This is an excellent video from the National Association of Realtors to get the word out to any first time home buyers that still may not know of the $8,000 tax credit program. It is also for those first time buyers that may be hesitating for various reasons. There are many great Akron Ohio Homes for Sale that qualify for this nice payday. Just think what a new home owner could do with $8,000! In Akron Ohio our Broker, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, we have many programs to help those get off the fence, even a job loss insurance program that will pay those who get laid off after their home purchase, $1500 a month for 6 months! Please spread the word in your area, as it would be shame if a family did not take advantage of this $8,000 return after buying a great home for a great valu... 07/22/2009

Feeding the purple martins on Long Lake in Portage Lakes Ohio is a curious event! You scramble up some eggs, take a plastic spoon, and flip the eggs into the air so that the birds can swoop in and catch them! It is awesome to watch! The birds swarm the area to get their share of the eggs! The white gourd like orbs on the pole are the bird houses for the purple martins! We encourage them to stay because they are known for feeding on mosquitoes and that keeps the peskyinsects away! We love our purple martins! 07/17/2009

 No, I am not trying to rush time to New Years Eve. We are having a great summer. Akron Ohio merely wants to improve the experience for all the people that go to downtown Akron Ohio's fabulous First Night celebration. It is a jam packed evening all over downtown's night spots, museum, Aeros baseball stadium, restaurants and more. Seems like everyone downtown is involved and participates. If you have never gone down to the event, you are really missing something and YES it is a family event. I always see many children with their families having a great time. The kids love the fireworks at the Aeros stadium. The Downtown Akron Partnership survey is looking for your experiances in the past, as well as your suggestions to make the celebration even better. I took it in a few minutes and they... 07/16/2009

Coincidence? Interesting event? Small world? On Friday, my daughter was with a friend at Waterworks Park by the Cuyahoga River in Cuyahoga Falls. A woman and her husband who had used their GPS tool were looking for the Towpath Trail in Akron, and it had led them to this spot along the Cuyahoga River. It was definitely not on the Towpath Trail, which runs along the Ohio Erie Canal. They were at point A, and needed to be at point B. Thanks GPS! Who said computers are always right? For some reason, they decided to talk to my daughter to see if she could help out. When they mentioned the Towpath Trail, her eyes lit up. I had just been telling her about my new group of homes at Hickory along the historic Towpath Trail, living in the Metro Park, and how people could bike to Peninsula and ride... 07/14/2009

  Downtown Akron Partnership invites you to...GO:     Get Out of the Office!   GO is an initiative to get Downtown employees out of their offices and into Downtown - utilizing all the great businesses and amenities that Downtown has to offer.  GO activities include a full schedule of events hosted by your neighbors - Downtown businesses and organizations. Everything from walking tours, fitness days, outdoor recreation, book clubs, music concerts, sneak peaks and behind the scenes looks at projects will be featured.    GO: Events Mondays:           Downtown Insider (tours & sneak peeks of Downtown establishments)Tuesdays:          How To Tuesdays (gain valuable information & have fun)Wednesdays:      Walking Wednesdays (get some exercise & learn new stuff)Thursdays:        Recreation Thu... 07/11/2009

  The Summit County Italian-American Festival Lock 3 Friday-Sunday, July 10-12One of the biggest and best Italian heritage events in Ohio focusing on Italian food, music, language and culture.    Friday, July 1011 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. -- Open for lunch4 p.m. to midnightPiazza West - Lock 3 Stage6-8 p.m. -- La Flavour8:30-11 p.m. -- Hotel California - Eagles Tribute BandPiazza East - Main St. Stage5-6:30 p.m. -- Don Disantis7-11 p.m. --  GeezeCatsStreet EntertainmentMike TricasoSaturday, July 11Noon to midnightPiazza West - Lock 3 Stage1-2:15 p.m. -- Opera Per Tutti3:30-5:30 p.m. -- Good Fello's Show Band6-8:30 p.m. -- Ray Massa's EuroRhythms9-11 p.m. -- Sands Trio - a tribute to The Rat PackPiazza East - Main St. Stage3-4 p.m. -- I Gagliardi Italiani Dancers4:30-6 p.m. -- Anthony Rolando &... 07/11/2009

