Home-sales Slide Continues, Region in Step with the National Pace

Home sales took another deep dive across the region in March - falling nearly 20 percent compared with the same month in 2007, according to data from local boards of Realtors.
All told, 2,072 homes were sold last month in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana - a decline of 19.6 percent over March 2007 sales activity.

The region's average sale price for a home also dipped in March, dropping 3.3 percent to $164,541.

Year-to-date through the end of March, home sales were down 17.1 percent and the average price dropped 4.7 percent to $165,281, compared with the same period of 2007.

The local decline was in step with the national average sales pace. Sales were off 19.3 percent in March across the U.S., according to the National Association of Realtors.

The median sales price - the point at which half the homes sell for more and half sell for less - also slipped nationally last month, falling 7.7 percent, to $200,700, over last March, according to the NAR.

Locally, Greater Cincinnati saw the greatest decline in median sale price, with a 4 percent drop to $129,650 in March, according to the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors. The local industry trade group collects data representing roughly 80 percent of the region's market.
Year-to-date through the end of March, the median sale price in Greater Cincinnati fell 6.8 percent to $123,500.

In Northern Kentucky, the median price remained relatively unchanged in March at $137,000.
Year-to-date through the end of March, the median price dropped 1.7 percent to $135,000, according to the Northern Kentucky Multiple Listing Service. Median prices were not available for the Indiana market.

Across the nation and locally, Realtors and housing officials have begun calling for home-buyer tax credit programs to help boost the slumping housing market. Despite interest-rate cuts, a new set of lending problems has emerged in some parts of the country in light of the fallout of the subprime lending crisis, NAR president Richard F. Gaylord said. "It appears there is some overreaction on the part of some lenders now in requiring higher down payment percentages than may be necessary," he said.

However, Karen Schlosser, president of Cincinnati Realtors' group, said that doesn't seem to be the case locally. However, she said, "There's no doubt that there's been a change in underwriting guidelines to correct the situation that had been occurring, and to me it's been a very responsible move on the lenders' part."

With the spring home-selling season under way, Schlosser said the local market remains favorable for buyers.

In March, the Federal Housing Administration approved new lending guidelines - raising the maximum FHA lending amount for a single-family home to $337,500 from $256,500.
"Local buyers have a threefold window of opportunity: an ample supply of homes for sales, attractive home prices and low mortgage rates," Schlosser said.

"Fence-sitters who wait too long may lose some of that opportunity."

See the original article at:http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/BIZ01/804230377/1076

First Time Buyers' Dos and Don'ts

If you are a first time home buyer, you have a lot to learn.

Working from a blank slate you must build an understanding of the housing market, determine what you can afford, land a loan and hone in on a home that's a good fit for your lifestyle.

The transaction will likely become your largest asset ever so there's little room for error.
It is a daunting task, but you can ease your concerns if you take the process step-by-step, watching your footing as you move along the path toward the American Dream.

This list focuses on areas first-timers typically stumble over in their initial home buying attempt. Knowing what you could face will help you avoid some of those trip ups.

The Dos

DO browse for housing information. Begin your search by arming yourself with information. For example, Coldwell Banker's the Home Price Comparison Index allows you to compare average housing costs in over 400 U.S. markets. RealtyTimes Market Conditions gives you a snapshot of thousands of local markets. About.com's Home Buying/Selling section is chock full of the nitty gritty insight you'll need to get going. Stick with the known, long-time real estate information Web sites and you'll learn more than you need to know.

DO examine your credit standing. You need to know your credit standing. You may need to request corrections if there are errors. You may need to adjust your habits if your credit behavior is less than sterling. And you need to take those steps before seeking a loan. Your credit report is free from AnnualCreditReport.com, the federally regulated place to go. You can stagger retrieval of your credit report from each of the big three credit bureaus, getting one from a different agency every four months. Your report is free, but you may have to pay a nominal fee for your credit score (a numerical scoring of your creditworthiness) depending upon your state law and other factors. Learn more about your score at Privacy Rights Clearing House.
DO explore a mortgage pre-approval or commitment. An early green light on a loan will put you in a good negotiation position when you find your dream home. It will also help you shop within your budget.

DO line up a dream team of professionals. You may need a real estate agent, attorney, mortgage broker, home inspector and others to be your professional eyes during your home search.

