What is selling in Downtown Columbus? Clintonville? Bexley? Grandview? Olde Towne East?

August 19th, 2008 categories: Bexley, Downtown, For Home Buyers, For Home Sellers, German Village, Grandview, Market Updates, Olde Towne East, Short North

742 Oak Street - Come See It!I have a listing in Olde Towne East, nearly downtown, at 742 Oak Street.  It is a fabulous 1710 sq foot brick home. 2 Bedrooms, an office, a fantastic master bath, half bath, great yard, walk to a million places, priced at $199,900.  It is priced right. In fact, it’s a screaming good deal because it is absolutely move-in ready.  I consider the main competition for the home all of Olde Towne East and every downtown Condo because the price points and location are so similar. Of course the Oak Street home doesn’t have any condo fees.

Tonight I’m talking to the owner about why we haven’t had too many showings and no offers.  I’ll tell him that in the 109 days the home has been on the market, only TEN homes OR condos have sold between $150–250,000 on the entire Near East Side AND Downtown.  Nine of those were, in fact, downtown condos and the other was a bank owned foreclosure steal of a deal on Bryden Road.  Only 6 others are in contract currently, five of which are Downtown Columbus condos and one of which is a much bigger home on Franklin Avenue in Olde Towne East on the market for 575 days.  Talk about Quiet.

Above that price point, it gets a little bit better, but not much.  12 condos downtown have been listed as sold in the MLS (remember, that doesn’t include a few key projects like North Bank) and 3 Near East Homes, all very nice with huge square feet have sold since early May but that’s it.

In the same time period, Greater Clintonville had roughly just over 100 homes sell between $150–250,000.  It’s been a brisk summer there for that price point, with an average days on market of 84. 

While these inner-ring suburb markets don’t generally conjure ideas of homes under $250,000, take a look at these markets since May 10 in this same price range:

  • Grandview and MarbleCliff – 21 Homes
  • Upper Arlington – 65 homes
  • Bexley – 29 Homes
  • Worthington – 49 homes

The Short North and German Village are slow too but somewhat more stable markets with most homes priced above $250,000. 

German Village/Schumacher Place had 10 homes sell since May 10 in that 150–$250,000 price range but 7 of them were likely already in contract in early May.

Greater Short North/Italian Village/Harrison West saw 32 homes sell since early May, most of which were condos or fixer uppers.  As I looked through the lists from all over town, I realized that I had been in and seen many of them first hand.  So, if you’re looking in that price range inside I-270, I’m your guy.

In the meantime, Come on Columbus, rediscover the housing stock and location of Columbus’ Near East side. Come visit 742 Oak St.

Of Possible Interest:  Just in time for City Hop - April and May ‘08 Downtown Columbus Condo Sales

Franklin Park Conservatory - Even More Beautiful?

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Are Homeowners-Alarmed by Gas Prices- Increasingly Looking to Urban Areas?

August 8th, 2008 categories: Clintonville, Downtown, For Home Buyers, German Village, Grandview, Olde Towne East, Short North

If you're interested in moving to an urban area, CALL OR EMAIL ME!!According to a recent Coldwell Banker survey, yes. 

…. the primary reasons for this interest in urban living are related to work commute and energy-efficient modes of transportation:

  • 81 percent cite minimizing a reduced work commute as a reason for the interest in urban living
  • 54 percent agree that access to public transportation is appealing
  • 75 percent agree that the ability to walk to more places is a positive

“Over the past several years we have seen a boom in downtown living all over the country and this is not just reserved to major cities,” said Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate.

Also interesting in this same survey was that, “…sales associates also reported they have seen an 84 percent spike in interest for properties with a home office, as compared to five years ago, indicating a trend towards telecommuting.

While the study also found that 64 percent of surveyed sales associates report their clients increasingly look for homes with “green” amenities that could save on heating, cooling and electricity costs, only 42 percent surveyed believe saving on energy costs are a reason for their client’s interest in urban living.”

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What Style of Homes can you Find for Sale in Columbus?

July 1st, 2008 categories: About Me?, Bexley, Clintonville, German Village, Grandview, Real Estate News, Short North

Victorian Village and German Village, for instance, have very different housing stock. How can you know what style a particular home is?As fascinated as I am in home styles, I’m no architect. When I describe the architecture of my listings or homes I am showing, I find it helps buyers appreciate their value. While they both have “old brick homes,” Victorian Village and German Village have very different housing stock. Although I can tell a cupola from a parapet, or an eyebrow window from a palladian, I’m sometimes stumped or unsure and don’t like to throw something out there for the sake of looking like I know what I’m talking about.

