Monthly Archives: April 2010

Real Living HER University makes better agents

Posted on 04/07/2010 | Leave a comment

Real Living HER is the #1 brokerage in central Ohio (see the broker share page). The agents that decide to hang their license with Real Living HER are the reason for that #1 status. However, Real Living helps us – the agents – stay ahead of our competition by providing us with many training classes, plus of course, all the hi-tech goodies they provide for us to use in assisting our clients.HER Training Center in Westerville Ohio

This is the Real Living University training building in Westerville. It’s where we go to take those many classes.

Ohio State license laws require us to take 30 hrs of continuing education classes every three years. Three of the classes must be (1) Core Law, (2) Ethics and (3) Fair Housing. The remaining 21 hours can be elective classes that we feel would benefit our own particular businesses. However, thanks to HER’s training program, we can choose to take classes and specific training courses beyond what the State requires. These classes keep us informed and up-to-date on the latest issues, legal changes or new ways to market and service our clients. These classes help us grow and become better agents.

Over the years, I’ve had other brokers try to recruit me to join their ranks. In my previous career, I worked for the #1 consumer brand. When those days were over, and I wanted to be self-employed, I decided to join HER. I could never work for a #2-3-or 4 brand. I want a broker that gives ME – their client – the top notch service that I try to give to MY clients. That way my clients get the best of both worlds.

Copyright © 2010. Elaine Reese, Real Living HER. Reproduction of any portion of this blog post or the images is prohibited by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. If this post is being viewed on any site other than www.ReesesPiecesOfRealEstate.com then the material has been stolen without permission. Violators will be reported.

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Posted in Central Ohio, Real Living HER, Realtors®, Technology

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OK, everyone in Columbus, put your thumbs down

Posted on 04/06/2010 | Leave a comment

Blackberry Curve keyboardColumbus City Council just voted to ban texting, as have a number of cities. I don’t disagree with the intent but I’m never quite sure how you legislate against stupidity. Just as dangerous are all the other things we do in our cars beside paying attention to driving. Have you ever turned toward the back seat to yell at the kids? Ever spilled your “special sauce” in your lap and tried to mop it up?

Back to the texting issue, I have some questions that I’ve not heard answered by the media yet. I understand the texting issue, but we do lots of things with this keyboard that don’t constitute “texting”.

  • Is it OK to dial a phone number?
  • Will the new law include when we’re sitting at a stop light or in a traffic jam and want to check our email? Do the wheels have to be rolling for it to apply? After all, it’s “texting while DRIVING”.
  • What about taking a photo?
  • How will the police know the difference when we’re pushing the keys for making a call vs texting?
  • Will this cause people to hold the phone below the window line and thus, really take their eyes off the road?

I don’t text while driving, and I wait till I’m at a stop light to place a call, so I don’t think I’ll impacted by the law. I also don’t drive that much within the actual Columbus city limits since much of my driving is in Delaware County or the Franklin County suburbs. Now, if they ever decide to totally ban cell phone use then that’s another matter.

Copyright © 2010. Elaine Reese, Real Living HER. Reproduction of any portion of this blog post or the images is prohibited by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. If this post is being viewed on any site other than www.ReesesPiecesOfRealEstate.com then the material has been stolen without permission. Violators will be reported.

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Posted in Central Ohio, Columbus Ohio, Franklin County, Technology, Transportation

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Babysitting new arrivals from the Columbus Zoo

Posted on 04/03/2010 | Leave a comment

One of my granddaughters has worked for the Columbus Zoo for many years. I think her job would be so much fun as she works in the education department with kids and animals. Recently two little baby bears were introduced to the public. One of her friends babysat the two cubs overnight. My granddaughter took some photos as the cubs played at the friend’s home.

Just like Winnie The Poo, this little girl has a rolly-polly belly with the claws necessary to get the honey out of the tree. She needs a little red T-shirt and a friend named Piglet.

 

Baby bear at the Columbus Zoo, Columbus Ohio

Although it’s called the Columbus Zoo, it really is located on the west side of Powell at Powell Rd and Riverside Dr. See Google Map for directions.

