CRESTVIEW HILLS

HOME SECURITY THROUGH LIGHTING

2009-02-28T10:02:00.000-05:00

HEALTH BY THE MONTH

2009-02-28T10:00:00.001-05:00

LINKED IN COMPANY NEWSLETTER

2009-02-27T14:15:00.002-05:00

Understanding The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
What the stimulus package means to you and your customers
As trusted advisors to your customers and clients, helping them make intelligent decisions has never been as important as it is now. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that Congress passed two weeks ago has been confusing everyone as it traveled between Senate and House committees to eventual passage. The attached flyer is important to your current business because you may have a pending transaction that will benefit from this bill. You may also use this flyer to send to a past client who closed on an eligible property since January 1, 2009, and more importantly, who in your sphere may have been on the fence about a purchase of a home?Remember, your customers have been seeing and hearing our Qualified Answers TV and radio campaign and you should note that it is clearly directed to the first-time home buyer. The stimulus package also addresses the first-time home buyer as its main target to help jump-start the economy as noted in the attached flyer.Click Here for the CBWS Stimulus Flyer Click Here for the CBKT Stimulus Flyer

Qualified Answers Campaign Update
Don't forget to use the Qualified Answers Agent resources materials available to you.Click Here for the King Thompson Qualified Answers E-Card Click Here for the West Shell Qualified Answers E-Card Click Here for the King Thompson Qualified Answers Flyer Click Here for the West Shell Qualified Answers FlyerAlso, Please view the following two videos for more information about our current campaigns in our local markets.
Introduction and TV spot TV spot only
Please feel free to use these links from our YouTube Channel for your own blogs, personal sites, profile pages and social networking.

2008 Recognition and Awards Events
How's your office Spirit planning coming? We can't wait to see it at the Awards Events!
Cincinnati:Tuesday, March 24Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza8:30-9:30 Continental Breakfast/9:30 ProgramRSVP to your OA no later than 5:00pm Wednesday, March 18

Our Service Guarantees Make Home Loans Easy
Tell your customers to call your local Mortgage Advisor to get a same-day loan decision, guaranteed!

Our Guarantees Make the Mortgage Process Easier

Buying a home may be the largest financial transaction your customers will ever make. That's why it's important for customers to work with a lender they can trust, who will guide them through the process. When you recommend Coldwell Banker Home Loans, we'll give your customers a smooth and easy mortgage experience. That's more than just a promise-because we back up our program with the strongest service guarantees in the industry.

It starts with our pre-approval decision.

We make home loans easy, the minute your customers contact us. We'll give them a same-day loan decision, guaranteed-or we'll pay them $250. In fact, most loan decisions are made within 20 minutes. With a pre-approval letter in hand, your customers will know exactly how much house they can afford when they begin house-hunting. And we'll tell them up front exactly what they need to do to get to closing. Once they've found a property and registered their loan with us, an experienced loan processor will assist them at each phase of the mortgage process.

We guarantee to close on time.

We take the time to tell your customers up front exactly what they need to do to get to closing to reduce any chance of delay. But that's not all-we'll meet your customer's requested closing date, guaranteed, or we'll reduce their interest rate by 1/8 of one percent for the life of their loan.** Now, that's service!

Ask your customers to contact your local Mortgage Advisor for a free, same-day loan decision-guaranteed!

**Approved, conventional, purchase loans only. Excludes loans for REO homes. Closing date to be mutually agreed upon between customer and us, and customer must provide all required documentation. Timely request for adjustment under guarantee is required.

Concierge News
Helping You Build Customers For Life
It's RCI Time!

Watch your e-mail for the RCI Spring flyer and order form for our group RCI order. Deadline for orders is March 11 so act quickly!

Welcome to P&G Property Solutions, recommended by Gary Rogers of the Wyoming office. P&G specializes in mold testing and remediation as well as replacement windows, gutter guard systems and power washing.

Contact the Concierge

Cincinnati: 513-794-9464 -or- concierge-cbws@cbws.com

Carp's Corner - Let Go of the Ego
By: Sean Carpenter

You've all heard the saying "people don't care what you know until they know that you care." This holds true in any sales position, especially real estate. If you truly want to achieve levels of success that you haven't experienced before, you'll need to "let go of the ego."

