The exciting but stressful situation of receiving multiple offers on your house.

You put your house on the market: anxious to begin receiving offers or nervous that you won’t receive any in the time that you’re expecting. Finally, you receive an offer! ...And another! Maybe even a third. For some, it will be clear which offer they want to choose to accept. But what if all of the offers have their perks and you’re at a loss when it comes to which one to choose? You don’t have much time to decide, what should you do?

REVISIT YOUR ORIGINAL WANT AND NEEDS. At the end of the day, you should not accept anything that you will not be happy with in the long run. This is a big decision and milestone in your life. Remind yourself of what you originally asked for in terms of price, closing time, etc.. Write it down and refer back to this list when you compare the multiple offers that you have received.

ONE LAST OFFER. Before you sit down to make your final decision on the offers, present the potential buyers with an opportunity to put in their best and final offer. This gives them a chance to add any other extras or make any changes that could supply them with a better chance at being accepted, that they may have been holding back: which in return, gives you the opportunity to receive a better offer.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. One of the biggest, if not THE biggest, element of an offer: the price. It will be clear which offer is the best in this aspect: the higher one of course. However, even though this is a big component of the offer and your decision, beware of being blinded by the dollar signs. This article will mention other features that are also very important when it comes to deciding which offer to accept. Although it may be difficult -especially for a first time seller or a seller that is really looking to make the biggest profit- do not make the mistake of basing your decision solely off of price offering.

TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK. This goes hand in hand with the step of comparing the price offers. You have to be 100% honest with yourself when asking thinking about this question: Is your house really worth as much as the potential buyers are offering? If so, great! If not, you have some thinking to do. Banks require home appraisals for people who are looking to receive money to aid in buying a home. If the appraisal finds that your house is actually worth significantly less than what you are trying to sell it for, the bank may reject the potential buyer’s request for money. Then, your buyer is suddenly unable to afford the original mortgage discussed.

WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE? Is the buyer offering anything extra that you had not originally asked for or read in the competing offers? If a potential buyer is very interested in a house, they will sometimes include extras that will set their offer apart from others to show their interest in hopes that the seller will believe their deal to be the best. Examples of additional terms a potential buyer may offer are as follows: making a large down payment or deposit, paying some of the buyer’s closing costs, or offering to outbid any other bidders by a fixed amount.

CLOSING TIME. This is one that is only important if you need to sell the house by a certain time- or maybe even stay in it for a period of time. If you already have new living arrangements set up, you will more than likely want a closing date that is sooner rather than later. In this case, the offer with the quickest closing date will appeal to you. On the other hand, if you have yet to find or a close a deal on your next place, you will seek a closing time that will give you a little more flexibility when it comes to arranging your next living situation and moving out.

CONSIDER CONTINGENCIES. Contingencies are the criterion that has to be met by a seller in order for an accepted offer to become finalized. This means that the more contingencies a buyer has, the more likely it is for an error to occur that will result in the offer not being finalized. Then you will be back at square one with your house-selling journey. Just because a buyer’s offer has a lot of contingencies, does not mean it will not go through: it is simply something to think about.

"The hardest decisions in life are not between good and bad or right and wrong, but between two goods and two rights" -Joe Andrew

Written by: Amber Logan

21 Mike Team of Century 21 Homestar, 31005 Bainbridge Rd #5, Solon, OH 44139

Many of our clients ask if they should invest in a home inspection. The answer is yes!  Watch this brief video explaining why.

Anyone who has rented a home or apartment is accustomed to being asked numerous questions by landlords or property managers. Questions may be about previous places of residence, annual income, and financial history. And while renters will naturally oblige to these questions, it’s always good for them to gather information as well.

Here’s a list of some good questions to ask before you sign a rental agreement.

1. Are utilities included in the rent? If so, which ones?

2. If water and sewer are paid by the tenant,will they receive a copy of the bill??

3. Who’s responsible for the general maintenance of the property?

4. Who is the emergency contact?

5. Is the unit air-conditioned?

6. Is the place wired for cable or satellite?*

Landlords always ask their tenants detailed questions. So naturally, future tenants should do the same. Asking these questions can bring you closer to signing that agreement and help you feel more secure with your decision. We encourage you to read this article from Landlordology for more information about these good questions between landlord and tenants.

