Tips to Help Simplify the Moving Process

Planning on moving? Here's a list of some important tips to consider when you're making the transition to a new home.

	Clear the clutter. If you've been stowing old furniture, clothes or dishes (or anything for that matter), now's the time to hold a garage sale or pitch those items in the trash. You'll save on moving costs and get a fresh start in your new home, too.
	Notify everyone. Be sure to tell everyone – from utility companies to magazine publishers to the U.S. Postal Service – of your upcoming move. Provide your new address and the effective date of your move, and be sure to have your mail forwarded from your old address.
	Pack wisely. Set aside important items you might need while in transition, such as prescriptions, your address book or laptop computer. Pack a "necessities" box that includes plastic cups, dishes and flatware as well as personal items. Take extra care when packing breakables and label those boxes as "FRAGILE."
	Lose-proof your belongings. Number all your boxes and write the contents of those boxes down on a list. Keep a copy of your reference list handy and give a copy to the movers.

For more great tips and ideas, contact one of our certified Realtors today!

Monitor Ice Build-up in Gutters and Downspouts

If you spot an icicle hanging from your roof, then there’s a chance you also have built-up ice in your gutter. When ice clogs your gutters, overflowing water can seep into your home ruining ceilings, walls and other interior spaces. Don’t try and chip the ice out of the gutter because it will end up causing more damage. Instead, melt ice dams by filling pantyhose with calcium chloride pellets and laying it perpendicular to the gutter. This will melt ice quickly, and with fewer complications than other processes.

Picking the Perfect Neighborhood

Safety, atmosphere, events and neighbors are all important components to consider when buying a home. How do you find the perfect neighborhood? Good question. Here are some things to consider when evaluating new surroundings.

Community
Check out the local markets, parks, shops, restaurants and community events. Attending events will allow you to get a feel for the area and your potential neighbors. Ask store owners and community members what they love about the neighborhood.

Crime
Check with the local police department or state Web site for crime statistics in the area. Sites like Family Watch Dog and Spot Crime are great places to start.

Transportation
Consider how you will get around. Is there public transportation? Do most people drive? Is it safe to ride a bike? How far will your commute be to work? Time it during rush hour to make sure. What about grocery stores, restaurants, malls, pharmacies and doctor’s offices? You may not want to drive 20 minutes for a loaf of bread or to refill your prescription.

Schools
Research the local school districts. Are public and private schools available? Do they offer extra curricular activities? What is the cost per student? If your child will ride a bus, how long will it take to reach school grounds?

Traffic and Noise
Walk around the community at different times of the day as well as during the evening. Are there railroads, airports or entertainment establishments around? Where are the highways located? Have sound barriers been constructed?

These are all important aspects of a neighborhood to consider. Ask for information from your professionally certified Realtor®, and use the internet as a resource. Your Realtor® should be able to give you great insight into the area, and provide you with the tools you need to make your decision. Contact us.

Columbus Tops Multiple Forbes Lists

Forbes.com is famous for compiling lists of the best of the best cities throughout the states. This year Columbus, Ohio has made its mark on three of those lists as the top Up-And-Coming Tech City, one of the Best Places to Grow Old, and Columbus’ Delaware county made the Best Places to Get Ahead list.

Columbus offers a diverse mix of all ages. The Ohio State University’s main campus is seconds away from downtown—filling the city with young professionals. At the same time, there are an abundance of empty nesters who are seeking the city for its low cost of living. In addition, community neighborhoods, like German, Italian and Victorian villages, attract families.

With a relatively low cost of living, affordable housing and a 4.5% inflation rate, Columbus, Ohio allows you to stretch your dollar farther than other growing cities. And thanks to downtown revitalization projects, more people are migrating from the suburbs to the city. Columbus is a walkable capital with tons of entertainment, restaurants, bars, shops and jobs intertwined throughout the city.

So keep up the good work Columbus. We love seeing you prosper!

What is HUD Housing?

A HUD (Housing and Urban Development) home is a dwelling acquired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development due to a foreclosure on a FHA (Federal Housing Administration) mortgage. Once acquired by HUD, the home is sold in an attempt to recover foreclosure losses. If you’re interested in purchasing a HUD home, check out the National Home Management Solutions (NHMS) for a listing of HUD homes in your state. Foreclosure laws differ from one state to the next. To find out the rules and regulations in your state, check out United States Foreclosure Laws.

For additional information on HUD Housing, be sure to contact your local real estate professional.