July is home styles month here on Columbus Homes Blog and I’ll be reviewing different styles with intermittent posts over the coming weeks.  Every house, no matter how plain, has a style. Style comes in part from ornamental details like columns and moldings and in part from structural features, such as the placement of the windows and the pitch of the roof. Yet, identifying that style can be a baffling process. Is it Spanish Colonial or Mediterranean? Italianate or Federal? And, what about the newly constructed home that seems to break all the “rules”?

Most houses do not fit precisely into any one category. Older homes may have gone through many renovations, taking on the features of several different architectural trends. Newer homes often combine ideas from a variety of styles and historic periods. Details help to give homes style, character and romance.  In Columbus, you can find many different styles in many different neighborhoods and while there may be more to choose from in Clintonville than Hilliard, even a newer community has homes with character.

More often than not, I find other Realtors, especially suburban Realtors, have no idea what style a home is. Painting a broad stroke here, to tell the style of a home begin by closely observing a few key characteristics. This simple checklist below identifies some main features to look for. Although there are no pat answers, each of these features suggests styles to consider.

1. What shape is the house, overall?

  • Rectangular and symmetrical: National, Colonial, Neoclassical, Greek Revival, Italianate
  • Square and box-like: American Foursquare
  • L-shaped: Folk and National styles
  • Complicated and asymmetrical: Queen Anne and other Victorian styles, Chateauesque
  • Rounded corners: Pueblo, Art Moderne
  • Single story or 1½ story: Cape Cod, Ranch, Craftsman, Cottage styles

    2. Does the roof have any of these features?

  • Unusually steep pitch: Gothic Revival and other Victorian styles, Tudor
  • Unusually low pitch: Craftsman, Prairie, Ranch, Monterey, and Spanish styles
  • Flat: Italianate, Beaux Arts, Pueblo, Mediterranean, and Modernistic
  • Gambrel: Dutch Colonial
  • Mansard: Second Empire and other French-inspired styles
  • Hipped: American Foursquare, Colonial styles, Victorian styles
  • Salt box: Colonial
  • Flared eaves: French styles, Craftsman, Prairie
  • Round towers: Queen Anne, Romanesque, Chateauesque, French styles
  • Cupolas: Italianate, Greek Revival, Second Empire
  • Rounded parapets: Mission

    3. Is the house sided with any of these materials?

  • Adobe: Pueblo, Monterey, Spanish Colonial Revival
  • Stucco: Mission, Tudor, Spanish styles
  • Rough stone: Romanesque
  • Patterned wood shingles: Victorian styles
  • Half-timbering: Tudor, Stick, Queen Anne
  • Cedar shingles: Victorian Shingle, Craftsman, Tudor

    4. Does the house have any of these window types?

  • Multi-paned: Adam, Georgian, Neoclassical
  • Diamond-paned: Tudor, Prairie
  • Palladian: Adam, Colonial Revival, Neoclassical
  • Round or elliptical: Adam, Neoclassical
  • Oriel: Tudor, Gothic Revival, Chateauesque
  • Casement: Tudor, Craftsman, Dutch Colonial, Spanish styles, modern styles
  • Pointed: Gothic Revival
  • Rounded with “eyebrow” hoods: Italianate
  • Fanlights: Adam, Neoclassical, Colonial Revival

    5. Do you notice any of these details?

  • Dentil moldings: Georgian, Adam, Colonial styles
  • Garlands or floral ornaments: Federal, Adam, Beaux Arts
  • Turned spindles: Queen Anne, Carpenter Gothic, Folk Victorian
  • Zigzags or chevrons: Art Deco
  • Shutters: Cape Cod and other Colonial styles
  • Round, fluted columns: Greek Revival, Adam, Neoclassical, Beaux Arts
  • Square or trapezoid porch supports: Craftsman, Prairie, Mission, American Foursquare
  • Little or no ornamentation: National and Folk styles, Cape Cod, Ranch, Modern styles

    *This post has beenn Adapted from an article by BY JACKIE CRAVEN that appears on realtor.org from a post circa January 1, 2004.

