YOU HEARD RIGHT...

CRESTVIEW AGENTS GIVE BACK

Two of our Crestview Hills agents, Janet Brewer and Pam Kramer, donated their time and talents this season by decorating Christmas trees for Tender Mercies. “Celebritrees”, a Cincinnati tradition, is celebrating it’s sixth year.

“Celebritrees” is sponsored by Tender Mercies, which provides housing and support services to homeless individuals with emotional and/or mental illness. Tender Mercies provides over 60 trees, which are then chosen by businesses, organizations or individuals to be decorated. Each tree is then decorated and auctioned off. All proceeds benefit the work of Tender Mercies.

The trees decorated by our agents were:

Cookies for Santa – Sugar Plums and Gingerbread men dance around this cheerful tree that remind us to leave treats for Santa. Sponsored and Designed by Ms. Janet Neff Brewer of Coldwell Banker West Shell and daughter Rachel Brewer.

Hopping Holidays – Frog and Toad on a Christmas adventure. Sponsored by Union Savings Bank and Guardian Savings Bank. Designed by Pam Kramer of Coldwell Banker West Shell.

American Christmas – A White Christmas tree with splashes of patriotic red and blue decorations. Sponsored and Designed by Pam Kramer of Coldwell Banker West Shell. Just another way Coldwell Banker agents give back!

SAVE MONEY ON ENERGY

Check out Duke Energy's website and newsletter for great information on saving money, being energy efficient and becoming "Green".

http://www.myenergytips.com/Newsletter.aspx

MONEY AVAILABLE

LONG TERM MORTGAGE RATES DOWN

Announced Tuesday, November 25th: interest rates will drop putting a 30-year confroming fixed rate mortgage in the 5.75% range!!!!
Coldwell Banker Home Loans has plenty of moeny to lend.
Your Mortgage Advisor can work with you to assist in securing the best mortgage available in the market today. Please remember also that your Mortgage Advisor may be able to do 100% financing!!!
Call Scott Osborne 513-295-7084 with questions or to qualify your buyers.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR NEW HOME OWNERS

COMMONLY REQUESTED TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Gas & Electric Company -
Duke Energy 513-421-9500
Owen County 859-283-5800
Water & Sanitation -
Northern Kentucky Water District (Kenton & Campbell counties) 859-578-9898
Florence Water & Sewer 859-371-5714
Boone County Water District 859-586-6155
Telephone
Cincinnati Bell 513-565-2210
Insight Cable 859-431-0300
Trash Collection -
Bavarian Waste Services 859-485-4416
Rumpke Waste, Inc. 800-543-0477
Newspapers -
Cincinnati Enquirer 859-292-2600
Community Recorder 859-283-0404
Planning & Zoning -
Boone County 859-334-2196
Campbell County 859-581-1777
Kenton County 859-331-8980
School Boards-
Kenton County 859-344-8888
Campbell County 859-635-2173
Boone County 859-283-1003
Erlanger-Elsmere 859-727-2009
Walton-Verona 859-485-4181
Newport Independent 859-292-3001
Beechwood Independent (Ft. Mitchell) 859-331-3250
Car Registration & Auto Tags - To register your car, bring title, current registration, proof of previously paid sales tax and insurance card to the County Clerk’s office within 15 days after moving into the state.
Driver’s License - To obtain a state driver’s license, bring your current license and Social Security card to the county Circuit Court Clerk’s office. If your name has changed, bring proof of that change. Written and eye tests are required in some cases.
Voting - New residents should register to vote 30 days prior to an election at the county clerk’s office.
COLDWELL BANKER CONCIERGE 513-794-9464

COLDWELL BANKER FOUNDATION

Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation Announces $75,775 in Local Charitable Contributions
CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation is pleased to announce its local charitable contributions for 2007/2008.
The Foundation fundraising campaign entitled “The Power of Caring” included fundraising events at local branch offices, metro-wide events, agent contributions, staff contributions and alliances with other local businesses in the greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky, southeastern Indiana region.
“Despite a lot of negativity in the news, our foundation through our communities, associates, staff and partners were able to raise the money for us to be able to donate $75,775 back to some of greater Cincinnati’s most-deserving charities,” said Joe King, President and COO of Coldwell Banker Ohio NRT Companies.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to be able to give back to the people of the Tristate, and as Martin Luther King said, ‘it is always the right time to do the right thing’.”
The preferred charitable partners of this campaign time period included:

