May 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm
May 7, 2013 |
Eye Candy….
1427 Main St #6, Over-the-Rhine | Cincinnati, OH 45202
SOLD/PENDING
One of a kind Main Street condo with European flair! Spectacular garden residence with doors to patio garden. Vibrant, celebrated two story condo featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms with many upgrades. Published locally in Housetrends & nationally in America Restored. Quiet, understated & fit for the true city dweller. Received Cincinnati Preservation Association Landmark award. Private entrance at street level, window boxes, open floor plan with gourmet kitchen and bamboo flooring/counters. Incredible master suite with spa like master bath. In the heart of Over-the-Rhine!
For More Information, Please Visit: http://www.mycityliving.com/1427_Main_Over_the_Rhine
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
April 24, 2013 at 10:35 am
April 24, 2013 |
From: HouseLogic.com
Building a new home lets you personalize your house for today’s needs and tomorrow’s dreams. Here’s how to plan your new home for future needs.
When I was designing our dream home 15 years ago, I was chasing around our toddler while laying out rooms and selecting finishes.
Back then, I didn’t let Ben out of my sight and couldn’t imagine a time when we wouldn’t be attached at the hip. So, I selected new-home options perfect for parents of a 16-month-old, never questioning if they’d work for parents of a 6-year-old, or 16-year-old.
Here are things that seemed like a good idea at the time.
Kitchen/great room combo: I figured one big space would be great for watching tiny Ben while I was cooking; he’d drum on a pot while I fixed him buttered noodles. But Ben grew up and now likes to watch “Law & Order” on TV while I talk on the phone with my mom, and my husband runs the disposal after dinner. The room sometimes sounds like Grand Central, and I now dream of a separate family room and a little less togetherness.
Two main-floor bedrooms: We downsized our master suite to squeeze in a second bedroom next to us — perfect for soothing a preschooler’s nightmares. Turns out kids outgrow nightmares, but skimpy closet space is forever.
A pass-through instead of cabinets: I gave up two kitchen cabinets to cut a pass-through from the kitchen to our mud-cum-crafts room so I could keep an eye on Ben’s finger-painting sessions. Ben hasn’t dipped a finger in paint in 12 years, and I could really use that storage now.
The Future is Now
If I were buying a new home today, I’d do things differently: I’d crystal-ball my thinking and plan for my future needs. That’s the beauty of buying new construction: You can focus on want-to-dos, rather than to-dos — even if you can’t anticipate all your wants.
Luckily, builders know the life of a new home is a journey, and have consultants who help you fast-forward your thinking about features you can install now that will make life easier later.
I brainstormed with a couple of executives from Toll Brothers and Ryland Homes about some forward-thinking, new-home options.
- o A main floor den that could be converted into another bedroom as your family grows.
On a related note, see how people are reinventing their living rooms.
Credit: Toll Brothers, Inc.
- o Roughed-in plumbing and electric for an eventual attic or basement bathroom and kitchenette. If you don’t have the resources now, this is a great way to plan ahead. This extra living space not only could accommodate elderly parents or boomerang kids, but will increase the value of your home when it’s time to sell.
- o A double-deep, tandem garage that can fit three cars now, but can be walled-off later to add indoor space for an extra bedroom or bathroom.
More: Attic conversions | Garage conversions
- o Upgraded structured wiring throughout that can handle a souped-up Internet connection and other tech revolutions. Handy if you telecommute.
- o Temporary partition walls that attach to hardwood flooring, rather than subflooring. If you eventually want to combine bedrooms — kids move out — you’ll only have to do a floor repair and refinishing, rather than patch a gaping hole.
- o Plywood sheathing behind drywall and tile in bathrooms. These sheets of plywood let you attach grab bars anywhere without hunting for studs.
Credit: Mosby Building Arts
Grab bars aren’t just for our later years. They’re also good for kids and aching weekend warriors who need a little help getting into and out of a tub.
- o An addition. If you can site your home to accommodate a bigger footprint later, plan to run conduit through exterior walls for future electrical and plumbing needs.
