...Dressed to Market Dressed to Market... ...Dressed to Market As soon as you make that decision to sell your home, whether you decide it yourself or if the decision is made for you, many emotions can be/will be sparked.  Some of those emotions will be positive ones and others may not be so positive.  That is where home staging comes in to help out.  By hiring a professional home stager you can reduce the stress that putting your home on the market brings.  Just like I dress a particular way for certain events, your home is no different.  OK ladies, think about all your jeans in your closet.  You have your jeans that you do yardwork in, jeans that you go to the grocery in and jeans that are nice enough that you will go out to dinner in them.  I just mentioned three very different pairs ... 09/03/2009

Bathrooms are fun for me to work with and they really don't take much time.  As I've mentioned before in a blog, I am not a realtor but I do know that Bathrooms, as well as kitchens, do sell houses!  Bathrooms are not just about a sink, a toilet and a tub and/or shower anymore.  Bathrooms are a great place for furniture.  In my opinion, if the space allows you should have at least one furniture piece in every bathroom.  The photos below show a small powder room.  This room already had great color on the walls and a few nice accessories.  I just added a small chest and some more accessories to it to really make it something to look at.   Bathroom before      Bathroom after, showing furniture piece  Bathroom after, introducing Blue to the room  Bathroom after, you can see just the corner ... 09/03/2009

This spectacular Ryan model home is located in Kettering, Ohio.  The “Oberlin” model features some of Ryan’s most dramatic and beautiful designs. The two-story entry and foyer area only contribute to the feeling of space and volume in this 4 bedroom, 4 bathrooms, 4500 square foot home. The main floor is enhanced with decorative columns, cathedral ceilings and elegant touches throughout. The formal dining room for entertaining, large spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliance, island dinette, maple cabinets, hardwood floors and a morning room to enjoy that first cup of coffee! The main floor also features a study with hardwood floors and a huge bay window, family room with gas log fireplace, and topped off with a beautiful sunroom overlooking the backyard and giving access to the hu... 08/31/2009

I am not a realtor, I don't claim to be one, but I do know...kitchens sell houses!  This kitchen was nice to start with.  Many times all that is needed is some de-cluttering and a few accessories to really make it better.  We are all guilty of keeping too much on our kitchen counters.  Face it, when we want to make a cup of coffee the coffee maker is right there.  Every now and then we need the blender for a smoothie and it is right there.  Toast is much faster when we can just pop it in and don't have to dig out the toaster from a cabinet.  We never make hot tea, but the kettle looks good on the stovetop.  Isn't that where it is supposed to be?  You know the routine.  I am guilty of it myself in my home.  But for some reason, when shopping for a house we don't want to see any of that. ... 08/29/2009

I decided I should take advantage of this blog and post some pictures... This Dining Room didn't have much left in it.  It didn't take much to make it more inviting.  Just by changing the chairs and adding some accessories this room takes on a total transformation.  The homeowner had all of these things, just in other parts of the house.  Even if the items were not present, it would not cost much to create.  I think that too many homeowners get scared at the thought to make their home "staged" it is going to cost them a fortune.  That is so not the case.  Maybe it is our friend HGTV that has done this.  We have all watched many episodes where they produce these marvelous re-dos that you are wondering..."where in the world did that budget come from?!?!  No way could I afford that!"  Admi... 08/29/2009

When I see obvious problems my mind automatically switches into an investigative mode. I look at things a little differently after seeing certain problems. Of course, there could be many reasons that a certain system in a house would fail, so I start looking to see if there is a larger problem. This picture leaves little to investigate, because I know the history of this 100+ year old house.                         If you look closely (or maybe you don't have to) you'll see the door frame is lower on the left than on the right.  The major problem is the what is going on with the ceiling.  The high point in the ceiling is directly over the door and almost exactly in the middle of the room.  After a little measurment and some inspection of the stone foundation it is obvious that the found... 08/27/2009

Congressman Michael R. Turner spoke publicly today with the Northeast-Midwest Institute about the impact of the national housing crisis in the Dayton, Ohio area.  "Over 6,000 foreclosures were reported across Ohio's Third Congressional District in 2008.  This represents a three-fold increase from a decade ago.  Each of these foreclosures symbolizes a family, a neighbor, or a friend who have lost their home. There's no question that mortgage foreclosures have played a major role in destabilizing the foundation of our economy," Turner said.  "The influx of toxic mortgage loans and economic destabilization has led to increasing home foreclosures, home abandonment, and falling housing prices throughout the country.  The Dayton area has been particularly negatively impacted by this crisis.  ... 08/26/2009

