Mark L. Ostrovsky's (marcopolo) Blog

"I'm looking for a for-sale-by-owner property because that's where you find the real deals." Who wouldn't like to cut out the middleman and save money on a commission? In the best of all possible worlds a seller wouldn't have to pay a real estate fee and that savings would be passed on to the buy...

Home sales actually increased in number as well as dollar amount in Beachwood, Ohio in 2009. This despite all of the negative news about real estate in the media! Here's a snapshot of sales in Beachwood, Ohio in 2009 versus 2008.   YEAR HOMES SOLD     AVG PRICE BEDROOMS      BATHS      D.O.M. 200...

This just in from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) ... existing U.S. home & condominium sales increased 13.9-percent in the fourth quarter of 2009. More than 30-states actually saw sales increases in the double-digits! Even though distressed property sales accounted for more than 30-per...

Education is a huge priority in Beachwood and the High School could use a facelift. On this basis the Beachwood Board of Education passed a resolution for voters this May to approve a $2.5-Million bond issue. If approved the High School would receive a sort of combination renovation/new construct...

"I'm listing my house with the agent who comes in with the highest asking price on my property."   "Tis an old maxim in the schools That flattery's the food of fools Yet now and then your men of wit Will condescend to take a bit."   The great writer Jonathan Swift understood that flattery is powe...

Today's History Lesson. Upon arriving on the banks of the Cuyahoga in 1796, Moses Cleaveland told members of his expedition, "We'll stop here and wait for the weather to break." O.K., that was a joke. And, yes, our winters can be pretty tough but there's lots to do here and you can get an amazing...

  Silent Auction - $99,000.00 is the starting price, at or above which the seller will consider accepting offers. Please submit offers now. All offers will be considered and responded to within 48 hours. This is a short sale & is subject to lender approval. This event ends with the seller's accep...

Yes, the market is stabilizing to a certain degree but experts like former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros claim that recovery is tenuous AT BEST and that stimulus programs like the first-time homebuyer tax credit absolutely "must" continue if we are to avoid a so-called "double-dip" recession. Foll...

"My financial provider does what's best for me, not just its own bottom line." That's the question posed regarding 50 or so U.S. financial service firms to some 4500 customers in Forrester's Annual Customer Advocacy Rankings. First to last was Bank of America, Chase, Capital One, TD/Commerce, Fif...

If you're looking for some family-friendly activities and would like a great $5.00 breakfast on Valentine's Day then look no further. The City of Beachwood will host its annual Winterfest & Pancake Breakfast on February 14th at the Beachwood High School at 25100 Fairmount Blvd. Admission includes...