Westerville's “Up on the Housetop” Recital & Ben Hanby Lecture

Benjamin Hanby, born in 1833, was a composer, writer and abolitionist in the Westerville area. He attended Otterbein College and wrote songs like “Darling Nelly Gray” and “Up on the Housetop” during his lifetime. To discover more on Hanby’s fascinating life as well as some fun facts about Westerville history, check out the “Up on the Housetop” Recital & Ben Hanby Lecture on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 2 p.m. at the Westerville Public Library.

This event is sponsored by the Westerville Public Library as well as the Westerville Historical Society. For event details, go to visitwesterville.org.
To visit the Hanby House, check out details at the Ohio Historical Society’s Hanby House page.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) “cooking is the leading cause of December residential building structure fires” followed closely by heating unit fires. With property damages from residential fires costing nearly $7 billion in 2006, holiday fires should be one less thing on your Christmas list this year. So, here are some tips and products to protect you and your family.

	If a grease fire is ignited, don’t use water to extinguish the fire. Splashing water on a grease fire will actually cause it to spread. The best way to extinguish it is to smother it with a sizeable amount of baking soda or use a fire extinguisher.
	Do not accidentally leave oven mitts in the over. They can quickly catch fire. For a fire-resistant oven mitt, try SiliconeZone oven mitts. They are safe up to 675 degrees Fahrenheit.
	Keep fabrics away from heating units because they can easily catch fire as well. Purchase a fireplace screen to prevent anything from accidentally falling into a fire.
	Do not overload electrical outlets with lights, decorations, etc.
	Closely monitor candles and lighting

For additional fire safety tips contact your local agent today!

Test Your Knowledge on Eco-Preservation

1. Which of the following light bulbs is the most energy efficient?

1. Compact


2. Flourescent
   
3. Incandescent
   
4. Halogen
   

Think Twice Before Posting That FSBO Sign

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), sellers who use a REALTOR® receive a purchase price that is around 5 to 8 percent higher than they would if they sold the home themselves. This may seem surprising considering sellers are required to pay REALTORS® commission and other fees when closing a deal. So when it comes down to it, you’ll save time and money by going to a professional Realtor®. Contact one of our knowledgeable Realtors® in the northeast Columbus area today!

Why Relocate to the Columbus Area?

Are you considering relocation to the Columbus area? Columbus boasts selling points for all demographics. As the 15th largest city in the United States with 60 percent of the U.S. population within 600 miles of it, the following are just a few of the reasons why Columbus is such a great place for business, singles and much more.

	Money magazine recently called Columbus the “Eighth Best City to Live.”
	Columbus is home to 15 Fortune 1000 headquarters
	According to Forbes, Columbus is ranked No. 1 among the “Top 10 Up-and-Coming Tech Cities.”
	Forbes also calls Columbus “One of the top 200 Best Places for Business and Careers."
	BET.com calls Columbus the “second best city in the nation for African American families.”
	According fDi magazine, Columbus is a top "City of the Future" for international investment.”
	Columbus is the “Eleventh Best City for Singles,” according to Forbes.
	The U.S. Census Bureau states that Columbus has the “Top 10 Shortest Commute Time[s] Among Major Cities in the Country.

The Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting Ceremony

As Thanksgiving comes to a close, the Christmas season begins to make itself known across the Columbus area. If you’re interested in taking part in the Columbus Christmas tradition, then don’t miss this citywide tree lighting.

The 93rd annual Ohio Statehouse Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony takes place on December 1, 2008 in front of the Ohio Statehouse from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. EST. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the start of another Christmas season in Columbus, Ohio with Governor and First Lady Strickland.

This event is free of charge and it includes refreshments, model train displays, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Civil War re-enactments, live animals and much more. For more information, check out Experience Columbus.

Thanksgiving Fun Facts

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for, as well to catch up with loved ones during dinner table conversation. This Thanksgiving, bring some fun facts about the Thanksgiving holiday that are sure to impress friends and family.

	Around 280 million turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving.
	Fifty percent of Americans put the stuffing inside the turkey.
	Twenty percent of cranberries eaten are eaten on Thanksgiving.
	More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving.
	Thanksgiving was first declared a National Day in 1789 by George Washington.
	Thomas Jefferson mocked the idea of having Thanksgiving.
	Macy’s is the second largest helium consumer in the world due to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The largest consumer is the United States government.

Real Living HER Supports the Columbus Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

On December 6, 2008, central Ohioans will be bundling up and jingling all the way to the finish line of the Arthritis Foundation’s annual Run/Walk for Arthritis. Come join the Columbus community and the Real Living HER team for a 5K Run/Walk that raises money and awareness for the prevention, control and cure of Arthritis. Details on this upcoming event are as follows…

	Where: Greater Columbus Convention Center
	When: December 6, 2008 at 10 a.m. EST
	Cost: $25 until 11/26 and $30 from 11/27 through race day

After the race, warm-up with a Max and Erma’s chili buffet, and hear Olympic gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, speak. Our goal this year is to raise $2,500 for the Arthritis Foundation, and to gather as big of a team as possible for the Run/Walk. Participants are encouraged to tie bells to their shoelaces and sport fun holiday costumes for the event.

