I've updated one of our websites:

http://www.MyOhioIslands.com

Our new "Vacation Land" calendar of events is online. Feel free to email me your event for a free posting on our event directory.

Postings can include events outside of the area that are Lake Erie related to include lakefront communities and the Ohio Islands:

Vermilion, Huron, Sandusky, Catawba, Marblehead, Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island, North Bass Island, South Bass Island to include the Village of Put-in-Bay, and nearby communities.

South Bass Island - Put in Bay, Ohio: 2011 Events

The winter has just started, but there are already island events being scheduled. Here is a short list of some 2011 events:

April 9th at 2pm: Lighting the Whiskey Light at 2pm/Put in Bay/South Bass Island.
April 22nd: Perry's Victory Visitor Center Opening - 10 am to 5 pm Friday/Sat/Sun.
May 21st: Island Wide Garage Sale - 10 am to 2 pm. South Bass Island
May 27th to 29th: Memorial Day Celebrations - one of the islands most popular weekends. Car show, entertainers, ceremonies, and so much more. Bring the entire family!
June 2nd: Ohio Bike Weeks "Rally on the Rocks".
June 10th to 12th: South Bass Island Kayak Rendezvous - Meet at the South Bass Island State Park. Kayak around the Lake Erie Islands!

Just for Fun

Our Office Business Coordinator forwarded this to me this morning. I thought it was a good bit of clever fun. Enjoy a moment of stress relief : )

Puns for Educated Minds

1. The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out
to be an optical Aleutian.

3. She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it
was a weapon of math disruption.

5. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

6. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for
littering.

7. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum
Blownapart.

8. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

9. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are
looking into it.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

11. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

12. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to
the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'

13. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

14. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: 'Keep off the Grass.'

15. The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium
at large.

16. The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a
seasoned veteran.

17. A backward poet writes inverse.

18. In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your
count that votes.

19. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

20. If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you'd be in Seine.

21. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The
stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion
allowed per passenger.'

22. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says
'Dam!'

23. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the
craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have
your kayak and heat it too.

24. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The
other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'

25. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root
canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.

26. There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that
at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

What Kind of Leisure Activities are of Interest to Second Home Buyers??

2% Gambling

4% Tennis

8% Winter Sports

3% Theme Parks

17% Boating

15% Hunting/Fishing

10% Golf

9% Hiking/Biking/Horseback Riding

26% Beach and Watersports

6% Other


Dreaming of a Vacation Home? What are your interests?

Contact me today at LeeHisey@HowardHanna.com or 440-315-6000.

Make Your Second Home as Environmentally Friendly as Possible

Is your second home "Green"??



I've recently read some articles arguing that second homes can never be "green" and eco-friendly. At face value this seemed to be correct, but then I started to think about many of the buyers and sellers we've had the pleasure of working with over the years and thought I'd share some of their thoughts and some of my own.

• How often do you use your second home? If it is a family retreat than it may be used on a weekly basis, with many family members and their friends utilizing the space. If it sits empty it probably isn't the best use of resources.


• We recently sold a second home condo in Vermilion that the owner regularly donated to charity auctions. She would allow groups to auction a weekend at her condo - and they benefited from the funds it generated. Fantastic idea - and a responsible use of time the home was sitting empty.


• Frequently the second home is where the old refrigerator, television, sofa, etc. go to finish out their days. Often these are items that would otherwise have been sent to the curb. On island property items are often passed on to other islanders when replaced - the ultimate recycling.


• Energy Efficiency? Make sure you insulate. Turn off all appliances and unplug cords when possible during unused periods.


• If you are vacationing at a second home your aren't hopping on jets and cruise ships. You are generally having a lower negative impact on your surroundings.


• Vacation areas also tend to be bike and walker friendly areas. If you are enjoying a bike ride or a nice walk you aren't driving across town!!


• People tend to be in touch with nature more on vacation. They are looking for stress reduction. They kayak, walk, bike and just sit and enjoy their surroundings more. As a result some of the areas we purchase vacation property are also the areas where land is being preserved. "We want to protect the area because that is why we purchased the property".

If you own are are considering purchasing a second home encourage your association to maintain natural areas. Create water gardens, provide feed and feeder areas, and clear areas unnecessarily. Take a day every couple weeks and pick-up trash as you take your walk. You'll help the environment and feel better about yourself.

Considering a second home? Contact the Hisey Group today at 440-315-6000 or email me at leehisey@howardhanna.com.

Ohio Residents Annual Migration to Florida, Arizona and Points Further South

It is the time of year when Ohio's snowbirds are starting to flock to warmer climates. The annual migration to states like Arizona, Florida and points further south has started.

