About Columbus Real Estate

A Happy Mother's Day Bouquet

SPRING MARKET UPDATE FOR CENTRAL OHIO

Spring is a great time to get serious about buying a home. But do you know what trends are happening in home sales right now? A recent article from Bankrate.com highlights a few of the traits of this spring/summer buying and selling season.

•           Higher mortgages. Lending companies have raised their loan fees, which means those looking to buy a home soon should plan to pay a little more. FHA mortgage insurance premiums have risen to 1.75 percent of the loan total, and if you have a smaller down payment, this will definitely impact you.

•           Competition. With housing affordability at record highs, you can expect that you won’t be the only potential buyer at the open house. Many investors have begun buying houses at bargain prices, and those who were previously on the fence about buying the home are more likely to take the plunge now. This just makes the market a bit more fierce as you start to get serious about buying.

•           More renters are becoming buyers. With home prices so low, renting is often a more expensive option than buying. Renters who were previously content with no plan to own are becoming more serious about buying. This can add even more competition to the pool of potential buyers looking at the same home as you.

•           Low-ball offers aren’t as common. According to a March 2012 survey of REALTORS, out of 4,500 agents, not one complained about a low-ball offer being an issue on their listed homes. So if you think you can hit the jackpot by offering an incredibly low price on the home you’re considering buying, you may want to reconsider. The original asking price is closer to the reality today than it’s been in recent years.

•           The Fed is keeping the near-zero interest rate policy. This means that while you may have to consider higher loan fees (see above), the interest rate should keep overall mortgage rates low for the rest of the year, and possibly even longer.

It’s a great time to buy, and more and more sellers are regaining confidence to put their homes on the market. Please contact me if you’d like to learn more about the current housing trends in the Columbus and Dublin areas.

I May Be Missing A Tooth, But I Still Have What it Takes To be Ferocious!

Cougar at the Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
Albion, Indiana

6 Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio, this Weekend

Monet to Matisse: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Sirak Collection, Columbus Museum of Art, through May 13, 2012

The Howard C. and Babette L. Sirak Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art was saluted in ARTnews as one of the best private collections of art in the world when it was first acquired in 1991. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the acquisition of the collection, CMA is offering the entire collection of 78 works on special exhibition. Some of the artists included in the collection are Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse and many others. The collection focuses on the developments in European modernism, and the exhibit is only going for another week.  Photo courtesy of Columbus Museum of Art

Capital City Half Marathon, Scioto Mile to Columbus Commons, Saturday May 5, 8:00 a.m.

Enjoy watching and cheering on runners through the scenic Scioto Mile all the way to the revamped Columbus Commons.  The Capital City Half Marathon celebrates a commitment to fitness through a half marathon, a quarter marathon and a 5K. The Finish Line party features 30 bands, 22 DJs and a block party to celebrate the completion of the race.  Capital City Half Marathon logo courtesy of www.capitalcityhalfmarathon.com

Clintonville Farmers’ Market, Clintonville, Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

The hugely popular Clintonville Farmers’ Market started again last weekend to bring the best local foods, flowers and goodies to all who walk through the area. The Clintonville Farmers’ Market is located on High Street between Orchard Lane and West Dunedin Road from 9 a.m. until noon. This is the 10th year for the Clintonville Farmers’ Market, and it’s one of the best in the city. Image by Roberta Kayne, www.KaynePhotography.com

John Reddington: Strange Stories, Dublin Arts Council, Saturday May 5, 11:00 a.m.-2:00p.m.

John Reddington’s two and three-dimensional artwork uses images of natural and manmade objects to create elusive narratives.  He creates musings and strange stories about people and places that he’s encountered.  Reddington is currently a lecturer at the University of Akron, and the guest curator for the event is Ann Bremner, the publications editor for The Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts. Image courtesy of Dublin Arts Council and John Reddington

Reefer Madness, Shadowbox Live, Sunday, May 6, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

This live musical comedy at Shadowbox Live explores the “dangers” of marijuana in a tongue-in-cheek, campy manner.  The show is based upon the 1936 film with the same intent, but genuine, and it succeeds as a wonderful satire. The show has received wonderful reviews, and it stays in the same vein of Shadowbox Live’s tradition of fantastic live shows. Photo courtesy of Shadowbox Live.