Tristate Habitat for Humanity
During the 2008 build and fundraising period, $50,000 was raised and donated directly to Habitat for Humanity, a charitable partner of Coldwell Banker locally and nationally. During its multi-year relationship with the Tristate Habitat chapter, over $390,000 has been raised and donated. This year's house dedication celebration on November 15th will complete the company's tenth build.

Cincinnati Komen for the Cure
$6,890 will be donated directly and locally to Cincinnati Komen for the Cure's mission of education and research in the area of breast cancer.

Fine Arts Fund
$7,885 will be donated to the Fine Arts Fund for 2008, and throughout Coldwell Banker's long relationship with the Fine Arts Fund of Great Cincinnati, over $153,331 have been raised and donated to this local organization.

ProKids
ProKids will receive $5,000 to locally support their CASA program which supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation Community Fund
$6,000 will be divided and granted to each greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky, southeastern Indiana branch of Coldwell Banker West Shell to support community-level charities as selected by the office membership of staff, management and associates.
Check presentations will be made at various charity events throughout the Fall of 2008 and winter of 2009.

To arrange an interview with:
Joe King, President and COO of Coldwell Banker Ohio NRT companies
Glen Wilson, CFO and Executive Director of Coldwell Banker Ohio NRT Companies and Foundation
Thomas Courtney, Director of Corporate Philanthropy of Coldwell Banker Ohio NRT Companies

Call or e-mail:
Jim Stevenson
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Coldwell Banker Ohio NRT Companies
Jim.Stevenson@cboki.com or 614-526-2761

About the Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation:
The Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation and “Power of Caring” campaign is a chapter of The NRT Foundation which is 501 (c)(3) public charity incorporated in Delaware (Tax ID#20-0755090). The mission of the NRT Foundation is to better the quality of life in communities where NRT LLC/Realogy has a presence.
About Coldwell Banker King Thompson and Coldwell Banker West Shell:
Across Ohio, Coldwell Banker King Thompsons and Coldwell Banker West Shell have 25 offices and over 1,600 sales associates serving central Ohio, great Cincinnati, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. The companies are part of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company. NRT, a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, operates Realogy’s company-owned real estate brokerage offices. For more information, visit www.kingthompson.com or www.cbws.com.

Contacts
Coldwell Banker Ohio NRT CompaniesJim Stevenson, 614-526-2761Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Jim.Stevenson@cboki.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20081023006434/en

Holiday Recipes

Just in time for the holiday baking season! Just click on the name of the cake and "bam" the recipe appears!

