Calling All Seller's! MLS Statistics to Motivate you...

"There were 2,926 central Ohio homes and condos sold during the month of May, a 17.8 percent increase over April and an 8.4 percent gain over May 2014. This puts the total number of homes sold for 2015 at 10,531, which is highest number of homes sold on record for the first five months of the year, according to the Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service.

The number of homes in contract also climbed to 3,867, which is 12.4 percent higher than the previous year.

“The central Ohio housing market is hot! There is an incredible amount of buyer interest right now, and no one is wasting any time in purchasing a new home,” said Columbus REALTORS® 2015 President Kathy Shiflet. “May was a very active month. I don’t anticipate buyer interest or our active market waning anytime soon.

”During the month of May, homes spent an average of 54 days on the market (from listing to close), down 11 days from May 2014 and 8 days from the previous month. 

“Homes in central Ohio are selling more quickly today than any other time in history,” Shiflet said. “We’re also more seeing multiple offers, offers over list price and same-day contracts than ever before. It’s simply a terrific time to sell your home!”

The average sales price of a home during the month of May in central Ohio was $199,860, which is a 9.1 percent increase over the previous year and a 6.7 percent increase over April. The median sale price in May was $169,900, up 9.6 percent from a year ago.

Year to date (January through May 2015), the average sale price of a home was $185,472 – up three percent from the height of the housing boom in 2005 and the highest on record.

“Home values are only continuing to appreciate, which is a tremendous advantageous for central Ohio homeowners who are looking to move up or build equity,” says Shiflet. “However as prices continue to inch up, this may begin to deter potential buyers.”" 

Brought to you by the Columbus REALTORS® in their monthly newsletter. 

If you have been contemplating selling your home, now is the right time to call up a realtor (or multiple to interview) to talk about your options and find out more about what the potential value is for your home in this sizzling market!  Located in Central Ohio? Contact me today for a free Home Evaluation!!

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Home-Buyer's Advice from Real Estate Kate

First, let me share some exciting personal news, my fiancé and I are in the market for our first home! Now with that said, I can not only relate on that level with home buyers, but after representing buyers in this outrageous market where homes are going for more than asking price- sometimes reaching over $20,000 more- I can surely understand the disappointment and discouragement many first time home-buyers are feeling as they look into entering the real estate market. With the market heating up, increasing prices and competition on homes, especially in popular neighborhoods, it is not time to hang your head and throw in the towel... Your home just hasn't hit the market yet!

After making offers on homes that received 10 or more within hours of listing, and not having them accepted as the competitors were fierce and offered $10-20 grand over the "sticker price", I could see how defeated my clients were. I mean, who could blame them? You picture your life taking place there as you walk through the home for the first time, you dream of the possibilities for you to make it your own and add your own personal touch to it. The thrill and excitement of putting yourself on the line and making an offer sends adrenaline rushing through you like never before, but it's the idea that you can see yourself making this property your home...  the place you will make memories with friends, family and loved ones, be comforted by after a long day at work, that will provide relief after a stressful day, and will turn into your personal sanctuary. To have that ripped right out from under you, leaves many feeling deflated, devastated, and concerned that there will never be a house that could compare. Oh, contraire! After giving them a much needed pep-talk, we were out on the real estate scene later that week in a new area nearby to view new listings, and what do you know? From the moment they stepped into the first home on the list, they knew it was the one, even better than the last, and it happened to tick off more on their criteria checklist for under their budget. Now, how do you beat that? Giving up was one option, but moving forward was the choice that awarded them with all they were looking for and more.

There are many things in life that will elicit great emotion from you, and buying a home is certainly on the top of the list. Telling a client to remove their feelings from the process is like asking a doctor to complete brain surgery while blindfolded and without their sight. (extreme, maybe? But you get the picture) It's impossible... The gut feeling and intuition a buyer feels when walking through homes can make a deal or break it. If it doesn't sit right with them, well then it isn't the right fit. This is one of the most important decisions we will make in our lives and will greatly affect the next 5-10 years of our lives as we build equity in our homes. As we invest our hard-earned money into the places we will call home for a great deal of time, we better make sure we absolutely love it; at least I know that I could never make an offer on a home that my heart wasn't set on, however risky and dangerous that is for my emotions, I really couldn't image it any other way. I encourage all of my buyers to keep their hearts in it, when it is broken by a deal falling through or someone else putting their claim on it first, it's okay to feel for the loss- but, then move on and find better opportunities. When one door closes, another opens. (Quite literally). We are only half way through the "real estate season" and much more is believed to be on it's way.