Photo courtesy of Mark Moz.

In 2011, Lakewood, Ohio received $250,000 from the Cuyahoga County Department of Development to help rebuild and renovate homes that were devaluing the area. This once abandoned property was re-established with the help of The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Hit hard by the recession, the money provided the means for investing in properties on Alameda and Lakewood Avenues, turning nuisances into great places to call home amongst the city of beautiful homes. Located near “Birdtown”, a neighborhood which is home to several ethnically connected churches within the district serving the Slovak, Polish, Ukrainian, and Carpatho-Rusyn people. A visit to the area today reveals a very safe and family-friendly neighborhood with many appealing attractions.

Mahalls Twenty Lanes

The 90-year-old establishment has grown from a six-lane bowling alley and event hall in 1924, into a 20 lane-alley, concert club, bar and full-service restaurant.

H20: A Division of Youth

Become a part of a foundation that ensures the safety, permanency and well-being of children, and the support of families. H2O connects Lakewood youth with volunteer opportunities to develop a strong desire to serve the community.

Lakewood Public Library

Among the best public libraries in the nation, this library provides a variety of materials for all ages and interests including hardback and audio books, DVDs, CDs, games, puzzles and much more.

So, why live in Lakewood, Ohio? Aside from being one of the five best hometowns in the state, it is considered one of the best small and most exciting cities to live in in the U.S. Thanks to the increase of shops and restaurants in the downtown Lakewood area, the city is becoming a hotspot for young professional relocating from around the world. Truly a community committed to investing in their city.

Photo #2 Courtesy of Mahalls Twenty Lanes

Photo #3 Courtesy of One Lakewood

Photo #4 Courtesy of Lakewood Public Library

In today’s real estate market, the right pictures can be worth thousands of dollars once they get a potential buyer's attention. Buying a home is an emotional process that should not be approached with over confidence.

1. Hire a stager for all new listings.

2. Have the home cleaned and decluttered.

3. Get your yard looking its best.

4. Take photos early morning, late afternoon when the home lets in the most natural light.

5. Don’t rely on your smartphone to produce clean, crisp and well-focused images.

6. Identify details or amenities you want emphasized.

Take a lot of photos to present your properties more attractively than other homes for sale within your market. Professional real estate photography sell listings 50% faster and generates 118% more online views than an amateur.  

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.

National attention has been focused on Cleveland, Ohio as of late. Going beyond the return of Lebron James, events like the 2016 Republican National Convention and being ranked seventh amongst “America’s Best Food Cities” has caused a frenzy of debates regarding the hotspots of the city. One of those hotspots is Cleveland Heights, a very family friendly neighborhood full of great dining, walking and running spots, shops, parks, and more. Below is our list of top places to visit when moving or relocating to Cleveland Heights, Ohio:

Coventry Village

• Tommy’s Restaurant - No matter what your diet may be, this health conscious restaurant has something that will satisfy you. Voted “Best Milkshake East of the Mississippi” by Rolling Stone Magazine, Tommy’s is a restaurant with vegan friendly options that keeps guest coming back.

• Houde School of Acting - Owned and operated by Jessica Houde, this acting school offers meisner classes, an on camera class, an audition technique class, and a monologue class. Houde School of Acting is designed to help you hone your craft as an actor and better prepare you for auditions and other opportunities in the world of acting.

• Big Fun -  How about a shopping experience that is second to none? Big Fun has some of the most random and outrageous toy in stock. Not even a bad day can prevent you from cracking a smile upon entering this palace.

Cedar Fairmount

• Nighttown -You’ll find corporate titans, Cleveland Clinic or University Hospital doctors as well as college students from Case Western Reserve University at this ambient restaurant and venue. Nighttown is one of Cleveland’s largest dining and music meccas based on capacity. This is one of the best places to catch an intimate performance by your favorite musician.

