Spring 2010 Westerville Real Estate Deal

Are you planning to sell your home in Westerville Ohio? Then you’ll want to take advantage of this low, discounted real estate listing commission.  As a Westerville resident and experienced REALTOR®,  I’m offering to sell your home in Westerville for 1% listing commission, if you buy your next home through me.*  If you just need to sell, but don’t plan on buying another home, then I’m offering to sell your home for 2% listing commission.*

The Home Buyer Tax credit requires that the home you purchase must be in contract by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010.  So if you’re planning to sell your home this year, sooner than later would be best, to take advantage of the additional market activity the home buyer tax credit should generate. I’m offering this special low discounted real estate commission for any new Westerville real estate listings, thru June 30, 2010.

If you have a home to sell in Westerville, Call Petra today at 614-895-0496, to take advantage of this amazing low discount commission.

Your Westerville home will be  listed for sale on the Columbus MLS, Realtor.com and many other popular real estate listing search websites.  Learn more about my extensive marketing plan to sell your home at:   Columbuscastles.com/sellers_marketing

Why Am I Offering Such Low Commission to Sell Your Westerville Home?

As a Westerville resident and experienced REALTOR®, my goal is to sell even more homes and condos in the Westerville area.  While I sell homes all over Columbus Ohio, the closer to home I work = less time I spend traveling = more time I have to sell more homes.  Having lived in Westerville Ohio for over 8 years now, I know and love Westerville.  So it’s only natural that I’d love to sell more homes in Westerville.

I understand the challenging real estate market and down economy means less profit for sellers and I’m doing my part to make it more affordable to sell your home in Westerville.

Other REALTORS®  may offer reduced or discounted commission to sell your home in Westerville, but they may not have the experience or track record to successfully sell your home.  In this challenging real estate market you need an experienced REALTOR®, with the ability to provide comprehensive marketing that works.  Learn more about my marketing plan to sell your home:  Columbuscastles.com/sellers_marketing

Having sold over $50 Million in real estate all over Central Ohio, you can count on my experience to achieve a successful sale of your home in Westerville too.

Westerville area homes & condos sold by Petra:

5243 Longshadow Drive, Westerville Ohio 43081 (Little Turtle area)
3728 Kellen Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43230 (Strawberry Farms area)
613 Valley Forge Court, Westerville, OH 43081 (Freedom Colony area)
8161 Saybrook Drive, Westerville, OH 43082 (Harvest Wind area)
1011 Autumn Lake Court, Westerville, OH 43081 (Autumn Woods area)
6822 Collingwood Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43082 (Sherbrook area)
703 Mohican Way, Westerville, OH 43081 (Woodlake Colony area)
6469 Scioto Court, Westerville, OH 43082 (Highland Lakes area)
8001 Danbridge Way, Westerville, Ohio 43082 (Eagle Trace area)
462 Burns Drive, Westerville, OH 43082 (County Line Acres)
8099 Dunaway Lane, Westerville, Ohio 43082 (Barrington Estates)
403 Westgreen Lane, Westerville, OH 43082 (Estates at Polaris Condos)
5726 Pinewild Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43082 (Highland Lakes area)
5985 Doral Court, Westerville, OH 43082 (Highland Lakes area)
415 Tottenham Blvd., Westerville, OH 43082 (Walnut Bend)
5971 Mealla Road, Westerville, OH 43081 (Upper Albany West)
5622 Quail Hollow Way, Westerville, Ohio 43082 (Highland Lakes area)
255 Plum Street, Westerville, OH 43081 (Uptown Westerville)
1166 Libbet Place South, Westerville, OH 43081 (Annehurst area)
142 S. Summit Street, Westerville, OH 43081 (Uptown Westerville)
683 Brook Run Court, Westerville, OH 43081 (Brook Run/Innis Woods area)
6569 Oak Shadow Drive, Westerville, OH 43082 (Northpointe)
765 Collingwood Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43081 (Springcrest Estates)
6278 Albany Brooke Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43081 (New Albany Reserve Condos)
4919 Smoketalk Lane, Westerville, OH 43081 (Little Turtle Condominiums)
5412 Woodville Court, Columbus, Ohio 43230 (Home in Westerville Schools - Blendon Estates area)
3360 Arnett Court, Westerville, Ohio 43081 (Blendon Township/Huber Ridge area)
6365 W. Montford Road, Westerville, OH 43081 (Blendon Township/Huber Ridge area)
3231 Parklane Avenue, Columbus, OH 43231 (Home in Westerville Schools/Parkridge area)
5763 Covington Meadows Drive, Westerville, OH 43082 (Covington Meadows MI Home)
5160 Flintrock, Westerville, Ohio 43081 (The Glade - Little Turtle area)
4606 San Andres Place, Columbus, OH 43230 (Westerville Schools home in Tanager Woods)
5507 Oslo Drive, Westerville, Ohio 43081 (Home in Blendon Township - Huber Ridge area)
923 Philadelphia Drive, Westerville, OH 43081 (Carriage Oaks Condos)
3967 Freedom Ridge Court, Gahanna, OH 43230 (Westerville Schools home in Gahanna)
3812 Tanager Drive, Columbus, OH 43230 (Home in Westerville Schools - Tanager Woods area)
966 Dark Shadow Court, Westerville, OH 43081 (Shadow Wood Farms/Innis Woods area)
6030 Poplar Ridge Drive, Westerville, OH 43081 (Grand Reserve at New Albany Crossing Condos)

