Cleveland Real Estate and News

The Only Constant In Life Is Change: I Have A New Blog!

2007-10-05T10:55:00.000-05:00

For those of you who read me I thank you - and I have birthed a new blog where I will be doing all my musings and postings:

Cleveland Real Estate News

It is my Word Press Blog baby . No, it's not just about real estate, and no, it's not finished - tweaking will continue...probably forever! I will keep this blog up, but all new posting will occur on the new blog .

Every time I move in real life (as opposed to virtual life lol) I say 'I'm never doing this again' I probably will move again in real life but I am thinking this new blog may be my new virtual home for decades. See you on line!

Peace Out - 3C

Diane Rehm Lecturing at Trinity Cathedral

2007-10-04T00:23:00.000-05:00

What could be better than Diane Rehm (of NPR fame) and a chance to be in Trinity Cathedral? It doesn't get much better than that! Oh, and two famous ladies (Jill Zimon and Wendy Hoke ) and myself.

Email me if you would like to join us.

When: October 30th 7:30 PM
Where: Trinity Cathedral
Speaker: Diane Rehm

Peace Out - 3C

New Show On WKYC Will Highlight Ohio Manufacturing

2007-10-02T22:31:00.000-05:00

I'm almost always booked on Thursday evenings, but if you aren't.....there is a new show called Ohio Made at 7 PM on Thursdays on WKYC. Tim White sounds like he will be the host, but I am not positive. Maybe some of you have seen the commercials?

It sounds like it could be very interesting! Makes me want to fix my VCR :-) Peace Out - 3C

Las Vegas Mortgage Lender Calls Other Lenders To Action: Help With Note Modification

2007-09-26T20:32:00.000-05:00

Aaron Gordon is a mortgage lender in Las Vegas. I don't know him, but I just read one of his posts and it inspired me to link to it. He is asking all mortgage lenders to do some pro bono work and help people who might be upside down in their mortgages by calling their lenders for them and asking for a note modification. Aaron's post is here. I found out about it through a post I wrote asking if the recent efforts by Save The American Dream could actually help (they are calling for a 2 year ARM moratorium).

Lou Tisler of NHSGC pointed out that people are reluctant to do it on their own. Aaron points out that instead of calling their original lenders, they are calling him and others like him to refinance. So he helps them. For free.

Read Aaron's post! I plan on calling all the lenders I know personally tomorrow and asking them if they are doing this. Peace Out - 3C

Cuyahoga County Economic News: A Medina Valpak Entrepreneur

2007-09-26T11:01:00.000-05:00

Back when I was living in Maryland and working three different part time jobs at a time, one was for a coupon book similar to Val Pak. I enjoyed it because I was able to focus on local businesses and meet some darn good entrepreneurs. We had stiff competition from Val Pak.

I saw this article on CrainsCleveland.com about ValPak and thought about why a local Medina gentleman has decided to buy a Val Pak franchise. He said his prior company had good client response from ValPak and they were a long standing company - two reasons why he 'bought in.' Reminds me of the Norelco commercials (I think it was Norelco!) where the guy would say I liked the product so much I bought the company. I'm wondering what our Franchise King Joel would say about this? I have to admit it's been almost two decades since I was in the coupon business -it was interesting to get an update on how it's working. According to the Crains article written by Marilyn Miller, Valpak is the sixth largest media company in the U.S. Well what she really says is they call themselves the sixth largest lol. If you are looking for a job, maybe the new Medina franchisor is looking for sales reps?

Peace Out - 3C

Maryland's Ambitious Plan to Improve Their Railways Should Inspire Us

2007-09-25T07:56:00.001-05:00

Yes, Maryland starts from a position of a solid and always improving job base, but the plan outlined by Maryland's Governor should inspire us to be vigilant (imho) about our own 3C Corridor Plan. The Washington Post article about it is here. They are running a bit on faith:

"....This is a very ambitious concept, and we don't have money in the bank to pay for it. But we have a reasonable expectation that these are cost-effective ideas that would bring a lot of transportation benefit, and we'll find the money as the years go by,..." but it's a thirty year plan to better connect Baltimore and Washington and turn the Rail System into a full fledged service, not one that enhances the rush hour commute (although there are only a few hours when it's not rush hour there, but I digress).

Henry Kay is an administrator with the MD Transit Authority and this quote interested me too:

"....Kay said the state is considering private development of stations and parking lots to generate revenue for the expansion...." - Something that could definitely help us with the 3C Corridor Plan, privatizing the Stations. Please contact your Senators, we need support for SB294 to keep our own economic future moving ahead. I am not always on my soapbox but this issue seems so important to our economy. And this article on Maryland's plan is a good read. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Home Owners In a Bind Take Note: Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland Can Help

2007-09-24T10:54:00.000-05:00

Lou Tisler of Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland (NHSGC) made an important point on my latest post on short sales. Many of us know we should 'call our lenders' before it's too late but we are still too timid or worried to do that. NHSGC can do the legwork for you.

His second important point was that you should never pay anyone to be the intermediary, to help you with your mortgage issues. Lou has sent me a press release on NHSGC and I'm going to post it here in it's entirety. Please call your lenders. Or please call Lou at NHSGC.

Ohio Housing Finance Agency Adds $3.1 Million
to Ohio NeighborWorks® Foreclosure Prevention Tool Box

New Fund is to Assist Middle Income Homeowners
Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland Creates New Loan Product to Fight Foreclosures in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio – Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland (NHSGC), part of the Ohio NeighborWorks® Foreclosure Prevention Initiative, will distribute $3.1 million in flexible grants from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA). In combination with an investment of over $3 million from NeighborWorks® America, this is a much-needed foreclosure prevention boost in Ohio.
The OHFA grant will assist middle income homeowners and provide up to $3,000 in a zero percent deferred soft second loans to borrowers facing foreclosure, with a possibility of going up to $5,000 depending on the amount of the mortgage payment. Overall 12 organizations throughout Ohio will use the funds.
The OHFA funds, together with the previous award of $1.5 million from the Office of Housing and Community Partnerships (OHCP) and the NeighborWorks grants, are expected to enable the Ohio NeighborWorks® organizations to assist over 1,500 Ohio families avoid foreclosure.

“This is another tool in the toolbox that will help us rebuild Cleveland communities,” said Lou Tisler, executive director of NHSGC, the organization administering the OHFA funds. “We were missing a way to help people who are just getting by but are behind on their mortgage and on the verge of getting into trouble. Now NeighborWorks organizations can help more low- and middle-income borrowers, which is important because this problem is spreading into middle-income neighborhoods.”

NHSGC educates homeowners through financial literacy, homeownership education and counseling, working with the Homeowner’s™ HOPE Hotline -- 888-995-HOPE (4673) -- to connect homeowners at risk of foreclosure with HUD-certified counselors.

“OHFA generally focuses on first-time homebuyer products, so this is one of their first sustainability-focused products,” said Tisler. “Coupled with a refinance product they recently made available, OHFA is enabling NeighborWorks organizations in Ohio to develop the cutting edge products that will help all levels of homebuyers get out of this crisis.”

Sparked by 1978 legislation, NeighborWorks America created the NeighborWorks network of community development nonprofits charged with closing the homeownership gap; improving financial literacy; rebuilding and repairing properties; developing affordable multifamily units; and, using community development strategies to improve safety and build wealth. In 2007, NeighborWorks America will provide over $75 million in grants to its national network of 244 nonprofit organizations operating in nearly 4,500 communities.

The need for NeighborWorks organizations has never been greater. High quality, affordable rental housing is needed to build healthy and sustainable communities. Personal debt is rising among consumers. Mortgages are becoming increasingly complex and risky, which means homeowners are becoming progressively more susceptible to foreclosure. And, stubborn wealth gaps persist.
“As stewards of taxpayer dollars, NeighborWorks ensures our investments are working in ways that truly make a difference,” said NeighborWorks America Great Lakes District Director Paul Poston. “We thank Congress and our other private, philanthropic and public funders who make our work to empower consumers and strengthen neighborhoods possible.”
About Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland
Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland is not-for-profit community development corporation incorporated in 1975 to promote investment and revitalization of communities in Northeast Ohio As one of the original chartered members of NeighborWorks® America, a network of over 230 organizations working in nearly 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities nationwide, the mission of Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland is to provide ongoing programs and services for achieving, preserving and sustaining the American dream of homeownership. www.nhscleveland.org.

###

Lou Tisler
Lou Tisler, Executive Director
Neighborhood Housing Services
of Greater Cleveland
5700 Broadway Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44127
216.458.HOME (4663) ext. 12
216.458.4672 fax
Email: ltisler@nhscleveland.org

Cleveland Neighborhood News: The Warehouse District Scheduled For Some Changes

2007-09-23T14:04:00.000-05:00

My open house did not turn out as planned today.....the keys didn't work! And my client is in California so......time to read up on the news. Turns out The Planning Commission approved some upgrades for The Warehouse District. The change that should appeal the most to District residents are the parks being created including South of Lakeside -- always exciting when we start utilizing our key natural resource...The Lake. Another change is to add taxi stands to the District. Now to get taxis there. Cleveland needs to be more proactive about taxis - we all have horror stories about them not showing up, even if we try to call for one. Anyway, here is the newsnet5 blurb about it.

And here is fellow blogger Tom Breckenridge's post about it. For the first time since I lived in Maryland I've actually hear a design plan talk about a sense of place. There truly is a vibrancy to the entire Downtown area these past six months. Now we need a bookstore :=) Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Housing News: Lead Paint Abatement Important, Especially For Children

2007-09-22T01:44:00.000-05:00

It's become easier, as a Realtor®, to recognize homes that might need to get rid of lead paint. Normally our homes have been painted, layer upon layer, so the original lead paint job on a 1920 Era home is sealed safely away. But what if the paint in the room is peeling? Alternatively, if you have older double hung windows that get opened and shut every day as the temperatures rise and fall, the original paint jobs could be peeling against the friction of the opening and closing of these windows. Kids love to look out the window and the youngest ones love to eat whatever is not nailed down. Including paint chips. Another problem area can be a closest or storage area under the eaves in an attic. Sometimes these areas have clearly not been painted for decades. It's a good idea to put a few coats of paint on a closet or attic storage area just to be safe.

The Cuyahoga Co. Board of Health reports that they have received a $7 million grant from HUD to take care of already identified lead paint issues in NE Ohio. About 1300 Cuyahoga County children experienced lead poisoning in 2005. This grant will allow you to apply for monies to repair your home and you can read about the criteria to get the money here.

Sellers of homes in Ohio are required to fill out a Lead Paint Disclosure form to alert prospective buyers of any lead issues that may exist before they purchase. Buyers also have the right to a lead paint inspection prior to purchasing, in addition to a general home inspection. I have to admit, I have never had a buyer opt to get that inspection.

The City of Lakewood First Time Home Buyer Program utilizes a HUD inspection as part of their mortgage lending and purchase process. Peeling paint must be scraped/patched and repainted before their inspectors will sign off on the inspection. I had a home buyer purchasing a Lakewood home with this program and the house was neat as a pin and very well cared for. But there were porch railings and garage walls that were peeling. We had to get that corrected.

If you are buying a home and you will have young children inside the home when you move in, do you have newer windows? Do you have the older double hung rope/sash windows? Please be sure to look at the condition of the window sashes so you will know what you are dealing with when you move into your new home.

You can also go here to the HUD website and read more about keeping your home safe from lead paint poisoning issues. Peace Out-3C

The chair for the argumentative side in all of us

2007-09-21T21:09:00.001-05:00

It's been a long week. I was trying to find a Thermador oven I saw advertised in a magazine at work today for almost 7 grand; to show it to a friend of mine on AOL. Long story short, I wound up on a site called Born Rich. It fascinated me. And you have to see the entire write up about the Argument Chair pictured here - maybe we need one in our office for buyers and sellers who can't come to terms! :-) Peace out 3C

A Short Sale Could Save You From Foreclosure

2007-09-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

Short Sales are a valid alternative to getting completely mired in the foreclosure process. The important thing is to not ignore notices from your bank or lender; call their collections department immediately and see what kind of alternatives you have.

I love it when someone explains the process so well that I don't have to. One of my favorite bloggers is a Realtor® in Minnesota and she explains the short sale issue perfectly here. Read what Bonnie Erickson has to say; it might help you avoid getting into a real mortgage fix. Peace Out-3C

Rail Freight Enhancement Could Alleviate Traffic Congestion

2007-09-19T12:03:00.000-05:00

The Heartland Institute did a report on traffic, freight and otherwise. They are a group that focuses on transportation issues. In this report they outline the value of increasing rail usage for freight carriers nationwide. One of the benefits is traffic congestion. Another one is wear and tear on the highways.

How many times have you been on a highway to find that 18-wheelers are slowing traffic considerably? They need to be on the roads (I tell myself), because we all need our goods and services. But it can get aggravating. When I lived in the DC area there were almost daily gridlock situations due to heavy truck traffic. The NJ Turnpike even has separate lanes for trucks for this reason.

They point out that a National focus should be improved rail quality because......

".... there are signs the growth cannot continue with the nation's current rail infrastructure. Freight train average operating speeds dropped from 24 miles per hour in 1990 to 21 miles per hour in 2000, reflecting at least in part constrained capacity, according to Cox. The problem is especially bad in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas and along the East and West Coasts...."

They also discuss the advantage to passenger rail service...but Wendell Cox, a Senior spokesperson for the Heartland Institute, feels that without continued new rail services, a concentrated effort should be made to at least improve the rail services from a freight carrying perspective. The article is really worth a read. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Real Estate Trends: More Stats on the West Side

2007-09-16T13:49:00.000-05:00

Two more 'computer listing oriented areas' meaning they combine communities like Clifton Park and Bellaire Puritas. These stats are for tge number of homes sold between April and August for 2000 through 2007. The dollar amount is the average sale price during these months.

Bellaire Puritas, Westtown, Clifton Park

2000
209 Total homes sold during those months
$77,439 Average Sale Price

2001
177
$85,169

2002
185
$87,767

2003
218
$82,661

2004
232
$88,042

2005
215
$85,649

2006
180
$93,409

2007
$197
$70,425

Bellaire Puritas,West Park

2000
180
$105,461

2001
187
$106,713

2002
206
$107,819

2003
200
$114,527

2004
241
$112,630

2005
221
$112,921

2006
186
$112,234

2007
177
$101,995

Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Housing Sale Trends 2000 to 2007

2007-09-14T09:47:00.000-05:00

The last seven years have seen spikes in sale prices and declines on Cleveland's West Side. Some of the stats are interesting. In the area that includes Ohio City and Tremont, there were more sales in 2007 than any of the other years; the amount of money on average that sellers got for these homes was less than any other time. In general, bank owned/foreclosed properties play a part in these statistics because in each of these areas, there are homes selling for prices way below normal market prices. Anyway, here are the stats, and again, they include all homes sold with area brokerages. These are numbers of homes sold and the average sale prices for April through August of each of these years.

