Sibcy Cline Realtors Makes the 2020 REAL Trends 500 List

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花火8REAL Trends published its annual ranking of the top 500 U.S. real estate brokers for 2020 and Sibcy Cline ranked #56 for transaction sides.

Sibcy Cline also ranked:

  • #103 – Closed Sales Volume
  • #13 – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World broker member
  • #26 – Top U.S. Independent Real Estate Companies

Sibcy Cline’s Core Services ranked #16 in the U.S. with 7,369 transactions for mortgage, title, insurance and home warranties. Each of these divisions (mortgage, insurance, title, home owners warranties) were also ranked individually with top rankings.

Review all of the REAL Trends’ rankings here.

Who is REAL Trends? This company a real estate news and analytical source and communications organization based in Colorado.

Online Experiences and Things To Do – Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; Southeastern Indiana and Springfield, Ohio

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Serious girl e-learning with laptop and headphonesAlthough you may love your home, the current health crisis is making many of us a bit “stir crazy” – especially now since it is spring. Since we cannot get out to enjoy our communities, many local arts and other organizations have created experiences for us to enjoy from our home computers, tablets and mobile devices. Here is our list of “virtual and digital things to do” for the greater Cincinnati, Ohio and Dayton, Ohio; Springfield, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; and Southeastern Indiana region:

Have more recommendations? Email sknabe@sibcycline.com and we will update the list!

LIBRARIES
Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
Download a free library card and enjoy everything the library has to offer online. From the eBranch, listen to e-audiobooks and music; view magazines, movies and TV programs. Access newspaper archives and more from the e-search area. There are also e-learning resources.

The library also features story time videos from their YouTube channel.

Kenton County Public Library
The library has links to Friday Yoga sessions, story time for kids, chat about genealogy and more from their Facebook events page. You can also check out ebooks, digital movies, music and audiobooks via the library’s eMedia.

Dayton Public Library 
Get your eCard here for the library and then start exploring. Enjoy ebooks, audiobooks, music, videos, magazines as well as many research tools. Learn more here.

Mercantile Library
The library is hosting virtual book discussions via their Facebook events page.

Clark County Library
The library has audiobooks, ebooks, emagazines, digital music and video.

FOOD
Virtual Taste of Cincinnati – April 3–5, 2020
Foodie alert! The “Taste” is going to be a virtual experience this year. Please order carryout, drive thru and delivery services from local restaurants and food trucks. View live-streamed cooking demonstrations and music performances, too! Follow the Facebook page. (The actual event on Fifth Street is now rescheduled for July 3–5, 2020.)

MUSIC
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is giving free performances and has videos to enjoy. If you have children, lessons and activities are provided.

If you enjoy the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, be sure to check out their YouTube channel with all kinds of videos and playlists.

Carillon Chimes
Listen to the Deeds Carillon’s Westminster chimes every 15 minutes with mini concerts at 12pm, 2pm and 5pm. Members also have access to 50,000 archived images on the website. 

ArtsWave 
Mindful Music Moments –it’s meditation to music! And here is a link to more online Arts experiences!

Linton Chamber Music
Enjoy Facebook Live “Peanut Butter & Jam” sessions.

MUSEUMS
Booneshoft Museum of Discovery
Online learning experiences are available with science activities.

Cincinnati Art Museum
Enjoy a podcast about the museum’s different collections. The museum is also offering views to digitized art collections.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
There are lesson plans and activities available for kids from Kindergarten through grade 12 available. (Read a suggested book via your Kindle or the library and then follow the lesson plan.)

Taft Museum
The museum offers some virtual learning sessions streamed Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Contemporary Arts Center
Take an audio (and video) tour through this museum! There are also other videos to enjoy from your home.

Cincinnati Museum Center
Kids will enjoy watching Wonder Zone videos!

ZOO
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The zoo is presenting Facebook Live sessions daily at 3pm. (If that time is not good, you can still see the video later.) A different animal will be showcased every day!

THEATER / OPERA
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
The Playhouse has pulled together all kinds of home “experiences”. They have links to Netflix and Disney+ shows. There is also a link to a full-length play from National Theater Live available on Thursdays.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Children’s Theatre has videos of prior shows as well as podcasts available. For students of the arts, they have study guides and activity packets, too.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati
The theater is streaming performances. There is a ticket charge that is very affordable!

Cincinnati Opera
The opera has a podcast that chats about all kinds of “opera” topics.

DANCE
Cincinnati Ballet
View videos of past ballet performances as well as rehearsal sessions!

The Ballet is also offering dance conditioning, pilates and Barre Fitness classes live on Facebook.

DANCEFIX BY HBDC
Live and on demand classes are available.

SPORTS
Cincinnati Reds
Watch classic baseball games from the MLB vault on YouTube.
View the rebroadcast of the 1975 World Series games on Fox Sports Ohio.

Dayton Dragons
Watch baseball videos of the Dragons.

ART
Clifton Cultural Arts Center
Instructors are presenting virtual classes.

Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center
The center is featuring a daily online art project on Facebook.

