Clintonville First Time Home Buyers have been Lighting it UP

Written by: Joe Peffer

A Bank owned Clintonville Property in the 180s had this mural on the kitchen wall

I have seen a lot of houses in Clintonville this Spring/Summer.  A lot.  It has to be one of the hottest markets in Central Ohio–and I’m especially talking about the first time Clintonville Home Buyer market — under $200,000 ish. In the last month, 78 greater Clintonville homes went into contract status, 59 of them under $210,000.

Just last week there were two multiple offer scenarios on homes West of High and South of North Broadway. Now, they were priced to sell and sell they are.  A home East of high, a couple blocks West of Indianola and just north of East North Broadway came on the  market one day and went in contract the next. When I showed that home, there were two other Realtors there at the same 30 minutes or so we looked at it.

While the number of homes and time on market of the Greater Clintonville Market in General may look like a Buyer’s market, homes under $200,000 in great shape that are priced well and show well with no major problems have been flying off the shelf a la a sellers market.

july 20 2009 43214 market update

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To Celebrate or not to Celebrate the Columbus Real Estate Market

Written by: Joe Peffer

Well, I wouldn’t whip out your pointy hat just yet. Some midtown markets are doing fine–especially in the first time buyer price levels (which enables those sellers to turn around and buy up, thereby helping that market, etc. after falling domino, etc) Places like Clintonville, Bexley, Grandview, Short North, most of Worthington and similar markets are doing well whereas Olde Towne East, downtown Columbus condos, mid level German Village and other near South areas are still a little sluggish.

You know that mythical National Real Estate Market I abhor? Here is the latest news (via a quick video) on home numbers with some interesting economic and appraisal news and some regional flavor thrown in for good measure. Courtesy of the folks at NAR.

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Columbus is a Smart City.

Written by: Joe Peffer

How nice it is to have some outside affirmation of our fair city's intelligence.

While it’s much easier for me and others to criticize the City of Columbus for Real Estate related dos and dont’s, I also enjoy giving Columbus props when we make the National spotlight in same way. My hope is that anyone considering Moving to Columbus, Ohio will find that it’s a rich, vibrant city. Usually, it’s some inane list of Best Cities to …. but today, thanks to Andrew Miller, I see that Columbus is in the top 15 smartest cities as ranked by Smarter Cities, a project of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Their self-description…Smarter Cities, a project of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a non-profit 501(c)(3), is a multimedia web initiative whose mission is to foster a little friendly competition (see Annual Cities Research and Rankings below) as well as provide a forum for exploring the progress American cities are making in environmental stewardship and sustainable growth.

Mostly, they talk about Mayor Coleman’s downtown housing initiative and Columbus’ plan, “to be the bicycling capital of the country. The Bicentennial Bikeways Plan, finalized in May 2008, calls to double the city’s 50 miles of biking lanes and trails by 2012, when the city celebrates its bicentennial. By 2018, the city plans to add another 200 miles for biking by connecting greenways and activity centers…”

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Westerville (yes, Westerville, Ohio) ranks as 15th best place to live – Money Magazine

Written by: Joe Peffer

Westerville has great suburban homes, bike paths, parks and a kick-butt rec center

Remember a couple years ago when Westerville and Gahanna made the national list of best suburbs and places to live? Well, they’ve been resting on their on their laurels since then and I’ve wondered every time I’ve gone into one or the other to show home or what not why neither has made a re-appearance.

Well, I have always liked Westerville and Gahanna and I’d take them over Plain City or Obetz any day and today I found out what happens next, WESTERVILLE was ranked by Money Magazine at No. 15 in a list of America’s best places to live.

The ranking is based in part on quality of life, schools, crime rate and the local economy. From a 10tv new story….

More than 35,000 people live in the community but to some, its most charming feature is a small town feel, 10TV News reported.

“It’s just a great place to grow up,” said Colleen Gustafon, a resident.  “I grew up here and thought it was a good place for my family so we thought we’d stick around.”

The median family income in Westerville is just over $105,000 a year, while the median home price is a little more than $189,000.

Another important ranking is education.  CNN-Money found that Westerville has 15 colleges, universities or professional schools within 30 miles and a median commute of 20 minutes.

It found 24 movie theaters, more than 350 bars and more than 2,000 restaurants within 15 miles.

Westerville did not make Money’s list last year.  In 2007, it ranked No. 46.  The best small hometowns have been ranked since 2005.

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