Is Cincinnati Rated a Great City to Live?
June 25th, 2009 categories: Cincinnati, Ohio, Real Estate News
Sadly-the answer is no!
Recently U.S. News & World Report magazine looked at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do to identify this year’s best places to live. Supposedly the editors reviewed more than 2,000 locations nationwide, considering such factors as sales taxes, housing prices, average number of children per square mile, proximity to healthcare, and the availability of educational institutions.
According to the article the 10 cities honored as Best Places to Live are (listed alphabetically):
1. Albuquerque, N.M.
2. Auburn, Ala.
3. Austin, Texas
4. Boise, Idaho
5. Durham, N.C.
6. La Crosse, Wis.
7. Loveland, Colo.
8. San Luis Obispo, Calif.
9. St. Augustine, Fla.
10. Upper St. Clair, Pa.
Source: U.S. News & World Report Article
If you are curious about cities in Ohio (or any other state) Link to State search on US News and World Report for detailed information.
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Your Parent’s Real Estate
June 22nd, 2009 categories: Real Estate News
All of a sudden I realized I had become become the gatekeeper of my mom’s house. Thankfully, not forever, but long enough to realize that long distance ownership for real estate and managing somebody another person’s day-to-day tasks is not that easy.
Healthy parent(s) are wonderful, especially ones who have planned well and made sure to move assets into trusts, add somebody else’s name to the checking and savings accounts and left all the information where you can find it.
However a recent medical emergency highlighted that while mom was prepared for anything…I was not.
So here it goes- if you become temporary custodian of a single family home several hours away do you know the names and phone numbers of:
- Landscapers
- Utilities
- Newspaper
- Neighbors
- Account numbers/addresses for typical credit card bills
- How to work the sprinkling system
- Can you find the set of house keys you were given 15+ years ago
I think you can see where this is going.
My suggestion to you is to start planning now- just in case you need to address any or all of the issues in addition to managing an empty house.
Your suggestions and comments are always welcome.
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Greater Cincinnati Single Family Home Sales
June 18th, 2009 categories: Cincinnati, Ohio, Real Estate News
According to the Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati, the sales volume for single family homes for 2009 is still below 2008.
Questions or comments-call or email.
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NIMBY
June 12th, 2009 categories: Real Estate News
Not in my backyard (NIMBY)!
The cry heard from residents alarmed at the thought of having nuclear waste, prisons, big box stores, cell towers, wind turbines located anywhere near their property.
My problem is much more mundane as the neighborhood is battling against an unusually strong crop of….weeds.
So this year’s bumper crop of dandelions followed by a marching army of clover- has asserted control over once green lush lawns…will it ever end?
But like so many property owners-NIMBY has become the battle cry as neighbors arm themselves with every variety of weed killers. We pull, dig, spray and still the concept of “not in my backyard” has not taken root.
Oh well- we’re open to any good suggestions to move our weeds to someone else’s backyard.
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What Do You Know About Abestos?
June 9th, 2009 categories: Real Estate News
Asbestos Tips and Prevention for Cincinnati Homeowners
Located in the mid-Western part of the United States, Ohio is regarded as the “Buckeye State” for the high amount of Buckeye trees in the state. Home too many professional and college sports teams and vast rural areas; Ohio is simply a great place for potential home buyers to consider calling home. The journey to purchasing a home is an enjoyable time in one’s life. But it is one that will bring many additional responsibilities. Having the assistance of an honest real estate agent can make all of the difference during this process.
Commonly used to insulate boilers and pipes, many homes built prior to 1980 could harvest asbestos or other environmental defected insulation techniques. Due to its flame resistant and highly durable qualities, asbestos was the ideal form of insulation for many industries. One of the main things that can go unnoticed is taking simple precautions to avoid asbestos exposure. Exposure can be easily avoided by taking simple precautions. Many green and healthy forms of insulation exist which replace the need for asbestos entirely.
If you locate any suspected asbestos in the home, most experts suggest leaving it un-disturbed until a home inspector can examine your property, take evaluations and determine the safest course of action. Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Disturbing asbestos in good condition may cause its fibers to be released into the air.
Long term exposure to damaged airborne asbestos fibers can lead to the development of a severe lung ailment known as mesothelioma. With a latency period that can last 20 to 50 years, this makes mesothelioma prognosis from physicians a difficult task.
Removal of asbestos in public facilities, workplaces and homes should be performed by licensed abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated. They must wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves to avoid any exposure. The materials should be removed in as large pieces as possible and places in disposable bags.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is a citizen based agency created to protect the environment and public health by instituting compliance with environmental laws. Citizens of Ohio are motivated and pushing for continued advocating of new green sustainable technologies. Everyone strives for clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.
For example, the use of cotton fiber foam has demonstrated to reduce energy costs by 25 % per year. As education and technology of green sustainable practices increase, the numbers will continue to rise.There is no need for any products used in construction to be made from asbestos; yet over 3,000 work and home-based materials still contain this toxin.
Ohio is taking the steps to move to a paradigm of environmental awareness and you should too. As education and technology of green sustainable practices increase, the numbers will continue to rise. Living in a world where environmental sustainability is a vital concern to the future of mankind, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation.
I can be reached via email: paul@asbestos.com
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