MLS Mary "Lisa" Stewart

Cost vs Value: Remodeling Dollars

2011-01-24T13:24:00.000-08:00

Cost vs Value: Remodeling Dollars

In these times with so much competition in the market place, home sellers need to use every advantage they can to make their homes shine. Beyond thinking in terms of selling your home, every time you make a home improvement you want to make sure that you are protecting your biggest asset and positioning it for the day it will go on the market. Its important to make improvements that make your home more enjoyable to you, too!!

Read a great article by National Association of Realtors on 10 Big Impact, Low Cost Projects!

Cost vs. Value: Help Clients Stretch Their Remodeling Dollars

THE DATA
In cooperation with Remodeling magazine, we bring you the average cost recouped for 35 home improvement projects.

TOP 5 PROJECTS
Get tips from experts on how to execute the projects that bring the greatest return.
Read entire article here.

Open House Sunday January 9, 2011 2-4

2011-01-06T16:04:00.000-08:00

Open House Sunday 2-4

550 Willrich Drive, Newark, OH 43055

Stop by and see me on Sunday at this great house that has been owned by current sellers for 25 years. Great find within the city - almost 2.5 acres of easy, breezy land to care for. Zoya grass that only needs cut a few times a season & no weeding + loads of bulbs and other perinniels. Large living room, dining room & family room make this a great home for entertaining. Or sit on one of many porches and watch all the wildlife close up. Easy to hop on Rt 16, 161, 79 & 13 for commute or shopping. Stop by on Sunday or for a private showing!

$185,000

Sold

2010-09-20T04:58:00.001-07:00

145 Moull Sold! Closed in 48 days from being listed.

Beautiful Sunset on Buckeye Lake

2010-09-13T20:02:00.001-07:00

Some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen have been at Buckeye Lake - on the water is always the best vantage point!

Fall like weather perfect for Fire pit

2010-09-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

The cool air makes it a perfect time to burn some sticks and roast a hot dog or two. So many great things to do in the cooler months in the great Midwest!

Concert at Dawes

2010-09-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Night at Dawes, Great Music and Spectacular Fireworks!

Woods Hide A Way

2010-08-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

Woods Hide-a-Way!

Always looking for a place to escape .... even in our own back yard. We had a run down shed that my husband rebuilt into a little screened hide a way. There's really only room for two, which is kind of nice. We light it at night with candles and put our backyard speakers on for added ambiance. Some nights our son & friends will go up to the hide a way and we will hear guitar music and singing wafting through the woods. Our daughter served us a special dinner in it one night, complete with custom menus! When you're inside, you feel like you're in a treehouse. We're taking bets on who is the first to throw a matress out there and sleep in the woods. Sounds cool to me!

New Listing

2010-08-03T09:09:00.001-07:00

145 Moull, Newark

Great buy! 2 story with extra large kitchen with eat in area. Updated kitchen and baths. Formal dining room and first floor laundry. Covered front porch and deck in back with view of decorative pond. Detached 1 car garage with workshop area and alley access. Sold "As Is". Don't miss out!

$67,500

The Finish Line!

2010-08-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

SUCCESS!!!

Congrats, Tonya! After lots of looking for just the right place and making it through all the trials to get the house closed, we got Tonya in a great little house. After the celebration, she got busy working to fix it up. Thanks for the business, Tonya and hope you have many, many happy years in your new home!

Beautiful Log House with a Fresh Look!

2010-07-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

3285 Marion Rd, Utica, Ohio (Rt 657). Near Rt 62

Fresh New Look! Siding has been stripped, cleaned & stained with long lasting acrylic stain!

Northridge - Ranch style design home offers one floor living with master bedroom and laundry on first floor. Living, dining and kitchen are open for easy entertaining. Cathedral ceilings, large windows & skylights provide light, bright rooms. Large loft offers large living space to use as a family room, rec room or media room. Lower level has 10' poured walls, studded & ready to finish. Full bath with 2 seater steamer shower. All this sits on 2.32 wooded acres. Two porches span the width of the front and back of the property for a wonderful place to drink your morning coffee or a place to sit and watch wild life. Easy commute to Columbus, Newark or Mt Vernon. Call for your private showing on this property!

We forget how to do Simple

2010-04-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Simple can feel so good .....