Increasingly these "Baby Boomers" are selling their larger home in the north. They are then purchasing a condominium or smaller home in Northern Ohio as well as a modular, mobile or condominium residence in the south.

Considering maintaining a smaller residence in Northern Ohio near friends and family? Consider the Lake Erie Islands and Ohio's "Vacation Land" extending around the islands, through Sandusky, Huron and Vermilion. Enjoy the retired lifestyle in Florida and Northern Ohio with water sports, world class fishing, golf, wineries, Cedar Point, water parks, entertainment and so much more! There are amazing condominium opportunities at excellent prices in Vermilion, Middle Bass Island, Catawba Island, Put in Bay, Marblehead, and other Ohio waterfront communities.

Contact the Hisey Group today to discuss your options, and to get a free market analysis for your "Too Large" home. We can help you with the sales of your current home, discuss options and arrange a tour of waterfront and island alternatives along Ohio's Northcoast, and even refer you to an agent you can trust in your winter destination.

Contact the Hisey Group at 440-315-6000, 216-218-5168 or LeeHisey@HowardHanna.com

Ohio Home Sales Update: January through October, 2010, OAR President

Get Your Ohio Home Ready for Winter!

Homes perform differently in the different seasons, so it is important to make sure yours is ready for the strains of its next few months. In winter, this means sealing leaks, turning down temperatures, and cleaning chimneys, furnaces, and gutters to keep your home working properly. Simple small maintenance tasks can help save energy throughout the cold season, especially when it comes to heating your home.

The following are a variety of the different measures you can take to winterize your home:

1. Clean your gutters. This will help rain and snow drain properly and prevent water damage to your roof and walls.

2. Block air leaks. Drafts can account for 5-30% of your home’s energy use. Block spaces around windows and in your basement and attic using caulking or weather stripping. For bigger gaps under doors, consider purchasing or making a draft snake. These are long thin tubes covered with fabric to help block air from entering and exiting the home under exterior doors and windows. Consider having a home energy audit done on your home using a blower door test to help detect leaks.

3. Insulate your home. Insulation is one of the best ways to prevent heat loss and keep your energy bills down. Make sure your insulation is in good condition by contacting a local contractor. Insulate your walls and attic with high quality insulation to keep warm air from leaking out hidden places. To find out how much insulation you need, consult Johns Manville’s Insulation Calculator at http://www.jm.com/insulation/technical_info/3001.htm.

4. Check to make sure your furnace is in good, working condition. Replace the filter and clean the furnace to make sure it can function properly. Have a professional check to see that the burner is working properly and that there are no leaks in the exhaust system.

5. Check duct work for leaks. Properly sealed ductwork can help prevent air leakage that causes heat loss. If you find a leak, seal it properly before winter sets in. For more information, including a do-it-yourself guide, visit Energy Star’s page on Duct Sealing at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_ducts.

6. Winterize your windows. Consider installing storm windows and screens or replacing old ones with new energy-efficient windows. For a more inexpensive option, purchase a window insulating kit from your local home improvement store. These include layers of plastic film or sheeting that are attached to windows using double-sided tape and shrunk using a blow-dryer to seal the window.

7. Clean your chimney. Clear out old ash and wood pieces yourself using a shovel, small broom, and bucket. Consider hiring a chimney sweep to make sure your chimney is in good working condition for wintertime fires.

8. Reverse the direction of your fans. In the summer, fan blades should rotate downward (counterclockwise if looking up at it) to help create a breeze throughout the room. In the winter, reversing the fan’s direction will help force the warm air from the top of a room down into the living space.

9. Insulate your pipes and water heater. Wrapping your pipes and heater with an insulating blanket will help keep your water hot and avoid reheating. You can purchase heater blankets at your local home improvement store and in most cases, are easily installed yourself.

10.Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees. Most water heaters are set to 140 degrees by default. By turning the temperature down by 20 degrees, you can save a significant amount of money and energy on your monthly heating bills. www.ecobroker.com · 1-800-706-4321
www.ecobroker.com · 1-800-706-4321

11.Turn your thermostat down by 4 degrees or so and put on a sweater. Keeping your home’s temperature at or around 68 degrees will help avoid excess heating costs. Turn the temperature down a few more degrees while sleeping or out of the house can help minimize costs as well. Instead of turning the heat up, consider putting on a sweater and socks to warm your body without using energy. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically regulate your home’s temperature based on your schedule.

12. Shut the doors to rooms you don’t use. If you have extra guest rooms or storage rooms that you do not actively use, close their doors to avoid heating empty spaces. Open them a little while before you plan on using them to warm them up again.

