It's a wet and coldish day here in Cleveland Heights right now... a bit of rain drizzling down on the snow, creating an icy patch of tundra across lawns and under-plowed driveways.  The birds are flitting about, looking for food.  I just threw the last of my bird seed out for them in my backyard.I had a busy day yesterday with listing appointments, and more listing appointments today.  What I am noticing is that the broad absorption rate in most cities on Cleveland's east side is around 16%... almost uniformly.  But when you look more closely at smaller segments of the market, say 4 bedroom homes, or homes priced between $200,000 and $250,000, the absorption rate climbs to about 27%... almost uniformly across cities.  What that suggests to me is that there are really two markets at play... 02/17/2008

If you have occasion to be in Cleveland Heights I highly recommend a visit to Cleveland Heights new library on Lee Road. It's a wonderful community resource with state-of-the-art check-out facilities linked to your email, great DVD's and CD's, teen rooms, conference rooms, special community exhibits, and more. Go to http://www.heightslibrary.org/ma_lib_info.php?action=hoursDon't miss this great community resource!Visit my websites at www.scotthaigh.com or www.realtyone.com/scott.haigh 01/04/2008

I am so thankful and grateful that I have found success on my own terms in this industry... it is amazing, just how many ways you can create a positive career, a wonderful business, and a gratifying life, thru real estate.Currently, I have a contract to close specialist... Susanne handles all my paperwork from the moment a buyer and seller come to an agreement.  She is expert at coordinating all the details of the transaction so that things go as smoothly as possible.And I have a buyer's specialist... Alice runs with buyers, takes them thru the whole purchase process, making certain that all aspects of their home search is considered, from the style and type of home, to the timeframe for their acquisition, to finding that home and getting them under contract.I have my lenders at the rea... 11/07/2007

The last two days in Vienna were filled with wonderful activities.  The orchestra had Thursday free until the evening, so some of my collegues and I took a day trip to Baden,  a nearby town known for it's mineral baths and casino and frequently visited by famous composers during the summers of the 19th century. (Beethoven wrote a good portion of the 9th symphony there) There is a wonderful park on a hill that leads into the Vienna Woods (the "Wiener Wald") so we had a scenic 3 hour walk among the fall colors and bucolic beauty of the Austrian hills.  Thursday night's concert started with Ligeti's "Lontano", a hauntingly beautiful work.  The second half of the concert was taken up by Anton Bruckner's 9th Symphony.  To see pictures of the orchestra playing in Vienna's famous Musikvereinsa... 11/07/2007

To whom it may concern: I recently needed a home inspection for a house I was buying near my sister.  I am out of town and have to rely on others to report to me the details of the condition of the house.  I choose Mark Cassidy of "ohioshomeinspections.com."  I could not have selected better.  Mark is a true professional.  He went to the house on time and completed a home inspection report which was very comprehensive.  He also followed up by phone to clarify and add information.  I had his number and was encouraged to ask questions. He was available and gave input and assistance until I was left without questions. I believe that Mark's through information enabled me to buy a very old house with my eyes wide open.  I was able to use the information to re-negotiate the purchase price of ... 06/20/2007

I think back to the way agents conducted business when I joined the industry  in 1999, and marvel at how it all changes so fast... The MLS was printed and delivered every two weeksAgents didn't have cell phones (or wouldn't share their cell phone numbers)Agents didn't have their own fax numbersAgents didn't check e-mailAgents didn't have websitesAgents didn't have blogs...Now, you either commit to adopt the latest in technology, or you commit to move closer to retirement.Now, I have:multiple websites (including a Keller Williams template and a Point2 Agent site)a decent blog (about Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights real estate)an 800 number on all my lawnsigns and advertisingmy cell phone number, my email address, and my website on all my marketinga wireless cellular connection for m... 01/08/2007

The Spring Market has already arrived in Cleveland... the weather has been unusually warm for winter, and the buyers are already out in earnest. I think 2007 will be a strong market, with increased sales activity. I hope for a return to a seller's market, though I haven't yet seen the indicators for that yet... we'll see what activity arrives before the Super Bowl. I remember in 2001, the spring market hit the very first business week of the new year... incredibly active, with many new listings and many new sales... well, it felt like that through the last two weeks of December.  And my phone has been ringing off the charger all week.  Should be a very solid year.  And the media has laid into sellers so much these past few months, such that the sellers are beginning to believe that if t... 01/03/2007