Kelley Weimer Preble County Ohio Real Estate & beyond

Camden! Not quite a city, but a village in Preble County. And for those who call it home, Camden offers small town living the likes of which you just wont find anywhere else. You know...quiet evenings on the front porch watching the world go by. Sunsets off the back deck, deer grazing in the fields. Neighbors you have known for years and just like the TV show "Cheers": everybody knows your name.

Camden is about 10 miles South of Eaton, 15 miles NW of Middletown, and 33 miles N of Cincinnati. Population is about 2300 +/-. Median household income in 2007: $37,222.

Children of Camden attend Preble Shawnee School District. Students attend Camden Elementary (Grades K-3), West Elkton Elementary (4-6) and Preble Shawnee School (7-12). The district's mascot is the Arrows and the colors are balck and red.

Here are some interesting points about Camden;

In October, during the third full weekend, the annual tradition is the Black Walnut Festival. Each year, this draws in about 40,000 visitors. There is a parade, bake sales, antique farm machinery on display, chain saw carving, and typically over 130 vendors with all types of goodies and crafts. And of course, all sorts of goodies featuring black walnuts, including the popular homemade black walnut ice cream.

Hauntings!!! The Devils Backbone: a high crooked gorge along State Route 725 in Camden, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of Native Americans, whose leaders were left along the gorge after death; Indians were forbidden to touch the bones for fear of supernatural retribution. A Miami Indian chief is said to have cursed the area when his people were driven out of the lands by settlers.

CryBaby Bridge: Located on Fudge Road, in Camden. Rumor has it that a woman suuposedly hung herself on the bridge after the death of her child. If you park your car on the bridge and turn off all the lights and say "Mama Mama", you will supposedly hear a baby crying.

The Camden area is also a "supposed" hotspot for bigfoot sightings.

Some notable natives of Camden ohio include Sherwoon Anderson - American Novelist, and Myron Scott-inventor of the American Soap Box Derby.

Camden also features some great pieces of architectural history, including the Camden City Hall and Opera House. Built in 1889, it is in the National Register of Historic Buildings. This building has been used for many tihngs from a city hall to fire station to music facility.

Another building is the Camden School, also known as the old Camden Elementary. Although it is vacant now, many residents of Camden can still recall being within its hallowed halls.

The Village of Camden calls back to a easier way of life. Great historic homes of yesteryear line main street. The trains still pass thru everyday. Farming is a way of life and church functions still gather in great crowds. Folks look out for one another and kids still play outside after dark.

For your tour of Camden or any info on living in Preble County Ohio, please contact me!

Today is yet another sad day for Neaton Auto. The folks who have decided to take the buy-out option are wrapping up this afternoon and calling it done after many years of loyal service.

Many of the people who decided to take the buyout option (for those who dont know of what I speak, click here) are people who were close to retirement. So this has to be a hard day. Saying goodbye to friends and the familiar surroundings they have come to know so well over the years.

It probably isn't how they had envisioned leaving Neaton. No retirement party. No big celebrations or counting down the days. Rather, the resignation that this is probably the only option they had left. That can't leave a good taste in anyones mouth.

So I wish you all well, those of you who dedicated sweat, laughter, tears and TIME to Neaton Auto Products. Your service and your dedication was appreciated more than you know, and more than the company probably showed you. Not to knock Neaton...I think they are doing probably the best they can, all things considered.

Thanks for reading!

Kelley Weimer,

a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional Real Estate Services for Preble County OH and beyond; including Eaton, Lewisburg, Camden, Germantown, Brookville, Lakengren and West Alexandria.

Business Growth. OK, I couldn't find a better "B" in the area than this, because for all the rural appeal that Preble County has going for it, the growth of business in the area speaks to the continued growth and improvement of the area as a whole.

When I moved to the area in 1988, Preble County was extremely limited in what it had to offer as far as retail, restaurants and the like. In the past 20 years, we have experienced controlled growth that has brought to the area many more options while still keeping Preble County the rural, quiet area folks are accustomed to.

Smaller villages in the area such as West Alexandria, Camden and Lewisburg have seen slow but steady improvement in commerce, but the City of Eaton, heart of Preble County, has really experienced a tremendous facelift in the past few years. Newer additions include a super Wal-mart, Shoe Show, Tractor Supply Co., Advanced Auto, O'Reillys auto, Great Clips, Family Video, Movie Gallery, Cato fashions, as well as other businesses such as banks, general stores/pharmacies like CVS and WalGreens, photography studios, home inprovement stores and more.

20 years ago, going out to eat in the area didn't offer many choices. Today we have many more options to choose from, such as Sonic, Sky Line, Bob Evans, Pizza Hut/Wing Street, KFC, Subway, Cassanos, and more. Not to mention local favorites such as Carmelas Pizza, Fiesta Charra Mexican Cuisine, Powerhouse Pizza, The Depot, China Wok, Peking Palace, The Red Mule, Taffy's, Beares Restaurant, Little Italys, Brumbachs BBQ, The Rib Shack, and lots more. Rumor has it we may soon see a Buffalo Wild Wings as well as Rallys.