13. Close your curtains and blinds. This can help keep the warm air in and the cold air out, especially on the frostier days. Open them if it warms up and the sun is shining to help heat your home using the passive solar, but keep them closed when temperature drops for maximum energy efficiency.

14. Make sure you have alternative heating fuels and plenty of wood on hand. This is especially true in cold climates where winter storms could potentially cut off regular heat sources. Kerosene heaters work as a great alternative in emergencies, but they can be dangerous. Follow all directions and warnings when using to minimize hazards. Make sure your fireplace or wood burning stove is accessible in case you need it.

Estimated Cost Savings:

Prepping your home for the cold seasons can help lower your heating bills and keep your home comfortable, even as temperatures drop. Many winterization steps have small upfront costs, but these are typically minimal ($10-$20) and if done properly, they can provide a return on investment within the winter months. Federal tax credits are available from the IRS for certain winterization measures. For more information and to find out how to claim your credits, visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=214873,00.html.

Regional Issues:
While it is a good idea to winterize your home regardless of where you live, it is especially important in regions with colder climates. These areas typically have harsher winds, lower temperatures, and more adverse weather conditions that can cause more issues than in milder regions.

Installation (Getting It Done):
It is best to begin winterizing your home in early fall (around Labor Day). Most steps can be done yourself with little or no cost, but a few require the help of certified professionals. Ask the experts at your local home improvement store for tips and advice on do-it-yourself projects as needed.

More Information on This Topic:

MSN Real Estate – Winterizing Your Home
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13107899

The Daily Green – Winterizing Home Tips
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/winterize-home-tips-energy-461008

CBS News – Winterizing Your Home
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/12/earlyshow/living/supersavers/main529051.shtml

Planet Green – 35 Tips for Winterizing Your Home
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/winterize-home-poisoning-family.html

IRS – Expanded Recovery Act Tax Credits Help Homeowners Winterize their Homes, Save Energy
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=214873,00.html

Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Guide
http://jeffco.us/jeffco/emerg_uploads/citizens_emergency_prep_guide.pdf

Thank you www.EcoBroker.com for this excellent info - of which I am a member.

Some Energy Saving Tips

• Harvest rainwater.
• Move heat-generating appliances and electronics away from your thermostat.
• Turn down your water heater 10-20 degrees.
• Check insulation and add as needed. (an energy audit can help identify areas)
• Turn off lights and fans and space heaters when you leave the room.
• Close doors and windows when heating or cooling your home. (utilize/install storm doors)
• Use your drapes to control heat gain and loss.
• Wash full loads - clothes and dishes.

10 Basic Energy Saving Tips

1. Replace your incandescent bulbs with CFLs.
CFLs use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and can last up to ten times as long. By replacing the five most commonly used bulbs in your home, you can save about $70 every year on energy costs. The more you replace, the more you save. For more information, visit our green topic page on compact fluorescent light bulbs on www.ecobroker.com
(https://www.ecobroker.com/misc/articleview.aspx?ArticleID=50).

2. Unplug appliances, chargers, and electronics you are not using.
Vampire power (also called phantom energy) is the energy used by electronics that are turned off. This can account for as much as 10% of your home energy use.

To help combat these unused power drains, keep outlets clear as much as possible.

• In areas where you have several electronics that are commonly used, consider plugging them into a power strip and turning the strip off when they are not in use. This will prevent the energy drain that would occur if they were plugged directly into the wall.
• To help avoid tangled cords (especially when unplugged), consider purchasing a charging station or labeling the ends of the cords using tape or small labels with the name of the electronic it powers. This will make it easier to identify what you’re plugging in without having to retrace cords.
• Unplug electronics when they are fully charged. Lawrence Berkley’s National Laboratory claims that aggressive measures taken to combat vampire power can reduce the amount of standby electricity utilized in your home by about 30%.

(http://standby.lbl.gov/cutting.html). For more information, visit http://standby.lbl.gov/standby.html

3. Install a programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats are a great way to lower your energy bills by offering you pre-determined control over your homes heating and cooling schedule. Not only does this save on energy by altering temperature to energy-saving settings while you are away or sleeping, it does it automatically according to your set guidelines allowing you to save energy without even thinking about it. Many models come with a filter sensor that tells you when to change your HVAC filters to further maximize energy efficiency. For more information on programmable thermostats, visit our green topic page (http://www.ecobroker.com/misc/articleview.aspx?ArticleID=51).

4. Save water - Put aerators on faucets and install a low-flow showerhead.
Aerators attach to your faucet to decrease the water flow while maintaining high pressures. Since faucets make up around 15% of a typical home’s indoor water use, decreasing the water flow on every faucet in your home can easily help save a significant amount of water. Low-flow showerheads essentially work the same way, minimizing the amount of water you use while running the shower. Look for hardware with the EPA’s Water Sense label for products that are at least 20% more efficient than standard models. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/about_us/watersense_label.html.

