April 26th has been declared “Super Open House Sunday” for the greater Cincinnati area real estate market.

So if you are looking for a home/condo in Hyde Park, West Chester, Fairfield, Mason, greater Cincinnati..or anywhere in the area-chances are good the property may be open on Sunday.

Last Sunday (April 19th) there were over 1200 properties advertising “Open Houses” on the Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati.  Super Sunday’s goal is to have 2000+ properties open.  (as of 8:18 am 4/22=1694 open houses already registered on MLS)

Low mortgage rates and the first time home-buyer tax credit makes the event a win/win for both buyers and sellers.  Sellers- get it priced right and open on Sunday.  Buyers, apply for loan approval,  pending contract and appraisal.  (Loan approved (not preapproved) enhances your offer.) Start your engines and start house hunting!

Most of the Open Houses will be posted online by Thursday afternoon- so get ready to search areas of interest and map out your routes.

Good luck house hunting-don’t forget about the first time buyers tax credit.

March was “status quo” for real estate in Fairfield or Fairfield Township.

According to the Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati real estate activity is shown below:

Data from Greater Cincinnati Multiple Listing Service

Data from Greater Cincinnati Multiple Listing Service

Showings (buyers and their agents making appointments to view properties) continues to increase.  Prices for listings in  Fairfield remains steady.  Asking price in the Township increased slightly. Good news for condo owners in Fairfield Twp- 2 finally show pending sales- after some no sale months.

You know the mantra for real estate- price, price and price.  The tax credit and favorable mortgage rates are spurring buyers into the market…however with so much inventory- an overpriced listing might as well be invisible.

Not sure if you are visible in today’s market or need more details about your complex or subdivision- call or email.

Related Articles: 7 Years of Real Estate, February Stats

No surprises when reviewing single family home sales in Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati.

Sales/closings are down during the first quarter- versus the same time period last year for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties.

Activity (buyers actually writing contracts) increased in March and really showed an increase in early April.  Tax incentives, low mortgage rates and pent up demand will help fuel the housing market.

Make a good decision before marketing your property-need to know about your neighborhood or subdivision- call or email.

Related Article: February Stats

As we chugged down I-75 from Michigan I found myself wondering why we were driving and not “railing” home.

The greater Cincinnati metropolitan area needs a comprehensive light system-not only for travel within the 4 county area (as well as northern Kentucky) but also to simplify travel around cities located in the mid west states.

How cool would it be for the “kids” to hop on a light rail system running from Chicago and spend a day or two visiting home?

Perhaps it is time for our area to take the lead with light rail and quit waiting for direction from Columbus or Washington.  Businesses with offices in Cincinnati and Dayton would not have to worry about shuttling employees between locations or to and from work.  The key is to have central station locations with ample parking available.

As the light rail system expands in the area- so does the real estate around it.

Not only do commercial areas pop up to support the traffic…residential areas now considered “too far out” could become the new “in” locations.

If you let your mind wander, instead of so many college graduates leaving the area for work, maybe greater Cincinnati  could entice some new multi state Midwest based companies to relocate here -bringing new job opportunities.

Anyone who has traveled to Washington D, Atlanta, or Chicago know how easy it is to jump on their “light rails” and travel to and from the city and airports.  Even Cleveland has a city light rail system.

As long as we are dreaming-lets not forget to make the light rail user friendly- with places for luggage and bikes.

Let me know what you think!

Related Articles:Light Rail Now   Cincinnati Pro-Transit

Closed sales for condominiums for the first quarter jumped up in 2009.

According to Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati, closings for condos in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties continue to reflect a softer real estate market- but sales/closings are happening.

Of the four counties, Butler’s condo closings have been impacted the most during the 1st quarter of 2009.

Not sure about your complex- call or email.

Stay ahead of the real estate market and subscribe now!

Related Article:  February Stats