In our crazy, frantic lives that are so full of schedules, electronics and demands to do for others, we forget how good simple can feel. Everyone has that place they go to recharge and mine is anywhere near the water. We've spent extra time with our kids over Spring Break at the lake .... on our little island. We don't have cable and have spent our time with a pinch of work, but some great family time bonding. We have been playing cards and board games, going for walks and bike rides. We've watched movies and had friends over that we're usually too busy to schedule with. We've even read books!! Of course, we can't give up our computers and cell phones - we can't totally disconnect, but are finding an eqillibriam that will carry us through for awhile when all the craziness starts again in a few days! (Picture is view off our dock .... ready to go for a boat ride soon!!)

Time is Running out for Free Money!!

2010-03-08T17:54:00.000-08:00

The Stimulus tax credit available to First Time Home Buyers for up to $8,000 or Repeat Buyers who have owned their home for at least 5 years up to $6,500 is only available for 53 more days! If you have an interest in buying, this is a great time!!

How to Get the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit

You’ve decided to purchase a home and take advantage of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. Here's what you have to do to get your benefit:

1. Close on your home purchase between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract by April 30, 2010 and close by July 1, 2010.
2. Decide whether to: apply the credit to your 2009 tax return, filed on or before April 15, 2010;
file an amended 2009 return; or,apply the credit on your 2010 return, filed on or before April 15, 2011.
3. Attach documentation of purchase to your return.

A 50 year tradition just keeps getting better ....

2009-07-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

The Wolfe family continues after 50 years to have a huge roll in continuing the tradition of spectacular fireworks at Buckeye Lake with BLASST (Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition). Thanks to Tori Wolfe, Marty and Bud Springer and all their volunteers!! Pictures are tough while bobing in the water, but here's my attempt. One of my favorite nights of the year - with the lights, all the boats on the water and the added reflections it's a magical night!

Always a good day at the lake!

2009-06-30T18:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday, my husband and I took a quick ride on Buckeye Lake beginning on the North side near the Yacht Club. Always one of our favorite places to stop, but were only out on a mission to get gas before the holiday weekend. We need to make sure we're in good shape for the fireworks on Friday night. There is nothing like seeing the fireworks reflected on the water with all the boats silhouetted against the sky as it is lit up. It's always a magical night!

Before tying up at the dock again, we took a little detour to Compass Point one of our new developments around the lake.

Then its back to reality and dry land ... but its only 20 minutes away to come to another world!

First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit

2009-06-28T20:10:00.000-07:00

$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

The information on this page pertains to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

For more information, look click here. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home.html

Rediscovering Newark!

2009-06-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

Remember to appreciate what you have close to home!

Last night we decided to check out the Farmer's Market downtown in Newark. I came home with some great locally grown vegetables and Unkle Timz peach salsa. From there, we walked around the square, looking in all the unique shops and dining on large "dogs". My favorite is Matilda Charlotte Antiques, etc. The owner has such a gift for display and showing rustic and formal pieces side by side and making it all look inviting. Makes me want to go home and start all over on my deocorating!

We thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Mayor's Concert held in the gazebo on the square in front of the Courthouse while enjoying a Chardonnay el fresco at Buckeye Winery. My daughter, Katie and I decided to take a carriage ride and learned all kinds of things about canal days and downtown we hadn't known before. We forget to look close to home for these fun little adventures, but Newark has some really rich history and some great things going on downtown on the last Friday of every month.

Love Ohio's "North Coast"

2009-06-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

Ohio's North Coast

Ohio's North Coast has lots to offer ... endless blue water, the best sunsets and good down to earth fun. Bike rides, early morning walks, boat rides, swimming, card games, croquet, breakfast with the locals, grilling steaks out and laying in the hamock reading a good book. My husband, two children and I had a wonderful few days getting back to basics and having fun with each other. I love a break where you get to slow things down and spend time with the people who matter the most to you .... doesn't happen quite often enough!

From Perry's Monument to the bustling downtown area to such D.I.Y activities as kayaking to parasailing, the island has a lot to offer. Not to mention novelties like the Xcelerator hand dryer, a.k.a The Nuke, and our buddy Cap'n Stan, its the little things that make the North Coast special. (Nick's contribution).

Nico Piper

2009-04-27T19:55:00.001-07:00

I have the cutest new baby neice! She lives on the West Coast, so not sure when I get to see her. Almost as cute as her Daddy was at that age!

IRS Publication 523 Selling Your Home

2009-04-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

IRS Publication Selling Your Home

I came across something that said you can deduct Home Staging when selling your home, as an advertising expense. That's a deduction I had not heard of before. To see the full publication, click here.

