31 March 2009

REAL Trends 500 Rankings (for calendar year 2008) announced today!

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (Hanna Holdings, Inc.) continues its rise in the rankings with the recent release of the REAL Trends 500.

Ranked by Closed Transaction Sides for 2008, Howard Hanna is now the 4th largest home seller in the U.S. - moving up from #7 last year.
Ranked by Volume for 2008, Howard Hanna is now #7 - up from #14 last year.


Howard Hanna is the largest broker in Northern Ohio. Call the best - contact us today at 440-315-6000 or RealEstate@HiseyGroup.com.

30 March 2009

Avon Lake Library: Environmental Issues Series

Food Systems, Choices and Impacts
April 1st, 2009 at 7pm


Evelyn Bryant of the George Jones Farm and the New Agrarian Center will demonstrate how we can make small changes in our food choices to protect our planet and enjoy our meal more.

Avon Lake Public Library
32649 Electric Blvd.
Avon Lake, Ohio 44012
440-933-7710

28 March 2009

Is the market improving in North Central Ohio??

I've been in several meetings, spoken with numerous small business owners, builders and investors in the last couple of weeks. The general consensus is that things are getting better. If we aren't at the bottom - as a region - then we are very close. Things are starting to tighten in Avon, Avon Lake, Westlake, Bay Village and other westside communities.

Looking for a lakefront/waterfront home? Call today. There is a nice selection of lakefront homes at amazing prices. We can set you up with Debbie to tour multiple homes in a single day.

Considering Lake Erie Island property? Call us with your dream specs and we'll tell you what is available and set-up showings. There is only so much lakefront and island property - it continues to be an excellent long-term investment.

If you've been sitting on the fence then you may want to get off and make your move. Buyers - there are no more excuses. Prices are at their bottom or very, very close and interest rates and first time home buyers (you could have owned a home in the past - just not in the first 3 years) opportunities may never have been this fantastic.

Call us today about financing opportunities. Allow us to place you on an auto search for homes within your price bracket. Get pre-qualified now so when you do find that dream home you can make an offer. The Hisey Group - 440-315-6000 or RealEstate@HiseyGroup.com.

23 March 2009

Avon Lake Library: Environmental Issues Series

Home Remodeling for Energy Efficiency
March 25th, 2009 at 7pm

Save money and save the planet! Find out how to make simple improvements in your home to save on utilities and help save the planet. Brian Stack of Stack Heating and Cooling will make the presentation.

Avon Lake Public Library
32649 Electric Blvd.
Avon Lake, OH 44012
440-933-7710

22 March 2009

Physician Moving to Cleveland? Westlake? Elyria? Lakewood?

Are you a medical resident moving to Northern Ohio? Are you an intern or resident doctor working with the Cleveland Clinic? University Hospitals?

The Physician’s Plus Program may be for you!

A Mortgage Solution for Medical Residents - Your Prescription for Home Ownership

This unique mortgage program is designed exclusively for intern and resident doctors, with good credit, but limited assets and high student loan debt.

Save Money with Low Down Payment and No Mortgage Insurance

With the incredible flexibility to borrow up to 95% of your purchase price, we’ve reduced the down payment pain associated with home ownership. Your days as an intern or resident can be tough, so you’ll appreciate the ease of bringing less cash to closing while also reducing your monthly payment by eliminating the need for mortgage insurance.

Financial Flexibility

In addition to a low down payment, funds used towards making the down payment or closing costs can come from different sources, such as gifts from family members or grants from an employer. Also, the seller or builder of the property can contribute up to 3% to pay certain closing costs or fees.

Potential Tax Benefit

Mortgage interest is tax deductible. An $8000 tax credit is also available for first time home buyers.*

*Consult your tax professional for more information on the tax credit. Certain restrictions apply.
See your Howard Hanna Finance Manager for a no-cost consultation.


Contact the Hisey Group at 440-315-6000 or RealEstate@HiseyGroup.com for more information on this fantastic program, and let us help you start your home search today! We will put you in touch with our team mortgage specialist for additional information!

21 March 2009

Building Systems Magazine: Hottest Trends for 2009

I read an article a week ago in the January/February 2009 issue of Building Systems magazine. This is a magazine covering off-site construction. I think we are going to see more and more of this type of construction in the future.

In his article "Hottest Trends for 2009", Charles Bevier notes their predictions regarding design trends for 2009:

  • Less Square Footage
  • More Building Systems Used
  • Green Building's Grip on the National Consciousness is Growing
  • Healthy Home Design
  • Storm-Resistant Housing
  • A New Focus on Infill Development

I think they are right on the money.

16 March 2009

EcoBroker in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio


I was quoted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday. Nothing major - but every little bit helps.




Avon Lake Library: Environmental Issues Series

Earth and Water-Friendly Flood Control
March 18th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

Learn how to keep water out of your basement while protecting our water supply and the Earth itself. Presented by Joe Reitz, City Engineer.

Avon Lake Public Library
32649 Electric Blvd.
Avon Lake, Ohio 44012
440-933-7710

14 March 2009

Neuter Scooter: Lorain County Dates for cat spay/neuter program.

