Clintonville Charmer! and the Lack of Originality in Columbus MLS Remarks

Written by: Joe Peffer

The Original Clintonville Charmer. 79 Acton sold in 1996 for $145,545

You’d be amazed how often I read the remarks on a new listing, check out the history of the listing in the Columbus MLS, and find the EXACT same remarks the previous agent used. It’s uncanny. Sometimes the remarks are in the entirety, sometimes it’s most of the old remarks with a few fresh ones thrown in or maybe it’s simply an obviously borrowed phrase from a past listing.

The whole idea simply proves my point about how unoriginal and lazy many real estate agents are — and I’m not even talking about maximizing views of the home in front of potential home buyer’s eyeballs (i.e. marketing).

Every once in a while you find a phrase that sticks through the years. “Clintonville Charmer” is one in particular. It was in the description of a home that came on the market today in the 500 block of Acton and it got me thinking about how over-used some descriptive phrases are in the Columbus MLS, “Charmer” being one of them.

The phrase Clintonville Charmer has been used to describe a home for sale in Clintonville 145 times since the inception of the modern Columbus multiple listing service. Most recently today. The earliest recorded use of the phrase seems to be on another Acton house -79 Acton Pictured Above- on the market 13 days in May and June of 1996 before selling for $145,545.

Anatomy of a Clintonville Charmer:

4 Active Clintonville Charmers averaging 1,728 sf listed at an avg of $154.25/sf

117 all time Sold Clintonville Charmers averaging 58 days on market and 1,455 sf

2 Clintonville Charmers that are in contract currently for $148/sf on average and both, coicidentally, on East Pacemont

I look at listings all day long and see some doozies. What descriptions of Columbus homes for sale have caught your eye over the years?

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Like Having a Realtor in Your Pocket…

Written by: Joe Peffer

I’m always on the lookout for ways to make your home search fun, interesting and easy. Because Delicious Real Estate is consistently at the top of the technology curve – finding ways to make your buying and selling experience better while saving time and money – we’ve been test driving different home search applications as they come on the market. iphone or desktop, mobile or laptop, I try to pass along place to look and tell you what’s hot.
This new Realtor.com iphone ap is hot. It is easily the best in class. Check it out…

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How to Turn your $8,000 Columbus Home Buyer tax credit into $9,000….. or more

Written by: Joe Peffer

It's all part of constructing a better Real Estate Brokerage Model

If there is anyone out there in Central Ohio still considering the purchase of their first home, now is the time. I am not a cheerleader type, especially for the same sort of party line that all real estate agents are eschewing right now.

That said, the truth is, there’s never been a better time to buy your first home. Interest rates are at historically low levels and thought to be increasing soon. Housing stock, even at this time of year, is plentitful and growing and less expensive than it may have been a couple years ago.

And, oh yeah, there is an $8,000 tax credit for first time Buyers and a $6,500 tax credit for Sellers. There’s never been a better time to buy your first home. Until now.

Delicious Real Estate is rebating cash back to all buyers.

• $1,000 to Buyers of homes $135,000 and over
• $2,000 to Buyers of homes $235,000 and over
• $3,000 to Buyers of homes $335,000 and over

Just like the tax credit, this offer only extends to any buyer who is in contract on a home by April 30, 2010.  Unlike the tax credit, this offer is not limited to first time buyers, rather it is open to any buyer.

*Buyers must be pre-approved by lender of choice.

*Homes must be in Franklin or contiguous Counties.

*The rebate will mentioned in the purchase contract for the home and listed on the settlement statement as required by state law.

*You must know the secret password which means you read to at least the middle of the post. The secret password is “Go Clippers!”

*Call, email or stop by for more information

Why am I doing this?

1. I’m driven to prove that a better buying and selling experience is possible for less.
2. I want to get the Delicious Real Estate name out in the world more than I have in the first year of the Firm’s existence.
3. I’m concerned Read the rest of this entry »

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My House is Bigger than Your House. How Much Columbus Home is too Much?

Written by: Joe Peffer

This book has spawned an entire 'Not so big' lifestyle movement

The average American home has grown over the last 30 years from 1,645 square feet to 2,219 sq ft while the number of children families are having has decreased over the same time–as have lot sizes.

How much space do you need for the way that you live? In addition to being  more expensive, is it somehow unethical to buy more home than you need ?

The average (of 5,902) Columbus single family home that sold in 2009 was  1,515 SF which speaks to the age of most Columbus homes. Expand that to Franklin County(10,746 homes sold in Franklin County in ‘09) and the average square feet jumps to 1,762.

Americans like a little elbow room. They also enjoy trading up…homes, cars, jobs.  Sometimes keeping up with the neighbors means Read the rest of this entry »

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Are Columbus Mortgage Rates on the UP?

Written by: Joe Peffer

Which way are Columbus Mortgage rates going?

It’s hard to imagine that mid December of 2009 wasn’t a potential bottom point for Columbus Mortgage rates. Today, the best rates are somewhere around 5.125% and as the economy improves (or at least as we’re told it is improving) the rates will rise.

If you plan to buy this year, I would do it sooner rather than later. I’m reading a lot of predictions about year-end 2010 rates in the 6’s.