Eat local in Downtown Dayton, Ohio at the Second Street Market, located at 600 E. 2nd Street near the Webster-Second Street intersection. What's summer without a stop at a local farm market? What's a better place than right in the heart of Dayton, Ohio where 40 merchants are selling goods? The market features apples to zucchini and everything in between. The market also offers fresh cut flowers for sale, meats, eggs, unique wines, chocolates, pastries, and home decor. The Downtown Dayton local market operates in an historic block-long former 1917 B&O railroad building. It was saved from demolition and renovated in 2001 in partnership with National City Bank. The market is open Thursday and Friday from 11am - 3pm and Saturday from 8am - 3pm. About the Author...This Dayton Ohio article wa... 08/17/2009

Buy now - prices are increasing! The July Real Estate Market Report in Ohio for single family, residential homes in Montgomery, Greene, and Warren counties near Wright Patterson Air Force Base shows rock bottom is a thing of the past. In July 2009 versus June 2009, the average sale price/listing price remained at 95%. The Real Living Realty average is higher, netting more money for the sellers represented (98%). The average days on market in June 2009 was 132, which is 47 days slower than the Real Living Realty average days on market (85). It is a great time to buy an investment property in the Dayton area! JUNE 2009 Homes Sold - 806 Average Bedrooms - 3 Average Square Footage - 1,795 Average Listing Price - $145,653    Average Selling Price - $138,971 (95% sale price/listing price) Ave... 08/12/2009

Dayton Ohio Area Event on Saturday! WHAT: The Great American Beer Tasting, Music, and Cornhole  WHERE: Dayton Dragons Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd. Dayton, Ohio WHEN: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 Guests at the Great American Beer Tasting Dayton Ohio Area Event can try an assortment of over 60 beers, from Budweiser to Asian varieties. One $30 ticket includes 20 four-ounce samples, a souvenir sampling glass, and one raffle ticket. The band 24Seven will perform on the first base dugout, and cornhole games and a tennis ball toss will take place out in the field. Designated drivers need not miss out on all the event action: $5 tickets include four nonalcoholic samples, a souvenir sampling glass, one raffle ticket, and one entry in the tennis ball toss. FREE parking is available a... 08/07/2009

Source: Dayton Area Board of Realtors Home sales reported to the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS'® MLS for the month of May increased by 30 units over April's total to 853. Although still down by 22.6% in year-over year comparison with May of 2008, this activity marks the fifth straight month of increases in sales from the previous month. The total dollar volume for the month reached $107.8 million, which translates into an average sale price of $126,462 and a median of $110,000, declines of 5.79% and 4.34%, respectively, compared to the same month a year ago. Though still down from last year, both the average and median have been steadily climbing since February of this year.  For the year-to-date, 3,712 single-family properties have sold, compared to 4,507 during the same period in 2008... 08/03/2009

What? Summer Restaurant Week by the Miami Valley Restaurant Association When? Now Through July 31 Where? More than 50 Dayton area restaurants will offer three-course meals for $20.09, with the restaurants donating $1 from every meal to a local charity. For a list of participating restaurants and their menus, check out www.dineoutdayton.org About the Author...This Dayton Area Event was provided by Christina Asad Edwards, a Nationally recognized Realtor and Residential Relocation Specialist. Christina can be reached via email at Christina.Asad@RealLiving.com or by cell phone or text message at 937-205-4741. Christina has helped thousands of people move in and out of the Dayton Ohio area and other Southwest Ohio towns. For Ohio real estate and homes see Dayton Ohio Real Estate. Want to hav... 07/29/2009

After many months of internal debate, running numbers, talking to trusted bankers, title reps, agents, family, I made a decision.  It was time to leave Re\Max and join a different Company.  I chose Keller Williams.   At the end of the day it did come down to value offered.  What I paid at Re\Max compared to what I pay at Keller Williams.  The numbers were not even close.  The only thing I feared was the Keller Williams culture.  Agents and brokers actually care about your performance even though they have no financial tie to it.  WOW!    It has amazed me the support I have gotten from fellow office agents offering help to get settled into a new company.  It seems to be that if the office is successful, then we all benefit.  If the Company as a whole is successful, we all benefit.  The f... 07/27/2009