• The Alcazar Hotel - When traveling, you want to feel at home. The Alcazar is just that. Each apartment comes fully furnished with a kitchen, private bathroom and the options of a 1 or 2 bedrooms. Who wouldn’t want to lease a suite at this historic location?

• Cube - Providing a 24/7 members-only workspace with free coffee sounds like the perfect place for anyone looking to casually meet up or host a business presentation. Cube creates an intimate environment for anyone in need of an office for the day, complemented with fast internet and old school printing, scanning or faxing.

Cedar Lee District

• Lee Road Library - This library not only serves as the main library for the system but also the administrative headquarters. Including an A/V room for downloadable media, a teen room with a collection of anime and graphic novels, and a Innovation Center designed to support technical needs of individuals, this is the mecca for young and old alike.

• Heights Arts - A nonprofit organization that taps into the potential of the creative residents of Cleveland. Heights Arts cultivates a strong community by inspiring people of all ages to engage in the arts.

• Cedar Lee Theatre - Boasting six screens used to display independent as well as Hollywood films. Offering wine, organic teas, and locally made pastries,  Cedar Lee Theatre is still prominent while other services that allow people to watch movies from home continue to grow.

People that come to Cleveland Heights are already looking for something a step or two better than what you would find in other local cities. The Cedar Lee District, Coventry Village and Cedar Fairmount areas have all of the attractions to make a perfect day or complete a special night.

Photos courtesy of Google: #1, #2, #3

When it comes to investing, many Americans prefer real estate to any other category. Investing in real estate can be a key part of any smart investor's portfolio. Turning more than three million former foreclosures into rentals, investors have made single-family rentals the fastest growing rental category in the United States. Real estate investing is not just for millionaires anymore! If you are interested in investing in real estate, Mike Ferrante and the 21 Mike Team from Century 21 HomeStar have provided a few real estate investing tips below:

1. Real Estate Education- Take a reputable real estate investment training seminar.

2. Choose Niche and Strategy- Make sure you have enough knowledge to be able to identify potentially profitable properties and get a professional home inspection.

3. Create Your Plan- Learn to identify motivated sellers and consult with you local agent to choose areas and property types that fit your investment goals.

4. Find Your Property- Use a skilled buyers’ agent to assist in search.

5. Master The Market- Buy with cash, or use financing to leverage your investment portfolio. But hurry, as the economy improves, inventory is shrinking and prices are once again on the rise.

There are many other tools to use when investing in real estate. This is only a brief introduction into the real estate world. Buying real estate is about more than just finding a place to call home. Although the real estate market has plenty of opportunities for making big gains, buying and owning real estate is a lot more complicated than investing in stocks and bonds. If you have questions or concerns about investing, contact Mike Ferrante today.

Photos courtesy of Flickr.

How do you sell an expensive home in Northeast Ohio? If your home is still sitting on the market, set up a meeting with the 21 Mike Team from Century 21 HomeStar. Expensive homes are easy to live in but hard to keep clean and organized. The best way to show off a home is to declutter and fix anything that may distract a potential buyer. Together with Reilly Painting & Contracting we will help you sell your home now. The 21 Mike Team and Reilly Painting & Contracting will help you sell your house, not just show it.

When it comes to selling your home the right way here are some important questions to think about.

1. Is your home cluttered and disorganized? If it is, then you'll need to take care of the following tasks:

• Declutter your home

• Rent a storage space for unused items

• Pack everything seasonal

• Remove all personal pictures and certificates

• Remove excess furniture

• Reduce kids toys

• Only keep what you need in the bathrooms

• Pack away all tools and useable sports items

• Clean everything, closets, cupboard, and make sure they are displayed in a nice manor.

Let your family know the house needs to stay clean in order to sell. After you finish cleaning and decluttering, give the family a tour of the house so they will know where everything should be.

 2.  Is your home in need of some landscaping, plumbing, electrical, painting or, perhaps you have a list of home violations that need to be done?