Real Estate Property Tax Deductions

2009-04-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

It's almost April 15th, and seems to be a good time to tax deductions. Home ownership helps you with your tax deductions .... and your bottom line!

Real Estate Tax Definition
This IRS defines "Real Estate Tax" as the annual tax on the value of real property by most state and local governments.

Most state and local governments charge an annual tax on the value of real property. This is called a real estate tax. You may deduct the tax if it is based on the assessed value of the real property and the taxing authority charges a uniform rate on all property in its jurisdiction.

The tax must be for the welfare of the general public and not be a payment for a special privilege granted or services rendered to you.

Deductible Real Estate Taxes
As a homeowner, you are entitled to deduct payments of real estate tax on your property if you claimed itemized deductions on your tax return (you are not allowed to deduct real estate taxes if you claim the standard deduction on your tax return). The IRS allows you to deduct real estate taxes on your main home and any other home you own. There are no limits on the dollar amount of real estate taxes you can deduct. There are also no limits on the number of houses for which you can claim the deduction.

Your payments of state, local, or foreign real estate taxes on your non-business property are deductible. You must have paid them at settlement or closing, or to a tax authority during the
year.

Staycations

2009-03-31T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have never had a staycation before, but am thinkng I like this idea. Of course, there are no beaches in Central Ohio and in the March we won't be spending time on the lake. But there is something to be said to going to bed in your own bed, sleeping in late, not having to pack and clean and do all our work before we leave town. No airports, no car rentals, only eating out when you want to. The kids have friends close by to entertain them, we can dash out for a few hours by ourselves and know the kids are happy. We can keep up with work and not be overwhelmed when we return. Sure, we aren't hanging out on the beach in the Carolinas, but I hear they aren't all that warm this time of year anyway!!

According to Wikipedia -
A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation) is a neologism for a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in current hard economic times in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high[1][2].
Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local park s and museums, and attendance at local festivals.

Benefits of a staycation -
Staycations are far less costly than a vacation involving traveling. There are no lodging costs and travel expenses are minimal. Costs may include gasoline for local trips, dining, and local attractions[10]. "The American Automobile Association said the average North American vacation will cost $244 per day for two people for lodging and meals... Add some kids and airfare, and a 10-day vacation could top $10,000"[10].
Staycations do not have the stress associated with travel, such as packing, long drives, or waits at airports [11].
Staycations may be of economic benefit to some local businesses, who get customers from the area providing them with business.

Risks of a staycation -
As staycationers are close to their places of employment, they may be tempted to go to work at least part of the time, and their bosses may feel their employees are available to be called into work. Staycationers also have access to their email at home as they would regularly, allowing them to be contacted, and feeling the temptation to keep up with this contact[11].
Staycationers may spend money they had not planned as retailers and other advertisers offer "deals" to encourage staycationers to spend money[12][13]. These may include hotels making package deals in hopes of luring planned staycationers to do some travel.

Ebstein Barr virus

2009-03-23T03:48:00.000-07:00

Ebstein Barr is the virus that causes mononucleosis. Once you've had mono, the Ebstien Barr virus remains in your system for the rest of your life. Mono has many symptoms, but the most known is the extreme exhaustion. Normally, people catch the virus between the ages of 10-35 and it lasts for 1-2 months. A year ago, my daughter was diagnosed wtih Mononucleosis and shortly after Chicken Pox. They are both part of the herpes virus. I've spent a great deal of time on the internet researching, because there is no cure besides rest. Having mono alone compromises your immune system; with chicken pox on top of that, my daughter's immune system was highly compromised.

A ten year old going to school every day to the jungle of germs is not the ideal situation for her immune system. For the past year, she's continued to catch everything going around the school and was recently diagnosed with active mononucleosis again. I didn't realize you could have it more than once, but from my reading, I have come to understand that once the immune system drops below the threshhold to keep Ebstein Barr in control in your cells, you will again have active mononucleosis. There is a blood test that reveals the levels of Ebstein Barr to show that it is active.

As a parent, there is nothing worse than seeing your child suffer and not know how to "fix" it. I am amazed at all that she has been able to do and her determination to keep going. The internet is such a wonderful tool for us to have at our disposal, because with a little time, you can research any subject. I have found that we are not alone with the battle against this virus and for such a long time period. The tough part is that I've also found that others are just as frustrated as we have been to find a cure. The common theme I've found is that most of us have turned to natural medicine practices to get relief. We do seem to have found something that is helping .... last night, I had a child with more bounce in her step and more color in her cheeks!

