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Curb appeal helps to make a strong, first impression when selling your home.  The “outside property” is an extension of your home and is a signal for what the interior of your home is going to look like. If you are thinking about selling, make sure your home’s landscaping looks fresh and inviting. Here are 10 tips to help make your landscaping look its best:

Mulch
Freshly applied mulch in garden beds does wonders for a yard. This is an economic and instant way to spruce up your landscaping to appeal to home buyers.

Plant Annuals
Annual flowers create instant color in the landscaping. Several flats of flowers are not expensive and you can either have a monochromatic look with similarly hued flowers or add splashes of several colors. You don’t need to go overboard with the flowers – just enough to add color and interest.

Perennials
If you have perennial plants, make sure they look as good as they should. If there is an overgrowth of plants, consider removing some (and then placing them in a decorative pot.) Remove dead and dying plants.

Outdoor Containers
Outdoor containers can add drama to the entryway of your home. You can make up your own containers or purchase them pre-planted. If you already own decorative containers, make sure they are clean and in good shape.

Lawn
The lawn needs to be in good shape when selling. Mowing will be a priority as overgrown grass will detract from your home’s appeal. Edging the lawn is an extra effort, but will make it look very tidy. Remember, a healthy, nurtured lawn is big plus to home buyers.

Clean Up
Be sure to clean up any leaves, weeds, twigs and overgrowth. Shrubs should be pruned and trim. Overgrowth is considered to be a sign of neglect. Trash cans and garden tools should be placed in an organized fashion. Stow outside toys neatly away.

Hardscaping
Stepping stones, gravel and other types of path liners add elegance and will give your yard character and depth.

Driveway/Walkways
Inspect your driveway to see if it needs to be patched. Be sure to power wash the drive and walkways.

Lighting
Outdoor lighting adds drama at dusk. You can purchase LED battery-operated lights that do not cost a fortune. These lights will add “magic” to your home.

Backyard
Clean the grill (or least have a clean cover over it.) Tidy up the fire pit and any water features. Patio furniture including the cushions should be in good condition. Consider “staging” outside furniture for even more appeal. If you have a deck, make sure it is in good shape and power washed. And finally, the garage door should be in good condition and clean.

Need help with your landscaping activities? Contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can put you in touch with vetted professionals.

Very low interest rates, good weather as well as reasonable prices for homes have kept the real estate market strong even through COVID-19.

Although sales were down in all regions (except in Dayton), average and median sale prices rose  – encouraging news for those thinking about selling their homes.

Here is a report by region of homes sales throughout June 2020:

CINCINNATI / SOUTHEASTERN INDIANA

June 2020 vs  June 2019

• -7.00% Decrease in homes sold (2,524 homes vs 2,714 homes)
• 3.44% Increase in average sale price ($253,686 vs $245,482)
• 7.50% Increase in median sale price ($214,900 vs $199,900)
• -3.89% Decrease in gross sales volume ($640,303,731 vs $666,238,556)

January–June 2020 vs January–June 2019

• -8.94% Decrease in homes sold (11,371 homes vs 12,487 homes)
• 4.81% Increase in average sale price ($234,569 vs $223,794)
• 6.30% Increase in median sale price ($194,000 vs $182,500)
• -4.55% Decrease in gross sales volume ($2,667,278,875 vs $2,794,520,911)

Statistics courtesy of Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors June 2020 Home Sales Report

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DAYTON

June 2020 vs June 2019

• 6.21% Increase in homes sold (1,624 homes vs 1,529 homes)
• 5.40% Increase in average sale price ($205,851 vs $195.303)
• 5.00% Increase in median sale price ($178.500 vs $170,000)
• 11.95% Increase in sales volume ($334,301,25 vs $298,618,817)

January–June 2020 vs January–June 2019

• -5.12% Decrease in homes sold (7,378 homes vs 7,776 homes)
• 7.83% Increase in average sale price ($187,003 vs $173,418)
• 7.92% Increase in median sale price ($160,800 vs $149,000)
• 2.31% Increase in sales volume ($1,379,708,002 vs $1,348,494,690)

Statistics courtesy of Dayton Realtors June 2020 Home Sales Report

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NORTHERN KENTUCKY

June 2020 vs June 2019

• -25.80% Decrease in homes sold (558 homes vs 752 homes)
• 5.20% Increase in average sale price ($217,314 vs $206,571)
• 6.42% Increase in median sale price ($193,685 vs $182,000)
• -21.94% Decrease in sales volume ($121,261,268 vs $155,342,050)