The 21 Mike Team works with Reilly Painting & Contracting to help tackle all of those home improvement problems so that your home can be sold immediately.

Expensive homes can be a lot of work. Updating and maintaining can be the difference maker when buying a home. Luckily, there are a few things you can fix to stand out from the competition.

Imagine a home by the falls: You're having a picnic in the Cleveland Metro Parks, or you're watching your kids play in the soccer game. Once the kids have grown up, moved out and have started families of their own, homeowners come across the issue of selling their home. There’s nothing like feeling the wind amongst the autumn leaves in areas like Solon, Orange or Bay Village, but if the homeowner never displays this to a potential buyer, they will never quite understand the fresh smell in the air. The neighborhood and preparation of the house play a huge role in selling a home at the price you believe it’s worth. Don’t miss a step and you won’t miss a dollar.

As homeowners, we want to price our homes at a value that is both attainable and beneficial. Selling your home at your target price requires the following:

• Knowledge of the current market as well as interest rates that may affect your property value.

• Being patient during this process of selling your home to provide you with more marketplace strength.

• Considering adding a “Seller Contribution” to make the sale happen.  

• Working with Mike Ferrante and the 21 Mike Team agents who have experience with in the current market to help with pricing, marketing, negotiation, and closing.

The neighborhood your home is located in will determine if you are in a buyers or sellers market, causing prices to rise or fall depending on the demand. Research the neighborhoods school system. A sought after school system raises your property value.

Most people love to be within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, and service providing businesses. Along with considering the local attractions that exist within the community, look at how the crime rate measures up within the state or country. It’s rare to overlook smells, sounds or a

ny other signs that the neighborhood may be in trouble.

Sellers want to sell fast and bring in top dollars. Compliments of planning and properly displaying your home can prep your house to be irresistible. An astonishment comes from the removal of unused items and the reorganization of clutter that gives the buyer an idea of how well kept the house may be. Along with organization, you never want to overlook how impactful fixing items in need of minor repairs truly are. Step outside the box you see as your home and imagine how it would look if you were the potential buyer.

A lot of buyers look into purchasing a home as a longterm investment. No one would want to move into a neighborhood where the buildings are abandoned and the education quality is diminishing. The exterior of a home for sale is just as important as the interior. Trim the bushes, mow the lawn and make sure visitors can clearly read your housing number. Pay attention to detail and there is no reason why you can’t sell your home within 60 days rather than 6 months. That’s the 21 Mike Team goal!

Photo #1 courtesy of Reilly Painting and Contracting.

Photo #2 courtesy of Bing.

Putting a house on the market can seem like a huge undertaking when you have to clean the house, repair damage, find a realtor, AND find a new home. These tasks quickly become daunting to many homeowners who just don’t have time to take care of everything in a reasonable period of time, and that’s why it is important to have a great realtor.

When choosing a Northeast Ohio area realtor, you may find yourself looking around your neighborhood at the “For Sale” signs. But only going off of a company’s sign posted on lawn may not be the best method since the reason you keep seeing the sign is because the house still is not sold. It is important to do your research when choosing the perfect person to market your home:

1. Does the company have a good reputation?

2. Are they dedicated to providing every service to sell your home?

3. Is their reach further than just local markets and resources?

These are important questions to keep in mind when looking for a realtor because many companies seem large, but are lack the reach and resources important in successfully sell your home.

Reputation is key when picking a real estate company and realtor. An important resource is websites that provide reviews, such as, realtor.com and trulia.com. You can read first hand other people’s experience to give you more insight into the company. Reviews are a great way to see what a realtor has been doing well (and not so well). Click here to read some of Mike Ferrante’s testimonials.

