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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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