Old Brooklyn/Archwood Denison/Memphis

2000
163 Homes Sold
$85,460 Average Sale Price

2001
167
$92,295

2002
220
$94,920

2003
181
$98,929

2004
201
$102,547

2005
175
$102,921

2006
172
$92,338

2007
159
$80,109

Ohio City/Tremont/Clark Metro/Detroit Shoreway

2000
147
$66,596

2001
150
$76,509

2002
156
$74,547

2003
180
$85,592

2004
178
$79,255

2005
174
$92,579

2006
196
$79,362

2007
222
$65,719

Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Economic News: A Ferry to Ontario

2007-09-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

You've probably been following this idea. The Plain Dealer's Maggi Martin reports today that an ombudsman group of NE Ohioans were in Canada this week and that Ontario has agreed to fund a rather expensive study regarding the validity of a ferry (cargo and passenger) from our Lake Erie shores to Ontario. Places like Ashtabula, Cleveland and Mentor are vying for the honor. The article says Ashtabula is ahead of the game because they already have the proper docking system. Cleveland's Port Authority is lobbying heavily. You can read about it here.

Maybe it's just me, but I say let the Ferry go to whomever can do it most cost effectively. It will help our Cleveland economy no matter where it is, imho. We can host the 3C Corridor rail plan!
Peace Out -3C

Cuyahoga County Real Estate 'Season' Sales Trends 2000-2007

2007-09-13T00:25:00.001-05:00

We all wonder about housing sales trends since the turn of the century. As a Realtor® I can get those stats. Real estate 'season' is typically thought to begin in April and go through August. So those are the months I've picked to study during the past seven years. Here are three neighboring communities; I'm listing total number of single family homes sold and the average selling price. (Stats from homes listed with area brokerages)

Lakewood
2000 206 $168,103
2001 214 $153,146
2002 184 $148,887
2003 226 $161,878
2004 203 $164,912
2005 209 $176,748
2006 211 $178,010
2007 173 $171,071

Rocky River

2000 101 $203,169
2001 110 $227,596
2002 95 $283,983
2003 128 $260,710
2004 108 $301,587
2005 103 $303,567
2006 102 $304,165
2007 100 $266,933

Westlake

2000 135 $288,175
2001 148 $279,843
2002 139 $283,267
2003 173 $325,431
2004 147 $320,681
2005 157 $363,994
2006 136 $336,279
2007 115 $347,144

Angie Lau did a report a few months back for News Channel Five about hot and not so hot housing markets. She said Westlake homes were a great investment and did not follow the trend of lower prices for homeowners. These stats seem to back her up. While the 2005 average sales price was higher for Westlake ($363,994), it's clear that prices basically rose over the past seven years.

The total number of homes didn't vary much in Rocky River over the seven year period. And Lakewood sales seemed to be the flatest during that time frame. The lows are not drastic in any of these communities. I'll do Cleveland's West Side tomorrow (Friday). Peace Out - 3C

The Bratenahl Housing Market in 2007

2007-09-10T14:52:00.000-05:00

Yes, this is a serene way to wait for a bus; the gorgeous tiling and textured surfaces are part of a gate surrounding one of the many gated homes in Bratenahl. I showed a few condominiums in Bratenahl Place yesterday and was impressed. First, it's not easy to purchase a home for under $150k in Bratenahl, yet these condos are just short of 1600 square feet of living space and are priced well under $150,000. The maintenance fees might give us all pause.......the three I showed were approximately $950/month. That does cover all your utilities. To find out what else is covered, you can check the Bratenahl Place website here. One cool feature at this complex is a 17 acre hiking trail. Not to mention the view of Lake Erie.

So how have homes been selling in Bratenahl? Here are stats from January 2007 until today. Once again, these stats relate to homes listed with area brokers on the Multiple Listing (computer) Service:

Five single family homes have sold between the prices of $157,500 and 1.5 million dollars. The two homes sold for less than $160k were on the market for less than a month; not surprising! The average amenities were: 3,612 square feet of living space, and $139/sq foot to purchase. They also averaged four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The condos? Eight sold since January between $120k (one condo) and $500k. This time, the home that sold for $500,000 was on market only five days.

You can read about the Village of Bratenahl here. The Village's recreation center offers things like kick boxing and Pilates; and they apparently opened up an outdoor coffee shop on the premises. Very cool. If you have never driven through Bratenahl, take a gander. It's lush and green (at least until Winter!) and the architecture on the homes may just blow you away. Peace Out - 3C

The Consumers are Speaking! Check out 'Bring Back Doubles' Web Site

2007-09-08T01:51:00.000-05:00

I was tracking a link to my blog post, and something miraculous occurred. 'Loyal Giant Eagle shoppers' (their words) bought a domain name and established a grassroots website called 'Bring Back Doubles.'

They detail several points about why they are upset with G-Eagle. Here is one excerpt:

".... We are not convinced that manufacturers are "moving toward the trends of lower coupon usage."Coupons are the manufacturers bread and butter. They are incentives to get consumers to try new products and fall in love with old ones. Even if coupons from Sunday papers are not redeemed, they serve as a means of product advertisement for the Sunday paper. Also, over the past few years, internet sites such as www.coupons.com, www.coolsavings.com and others have popped up. The Internet has also brought about coupon coordinating sites such as www.TheGroceryGame.com and NorthEast Ohio Couponers which help consumers make the best use of their coupons. These types of sites are gaining momentum. The Grocery Game, a paid subscription coordinating service, had sales of over 6 million dollars in 2006 and recently branched out to offer coupon services to people living in the United Kingdom. Giant Eagle claims that consumers have lost interest in redeeming coupons. This is interesting because while the grocery chain has ended double coupons in the Akron/Canton/Cleveland areas, Giant Eagle actively allows coupon doubling in regions such as their Columbus area stores...."

This is not just a slapped up website I am truly impressed. Please give it a read.

And I would be remiss if I didn't send you to their 'what you can do to help' section.

A big hat tip to the group! Peace Out - 3C

Giant Eagle Reverses Their Decision To Eliminate Double Coupons...But Don't Get Too Excited

2007-09-08T01:38:00.000-05:00

I wrote here about their plan to eliminate the double coupons. Sometimes it pays to stay up late -- WKYC reporter Dick Russ writes that Giant Eagle came to their senses and as of tomorrow (well, today), you can double your coupons again!

This is not a permanent reversal however.

Store executives claim to be responding to customer complaints that there wasn't enough notice. So now you can double through September 30th. Would love to know the statistics...you know, numbers of coupons actually redeemed for double discounts on a weekly basis.

In any case, you still only have a few weeks to do it, then I guess Giant Eagle will revert back to their original, non-consumer friendly plan. Peace Out - 3C

Somewhat Housing Related But Not Really.....'Little Boxes'

2007-09-06T00:07:00.000-05:00

Apparently the show Weeds has decided the song 'Little Boxes' is their theme song and they invite different artists to sing it. Here are eight different versions. For those of you old enough to remember the song (or maybe you heard your parents sing it lol), it's a hoot! I like all of them but maybe The Shins win. Not sure. What do you think? :-) See, I couldn't just rant and leave it at that could I?

A hat tip to Cleveland.com for this delightful entry. Oh, and on the same page you can watch the You Tube video of our own Devo's first new song in 17 years. Night!

Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Economic News: Giant Eagle Does it Again

2007-09-05T22:46:00.000-05:00

Newsnet5.com reports that Giant Eagle is ending their double coupon program in the Cleveland and Akron areas. They claim it's what consumers want. I seem to be on a constant Giant-Eagle rant, but I can't help myself. It's what the consumers want? Must be a response to the fact that we moved from first poorest city to the rich ranks of fourth poorest city.

I guess they need all that extra money they save by not paying out for double coupons to build the new Giant Eagle at W. 117th and I-90; you know, the one no one will be able to walk to?
Peace Out - 3C

Housing Trends: A Serious 2006 Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland Study on Home Sales Trends

2007-09-04T21:23:00.001-05:00

My last 12 months in real estate have been like a roller coaster: frustrating, sad, satisfying and busy year, all wrapped up in month-to-month cycles. I was aggravated at the media talk about housing bubbles and now declining prices. I got sad about the number of people contacting me, trying to get help with a home sale when their mortgage was not being met, and frustrated at how long they waited to get help...meaning, it was not possible for me to list their home and have them make enough money to save themselves. I was delighted to see so many young people and other first time home buyers saving money and coming in with an ethic of fiscal responsibility. It is what makes my chosen profession the best for me; never dull and different almost every day.

Some of my real estate colleagues, in the business for decades, told me that real estate is always cyclical. My own personal experience from home purchases in the '80s and then trying to sell a condo in the '90s, showed me first hand this was true. And my experiences now as a real estate professional back up these opinions.

Foreclosures and extremely high numbers of listings do have an effect on sale prices in our area. But here is a study pointed out to me on the University of Wisconsin-Madison site. They talk about two studies, but one is more recent. It was completed in 2006 by The Federal Reserve in Cleveland and talks about cycles. Here is an excerpt:

"....To understand changes in house prices, it is necessary to study the price of residential land. Data indicate that the real price of land has been marching steadily upward since 1950. If the 1998–2006 boom to house prices reflects demand for housing-related amenities, then the data on land prices argue that this boom is a continuation of earlier trends.
Relaxed credit constraints could explain the outpacing of house price appreciation to incomes. House prices can and should be expected to surge if credit constraints are unexpectedly relaxed for first-time home buyers who are credit or down-payment constrained. This surge can occur even when incomes remain constant; when credit constraints change over time, incomes and house prices should not be expected to increase at the same rate. ..."

This is a long dissertation, so you might want to grab a cup of java before you read. It's a very good read, however, for anyone who owns a home, is interested in how real estate works.

I'm never going to discount our foreclosure issues, or the change in (for the better) home sale prices sellers experienced for a few years running. The old saying is that 'real estate is local' and it surely is that. But this is a 'non-chicken little' approach...statistics! Let me know what you think. Peace Out - 3C

The Avenue District: Progress!

2007-09-03T21:11:00.000-05:00

Check out the Avenue District Blog - they have photos of the construction site, via a webcam they installed. I wish all the projects had webcams! You can subscribe to their newsletter as well, by going to their website. Peace Out - 3C

Does the United States Make More Manufactured Goods Than Ever Before?

2007-09-03T00:49:00.000-05:00

Peter Goodman writes in the Washington Post that in fact, The United States "....makes more manufactured goods today than at any time in history, as measured by the dollar value of production adjusted for inflation -- three times as much as in the mid-1950s, the supposed heyday of American industry. Between 1977 and 2005, the value of American manufacturing swelled from $1.3 trillion to an all-time record $4.5 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis...."

He highlights a former mill in South Carolina that is now a new home to an entrepreneurial high tech company.

As we all observe the increase in high technology companies here, like the ones moving in Downtown, we have to realize we are part of that manufacturing base. It's changing but it still exists. Good stuff. Read Peter's article here.

Read more:

Skyscrapercity.com
NorTech talks about Akron's Innovation Campus

Peace Out - 3C

Forbes Includes Cleveland Real Estate on Their Affordability List

2007-09-02T19:38:00.000-05:00

There was a very good article in Forbes this week. Matt Woolsey reports about the affordability of housing stock in certain areas of the Country; and more specifically, certain cities. His description of affordability makes sense. The short version is, the median price matches the medium income. He points out that even if you don't have any money saved this year, ....it would take just two years of gross salary to become a homeowner...."

That means two years of saving for a home, which is reasonable and matches what my mortgage 'peeps' tell me. He was referring to Indianapolis at the time, but here are the other cities he included on the list for affordable homes:

Cleveland, Ohio
Indianapolis, Indiana
Detroit, Michigan
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Atlanta, Georgia (this one surprises me, their salaries must be high enough to fit the criterion)
Greensboro, North Carolina
Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Louis, Missouri
Dallas, Texas
Austin, Texas

Our median income is somewhere around $57k -- according to the article. Does anyone have stats to back this up or corroborate? It sounds high to me. They list the median sales price of homes here as $122,900. That does sound about right. While it is not the best time to list a home for sale right now, it sure is a good time to buy one in the Cleveland area.

Forbes on line has a slide show that also includes the median home prices for each community, along with photos.

The more I think about it, I thought our median income was below $30k, otherwise how would we have been voted one of the poorest cities? Sometimes (!!!) when you read an article you just can't take it on face value, I know, you all already know that!

Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Neighborhood News:Food Finds! New York Style Pizza May Be Best Pizza on Cleveland's West Side

2007-09-01T09:58:00.000-05:00

New York Style Pizza is my favorite West Side pizzeria. (I included the link even though their website is still under construction in the hopes it is up and running soon.) They used to be located at Lorain and W. 150th and it was a treat to indulge in their white pizza with eggplant topping. Now they are on Triskett at W. 150th -- how lucky am I to be on their delivery path now!

They offer a nice selection of toppings, they even advertise The Largest Pizza in Ohio (36" hand tossed). All their pizzas are baked in a stone oven. They make their own yummy dough and sauces. A few weeks ago, I ordered a Hawaiian pizza without ham. You could be saying to yourself, self, she is odd...or, you could try it, and have a wonderful juxtaposition of flavors on a meatless pizza: the sweetness of the cooked pineapple on a killer pizza with a to die for sauce. Yum!

Their menu is actually broader than pizza: killer chicken wings....salads, burgers, ribs, etc. The place is always spiffy clean; there are a few tables to dine-in if you choose. Or, just walk in and order and then sit and chat with the friendly staff or others waiting for their pizza.

I sat with rapt attention a few days ago as I listened to Peter explain to a newer employee what went into the making of a calzone; as he detailed the process I was hungrier than ever. Peter is of course one of the local heroes to me since he is the pizza maker! The crust and sauces are (as they say on the BBC), absolutely fabulous. Check them out! (In case you are wondering, Geraci's pizza is my favorite East Side pizza... you were wondering weren't you? lol) Peace Out - 3C

New York Style Pizza, 15233 Triskett Road, near the corner of Triskett and W. 150th. 216-941-2500

Cleveland Neighborhood News: Does Anyone Care What Residents Think?

2007-08-30T21:06:00.000-05:00

Are you surprised that the new Giant Eagle proposed for W. 117th near Target is moving forward? I'm not. Because of course it still makes no sense to have a store where there are no residents when five or six groceries already exist IN neighborhoods. Anyway, you can read about it here. Grrrrr. Peace Out - 3C

Can We Keep City Buddha In Ohio City?

2007-08-30T16:03:00.000-05:00

I was almost bereft walking to work yesterday. As I passed City Buddha, there was a 'store closing clearance' sale banner out front. I immediately went in to see what was going on....they are not closing the Cleveland Heights location -but I am hoping they don't have to leave Ohio City either!

Obviously I'm not privy to the financials.....maybe they need a new location that does not cost as much to rent per square foot of space.....in any event, Ohio City needs City Buddha! I have friends who don't even live near the place who frequent it on a regular basis...we all do, I'm sure! Are chain stores and restaurants the only ones who will be around in ten years? How do we keep the local, signature stores afloat? By spending money there please! Let's not let this happen at another local establishment, when you have the opportunity, please frequent a local shop.

Can you email Larry the owner (larry@citybuddha.com) and ask him to find another Ohio City location please! Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland News: Mayor Frank Jackson on The Cleveland Schools and the Medical Mart

2007-08-27T22:07:00.000-05:00

In Cleveland news today, Mayor Jackson's comments on the Medical Mart and improving Cleveland's schools. His comments are covered in an article on Newsnet5's website. He explains why he feels the Med Mart will bring on a spin off in manufacturing jobs. Again, I don't think any of us were questioning the positives of a Med Mart, just how it was going to be funded. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Transportation News: The Ohio Hub and The Nashville Connection

2007-08-27T21:12:00.001-05:00

For now, the Ohio Hub plan promises to hook us up with high speed rail to places like Detroit and Columbus and Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Ohio is of course not the only state vying for Federal money for high speed train routes. I found this article interesting; it talks about the proposed Atlanta to Chattanooga rail route. They seem to be in the same holding pattern we are in Ohio: they have the money for the environmental study and then plan on being ready to apply for the Federal money when it becomes available.

