Moving to Midtown Columbus? Take a 2 Wheeled Tour

Written by: Joe Peffer

A novel way to explore the Short North and Downtown

Thinking of buying a home in midtown Columbus? Here is something I learned of yesterday via Anthony at the Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau. You can enjoy the thrill of riding on a Segway i2 while you discover the charm and history of Columbus.

During this 2 hour tour you will explore miles of peaceful parkland along the Scioto River, the thriving Short North arts district, the vibrant Arena District and historic downtown. As you glide, your tour guide will entertain you with fascinating and humorous stories about Ohio’s Capital city. 

PH: 614-222-3005

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Urban Columbus Fish Ponds – Watch Out!

Written by: Joe Peffer

Great Blue Herons Mayor Coleman! I ran across this on a neighborhood message board….

“Just a reminder to folks with fish ponds.

I have noticed Giant Blue Herons flying across our downtown skies
recently. They are more than likely searching for easy sushi meals
provided by our well stocked fish ponds. If you don’t want to lose your
outdoor fish, I suggest you provide them with good hiding places in the
pond or consider covering your pond with netting (deer nets work well)
until your pond plants are able to provide sufficient cover for the fish
to hide from predators.”

I think we have a couple falcons around downtown also (?) and it’s not unusual to see a hawk or two flying around urban neighborhoods. I once saw a giant owl across the alley from me, 3 blocks from downtown.

Speaking of homes in German Village, the Brewery District and Merion Village retaining value, Don’t forget about the Columbus Audobon Park on the Whittier Peninsula, scheduled to open soon. See a power point presentation regarding the area here: A tourist trap for Birds.

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New iPhone ap for real estate is very sweet

Written by: Joe Peffer

Today Zillow released their new iphone application. It is pretty doggone cool if nothing else. I still don’t much believe in the zestimates for most Columbus properties, but the ability to walk around a neighborhood and get a feel for which home sold for what–while you’re standing in front of them looking at them–it’s the sort of thing I used to talk about developing five years ago because it’s so unbelievably handy.

The world of real estate is becoming more and more transparent. This is a boon to sellers because now their listings will pop up on this application and you don’t have to wonder how much the house is, you can know instantly without some kind of secret access to the area MLS and you don’t have to call the listing agent’s office only to have the secretary tell you that she isn’t allowed to tell you the price by law but she can put you in the agent’s voice mail.

I don’t have an iphone because iphones don’t open lockboxes, which use infrared.  I may get one anyway.

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Delicious Real Estate’s Commitment to Green Practices

Written by: Joe Peffer

Recently, Delicious Real Estate applied to be a Columbus Greenspot.  The process helped to spell out a plan, template going forward and office policy for energy conservation on top of what we already do.

Here’s how we will inform and engage

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• By January 15 of each year, we will record and submit the green initiatives we have begun or continued as a result of being part of GreenSpot.
• We will create and display an environmental policy or mission statement.
• We will measure our compliance with local, federal, health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will challenge a neighboring business to become a GreenSpot by referring them to the GreenSpot website.
• We will display our GreenSpot decal in a window or some other prominent place.
• We will keep employees informed about our green efforts by including updates in newsletters and bulletins.
• We will openly encourage employees to be responsible environmental stewards in their personal lives.
• We will post a list of the requirements for becoming a GreenSpot business where both customers and employees can see it.
• We will set aside time at each staff meeting to talk about our green efforts.

