About Preble County, OH

I posted a blog the other day on my friend and fellow agent Steve Hafle's awesome Lakengren-dedicated website, www.lakengrenhomes.com. I hope you will check it out. During that blog I brought up the question "Should the Realtor you work with live in the area you are buying?" I think it helps. That being said, a good Realtor takes the time to educate his or herself on MANY areas, as most folks don't pick just ONE to start off. Except for maybe someplace like Lakengren. Let's face it, some people are very opposed to the idea of a gated community and the rules and regulations therein. To be honest with you, when my husband and I started house hunting way back in 2000, I was very specific that I did NOT want to live in Lakengren. And where am I now? Never say never I guess.

Anyways, I digress. In that past blog, Does Your Realtor need to live in the neighborhood you are buying? , I brought up a few things about Lakengren. Namely:

Are the dues worth it?

What are the advantages/disadvantages to living on one side of the main lake vs. the other?

How good is the "24 hour" security?

How are the politics out in Lakengren?

And now I aim to answer those very questions. I guess I should preface this by saying that PLEASE, keep in mind...this is a BLOG. As in, MY PERSONAL OPINION. It doesn't represent anyone else; it doesn't mean it is right or wrong, and most importantly, if you like it or don't like it, I'm OK with that. I invite your comments, criticism or questions.

So, are the dues worth it: I honestly believe they are. Many studies have been done comparing Lakengren Dues and Assessments to other gated communities in the area. I'm not getting into all that. But bottom line, yearly dues for property owners equals out to around $50.00 per month. Hey, guess what else? Lakengren is NOT within the City of Eaton. So, unless you are an employee in the City, no City of Eaton taxes. Sort of evens itself out looking at it that way. I think far $50.00 bucks a month; we are definatly getting what we pay for. As in:

Gated security

Swimming pool with free access

Tennis courts

Lodge with restaurant and meeting rooms

Marina

Recreation areas. Some of which are spectacular by the way.

2 large lakes and five small.

Snow removal on roads

Over 230 acres of water and 10 miles of shoreline.

West Side vs. East Side: Well, I will inject a little more personal opinion in this one and say that I PREFER the East Side. Why? The streets are much more wooded and tree-lined. Feels a lot more rustic. I think the views onto Lake Lakengren are stunning form the east side. Which I suppose is a compliment to West Side architecture.

How about the sunset over the Lake? Sure, the West side gets to see the sunrise but not many folks are up that early. East side also offers two gates for much quicker access in and out of Lakengren; the south gate located at the end of Brande Dr. and Lakengren Dr., and the east gate, which is located in the middle of Brande Dr. Honestly, using the East gate cuts about 7 minutes off my drive to town.

The recreation areas on the East side are hands down the most beautiful and picturesque. Lakengren Cove is essentially a huge peninsula reaching out into Lake Lakengren. Most people who live on Lakengren Cove have the distinct advantage of being able to view water from both the front and back of their homes. Vinland Offers sweeping views of the main lake, and Baltic Cove is very private, and heavily wooded.

Biking is great on the East side, as there are many hills and rest areas scattered about. So, I guess you can tell which side I live on huh?

Does "24-hour" security exist: Yes, and no. I'll be honest here. I don't rely on the security. That's not to say I don't see them out there doing their jobs, because they do. But we still must all be responsible for our own personal safety. I DO feel pretty secure knowing that most people can't enter Lakengren without permission, but it's not stopping everybody. It never will. The security trucks do make rounds in Lakengren. They patrol day and night. They are also unarmed. And if a situation was to arise, security cannot do much more than call the Sheriff's department, and hey, I can do that.

They can't control the traffic, other than to call the Sherriff. This I really hate, since for some reason lots of folks adopt a lead foot going up and down Lakengren Drive. They can't control who decides to reside in the community, any more than you or I. So don't be fooled into a false sense of feeling safe. Yes, the gates are helpful. Yes, the patrol vehicles are out day and night doing what they can to keep Lakengren safe. And YES, it is still ultimately up to you and me to do our part as well.