5. Recycle.
According to the National Recycling Coalition, the average American discards 7.5 lbs. of garbage every day! Recycling not only helps minimize this amount of waste being put into landfills, it helps minimize the use of natural resources and saves energy in manufacturing new products. And the best part is, it’s easy! Put up bins in your garage or laundry room (if you have kids, let them decorate them) and sort your cardboard, paper, aluminum, glass, steel, etc. Once every couple of weeks, make a trip to your local recycling center and deposit your recyclables. To find recycling centers near you, visit http://earth911.com. For more information on the effects of recycling, check out http://www.nrc-recycle.org/theconversionator/shell.html.

6. Use eco-friendly cleaners.
In 2007, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine reported that 15% of all asthma cases were caused by exposure to unsafe cleaning products. To avoid this and other negative effects, look for cleaners with the EPA Design for the Environment (DfE) label or the Green Seal. These products are held to rigorous standards ensuring the the safest ingredient in each class (bleach, sterilizer, etc.) is used. For a complete list of DfE products, visit their website at http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/formpart.htm. For a list of certified Green Seal products, visit http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm.

7. Fill air leaks with caulking or weather stripping.
Cracks around your windows and doors can be a major energy drain on your home as they decrease the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by allowing air to escape. To avoid this problem, apply caulk or weather stripping around windows and doors or other spaces where air may be leaking through. To find these spots, consider having a home energy audit done on your home by a certified auditor. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Savings page on Caulking and Weather Stripping at http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/ index.cfm/mytopic=11260 or check out our green topic page on sealing the existing home (http://www.ecobroker.com/misc/articleview.aspx?ArticleID=20).

8. Plant a tree to shade your home.
Planting a six to eight foot deciduous tree with high spreading crowns on the south side of your home can help increase the efficiency of your air conditioner by up to 10% (http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/landscaping/index.cfm/mytopic=11940). Because of evapotranspiration (the process by which a plant moves and releases water vapor into the air), areas surrounding shade trees typically see a 9 degree temperature reduction, with a 25 degree reduction in the direct shade of the tree. This can obviously yield tremendous energy savings by helping keep your home cool without the extensive use of fans or A/C. For best results, plant a tree to the south of your home for maximum summer shading. (If you have a solar system on your roof, do not plant directly to the south as the tree may block direct sunlight from reaching the solar panels.) For more information, visit our green topic page on shade trees and windbreaks (http://www.ecobroker.com/misc/articleview.aspx?ArticleID=10).

9. Insulate your hot water heater and furnace.
By putting a “blanket” of insulation around your hot water heater and furnace, you can reduce heat loss by 25-45%, reducing your energy bill by 4-9%
(http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13080). Some blankets come pre-cut and ready to wrap around your heater while others require cutting and forming to fit your specific model. These blankets are available at many home improvement stores or online.

10. Replace your HVAC filters.
Energy Star recommends that you check your filters every month for excess debris that can restrict air flow and cause dust and dirt to enter your ventilation system and decrease your home’s indoor air quality. Filters should be replaced at least every three months or whenever they look dirty to avoid negative health effects and increase your HVAC’s efficiency. For more information on how to maximize HVAC efficiency, check out Energy Star’s Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling (http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/HeatingCoolingGuide%20FINAL_9‐4‐09.pdf).

These tips are compliments of www.ecobroker.com of which I am a member.

Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays

1. Fewer Showings - Fewer buyers, but those still looking tend to be serious about buying.
2. Less Competition - Most people wait until spring to list resulting in more competition.
3. Homes Show Better During the Holidays - Your home is already dressed up for the season.
4. January is the Biggest Transfer Month - More corporate moves happen during January than any other time of the year.
5. Timing - May help you to better hit YOUR moving goals.
6. The Market - Interest rates are still historically low. This will not last forever, and there is no crystal ball. List now while the rates are still low!!
7. Loan Commitment - There is generally less loan traffic so the loans may be processed quicker.

Call us today at 1-800-974-5184 to list your home with the Hisey Group, LLC. Or you can email me at leehisey@howardhanna.com.

Credit Questions? Free Lecture at the Avon Lake, Ohio Library

Credit Management for the Busy or Confused Consumer
Lecture at Avon Lake Library Wed. Nov 3rd 7:00
32649 Electric Blvd
PD personal finance reporter Teresa Dixon Murray
will share a host of financial tips. Register at
440-933-8128 x249

Do You Have Old Photos of Avon Lake??

