Cleveland Real Estate And More

What Are You, A Sitcom, Drama, or Infomercial?

Everyone is using social media to help grow their business these days and it isn't just real estate agents like us either. Accountants, lawyers, and even doctors have incorporated social media into their plans. But as people become engaged on line, many are simply going through the motions without considering how they are being viewed by others and it may be costing them business.

When we first got started on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and different blogging formats, we attended a seminar and got some great advice.

The speaker ( Bruce Hardie ) compared our presence on social media to that of a TV show. Basically, we would be putting out information ( our show ) in hopes that other people ( our audience ) would tune in to watch.  If we did a good job, people would tune in on a regular basis, and also tell others about us. He said commercials were ok every now and then, but concentrate on the show and give away value.  His main point was that we should get people engaged and not just ask for business, and good things will happen.

After taking the speakers advice, we have found that people are appreciative of our efforts, and business has come as a result. We can always use to improve, but we're on the right track.  However, we have noticed that some people, even friends and business contacts of ours, are still missing the boat on how to properly engage in social media. 

IS YOUR MESSAGE BEING TUNED OUT?

Just yesterday, I decided to "follow" a company on Twitter that I was hoping would share great information. Instead, I immediately got 2 emails and a call from this company soliciting my business.  In my opinion, any "show" that starts selling before giving gets "cancelled" immediately.

I also just became "friends" with a local agent who requested it, and quickly received what seemed like hourly posts soliciting people to call him if they wanted to buy or sell a home. No interesting statistics, no helpful links, no vaule whatsoever, just pure cold hard sales.

And let's be honest, this doesn't apply just on line either. The same principles apply in person at networking and social events. Have you ever met someone at a function who immediately gives you their business card and proceeds to talk about nothing but themselves? I'm sure their on line presence isn't much too different.

So, as we all move forward, we should all ask ourselves,  "what kind of show am I putting out there?"  Whether you are a news channel, drama, sitcom, or even a game show, that is your choice.  However, if you choose to be an infomercial, you will be tuned out by today's audience and see poor results from your efforts.

On a personal note, we hope you found this episode of our "show" to be helpful and will continue to "tune in" to future posts from us, or find us on other social media sites. We'll promise to save the hard sell approach for the other guys.

If you enjoyed this article, here are some others that may interest you as well:

C'mon People, Stop Posting Vacation Plans On Facebook

Does Hiring Cousin Vinny Really Make Sense?

Real Estate Agents Are Not Just Door Openers

Is Zillow Really Accurate? Take A Look For Yourself

The Art Of Working With Professional Athletes

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Cleveland Oh real estate and homes see  Cleveland OH real estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

C'mon People, Stop Posting Vacation Plans On Facebook

After recently watching the movie "Home Alone" with my kids, we were reminded that the holidays are the most popular time for break-ins. Although this movie obviously had a funny theme, the dangers of leaving your home unattended are all too real.

Over the last few days, I've seen a ton of posts from my "friends" about their upcoming vacations. Things like: "2 days to Florida...can't wait", "Entire family headed to the airport---1 week of fun in the sun".  

Remember, your posts are not as private as you think and telling the whole world that your home will be empty is an invitation for trouble.  In the spirit of security, we wanted to share a few tips to make sure your home is safe and secure this holiday season.

1.     Make Sure All Doors and Windows Are Locked. - Yes, I realize this is pretty obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people rush out the door without checking every single entrance to their home. Some locks stick, especially in older homes, so be sure to check everything before leaving.

2.     Cancel Your Newspaper. - Nothing screams vacant home better than newspapers piling up in your driveway.

3.     Keep Lights On With A Timer. - My grandparents always used timers and I thought they were silly, but actually make a lot of sense if your home is empty.

4.     Tell Your Neighbors. - Let your neighbors ( provided that you like and trust them of course ) know of your plans so they can be on the lookout for any suspicious activity.

5.     Have A Friend Check On Your Home- Having someone stop by to make sure things are ok is a smart idea.  I actually have a friend who has someone pull into and out of his garage when there is a snowfall, so that anyone driving by will see the new tracks, giving the appearance that someone is home. A little paranoid perhaps, but not a bad idea.  

Oh, and a another suggestion, please don't post while you are actually on vacation, because this is just as bad. Share the pictures of you on the beach after you get home.