'Night Before Christmas' Coffee Cake
'Real New York Style' Cheesecake Supreme
A Cake That's Fit For A Queen
Amaretto Italian Sour Cream Cake
Amazing Tropical Fruit Cake
Apple and Nut Cake
Apple Cake
Apple Cake
Apple Sauce Cake
Applesauce Fruitcake
Apricot Nectar Pound Cake
Baby Cheescakes Baby Cheesecakes
Banana Cake
Barron Family Cheesecake
Baumtorte (Tree Cake)
Becky's Pumpkin Cupcakes
Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
Broken Angel Cake With Chocolate Chips
Candied Fruit Cake
Carmel Coffee Cake
Carrot Cake with Hot Glaze
Carrot-Pineapple Cake
Cherry Cake
Cherry Cake Sauce
Cherry Cheesecake Cups
Cherry-Pineapple Dump Cake
Chocolate Angel Food
Chocolate Browny Cake
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Chocolate Cookie Sheet Cake
Chocolat e Éclair Cake
Chocolate Ice Box Dessert
Chocolate Logs
Chocolate Lovers Heaven Triple Threat Chocolate Di
Chocolate Sheet Cake
Chocolate welington fudge pudding
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cake
Christmas Cake
Christmas choclate cake
Christmas Mixed Glace Fruit Loaf
Christmas-Comes-But-Once-A-Year-Chocolate Cake
Cinnamon Morning Delight
Coca-Cola Cake
Coconut Cake
Cookie Pizza
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Cream Puff Cake
Creamy Chocolate Cupcakes
Creamy Chocolate Layered Cake
Decadent Chocolate Cake
Decadent Fudge Cake
Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars
Dream Cake
Dreamcicle Cake
Drizzle Cake
Earthquake Cake
Easy Cocoa Snack Cake
Easy Coconut Cake
Éclair Cake
Edie Ching's Cherry Cheesecake
Eggnog Cake
Extra Moist Coconut Cakes
Festive Pumpkin Gingerbread
Flower Garden Cake
Fruit Cake
Fruit Cocktail Cake
German Chocolate Upside-Down Cake
Golden Bacardi Rum Cake
Gooey Butter Cake
Gum drop cake
Heavenly Pecan Cake
Hedge Hog Cake
Holiday Cake
Holiday Poke Cake
Holiday Rum Cake
Honey Bun Cake
Honey Cake
Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
Hummingbird Cake
Ice-Cream Chocolate Roll
Jewish Apple Cake
Johnny Appleseed Cake
Lemon Cake
Lemon Poppyseed Cakes
Lemon Pound Cake
Linda's Yule Log
Mama's Homemade Banana Cake
Mandy's Cake
Microwave Scottish Pudding
Mini Fruitcakes
Miniature Cheesecakes
Mississippi Fudge Cake
Mississippi Mud
Mock Lemon Meringue Cake
Neiman Marcus Cake
No Bake Fruit Cake
Norwegian Gold Cake
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake
Old Fashion Pound Cake
Old Fashioned Light Fruitcake
Orange Date-Nut Cake
Orange Slice Cake
Oreo Cheesecake
Peanut-Topped Devil's Food
Pecan Icing
Pennsylvania Dutch Pastry
Pineapple Heaven
Plum-Nut Cake
Pound Cake Pound Cake
Pumpkin Cake Roll
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin log
Pumpkin Nut Roll
Pumpkin Pie Cake
Pumpkin Roll
Queen's Cake
Red Velvet Cake
Reese`s white cake
Reese's Brownie Cupcakes
Refrigerator Chocolate Cheesecake
Russian Tea Cakes
Russian Teacakes
Santa's Breakfast Cake
Self-Filled Cupcakes
Shirley's Chocolate Sheet Cake
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Southern Apple Cake
Swedish Nut Cake
Tiny Christmas Fruitcakes
Toll House Carrot Cake
Triple Chocolate Torte
Turtle Bars
Turtle Cake
Warcake
Watergate Cake
White Christmas Loaf
World War I Cake
World War II Cake

Crestview Hills Coldwell Banker wishes all our friends an appetizing holiday season!

Power of Caring

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/coldwell-banker-west-shell-foundation/story.aspx?guid=%7B0831BAEA-C9BA-46EB-B3B4-68C8F820FB43%7D&dist=hppr

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081023006434&newsLang=en

Home Safety

Cut the Cords on Risky Blinds
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is reminding parents to go cordless when it comes to window treatments in nurseries and children's rooms. Accordingto the CPSC, since 1990 more than 200 children have died as a result of accidental strangulation from cords on window coverings.
Here are some easy ways to improve window safety in your home:
1. Install locks on all windows, even those on ground level, and install side locks that limit how far a window can open.
2. Avoid long drapiers. If a child - particulary a toddler learning to walk - pulls on the fabric, it can bring down the heavy window hardware as well.
3. Look for styles of window treatments that lack cords, like Hunter Douglas' Heritage hardwood shutters.
4. Keep cribs away from windows as well as furniture that a toddler could climb on to reach a window.
5. Retrofit your home's existing blinds, pleated shades and drapery. Kits and tie-downs can be ordered for free through the Window Covering Safety Counsil (http://www.windowcoverings.org/ or 800-506-4636).

