In Memoriam:  Laraine Shape "Home Not Selling Try SELLABREX . . ." This post is about the passing of the Cincinnati Real Estate Lady, Laraine Shape whom I met right here on ActiveRain.  Fellow AR colleague, Bill Spears, let me know. For the old timers, you may recall Laraine's alter-ego 'Ralph" -- Ralph The Real Estate Dog I met her, by way of Ralph, and found Laraine's humor and writing style to be unique and refreshing.  In getting to know her, she was the type of person not afraid or intimidated to speak out.  She did not like the psychiatric profession.  Not one bit.  Her blog Psych-Times.com is a parody site and it's brilliant.  She wasn't afraid to voice her disdain AND sell real estate AND bake.   How many of us are hesitant to voice an opinion?  Not only voice an opinion but put... 02/27/2015

Where To See Cincinnati Christmas Lights 2014 :  Cincinnati Zoo PNC Festival of LightsThrough January 3rd 2015 you can see hundreds of thousands of LED lights (if they can keep the squirrels from eating them!), blinking, flashing and entertaining every night (except Christmas Eve Christmas Day).  Seriously, TWO MILLION Christmas lights is a LOT of lights!  And they mix in plenty of other activities and some heated areas so you can thaw out!  And of course with it being cooler, some of the animals that might not be so active during the summer are feeling good with the cooler weather!   Open 5-9 p.m. each night Sundays-Thursdays and until 10 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays.  And you can expect plenty of company, with 250,000 visitors expected during the PNC Festival of Lights! Other featured ... 12/14/2014

100 Cincinnati Patio Homes For Sale, Is One Your Next Home?  Give or take a few, 100 is about how many patio homes are for sale in the Cincinnati area.  We can add some more new construction to increase that number, and if you don't mind being attached, there are more ranch condos that just might fit the bill for a low maintenance lifestyle! The one thing that is common for them is they'll reduce the demands on your time!    Beyond that, there is some variety on what is offered: MOST include taking care of the winter snows All mow your grass and take care of the leaves MOST do some basic landscaping, and some are more extensive (mulching, fertilizing, etc.). Some include taking care of the exterior of the home, but most don't. HOA fees vary from about $75/month into $300+/month. Ameniti... 11/20/2014

Keller Williams Advisors Realty - Assistant Team Leader   I couldn't be more excited to announce my position as the new Assistant Team Leader at Keller Williams Advisors Realty in Cincinnati. Team Leader Jamie Hurtubise and I have already begun preparing a training calendar for 2015 complete with scheduled training to help agents of any level grow their business.  As the ATL, my #1 priority will be the needs of the agent with regard to meeting their goals as a real estate professional. Whether an agent is brand new to real estate or is a veteran with a large team, my job is to provide the tools and resourses to those who want and need to grow a real estate sales business.  Keller Williams Advisors realty has recently announced Kourtney Reyes as Agent Services Coordinator and Terri Frey ... 11/17/2014

Cincinnati Chicken Dance Time! Oktoberfest Zinzinnati September 19-21 2014 Your local RE/MAX team Liz & Bill Spear with another "mark your calendar" event!  It's just around the corner, the 2nd largest Oktoberfest in the world!!  100's of thousands of locals and visitors will head to the blocks around Cincinnati's Fountain Square for three days of party!   And a couple of local celebs Nick & Drew Lachey will be leading this year's Chicken Dance!  Oktoberfest will be featuring Beer, Brats, Beer, Metts, Beer, Creampuffs, Beer, Black Forest Cake, Beer, Potato Pancakes, Beer, Sauerkraut and Beer!Okay, so really there's a LOT more to Oktoberfest than just the BEER! (although there is typically  more than 1,300 BARRELS of beer consumed at this Oktoberfest!).  There's actually quite a bit of ... 09/13/2014

Take Me Out To The Reds Ballgame! Every now and then we all need a break.  A reprieve from the rat race.  Recharge, get together with some friends and just take advantage of the opportunities that living in the Cincinnati metro area offers.  And it offers plenty!  Because while Warren County offers no shortage of great things to do, some things you just have to head to the Big City! And Saturday afternoon/evening was just one of those opportunities, out with some of my friends of a couple of decades.  We've worked together building surgical instruments, helped each other move, (I even helped one find their next home), bowled league and played volleyball together.   We've all aged a bit, so our activities are a bit more sedate, like catching a Reds-Braves game!  (or at least we tried to!... 08/25/2014

BOOOOOM!!  P&G Riverfest & WEBN Fireworks Lights The Fuse August 31 2014 It's time for your Warren County local real estate team Liz and Bill Spear of RE/MAX Elite to give you the details on another local event! There's no better way to say farewell to summer in Cincinnati than Riverfest!  A full day of fun capped off by a SERIOUS display of intense fireworks by Rozzi's!  So the 38th annual edition of the Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Fireworks show is set for Sunday August 31 2014!  While the fireworks may start at 9:05 p.m., this is a plan ahead and arrive early event!  There WILL be crowds!  And closed streets too! What's the end result?  Rozzi's Fireworks coupled with WEBN's rocking soundtracks for one great time!  Here's a sample from the 2010 show! Now this year they're giving it an 80s tw... 08/20/2014