  Downtown street closings for the Summit County Italian-American Festival and the 4th Annual National Hamburger Festival   Summit County Italian-American Festival July 10,11,12 Thursday, July 9 at 9 a.m. through Sunday, July 12  South Main Street will be closed between Bowery and State streets Church Street will be closed between Main and High streets University Avenue will be closed between Main and High streets   Saturday and Sunday, July 11, 12 South Main Street will also be closed between Exchange and State streets North bound lane of Main Street will be closed between Bowery and Mill streets for motorcycle parking in the evening   The Friday Downtown Lunchtime Trolley will run Friday, July 10, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  One will run from Spaghetti Warehouse to State Street and one... 07/08/2009

Our City of Akron Ohio has been very pro-active in obtaining funds to buy, tear down or restore vacant REO's and cleaning up neighborhoods. They have obtained over $8 million dollars to achieve this goal. Now they are actively taking advantage of a Federal Program to entice foreign investments to bring jobs to Akron and Summit County. Jobs mean people that need homes! Akron Ohio and Summit County Ohio are seeking foreign investors for the local GoodYear headquarters project. This is an over $800 million dollar project to build and improve our existing GoodYear facilities as well as all the infrastructure in the immediate area. This project will involve many different jobs and crafts. As part of that, the city and county are taking part in a federal program that provides high-level visa... 07/07/2009

One of the many boats in the boat parade, this was especially colorful!     I loved this big yellow bus.....The School of Rock & Roll Academy! Yes the full moon was out and in the fireworks too! It was really neat! Everyone agreed that it was the best fireworks ever at Portage Lakes OHIO!! 07/06/2009

PORTAGE LAKES FIREWORKS TONIGHT, JULY 5TH OVER TURKEYFOOT LAKE!The fireworks will be displayed over Turkeyfoot Lake and the best place to view them is from a boat or from the beach at New State Park, off of Manchester Rd. This is a spectacular yearly event and everyone around the lakes has a picnic to celebrate our freedom in this great country.The Boat Parade, this year with an open theme, will start at 1pm from Kieffer Marine, 252 Portage Lakes Dr. and will travel the "main chain" and end up at New State Park beach at 4pm.There will be cash prizes awarded for select participants. Afterward there will be a sand castle building contest and there will also be cash prizes awarded! The Portage Lakes will be buzzing with pride for our country today, come on over and enjoy the "Lakes Lifesty... 07/05/2009

 As you read in my last post, Fourth of July Fireworks Over Akron Ohio , there will be a lot of people in downtown Akron Ohio for this great week end celebration. Fireworks, ribs, bands and more. Here are the street closings and how to get around this large event. ENJOY!! Street closings for Fireworks and Rib Fest July 1-5   Closing Wednesday 7/1 through Sunday 7/5:Main Street - State to BoweryChurch Street - Main to HighUniversity Avenue - Main to High   North bound lane of Main Street between Bowery and Mill reserved for motorcycle parking.(South bound lane open to trolley, buses, and emergency vehicles only).  Closing Thursday 7/2Rand Avenue - Glendale to Center Street bridge.  Closing Independence Day:Route 59 will be closed from Cedar Street to Main/Howard at 6:30 AM. It will be cl... 07/02/2009

Update from the Ohio Attorney Generals Office With our neighborhoods suffering from neglected, vacant bank owned homes, Ohio is trying to make them liable under the law. I think this is a great idea. If they were challenged and threatened with action the banks would be more co-operative with Realtors and buyers in all facets of the process; foreclosure, short sales, etc. It is time for the banks to be held responsible for the aftermath of the sub-prime debacle. July 1, 2009 · From the Office of the Ohio Attorney General, Richard Cordray: "My office recently filed an amicus brief with the Ohio Supreme Court supporting an effort by the city of Cleveland to hold criminal trials of high-volume real estate wholesalers who fail to appear in court when facing housing code violations. The case,... 07/02/2009

Loads of fun this weekend in Akron Ohio. Here is a list of events for the weekend, including one of the best Fireworks displays anywhere. Usually lasts almost a half hour. Gorgeous fireworks with synchronized music and tons of food. Always a blast in Akron Ohio....... Here is a small sample of last years celebration……………… • The Rib, White & Blue Food Festival kicks off activities on South Main Street in Downtown Akron July 2. The three-day festival will feature a record number of barbecue vendors from around the country - including Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina - as well as music, inflatable’s and rides. The Magical Train also will be available for rides along the canal. The festival will be open with free admission July 2-3 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Musical entertainment at Lock 3 ... 07/01/2009