Sick of Junk Mail?

You can choose to stop receiving "prescreened" offers of credit by calling the consumer reporting agencies toll-free 1-888-567-8688; or write:
Experian, PO BOX 919, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion, PO Box 97328, Jackson, MS 39288-7328
Equifax, PO Box 740123, Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

Should you later decide that you do wish to receive pre-approved offers, you may remove the prohibition on use of your credit report information by notifying the above agencies.

HUD APPROVED CONDO WEBSITE

Use this link to see if the condo you are listing or selling is HUD approved for FHA financing.

FHA Financing

Please see below for a list of conditions that must be met to obtain FHA financing:

• All windows must be operable. Any window painted shut, must have the paint removed and be able to operate in it's designed capacity. Older "rope" type windows must all open (and remain open) and close easily.
• There should be no chipped paint around any window or door.
• There can be no debris in the gutters. Gutters should also have down spouts that push water away from the house.
• There can be no evidence of rodents present on the property. Any damage must be taken care of well in advance of closing.
• There can be no broken glass or severely cracked windows on a property.
• If there is a drop-off of 36 inches or greater coming out of the property (entrance or exit doors, porch, deck etc.), there must be steps and at least 1 handrail. Depending on the width of the steps, two handrails may be required.
• All HVAC and water heating devices must be operable and in good condition.
• All roofing must have at least 2 years life remaining (as determined by an appraiser or roof inspector).
• There can be no damage to the roof or exposed wood. Some folks have blue tarps on their roofs from the recent wind storm. All tarps must be removed and any damage fixed prior to an appraisal.

Santa at the Movies

Click the Document to Enlarge the Image

Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers

Click the Document to Enlarge the Image

Home Buyer's Guide

Preparing for Homeownership Buyer's Guide
Before you begin your home search at REALTOR.com, prepare yourself by reading Ten Steps to Homeownership.Homebuying GuidesEven before you begin looking for a home, the homebuying process requires diligent preparation. Buyers who have been preapproved for a home loan often have their offers taken more seriously by sellers. With advance preparation, you can tackle the process of acquiring the financing you need with more confidence. To help you on the path to homeownership, Neighborworks® offers* free step-by-step guides, developed by the Fannie Mae Foundation, that can help you get closer to achieving your dream:
Knowing and Understanding Your Credit
Opening the Door to a Home of Your Own
Choosing the Mortgage that's Right for You
Borrowing Basics: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
These authoritative homebuying guides (in PDF format) are available in nine languages, including English, Chinese, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. You can download a guide or order a print version online from HomeBuyingGuide.org
*These brochures are free for non-profit organizations, and available for sale to other businesses.

Sweating Equity?

Sweating Equity: Your Guide to Surviving a Rough Real Estate Market

It’s a confusing time for home buyers and sellers. But the bad news in the housing market may reveal some unforeseen opportunities. For instance, could this actually be a good time to buy? If so, what’s selling right now? Do low interest rates mean it’s time to refinance? Can foreclosures be avoided? And just what is a sub-prime mortgage, anyway? We took a hard look at the market and found the answers that will help you navigate these troubled waters. Plus, we found 15 great neighborhoods that offer benefits beyond the obvious, and we give sellers a measure of hope with tales of properties that got snapped up in a hurry. And it wouldn’t be a real estate issue without our annual chart listing average home sale prices in 226 neighborhoods. So don’t sweat. Your house may be worth more than you think.(Don't believe us? Check out Money magazine's list of the six best places to buy a home these days.)
By Kathleen Doane, Brent Donaldson, Katherine L. Sontag, Linda Vaccariello, Amanda Boyd Walters, & Kathy Y. Wilson
15 Great Neighborhoods
13 Real Estate Questions Answered
Five Homes that Sold—FAST
Our Annual Guide to Home Prices
Originally published in the May 2008 issue of Cincinnati Magazine.