Spending a year running back and forth to doctors and having someone ill for so long takes its toll on the whole family, but I believe we are emerging on the other side of this!

Coldwell Banker King Thompson Team Blue

2009-03-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

KICKIN IT 2009 - TEAM BLUE!!

Our office is full of fun agents who love a challenge. Our office manager, Jeffrey Barrett has challenged us with a contest with the office divided into two teams. We earn points for various activities - the losing team has to wash cars and grill hot dogs for the winning team. We have some really creative people in our office!! Team Blue Rules!! Watch for results :)

Target Area Program with OHFA

2009-02-21T16:39:00.000-08:00

Target Area Loan Program

OHFA’s Target Area Loan Program helps revitalize federally-designated target areas by making our affordable first-time homebuyer loan products and competitive interest rates available to ANY qualifying buyer purchasing a home in these areas.
What is a Target Area?
A target area is an economically distressed area designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Most Ohio counties contain both target and non-target areas. For more information, download a list of target areas from our download center.

Do I Qualify?

Target Area Loan applicants do not have to be first-time buyers. However, the following program requirements apply.
To qualify for an OHFA Target Area Loan, you must:
Meet OHFA’s income and sales price limits. Please note that income and sales price limits may be higher for Target Area Loans.
Be creditworthy. Minimum credit scores may apply.
Have a signed Purchase and Sales Agreement.
Qualify for the loan being requested. Lenders will assess your ability to afford a home by considering income, assets, job stability, liabilities, and other criteria.
Additional information on the program.

First Time Home Buyer Credit and OHFA

2009-02-21T16:26:00.000-08:00

First-Time HomeBuyer Tax Credit as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (February 2009)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 amended the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit for homes purchased between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009. The credit is 10% of the value of a home, up to $8,000 ($4,000 for a married individual filing separately). Qualified households with incomes up to $75,000 ($150,000 for a joint return) who have not had an ownership interest in a home for the previous three years may take advantage of this credit. In addition, the amended credit may be used by homebuyers who qualify for a Mortgage Credit Certificate or use OHFA’s First-Time Homebuyer Program. The credit is for the homebuyer’s 2009 tax year only, and does not have to be repaid unless the homebuyer ceases to use the home as a principal residence within 36 months of the date of purchase.
For questions concerning the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, contact OHFA's Office of Homeownership at 888.362.6432, or consult a tax professional to determine your eligibility.

Unraveling the Stimulus Package

2009-02-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

President O'Bamma will sign the Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law this week. The bill spends $787 billion dollars. There will be as many opinions on this bill as there are dollars spent. Here's a little insight into how it will impact the housing market.

Realtors(R) Advocate Quick Implementation of Stimulus Packageupdated 7:09 a.m. ET, Sat., Feb. 14, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC - Now that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been sent to President Obama for his signature, the National Association of Realtors® is looking forward to swift implementation.

"We are pleased that Congress and the administration have taken prompt action to address the current economic crisis," said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Dallas-Fort Worth. "Job creation and tax cuts are going to help families recover and prosper, and these initiatives will help more people keep their homes and help others become homeowners."

An economic recovery is not possible without a housing recovery, and the legislation contains two important housing provisions championed by NAR. The final stimulus bill increases the first-time home buyer tax credit to $8,000 and eliminates the repayment requirement of earlier legislation. In addition, the credit availability has been extended until December 1. Details here as available.

Story continued here. It will take time to understand how this bill impacts our lives, but it will keep us busy trying to unravel the information.

Valentine's Day for the Romantics ...

2009-02-14T16:23:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day, Katie Style!

My daughter greated us this morning with home made Valentine's Day cards that she had obviously spent a lot of time on. Then we had to make heart shaped pancakes with strawberry perserves or fresh raspberries. Juice was cranberry and the table setting was put together with much care. The boys had red placemats while the girls had pink and then of course Katie dug around until she found contrasting plates for each. I just don't know where she gets these ideas!! I ditched my fondue plan when the kids decided to go to the movies :) Oh, well, sounded like a lot of work anyway.

Valentine Traditions

Hundreds of years ago in England, many children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day. They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:

Good morning to you, valentine;

Curl your locks as I do mine ---

Two before and three behind.

Good morning to you, valentine.

In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favourite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!"

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.
In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him.

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. Click for more ....