Politics in Lakengren: Why not? Do you honestly think that with a Property Owners Association; a BUSINESS, that politics would not come into play? They do. We have our own little world out here. And people who run and regulate it. The biggest issue I have seen, and heard many others comment on as well, is that the powers that be in Lakengren are, dare I say it? Members of the "Old Boys Network". Lakengren is over 30 years old now. Many things have been run the same way for this many years. The Old Boys Network is happy to keep things status quo. I guess there would be nothing wrong with that, except that residents are looking for change now. Changes in fund allocation. Changes in roads. Changes in playground equipment and kids areas. If It works don't fix it is a great quote. But some things cease to work.

Bottom line, if you come out to Lakengren and can ignore the politics and just enjoy Lakengren at face value, which honestly does offer a tremendous lot, you will be FINE. If politics are your game, more power to you. Be prepared for a fight.

I'd love to answer more questions about Lakengren if you have them, or see what your thoughts are. Thanks for reading!

Kelley Weimer

A house "SOLD" name!

wwwbuypreblecounty.com

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

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) can instantly bring you up to speed on the true market value of your home. As the name suggests, a CMA compares your house with similar ones on the market during a specific time period. Location and characteristics of the property are the key elements in determining value. The CMA takes into account the amount received from recent sales of comparable properties and the quality and quantity of properties currently on the market. The desired end result is to find a price that will attract a willing and able buyer in a reasonable time.

Once the value of your home has been determined, you can decide on an offering price that will achieve your goals. Generally, the price should not exceed the value by more than 5% or potential buyers may not even make any offers. Naturally, if you want to sell quickly, your asking price should be very near the value. The following are a few things to keep in mind about pricing:

• Realistic pricing will achieve maximum price in a reasonlable time.
• Your cost or profit is IRRELEVANT, the market dictates the price.
• The costs of home improvements are almost always more than the added value.
• Houses that remain on the market a long time do not get shown.
• A house priced right form the begining achieves the highest price.
• The amount of money you need to purchase your next home does not matter. The MARKET dictates the price, and NOTHING else.

When buying, selling or refinancing, a CMA is essential in setting price and in choosing advantageous timing. Other benefits of a CMA include obtaining a realistic picture of your net worth, or to leverage your equity. Just remember however, that your personalized CMA is merely a "snapshot" captured in time, while the real estate market constantly fluctuates; therefore, it's a good idea to obtain a new one as the need arisies.

WOULD YOU LIKE A FREE CMA?

Contact me and I'll be happy to provide you with one!

Kelley A. Weimer

A house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

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

Trying to sell your home by yourself? Here are some tips on writing effective ads; advertisements that GRAB the buyer and make them want more!

1. List all of the best features of your home and pick the top 5.

2. Use an attention grabbing opening statement about the house. Such as:

Boring opener = clean

Attention grabbing opener = Better-than new. Blue-ribbon condition. Showroom fresh.

3. Less is more. Include some facts about the house (bedrooms, bath, price and definately square footage) but keep it brief.

4. Use words that appeal to all of the senses. Such as:

Boring words = rural location

Appealing words = The charm is country and so is the quiet. Leave the city lights behind

for a simpler life.

5. Avoid overinflating the ammenities of your home just to snag a buyer.

6. Focus your ad on the items on your top 5 list.

7. Include your name, contact number and e-mail address in your ad.

8. Use lots of photos. Dont just put in the typical standard front shot. Buyers love lots of pictures, or even better, video tours!

9. End with a call to action, such as:

Won't be around long! Call today.

For a private tour or more information, call now!

10. According to the Newspaper Association of America, here are the top things a buyer wants to know about a property:

a. location

b. price

c. type or style of home

d. square footage (Dont know yours? Go to http://www.preblecountyauditor.org )

f. bathrooms

g. lot size

h. Ammenities

i. garage size and style (attached, detached, storage, opener, heating?)

j. How to contact YOU.

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks in my "FOR SALE BY OWNER HELP KIT" series.

My goal is to "get by giving". I am always happy to help you out with any tips or tricks you need to sell your home by owner. Selling a home is a complicated and sometimes difficult process, but it doesn't have to be! I only ask that when you do decide to enlist the help of a professional, you give me a call! Thanks!

Kelley A. Weimer,

a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional Real Estate services for Preble County OH and beyond; including Eaton, Lewisburg, Lakengren and West Alexandria.

**** Certain excerpts of this blog have been revised from the Floyd Wickman SMART PROGRAM.****

Ya can't go wrong with Floyd!

