Real Estate Information Archive

The Federal Tax Stimulus drove sales in April, 2010, pushing Buyers to purchase by April 30 and demanding that Sellers price their homes to sell.  Traffic exceeded the usual expectations of Realtors for the April time frame.  Additionally, prices improved in the lower price ranges.

In fact, traffic was skewed to the lower end of the market.  First time buyers represented the majority of demand.  Homes listed for over $300,000 continue to be more difficult to sell than in the recent past.

There are currently 406 active listings in Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, Oakley, and Columbia Tusculum.  There are 114 pending sales and 73 homes closed in April. 

Let's take a look at the housing market in Sycamore School district's neighborhoods of Montgomery, Blue Ash, Symmes Township, and Sycamore Township, Ohio...in Cincinnati's first-ring suburbs.   We are grouping them together because they tend to attract the same group of buyers looking for a large, outstanding school district.  Homes include a limited number of new construction to 60+ years old, with the price range varying from $100-700,000.

To give you perspective about the market, the graph shows sales for the past five years, through October 31, 2009.  You can easily see the increase in prices and the decrease as the recession strengthened.  Part of that price decrease can be attributed to a higher percentage of lower priced listings sold. 

With loans harder to acquire, higher priced homes listed at over $450,000 have struggled to find buyers, both because of the inability to sell the buyer's home and the difficulty in getting significant down payments.  This brings the median price down significantly.

 Currently the area has 266 active listings on the market.  There are 52 pending sales.  The average home sold in 101 days. If you use the last year's number of sales and compare it to the number of active listings, there are approximately 9.5 months of inventory on the market.  Looking only at the number of pending sales to active listings, a more robust market would be anticipated. The National Association of Realtors indicates that six months of inventory is a balanced market.

Ahhh...a weekend in Adams County, Ohio on the "Edge of Appalachia."  Murphin Ridge Inn is a special treat, a not to miss experience within 1 1/2 hours of Cincinnati.  You'll know you are there when the terrain starts to change.  Featured in the prestigious Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America and the National Geographic Traveler as one of the 54 top inns in the US, Murphin Ridge continues to live up to the hipe it receives.

Why will YOU love a day or two relaxing at Murphin Ridge?

• Peaceful surroundings - the 1820's farmhouse overlooks fields of soy beans.  Their 142 acres have guided paths through the woods, so there is no excuse to just sit. Plus, it's fun to harmonize around the firepit.
• It's in the middle of the Amish area of Adams County. In fact it is important to never speed on the winding, hilly roads.  You never know when a buggy will be just over the crest of that next hill.  It is fun to see the children playing, clothes drying on a line and imagine life without some of the modern conveniences we expect.
• FOOD - Their chef, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, takes good food seriously.  There is an expectation that only the freshest food will be served.  The menu changes with the season and what is available in their kitchen garden and that of their Amish neighbors. Be sure to make a reservation, because the demand may exceed their limited space.
• The innkeepers, Sherry and Darryl McKenney are truly "at your service," enlivening the experience with their knowledge of the community and just plain good cheer. You can make reservations at 877-687-7446.

Personally, I would recommend being there for three days...then you get the benefit of actually relaxing.  Know that everything for shopping will be closed on Sundays, so plan your time there with that in mind. The Amish shops are important to see-buy herbs in bulk, choose a rocking chair for your porch, eat their Amish baked goods and cheeses.

Other places of interest include:

• Serpent Mound, built by the Adena Indians in the 800 B.C to 100 A.D.
• Edge of Appalachia Preserve, 14,000 acres developed by the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science and the Nature Conservancy
• Buzzard Roost Rock Preserve - Be sure you are in good shape for this hike. You'll find the view is worth the breathless climb!
• Shawnee State Forest is often called the "Little Smokies" and the only state designated wilderness area.
• Shopping in the antique shops.
• Clothesline of Quilts is a sampler of 20 painted quilt squares on local barns.  Finding all of them is a fun part of the trail through Adams County.
• Visiting a covered bridge should be a must if you have children along...they will probably have never seen one and as the bridges quickly disappear, they may never get the chance to show one to their children.
• Blake Pharmacy in West Union is like the one you may remember from your childhood, but lunch there features five-cent Cokes from the soda fountain, sandwiches and milk shakes, too.

If you are planning a romantic weekend for two, reserve one of Murphin Ridge's cabins.  Built by the Amish, each cabin is slightly different, but you may want one with a two person whirlpool and two -sided fireplace.  While we were there one loving husband gave his bride of 20 years an anniversary diamond ring. The surroundings throughout the Inn are further enhanced by the antique reproductions from the Workshops of David Smith.

Go and enjoy - it's beautiful in any season and you'll return refreshed and ready for the next project! 

Have you heard of District A?  We hadn't either, but you're going to hear more and more about it!  Because it is more than an arts district, it is an arts collaborative, a clearinghouse, and a catalyst to strengthen the sense of community and spur economic development along the Montgomery Road Corridor that connects Pleasant Ridge and Kennedy Heights in Cincinnati.  The Community Councils of these neighborhoods envision an even more diverse and vibrant community...with the arts at the core. 

On October 10th they are sponsoring a Street Festival along Montgomery Road, starting at Losantiville Avenue in Pleasant Ridge and going to Kennedy Avenue in Kennedy Heights.  There will be everything from performing arts and music to an art show and sale to hands-on community art.  The festival runs from Noon to 7PM.

You can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides from 1-4 pm.  Soapbox cars and classic cars will both be featured. An outdoor stage will be erected in Pleasant Ridge with different acts throughout the day.  The local branch of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library is sponsoring jazz pianist, Phil DeGreg and family art to enjoy.

Arts events will be held in Kennedy Heights at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center, ballet tech cincinnati, and the Green Corner Studio and Marketplace.

Plus local restaurants will have specialties for that day and other booths will be set up.  According to the news release I got, "Pleasant Ridge Chili will be open till you smell what's baking at Ridge Donut Shop."

The parade came to me on Memorial Day...right past my house!  It's one of the joys of living in a small town like Newtown, Ohio.  Everyone cooperated to put on a fun parade with food available afterwards.  Central to it all was the local veteran organizations and the town businesses and government officials.  The Syrian clowns brought the entertainment!

Parade floats were supplied by many, including Burger Farm and Garden,Evans and Motz Farms

Turpin High School Band showed up to give everyone something to march to.  What would a parade be without a Band?

The crowd was appreciative, waved their flags and cheered.

But most of all, we gave thanks for those men and women who sacrificed for our freedom.  They are to be honored!