The last thing you want to do is sign a lease during the next few months of the busy season, and find yourself stuck until next year, halfway through the season again; this will only limit your chances of getting into the home you've dreamt of for so long. My advice: sign a 1-3 month lease if you are already in the process of looking and although it will be more expensive for the short time you're there, you will be ready to make an offer on the next home that comes up that serves all of your needs, and when/if you get it- then you're not doubling up on rent/mortgage payments (which for us first-timers, we don't really even have that option to begin with!)

In our case, our lease is up in January and we have already started the process of loan shopping and getting pre-approval so we know how much we need to save for a down payment, what price range we are able to look in, and what we can do to improve our credit over the next 3-4 months. I think for a lot of first-time home buyers, things happen so quickly that the process can become overwhelming instead of house hunting keeping the original thrill that it should have. That excitement should never be lost, and as a real estate agent I do whatever I can to keep my clients upbeat, on their toes, and positive about the entire process. There are so many times you can be let down that you definitely need a cheerleader in your corner to boost your esteem and motivate you to keep going! During our loan process, we were hit with the unfortunate news that we qualified for less of a home than what we were originally hoping for, but guaranteed we won't let that stop us. As buyers, it is best to shop around and get a quote/ pre-approval from multiple lenders and choose one that you feel has the most to offer. Don't limit yourselves. Options are always important to have in the scheme of things.



Words for the wise: get yourself representation and find a buyer's agent that is in it for your best interest! A common misconception people have about the real estate industry is that it will cost an arm and a leg to hire a buyer's agent to represent you in the home buying process, however, let it be known that normally the seller's pay the buyer's agent commission. Therefore, the only thing that comes from your pocket to your agent, is normally a brokerage fee that can range from $199-$350 just depending on who you choose. Our's happens to be on the lowest end of the spectrum. Also, if it had cost an arm and a leg, would you not be willing to pay for expert advice from a professional that specializes in real estate as you make one of the largest purchases of your life? On the listing side: many people attempt to represent themselves and market their homes, but they don't reach nearly half the amount of people that a professional can. Many times people lose their target market within the first couple weeks to a month just by overpricing their home, as to the seller it is worth much more sometimes than what the market says it is. They lose valuable time on the market since many people will cross it off their list as it costs more than  other comparable's in the area or buyers may come to the conclusion that for what they are asking, the buyer could get much more out of a home for the same price.

Whether you are buying or selling your home, hiring a Realtor will be your best move. My goal as a realtor representing my clients is to get them the absolute best deal based on statistics in the area as well as protecting their best interest when it comes to the overall condition of the home. The last thing I would want is for my client to waive their home inspection and end up finding out after closing that the foundation needs fixed, or other existing problems that could have been fixed by the seller are now costing them and now they don't have the chance to walk away like they could have during the remedy period had they gotten an inspection. As an agent, my job is to stay current on what is happening in the market (which varies from neighborhood to neighborhood at times) so that I can best assist my clients in making a smart investment. I put my heart into my career as a Realtor, because I know that the people I represent have their entire hearts in the process as well. Without passion, I wouldn't be doing my clients justice. Plus, it's unavoidable... I absolutely love what I do!!

To sum it up; take that discouragement you feel and turn it into positive, forward momentum in your home search- like the wise character Dori says, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"... You may feel hopeless in the middle of an ocean of "in-contract" homes, but if you stick with it the reward is priceless. Your new home awaits, it could be just around the corner! With the right realtor, a lot of heart and passion, and a good amount of patience you can confront the seller's market head-on and come out on top. If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home in the central ohio area, feel free to contact me at anytime by cell/text/or email- it never hurts to be informed!!