Here’s how we will reduce, reuse, and recycle

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will buy office and other supplies made with recycled materials.
• We will establish a business-wide recycling program that includes-at a minimum-glass, aluminum, plastic bottles, steel, and paper.
• We will perform a waste audit of our business.
• We will track our monthly waste.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will buy products in returnable, reusable, or recyclable containers.
• We will communicate electronically-instead of on paper-whenever possible.
• We will donate unwanted furniture, supplies, scrap materials, linens, phones, etc.
• We will email or post staff memos and schedules in a central place instead of printing copies for each employee.
• We will expand our recycling program to include additional materials, such as plastic film, refrigerants, re-use of water, hangers, etc. Additional materials we will include in our recycling program are…
• We will provide employees and guests reusable dishware instead of disposable.
• We will purchase condiments (milk, sugar, cream, etc.) and supplies (soap, toiler paper, etc.) in bulk.
• We will purchase or obtain used office furniture.
• We will purchase reusable rather than disposable office supplies, such as refillable pens and erasable white boards and wall calendars.
• We will recycle electronics that no longer work, or are no longer useful.
• We will recycle toner and inkjet printer cartridges.
• We will reduce our paper use by:
  • Not making unnecessary copies, and double-siding the copies we do make.
  • Not using a separate cover sheet for faxes.
  • Reusing paper for scrap paper.
  • Removing our name from junk mail lists.
  • Keeping our customer mailing lists current, without duplications.
• We will replace chlorine-bleached white paper napkins and towels with one of the following alternatives:
  • Recycled content, non-chlorine-bleached paper towels
  • Reusable cloth towels and dispensers suitable for washrooms
  • Reusable cloth towels cleaned by a linen service
  • Energy-efficient air dryers
• We will reuse packaging (bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, polystyrene peanuts), or donate them to a local shipping company.
• When creating mailings, we will design them so they do not require an envelope.
• We will make recycling bins convenient for employees, placing them at desks and in the kitchen.
• We will reuse our holiday decorations.
• We will use rechargeable batteries or solar power for calculators.

Here’s how we will conserve & protect water

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• If applicable, we will fully comply with the City’s Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan requirements.
• We will check for leaks by performing a water audit (if we have more than 100 employees) or by closely reviewing our water bills (if we have fewer than 100 employees).
• We will fully comply with the City’s Fats, Oils, and Grease Regulation.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will clean all outdoor areas-like parking lots, sidewalks, alleys, and patios-with a broom and/or damp mop instead of a hose. If hosing is required, we will collect the runoff and dispose of it as recommended by the City of Columbus
• We will keep receiving areas and dumpsters clear of litter by periodically sweeping the area, and ensuring each waste receptacle has a tight-fitting lid.
• We will encourage our employees to report water leaks.
• We will provide our employees with conservation tips for the office and their homes.
• We will use utilize car washing facilities that recycle the water, and encourage our employees to do the same.

Here’s how we will conserve energy

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will perform an energy audit, or use EnergyStar’s Portfolio to track our energy use.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• We will apply window film to reduce solar heat gain, or shade sun-exposed windows and walls during the warm season by using awnings, sunscreens, shade trees, or shrubbery.
• We will convert to energy-efficient light bulbs, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and/or upgrade existing fluorescent tube lighting with T-8 or T-5 lamps with electronic ballasts. We will begin with five light fixtures-or 10% of our lights (whichever is greater)-and commit to changing the rest in the next two years.
• We will implement a facility-wide policy of turning off equipment and lights when not in use.
• We will perform regular maintenance on our HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and refrigeration systems-or ask our landlord to do so.
• When replacing equipment and appliances, we will ensure they are EnergyStar rated and/or equipped with energy-saving features.

Here’s how we will streamline transportation

Mandatory Commitments
Within the next year:

• We will encourage all employees to participate in “Two by 2012″-a commitment to commute to work twice a month using an alternative form of transportation (not a single-occupancy vehicle).
• We will install a bike rack in our facility, or provide employees with another secure location to store bikes.

If applicable, we will make our fleet more efficient:

• We do not have a fleet of 10 or more vehicles, and transportation is not a major part of our business.

Additional Commitments:
Within the next year:

• If we reimburse employees for driving, we will also reimburse them for biking.
• We will encourage employees to walk or bike to meetings, lunch, etc.
• We will provide green driving tips on an employee bulletin board or in newsletters.
• We will provide employees with information about ridesharing and bus transportation on a bulletin board and/or in newsletters.
• We will encourage teleconferences and web-meetings

We’re committed to becoming a GreenSpot.

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