The Avon Lake Public Library (a fantastic facility - and wow has it grown over the years since I was growing up in Avon Lake) and the Avon Lake Historical Society are looking for original photographs, postcards, etc. If you have anything showing people, events, or places of "old" Avon Lake please contact them by November 30th. They may be used in a publication. All pictures will be copied and returned.

Contact them at: 440-933-8128 ext 239 or gvogel@avonlake.lib.oh.us

Better Pictures = Better Sale Price

A new study is reporting that better pictures taken with a digital SLR camera result in a higher sale price. When you bring in the Hisey Group with Howard Hanna to market your home we take all of our pictures with a high quality SLR digital camera. These pictures are uploaded to a wide variety of websites, used in creating a panoramic virtual tour of your property, and used in print material. We agree - higher quality photos are necessary in today's internet/visual intensive society! This is particularly true if you have a waterfront home, or a home that is surrounded by beautiful landscaping or in a wooded area. High quality digital photography helps bring these to life for the online home shopper.

Let us market your North-Central Ohio home or condominium. Contact us today at leehisey@howardhanna.com or 440-314-6000.

Read about it:

http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2010/10/12/the-better-the-property-photos-the-higher-the-sale-price/?WT.mc_id=LS102010&CAT=Sales

Ohio grants tax exemptions to alternative energy projects

Ohio grants tax exemptions to alternative energy projects

Our New Tour: Compass Rose, Vermilion, Ohio

Check out our newest tour - Compass Rose Condominiums in Vermilion, Ohio:

10 Reasons to Buy a Home - MarketWatch

Not all of the media stories are negative:

10 Reasons to Buy a Home - MarketWatch

Hisey Group E-Newsletter Library

Our e-newsletter library from saved previously sent newsletters.

http://community.icontact.com/p/hiseygroup/newsletters/issue1

Home Owners Still Care About Energy Efficiency

Home owners still care about energy efficiency:

Poll: Nine in 10 U.S. Homeowners Concerned About Home Energy Efficiency

Higher end homes may soon see a sales recovery Recession and Recovery - MarketWatch

Higher end homes and second homes / vacation homes may be getting ready for a comeback! Listen to this podcast:

Higher end homes may soon see a sales recovery Recession and Recovery - MarketWatch

Conservation Easements: Some Basic Information

Conservation Easements

Snapshot & Benefits: A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation or government agency that perpetually restricts specified activities on a piece of private property for the purpose of conservation. For example, a landowner may give up the right to subdivide the land into building sites, while retaining the right to farm the land. The land that can be protected must have "significant" conservation values, according to the IRS. These values include forests, wildlife habitats, open spaces, wetlands, and more. The easement stays with the property and is binding on all future owners. Conservation easement is a popular tool for landowners who want to retain ownership of their property and protect it for generations to come. The landowner essentially gives up "development rights" however, can continue to own and manage the land according to the rights outlined in the easement. These easements can be transferred by charitable gift or sale, and often bring significant tax deductions. A conservation easement is also a critical tool used to ensure that the land stays within a family for future generations. The family possession of the land is made possible due to the fact that the easement removes any development rights, which lowers the land market value, and in turn lowers the estate tax.

Tax Savings: Conservation easements may provide substantial tax savings, because the landowner receives a federal income tax deduction. The value of the tax deduction is determined by the value of the easement. The value of the easement is determined by a professional appraiser and equals the difference between the fair market value of the property before and after the easement takes effect. As stated by the IRS, to qualify for this income tax deduction, the easement must be: a) perpetual; b) held by a qualified governmental or non-profit organization; and c) serve a valid "conservation purpose."

Issues: Conservation easements are not appropriate for every landowner. The IRS requires that the property in question has "significant" conservation values, such as a wildlife habitat, wetlands, forests, etc. Landowners should know that conservation easements may be overridden by eminent domain when the public value of the proposed project exceeds that of the conservation interest being protected by the easement. Conservation easements may also result in a considerable reduction in the sale price of land, because of its restrictions on building.

Getting It Done: Consult a professional appraiser in your area before requesting the easement. In most areas, the landowner will need to contact their local conservation or government agency, at which they will evaluate the property to determine if it meets their criteria. If approved, the easement is signed by both the landowner and agency and is recorded in the local land records.

More Information on This Topic:

What is a Conservation Easement?
http://landtrust.org/ProtectingLand/EasementInfo.htm

The Nature Conservancy: How We Work
http://www.nature.org/aboutus/howwework/conservationmethods/privatelands/conservationeasements/

American Land Conservancy
http://www.alcnet.org/protect/easements

Info compliments of EcoBroker.com of which I am a member.

