Auditor's New Website

Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley was the guest speaking at our recent Highland County Board of Realtors meeting discussing the launching of the new website. The website now offers aerial maps and searching features to make doing business easier. The world now knows all about you! You can run but we will find you! To check out your new auditor's website click here.

We're Number One!

According to Wednesday, October 21st's issue of The Times Gazette, Highland County's jobless rate is now highest in Ohio. This is not a list we want to be on but it is were we now find ourselves.

Jobs...we need jobs. Until quality employment opportunites return to our area, the local economy is going to struggle at best...which includes real estate values. To get out of the slump we are in is going to take everyone's effort. We need your idea's ... money making, job creating ideas now. You community and your leaders need to hear from you now.

We, the people of Highland County, may not come out of this recession as quick as other parts of the country if we can not put our families back to work. My real estate collegues around the country who have experienced markets with major jobs losses say it will take 10 years to see recovery. Jobs...putting people back to work quickly is the key.

Ohio Fence Law Changes

Many landowners of Highland County real estate are not aware of the new fence law that took affect September 2008. You can now write your own fence agreements with your neighbors. You can agree to choose the type and kind of fence and who is paying for it. The old fence law of "equal shares" is all but gone. Changes have been made to the law when a despute occurs. To read more Click Here.

Rocky Fork Lake: ODNR Denies Request

I believe waterfront homes with access to docks at Rocky Fork Lake just became worth more. With ODNR continuing to hold off the Rocky Fork Golf Course project, it makes a statement to me that those who own waterfront homes with docks own something very special that there might not be any more of...at least in the near future. Only a half dozen or so waterfront homes sell each year now and most of those have limited views of the water with no access to a dock. If you own one...who knows what it might be worth? Click here to read more.

Watson-Luman Closing on YouTube!

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State Fence Law Mended

The governor recently signed a measure that overhauls the old line fence statute in Ohio. The previous law had been in place for over a century and desperately needed revision.

Previously, the law stated that adjoining landowners must equally share the cost of building and maintaining fences that divided their properties. With many different situations in place, township trustees really had no fair way to enforce this law. The law now states that for existing fences, adjoining landowners are now responsible for "equitable" rather than equal share of their upkeep. To determine fair shares, the law gives specific criteria that should be considered such as the number and type of livestock, topography, bodies of water, vegetation and the risk of trespassing.

Also, landowners that have disputes can go directly to common pleas court and have their case settled through binding arbitration.

To read more, click here.

DHL Leaving Town!

Rumors are flying that the overnight freight company DHL may be leaving Wilmington. Phone calls are coming into our office daily wanting to know how this may affect the future real estate market. Here's my thoughts: If DHL leaves our area, a significant down pressure on home values will be created. My counsel is that if you have been planning to make move, now will probably be better to sell than later. With approx. 6000 employees facing job loss, approx. 2500 of which live in Highland County, it is unknown at this time how many homes will be entering the market to be sold. Inventory levels will most likely significantly increase forcing prices downward as families compete for a smaller pool of buyers. If you do not need to sell and plan on staying in the area for many years to come, don't worry about DHL. If my house goes up in value, so does yours, if your house goes down in value, so does mine. Whatever happens, we're all in it together! This is home!

Pay Less Property Tax

If you believe your property value has decreased since the market has been adjusting...so should your property taxes! To check out how to pay less property tax click here. USA Weekend has an article half way down the page.

Repossessed Homes

Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward states in a local article that a steep rise in Highland County foreclosures and sheriff sales beginning in 2001 when an average of 75 sheriff sales per year increased to more than 200. The count for 2007 was 366 new sales. To read more click here.

Ohio adds military status as new protected class

A new law, recently signed by Gov. Strickland will provide greater protections and benefits to members of the Armed Forces beginning March 24, 2008. To read more click Here.
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Highs and Lows

The Cincinnati Business Courier has written an excellent article stating that the greater Cincinnati area which includes us in their statistics now stands as one of the financially safest places to live. The greater Cincinnati area ranks in the lowest risk category for housing price declines, with a prediction of a less than 5% chance that home prices will slide below their current levels by 2010.

Click here for the full story as featured in the Business Courier. To find out more about Highland County real estate statistics visit our website.

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Administration tells Congress it is dealing with rising mortgage foreclosures

The Bush administration assured Congress on Friday that it is aggressively working to deal with a rising tide of mortgage foreclosures in the country. Officials, however, said homeowners threatened with the loss of their homes must do their part by actively seeking help to avert foreclosures.