Don’t just take my word for it….From Reuters the the other day….”The U.S. Federal Reserve will have to raise interest rates as the economy improves or risk losing the public’s confidence in its commitment to keeping inflation low and stable, a top Federal Reserve policy maker said on Tuesday.

Charles Plosser, president of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, said expectations for future inflation are currently “well-anchored,” but warned that there is “considerable uncertainty” clouding the outlook for price pressures over the next two to five years.” more.

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Columbus’ 5th Ave By Northwest Neighborhood Real Estate Market Update

Written by: Joe Peffer

This 1248 sf 3 bed, 1.5 bath cape cod on Meadow Rd sold this year for $176,500 after 12 days.

As first time home buyers get pushed farther away from the city core, despite many wanting to be as close to it as possible, areas like 5th by Northwest become more and more important to the city’s fabric. Often written off in the past as a motley collection of University View rental homes and Grandview Heights wanna be’s, 5xNW as its called, has an area plan from the City of Columbus and is starting to receive a little more notice.

Let’s face it, 1st time home buyers are priced out of Grandview and if you could live within Walking Distance to attractions on Grandview Avenue and own your own home, that’s a nice thing. Yes there is heavy rental in the area but it is conveniently located and worth a look.

This update applies to the relatively small area generally bounded by Third Avenue on the south, Glenn/Wyandotte/Northstar Roads on the west, Kinnear Road on the north, and Kenny/Olentangy River Road on the east.  Windgate Village and Somerset Square condos fall in here.

Homes on the market: 8 Homes and Condos for sale today

• $148,097
• $148/sf and
• 100 days on market
• HOMES ONLY – 3 Listings, 2 small ones on Sells Ave and 1576 Meadow Rd, a 3 bed 2bath for $269,900

5 x NorthWest Homes in Contract contingent on financing/inspections as of today: 1

• 1735 Hess Blvd has 1110 sf
• $159,900
• $144/sf
• 52 days on market

Greater Short North area Homes SOLD THIS YEAR: 36

• Averaging 1034 sf
• $147,690 avg List but a $142,322 Sale price or 96%
• $137/Square foot
• 50 days on market — (very tidy)
• HOMES ONLY – 20 @ $160,665, 1125 sf – $143/sf – Only 38 DOM

The Most expensive home sold so far this year was 1624 Ashland Ave, a 1600 sf 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath that sold for $216,000 after 65 days on market but was listed at $259,000.

Joe Peffer is a Realtor who works in 5xNW, Grandview, Upper Arlington and other Columbus Neighborhoods.

Would you like me to break it down bycondos vs single family? email me and I will be glad to

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Short North Real Estate Market Update – Including Italian Village and Harrison West

Written by: Joe Peffer

This 2 bed, 2.5 bath 1,634 sf home on West Second in Victorian Village sold recently for $296,000 after 16 days

This update includes all of the near North from Nationwide Blvd to approximately King Avenue

Homes on the market: 166 Greater Short North Homes and Condos for sale today

• $282,494
• $199/sf and
• 285 days on market – see below
• CONDOS ONLY – 123 Listings, $276,752 1323 sf, $215/sf, 341 DOM*
• HOMES ONLY – 43 Listings, $303,122 – 1959 sf – $160 sf – 144 DOM

*The current Active Short North condo market is littered with unsold, long time listings From Harrison Park and Ibiza which skews both days on market and average list price.

Greater Short North Homes in contract with escape clauses:

None – No Homes you could still, conceivably, swoop in and buy

Greater Short North Homes in Contract contingent on financing/inspections as of today: 25

• Averaging 1422 sf
• $291,509
• $225/sf
• 103 days on market
• CONDOS ONLY – 20 w/ avg of $292,206, 884 sf, $236/sf, 100 DOM – Most of these are (still) in The Jackson
• HOMES ONLY – 5 with an avg of $288,720 – 1669 sf – $181/sf – 105DOM

Greater Short North area Homes in firm contract as of today: 1

• Averaging 1168 sf
• $124,8005
• $107/sf
• 40 days on market – 141 W 2nd Ave

Greater Short North area Homes SOLD since Oct 1, 2009: 30

• Averaging 1553 sf
• $233,015 avg List but a $225,513 Sale price or 96%
• $165/sf (down $8/sf over last quarter)
• 103 days on market
• CONDOS ONLY – 12 @$206,108, 1324 sf, $198/sf, 171 DOM – Nicely spread out
• HOMES ONLY – 18 @ $238,450, 1681 sf – $147/sf – 57 DOM – about 2 weeks less than Q3

The Most expensive home sold so far in Q4 2009 was 448 West 2nd in Harrison West. A 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath 2-story built in 2003, it sold for $362,500 on Dec. 3 which was 94.2% of the $385,000 list price.

One of the least expensive homes this year at 951 Hunter is in contract listed at $114,000. It is a 636 square foot cottage with one bedroom that is bank owned and had multiple offers. The inside of this home had been updated recently and it had sold for $159,000 in May of 2004.

Joe Peffer is a Realtor who works in Victorian Village, the Short North, Italian Village, Harrison West and other Columbus Neighborhoods.

Would you like me to break it down by Victorian Village vs Italian Village or just condos? email me and I will be glad to

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