Please don't get me wrong. I understand that everyone has an ego and it will manifest itself in different ways. For many of our industry's top producers, it was part ego that got them where they are today - a true desire to be recognized as one of the best. Just be sure to remind yourself every now and then that this business isn't about you - it's about the clients you serve and the other people you interact with.

To read more of Let Go of the Ego, visit Sean's blog at www.therealtorstoolbox.blogspot.com/

January CE Classes
Upcoming Schedule
Cincinnati:

Core Law: Wednesday, 3/4, 10am-1pm - Northeast Office

Principles of Personal Business Management: Thursday, 3/5, 1pm-4pm - Wyoming Office

Professional Home Inspection Benefits: Wednesday, 3/11, 9am-12pm - Anderson Office

Negotiating to a Win-Win: Wednesday, 3/18, 1pm-4pm - Northeast Office

For additional information or to register, contact susan.trefilek@cbws.com.

Upcoming C:BOLT Sessions
Do I Need An MBA To Do A BMA? Wednesday, 2/25, 1pm - Joanne Figge

Turning Research Into Results - Understanding Who Your Clients Are in 2009 Wednesday, 2/25, 1pm - Sean Carpenter

It's A Contact Sport Wednesday, 3/4, 1pm - Jenny Ward

SEAN CARPENTER NEWS

2009-02-27T14:13:00.000-05:00

Greetings All,

As the “trusted advisors” to your clients in today’s ever-changing real estate landscape, understanding what your clients may be thinking and how their decisions are based may put you in a good position.

Each year the National Association of Realtors® conducts their Home Buyer and Seller Profile to gain understanding into many aspects of the real estate transaction. I recently recorded a CBOLT session called “Turning Research into Results: Finding Out Who Your Clients are in 2009” that explored the facts and figures of this report.

I would highly recommend that you make every effort to listen to this session and become more knowledgeable on some of the statistics that resulted from this profile. It will give you some great insight and talking points for use with your clients in 2009.

Here is the link to the session. Enjoy!

https://cbolt.webex.com/cbolt/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=TC&rID=21369992&act=pb&rKey=2798055137E9BE74

Sean M. CarpenterDirector Of Training & Education, Ohio NRT
Coldwell Banker King Thompson
Coldwell Banker West Shell
614-889-0808- (Office)
614-526-5600- (Direct)
513-686-7643 - (Cincinnati Office)

"Nobody Knows Homes Like A Carpenter!"

Looking to "build" your business? Visit The Realtor's Toolbox Blog

Linked In Company Newsletter

2009-02-18T13:16:00.003-05:00

LISTING & SALES LEADERS - JANUARY 2009

2009-02-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

2009-02-18T10:21:00.003-05:00

STIMULUS PACKAGE

2009-02-18T09:43:00.000-05:00

TIPS FOR STAGING

2009-02-18T09:39:00.001-05:00

10 tips for staging your home for the real estate market
By Sarah Crump • The Plain Dealer • February 14, 2009

