Author Archives: susanaknabe

Robin S. Sheakley – Named to Swanepoel’s Top Women Leaders in Real Estate List for 2020

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SwaenpohlRobin Sheakley, President of Sibcy Cline Realtors, has been named as part of the Swanepoel’s list of Top Women Leaders in 2020 in real estate. She was among 46 women to make this prestigious roster. (See the entire Swanepoel Power 200 ranking here.)

In addition to this ranking recognition, Robin has been recently quoted in RISMedia’s latest magazine in an article titled “Sharing Tools, Innovating Resources to Kick Off a Winning Year”.

Robin Sheakley
About Robin Sheakley
Robin has been with Sibcy Cline for the past 24 years and assumed the role as President in 2018. She is the fourth generation in her family’s business to lead the company.

Robin obtained her real estate license while in college and began her career in the mortgage business. Today, she oversees the daily operation and sets the strategic direction of Sibcy Cline Realtors and Sibcy Cline affiliated businesses: Mortgage, Insurance, Relocation and Title. She also oversees Professional Development and Recruiting. She serves on the board of The Realty Alliance (currently serving as past chairman).

In addition to real estate, Robin is actively involved in the community. She has volunteered as well as served as a past board member for Cincinnati Country Day School and Ursuline Academy Mother’s Club. She is currently on the board of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s board and the Fifth Third Bank Advisory Board.

 

The Benefits of Selling Your Home During Winter

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Selling your home during winterAlthough winter is not a time usually associated with a lot of home sales, real estate experts advise that homeowners can actually tap this unique market to sell their homes. All it takes is a different type of prep work and a positive attitude.

Everyone is Motivated
A huge benefit that comes with putting a home up for sale in the winter is that there is usually an interest in getting a deal done as quickly and easily as possible. Owners who decide to sell in the winter are typically those who either have to get their homes on and off the market quickly (for instance, if they have to move for work) or have had the property up for sale for a few months and want to strike a deal as soon as possible. Another possibility is that they want to get a head start on the spring market to get their home sold first.

In either case, veteran real estate professionals will often advise that buyers at this time of year are likewise motivated to move in quickly. They, too, might need to move for job-related reasons, and want to do so when there’s less competition from other buyers.

What to Keep in Mind
It’s worth noting that homeowners have a serious part to play in making sure their properties are fully up to code and ready for the sales process. Any issues that arise could hold up what would otherwise be a quick and easy sales process. That point goes beyond simply making sure a home is ready for a photo or video shoot and involves ensuring all home systems (heating and cooling, hot water heaters, etc.) are in good working order.

When mishaps arise with those home systems, they can lead to delays because of how busy the associated repair professionals are at this time of year. Therefore, getting systems tested before the home is put up for sale is usually a great idea.

Likewise, it’s usually smart for owners to invest in a home warranty ahead of a sale to make sure that if something does go wrong for those systems, they’ll have some financial protection and added peace of mind. That can be a huge benefit for buyers as well, and highlighting that protection might be an extra selling point at this time of year.

Hosting a Successful Open House in Winter
At this time of year it’s important to keep your yard in the best shape possible, even if there’s a blanket of snow on it. Clearing out sticks and dead leaves can go a long way.

Make sure all paths are safe for people to walk on. Clearing snow, ice and puddles from driveways and walkways, as well as the front sidewalks will help sellers avoid any potential accidents and also show that you are conscientious about attending to your property.

Issues to Avoid and Keep a Positive Attitude
Once open houses have been held and bids are starting to come in, keep a positive mental attitude. It can be easy to worry about getting a sale done in short order, but at this time of year, sellers’ agents will have more time to devote to their sale in particular and make sure everything goes as well as it possibly can.

At some point, the finer details of a sale are out of owners’ hands, and rather than getting worked up about uncontrollable things, it’s a better idea to let agents do their jobs.

Need help with getting your home ready to sell? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can share vetted vendors with you including snow-removal vendors!

Brought to you by Cinch Home Services, an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers. To learn more click https://www.cinchhomeservices.com/partners/real-estate/overview.

November Home Sales Report: Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; and Southeastern Indiana

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Take a look at our regional home sales report for November 2019. Average home prices increased for all areas. With home values still on the rise and a low inventory of homes for sale, it is a great time to sell your home.

