If you are looking for a way to relax close to home and live in Fairfield- you’re in luck.

The City maintains 28 parks offering everything from picnic/play areas, fishing, golf (2 courses) to the Fairfield Aquatic Center. 

Harbin Park has a wonderful overlook (picture above) and great sledding in the winter.                                                                              

One of our favorite areas -for biking and walking is the Joyce Park Bike Path.  The bike path has a lot of access points and most of time you are riding along the river. 

Buyers in today’s real estate market are looking for communities offering a wide range of things to do.

Take advantage of the Fairfield Park system and save on gas- after all it is only a 7 minute drive from my house to the Joyce Park Bike Path versus a 30 minute drive to the Loveland Bike Trail.

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Why Can’t a Woman Be More Like a Man?

“Why can’t a woman be more like a man?”   That was the question posed about Eliza Doolittle by Professor Henry Higgins in the play/movie “My Fair Lady.”   Sometimes it seems very appropriate in today’s real estate market.

Owners in West Chester, Cincinnati and Fairfield have “done the drill” of preparing their home for sale:

• preinspection
• home staging
• touch up/clean up
• home warranty
• de-cluttering

In short- everything required to neutralize a “home” to become a “house” in order to make it appealing for the next “home owner”.    As a seller, you’re mentally ready to move on.

So who gets emotional when a very low offer to purchase arrives- usually (but not always) the woman. 

Insulted that somebody could write an offer way below the list price, insulted that somebody doesn’t love the decorating, insulted the hours laboring on the landscaping goes unnoticed…….. just plain insulted.  All sellers need to take a deep breath and remember that you are not selling “memories” or “happy times” or “lots of sweat equity”- you’re selling an expensive “piece of real estate”.  

Identify the which one of the sellers is “Eliza Doolittle” and don’t let emotions get in the way of the real estate transaction.  OK- it probably is the largest financial deal many of us make during our lifetimes- but sellers who can detach themselves from the emotional side of selling are more successful.  The old adage in real estate  “the first offer is usually the best offer” is as true today as it was when I got into the business 19 years ago. 

Sellers who don’t let emotions get in the way and counter even the lowliest of purchase offers are surprised to discover the “deal” coming together at a fair sale price.

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Is Congress imitating a cartoon “Super Hero” rescuing struggling homeowners from foreclosure or just another comic book character hoping for a happy ending?

Late last week the US Senate voted in favor of a housing bill focused on rescuing property owners facing foreclosure.  While many parts of the bill are hidden in “political speak” (why is maintaining a tax deduction for Chrysler included in a housing bill?) the immediate impact on people on the edge of foreclosure appears to be a mixed message.

Why?

The bill seems to rely on banking institutions (most with stock holders) voluntarily incurring huge losses in order to refinance mortgages.  I have not waded through all the details,  but, most of today’s borrowers are waging war with mortgage servicing companies (and not their lender) and if the bill does not specify a timeframe or a process for speedy reconciliation- then borrowers will continue to endure the same problems that exist today.

If all of the mortgages in Cincinnati, West Chester Fairfield and Mason were held by local institutions- chances are many of these problems would not exist and resolving the problems would be handled locally.  Unfortunately many borrowers are dealing with mortgage servicing companies located all over the country (world?).

Tax credits for first time buyers should be extended to all buyers!

Did you ever notice when the housing market is churning along-many other businesses benefit.  The proposed $7500. tax credit for first time home buyers is wonderful- but why not extend the credit to all buyers.  In addition to stimulating the housing market, we would also see the impact ripple to down stream suppliers, moving companies, big box stores (lumber, hardware, furniture, lighting, landscaping……..).

Only time will tell if the effectiveness of the latest housing bill will be solely as a blockbuster headline or a  “hero” providing of long term foreclosure relief for the southwestern Ohio area.

What do you think?

Related Articles: Congress Approves Housing Rescue Bill;  Housing Bill Relies on Banks to Take Loan Losses;  Understanding the Housing Bill

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When you put your home up for sale in West Chester, Ohio - did you or your realtor compare real estate pricing for homes in Miami, Florida or Phoenix, Arizona?

No! 

Most likely- you looked at a CMA (Competitive Market Analysis) for West Chester, Ohio.  After all, buyers shopping in West Chester or Mason or Cincinnati Ohio are comparison shopping in the local area.

Take a look at a discussion on the “Morning Joe” program on MSNBC featuring author Jim Cramer (Author of “Stay Mad for Life”) who has some very positive words about the real market and suggested he will be buying some property soon. However don’t be alarmed by Mr. Cramer’s statements concerning real estate prices in Florida. 

Remember the housing market in Miami and Daytona Florida is unique and should not be compared to “local real estate” in southwestern Ohio.  Too many of today’s news stories/articles are written from a national perspective and aren’t accurate about our local real estate market.

If you are ready to jump into the real estate market- as a seller or a buyer- use recent data from the local Multiple Listing Services and county Auditor sites to determine pricing.

Not sure about the local real estate market- call or email more information. Or subscribe now and stay up-to-date.

Related Articles: What the Toledo Blade Doesn’t Know

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Who wouldn’t want a place with a spa, lush gardens, a lagoon for sunning and lots of space to roam?

Located in the heart of Cincinnati, the Zoo is the coolest piece of real estate in area.

It’s true, there aren’t any “homes for sale” inside the park but make sure schedule some time and spend a day wandering in and out of the ”pricey” habitats”.  And unlike sellers who usually leave the property when buyers arrive, the animals are very personable and welcoming.

If you are looking for the perfect place and need some help- call or email.

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