Since this is MY blog, I think now is as good a time as any to mention that as far as commercial growth is concerned, Preble County should seriously be considered. Population forecasts predict an annual growth of 19%, and commercial development will continue to increase to meet the needs of the community, and increase the general retail sales volume available in the area.

If you are considering opening or growing a business of your own, NOW really is the time you should be considering the space options in the area. Lease rates are running as low as $6.00 per square foot.

I hope if you are considering a move in or to the Preble County area you will give me a call. Many people just think "farms and sheep" when they think of Preble, but we really have so much more to offer. Let me be your guide! Thanks!

Agriculture. Really, it wouldn't be the right start to any blog about Preble County Ohio without fair mention of what makes the world go-round here, and that is a strong agricultural base.

Broken down demographically, about 19% of Preble County is considered "urban", while the remaining 81% is rural. Below were the statistics regarding agriculture in Preble County as of 2007, so of course some numbers have changed since then, but this does give a good picture of what we are all about...

Agriculture in Preble County
Average size of farms: 186 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $54611
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $198.84
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $58937
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 82.32%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $70035
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 92.21%
Average age of principal farm operators: 54 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 8.42
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 9.93%
Corn for grain: 60306 harvested acres
All wheat for grain: 6784 harvested acres
Soybeans for beans: 85633 harvested acres
Vegetables: 72 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 74 acres

Main crops grown in Preble are corn, wheat and soy bean. Main livestock raised is pork. The annual Preble County fair offers opportunity for the "City folk", such as me to take a look at the form and function of the agricultural process, from open class judging to livestock judging to crop display, and lets not forget 4-H.

4-H is very popular in Preble County, with over 56 4-H clubs. 4-H gives the kids the responsibility to raise and care for their own animals. But it doesn't stop at animals. 4-H projects also include sewing, cooking, photography, woodworking, dog training and showing, fishing, gardening and much more.

Agriculture is just a natural way of life around here, and I like how it keeps things at a leisurely pace. Its not uncommon to spot a tractor making its way thru town, or watch the livestock trucks roll thru town on the way to the local auctions. Gently rolling hills scattered with bails, the smell of fresh cut hay, the annual September tradition of the Preble County Pork Festival. Life in the slow lane.

Sound good? I might be a city girl but I'd be happy to provide you all the information you need about agcriculture or just life in general here in Preble County Ohio.

Help for Ohio Countrywide Mortgage Customers

Are you a CountryWide customer? Are you having trouble keeping up with that monthly mortage payment? There might be a light at the end of the tunnel.

In October 2008, Bank of America announced a home retention program that will provide an estimated $8.4 billion in permanent payment reductions to help an estimated 400,000 Countrywide customers nationwide. Meaning? In many states, Ohio included, help could be on the way to people who are in financial hardship with their mortgages and you may * be eligible for a loan modification (new loan terms, new loan rates).

Here are some of the facts about the Countrywide National Homeownership Retention Program:

• On December 1, 2008, Countrywide began to proactively contact potentially eligible borrowers under the new program.
• Countrywide has not initiated or advanced foreclosures for potentially eligible borrowers during the time necessary to determine borrowers' interest in staying in their homes and their ability to afford the new terms.
• Countrywide will retain, for at least one year...., a minimum of 3900 personnel to assist with loan modifications and other foreclosure and home retention measures.
• Countrywide will continue to proactively contact delinquent borrowers and offer streamlined loan modifications...

So who is eligible?

1. You must have recieved a qualifying subprime mortgage or Adjustable Rate Mortgage prior to 2008, and the property must be a 1-4 unit owner -occupied residential property (you gotta live in it!). Additional requirements include:
2. The borrower (you) must be 60 days or more delinquent and the curent loan-to-value(percentage figure of loan amnt. in relation to the market value of the home) must be 75% or above.
3. The borrower becomes seriously delinquent at any time prior to June 30, 2012, and the loan-to-value at the time of the modification is 75% or above.
4. The borrower is current on the mortgage but is likely to become seriously delinquent as a consequence of rate reset..., and the loan-to-value ratio at the time of modification is 75% or above.

Confusing? The government has provided a website for you to visit to find out if you are one of the 7 to 9 million homeowners who may
be able to benefit from Making Home Affordable. Visit here.

Need urgent help? Contact the Homeowner's HOPE^TM Hotline: (888) 995-HOPE

* My disclaimer: I am NOT an attorney or a tax professional. I am a licensed Realtor. I simply write it as I see it. If you are facing financial hardship or have ANY questions regarding your mortgage, do not rely on what I write. Please consult an ATTORNEY or TAX ACCOUNTANT!!!

Thanks for reading!

Kelley A. Weimer

a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional Real Estate Services for Preble County OH and beyond; including Eaton, West Alexandria, Brookville, Lewisburg, Germantown, Camden and Lakengren.

Published Tuesday, May 05, 2009 12:17 PM by Kelley Weimer