[Readers: what are the top 3 qualities you look for in your Real Estate Agent? and if you have bought a home or are currently in the process, what are some things you wish you had known about home-buying/selling? I would love to hear your answers!!]

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Schumacher Place; Could it be the Best of Both Worlds?

With a heart of it's own, Schumacher place may resemble it's neighboring community, German Village, but it's unique history and culture sets it apart, along with it's differing real estate market.

Back in the 1800's, the Schumacher family settled into town and began operating a dairy business with their main farm building situated where the Sycamore Condos currently stand. It was a very industrialized town with manufacturing companies and businesses as the prominent tenants of the area. One of the most popular industries in Columbus at the time was the buggy business, as the Buggy Works was formerly known as the largest producer of carriages and buggies within the U.S (Source). Therefore, businesses in close proximity to the Buggy Works supplied leather hitches or tanned products since they were in high demand. Breweries were also booming at the time as many of the larger ones lined Front Street, which today we know as The Brewery District. Neighborhood children were sent to "Chase the Knickel", running to the back door of the breweries where they would buy a portion of the cold-brew,  poured into their small bucket they brought along with them as they stood outside, since they were not permitted inside due to their age. Two of the largest breweries were Hoster Brewery, a micro-brewery and restaurant today, and the Gambrels Brewery which is owned by a "top historian",  "Brew Master David Foster", who revitalized the building to be a microbrewery (Source). 

Along with surviving off of the funds from their dairy products, the Schumacher's traded meats, such as beef and pork, which were manufactured and delivered from the slaughter yard that stood at the corner of Lathrop and Kossuth. Conveniently, the large butcher shop was across the street where meat was cut and sausage was hand-crafted. Many people know the iconic restaurant that replaced the butcher shop,  it became "the home of the original Schmidt's restaurant, whom were well-known in Columbus (Source). Schumacher Place was not highly residential due to the odor that was emitted by the slaughterhouse, it was not until early this century that homes began popping up in the area. 

A common ground for many of the locals was the "Recy", a baseball field that was home to the Columbus Generals, a professional baseball team; but, doubled as a play-field for the children in the area. "There are stories of their play being halted during a 'cattle drive' down Kossuth because of an errant pig or hog getting loose and running around the outfield," (Source). As many of the streets in Schumacher place have been named after well-known families, they also have received their names due to their unique features, for example the road lined with a plethora of sycamore trees is known as Sycamore Street. The charming paved brick streets replaced the dirt roads around the same time that houses were being built, while sidewalks were installed in the 1900's. 

For those of you who have dreamed of making your home in German Village to be a part of the lively and rich community that has developed there, but have not found a home within your price range, Schumacher Place makes the lifestyle available to many more people. Mark Ferenchik from the Columbus Dispatch wrote, "Schumacher Place might resemble the village to the west, but there are differences. For example, houses cost less, and there are no tough restrictions on what color you paint them or what kind of windows you can put in," in his article from 2012, Schumacher Place residents enjoy German Village lifestyle. Homes in Schumacher Place have an average listing price of $190,960 whereas German Village's average listing price is $616,142, a very obvious and steep difference. Based on 5 sales in 2015, the median sales price for Schumacher Place is $137,500; when compared to the same period from last year it shows a decrease of 36.9%. (Source) Although, the market has been on the slower side in through the beginning of the year, it is now on the rise and is starting to pick up with the turn of the weather. This active community draws a variety of people to its center, as it is an attractive place for people of all age, whether you are looking for a place to grow your family or a humble abode to settle yourself into, as it is a very family-friendly location that also has a great night-life culture due to it's close proximity to popular restaurants and bars. 

Local eateries that bring people to the area from all over Columbus include: Skillet, known for it's unbeatable brunch, Plank's Cafe and Pizzeria which was just featured in Columbus Underground's article on hidden restaurant gems, Thurman's Cafe (check out my restaurant review: click here ) and more. Sharing many of its local attractions with German Village, this article German Village; One of a Kind Historic District can give you more about the local events worth attending along with more restaurants and attractions.