Gary Collins spoke to a group of homeowners and explained the importance of proper dryer exhaust systems meeting current UL safety standards    Akron, OH - A fire hazard may be lurking in your clothes dryer exhaust system, according to Gary Collins, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard in Cleveland, Ohio. Up to 15,000 dryer related fires occur in the U.S. each year with devastating results. Dryer Vent Wizard specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation in homes and commercial buildings in the Greater Cleveland area.    "I am committed to increasing public awareness in my community," said Gary Collins.  "By providing our service and explaining the importance of proper dryer vent installation to our customers, we are doing our part to keep our community safe and help prevent fires." ... 06/29/2009

Dryer vent cleaning is recommended each year to remove lint build-up that reduces air-flow and causes your clothes dryer to work harder.  If neglected, this could lead to a dryer fire.  Proper Installation that meets current safety codes is also a concern.   Improper dryer ducts or incorrect installation also leads to problems.  The old flexible foil, plastic or vinyl material is no longer acceptable for the use of dryer exhaust venting.  One problem with this type is that it is often crushed behind the dryer, preventing heat and moisture from escaping the dryer drum.  Also, this type is often installed as-is, without cutting it down to size.  The excess hose is left coiled or crushed behind the dryer.  The longer length and the twists and turns make your dryer work harder to expel the ... 06/29/2009

Welcome to the 34th annual Portage Lakes Antique & Classic Boat Show!Sponsored by the North Coast Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society and the Portage Lakes Historical Society. It was like taking a step back in time to see these masterfully restored vessels! The day was sunny and warm and the crowdat the Olde Harbor Inn & Hook Lind & Drinkers swarmed the docks getting close up and personal with these snapshots oflazy days of the past. This was the first of many events in the Portage Lakes Fourth of July Festival that will end with aspectaculat Fireworks display over Turkeyfoot Lake on Sunday July 5th! Portage Lakes really knows how to party!! 06/28/2009

NameAkron Ohio Homes for Sale. David M. ChildressCompanyHoward Hanna Real Estate ServicesE-mailContact Akron Ohio Homes for Sale. David M. Childress (Howard Hanna Real Estate Services)Websitehttp://www.davidc.comCell Phone(330) 620-8460Akron Ohio Homes, Serving Akron, Fairlawn, Copley, Tallmadge, Green, Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Uniontown, Munroe Falls, Kent, Ravenna. All of Summit, Stark, Portage and Medina Counties, Ohio. 06/14/2009

LANDMARK RESCUED Tony Troppe renovating historic Kaiser Building for use as cafe, offices across from Canal Park By Betty Lin-Fisher Beacon Journal staff writer Photo credits (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal) A downtown Akron building whose last owner lost it to foreclosure after a failed attempt to sell it on eBay is getting new life under the eye of historic building renovator Tony Troppe. Plans call for the Kaiser Building, across from Canal Park on South Main Street, to have a cafe or store in two slots on the first floor, offices on the second floor and a mix of offices and loft apartments on the third floor. ''I did not like that vacancy across the street from the ballpark,'' said Troppe, who has renovated several historical buildings in downtown Akron. ''I felt for some time th... 06/12/2009

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one! Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a week end visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box. It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease...in ... 06/11/2009

When asked what our area offers our buying clients, it's nice to have the facts on schools, crime, churches, shopping, highways and local amenities. Well, here is a great list for me and my fellow N.E. Ohio Realtor's® to shout about and re-print. Right here in good ol' Akron our two major hospitals, General and Summa, are listed as in the top 50 in the whole country. For a city of @ 200,000 people, that is remarkable. Not only that, but four more show up in the Cleveland area. Naturally, the Cleveland Clinic would show up as I am sure most of you are familiar with that hospital. It is visited by patients from all over the world when their health and lives are in danger. For those that do not know, Cleveland is only 40 minutes from the Akron area. Judging by this list N.E. Ohio is in goo... 06/11/2009