New Albany Chamber of Commerce does many things to promote conducting business in New Albany and the surrounding communities.

This March they are hosting an event about the local Real Estate Market as part of its regular monthly meeting.  Dubbed “THE NEW ALBANY REAL ESTATE MARKET“. The Chamber will present top home improvements for preparing your home for sale, how to obtain your best value in a purchase, and the housing options in New Albany.

This is a great chance to learn more about the local market, top home improvements for preparing for sale, how to obtain your best
value in a purchase, and more about New Albany itself. Ultimately now is the time to buy with low rates and an attractive selection of inventory available for purchase  as well as housing affordability at record levels!

If guests or members wish to attend they can RSVP to 855-4400 or complete the online flyer. The cost is $22 for non members and $18 for members. The event is held at the New Albany Links Golf Club at 7100 New Albany Links Dr., New Albany, Ohio from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Now is definitely the time to buy!

If you are looking to purchase 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.

Despite the National Association of Realtor’s saying that the level of pending home sales has fallen 7.7% the level of home affordability is at record levels!

NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index showed that in January the index fell 7.7% to 80.6%.  Its lowest level since the index was created in 2001. However the news is not necessarily negative as the data is skewed due to the waiting for the passage of the 2009 stimulus bill.

Buyers who were on the fence before, now have concrete data showing them what programs the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have put in place for buyers. Such as the new $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit.

However, there is also excellent news in terms of housing affordability. NAR President Charles McMillan has this to say; “Housing affordability is at a record high – the buying power of a typical family has risen significantly,” he said. “With the drop in interest rates, a median-income family can afford a home costing $20,000 more than a year ago for the same monthly mortgage payment. With the strong housing stimulus, we are hopeful inventory will get trimmed and which will help prices stabilize in many areas by the end of this year.”

This is another reason showing that now is definitely the time to buy!

If you are looking to purchase 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.

Despite any negative press at the moment the national housing picture is improving. :)

Many are trying to predict what will occur in 2009 with Real Estate however if you look at the facts the stars are aligned for a much better year overall. With recent legislation from the federal government such as the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which was passed by Congress on February 13th there are now more tax cuts coming to Americans through new government programs.

The most notable program in this bill is the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit which does not need to be repaid – like last years $7,500 credit. Also, the requirement to fall into the first time home buyer category is only to not have had an interest as owner or co-owner of a property in the last three years. Therefore, you could have sold a home in 2005 or 2006 at the peak and now be in the market looking for a property again. Under these rules you would qualify! This is great news!

Also, there is the Obama administration’s massive $275 billion relief program to keep three to four million home owners out of foreclosure, and to refinance three to four million mortgages where owners can’t otherwise qualify for a new loan because of property value declines.

These two programs alone should help sure up confidence in the Real Estate market for this year. Total applications for new mortgages last week exploded — up by an extraordinary 48 percent, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications for conventional loans to buy houses were up by 11 percent. With rates so low it is no wonder that many are looking to buy a home.

Want help in searching for your dream property in the Columbus Metropolitan area in Central Ohio?

If you are looking to purchase 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.

Looking for space? Well, this place sure has it!

This expansive retreat located at 5108 Harlem Road, Galena, Ohio is situated in a 5.3 acre private wooded lot. This incredible home was handcrafted and designed by Troy Miller of Alexandra Custom Homes and is a fine example of a luxurious home in the area.

The property features six bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms spread across a total living area of 5,700 square feet as well as an additional 1,700 square feet in the finished lower level!

This home is finished to a high standard with many upgrades. There are five fireplaces, two full kitchens and two laundry rooms. There is also a three car garage, integrated house stereo system and fenced backyard with professional landscaping.

On entering the home the feeling of space is a theme continued both up and downstairs. Upstairs the owners suite contains not just a bedroom, but a sitting room and bathroom with jacuzzi tub and his-and-hers vanities. The finished lower level offers more than anyone could expect with a full kitchen, billiards room, home theater and guest suite!

This home is not going to last long, if you are interested in finding out more on this property you can see our listing page on our website or for a private viewing please contact The Raines Group. For 24 hour recorded information on this property you can call 1-800-498-1480 and enter code 1020.

If you are looking to purchase 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.

Its all about the charm! If you are looking for a property with an abundance of character, then this is it!

This beautiful three bedroom, two and a half bath property in Upper Arlington, Ohio has tons of gorgeous features. This home is located in the Guilford Place neighborhood and contains hardwood floors, crown moldings, 2082 square feet of living space and a brand new kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances!

The home has tons of natural light and has the warmth of a true  family home. The dining room contains a chandelier with great views of the side and back yards. The neutral decor continues throughout the home into the upper level containing the property’s three bedrooms. The owner’s suite contains an extra large closet with built-in organization system.

The lower level of the property contains washer/dryer hook up as well as a sealed floor – this level is ripe for finishing to include an office/gym/playroom. This home is definitely worth a look if you are looking for a great character home in Upper Arlington!