*Some restrictions apply.  Contact Petra Hinterschied, Experienced Realtor and Your Westerville Real Estate Expert with any questions about selling your home.  Petra’s exclusive Westerville real estate deal, with amazing low discounted commission to sell your Westerville home applies to homes or condos,  in Westerville, Columbus or Olentangy schools with 43081, 43082 and 43230 zip codes.

Just in time for Halloween - check out these skeletons sporting OSU Buckeyes outfits and spelling OHIO.  A friend shared this picture that I thought “die” hard OSU - Ohio State Buckeyes fans might enjoy:)  GO BUCKS!!!

For "Die" Hard OSU - Ohio State Buckeyes Fans

Being the kind of person that really gets a thrill out of getting a good deal on something, I love Odd Lots!!!  I typically go about once a week because it’s on my way home from the gym I work out at and I just can’t stop myself.  My car seems to automatically gravitate to the parking lot, without me even thinking about it.  What I find so thrilling is that I never know what they’re going to have and I can always count on finding something new and unique.  Some days I get luckier than others and find lots of wonderful items and other days it’s hit or miss.  I almost always find something that my family can use though.   Today was one of those days that I had lots of luck!!

I found so many cool things today.  I was recently accused of being a “foody” and I think you’ll see why:)  Hence the need to workout!!  Since most of what I bought today is somewhat healthy, I don’t feel too bad.