 

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Just in time for City Hop - April and May ‘08 Downtown Columbus Condo Sales

June 13th, 2008 categories: Downtown, For Home Buyers, For Home Sellers, Market Updates, Short North

From the 11th floor on the Corner of Broad and HighI did a bit of a hop myself this morning, seeing condos from the Renaissance, to Rich Street Walk, to Lofts at 106 to a Dakota top floor unit, to a Buggyworks phase one resale to (finally I got to see) 8 on the Square. This picture is from an 8 on the Square 11th floor guest bed balcony looking North Down High St toward the Short North. 

This unit has 2 full beds, great updates and 2.5 baths and, at 2503 sf, takes up the entire 11th floor.  Great views from two balconies at the corner of Broad and High looking West down Broad, South down High and over the Ohio Statehouse and North toward Nationwide and the Short North.

Anyway, they all had something going for them and it was fun getting into all of them this morning.  Not too much going on downtown though, it’s been pretty quiet lately.  Only 9 units have sold in the last two months, 7 of them last month, including 3 Miranova-s and a smattering of City View, Ohio Lofts, Hartman Lofts, Connextions, Waterford and one of my favorite values downtown so far this year, an 1870 sf 2 bed, 2.5 bath & 2 car garage Washington Avenue condo for $179,000.

Not everyone reports sales though, I hear North Bank is just over 40% sold, and Phase 2 at Buggyworks, Firestone lofts, is also doing very well. 

Many folks say they want to move downtown and not wait for another year before their space is ready but haven’t been happy with what was available.  If you haven’t looked in a year for a move-in ready space, consider looking again.  Look at Neighborhood Launch or Ibiza if you aren’t in a hurry and you’re considering moving to the short North or downtown to a condo.

Looking South down High Street from the 11th floor of 8 on the SquareThere are 12 units in contract including 2 Terraces, 2 340s S. High Streets and that unbelievable 115 West Vine St — essentially an 8700 sf warehouse home with 4 car garage, indoor pool, 4 beds and 7.5 baths and an elevator that is zoned commercial that is currently at $2,199,000.

This afternoon there are 169 units on the market downtown in the Columbus MLS.  They range from a $127,000 14th floor 1 bedroom at Waterford Tower to the $1,035,323 8 on the square unit I saw today to four units at Miranova ranging from $1,075,000 to $1,400,000.

Get your City-Hop Tickets by 5:00 today to get the discount.

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Short North Real Estate and Homes for Sale - What’s been up in the Short North?

June 9th, 2008 categories: Market Updates, Short North

This 2 bedroom, 1304 sf home on Tappan sold last month for $272,000There are currently 144 properties for sale in the Greater Short North area.  As I type, there are 27 properties under contract. 

To recap 2008, During the first three months of this year, 31 properties sold in the Short North.  Yes, this means Italian Village too and Victorian Village and Harrison West.  From King Avenue south to I-670, 315 to the rail road tracks. 

During the first three months of last year-2007– 57 properties sold which included a decent amount of sales in Harrison Park and the Dakota building.  The first qtr 2008 properties averaged 1842 sf, sold for on average $252,580, and were on the market about 146 days. 

The most expensive home to sell was a 3 bed, 2.5 bath, almost 3000 sf home on West fourth in Victorian Village for $480,000.  Despite the 146 days on market, the sales to list price ratio was close to 100%.

Now, let’s look at April and May 2008, traditionally two of the busiest months for residential sales.  The Short North saw a total of 50 homes and condos sell in the last two months, averaging $236,589 and 143 days on market. They averaged only 1308 sf but sold for 99% of the list price (the last list price at any rate).  The median Sales $/sf was $199.64. 

A 3321 sf 4 bed, 4.5 bath new build in Harrison Park sold for $528,962 in April while an 1832 sf downtown facing Parkview condo sold for $535,000.  For those of you still holding out hope for getting into the vicinity on the cheap, a five bedroom 2200 sqft fixer upper on North Fourth by 1st avenue sold for $60,100 about 10 days ago at the end of May.  Also, at the lower end, a bank owned 2  bed condo on Mt Pleasant in need of only some love, sold for $80,000, under $100/sf. 

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Where in the Short North is Harrison West?