Let's face it: This is a scary time to even think of putting your home - probably your biggest lifetime investment - on the real estate market.
A few simple tricks, however, can give you an advantage. The advantage is called "staging," and it is a booming necessity.
We asked three specialists in the Cleveland area for 10 things that can be done to facilitate a sale. Diana Hudson Kresnye, a professional stylist/home stager and owner of Devine Designs; Mark and Elly Ostrovsky, Howard Hanna Realtors; and professional organizer Marge Hogan Mackey of Hogan Organized Living gave us this "have to" list:
1. Cut emotional ties
View your house as a product that needs to be sold, not your home. It's now a commodity. Don't think of it as the place where you raised your kids.
"People need to digest - come to terms with - the fact that they are going to sell," said Diana Hudson Kresnye of Devine Designs Ltd. If homeowners fight her every suggestion and defend their beloved but dated wallpaper and carpet down to the last shred, they are not ready to part with their home. In reality, painting or new carpeting could mean a sale, plain and simple.
2. Walk through like a buyer
Grab a notebook and walk every inch of your home, inside and out. "List everything that needs attention in some way," said professional organizer Marge Hogan Mackey. Take a camera, too. "It's amazing what you will see in a photo that you've passed by or ignored."
That done, follow through and make repairs or updates before signing on with a Realtor. The best pool of buyers comes through the first weeks the home is on the market, said Kresnye. "For most people, those four weeks are wasted, because that's when they start getting ready to move."
3. Update
"Find out how your house stacks up against the competition by visiting open houses in your neighborhood," said Mark Ostrovsky, who with wife Elly is a real estate agent with Howard Hanna's Pepper Pike office.
If houses in your price range look better, hold back with expensive renovations and do simple updates, such as painting a room, retiling a bath, changing light fixtures and window treatments and replacing kitchen knobs. Flooring and carpet, while a more expensive fix, really need to be in good shape.
4. Be streetwise
A house that doesn't look good from the street stops many prospective buyers at the driveway.
In the spring, get a landscaper to freshen gardens and groom trees if you can't do a professional-looking job.
When Mackey was house-shopping, curb appeal determined whether she'd go inside. If she saw crumbling steps, fallen gutters, rickety fences, overgrown bushes, forget it. The inside might be worse.
"I didn't want to move into someone's mess."
5. Declutter
Clearing the way for a sale may mean storing or giving away half of what you own. "If storage is too expensive, then put all of those neatly packed boxes in one place only '" a corner of the basement, the garage or the attic," said Ostrovsky.
However, even if you've moved, don't show a vacant house, said Kresnye. Buyers will assume you're paying two mortgages and low-ball on price.
6. Embrace Mr. Clean
By yourself or by hiring a cleaning crew, deep-clean every surface. Even the insides of closets get a scrubbing or a paint job. "I love those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers," said Kresnye. "They work so well sometimes you don't need to repaint."
Have your carpets and furniture upholstery shampooed. Take a toothbrush to the tile grout. Clean the oven and the microwave. Think pristine.
7. Remove wallpaper
Wallpaper, even new, is just too personal, said Kresnye.
"It's the kiss of death," said Ostrovsky.
Fresh paint on undamaged walls is much better. Prospects do not expect to repaint or strip paper, said Ostrovsky. "Buyers will instead move on to the next house."
8. Lighten up!
Bump up bulb wattage if your light fixture safely permits it, Mackey suggests. If you use a 60-watt, substitute a 100-watt. Dim lighting casts shadows, making your rooms look smaller - a detriment to buyers who want oodles of house for their money.
Trim shrubbery that covers windows, remove overwhelming draperies and wash all windows inside and out. It's amazing how much natural light will shine in - even on the darkest of winter days.
Light fixtures that were the thing in the 1970s should be replaced with something trendier, said Kresnye. If your fixtures look dated, "It sends a signal that your house has not been well maintained."
9. Smells don't sell
Even the cleanest home can have smells. Did you cook fish for dinner? Does the litter box need emptying? It sends a big yuck message to people touring your house.
Have your cigarette outside. "Absolutely do not smoke in your house when it is on the market," said Ostrovsky. "Deodorizers don't work - ever!"
A buyer will run from a mildewy basement, said Kresnye. "The adage in our business is, "If I can smell it, I can't sell it."
10. De-personalize
Remove all family photos, awards, certificates, trophies and refrigerator magnets, said Kresnye. "The house may look stark to you, but it will look fresh and clean to buyers."
And you're putting your youngsters at risk if you let them display things that indicate their names and other private information.
"Child predators can see their photos, know where they go to school and what sports they play," said Kresnye. "You need to take every precaution when selling your house."

CHARITY FUND RAISER

2009-02-11T14:45:00.005-05:00

Silent Auction & Tennis for Charity to benefit Northern KY Children Advocacy Center.

Host: LoAnn Sullivan, Coldwell Banker, Crestview Hills, KY

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Five Seasons Sports Club
345 Thomas More Pkwy
Crestview Hills, KY

Only $25.00 for a fun evening with food, drinks, silent auctions, raffle tickets, and tennis mixers at Five Seasons Sports Club in Crestview Hills, KY 41017.All proceeds benefit the Northern Kentucky Children Advocacy Center, which provides services to children who have been sexually abused, and helps them receive the cares they need to restore them to a more normal, healthy life.To better serve the approximate 550 children assisted each year by the NKCAC, a new 5000+ square foot center will open in April 2009 at 4890 Houston Rd in Florence. Through your support, thousands of children will receive the proper education, treatment, interventin and an opportunity to achieve a successful, happy life.Last year, with your generosity, along with our sponsors: Blue Grass Recycling Co. of NKY, Republic Bank, Western Nursing, we were able to raise close to $6,000 for the Center.Please help me again this year, to help the children, one child at a time. When we help a child, we help mold the future. Together, we will succeed.Please call the Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky at (859) 572-3365 for sponsorship information or prize donation, or if you have any questions regarding the event. You may also contact event chairperson, LoAnn Sullivan by calling Coldwell Banker Office at 859-341-9000.You can also send gifts, check (made payable to NKCAC) and mail to:

