CincinnatiInPhotos.com

What are neighbors for?

Back when I was a kid, neighbors were people you could count on - whether it was to feed your dog while you were on vacation or whether it was to let you borrow an egg or a garden tool. Neighbors are different today - sometimes we live for months, even years, in an area without knowing the names of our neighbors(much less without borrowing an egg or two. Moving into a new neighborhood, by definition, creates many opportunities for new neighbors. And new friends.

I think I have the best neighbors in the world. Dorothy next door is great to chat with when we are both in the yard working. Bill and Sue across the street are always friendly and helpful. Bill takes care of all our driveways in the winter with his snow blower.

Don and Marilou, also across the street is the source of local news and government gossip. He has friends in higher places and always has a great story. He is also helpful with whatever you need, like keeping an eye on our home when we are gone.

Last week my riding mower died. Don came over and tried to help get it running. It was a bigger problem than the two of us could solve. So Don drove up the street to a neighbor he knew would be willing to come over and look at it. As it turns out this neighbor Pete, who lives about 2 min for my house stopped by, suggested he load it onto his trailer and let him take it to his work shop and find the problem and fix it. He said for $70.00 he would clean, service and sharpen the blades for me. The commercial service I normally use charges $150.00 for the same service.

Pete found my problem in the matter of moments, the fuel pump was not working. So he took it with him, cleaned, service, sharpen the blades and replaced the fuel pump for $175.00. That was a deal for me and he is coming by this Tuesday to get my two walk behinds to service them. This work would have cost me almost twice.

So get out there and borrow an egg or two from your neighbor. While your at it get to know one another a little better. You'll be glad you did.

 

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

"The buyers are knockin'...Cause the houses are Rockin"

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me the Rock-n-Roll Realtor  My listings Rock because they are priced to sell, show to sell and the owners are motivated to sell. Call me and I will make your house Rock.  513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

Now you see it, Now you don't

A few weeks ago we got a notice from Farmers Insurance Company that we needed to remove our trampoline or they were forced to cancel our home owners insurance. It was just a matter of a few days we received a check in the mail for $511.78 from the insurance company with the notice of cancellation.

Don't get me wrong. Farmers is a very efficient company and our agent Gary Rasmussen is the best. They just didn't give us enough time to take it down. The instructions were to remove it. Take photos of before with it in the yard and photos of our yard without it.

We decided to be efficient back and made this video. It turns out being a memorial for a great friend that we had for more than 14 years. A lot of fond memories were made from this large yard toy. All three of our daughters, their friends and our friends, our grandkids and many of our relatives have all enjoyed many, many hours on this trampoline. It was bitter sweet having to disassemble and pile it up for the trash heap. It was for the best. The springs were all rusty as were the legs. It had lost its elasticity of many years ago. It was going to break down on its own soon. 

Here you go Farmers Insurance. This is absolute proof that the dreaded trampoline is gone for good. Just another sign of many ongoing changes in our society. At least we have the memories.

 God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

 

The true meaning of Thanksgiving.

This is one of my favorite photos I took last week.
Below is an article I found about Thanksgiving.
And something we can all do to help our troop in Iraq.

In todays technology just about anything you want to know can be found if you just "Google It". So I found the real meaning of Thanksgiving on Google. This is what I found.  An article on the WorldNetDaily Exclusive Commentary posted November 22, 2001 by Joseph Farah.
The Real Meaning of Thanksgiving. It starts out a little weird but has a happy & true ending.

This is something else really cool for Thanksgiving.
Lets get together and help our troops in Iraq.

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com   you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in  Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!   It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?  Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.

This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you.  Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do.  We can never say enough thank you's. 

Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

The Bump in the Road

Knowing that I am a Realtor, most people want to know..."How is the market?" or they ask..."What are my predictions for the upcoming year?"

I really don't have much of an answer for either question. We are all experiencing a very strange market in all aspects of day to day life. The times are tough for many Americans.

