Research Schools First…Columbus Real Estate…

I am always very pleased when a client comes to me with questions about school districts.  It lets me know they value education.  After being a public school educator for over 30 years, I too think  education/school is one of the most important criteria for selecting a home.  In the last eight years as a REALTOR, I can provide information but it is illegal for me to recommend any school district.  Recently I was asked by a client to gather information about 2 different school districts in the Columbus area…not an usual request.  Even though each district has websites, my clients wanted information when they arrived to Columbus.  They had searched the internet before ever meeting me and had selected their final 2 suburbs to search for a property.  I called both districts.  I had two very different experiences.

District One:  Compiled a packet with current information about the school district, newsletters, calendars, and an invitation to upcoming school events.  The district representative shared that he would be attending a conference but would leave his business card with his contact information so my client could schedule a meeting to learn more about the district, ask specific questions, and arrange to tour any buildings and interview administrators.

District Two:  I called  the Welcome Center and left my number.  I did not get a return call.  I stopped at the Welcome Center and was told they had no information to give to a new family.  All information is on the website.  I was somewhat frustrated and decided to make a stop at the Central Office.  I ask for some information and was told to help myself to a calendar and a postcard.  The receptionist then shared with me that the district was just too crowded and really didn’t need any more students.

Where do you think my family decided to purchase a property and spend their tax money?

 

 

All in a Day’s Work…Columbus Real Estate

        I want to be a Heroine soon…The Case of the Lost (not kidnapped) white elephant.  Thursday morning I pick up a new family at their hotel….. Dad, Mom, and the cutest little guy carrying a white elephant.  As they are all new to the U.S. and therefore our community, I am trying to make them feel welcome.  Being tired from a flight from England via Iceland via NYC to Columbus, Ohio, they were all a little tired but eager to jump in  my car and look for their American Home.  So tired, but this little guy…3 years old..with the bluest eyes and dark, curly hair followed us everywhere clutching his little white elephant.  Knowing this must be a special toy, I tried to remember to make sure he had his one possession from home as I turned out lights, left my business card, locked all doors…and set my navigation for the next property.   I had a great day…great family…fun time…all is well at my house.

I wake up the next day, and while having my coffee like any good REALTOR, check my email.  Oh no…an email from my new family.  “Will you please check your backseat to see if there is a little, white elephant on the floor?”  NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!   As I was still rescheduling showings to get the day set, I quickly emailed all the listing agents from the day before…asking them to help me start the search.

When I picked the family up…they had a little trouble getting everyone to sleep but they were still in good spirits.  They explained the elephant wasn’t lost forever???!!  I had to share a story with the parents…a few years ago…probably 22 or so, Emily, our youngest took Baby Alive to Disney World over Christmas Vacation.  Yes, Santa had brought this special doll that did all these human like things…including sucking.  Well, Baby Alive didn’t make it to our hotel.  George called the limo company.  Luckily, the driver had driven down to Miami but was coming back to Orlando.  Baby Alive was kidnapped!!!  You know the rest of the story.  Baby Alive did make it back to OHIO.

I did take my new family  to meet some former clients of mine…now my friends (this seems to always happen).  They will soon be working together and I thought it would be great for them to meet before the first day of work.  As I shared the story of the lost elephant, the children’s father suggested they look in their toy chest for a stuffed animal to give to my new little friend.  There were lots of smiles and a little guy clutching a little bear the rest of the day.

Well…if you see a slightly worn, white, stuffed elephant, please let me know.  He is very special of course.  He was given to this child at the hospital when he was born.  I have not given up…Persistance is a good quality for a REALTOR.

RECYCLE BOXES…Burlap, Rope, Twine and a Glue Gun

I love boxes…all kinds, all sizes, all colors…and I have many.  Just took the time to recover and I was amazed at how easy it can be.

NO SEWING, Little trimming, and finished in a few minutes…The Glue Gun is the secret.

The burlap fabric was so easy to attach to the box…glue to finish seams to prevent raveling….and the rope, twine, string will cover mistakes.