LoAnn Sullivan

Coldwell Banker West shell

10 Town Center Boulevard

Crestview Hills, KY 41017

All donations are fully tax deductable.Thank you for your participation in this important fundraiser.

PARTNERSHIP WITH KENTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

2009-01-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

Coldwell Banker West Shell in Crestview Hills is proud to announce

it's partnership with Kenton County School District.

Our agents will be helping the schools in our community in a variety of ways.

Just another way our agents give back!!!

NEW YEAR... NEW HOME

2009-01-17T09:15:00.003-05:00

TIME TO THINK ABOUT BUYING...

2009-01-14T08:39:00.001-05:00

It May Be Time to Think About Buying a House
By RON LIEBER
Five or 10 years from now, when the financial crisis has ended and housing prices are up smartly once more, we will look in the rearview mirror and realize that we missed a golden age for first-time home buyers.
Then, everyone who sat on their down payment savings accounts for a few years too long will kick themselves for not taking advantage of what may turn out to be the buying opportunity of a lifetime for those who can qualify for a mortgage.
Unfortunately, we do not know when this golden age will begin, because we will be able to identify a bottom to the housing market only with the benefit of hindsight. But as it does with the stock market, the moment will probably arrive when everyone is feeling the most pessimistic.
That moment is certainly getting closer. Housing prices have fallen drastically from their peak levels in many areas of the country. Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are already close to 5.5 percent, and this week there were suggestions that the federal government might try to drive them down to 4.5 percent, a truly incredible figure to be able to lock in for three decades.
Meanwhile, first-time home buyers have the same advantage they have always had, which is that they do not have to sell their old place before buying a new one. That is an added advantage in areas where many available houses simply are not moving, because the people trying to sell them will not be bidding against you.
If you’re hoping for a recovery in the housing market, you ought to be cheering on the first-time home buyers. When they purchase homes, their sellers are free to move on or move up, stimulating further sales.
But if you are a potential first-time buyer yourself, or lending or giving the down payment to one, you are probably as frightened as you are tempted by all the “For Sale” signs that have become “On Sale” signs. So let’s quickly review some of the still-grim pricing data in certain areas — and consider the reasoning offered up by first-time buyers who have forged ahead anyhow.
As is always the case with real estate, much depends on location. One study, “The Changing Prospects for Building Home Equity,” tries to predict where today’s first-time buyers in the 100 biggest metropolitan areas may actually have less home equity by 2012 as a result of continued price declines. The verdict was that buyers in 33 of the markets could see a decline by 2012, including potential six-figure drops on an average home in the New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle metropolitan areas.
This is obviously scary. (I’ve linked to the study, a joint effort of the Center for Economic and Policy Research and the National Low Income Housing Coalition, from the version of this article at nytimes.com/yourmoney.) It’s worth noting, however, that these predictions came before the government made its most recent move to reduce borrowing costs.
Also, the price projections in the study are based, in part, on the fact that the ratio of purchase prices to annual rents is still higher in many areas than the historical average, which is roughly 15 times rents. While past figures may well have some predictive value, I have never been convinced that first-time buyers compare a home that they could own and one that they would rent in purely or even primarily economic terms.
When Jaime and Michael Proman moved this fall to Minneapolis, his hometown, from New York City, they craved a different sort of life after two years together in a 450-square-foot studio apartment. “We didn’t want a sterile apartment feel,” said Mr. Proman, who is 28 (his wife is 26). “We wanted something that was permanent and very much a reflection of us.”
The fact is, in many parts of the country there are few if any attractive rentals for people looking to put down roots and enjoy the sort of amenities they may spot on cable television home improvement shows. Comparing a rental with a place that you may own seems almost pointless in these situations, especially for those who are now grown up enough to want to make their own decisions about décor without consulting the landlord.
Still, for anyone feeling the urge to buy, a number of practical considerations have changed in the last year or two. The basics are back, like spending no more than 28 percent of your pretax income on mortgage payments, taxes and insurance. Even if a lender does not hold you to this when you go in for preapproval, you should hold yourself to it.