DO buy for your lifestyle. Your first home may not be your last, so try to anticipate how long you'll live in your home and buy based on plans for the duration. Raising kids, starting a business, taking on a new job, housing Grandma could all impact the size or type of home you need first.

DO heed housing priorities. Separate your "wants" from you "needs" so you know where you can compromise to stay on budget.

The Don'ts

DON'T get taken by the first house or neighborhood you see. Keep an open mind and spend sufficient time finding the right fit in a house and neighborhood for your needs.

DON'T buy more than you can afford. Lenders will often loan you as much as your financial condition warrants, but that may not be what you can comfortably afford. It's better to live with a comfortable mortgage on a smaller home than to struggle every month paying a mortgage on a house with more room than you really need. The down payment, closing costs, monthly expenses and taxes must in total all be within your income and savings range.

DON'T treat your home like a stock portfolio. Homes appreciate and depreciate in cycles which often aren't so predictable. Don't expect your home's value to skyrocket. Buy a home because you need a roof over your head, not for a quick profit.

DON'T try to time the market. Pinpointing the bottom of the market almost always happens after the market has started to turn up. How, otherwise, can you see the bottom? Focus on personal lifestyle needs, not market trends, in terms of timing your home buy.

DON'T sign for a confusing mortgage. Shop around for the best loan, read every detail of your loan contract and get some help understanding terms and provisions that confuse you. Avoid exotic, "creative financing," multi-option loans you don't understand. Again, lifestyle is key. Get a loan that fits.

Neyer Corp. Looks to give Middletown a Makeover!

Al Neyer Inc. recently purchased a 60 acre plot along Interstate 75 in Middletown, OH. Plans are to develop up to $100 million in office space, shopping, and residential properties. The acerage is located in the Renaissance district of Middletown, across Union Road from the new Atrium Medical Center.

Al Neyer has already sold about eight acred to Herry McClain Cos., who is a developer with interests in building a 100-bed assisted living facility in the area.

Keep an eye out for this area's emergence.

Seriously?!?! The Banks Project in Cincinnati is for real?

Ground has been broken on The Banks, an 18-acre, $600 million mixed-use development on the Ohio River in Downtown Cincinnati. The initial part of the project’s first phase consists of about 300 apartments and 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurants; construction is scheduled for completion in 2010.

A spokesperson for the project told CPN that there is no retail preleasing yet, and that the retail will focus on “eatertainment” and on support retail for the residents.

The Banks’ master developer is Riverbanks Renaissance L.L.C., a joint venture of Carter & Associates Commercial Services L.L.C. and The Dawson Co., both of which are headquartered in Atlanta. The two companies will also handle project management for the construction of additional public infrastructure. The $74 million needed to finance Phase 1A will be provided by a $40 million senior debt financing commitment from National City Bank, a $10 million debt financing commitment from the Cincinnati Equity Fund, $12 million in equity funding led by Carter, Dawson and their investors, and $12 million in grant funding from the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for the residential portion of the project.

Subject to contingencies, the second part of Phase I will include an office building of at least 200,000 square feet and possibly a hotel. The private investment for phase 1B is estimated at about $75 million. Although the particulars of subsequent phases remain flexible, they could total 1 million to 1.8 million square feet of apartments and residential condos; 200,000 to 1 million square feet of office space; 200,000 to 400,000 square feet of restaurants, bars, and other retail; hotel development of 200,000 to 400,000 square feet; and parking for nearly 1,800 cars.

The Banks also includes a 40-acre riverfront park that will include playgrounds, a 12-acre “great lawn,” walking and biking paths, gardens, and a promenade overlooking the entire park. A focal point of the area is the existing National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a museum and educational center.

The entire site is bookended by Cincinnati’s two major stadiums: the Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium, which opened in 2000, and the Reds’ Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003.

CPN reported in February that, according to a report by Property & Portfolio Research Inc., Cincinnati has one of the country's highest major market office vacancy rates. An 11 percent increase in office construction in Cincinnati this year should add 1.8 million square feet to the city's office space supply, pushing the office vacancy rate to about 20 percent by the end of 2009.

