The Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors has released numbers for home sales for June, 2010.  There were 2,129 units closed in June, a 7.63% gain over June of 2009.  Reported sales are largely due to contracts written before April 30th that qualified for the federal tax credits of $8000 or $6500. Cincinnati's June sales were up slightly compared to May sales (.57%)Nationwide, the number of sales for June were up 9,8% from a year ago but down in number by 5.1% in a seasonally adjusted basis. Year-to date, closings show positive numbers: Sales units  +11.94% Gross dollar volume sales  +21.35% Average Sale price  +8.41% Sale prices are up for 2010 to date because fewer foreclosure sales are in early 2010 compared to 2009. Low interest rates have also influenced sales.  A 30-year fixed rate mo... 07/27/2010

The Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors has released numbers for home sales for June, 2010.  There were 2,129 units closed in June, a 7.63% gain over June of 2009.  Reported sales are largely due to contracts written before April 30th that qualified for the federal tax credits of $8000 or $6500. Cincinnati's June sales were up slightly compared to May sales (.57%)Nationwide, the number of sales for June were up 9,8% from a year ago but down in number by 5.1% in a seasonally adjusted basis. Year-to date, closings show positive numbers: Sales units  +11.94% Gross dollar volume sales  +21.35% Average Sale price  +8.41% Sale prices are up for 2010 to date because fewer foreclosure sales are in early 2010 compared to 2009. Low interest rates have also influenced sales.  A 30-year fixed rate mo... 07/25/2010

A grassroots community initiative has taken the Cincinnati by storm! The movement is designed to spread a network of projects and activities throughout the City that promote awareness and raise funds for our new 45-acre Cincinnati Riverfront Park. This new park will add to the crown jewels of the Cincinnati Park system. TWIG is sponsored by the Women's Committee. Groups all over town with similar passions and interests are encouraged to participate. Every little contribution will add up and enhance the interest and involvement in building this park.  Ideas for groups that might come together are Scout organizations, garden clubs, walking groups, book clubs, and friends.  Dater Montessori and Town and Country Garden Club have already initiated projects that will benefit the Park attracti... 07/14/2010

University of Cincinnati Named to "World's Most Beautiful Campuses" List  Architects and designers were recently asked to judge the World's Most Beautiful Campuses by Forbes Magazine.  Powerful natural landscapes played a part in establishing the character of some schools.  The University to Oxford was described as an architectural wonderland.  For large Universities, a clear diagram of organization helped them achieve recognition. The University of Cincinnati's distinction is due to a strategic plan implemented over the past 10 years that used "signature architects" to design new buildings.  Architects of note included are Michael Graves, Frank Gehry, Peter Eisenman, Thom Mayne, Bernard Tschumi, Eric Sueberkrop, and others. Other schools on the list were Kenyon College, Oxford Universi... 07/14/2010

June numbers are in for Montgomery, Blue Ash, Symmes Township and Sycamore Township, all part of the Sycamore School district. For the month, 65 homes or condos were sold.  There are currently 406 homes actively on the market and 76 pending sales.                       Credit Suisse provides a monthly analysis of real estate traffic (showings) across the country.  The traffic index level dropped to levels not seen since the credit crisis began in late '08.  The sharp fall off in traffic was expected in May, but June only added to the slowdown.  The most worrisome aspect of their index is that the numbers continued to fall throughout the month. Along with that, the number of pending home sales across the country dropped 30% from May, 15% below May, 2009.  The number of closings will cont... 07/14/2010

June numbers are in for Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout, Oakley and Columbia Tusculum. For the month, 66 homes or condos were sold.  There are currently 309 homes actively on the market and 47 pending sales.                       Credit Suisse provides a monthly analysis of real estate traffic (showings) across the country.  The traffic index level dropped to levels not seen since the credit crisis began in late '08.  The sharp fall off in traffic was expected in May, but June only added to the slowdown.  The most worrisome aspect of their index is that the numbers continued to fall throughout the month. Along with that, the number of pending home sales across the country dropped 30% from May, 15% below May, 2009.  The number of closings will continue to decline in July and August based upon thi... 07/14/2010

June numbers are in forAnderson Township and Newtown, all part of the Forest Hills School district. For the month, 64 homes or condos were sold.  There are currently 410 homes actively on the market and 68 pending sales.                        Credit Suisse provides a monthly analysis of real estate traffic (showings) across the country.  The traffic index level dropped to levels not seen since the credit crisis began in late '08.  The sharp fall off in traffic was expected in May, but June only added to the slowdown.  The most worrisome aspect of their index is that the numbers continued to fall throughout the month. Along with that, the number of pending home sales across the country dropped 30% from May, 15% below May, 2009.  The number of closings will continue to decline in July an... 07/14/2010