You will also want to start now on any project to improve your credit score because it may take several months to get it above the 720 level that qualifies you for many of the best mortgage rates.
John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education for credit.com, a consumer credit information and application site, suggests starting to pay down and put away credit cards months before you apply for a loan. That is because the credit scoring system could penalize you if you use a lot of credit each month, even if you always pay in full. Also, check your three credit reports (it’s free) at annualcreditreport.com and dispute errors.
While no one can easily predict the likelihood of losing a job, Friday’s startling unemployment figures suggest the need for caution if you think you might be vulnerable. A. C. Panella, who teaches communications at Pasadena City College in California, waited until she had a tenure-track job before buying a home in the Highland Park section of Los Angeles with her partner, Amy Goldman, a lawyer for a nonprofit organization. “We could afford the mortgage payment on one salary, were something to come up,” Ms. Panella, 31, said. “It’s really about being able to stay within our means.”
For many first-time home buyers, that philosophy stretches to the down payment, too. Ms. Panella and her partner put down 20 percent when they bought their home in September, as did the Promans when they bought their home in the Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Alison Nowak, 29, put just 3 percent down on a Federal Housing Administration-backed loan last month when she and her partner, Lacey Mamak, bought a $149,900, 800-square-foot home several miles south of where the Promans live. “Anything that is an opportunity also has a bit of risk,” she said. Her house was in foreclosure before a plumber bought it and fixed it up. “One way we mitigated it was that we bought a really tiny house in a very good neighborhood.”
One other strategy might be to buy new instead of used. Ian Shepherdson, chief United States economist for the research firm High Frequency Economics, says he believes that a steep drop-off in inventory of new homes is coming soon, thanks to a rapid decrease in home builder activity.
Since prices generally soften in the winter, it may make sense to start looking seriously once the mercury bottoms out. “If you look at new developments next spring, you may not have the choice you thought you would have or be in the bargaining position you thought you would be,” Mr. Shepherdson said. Also, if you wait after June 30, you will miss out on a $7,500 federal tax credit for income-eligible first-time home buyers that works like an interest-free loan.
Finally, allow yourself to consider how it would feel if you bought and then prices dropped another 10 or 15 percent. It might not bother you if you plan to stick around. Plenty of people seem to be making a longer commitment to their homes. According to a survey that the National Association of Realtors released last month, typical first-time buyers plan to stay in their home 10 years, up from 7 last year.
Perhaps people are more aware that they will not be able to build equity as rapidly as others did in the real estate boom. Or they simply have more confidence in hard, hometown assets now than in other markets.
“We wouldn’t let another decline bother us,” said Michael Proman. “You can never time a bottom. This is a long-term investment for us, and it truly is the best investment we have in our portfolio right now.”

YOU HEARD RIGHT...

2008-12-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

CRESTVIEW AGENTS GIVE BACK

2008-12-17T11:22:00.005-05:00

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

2008-12-05T16:22:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-05T16:19:00.003-05:00

LONG TERM MORTGAGE RATES DOWN

2008-11-29T09:16:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-22T13:36:00.003-05:00

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

2008-11-21T15:07:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-21T14:39:00.004-05:00

Holiday Recipes

2008-11-21T10:23:00.000-05:00

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

2008-11-20T14:07:00.001-05:00

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

2008-11-12T11:36:00.000-05:00

Home Safety

2008-11-12T09:54:00.004-05:00

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?

2008-11-12T09:41:00.005-05:00

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

2008-11-12T09:24:00.001-05:00

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

FHA Financing

2008-11-12T09:21:00.002-05:00

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

2008-11-01T13:56:00.000-04:00

Click the Document to Enlarge the Image

Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers

2008-10-25T12:10:00.003-04:00

Click the Document to Enlarge the Image

Home Buyer's Guide

2008-10-24T13:34:00.002-04:00

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?

2008-10-24T13:22:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-24T12:51:00.009-04:00

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

2008-10-24T12:44:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-24T12:29:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-24T12:14:00.004-04:00

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