Crocker Park Fall Fest & Fine Art Fair, Westlake, Ohio

Fall Art Festival

September 18th-19th, 2010
Saturday 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday 11 am to 5 pm


Grab your favorite sweater and your favorite pal and celebrate the change of season with Crocker Park in Westlake as it introduces the Crocker Park Fall Fest & Fine Art Fair, Saturday, September 18, 10am-7pm & Sunday, September 19, 11am-5pm. The unique and charming Crocker Park is at the intersection of Crocker and Detroit Roads in Westlake. The Fall Fest will feature a wine tasting, fresh apple cider, a fun clam bake, a special fall farmers market, children’s activities and a fine art fair with artist demonstrations all in the unique setting of the elegant Crocker Park. It’s a weekend of fun, food, wine, art, fashion, music and more! So come join us !

From: http://www.crockerpark.com/events.php?id=517

Elyria, Ohio's Apple Festival

Come to Elyria's square downtown and enjoy apples galore!

September 17, 18, 19 and 20
Ely Park, Downtown Elyria

Click here for more info: http://www.elyriaapplefestival.com/

Food, Drinks, Live Music, Princess Pageant, 5k Race, Children's Events and plenty of apples!!

The World's Fresh Water - Riches of the Great Lakes!!

The Great Lakes are the largest surface freshwater resource on our planet. They contain approximately 84 percent of the surface fresh water for North America and about 21 percent of the entire world's supply.

The only place with more fresh water is the polar ice caps -
and they're melting into the ocean -
can you say salt water?

Think about it. Are we the next Middle East??

Wellington, Ohio: 28th Annual Harvest of the Arts

Visit beautiful downtown Wellington, Ohio for their 28th Annual Harvest of the Arts. The festival will showcase fine arts and folk art, and will take place on Wellington's historic square. There will be live entertainment, a quilt raffle, and children's activities. Admission is FREE - Rain or Shine!

Proceeds will benefit the Herrick Memorial Library
Sunday, September 19th, 2010
11am to 4pm

Higher end homes may soon see a sales recovery Recession and Recovery - MarketWatch

Higher end homes may soon see a sales recovery Recession and Recovery - MarketWatch

Children's Free Care Fund: Avon Lake Landing's Party Center

15 Family “Treasure” Sale
All proceeds benefit
Children’s Free Care Fund

Saturday October 9th
9:00-3:00
Landings Party Center

(In Complex at Northeast Corner)
425 Avon Belden (Rt. 83)
Avon Lake, Ohio

Get your Christmas shopping done early
LOTS OF BARGAINS!!!

Baked goods, hot dogs & drinks too!

Avon's Fall Festival & Taste of Avon

Avon's Fall Festival and Taste of Avon

Come to Avon's French Creek District and enjoy browsing antiques, baby items, home decor, and more. Many of the local shops will offer specials and will be holding sidewalk sales. There will be regional antique dealers present to display items for sale.

Area restaurants will be offering samples from their menus.

Visit Avon on September 11th in Avons Historic French Creek District, on Detroit Rd west of St. Route 83. For more information call: 440-934-3778

Fisherman's Bend Condominiums in Vermilion, Ohio

Vermilion Waterfront Condominiums on the beautiful Vermilion River:

Expect mortgage rates to remain low for a while Real Estate Weekly - MarketWatch

We haven't seen rates like these since the 1950's! Saving could more than exceed the expired tax credit - so don't keep sitting on the fence. Call us today to arrange your personal tour of homes you've been considering!

Check out this story:

Expect mortgage rates to remain low for a while Real Estate Weekly - MarketWatch

Tour the Lakeview Park Neighborhood in Lorain, Ohio

Take a tour of Lakeview Park and it's surrounding neighborhood in Lorain, Ohio:

Tour Grand Harbour Condominiums on Lake Erie in Vermilion, Ohio

Take a tour:

Do you regret buying your home? Most people don't Real Estate Weekly - MarketWatch

Most people do not regret buying their home - even in this market:

Do you regret buying your home? Most people don't Real Estate Weekly - MarketWatch

Panoramic Virtual Tours: You must have them as part of your home or properties marketing strategy in todays market!

In today's Real Estate marketplace virtual tours are becoming an indispensable part of a successful marketing campaign. Print advertising is rapidly becoming obsolete as large numbers of increasingly high quality pictures online lure shoppers to the Internet to browse for their dream home 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.

A panoramic virtual tour helps to provide prospective in terms of how rooms fit together. It can provide more detail - for instance panning up and down allows the viewer to view the floor material and the ceiling fan or cathedral ceiling. These details may not be visible in a picture. The panoramic shot can tie these features together helping to give a better perspective of the entire room and it's features.

