Cleveland Economic News: Automobile Sales Up in 2007

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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