Credit: CQ Surveying
Unless you’re psychic …
You’ll never know today exactly what you’ll need in the future: It’s hard for me to imagine life beyond next Tuesday.
But choosing options for tomorrow is one perk of buying new. These forward-thinking selections can mean years of enjoyment as your family changes, and can make it easier to sell if moving — and buying new again — turns out to be the best alternative.
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
April 18, 2013 at 2:14 pm
April 18, 2013 |
This Week’s Eye Candy….
951 Monastery St. | Mt. Adams | Cincinnati, OH 45202
The epitome of well-designed & architecturally significant spaces in this NEW custom contemporary by Metropolitan Design+Development. The best of sophisticated luxury! Commanding city views! LEED Certified with 15 year Tax Abated per Hamilton County Auditor. Must see!
For More Information, Please Visit: http://www.mycityliving.com/951_Monastery_Mt_Adams
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
April 17, 2013 at 5:53 pm
April 17, 2013 |
From: KCMblog.com
Buying a first home can be a scary, confusing and stressful process. Many would-be buyers are understandably nervous at the prospect of making the largest purchase of their lives. Rather than diving in and hoping for the best, you should prepare carefully before you begin the house search.
Following some useful tips will help you turn an overwhelming and intimidating experience into an exciting search that yields the right home!
1.) Establishing a Realistic Price Range
A common mistake among first-time home buyers is purchasing more house than they can afford. You should not rely on banks to determine what you can comfortably spend on a new home. Banks are adept at determining the amount of monthly debt in the form of mortgage, insurance, credit card, student loan and auto loan payments. They have no way of knowing, however, what you spend each month on groceries, entertainment and utilities.
You should make a list of all monthly expenses, excluding rent or your current mortgage payment. Whatever is left after monthly expenses is the amount available for a mortgage payment and housing expenses such as taxes, insurance and home maintenance. Carefully consideration of your budget saves time by weeding out homes that you cannot afford and guards against overspending.
2.) Seeking Pre-approval
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage prevents a deal on a dream home from falling apart due to failure to obtain financing. You should compare loans from several lenders to see which one best suits your needs. A pre-approval letter will give you some power to negotiate on a home’s price because the seller will view a pre-approved offer more favorably than an offer that comes without lender pre-approval.
Keep in mind that pre-approval is different from pre-qualification. During pre-qualification, the lender estimates what you can afford. Preapproval is a more involved process in which the lender looks at your credit report and performs an extensive financial background check. At this point, you will get a good idea of the mortgage interest rate as well.
3.) Setting Priorities
You should compile a list of what you need and want in a house. Needs might include the number of bedrooms, square footage, high-quality schools and commute time. These needs are aspects of the house that either cannot be changed or cannot be changed without substantial cost to you.
Wants, on the other hand, are something you would like and that can be changed. Wants may include a pool or hot tub, landscaping, finished basement or hardwood floors. Making a list of wants and needs helps you focus on what is really important in a house, narrowing the list of prospective homes. Ideally, the new house will include all of the needs and a few wants.
4.) Choosing the Right Neighborhood
Crime statistics, insurance rates, property taxes and school quality are important considerations for you. Because the neighborhood makes up a large part of a home’s value, take your time to find exactly what suits your needs. You should also consider job commute, traffic during rush hour and proximity to amenities such as shopping, churches and libraries.
Driving through the neighborhood at various times during the day and night will provide a more complete picture of the location. Don’t forget to talk to potential neighbors, who can be a good source of information regarding the neighborhood and residents in the community. Take note that bad neighbors can bring down the value of a house.
5.) Finding the Right Home Inspector
You will also need a professional home inspection. Even new houses may present costly problems evident only to a home inspector.
You should talk to several inspectors before hiring one. You should ask about the inspector’s qualifications, scope of the inspection, how long it will take and the nature of the report you will receive at the end of the process. Main areas covered by the inspection should include quality of construction, integrity of the foundation and condition of plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems. If the inspection uncovers serious issues, such as cracks in the foundation, you may decide to back out of the contract or ask the seller to repair the problem.