Homes for sale in Dayton Ohio are increasing in price, so now is the time to buy! Both the May and June Real Estate Market Reports for single family, residential homes in Montgomery, Greene, and Warren counties near Wright Patterson Air Force Base in the Dayton Ohio area show rock bottom is a thing of the past. The average home sales price increased over $11,000 in June alone! Besides low price, taking advantage of the $8000 tax credit is another great reason to buy a home in the Dayton Ohio area. So what's going on in the Dayton Ohio area? For fun, The Greene in Beavercreek is great for dining out, watching a movie, laughing at a comedy club, or checking out the nightclub scene. Downtown Dayton there are many art galleries, especially in the Oregon District. Thai Nine is my favorite re... 07/26/2009

No plans this weekend? Then head to the Celtic Festival downtown Dayton. Shop for items from Ireland, Scotland, and Great Britain, eat in the Celtic food court, drink a beer, and enjoy crafts and activities in the kid's area.    Saturday, July 25th Noon - 11 p.m.Sunday, July 26th 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.   About the Author...This Dayton Ohio Event article was provided by Christina Asad Edwards, a Nationally recognized Realtor. Christina can be reached via email at Christina.Asad@RealLiving.com or by cell phone or text message at 937-205-4741. Christina has helped thousands of people move in and out of the Dayton Ohio area and other Southwest Ohio towns. For Ohio real estate and homes see Dayton Ohio Real Estate. Want MLS access to beat other buyers to your dream home? Sign up at the MLS Propert... 07/24/2009

In a prime regional locale known as the Miami Valley, where the Miami, Mad, and Stillwater Rivers all converge, sits the city of Dayton: a vast conglomeration of industry, agriculture, urban amenities and residential options. The city serves as the fourth largest in the state of Ohio, and thus offers myriad relocation opportunities to those that seek them.  Currently the city is inundated with a large inventory of relatively affordable homes, and if you're a first-time buyer on the prowl, they are definitely worth checking out!  To begin, may I recommend a trip to Ohio Home Blog? Once there you can garner tidbits of valuable information that will get you started on your quest for Dayton real estate! 07/23/2009

Ohio is a proud state, rich in historical Americana and recognized for its many technical innovations and inventions.  And what better place than Dayton to exemplify both traits, what with it's recognition as "the Birthplace of Aviation!"  But there's much more to this progressive city whose greater metro area encompasses numerous diverse neighborhoods and suburbs!  And if you are looking to relocate here, Ohio Community Guide can help you find out more!  Explore the various areas with the click of your mouse, and along the way you'll also be introduced to some of the local real estate offerings.  Who knows? Your browsing just may lead you to the Dayton home of your dreams that you never even knew you wanted!  07/23/2009

Buy now - prices are increasing! The June Real Estate Market Report in Ohio for single family, residential homes in Montgomery, Greene, and Warren counties near Wright Patterson Air Force Base shows rock bottom is a thing of the past. In June 2009 versus May 2009, the average sale price/listing price remained at 95%. The Real Living Realty average is higher, netting more money for the sellers represented (98%). The average days on market in June 2009 was 135, which is 50 days slower than the Real Living Realty average days on market (85). It is a great time to buy an investment property in the Dayton area! JUNE 2009 Homes Sold - 806 Average Bedrooms - 3 Average Square Footage - 1,795 Average Listing Price - $145,653    Average Selling Price - $138,971 (95% sale price/listing price) Aver... 07/09/2009

Now is the time to invest in the Dayton, Ohio real estate market because there are many jobs moving into the area! The Dayton Development Coalition was recognized as one of the 10 best economic development associations in the nation by Site Selection magazine. According to Site Selection Magazine, Dayton has the most corporate facility projects underway for cities with a population between 200,000 and 1 million. Significant deals in the Dayton area include Reynolds and Reynolds Co.'s $24 million data center in Kettering and CACI International's $10 million computer systems plant in Beavercreek. The information gathered focuses on new corporate location projects and does not track retail projects, government projects, schools, or hospitals. The military base realignment and closure proce... 06/07/2009

Everyone knows Dayton, Ohio is nicknamed the "Birthplace of Aviation" due to being the Wright brothers hometown, but it is also nicknamed the Gem City. Why? There are 2 schools of thought on the topic. The nickname Gem City either came from a popular race horse named Gem whose hometown was Dayton OR because the city can be compared to a gem. Cincinnati is known as the Queen City, and Dayton to the north would be the gem on the queen's crown. In a 1845 article in the Cincinnati Daily Chronicle newspaper, an author wrote that "In a small bend of the Great Miami River, with canals on the east and south, it can be fairly said, without infringing on the rights of others, that Dayton is the gem of all our interior towns. It possesses wealth, refinement, enterprise, and a beautiful country, be... 05/25/2009