All realtors are not created equal. Proactivity, intuition, and dedication are key components of a good realtor.  If they are doing the bare minimum, you are overpaying for low quality service. To be successful in real estate, it is vital to, when required, go above and beyond to satisfy a client. Quality realtors will display their perseverance when your property is sold quickly and painlessly. It should not be a stress-inducing chore attempting to sell your home. A good realtor will make sure they do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Around the Northeast Ohio Real Estate area, popular real estate groups are seen on lawns everywhere.  Some of these companies seem to be major players in the real estate market, when in actuality they are only local. A group with a wide reach that knows a variety of different techniques to sell your home has significantly more resources and influence than the companies that only service locally. These global real estate companies have become popular through their knowledge of the markets and are able to hone their expertise into selling your home quickly.

Mike Ferrante and the 21 Mike Team at Century 21 Homestar are dedicated professionals who know how to sell your home. Century 21, unlike other companies, has a broad scope of exponential resources that we use to fulfill all of your expectations. If you are feeling stressed or anxious about putting your home on the market, we will help you every step of the way. Contact us today and see how we can help you sell your home the right way.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Many cable shows make rehabbing and flipping houses look quick and simple, but how easy is it? Rehabbing is similar to other businesses: there are a lot of potential complications and issues that can quickly and increasingly appear during a project, so it is vital to make sure you have any and all information before diving into a huge real estate investment.

As we see on these “reality” shows, there is potential money to be made, but only if it’s done well and meets all the market’s requirements. Right now the market is flooded with poorly rehabbed homes. These homes might as well have been installed with a revolving door because buyers and realtors go in and then immediately out. With so many better quality homes on the market, can you blame them?

Here are necessary steps you need to take before taking the plunge into rehabbing a home:

1. How will you finance your project?

• Financing standards have tightened, and rightfully so. Financing from traditional lenders such as banks and mortgage companies for investors wanting to purchase homes that are not habitable is very hard to come by. Hard money lenders usually charge extremely high interest rates and finance charges. Be sure to talk to your lender to make sure the type of home you wish to buy can be financed.
   

• If you are using cash, plan for the unexpected!  Many repairs turn into larger projects than first anticipated, so it is necessary to have at least a 10% contingency in your budget.

1. Prepare a budget and stick to it

• Before even making an offer on a rehab home, you should already know how much you are going to spend on it. If you are working with a contractor, know their pricing up front, even if it is only an estimate. Gauge your work and materials by comparing to the neighborhood and price range that your home is in.
   

• Over improving can be a mistake because you won’t get the return you expect, despite the improvements. Under improving will lead to a lower sale price and longer market time without a sale because buyers always know when you cut corners a little too much. There are ways to be creative with small amounts of high-end materials. One tip is to use expensive glass or mosaic tile as a border or decorative band through an area of less expensive tile

1. Hire professionals

• Unless you know a trade 100%, don’t do it! It is not worth the time and money attempting to do it yourself only to have to pay more for a professional to fix it. Find quality, reasonably priced contractors and use them to your advantage.

1. Use a Realtor

• Just like contractors, a good realtor who knows the rehab game can be a huge benefit both in finding the right home and getting it sold, quickly.  Time is money: each month that passes is money without a sale is money off your profit.  Taxes, utilities, insurance, and more slowly eat away at huge portions of your bottom line.
   

• Also, a vacant home being renovated is a target for vandals and thieves.

Don’t make these or other mistakes when attempting to rehab or flip a house. Contact me, Mike Ferrante of Century 21 Homestar, if you have any questions or concerns about flipping a home.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.

Anyone wanting to become part of Cleveland’s near west side need not look any further.  Are you looking for a residence right in the heart of everything Cleveland has to offer without the hassle of living downtown? Create a space all your own with our newly available Detroit Shoreway listing at Painters Loft Condominiums!  These units, located just a short walk to Gordon Square, can be built to suit – a blank canvas waiting to be made into a truly unique space.  Cleveland’s continued urban revitalization has transformed areas like Ohio City, Tremont and Gordon Square into cultural hotspots, converting vacant space into newly redeveloped residences and businesses.  We invite you to join this movement that has given Cleveland its continued post-industrial growth. 