February 25th, 2008 categories: Columbus News, Short North

The New Harrison West are is highlighted in GreenI recently learned that the Harrison West Society expanded the boundaries of Harrison West to include the Tivoli Apartments, the Giant Eagle mall, Thurber Manor and Alexandria Colony East.  Harrison West now includes everything in the highlighted square below from Buttles Avenue South to Goodale and From Neil Avenue West to an imaginary extension of Harrison Avenue. 

This will no doubt help the efforts to make an official dog park in Wheeler Park.  While I don’t believe that will include any single family homes or condos at this time, it’s a good move for an important Short North Neighborhood.

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The Short North Homes for sale/sold 2007 Recap

January 17th, 2008 categories: Short North

Nov13-2007 1662007 wasn’t a bad year for the greater Short North real estate market.  301 Short North area properties sold last year.  Of those, 72 were single family homes averaging:

  • $153/sf
  • 90 days on market
  • 97% of the last list price

Most of these were in Victorian Village (33 homes @$161/sf), some were in Italian Village and some were in Harrison West. 

If you did the math, you’ve figured out that 229 Condominiums sold in the Greater Short North Area.  Kind of a lot, huh?  Now, let’s dismantle that number a little bit.  Let’s take out the Harrison Park project because those single family, unattached home are listed condos.  All told, single family and condos alike at Harrison Park, 76 units sold last year (39 condos @$200/sf & 37 homes @$160/sf or $423,068.) 

Now we’re left with 153 condos that sold in the Short North-Italian Village area.  Just for fun, let’s take out the Dakota condos that sold last year – 32 condos with an average sales price of $357,357(!) or $265.16/sf and $294,328 on 29 of the 32 IF you exclude the three 5th floor units that went for top dollar.

If you’re still here, we’ve got 121 condos left that sold in the Short North last year.  These were all over the board from Victorian Village to Italian Village, from the Yukon to the Mona Lisa and Victorian Gate to the Courtyards at Harrison West.  These homes averaged:

  • $154.91/sf
  • 117 days on market
  • 98.7% of the last list price

Aside from the extra month on the market, remarkably similar to the homes that sold in and around the Short North last year.  Now for the disclaimer on all these numbers——I wouldn’t take them to heart too much because of the potential for square foot discrepancies in many of these.  The days on market don’t include any previous attempts to sell the home and the % of list price doesn’t reflect what the home started at on the market.  With so many row-houses, 1/2 doubles and newly converted condos, the square feet aren’t always accurately noted and some times not noted at all, making a price/sq ft analysis difficult in such a large general area. 

IF you are looking for a home or condo for sale in the Short North, Italian Village or Harrison West area, call me and I’ll do all I can to make it as easy and fun as possible.

 

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Columbus Real Estate - Short North homes for sale/sold December update

January 3rd, 2008 categories: Short North

1209 hunter is a 2 bed 1177 sf 1.5 bath that sold last month for $225,000It wasn’t a bad month in the greater Short North area in December.  13 homes sold in all – including (I know it’s a bit of a stretch) 1502 Hamlet which I loved.  This Weinland Park area home has 3 beds and 1.5 baths, a 2 car garage and a nice backyard.  It was lovingly updated and sold for $138,363 in only 28 days.

Short North Condos for sale ruled the month of December with the average of the 6 Short North Condos that sold earning $175.06/sf including

  • 2 Dakota condos
  • a nicely located Dennison Ave 2 bedroom for $159,000
  • a Harrison Park 2 bed, 2 bath Flat for $229,112 
  • a 1392 sq ft Price Ave Condo with 3 beds and 1.5 baths (do those have a name associated with them?) for $236 in only 12 days.
  • One of those 1900 sq ft 2 bed 3 story Olentangy waterfront condos on Bradley for $242,000.

Take away the Condos, and you’re left with 6 homes selling in the Short North/Victorian Village area in December but three of those were Harrison Park homes which the MLS counts as condos b/c of the $100/mo association fee.  The 2 four bedroom new builds that sold averaged about $153/sf.

So the three single family homes that sold in the Short North averaged

  • almost 1600 sq ft
  • only 71 days on market
  • $145.11/sf
  • $231,600 or 98.6% of list price

one of those three homes belonged to my long time ad guy at The Other Paper and he was happy to move on with his life and regain the time associated with a single person owning a home.

Is it the Short North you want? You need to be working with a Realtor to be on top of the market.

also see: Short North - Italian Village Homes for Sale/Sold — November Update

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