About Logan County, OH

Choosing a Real estate agent to market and sell your home is a vital step for a positive selling experience. You are about to hire an agent to represent what for many home owners is the single largest investment they have. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right Realtor. The following tips should help get you started in deciding what to look for in a Realtor.

How familiar is a prospective Realtor with the local market and trends? The Indian Lake area is a resort market comprised mainly of second homes, vacation homes, summer homes and investment properties. They are primarily single family residences, condominiums and mobile homes. Even though these type of properties may seem like any average town in Ohio, we live in a resort area and that in itself presents an unique market challenge.

How will the Realtor present and market my property? There are numerous information sources available to today's buyer. Will your Realtor pull all of these sources together to effectively market and give your property maximum exposure to a potential buyer? How about quality pictures and a detailed description including room measurements and positive features? Marketing is very important and I will discuss this topic in further detail in future articles.

What about the pricing of your property? My discussion in previous articles relating to the economic, global and local events all relate to pricing a home in today's market. An overpriced home will discourage viewings and possibly offers from serious buyers. It may also result in your property sitting on the market for an extended period of time. A good Realtor will do a market analysis of your property showing you recent sold properties that are similar to yours and what they sold for. They will also give you information on properties currently on the market and their asking price.

These questions are just a few of many to consider. I hope to address all of your questions in future articles. If you have any questions that you would personally like to direct to me feel free to e-mail me through my website at www.indianlakeman.com or just give me a phone call. Spring is here and it is time to enjoy all the reasons that attract you to Indian Lake and this great community.

When I left off in my last article, we were discussing home seller tips in preparing your home to sell. Our topic covered advice on what you can do to help improve curb appeal of your home and attracting a possible buyer. Now you have the exterior all ship shape and market ready. What's next? You are half way there. Let's step inside your home and take a look around.

Just like the exterior, you only get one chance to create a positive first impression on the interior. Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer and what they may be thinking when they enter your home. Does each room feel as spacious, warm and inviting as possible. Is the furniture arranged to so rooms feel larger and with easy traffic flow? Have you removed all of your old newspapers and magazines from the coffee and end tables? Take that weeks worth of mail and craft project off the dining room table. Clear the kitchen counter of all clutter. Speaking of clutter, throwing everything in a hall or bedroom closet does not count. That perspective buyer will open those closets to see if there is enough room for their own personal items and use. You are planning on moving anyway, so box up those items you don't need on a regular basis. Now is also a good time for that moving sale. Why not make a couple bucks instead of hauling unused possessions to be stored in your new home.

Ok, so you have removed all the clutter and each room is arranged. What's next? Take a look at the walls and ceilings. If you decide they could use a fresh coat of paint, go with a neutral color. Inspect doors, windows, cabinets and drawers. Make sure hardware is properly fastened and they open and close smoothly. Check plumbing fixtures for leaks. Walk through and make sure carpet and flooring is in good condition. Now is also the time to remove and replace any matching drapes or fixtures such as chandeliers that you intend to take with you. There is no sense in creating confusion with a buyer thinking a particular fixture stays with the home.

Seems like there is a lot to do with my list, but not all homes will require this much preparation. The point is to get your home in market ready condition so that can enjoy the benefits of a quicker sale and the highest possible selling price. If you have any questions relating to Real Estate that you would like to direct to me, feel free to contact me through my website at www.indianlakeman.com or just give me a phone call.

The topic of my last article covered how both local and national events do play a role in what shapes our Real Estate market today.

Even though the media is constantly bombarding us with negative news of a slow economy, unemployment, and budget deficits, selling your home in today's market can still be a positive experience. The first step in creating a positive selling experience begins with the home owner and their preparation. For many home owners, their number one asset is their home. Treat it that way! You do not get a second chance to make a first impression. When that "For Sale" sign goes up in your yard, your home is on display for everyone who drives by. Treat it that way!

An attractive and well maintained home will draw more attention and possible buyers than a poorly kept home. Assuming it is priced correctly, it will also probably sell faster and at a higher price. Preparation of your home need not be expensive, but does require an effort on the part of the seller. You are after all trying to get the maximum return on you investment, aren't you?

