Liz and Bill Spear RE/MAX Elite Warren County Ohio: Cincinnati to Dayton

Some Hazards Of New Construction Home Buying

You're ready to purchase your Warren County area home, and if you're like most people, you'd LOVE to have a new home providing the right builder is building in the right location at the right price. However there are some things you need to consider before making that new construction decision. None of this is intended as a bash the builder, scare the buyer post, but things you do need to consider to protect YOUR best interests.

Step 1: GET YOURSELF A REALTOR®!!! We've talked about this before, so we won't beat the deceased equine, but the builder's rep works for the builder, we work for YOU! And for the major builders, they're NOT going to discount the price for showing up without us.

Now back to that list of things to consider:

• That development may NEVER get finished. Builders were going great guns in 2005, '06, '07 and then WHAM!!! The rug got pulled out and they came to a screeching halt across much of our service area. Some builders went under. You can drive by some developments and only see one or two homes on a street, and lots of vacant lots with no grass. Islands in a subdivision desert. What's the builder's rep? Have they closed up other developments in the area? That's a red flag. A custom builder? Might want to check the foreclosure lists and make sure their name isn't there.

• Those amenities you were promised? They're negotiable. The clubhouse and pool may not get built until a certain number of homes have been sold and built, and that may take quite awhile. Hopefully your HOA fee doesn't reflect the cost of something you're not getting. And if things get really bad, well that pool and walking trail just may get scratched off the To Do list.

• The rest of the homes in the community might not be as nice as yours. The builder starts off with the best of intentions. Every home will be $300k +/- 50k. Then cash flow isn't so good and hey, those $200k homes seem to be moving well in community B, let's build those over here in community A. Sorry about your luck. There's an area community started with the builder's premium brand and being finished with their entry level brand. Not cool if you were one of the early buyers.

• You may be overpaying, BADLY. It might be true that all the homes in a community are selling for $300k, and somehow they all appraise, but similar homes in the area are selling for $250k.

• You may be the builder's competitor later. What's you're expecting moving timeline? If you're getting in early to a development and you have to move within the first few years, unless there's massive appreciation (okay, NOT happening in our market), you're in a tough spot. There's no polite way to put this, you're probably up the creek without a paddle....or even a canoe. The builder is putting up brand new, never before lived in homes JUST LIKE YOURS, so unless you can undercut the builder, the buyers aren't motivated to pick your home.

• Those upgrades might not be worth it. If you've got the cash to make it happen after closing, you might want to pass on some of the builder upgrades. E.g. those kitchen counters. Maybe not enough selection to really fit you? Check the price and shop around for post closing installation. There are MANY granite/marble stores in the Cincinnati and Dayton area that would be happy for your business, and you can be a little more individual than your neighbors who had choices A-E to pick from.

• Can you visit the homesite frequently? The builder is only as good as their subcontractors and supervisors. DO NOT COUNT ON THE COUNTY INSPECTOR CATCHING THINGS! Hire your own home inspector to check things out at key intervals (like BEFORE the drywall is installed). Builders are human, mistakes get made, catch them before they cause you trouble after moving in.

Obviously these are just some of the major factors, and there are plenty more to consider. A new home may truly be the BEST decision for you, and we regularly work with new construction builders. However, take into account the risks before setting your heart on a new home that just may cause you heartache later. We're here to help guide you in making that decision that protects YOUR best interests.

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz

Sycamore Township (45236) Patio Homes: Pinehurst Lane

Looking for a detached home condo or landominium community? Then Sycamore Township's Pinehurst Lane might be just what you're looking for! Composed of ONLY 18 single and two story brick homes, Pinehurst Lane is conveniently located between Olde Montgomery and Kenwood with a private street branching off the west side of Montgomery Road. Look for the yellow pushpin on the map below.

Pinehurst Lane homes are 1660 to almost 3000 square feet and full basements are common, with most basements finished living space. The community is well established with the last homes built in 1998. The last three sales have ranged from $380,000 to $455,000. Two of the three sales were CASH.

For more information on what a patio or lifestyle home is, please visit our post that explains PATIO and LIFESTYLE HOMES.

For the latest information on lifestyle homes that are available for sale in Pinehurst Lane, please contact us and we'll be happy to provide you up to date MLS information! Based on the small size of the community, homes for sale in this community aren't common. On 3/10/12 there was one Pinehurst Lane home for sale with an asking price of $434,000 (3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2829 square feet per county record).

Below is key information for Pinehurst Lane lifestyle home community.

Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Serving Cincinnati's patio home niche,

Liz and Bill aka BLiz

Lebanon Theater Company Presents The Dining Room March 2012

It's time for a new play by the Lebanon Theater Company! Starting tonight, they're presenting The Dining Room, by A.R Gurney and directed by Steven Haines.

The Dining Room is a two act play with 18 vignettes staged in an elegant dining room. The vignettes cover many different families, from different backgrounds, from the Depression to the '80s all in the same home's dining room. Twelve actors portray more than 50 characters! You're going to enjoy this community theater production!

The Lebanon Theater Company is located at 10 S. Mechanic (the old Goodwill building) one block behind city hall. You've got the municipal parking lot immediately across the street and also on street parking.

The Dining Room will be performed:
March 10th 8 p.m.
March 11th 2 p.m.
March 16th 8 p.m.
March 17th 8 p.m.
March 18th 2 p.m.

Tickets are $18 and can be reserved by calling 513-228-0932. For more information about Lebanon Theater Company, visit www.LTCPlays.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz

P.S. Thinking about buying or selling a Warren County home? We'd like to win your Tony for Best Performing REALTORS®! Just give The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite a call!

Madeira Ohio 45243 Lifestyle Homes: Bradford Place

The closer you get to downtown Cincinnati, the less likely you are to find Lifestyle Homes. You'll find condos, but a detached patio/lifestyle/garden/villa home? Just scarce! So that's just part of what makes the Bradford Place development in Madeira so special! The location is primo, with two nearby interchanges to I-71 (Kenwood Rd and Montgomery Rd), Kenwood Towne Center, Trader Joe's and a host of restaurants and amenities.

Bradford Place is a Riverstone Development Group community and includes not just stand-alone lifestyle homes, but also cottages and townhomes. It's pretty exclusive, with only 25 homes being built on a U shaped street just off of Euclid Avenue. Only 6 of the 25 homes are detached style homes. You're NOT talking Plain Jane living with these homes, with luxury touches: hardwood floors, granite counters, tile baths and the like are standard. Floorplans vary and there's an option of finishing basement space to expand the homes.

Bradford Place Townhomes are averaging about 2700 square feet and with optional finishing as large as 4400 square feet. Prices for the townhomes are typically in the $600ks.

Bradford Place Lifestyle Homes are around 2000 square feet base plan with option to expand to 3000 square feet. Prices for the lifestyle homes are typically in the mid to high $400ks. Some are detached, others are adjoining.

The two Cottage homes are complete and sold.

Bradford Place new construction is available so it's not too late to make your choices, but at the rate the community is progressing don't expect this to remain an option for long.

Other perks for living in Bradford Place? A tax abatement for the first 15 years with a 50% reduction of valuation. That will put a few thousand a year back in your pocket.

Another Bradford Place perk is besides the usual lawn care that patio home HOAs cover (currently $292/month for Bradford Place), Bradford Place will also cover the fiber cement siding, roof, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, community fencing, street signs, street lamps, and entry lighting. You're living maintenance free on the exterior of the home.

Like typical area builders, you won't get a discount or special treatment by negotiating without a REALTOR® dedicated solely to you. If you're interested in pursuing the purchase of a Bradford Place lifestyle home, we'd like the opportunity to work with you and protecting YOUR best interests and NOT the builder's best interests.

For more pictures of Bradford Place home interiors and exteriors, along with floorplans, you can visit www.YourBradfordPlace.com. For the latest on what is offered in MLS, just let us know and we can quickly send you the link. For the Bradford Place map location, look for the red balloon with the black dot located on Madeira.

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at 513-520-5305 or email Liz@LizSpear.com.

Serving the Cincinnati area Lifestyle Home niche,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz

Model Railroad Show in Cincinnati March 10-11 2012

Whether you just want to bring back some childhood memories, introduce your kids to the hobby or you're already a hardcore model railroad hobbyist, you're going to want to make the World's Greatest Hobby Train Show this weekend! With 100,000 square feet of exhibit space at Cincinnati's Duke Energy Center (525 Elm St), you're not going to have a shortage of trains to enjoy!

200 booths and all the major model train manufacturers will be there! 50,000 square feet of operating model railroads! Over 100 trains for kids to play with! Even some set-ups for the "big kids" to run too! Mix in demonstrations, seminars and new products displays and what more could you ask for? Well how about a FREE Thomas the Train operating track for the kids to ride? (check the video below).

Open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission is $10 for adults (CASH only!!!) and FREE for kids! And that ticket is good for BOTH days! Visit the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour website for more details on this event!



We hope you have a great time!

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz

P.S. Thinking about buying or selling a Warren County home and need someone to "conduct" your journey? Just give The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite a call!