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.