I am experiencing, on a daily basis, folks about to lose their homes to foreclosure. They could possibly be your next door neighbor, your cousin or aunt and uncle, or someone you see at church each week. It could be just about anyone and you wouldn't know it until it is too late. They are scared, angry and very embarrassed. They more than likely are in denial of the situation. Hoping that it will go away. But it will not unless they take the proper action.

This post is called "THE BUMP IN THE ROAD". When driving up Thornview Drive experiencing these bumps this idea came to me. I pictured this photo on this blog page and me writing about bumps in the road folks are experiencing.

If you know anyone facing foreclosure or simply behind in their mortgage payments. Have them call me for a confidential personal meeting to discuss their options. I have a lot of experience in this field. I have been helping people avoid foreclosure and the feeling is tremendous. To see the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders is a real rush.

Remember: Friends don't let friends go to Foreclosure.

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

Seasons change

 
This is a beautiful picture of the Little Miami River. I just took this photo two days ago. By now more leaves have changed color and soon they will all be off the trees leaving bare branches throughout the winter months.

Along with the leaves changing color it is getting dark earlier. That makes it difficult to show property. Many buyers plan to do their looking after work. That is usually sometime after 5:00 or 6:00 PM. It is pitch dark by 7:15 these days. That leaves very little time to view homes in daylight hours.

I suggest make plans and try to work in a vacation day or work late for a couple of days and try to get off early at least once a week. That will give yourself time to spend leisurely with out rushing through. You will be able to pay attention to more detail that way. Your time investment is very important in this stage of the home purchase.

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

Recycling gone wild

 

Real estate signs are very branded with their own logo's and distinct colors.

You can usually determine what company a particular FOR SALE sign belongs to even from a distance.

This sign gave me a big belly laugh when I got close enough to see that it was a recycled RE/MAX sign being used by a FSBO (For Sale By Owner).

I can understand one reason FSBO's are selling themselves is to save money. However at the expense of someone else seems a little unfair.

 

During the 18 years I was with RE/MAX and now as an agent with GROUP Realtors I am responsible for the purchasing and maintaining of all my own signs. The average For Sale sign cost about $45.00. I take very good care and account for all my signs especially in today's struggling market.

FSBO's definitely need our help...but this is not the usual way to help them out by letting them borrow and recycle our signs for their personal gain.

The REALTOR Magazine offers eight reasons FSBO's need Realtors.

I am always ready and willing to help anyone that asks for my help especially FSBO's. However, if they want to use my signs it comes as a package deal. To get to use my sign they get my expertise in helping them price, market, present, report, negotiate and close the deal for them. That is what I love to do and am very good at it. Just ask any of my past clients.

If you would like to speak to any of my past clients I would be happy to give you a list of those that have offered to share their experience using my services. You can also go to my website and read the many testimonials I have posted. www.GaryRossignol.com

 God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

No movie and popcorn needed with this listing...

Part of my procedure before listing a home I usually loan the seller a professional video produced by David Knox called "Preparing Your Home To Sell".  Steve and Dora didn't need to watch this video. Their home was already in pristine condition. From the first time I stepped in the front door till the day they closed and moved out this home was always kept clutter free and spotless.

   

They were very concerned about two things, the time it would take and the amount of money they would get in today's market. Being realistic they listened and followed my recommendation on list price and made the home available for potential buyers on the buyers time schedule even at their own inconvenience.

It all paid off. They were very surprised that within two weeks of listing day they received an offer. They didn't need to do much negotiating on price and the cash buyer planned on closing exactly the time Steve and Dora were hoping for.

They took a couple of trips to Nashville and with a very good buyers agent I referred them to they were able to find their brand new home and schedule the closing for the day after closing here in West Chester.

Needless to say, Steve and Dora are happy and left unscathed by today's market.

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

I hate when this happens!

Here we are on the eve of Independence Day. July 4th is a day to celebrate the founding of our Wonderful country. This is the day that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence that brought legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain in 1776. This is the very beginning of the United States of America as we know it today.