Everyone loves a great deal, right? The same can be true when you are purchasing a home. Buyers want to feel that they are getting the very best deal possible. The BEST value for the money. Fair enough.

Sellers also want to feel that they are getting top dollar for thier home. Getting "whats' fair". OK.

But how do you put these two sides together, into a deal that works? It's a lot more comlicated than you might even think. But here are a few suggestions that can help you navigate thru a home offer:

1. Keep it clean. No, that doesn't mean leave out the curse words, though you should!! A clean contract is one that isn't full of all sorts of requests, changes, and complications in general. Don't muck up the contract. If you can keep it short, sweet and to the point, it is just that much easier for the agent who presents the offer to get it accepted. In other words, KISS. As in; "keep it simple, stupid". The deal can be lost in the details.

2. Dont low ball. Oh, this one will touch a nerve. OK, lets break it down into a case by case scenario. Scene A: The property is HOT. Your agent has called you and said matter of fact "You need to see this house NOW". You know buyers are beating the doors down to view the home. You go inside, and sure enough, there are already 12 business cards on the counter from other agents who have shown the home, and its only been on the market a day! WHY would you low ball? Hoping for a counter offer? Sure, those are a good time. And while you are pondering the counteroffer, another buyer comes in and takes that HOT property right off the market and right off of your hands.

Scene B: Its a bank owned home. This one has deal written all over it. The house is offered at 50,000. With a bit of work, its probably worth 100,000. So we offer 25,000. "Lets just see what happens" you say. Well, typically the bank will take AT LEAST 48 hours to look at your offer. And if any other offers come in during that time? They look at those too. So Joe Smith from up the road gets the house for 45,000. And we just lost probably 55,000 in potential equity because we wanted to "give it a try". If you are serious about the home, make a serious offer. That may not mean FULL PRICE. But it does mean FAIR PRICE.

3. Selling a home is an emotional process for most homeowners. So please, keep a home offer about THE HOME, and dont get hung up on trivial things such as the mower in the garage you like the looks of, the cedar chest you have your eyes on, or any other personal objects. The focus should be the house. I have seen deals fall apart over such trivial things as mini-blinds. Maybe that shelf in the living room appeals to you and you dont think it will make a difference to the seller, but Mrs. Seller may have recieved that shelf from her dear departed Grandma, and it DOES mean something to her. Let her have it. The house is what you want, right?

4. Sellers, be open to todays financing. Again, this may touch a nerve, but I speak the truth. What worked 20 years ago, as in 20% down for a home, no seller assistance on things like closing costs...well, it doesn't happen so much today. I see folks get offers HIGHER than what they are even asking, who get bent out of shape becuase the buyer needs closing cost assistance. It all comes down to NET. Is it what you want? Is it REALISTIC? Is it workable? Then take it and run.

5. Want your offer to REALLY be powerful? Here's two things that you MUST include: good earnest money, and a pre-approval letter. The peace of mind these two items provide a seller can help grease over many other little issues in a contract, sometimes even the price.

6. HEY! Listen to me! Or whomever your Realtor may be. If I think the house can stand a low ball offer, or I am privy to some info that will help out in your negotiating, I'll let you know. If I think the house is a steal and you should grab it fast, I'll let you know that too. If its overpriced, you can bet I'll tell you that one fast! Most importantly, if you are a buyer who wants to buy, or a seller who wants to sell, that's all I really need to know. Lets find your dream home and leave the negotiating to me!

Kelley Weimer

a house "SOLD" name

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional Real Estate services for Preble County Ohio and beyond; including Eaton, Lakengren, West Alexandria and Lewisburg.

You know, it's funny...I seem to get one of two opinions whenever I mention Lakengren to people.

1. Love it.

2. Hate it.

There seems to be no middle ground here. So when I work with home buyers, I usually will ask them to humor me one time and take a look at something in Lakengren, just to give it a shot. If its still no dice, thats OK.

I'm in the camp of "Love it". My family and I have lived in Lakengren since 2001. I dont know, to be honest, if I would pick Lakengren again for our next move, but that has to do more with wanting some land with our next home purchase, than anything negative about Lakengren.

But I thought it might be helpful to give folks the real scoop on Lakengren. The good, the bad and the ugly if you will.

