The City of New Albany is launching a new bike-sharing program on May 3rd. The program is to encourage more people to explore New Albany on bikes. 

Over a thousand residents participated in the recent Engage New Albany Strategic Plan, which will help structure future residential and commercial efforts, recognize important future road and trail networks, and create new community gathering places. One of the recommendations from the plan was the public bicycle-sharing program available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis. The program will also support two of New Albany’s four pillars – health & wellness and environmental sustainability.

Dream Industries, a New Albany business, has sponsored the program to provide 10 bikes to the city. The location of the bike station is near the southwest corner of New Albany-Condit Road and Walton Parkway. 

To rent a bike, download the MOVATIC App to your smartphone, create an account, enter your credit card number and follow the prompts. Renting a bike is free; however, if you don’t return your bike, your credit card will be charged the total replacement cost of the bike. 

Angie Hobart, Public Services Coordinator for the City of New Albany, said, “we think that launching the bike share program is just one more way that we can make our community even more bicycle-friendly.”

The post New Albany Bike Share Program appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

Winter can wear out your lawn, but we can help you prepare your lawn for the spring and summer seasons with these tips!

One of the first things you can do as the weather warms up is doing a thorough cleaning by removing dead grass, leaves, and other debris. Spring is a good time of year to put a pre-emergent down in your beds before you mulch them. You can find preen at your local Ace Hardware store that prohibits weed growth, and it’s good to put down before the mulch.

As the weather continues to stay warm, regularly mowing your lawn can keep the grass healthy. However, be sure not to scalp your grass. Scalping means you cut too much off at once, you’ll stress the grass out, and weeds are more likely to take over.

It’s also a good time of year to spray the perimeter of your home with pesticides to stop bugs from coming inside. It’s better to be proactive than reactive! 

The post April Handy Homeowner Tip appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

New Subset of Buyers Enter the Market

Many of the battle-hardened buyers from the spring have found their homes. We’ve now got this new buyer who is not quite as eager or worried due to the nice flow of listings. As things slowly start to return to normalcy, we’re seeing the market begin to soften and buyers are not feeling the same pressure to buy the first home they see. 

Should Your Recent College Grad Buy Their First Home?

Many parents question whether this is a good time to encourage their kids/recent college graduates to invest in real estate? 

The market is hot and prices are high but interest rates are also at historic lows. Dr. Ted Jones, the chief economist at Stewart Title, pointed out that while everybody realizes that housing costs are high right now, people overlook that affordability is about as good as its ever been. Home prices are at record highs in some areas, but because interest rates are so staggeringly low, the cost of owning a home has never been more affordable. In Columbus for example, the median home price is about $250k and the median income is between $30k and $50k. At current interest rates, the monthly payment on a median-priced home is the lowest percent of a median earners monthly pay as we’ve ever seen. Additionally, with the rising cost of building materials and labor, housing won’t become any less expensive while rents go up.

There are costs associated with owning a home, and while you’re renting, that’s not a concern. You are still paying that cost; however, it’s in your rent payment. You’re not building any equity as a renter. An important thing to consider if someone is thinking about buying their first home is how long they plan to live there. If there is potential, they may not be there for at least 3 years; they’re better off renting. As a general standard in Central Ohio, you can expect real estate to appreciate 3-5% a year. Despite the affordable housing crisis, this is still an excellent time to buy a first home, given that you know you’re going to stay for at least 3 years to establish equity and realize a gain when you sell.

What is required from somebody to make a competitive offer on an existing home in this market is substantial. We’ve had dozens of clients whose parents assisted their children by giving them the cash to buy the house. Offering cash allows their child to get the best buy possible in this market. Then on closing day, their child gets a mortgage, and the parents get their cash back.

There are other ways to help your child buy their first home. You can be a non-occupant co-borrower, which won’t cost you anything, but it will increase your child’s buying powers. Additionally, you can offer to float them the cash to provide appraisal gap coverage.

If you’re looking to help your child find their first home and navigate this market, Thomas | Riddle has agents ready to help you. Being an established top team in Central Ohio, our ultimate goal is to aid our clients every step of the transaction. Regardless of the price point, sound advice and experience are more critical than ever in this market.

Riddle Family Update 

This month, Stanley turned 3 and had an awesome dinosaur-themed birthday party. We feel fortunate that we could celebrate with family again because we weren’t able to last year. At the tender age of 5 months, Charlie adores his big brother and looks up to him. Johnna and I are looking forward to being outside more with the kids as the weather warms up. 

The post Rob’s April Update appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

Art makes a house a home. Finding the right art for your space can be challenging, but hanging art correctly can be even more difficult. Hanging artwork incorrectly at the wrong height is the #1 most common design mistake we see. As a general rule of thumb, always consider the scale of your space when hanging art. We usually prefer to use large artwork and frames rather than smaller ones. It’s much easier to fill in areas when you have less space to fill. 