June numbers are in for Mt. Adams. For the month, 2 homes or condos were sold.  There are currently 41 homes actively on the market and 4 pending sales.                         Credit Suisse provides a monthly analysis of real estate traffic (showings) across the country.  The traffic index level dropped to levels not seen since the credit crisis began in late '08.  The sharp fall off in traffic was expected in May, but June only added to the slowdown.  The most worrisome aspect of their index is that the numbers continued to fall throughout the month. Along with that, the number of pending home sales across the country dropped 30% from May, 15% below May, 2009.  The number of closings will continue to decline in July and August based upon this. So, what does that mean?  Overall, it dem... 07/14/2010

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory recently accepted the  City Livability Award from the U.S. Council of Mayors.  It was based upon the well known Mural Works program established by the City of Cincinnati and ArtWorks. As part of an effort to beautify the city, 28 murals have been created since 2007 in 24 of the 52 different Cincinnati neighborhoods.  The goal is to bring at least one mural to every neighborhood through collaboration with residents, businesses, artists and teens. ArtWorks employs both teenage and professional artists to work with the community in designing the murals. The diversity of the murals reflects the diversity of the communities they are in.  Some speak to the city's history, others to changes in a neighborhood, and some are simply creative expressions.  My personal ... 07/08/2010

 Newsweek magazine recently published its annual list of "America's Best High Schools."  Selected to the list were approximately six percent of all the nation's high schools.  It included four Cincinnati Area schools.  Walnut Hills High School is a selective, college preparatory school, part of the Cincinnati Public Schools. It has 2097 students in 9-12th grades, though grades 7 and 8 are also in the same buildings. Indian Hill High School is the only high school in the Indian Hill School District.  Mariemont High School is also the only high school in the Mariemont School District.  Both are relatively small high schools, 685 students in grades 9-12 at Indian Hill and 499 in grades 9-12 at Mariemont. Turpin High School is one of two high schools in the Forest Hills School District, ser... 07/08/2010

Some people seem worried about what will happen after the Federal Tax Credit expires. Will people still be buying homes in Cincinnati or will the market come to a screeching halt? Want to hear my two cents? The tax credit definitely made people push their purchase decisions into high gear during the first quarter of 2010, but buyers, even first time home buyers are still out there in the market even after the expiration of the tax credit. I even had a few first time home buyers that didn't rush to buy because the $8,000 wasn't even important in their decision. A recent survey done by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services shows that the end of the federal tax credit will not deter buyers from continuing to buy homes. Want the stats? More than 90% of those surveyed believe the ho... 07/08/2010

Here at DotLoop, we talk a lot about designing walkable, people-focused communities that offer amenities and connectedness with neighbors and businesses alike.We think it's important that people feel connected to their communities and that, as home-owners, they have a sense of home that reaches beyond the end of their lawn.That's why I'm so excited for today's announcement from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of $293 million for new transit solutions for dozens of communities nationwide.The investments include six new streetcar and rapid bus transit projects along with 47 additional projects to upgrade current bus services. This will be part of the Federal Transit Administration's Bus Livability Program. DotLoop is especially excited that our very own city of Cincinnati received inv... 07/08/2010

Hyde Park or Oakley?  Hyde Park or Oakley?  Residents of Hyde Park East are miffed with the decision made by the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors to use CAGIS as the decision making body on street locations.  Streets off of Erie Avenue, including Ashworth, Hampton, Broadview and Forest Hills are affected.  After being called part of Hyde Park in MLS for the past 40+ years, they are now being put in MLS as Oakley.  All because of CAGIS. So, what is Cagis?  They describe themselves in part as: "The mission of the Cincinnati Area Geographic Information System (CAGIS) is to create a revolutionary computerized information sharing system that enables the fundamental transformation of government and utility service management and delivery. CAGIS is to offer government, utility companies, grou... 07/07/2010