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
March 21, 2013 at 5:00 pm
March 21, 2013 |
This Week’s Eye Candy….
1420 Main St. #2E, Cincinnati | Over-the-Rhine, OH 45202
Massive 1,700 square foot loft in popular OTR. Tax Abated, prepaid off street parking and HOA dues. Exposed brick & duct work, updated kitchen & bath, 4 original fireplaces & hardwood floors. Easy conversion to 2 or 3 bedroom. Great price!
For More Information Please Visit: http://www2.mycityliving.com/p/1420-Main-St-Cincinnati-City-OH-45202/mls_cincy/1348214
Exclusively Represented By Comey & Shepherd Realtors, City Office
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
March 20, 2013 at 2:12 pm
March 20, 2013 |
Greater Cincinnati Real Estate Facts and Trends
Comey & Shepherd Realtors, City Office
A broad look at residential (homes & condos) real estate activity in Southwest Ohio (Hamilton, Butler, Warren & Clermont Counties) from December of 2011 through February 2013.
Four graphs showing: 1) Number of Homes For Sale vs. Sold vs. Pended 2)Average Days On Market & Sales Price/Original List Price % 2) Average Price of For Sale and Sold Homes 4) Months of Inventory Based on Closed Sales
As seen in the below graphs there are strong signs of market improvement in the Greater Cincinnati Real Estate Market: Inventory is down, the number of sales & pending sales are up, days on market are trending down and sales prices are trending up!
Please contact one of our award winning Comey & Shepherd real estate agents today for a free market analysis of your home/condo OR for any of your buying or selling needs.
Published March 2013*
Location: HAMILTON COUNTY, BUTLER COUNTY, WARREN COUNTY, CLERMONT COUNTY
Price Range: $0 – No Limit
Property Types: Single Family, Condo – All Property
Bedrooms: 0 – No Limit
Full Baths: 0 – No Limit
Half Baths: 0 – No Limit
| Number of Homes For Sale vs. Sold vs. Pended (Dec. 2011 – Feb. 2013) |
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| Avg Days On Market & SP/Orig LP % (Dec. 2011 – Feb. 2013) |
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| Average Price of For Sale and Sold (Dec. 2011 – Feb. 2013) |
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| Months of Inventory Based on Closed Sales (Dec. 2011 – Feb. 2013) |
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Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
March 14, 2013 at 5:21 pm
March 14, 2013 |
This Week’s Eye Candy….
1 Filson Place 3B | Mt. Adams | Cincinnati, OH 45202
Perched on the pinnacle of Mt. Adams, this extraordinary condo
overlooks the city and river below! 2 master suites, open floor plan, covered balcony, 2 garage parking spots, wine cellar, ample storage and new gourmet kitchen. An intimate building, within a short stroll to the quaint Mt. Adams entertainment district, parks, playhouse and museum. A unique opportunity!
For More Information – Please Visit:
http://www2.mycityliving.com/p/1-Filson-Pl-Cincinnati-Mt.-Adams-OH-45202/mls_cincy/1332607
Exclusively Represented By Comey & Shepherd Realtors, City Office
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
March 13, 2013 at 12:54 pm
March 13, 2013 |
From: KCMblog.com
Mark Twain and homeownership are both iconic pieces of the American experience. And like what happened to Twain in 1897, recent reports of homeownership’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Ever since the housing bubble burst, many so-called experts have predicted the end of homeownership as part of the American Dream. Today, we want to expose some of these myths.
MYTH #1:
After the housing crash, Americans would no longer believe in homeownership.
FACT:
While homeownership has fallen from a high of 69.2% in 2004 to 65.4% at the end of 2012, the desire to own a home is still strong.
- o 73% of Americans say it is a good time to buy a home. (Fannie Mae)
- o 70% of Americans see homeownership as part of the American Dream. (Trulia)
- o In every age group from 25 to 65 years old, over 80% plan to buy a home in the future. Even 76% of those over 65 years old plan to buy a home in the future. (Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University)
MYTH #2:
Those families that were forced from their homes during the housing crash would never look at homeownership in a positive light again.