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Posted in Central Ohio, Delaware County, Powell Ohio

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Central Ohio’s 1st Qtr Sales Are Still Positive

Posted on 04/02/2010 | Leave a comment

The number of homes sold in key school districts north and west of the Columbus metro area, are similar to 2009 but stronger for some districts than others. Homes that were in-contract at the end of March, are still very strong for the Hilliard, Olentangy and Dublin school districts.

Mar 2010 home sales in central Ohio

Click to enlarge graph

Pending sales for the rest of the districts are below March sales units, but that may change as we go through April with buyers trying to beat the April 30 Tax Credit deadline.

Actual Jan-Mar homes sold for 2010 are higher than 2009 for Olentangy, Worthington and Buckeye Valley. Those districts with Jan-Mar home sales less than 2009 are: Hilliard, Dublin and Big Walnut. Delaware sold the same number of homes in both years. I should note though that the year-to-year differences are slight, being up or down by only a few homes.

This tends to be better news than last year when there were more noticeable declines. Agents are still reporting being very busy, plus, higher priced homes are being sold this year which is quite an improvement over 2009. No doubt the low interest rates and competitive prices are encouraging home buyers to act.

Copyright © 2010. Elaine Reese, Real Living HER. Reproduction of any portion of this blog post or the images is prohibited by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. If this post is being viewed on any site other than www.ReesesPiecesOfRealEstate.com then the material has been stolen without permission. Violators will be reported.

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Posted in Central Ohio, Delaware County, Delaware Ohio, Dublin Ohio, Franklin County, Galena Ohio, Hilliard Ohio, Homes, Homes for sale, Housing stats, Lewis Center Ohio, Powell Ohio, Worthington Ohio

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April will be a busy month – no fooling!

Posted on 04/01/2010 | Leave a comment

spring daffodilsToday is April 1st … known as April Fool’s Day. I don’t do pranks on people, although I saw  a great one this morning. Nope, this is just about happenings in April. It already promises to be a busy month with meetings and appointments. There are also deadlines to be met.

There are two big deadlines:

April 15 – Uncle Sam wants your money. Use the KISS Principle and just send it all in to them, as they’ll take it anyway. (rant)

April 30 – If you plan to buy a home – and qualify – the two government stimulus Buyer Tax Credits require you to be in-contract on the home by April 30. First-time buyers get up to $8000 and repeat buyers get up to $6500. Call me for more details.

All weekends after Easter – The National Association of Realtors® is promoting a national open house month to assist buyers when shopping for homes to beat the April 30 Tax Credit deadline. Real Living HER will be supporting that national effort by holding many Sunday Open Houses. Go to the Real Living HER Open House web page to see what open houses are scheduled for your preferred area. The list will continue to be up-dated and new homes added as we go thru the month, so check back to the list each Friday or Saturday.

All month – Even if you don’t plan to use the Tax Credits, April is a good time to get your home on the market, especially if it is the type/style of home that might appeal to those with kids. People with children often like to move during June/July when kids have finished with one school year, and prior to the start of the next year. They may start looking in April to ensure they can close on a new home by the end of May so they can move in June to get settled.

Week of April 12th – I’ll be adding a new listing that week, so check back here then to be the first to learn about it. It’s a custom built home on 5 partially wooded acres, with an easy commute to Dublin or Powell employment. If you would like a home that’s not in a structured subdivision, but don’t want to be too far away from “civilization”, then you may like this one. It has a wonderful lemonade porch, great curb appeal and a huge bonus room over the garage.

All Month & Next Month, too – Homes can have really great curb appeal to buyers during these two months. Flowering trees and shrubs are in full bloom. Lawns tend to be greener thanks to warm days and cool nights, which grass loves. An application of fresh mulch does wonders. Although it will be too early to plant most annuals, pansies offer a great alternative with their “happy faces” since they can withstand an occasional light frost. With higher temps, you can open the windows to remove the stale winter odors.

I hope you plan to enjoy Spring as much as I do. After February, we deserve it. And, call me if you want to buy or sell a home.

Copyright © 2010. Elaine Reese, Real Living HER. Reproduction of any portion of this blog post or the images is prohibited by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. If this post is being viewed on any site other than www.ReesesPiecesOfRealEstate.com then the material has been stolen without permission. Violators will be reported.

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Posted in Buyers, Central Ohio, Elaine's Listings, Home buying process, Home selling process, Homes, Homes for sale, Sellers

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