BE SOCIAL
Downtown Dayton Virtual First Friday – April 3, 2020 
“Attend” a First Friday from 5pm–12am right from your home. Order food, shop local and explore a downtown Dayton gallery, museum and more.

BIRTHDAY EXPERIENCE
Mt. Healthy residents can let the Mt. Healthy Fire Department know about a child’s birthday and they will do a drive by with a birthday parade.

Blue Ash residents can reach out to the Blue Ash Police and Fire Departments for a special drive-by parade for a child’s birthday.

FILMS
Mariemont Theatre /  Esquire Theatre / Kenwood Theatre
While you cannot go see movies on the big screen you can view independent films from these three theaters in a “virtual screening room” for half the price of a usually ticket cost. 

Sibcy Cline Voted Best Real Estate Company by CityBeat Readers

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BestOfCityBeat_2020Thank you CityBeat readers – you named Sibcy Cline as the Best in Real Estate for 2020. We appreciate you taking the time to vote for us and are thrilled to be honored!

Thousands of readers voted this year for their favorite local businesses and services. Look at all of the winners! (Sibcy Cline is located under the shops and services category.)

February 2020 Home Sales Report for Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; and Southeastern Indiana

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花火8Take a look at our regional home sales report for February 2020. Home sales increased in all areas. Home values are still on the rise. See regional home-sale reports below.

During this concerning time of Coronavirus, please take advantage of Sibcy Cline’s weekly Virtual Open House Weekend tours on Facebook.

HighlightReel copy

Sibcy Cline is also promoting a #HighlightReel with our homes sellers’ favorite images of their homes on http://www.sibcycline.com. It’s an expressive way to see an interesting photo of home for sale right from your own home!

Here is a report by region of homes sales throughout February 2020:

CINCINNATI / SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA

Average home prices increased for the 11th straight month. February home sales were the second best on  record since 2006.

February 2020 vs February 2019

  • 6.65% Increase in homes sold (1,571 homes vs 1,473 homes)
  • .24% Increase in average sale price ($216,378 vs $215,861)
  • .06% Increase in median sale price ($176,600 vs $176,500)
  • 6.91% Increase in gross sales volume ($339,929,751 vs $317,963,445)

January–February 2020 vs January–February 2019

  • 7.58% Increase in homes sold (2,925 homes vs 2,719 homes)
  • 4.03% Increase in average sale price ($217,846 vs $209,399)
  • 3.88% Increase in median sale price ($176,500 vs $169,900)
  • 11.92% Increase in gross sales volume ($637,198,842 vs $569,355,886)

Statistics courtesy of Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors February 2020 Home Sales Report

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DAYTON

In February, the Dayton area saw a gain in home sales as well as average and median sale prices.

February 2020 vs February 2019

  • 9.51% Increase in homes sold (1,002 homes vs 915 homes)
  • 9.22% Increase in average sale price ($175,085 vs $160,308)
  • 8.15% Increase in median sale price ($149,250 vs $138,000)
  • 19.60% Increase in sales volume ($175,434,750 vs $146,682,119)

January–February 2020 vs January–February 2019

  • 7.07% Increase in homes sold (2,794 homes vs 2,581 homes)
  • 12.81% Increase in average sale price ($172,389 vs $152,819)
  • 11.58% Increase in median sale price ($145,000 vs $129,950)
  • 20.78% Increase in sales volume ($334,089,446 vs $276,601,986)

Statistics courtesy of Dayton Realtors February 2020 Home Sales Report

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NORTHERN KENTUCKY

Home sales increased by over six percent in February. Average and median sale prices also increased.

February 2020 vs February 2019

  • 6.47% Increase in homes sold (461 homes vs 433 homes)
  • 8.99% Increase in average sale price ($207,561 vs $190,449)
  • 6.13% Increase in median sale price ($173,000 vs $163,000)
  • 16.03% Increase in sales volume ($95,686,062 vs $82,464,652)

January–February 2020 vs January–February 2019

  • 9.80% Increase in homes sold (874 homes vs 796 homes)
  • 8.15% Increase in average sale price ($207,250 vs $191,637)
  • 7.58% Increase in median sale price ($175,000 vs $162,665)
  • 18.74% Increase in sales volume ($181,136,828 vs $152,543,137)

Statistics courtesy of Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors February 2020 Home Sales Report

 

Look at homes for sale.

Eight Tips to Help Declutter Your Home

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Declutter your home

When spending time at home you may realize how badly it needs decluttering. Having things crammed into every corner is not an appealing way to live. (And, if you are planning on selling your home in the near future, a thorough cleaning and decluttering is a must.) Here are eight tips to make the decluttering process more bearable:

1–Paperwork
Paper here, paper there, paper everywhere. A few pieces of paper turns into piles and piles. Cleaning out paper is a page-by-page task. Have a discard pile for recycling and be sure to shred anything with sensitive info. If you have papers to keep, place them in a more organized order with a labeled filing system. Or, consider scanning important documents and keeping only digital copies.

2–Home Records
How organized are your home records? Have a binder that has your improvement records and receipts. Store warranties in those binders, too. (When it comes time to sell your home, you will have all of your documents at your fingertips.)