FACT:
- o Many of the sellers who lost their home to a short sale or foreclosure over the last six years are re-entering the housing market as purchasers. It is projected that over 700,000 people in this category could be in the market for a home in 2013 and that the number will more than double to over 1.5 million in 2014. (Moody’s Analytics)
- o Nearly 80% of those homeowners who decided to strategically default (walking away from the house and mortgage) over the last few years have expressed a desire to buy a home again within the next 12 months. (YouWalkAway.com)
MYTH #3:
Young adults, after seeing their parents suffer major loses of equity, will not embrace homeownership especially as a financial investment.
FACT:
Not one study has substantiated this myth. Recent studies have actually proven the exact opposite:
- o 72% of young adults between 18-35 years old see homeownership as part of their personal American Dream. (Trulia)
- o 75% of young adults between 18-35 years old see homeownership as an indicator of success. (Realogy)
- o 94% of young adults under 25 and 96% between the ages of 25-34 plan to buy a home. (Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University)
- o 79% of young adults under 25 years old and 86% of young adults 25-34 believe that owning is a better financial decision than renting. (Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University)
Obviously, the reports of the death of homeownership in America were GREATLY exaggerated.
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
March 8, 2013 at 4:16 pm
March 8, 2013 |
From: Karen Schlosser
Karen’s Blog: Real Estate Cincinnati Style
KAREN’S TIP: $$$’s (Dollars) May Be Found By Complaining About Your Property Value. It’s true…I did it last year…reduced my property value with the county auditor and received a refund of taxes paid.
Is your property overvalued by the county auditor? You can do the same thing. It cost me a little of my time (research to substantiate my complaint), filling out a form and having it notarized, faxing it to the county auditor by the deadline, plus a trip to the county auditor’s office for a hearing…well worth it. It’s not complicated but you must know your stuff. Going in and winging it won’t work.
In the state of Ohio, property owners have until April 1, 2013 (this year only, normally the deadline is March 31st but the 31st falls on a Sunday) to file a complaint of property valuation with their county auditor, here are the links to the four (4) major counties in our market:
Butler County: http://www.butlercountyauditor.org/index.cfm?page=BOR
Clermont County: http://www.clermontauditor.org/BORRealProp.pdf
Hamilton County: http://www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org/bor.asp
Warren County: http://www.co.warren.oh.us/auditor/realestate/forms/dte1.pdf
My tips in preparing your complaint:
1. Be reasonable, be objective.
2. Read the complaint form and answer the questions honestly.
3. Use MLS data as well as county data (Realist) to support your case.
4. Make it pretty.
5. Get it to the auditor before the deadline.
6. Know your “stuff” (be prepared, practice makes perfect) when you go to the hearing.
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
February 21, 2013 at 5:41 pm
February 21, 2013 |
From: Bockfest.com
Tours
Prohibition Resistance: The Beer Barons Bock Tour
Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3, 2013 
The Brewery District CURC is proud to present their popular “Prohibition Resistance Tour”. This walking tour explores Cincinnati’s unique brewing heritage, both above and below ground.
We’ll visit three different pre-Prohibition brewing spaces, including lagering cellars and tunnels deep below the city streets. Some of Cincinnati’s beer barons will be on hand to discuss the importance of Over-the-Rhine’s brewing heritage, before ending at Bockfest Hall for further Bockfest festivities!
Tickets are now available HERE! Order soon, these tours always sell out!
Historic Churches of Over-the-Rhine Tour
The tour includes four 19th century churches (St. Francis Seraph, First Lutheran, Nast Trinity, and Prince of Peace) located in historic Over-the-Rhine: some of Cincinnati’s oldest houses of worship. Each church features stunning architecture – some with stained glass windows built in the early 19th century. Tours will be lead by the award-winning guides from American Legacy Tours. Please note that it is a walking tour. Tickets are $20, and tour times will be 2P and 2:45P starting from Bockfest Hall.
Additional details and tickets are available HERE!
Comey & Shepherd Realtors | Cincinnati Real Estate Blog | Cincinnati Real Estate | Comey Blog
