So Much to Do in Cincinnati
Good News about Cincinnati
America's Best Beer Gardens
Mechlenberg Gardens has been honored by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the best Beer Gardens in America. They insist that the country is in the midst of a beer revival, with the flourishing of beer gardens and more domestic breweries than at any time since Prohibition.
Having also visited one of the other honorees, Stone Brewing Co. in San Diego, I would have to agree that Mechlenberg's can't be beat. There's something about the history of the place that will get my vote every time.
Mechlenberg Gardens was founded in 1865...just think 147 years ago...and is the oldest continually running restaurant and beer garden in Cincinnati. I was surprised to learn that in the early days it was the site of groups of German immigrants being taught about the American political process.
Obviously, Cincinnati is a city with such a strong German tradition that it is easy to see why the assembling continues. If you decide to visit the afternoon or evening of a University of Cincinnati football or basketball game, the place will be going strong. Filled with Bearcat supporters, the restaurant offers bus rides to the game, so you can avoid the hassle and expense of parking.
But, my favorite time to visit is on a lovely Spring day when you can sit outside under the 100-year-old grape vines and enjoy a lite lunch with one (or more) of the crafted beers. They have 15 German and American craft beers on tap and 80 by the bottle. Quite a choice!
Cincinnati Restaurants and Hotels honored
AAA travel guides have awarded 10 area restaurants and hotels their coveted Four Diamond Award for 2012. It is the highest rating given by the guides. AAA conducts physical, on-site evaluations of all the restaurants and properties that they rate.
Restaurants include Boca in Oakley (soon to move downtown), Daveeds at 934 in Mt. Adams, Celestial in Mt. Adams, Nicola's in Over the Rhine, Orchids at the Palm Court and the Palace Restaurant in the Cincinnatian Hotel, both in downtown. The Palace has received the honor for 24 consecutive years.
Hotels awarded the honor are the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, The Cincinnatian Hotel, and The Westin, all of which are downtown, plus the Marriott River Center in Covington.
100 Best Communities for Young People
For the second year, both Cincinnati and Norwood have been recognized as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People. This award is presented by America's Promise Alliance, a national partnership dedicated to youth and children.
Founded in 1997 with General Colin Powell as Chairman and chaired today by Alma Powell, America’s Promise Alliance is a cross-sector partnership of 400+ corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups that are passionate about improving lives and changing outcomes for children. They make ensuring that all young people graduate from high school ready for college, work and life a top priority. They raise awareness by encouraging action and engaging in advocacy to provide children with key supports. Americas' Promise Alliance believes all children are entitled to Caring adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, An Effective Education and Opportunities to Help Others.
ING, the global financial services company runs the competition choosing the 100 Best Communities. They look for communities who work to keep children in school and prepare them for careers and college. 300 communities applied to be evaluated.
Cincinnati Programs that deserved specific mention include the Safe Routes to School Initiative. On a daily basis, adult volunteers either walk with children to school or are stationed at strategic locations throughout neighborhoods to ensure students safe arrival to school. Through Cincinnati’s Youth Employment program, hosted by the Mayor, nearly 900 youth, ages 14 through 24, are employed each year. Connect 2 Success (C2S) is a drop-out recovery collaboration, designed to give young people access to a supportive school environment and the additional support systems they need in order to complete secondary education credentials and achieve a positive placement upon graduation. Cincinnati Public Schools teamed up with the Strive Partnership and service providers to launch the Be the Change tutoring campaign, a citywide initiative to recruit and place 2,000 tutors in high priority schools by 2012.
Norwood programs bring together the YMCA, health department, local churches and businesses plus the Norwood branch of the Public Library. They offer 70 different clubs, to elementary, middle and high school students. Whiz Kids is a one-on-one reading mentoring program for elementary school students developed by City Gospel Mission. Additionally, Norwood Promise raises funds to cover up to 100 percent of tuition costs and mandatory fees at Ohio's public universities and community colleges for high school students who meet specific academic standards.
Cincinnati Real Estate Market News and Analysis
Housing SALES UPDATE
Existing-home sales rose for a third consecutive month, according to a January report by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). Existing-home sales, which include recently purchased single family, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops were up 5 percent from the previous month, to a seasonally adjusted rate of 4.61 million units. In total, 2011 existing-home sales were up 1.7 percent from 2010, and reached 4.26 million units sold.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, believes the trend could point to a sustained recovery. "The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery," he said. “Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market."
National inventory for existing homes decreased by 9.2 percent in December, leaving 2.38 million units available for sale. This representing a 6.2 month supply of homes at today's current sales pace. Existing-home inventories have been shrinking from their record levels of 4.04 million set in July 2007.
NAR President Moe Veissi anticipates even more buyers in the near future. "The American dream of homeownership is alive and well. We have a large pent-up demand, and household formation is likely to return to normal as the job market steadily improves," he said. "More buyers coming into the market mean additional benefits for the overall economy. When people buy homes, they stimulate a lot of related goods and services."
RECORD LOW MORTGAGE RATES
According to a January report by mortgage giant Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conventional mortgage fell to 3.96 percent in December, down from the 4.71 percent rate reported at the end of 2010. These rates are the lowest on record, dating back to 1971 when record keeping began. This is an ideal time to refinance your existing home, or to get pre-approved for a new loan.
Contact us for our preferred list of local mortgage planners and take advantage of today's low interest rates!
GOOD HOMES SELL FAST
Even in a challenging market, good homes go fast! Smart sellers are realizing that a proactive selling strategy can go a long way in getting their home sold, even when inventories are high. Here are three tips for today’s sellers:
- Price your home right. Markets change, so don’t be influenced by last year’s selling activity and home prices. Buyers will evaluate your home based on what others are selling for today, so make sure you know the market and price your home accordingly.
- Make your home shine. Buyers like to envision a home they can move right into. Clean carpets, fresh paint, and a nicely landscaped yard can go a long way to make perspective buyers feel at home.
- Anticipate the selling season. Many sellers wait for the market to pick up before they place their home for sale, but smart sellers anticipate these seasonal adjustments and list their homes early in the sales cycle. Give yourself the best opportunity by placing your home on the market before everyone else does!
Whether you’re looking to sell today or are thinking of selling tomorrow, please feel free to call and ask for a computer analysis of our recent market activity. We would be more than happy answer any questions you might have.
Need more Details about What is Happening in Cincinnati Neighborhoods and Activities?
Check out our blog to see more detailed information about selected areas:
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Anderson Township and Newtown (Forest Hills Schools)
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Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, Oakley, and Columbia Tusculum
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Montgomery, Blue Ash, Sycamore Township and Symmes Township
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Mt. Adams
If you want us to put together information for you about another neighborhood, just give us a call.
Also, please, "friend" us on our Cincinnati Real Estate Team Facebook business page! We would love to have your support in this way! We are hoping to get our own URL. Thank you!