What Is The Neuter Scooter? (Sorry, no dogs)

Neuter Scooter offers an innovative approach to controlling cat overpopulation by making spay/neuter services convenient and affordable to everyone. They utilize mobile veterinary clinics. Neuter Scooter currently provides services in Hawaii, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, Ohio, and Oregon.

How Does It Work?

Cats are Checked-In in the morning and discharged in the evening of the same day to recover at home. Neuter Scooter performs safe, sterile procedures on cats 6 weeks & up. Each surgery is performed by a licensed veterinarian.

Neuter Scooter's Goals

Stop pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering faster than they can reproduce.
How fast can they reproduce?
Promote responsible pet ownership by encouraging continued veterinary care.

Dates Still Available in Ohio

Lorain, Thursday, March 26, 2009
Lorain (Pet Fest 2009), Sunday, August 30, 2009
Visit http://www.neuterscooter.com/

12 March 2009

Listen Northern Ohio - NOW is the time to buy that home!!

Waiting for the bottom? Wait too long and you'll miss it! You'll be hearing a lot of people saying "I should have..." after this opportunity becomes history.

Only at Howard Hanna can buyers receive the following:

*100% Money Back Guarantee
Considering Selling - add a money back guarantee. Call for details!

*Powerhouse Mortgage
When Howard Hanna Mortgage says we will close the loan, we will. Providing buyers $125 million a month of mortgage money!

*Buy Before You Sell Mortgage
We can loan our buyers up to 75% of the equity in their present home, so they can buy today.

And Now-
*The Apartment Dwellers Trade In Program

We can assist renters to buy now by assisting them of relieving their rent obligations.
The Hanna Assurance coupled with the $8,000 first time buyer tax credit makes NOW the time to purchase that first home.

Contact the "Hisey Group" for details at 440-315-6000
or VM 1-800-974-5184.
Ernie Hisey, Lee Hisey, Sharon Weisenbach and Debbie Burnworth.
Serving Cleveland, Ohio's Westside to the Lake Erie Islands.

Creative Loan Programs: It's a GREAT Time to Purchase a Home!!

Some of Howard Hanna Mortgage Services Loan Programs:

Physicians Plus Program
This is a unique program designed for intern and resident doctors. This program requires a lower down payment and offers high student debt forgiveness and does not require mortgage insurance.

First Time Buyer Programs
Howard Hanna has a variety of programs to meet the unique needs of our first time buyers, including competitive costs and below market interest rates for qualifying buyers.

Renovation Plus
This program enables a buyer to finance a home purchase, as well as substantial home improvements to that property, with one monthly mortgage payment.

Luxury Mortgage Programs
At times, home buyers need to secure a loan in excess of $417,000. Through Howard Hanna's Distinctive Client Services, we offer a variety of mortgage options to accommodate our luxury home buyers.


Call Lisa Coffey, Finance Manager at 1-877-933-6195 for addtional plans and financing information.

11 March 2009

Certified Solar Photovoltaic Installers in Ohio

North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)

Advanced Distributed Generation, LLC
Phone: 419-530-3792
Products: Solar electric, wind power systems, & solar hot water.

Dovetail Solar and Wind Power
Phone: 740-767-4070
Products: Solar electric, wind power systems, and solar hot water.

Mariner Energy Systems, LLC
Phone: 330-273-3391
Products: Solar electric and wind power.

Third Sun Solar and Wind Power
Phone: 740-597-3111
Products: Solar electric, wind power systems and solar hot water.

Repower Solutions
Phone: 216-402-4458
Products: Solar electric and wind power systems.

Solar Energy Solutions, LLC
Phone: 859-312-7456
Products: Solar electric, solar hot water and wind power systems.

Powerflo, LLC
Phone: 937-689-4937
Products: Wind power systems.

10 March 2009

Avon Lake Library: Environmental Issues Series

7pm March 11th, 2009
Composting

Shelly Hill of the Lorain County Extension Office will demonstrate effective composting
techniques and give you the information to get started yourself, regardless of the size of
your yard or even if you don't have a yard!

Avon Lake Public Library
32649 Electric Blvd.
Avon Lake, OH 44012
http://www.alpl.org/

08 March 2009

Ohio Buyers! Buy Now Before You Miss the Price Dip

$8,000 tax credit now available!

Recently passed legislation now allows many first time
home buyers to receive a tax credit of up to $8,000 when
they purchase a home.

Who Qualifies???
  • First time home buyers who have not owned a home during the last three years
  • Sale must close prior to December 1, 2009.
  • Adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less for individuals or $170,000 or less for those
    who file jointly qualifies you for a tax credit.
  • Receive a tax credit when you file your 2009 tax returns of 10% of the sales price of
    your home (maximum tax credit of $8,000).
  • Tax credit does not have to be repaid as long as you own the home for at least 3 years.
  • Earn your tax savings during your first year of home ownership

*Contact a tax advisor for complete details regarding tax credit. Restrictions apply.

Has there ever been a better time to be a
First Time Home Buyer?

Lisa Coffey, Finance Manager
Howard Hanna Mortgage Services, (216) 527-0190
lisacoffey@howardhanna.com

06 March 2009

Yes Ohio - Spring is near. Time Change Ahead!!

As a reminder, Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend. When you go to bed on Saturday night, be sure to set your clocks forward one hour. The time officially moves forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. on March 8.