County Increase in Foreclosures

A recent article published in The Times Gazette addressed a very real concern for a lot of families in Highland County: foreclosure. This article reported that the number of homes in foreclosure has and continues to increase across the nation, state and within our county. The Highland County Clerk of Courts office reports that over the past two years, the number of foreclosures has gone up and a large number reported up to mid-August may indicate another increase.

This increase in foreclosures is attributed to two main reasons according to Paulette Donley, the Cleark of Courts: 1. Appraisals for the property were made at a higher cost than what the property is actually worth in order to get the loan. Payments on the home cannot be made and when foreclosure happens, the property value isn't even enough to cover the loan. 2. Most families rely on two incomes to make payments. When a major life change occurs (illness, job loss, divorce), it puts a major strain on the family's financial situation.

The midwest, including Ohio, was hit hard by heavy job losses, especially in manufacturing. This, along with problems with subprime mortgages, Ohio's foreclosure rate and late payment rate is more than twice the national average.

To read this article, click here.

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Foreclosure, Real Estate

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A Treasure in Our Backyard

I am always encouraged to learn about fascinating people and places in Highland County! Just the other day I was reading about Fort Salem, an earthwork believed to be constructed by the Hopewell or Adena Indians perhaps as early as 100 B.C. It is a circular enclosure about 450 feet in diameter that surrounds a conjoined mound. It is believed to have been used primarily as burial ground and an enclosed sacred space and ritual area. This area is owned and managed by The Archaelogical Conservancy and is open to the public.

To find out more about this neat place and the individuals who work tirelessly to keep it available to the public, click here.

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Community


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