of “problems” nearly inevitably causes a nervous home buyer to doubt his purchase decision. Look objectively at the report. Dirty gas fireplaces can be easily cleaned by a homeowner. Smoke detectors can be installed after you move in. Wobbly banisters serve no real threat to your health. Just get out the screwdriver. Read more

What to Expect at Your Home Inspection – Part One

By this point, everyone agrees that a home inspection is a necessary part of the home buying and selling process in Cincinnati.  I still firmly believe that before any one puts their home on the market they should invest in a home inspection, make the necessary repairs or collect estimates. There is just no argument.  This will save the home seller money.  I don’t understand why an individual homeowner believes he or she is immune from that phenomenon….but I’ll go on about that another day.   As the majority of sellers are unwilling to jump on the bandwagon and put their home in order before selling, as a home buyer in Cincinnati, you might as well anticipate obtaining your own home inspection.  There are so many misunderstandings about the scope of the home inspector’s practice, I thought I would share a horror story or two, (yes, all true) and put out a few ideas for discussion. Read more

Cincinnati-Style Chili – You Have to try it…twice!

Cincinnati-style chili. You either love it or hate it.  You’re Addicted or Repulsed.  But one thing is certain: You can’t have an area to talk about the Cincinnati lifestyle and not mention Cincinnati-style chili. Read more

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