So much more fun than the stories of St. Valentine's Day Massacre. I'm thinking I must have seen a sparrow on Valentine's Day long ago! That's OK, though, because we're very, very happy!

51 Days Left!

2009-01-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Mother Nature is having fun with us now! How many different ways could percipitation come down today? Sleet, rain, fluffy snow, fine snow coming down in a white out ..... she had out the whole bag of tricks for this much fun! Without our winter wonderland, we wouldn't appreciate spring so much. I do love the change of seasons .... only 51 days til the next change!

There is so much beauty in a day like today. It gives you pause to look at the beauty that a weather event like today can create. Sometimes I believe there's a reason for weather like this, because it forces us to slow down in our crazy, hectic lives. I love the commoradarie that difficult times bring out in people. We had a neighborhood shovelling gang who were helping to get everyone's drive in good shape. But that's the fabric of this community - people reaching out and helping other people!

53 Days Left!

2009-01-26T19:11:00.000-08:00

The First Day of Spring will be here in 53 days .... not that I'm counting. OK, I'm counting. The crocus should show us some spring color, though before March 20th.

For our local forcast, read this.

Ripples

2009-01-19T18:05:00.000-08:00

"Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others…s/he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of resistance."
~ Robert Kennedy

How powerful is that thought? I think it's an idea to ponder and act upon.

Put Your Best Party Dress On ....

2009-01-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

Contrary to what you hear in the news houses are selling and sometimes quickly. I have two listings in contract right now that were only on the market for around 60 days. If the house is presented in its best light and priced right, it will get the attention it deserves. Buyers are excited about low interest rates and selections. They are out there buying!

If you are ready to sell your house, it's time to put your best party dress on for this dance! Your house should shine like it never has before because once your it is listed, it becomes a product. Before I got into Real Estate, I ran my own Interior Design business and am a Certified Home Staging Expert. If you want to be asked onto the dance floor, put on your best party dress and pinch those cheeks.

Advice to follow for home staging can be found on my website for Living In Style. I offer staging to houses that I list.

Time to think about Taxes!

2009-01-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I really dread thinking about getting documentation ready for taxes. Last year when I was finished and everything was in order, I bought this great organizer (at a low price, because everyone else was done with taxes). It was perfect for keeping everything where it should be for the year. I came across it just the other day as I was reorganizing my office. It would be such a great tool if it was used!! But, it's never too late, I'm going to pull it out today and as my information streams in I will know where to file it. It's tough to swallow the tax pill, but we enjoy each and every day the privilege of what those taxes buy. You have to love the crazy taxes, in certain states and cities, you'll pay special taxes for buying a deck of cards, possessing illegal drugs, and, possibly, buying things from naked people.

Here's an article that talks about getting organized for taxes:

Getting organized for the tax year
By Kay Bell • Bankrate.com
Even if your tax situation isn't complicated, there's still documentation the Internal Revenue Service demands. But tax filing doesn't have to be an ordeal. And it can be less frustrating and less time-consuming if you have all the material at your fingertips. By being prepared, you'll be ready to file your return at the earliest possible moment (the IRS usually starts accepting returns around mid-January). And the earlier you file, the sooner you'll get your refund.

House Bill Aims to Stabilize Housing

2009-01-10T15:39:00.000-08:00

House Bill Aims to Stabilize Housing, Addresses Foreclosures and Stimulus
Washington, January 09, 2009
A bill that embraces the need for righting the housing market—the first big step toward economic recovery—was introduced Friday in the U.S. House of Representatives.H.R. 384, The TARP Reform and Accountability Act, was offered by Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chair of the House Financial Services Committee. The bill would require the Treasury Department to develop a program, outside the Troubled Asset Relief Program, to stimulate demand for home purchases and lower property inventories, by making affordable mortgages available for qualified buyers through interest rate buydowns, a priority of the National Association of Realtors®.The measure would amend the TARP provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to make significant steps to reduce foreclosures, strengthen accountability and close loopholes. http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/01/house_bill_housing_frank

My favorite place!

2009-01-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

Even on a blustering snowy night, my favorite place is the lake. The waves were choppy and the snow blows harder. But being near or on the water always does my soul good. The fire burns bright, the friends are fun and loyal and the drinks taste better and the sunsets are always breathtaking!

This is the Year of the Ox!

