Trading Condos!

We just had our last two closings of the year and it was such a nice ending to 2010 with everyone happy with the results! We traded condos and it all started with a simple conversation that the current owners were looking to downsize. One thing lead to another and we arranged for a trade that worked for both parties. It was just meant to be!

Here is hoping your New Year is filled with fun, laughter, good health, memories and love.
Have a fun filled weekend!


Take care, Susan

Brr... but it's Worth Every Goose Bump! Winter Activities for the Family in Columbus Ohio!

Our family ventured out last night to visit with the Columbus Zoo Wild Lights in full swing. The kids wanted to see the polar bears in the winter! So, we waited while they woke them up around 7:00pm and watched them throw fish off the roof to them! So entertaining! Scuba Santa was much warmer as it was in the aquarium! If you get a chance, you will be delighted at the work of all of the good folks at the Columbus Zoo! Make sure you get your hot chocolate available at all of the snack bars!

We are so lucky to live in a vibrant area of Ohio!

Take care and stay warm! Susan

May You Wrap the Peace & Joy of the Season in Your Heart!

Our family wishes you all the best in the coming New Year! May you be surrounded by the family who love you, and cherish your memories together with people who are true friends. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Take care, Susan

Lots of Activity Today!

That is, pretty much everyone on the team is out showing homes! One week before Christmas. This happens every year and we wonder about it and how this happens? But, one couple went into contract, another is on break, one was a call in on a newspaper advertisment, and another is on the market but trying to figure out where they would like to live.

So, when someone asks if they should remove their home from the market because of the holidays, I would say emphatically "no"! People who are searching now, are very motivated (or are just too busy during the "off season" to go take a peek!

Take care and enjoy your shopping but watch out for those crazy drivers...they seem to be everywhere! Susan

Winterization Time!!!

Actually, it is past the time to do it! However, if you leave your home vacant in the winter, ice and water damage can happen in the blink of an eye. With below freezing temperatures, it can be absolutely the most devastating sound to hear water dripping when you enter a vacant home. For $99-150, a professional will come through with and get your home prepared. A lot of insurance companies will not insure vacant homes, so be careful!

Make that call today! If you need a reference, we have some on file!

Take care, Susan

Looking at the Snow Through the Eyes of a Puppy!

OK, so he's a BIG puppy! But, if you can just imagine this sweet pup rolling around in the snow with the kids, it will give you a giggle. It made waking up to the fluffy white stuff much more bearable!

The commutes were tough today and the weather has not been cooperating, so a little laugh does go a long way! He is our silly 7 months old puppy and we had forgotten how it is much like having a baby for about two years! What we do for our kids! :)

Have a wonderful day! Susan

Rates and Changes in the Market

Rates are edging upward but not so much as to make anyone who lived through the early 80's flinch! Still in the range being under 5% and closing costs seem to be at a manageable amount.

If you are thinking of a move in the near future, we would love to help you succeed in making your dreams a reality. Our happiness is found in helping others!

Take care, Susan

5940 Dublin Rd, Dublin – Real Living Tours Black Friday Special!

5940 Dublin Rd, Dublin – Real Living Tours

REDUCED 5% FROM $729,900 TO $699,900! WOW house on the river... is back on the market and ready for immediate possession!

Call us today to take a peek and make your holidays really special this year with sweeping views of the river!

Take care and happy shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours:

Have a wonderful holiday tomorrow and take time to enjoy one another!

Thank you for your trust in our team!

Take care, Susan

3706 Stunsail Ln, Columbus – Real Living Tours

3706 Stunsail Ln, Columbus – Real Living Tours
First Open house Sunday November 21, 2010 2-4pm

4272 Stream Bank Ln, Hilliard – Real Living Tours

Open house Sunday Hilliard area off of Scioto Darby west of Cosgray Road!
Open Sunday November 21, 2010 from 2-4pm.


4272 Stream Bank Ln, Hilliard – Real Living Tours

LIfe is so Hectic...

But, sometimes when I think about it and hear story after story about lost jobs and foreclosures it is just so hard to know what to say. You don't ever become hardened to it and the pain is fresh. We can help but only if that person comes to us and lets us know before it is too late. We have at least half a dozen short sales processing. That is probably our limit as it is very time consuming. I came across the following quote on facebook the other night and think it is appropriate for those hit by hard times:

‎"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that
you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them
when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no
one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things
can fall together."

