One of the biggest local events of the year takes place this weekend. Riverfest 2010 will occur Sept. 5 at 9:05 p.m., and here’s a quick list of the stuff you might want to know. The first Riverfest was in 1977. It was never meant to be a tradition, it was simply a celebration of WEBN’s 10th anniversary There are three music stages operating that day. The P&G Pavilion, the Lower Serpentine Wall, and the Newport Stage. (Schedule here.) You can purchase a package from BB Riverboats for a prime view. Other locations for viewing include: Newport Catholic High School, James Taylor Park,... [more...]

Want to be a recycling genius? Attend Hamilton County Solid Waste Management’s Master Recycler Workshop. Attend three sessions over three weeks and learn how best to reuse, recycle and compost from the experts. A great opportunity for anyone wanting to learn how to live greener. The workshop is $10 for early registration (payment received by Sept. 16) or $15 later. Refreshments are provided. Registration deadline is Sept. 21, and space is limited. The workshops begin Sept. 23. You must commit to attending all three classes, you cannot pick just one. Week 1: Reduce and Reuse Sept. 23, 6-8... [more...]

A controversy has been brewing for some time regarding homes that sit in what’s historically been known as “East Hyde Park.” The MLS listing service has reclassified these homes as being in Oakley. The area of dispute includes homes along Erie Avenue between Tarpis and Pinehurst avenues, the Erie and Saybrook avenues intersection and the Deupree House, 3939 Erie Ave. Residents affected by this are upset and worried about property values and resale — specifically that buying a home in “Hyde Park” and selling in “Oakley” could lose them money. These... [more...]

Recently Money Magazine released it’s Top 100 Best Places to Live, and one of our Suburbs has made the list. West Chester Ohio has come in at #32. Here’s how it ranks in comparison to the #1 City: Eden Prairie, MN. Grading category West Chester Eden Prairie Median Family Income $97,971 $119,012 Sales Tax 5.50% 6.88% State Income tax rate .62%-6.24% 5.35%-7.85% Auto Insurance premiums (state average) $1,165 $1,672 Job Growth 2.79% 12.61% Median home price $177,000 $3,297 Colleges/prof. schools w/in... [more...]

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We’ve discussed before the importance of gaining Title Insurance when you close on your home purchase (or refinancing). Now, a local case is another example of how this important insurance can save your home and fiances. A lawyer acting as a title agent for Fifth Third Bank is accused of stealing more than $1.1 million dollars from the closing of several home mortgages through the bank. The bank is now suing Donald Richardson and his Commitment Title Agency for the lost funds. The homeowners involved expected their first mortgages to be paid through the refinancing. However, the owners started... [more...]

Our Lender Sharon Natarus at Wells Fargo has supplied this handy checklist of all the documentation you will need if you are going to apply for a loan. Prepare these items in advance to streamline your process. You can get Sharon’s PDF file here. INCOME INFORMATION ☐ 30 days’ pay stubs with year-to-date information for all jobs and for each borrower ☐ Federal tax returns for the years (1040’s) ☐ W-2s for the years ☐ Written explanation if employed less than two years or gap in employment in last two years CREDIT INFORMATION ☐ Most recent two months asset statements listed on... [more...]