New Albany and Central Ohio Real Estate & Community » Blacklick

Mortgage Rates Remain Low; Great Time to Buy Central Ohio Real Estate

The Raines Group — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:22:05 +0000

Mortgage rates are low, in fact the lowest they have been in the past few months, a good indicator that it is a great time to buy Central Ohio Real Estate. While the recession recovers it has become increasingly clear that the bottom has either come and gone or is bumping along at the moment.

Central Ohio real estate has been faring well in the past couple of months with sales on the rise in areas like New Albany and Blacklick. Recent reports show that the Columbus, Ohio area is working on attracting young professionals and keeping the area attractive in terms of entertainment, activities and events. As the area grows, so will the real estate market.

For more information on the Central Ohio real estate market contact us today. Our brokers are well versed regarding Central Ohio communities, and can help find the best property to suit your needs.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property in New Albany, Gahanna, Blacklick, Westerville, or another Central Ohio community, please contact The Raines Group. We offer professional real estate advice and are happy to help you achieve your real estate goals. Please contact us today via our online contact form or by calling The Raines Group at 614-418-7417.

Positive News for Blacklick Ohio Real Estate

The Raines Group — Mon, 10 May 2010 10:30:38 +0000

Blacklick, Ohio real estate is looking good – especially when compared with 2009 Blacklick real estate statistics. According to Trulia.com, a real estate information company, the three week time period from April 7 through April 28 showed increases across the board. Blacklick Ohio home sales were up over 45% compared with the same three week period from 2009 and the price per square foot was up a small amount too, just over 1%.

While recovery is slated to be slow, the news is positive after a long period of negative data and depressing figures. It is a great time to get out and look at real estate in Blacklick. Mortgage rates are still low and it is a buyer’s market out there.

Give us a call today to have access to all homes currently on the market in Blacklick.

The Christmas Spirit is Alive in Blacklick, Ohio

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:30:24 +0000

One woman in Blacklick Ohio is making it her mission to give children bikes for Christmas

A woman in Blacklick, Ohio known as “The Bike Lady” has a goal of getting bikes to children in need. To make her goal even better she wants children in Blacklick and the surrounding areas to wake up on Christmas morning with a brand new bike underneath the tree. “The Bike Lady” represents the best of what Blacklick represents, a Central Ohio community with a heart.

In 2008 “The Bike Lady” was able to collect enough money to provide bikes and helmets to 125 children in Franklin County. During the Christmas season stories of people like “the Bike Lady” in Blacklick Ohio warm the heart and ease people in to the spirit of giving.

For more information on “The Bike Lady” in Blacklick Ohio click here.

Central Ohio Real Estate Has Dip But Improving Overall

The Raines Group — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:08 +0000

Central Ohio real estate is improving despite little dips in data here and there

Central Ohio real estate has taken a dip in sales price and volume, however, this is a small bump in the road of the real estate recovery.

According to a recent article in the Columbus Dispatch, “in Central Ohio, the average sales price fell 4 percent to $168,873. Statewide, the average price dropped 9 percent to $128,440.” The article points out that homes are staying on the market for a shorter length of time than a year ago, and the inventory of homes on the market has been steadily decreasing.

The article also notes that the first time home buyer tax credit should increase Central Ohio real estate sales in the coming months. “Central Ohio agents say they expect sales to rise in September and October as first-time buyers seek to close on a home by Nov. 30 to claim a federal tax credit.”

Real estate in Central Ohio and across the country will have its ups and downs on the way to recovery but the overall picture is improving.

Central Ohio Real Estate: Prepare Your House To Sell

The Raines Group — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:04:35 +0000

It is a competitive real estate market out there and if you want to sell your Central Ohio home it will help if your home is in great shape. If you are trying to sell your Central Ohio home you want it to look good and attract buyers. Your home will have to pass an inspection, have you thought about your roof? Roofing options have changed a lot in the past few years and today there are 4 main types of roofs: roofs made from sustainable materials, high-performance roofs, green roofs, and white or reflective roofs. Roofing materials have come a long way and participate in making a home more energy efficient. If your Central Ohio home needs a new roof and you are considering replacing it remember that energy-efficient improvements earn you a tax credit as well as improve the value of your house.