27th Great Inland Seafood Festival August 14-17 2014 in Newport Kentucky Hello, it's Liz & Bill Spear your local RE/MAX agent team with the info on another local event you may not want to miss!  This time it's the 27th edition of the Great Inland Seafood Festival in Newport Kentucky!  The feature treat, 10,000 Maine lobsters coming straight from places like Maine's Boothbay Harbor!  That's right, 10,000 Maine lobsters will be trucked in for the Great Inland Seafood Festival and for $10.95 each you're going to like the price!  The event is hosted on the Newport Kentucky side of the Ohio River, so enjoy the Cincinnati skyline as you're munching on crabs, shrimp, oysters and much more!  And while 10,000 lobsters may seem like a lot of lobsters, historically they do NOT last the entire fes... 08/13/2014

Quack Quack!  2014 Rubber Duck Regatta To Benefit Freestore Foodbank! Hard to believe, but the Riverfest and WEBN Fireworks is at the end of this month!  Where did the summer go?  But summer won't leave without a few more summer events, and one of the coolest is the Freestore Foodbank's major fundraiser The Rubber Duck Regatta!  The Rubber Duck Regatta is one of those events you have to love!  100%, that right, EVERY dollar donated in support of sponsoring up to 200,000 rubber ducks goes to feeding those in need!  And Freestore Foodbank is QUITE efficient with those dollars too!  Did you know that with $5 (the cost of ONE duck sponsorship), they can provide 15 meals for kids?   Seriously, we can rarely go through a fast food drivethrough and come out with ONE meal for $5 and this organ... 08/02/2014

Ready To Downsize?  Maybe A Cincinnati Patio Home Is Right For You! We think it's time for you to consider downsizing to a Cincinnati patio home.  The kids are off to college.  That big yard that was perfect for when the kids were young is now just way more than you want to keep up with.  Mowing, mulching, weeding, you've got PLENTY of other things you'd rather do with your time, right?  And the house itself, probably WAY bigger than you need now, right?  But at this point in your life, you're not ready to give up the nice things either just to be have a smaller home! And this is where patio homes may be just the perfect choice for you!  Throughout the Cincinnati area there's a full spectrum of choice! Cincinnati patio homes are available: New construction or resale Large or small Upsca... 07/09/2014

Cincinnati July 4th Weekend Event!  Coney Island Hosts Larosa's Balloon Glow July 3rd 2014 Okay, your Warren County Ohio RE/MAX agents Liz and Bill Spear with another event for you to add to your jam packed 4th of July weekend!   It's a bit short notice but tomorrow Coney Island down on Kellogg Avenue is hosting  the 15th annual Larosa's Balloon Glow! Now if you've never been to one, they're pretty cool!  Balloons AND Fireworks *just not at the same time of course!! And Coney Island is sweetening the deal with even MORE options to entertain you! Stiltwalkers and jugglers at 6 p.m, Live Music at 6:30 & 7 (take your pick of the UC Band Jazz Ensemble or the Anderson Township Community Band).  Then at 8 p.m. you get  Larosa's Balloon Glow!  And at 10 p.m. the sky lights up with a Rozzi's f... 07/02/2014

ANOTHER July 4th Weekend Event!  Coney Island Hosts Larosa's Balloon Glow July 3rd Okay Warren County residents, here's another opportunity to make a short drive and have another good time!  Sunday July 3rd Coney Island down on Kellogg Avenue is hosting Larosa's Balloon Glow! Now if you've never been to one, they're pretty cool!  Catching a balloon glow at Eden Park with the lake years ago was terrific! And Coney Island is sweetening the deal with even MORE options to entertain you! Stiltwalkers and jugglers at 6 p.m, Live Music (take your pick of the UC Band Jazz Ensemble or the Anderson Township Community Band).  Then at 8 p.m. you get up to 20 balloon' participating in Larosa's Balloon Glow!  And now for the infomercial part...but WAIT THERE'S MORE!!!  At 10 p.m. you get a Rozzi's f... 07/02/2014

Cincinnati's Summerfair Festival May 30- June 1, 2014 Cincinnati's Summerfair is one of our favorite annual festivals.  We can't always make it (real estate work can REALLY cut into our weekend free time for events like Summerfair!), but we always enjoy it when we do!  And why wouldn't we?  There are hundreds of skilled craftspeople and thousands and thousands of unique items to choose from!  Whether as gifts or to decorate our own home, there's something there for everyone!  This year's edition of Summerfair at Coney Island is the 47th, so you know they're doing it right!   Summerfair again features over 300 artists on the grounds of Coney Island!  You'll find local artists and artists from all across the U.S. and Canada, and working in basically any media you want:  photography, woodw... 05/27/2014