• Izze Fortified Sparkling Pomegranate - Naturally Flavored Juice Beverage (It looks like a natural soda in a can.)
• Muir Glen Organic Beef & Vegetable Soup and Muir Glen Organic Chicken Tortilla Soup (The colder weather is already making me want soup.)
• Sweet Sue Chicken & Dumplings (What attracted me is the colorful red, white and blue can and on the top it says AMERICA’S FAVORITE.  I hope it’s true, because we’ve got sick and picky kids in the house that this sounds perfect for.)
• ROTEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies (we love to put these in our chili and sausage & cheese dip)
• Amber Harvest Mills Beer Bread Mix - this would actually make a great gift because it’s in a really cute beer looking bottle and comes with an orange iridescent bottle opener.  But I don’t think I’ll be saving it for a gift - I’m planning to make it for my home Bible study group.
• Green Tea - Herbal Slimming Tea (now this is probably the only thing that makes sense, since I was after all, on my way home from the gym.  I know it’s probably just a gimmick - but since I’m a tea drinker and it’s green tea based - which has lots of health benefits already - I figure I might as well give it a try:)
• Mount of Olives Treasures Earl Grey Tea with Pomengranate (Earl Grey is one of my favorite teas and this one sounds so good - it says it’s a blend of healthy black tea combined with natural bergamot oil known for it’s citrusy aroma, enhanced with a twist of lemon plus it has olive leaves, grape leaves, pomegranate and hyssop.
• Royal Moments Belgium Milk Chocolate Biscuits - says they are made in Belgium too!!  Ok - here’s what sold me - it has a story on the back of the box about how Pharmacist Charles Delacre started making chocolate in 1870, originally for it’s medicinal qualities.  Due to the inviting aroma and delicious taste, his chocolate became ever more popular, so much so that he was officially appointed as chocolate supplier to the Belgian Royal Court.  So I figure if it’s good enough for royalty - then it’s certainly good enough for me - being the Queen of Columbus Castles:)
• Kuhne Traditional German Barrel Sauerkraut - what perfect timing.  I love making pork and sauerkraut in the fall, plus it’s Oktoberfest season!!  I’ve had this brand before and it’s really good - it’s the real thing - made in Germany.
• ITOEN White Tea - Natural grape flavored tea in individual sized bottles - perfect for when I’m on the go to meet clients looking at homes:)
• Twinings of London Indian Spiced Chai Tea - this tea smells so good even through the plastic wrapped box that I couldn’t resist.  I love Chai Tea!!!
• OLDE CAPE COD All Natural Soup & Chowder Oyster Crackers.  My son loves oyster crackers and I typically won’t buy them because most brands have partially hydrogenated oil in them.  When I read the ingredients in these, I was really surprised.  They are truly all natural with pretty healthy ingredients and there’s a testimonial on the box that says “The best oyster crackers I’ve ever eaten!”  So I figured I might as well give them a try too.
• Triscuit Parmesan Garlic Thin Crisps (I know these don’t sound like anything special - but they are triangle shaped - so they seem a little more classy looking, than the typical square shaped Triscuits.  Plus these will go great with the Comte cheese imported from France, that I recently bought at Costco - which is my other favorite place to shop (but that’s a whole other story that I won’t get into here:)

These are just a few of the wonderful items I found today at the Odd Lots in Westerville.  Since I live in Westerville, I typically visit the Westerville Odd Lots.  However, I also make it a point where ever I am showing homes to stop in at the local Odd Lots stores all over Columbus because I have learned you can find different things in each store.  The Polaris Odd Lots is one of my favorites because I think it’s got to be one of the largest stores and it seems to be better organized and laid out than some of the others.  I also like the Odd Lots store off of Olentangy River Road and Ackerman in the OSU/Upper Arlington area and the Great Western Odd Lots on the West Side of Columbus, because they usually have a great food section too.

Check out the Odd Lots website, Biglots.com,  for a special 20% off  discount coupon that’s good from October 5 - October 10, 2009 to get 20% off your entire purchase.  Odd Lots is already a good deal, but this coupon makes it too hard to pass up!!  I hope you enjoy shopping for good deals too:)

Honor WWII Vets in Columbus Ohio

On October 10, 2009 at 8pm, Honor Flight Columbus a regional nonprofit, volunteer organization, is organizing a rally at the Columbus International Airport, to welcome home WWII vets on their return flight from visiting their memorial in Washington D.C.

The public is encouraged to participate, by welcoming the World War 2 vets at the Columbus International Airport around 8pm on October 10, 2009.  Feel free to show your patriotism by bringing signs to show your respect (no sticks or poles to keep security happy please).   This particular flight is supposed to be one of the larger flights with about 90 WWII vets aboard, so there will be plenty of hands to shake and war stories to hear.  Don’t forget your camera!

Honor Flight Columbus honors and celebrates World War II veterans’ service by flying them to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. The veterans are provided this experience at no charge as a token of our gratitude and respect for their service to our Country. Our primary mission is to safely escort America’s World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to create an unforgettable experience at the memorials dedicated in honor of their service and sacrifice. Veterans of other wars, who are terminally ill, are also included. The one day trips to the nation’s capitol occur during April - November as funds permit. Honor Flight Columbus is part of the National Honor Flight Network.

The 2009 Columbus Honor Flight is sponsored by the City of Westerville.

Honor Flight #8284 Southwest Airlines Columbus Airport 8:45PM
Columbus Int’l Airport
4600 International Gateway
Columbus, OH 43219

To learn more visit:  honorflightcolumbus.org

Another great patriotic quote from one of America’s most famous Founding Fathers!