Enjoy your vacation, just be smart.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Cleveland Oh real estate and homes see  Cleveland OH real estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

C'mon People, Stop Posting Vacation Plans On Facebook is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

Videos Of Solon Ohio Neighborhoods

While we thoroughly enjoy writing about the different neighborhoods here in Solon, Ohio, we find that videos can be even more helpful, especially to those not familiar with the area.

People relocating to the Cleveland area want to learn as much as possible about the different housing in the area, and photos that are available on line don't always reflect the true essence of that home and neighborhood. With that being said,  here are some great videos of Solon neighborhoods.

1. Signature of Solon

2. Thornbury Of Solon

3. Chagrin Highlands

4. Huntington Woods

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Solon Oh real estate and homes see  Solon OH Real Estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

Videos Of Solon Ohio Neighborhoods is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

Does Hiring "Cousin Vinny" Really Make Sense?

Everybody knows someone who is a real estate agent. It could be a brother, aunt, or even your best friend's cousins step-father, and it doesn't matter who they are, you are often pressured to use them. Sometimes it does work out, but is it really worth the risk? After all, buying and selling a home involves a lot of important decisions to be made, and one mistake could mean disaster.

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE HIRING "COUSIN VINNY"

For those of you who have seen the movie "My Cousin Vinny", the situation presented here is familiar to all of us. We are looking to hire someone to help us with something and decide to fall back on a relative due to pressure from other family members. Before you make a rash decision, think about this:

1.     Is this family member a full time agent?  I don't want to knock the part-timers, but sometimes a part-time agent will only be able to give part-time effort.

2.     Is this person familiar with the area that you are looking to buy or sell?  Real estate is very local and hiring someone that doesn't have extensive knowledge of the area could be a mistake.

3.     Does your family member have the up-to-date skills needed to thrive in today's challenging market?  The real estate industry has changed rapidly over the last 3-5 years, with technology playing a major role. Does your "cousin Vinny" possess all the tools to get the job done?

4.     What happens if things don't go well?  There is a good reason that a lot of people don't mix business and family. Will there be tension within your family if something goes wrong? Will family dinners suddenly be awkward if problems arise with your transaction?

5.     When all is said and done, is this person that best one for the job?  Remember, buying and selling a home is a major financial transaction, so hiring a real estate agent to assist you should be taken seriously.

The #1 reason that you should hire anyone is because you think they will do a great job for you. If you decide to hire the best person for the job based on qualifications, and they happen to be your relative, then that's fine, although there still may be major headaches involved here. However, if the only reason you hire someone is because you are related, then you are choosing them for the wrong reasons, and this could lead to trouble down the road.

Hiring a real estate agent is a business decision. Taking emotions and relationships out of the equation will help ensure that you are making the right choice, and for the right reasons.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Cleveland Oh real estate and homes see  Cleveland OH real estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

Does Hiring "Cousin Vinny" Really Make Sense? is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

5 Advantages To Buying A Home In The Winter

So Winter is now upon us, and the last thing many people want to do is venture outside to look at homes. "I'll just wait until Spring" you say, but not so fast. Buying a home in the winter actually has its advantages. Here are just a few things that come to mind:

1.     Let's Make A Deal! - While most people would prefer not to look in the winter, this is when opportunity strikes and deals can be had. With less showings, motivated sellers realize that offers are extremely rare during the winter and may be more willing to bend on their price. Accumulating expenses, especially the heating bill, has a tendency to motivate most sellers to take any decent offer that is presented to them.  

2.     The Best Time To Monitor Energy Efficiency. - Is the heating system working properly, are there drafts in certain rooms? When buying during warm weather months, you typically have to rely on the seller or their agent telling you how warm and cozy the bedroom above the garage is during the winter. Now, you and your inspector can check things out for yourself so there aren't any surprises down the road.

3.     Better Pricing Available On Improvements and Upgrades. - Unless you are buying new construction, you will most likely want or need to do some work on any home you buy and winter is an ideal time for home improvements. Many trades people are much slower this time of year and will work cheaper during the winter. They will also be more available to do the work. Recently, we had some buyers finish their basement during the winter and the cost savings was significant versus waiting until spring or summer.

4.    What You See Is What You Get. - During the winter, you get an accurate idea of your privacy, or lack thereof, as all of the leaves have already fallen. If you like what you see during winter, things will only get better when everything is in full bloom.

5.     You have more time. - People in general are much busier in the summer, making it more difficult to fit home buying into their schedule. Having less activities during the winter months makes it more convenient to buy a home. 

Winter brings about tremendous opportunity to home buyers, so what are you waiting for? Put on your hat and gloves and take advantage of the winter buying season.