What makes so much sense to me: once The Hub is in place, we can work on connecting the entire country with viable high speed train service. How can this not help our economy?

Here is another article, this one about light rail in Washington D.C. A Purple Line was proposed to add to DC's Metro system; one comment in the article is that it's harder to get monies for hard rail lines but light rail is easier......they are still not sure the Purple Line will move ahead. Read it for yourself...I plan on ferreting out all the articles I can find on a continual basis so we can see what others are doing in addition to our own progress on the Three C Corridor Plan.

I hate when this happens, but for some reason The Post article won't link here...they may be working on a new page location for it on their site. I'll check back in the morning and see if it has landed somewhere else on the site. Peace Out - 3C

Okay, here is an excerpt, in case the article enters the Bermuda Triangle:

"....The Federal Transit Administration, which helped sink plans for a tunnel through Tysons Corner and is demanding further cost accounting for the proposed Metro line through Dulles International Airport, will likewise dictate what any new transit line through suburban Maryland would look like and when -- or whether -- there will be money to build it.
"It's the driving force behind the planning process," Maryland Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari said of the competition for federal money. "You can have the best conceived transit project in the world, and it's not going forward if it doesn't qualify for federal funding."
Toward that end, Porcari delayed consideration of the Purple Line for another year after deciding that the rider estimates were too crude to impress the federal officials in charge of doling out critical funding. Analysts are now recalculating ridership predictions using more sophisticated forecasting models.
Concerns about federal guidelines also led local officials to quickly rule out heavy rail -- the type of trains used on Metro -- in favor of slower, but far cheaper, light-rail trains or express buses. State officials have also rejected calls to run the line under the popular Capital Crescent Trail, saying it would be too expensive without saving travel time -- another effort to satisfy federal criteria.
The concessions show just how focused planners are on pleasing officials at the federal agency. ..." (written by Katherine Shaver and Amy Gardner of The Post)

Grand Opening of Planet Donuts Sweetens Up Westtown

2007-08-26T14:53:00.000-05:00

I approached it with glee today, total glee! We have a new retail establishment in my neighborhood and to sweeten the pot, it's a donut/ice cream shop! Planet Donut and Ice Cream, at 119th and Lorain, opened for business on Thursday. The Grand Opening weekend is featuring a car show, live music and a much appreciated sun-filled sky.

The owners, Mike and Angie, decided on this location because, according to Angie, "they wanted to bring some life back to the neighborhood." Amen to that! Mike is from the neighborhood, Angie grew up in Parma. They are personable people and I say welcome to the neighborhood!
At one point this building was a used car lot; Angie and Mike said it was a temporary service more recently. The East side of the building is a spacious dining area with cable TV and wi-fi service. I can see myself frequenting it on my way to or from work.

Today I purchased some ice cream (which I sampled already: raspberry!). It's Hershey's ice cream, and they offer a nice selection.

The bakery was a surprise. Owner Mike says he has a bakery off premises. I brought home two different types of jelly roll: one chocolate and one 'regular' sprinkled with crushed pistachios. There were many other items to try but let's face it, I have to fit into my clothes. So the bottom line is, it's a bakery too! They offer shakes, banana splits (!!), cappuccino, cakes, bagels, etc.

We chatted about the fact that the Variety Theatre will eventually be reopened and that will also bring life (and customers for them) to the neighborhood. This is a great start.

I'm posting this early enough so that you still have time to visit this afternoon, check out the antique cars at the car show, take in a little music, and meet Owners Mike and Angie on Grand Opening Weekend. Peace Out - 3C

Do you read the newspaper on the porch or on line? Do you read it at all?

2007-08-19T20:07:00.000-05:00

The future of newspapers in print form is much discussed, but when someone as insightful as Joel Achenbach tackles the issue I take note. Have to love the title: I Really Need You To Read This.

I still read the paper but I do it on line. I admit, I do not read the PD regularly; many of my fellow bloggers remind me weekly why I don't by some of their, uh, colorful nicknames for it. But I do read the WS Journal and the Washington Post is my home page. What do you read? Do you agree with Joel?

He asks at the end of the article to comment on his blog. You can, that would be great....the POST also allows comments on articles...I find myself doing that often as well....

What's wrong with the PD? How can they sit back and look at the POST and the WSJ, and just about any other newspaper from an area with a population larger than 100k and their on-line presence is fabulous...compared to the PD, especially.

There are some great Plain Dealer reporters -- I'd read them more regularly if it was on line, because I'm just not liking the print version....what do you think? Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Real Estate News: Yearly Comparisons For Homes Sold, Lakewood and Rocky River

2007-08-18T14:32:00.000-05:00

I have been crazy busy this week, but promised more stats and thought this might be useful. I picked two communities with sold housing stocks and thriving business communities: Lakewood and Rocky River. These are going to be statistics of homes sold for each year 2004-2007 (again, home stats cover homes listed with area brokerages). These combine single family homes, town homes, condos; these stats cover January through August 17th of each year.

Rocky River:

2007 188 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price was $244,002

2006 194 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price was $241,095

2005 189 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price was $231,815

2004 205 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price $245,043

Lakewood:

2007 84 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price was $281,433

2006 87 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price was $255,672

2005 344 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price was $185,018

2004 327 Homes Sold
Average Sale Price was $182,533

In both communities the sale prices are higher but the numbers of homes sold are lower. Lakewood has quite a jump in average sale prices. I'll be very curious to see what the stats look like for the next six months; will the volatility in the lending market affect these communities? What about foreclosure rates? I guess we can stay tuned.

Cleveland Real Estate News: Getting A Mortgage Safely

2007-08-16T22:48:00.000-05:00

You've all heard the news (since it's all over the media) about Countrywide, one of the Country's largest providers of mortgages. They are scrambling to avoid bankruptcy. I have to tell you, it is still possible to get a safe mortgage loan and that is the only good news in this mess. Brian Brady is one of the top thinkers, in my opinion, in the mortgage industry. I'll let him tell you about this. Here are solid points of advice from America's Most Opinionated Mortgage Broker. I am dead serious, this is great advice. He's writing it for Realtors® but it can tell you what to look for as you search for your loan. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Real Estate News: Brecksville and Independence Half Year Sale Statistics

2007-08-15T20:54:00.000-05:00

Independence and Brecksville are adjacent communities so it seemed appropriate to do a comparison of home sales since January of this year; six months of stats for homes sold by area brokerages:

Brecksville:
81 single family homes sold
23 condos sold

The homes sold ranged in sale prices from $78,000 for a bank owned home to $1,375,000.00 for a new construction luxury home. The averages look like this:

2,906 square feet
4 BRs, 2 Baths and 2 car garage
Average sale price was $310,649
The average amount of days on the market for these homes was 71
Average cost per square feet was $110

***There are 77 single family homes on the market as of today, in Brecksville, and 34 condominiums.

Independence:

20 single family homes sold

They ranged in price from an estate sale at $142,507 to $650,000. The averages:

2,399 square feet of living space
3 BRs, 2 Baths and a two car garage
The average sale price was $285,047
The average number of days these homes were on the market was 94
The average cost per square foot was $119

There are 48 single family homes listed for sale currently, with area brokerages. (There are no condo stats for Independence)

Independence had a smaller inventory of homes for sale than Brecksville, and traditionally Independence is a popular designation neighborhood for home sales (lower taxes). These first six months did see Brecksville with a higher average sale price; the price per square foot was higher in Independence, but close. Peace Out- 3C

Don't Buy Anything If You Don't Have Money -- What a Concept!

2007-08-13T21:20:00.001-05:00

Big hats off to fellow Active Rainer Cheryl Johnson for digging up this SNL video.....I remember it, I laughed, poignantly. You really need to watch this for the perfect financial philosophy! Thanks, Cheryl. Peace Out-3C

Cleveland Real Estate:Two Good Reads From Other Bloggers

2007-08-13T11:21:00.000-05:00

I read two posts this weekend that I definitely want to pass on to everyone....the posters are not in NE Ohio but what they have to say applies to every state and all of us. Both of these bloggers are real estate professionals whom I respect tremendously and whose work I follow.

First, George Souto is a mortgage lender from Connecticut He wrote a post on zero down mortgages and what is fact and what is fiction about them in our current market. I definitely suggest you read this.

Next, Linda Davis (coincidentally, also from Connecticut!) has a story about a listing she had that just went under contract. She understands about pricing listings; she understands a lot because she is a broker who has been in business for about 30 years. So check out her post to get some great insight into what is important when you want to sell your home. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Real Estate News: Ohio City & Tremont Housing Sales

2007-08-12T15:18:00.000-05:00

This covers zip code 44113, which includes Ohio City and Tremont. These 'first six months of 2007' stats represent homes listed with area brokerages.

There are 93 single family homes for sale in zip code 44113
There are 74 condos listed for sale in this zip code
One condo and 4 single family homes are 'contingent' and waiting to go pending to close
21 single family homes are under contract and waiting to close
51 condos are pending as well, and waiting to transfer title and close

Sold since January:

22 condos
46 single family homes
The average time on the market for these homes was 108 days
Average Ask Price was $194,425
Average Sale Price was $192,967
Average cost per square foot was $92

**There are 93 homes and 74 condos listed for sale right now, as I stated; that is quite a bit less than the West Town and West Park area stats showed in my previous post. Zip code 44113 has not seen the huge wave of listings (and maybe less foreclosures?) than some other areas.

Cleveland Real Estate: Housing Sales West Park/West Town

2007-08-12T15:08:00.001-05:00

These are statistics for home sale activity for the first six months of this year. This post covers Westpark/Westtown, and as always, includes all home activity for homes listed with area brokerages.

There are 423 homes on the market as of today
133 of them are 3 BR, one car garage single family homes
Two homes are 'contingent' but under contract
80 homes have sold since January

The Averages:

1,276 square feet of living space
The 80 homes were on the market an average of 72 days
Average Ask Price was $101,334
Average Sale Price was $97,103

**The least expensive home that sold ($18,500) and the most expensive one ($156,000) were both bank owned/foreclosure homes.

Let me repeat: there are 423 homes listed for sale with area brokerages in this neighborhood. I would say if you do not have to sell your home right now, now would not be a good time to test the waters!

Peace Out - copyright 3C 2007

Cleveland Real Estate: The Skinny on Lakewood and Rocky River Home Sales

2007-08-09T21:16:00.000-05:00

Six months of statistics are available for home sales in and around Cleveland so I'm going to be posting these off and on over the next week. Today it's Lakewood and Rocky River. These stats, as usual, cover homes sold by brokerages in NE Ohio. All stats cover January to the present.

Lakewood:

105 total homes sold. 66 were BR single family homes; the rest were condos. The lowest sale price was $55,000 and the highest was $223,000.

All 105 averaged 94 days on the market before selling. The average 'sold' dwelling had 3BRs, 1BA and a one car garage. Average asking price was $120,096. The average sale price was $115,574.

There are 168 Single Family Homes for sale currently in Lakewood.
There are 138 condominiums for sale.

12 homes are currently under contract and waiting for inspections and mortgages to be finalized; 36 homes are 'pending' or waiting to close.

Rocky River:

182 total homes sold since January.
137 were single family homes
45 were condominiums

They ranged in price from $127,000 to @262,000. The average ask price was @178,060 and the average sale price was $171,747. These homes were on the market an average of 88 days.

There are 4 'contingent' offers, meaning waiting for inspections and mortgage approvals.
There are 37 homes pending, or waiting to close.

Rocky River currently has 171 condos listed for sale ; 182 single family homes are listed for sale.

Still more available homes than there are buyers. Peace Out - 3C

Sales Tax Monies....Better Use?

2007-08-07T16:07:00.000-05:00

Hmmm, thinking that our infrastructure might be better served by that increase in sales tax monies. A day like today that saw most of NE Ohio flooded due to sewers that are tied into each other in ways that encourage flooding.....couldn't they use that money to take care of this issue instead? I'd love to know if this is realistic. Peace Out-3C

I did not have three minutes to myself today so no calls to the sewer peeps etc. But, turns out today's newsnet5 website has an article. It's slightly tabloid in nature (quel surpris) but I will let you read and decide for yourself. Now, this really IS my next week's cause. 8/9/07

Cleveland Housing News: Ohio's Homestead Exemption Tax Has Expanded

2007-08-07T00:47:00.000-05:00

Governor Strickland and The Ohio General Assembly have expanded the Homestead Exemption Tax. You may not have been eligible before but may now meet the requirements.

Are you 65 ?

Are you disabled?

If you answer yes to either question, you may now qualify. Because the income limits have been eliminated.

It could reduce your property taxes up to $400 a year.

I mention this now because the deadline for applying for a Homestead Tax Exemption is October 1, 2007. Believe it or not, October is not that far away. You will ultimately be applying through your local county auditor. There is a directory of all county auditors and forms you can download at the Ohio Department of Taxation website.

If you already qualify, no worries, the new rules will automatically keep you in the program.

You can find out more information two ways -

On line at Ohio Department of Taxation or by calling them at 800-282-1780.

In Cuyahoga County, you can contact the Auditor's Office on line or by calling 216-443-7010

Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Retail Economic News: My Grocery Store Rant - What are They Thinking?

2007-08-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

I'm not my usual positive self; been sitting on this issue for two days and finally have to blog about it. The PD will tell you more but....... Giant Eagle is planning on a store on W. 117th at the new Target location. On face value, everyone might say great! Here's some food for thought:

1. Lorain at Rocky River Drive: Rego's Market replete with Corbo's bakery

2. Lakewood Heights Blvd at Lewis: Rego's Market at first Rego's location ever

3. Lorain Road at W. 139th: Giant Eagle Super Market

4. Lorain Road at W. 104th: Giant Eagle Super Market

5. Montrose at Warren Road: Giant Eagle Super Market

All five stores reside in areas heavily populated with homes. All are within I bet, two miles of each other. Yes, there are some residential streets close to the new Target on W. 117th but wouldn't different types of retail be better there? If I am going to Target, I'm NOT going to the grocery store! Yes, I know, private ownership and all. But really guys! Put a retail operation there that will bring more retail jobs to the neighborhoods, NOT robots!

And my pet peeve: Giant Eagle cannot keep cash registers open at the stores they already have. This was a conversation I had last evening at the one on Lorain Road...ten people in line, one cashier. It makes no difference what time of the day you go, there are NEVER enough people cashiering at a Giant Eagle. At least not any of the ones I have mentioned. And they are moving towards the self-scanning machines anyway (which are never manned either I might add). Let's put more people out of business and just have us do our own check out - kind of like having to pump your own gas only with groceries.

Why spend money on a new store when you can't even service the ones you have?

Closing down more grocery stores in our neighborhoods while promoting driving a car to one on W. 117th seems like insanity to me.

Someone explain to me why this is getting a go ahead. The people who make these decisions must not shop at local grocery stores. Someone please explain to me why this is a good idea!

Bah humbug. Peace Out - 3C

How would you feel about an 'air rights' cap over the Innerbelt that included housing?

