Are You Tired of High Rents in Central Ohio?

If you are a renter, we know you see the chaos. The rents are skyrocketing to well over $1500 on average per month In Columbus. Landlords are evicting tenants left and right. And, because Franklin County laws are landlord friendly, it only takes three days to get that eviction process rolling. But we believe that chaos can often be the catalyst for some of the best decisions of our lives.

What if you knew that for a home with a price point of $130K, the average monthly mortgage payment is under $1,000 a month? And for homeowners, you’re rarely just getting a home. If you live in a neighborhood of owners, you are also getting a community that takes a vested interested in the neighborhood. You’re usually getting nicer yards, people who keep their eyes on the children and elderly, and people who exhibit a level of respect for the community.

But, even though home ownership sounds like a great solution, we also understand that people who have never purchased a home don’t necessarily know where to start. Maybe some of the real estate lingo is confusing or maybe you don’t know where you stand credit-wise. Maybe you think the process is tedious. You might even think it can never happen for you. We’re here to not only burst your myths wide open, but to help you get to your goal of home ownership.

On Saturday, March 23, 2019, we are holding another “It’s Time To Own It” event it! It’s our exclusive, free seminar and workshop to give you all the tools you need to become a homeowner. We have a roster of professionals that are scheduled to speak including Take A Look Real Estate Broker agents, lenders to discuss credit, title agents and home warranty professionals. We will also give you detailed information concerning the inspection and appraisal processes.

Click here to get registered for the event. Also please share this article and event link with a friend or relative who could use a lifestyle upgrade too. And if you have any questions in the meantime, give us a call at 614-778-8503 and we will be glad to give you more information!

We look forward to seeing you at the event and putting you on the proper path to homeownership. See you there!

Take A Look Real Estate Has Upgraded: Tour the New Office

The sun is shining on Take A Look Real Estate Broker’s new space!

On January 26, 2019, after a focused vision, some diligent planning and team work, Take A Look Real Estate Brokers unveiled our brand new office space. Situated on a corner lot at 2957 Stelzer Rd., adjoining a quaint veterinarian’s office, we are now open for appointments and walk-ins.

Theresa Barron, broker and visionary, wanted a space that was collaborative, energetic and functional for inspired productivity. With its uplifting color scheme and open feel, customers came alive at the open house. There was great food, music, positivity and lots of valuable information shared with our guests. Agents now have a work environment to grow their businesses at pace that promotes their idea of success. And clients have a place to go to ask questions and solve some of their personal economic concerns.

Because Take A Look offers an array of solutions for Central Ohio residents, the space had to allow for enough working room for agents and staff to assist. As you walk in the office, you are greeted with uplifting colors and New Age decor. There are three workspace areas and a media room for agents to create powerful video content for their social media channels and to close out sound for undistracted phone calls with clients.

There are various services that are being facilitated in our building. With real estate being our main focus, agents support home buyers, sellers and investors in making smart moves with their resources. As the government shut down takes a pause, our certified experts are also processing tax returns for W2 employees and 1099 independent contractors. We also assist clients with the protection of their homes, retirement income and their families through life insurance. We discover your needs and goals to locate the right policies, riders and premiums that fit your lifestyle.

Our office is also a training center for new agents. Through our Platinum Success program, along with our private facebook group and exclusive educational podcast, agents also receive their fast start training in the office and get a front row seat to watch successful, seasoned agents work. We believe that collaborative productivity is the key to success. Now we have an office that will help accelerate these ideals.

You are invited to stop on by, meet the broker and talk to the agents! If you are thinking about buying your first home, our next “It’s Time To Own It” event will take place in our conference room in March and we will put you on the fast track to ownership, starting at whatever income or credit level you are currently. We will meet you where you are and help you prepare for your future.

To get pre-registered for the event, give Theresa a call or shoot her a text at 614-778-8503. Make sure to follow Take A Look Real Estate Brokers on Facebook. Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel to get the most in depth real estate information and Central Ohio market news.

