Two developers say they are planning to build housing and some offices near the Kingsdale Shopping Center in Upper Arlington

Long & Wilcox LLC intends to develop the Town Center at Kingsdale, a mixed-use complex on Tremont Road between Milden and Ridgecliff roads. Town Center at Kingsdale would include 30 to 50 condominiums and 20,000 square feet of offices or medical space.

Pricing information for the residences wasn’t available.

Also, Wears Kahn McMenamy plans Town Center Place, a 20-unit condo center at Ridgecliff and Tremont. Town Center Place would feature a mix of townhouse-style condos and flats constructed around a central courtyard. Its units would sell from $240,000 to $295,000.

Upper Arlington officials said they were heartened by the activity around Kingsdale, a venerable shopping center that has lost many tenants in recent years.

Thursday, January 6, 2005

The new year means new beginnings — and if you’re currently renting or outgrowing your current living situation, it also might mean the perfect time to buy or sell a home. While the past few years have boasted record-breaking real estate industry statistics, industry experts tell us that 2005 will be another great year for real estate. Although interest rates will most likely rise a few points, the increase will be gradual and won’t significantly impact the market, reports Inman News.

Of course, a strong finish to 2004 also means a positive start for the New Year. Economic conditions across the United States — as well as at home in central Ohio — improved in late 2004 and consequently pave the way for continued optimism in 2005.

Take a look at the following examples of this economic upswing and why you should seriously consider buying or selling a home in 2005:

Ñ RIS Media reports that the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index, which decreased in mid-2004, rebounded in December. Based on a boost in economic expansion and job growth, 24.4 percent of consumers generally view current conditions as good, up from 23.2 percent in November.

Ñ Consumers also view the job market as improving, with 19.4 percent (an increase from 17.1 percent in November) claiming jobs are “plentiful,” RIS Media states in a recent article. In addition, 17.6 percent (up from 16.2 percent) expect more jobs to become available in the coming year.

Ñ According to Inman News, central Ohio homes sales in November rose to 1,875, the highest number ever reported for November home sales and 17.6 percent above the 2003 home sales number. Through November 2004, 24,812 homes were sold in central Ohio, which is 9.7 percent over last year’s number. Condo sales also increased in November. Clearly, these healthy home sales ultimately mean a plentiful market for buyers.

Ñ In addition, Inman News reports the average November home price of $171,588 jumped 4 percent over last year’s number, based on a report by the Columbus Board of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service. If you’re looking to sell your home in 2005, higher home prices translate into additional equity.

Overall, home sales remain strong for central Ohio as we start fresh in 2005, and based on economic improvements nationwide, consumers should only see conditions improving in the New Year. If you think 2005 will be your year to buy or sell, remember that your Realtor is armed with the tools and knowledge to guarantee you can capitalize on these prime housing market conditions.

Monday, October 18, 2004

Inman News
Columbus, Ohio

Central Ohio home sales jumped 6.6 percent in September from their year-ago level and set a record for the month, according to the Columbus Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service.

Realtors reported 2,264 homes sold last month, compared to 2,124 sold in September 2003. Year-to-date home sales are now 9.9 percent of the same period last year, the association reported.

“To experience a 6 percent surge in sales after so many doom-and-gloom housing forecasts suggests buyers aren’t listening to these reports,” said Skip Weiler, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors.

The average sale price last month crept up to $171,537, which is 2.6 percent higher than the year-ago price of $167,148. The sales prices along with number of home sales puts the total dollar volume of homes sold this year at just over $3.5 billion – a 10.8 percent increase over last year.

“Traditionally, we expect to see home sales slowing down this time of year,” Weiler said. “However, as interest rates continue to remain low and many affordable homes are listed on the market, home buyers have an excellent opportunity to gain home ownership right now.”

The Columbus Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Union, Madison and Morrow counties, and some of Licking, Fairfield, Knox, Logan, Marion and Pickaway counties.