2007-08-04T17:51:00.000-05:00

It's hard to weigh in on this idea fully, but there are aspects to it that sound feasible and economically forward thinking. What am I talking about? Well you will have to read an article in the Plain Dealer by Steven Litt. A non profit group called Quadrangle Inc. is suggesting we follow the path taken in places like Boston and making sense out of concrete barrier areas established during the Federal money heyday. Barriers that have cut off neighborhoods from the rest of the world (i.e. highway exit ramps) in cities all over this Country. That part sounds good so far.

I get a bit nervous about two things. Have you ever read about Boston's Big Dig? That was so expensive it made everyone's blood go cold. Secondly, there is money for the Innerbelt Plan (Federal) but no money would exist for the Capping Plan (Federal).

It would be a ten block area that would connect CSU with CCC and St. Vincent's Charity Hospital. It would be called the 'University Circle West.' I can't believe they have a name for it already. It would create 23 acres of housing, retail and parks. Above ground parks like the High Line in NYC?

As usual there is discord not discourse. The peeps and non-profit groups supporting The Innerbelt Plan are saying that this will circumvent the existing plan for the Carnegie exit ramp and that it will delay the project, make it more expensive. Make it more expensive makes sense; the delay part, well, to me a plan should move ahead only when it's absolutely determined that it is the best one.

This quote from Hunter Morrison, a former area planner, is worth repeating because this is for sure what happened all over the Country: (this is right out of the PD article)

"Morrison said city planners in the 1950s intentionally ran the highway between downtown and the Woodland and Central neighborhoods to create a barrier. Capping the freeway in the future would heal an urban scar, he said. "

But, and a big but, they don't know who would fund this project.

You can go to Quadrangle Inc. website and see a map of the District and find a bit more about them. The name quadrangle and it's association for college life is not lost on me. This has not been on my radar before has it been on yours? Let's hope we can find out more about this.

Cleveland Economic News -Summer In The City Program Shows Off Cleveland

2007-08-03T22:48:00.000-05:00

This made my heart beat faster....and yes I realize 30 people do not a 'reverse brain drain' make. But it is in line with what I am hearing and seeing from rental and buyer clients moving into the area. Read this article by Amanda Teuscher (wonder if she is related to Fred) of the PD.

It's a good story - the first person who is interviewed is a Berkeley California gal who wound up here for grad school after her 'internship' showed her what Cleveland had to offer. It's a start. If we keep having lots of these starts, maybe it will amount to good things.

Last year I had one client move out of Ohio (to Tennessee for a job). This year I had a Philly native/resident who was part timing here for job purposes give up his condo. That is it, all the rest of my relocation clients have been moving here, not leaving.

How about this statistic from the article: 630 students applied for 75 spots/internships; the program was originally just for Yalies but employers became so enthusiastic about the program they opened it up to other schools.

This program sounds so much better than any expensive marketing campaign we've tried in the past. Peace out - 3C

Cleveland Housing News: Multi-family (Doubles) Stats For Zipcode 44111

2007-08-02T11:41:00.001-05:00

There are currently 63 two family homes for sale in zipcode 44111. 64 if you count a new one listed on Bellaire for $240k (built in 2006).
The average Ask Price is $93,712. The average square footage is decent, 2,033 sf, or about 1,000 a unit per home.

Since January 2007, here are sales stats for two family homes in zip code 44111:

27 Doubles Sold
Average Ask Price was $82,300
Average Sale Price was $78,488
Average number of days these sold doubles were on the market is 91
average square footage was 2,049

There are foreclosure homes represented here, that is the sobering news. The better news if there is any, is there are not hundreds of them on the market right now (which is true for single family homes in this zip code, see post from earlier this week). Peace Out- 3C

Ohio Transportation News: Trains are Safer Than Cars

2007-08-02T09:53:00.000-05:00

The PD has an article (if you can call two paragraphs an article) about train track deaths - four people have died in Lorain County on train tracks this Summer. Just thought, to put it in perspective, I'd throw in an automobile stat.

In 2006, posted on recordpub.com and according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, 1,239 people died in Ohio as a result of a car crash. The good news is, that is quite an improvement over traditional stats for previous years (they say 2005 was a turning point and attribute it to seat belts).

Just had to put that into perspective. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Economic and Housing News: Advance NE Ohio Asks: Are You Optimistic?

2007-08-01T02:44:00.000-05:00

I added my two cents, but more importantly, they want input and that means you. Advance NE Ohio wants to know three reasons why you are optimistic about our future. If you provide your thoughts there just might be a great dialogue. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland News: Sheryl Crow Concert a Perfect Ending to July

2007-08-01T01:32:00.000-05:00

After a full day of work in real estate, the last thing I could have imagined was going to a concert at the Scene Pavilion. Okay, the PD Pavilion. Had an unexpected invitation to see Sheryl Crow perform there and that was an offer I could not possibly refuse. Thank you Mark and Cyril for the invitation.

Sheryl Crow still inspires, still sings with that smoky, lush voice that hasn't lost it's luster. She seemed wonderfully healthy after her 2006 bout with cancer. And her band is phenomenal. Due to the wonders of the Internet, you can see photos from tonight's (okay, last night's) concert on her official website here.

I fantasize about still going to concerts when I am 85. As I gazed at the Bingham and the Federal Court House, the River and the beautiful moon tonight, I wondered at how fabulous our City's resources are; the natural beauty, the man made wonders that are the iron bridges and the architecture. I hope we never squander those resources for any reason. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Real Estate: Zip Code 44111 Housing Stats

2007-07-30T23:18:00.000-05:00

We are halfway through the year 2007, which is hard to believe no? Cleveland real estate in zip code 44111 is selling, but there are some shocking stats.

These figures - as always - cover homes listed on the real estate computer listing site, NORMLS, for homes sold through brokerages who list there:

Zip Code 44111: 114 Single Family Homes sold since January 2007

Here are the averages for those homes: 1,327 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and a two car garage. Okay so far. The average asking price was $69,547. The average sale price was $66,837. That comes out to about $52 a square foot. The average number of days on the market for these homes was 84.

The other stark news is that the first 35 homes out of these 114 sold for under 50k -- and the first 46 homes were bank owned. Yes, there is a correlation. It's also sad because it affects the market values.

And btw, there are still 370 single family homes on the market in this zip code -- and that is only for the homes with 3 or more bedrooms. This puts a stark reality to the foreclosure issue. And sometimes reality bites. Peace Out - 3C

Today Is Cal Ripken Jr. Day at Cooperstown

2007-07-28T23:32:00.000-05:00

I try not to have heroes; it's counter productive. But baseball is part of my soul and Cal Ripken is at the top of my roster of favorite players...and human beings I don't know but admire. Today he will be at Cooperstown getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, and here is a Washington Post article to start your day with a smile....who doesn't like Cal? Not many people.

I lived in Maryland for 19 years and treasure my VHS copy of the final game in his Streak....complete with the lap and the applause. It's not so much about the final day, the final game, the Iron Man title; it's about the seemingly great work ethic and consistency. That's what 'almost heroes' are for in my life, for inspiration to keep doing the best I can, keep learning, keep trying to be a better human being.

So today is Cal Ripken Jr. day in my heart and that makes me smile. Peace Out - 3C

Downtown Cleveland Housing: Euclid Avenue Corridor Update

2007-07-28T22:22:00.000-05:00

First let me say how happy I am to utilize a PR newswire report since they moved so many of their workers to Cleveland a few months back! Now the news:

1. Paul Volpe and City Architecture have been given the bid for the Streetscaping for the Euclid Avenue Corridor project. The first leg of this project will start in September of this year. It is, according to plans, to be a walkable neighborhood and will tie in to and be in partnership with the Zaremba Development of the Avenue District.

2. The Avenue District construction is already underway - 78 units at are you ready? Good price points! For 1200 square feet the price is expected to be around $235,000. For the usual $300k and up, you will actually get good square footage for your buck: how does a $370k 2100 sq foot town home sound? The prices can go even higher of course but it sounds like good variety in the floor plans and styles.

One of the descriptions of the Streetscaping Plan intrigued me a lot; they called for 'outdoor living rooms' called 'area rugs' by using different colors and textures.....and there will be benches and public art and more. Btw, the Streetscaping project costs some bucks...approximately $7 mil.

Have to admit it sounds like it could really provide a sense of place for Euclid Avenue.

(above is a photo I took on E. 9th Street-multiply that 100 times and there is a 'wow' factor in my head about the EA Streetscaping) Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Real Estate News: New Town Home/Condo Projects

2007-07-27T21:16:00.000-05:00

New Cleveland Condominium Projects: Where are the price points going to be? Only some of them are below $300k. And you guys know my mantra, we need lower price points.

Anyway, the PD's Henry Gomez wrote an article and there is a great pdf file of proposed projects - every now and then the PD gets it right, this is a useful reference for anyone who might want to purchase a condo. Some of the projects sound really good, like the condos on Columbus Avenue -- after all, they are near RTA so perfect location. I do not know anything about the price points yet and this article did not have that information either. They may still be deciding. I might have to call and lobby for good prices!

Gomez talks about the 15 year tax abatement keeping the $300k and up price points going strong. What do you think? Wouldn't a 15 year tax abatement on a town house that was $200k be even more attractive? How about $179k like the ones at Tremont's Starkweather Place? Stay tuned for more information on that one soon. Great exterior design, really true to the character of Tremont.

Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Economic News: Be Smart, Drive Smart?

2007-07-27T21:00:00.000-05:00

This car amazed me when I was in London two winters ago. WKYC reports that it is now going to be sold here. Watch this cool video from the WKYC website :-) Peace Out - 3C

Housing Trends: Maybe We Can Make Saving Money to Buy A Home Sexy

2007-07-26T01:25:00.000-05:00

I saw it in the faces of some of my clients; it may have seemed exciting to be a part of the 'gold rush mentality' of no money down purchases: ' why wait and miss the boat, buy a house now.' Meaning, why wait until you have money saved for a down payment or even closing costs!

The truth is always much less sexy, taking the form of foreclosures and sherrif sales at the bleakest end of the spectrum; and too much financial stress even at it's best. You can read a few past posts on the foreclosure issues here and here and here. You can also follow Callahan's Cleveland Diary, since Bill is keeping track, seemingly weekly, of new foreclosures filed.

Out of these dark clouds may be some better news for the future. At least that is what is being reported in Crain's Cleveland this week. Shawn Turner wrote about banks/lenders seeing an increase in the number of fixed rate and conventional loans filed, with a downturn in ARMs and No Interest, and subprime loans. The banking officials interviewed said some key things, at least according to this article:

1) People are taking to heart the negative press about sub prime loans. The good news is that people are learning they "...need to read the fine print..." (quote from Cindy Balser of KeyCorp)

2) Fifth Third Bank says it's conventional loan applications are up to 74% of all loans written, compared to conventional loans encompassing 63% for all of 2006.

Another aspect of mortgage loans to consider: if you don't put 20% down, you will be spending money that does not count towards your Principal or Interest on the loan, but will still have to come out of your pocket. This is because of PMI (Mortgage Insurance) that is 'tacked on' to your monthly loan amount if you provide a down payment of less than 20%. I looked around and of all places found an article on MSN Money. But the source is fairly good: Kiplinger. A question and answer session from a consumer looking to buy a home and get a mortgage led to a pretty concise discussion of what PMI is all about.

I am not saying no one should get a sub prime loan. But it has to be better if more people are focused on actually saving money before they decide to purchase.

Some of my 2007 clients have talked about not being sure if they will be able to stay in Cleveland and put down roots....maybe they are recently out of grad school; maybe they have moved here to accept a job transfer. Could be a lot of reasons. I encourage them to talk to their mortgage lenders about the advantages of a 20 pecent down loan, helping to build equity more quickly. It's been gratifying that a few of my clients were already doing this on their own, planning for their home purchases, saving money. The Kiplinger discussion in Money puts it this way:

"In the early years, you aren't building any equity with the mortgage payment," Eisenberg says. "If the market changes or your personal circumstances change and you're forced to sell, you could lose money" if you made little or no down payment. The equity in your home can also give you an extra source of cash in an emergency."

Peace Out - 3C

Life as a Cleveland Realtor® is Good

2007-07-24T21:15:00.000-05:00

I may not be the richest of people (uh, no), but frequently I find myself thinking I have the best job in the world. Today was a perfect example: my client and I walked from my office to tour the new phase of the Fries and Schuele condominium project - unveiled at a brokers open today. We saw a handful of units already available. It's always fun to see the interest and excitement on someone's face when they catch a great view from a living room window there. One of my favorites overlooks W. 26th, the Great Lakes Brewery, St. Ignatius' spire and more. It's especially satisfying to show our City to people who are relocating here, or have only lived in the Cleveland area for a while, hailing from some other larger city around the Country. Today was one of those days. I've said it before but here I go again: people do want to move here! We just need more of them.

To cap it off, we wound up at Public Square for a peek at The Park Building condominiums. It's not often you can stand in a residential space and dream about overlooking the Soldiers and Sailor's Monument on Public Square. Of course I wait with anticipation for the completion of the Euclid Avenue Corridor/Silver Line project (it IS going to be completed yes?) These two condo projects, IMHO, are very well done (F & Scheule and Park Bldg). There are others worthy of a gander and a consideration, but the views these two offer are personal favorites.

Seriously, sometimes I want to pinch myself. I get to travel all over the City, more frequently by foot or RTA, and show it off to people who were not born here. Life is good! Peace Out-3C

Drew Carey Rocks Just Like Cleveland

2007-07-23T20:29:00.000-05:00

I was trying to watch the YouTube/CNN Presidential debate.....all I kept thinking of, where is that episode of a good debate from the West Wing? Sigh. I gave up on the debate and went looking for Cleveland news and here it is: Drew Carey has been picked to replace Bob Barker on the Price is Right. I didn't have to go far to look, it was on the CNN website :-)

Now this good news is still not wiping away the images in my head of a bunch of talking heads, er candidates giving sound bytes and not saying anything real. Is that ever going to change? Jill of Writes Like She Talks had a good discussion going for a bit on new political parties or no parties, etc. I admit I cannot find that entry, but since we need some cheer after that debate, here is her current entry on three top employers making a 50 Best List for Small and Medium Employers.

Bob Barker was gracious about Drew taking over. Told him to be himself. "Go out there and do that show the way you think it should be done. Don't imitate me and don't imitate anyone else."

Drew Carey Rocks Peace Out - 3C

Transportation: Maine to Boston's 'Downeaster' Hits Paydirt

2007-07-21T21:14:00.000-05:00

This is why The Ohio Hub and the 3C Corridor is the best idea since sliced bread. Watch this video and see what the Downeaster Railroad Line has done for people in the Maine to Boston corridor. No really, please watch it!

I also have a link here to the May 2007 financial report regarding the Downeaster. Ridership is up, they had over 28k riders in May of this year. They are getting ready to add a new daily round trip to their service schedule.

One of the guys interviewed in the above video talks about housing. He said it used to be if you were putting up a 1,000 sq ft. dwelling, the mantra was 'you need a two car garage.' Now that is not necessary!

We need this kind of economic boost in Ohio and Cleveland, don't you think? Peace Out-3C

Cleveland News: Panel Discussion Today at Levin College on Marketing and Improving Our Neighborhoods

2007-07-19T21:06:00.000-05:00

Jeff Kipp of Living in Cleveland hosted a lively panel discussion this morning at the Levin College of Urban Studies on marketing and improving Cleveland's neighborhoods. It was the quality of the participants that enticed me although I admit, it was hard not to roll my eyes and say 'oh lordy another attempt to market the City, what will they come up with THIS time.'