Spotlight your properties unique features! Do you have a beautiful fireplace? A slow panoramic shot going from bottom to top followed by a left to right full room view centered around the fireplace can show off that feature like a single picture can't. The home shopper can see the details followed by the fireplaces placement. Don't have a fireplace? Highlight your stairwell, balcony, cathedral ceiling or the beautiful street you live on with your home in the middle.

Virtual tours give the viewer a more complete view of the property from a wide variety of angles. They can take their initial tour from the comfort of their own home and then if they like what they see they'll call us for their personal tour. If your property doesn't meet their needs - they aren't wasting your valuable time!!

For many of our properties we also provide community tours. Vermilion, Avon Lake, Middle Bass Island, Catawba Island...the list continues to grow. By watching our videos buyers not familiar with your home and community can get a feel for both! We now post all of our community virtual tours on online video sharing websites to pull in more buyers to view your property. As the Internet continues to become the dominate method of marketing real estate, the Hisey Group continues to expand our Internet marketing program to bring more buyers to view your property. Call us today for a personal consultation. The Hisey Group serves North Central Ohio from Cleveland's Westside to the Lake Erie Islands. We serve Ohio's Northcoast. If you live east of Cleveland, Ohio give us a call we'd be happy to refer you to one of our Eastside Associates.


RealEstate@HiseyGroup.com, vm 1-800-974-5184 or 440-315-6000.

30-year fixed-rate mortgage stays at record low Mortgages - MarketWatch

Refinancing is doing well - but why aren't people buying. These low interest rates could save you more than the tax credit did!

Article: 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stays at record low Mortgages - MarketWatch

Organic Beer and Beyond:10 Eco-Friendly Breweries

Our own Great Lakes Brewery (I've taken the tour twice!) is in their top 10!
Check out this list:

Organic Beer and Beyond:<br />10 Eco-Friendly Breweries

Home-buyer tax-credit extension stalled for now Real Estate Weekly - MarketWatch

Home-buyer tax-credit extension stalled for now Real Estate Weekly - MarketWatch

Mp3 Hybrid official video - English audio

Very Cool !! I want one.

Vermilion, Ohio's Festival of Fish

FRIDAY – JUNE 18TH

• 12 PM - MIDWAY OPENS
  

• 12:30 PM - PET PARADE WITH DICK GODDARD OF FOX TV8 (SPONSORED BY LORAIN NATIONAL BANK AND FOX TV-8)
  

• 2:30 PM - PRINCESS PAGEANT (SPONSORED BY VACATIONLAND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, GIANT EAGLE, ERIE ACRES MINIATURE HORSE FARM AND SIMPLY SEWING)
  

• 6:00 PM - OPENING CEREMONIES
  

• 6:15 PM - RIBBON CUTTING
  

• 6:30 PM - QUEENS CONTEST (SPONSORED BY KINGSTON OF VERMILION AND MAGNOLIAS FLORAL SHOP)
  

• 8:30 AM - 11:00 PM - MR. SHOW (SPONSORED BY FIRST MERIT BANK)
  

SATURDAY – JUNE 19TH

• 9:00 AM - 5K RUN AND 1 MILE WALK (SPONSORED BY VERMILION YMCA)
  

• 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - SAND CASTLE CONTEST AT MAIN STREET BEACH (SPONSORED BY CASSELL ENTERPRISES AND DOMINO’S PIZZA)
  

• 12:00 PM - MIDWAY OPEN
  

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - VERMILION COMMUNITY BAND AT THE GAZEBO
  

• 1:00 PM - CRAZY CRAFT RACES AT PUBLIC BOAT DOCKS (SPONSORED BY VERMILION PORT AUTHORITY, VERMILION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BILL MCCARTHY, DOUG & CINDY KEITH JR., QUAKER STEAK & LUBE, VALLEY HARBOR MARINA, LARRY ROLINCE, LAGOON MARINE INC., C-J BUSINESS FORMS, MYSTIC BELLE, STRITTMATHER & SON’S PLUMBING AND LAKELAND LODGES)
  

• 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - KIDS GAMES AT The GAZEBO IN VICTORY PARK (SPONSORED BY ALCO, YMCA, KINGSTON OF VERMILION, PUTTER PORT AND ROMP’S DAIRY DOCK)
  

• 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - “I PUT THE FISH BACK IN THE PARADE” DECORATING EVENT AT VICTORY PARK (SPONSORED BY ALLEN-THORLEY-DELLOYD, JOHN RUPERT- EDWARD D. JONES , RUDY’S BAR & GRILL AND INDEPENDENCE BUSINESS SUPPLY)
  