If you’re interested in participating, contact your local Real Living HER agent or sign up on the Real Living HER team’s Web page.

Virtual Home Tours

If you’re interested in a more in-depth look at home listings, but don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home, consider investigating one of Real Living’s virtual home tours offered by Floor Plan Online. Through Floor Plan Online, our agents can create a virtual walk-thru of a home with high resolution and incredible precision. Here’s a virtual walk-thru of one of our Granville, Ohio listings.

Our virtual tours offer extensive home layouts, additional photos, an area map, a printable listing flier and much more. If you plan on selling a home in the northeast portion of Columbus, ask an agent about the benefits of marketing your home with tools like Floor Plan Online. For additional questions about our listings or if you would like to view any of our homes, don’t hesitate to contact us.

USGBC Partners with Senator Clinton on Energy-Efficient Schools

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently paired with U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for a series of webinars on creating energy-efficient school districts. These webinars discuss tightening education budgets due to economic conditions. They also address how energy efficient buildings can save money— allowing schools to allocate resources towards educational needs and school sponsored programs, instead of building maintenance.

This series of webinars is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They broadcast at the following dates and times:

	Thursday, November 6, 2008 – 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST: “Top 10 No-Cost Ways to Lower Your School’s Utility Bills”
	Wednesday, December 3, 2008—1:00pm- 2:30pm EST: “Top 10 Low-Cost Ways to Lower Your School’s Utility Bills”
	Wednesday, January 21, 2009 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm EST: “Top 10 Investments to Lower Your School’s Utility Bills”

For more information or to sign up for these webinars, check out USGBC webinars.

Norman Rockwell Exhibit Comes to Columbus

Looking for something to do on a cold winter day? Check out the new Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Ohio Historical Society.

Twentieth Century artist, Norman Rockwell, has influenced America with his iconic illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post— including favorites such as “Rosie the Riveter,” “Willie Gillis” and the “Four Freedoms.” For those that want to experience Rockwell’s artwork in a new and exciting way, check out the Ohio Historical Society’s interactive, life-size Norman Rockwell art exhibit.

This exhibit takes place from November 1 – March 1 2009. For more information, rates or hours check out the Ohio Historical Society’s “Rockwell’s America".

Westerville Homes Sold Quickly During the Month of October

The above chart, from Trendgraphix, Inc. 2008, illustrates the average days on market (DOM) for homes for sale in Westerville, Ohio. According to this chart, the number of days on market for real estate listings decreased to 85 days in October 2008. Prices of homes sold in October were 94% of the listing price which remained fairly flat over the past year. Real estate agents in Real Living’s Northeast Regional Ohio office are among the best and brightest in central Ohio. They can help you with buying a home or selling your home in any part of Delaware County as well as northern Franklin County including Westerville, Lewis Center, Sunbury, and more.

To have a professional Real Living real estate agent analyze your personal property and situation, please contact us today.

Is Your Home Being Marketed to Millions of Buyers?

If it’s listed with Real Living, the answer is yes! In addition to seeing your home listing on RealLiving.com and our family of Web sites, Real Living takes care of sharing the details of your home with other online search engines such as Google, Yahoo and AOL that receive millions of views by home buyers. This is called inventory marketing, and these partnerships create national visibility for your home. Here’s a brief look at some of these sites…

Trulia.com
One of the most heavily trafficked inventory marketing sites out there right now is Trulia.com.  Trulia provides comprehensive descriptions of listings grouped by location. It also offers a link back to the Real Living Web site where a potential buyer can schedule a showing, access information about the school district and print details of the listing.

Frontdoor.com
Frontdoor.com is a dynamic new site powered by HGTV. This site is another highly frequented space because of its association with HGTV, Fine Living and Food Network. Frontdoor.com provides listings with comparative demographics, information on quality of life and the schools.  With the click of a mouse, you can calculate the mortgage of a potential home, or link back to Real Living for more information on the property. 

GoogleBase.com
Google also runs an inventory marketing site called Google Base. This site provides a Google Map of the listing location and a link back to the Real Living Web site. Since Google is such a powerful search engine, many potential buyers take advantage of its resources. 

For more information on how Real Living can market your home to millions of buyers through online sites, contact one of our agents today!