Category Archives: Golf course communities

Southern Delaware County is #2 on Forbes List

Posted on 03/01/2010 | Leave a comment

city sign for Powell Ohio 43065Delaware County made #2 on Forbes list for suburban areas with the best opportunity for job and income growth. For the past number of years, southern Delaware County has topped the State list for fastest growth. This growth … and no doubt the high income referenced by Forbes … is likely in the Olentangy school district area in the southern half of the county.

Here’s what Forbes had to say …

Professional success often requires some degree of sacrifice. Surprisingly, one of those sacrifices might include moving to the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio. Living in Delaware County is, in some ways, a smarter career move than packing up and heading for Wall Street or Silicon Valley.

With three-year income growth of 11 percent between 2007 and 2009, Delaware County is one of 10 places Forbes found best for professionals to get ahead. The fastest-growing county in the state, it has benefited from both a diverse mix of jobs that has kept the economy strong, and family-friendly neighborhoods that expanded out from the city center.

I have a small table box in the right side bar of this blog that will show you the demographics of local suburbs. Check out the data for Powell, Lewis Center and Delaware.

You can also view the average price of homes in the “SUBDIVISION” tab above this blog’s header. On that page, I show the various subdivisions of the key suburbs around the Columbus metro area. Homes in the Powell area tend to be higher priced as a collective group. There are several golf course communities in the Powell area such as Wedgewood, Golf Village Kinsale and Scioto Reserve.

I recently switched from the Worthington office to the Powell Real Living office for better convenience to my clients. If you need help buying or selling a home in the southern Delaware County area, give me a call at 614-825-8860.

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, Galena Ohio, Golf Village, Kinsale, Lewis Center Ohio, Powell Ohio, Scioto Reserve, Wedgewood

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Are You Ready For A Condo Yet?

Posted on 02/27/2010 | Leave a comment

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.

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Posted in Ballantrae, Central Ohio, Condos, patio homes, Delaware County, Dublin Ohio, Franklin County, Golf course communities, Golf Village, Kinsale, Hilliard Ohio, Homes, Homes for sale, Lewis Center Ohio, Muirfield, Powell Ohio, Scioto Reserve, Wedgewood

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Elaine’s Top Blog Articles for 2009

Posted on 12/29/2009 | Leave a comment

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)

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Posted in Ballantrae, Buyers, Central Ohio, Delaware County, Dublin Ohio, Fix-ups, Franklin County, Golf course communities, Golf Village, Kinsale, Homes, Muirfield, Powell Ohio, Scioto Reserve, Sellers, Wedgewood

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Average Sales by School District & Subdivision

Posted on 12/07/2009 | Leave a comment

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.

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Posted in Ballantrae, Brookside Village, Central Ohio, Delaware County, Delaware Ohio, Dublin Ohio, Franklin County, Galena Ohio, Golf course communities, Golf Village, Kinsale, Hilliard Ohio, Home prices, Homes, Housing stats, Lewis Center Ohio, Muirfield, Powell Ohio, Scioto Reserve, Wedgewood, Worthington Hills, Worthington Ohio

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Snowbirds … buy a condo before you head South

Posted on 10/24/2009 | Leave a comment

luxury condoIt’s the time of year when snowbirds are beginning to make plans for their trek south to warmer climates for the winter. Some go there at the first hint of cold while others wait till the holidays are over. Ohioans seem to favor Florida or Arizona for their winter havens.

Because these empty-nesters are on-the-go, active people they are prime candidates for trading in the “family” home for an easy-care condo. A condo is perfect for people who spend 6-months here and 6-months “there”. That way there are no worries about finding someone to mow lawns or clear snow while they’re gone.

If this lifestyle is appealing to you or if it has been part of your retirement plans, now might be a good time to purchase your northern condo. Since it’s the end of our buying season here, you might be able to get a better deal than if you wait till next spring. Sellers know that their season is ending, so they may be a little more willing to negotiate.

Right now there is a really good selection of condos in all price ranges, especially under $400,000. Here is what is on the market in southern Delaware County as of this morning:

  • Under $200,000: In the Powell area there are 40 condos with an average size of 1584 sq ft and an average price of $171,000. In the Lewis Center/northwest Westerville area there are 56 condos with an average size of 1473 sq ft with an average price of $160,000.
  • In the $200′s: In the Powell area there are 27 condos with an average size of 2155 sq ft and an average price of $239,000. In the Lewis Center/northwest Westerville area there are 21 condos with an average size of 2196 sq ft with an average price of $250,000.
  • In the $300′s: In the Powell area there are 32 condos with an average size of 2658 sq ft and an average price of $348,000. In the Lewis Center/northwest Westerville area there are 7 condos with an average size of 2577 sq ft with an average price of $349,000.
  • Over $400,000: In the Powell area there are 7 luxury condos with an average size of 3182 sq ft and an average price of $529,000.

If this lifestyle is in your plans, give me a call to review your next steps and to discuss what the options are that meet snowbirdyour specific needs and criteria. There is time to buy and move into your new place before you cast aside your winter coat in favor of those Jimmy Buffet shorts you have in the closet.

Oh-no … my eyes … my eyes!

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.

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Posted in Buyers, Central Ohio, Condos, patio homes, Delaware County, Golf course communities, Golf Village, Kinsale, Home buying process, Homes, Homes for sale, Lewis Center Ohio, Powell Ohio, Scioto Reserve, Wedgewood

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Are you in the $400,000 market?

Posted on 08/11/2009 | Leave a comment

Whether you are a home seller or home buyer, if you’re in the upscale market of over $400,000 priced homes, you might want to work with a real estate agent who is experienced in that segment. This is especially true for home sellers since your home will require a more advanced marketing program.

Real Living HER just released the Jan-Jun 2009 results of the Top 5 brokers who sold the most homes over $400,000 in the central Ohio MLS system. Naturally Real Living HER was #1 with 171 such homes sold. The total of all local 18 Re/Max franchises was 117. Next was Coldwell Banker KT with 96 homes. Then all 6 of the Keller Williams franchises sold 85 homes, and lastly was New Albany Realty selling 34 homes.

Click to enlarge graph

Click to enlarge graph

The government stimulus program for 1st-time home buyers helped with the low priced homes, but there are no such programs for the upper scale homes where buyers may be using jumbo loans. Therefore, it’s taking longer for these homes to sell. That’s why selection of the agent is so critical because various marketing methods must be used to generate showings and ultimately a sale. It goes without saying that the Internet and high-quality photography is critical to this market.

There are also fewer buyers and those buyers have a good amount of inventory to view. Sellers must make sure their home is in excellent condition, well staged and priced right in order to capture the ONE buyer for their home. Your chosen agent will (or should) help you properly prepare your home for sale in today’s tighter market for the luxury home segment.

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.

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Posted in Advertising, Buyers, Central Ohio, Delaware County, Franklin County, Golf course communities, Home prices, Home selling process, Homes, Homes for sale, Housing stats, Internet, Real Living HER, Realtor® selection, Realtors®, Sellers

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