January–June 2020 vs January–June 2019

• -8.47% Decrease in homes sold (2,529 homes vs 2,763 homes)
• 9.39% Increase in average sale price ($215,6 vs $196,761)
• 7.87% Increase in median sale price ($185,000 vs $171,500)
• .13% Increase in sales volume ($544,333,099 vs $543,652,032)

Statistics courtesy of Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors June 2020 Home Sales Report

The Business Courier published its annual Greater Cincinnati’s Largest Private Companies list and Sibcy Cline was part of this ranking at #113 on the list. It was the only residential real estate company featured in these rankings.

Robin S. Sheakley, President of Sibcy Cline, was quoted in this issue of the Courier when asked about inspiring others in troubled times: “We are in the housing business and therefore, our professional life is everyone else’s personal life. Providing a sense of security has influenced every decision we make. While real estate was deemed an essential service at the onset of the Covid-19 stay-at-home orders, we quickly responded by March 17. While we had the technology in place to ensure business continuity, we needed to provide access, training and resources to ensure each agent and employee was equipped to leverage them. Safety, creativity and productivity continue to be our priorities. On April 2, we hosted a virtual continuing education class dedicated to fair housing, having no idea how salient and timely it would become. Sharing stories and supporting one another is as essential as providing the platform(s) with which to do it. We could not and cannot communicate enough to empower people during times of uncertainty.”

This 2020 list of the top 150 companies combined had sales of $50.6 billion and a workforce of 164,000 people.

If you are feeling cooped up at home and need to stretch your legs outside, here is a list of local outdoor events where you can be socially distanced and still have fun this summer! (Be sure to check out our Summer Outdoor Concerts list, too.) Whether you live in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana, Dayton or Springfield, Ohio – you can find something to do outside.

Please verify all events before attending and be safe with your activities.

All summer:

CMF Outdoor Museum
July 23– September 7, 2020 (various dates)
Washington Park at 1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio
Outdoor public art exhibition

Cowvins Corny Maze at Young’s Dairy
Weekends starting August 1. Daily starting September 21.
Young’s Jersey Dairy at 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, Ohio
3.5 acres of cornfields made into a one mile of maze paths.

Exercise in the Park
June 3– August 26, 2020 (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Civic Park at 6:30pm, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Florence Y’alls Baseball
Through September 13, 2020
7950 Freedom Way, Florence, Kentucky
Seats are spread between each party including each side, diagonally as well as rows below or above.

Fountain Square
Through early September, 2020
Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Mondays: Trivia Night; Tuesdays:  Fountain Feud; Wednesdays–Saturdays: Live music; Sundays: Singing Bingo
Socially distanced fun every day on the Square!

Hawthorn Hill Tours
Wednesdays and Saturdays
Carillon Park at 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, Ohio
Advance reservations required.  Tour the Hawthorn Hill house – an historic landmark.

Mt. Adams Historic Guided Walking Tour
July 5 – October 26, 2020 (Sundays)
Mt. Adams Bar & Grill at 938 Hatch Street, Mt. Adams (Cincinnati), Ohio
Sunday tours from 1–3pm (mtadamsca@gmail.com)

Shakespeare in the Park
July 31 – August 26, 2020 (various dates)
Various parks throughout Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy Shakespeare outside! Bring your blanket or chair.

Washington Park – Free Yoga
July 1 – August 26, 2020 (Wednesdays at 7pm)
Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, Ohio
Space is limited due to social distancing – arrive early!

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Events by date:

World’s Longest Yard Sale
August 6–9. 2020
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky along US 127
Bargains galore

Movie in the Park
August 7, 2020
Montgomery Park, Montgomery (Cincinnati), Ohio.
Get tickets before you go!

Movie in the Park
August 8, 2020
Trenton Community Park at 440 Dell Dr., Trenton, Ohio

Pirates Treasure Hunt
August 8, 2020
5th and Vine Streets, downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Find the missing treasure map! You are going to find virtual pirates and scurvy dogs!

Rozzi’s Drive-In Fireworks Show
August 8, 2020
6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio
Drive-in fireworks show over Lake Como choreographed to a Cincinnati Pop’s soundtrack. Make a reservation!