Here is a report by region of homes sales throughout November 2019:

Cincinnati / Southeastern Indiana

Average and median sale prices continued to rise during November.

November 2019 vs November 2018

  • -3.4% Decrease in homes sold (1,903 homes vs 1,970 homes)
  • 8.15% Increase in average sale price ($226,113 vs $209,075)
  • 6.98% Increase in median sale price ($182,400 vs $170,500)
  • 4.47% Increase in gross sales volume ($430,293,030 vs $411,878,372)

January–November 2019 vs January–November 2018

  • -.4% Decrease in homes sold (23,875 homes vs 23,971 homes)
  • 5.4% Increase in average sale price ($225,950 vs $214,855)
  • 5,75% Increase in median sale price ($184,000 vs $174,000)
  • 4.97% Increase in gross sales volume ($5,394,567,010 vs $5,138,909,740)

Statistics courtesy of Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors November 2019 Home Sales Report

Dayton

In November, the Dayton area saw gains in average and median sale prices.

November 2019 vs November 2018

  • -6.27% Decrease in homes sold (1,181 homes vs 1,260 homes)
  • 9.13% Increase in average sale price ($180,881 vs $165,754)
  • 11.91% Increase in median sale price ($155,000 vs $138,500)
  • 2.28% Increase in sales volume ($213,619,991 vs $208,849,759)

January–November 2019 vs January–November 2018

  • -2.25% Decrease in homes sold (19,388 homes vs 19,834 homes)
  • 6.98% Increase in average sale price ($177,296 vs $165,733)
  • 7.75% Increase in median sale price ($153,000 vs $142,000)
  • 7.47% Increase in sales volume ($2,706,425,382 vs $2,518,319,409)

Statistics courtesy of Dayton Realtors November 2019 Home Sales Report

Northern Kentucky

Average and median home price increased in November.

November 2019 vs November 2018

  • -4.55% Decrease in homes sold (525 homes vs 550 homes)
  • 4.23% Increase in average sale price ($204,330 vs $196,037)
  • 4.23% Increase in median sale price ($175,000 vs $167,750)
  • -.51% Decrease in sales volume ($107,273,412 vs $107,820,593)

January–November 2019 vs January–November 2018

  • -2.63% Decrease in homes sold (6,637 homes vs 6,816 homes)
  • 6.38% Increase in average sale price ($206,533 vs $194,143)
  • 5.97% Increase in median sale price ($177,500 vs $167,500)
  • 3.59% Increase in sales volume ($1,370,754,623 vs $1,323,283,466)

Statistics courtesy of Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors November 2019 Home Sales Report

Look at homes for sale.

January 2020 Local Events and Fun Things To Do Throughout Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Dayton and Southeastern Indiana

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January events and festivals

It’s January – wintertime. Be sure to get out of the house and enjoy one of these fun, local things to do. Events are in order by date and cover the Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; and Southeastern Indiana regions.

The Frog Princess
Through January 4, 2020
Ensemble Theatre at 1127 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio
A bride-to-be is actually a frog!

Light Up the Fair
Through January 4, 2020
Boone County Fairgrounds at 5819 Idlewild Road in Burlington, Kentucky
Mile-long drive of twinkling lights that sync up to musicv

PNC Festival of Lights
Through January 4, 2020
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden at 3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Come and see the magical lights!

Borealis (formerly Holiday Lights on the Hill)
Through January 5, 2020
1763 Ohio 128 (Hamilton-Cleves Road) at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton, Ohio
Two-mile round trip drive-through light display

Christmas Night of Lights
Through  January 5, 2020 
Coney Island at 6201 Kellogg Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio
Two-mile car ride through Cincinnati displays and light shows

Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
Through January 5, 2020
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal at 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio
9,000sf of trains with displays of Cincinnati from the 1900s – 1930s

Lawrenceburg Winter Wonderland Ice Skating
Through January 5, 2020
Todd Creech Park at 305 W. Tate Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Have fun ice skating!

Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission
Through February 7, 2020
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal at 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio
See artifacts from visits to the Moon!

