01/12/2021 08:00:00 “I love going into homes and finding potential for a work of art.” Katy Nelson
Name: Katy Nelson
Title: Photographer/Videographer/Drone Pilot
Hometown: Anderson
Current home: Milford
Proudest career accomplishment: One of the first licensed drone pilots in the U.S.
Favorite local hangouts: Plainfolk Café in Pleasant Plain and Cincinnati Nature Center
Bringing a keen aesthetic sense and a compassionate sensitivity to the Sibcy photo/video team, Katy Nelson is a photographer/videographer/drone pilot who considers the work she does a “dream job.”
“I love going into homes and finding potential for a work of art,” Katy says.
A graduate of Wright State University with a degree in fine arts, Katy focused on pursuing sculpture as her art and was the Student Sculpture Technician for WSU, assisting with photography and maintaining the tools/facilities. After her graduation in 2009, she taught at the Dayton Art Institute until her interest and experience in photography led her to a job in the photo/video department of Sibcy Cline in 2010—and she’s never looked back.
“I’ve always been inspired by place and a sense of home,” says Katy. In her work using photo and video, Katy loves to find the ways that she can create a work of art using client’s homes as the subject.
“My mom was in real estate and I always loved looking at magazines like Architectural Digest which feature homes,” says Katy.
Another thing that is rewarding to Katy in her work is the technology that is constantly evolving. “It’s not stagnant,” she says, “and I’ve been excited to be a part of the adaptation of new tools that allow us to do more for our clients.” One of those new tools has been the recent use of drones to create aerial videos of the exteriors of homes. “I was really excited to be one of the first licensed drone pilots in the country,” says Katy.
Having grown up in Anderson and now making her home as a resident of Miami Township near Milford, Katy loves more about her job than just taking photos and videos. “I love working in this region,” she says.
In her off-time, Katy spends time enjoying the outdoors near her home as well as painting colorful nature scenes from her favorite travel spots, the national parks. “It’s our goal as a family to travel to as many national parks as we can,” says Katy. Together with her boyfriend and her daughter, Katy has been to 10 national parks. “But I still call Ohio home!” she says.
Why You Should Sell Your Home This Winter
12/29/2020 09:00:00
While many people understandably shy away from the housing market during late fall and winter, this actually may be a great time for you to sell your home. In fact, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, predicts “…it will be one of the best winter sales years ever.” Here is why:
Low Supply of Homes and Low Rates With today’s real estate market and so many buyers wanting to purchase homes (as compared with historical norms), and a relatively small number of homes for sale, you could find selling your home in late fall and winter to be the perfect time to sell. Low mortgage rates have given home buyers more purchasing power and empowered them to buy now.
Pandemic Lockdowns With the spring 2020 real estate market being affected by COVID-19, many potential home buyers delayed their purchases and have created a pent-up demand. The purchase season has extended from spring into winter. Their home search is happening now!
Serious Home Buyers People are usually busy this time of year, so if they take the time to see your home, they are probably considering purchasing it. With less competition of homes on the market this time of year, your home could catch the eye of that serious home buyer.
Relocating Buyers January is the popular month for people relocating to a new area to begin their jobs and they typically need to purchase a home in November and December. They will have a short time to find their next home – and it could be yours that they want to buy.
Move After the Holidays If you sell in late Novermber or December, you will probably will not have to move until after the holidays in late winter or early spring.
Helpful Hint about Holiday Decor If you decorate for the holidays, hold back on pulling everything out from the attic or basement. Remember, people want to see your home – not your holiday decor.
Local (and Socially Distanced) Events for Winter 2021
12/28/2020 09:00:00
It’s wintertime. Be sure to get out of the house and enjoy one of these fun, local things to do in a socially distanced manner. Events are in order by date and cover the Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; and Southeastern Indiana regions. (Check events first before attending to make sure there are no cancellations.)
Fountain Square Ice Rink Through February 15, 2021 Fifth and Vine Streets, Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio Reservations required
Riverscape Ice Skating Through March 1, 2021 Downtown Dayton, Ohio Outdoor ice rank at Riverscape MetroPark
————————————- Antique Show and Flea Market January 16–17, 2021 Clark County Fairgrounds at 4401 S. Charleston Pike, Springfield, Ohio Find a treasure!
Greater Cincinnati Remodeling Expo January 22–24 and 29–31, 2021 Sharonville Convention Center at 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville (Cincinnati), OhioLearn about all kinds of home projects
Wendy’s Bridal Show March 13–14, 2021 Duke Energy Convention Center at 525 Elm Street, downtown Cincinnati, Ohio Weddings!
Pandemic-Triggered Home Trends
12/17/2020 06:15:00
The pandemic of 2020 has changed a lot of things and the housing market is no exception. Perhaps no one predicted that lockdowns, stay-at-home orders and a record number of employees working from home would cause a surge in buying and selling homes, but it has.
Along with this surge has come a change in the reasons why sellers list their homes as well as new trends for what buyers want in a home. Recently, Sibcy Cline President Robin S. Sheakley spoke to the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s journal REALM to share some of her insights into the changes happening across the region. Here are some of her observations.