Tuesday, July 21st 5-7pm we are hosting a tour - open to the public - of Painters Loft Condominiums (8205 Franklin Blvd.)  These oversized, 2-story warehouse style lofts are available for purchase and come equipped with 14ft ceilings, large windows, exposed concrete floors, exposed brick, concrete pillars, gated/covered parking, and in-suite laundry. These units are perfect for a live/work setup with plenty of room to have space for both.  Downtown might be a renters market, but the Detroit Shoreway has a growing number of residents moving in who want to be close to locations like Edgewater Park and Gordon Square Arts District. 

With just a five minute drive to Ohio City or Lakewood, Painters Loft really is right in the center of everything.  We want you to tour one of the best available addresses in the Detroit Shoreway, feel free to come by and get a look at multiple available units.  Bring a friend!

Public tour of Painters Loft Condominiums

Tuesday, July 21st 5-7pm

FREE – Open To Public

Have you always dreamed of living on the lake but get sticker shock from the prices on most lakefront homes? Well we’re not millionaires either, so we dug around and picked out some reasonably priced lakefront homes.  Summer is prime time to be on the lake and it can be surprisingly affordable if you know where to look.  All homes on this list are under $500,00 and have Lake Erie in their backyard!  Enjoy!

266 Parkside Dr. Bay Village, OH 44140 This casually elegant home sits on quiet street North of Lake Rd. Enjoy panoramic sunset lake views all the way to downtown with a backyard offering privacy and a charming pond area.  This home features extensive hardwood floors and many windows that offer an abundance of natural light.

$385,000

31308 Lake Rd. Bay Village, OH 44140 Old World Charm awaits you in this 1925 center hall colonial on the lake. This home is filled with charm & potential.  The incredibly unique property sits East of Eagle Cliff Park, a private park for neighboring homes only, your view is unobstructed and protected!

$415,000

2 Bratenahl Pl #6A, Bratenahl, OH 44108 Want lake views without the hassle of keeping up with a house and property? Enjoy sitting on your balcony to experience both sunrises, sunsets and Lake Breezes.  This is Lake Erie living at its best while only a 5 minute ride to downtown Cleveland!

$279,000

4 E 221st St, Euclid, OH 44123 Spectacular views and access to Lake Erie without lake front maintenance! Colonial built in 2007 features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths located on a cul-de-sac. dining area has beautiful views of the Lake as well and access to the covered porch which is a great place to watch sunsets. Sound system with speakers inside and out.

$439,900

31605 North Rd, Willowick, OH 44095 Live the goodlife on Lake Erie with high end finishes throughout in this Florida style stucco & brick waterfront ranch.  Grand Foyer Featuring Tuscan Style Pillars, Granite Counter Tops w/ A Center Island And Breakfast Bar. A truly elegant back patio overlooks the lake.

$379,000

34315 Lake Shore Blvd. Lakeline, OH 44095 Lake front living on a budget! Our most economically priced home on the list still puts the lake in your backyard.  Enjoy the Lake Erie sunsets from the large deck off the living room.

$164,000

I love a good porch. I mean, who doesn’t?  I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who opposes the idea of this outdoor communal gathering place.  A porch is much different in both structure and function than a deck or patio.  Usually front facing, and in most cases an extension of the home itself, a porch ads a neighborly vibe (not to mention value and curb appeal) to any home.  Walking by a house with a porch furnished with chairs or a sitting area tells people you’re at least occasionally sociable, and you like your street enough to sit out and relax.  To me, it’s things like this that really bring out the character in a neighborhood. It’s important to know the name of the guy/gal who lives 2 doors down from you and a porch can help with that.  I know we’re not all best friends with our neighbors, but a wave and a “Hi, how are ya?” can go a long way.  

Cleveland even has its own porch festival!  Larchmere PorchFest, in the Larchmere neighborhood near Shaker Square, is THIS SATURDAY JUNE 20th If you want to see the true potential a porch can have, check out this truly unique FREE music festival now in its 7th year.  This year Larchmere will have 30 bands on 30 porches with everything from Rock to Hip Hop. 