This quote can be personal or used in business but thought it was appropriate for the times we are living in!

Take care, Susan

Yesterday Was a Good Real Esate Day...

Getting together with a panel of local experts in the real estate business and having break out sessions proved once again that the real estate community has come together during a very hard time to help one another. We are not adversaries. We do want everyone to come to a win-win conclusion in any sale. Of course we represent our clients and there will be some negotiations here and there where while representing a client it may seem contentious. But, at the end of the day we are all here to help one another.

There does seem to be a growing concern about the number of foreclosures coming down the pipeline. It has always been a concern in Columbus, but we are hearing about higher price ranges coming on the market such as $300,000 plus category which has not been hit as hard in this area. So, we brace ourselves and hope we weather the next storms.

On a positive note, we are still very active and have been for 2010. Listings are selling and it is not just the internet where we are getting the calls. Newspapers, magazines, etc are playing a huge part in getting the homes sold. Rates have never been better and prices have never been better for buyers. Realtors are buying homes now which is a great sign!

Take care, Susan

Do You Know Why This Made My Daughter Smile?

The first one to figure it out, gets a $50 gift certificate to Cameron Mitchell's!

Take care, Susan

How do we compete with all of the construction? Our new feather flag!

Even with tons of orange barrels, cones, traffic, and construction I think this flag stands out in a crowd!

What do you think?
Take care,
Susan

5621 Riverside Dr, Dublin –Check out the changing fall colors on the River Sunday 2-4pm

5621 Riverside Dr, Dublin – Real Living Tours

Thursday Open house 5-7pm Britton Farms and Carrington

This is an unbelievable price for Britton Farms! Ranch with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, mahogany floors! $249,900! Come visit tonight!


5104 Britton Farms is a wonderful home for a growing family! $289,900! Come visit us this evening!



Carrington Beauty! Completely remodeled inside with new fresh paint, updated kitchen, carpet, and owners suite. $364,900. Come visit tonight!

OK, Let's Vote!

That's it. No matter who you prefer, if you don't vote, you cannot complain about the outcome, so let's make a difference today!

Take care,

Susan

Spend Wisely and Make Smaller Commitments

Attention Small Business owners! Thinking ahead to 2011! Be prepared and warn your employees that their pay checks are going to be much less next year based on the new tax schedules. I was floored by the impact that these new increases could make in your take home pay. We had better pay attention as employers and as friends. Click here for your link to the whole report!

If the trend towards smaller homes and keeping your car a little longer seemed foreign to you, take another look at your checkbook. It just might seem a little closer to home! I am hopoing that our leaders will understand that this is not the time for more taxes, but a time of renewal.

Take care, Susan

Craigs List Scams Are Out of Control!

EVERYONE! Please watch out for scammers on Craigs List. We have just been notified yet again about a house cleaning scam where they say the listing agent sent them to clean their home! Believe me, if I am sending someone out to clean your home, you will know about it before they show up! As markets change and people get desperate, they come up with more ways to prey on hopeful people.

Please do business with a person who has a physical office somewhere. If they are only available on cell phones, that could be a problem later if you need to reach them! We have had more issues with lenders who are "on-line" only. Where do you go when they stop taking calls? There are a lot of legitimate ones out there, but the few who aren't make it impossible to tell the difference.

Again, coming into an office with "bricks and mortar" and meeting with them in person may be a little inconvenient, but in the long run, much more safe!

Take care and I will get off of my soap box now! Susan

1542 Bendelow Dr, Columbus – Real Living Tours Open House Sunday 10/24/10 2-4pm

1542 Bendelow Dr, Columbus – Real Living Tours

3852 Orchard Way, Powell – Real Living Tours Open 10/24/10 2-4pm

3852 Orchard Way, Powell – Real Living Tours

7811 Bartles Ave, Dublin – Real Living Tours Open Oct 24, 2010 2-4pm

7811 Bartles Ave, Dublin – Real Living Tours

3233 DUNLAVIN GLEN RD, COLUMBUS – Real Living Tours Open House oct 24, 2010 2-4pm

3233 DUNLAVIN GLEN RD, COLUMBUS – Real Living Tours

8629 Heritage Woods Ct, Dublin – Real Living Tours Open Sunday oct 24, 2010 2-4pm

8629 Heritage Woods Ct, Dublin – Real Living Tours

Girls Dream Home....