THE GOOD:

Great neighbors. Back when the hurricane of 2008 hit, we were on vacation. Our dog was outside that day and our gate blew open during the storm. Our wonderful neighbors went out in the storm to get Ted and put him safely back in our yard. Even better, back in 2003, Ted, a water rat if I ever saw one, ran off and decided to go for a swim in Lake Lakengren. He paddled out too far, and got tired. Some sweet folks in a nearby boat saw Ted struggling and fished him out of the water, and returned him to us.

There are lots of great families living out here. People who watch over your home and your neighborhood. Its a nice thing.

Wildlife. Have you ever seen a crane up close? One flew over my house recently and the thing looked like a pterodactyl! Lakengren is full of wonderful wildlife to spot. Cranes, seagulls, geese of course, along with deer, beavers, possum, racoon, squirrels, and birds of every variety. I love hearing the geese flying over my house, or the sound of the seagulls call on a breezy summer day. Makes me feel like one with nature.

The pool! This is a real advantage that Lakengren residents have. Use of the swimming pool. Its not olympic sized, or full of fancy swings or fountains, but it is clean, cool and fun. There is also a kiddie pool, and a great snack bar. Certified Lifeguards on duty all the time.And we can go free, every single day.

Intruders beware! One nice feature of a gated community is that all visitors must check in. So, no supper-time visits from the encyclopedia salesman, or the Hoover Vacuum man. (No offense to either!!). I like knowing who is stopping by, and I love the advance warning. Gives me time to clean up the house!

The views. Man, I wish I had a waterfront home. Actually, I do have "water view". In the dead of winter, when the leaves are all off the trees, I can see the water perfectly. Of course, I have to stand on my roof to do so, but who cares? The views are simply breathtaking in Lakengren, even if you aren't a waterfront homeowner. There are so many recreation areas and coves to visit, and each one offers a more commanding view than the last. The summer is pretty, spring is where things start to grren up and look nice, winter means the lake is iced over and the ducks are everywhere!, and fall is just amazing. A picture takers dream.

Variety. I used to live in a cookie-cutter neighborhood. Nothing wrong with it at all. But I do have to admit, I enjoy seeing the different types of architecture around Lakengren. A-frames, bi-levels, spectacular lake front estates, pretty ranches, and everything in between.

THE BAD:

The Indy 500 this is not. I wish some people would start to get this thru their heads. Lakengren is a family place. People take walks, kids ride bikes, and yet, some folks still feel the need for speed. Lakengren Security and the local law enforcement has been doing a much better job cracking down on the lead foot offenders, but it still happens. Matter of fact, a couple years back a teenager actually ditched his car in my front yard because he was trying to take the curve way too fast. Lucky for him my kids weren't in the front yard at the time or I suppose I would be writing this blog from the local prison.

Proceed with caution...crappy roads. To be fair, they aren't all bad. Lakengren road crews work very hard to keep things in shape. But this is a big job, and some areas just haven't received the attention that they should. I'll give it some time....here's hoping!

The occasional bad egg. They are everywhere, even in a gated community. I have no issue with investors, renters, or anything of the sort. What I do have an issue with is that I currently have to drive past a house that is being rented and there are about 8 vehicles too many cluttering up the yard. I hope Lakengren Authority steps in, but I'm not holding my breath. Its really important that ALL homes reflect a good pride of ownership. It helps my home value stay up. It helps your home value stay up.

THE UGLY:

Playgrounds. When I was a little girl, my Grandparents owned a lot in Lakengren, and would take me out to swim at the beach and play on the playground. OK, this was in the 70's. It is now 2009, but the playground equipment is STILL the same. This probably isn't a big deal to some, but it is to those of us with kids. The playground is rusty and dangerous. It needs to be torn down at the very least. Rebuilt at the very best.

It LIVES!!!!! Me and the kids used to swim at the beach. But sand in bad places and this green sort-of....slime, got old, and scary. So we stick with the pool. The beach offers great waves, and a terrific view of the jet skiers, boaters, etc. But the slime on the beach is a bit disconcerting. This is probably just a matter of taste rather than anything else. Call me a snob, I just dont like picking sand out of weird places a week after I visit the beach.

Well, there you go. The scoop on Lakengren. Want more dirt? Or maybe a tour? Contact me and I'll be happy to be your guide. Sand and beach slime cost extra.