Category Archives: Ballantrae

Top 20 Most-Read Articles for 2010

Everybody does their year-end wrap-up lists. Well, I’m no different. Here are the TOP 20 articles that received the most readers during the year. Ash Tree issues and Dublin seemed to be the most popular topics per reader count. In all, these articles were viewed by more than 12,000 people.

Popular Pages:

Ash Tree articles

Dublin articles

 Sites in Southern Delaware County

Advice for homeowners

Miscellaneous articles

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Are You Ready For A Condo Yet?

By now, you may have heard that here in central Ohio we just broke the 100-year old record for snow fall with just under 30″ for the month of February. Those of us with single-family homes have been shoveling … and shoveling … and shoveling some more.

The people who live in condos don’t have to shovel snow unless they decide to perhaps do their sidewalks. The Condo Association has agreements with landscapers to plow the streets and sometimes the drives which allows the residents to enter via their garage, rather than needing to use the sidewalk to the front door.

In southern Delaware County, there are beau coup condo complexes with a wide variety of styles, sizes, prices, floor plans, and extra amenities such as fitness equipment and pools near the clubhouse. Most are located around the Powell and Lewis Center areas. Condos are also popular around Dublin and Hilliard, which is in Franklin County. Prices can range from the $90,000′s up to over $400,000 for large, luxury condos. You’ll find some of those around Powell and Dublin.

Maple Creek condo complex, Westerville OH 43082Choosing to live in a condo is usually a lifestyle decision. The people may choose this carefree lifestyle if they are busy with activities and don’t want to devote weekends to maintaining a single-family home and mowing grass. People who travel frequently for their employment may prefer the comfort of knowing their home is a little more cared for while they are away on business. Retirees may like the freedom to spend summers here, then spend winters in warmer climes.

If you’re in the market for a lifestyle change and a condo, I have a listing that is located in the southeast Delaware County area, so it is convenient to shopping and restaurants while still being near an upscale residential area. It also has a very competitive price. Read More.

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.

Elaine’s Top Blog Articles for 2009

Do you like end-of-year lists? To ensure that I write about topics my readers are interested in, I review the “most read” articles at the end of the year. When I reviewed the articles with the highest traffic, I realized I could easily put them into subcategories. In case you missed any of these articles, here’s the TOP 5 articles that other readers read or referenced the most frequently. You can click on the links to read a specific article.

Most read Pages (~11,000 readers)

  1. Subdivision Home Sales
  2. Videos of my Listings
  3. Stratford Woods
  4. Reeses Peanut Team (I notice that Murphy’s page gets more traffic than MY page!)
  5. Who Is Elaine Reese?

Most read articles about Suburbs (~7,000 readers)

  1. Dublin, Ohio – a unique suburb
  2. Hayden Run Falls near Dublin Ohio
  3. Muirfield Village in Dublin Ohio
  4. Ballantrae continues Dublin’s Irish theme
  5. Like to golf? You’ll love Powell, Ohio

Most read articles about Property Information (~5,000 readers)

  1. Joe Testa, Franklin County’s Auditor updated us today
  2. Delaware County Auditor tries to reassure residents
  3. Closing Costs – Smlosing cost! What am I going to pay?
  4. How will property tax rates affect your choice in homes?
  5. Survey plats & easements & how they affect you

Most read articles about Home Fix-ups (~4,000 readers) 

  1. Dress up your kitchen inexpensively
  2. Start working on curb appeal as soon as you buy
  3. Home Sellers … you CAN take it with you … maybe
  4. Buyers … will your home inspector take away your dream home?
  5. Home buyers … have your locks rekeyed

Most read articles about Local Sites (~3,000 readers) 

  1. Water towers seem to be taking on a whole new look
  2. Is the Church a barn … or a barn the Church?
  3. Oh, to be a duck and able to float on the Olentangy
  4. Hoover Reservoir is a great attraction
  5. On the Coyote Trail at Highbanks Metro Park

Most read articles about Nature (~3,000 readers)

  1. Finding the beauty of snow in central Ohio
  2. Growing a vegetable garden … the suburban way
  3. 30-yr Anniversary of the “Big Blizzard”
  4. Living with Nature … what does it mean to you?
  5. The Wild, Wild West of Powell, Ohio