If you enjoyed this article, here are a few others that you may like as well:

Real Estate Agents Are Not Just Door Openers - What A Buyers Agent Really Does

How Much Can I Get That Home For

Is Zillow Really Accurate - Take A Look For Yourself 

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Cleveland Oh real estate and homes see  Cleveland OH real estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

5 Advantages To Buying A Home In The Winter is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

How To Thank Our Troops In Less Than 30 Seconds

During the holiday season, a lot of Americans are unable to be with their families, and that includes thousands of US troops serving overseas. While there are a lot of organizations that allow you to send something to the troops, Xerox has made it easy to send a FREE personalized card to deployed servicemen and woman. The postcards were designed by children across the country and celebrities like George Lopez and Wayne Newton have gotten involved as well.

Here's how it works. Go to this website: 

1. pick out a card from the list

2. choose a greeting, or you can make a personalized one if you'd like

3. hit send

That's it. This will take you all of 30 seconds but will make a huge impression on one of our brave soldiers.

I have a brother-in-law who just got back from a 7 month tour of duty and he can attest that any communication from his fellow Americans is greatly appreciated.

So what are you waiting for, send a card and make a difference for the troops.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Cleveland Oh real estate and homes see  Cleveland OH real estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

How To Thank Our Troops In Less Than 30 Seconds is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

Bainbridge Ohio Home Values Report - November 2010

Before discussing Bainbridge Ohio home values, we will go over sales for November of 2010. Here is a list of homes that sold in Bainbridge in November 2010 with a map below indicating location. The plus sign on the map indicates multiple sales in that specific area.

All Sales                          # of homes sold         Ave. Sales Price 

November 2010                      9                        $343,389  

November 2009                     11                       $253,591

YTD 2010                               113                     $308,857

YTD 2009                               95                       $319,188

*Source NEOHREX 

SUMMARY

As you can see from the figures above, sales are better than last year, although the average price of a home in Bainbridge is lower. While many surrounding areas, such as Solon and Twinsburg, have seen less  sales and a higher average sales price, the statistics in Bainbridge are the exact opposite. 

The fact that there are more sales is a always a good thing, as it indicates a renewed sense of confidence for home buyers. The drop in average home price is fairly small, so we don't see anything major to be alarmed about here.

When looking at home values in Bainbridge the statistics above should be used in conjunction with other figures. Just because the average price of a home is lower this year does not mean that every home has lost value. Every neighborhood and for that matter, every home is unique. Therefore, the best way to determine value is to compare a home to similar homes that have recently sold. A local real estate agent can assist with this.

Please look for our popular end of the year report next month. We will make a thorough assessment of the Bainbridge real estate market and give our thoughts on what to expect in 2011.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Bainbridge Oh real estate and homes see  Bainbridge Oh Real Estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

Bainbridge Ohio Home Values Report - Noevember 2010 is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

 Great Gift Ideas For Kids - Originally posted at Cleveland Real Estate Blog

Are you looking for gift ideas for your kids that will also bring the family together?  The following is a list of games that our kids love and can be played by the entire family. 

QWIRKLE- This is a game that we had never heard of until it was recently given to one of our children.   It's simple enough that you can learn to play it in about 10 minutes, but there is still strategy involved that will keep you on your toes. If I had to describe it, I would say it is a mix of Scrabble and Dominoes and uses colors and shapes. No reading is involved here, so children that haven't learned how to read could play. It is geared for ages 6 and up.

APPLES TO APPLES- This comes in two versions, the regular version ( in a red box) and a Junior version ( a green box).  It is a game of comparisons where every game is different depending on who is playing.  The regular edition has words that are a little more conceptually difficult or even a little dated.  The Junior version is better for younger children, and it can also be played together with teens, parents, and grandparents. We prefer the Junior version and have played it for hours with groups of all ages. This game is really a ton of fun for the entire family. One thing to note is that players must be able to read to play on their own. Otherwise, younger children who cannot read will be better off pairing up with an adult.

CRANIUM CADOO - Cadoo is like a mixture of Charades, Pictionary, and trivia.  It is a fast moving game so kids don't get bored of it very easily and it involves them using their hands, bodies, and minds.  It also comes with special glasses that reveal secret words ( like 3-D glasses ). 

UNO - This game has been around awhile, but is always a hit, and easy to learn and play. It is a card game that can be played by as little as 2 players. The fact that it is small makes it portable, so can be taken on small trips.  There are even themed versions (Dora, etc) for little ones to teach them how to play until they are ready for the original version.