Blooms and Butterflies, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, through September 3, 2012

Although Blooms and Butterflies will be running all summer, now is the perfect time of year to enjoy the Franklin Park Conservatory.  The exhibit showcases the life cycle of butterflies as well as highlights the ecological importance of the stunning creature. Hundreds of exotic butterflies emerge from their chrysalises as visitors watch, and then they are released into the Pacific Island Water Garden.  Visitors also can enjoy the gorgeous flowers throughout the Conservatory as they watch the butterflies emerge.  Photo by Roberta Kayne, www.KaynePhotography.com 

I went to the Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in Albion, Indiana, last week.  Black Pine is a non-profit exotic animal sanctuary, a "last chance" refuge for captive-raised non-domestic animals in need.  They give "rescued and retired exotic animals a safe haven, and educate people and enhance their knowledge of exotic and endangered species, and responsible pet ownership." It is a wonderful place and they are doing excellent work there for exotic animals who have been rescued or retired. 

We booked a private tour of the facility, and the Executive Director, Lori Gagen, gave us a wonderful behind the scenes, close up tour of the animals… lions, tigers, bears, leopards, cougars, wolves, foxes and more.  With a private tour, we could get within touching distance of the animals.    

Some of the stories of how these animals were found and rescued were really very sad, but they do have a wonderful home now and are well cared for by a great staff at Black Pine. 

Here is one photo I took of one of the tigers. 

Top 7 Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio, This Weekend

The weather is beautiful, Spring is in full swing, and it's time to celebrate.  Take a look at some of the great events happening in and around Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.

Lydia Loveless at the Rumba Cafe

Have you heard the buzz surrounding Columbus country sensation Lydia Loveless lately?  She was a huge hit at SXSW, and you can check her out this weekend as she continues on her national tour.  She will be at the Rumba Cafe on Friday night.  For more information on the event and Lydia Loveless, check here.

Wine Opener-Wild Crush, April 20, 2012

Support the Cystic Fibrosis Central Ohio Chapter with their annual wine event Friday evening. The event takes place in Bexley and raises money to help fund Cystic Fibrosis research. “The annual ‘crush’ is cause for celebration in Napa Valley and other winemaking regions. It’s the two weeks in late autumn when grapes are plucked from the vine and given the big squeeze.” For more information on the event and tickets, check here.

Ohio State University Spring Game, April 20, 2012

Want to see how Urban Meyer’s doing so far? Check out OSU’s spring game this Saturday for just $7. Plus welcome back Luke Fickell as the defensive coordinator for the 2012 season. O-H!  For more information on the event and tickets, check here.

Hal & Al’s Customer Appreciation and 3-year Anniversary, April 20, 2012

 The secret-but-not-so-secret-really beer bar on Parson’s Avenue is about to celebrate its third anniversary, and you’re invited. To celebrate the event Hal & Al’s will be featuring a keg of Southern Tier Pumking as well as plenty of other gifts and prizes for those present.

Record Store Day, April 21, 2012

Celebrate local and independent record stores with the annual record store day celebration Saturday. Record stores in and around Columbus are featuring special deals, special releases and much more. The perfect way to spend your Saturday afternoon is to just browse through some cool records and talk to some connoisseurs.  For more information on the event, check out this post on Columbus Underground or check out the national website for participating local stores

Earth Day, April 21, 2012

Celebrate Earth Day this Saturday at the Columbus Commons with live music, food trucks, informational booths and much more. A few of the bands you can check out include The Regrettes, the Salty Caramels and Cowboy Hillbilly Hippy Folk. Root Down, Columbus!   Learn more information about the event here.

Yay Bikes!: Month 4, Year of Yay Ride, April 21, 2012

Year of Yay! is a series of 12 bike rides to celebrate Columbus as well as to promote leadership in Yay Bikes! This month they’ll be starting in Goodale Park (check out that freshly filled pond!), hitting up Record Store Day as well as stopping by the Earth Day Celebration. Yay Bikes! is a 501c3 organization that promotes cycling around Central Ohio as a form of transportation. Learn more information about the event here.

Images courtesy  of::
Earth Day - Courtesy of Google Photos
Yay Bikes - Courtesy of Yay Bikes
Record Store Day - Courtesy of RecordStoreDay.com
Wine Opener Crush - Courtesy of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Rumba Cafe - Courtesy of Google Photos

Thankful Thursday – A Street Scene in Paris, France

I am mainly a landscape and nature photographer, so when I was in Paris, and there were no landscapes to photograph, except the lovely parks there, I, of course, took pictures of street scenes, buildings, and people.  