Most read articles about Emerald Ash Borer (~8,000 readers) 

  1. Get off my Ash … a sad update
  2. Get off my Ash … update #4
  3. Little green borer … get off my ASH!
  4. Delaware city workers take down the dead tree
  5. Get off my Ash … update #6

Most read articles about Homes for Sale (~4,000 readers) 

  1. Luxury Condo in Golf Village, Powell Ohio (sold)
  2. Hoover Reservoir executive home
  3. Stunning 1st floor MBR in Stratford Woods (sold)
  4. Custom-built Worthington Ohio home (sold)
  5. 1st floor MBR on wooded lot in Stratford Woods (sold)

Average Sales by School District & Subdivision

I’ve updated the YTD November housing stats if you’re interested in seeing how the real estate market is doing.

Average housing prices by SCHOOL DISTRICT

Average housing prices by SUBURB BY SUBDIVISION

Call me if you have any questions.

Enjoy your Memorial Day holiday … I plan to

Have you made your holiday weekend plans? Or are you staying flexible so you can enjoy last minute fun?

I’m hoping to work in my yard. Haven’t had the chance to do that this year. Every time I’ve thought I’d take a few hours off to do it, I get a phone call that changed my plans. I’ve bought the weed killer and the lawn fertilizer. I have a few annuals to put in, complete with the special soil mix to hold the water.

I may have to dig up some ornamental grasses that didn’t make it through this past harsh winter. Others really need to be divided, but I tried that last year and wasn’t strong enough to get the shovel through the base. Thankfully, I don’t have to mow lawn anymore. That’s my one splurge … I hire it done. It takes them a matter of minutes to do what it took me a good hour and half to do.

Many people may be planning to save money by staying close to home. If you’re looking for some suggestions perhaps some of these previous posts will give you some ideas.

Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay (Powell OH). It’s not free but it’s local and fun for the whole family. My family went there for Mother’s Day and had a great time.

Highbanks Metro Park (Lewis Center OH) is a great place to hike the trails or gather for a family picnic. Stroll through the woods or meander along the Olentangy River. There’s one trail that dogs can walk on, but they can be at the picnic places. Keep them on a leash and of course, pick up the doo-doo.

Alum Creek Reservoir (Lewis Center OH) has something for everyone. There’s a beach, picnic areas, boat launches, camping areas and a dog park with its own beach. 

If you just want to relax along water, southern Delaware County has four such waterways: Hoover Reservoir, Alum Creek Reservoir, the Olentangy River, and the Scioto River.

If golfing is more your thing, there are LOTS of opportunities.

If you’re short on time or have only an hour or two, you can visit Hayden Run Falls where you can walk through a wooded area to see the falls, or get a unique view of the Scioto River. You’ll forget that you’re in the heart of a busy city.

If you need a reminder of why we have this 3-day weekend, be sure to read Missy Caulk’s blog post. She has included many great quotes from past politicians when patriotism was perhaps a little more prevalent than it is now. Plus, she honors her son who is now serving in the Navy.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you take some time to recharge your batteries, get re-acquainted with your family, enjoy a little nature, and just RELAX. Oh, and I’ll be the one with the sore muscles come Tuesday.

Copyright © 2009. 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.

Ballantrae continues Dublin’s Irish theme

Copyrighted Ballantrae Golf ClubBallantrae is a large housing development and golf course south of the western edge of Dublin. The grounds are designed to represent an Irish countryside with stone walls and sea grass lining the roadways and fairways. Large stones, reminiscent of Stonehenge front many of the individual developments.

Copyrighted dancing haresThe most memorable aspect of Ballantrae is the 15-foot sculpture of three dancing hares on a mound at the entrance. The hares were sculpted by Sophie Ryder, (London England). She was intrigued by the spring mating “dance” hares do in which they stand on their hind feet and ‘box’ each other. At the base of the statue is a wading pond with intermittent upward sprays of water that delight the children wading in the pool.

The entire development consists of 640 acres and over 1000 homes, made up of single-family, condominiums and patio/villa style homes.  Prices range from $300k and up. It is located within the city of Dublin and is serviced by the Hilliard school district. It is located off of Avery Rd, south of Rt 33 and the Perimeter Mall.

Copyright © 2007. 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.