3–Closets
When you open the closet does something jump out? If so, it’s time to tackle one closet at a time. Be ruthless. If you have not used an item in a year, do you really need it? Why are you holding onto those 1990s clothes? Remember, even if they come back into style, color and sizes change. Be sure to donate clothing that is in good shape to a place like Good Will or another organization. Remember, less is more.

4–Pantry
Cans from the year 2010 are not a good thing. Check expiration dates and discard old items. While you’re at it, think about attacking the freezer for old items.

5–Basement and Garage
If your basement and garage are dumping sites, you made need to plan some time sorting through items. If these things are in your basement or garage and you are not using them, why are you keeping them?

6–One Room at a Time
Don’t let the clutter overwhelm you. Tackle one room at a time. Start with the messiest room first. You will have a feeling of accomplishment when that room is done.

7–Why Are You Holding onto Something?
Things can be functional and sentimental. If you are keeping something you do not regularly use, ask yourself why you need to have it.

8–Sell Items
You may be getting rid of household items that someone else might cherish. Consider selling unwanted things with Ebay or Facebook Marketplace. You will get rid of the clutter and make some money at the same time!

The Result?
By clearing out clutter now, you will enjoy your home all the more and it will be easier to maintain and clean. And, when it’s time to sell, your home will not only look more appealing to home buyers, but you will have less stuff to haul to your new home.

Need help with organizing your home? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can recommend professional vetted vendors to you.

 

 

At Home? Read about these Affordable Home Improvement Ideas

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PaintWhile spending time in your home, now may be the time to think about making home improvements. (And, this does not always mean breaking the bank!) Here are 10 cost-conscious ideas to make your home an even better place to live:

1 – Tile Backsplash
A backsplash in a kitchen or bath makes that room look more sophisticated. This project can be either DIY or hire a professional if you do not feel confident. Select tile that ties in the cabinets, counters and wall color. Learn more about backsplash options here.

2 – Paint
Paint is a very economic way to update your home. Consider painting one wall in a room with an accent color to add drama and a focal point. Or, paint the entire room with a fresh, neutral color. Light tan, grey and white are popular colors now.

3 – Trees
Trees look attractive in landscaping and can reduce your cooling costs in warmer months.

4 – Bathroom Sink
Replace your old bathroom sink and make your bath look more modern.

5 – More Bathroom Updates
Consider replacing the toilet seat or re-grouting tile.

6 – Kitchen Faucet Set and Cabinet Door Handles
Replace the faucet set with a more up-to-date version. Kitchen cabinets will look fresh with new handles.

7 – Replace Appliance Facades
Some kitchen appliances have facades that are replaceable. Contact the manufacturer to see if you can order panels that will create a cohesive look in your kitchen with an all-black, white or stainless look.

8 – Lighting Fixtures
If you have old, outdated fixtures, new lighting can make a room look fresh and up-to-date.

9 – Cover Basement Columns
If your unfinished basement has unattractive support columns, you can cover them with Pole-Wrap. This way, you can still use the space as a playroom or home office.

10 – Garage Organization
Organizing your garage will benefit in more storage space and room for cars. Consider adding a few shelves and plastic bins.

Need help with any of your home improvements? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can recommend professional vendors to help with any home-related project!

 

Buying a Home? How To Overlook Minor Blemishes

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Young woman painting wall at homeWhen searching for a home to buy, keep your eyes open for possibilities when touring. If a home meets your price and location needs, it may require just a few modifications to suit your taste. Here are some tips about overlooking minor flaws and blemishes:

Old Homes
“Old” does not mean “bad”. Homes built many years ago have withstood the test of time. Many are well constructed with quality materials. Newer homes may offer more modern conveniences, but might lack that charm and character that an  older home offers.

Paint Colors 
Repainting a room is one of the most economic and easiest changes to be made to a home. Instead of focusing on the colors of a room, pay attention instead to a room’s structure.

Wallpaper
If you do not care for the wallpaper selection in a home, remember this can be fixed by removing, covering over or replacing it.

Kitchen Appliances
Do not discount a home just because the kitchen’s appliances are older. A kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator can be replaced as long as the item fits your budget. You many need to live with the old appliance for a while and save up for a newer one.

Dated Decor
The decor in the home may not be to your taste, but you like the floor plan.  The home’s furniture will be gone when you move in and you can decorate rooms to your taste and style. So, forget about the flowery curtains or that funky chair.

Carpeting
There are many different types of flooring available at all price points. If you cannot afford to replace carpeting with hardwood floors, then a laminate that looks like hardwood may be the answer. Keep this in mind when you are touring a home with ugly green carpeting.

Popcorn Ceiling
A ceiling specialist can be hired to scrape off the popcorn look from the ceiling. It is best done before you move in as it is a messy job.

No Curb Appeal
Perhaps the home just needs bushes trimmed, flowers planted or the front door painted. A lack of curb appeal might need just a little TLC from you!

Need help fixing up a home? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services.Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can recommend experienced and vetted home-related vendors and services.