Habitat for Humanity

Coldwell Banker West Shell Builds Community

Coldwell Banker West Shell in Crestview Hills raises money and builds homes for Habitat for Humanity. On June 28, 2008, Coldwell Banker West Shell held its 10th Annual Parking Lot. The sale is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Each year Coldwell Banker West Shell funds a local build. In order to fund a Habitat Home, our company must raise $35,000. In addition, all the local (Cincinnati Tri-State area) Coldwell Banker offices send volunteers to the home site to help build the home. This year, a home will be built in Latonia Lakes for a local family of four.
Thanks to the generosity of area businesses and the support of local patrons, we are able to continue to successfully make a difference in our community. Coldwell Banker West Shell would like to extend special thanks to all those who made this event a success - every donor, every shopper, and the following businesses: Planes Moving and Storage, 3L Self Storage, Accutex Signs and Banners, Eagle Storage, and Snappy Tents. Through the generosity of our donors, Coldwell Banker West Shell is able to raise funds for this worthy cause and work together with Habitat for Humanity to provide homes for families in our community. The Parking Lot Sale was a great success again this year; we raised $3,900 from the sale!
In addition to helping Habitat for Humanity, Coldwell Banker West Shell, through the Coldwell Banker Foundation, raises money to help support Susan G. Komen for the Cure, ProKids, and Fine Arts Fund.

For more information: http://www.cincinnati-habitat.org/

Meet the family:

The Bowles’ family consists of mother, Tawna 38, father, Brian 41, daughter, Tiffany 19 and son, Jordan 16. As a family, they enjoy participating in and visiting medieval reenactments. Their new passion, as a family, is to work on Habitat houses. Brian likes to hunt and fish. Tawna enjoys working with special needs children and taking her 88 year old grandmother to bingo whenever possible.

Tiffany is an honor student and will be a junior this year attending EKU majoring in Forensic Science and minoring in American Sign Language. She is on the color guard and is a member of the honors fraternity Phi Sigma Pi. She also enjoys anything to do with Johnny Depp, hanging out with her friends and babies.

Jordan is a junior attending Scott High School. He enjoys all types of games: Xbox, Wii, paintball, four wheeling, hunting and fishing.

Block Cell Phone Telemarketers

BLOCK CELL PHONE TELEMARKETERS!

We received notice that cell phone mumbers went public, which means that you may start receiving telemarketing calls on your cell phone. YOur cell minutes will be charged for these calls.
We recommend that you take the following step to prevent receiving sale calls by placing your cell number on the "DO NOT CALL" list:
From your cell phine, call #888-382-1222.
This number must be called from the phone you wish to have on the block list.

Trick or Treat for Troops

Dear Friends,

Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation needs your help. We are currently collecting new packaged DVD movies to be sent to our troops overseas. Please help us do our part for our soldiers.
Trick or Treat for the Troops began with a phone call between two close friends in 2007, separated by thousands of miles. One friend in the US, and the other stationed as a solider in Kuwait. The solider explained that they receive the basic supplies, but, what they each needed badly was a way to take their minds off the everyday struggle during their down times.
In 2007, a major community initiative, Trick or Treat for the Troops, was launched by Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation, WKRC Channel 12, USO, Relay Express, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Bell, and R+L Carriers, which collected over 10,000 DVD movies in less than 8 weeks with the help of over 23 major corporations and many volunteers.
Beginning October 6 the community will be able to drop of any new packaged DVD movie to any Coldwell Banker West Shell location in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas. The DVD’s will then be packaged up after October 31, with the help of Matthew :25 Ministries located in Blue Ash, Ohio where the DVD’s will be delivered to the USO in Cleveland, Ohio. The USO will deliver the DVD’s overseas to our troops.
“We need to remember that our troops are still fighting for our freedom overseas and we should give our best effort to support them and honor them by giving back in whatever way we can,” says Thomas Courtney, Director of the Coldwell Banker West Shell Foundation.
Dozens of cards with appreciation came back from our troops in 2007. “It is great people like you that make me proud to serve. God bless you and God bless America!” says, Master Chief Rich DeTersa, Kuwait. We hope to see the same response in 2008. Thank you for your effort.

Twilight Tours

Join us for the final Twilight Tour of the season, Thursday, October 30th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.