Swingzinnati
August 8, 2020
Harmony Hills Winery at 2534 Sings Corner, Bethel, Ohio
Listen to jazz music while admiring the vineyard.

Wake the Lake
August 8–9, 2020
Campions Park Lake, Springfield, Ohio
Formula 1 Tunnel boat racing

Reds Baseball Camps
August 11–13, 2020 
Reds Youth Academy at 2026 E. Seymour Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio
Baseball training in COVID-19 safety  fashion.

Big Art Party Drive-Thru Edition
August 14, 2020
Evendale Village Complex on Reading Road
between 7pm–8:15pm.
Must RSVP first: 513-563-2247
Celebrate the arts in COVID-19 fashion.

Drive-Thru Pop Up Lobster Shop (in lieu of the Great Inland Seafood Festival)
August 14–15, 2020
Pre-orders taken by August 10 at 5pm. Select a live or cooked whole Maine lobster meal.

GermanFest Picnic LITE
August 14–16, 2020
1400 E. Fifth St. in St. Anne’s Hill, Dayton, Ohio
Smaller event with all kinds of German food. Pre-order your meal and it will be packaged up for you. Then enjoy your picnic in a socially-distanced fashion.

Meteor Shower Party
August 14, 2020
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., Hamilton, Ohio
Watch the meteor from 11pm–2am.

Union Centre Food Truck Rally
August 14, 2020
The Square at Union Centre at 9285 Centre Pointe Drive, West Chester Twp., Ohio
40+ food trucks, craft beer and live music

Bacon Week
August 15–22, 2020
Dayton, Ohio
Participating Dayton restaurants will be serving bacon dishes

My Black Family Reunion
August 15, 2020
Sawyer Point at Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, Ohio
Food truck rally and more

Rock Piqua Drive-In Concert
August 15, 2020
Miami Valley Centre Mall at 987 E. Ash Street, Piqua, Ohio
Enjoy the modern-country music

Shriners Rummage Sale
August 15, 2020
9730 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio
40+ vendors. Wear a mask and be COVID-19 compliant!

Springfield Antique Show
August 15–16, 2020  (+ Septemer 18–20′ NOvember 21–22, 2020)
Clark County Fairgrounds at 4401 S. Charleston Pike, Springfield, Ohio
Hundreds of vendors. Food, too.

Summer Ghostly History Walking Tour
August, 15, 2020
Museum at the Friends Home at 115 S. Fourth Street, Waynesville, Ohio
Tour guides will share scary stories and legends. Book online!

Springfield Antique Show
August 15–16, 2020 (+September 18–20; October 17–18; and November 21–22)
Clark County Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ohio

Waynesville Street Faire
August 15, 2020 (+September 12)
Downtown Waynesville, Ohio
Arts and crafts along Main Street. Entertainment and food trucks.

Cincinnati Burger Week
August 17–23, 2020
Get out of the house and enjoy $6 burgers at 50+ restaurants.

Canines and Wine
August 21, 2020
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, Ohio
Bring your pet!

Gorman Heritage Farm Row by Row TO GO
August 22, 2020
Gorman Heritage Farm at 10052 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy dinner-to-go with an in-car drive-thru pick up

Madcap Puppets
August 28, 2020
Memorial Park at 2003 Jack Woods Parkway, Independence, Kentucky

Cincinnati Celtic Festival
August 28–30, 2020
E. Freedom Way, Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio
Enjoy everything Irish

Shakespeare in the Park
August 29, 2020
Montgomery Park, Montgomery (Cincinnati), Ohio.
Get your tickets for this event!

Cincinnati Jazz & BBQ Festival
September 12, 2020
6111 Madison Road, Madisonville (Cincinnati), Ohio
Music and food!

Latest update: August 6, 2020

There’s nothing like the beach and the feel of soft sand. Although a destination trip to the oceanside may not be happening for you this summer, we have found some nearby sandy beaches within a one- to three-hour drive of Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; or Southeastern Indiana.

These public beaches offer a relaxing lakefront experience. (Just be sure to check they are open before heading out.)

OHIO SANDY BEACHES

Acton Lake
College Corner, Ohio (near Oxford)
Acton Lake in Hueston Woods has a public beach full of sand. A shower house, restrooms, sand volleyball court as well as a concession stand are available. Pack a picnic and you can grill out at a picnic table in the nearby woods.