“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?” –Benjamin Franklin, to Colleagues at the Constitutional Convention

“History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy.” –Benjamin Franklin

Did you know that today is Constitution Day?  222 Years ago, on September 17, 1787, 39 brave men signed the American Constitution and changed the course of history!    The Constitution established the framework that defines America and the rights and freedoms that “we the people” of the United States of America enjoy today!  Now Constitution Day is a time for us to continue their legacy and develop habits of citizenship in a new generation of Americans.

It took about 3 and a half months, in the summer of 1787, for 55 men to create the US Constitution, which has shaped the character of our great Nation.  Considering many of them were lawyers, you can imagine how difficult it would have been to come up with something that they could all agree on.  While the Constitution was not perfect, these men were able to forge this most important document, establishing our system of government, unlike any other in history.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. … Done … the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven.” –George Washington and the Signers

To learn more about the American Constitution visit:  http://constitutioncenter.org/ncc_progs_Constitution_Day.aspx

God Bless America!!

Another American Liberty Quote.

“Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge.” –James Wilson, Of the Study of the Law in the United States, 1790

Do you understand the law of our land, the American Constitution?  If not, I urge you to read and understand it for yourself and teach it to your children.  Many Americans have fought for our freedoms and they can only be preserved, if we know and love what they truly are.

God Bless America!

Get ready Columbus Ohio -  it’s Ohio State Buckeye’s football season. This is the time Buckeye sports fans look forward to all year.  Anyone who lives in Columbus Ohio will tell you, the whole city becomes focused on the Buckeyes, with tales of elaborate tail gate parties and celebrations of all sorts taking place in homes, sports bars and restaurants all around Columbus.

Buckeyemania seems to capture the minds and spirit of not just Ohio State University students, but most everyone young and old alike in Columbus Ohio, on football game days.

I’m sure everyone has heard by now the Columbus Ohio real estate market is not the best for sellers in 2008. Columbus Ohio and many Central Ohio suburbs are currently experiencing a “buyer’s market.” Depending on your situation though, it might still be a good time for you to sell your Central Ohio home. For example, if you want to move up and buy another home in Central Ohio, your current home might sell for less than you hope for, but you’re likely to save more on what you purchase because it is selling for proportionately less too.

While some real estate markets in the Columbus Ohio area are certainly doing better than others, in general, homes that are priced appropriately and prepared properly are still selling. If you are serious about selling your home in the Columbus and Central Ohio area read on to learn more about preparing your home. Contact Petra at 614-895-0496 to discuss selling your home in the Columbus Ohio area or visit: ColumbusCastles.com - Learn how Petra can help successfully sell your home in Columbus and Central Ohio.

August 2008 Columbus Ohio Real Estate Market Update for Home Sellers in Central Ohio

Some good news for home sellers in Columbus Ohio! According to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, Columbus Ohio real estate sales inventory of homes for sale in Central Ohio, has been decreasing throughout 2008. In August 2008, there were 16,975 homes for sale in the central Ohio area, which is 14.2 percent lower than last year at the same time. The average sales price of a home in the central Ohio area is down 4.8 percent from one year ago. However, the average sales price in August was $175,632 approximately 15 percent higher than the average sales price of $152,790 in January 2008! Some areas in Central Ohio are holding their value better than others and are not necessarily experiencing these same declining values.

Should you need to sell your Columbus Ohio home in this current buyer’s market, it needs to be prepared properly, priced appropriately and staged effectively to attract buyers. Based upon my years of experience working with Central Ohio home buyers, I hear first hand what they like and don’t like in homes. I’m going to share some tips to help your home stand out from the competition and be more appealing to buyers in any market.