• 3:00 PM AWARDS FOR CRAZY CRAFT RACE
  

• 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM THE BIRMINGHAM BAND
  

• 8:30 AM - 11:00 PM - MORNIN’ AFTER
  

• AT DUSK LIGHTED BOAT PARADE ON VERMILION RIVER (SPONSORED BY LARRY ROLINCE, GERMAN’S VILLA, QUAKER STEAK & LUBE AND VALLEY HARBOR MARINA)
  

SUNDAY – JUNE 20TH

• 10:00 AM - QUEENS BREAKFAST AT GERMAN’S VILLA-OPEN TO PUBLIC - CALL (440) 967-4477 TO RSVP
  

• 12 PM - MIDWAY OPENS
  

• 12:30 PM FATHER’S DAY PARADE (SPONSORED BY LAKELAND LODGES)
  

• VERMILION FIREFIGHTERS WATER FIGHT – IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PARADE IN FRONT OF FIRE CO. #1 ON OHIO STREET
  

• 3:15 PM - PARADE JUDGING AT MAIN STAGE
  

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - ROADRUNNER BAND
  

• BEVERAGE TENT ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLY- FRIDAY 7 PM - 11 PM - TIM BLAKE
  

• SATURDAY 2 PM - 6 PM - DJ SCOTTIE; SATURDAY 7 PM - 11 PM - C.R.B. (CLASSIC ROCK BAND)
  

• CRAFTS , FOOD, KIDS GAMES
  

FOR INFORMATION CALL VERMILION CHAMBER AT (440) 967-4477

(info from the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce Website)

LISTEN UP OHIO - BEST INTEREST RATES SINCE 1953 !!

GIVE US A CALL FOR DETAILS - WE'LL PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH A MORTGAGE BROKER YOU CAN TRUST!

THEN START SEARCHING FOR YOUR NORTHERN OHIO DREAM HOME!! BUY NOW BEFORE RATES GO UP!!!

The Lake Erie Islands - Jewels of the Great Lakes

Our beautiful Lake Erie Islands are a chain of archipelagic islands. They include islands located in both the United States and Canada. The majority of the islands are in the state of Ohio. The largest island is Pelee Island located in Canada and the southernmost point in Canada is Middle Island. Major islands in the United States include Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island, and South Bass Island. Many of the islands are nature preserves or privately owned.

The larger islands to include Pelee Island, Middle Bass Island, Kelleys Island and South Bass Island have regular car ferry service in season. Some of the smaller islands have their own ferry docks and can arrange special ferry service. There is also a regular passenger boat from the Village of Put in Bay on South Bass Island to the southern tip of Middle Bass Island. Charter boats and planes are available, or you can visit by private plane or boat.

The Lake Erie Islands (largest to smallest)

1. Pelee Island (Canada/Ontario)

2. Kelleys Island (US/Ohio)

3. South Bass Island (US/Ohio)

4. Middle Bass Island (US/Ohio)

5. North Bass Island (US/Ohio)

6. Johnson’s Island (US/Ohio)

7. Middle Island (Canada/Ontario)

8. West Sister Island (US/Ohio)

9. Rattlesnake Island (US/Ohio)

10. Turtle Island (US/Ohio and Michigan)

11. Green Island (US/Ohio)

12. Sugar Island (US/Ohio)

13. Ballast Island (US/Ohio)

14. Mouse Island (US/Ohio)

15. Gibraltar Island (US/Ohio)

16. Indian Island (US/Michigan)

17. Hen Island (surrounded by very small Big Chicken/Chick/and Little Chicken Island – really more reefs) (Canada/Ontario)

18. Middle Sister Island (Canada/Ontario)

19. North Harbor Island (Canada/Ontario)

20. Ryerson’s Island (Canada/Ontario)

21. Second Island (Canada/Ontario)

22. Starve Island (US/Ohio)

23. Buckeye Island (US/Ohio)

24. Lost Ballast Island (US/Ohio)

25. Snow Island (Canada/Ontario)

26. Mohawk Island (formerly Gull Island) (Canada/Ontario)

27. Gull Island (US/Ohio)

The Lake Erie Islands have long been a spring through fall vacation area, with an active ice fishing community in the winter. They are surrounded by some of the richest fishing areas in the world, and provide opportunities for a wide variety of water sports and activities. The islands each have unique communities offering entertainment, outdoor activities, shopping and dining in a wide variety of venues.

For information on purchasing a home or property on the Lake Erie Islands contact the Hisey Group with Howard Hanna at vm 1-800-974-5184, email us at RealEstate@HiseyGroup.com, or contact me directly, Lee Hisey at 440-315-6000.

Also at: http://blog.homeawayrealestate.com/blog/the-lake-erie-islands/