For more information on this property, including the price, please see our listing page or call our 24-hour hotline for recorded information at 1-800-498-1480 and enter code 1180.

If you are looking to purchase 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.

Every market is different, as is every property and differences is what makes the homebuying process in every market.

A home is also an investment and an important one at that. Here at the Raines Group we recognise that each home is unique and that it presents a unique marketing opportunity for us. This year we have assisted 109 buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals representing over $45.4 million in sales volume (up to July 28th 2008) we understand the local market and your home.

With the central Ohio market being one of the most stable in the country local Real Estate statistics are of particular interest.

There are many local communities who are performing excellentsly with buyers snapping up property left right and center. With a decrease in the number of properties on the market over last year (a 14.2% drop) whilst sales have remained steady shows a strong market in recovery.

Here is the data on the latest homes to sell in the local neighborhoods in and around New Albany, Ohio.

Click here to see the latest for Hampstead Village, New Albany Links, West Hampstead.

Click here to see the latest for Academy Ridge, Albany Park, The Preserve, The Preserve East

Click here to see the latest for Harrison Pond, Jefferson Meadows, Stepping Stone, Kitzmiller Crossing, Lakes at Harrison Pond

Click here to see the latest for New Albany Country Club, The Reserve at New Albany, The Farms

If you are looking at purchasing a property in New Albany or the other central Ohio communities around the Metropolitan Columbus area then please contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice. You can contact The Raines Group via their online contact form. You can visit their website on: www.therainesgroup.com where you can access a complimentary MLS Search facility

Despite having an approvel development text for Tartan Ridge in Dublin, Ohio the developer planned to make changes which the council objected to on a meeting held on September 18th.

The suggestions for change were amending the text so that the single family dwellings to beconstructed would not require four sided architecture and would allow front loading garages. Currently there are six architechtural styles for this development.

The planning department has said that some of the developers plans are completely against what was oringinally agreed and their first were concerned about the project (Tartan Ridge) when they were informed it was to hold the 2009 Parade of Homes exhibition.

This will be an important issue for this development which must be closely monitored for the outcome in the next few weeks.

If you are considering purchasing a home in Columbus, the suburbs or the surrounding metro area communities such as Dublin then please contact The Raines Group for professional real estate advice. You can visit their website on: www.therainesgroup.com where you can access a complimentary MLS Search facility

Andy Warhol is one of the most influential pop artists of the 20th century and his work is coming to an exhibit in Columbus this month through to spring next year!

The Wexner Center for Arts is holding a comprehensive Andy Warhol exhibition between this September 13th and 15th February 2009! Entited "other voices, other rooms" the exhibit is sure to prove popular. With a high percentage of the US Population living within a days drive it is no wonder that the center is bracing itself for a huge spike in visitor numbers as Warhol fans from afar make the journey to see the exhibit. Entry is $8 for adults, $5 for visitors ages 13-17, 65 and older. However the best value is "Warhol Membership" where you can get unlimited access to the exhibit for $25 as well as other discounts.

Whilst by far not a modest show, the exhibit will entail 700 pieces of Warhol’s work and being Warhol, there is a variety of media not just paintings! Interestingly the Wexner center made an ideal partner due to its favoring of mixed media.  It truly is going to be a great event for Ohio as well as the nation. For more information you can visit the Wexner center website: http://wexarts.org/

If you are looking for property in the New Albany or surrounding Columbus Metro area then please contact the Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice in the region.

Marysville, Ohio is a pretty central Ohio town settled in 1816. The town grew into a rural farming community and by 1846 there were 360 residents and two churches!

The community is now almost, unrecognizable! The city has grown to be urbanized and two large national companies are based in the city, Scotts Lawn Care and Honda have locations in the area. Honda in particular has helped change the area by bringing wealth to the area through job creation. The plant opened in 1979 and now employs 10,000 people from the area!

With many properties available and many local amenities and as the Columbus area has grown the commute to Columbus from Marysville has now decreased thanks to better transportation links. The city now offers a great diverse culture.

With a great local economy and lifestyle, Marysville is a great place to raise a family and have a home within easy links to everything.

If you are thinking about purchasing a home in Marysville, Ohio then contact The Raines Group for professional Real Estate advice and assistance in searching for your dream home in Marysville or any of the other surrounding Central Ohio communities.

The delightful community of Bexley, Ohio is a splendid neighborhood which has the backdrop of the Columbus skyline.

The leafy neighborhood features tree lined streets as well as great community features such as an award winning library as well as nationally accredited liberal arts college. The neighborhood has a cultural diversity far larger than its physical size.

Of course the community like many started off as a predominantly farming town which as the city grew encompassed it and making it the perfect suburb for workers commuting to downtown Columbus everyday. The "trendy urban" environment is great for people seeking a different type of neighborhood. Everything is convenient – Ohio State University is like the Airport a mere 15 minutes away.

If you are considering purchasing a property in Bexley or the surrounding metro Columbus area then pleasecontact the Raines Group.

Click here to see more of Bexley and watch a video showing the local area