Welcome to the Cool, New, Hip Part of Columbus: Franklinton

WELCOME to COLUMBUS’ NEAR WEST SIDE, FRANKLINTON aka “THE BOTTOMS”...

The New ARTSY, FOODIE, ECLECTIC, LIVE-WORK, CO-OP, PART OF TOWN!

... And then there’s Franklinton. Historically, it’s been a lower economic, underdeveloped space in Columbus real estate, coined “The Bottoms." Franklinton has seen its share of impoverishment. However, it has completely turned around in past few years. It’s been a long gradual process, but clearly evident by what we can see today. Franklinton today is a whole new space, attracting many new creative types to join in the community.

Settled in the 1797, to the East of the Scioto River, Franklinton was never considered a hot spot of the city. Because of its relationship to the river and its past propensity to flood, it has mainly been home to a lower economic group of people. Between the two tragic floods of 1913 and 1959, nearly 30,000 people were left homeless in the neighborhood. Left behind was a hotbed of drugs, crime and prostitution that has continued for a century.

However, things are 180 degrees transformed with the city and residents of Columbus, Ohio forging an innovative path in the business, technology, logistics, and equitable housing sectors. Many Franklinton neighborhoods are experiencing some major changes. Revitalization zones are taking on new life as a younger, more hip crowd moves in.

The city began its’ efforts in 2011 when former Mayor Coleman partnered with the Franklinton Development Association to overhaul the area. The goal has been to build using an outside in approach so as to allow the neighborhood to be an accentuation of the Columbus skyline. Apartment buildings and investment homes were built and refurbished. Vacant buildings have become home to artists and their curated exhibits. As new restaurants and shops have opened, lots of people are now participating in this new Franklinton zone. It has more recently been compared to the Short North!

With a thriving arts community that continues its development in Franklinton, signs of change are everywhere. Since 2008, The Franklinton Arts District has been building a community around arts, including festivals and exhibits, which draw in crowds and marketplace opportunists. One such event, called the Urban Scrawl, is a 2 day arts festival that hosts numerous artists, food trucks, dj’s, and activities for the kids. It is developing into a funky, cooperative, artsy spot just blocks West of our main downtown hub, perfect for art lovers and foodies!

To learn more about the Franklinton area, call or text Theresa at 614-778-8503. If you have any interest in home ownership or investmenting, contact us and we’ll be glad to give you a bird’s eye view, with detailed market place information. Contact here.

Hot Areas Alert: Do You Own Property in the Following ZIP CODES?

Do you own property in these zip codes: 43211, 43201, 43203, 43206?   These zones are currently the hot button zones.  Investors are crawling and scouring looking for abandoned and vacant properties to buy for cash fast. The Franklin County Treasurer's Office is aggressively pursuing owners who have not paid their property tax obligation.  Investors know this and often use this information to leverage absentee owners into selling their properties for lower dollar values.  

Let me say this:

1. If you owe back taxes on your property and you want to keep your property, make arrangements to pay on a formal agreement with the Franklin County Treasury Department.  https://www.paydici.com/franklin-county-oh/search/new

2. If you are receiving “We BUY HOUSES Mail,” call me at 614-778-8503 especially if you want to sell BEFORE you call these people.

3. Understand this, whatever an investor is willing to pay off market, it is very likely much much lower than what the property will sell for on market: even after paying a commission.  

Bottom line, I love to see owners receive their fair market value.  If you don’t get your property in front of the market no matter what the conditions is, you are surely guaranteed to be giving away your hard earned equity.  

What's Happening in Columbus' Central City Zones

Columbus is growing in the central city zones. The old brick homes, around 70 to 120 years old, are now what are considered “IN”. Residents of the capitol city are deciding on more centralized communities where they work, play, shop, and commune.

