The new year is now here and the results are in! Well, for the Violet Township Fire Department Annual Toy Drive held last week they are! In total 3,000 toys were yielded - which is excellent news!

The event has been running for over 20 years and local schools, businesses, churches and aid organizations are all on board to ensure that children who wouldn’t otherwise receive gifts during the festive season have something to unwrap!

The drive was launched on November 22nd and when it ended donations had reached $10,000 with the bulk being raised by Harmon Road Middle School who have been involved for 5 years now.

The Raines Group itself this year held its own successful Food and Toy drive to benefit the local Salvation Army. All of course showing the great community spirit in the Columbus Metro Area villages and communities.

The Festive season really is a time for giving. We hope that you had a great one and are ready to embrace the new year. Remember to bookmark our blog, or subscribe, via our RSS feed to keep update with local news and real estate information for New Albany and the surrounding communities in Central Ohio.

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

2008 is nearly over! What a year it has been - with so many things happening locally, nationally and globally! It sure is one for the record books. However here in Central Ohio, the Central Ohio Villages are preparing for their new year celebrations in style. Each village is hosting a mixture of public and private events - where people from all over are getting ready to celebrate in style!

New Years eve is a perfect time for reflection, looking back at the successes and failures of 2008 before welcoming in 2009. So whatever you are doing this holiday season, where ever you are we at The Raines Group wish you and your family and friends a happy and healthy new year. We hope that we are able to assist you in 2009 with your Central Ohio Real Estate needs.

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

Just when you thought all the festivities were over! The Now Center in New Albany will offer music, entertainment and fireworks at its “Paint the Town Red” New Year’s celebration.

The Now Center is recently opened at its location 2407 Beech Road, features childrens activities, a talent show and Grammy-nominated band Red at its New Year’s Eve celebration that runs from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. This is of course a small part of the New Years celebrations which will run throughout the Village.

There will be private parties amongst friends and families as people celebrate ringing in the New Year in style. 2008 has flown by and 2009 awaits! As for the band, Red who will be a headliner for the New Year’s Eve celebration, local talent also will take the stage in a talent show. Giving talented locals of a variety of ages a chance to have their moment in the spotlight!

Talent-show contestants pay $25 for registration and have auditions on the 27th. The top 10 will be chosen from the audition and then a panel of judges on New Year’s will select a winner, and they’ll get a $500 cash prize!

As for the music, The Now Center will have 750 tickets available for the event that could start a tradition for New Year’s Eve. Tickets for the event are $30 for a front-stage pass, $10 for general admission and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. A great fun event for all the family to enjoy.

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

The statistics are in for November 2008 and have been published by the Columbus Board of Realtors.

The board have noted that the fall in interest rates lately should spur a flurry of buyers who are currently debating on purchasing - what is calls, “sideline” buyers. These are buyers who are on the fence so to speak. Are you one of these? Then now is the time to get off the fence! With 1153 single family homes and condominiums sold in November properties are being snapped up.

The best chance in decades to buy a home with a low rate 30 year fixed loan is now here! With many rates under 5% and a great selection of inventory available the chance is too good to pass up.

With 14,418 homes on the market in November 2008, the number for sale dropped to the lowest level since 2005 so the opportunity to purchase is slowly passing!

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

Hola! Do you like Mexican food and like experimenting making it yourself then what better place to get the ingredients but at an authentic Mexican Mercado (Market)!

Well one has just opened up in the Central Ohio community of Reynoldsburg! The Los Portales Mercado Mexican supermarket has opened at 1924 Brice Road, south of East Livingston Avenue. The grand opening of the new store was held Dec. 13.  The 13,000 square foot store is family owned and  offers a variety of unique products that come directly from Mexico and South America.

Owner Sergio Perez Saldana and his wife, Maria, also own the El Manjar De Los Portales Mexican restaurant in Reynoldsburg had this to say:  “In the city of Reynoldsburg, there is not like a really Latino supermarket and we feel we are offering to the people a lot of different stuff, you know…We have a lot of American produce, but we try to put in a little bit of everything so whoever comes in they can find whatever they are looking for.”

The market also carries a variety of fresh meats, seafood and deli products featuring weekly specials on select items. There are also several hundred different kinds of spices for sale - ideal for all those spicy dishes you always wanted to make!