Staying at home forced people to take a good look at the space they live in.
“When the governor issued stay-at-home orders, you saw people really taking stock of their housing and understanding that if they’re going to be locked inside they want different things for their homes,” Robin told REALM, “People were realizing their houses were too big, too small, too urban, too rural, perhaps too open, perhaps too choppy.”
Home improvement efforts triggered a desire for something new.
“We saw a huge trend in home repair and home improvement, and then a lot of people started realizing I’m ready for something different,” Robin said.
The way people shop for homes has shifted drastically.
“There are plenty of stories of homes that were bought without people ever physically going in them, but purchased virtually,” she said. “With the amount of drone photography and videography now, there are all sorts of ways to get a really great sense of a property without standing there yourself.”
In addition to why people move and how they shop for homes, Robin noted a few trends in what buyers are looking for in homes. Here are the top trends she’s noticed:
Spa-like Bathrooms
The need for stress relief is greater than ever, so people are shopping for bathrooms that offer some space for retreat and relaxation.
Home Offices
In the era of working from home and online schooling, homeowners are in need of more space to separate and focus. “We’ve seen people converting bedrooms to offices a lot,” she said.
Outdoor Entertaining Space
The need for social distancing in well-ventilated spaces has increased the desire for more space to gather outside. “People want to be outside. They’re looking to be able to cook, serve, and entertain outdoors,” Robin said.
Downsizing
Some homeowners spent time during the pandemic assessing their space needs and concluded that they need less space, not more. Some want to reduce the time and money they spend maintaining a large home. “There are many people who spent the past nine months looking around asking, Why do I have so much space?” she said.
Ready to make the move? Visit sibcycline.com to browse homes for sale or find an agent.
How to Winterize Your Home
12/14/2020 09:00:00
Winter is right around the corner and it’s time to get your home ready for those upcoming cold months. Here are some tips to winterize your home:
Caulk, Use Window Film and Weather Stripping Use caulk to fill in gaps in windows, doors and siding. You can purchase plastic film kits to insulate windows. Weatherstripping will also help in keeping windows insulated. Use threshold strips to keep air leaks at bay at the bottom of doors. Here is more information on how to caulk and weatherstrip windows.
Heating System Change the filter for the heating system often. Dirty filters restrict airflow. It is also a good idea to schedule a maintenance check up for the heater. The heating professional will clean, tune up and inspect the system.
Thermostat If you do not already own one, a programmable thermostat is a great way to easily set temperatures for when you are home or are out. You can customize the settings so the heat is not running full force when you do not need it.
Chimney Check The chimney can be the largest source of energy loss. A chimney balloon can prevent drafts and costs around $50. Be sure to close the damper when the fireplace is not being used.
Animal nests or buildup in your fireplace can be a hazard. An annual inspection before building a fire is a very good idea. Having a chimney sweep clean the chimney will alleviate having debris that could cause a fire.
Ceiling Fans in Reverse In winter the rotation of the fan blades should be clockwise to push hot air towards the floor.
Doors If there are large gaps at the bottom of exterior doors, use a rolled-up towel or throw rug to close these gaps. Or you can use a draft snake – you can make one if you’re into DIY!
Gutters Gutters need to be cleaned out to avoid icicles from forming and water damage from occurring.
Pipes Wrap or insulate exposed pipes in any unheated areas in the home. Pre-slit pipe foam is available at most hardware stores.
Let the Sunshine In During the day, open up curtains and blinds of south-facing windows to allow the sun in. Close them up when it is dark outside to keep the heat in.
Air Conditioning Unit Remove any outdoor window-unit air conditioners during the colder months. For central air units, remove all debris such as leaves and bushes. You can also cover the unit with a piece of wood large enough to cover the top.
Roof Check to see if there are any shingles that need to be repaired or replaced. Roof vents should also be checked for holes or cracks. Leaves and other debris should be removed from gutters.
Unused Rooms? Close off rooms and vents in rooms that are not used.
Outdoor Spigots Turn off exterior water spigots. You can also cover spigots to avoid freezing water.
Storm Doors and Windows If you have storm doors and windows – install them. A storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45%.
Lawn and Patio Furniture If space is available, it is best to stow patio furniture especially if it is made of wood. Aluminum furniture is more durable and can be left outside.
Vacant Home? Learn more about winterizing a vacant home here.
Home Energy Audit Finally, consider a free energy assessment that is available from Duke Energy. You may find more ways to winterize and save money!
12/09/2020 09:00:00 Thinking of making improvements to your home? Read what features home buyers desire the most in homes. Continue reading →
Ideas for a Warmer Bathroom This Winter
12/07/2020 09:00:00 From simple inexpensive changes and additions to more luxurious options, here are a few ideas to warm up the tiles and get winter mornings off to a better start. Continue reading →
Local Home Sales Report: October 2020 – a Strong Sales Month!
11/23/2020 09:00:00 Homes sold well throughout October! Continue reading →
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Ceiling Fans in Reverse