Alum Creek
Delaware, Ohio (North Columbus)
With a 3,000-foot beachfront, Alum Creek in Alum Creek State Park is the largest inland Ohio park beach. You will find volleyball courts, picnic tables and snack vendors along with a bathhouse featuring showers and changing areas.

Buck Creek (aka Lagonda Creek) 
Springfield, Ohio
The 2,400-foot beach is found in Buck Creek State Park along a 2,120-acre lake. Picnic spots available. There are shower houses and restrooms available.

Caesar Creek State Park
Waynesville, Ohio
The 1,300-foot beach is along the lake. Changing booths are available. (There’s also a small beach for registered campers at the campgrounds.)

Cowan Lake 
Wilmington, Ohio
The 700-acre lake at Cowan Lake State Park has a 1,000-foot public beach to enjoy. A bathhouse offers showers and a snack bar. There are six picnic areas with tables and grills.

Dow Lake
Athens, Ohio
Located in Strouds Run State Park, you can go swimming in the lake and enjoy the 900-foot beach. Changing booths, water and restrooms available.

East Fork Lake
Batavia Township, Ohio
East Fork Lake offers a 1200-foot beach. There are changing booths, showers, restrooms and a vending area. The park has eight picnic areas with tables and grills.

Indian Lake 
Urbana, Ohio
There are two beaches at Indian Lake State Park (Old Field and Fox Island).

Lake Hope
McArthur, Ohio
This lake is located in Zaleski State Forest. The beach is near the dam. A bathhouse, restrooms and concession area are available.

Lake Logan
Logan, Ohio (southeastern Hocking Hills Valley)
The 527-foot public beach is along the 400-acre lake in Lake Logan State Park. There is a concession area, drinking water, restrooms and changing booths.

Mineral Springs Lake Resort
Peebles (Adams County), Ohio
The lake is fed by a natural spring and has 5.5 miles of shoreline.

Baylor Beach Park
Navarre, Ohio (3.25 hour drive)
The two-acre water park and all kinds of water “toys”. There are five picnic shelters as well as a concession stand.

Old Field Beach and Fox Island Beach
Lakeview, Ohio (northeast of Sidney, Ohio)
There are two beaches located in Indian Lake State Park. The lake is 5,800 acres. There are restrooms as well as picnic areas available with tables and grills.

Rocky Fork Lake
Hillsboro, Ohio
Rocky For State Park has 2,080-acre lake. Enjoy the beach there!

Salt Fork Lake
Lore City, Ohio (west of Columbus)
Salt Fork State Park has a 2,500-foot inland beach. A bathhouse with restrooms, showers and lockers are available. There is also a snack bar. Picnic tables and grills are located within the park.

Stonelick State Park
Pleasant Plain, Ohio (south of Lebanon and Wilmington)
The lake at Stonelick Lake State Park has a 500-foot beach. There are picnic areas with tables and grills around the park.

Turkey Creek Lake and Roosevelt Lake
Portsmouth, Ohio (southern Ohio)
The beaches are located within Shawnee State Park. Changing booths are available along with picnic tables and grills.

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KENTUCKY SANDY BEACHES

Barren River Lake
Lucas, Kentucky (south of Louisville)
Located within Barren River State Park, the beaches have on-site restrooms.

Buckhorn Lake
Buckhorn, Kentucky (southeast of Lexington
Within Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, the public beach has a bathhouse. There are several picnic areas with grills.

Green River Lake
Campbellsville, Kentucky (south of Louisville)
A part of Green River Lake State Park, this sandy beach is a fun place to visit. Picnics tables and grills are available in the park.

Nolin Lake
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky (south of Louisville)
Located at Nolin Lake State Park, this beach is a great place to cool off and relax. Picnic tables and grills are available.

Rough River Lake
Falls of Rough, Kentucky (southwest of Louisville)
At Rough River Dam State Resort Park, there is a breach along with
picnic areas

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INDIANA SANDY BEACHES

Brookville Lake
Brookville, Indiana
Brookville Lake is located in the Brookville-Lake Memorial State Park. There are two beaches to enjoy.  Bathhouses with dressing facilities and restrooms as well as a snack bar are available.

Lake Monroe
Bloomington, Indiana
Two public beaches are found within Monroe Reservoir State Recreation Area. Picnic areas are available.

Morse Park and Beach
Noblesville, Indiana (northeast of Indianapolis)
Picnic area, restrooms and a bathhouse are available.

Are we missing a beach? Let us know! sknabe@sibcycline.com