Overall, Schumacher Place has it all. I think it hits the nail on the head for being the best of both worlds, as it retains the charm and authenticity of German Village  character along with having its own individualistic qualities, but at a much more reasonable price range for many home-buyers looking to partake in the close-knit community. There is so much that this area has to offer, from naturally beautiful parks to accessibility to a multitude of venues, that it is hard to find a reason why you wouldn't consider this community as the next place you would call "home".

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New Albany; A Community Hub of Fitness, Growth, and The Arts

New Albany, the community that I have called "home" since I was 5 years old and a place that I will always be quite fond of, is an exquisite and ever-expanding location to put down your roots and stay for awhile. You may never want to leave the vibrant, bustling community once you see and experience what it has to offer.

In 1796, Plain Township became a part of the Military District set side for veterans of the Revolutionary War; however, due to the extensive time veterans had to wait to claim this land, they sold their parcels to land speculators. It was then realized that they portioned off a greater amount of land than was necessary, leading to the land being sold to Dudley Woodbridge who then resold his 4,000 acres to John Huffman, a Pennsylvanian farmer. German Farmers in Pennsylvania  turned their grain into whiskey to make it more transportable in order to deliver it further East. Troops were sent out in 1794 to bring an end to the "Whiskey Rebellion", as the farmers were refusing to pay taxes on the whiskey. Daniel Swickard, a name that most locals relate to Swickard Woods, was also known for having a whiskey distillery. Other pieces of land were offered for sale for $2.00 an acre in 1812. One of the early settlers, Archibald Smith, wrote in his autobiography, "In the year 1814 Ohio was creating a great excitement and hundreds were moving to the new country." (www.newalbanyplaintownshiphistoricalsociety.org/history.html) As his family members, and himself, had moved to the township in 1813 from New Jersey.


In all, there are six historical sites that are sponsored by the historical society in Plain Township:

Smith's burying ground, a pioneer cemetery that honors John Clouse and John Smith, two Revolutionary War veterans that are known to be buried in the township.

Wagnor Cemetery, a pioneer burial ground and the site of the first Plain Township school which has  been demolished located off of Central College Rd. The cemetery is a grave site for veterans from both the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

Archibald's Mill is located on Kitzmiller Rd, where the site of his sawmill remains on Blacklick Creek; it brought to life the era of the water-powered sawmill around the year 1853.

Founders of New Albany, a site located at the intersection of Route 605 and Route 62, which contains a marker honoring the Noble Landon and William Yantis whom laid out the plans for New Albany in 1837.

Disposal of Land in Plain Township, the marker describes Federal surveys of the township and disposal of lands when Ohio became a State; it is located on Swickard Woods Blvd. close to Plain Township Aquatic Center and Swickard Woods Park.

George and Christina Ealy House and Land which sits across from the Church of the Resurrection. It describes the history of the Ealy Family along with the construction of the house by local craftsmen.

A spike in growth occurred around the 1990's, partly in response to Les Wexner's expansion of his "clothing empire", The Limited, along with the commencement of building his mansion. Since this time, the town has had a steady climb in population and with more people coming in, more housing developments sprang up, and businesses hustled in to be a part of this blossoming community. Part of the communities uniqueness is the economy that makes up the area; New Albany ranks 12th out of 1,065 places in Ohio in regards to per capita income. Market Square, the gathering place in the heart of New Albany, is in a growth phase all it's own; new businesses and health centers have been established, including the Wexner Medical Center's Health and Fitness Center that is implementing programs such as community gardening and a walking club, along with hosting the Farmer's Market throughout the Spring season leading into fall. Local restaurants that have been welcomed into the square are Mellow Mushroom (open now) and the much anticipated Hudson 29, Cameron Mitchell restaurant(which will make it's appearance this Spring). Already established businesses within the square include: Starbucks, The Rusty Bucket Corner Tavern, The New Albany Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Learning Express, and Huntington.

New Albany has seen a 12.2% increase in the average price per square foot, which is currently $147, in comparison to last year's statistics. The median sales price has increased by 11.3%, which equates to $35,400, as it is now $349,900 based on the sale of 53 homes. Some of the popular neighborhoods, according to Trulia data, are The New Albany Country Club, Windsor, New Albany Links, Tidewater at New Albany, and Plain View Country Estates. [Other popular neighborhoods include: Upper Clarenton, Pickett Place, Hampstead Heath, Hampstead Village, and Hampstead Green.]