2009-01-06T15:25:00.000-08:00

The Year of the Ox
2009

In Chinese astrology, each year is represented by an animal. Whether you believe in it or not, it's always fun to read and see how much it fits with what you know. The Chinese New Year follows the new moon and this year the Chinese New Year begins January 26, 2009. The Ox sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. I guess no one would dispute that this year we have a lot of hard work ahead of us to get our country back on track again.

Famous Ox People: Barack Obama, Catherine Freeman, Heather Locklear, Jane Fonda, Jack Nicholson, Juliette Lewis, Margaret Thatcher, Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Princess Diana, Vivien Leigh and George Clooney.

Here's what it says about people born in the sign of the Ox - This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint. The rest of the traits can be found here.

Whatever you believe about this coming year, I think we're in for a ride! Hold on and make plans not to fall off!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T11:21:00.001-08:00

2009 is going to be great!

We always start out the new year with high expectations that it's going to be a great year and we're going to accomplish all the things this year that we couldn't get quite right last year. That's a good thing, because we keep trying. I think the key is to make yourself accountable. Last night my daughter asked everyone what their resolution for the new year was and then we decided we're going to start a new tradition. We're going to write our New Year's Resolution down and pack it away with our New Year's Eve decorations, horns and hats to be brought out next year. Then we can see how well we've done and we'll have a whole crowd to be accountable to!

I have to share that we put together one of the best spreads last night. It always comes together somehow when it's time to eat! Our favorite new additions (and lucky ones!) were pork shanks and saurkraut balls. The the pork shanks are grilled with barbeque sauce and are out of this world. The saurkraut balls were from Barley's in Columbus. They were to die for! The tradition to have saurkaut and pork on New's Years Day for good luck was something new to me when I moved to Ohio. I looked up the tradition and found some controversy about where it originated, but here's an interesting piece about New Year's Day food traditions. American New Year's traditions.

Around the Water Cooler

2008-12-30T09:48:00.000-08:00

All I said was the water was a little chlorinated and he shows up!

A discussion around the office brought up a situation where a first time home buyer would not be elligible the tax credit through The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 . Their situation involved financing through Ohio Housing Finance Agency. The information that applies to this situation is from the OFHA website, and is as follows:

Housing and Economic Recovery Act - Important Information for Homebuyers
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 prohibits the use of the $7,500 new First-Time Homebuyer Credit in conjunction with tax-exempt Mortgage Revenue Bonds. Because the OHFA First-Time Homebuyer Program is financed with tax-exempt Mortgage Revenue Bonds, homeowners who use the OHFA program are not eligible for the credit.

A home loan program that allows 100% financing

2008-12-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

US Department of Agricultral Rural Development has a program to help homeowners buying rural properties. The beginning of this program was when President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Resettlement Administration. That agency relocated destitute families stricken by the Depression, restored soil-eroded areas, and provided modest emergency loans to farmers for land and equipment. Later, in 1946, Congress established the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) to expand the original agency's functions beyond farm credit. Congress authorized FmHA to provide financing in rural areas for housing, community facilities, and business ventures.

This agency has been responsible for providing electricity, phones and most recently internet to rural areas. If you are a home buyer looking in a rural area, you may qualify under this program with signifcant benefits. Details of the requirements for these loans can be found at Quick Guide USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan.

Waterfront Lot at Buckeye Lake, Ohio

2008-12-27T15:15:00.000-08:00

If you like lake living, this lot is perfect. It sits on a canal in Fairfield Beach area on the South side of Buckeye Lake. It has easy access to the main lake and will bring you out almost straight across from the Yacht Club. The sea wall in front is a good place to tie your boat - no dock necessary. Wooden steps are already in place to take you to the water level. For more information, look on our website http://www.guanciale.net/ .

Buckeye Lake is one of my favorite spots to go to unwind after a day of work or a great place to spend time with my family and meet up with our lake friends. My husband and I share the love of water, so it followed that we decided spending time at the lake that is only 20 minutes from our house was the way to fulfill that love. Early in our marriage we decided to buy our first boat - I think we spent $1,200 on it. It was a great little boat named Scooter. Our first trip out we put it in the water and it wouldn't start. Three more trips out with lots of advice from fellow boaters and shouts of encouragement from our neighbors and FINALLY we found out that we weren't pushing the handle in before starting it!! Here's a picture of my favorite time at the lake - sunset ....

Brothers Bad or Brothers Sad?

2008-12-23T07:33:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Season is all about friendships and family. Last night we had a gathering with 4 sets of brothers in attendance. These guys attended high school and college together. They may not gather as often as they'd like, but what great bonds and lots of laughs! See if you can guess which ones are the brothers. Present are half of The Brothers Bad volleyball team and rumor has it the rest of them are The Brothers Sad!