Condos & Lofts in Downtown Cincinnati Featured is 1431 Main St Unit C (view listing details and pricing) Located just blocks from Washington Park and Vine Street, this condo is as large as it gets for this price. At just under 1600 Sqft this updated condo boasts yellow pine hardwoods, updated open concept, and is situated just blocks north of the new Cincinnati Street Car project.  The building offers a rooftop patio complete with table and chairs for guests to enjoy views of downtown and fireworks. To the southeast, the Horseshoe casino is also visible from the rooftop patio.  Take advantage of this move-in-ready condo in Over The Rhine. Click here for Photos and Details of 1431 Main Street in Over The Rhine. Or visit www.1431main.info Listing presented by Keller Williams Advisors Real... 05/19/2014

Memorial Day Weekend Events:  Taste of Cincinnati May 24 - 26 2014 It's almost time for Cincinnati's most popular Memorial Day Weekend event:  Taste of Cincinnati!! Taste of Cincinnati is THE longest running culinary arts festival in the country.  Starting as a 1 day event in 1979, Taste has expanded to 3 days and over 500,000 visitors!  And yes, there's an app for Taste of Cincinnati, so visit the link above to download your iPhone or Droid app! And the reason for the popularity is pretty apparent!  With over 40 restaurants featuring hundreds of dishes and lots of live entertainment acts performing on multiple stages, you're going to have PLENTY of food and entertainment!  And there will be other activities mixed in while you wait to have room for one more forkful of great food!    Ea... 05/14/2014

Cincinnati real estate could rise dramaticallyOne of the biggest factors that will ever impact Cincinnati real estate (or any market for that matter) is that region’s job market. Employment (or unemployment) can largely determine a real estate markets growth or decline. The Queen City’s unemployment rate is happily about one percent less than the nation’s average according to bestplaces.net, which also projects that Cincy’s job growth, will be about two percent slower than the rest of the U.S., however, they may have to retract those projections if the following comes to pass.Cincinnati Real Estate Falls in Potential Manufacturing DesignationWhile homes for sale in Cincinnati continue to enjoy some slow but steady healing in terms of price and desirability, one event that could set the ... 05/05/2014

Condos for Sale in Cincinnati's Over the Rhine Over the Rhine is one of Cincinnati's hottest new areas due to the revitalization and revamping of the urban landscape. Individuals who love the night life and urban living are flocking to Over the Rhine in search of condos and lofts for sale. Click the photo below to see Condos and Lofts for Sale in Cincinnati's Over the Rhine. 03/11/2014

The Hidden Gem:   Cincinnati Patio Homes Cincinnati patio homes and other low maintenance lifestyle homes have been gaining in popularity over the last decade.  And why shouldn't they be?  They offer something that other homes can't offer, a hidden gem of sorts:  your time!  When you buy a "regular" home, there are certain things that tie you to that home.  The yard needs mowed, the leaves raked, the snow shoveled.  Year round, there are demands on your time...you'd rather be in your kayak on the Little Miami River wouldn't you??! Now maybe you're one of the folks that REALLY enjoys yard work, and if so, a patio home might not be the best choice for you.  Hey, if taking apart a fouled lawnmower carburetor is your thing, talk to us about buying a regular home.  But if instead you prefer ... 02/13/2014

Convenient location. Will sell fast. Must see! OverviewMapsPhotos $140,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial Bathroom8 UnitsLot: 1,919 sqft Location 913 Shayler RdUnion Twp, OH 45245USA Derek L Tye The Tye Group Realtors(513) 549-7469derek@derektye.comhttp://www.CincyOhioHomes.com   Listed by: Remax United Associates 513-549-7469 Our recent listings Convenient location. Will sell fast. Must see!Single Family Residential for $140,000 in Cincinnati, OHPrice Reduced! Mt Adams Condo with Awesome Views!Price Reduced!Price Reduced!! Must See...Every Detail Executed in this 4800 sq. ft home! Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 10/04/2013

Cincinnati Hosts Oktoberfest Zinzinnati September 20-22 2013 Cincinnati's Oktoberfest, the party so big two days just weren't enough anymore!  That's right, they're partying Friday, Saturday and Sunday this year!  And you know who is leading the annual chicken dance this year??  Oh myyyyy, it's Mr. Sulu, George Takei front and center leading the world's biggest chicken dance!!  Centered on Cincinnati's Fountain Square, the location is perfect for the 100's of thousands of people that come to party every year!  Now in it's 38th year, this is the 2nd largest Oktoberfest in the WORLD!  You'll have to go to Munich if you want bigger!Featuring Beer, Brats, Beer, Metts, Beer, Creampuffs, Beer, Black Forest Cake, Beer, Potato Pancakes, Beer, Sauerkraut and Beer!Okay, so really there's a LOT m... 09/16/2013