You can find out a lot about your kids if you ask them where they would like to live when they grow up! My daughter has always told me that she is buying a pink home on the beach where I will be watching all of my grandchildren while she is on tour with her band! It is somewhat funny that my son wants to come back and live in his home that he has always known and loved! Start the conversation over dinner...it is fun and doesn't cost a penny! Tell us your fun story~

Take care,
Susan

Beautiful Fall Ohio Weather!

Imagine having this lovely view of the changing seasons in this fresh condo! $183,900 is a wonderful value for the square footage. A rare find is the finished lower level, first floor utility room, and first floor owners suite.

Carrington's Hot Right Now!

While getting ready for our open houses, I popped out to take entrance photos of the lovely Carrington Subdivision in Hilliard Ohio 43026. I kept admiring the lovely colors and upon closer inspection found a surprising landscape accent! Chili peppers! How fun!

Dispatch Article on Thursday Regarding Our Ridgewood Open House

Competing agents join to stage open house

3672 Darbyshire Drive Open October 7, 2010 5-7pm

One of those often admired homes in Ridgewood is for sale! Come visit the open house this Thursday to tour this lovely home with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, first floor family room, living room, dining room, & a florida room! Pergola with beautiful landscaping overlooks a manicured & fenced yard. Entertaining outdoors will be a breeze! A full basement, 2 car garage plus an extra spot for the teenager's car will make everyone in the family happy! $249,900.00

3672 Darbyshire Dr, Hilliard – Real Living Tours

4600 Astral Hilliard, Ohio Open Oct 7, 2010 5-7pm

4600 Astral Dr, Hilliard – Real Living Tours



Fall festival of open houses! This one is a one of a kind. The current owners have added onto the home with this vaulted bonus room that is perfect for large gatherings. Two fireplaces, updated cherry kitchen, and 4 generous size bedrooms! Come visit Thursday to see what fun it will be to live in this home! $249,900

3506 Ridgewood Dr, Hilliard Open Thurs Oct 7th, 2010 5-7pm

3506 Ridgewood Dr, Hilliard – Real Living Tours



Open house Thursday evening 5-7pm October 7, 2010. Gorgeous new kitchen open to the living areas. The envy of HGTV! All cherry cabinetry with designer stainless appliances. Lots of charm, with hardwood flooring and separate family room with barrel shape fireplace. Energy efficient heating & cooling, as well as newer windows, roof, and a tankless water heater! $224,900. A wonderful place to call home!

3210 Ridgewood Dr, Hilliard Open Thursday Oct 7, 2010 5-7pm

Open house Thursday Oct 7, 2010 5-7pm! Come visit! List price is $224,900
Come visit this great 4 level split that features a remodeled kitchen and one of the prettiest yards in the area!


3210 Ridgewood Dr, Hilliard – Real Living Tours

3800 Braidwood Dr, Hilliard Open Thursday Oct 7, 2010 5-7pm

3800 Braidwood Drive Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Open Oct 7th, 2010 5-7pm! Come see your future! Lovingly maintained, this home has so much potential. There are hardwood floors under the carpeting. A brick hearth fireplace will make a cozy gathering spot for this winter! Huge fenced yard with lots of green space. Unbelievable price! $179,900.


3800 Braidwood Dr, Hilliard – Real Living Tours

Hoffman Farms Open House Sunday 2-4pm

There will be a grand showing of open houses in Hoffman Farms this Sunday! Come out and see every available listing at once! Our home located at 4379 Leppert Road Hilliard Ohio 43026 will be open Sunday Sept 19, 2010 2-4pm as well! It has a first floor owners suite, two story great room with lovely windows, open kitchen with a sunny eating area that has egress to the deck for morning coffee or cookouts! The 2 bedrooms upstairs are a generous size and the open loft can be made into a 4th bedroom by the current owners if the buyers need an extra bedroom. The lower level is professionally finished with room for a pool table or if you prefer, a home office. The home has a lovely pallet of colors throughout. Close to Rails to Trails, Cosgray Park, Hilliard schools,and the Hilliard pool! Life will be a treat living here, so come visit Sunday and stay for a lifetime!

Happy Labor Day Weekend Everyone! One Last Splash!

s
Enjoy your holiday weekend and take one more dip to cool off with this heat wave before summer is over!



It was a very good summer for our group & family. Thank you for your support and most of all your friendship! Don't forget to stop by Upper Arlington's Labor Day art show!

Take care, Susan