New Restaurant Set to Open Any Day in Powell Ohio

The Raines Group — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:36:38 +0000

A new restaurant is coming to Powell Ohio. The new restaurant should be open by this weekend, offering residents in Central Ohio a new dining experience. The new restaurant is called C. William’s Bistro and will be located in Downtown Powell at 26 Grace Drive. The restaurant’s owner is longtime chef Chris Spreng. According to a recent article at SNPOnline.com, Columbus Local News, the restaurant “features what Spreng describes as “casual fine dining,” offering gourmet options such as filet mignon with red wine barolo sauce and mahi mahi with jalapeno mango salsa as well as a children’s menu and a Sunday brunch menu filled with simpler fare.” In a sagging economy a restaurant that offers gourmet fare as well as more casual offerings is set to have something for everybody. If you live in Central Ohio make your way to Powell for a fresh new dining experience.

Westerville Business District Revamping & Growing Despite Economy

The Raines Group — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:27:58 +0000

Visiting the Schrock Road area of Westerville might surprise some people, the signs of a bad economy are not quite there. Instead Businesses are receiving facelifts and a few new businesses are even opening their doors. Most notable in the facelift department is Westerville Plaza where Kroger has been undergoing major changes, both inside and out. Just nearby a new restaurant is getting ready to open, City BBQ. According to a recent article at SNPonline.com, “the new City BBQ restaurant is nearing completion. City BBQ President and Cofounder Rick Malir said finishing touches are being done on the building’s interior and inspections are pending.” The restaurant is located on Westerville Square at 600 South State Street. A new photography studio is also opening because the photographer, Jeanne Arkfeld, is so busy she needs the space. Westerville is hanging in in tough times and is a good example that the grass is greener in some areas.

If you are interested in looking at real estate in Westerville or any Central Ohio Real Estate, contact the Raines Group today. The Raines Group has access to all available listings in Columbus and the surrounding areas and are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to real estate in Central Ohio.

Central Ohio Community Considering Food Recycling Program

The Raines Group — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:49:32 +0000

Communities across the country are committed to recycling newspaper, plastic and aluminum. The newest curbside recycling effort is food. Communities in Seattle have programs in place that recycle food. Chicken bones and other leftovers can be combined with yard waste and get picked up and recycled where, instead of becoming landfill they can be used as compost. The compost can be used for the community, added to gardens and general landscaping areas, as well as be utilized by nearby farms. Central Ohio might just be the newest part of the country to consider this recycling trend. Gahanna Public Service Director, Terry Emery was recently quoted as saying “A food recycling program, similar to ones in Seattle and in certain California cities, merits looking into.” It is unclear when and if this program may come to fruition but Gahanna is considering it and that is the first step.

Health of Creek in Blacklick Ohio A Priority

The Raines Group — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:08:35 +0000

Blacklick Creek

The Ohio EPA has diagnosed part of Blacklick Creek as “sick”. The part of the creek that has been designated “sick” runs through New Albany and Plain Township. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) is taking over and making sure that it does what is necessary to make the stream healthy again. Many things have impacts on waterways, development often leads to erosion, and contamination by pesticides and sewage leaks through the earth. According to a recent article in ThisWeek, “the area around New Albany and Plain Township has been deemed “poor” by the Ohio EPA in part because of septic-system bacteria that leaches into the ground, chemical and agricultural runoff and building practices that disrupt soil and cause stream bed erosion.” MORPC plans to improve the quality of Blacklick Creek, making it a place for fish and plant life to thrive and for people to enjoy.

Central Ohio Real Estate: Long Term Mortgage Rates Lower Than Short Term

The Raines Group — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:02:26 +0000

Mortgage rates have been on the decline for the past few months and last week was no exception. Last week long term mortgage rates were an average of 4.8% for a 30 year fixed rate last week and 4.48% for a 15 year fixed rate. Surprisingly the long term mortgage rates are lower than short term, the 5 year arm interest rate is currently averaging 4.85. Short term mortgage rates and adjustable rate mortgages have been consistently lower than long term rates for years. In a recent Realty Times article Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist Frank Nothaft was quoted as saying, “although long-term mortgage rates eased slightly this week, ARM rates remain elevated relative to those fixed-rate mortgages. For instance, interest rates for 1-year ARMs exceeded those for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages over the last two weeks; this is the first time this has happened since Freddie Mac began collecting data for ARMs in January 1984.” These are historic times and the housing market continues to get aggressive in order to improve itself. Signs of improvement are indeed occurring. The same Realty Times article continues to quote Nothaft, “The housing market is showing further signs of possible improvement. House prices rose for the second consecutive month in February, the first back-to-back increase since April 2007, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Among the nine Census divisions, six experienced positive gains in February, led by a monthly increase of 3.8 percent in the Pacific Division.” The decrease in mortgage rates appears to be functioning the way it is meant to, enticing real estate buyers off of the sidelines.