New Albany prides itself on it's plethora of performing arts venues and studios. The Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the arts has multiple uses as it has a recording studio, dance studio, and classrooms for the performing arts. Located nearby are the New Albany Ballet Company and the New Albany Symphony Orchestra. They definitely do not lack arenas for the fine arts.

Events to check out in the area include: Founders Day in May, with a parade, rides, vendors, and more; The Taste of New Albany, a culinary event for sampling food from a variety of restaurants, which gives its proceeds to the New Albany Chamber of Commerce; The New Albany Classic, an equestrian event sanctioned by the USEF/FEI and founded by the Wexner's, raises money for the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence and draws a diverse crowd out to enjoy rides, face painting, live music, food vendors, animals from rescues, as well as zoo animals; The New Albany Walking Classic, which takes place in September along with the New Albany Classic, is a 10k event and known to be the country's largest walk-only race.

There is a strong sense of community established here that is very welcoming and united; if you're looking for a place to call home that you can walk around the block and all the neighbors wave and spark conversation, New Albany may be calling your name. You can't walk into the neighborhood Kroger or Giant Eagle without running into someone that you know, or of course the local Starbucks on the corner of Market Street. (So you'll want to save some extra time on your regular errand running days). Even as it expands, the charm and the "culture of New Albany" is truly a source of pride for everyone that resides here. It is a very youthful and active area with people walking the paths around the golf course that loop through the neighborhoods or around the preserved wetlands, groups of friends catching up on the patio of market square's restaurant and coffee shop, friendly neighbors walking their dogs, or kids hanging out by the local library after school lets out. There is never a dull moment in this busy suburban lifestyle.

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How to Approach the Current Seller's Market

For those of you who may have been holding back on buying a house due to the current conditions of the market "favoring the seller", hesitate no more. The market is an ever-changing entity that has its phases, and although we may be in a Seller's Market at the moment, this isn't the first one we have experienced, nor will it be our last. It shouldn't be feared, or have you as a buyer fretting over whether you should wait it out or jump right in; you will know when the timing is right for you and with the help of a real estate agent, you have the ability to get the home that you desire at a price that is more than reasonable! Don't let the house that you've had your eye on slip out of your hands, as inventory is going quickly, with most homes getting snatched up within days on the market; make a move.

Hopefully, if you have been looking at homes, it means that you at least have an idea of what you can afford, in order to avoid the disappointment that you would face if you find the "perfect home" that turns out to be too far out of your price range. It should not be a purchase that stretches your budget, or you could find yourself in trouble, or at least under unnecessary stress. Many realtors, including myself, can recommend lenders that you can contact before you begin this process. They will give you a breakdown of your credit, and if it is on the lower side, how to improve it over the next couple of months to possibly be able to afford a larger loan amount and give you other advice regarding the mortgage and loan process. These lenders can also pre-approve you for a certain amount based on your credit score, although this is a very general document and not to be confused for a loan commitment, it gives you the basis of what range of homes you should be looking at in your home search. The pre-approval serves as a notice to the seller's that you are serious about buying their home. Place yourself in the seller's shoes: would you accept the offer that has a pre-approved buyer, who just needs to get a loan commitment through their lender, or the buyer that still needs to discuss these matters with a lender and get pre-approved- meaning the lender could come back and say that they are not even pre-approved for the amount of the home? Logically, every one would choose the buyer who has taken the steps necessary to legitimize their interest in your home.

In this real estate climate, extremely low-bids will warrant a cold shoulder from most sellers, as they can assume that the likelihood of another buyer, willing to offer more, is high. A low offer may offend seller's, leading them to leave the offer hanging, without responding.  In many cases, the seller's are receiving multiple offers on their home's within a few days and are able to choose which one to accept. There is a chance of an offer being too high which could cause issues with the appraisal later on. However, a frequent outcome from the multiple offer situation is that the home sells for more than the asking price. Therefore, it is important to know your budget and look within or even under budget, in case you end up in a multiple offer situation.