Here are the foolproof tips for hanging art that never fails: 

Tip #1

Hang single artwork pieces at eye level. 60″ from the center to the floor is the magic number. If you’re hanging your art above furniture, it can be 6″-8″ above the piece. If the art is going above a sofa or console, the work should be approximately 2/3 width of the furniture. 

Tip #2

When hanging two art pieces, treat them as one and still hang them 60″ from the floor to the center of the grouping. This rule also applies to groups of three and four. Make sure to space the art only a few inches apart so they look together and not disconnected. 

Tip # 3

When designing a grid gallery wall, we use prints and photos with a similar theme and consistent frames. They could be black and white photos, botanicals, sketches, etc. Or we go with completely different pieces in mixer frames for an eclectic look. We usually hang large and medium pieces 2-4″ apart and smaller pieces 1.5-2.5″ apart. You can trace the frame on paper and use painter’s tape to create a layout on the wall before you have to put holes in the wall. 

Refine & Design is an interior styling and home staging company dedicated to making your space functional and beautiful. Refine & Design provides affordable, practical, and creative solutions personalized to fit your taste and lifestyle. You can call or email them at 614-296-9800 info@refineanddesignhome.com

If you need any other design tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach us at info@thomasriddle.com. We work with trusted professionals to give you the best quality for the best prices!

The post April Design Corner appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

Summary

• We typically see a significant increase in listings when the weather warms up
• COVID-19 put an emphasis on home but we are now beginning to see a return to normalcy
• Interest rates are beginning to adjust upwards and buyers may feel increasing pressure to buy

Spring Market

As the predominant real estate group in New Albany for 20+ years, we have developed an excellent feel for the market’s cadence. We know that when the weather turns and it begins to warm up, typically, we see a significant lift in inventory. Thus easing the supply and demand strain that we feel in late winter/early spring. Initially, the surge of listings gets absorbed by a large number of active buyers in the marketplace. However, after 4 to 6 weeks of consistent increases in listings, we begin to see buyers take a step back. They realize that there will be more options if the current listings don’t meet all their needs. It generally becomes a slightly less competitive environment.

COVID-19 Impact on the Market

What we saw last year during the lockdown was housing became the highest priority for people. It was the most important thing. Now that we’re beginning to see the return of normalcy, I think we’re going to see the emphasis people are putting on their home pulled back some now that the pandemic is, hopefully, nearing its end. The pandemic caused people to need more space or a home change due to working remotely or homeschooling. It might not be as much of a driving force going forward. As offices begin to welcome employees back and families are permitted to travel more, it’ll be interesting to see how the market continues to adjust. 

Interest Rates

Clients should note that interest rates have begun to adjust upwards, and as buyers start to see the impact on their monthly payment, they feel increasing pressure to purchase before rates go higher. The expectation was that rates would adjust upwards, and that would settle down the buyers. However, my short-term prediction is that the trends of rates increasing will cause people to almost panic buy. They’ll feel like if I wait six months, I might be paying $100 more per month, so I might as well get locked in now. 

Columbus Housing Shortage

The Columbus housing market is experiencing a shortage of homes. We have several qualified buyers looking for a new place to call home. It’s never too early to chat about your real estate options for 2021.

Whether you’re downsizing or you’re looking for more space, reach out by emailing anyone on our team or giving us a call at (614) 939-1234. We really look forward to hearing from YOU!

The post Rob’s March Update appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

• Being unprepared for rain can cause leaks or floods in your home
• Test your sump pump once a year and make sure your gutters are clean

We’ve all heard horror stories of basements flooding or other damages due to heavy rains in the Spring. If your home is unprepared for spring showers, you might fall victim to leaks or floods. 

The primary thing that home inspectors call out is to test your sump pump once a year. To test your sump pump, lift up on the float and see if it pumps. You can also unplug and replug your sump pump to see if it turns on immediately. If it doesn’t, you might need to repair or replace it. 

If you have a finished basement, we always recommend a backup sump pump or battery backup. Another way to ensure no leaks is for homeowners to clean their gutters. Ensure the downspouts are properly connected and are leading away from the house as much as possible. We recommend Dan the Gutter Man; they offer gutter cleaning and repair. 

Don’t forget to keep a positive grade around the perimeter of your home. One of the leading causes of wet basements is a negative grade near the foundation caused by settling. To correct the grade you can add dirt purchased from Ace Hardware or Oakland Nursery. 

If you want more information on our homeowner tips, please don’t hesitate to contact info@thomasriddle.com . We can recommend local professional services around Central Ohio for all your needs!

The post March Handy Homeowner Tip appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

The New Albany Library, a local staple for the community, is currently undergoing renovations. In January, the library began a $1.9 million renovation that includes a new ceiling, lighting, flooring, windows, HVAC, and furniture. The upgrades also have a new customer-service desk, a larger teen area, and a more extensive Homework Help Center.

