Spruce up Your Porch for Under $100

Revive your porch to enhance curb appeal and create a more welcoming entrance. And it won't even cost you more than $100. Here's how:


1) Paint your front door. Pick a color that's keeping with your existing color scheme. Paint stores will have brochures of recommended palettes using the colors you already feature. Sand the door before you paint to prevent the paint from peeling.

• Cost: $15 per quart.

2) Buy pottery. Terra cotta pottery is a good choice: it's inexpensive but looks nice both from a distance and up close. Consider buying one larger pot or a group of three pots that vary in size. Paint the pottery with a color compatible with that you used for the front door. Use an outdoor paint, such as patio paint, and use a sealer to coat the inside of the pot(s) or moisture may lead to peeling.

• Cost: $28 (for a 10", 12", 15" + paint) 

3) Add plants. If you'd like to use a pot, have one large centerpiece plant surrounded by a quart of six-pack varieties. If not, arrange a few six-packs of colorful flowers in front of or along your porch.

• Cost: $18 (2 -gal and 4 six-packs)

4) Get Personal. Get a nice brass doorbell cover or door knocker. They come in a variety of styles and sizes. You can also replace old house numbers with brass, chrome or black numbers.

• Cost: $38 ($20 for the doorbell cover, $18 for 3, 6" brass numbers)

...This amounts to only $99. For an extra touch, you can add lighting to your porch. LightingUniverse.com has over 80 lights for $30 or less!

Demand for Homes Outnumbers Supply

Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, writes in Realtor Magazine that the housing recovery is surpassing expectations. Increased demand and minimal new-home construction have increased home prices at a near double-digit pace. 1.5 million new houses are needed each year to keep home-price gains at the ideal level of 3-5 percent annually. As of March, this number finally exceeded the 1 million mark for the first time in five years, but still failed to reach 1.5 million. Home prices are expected to continue to rise even more over the next couple of years, as many buyers chase after too few sellers. While increasing home values are good for sellers, price increases often exceed income growth and thus put buyers at a disadvantage. This situation hinders the economy and leads to inflated price increases in some parts of the nation.

Those considering selling your home, you may want to take advantage of the excess housing demand. Contact me to see what I can do for you.

Read the full article here.

New Listings up 20% From May 2012

The Columbus Board of Realtors recently published that May had the highest number of new listings in one month since April 2010. May's 4,213 new listings yields a 19.6% increase from that month last year. Home sales in Central Ohio also experienced a sharp increase--up 27% from the same time last year. May saw 2756 home sales in 2013--the most home sales for the month of May on record. The median and average price of a sold home in Central Ohio also rose from that of one year ago, by 8.3% and 5.9%, respectfully. Even though inventory remains 16% lower than this time last year, which creates intense competition among buyers, the Columbus Board of Realtors President Chris Pedon states that this "obviously isn't curbing people's interest in buying homes." As market confidence continues to grow, more homes are expected to be listed for sale.

Read the full article here.

Contact me if you're considering buying or selling your home. I can help you explore and understand today's distinct market.

German Village Haus und Garten Tour This Sunday

This Sunday (the 30th) from 9am-6pm, German Village is hosting the 54th annual Haus und Garten Tour. The neighborhood is known for its 19th century cottages and estates. Guests get a glimpse of quality historic preservation and innovative design and expansions when exploring the tour's 10 homes, 3 gardens, and 2 commercial properties. Visitors can also enjoy German Village's many shops and resturants.

The former Maennerchor headquarters, the former Hoster Brewery building,  and a home that showcases art from around the world are included in the tour. You can read more about the homes on the tour here.

Ticket sale proceeds benefit the nonprofit German Village Society, and can be purchased online or at the German Village Meeting Haus for $20, at Giant Eagle stores for $18, or at the door for $25.

Truberry Homes--the 2013 Parade of Home's Foundation House Builder

For the fifth year, Truberry Custom Homes has built the annual BIA Parade of Homes foundation house, which benefits Children's Hospital and the BIA Foundation. The 4,000+ square foot house features an art gallery in the foyer, a generously sized office, impressive built-ins and craftsmanship, a covered porch off the kitchen, and a finished walk-out lower level with a full bar. You still have time to catch the Parade: it runs until June 30th. Get your tickets online for just $11.

Truberry has been building homes in Central Ohio for over 25 years, and ensures that each home is tailored to its owner(s). This personalized approach, plus open communication regarding desired features, finishes, and so forth, guarantees clients will be satisfied with their new home.

Some of my clients are building a condo by Truberry. As an agent, I represent not only buyers and sellers, but also people who work with home builders. I help them through the process, explore different ideas, help negotiate contracts, and write offers. Interested in building a home? Contact me.

Click on the video below for a sneak peak into Truberry's BIA Foundation House.
 

Beautiful Meets Comfortable: Memmer Homes Conquers Both

Have you had the chance to attend the Parade of Homes? If so, you may have noted house 4’s custom built kitchen, modern floor plan, spa-like master bath, and outdoor deck. Memmer Homes can be credited with this luxurious yet practical home design and construction.

Memmer Homes is managed primarily by two individuals: Mark Memmer (CEO) and Jeff Memmer (president). For more than 30 years, this family company has prided itself on its exceptional craftsmanship and ability to customize homes that are “as beautiful to look at as they are comfortable to live in.” Additionally, the company seeks not to merely meet client expectations, but to far exceed them. This is a value that I have in common with the company. That’s why I’m happy that Memmer Homes is building a home for some of my own clients—I know they are in good hands.

For more information on the Memmer Home in the Parade of Homes, click here.

If you are considering building a home, or are having a hard time deciding between buying or building, please let me know how I can help. Take advantage of my resources and background in home building to best navigate today’s unique market.

Jerome Village to Dominate Central Ohio Development

According to an article in The Columbus Dispatch, Jerome Village, where the Parade of Homes is located, is "likely to dominate Central Ohio building for the next decade." While only approximately 100 homes have been built to date, its 1435 acres will include at least 2200 homes upon completion, as well as schools, shops, office buildings, parks, and a pool. In other terms, Jerome Village will be comparable to Muirfield Village and New Albany in size.

Jim Hilz, executive director of the BIA, likes Jerome Village because it offers the best of both worlds: country living in a picturesque environment close to big-city amenities and the heart of Dublin. The location suits the Parade’s theme, which is “Naturally Inviting. Awe Inspiring.” Indeed, the landscaping includes many green spaces, trees, and ponds. When the Village is complete, it will connect to Glacier Ridge Metro Park, which contains over 1,000 acres. Residents can also enjoy walking/biking paths, a horseback-riding trail, and a wetlands education area. 

You can explore the area during the Parade of Homes, which is currently running and ends on June 30th. Why not get your tickets now?!