The Market is truly a great addition to fast growing Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

If you are looking to purchase a property or sell a home in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

If you thought that an open house was just part of the marketing plan when you are selling your home, you would be mistaken.

Apart from an opportunity to showcase your home it is the original “Reality Show” it gives potential buyers to imagine themselves living in your home - remember these tips when preparing your home for an open day!

An open house is not just a place for other Real Estate agents to bring their buyers but a chance for impulse buyers/drive by’s to stop and take a look. How often do you hear of people driving around certain neighborhoods wishing they lived there? Open houses snag these buyers! The Raines Group has held many open houses with much success.

Once you open your house up remember that you have to make sure that your open house date is marketed to your potential buyers!

If you are looking to purchase a property or sell a home in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

For this holiday season, we at The Raines Group wish you and yours a great thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for this great country of ours as well as be thankful for our friends and family. However the real meaning can often be forgotten in the lavish feast which we all undertake.

Many people spare a thought for those less fortunate. This year The Raines Group is holding its First Annual Food and Toy Drive to help those in need. Click here to find out more.

Whatever you do this Thanksgiving, be safe and enjoy yourselves.

If you are looking to purchase a property in New Albany Ohio or the surrounding area in Central Ohio such as Gahanna, Plain Township or New Albany itself, then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region. The Raines Group are more than happy to assist you in your real estate needs. Contact them today via their online contact form or by calling Sandy Raines on: 614-418-7417

Zoo you say? Zoo’s are a great way to spend a day out without having to travel far from home. They are also great educational trips for the young and the old. Kids and adults love a trip to the zoo and Columbus’ Zoo is a fine example.

Columbus Zoo covers and area of 90 acres and is home to over 700 different species from varied families such as snakes, bats, big cats to even gorillas! The Zoo is divided into different sections designed to mimick continents - North America, Australia, African Forest, Southeast Asia etc. with the respective wildlife contained.

Admission is a very reasonable $10 per adult with Children 2-9 and Seniors over 60 getting in for a discounted $7 at the gate. Parking is $5 and annual membership is available for individuals at a fantastic $59.

There is always something going on at the zoo, whether a show or a new animal - currently there is a great night time feature with the zoo lit up by thousands of LED lights.

The Zoo website is a fantastic experience in itself with lots to do and loads of information. You can even sign up for a newsletter on current events!

So go on, get out there and have a great day of fun at the Zoo!

If you are thinking about relocating to booming New Albany and the surrounding Central Ohio Columbus Metro area then please contact The Raines Group as soon as possible for professional real estate advice in the region.

The New Albany Village Council approved abatements for new companies who want to open a research and district in the business park.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. and PharmaForce will spearhead the new district in the ever expanding business community in New Albany.

Nationwide employing 40 people with a payroll of some $2.4 million will generate around $350,000 in taxes and was given a 15 year 65% abatement (tax holiday).  The building which Nationwide would operate out of of is to be around 120,000 square feet and could appraise for around $36 million.

The local council and residents are naturally proud to have a prestigious company such as Nationwide set up shop in the village. PharmaForce was equally exciting, with a 10 year 100% abatement and new corporate offices employing 200!

Definately exciting times for the village. What is for sure is that the local economy is still growing at a fantastic rate!

If you are thinking about relocating to booming New Albany and the surrounding Central Ohio Columbus Metro area then please contact The Raines Group as soon as possible for professional real estate advice in the region.

New Albany Council passed the ordinance which will pave the way for Green homebuilding in the area!

Previously written about in September, we explained that if passed this great new local law would give builders an incentive to build green and be green! Depending on certain standards met by them there would be reductions in the building permit of between 20-25%!

There are 24 standards in all, mostly mimicking the LEED ( U.S. Green Building Council for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. Builders would have to meet 12 of these 24 standards in order to receive a reduction in fees.

All in all this is a popular ordinance with many people concerned about high energy costs and wanting to lower their monthly bills. One way of doing so is moving into a home which is as green as possible from the start! Although some builders would prefer a higher reduction the council did not rule this out for the future.

The ordinance was passed 4-1!

If you are thinking about purchasing a home (possibly a green home?!) in New Albany or the surrounding Central Ohio area then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the Columbus metropolitan area.