I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas!

2008-12-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

Now the Christmas season is official .... we heard our first rendition for the season of "I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas" Friday night. Our dear Swedish friend, Curtis Johnson, performs this Yogi Yergesen song each holiday season for those of us who are lucky enough to be around. I know everyone has their traditions that they look forward to each year and without them, the holiday season just doesn't seem complete. This is ours. In my opinion, Curtis does a better job, but here's Yogi

Song Lyrics:
Oh, I yust go nuts at Christmas
On that yolly holiday
I’ll go in the red like a knucklehead
Cuz I'll squander all my pay.

Oh, I yust go nuts at Christmas
Shopping sure drives me berserk
On the day before, I rush in a store
Like a pure bewildered yerk.

I look at nightgowns for my wife
Those black ones trimmed in red
But I won’t know her size and so
She'll get a carpet sweeper instead.

Oh, I yust go nuts at Christmas
When each kid hangs up his sock
It's a time for kids to flip their lids
While their papa goes in hock.

On the night before Christmas
It's still in the house
My family is sleeping
So I'm quiet like a mouse.

I look at my watch and midnight is near
I think I'll sneak off for a cold glass of beer
Down at the corner, the crowd is so merry
I end up by drinking about 12 Tom & Yerry

I get to bed late and gee whiz how I'm sleeping
When on to my bed those darn kids they come leaping
They sit on my face and they yump on my belly
And I'm quivering all over like a bowl full of yelly.

They scream Merry Christmas, and my poor wife and me
We stumble downstairs and she lights up the tree
My head is exploding, my mouth tastes like a pickle
I step on a skate and fall on a tricycle.

Yust before Christmas dinner, I relax to a point
Then relatives start swarming all over the yoint
On Christmas, I hug and I kiss my wife's mother
The rest of the year we don't speak to each other.

After dinner, my Aunt and my wife's Uncle Louie
Get into an argument; they're both awful screwy
Then all my wife's family say Louie is right
And my goofy relations, they yoin in the fight.

Back in the corner, the radio is playing
And over the racket Gabriel Heater is saying
"Peace on earth everybody and good will toward men"
And yust at that moment, someone slugs Uncle Ben.

They all run outside whooping so the neighbors will hear
Oh, I'm so glad Merry Christmas comes yust once a year.

Oh, I yust go nuts at Christmas
But I still have lots of fun
Yust the same as you, I enyoy it too
Merry Christmas, Everyone!

15 Year Interest Free Loan!

2008-12-15T19:04:00.001-08:00

In these tough times, this sounds too good to be true, right? The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 includes a tax credit up to $7,500 available to first time home buyers for homes that are purchased between April 9, 2008 to July 1, 2009. It is an interest free loan to be paid back in a 15 year period. This tax credit is a measure the Federal Goverment is using to try to stimulate the housing market. Great news if you are a first time home buyer meeting the requirements to qualify for this tax credit!

THIS MAY BE GOLDEN AGE FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS
With prices and mortgage rates dropping, this may be the best buying opportunity of a lifetime for those seeking to purchase their first house.
By Ron Lieber

New York Times News Service
Five or 10 years from now, when the financial crisis has ended and housing prices are up smartly once more, we will look in the rearview mirror and realize that we missed a golden age for first-time homebuyers. Read full article here ...

How smart is your home?

2008-12-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

Video: Look Inside a Smart HomeYou hear a lot about "smart" homes these days, but what does it really mean? Now's your chance to find out. We take you into a real smart home and show you all the cool details.Read more >

Why'd we have to have all these darn kids anyway?

2008-12-13T20:18:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot my husband's favorite quote from It's a Wonderful Life ...

"Why'd we have to have all these darn kids anyway?"

I don't know how many times I've had to hear that and we only have two kids! It seems to be a father's right, though, to repeat sayings until his family groans every time he starts.

I think if there was anyone I've known who should've said that, it was Bob Schreiber, father of 15. Our families were close growing up and they had this wonderful 3 story house with tall ceilings and pocket doors. The Christmas tree they would put up must've been close to 15 feet tall - the ceilings were 12 feet tall and it would stretch up the open stairway. I have a picture somewhere of us all standing in front of it looking like the biggest bunch of nerds, but we thought we were cool! Bob, always said that if he hadn't had so many children, he could've become an alcoholic ... you would think the opposite! I would venture to say Bob quoted from It's a Wonderful Lifeon more than one occassion.