Phase 2, the $7.2 million removal and reconstruction of the Monmouth Street overpass. Property acquisition has begun for four of the project's eight phasesCamp Washington land to be sold for I-75 project Cincinnati City Council has approved unanimously the sale of surplus City-owned property to the State of Ohio as part of the $664 million I-75 Mill Creek Expressway project. The five parcels, totaling approximately 4.3 acres and roughly bounded by Central Parkway, Colerain Avenue, Bates Avenue and Sassafras Street, will be sold for $2.42 million. The property is needed for the project's $99.6 million fourth phase, which will rebuild 1.32 miles of interstate from the Western Hills Viaduct to the Monmouth Street overpass – including the complete reconstruction of the Hopple Street interch... 07/07/2010

Turn your Fourth of July weekend into three days of celebration.  All over town, villages and cities are providing us an opportunity to celebrate our nation's beginnings.  Just so you don't miss them, here is information about some of the excitement.  Since my birthday is July 4, be sure you celebrate my birthday, too! Go stand on the top of one of our many hill tops...the fireworks will be all around you!  JULY 2 Madeira - Downtown Madeira all the way to Sellman Park. This is part of Madeira's celebration of its Centennial. There will be floats in the parade starting at 6:30 pm with fun and food in the Park until fireworks at 10 pm. Free. JULY 3 Coney Island Park - LaRosa's Balloon Glow -Starting at 1 pm until fireworks at 10 pm. Coney Island comes alive at the 11th Annual LaRosa's Bal... 06/30/2010

Homes and condo sales continued at a brisk pace for May, 2010 in Anderson and Newtown.  48 homes closed in the month of May.  There are currently 73 homes pending closing and 464 homes and condos that are actively listed for sale.                        Troubling issues raised by the above graph show that we are still not back to the average prices of homes and condos sold in 2005.  This is causing difficulties for people wanting to refinance in this time of extremely low mortgage rates.  It is also a problem for those with little equity in their home, who need to sell because of a relocation or change in family circumstances. According to Credit Suisse's monthly survey, traffic levels (number of visitors to homes for sale) have been slower in May.  This is caused by the end of the home... 06/30/2010

Homes and condo sales continued at a brisk pace for May, 2010 in Montgomery, Blue Ash, Symmes Township and Sycamore Township (Sycamore School district).  59 homes closed in the month of May.  There are currently 80 homes pending closing and 396 homes and condos that are actively listed for sale.                        Troubling issues raised by the above graph show that we are approximately at average prices of homes and condos sold in 2005.  This is causing difficulties for people wanting to refinance in this time of extremely low mortgage rates.  It is also a problem for those with little equity in their home, who need to sell because of a relocation or change in family circumstances. According to Credit Suisse's monthly survey, traffic levels (number of visitors to homes for sale) ha... 06/29/2010

Homes and condo sales continued at a brisk pace in May, 2010 in Mt. Adams.  6 homes closed in the month of May.  There are currently 4 homes pending closing and 40 homes and condos that are actively listed for sale.                       Mt. Adams is one of the few areas of Cincinnati showing signs of rebounding. Prices so far in 2010 are significantly above last year and 2005.  Most homes in Cincinnati are currently averaging below prices sold for in 2005.  This is causing difficulties for people wanting to refinance in this time of extremely low mortgage rates.  It is also a problem for those with little equity in their home, who need to sell because of a relocation or change in family circumstances. According to Credit Suisse's monthly survey, traffic levels (number of visitors to ho... 06/29/2010

May, 2010 home sales vs. May, 2009 home sales are up 24.4%.  That makes three months in a row where the number of closings exceeded the 2009 numbers.  The major reason for this increase is related to the federal tax credit.  But, you say it ended in April!  Yes, the ability to write a qualifying contract ended on April 30, but buyers have until June 30 to close the loan. At this point the House and Senate have a bill in front of them extending the time to close until August 30.  Why would it be extended?  Many builders accepted more contracts on new homes than they have been able to build in the time allotted.  Bank short sales and foreclosures often take months longer to close than predicted, delaying the closing dates again and again.  This legislation may or may not be pass in time. ... 06/29/2010

Living Rent Free After a Foreclosure In a sign of the times, more and more Americans are living in their homes post-foreclosure. An article in RSI media detials the growing phenomenon and attibutes the situation to the volume of foreclosures that have washed over the banks and the fact that they were not prepared to process them. But the reality is that this situation has its advantages. The families that stay in the home post-foreclosure tend to keep the utilities on and maintain the property. They keep the A/C running which dehumidifies the house inhibiting mold growth and they winterize the pipes preventing costly leaks. In addition an occupied home is less likely to be vandalized (broken windows, copper theft) than a vacant home. The backlog is one factor contributing the situation... 06/15/2010