Everyone wants the "perfect home", but realistically, especially in this market, it doesn't exist and you will have to go in with an open mind and create your own vision of how the house you "like" could potentially be the home you "love" once you make it your own. Buyer's with high expectations can get burnt out from the home search as they continue to be disappointed by homes that don't have everything that they want or need. Overlooking the paint color, out-dated wallpaper, green carpet, or red kitchen cabinets may allow you to see the great qualities of a home, such as it's open floor plan, spacious living room, vaulted ceilings, charming woodwork, or the functionality of the home that meets all of your needs. The foundations of finding the right home include locating a neighborhood that you see yourself living in, thriving in, and enjoying.  Once you know your area, then find a home with a solid setting and foundation. Although painting, removing wallpaper, and replacing carpet can be a daunting task, it allows you to start fresh and choose what you want your home to look like! (Think of the positive!) The more you ask for in a multiple offer situation, the less appealing your offer is to the seller, so if you really love the home, you may have to let some of the distasteful, surface qualities of the home go.

When you find the home that really speaks to your heart, don't sit on it, contact your realtor to make an offer on it as soon as you believe this could be the one. It may be gone if you dwell on whether you are certain about it or not, but on another note, don't rush to make an offer on a home that you think is  just"OK" if nothing about it stands out to you. More homes are bound to be put on the market. Knowing yourself and what you want and need in a home is a key factor in making the decision on which home you will make an offer on. Your next move once you find the right home, is to contact your realtor who will research the recent sales prices of comparable homes in that neighborhood and area. With this knowledge, your realtor can help you make an offer that will not be too low, but will be competitive for what the market calls for in that location. It can be tricky if your heart is set on a home that has multiple offers on it, since you are unaware of the other offers on the table; at a certain point, the listing agent will most likely call for best and highest offer where everyone will put their top dollar in that they are willing to spend on the property. Try to not get too attached to a home in this case, although I know that is next to impossible once you have envisioned yourself living there which is usually why you were willing to make an offer on the home in the first place. If your offer is not accepted, keep your head up and don't let your hope dwindle... be ready to move on!

Along with that, be ready to move...and soon! Most offer's are calling for closing 30 days after acceptance, it is in your best interest as a buyer to have a flexible moving schedule so that you can move on the seller's timeline. It is always helpful to have a plan B if the seller asks for more time before closing/possession, such as finding temporary housing if you are in a lease and it expires before the move-in date whether you have to bunk with friends/relatives or pay for one month beyond your lease terms.

In a seller's market, it is not impossible to find the home that suits you and all of your needs, but remember to be patient if you aren't having any luck, make sure you have a realtor that communicates readily with you, keep an open mind to homes that may not be 100% what you want, be ready to make a quick decision when you find THE home, and be flexible with your timeline!

If you are not currently working with an agent, but are actively looking at homes in Columbus or in the surrounding areas (such as Westerville, Gahanna, Blacklick, New Albany, etc.) feel free to contact me today! I will gladly answer any questions you may have about buying or selling your home in the current market.

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Chairman's Award; GR&T Group with HER Realtors

Yesterday at HER Realtor's Award Ceremony, Gledhill Robbins & Talis was awarded with one of the highest title's that carries with it an enormous sense of honor and pride, the Chairman's Award, which is for those who achieved sales of over $30,000,000 in 2014! As a new agent last year, I didn't have the chance to contribute to their success, other than providing administrative support and being a team cheerleader! As for 2015, I am determined to contribute to hopefully an even greater amount for our sales as we continue to strive for the best and aspire to do above and beyond what we have done before. Our greatest competition is ourselves in this world and we never settle for less! Our team is the epitome of hard work and excellent customer service that is unmatched. We are known for our remarkable photography that captures the unique beauty and charm in each and every home that we list, which is often the first and only time a potential buyer will view your home as most home searches begin online.

Our #1 goal is to go above and beyond our client's expectations, providing them with an experience that is not only satisfactory but one that is memorable that will be incomparable to the other realtor's out there.

If you are buying or selling your home in 2015, I hope that you consider our team of exceptional agent's. We look forward to welcoming you into our real estate family!

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