If you think about it, the whole emphasis was on or around REAL ESTATE. Buying, selling and owning real estate is the fuel that drives our United States to greatness. And yet every week I hear about more homes that go to foreclosure. The effects of foreclosures are mounting to epidemic proportions. Some days that is all you hear about next to the failing economy in our country. And what is the main trouble with our economy? ...the dropping values of our real estate. It all starts there and has caused havoc across the country. Not to mention all the lives that are near ruin do to the effects of our failing economy.

"What can I do"? You may ask. If we could just reach out and help one person from the horrors of foreclosure would be a start. 90% of the time there is no need to have someone's good credit damaged and their lives totally disrupted. There are several solutions. None of the are pretty but are better than foreclosure.

My goal is to reach these people that need to hear the good news about there impending doom. the only way to reach them is to let more people like you know that I am here to help. So please...don't let your friends, neighbors, family or co-workers throw their lives away because they cannot pay their mortgage. Cal me and let me help.

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

Stay Focused

I was playing racquetball Tuesday night. I was up against a tough opponent. He is a solid B+ player, which means he was very quick, precise and had 3 excellent serves and a super backhand. We played four games and split them between us.

How did I come out on top of two games? He is clearly a much better player than I am. In fact I was surprised when I won the forth game. What I did was stay focused.

I focused on the ball. I focused on his move and focused on my next move before taking it.

I didn't let myself loose focus, even when he was scoring more points against me. I didn't worry about the last move. I didn't worry about the next move. I focused on the move I was making and stayed with it and didn't let up.

Oh, I was getting tired. The blood was rushing through my body at a much higher pace than usual. But that was the point. To get my heart rate moving and the blood circulating quickly. It is called exercise. But with the game of racquetball, you have to concentrate on what you are doing. You have to know how to hit the ball and execute your shot precisely or your opponent will take advantage and nail you on his next shot.

On my way home I thought about how well I played and compared that to how I do my job as a Realtor. How I treat my family. As a dad, husband, brother, son and friend to my friends.

I decided I need to stay focused at all times with whatever I am doing or who ever I am with. If I loose focus my shot will be off and my goal will not be accomplished. So this photo will remind me to stay focused at all times and everything will turn out the way it is suppose to.

If you are buying a home stay focused with your wants and needs in your price range. Don't let all your friends and overzealous family members cause you to sway from your goals no matter how insistent they may be. You know what makes you happy. You are buying the home for you not for them. You should always consult your Realtor and one other person when considering the purchase of a new home. That other person should be someone you know and trust that will be looking out after your best interest.

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.

Do you want to walk to the store, school, park, bus stop?

Many buyers want to find a home that is within walking distance to certain attractions. How do you know if a certain home is in close enough proximity to leave the car in the garage?

I have searched and found the answer. Just to the right and below my photo albums is a handy little gadget we call a widget. This widget will measure the walking score for any address in the country. Try it! You may get hooked. Just enter any address including the zip code and click "GO". What it will tell you is the walk score 0 to 100. Zero being worse and 100 being the best. If you are car dependent, somewhat walkable or very walkable.

It will also list all the grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, schools, libraries, drug stores, etc. and there distances from the address in 10ths of a mile. Plus it will show everything on a visual map. How cool is this?

What a great tool.

               

This photo is so serene. It is a small man made lake in the center of a condo complex near Middletown. Just looking at this photo helps me sit back, take a deep breath and relax for a few minutes.

God Bless You and pray for all of our troops to come home safe and for our Country leaders to make the right choices to help us get through this turmoil.

Did you know I have my license in both states, Ohio & Kentucky?...So Please call me if you need help around the house or maybe to buy a new home. I will gladly say THANK YOU! Gary Rossignol, the Realtor with integrity. 513-777-2402 email Gary@GaryRossignol.com.

Also, My Video Newsletter is loaded with up to date Real Estate News and Advice. Some of its features include: Current Interest Rates, National Real Estate News, Mortgage Advice, Question & Answers. Plus much more. It is "real time" and changes each week.