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Now this is what we’re talking about!  Who says a porch can’t also work as a stage?  A great example of people getting creative and working towards a common goal to bring a community together. Visit  http://larchmereporchfest.org/ for more info and get over to the E. Side this Saturday for some porch hopping!

With peak porch season upon us,  we present you with a collection of our favorite porch designs.  

Modern porch with a wrap around.

19th century layout. (the original porch) Similar yet different neighboring designs, and spatially close enough to holler over next door.  

Talk about a party porch! This screened in beauty could host a party in itself. 

A mixture of traditional and modern works well with this line of homes.

Having an appropiate space for the size of your home is also important.  We Love this simple, yet cleanly executed overhang porch.

My personal favorite.  This Cape Cod styled home gets a southern accent with a gorgeous wrap around pillared porch.

Even Clint loves to hang out on his porch and shoot the breeze with neighbors!

The 21 Mike Team has compiled a master list of places perfect for summer and we want everyone to know!  Greater Cleveland has a lot of hot spots so we’ll be breaking our list down into categories.  First up – Restaurants!  Cleveland really has a thriving food scene and is home to a growing roster of home grown restaurateurs and chefs working to give Cleveland its own unique flavor.  With our list as a starting point, there’s no need to go to an Applebees ever again.

The link at the end of each description is a google maps icon that will show you the location of each spot!

Mulligans – A great all around neighborhood pub & grille just around the corner from our Century 21 offices in Highland Heights.  The 21 Mike Team has hosted several networking events at Mulligans –They never disappoint - http://bit.ly/1HXBo06

First Watch – These daytime cafés have a strong footprint in Ohio and promote healthy, clean eating.  Everything is made to order and grab a free newspaper to read while you dine! http://bit.ly/1KtM3Qt

Tommy’s –There’s only one Tommy’s and it has been a Coventry Village institution for over 40 years.  Whether you're a vegetarian, meat-eater, vegan or just plain hungry, Tommy will take care of you!   Fun Fact: Soon after Tommy’s opened as a small soda fountain in 1972, Rolling Stone magazine voted it “Best Milkshake East of the Mississippi.” http://bit.ly/1HSJr18

Gigi’s on Fairmount –A classy neighborhood bistro with an emphasis on wine in the heart of Cleveland Heights.  Gigi’s is all about the atmosphere.  Their stellar menu is only half the attraction here as the décor and cozy space gives Gigi’s a romantic vibe perfect for date night. In the evening hop right next door and grab a drink at Gigi’s After Dark – their newly opened cocktail lounge.  http://bit.ly/1PT7SQn

Greenhouse Tavern - Run by local chef extraordinaire Jonathon Sawyer, since 2009 Greenhouse Tavern has been serving up the most tastefully unique plates Cleveland has to offer. Feed on a wide variety of selections such as the Fred Flintstone Beef Short Rib or Foie Gras Steamed Clams.  Chefs focus on local first, organic, gmo free, and sustainable food so you can proud of your plate.  GT is Located on E. 4th in the heart of Downtown. http://bit.ly/1KTnOLN

Lopez – The Cedar-Lee area of Cleveland Heights has several great Dining options and Lopez is among its best. This southwest kitchen and tequila saloon prepares some of the best Mexican cuisine the region has to offer.   http://bit.ly/1eDZ2Fg 

Fresh Start Diner – This locally known Twinsburg establishment is THE place to go for great breakfast food with plentiful portions at a modest price.  Tip the cooks to hear them celebrate!​ (Locations also in Chagrin Falls and Garrettsville) http://bit.ly/1IiWlFR 

Bourbon Street Barrel Room – Want to get a taste of New Orleans without hopping on a plane? Get transported down south with cajun style cuisine by Southern Louisiana native, Johnny Schulze. Chef Johnny's Creole inspired menu includes classics such as: gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, & beignets (just to name a few).  Enjoy the southern inspired atmosphere with a classic New Orleans cocktail or craft brew. Located in the heart of historic Tremont on Professor Ave. http://bit.ly/1Gp8sit 