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

2008-12-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

WHERE THE GREATEST GIFTS OF ALL ARE RIGHT AT HOME ... IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!

I'm sure everyone has a favorite movie they watch each year during the holidays. I think I'm in good company when I say that my favorite is It's a Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. This moving came out in 1946 and has survived the test of time!

It's become a tradition in our family that we break out the movie every year. We've watched it so often that we quote lines from the movie all year. See if you can recall who said the following lines -

"Boys and girls and music. Why do they need gin? "
"Quiet everybody! Quiet, quiet. Now get this, it's from London." (some woman off screen says OH!)
"Zuzu's petals, zuzu's petals!"
"Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."
"Hey, Brainless, don't you know where coconuts come from?"
"This is a very interesting situation!"
" You like every boy."and "What's wrong with that?"
" That's it. Out you two pixies go - through the door, or out the window."

The list goes on and on. We even have a game with trivia from the movie. I think Frank Cappra is a genius. Every time we watch the movie, we notice something new. There are so many little neuances. My husband noticed this year that you hear a dog and then a cat in the scene where George Bailey is having dinner with his Dad before he goes to the dance, but you never see them. There's just so much attention to detail ... and each detail seems to have a reason. If you like It's a Wonderful Life and you haven't seen it, you should watch You Can't Take it With You. It has many of the same actors as It's a Wonderful Life and is also by Frank Capra. Lionell Barrymore (Old Man Potter) plays an easy going rebel who is head of a household of happy misfits, but much younger as this movie came out in 1938.

When I watched It's a Wonderful Life this year, I saw it with different eyes. So much of the movie is about people trying to get financing for their homes and working out how to stay in them. You also see the collapse of the banking institutions and how greed for money and power played a part in the misfortune of so many hardworking people. Sure sounds familiar these days.
If you are a Jimmy Stewart fan, as I am, here are some of the his movies I've seen and liked .....

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, 1939
The Shop Around the Corner, 1940
The Philadelphia Story, 1940
Harvey, 1950
Bend in the River, 1952
The Glen Miller Story, 1954
The Man from Laramie, 1955
Rear Window, 1954
The Man who Shot Liberty Valance, 1962
Mr. Hobbs takes a Vacation, 1962

There's so many ... I have a count of 79 total movies. I've seen a few I wouldn't want to sit through again, but mostly I like my Jimmy!

2008-12-09T19:38:00.001-08:00

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To Remodel or Not ....

2008-12-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

I received a call today from a client asking if he should remodel his bath removing the shower. Normally, I wouldn't advise to change a full bath to a half bath, but this case seems unique. There is a full bath with the bedrooms and a bath near the living areas that was cramped with a shower. He was asking how it might affect the value of his home. More is better unless it doesn't make sense. Realtor magazine puts out a report every year detailing what different remodeling projects might mean to the value and lots of times the marketability of your home.

2008 Cost vs. Value Report: Still Many Happy Returns for Home Rehabs
Remodeling magazine's annual report shows that maintenance-related projects and moderately priced upgrades are providing stable paybacks, even in a slower market. Read more ...

Holiday Decorating for Sellers

2008-12-07T08:28:00.001-08:00

I found this article on Realtor.org about decorating for folks who have their house on the market and thought it might be helpful to some who are wondering how to approach this.
Click here to see the article.

The Holidays are upon us!

2008-12-07T07:43:00.000-08:00

Wow! I looked at the calander yesterday and we only have 2 1/2 weeks until Christmas. Time just flies by. The kids talk about what a fun time this is and I have to struggle sometimes to back up and remember what makes this time special instead of thinking of all the work ahead to make it a special time. I love a day like today with beautiful snow covering the ground and bright blue skies as the backdrop. I love looking at all the holiday trimmings, twinkling lights and roaring fire. I love putting on my favorite Christmas music, making my special hot wassail (with maybe a little rum) and decorating the Christmas tree. I love taking the time to think of all the special people in my life that I don't get to see often and remembering them with a phone call or a card. I love to carve out time for my daughter and I to go shopping. I love going to the lighting of the Courthouse and seeing all the little people and their wonder of it all. I love seeing this time through the eyes of children and remembering the child who started this holiday. But, most of all I love Christmas day when the presents are done and the family is visiting and you know that you did find time to enjoy the people you love and you found the Christmas Spirit after all!