Riverscape Ice Skating
Through March 1, 2020
Downtown Dayton, Ohio
Outdoor ice rank at Riverscape MetroPark

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Events beginning in January:

Versailles State Park –First Day Hike
January 1, 2020
Versailles State Park, Versailles, Indiana
Start the year off with a hike!

First Fridays and Second Saturdays at Pendleton Art Center
January 3–4, 2020
Pendleton Art Center at 1105 Central Avenue, Middletown, Ohio
Meet artists and enjoy food, music and more!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Film with Live Orchestra
January 3–5, 2020
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Streetm Cincinnati, Ohio
Meet a Dementor and discover who Sirius Black is!

The Humans
January 3 – February 9, 2020
Beavercreek Community Theatre at 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio
Play about mysterious things

CFA Cat Show
January 4, 2020
Agner Hall at Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds in Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Meow and purr!

Dayton Bridal Expo 
January 4–5, 2020
Nutter Center, Wright State University at 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, Ohio
A bridal expo with 100+ vendors

Snow Banks at The Banks
January 4–26, 2020 (Sat and Sun)
The Banks, downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Snow demos, snow tube run, sledding hill and more

Winter Hike Series
January 4 – February 1, 2020 (Saturdays)
Great Parks of Hamilton County,  Cincinnati, Ohio (Various locations)
Hikes range from four to five miles and will include a bowl of soup!

Cin City Reptile Show
January 5, 2020
Holiday Inn at Centre Park of West Chester at 5800 Mulhauser Road, West Chester Ohio
Ssssssssnakes!

The Lion King
January 8 – February 2, 2020
Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
A spectacular show!

Alan Jackson
January 10, 2020
Heritage Bank Center at 100 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio
Alan is starting his 2020 tour in Cincinnati!

Charlotte’s Web
January 10–19, 2020
Springboro Performing Arts Center, 115 Wright Station Way, Springboro, Ohio
It’s all about a pig and a spider

KOI Cavalcade of Customs Car Show
January 10–12, 2020
Duke Energy Convention Center at 525 Elm Street, downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Look at really cool rides!

The Glass Menagerie
January 10–19, 2020
Xenia Area Community Theatre (X*ACT) at 45 E. Second Street, Xenia, Ohio
Enjoy the production!

Renee Fleming and Rachmaninoff
January 10–11, 2020
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Stunning soprano singer along with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Passport to the World – Second Sunday Family Showtime
January 12, 2020
Clifton Cultural Arts Center at 2728 Short Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Take a journey around the world with games. Learn about different cultures including dance and music!

Special Olympics Indiana Winter Games
January 12–14, 2020
Perfect North Slopes at 19074 Perfect Lane, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing competitions

Aretha: The Queen of Soul
January 17, 2020
Aronoff Center for the Arts at 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Listen to the Queen of Soul’s music as her life is celebrated

Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show
January 17–29 and 22–26, 2019
Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Have fun at this show!

Conquer Cabin Fever 2020
January 17–20, 2020
Oxford Community Arts Center at 10 South College Avenue, Oxford, Ohio
Lots of fun things to do!

A Dragon’s Heart Part 1: The Colony
January 17 – February 2, 2020
Town Hall Theatre at 8200 McEwen Road, Dayton (Washington Township), Ohio
Enjoy the play!

Greater Cincinnati Remodeling Expo
January 17–19 and 24–26, 2020
Sharonville Convention Center at 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville (Cincinnati), OhioLearn about all kinds of home projects

In the Night Time (Before the Sun Rises)
January 17 – February 8, 2020
Know Theatre of Cincinnati at 1120 Jackson, Cincinnati, Ohio
A U.S. premier of a wounded world

Man of La Mancha
January 17 – February 2, 2020
Dayton Playhouse at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton, Ohio
A popular Broadway musical!

125th Anniversary Concert
January 18–19, 2020
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra presents a past, present and future musical program

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
January 18 – February 16, 2020
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park at 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, Ohio
Musical about the 1950s rock and roll icon, Buddy Holly

Corretta Scott King
January 18–19, 2020
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati at 4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, Ohio
Learn Corretta Scott King’s story!

