So Long 2008!

Oy. Glad this one is coming to an end. Will 2009 be any better? I really believe so, and all signs are pointing to that direction. No, it will not be 2004 all over again, but I do think we can only go UP from here.

Here's wishing everyone a happy, healthy & prosperous (for pete's sake) 2009!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Excuse My Slack...

Don't think I'm not paying attention to this blog, because I am, it's just getting ready for the holidays, wrapping things up for the year, excuses, excuses! On the real estate front, can rates get any lower??? Not likely. If buyers are actually wanting to buy but have been waiting for the right conditions, they should pr0bably pull the trigger now. Rates are at unheard-of lows, houses are cheap, sellers are desperate...you get the picture. I also seem to have developed a bit of a Midas touch, in that ANY property in which I have an interested buyers sells - to someone else. Glad things are moving, but sheesh.

That's it for now...looking forward to getting out of 2008. What a miserable year this has been!

Great Buy

Because there are so many great buys out there now, I feel compelled to occasionally post those homes that seem particularly attractive. This one is on Demington in Cleveland Heights, listed at $164,900 by Transaction Realty. It's not big - 3 bd, 1.1 ba but the location cannot be beat. Overall, seems in OK shape. Needs updating, and there's what seems to be mold in the basement that will need to be addressed. Still, very workable. Call me if you're interested!

More Activity For University Circle

Check out these lucious townhouses! More good news for University Circle, which is seeing more housing - all of which seems to be contemporary. Love it! These are slated for a spring groundbreaking and to be priced in the $300,000 - $400,000 range w/ tax abatement. I don't think they're listed with a Realtor yet...

University Circle Continues Growth

Though you were already well informed, it's now 'official' (via PD article) that University Circle's housing growth continues. There is a lack of new, livable housing in the area, and the stuff going up is fantastic. Circle 118, the Coltman project, and others offer wonderful, contemporary living in what is arguably Cleveland's MOST IMPORTANT economic growth area. Some of the product is in Murray Hill (a no-brainer place to build) while Circle 118 is really in the heart of everything. It's exciting to see all this going on, especially these days.

As always, contact me for any information on any of these projects.

Biting the Realtor.com bullet

Akin to 'pimping my profile' on myspace, I've bit the bullet and paid to have my listings pimped (well, they politely call it 'enhanced') on Realtor.com. What does this mean? All my listings will have mega photos and all inquiries will come directly to me so I can sell sell sell the heck out of your home! If you are listing your home, I would seriously consider whether or not your Realtor has signed up for this extra service (it costs $$$, so many have not). I would not have said that a week ago, but now I can!

Shame on me...

For not knowing this was on the market! $199,000 condo in the Random Road Schoolhouse building. 1,100sf, 2 beds/1bath - in one of the greatest locations on Cleveland's east side.

Courtesy of Howard Hanna

27 Coltman Hits The Market

27 Coltman, the new townhouse development in the Murray Hill area, has hit the market at $379,000. 3BR/2.1BA, 2,200 sf. Tax abatement, etc. Looks totally great, not sure when they are due to deliver. Obviously, incredible location.

Call me for more info!

Courtesy of RE/MAX Real Estate Group

Pre Fab Modern Design: Cool, Affordable Options for the Modern Luver

Can't find the home of your modern dreams in Cleveland? Why not build? There are a number of great vendors for prefab homes out there - this one is from Alchemy Architects which offers a number of very cool designs. You can put your house together online to check out the pricing. Cleveland has a number of vacant lots screaming for an ultra contemporary glass box.

New Tremont Home Steps from Lincoln Park

Have a look:
Have a look. Yummy!

Keepin' It Local This Shopping Season

Revive Fair Trade store at 2248 Lee Road has wonderful gifts for everyone this season. Many of the items are organic, "socially aware" and all brands sold practice fair trade - in other words, that woman in Gautemala that knitted those cute booties & hat is actually getting paid more than 12 cents.

Best of all, it's a Cleveland Heights store - locally owned and operated!

Check out revivestore.com

Super Contemporary Split Level in Tremont - Developers Break Groun

Civic Builders recently broke ground on a single-family home at 905 Fruit Avenue. This home is adjacent to the successful Clarence Court project, which sold out earlier this year.
The two bedroom, two bath home at 905 Fruit Avenue features the sort of cutting edge, contemporary exterior design that has become a hallmark of many of our homes. Exterior features include corrugated metal and a half-gabled roof line.

Inside, the home is a modern split-level, with a one car garage with parking pad, first floor master bedroom with master bath, unfinished basement and bonus room, and a spacious great room with oversized windows overlooking the Industrial Cuyahoga Valley. The list price of the home is $229,900.

The Clarence Court development, which won a Cleveland Choice award from the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland, was recently featured on WVIZ's "Applause" program as an example of exciting regional architecture.

A nation dVided

Check out these room dividers from dVider - they also sell cool decals for decorating walls. They come in oodles of colors/designs/etc. Great for kids rooms, where it's tough to commit - they grow so fast! I love the room dividers for places like Payne Avenue Lofts, which is true loft space (no walls). http://store.dvider.com/index.html

Keep your money here! Look - it doesn't have to be EXACTLY Cleveland Heights, but when you spend money at a Cleveland area owned company, your money stays here and has a great impact on the community. Essentially, you're putting your money back into the system that will keep our area healthy and help local business. Mom & Pops aren't going to get a government bailout anytime soon, so we need to do all we can to support them! Keep your money in Northeast Ohio - where you live, work & play!!!

Apparently, this Future Heights logo is going to be altered to say 'Buy it in the Heights' to make it more generic - either way, it's a great message.

27 Coltman Going up in Murray Hill District

Gorgeous new townhouse project going up in the Murray Hill district - totally contemporary, sleek lines, all that good stuff. No word on a price point yet. I'm assuming tax abatement as well as qualifying for the Greater Circle Living Fund. All good stuff. I'll post more info once I get it. From the developers of Brownstones at Derbyshire.

OK, This Time I'm Committed to Keeping this Puppy Updated

Once upon a time, I started a blog, then I neglected it, abused it, and left it for dead. I SWEAR I will keep this updated with news about real estate, the Heights area and contemporary design in general.

And as always, I can be found at www.smonroesells.com.

Check back often!