Tale of the Madisons (Madisonville and Madison Place)

We all know the Madisonville area from the terrible riots that occurred several years ago. But that history is long gone and Madisonville is quickly becoming one of the strongest neighborhoods poised to take off in the next several years!

Madisonville is tucked right in between Mariemont, Oakley, and the tip of Hyde Park. I can't think of a neighborhood with better neighbors! Outside of it's close proximity to these highly desired communities, the architecture is very similar to the homes found in Hyde Park, Mt. Lookout and Oakley. So once rehabbers run out of inventory in Oakley, they'll strongly start targeting the Madisonville area.

The area most likely to see the quickest growth will be the South East portion of Madisonville. All of these homes are within a 1/2 mile walk to Mariemont Square (which is absolutely incredible). Several of the homes are already well maintained but you can find distressed properties in the area ranging from $20,000 - $80,000. This affordability will draw in the young professionals who will help to shape and revitalize a once unpopular neighborhood.

Lastly, there is some strong development occuring on Red Bank Road, the western border of Madisonville. A new Super Walmart is being built, the Oakley Drive-In has been converted to a luxury Dog Spa and Medical Office Space, and Miller Valentine will be developing the area where the old Nu Tone plant used to operate (http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/06/18/daily42.html?from_msn_money=1).

Just East of Plainville Road in Madisonville is an area called Madison Place that has already seen a lot of investor activity and above average growth. This area is within easy walking distance of Mariemont Square and the homes are primarily simple starter homes. Madison Place is known already as the place to buy for Mariemont Perks without the Mariemont Price.

Both neighborhoods are worth checking out for Investors or Owner Occupied Buyers. Feel free to contact me for any additional information regarding these neighborhoods as I'm excited to see them take off!

New Development Plan for a 36 Acre Parcel near Cincinnati Airport!

After landing two of Northern Kentucky's largest development projects in 2007, Al Neyer Inc. is expanding its Riverview Business Park in Hebron by adding 35 acres to the 101-acre park it opened in 1998.

The downtown-based real estate developer paid $320,000 for a former horse farm adjacent to its hilltop property northeast of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a deal that roughly doubles the 36 acres still available in the park. By incorporating design elements that evoke a residential feel, including a decorative stone wall at the entrance and a one-acre lake, Neyer has attracted a cluster of foreign-owned companies that made Riverview Business Park their U.S. headquarters.

"It was designed as an upscale business park," said David Neyer, president and CEO of the family-owned Al Neyer Inc. "The people we were trying to get were those companies that would favor higher-end amenities."

New to the neighborhood in 2007 were Psion Teklogix Corp., a Canadian company that sells mobile computing systems, and Mauer USA, a German firm that specializes in plastic injection molding. Three of the seven companies that located in the Riverview park were German-owned, while a British firm that moved to the park in 2000 was later replaced by trade-show display company Opera Portables Inc.

"It's developed into a nice, small niche business park," said Dan Tobergte, president and CEO of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, the economic development arm for Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. "Its location is very accessible. Its price point is reasonable, in the $90,000 an acre range. It's a very natural setting, preserving as many trees as possible."
Psion Teklogix and Mauer were among Tri-ED's 20 largest expansion projects in 2007. Psion's 60,000-square-foot facility represented a roughly $6 million investment and holds about 150 employees in sales, accounting and technical support. The company makes scanning devices and RFID equipment, which are used to track packages and inventory.

"It has quite a different look and feel than most industrial parks," said Tony Condi, director of marketing for Psion Teklogix. "All the buildings back here are very eye-catching."

See the Full Article at: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2008/04/07/focus1.html?f=et177&b=1207540800^1614502&ana=e_vert

FINALLY - The Banks Project is Underway

It took 11 gold-painted shovels, two boxes of gold-colored hard hats, dozens of dignitaries, fireworks, speeches and a lot of dirt, but the physical birth of the Banks riverfront development finally occurred Wednesday.

The shovels hit the earth at 4:40 p.m. for an event nine years in the making - the ceremonial groundbreaking for a project that many thought would never happen.

"Looking out upon you and this gorgeous sky and these wonderful surroundings, I hope you will forgive me for reverting to one of my former professions," said Gov. Ted Strickland, a former minister. "This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. You can feel the energy in this place!"

See the full story here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080403/NEWS01/804030316/1077/COL02