Many Democrats have been highly critical of the administration’s efforts. They have been contending that they are too dependent on the industry and offer too little in terms of government assistance to stem what could be an estimated 2 million home foreclosures in the coming two years.

For full article, click HERE.

10 Ways to Make Your House in Highland County, OH More Saleable

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

4. Get rid of smells! Even if you think you house does not have smells, spring for a good carpet and drape cleaning to eliminate any possible cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Keep the windows open when possible (if road noise is not an issue).

5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Clean your gutters. Remove any debris that has accumulated on the roof.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers. Remember, the door is the first part of the home potential buyers see!

To learn more about buying or selling a home in Highland County, OH please call me at 937-393-7222 or visit my Web site at www.TheDickeyGroup.com. I would love to help make your home more saleable!

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Highland County Mortgage Rates Decline

Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported a decline in mortgage interest rates this past week The first drop in rates in the past five weeks. Rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69 percent, down from last week's 6.71 percent.

A drop in interest rates is always good news for Highland County home buyers, but it is especially good news during the spring/summer selling season when inventories are at their highest levels of the year and when the majority of buyers are looking to buy.

Thinking of buying a home? You can get a list of Highland County homes for sale as they hit the market. Simply, click here!

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Home Repair Loans Available to Local Residents

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has announced they are accepting applications for their home repair program for 2007. Many programs are available. For information, call the Hillsboro area office at 937.393.1921 or visit the website.

To learn more about available homes in our area, visit our website or call our office today 937.393.7222!

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Tips To Sell Your Highland County Home In February

Spring is the prime selling season, but buyers who are house hunting in the middle of winter are serious buyers. They may be transferring from out of the area and have a deadline to get settled and on the job or their lease is up and they need to move.

Whatever the reason, there are things sellers can do to make their home more attractive to this group of serious buyers.

1. Keep walks and driveways free of ice and snow. Buyers don't want to navigate treacherous terrain getting to your front door.

2. Don't skimp on the heat. Buyers like a warm and comfortable atmosphere. If your home is cold they will think the heat doesn't work properly.

3. Make your home as light as possible. Keep curtains and blinds open. Use the highest wattage bulbs and have all the lights on during showings. Hose off the outside of your windows to show your house is well cared for.

4. Set the mood. Play soft music and have a plate of fresh baked cookies out for the buyers. There is nothing like the smell of newly baked cookies and buyers get hungry looking at houses.

5. Ask buyers to remove their shoes. This conveys a pride of ownership and keeps the house ready for the next buyer going through.

For more information about how The Dickey Group can help you sell your home, please let us know! Visit our website for more information!

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New Home Sales Statistics

Statistics about new home sales trends can be very beneficial in learning about the current real estate market. New home sales combined with the sales of previously owned homes reflect an even greater picture of our country's economy.

To learn more about the most recent history of new home sales statistics, click here. If you are interested in buying or selling, click here.

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2006 Third Best Year for Sales

The National Association of Realtors® reports existing-home sales eased but prices stabilized as inventories tightened in December, while 2006 was the third-highest sales year on record.

Total existing-home sales – Total existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – eased 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.22 million units in December from a level of 6.27 million in November. Sales were 7.9 percent lower than a 6.75 million-unit pace in December 2005. There were 6,480,000 existing-home sales in all of 2006, down 8.4 percent from a record 7,075,000 in 2005. The second highest total was 6,779,000 in 2004; NAR began tracking home sales in 1968.

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Ohio Home Sales Continue Cool Down

The state's largest Multiple Listing Services report that home sales throughout Ohio slowed in November. Overall performance of the 2006 market has been strong despite less than ideal conditions.

Favorable interest rates, a solid supply of housing in all price categories and improving housing affordability is providing a solid foundation upon which would-be buyers can become home owners.

The statistics (data provided to OAR) show there was a slight decrease in statewide sales of new and existing homes last year (Jan. - Nov.) as well as a slight decrease in the state's average sales price.

Patrick O'Neil, president of the Ohio Association of REALTORS, states that "at some point the housing market was going to return to levels that are typical by historical standards in the Buckeye State....and this past year provided that opportunity."

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Amish Buck - Newsmaker in 2006

As The Dickey Group sells more recreational properties, I become interested in the hunting articles of the newspaper's sports section. Those who enjoy the sport, may be fascinated to read about the Amish Buck that was taken with a crossbow in Adams County. It has officially scored 291-2/8 after deductions. Read more here!

If you are looking to buy or sell recreational property, The Dickey Group can help! Check out our website today!

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