The demand has seen a sharp rise and developers are responding with contemporary dwellings situated in our urban metro areas.

Areas like Olde Town East are selling for $270 - $400K. Olde Town has been making steady improvements home by home, block by block. It has attracted an array of small eateries, bars, festivals, and events that are defining this more centralized lifestyle.

Other areas that are continuing the phenomenon as up and coming zones are the Children's Hospital campus and the South Corridor. These zones, like Olde Town East, are seeing similar trends.  While values are folding, large familiar establishments are taking notice and investing in these marketplaces. Many restaurants are opening upgraded versions. Panera is a prime example with its panoramic views and kiosk ordering systems in their Parsons and Livingston locations.

We are also seeing the revitalization of Central Columbus near OSU East, just North of Old Town East. There are approximately 300 new units 1 block from OSU East and a new senior housing complex. There are a lot of small, individual investor rehab projects, too.

One other change is students! It seems a natural fit since Columbus State Community College, Columbus College of Art and Design, Franklin University, and the OSU Extension Center are just blocks away from the OSU East Revitalization Zone. The strategy is to integrate the Students.  This seems like it will be an effective strategy to establish new student housing for the 4 major student populations nearby and also revitalize the newly emerging OSU East Zone.

It’s an exciting time to live, work and play in Columbus' urban communities. My best advice for anyone considering living in the city is to get in now before it’s too late, or should I say... too expensive.

Contact me to learn more.

The Rebuilding of Parsons Avenue and Why You Should Invest There

There’s a rejuvenation taking place in one of our beloved Columbus communities. There’s a two mile stretch between Livingston Ave. and Rt. 104, on the south of Parsons Avenue, where real estate developers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and residents are vying for access.

During the late 1800’s, Old Towne East was a community in which affluent, business class members lived, worked and communed. This took a turn in the 1920’s when suburbs began overpowering them creating a class struggle, survival of the fittest.

By the 1950’s, things had rapidly changed. First, the Broad St. Boulevard was removed to make way for Interstate 71. This completely destroyed the thriving businesses and establishments for the current community that ran along the boulevard. And by the time the wealthy elite had relocated, home ownership simply declined. Parsons Avenue was in no way spared.

Based on the 2006 Parsons Ave. Area Revision Plan, the consensus was that the area would need to be restored to prevent crime, violence, poverty, and property vacancies. The initiatives sparked investors and entrepreneurs alike to jump on the bandwagon. And with the masterful engine of Nationwide Children’s Hospitals investments in the area, massive regeneration has taken place. New and updated restaurants, shops, and renovated buildings can be see along Parsons Avenue, with new age design and appeal.

Community revitalization efforts also become a warm oven for condo and apartment communities. These apartments tend to be sleek, cutting edge and trendy to fit the style of that community and the texture of the power players’ wallets. Parsons Avenue is a prime example of this. With an updated Parson’s Corridor as the areas point of focus, real estate developers are all vying for competitive space.

One such community is The Arbor, located on Lehman St.,  conveniently nestled around Parsons Avenue improvement efforts. Right across the street from Nationwide Hospital, it’s a modern lifestyle community made with ecological sustainability at the heart of its branding.

The stylish apartments, between 743 sq. feet to 1436 sq. feet, come with chic appliances, modern amenity and a community embrace. From one bedroom apartment layouts all the way to 2 bedroom townhomes, rents range anywhere from $1209 to $1867. It’s a short distance from dining spots, shops, the updated Parsons Ave. library, markets, and places of business.

For those who opt for a modern lifestyle with access, convenience, amenity, and community, The Arbor might be a great choice.
For those who see the value in investing in this area, getting to know Realtor who understands that marketplace is a great first step. Theresa Barron and the Take A Look Real Estate Brokers team have served, worked and invested in and around this area for many years. Theresa understands the trends, patterns and values of this market. Don’t hesitate to contact her if you would like to know how she supports clients investing in this area.