Luckily, they dispelled my worries early on by agreeing with Paul Volpe who said he is tired of videos that feature Tower City and the Cleveland Orchestra....and a bunch of 'happy people' who don't really say what is important enough to out-of -towners to bring them here. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I'm going to put out what I thought were the highlights of the discussion:

Paul Volpe's comment that 'culture' and not 'sprawl' are the issues in flight from our city. His (my) generation and earlier thought the signs that you succeeded in life had you progressing from growing up in the City and then moving out to the 'burbs to show you were a productive member of society. He commented that the younger generations seem to be thinking differently and are embracing a life within the City limits. (My clients certainly seem to fit this category.)

David Goldberg says the book The Creative Class should be required reading for everyone, and that personal responsibility NOT marketing is the driving force. He used environmental issues as an example around the Country. The environmental issue is taking off because of a grassroots effort not because of an expensive marketing campaign.

He feels this personal responsibility on all our parts is what will make the difference, not huge money spent on a media campaign. I have to agree. I remember reading Bob Dylan's comment in Rolling Stone recently; leave it to Bob to be on the philosophical cutting edge as always. He said we can't expect our politicians to do what we need to do. It's our fault if things aren't the way we want them, not our political leaders fault. I couldn't help think of this as David Goldberg was talking.

Vickie Johnson exemplified personal responsibility with a great personal story. She of course lives in the Fairfax neighborhood. Her husband is a Cleveland Police Officer with a residency requirement. For years he would lament that they were not able to move anywhere else. She kept quiet, waiting until or if she would have to tackle this issue with him. She never wanted to leave. Then a few years ago, he started talking and thinking differently. Now he does not want to move either.

She also recounted how she felt it was important that her son attend the local public high school. She said she knew him, that he was a good student and would be good for the school and that is what is needed by residents in our neighborhoods. She made some excellent and thought provoking points about this.

She talked about 20 Case Students walking her neighborhood with her. They were mostly from the suburbs or out of town, never having been in that part of the City before. She said that the weekend was full of talking with neighbors and visiting establishments in the neighborhood. That Sunday night the director of the program at Case that brought these students to her for the weekend called: she said they were so impressed with the residents and the neighborhood.

In my opinion, It's all about letting people see the truth of how they live so others don't have to hold onto perceptions from others or from years past.

They all agreed that we, in each of our neighborhoods need to figure out two things: a plan and who is going to be the driving force in facilitating the plan. So it's not all talk. And they also commented on how it needs to be a realistic plan that the City can get behind.

Paul Volpe talked about the work on Prospect he was involved in, taking it, with grassroots efforts by others as well, from a six lane highway to what it is now so that it's a destination and livable and inviting. I don't know if the pretty sight I saw last week was the result of the same kind of effort or a general City plan, but the streetscaping, flowers and guitar art all give the block of East 9th near Huron and Prospect a sense of place in the most inviting way.

India Lee talked about not reinventing the wheel; that our City is divided up into CDCs and that the CDCs would need to be involved in theses grassroots efforts, leading the way in fact, with Living In Cleveland overseeing all of it. Ken Laurie of Rysar mentioned that he also wanted to see entrepreneurial work going on in the neighborhoods.

One part I really got excited about. Apparently (and only recently) The Clinic has been promoting the neighborhoods around it on their website as a way to entice their workers, especially new ones coming into the City, into living there. This is a new trend and shift in thinking. This is what we are looking for yes?

So the conclusion of the panelists was, if major Cleveland employers like the Clinic are promoting a neighborhood on their own, then that is a neighborhood the City should get behind. We cannot afford (they seemed to all agree) to try to promote every neighborhood in the City. We need to be smart about it. And the HR person from the Clinic said there have been quite a few 'hits' on the website about the neighborhood living possibilities.

Ken Laurie brought up an excellent point: Don't spend marketing money until there is a solid plan.

And they asked us to fill out a form if we were willing and able to roll up our sleeves and keep participating along with them and others.

David Goldberg also said he felt the Medical Mart was a once in a lifetime opportunity that we should not give short shrift to (I am paraphrasing). I thought that was interesting.
I'll be sure to let you know when the next panel discussion is scheduled. Or if anything else transpires about all this in the meantime. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Real Estate: New Condo Project in the Flats

2007-07-16T09:35:00.000-05:00

A new Cleveland (Flats) real estate development that will feature 264 condo units on three acres of land bought in 1999 from Sherwin Williams. Apparently the plans are not available for viewing yet but the goal is for each unit to have a view of the River with some units 'higher up' also having Lake views. This info comes from Crains Cleveland.

The design is being done by Paul Volpe of City Architecture. City Architecture has designed some gorgeous and tasteful projects. The Pierre's Ice Cream building, The Boulevard Town Homes in Cleveland Heights, Centrum Theatre in Cleve. Heights, many cool streetscaping projects including Prospect Avenue. And Millcreek, which is a planned community within the City limits, bordering Garfield Heights.

This makes the third planned residential development for the Flats (including Stonebridge). Tom Newman, the Executive Director of Flats Oxbow is quoted in the article - the Association hasn't seen the plans yet and the plans were apparently not at the City Council hearing on this project...that tells me it is in the very early stages. Here is other property for sale currently on both banks of the Flats.

Peace Out - 3C

Saturday Concert Musings: Bob Dylan and Jimmy Vaughn at PD Pavillion

2007-07-15T09:24:00.000-05:00

Last night was another one of those perfect evenings; there could not be a better place for a concert (outdoors anyway) than the PD Pavilion. The River's water was glassy, the sky deep blue, the air crystal clear. The passing of an ore boat while Jimmy Vaughn opened the evening was surreal and astoundingly beautiful.

Those of you who are/were avid Stevie Ray Vaughn fans know that Jimmy Vaughn is no slouch in the guitar department either. We were treated to a long riff done behind his neck..sounding better than 99 % of all guitarists playing at their belly buttons. It was so much fun watching people dance and groove to the music. I would pay money to see Jimmy Vaughn all by himself.

Oh yes right; it was a Bob Dylan concert. I should start off by saying he is at the top of my musical icon lists, no question. So I feel I can say without rancor that last night we had Mumbling Bob. To paraphrase Ringo from a past Rolling Stone article: sometimes you get the Bob we all know and love, and sometimes you get Mumbling Bob. lol. No question not everyone agreed with me because there were many standing ovations and could you blame them, he is The Man, mumbling or not. If you go to Dylan concerts more than once you know to be prepared for 'I Was So Much Older Then, I'm Younger Than That Now' to sound more like ummmm, any other song lol.

Can't say enough about the Pavilion. It seats over 4000 people and the concert was sold out.

George at Brewed Fresh Daily pointed out a good review in Skorasauras' Blog about the Kenny Chesney concert's lack of toilet facilities at Brown's Stadium. Hmmm, not good and isn't football season starting soon? Peace out-3C

CNN, Youtube Are Kicking it Up A Notch: An Interactive Presidential Candidates Debate

2007-07-13T22:26:00.000-05:00

The Ethernet has truly arrived. CNN and Youtube are getting together to sponsor live and interactive coverage of the upcoming South Carolina Presidential Debate.

CNN's Political Ticker blog reports that people will be able to submit questions via YouTube video. So it's history in the making. I'm visualizing an overloaded system but that may be wishful thinking since I want everyone to be involved in our political processes.

The Democratic debate will be on July 23rd. The Republican debate held in Florida will be on August 17th. We have the possibility of exciting more interest in participation, especially among young people. What do you think of the Youtube web page announcing this? They are clearly trying to create some excitement. They call it 'broadcasting yourself.' I like that sound byte. Hopefully along with the prerequisite fifteen minutes of fame will be some insightful questions! The guidelines for submission of questions can be found there as well.

The deadline for your video questions for the Democratic Debate is July 22nd.

Youtube also has a site called Citizen Tube. This is where we go to watch the debate live and then lend our comments afterwards. Watch this video, they are sounding really grassroots, asking people to be in 'video camera will travel' mode and go to people who do not have access to the Internet and get their questions recorded; then come back and do the submission for them! This is truly wild.

Cleveland Economic News: Automobile Sales Up in 2007

2007-07-13T02:29:00.000-05:00

Crains had some positive Cleveland economic news for the auto industry; sales were up 5.5% in our area in 2007. There were 3,269 more cars sold (April,May, June) in 2007 compared to 2006.

Of course I wanted to know more. What kind of car? I went to the Greater Cleveland Automobile Association (GCAA) website to investigate. First, the Toyota Prius sales are up 93.7% this year - more cars sold than in all of 2006. When queried, Prius owners said they wanted to make a statement. This is not new is it? We've always had a need to show our personalities through our cars. The article on the GCAA site said as opposed to a few years ago, Prius owners seem to want to take the lead: I have a hybrid and I'm proud.

But I digress..you know how easy that is on the web. What about NE Ohio sales? I found the article referenced in Crains. It lists the top auto companies that posted increases in 2007 but alas, not the individual models. They DID say the gas guzzlers, especially crossover vehicles, are keeping sales of larger models higher. Crossovers look like SUVs but are built on supposedly more economical 'car' chassis.

So let me get this straight. There is a movement in the U.S. to announce to the world that you own a Prius because you want everyone to start supporting hybrids and lower fuel usage. And there is a NE Ohio need to pretend you still have a 'real' SUV but it's a SUV look alike car? Maybe someone can tell me why this is important. I can dream can't I, that someday we'll all be prouder to wear badges that say 'I leave my car at home and take the train.'

Anyway, here are the auto companies that posted NE Ohio gains in April, May and June:

Toyota/Scion - 14.1 %
Honda - 11.2%
Jeep - 6.9%
Nissan - 8.1%

Update and a potential new trend in manufacturing of sorts: Just found this article on the WKYC site about Ford utilizing soybeans in their Mustang car cushions....this will be in 2008 Mustangs and is expected to save mucho barrels of oil. Interesting and maybe worth a trip in 2008 to the showroom to feel the seats :-) They say if it works out they might add them to other models.

Peace Out - 3C

Lakewood Housing News:Carlyle Condo News

2007-07-12T09:39:00.000-05:00

The Gold Coast's Carlyle Condos have always been a destination of choice. One main reason: ameneties. Second reason, the management company does a decent job for residents. My first year as a Realtor® they reduced the monthly maintenance fees for the next year...how often does that happen? One aspect of condo living to keep in mind: monthly maintenance fees don't always cover every improvement and there could be assessments made to each resident to cover a project. In the case of the Carlyle, one improvement might cut the sting from an assessment: an overhaul to their heating system designed to save every money and be more energy efficient. For a full list of the redevelopment plans you can go to Lakewood Alive.

Also received an email about a program called First Leaf:

Please forward this message to fellow Lakewoodites who may be interested in our report. Thanks!

F
First LEAF Community Night at the Library this Thursday!

"LakewoodAlive apologizes for the late notice of this event. Make plans to attend the first Lakewood Earth and Food (LEAF) Community Night at the Lakewood Public Library Main Branch this Thursday, July 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Each and every Thursday evening from July 12 through October 25 the LEAF Community is bringing local produce, bulk foods, arts and culture to the intellectual heart of Lakewood . The evening will include children's games and activities, art and live music. " Peace Out - 3C

Cuyahoga County Housing Trends: A Lakewood Update

2007-07-11T08:41:00.000-05:00

We have almost six months of statistics available so we can begin to examine housing trends for 2007 in Lakewood. Here are the stats from January 1st to the present:

Sold Since January:
186 Single Family Homes
48 Condos
44 Multi Family Homes

On The Market Now:
391 Single Family Homes
144 Condos
216 Multi Family Homes

What about prices and amenities on these homes for sale? Example: You can buy a 4 BR colonial on Parkwood with one full bath and two half baths, central a/c, a garage, an updated kitchen and a finished basement rec/play room for $148,900. How about a 4 BR 1 1/2 bath colonial with almost 1500 square feet of finished space, an updated kitchen, landscaped yard, formal dining room, a finished basement and third floor for $124,000 on Lauderdale. Yes you can now find homes in move in condition in Lakewood for less than $130k.

Lakewood has always been a destination of choice because of the vibrant business district, parks, City services, First Time Home Buyers Program and quick access to Downtown Cleveland.

On the Lakewood News Front: Architect Robert Stern's work on the Main Branch of the Lakewood Public Library is now complete and it is now once again open to the public. You can see photos of it on the WKYC news site here. It was a 38,000 square foot expansion. They doubled the parking spaces although that is still not a huge amount of parking. But it's certainly on the bus line, and I have always been impressed with their stats on the huge numbers of people who walk there every day. Reading, luckily, is not a thing of the past.

Btw, one thing that made me smile on the Library website? You can now send cool postcard ecards from the website. Peace Out- 3C

Renewable Energy & Sustainability:Ohio Lawmakers Will Be Asked to Think Outside the Box

2007-07-09T10:30:00.000-05:00

There was a comment in today's PD article on Ohio's plan to restructure energy costs as well as trying to prevent spikes in charges and provide incentives for renewable energy sources. The comment was made by State Rep. Jim McGregor: "...our only choices in Ohio are to lead in energy or experience a second rust belt period where we become an economic backwater because we missed the opportunity."

The 'missed opportunities' seem to take two roads. One, missing out on a chance to be the state that brings in renewable energy companies. Secondly, missing the chance to require our existing utilities to provide a certain percentage of their energy in renewable form. Of course I like the idea but I need to ferret out people with experience to tell me what is possible here in Ohio. The article quotes people who say Ohio is not the Rocky Mountains so wind energy is not super feasible and Ohio is not.....well you can fill in the blanks and let's just say some people do not agree. I don't know whether they are correct...it seems to me we do have wind in Ohio but that is just me. And we already have a Cleveland Department of Sustainability. So I'm going to call them today. Should be interesting no? Peace Out - 3C

The First Monthly Technology Free Day is August 4th Are You Game?

2007-07-08T15:02:00.000-05:00

Blogger Dima has an intriguing idea; have a technology free day once a month. His post here talks about using one day a month to be reflective on our lives and do things that are 'outside the box' of the activities we all do daily on those other days.

I like this idea, relating it to being well rounded and having time to be reflective; and in my case, if I don't take time off from doing all the things I normally do, it's hard for me to keep fresh ideas coming creatively for my life and for my work.

I'm pretty sure I could not permanently eliminate one Saturday a month from technology since those are usually really busy work days for Realtors® like myself. But I like the idea and I'm game, I' m in for the Fourth of August kick off. Wonder if this idea includes TV and radio? I'll have to ask. Or, you can go in and comment and find out for yourself. What say you about this idea?

Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Housing News: The Statler Arms: An Elegant Apartment Building With a Rich History

2007-07-08T12:08:00.000-05:00

I have a terrific client -the one I mentioned here, we met in person yesterday instead of just being email pen pals and began our search for his apartment. This led to an interesting hour at the Statler Arms Apartments. I got there early and proceeded to walk the building. It was converted from an office building to apartments and in 2002 the first residents moved in. Because it used to be a hotel (more on that later in this post), this residence has unique features. The first floor/lobby still looks and functions in a way a hotel might operate: a concierge desk at the door is now the 24 hour front desk. There is a newsstand, a Spa, a clothing boutique and a restaurant all on the first floor.