The New Albany branch of Columbus Metropolitan Libraries first opened back in 2003. 18 years later, the library is getting some well-due updates. Currently, the library is open for pick-up and drop-off on the side of the building. 

Benjamin Reid, the branch manager, spoke about one of the new features added – the study rooms. The study rooms are open to patrons after the library reopens and can be reserved for same-day use. It’s a great way for community members to enjoy the library and have some private space to study. 

The library plans to reopen in mid-April, later than the initially scheduled date, due to construction delays. Reid says, “we’re very excited to welcome the community back once we’re open again!”

If you have any questions about the current active listings in New Albany email us at info@thomasriddle.com or call us at 614-939-1234!

The post New Albany Library Renovation appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

Shelf styling is one of our team’s favorite decorating techniques, but it’s also one of the trickiest. If you’re thinking about updating or styling your shelf for the first time, follow these steps: 

Step 1: No matter what kind of shelves we’re styling, we always empty our shelves first. That way, we can start fresh and see the space we’re working with as a blank canvas. 

Step 2: Once you have cleared everything from your shelves, look at what you already have, and start grouping your objects by size. This process makes it easier once you start styling, and it helps you see what you may want to add to your collection. 

Step 3: Start by using your biggest items first to create focal points to style around. Vases, baskets, bowls, art, or other large decor items are perfect for adding visual weight to a built-in. We typically like to stagger these items so that they don’t stack on top of each other and are not right next to each other, which helps create balance. It helps to place all of your similar objects at the same time. For example, style all of your vases, then your baskets, etc. 

Step 4: Start to create groupings with your smaller items. Stacking books, adding in boxes, and pairing two similar elements together are some of our favorite go-to’s. Add personal touches like family photos or collected objects. 

Step 5: Once you’re happy with the general idea of what you have created, step back, and evaluate. Don’t be afraid to add, subtract, or start entirely from scratch if the final result isn’t speaking to you. 

Refine & Design is an interior styling and home staging company dedicated to making your space functional and beautiful. Refine & Design provides affordable, practical, and creative solutions personalized to fit your taste and lifestyle. You can call or email them at 614-296-9800 info@refineanddesignhome.com

If you need any other design tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach us at info@thomasriddle.com. We work with trusted professionals to give you the best quality for the best prices!

The post March Design Corner appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

• Kitchen renovations can vary from small improvements to full-blown remodels.
• The top choices for cabinet colors are white and gray. 
• A contrasting accent color in a kitchen can make the space pop.

The kitchen remains the home’s command center and has stepped up to be the family room, office, classroom, and more. Whether you choose to do a simple yet powerful upgrade or a full-blown remodel, you will enjoy the benefits of a fresh new space.  

Homeowners are focusing on function and storage, upgraded cabinets (new or painted), countertops, sinks, faucets, appliances, tile backsplash to the ceiling, statement lighting, cabinet hardware, mixed metals, large windows for more natural light, custom vent hoods, and flooring (wood, luxury vinyl planks, or tile).

The top choices for cabinet colors remain white and gray. However, wood is enjoying a bit of a revival with medium wood tones of subtle-grained ash, paler than oak or walnut to add a rustic charm. Throw the rule book out of the window in favor of unexpected paint-color pairings. Many people choose a contrasting accent color for their kitchen island, upper cabinets, and lower cabinets. Blue or green paired with white are the top color choices for this combo. One of our favorites is Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme and Pure White. 

Photo of recent remodel with Pure White upper cabinets and Dried Thyme lower cabinets.

Before

Refine & Design is an interior styling and home staging company dedicated to making your space functional and beautiful. Refine & Design provides affordable, practical, and creative solutions personalized to fit your taste and lifestyle. You can call or email them at 614-296-9800 info@refineanddesignhome.com

If you need any other design tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach us at info@thomasriddle.com. We work with trusted professionals to give you the best quality for the best prices!

The post February Design Corner appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.

• Carbon monoxide is a silent danger that many don’t realize until it’s too late.
• Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that kills more than 400 Americans every year.
• CO sensors should be placed on every floor of your home and low to the ground.

Winter weather means staying cozy at home, but that also means the potential dangers of keeping your home warm. Carbon monoxide is a silent danger that many don’t realize until it’s too late. Due to Texas’s hazardous weather, we’ve heard plenty of horror stories on CO poisonings this season. To protect yourself and your family, we’ve gathered tips on keeping your home safe every year.

We recommend having a carbon monoxide sensor on every floor of your home. A common mistake people make is mounting them high. However, carbon monoxide is heavier than oxygen and will be easier detected close to the ground. The best ones we recommend are the ones you plug into walls, so you don’t have to replace them often. 

The CDC recommends having your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas; therefore, it can be hard to detect but having sensors is an easy way to protect yourself and your family. 
If you want more information on our homeowner tips please don’t hesitate to reach out at info@thomasriddle.com. We can recommend local professional services around Central Ohio for all your needs!

The post February Handy Homeowner Tip appeared first on New Albany Ohio Real Estate Blog.