1. PRICE IT RIGHT. Set a realistic price based upon recent comparable sales of homes sold in the last 6 months. Your home’s value has nothing to do with what you paid for it or what the Franklin County Auditor has assessed it at. It is worth what other buyers have recently paid for homes similar to yours and that’s where your home should be priced. If you owe more than it is worth in the current Columbus Ohio real estate market and can’t wait to sell, then you may want to consider a short sale to avoid foreclosure. Call Petra at 614-895-0496 to discuss your options.
2. PAINT . . . PAINT AND MORE PAINT!! Paint is probably the cheapest update you can do yourself and it can make your home feel like it’s move in ready inside. You may like red, green and yellow walls or striped wall paper - but what if those colors don’t coordinate with a new buyer’s furnishings? What do you think the chances are that most buyers will have decor that goes with your paint colors? If your walls aren’t neutral - PAINT THEM. If buyers think they have to paint every room in the house - they will feel like the home needs too much work and pass it by in favor of another home that is neutral and feels more ready to move in. Remember, buyers have lots of homes to choose from, in today’s Columbus Ohio real estate market and most will prefer a home that is move in ready over one that needs every room painted.
3. DE-CLUTTER. It is important to keep the buyer’s focus on the home not on your family. Remove most of your personal collections, family photos, political statements, etc. These can distract buyers from the important mission that brought them to your home. Remember you want buyer’s to envision their furnishings in your home so they can see themselves living there. They can better focus on where to place their furniture when there’s less of your clutter and excess furnishings in the way.
4. UPDATE FLOORING. Dirty, dated or smelly carpet, busy linoleum, worn hardwood floors, cracked ceramic tiles, etc. are a real turn off for buyers. To them it seems obvious that these should be replaced. Either replace it up front or acknowledge they need replaced by offering a flooring allowance. It’s typically best to just replace it up front, if you can afford to because it will make your home feel more updated to the buyer.
5. PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP SHOWS. Take care of any glaring repair and maintenance issues. The buyer must establish a sense of trust in your home. Buyers feel more positive about a home when it looks like it’s been well maintained and taken care of.
6. SHOWING YOUR HOME. Presentation should be meticulous - your home should be sparkling clean throughout. Make your home feel light and bright with drapes open and lights on. Eliminate any pet, smoke or food odors. If you’re going to use air fresheners or candles, make sure the scent is clean, refreshing and subtle. I’ve been in some homes where the air freshener scent was so strong we could hardly breathe. The right scent can make your home feel more welcoming and relaxing, but the wrong scent can set the tone for buyers to go through the home trying to find out what you’re covering up with such a strong scent.

   Showing your home is an important step in winning the heart of a buyer. Remember that buying a home is an emotional decision and buyers use all of their senses to experience your home. A dark interior, unpleasant smell, barking dog, or uncomfortable temperature can eliminate your home from their list. I know your home may not be new like a model home, but your home can still show like one with a thorough cleaning, fresh paint and updated flooring.




7. GO AWAY FOR SHOWINGS. It’s not a good idea to be present when buyers come to see your home because they may shorten their time spent in your home feeling like they are intruding on your privacy. Or, they may not feel comfortable discussing your home as freely as they would if you weren’t there. I’ve also seen sellers try to offer certain information they thought was helpful, only to turn the buyer off. Showing your home is not a social visit and it’s best to not make assumptions about what a buyer wants.

REMEMBER - if buyer’s want a fixer upper . . . there are plenty of Columbus Ohio foreclosure properties in the Central Ohio real estate market they can get for a bargain. Unless you want to sell your home at a bargain, it should be in move in condition. The current Columbus Ohio real estate market is for SERIOUS SELLERS ONLY!

The Columbus Board of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) includes real estate listings and sales data for all of Franklin, Delaware, Fayette, Madison, Morrow and Union Counties and parts of Champagne, Clark, Hocking, Licking, Fairfield, Knox, Logan, Marion, Pickaway and Ross Counties.

Welcome to my Columbus Ohio Real estate blog.  My goal is to share what it’s like to live, work and play in Columbus Ohio and the Central Ohio suburbs of Bexley, Clintonville, Dublin, Gahanna, Grandview Heights, Hilliard, Lewis Center, Pickerington, Powell, Reynoldsburg Westerville and Worthington.  You’ll find the latest information, data and statistics to keep informed on the Columbus Ohio Real estate market as well.

Whether you are a resident or considering relocating to Columbus, Ohio, I hope you find this information helpful in determining where you want to live, work and play in Central Ohio!  Having lived in Central Ohio for over 38 years, I know a lot about the Columbus area.  As a Columbus real estate agent who’s active in the real estate market, I get around to most of the communities and suburbs in Columbus.  So I hope you’ll consider me your guide to learning about the Columbus Ohio area.

As always, if I can be of service in helping you buy, sell or build a home anywhere in Central Ohio, please contact me at 614-895-0496 or visit:  www.ColumbusCastles.com to get started.