I started out with a decent double shot expresso from Juji's at the Statler, with open air style seating that has the perk of not being affected when it rains! Their menu includes everything from comfort food (fish and chips) to the Middle Eastern fare I love like kabobs and shawarma. It is also open for breakfast, which must be a definite perk for folks living there. The link above is from a Plugged In Cleveland review.

Dave the proprietor of the newsstand was very interesting and friendly. I told him I had a client looking for a place to live so he could walk to work. It turns out Dave's commute is about one minute...he lives in the Statler as well!

There is a fitness center on the premises, you have in suite washer dryer hook ups for your convenience and really interesting city views...one of the units we looked at had views into the bowl that is Jacobs Field. I imagine with binoculars you could watch the progress of the game, and certainly enjoy the fireworks. The Selah Salon and Spa looks very luxurious, offering what you would imagine a spa to offer, everything from massages to waxing to nails and hair. And the prices are amazing. You can get a two bedroom apartment with lots of storage, views, light-filled rooms and everything I mentioned above for $1,000. One bedrooms are less money per month and are equally spacious. I talked to one of the residents, he has lived there for 3 years and says he loves it, walks to work and considers the place comfortable and 'practical.'

The Statler started out of course, as a hotel. The first Statler was built in Buffalo; our Cleveland hotel opened in 1912. There is a terrific web site created by one of Ellsworth Statler's descendants; I recommend it for anyone interested in Cleveland and/or business history. He mentions for example, Statler's original advertising motto: "...A room and a bath for a dollar and a half..."

The hotel eventually became an office building. WMMS operated out of there in the 70s. My friend Connie tells me her Communicator's Club meetings used to be held there. And our famous native Clevelander Joel Grey once conducted an orchestra at the Statler.

I love my job, it's fascinating to keep learning about the rich history of Cleveland. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Housing News: Renting Or Purchasing, My 2007 Clients Have Their Heads on Straight

2007-07-05T21:32:00.000-05:00

I don't just find people homes to buy, I also help them find rental housing. I talked about my client relocating from the Great Plains and wanting the vibrancy of the City and the character of her architecture. It finally hit me today. Young or my age (ahem lol), all my relocation clients are leaning in the same direction.

Here is what they have wanted, collectively: to be close to Downtown, in a neighborhood that provides amenities that fight off boredom: shops, galleries, restaurants, public transportation, and a view of Cleveland's natural beauty.

Some have wanted specific things: loft-like living with lots of windows. Some of the newer developments, like Stonebridge for example, can be a challenge in this respect. Many of the bedrooms in their floor plans are interior with no windows. The Federal Knitting Mills Apartment Complex is like that too. The Knitting Mills has a few floor plans with bedroom windows, you just have to be lucky and have one available when you are ready to rent.

What I love about the Cleveland housing market is affordability. You can spend $1500/month and upwards, but you can also spend less than $900/month and get a loft-like 2Br apartment with great character, garage parking, in suite laundry availability and sometimes a fitness center.

My buyers have been focused on City living as well. In fact, I am in the process of sending out letters to homeowners in Ohio City because I have a client who only wants to live there, and we can't find the right home for her as of yet. It's that pesky $300k and up price point that gets in the way.

Here is what I am finding:

1. fiscally responsible buyers and would be tenants (let's call them clients it's easier lol)

2. clients who want to be near to their jobs; public transportation or walking are first choices; if that fails, then ten minutes or less to work. Is this smart thinking or what?

3. I have had six clients this year who are in their first jobs (some just starting) who eagerly embrace the City and parking their cars unless absolutely necessary.

4. Four of of the six are from out of town. I have one new client so technically that makes five out of seven, although we have not yet 'hit the streets' together, so far we are doing our work via email.

What excites me about this is the hope that it is a lasting trend. It definitely feels like a shift in thinking. Just like the Ohio Hub is starting to make so much sense in terms of our not so distant future, RTA and close-in living are defining needs now. It almost makes me giddy to think about it! Peace Out - 3C

Why Your Realtor® Holds a 'Brokers Open' After Listing Your House

2007-07-04T12:17:00.000-05:00

One of the advantages to having a blog as a Realtor® is to hopefully share some insights into the marketing tools we tend to use. One of those is the broker's open. Real estate is local, and here in NE Ohio Tuesday is tour day. Most brokerages participate in one form or another. Holding your listing open for other real estate professionals to see is, in my humble opinion, a necessary event. It allows agents to see your home and to get to know it's features first hand. They may already have a client in mind (I've had agents call from my open houses to set up an appointment for their buyers to see the home) (And I have done the same!). Or, they may just want to be prepared in case they get a call from someone looking for a home with those features.

It's important to know the inventory of homes on the market. I make appointments to see a home to preview for clients so I know whether I should take them to see it as well. I also use the brokers opens to learn about the inventory of homes. One thing I am seeing is a smaller number of agents touring homes on Tuesdays. I think this is a big mistake. Homes are usually held open between 11:30 and 2 PM and in that short period of time, with practice, I can see ten homes. This is much easier than calling to schedule a preview of these ten homes. And even less of an inconvenience on a seller's time.

There seem to be four styles of touring:

1. Agents who see homes listed by their office colleagues
2. Agents who tour homes listed by their company
3. Agents who tour homes with certain clients in mind
4. Agents who tour certain neighborhoods

I may have missed some styles but you get the point. My theory? Combine all four styles.
It has bugged me lately to hear rumors that certain brokerages want their agents touring only their own company listings. I keep hoping this is just a rumor. Isn't this like saying to your seller client : I'm only going to allow agents from my company to see your home? It may be a bit different but to me it's the same philosophy. If I have a buyer, I need to know what is listed by my office mates, my company, and every other broker out there. Otherwise, how do I know my client is able to see all the homes that fit his/her needs? For whatever reason, fewer agents/Realtors® are touring homes. Again, I think this is a mistake. Hint: if you are a buyer working with a Realtor®, ask them every week 'what homes did you see on tour and should I see any of them?'

Depending on the week, I may run around and see a lot of homes on tour, or I may do what I did this week; I focused on a Realtor® who has been in the business for years and years and knows his business. He had two listings on tour, near each other. I was able to sit down and talk with him about our profession, the neighborhood markets, etc. I never had the opportunity to do that before and I always wanted to meet him. I see him as a colleague more than I see him as a competitor. Seriously! I want to get to know everyone in my profession who has a good reputation, knows their business and their markets. That makes me better at my job, I think. Every now and then, who knows, maybe something I say can be of value to another agent as well.

Let me ask you this question: does it do you, as a seller or buyer, any good if your agent is only operating within the parameters of their own company listings or their own listings? I think I know what your answer would be, and it's the same as mine; NO!

If your agent hasn't held a brokers open in your owner occupied or vacant home, you just might want to suggest they do so! Peace Out - 3C

Happy Fourth of July

NE Ohio Home Sales 2000-2007 For May

2007-07-01T02:24:00.000-05:00

If you bought a home in 2000 and sold it this year would you make money? Of course there is no easy answer to that question, but it got me thinking. May is usually considered one of the best months in real estate so it seemed fitting to do a post about home sales for each May from 2000-2007.

These stats, as always, cover homes sold and listed on the computerized multiple listing service I have access to as a Realtor®. These are total sales, covering single family homes, condos, everything. DOM = Average number of days on the market for all of these homes that sold. OK let's get to it:

2007
New Listings: 8,765
Sold: 2,578
Av Sale Price: $162,072
DOM: 92

2006
New Listings: 7,987
Sold: 2,819
Av Sale Price: $166,676
DOM: 84

2005
New Listings: 7,156
Sold: 2,896
Av Sale Price: $171,081
DOM: 75

2004
New Listings: 5,760
Sold: 2,662
Av Sale Price: $161,025
DOM: 78

2003
New Listings: 5,470
Sold: 2,582
Av Sale Price: $154,251
DOM: 81

2002
New Listings: 4,811
Sold: 2,526
Av Sale Price $148,734
DOM: 87

2001
New Listings: 5,066
Sold: 2,447
Av Sale Price: $150,488
DOM: 72

2000
New Listings: 4,757
Sold: 2,553
Av Sale Price: $143,166
DOM: 79

The difference between the 2000 and 2007 average sale prices is $18,906. The highest average sale price year occurred in 2005. NE Ohio, though not as volatile as some of the other housing markets, followed the same patterns as they did on a smaller scale. Peace Out - 3C

Investing In Cleveland or as This Guy Puts it: In Your Own BackYard

2007-06-30T01:10:00.000-05:00

I'm not an investment broker and I don't even play one on television. I'm in real estate! But this site, The Motley Fool, caught my eye. This post focuses on investing in NE Ohio and it is a good read! It talks about neighborhoods (Kamms, for example), and recommends Eaton Corp for it's leanness and long term stable growth potential. They cover a good cross section of info. My hats off to them for readability. Here is a quote from it (relating to investing in one of our signature areas, heavy metal)

"Metalworking mills may not be sexy, but they do get a lot of investor respect -- and with the massive and booming infrastructure markets in China and India, there's no shortage of buyers for their products. Cleveland is riding a wave of global growth right now, and it seems to be making the most of it. So I just have to break into song for a moment:
All the little chicks with the crimson lips go "Cleveland rocks! Cleveland rocks!"'

Who says reading about investing can't be fun? Check it out. And he/they are looking for input so comment away! Peace Out - 3C

Cuyahoga County Real Estate Sale For June 2007 - Includes Ohio City and Tremont

2007-06-30T00:34:00.000-05:00

I have no idea how we have managed to already find ourselves at the end of June, but so be it. Sales in zip code 44113 are still intriguing; condos and town homes are continuing to be the top picks in this zip code. Here is what happened in June:

16 Properties had 'activity.' 3 of them are contingent, meaning they went under contract and have not closed yet. Of these three, all are attached dwellings (condos or town homes). The asking price for these three homes was $161,104, $184,900 & $204,750. (We won't know the sale prices until they close).

13 Properties Sold. 3 of them were single family homes. 10 of them were Condos/Town Homes. The Average Ask Price was $184,115 and the Average Sale Price was $179,408. The average price per square foot was $99. Again, since only three of these properties were single family homes, the average sale was for a 2 BR, 2BA unit with 2,272 square feet. And a two car garage.

There are a total of 174 homes on the market in zip code 44113. The breakdown is 92 single family homes and 82 condos. Some of the other stats interest me as well.

Of the 13 homes sold, none were sold for more $225k so I used that as a benchmark to do some sleuthing. There are currently 97 homes on for sale here with an asking price higher than $225k. I talk to myself (well I'm the only one here) and ask if maybe the price points are a tad high for the pocketbooks? Look at the average stats on these 97 homes listed for more than 225k:

Days on The Market: The 13 homes sold still averaged a bit more than three months. That's it. These homes have an average of 264 days on the market. And they are not sold yet. Most of these are gorgeous new construction homes so that explains a bit about this next stat, but still: there are some that have been on the market for more than 500 days.

The average cost per square foot on the sold homes was $99 yes? Well these homes average $182 a square foot. And the average square footage is 1,932, when the homes that sold for less money averaged over 2,000 square feet of space per home. My new mantra is lower price points please. Peace Out - 3C

Real Estate: Making an Offer to Buy a House Contingent on the Sale of Your Current One

2007-06-27T23:53:00.000-05:00

I have a lucky client: fiscally able to carry two mortgages at once. She has her current home listed for sale with me. And she found one she loves that feels like home in a neighborhood she loves even more. So we are considering writing an offer contingent upon the sale of her home. In this particular case, the sellers, who would normally (and understandably) be skittish about doing that - taking their home off the market while they wait for a closing to occur - would get a good report from my client's mortgage lender assuring them of her ability to own two homes, even if it's a substantial period of time. Her home, my listing, is fabulous, so I am confident that someone will want to buy it. What no one can predict is how soon that will occur.

Most of us are not in the position to carry two mortgages. Most people (buyers) who make an offer contingent on the sale of their home are basically hoping their home will sell so they can buy the one they found and like. In these cases, the State of Ohio and our purchase offer process allows buyers to have essentially a 'right of first refusal' with a '48 Hour Clause.' This means, the sellers keep their homes on the market and actively show it to potential buyers. If someone else makes an offer, then the original buyers (the ones who have a contract with the sellers) have 48 hours to 'make things good' - or bow out. Some people get their ducks in a row so they can get a bridge loan if that scenario happens. Not everyone is lucky enough to qualify for a bridge loan either. Some have to bow out and then the new buyer is able to purchase the home.

Either way, sellers are skittish about this idea because one, it's not common that it works out; two, they feel like they lose time on the market. Even if it's a 48 hour clause, if the contract they are in is with buyers who definitely cannot afford the house without a bridge loan or a sudden windfall, then they tend to shy away from accepting this type of offer. Not always, but usually. It IS true, that there are many houses for buyers to pick from, and this idea may be appealing to more sellers than normal.

I would be really careful about this, do your homework with a reputable mortgage lender who can clearly advise you about a bridge loan, and who will honestly evaluate your financial situation regarding your ability to do this. Have your Realtor® advise you about the process. And try to evaluate your level of potential stress if the 'what if I own two homes' scenario comes to pass. Even a buyer like my current one, who can afford two mortgages, has to decide for themselves if this extra out of pocket money will leave them with too little cash flow if an emergency arises. I just googled this and there is an article in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune that talks about this type of purchase offer. It's worth a read but I just realized you will have to sign up to read it and that could be annoying. So here is another article from the Seattle Times.

Peace Out - 3C

Strip Clubs and Higher Sales Taxes All In the News

2007-06-27T22:13:00.000-05:00

Condo owners in Stonebridge, according to WKYC news tonight, came out against a proposed series of strip clubs on the east bank of the Flats. Mayor Jackson said he knew it was controversial but it was a good spot for it. The City would create a new District for it. I can't find a web link for this story but I'm sure by morning I will and will add it. (okay I found it here on Cleveland.com)

Councilman Zak Reed and the Republican party are saying they will start a petition drive to allow us to vote on the issue of a raised sales tax instead of it being handled the way Commissioner Hagan and Mr. Dimora wanted it done....well you know, like the proverbial railroad train running through our lives. Tom Beres and WKYC reported the story tonight. Hats off to Councilman Reed and the Cuyahoga County Republican Party for stepping in before it was too late. I'll give more details when they announce the specifics about the petition drive. For sure, whether you would support a sales tax increase for a Convention Center and Medical Mart or not, you should have the right to vote on it! It's your money! So take that Hagan and Dimora.

Peace Out - 3C

Real Estate and LIfestyles: Money Magazine's 2006 Top Ten Places to Live

2007-06-25T23:22:00.001-05:00

We have been talking a lot on Cleveland blogs (OK everyone everywhere is talking!) about what we need in Cuyahoga County and Cleveland in order to feel the economic and Sense of Place vibrancy we all crave. I thought it might be helpful to look at this 'best' list. CNN/Money did a poll and Househunt.com reports the findings. Here is their Top Ten Places To Live List:

1. Fort Collins, Colorado
2. Naperville, Illinois
3. Sugarland, Texas
4. Columbia/Ellicott City, MD
5. Carey, NC
6. Overland Park, KS
7. Scottsdale, AZ
8. Boise, ID
9. Fairfield, CT
10. Eden Prairie, MN

There were commonalities and differences, but a few things stood out: all ten economies are vibrant, job growth is up, the population is diverse (including the fact that not everyone is rich or poor) and there is an affordable housing stock as well as a higher priced mix. Most of these places also had a population that averaged around 125,000 residents.

