Ohio Schools have a chart that ranks the top 10 schools in the state by four criteria. This chart has 5 schools from the Cincinnati area. Wyoming Designation: Excellent with Distinction Enrollment: 1,980 Performance Index Score: 110 (highest in state) Cost Per Pupil: $10,732.89 Cost Per Performance Index Point: $97.57 Maderia Designation: Excellent with Distinction Enrollment:1,428 Performance Index Score: 109.2 Cost Per Pupil: $10,691.80 Cost Per Performance Index Point: $97.91 Indian Hill Designation: Excellent with Distinction Enrollment: 2,206 Performance Index Score: 109 Cost Per Pupil:... [more...]

Especially for younger adults, it can be very difficult to even think about planning for the worst. But when you own a home and/or have children, it’s truly important to have a plan in place for the unthinkable: the death of you or your spouse. I recently talked with J. Aaron Byrd, an attorney from Greenbaum Doll and McDonald PLLC, whose practice focuses on estate planning and administration. We discussed estate planning — arranging what happens to your assets if you and/or your spouse dies. It’s not something that any of us want to talk about, but it is also not something any... [more...]

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We got a handy brochure from our friends at Chase Legal Title (via First American). Don’t think you need title insurance? You should check out these 73 reasons that indicate the many things title insurance can protect you against. (There’s a lot of confusing legal situations here — all the more reason to keep yourself out of the position of needing to understand it!) Forged deeds, mortgages, satisfactions or releases. Deed by person who is insane or mentally incompetent. Deed by minor (may be disavowed). Deed from corporation, unauthorized under corporate bylaws or given under... [more...]

This Week in Mt. Lookout The median list price in Mt. Lookout, OH this week is $327,450. Inventory has been decreasing lately but the Market Action Index is falling also. With days-on-market climbing, these are relatively negative implications for the market. 90-day stats for Single Family properties inCINCINNATI, OH45226 as of July 23, 2010Median List Price:$304,012Average List Price:$386,942Total Inventory:87Price per Square Foot:$149Average Home Size:2,084Median Lot Size:5,887Average # Beds:3.11Average # Baths:2.45Homes Absorbed:4Newly Listed:3Days on Market:225Average Age:20 Supply and Demand The... [more...]

It’s the time of year where we become focused on big holiday meals, buying and receiving presents. Simultaneously, we become increasingly perceptive that in this excess we are lucky, and others in our neighborhoods might not have these luxuries. Thank goodness for organizations like the Freestore Foodbank (and others), and the work they do for hungry people in our area. Not only at the holidays but 365 days a year. For me personally, the Freestore is one of my favorite local causes. It’s important for the health of our neighborhoods that all local families are empowered with the ability... [more...]

When it comes to taking care of your home, helping the environment and saving money, energy efficiency is the way to go. I recently talked with Andy Wolfe from Arronco Comfort Air and Professional Energy Consulting, his own company. I wanted some extra information about new tax credits and the best systems for your home. We asked for the top three ways you can lower your energy bills and make your home efficient: 1.) Air seal the envelope to reduce air leakage. 2.) Add insulation to basement walls and in the attic. 3.) Have a high-efficiency furnace installed. (Geothermal is best.) Cutting-edge... [more...]

This Week in Hyde Park The median list price in Hyde Park this week is $332,500. Inventory has been decreasing lately but the Market Action Index is falling also. With days-on-market climbing, these are relatively negative implications for the market. Supply and Demand The market has been consistently cool for several weeks. Demand level are low relative to the available inventory. It’s a Buyer’s market and prices continue to fall. Look for a persistent shift in Market Action before prices plateau or begin to rise again. Market Action Index Price Again this week in this zip code we... [more...]

On Friday, the President signed a bill which extended unemployment benefits AND expanded the homebuyer tax credit. This makes this officially official. The details are here: First time homebuyers can receive a 10% (up to $8,000) tax credit when purchasing a home. Repeat buyers can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit when purchasing a new home, if they’ve lived in their current home for 5 consecutive years or more. These homes must be purchased (signed contract) between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. (A buyer has until July 1, 2010 to close.) Single buyers must have incomes of $125,000... [more...]

Here’s a quiz. You should buy a foreclosure or short sale if: a.) You have all the time in the world to buy, close and move in. b.) You want to buy all new appliances, lighting fixtures, carpet, furnace, AC, cabinets and vanities anyway. c.) You are extremely handy and/or have the ability to do trades for services, OR you have a lot of cash on hand for surprise issues. d.) All of the above! You can probably guess what is the most likely scenario if you choose to purchase a foreclosed home or short sale. You must be prepared for all of the above (and more) if you enter into the purchase of a... [more...]

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