Sweet Moses Soda Fountain and Sweet Shop – Sweet Moses gives a modern take on the classic sweet shop concept of yesteryear.  Proven, classic recipes get the premium treatment with the finest Belgian chocolate and cocoa, farm-fresh dairy products and homemade ice cream – all served up from behind an authentic Bastion-Blessings soda fountain.  http://bit.ly/1Gpalf6 

Mia Bella – Get the best Little Italy has to offer! Family-owned, friendly folks, the best Italian food in town.  And the irony is the owners are Armenian!  Mia Bella has a Great outdoor seating area right at the corner of Mayfield and Murray Hill. http://bit.ly/1L1Zlam

That’s all we have for now.  Now get out there and start eating!

As a full time Realtor, I am in and out of more homes than I could ever feasibly keep track.  The greater Cleveland area has a very diverse inventory of houses, and the time period in which different homes and neighborhoods were built can change drastically from city to city.  Cleveland’s growth years (late 1800’s – 1950’s) has left large sections of older areas with houses and apartment buildings that are 80, 90, 100+ years old.  Having assessed many of these structures, the number one question often is--fix up? or tear down.  This is the question contractors, Realtors, investors, and rehabbers frequently ask when looking at a property.  However, one thing I’ve learned over the years is there is often much more to a house or building than meets the eye.  It is easy to look at an older building and see a liability, outdated architecture, or perhaps just a lot of work.  For these reasons, we always love hearing about people, cities, and organizations that have the presence of mind to see past the chipped paint to the real value in breathing life back into a home.

            For the past 18 months, Renew Medina – a new, project-based organization created through Main Street Medina, has been working on restoring their first house in Medina’s historic district.  The house chosen was built around 1875, with the goal being to bring it back to its original glory.  This is a great example of a community building up and investing in the history of the town itself.   Historical significance played a big part in this particular restoration, with the house chosen being located within a historically preserved area.  Renew Medina also raised a level of community support around the project rarely seen in the restoration of a single home.  I applaud Renew Medina in their efforts in helping preserve the history of their town and the tasteful restoration they executed.  The two-bedroom cottage located at 530 S. Court St. is now for sale and can be yours for $138,800!

I know when people think about becoming a homeowner, it is often accompanied with the image of building their own home.  However, it is my belief people can often times get more bang for their buck by investing in a home that’s already seen some life.  I encourage any potential home buyers reading this to look for opportunity in the vast array of homes available in the Cleveland market and think about taking a piece of history and making it their own.

I love Ohio.  This probably isn’t news to anyone.  Few things beat Ohio in the springtime, of this I am certain.  The last few winters have been pretty rough, so maybe that has made spring even sweeter when it finally arrives.  I know the Postal Service has a lock on that whole “Rain, snow, sleet or hail we deliver the mail” slogan, but the same can be said for Realtors.  All over town, house to house, and 7 days a week! – We’ve got the mailman beat! Not that it’s a contest, but most Realtors are naturally competitive people.  Not only is spring a popular time for people to realize their dream of becoming a homeowner, but it’s also a time of rediscovery and new beginnings as we all breathe a collective sigh of relief that the exploits of summer are just around the corner!

It’s the little things, people.  Driving with the top down, walking around in the sun and a cool breeze, restaurant patios opening, bringing your garden back to life, taking the hammock out of storage, and putting your winter coat in the back of the closet (my favorite). No one reading this can tell me they don’t have a smile on their face while doing any of these things.  I’ve lived in NE Ohio my whole life, as I’m sure many of you have, and every year around this time I try and make an effort to find a new way to take in my surroundings – visit a new area or part of town I’ve never been to, go eat at that restaurant my friend told me about, walk to somewhere close I usually drive to, grill a meal, or my favorite – take a ride to Geneva and Harpersfield Winery!

This isn’t about committing to some kind of regimen or self-improvement ritual, because let’s face it, most of us already broke our new year’s resolutions months ago.  This is reminding yourself that as the seasons change, so should you.  Break that Netflix and TV routine.  Get out there…what have you got to lose?