Fortune
January 18 – February 15, 2020
Ensemble Theatre at 1127 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio
Maude is a fortune teller who scares customers away

Jungle Jim’s Barrel Aged Beer Bash
January 18, 2020
5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, Ohio
Enjoy the brews!

Mozart Serenade
January 18, 2020
Clark State Performing Arts Center at 300 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, Ohio
Celebrate Mozart’s 263 birthday! with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and pianist Cecile Licad

Springfield Antique Show
January 18, 2019
Clark County Fairgrounds at 4401 South Charleston Pike, Springfield, Ohio
100s of vendors with all kinds of things

WinterFolk Festival
January 18, 2020
Music, food and art!
Various locations, Dayton, Ohio

Art on Vine at Rhinegeist
January 19, 2020
Rhinegeist Brewery at 1910 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Art and handmade good for sale from 70+ local artisan

Rent 20th Anniversary Tour
January 21–26, 2020
Victoria Theatre at 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio
A classic Broadway show!

Cirque de Soleil Axel
January 23–26, 2020
Heritage Bank Center at 100 Broadway, Cincinnati, Ohio
On ice, this experience with acrobatics and skating will be breathtaking!

Hand To God
January 23 – February 9, 2020
Warsaw Federal Incline Theater at 801 Matson Place, Cincinnati, Ohio
Following the death of his father, a son finds solace at a Christian puppet ministry

Nunsense
January 23 – February 16, 2020
La Comedia Dinner Theatre at765 W Central Ave, Springboro, Ohio
Over-the-top musical!

True Theatre: Truesh*t
January 23, 2020
Memorial Hall at 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Live theatre featuring five people showing personal stories

All the Way
January 24 – February 15, 2020
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
1195 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
An assassination in 1964, civic unrest and the Civil Rights Act

Blues for an Alabama Sky
January 24 – February 8, 2020
Falcon Theatre at 636 Monmouth Street, Newport, Kentucky
1930 Harlem, New York

Dinosaur World Live
January 24, 2020
Victoria Theatre at 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio
Dino–mite!

Mr. Rickey Calls a Meeting
January 24 – February 9, 2020
Dayton Theatre Guild at 430 Wayne Avenue, Dayton, Ohio
Enjoy the play

Lords of 52nd Street
January 25, 2020
Clark State Performing Arts Center at 300 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, Ohio
Enjoy listening to the legends of the Billy Joel Band

Nutter Center Sports Card Show
January 24, 2020
Wright State University Nutter Center at 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio
Buy, sell and trade!

Ronald K. Brown – Evidence
January 24–25, 2020
Aronoff Center for the Arts at 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Contemporary dance

Schubert’s The Great
January 24–25, 2020
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy the Cincinnati Symphony!

Lebanon Antique Show
January 25–26, 2020
Warren County Fair Grounds at 665 North Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio
Antique dealers will be selling their good stuff!

The Princess Ball at The Estate
January 25, 2020
The Estate at Sunset Farm at 3669 Centerville Road, Bellbrook, Ohio
Magical princess-themed afternoon

Symphonic Fission
January 25, 2020
Greaves Concert Hall, Northern Kentucky University at 1 Louie B. Nunn Dr., Newport, Kentucky
Enjoy the music!

Judy Moody & Stink
January 30, 2020
Victoria Theatre at 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio
Kids theater!

The Humans
January 31 – February 9, 2020
Beavercreek Community Theatre at 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio
Mysterious things happens during a Thanksgiving celebration

Orchestral Spectacular: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blues
January 31 – February 2, 2020
Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy the music of Gershwin

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
January 31, 2020
Clark State Performing Arts Center at 300 S Fountain Ave, Springfield, Ohio
Comedy, juggling and animals!

 

 

Your Winter Home-Maintenance Check List

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Caulking WindowWinter officially begins on December 21st, and now is the time homeowners should take the time to perform one last check of their homes before cold, snowy, icy weather really sets in for the next few months. Doing so can help to keep everyone in the house safe and warm, while also saving money and averting potential issues.

Pipes
Perhaps the biggest financial risk homes face during the winter are burst pipes. When that happens, water can spill into the walls and cause a lot of damage long before a problem is even detected. It’s always wise for homeowners to assess where they stand with their water pipes.