I am very thankful for the wonderful photographic guide we had in Paris, Sophie Pasquet, owner of Better Paris Photos.  I learned a lot about taking pictures of street scenes and buildings and people and got some wonderful fun shots of Paris.  Thanks so much Sophie!

I took this photo during my trip to Paris last year.  This is a small umbrella repair shop - yes, he repairs umbrellas!  In the US, we tend to throw things away when they break, but in Paris, and really throughout Europe and the UK, it seems that people actually care about their possessions and try to make them last by repairing them.  What a wonderful concept.  I found many small boutique-type shops in Paris that specialized in crafts or repairs, something that is becoming a rarity in the US.  And the shopkeepers take a lot of pride in their crafts and their shops.  It's refreshing and lovely to see. 

Do you take pride in your profession?  Do you love what you do?  I do! I specialize in first time buyers and relocation buyers, and not only do I take a lot of pride in what I do for a living, I love what I do.  I love the feeling I get when a first time buyer is so excited about buying their first home.  I get excited for them when they sign the paperwork and they realize they have a new home that belongs to them.

Do you love what you do for a living?  Do you take pride in it?

Lonely Tree Weathering the Storm

Have you ever felt like this tree - all alone and weathering the storm on your own?  I have.  Sometimes I do feel all alone and then I shake it off and realize that there are many people out there willing to help.  And I reach out to them.  So if you look past the lone tree, you will see another line of trees in the background, there to help support the small tree - there to help block the storm.  Just like the lone tree, I know there are other people in the background ready to step up and help.  Friends...family...wonderful clients....other Realtors...vendors...  They are there to help us when we get stuck or feel like the storm is too much.    So if you are feeling alone or overwhelmed, reach out to someone else to help you weather the storm.  

This picture was taken in Yellowstone National Park in January 2012. 

This is a letter/email I recently sent to the company that sent someone out to fix my computer. 

I hired your service on December 30, 2011, and I have waited until now to give you feedback on the service because I was too upset to do so before this.  I would like to speak with the owner of the company about this, but I have to say that I was extremely dissatisfied with the service I received.  I told your company that my computers were not talking to each other.  The tech was told that when he arrived.  I also told him that he would have to be out of my house by 3:30pm, because my veterinarian was coming at 4pm to put my dog to sleep. 

The tech worked for hours on trying to get our computers to talk to each other.  He changed the name of the "workgroup", he changed the password for the workgroup, he changed settings on my computer and some of the other computers.  And still, my assistant's computer could not access the documents in my computer - her computer would not save any documents to my computer.

At around 3:30 I told your tech that he had to leave because the Vet was coming and I didn’t want him in the house.  But he stayed to try and work on the problem.  He told me that I didn’t tell him that the problem was that the computers wouldn’t save documents to each other, just that they werent talking to each other.  Really? 

He stayed despite my asking him to leave.  And all the while we were downstairs putting my dog to sleep in one of the most difficult, trying times of my life, your stubborn tech stayed upstairs.  It was like a double thorn in my side – knowing there was a stranger in my home while I was having to deal with putting my beloved dog to sleep.

When the vet and her assistants left, I went back upstairs to pay your tech who charged me $375.76 for the work he had done, and he basically said that my computer was the problem, and that I would have to erase my hard drive and reconfigure my computer and that would solve the problem and he would have to come back to do that.

Needless to say, I was incensed that I had to pay someone for working for hours in my home and not solving my problem and further not leaving when I asked him to leave.

I am going to have to hire another company to solve my problem, which I haven't solved yet, and be out another several hundred dollars.  Rather than spread the word about your company and what you have done,I decided to give you an opportunity to address this situation and make it right – I do not want your tech back in  my home.  If you want to call me, please do so.  Thanks for your time and understanding. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

The owner of the company called me almost immediately after he received this email and said that he wished I had called the next day, as they would have sent someone out right away to fix my computer.  He was very apologetic and said that he would send someone out to fix my problem at no charge.  That is good customer service!   They cannot bring back that moment when I was saying goodbye to my friend, Aussie, but they can fix my computer.  Their tech is coming out tomorrow, so hopefully my computer will be fixed soon!