**They all seemed to be just far enough away from metropolitan areas, but yet close enough to get there quickly. For example, Fort Collins is one hour away from Denver or one hour away from Cheyenne Wyoming. And Naperville is only 28 miles West of Chicago (hats off to Naperville, I know two wonderful agents there, Eileen Landau and Angus Woodbury).

**They had 'perks' - a strong educational community, home sale prices going up not down, and a biggie, job growth. Yes, I know I mentioned it twice.

**They all seem to offer a lot of green space, recreational areas, rivers, lakes, mountains, depending on their location. So as the House Hunt Inc. site points out, they have the best of both worlds. Fort Collins boasts an average of 300 days a year of sunshine.

One thing I found odd and I have to put it here. Naperville Illinois was voted most 'kid friendly' city in 2006 by Zero Population Growth. Isn't that sort of an oxymoron??? Maybe my Naperville friends Eileen or Angus can explain it to me :-)

So I guess we don't need much to get on this list! We certainly have the green space; our Emerald Necklace alone is unbeatable. We have the affordable housing stock. We have a diverse population; we were voted one of the most literate cities so we can compete with these ten cities on good library systems. We have the higher education community a lot of people would love to have in their cities. The biggest weak link I see for NE Ohio (besides the sunshine.... does Fort Collins really get 300 days a year? That would be wonderful I have to admit) is jobs.

Peace Out - 3C

National and Cleveland May Home Sale Statistics + New Tax Abatement in Shaker

2007-06-25T11:34:00.001-05:00

May is one of those 'go to' months when predictors well, start predicting based on first quarter results and May is a big real estate sales month. This Market Watch report talks about the high inventory of homes on the market Nationwide, but also talks about May sales being stronger than expected.

Just a Cleveland stat: during the month of May, 157 homes and condos sold in all west side Cleveland areas (these stats reflect sales listed with brokerages). Here is a comparison for sales in May in all of these areas for other years:

May 2006 = 164
May 2005 = 151
May 2004 = 185
May 2003 = 155

Peace Out - 3C

As an aside, the City of Shaker Heights applied with the State of Ohio to offer tax abatement. You can look on the City website here and get the details.

Budget Director Says Ohio Budget Shortfall Rests on Shoulders of Housing Market?

2007-06-24T23:17:00.000-05:00

To me it's a 'chicken and egg thing.' The second biggest reason mentioned is the slow job market. I could be wrong, but in most cases I think you need a job in order to buy a house. The Columbus Dispatch did an article on Budget Dir. Sabety's remarks.

We kvetch about the brain drain and a good program was established to establish a State scholarship fund for students entering science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). It was scheduled to start receiving monies ($50 mil) this coming school year and now that might not happen. Again I think about how serious this is. We are $167 million short in our state budget; we need jobs to counter the problem; we need students to excel in fields of study like the STEM areas and the budget shortfall might keep us from beginning this program that encourages our grads to stay here. It might just be Catch 22 and not the chicken and the egg dilemma. Does all of this make you a bit subdued? I find myself reacting that way.

Go to the Kent State website; you will see them announcing a 2007 STEM scholarship program in geology, computer science, etc. Maybe someone out there can tell me if this is a separately funded program that can still move forward in 2007?

Back to the Budget woes and housing. "....Sabety told Legislators that the “key driver” in the lower tax revenue estimates is the housing market..." And then there is the large amount of inventory (homes listed for sale) in most of our communities.

This is not just a City of Cleveland and inner ring suburb issue. We have a house listed in Strongsville. We have spoken to agents from other companies who have homes listed in this same subdivision. No showings, at least not more than one or two a month. And between the four of us (agents in different companies) we have homes in different price ranges and the price differences are not making anyone look at the homes. One clue could be that there are 352 single family homes for sale in Strongsville as of today (I am speaking of the ones listed by brokers on the MLS computer listing service).

Some other communities: Shaker Heights, 394; 279 in Medina; 302 Old Brooklyn/South Hills/Memphis Road. Garfield Heights is a community very hard hit for about six months (at least) now with predatory lending and foreclosure issues (although no one is spared really). In the Winter Garfield Hts. was averaging over 600 homes on the market (single family) and as of today there are still 503 listed. Folks, this is a huge amount of inventory that can take months to absorb. I have been really busy with buyers the last four to six weeks. But we don't have enough buyers for even the 2,878 homes I mentioned in the communities above.

Sometimes I feel like going to Frederick Maryland or Tyson's Corner Virginia or NYC with a sandwich board on my body that says please relocate your business to Cleveland - you won't be sorry.

Jobs would help. Students dying to fill jobs in STEM areas would attract jobs, I know it. What are the solutions to the Budget Shortfall? Peace Out - 3C

Housing and Mortgage News

2007-06-22T20:20:00.000-05:00

I went to our Finance Manager Bob Wilson (Howard Hanna Mortgage Services) for some updates on the state of the housing economy. The first thing he sent me was information that can affect interest rates, expected out in June. We already know that they were spiking at the beginning of the month. Bob pointed out the Bond prices falling. That happened again a few days last week. The current rate is about 6.5%, although those pesky rates change depending on your own situation.

Here was his list of important June activity:

Housing Starts
Tuesday, June 19,
8:30 am, EST
Down 2.8% (Bureau of the Census Info)
Important. A measure of housing sector strength. Larger than expected decreases may lead to lower rates.

Leading Economic Indicators
Thursday, June 21, (PR Newswire Info)
10:00 am, EST
Up 0.2%
Important. An indication of future economic activity. Weakness may lead to lower rates.

Philadelphia Fed Survey
Thursday, June 21, (Bloomberg.com reports on this)
12:00 pm, EST
Moderately important. A survey of business conditions in the Northeast. Weakness may lead to lower rates.

Mortgage rate info Peace Out - 3C

Is East Fourth Street The Pulse of Cleveland Again?

2007-06-21T00:28:00.000-05:00

I had a gentleman walk into my office a week or so ago. He moved here from Kansas City and worked in a western suburb. He'd only been here a few days, but could already tell he really wanted to live in Cleveland. He wants to rent so we set out to explore a few things; our first efforts did not work out and this week I found myself down on East Fourth Street looking for rental possibilities. I trekked over there when the Corner Alley bowling/martini bar opened because it sounded exciting (it was). It was even more exciting to see it and everything else all decked out for summer, neon-blazing and streets closed to cars (not in the way Euclid Avenue is lol...it's a pedestrian delight on East Fourth). It really felt, for the first time, like a NYC street in Cleveland.

Now today even better news! A terrific article in the PD written by Bill Lubinger who was positively glowing about the vibrancy of the Street --a shout out to Bill because this was a positive article on Cleveland City! It is definitely worth a read.

Two points over and above the synergy part of the story (new restaurants, etc) struck me the most. The first is a comment by Michael Symon of Lola (and others) fame who hit it on the head: he wants Lola to succeed on East Fourth but not "....at the expense of Ohio City and Tremont...." He knows that one street isn't going to carry the load (just like LeBron couldn't be expected to do all the work last week, but I digress).

Back to the apartments. I knew they existed; Bill Lubinger tells me there are 160 apartments now, above the entertainment/retail establishments and that more are coming. I know I found myself down there on Monday because of the affordability of one of the buildings. The point is that mixed use development is what is really going to create the synergy we need in all areas of Cleveland, be it Chinatown, the Euclid Avenue Corridor, The 'west of Ohio City' portions of Lorain Road that extend all the way to Fairview.

I was on E. 185th in the Historic Shopping District there last weekend and it made me feel alive to be there and see all the people at the coffee shop, stores, etc, enjoying their neighborhood and supporting the businesses. The Warehouse District already proves that housing adds to the after hours life of an area. Anyway, thanks again to Bill Lubinger - It's a great time of year to check out East Fourth Street and put a smile on your face. Happy Summer everyone ! Peace Out-3C

Mayfield Village,Mayfield Heights Home Sales

2007-06-20T15:24:00.001-05:00

When my ex MIL was alive and living in Mayfield Heights, I spent a lot of time there. It's a community with a sizable rental market as well as residential housing. The Village of Mayfield Heights has it's center at S.O.M. Center Road and Wilson Mills Road (there is also an Aladdin's Eatery and a Yours Truly nearby, two of my favorite 'local' food chain establishments!)

The last U.S. Census Report shows the combined Village and 'Heights' population as 19,386. Retail is a big part of this community's business life: Eastgate and Golden Gate shopping centers provide hundreds of storefront shopping. (Petsmart is a new 2007 store in Goldengate)

How about single family homes in Mayfield? Here are stats from January 20007 until now.

72 homes sold since January. They ranged in price from $50,000 to $408,000. The averages were: 1,477 square feet, 3 BR, 1 Bath, 2 car garage. The average Ask Price was $161,030 and the average Sale Price was $154,299. They were on the market an average of 82 days. There are 124 homes for sale in Mayfield Village/Heights right now.

Peace Out - 3C

Cuyahoga County Home Sales: Richmond Heights

2007-06-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

Richmond Heights is 90 years old this year (it was Incorporated in 1917) . Just over 10,000 people live there, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Current stats show the High School has a 95% graduation rate and one of the major industries in town is the General Electric Lamp Glass Company. According to the latest edition of the City newsletter, Miss Ohio 2007 is a Richmond Heights gal (Anna Melomud). The newsletter also mentions some recommended home safety maintenance tips you might want to check out on page six.

Most homes in this community are 30 years old or younger; 30 years ago is when most of the City's development began to occur.

So what's happened in the housing market here since January 2007? Let's take a look:

34 Homes have sold since the beginning of the year. Here are the averages on these homes:

1,880 square feet of living space; 3 BRs, 2 BA, and a two car garage. The average Ask Price was $181,602. The average Sale Price was $173, 429. That came out to an average of $87 a square foot in these purchases. And the homes averaged just over three months, or 114 Days on the Market before selling.

There are 142 homes on the market right now in Richmond Heights. The photo above shows the living room in one I have listed on Lindsey Lane. Peace Out - 3C

New Plans for Detroit Shoreway's The Detroit Superior Lofts

2007-06-18T01:01:00.000-05:00

Those of us in real estate have been hearing about the proposed Detroit-Superior Lofts for a while now. There are two articles about the plans and it's always a bit amusing to see the differences in the stories. Isn't news always like that? It seems the project is still a 'go' and it is still being developed by TEG Properties of Cleveland. Both articles agree on that. They also agree that the non-profit group A Place For Us is no longer in the picture for that site. (The site btw, is at the corner of W. 28th and Detroit)

Crain's Cleveland is where I first read about it today. Stan Bullard wrote an article about the 50 unit project. It was once also going to cater to more senior residents (in additon to the gay population) and it was to be a four story building. According to Bullard, it is now a seven story affair. He also says the prices for the units will start upward of $140k.

The Plain Dealer article written by Henry Gomez goes into a bit more detail about why A Place For Us pulled out of that location, feeling more confident in a different developer and deciding on a Lakewood Gold Coast site for their involvement. A rep from TEG is quoted here as saying it should be completed (the project) sometime next summer.

Both articles say the cost of the project is around $15 million. The PD article says the units will start at $150k. Well, I guess that is 'upward of $140k.' One good thing, it's a much lower price point than the usual $300k new construction we have been seeing. Peace Out - 3C

Worthwhile Real Estate Blogs To Read

2007-06-15T22:27:00.000-05:00

Sacramento Real Estate Voice posts often about foreclosure and financing issues. Here is one post on What is a Short Sale.

Luxury Home Digest covers that market, especially on the West Coast. But I like the other topics as well. Here is a cool post on what your Realtor® should or should not do when you want to write an offer.

Want to move to Nevada? One of the fastest growing States in the Country. Check out John Sells Henderson. He also writes on Active Rain and he does good market reports. This is a newer blog but he will keep adding reports, he is a good steady blogger.

Manhattan Beach on the West Coast...good market reports and I love this blog about styles of homes there. Real estate is local and we all have our own housing styles; fun to see different ones!

Many NE Ohioans take vacations in the Carolinas. Here is the Charlotte Blog. With all of it's history and natural beauty and great historical homes, you might want to invest in a property there. She has a great post on visiting Charlotte.

This next one is one of my favorite bloggers. She works the DC area, here is her Virginia Blog.

The Columbus Best Blog covers all things Columbus, a good enough reason to read it; besides she writes good stuff.

Sacramento California, a pretty spot indeed! Sacramento Real Estate Voice is a worthwhile read and while there, check out the post on what sellers need to know (buyers may ask for closing costs, for one thing).

Arizona is another fast growing State and maybe you want to retire there or move there to see the Cactus League. Whatever the reason, this Phoenix Blog is a good read.

I already have the Opinionated Mortgage Broker on my blog roll but, here is another good mortgage blog hosted on the Rain City Guide. When you purchase a home and get a mortgage your lender is required to give you a good faith estimate. Here is a thoughtful post on why they are sometimes less that great.

Peace Out - 3C

Cuyahoga County Bank Owned Property Sales: Some are Now Upgraded by the Banks

2007-06-15T08:09:00.000-05:00

The National news is abuzz with the 2006 figures for foreclosures which are out now. This is not news to us in NE Ohio since our figures have been public and discussed for some time. I wrote about it several times, for example, here.

The end result is that I wind up showing many more bank owned homes to buyers than ever before. With so many homes in almost every market in Northeast Ohio for sale, there is a lot to pick from. Yes, it's a buyer's market. As it turns out, banks are realizing they have to be competitive in the same way private owners who put their homes for sale are being competitive. This means it's now possible to find bank owned homes that have been upgraded.

An example: I have a client with a contract on a home in Cleveland. We had looked at about six homes, and one of them was owned by Fannie Mae (which means the foreclosure occurred on a government loan. After Fannie Mae took it over, they made significant improvements to the home: upgraded the kitchen with new everything including appliances. Stuccoed the garage; replaced the roof on both the home and the garage. They also upgraded the bathroom. This is not your stereotypical bank owned behavior. I guess some banks are realizing there are so many foreclosed properties for sale and in order to get theirs sold they are going to have to put money into it. This is a savvy move on their part. And it also means, if you are looking to buy a home you might not want to pass over the bank owned properties because they may be in better shape than you expect. So ask your Realtor® to add them to your search for a home. The benefit to you is easily seen. The benefit to the community is they sell. Win-win? Peace Out - 3C

June 21st is National 'Dump the Pump' Day

2007-06-12T22:28:00.000-05:00

We have another grassroots effort to protest the use and cost of fossil fuel coming up. It is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Society (APTA). Their figures show people in this Country took 10.1 billion trips on public transportation in 2006.

How about NE Ohio? RTA stats show that for the fourth straight year, ridership was up. This past year, .03%. Might not sound like much but that meant an additional 150k plus trips for a grand total in 2006 of 57.2 million rides. They also said that the blue and green lines servicing Shaker/Cleveland increased ridership by 5.1%.