RACKO - This game has been around a long time, and is often hard to find.  It is a combination of skill and luck and involves putting your 10 cards in numerical order from lowest to highest. The concept seems simple but still provides some challenges.

We hope this short list helps you with some ideas as you complete your holiday shopping.  We wish you a safe holiday season filled with love and good cheer.

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Cleveland Oh real estate and homes see  Cleveland OH real estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

Great Gift Ideas For Kids is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

Beachwood Ohio Home Values Report - November 2010

Below are all homes that sold in Beachwood in November, 2010. We have also included a map indicating where all sales took place. The plus signs on the map indicate that more than one home sold in that particular area.

We will discuss the direction of home values in Beachwood OH at the bottom in the commentary section.

All Sales           # of homes sold         Ave. Sales Price              

November 2010           9                       $210,056                

November 2009          13                      $227,538

YTD 2010                    93                    $276,995

TYD 2009                  110                     $262,294  

*source NEOHREX ( Regional MLS )

COMMENTARY:

We will probably start sounding like a broken record to our readers but the trend of less sales and higher average sales price continues. This is about the 6th straight month that we have reported this trend.

When it comes down to it, there are less than 2 sales per month difference this year compared to 2009, so the numbers here certainly aren't drastic. It is always a little concerning though that rates continue to remain low yet sales figures are lower than last year.

We believe that home values in Beachwood have stabilized, and that the worst is behind us. The economy still plays a major part in consumer confidence and people here in Northeast Ohio are being very cautious when it comes to major purchases such as a home. Housing is typically at a premium in Beachwood because of the usually small inventory. There are currently only 56 single-family homes for sale.

We think there are a lot of buyers on the fence, just waiting for some more positive signs regarding the economy before they move forward on buying a home. The winter months are typically the slowest time of the year, so we won't be surprised to see low sales number over the next few months.

Overall, Beachwood is deemed a very desirable community to live and work because of easy highway access, excellent rated schools, and being in close proximity to the area's best shopping and restaurants.

Below are other articles of interest pertaining to Beachwood OH Home Values:

Beachwood OH Real Estate - Home Value Report 3rd Quarter 2010

Beachwood OH Real Estate - Monthly Market Report August 2010

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Beachwood Oh real estate and homes see  Beachwood Oh Real Estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

Beachwood Ohio Home Values Report - November 2010 is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010

Twinsburg Ohio Home Values Report - November 2010

Below is a list of all homes that sold in Twinsburg in November. We have also included a map indicating the location of the homes that sold last month.  The plus signs indicate more than 1 sale in that particular area. 

                            # of Homes sold          Ave. Sales Price 

November 2010              12                      $217,452  

November 2009              27                      $208,933

Source for statisics and map: NEOHREX MLS 

SUMMARY

Over the past few months, we have noticed the number of sales start to decrease compared to last year. The good news is that the average sales price last month was higher than it was last year at this time.

Home values in Twinsburg are showing some signs of life. However, the trend compared to 2009 of less sales and higher values is a little concerning, especially given that interest rates remain relatively low. We feel that the home buyer tax credit caused more sales to happen during the beginning part of the year, and that may be why we are seeing less sales during the fourth quarter.

Regardless of what is going on in the market, there are always going to be neighborhoods and price points that do better than others. If you are looking to find out the value of your Twinsburg home, talking to an experienced local agent is highly recommended.

Moving forward, the winter months are typically the slowest times of the year. However, this is also the time that bargain hunters come out. Their feeling is that great deals are to be had, especially on vacant homes where a seller may be tired of the carrying costs and thus more motivated to sell.

Look for our popular end of the year home values report for Twinsburg next month. Until then, we wish all of our readers a happy holiday and safe and healthy New Year.

Below are other articles of interest pertaining to Twinsburg Real Estate:

Twinsburg Real Estate - Third Quarter Home Value Report 2010

Twinsburg Real Estate - Monthly Market Report August 2010

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About The Authors:

Dan and Amy Schuman live on the East side of Cleveland and specialize in Cleveland Luxury Homes, working with buyers relocating to Cleveland, and first-time buyers.

For Ohio and Twinsburg Oh real estate and homes see  Cleveland OH real estate

For a personal consultation or to speak directly to The Schuman Team, call 216-346-3235 or email.

 LET'S CONNECT:

Twinsburg Ohio Home Values Report - November 2010 is the property of The Schuman Team and may not be duplicated or used without their written consent. ©December, 2010