Pipes that run along the outside of a home or along the ceiling in the basement and are uninsulated could be at risk. Wrapping them in an economic, specialized material or even towels can help protect them even if a home’s heating system stops working. Wrap your pipes and keep your home at 65 degrees or more. Also, know where your home’s water shutoff is located, so you can quickly shut off your water in an emergency.

Other Insulation
When insulating pipes, it’s also important to make sure you aren’t losing a lot of heat through uninsulated attics or other spaces. Since heat rises you may lose a lot more heated air through ceilings. When attics are properly insulated along floors, they not only help to save on heat, but also prevent potential ice dams from forming undetected on the roof because a warmer roof can lead to snow melting under its surface.

Up on the Roof
When thinking about the roof, it’s a good idea to make sure all tiles or shingles are in good shape; and all gutters are cleared of fallen leaves and other debris that can lead to backups and more potential ice dams. A quick trip up a ladder might be all it takes to identify problem areas before they become major issues.

Inspect Your Home’s Exterior
Inspect the exterior of your home and look for any cracks and holes along the edges of window frames and doorways. Fissures can be filled or covered with caulk, which will help keep the heated air inside this winter. While any individual crack or hole is going to be small, some experts estimate that the collective area of all of them across an entire house can amount to the size of an open window.

Need Help?
If you are not comfortable climbing onto the roof or doing other home-related activity, reach out to Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can make recommendations of vetted vendors to you.

Brought to you by Cinch Home Services. An industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers. To learn more click https://www.cinchhomeservices.com/partners/real-estate/overview 

 

12 Tips to Keep Your Home Warmer in Winter

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Brrr. It’s getting colder outside. Here are 12 tips to make your home warmer without cranking up the heat:

1 – Ceiling Fans
Use your ceiling fan throughout winter by setting the fan in a clockwise motion. This will force warmer air down into the room.

2 – Doors 
Make sure the door frame and the space under the door is well sealed. Weather stripping can help provide an air barrier. Door draft stoppers are helpful to keep air out from the bottom.

3 – Rugs
Hardwood and tile can be chilly. Use rugs on bare floors to provide some warmth to your feet.

4 – Open the Curtains
Let the sun in by opening south-facing curtains and blinds on sunny days. Close the curtains at night to provide a barrier. Thick curtains with a thermal lining are best.

5 – Windows
Make sure windows are latched. If you do not have newer windows, you may want to consider adding window film on them to seal in the heat.

6 – Have a Fireplace?
Keep the damper closed when not in use. And if you are home to supervise, light a fire.

7 – Programmable Thermostat
Programming your home to be warmer when home and at a lower temperature when away will save you money.

8– Unused Rooms
Close off unused room to stop air from circulating into them.

9 – Insulation and Sealing
Heat escapes through the attic since warm air rises. A well-insulated and sealed home can use as much as 45% less energy for heating or cooling. (Need professional help with this activity? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services.)

10 – Cook
Cooking is a warm activity! The heated over will add warmth.

11 – Exercise
Vigorous exercise will warm you up and keep you warm!

12 – Still Cold?
Put on some thick socks and drink hot chocolate!

Why You Should Sell Your Home in December

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Selling home during the holidaysWhile many people understandably shy away from the housing market at this time of year, December may be a great time for you to sell your home. Here is why:

Low Supply of Homes
With today’s real estate market and so many buyers wanting to purchase homes (as compared with historical norms), and a relatively small number of homes for sale, you could find selling your home in December to be the perfect time to sell.

Serious Home Buyers
People are usually busy this time of year, so if they take the time to see your home, they are probably considering purchasing it. With less competition of homes on the market this time of year, your home could catch the eye of that serious home buyer.

Relocating Buyers
January is the popular month for people relocating to a new area to begin their jobs and they typically need to purchase a home in December. They will have a short time to find their next home – and it could be yours that they want to buy.

Move After the Holidays
If you sell in December, you will probably not have to move until after the holidays in late winter or early spring.

Helpful Hint about Holiday Decor
If you decorate for the holidays, hold back on pulling everything out from the attic or basement. Remember, people want to see your home – not your holiday decor.

Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty.  HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers. To learn more click  www.hmsnational.com.