Keep your lawn mowed and pick up yard debris. Trim shrubs, weed beds and mulch. Plant some colorful flowers or use flower pots to create beautiful accents. Repair broken windows and replace torn screens. Check siding, trim, and spouting for any damage and repair. Inspect decks and patio for any loose boards or damaged concrete. Look at your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. Have a friend or neighbor walk around the exterior with you to inspect and make suggestions.

My next article in this series of buying and selling your home will cover interior tips in preparing your home for sale. There are numerous steps involved in the selling and purchase of your home. With proper planning none of them need be stressful. Let's take it one step at a time. Meanwhile, if you have any questions related to Real Estate that you would like to direct to me, feel free to contact me through my website at www.indianlakeman.com or just give me a phone call.

Real Estate, much like the stock market is a dynamic and ever changing entity. Real Estate could involve an investor purchasing an apartment complex, a developer buying a tract of land or simply an individual buying a home to live in and raise a family.

For the interest of the majority of readers, my focus of this and future articles will be related to you, the homeowner. Besides, as a local Realtor, I live, work and play in the same area you call home and Indian Lake is my specialty. If I am to survive as a Realtor it sure helps to know something about the homes, events and changes that affect this market. Granted, I am not a life long resident of the Indian Lake area, I am all ears when my elder friends speak of the history and the way life used to be here. Local history plus events of a larger scale all play a role in what shapes our local real estate market today.

On a local scale, it is my opinion that every home and business owes a great deal of gratitude to the Ohio Division of Parks and Recreation. Indian Lake itself is our greatest asset and resource in this area. The directors and employees responsible for Indian Lake do a fantastic job with what I am sure is a limited budget. There is not a season that goes by that I have not observed them doing something that improves our lake and park. Their dedicated work goes a long way in attracting tourists, campers, fishermen and boaters to this area. Along with these visitors comes disposable income that is spent at local restaurants and establishments. Hence the rise in real estate demand and values.

On a broader national scale there are also events that affect our local market. A prime example was the sharp increase in fuel prices we all experienced in 2008. When it cost 80 dollars to fill your vehicle and another $50.00 to top off your boat, it does change your habits and priorities. Individuals became more cautious about what the following month could bring and how they handled disposable income. Thankfully gas prices have eased some, but it does go to show that events on a national level can reflect on a local scale

Be it good or bad, local or global, these events do have a role in today's market and do affect you the homeowner. In future articles, I will cover many aspects of Real Estate involving the selling and purchase of homes. My focus will be on the Indian Lake area. It is my specialty. If you have any questions involving Real Estate that you would like to direct to me, feel free to e-mail me directly through my website at www.indianlakeman.com.

Have you ever noticed how often children seem to follow in their parents footsteps and career paths. Entire families are involved with a particular business or field. Jac-N-Do's Pizza is no exception to the rule. Dad taught the kids well. Richard Valentine has ran a pizza business in Tiffin, Oh. for over 44 yrs. His sons', Tim and Berlin have a pizza shop in Urbana and their newest location at 302 W. Main in Russell's Point on Indian Lake. Combined, there is over 110 yrs. of making pizza pies in the Valentine family.

The end product tells the whole story. Start with hand tossed home made dough and sauce, fresh cut vegetables, loads of cheese and meat toppings and you begin to understand why Jac-N-Do's Pizza is so successful. That's great for starters, but they also round out the menu with Calzones, Stromboli's, your favorite subs, salads, and wings. Let's not forget Velvet hand dipped ice cream with home made waffle cones.

Jac-N-Do's Pizza Restaurant is dine in, carry-out or delivery to the entire lake area including all the campgrounds. Restaurant hours are Sun. - Thurs., 11am to 10pm. Open 11am-11pm on Fri. and Sat. Call 937-843-2222 to order ahead for pick-up or for delivery. When asked why Indian Lake for their newest location? Berlin responded, We were ready to expand, the location came available and he pointed out the window to the view of the lake and boats. I can appreciate his answer, but you will love their pizza. Jac-N-Do's. Home of the 18"x26" Sheet Pizza.