A good time to try it out yourself? Next Thursday for Dump the Pump Day. Good time to start planning the trip now. It's really a good way to show your support for the reduction in reliance on foreign oil. It's really a good way to show the value in energy conservation no matter where the oil comes from, when you get right down to it. Some other facts from the press release on Dump The Pump Day:

Each year, public transportation use saves the equivalent of 140,769 service station tanker truck trips clogging our streets

Each year, public transportation use saves the equivalent of 34 supertankers of oil, or a supertanker leaving the Middle East every 11 days

Each year public transportation households save over $1,399 worth of gas

Transit availability can reduce the need for an additional car, a yearly expense of $6,251 in a household budget

It's a good idea! I realize everyone doesn't live near transit access (which is a shame, it's a great reason to move). If you have the opportunity and the accessibility, why not participate in this. Who knows, you might find out it's a great way to get to work and wind up doing it more often. Peace Out - 3C

More NE Ohio Job Info: Hot Jobs for 2007

2007-06-07T00:20:00.002-05:00

Browsing through my daily dose of Crain's Cleveland I discovered an article on three 'fields' of expertise that are supposed to be 'hot' in NE Ohio. This according to the staffing firm Robert Half. The three jobs are:

Accounting
Finance
Help Desk/IT Support (DUH!)

You can read the Crain's article here. You can read the Robert Half press release here.

Then I decided to do some more research. According to Careerbuilder.com (a thriving and expanding local company I might add), these are top ten jobs:

1. Radiation Therapist

2. Nurse Paralegals (like tax attorneys only different lol)

3. Genetic Counselor (assisting families with family members who have birth defects)

4. Legal Nurse Consultant

5. Art Therapist

6. Computer Forensic Expert

7. Medical Illustrator

8. Veterinary Physical Therapist

9. Animal Defense Lawyer

10. Animal Assistant Therapist

To find out more you can read the article. Peace Out - 3C

June is National Home Ownership Month

2007-06-05T02:15:00.000-05:00

Bonnie Erickson is a fabulous blogger, so reading her blog is always a treat. I wanted to feature her latest post because she talks about June being National Home Ownership Month. The National goal is to increase minority home ownership. It's a good read! While you are there you just might want to check out her other informative and well-written posts.

June is also a good time to do some of those pesky chores like cleaning gutters, washing windows, repairing screens. I'm still working on weeding all my flower beds but that is another story! Peace Out - 3C

New Approach to Community Activism: Blogging

2007-06-04T22:33:00.000-05:00

Many of already know this, but there is an interesting article in the Washington Post about how you can advocate for your community by establishing a blog. There are already community blogs per se, where organizations can all join on one blog and residents can go there and find out information. But this gets to the heart of grassroots efforts which a lot of us are well, advocating! Christian Antoniades is the author. Remember my post about reporting pot holes to the City in Lorain? Well she brings up a good point! You can set up a blog that basically allows you to do that about potholes, or any other issue of importance on your street or block or neighborhood.

She interviewed bloggers who have set up community blogs in Maryland neighborhoods and they had some tips.

1. Take a camera! (absolutely!) if there is a recently vandalized home on your street, take a photo, blog about it, and email the blog to your Council person I say).

2. Get other bloggers involved. (Or get other neighbors involved, in my opinion. Have them come to you and tell you what they are concerned about. It's rare to have a lot of activists in one spot. It does happen. For example there is a Yahoo! Group for Ohio City that pretty much acts as a neighborhood watch group and it does an excellent job. But in reality one or more bloggers can get the job done for a small area.

3. Get a few people to have different areas of interest. (For example, the Business people on the Euclid Avenue Corridor could have used a blog to get help before that one poor woman wound up arrested because patrons could not get out of her establishment.)

We have fine bloggers in NE Ohio but I'm not aware of a series of neighborhood blogs. Could be I am just not seeing them it's a big blog world out there!

And by the way, it doesn't have to be a 'complaint' blog! Maybe you want to get the neighborhood teens involved in a project for the summer. Maybe an elderly resident needs help with home repairs. Teens working to help neighbors could get started on a blog. You get my drift.

Anyway, the more people who get involved in each of our neighborhoods, the better off we are and just maybe we can make a difference? Peace Out - 3C

A Day In the Life of a Realtor®

2007-06-02T19:13:00.000-05:00

Normally I don't blog about my daily experiences but something happened Thursday evening that has stayed on my mind. I wrote a post a few days ago without having personal experience with it but now it hit home. Well, it happened when I trekked out to show a home.

My client had gotten really excited about this one home. New enough to still have tax abatement. Very affordable. And the on line photos gave it great curb appeal and interior updates. I made the appointment with the listing agent, and set out to show it. Arriving a few minutes before the scheduled time, I decided to go ahead and open the door. That should have been my first clue. It was jammed. My clients arrived and with the help of one of them, we got the back door open, although that was not easy either. Once inside, the home looked nothing, anymore, like the on line photos. Dry wall smashed out of every room, particles all over the floor. Every piece of wiring was gone. The copper pipes were gone.

This home featured an updated bath with jetted tub and really nice fixtures. Well the bath was no longer nice, believe me. It was surreal. The three of us kept wandering around. My clients were a young married couple and the gentleman wandered into the basement first. He announced a flood. I checked it out, half of the basement had standing water because even though the vacant home had been winterized (which means water turned off so pipes don't burst in below freezing weather), the pipes had water in them and as they were ripped out a flood appeared. Now the home is not only vandalized but in this weather, in danger of becoming a festering haven of mold before you know it.

I of course called and left a message for the listing agent (who oddly has never called me back nor responded to my emails) to make sure she knew what was going on. My clients and I secured the windows and doors and left.

So you have a home, built in a neighborhood in need of revitalization. And less than five years after it is built, it's now trashed. There is something very sad about that. Peace Out - 3C

Manufactured Homes Go Green and Upscale?

2007-05-31T10:40:00.000-05:00

Housingzone.com did an interesting piece on pre-fab housing. For those of us who take a snooty approach to pre-fab (and yes, I like the old historic homes better aesthetically), the article points out some reasons why the market for pre-fab is increasing.

1. Fresh designs. To me that means more than just the look of the exterior. Think about how people use extra bedrooms for offices, dens, game rooms. Think about how a Great Room or Family Room off the kitchen has turned into a practical and desirable floor plan for families or those who love to entertain. The small parlour/living room combination has been transplanted with this style. Pre-fab homes are offering ways to meet these new needs and apparently the public is buying it.

2. Designs that appeal to more upscale consumers. The old standard of a manufactured home only being a low to moderate income home design of lower quality does not hold true anymore. As one builder said in this article "....[perceptions] that are rooted in past decades when the industry kept costs low at the expense of good design...." are gone.

3. Environmental and energy concerns. Environmentally friendly construction materials and green housing standards are being met now with many pre-fab builders. As a side note, you can look at homes made of steel instead of wood framing, which is a big plus in areas that experience a lot of nature's wrath. Steel also gives you more square footage to play with inside the home since there are less 'interior room' structural supports needed.

They claim their biggest market is baby boomers, not that this is surprising since there are so many of us lol. Anyway, to read the entire article, go here. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland's New Tax Abatement Policy

2007-05-30T00:14:00.000-05:00

I'm going to direct you to the City Council Press Release on this, but wanted to quote or highlight a few items here.

First: "....Council is in agreement with Mayor Frank G. Jackson regarding the classification of downtown as a neighborhood. As a result, the new policy contains no distinction between downtown and the neighborhoods, which eliminates tiered abatement downtown...."

Second: ".... Understanding the need for energy efficiency and its impact on the future of the City and the environment, Council convened a green building working group, which determined it would be reasonable to expect the development community to prepare for a higher standard for development by 2010. Therefore, on January 1, 2010, new construction will be required to meet energy star standards...."

Would have loved for a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) component to be recognized in a new abatement policy. Revisiting it again in 2010 is much smarter however than the 20 year plan first put into effect. Just my two cents. Anyway, here is the entire press release. Peace Out - 3C

First Energy Corp Wants To Help Us Go Green

2007-05-29T23:07:00.000-05:00

This from Cleveland.com. Apparently First Energy filed a plan that would allow them to choose green energy suppliers. The only catch is, the prices would fluctuate and that means we could be paying more than we are currently if we chose this plan. Would we be willing to do that?

I ask another question: can we get tax credit (State?) for the difference in the amount we would pay for solar or wind energy suppliers? Or even a flat $100 off every year. Just curious. Peace Out - 3C

Cleveland Magazine's 'Rate The Suburbs' Out for 2007

2007-05-29T19:47:00.000-05:00

They examined 76 suburbs and you can read about in on the Cleveland Magazine web pages. This year, Solon was number one. They examine city services too - also on these pages. It's a good read, check it out. PS: I don't think you can read about all 76 of them unless you subscribe.

I couldn't help but check out some of the other articles. There is one written by Erick Trickey who laments the lack of neighborhood kids who will mow for you these days. I have to say I love mowing the lawn but there were two neighbor kids who came by a few times this year to see if I needed help shoveling snow! So the young ones haven't completely disappeared from every neighborhood...at least they are alive and well in mine! Thanks guys! Peace Out - 3C

We Have A 'Love-Hate' Relationship With Credit Cards

2007-05-27T20:50:00.001-05:00

So says the Washington Post's Kathleen Day. You Can read here about how many transactions we make daily (way too many). While we love to use them we don't like some of the policies.

For example, did you know your credit card provider might increase your interest rate if you default on a different credit card?

Of course then there is The United States' debt; $148 Trillion, or about $161 k per person. Yikes.

MSN Money had a decent article on controlling your credit card debt. You can read it here.

Apparently Congress is finally getting into the act on getting Card Issuers to cap the amount of charges they will allow to accrue on late payments. Michigan Senator Carl Levin is one of the sponsors of the bill and you can read a speech he made on the topic here.

New On Line Data Base Available to Track Graduation Rates Per School Across the Nation

2007-05-26T23:54:00.001-05:00

When I was a student teacher, established teachers were grumbling that schools tended to under report their graduation rates. Teachers are still grumbling about the same thing. Now there is a National Data Base, unveiled by Laura Bush, Education Secretary Spelling and other Educators. You can read today's story in the Washington Post here.

The on line data base is hosted at Education Week's educator.org website. We all know people are constantly trying to put a spin on education results whether they are test results, graduation rates or charter school vs. public school success. According to the Post article, 70 percent of the students across the country are graduating, and that is a lot lower figure than previously reported. Secretary Spelling referred to it as America's Silent Epidemic. I will be interested in learning more about how this new tracking system is set up. But for the time being, check out the site above for any details on a school you would like to track.

Peace Out - 3C

Westlake, Fairview, Shaker Heights, South Euclid Home Sales 2005-2007 Comparison

2007-05-26T23:02:00.001-05:00

These again, are Realtor®/Broker sales. I'm comparing 2005, 2006 and 2007 sales averages from January to May 27th. This time it's Westlake, Fairview, Shaker Heights and South Euclid.

Westlake: 2007: 107 Homes and Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $281,667. The Average Sale Price was $268,986. Average days on the market before selling was 84.

2006: 156 Homes and Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $ 271,615. The Average Sale Price was $260,677. Days on the market for these homes was an average of 86.

2005: 159 Homes and Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $274,836. The Average Sale Price was $265,625. Days on the market averaged out at 77.

So a fairly stable housing market in Westlake. The total number of sales is down but the ones that are selling are holding close to sale prices of a few years ago. I'm going to let you all interpret the rest lest I become one of those talking heads I see on television and yell at!

Fairview: 2007: 74 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $159,723. The Average Sale Price was $153,010. Days on the Market: 80.

2006: 87 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $148,983. The Average Sale Price was $144,424. Days on the market: 65.

2005: 86 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was 161,833. The Average Sale Price was $156,288. Days on the market: 74.

Shaker Heights: 2007: 96 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $245,801. The Average Sale Price was $230,156. Days on the market: 96.

2006: 121 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $275,251. Average Sale Price was $265,408. Days on the market: 99.

2005: 146 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $251,363. Average Sale Price was $242,613. Days on market: 81.

South Euclid: 2007: 114 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $125,090. The Average Sale Price was $122,154. Days on the market: 92.

2006: 134 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $127,511. Average Sale Price was $123,583. Days on the market: 75.

2005: 136 Homes or Condos Sold. Average Ask Price was $131,812. Average Sale Price was $128,495. Days on the market: 82.

Peace Out-3C

Cuyahoga County Home Sale Stats: 2006 vs. 20007

2007-05-26T15:15:00.000-05:00

They are running the Indy 500 this weekend so I thought I'd do a few posts putting 2006 stats against 2007 stats. I'm reporting on brokerage sales - January to May 27 2007 and the same period of time in 2006.

In Lakewood, 2007 sale prices beat 2006 by a few thousand; homes had to stay on the market about twenty days longer to sell. Total sales however? 2006 was higher. Here are the stats:

2007: 121 Total SF sales. Average Ask Price $172,852. Average Sale Price $165,655. On market 92 days.

2006: 132 sales. Average Ask Price $168,053. Average Sale Price $162,227. On market 71 days.

West Side of Cleveland (large area, includes Tremont and OC but also Clark/Metro Area). This area was the opposite, there were more sales in 2006 but the 2007 sale prices were a bit higher. Here are the stats:

2007: 150 Total SF sales. The average Ask Price was $81,133. The average Sale Price was $78,469. Number of days on the market averaged 92.

2006: 185 Total SF sales. The average Ask Price was $74,455. The average Sale Price was $71,442. Days on market averaged 81.

Since there are a lot of condos in 44113, I'm going to break that zip code out of the above figures and just do that zip code. This is for Ohio City and Tremont. First, single family sales;

2007: 30 Total SF homes sold. The average Ask Price was $205,109. The average Sale Price was $204,728. Average days on the market for these homes was 103.

2006: 23 Total SF homes sold. The average Ask Price was $178,628 and the average Sale Price was $173,454. Less days on the market, on average, in 2006: 71 days.

Condos in 44113? Here goes:

2007: 12 Sold Average Ask Price was $259,349. Average Sale Price was $246,175. Look at the days on the market - 205 days.

2006: 19 Sold. Average Ask Price was $224,484 and average Sale Price was $225,038. Fewer average days on the market: 174 days.

Peace Out - 3C

Good Advice From a Fellow Realtor®: Thoughts to Consider While Your Home is Under Contract But Not Quite Sold

2007-05-24T23:41:00.000-05:00

Leigh Brown is a Realtor ® in North Carolina but no matter, good advice is good advice. She blogged about a recent story involving a seller, and has good tips for you if you have a contract on your house but it is not quite closed yet (or as I say, the ink is not totally dry on the contract until the Title transfers lol). Check out what Leigh has to say here. Peace Out - 3C

Slot Machines At Ohio Racetracks Even Though It Was Voted Down?

2007-05-24T09:52:00.001-05:00

I was tired after a long day yesterday and heard a blip on the evening news about Governor Strickland signing something about slots at Ohio racetracks. And the news anchor was so matter of fact about the issue; it rolled off his tongue like it was just something that happens every day.

So this morning I had to Google and of course Eye on the Statehouse had the issue covered (I thank Jill at She Writes Like She Talks for this link a while ago).

They are saying these machines are 'slot like' and not slots (!!!). And yes, I was in favor of the Learn and Earn initiative. But voters overwhelmingly voted it down. So why is it now something that Governor Strickland is supporting? You can read Eye on the Statehouse here for more information.

Maybe instead of having all the Board of Election issues and hanging chads, we could save money, eliminate voting and spend that money on schools. Eye on the Statehouse says "if this proposal doesn't work [now they are talking about the money going to sick children], maybe they can craft a proposal benefiting abandoned puppies...."

Let me state again, this mini rant (is it mini?) is not about whether or not I would support slots at racetracks. It's about whether or not our votes count. Peace Out - 3C