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Need Some Ideas…Concord Counseling Event…Night Golf, Dinner, and ??

Shine the Light Night Golf Outing is being planned for June 8, 2012 at Little Turtle Country Club to benefit Concord Counseling, a nonprofit that provides the  behavioral health services by instilling hope, improving lives and serving with heart.  We want golfers and non golfers to have a great time.   The challenge and novelty of playing golf in the dark will be entertaining enough for the golfers…should have a lot of fun.

Everyone will be enjoying a Barbecue but what would be fun for the nongolfers left at the clubhouse?  Non golfers will be asked to donate $35.00 for a dinner and ???

Suggestions have been everything including cooking classes, cards, demonstrations…So I am asking you, if you have helped plan and/or attended an event like this, please give us some ideas.

If you are interested in attending and/or sponsoring a hole, providing a raffle item…contact Ruth Stenberg at Concord Counseling.  ruthstenberg@concordcounseling.org or 614-276-2273

Love this Collection in Columbus, Ohio

The Collection in Powell….so many good ideas…try to stop by when I am in the area…always tell clients to check it out.

Always changing, always coming up with new ways to create great groupings…

    The long sheets of paper hanging…player piano music…want to find some now…..wallpaper in a small room???  OH George…don’t think he would be part of this project…very interesting…

Great table settings…great table…I can see the table in another type of material out in a garden…Martha would approve…

Not my style…but looks cool…adds some texture…watched a shopper sit in the chair…and she said she felt like she was going to slip right out….

Great place to purchase interesting accessories…or borrow an idea?

Stop by…follow the train track and on the left…The Collection

Hypertufa Troughs…Still Learning and Earning

   One thing I like about selling Real Estate is BREAK TIME.  Some days it is Changing the Laundry, could be Facebook,  but yesterday it was attending a class at Innis Gardens in Westerville.  If you know me, you would easily know that I LOVE being around people.  So on the days I am on the phone and/or computer, I need to reward myself with these short breaks.  I have always loved troughs that help make a garden look like it has been there for years…..these troughs are not inexpensive…so the class was a demonstration with a recipe for the cement mixture.  One small problem, you can’t purchase Portland Cement in small bags…just wait until George sees the cement mixing truck coming towards our driveway.

     Ingredients: Sphagnum Peat Moss, Perlite, Vermiculite or Sand, Portland Cement, Fibermesh from a cement company, and concrete coloring if you want a color.  There are many different recipes available…but I don’t think it will be too difficult.  One Hour Class…FREE

Plant Sale is Coming UP…Talk about established perennials?  May 5-6  Garden to Kitchen..April 11…Container Gardening April 17.  There are numerous programs for children too.

                   Love these pots too….

One more idea…I bought some great flower pots/long window boxes ($7)  last Fall at the Habit for Humanity Warehouse.  Check in your area…they have some great “stuff” for gardens…old windows, doors, etc. 

                                Happy Gardening……..

Economizing/Decorating in Columbus Ohio Homes for Sale

Always looking for inexpensive ways to decorate and/or stage homes.  I have this huge stash of “stuff” in my lower level…all is transitional or should I say recyclable…  I just bought some new sisal rugs for our kitchen…before I have even used them, they are now in a vacant listing that needs something…along with some pottery that I forgot where I put it…also some fantastic, artificial cactus that I bought in Az. on my last trip.  Back to my lastest easy idea to simplify bookcases…I stopped at the Second Hand Book Store yesterday to buy a “yard of books” for $20.oo.  Unfortuneately, the collection or sets of books they had were all pretty ugly in color, but I thought I would cover them with fabric or paper and they would be just fine.  Today, I was ready to stage a bookshelf and I simply turned the covers inside out…kind of…and they look great…kind of like scrolls.  Take a look…pushed them to the back of the shelf and you can’t even see the tops or red covers.

Also saw some great ribbon…at $50.00 a roll…stiched bunnies and birds…very pretty but $50?????  I suggest making burlap ribbon (See Christmas Burlap Bows from December Blog) and stenciling whatever you want…Fast, easy, and inexpensive.