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Here is the September home sales report for Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; and Southeastern Indiana. The low inventory of homes for sale has been a factor in the lower number of homes sold in all regions. Average and media sales prices remain high.

Cincinnati
Although September 2018 sales did not exceed September 2017’s numbers, the month was still one of the top three strongest months in the past 10 years.

September 2018 vs September 2017

• -7.50% Decrease in homes sold (2,109 homes vs 2,280 homes)
• 4.70% Increase in average sale price ($207,894 vs $198,567)
• 6.88% Increase in median sale price ($171,000 vs $160,000)
• -3.16% Decrease in gross sales volume ($438,449,223 vs $452,744,807)

January – September 2018 vs January – September 2017

• -1.06% Decrease in homes sold (19,865 homes vs 20,078 homes)
• 6.04% Increase in average sale price ($214,736 vs $202,505)
• 7.30% Increase in median sale price ($174,900 vs $163,000)
• 4.91% Increase in gross sales volume ($4,265,728,807 vs $4,065,895,821)

Statistics courtesy of Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors September 2018 Home Sales Report

Dayton
Year-to-date, the Dayton region has had positive increases in homes sold, average and median sales prices as well as sales volume as compared to 2017.

September 2018 vs September 2017

• -7.21% Decrease in homes sold (1,665 homes vs 1,710 homes)
• 5.02% Increase in average sale price ($167,717 vs $1159,699)
• 7.41% Increase in median sale price ($145,000 vs $135,000)
• -2.55% Decrease in sales volume ($222,225,022 vs $228,050,163)

January – September 2018 vs January – September 2017

• .98% Increase in homes sold (12,495 homes vs 12,374 homes)
• 6.34% Increase in average sale price ($166,133 vs $156,227)
• 6.64% Increase in median sale price ($142,900 vs $134,000)
• 7.38% Increase in sales volume ($2,075,833,595 vs $1,933,148,167

Statistics courtesy of Dayton Realtors September 2018 Home Sales Report

Northern Kentucky
Average sales price, median sales price and sale volume were up September 2017.

September 2018 vs September 2017

• -5.04% Decrease in homes sold (603 homes vs 635 homes)
• 9.64% Increase in average sale price ($196,570 vs $179,282)
• 5.00% Increase in median sale price ($168,000 vs $160,000)
• 4.12% Increase in sales volume ($118,531,976 vs $113,844,185)

January – September 2018 vs January – September 2017

• -1.31% Decrease in homes sold (5,488 homes vs 5,561 homes)
• 7.52% Increase in average sale price ($193,776 vs $180,224)
• 6.69% Increase in median sale price ($167,500 vs $157,000)
• 6.11% Increase in sales volume ($1,063,443,610 vs $1,002,229,156)

Statistics courtesy of Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors September 2018 Home Sales Report

Southeastern Indiana
The Southeastern Indiana region had increases in average and median sale prices in September. Year-to-date, this region is ahead on homes sold as compared to 2017.

September 2018 vs September 2017

• -27.0% Decrease in homes sold (81 homes vs 111 homes)
• 10.3% Increase in average sale price ($181,896 vs $164,868)
• 6.0% Increase in median sale price ($168,500 vs $159,000)
• -19.5% Increase in sales volume ($14,733,579 vs $18,300,402)

January – September 2018 vs January – September 2017

• 2.3% Increase in homes sold 946 homes vs 925 homes)
• 6.9% Increase in average sale price ($168,999 vs $1158,138)
• 7.0% Increase in median sale price ($152,500 vs $142,500)
• 9.3% Increase in sales volume ($159,872,986 vs $146,277,568)

Statistics courtesy of Rick McMillin – Southeastern Indiana Board of Realtors MLS Homes Sold Report dated October 19, 2018.

Look at homes for sale.

It’s almost time for  Halloween. The kids will soon have fun wearing their costumes and trick or treating in their neighborhoods. Here are tips to make this holiday a safe one:

Home Safety

• Clear your walkway of any debris and wet leaves to avoid tripping or slipping hazards.
• Keep pets inside, away from doors or windows so they won’t scare trick-or-treaters.
• Don’t hand out candy that could be a possible choking hazard for young children.
• Have your porch/entrance well lit if you are handing out candy. Keep the lights off if you do not want visitors.
• Young children should not carve pumpkins.

Trick-or-Treating

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
• Older unsupervised children should go out with a group, follow an acceptable/safe route, and return home at a specific time.
• Only visit homes with a porch light on and never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up.
• Stay on the sidewalks, cross only at corners, and don’t run across the street.
• Make sure to carry flashlights, especially if staying out after dark.
• Travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and avoid trick-or-treating alone.
• Don’t eat any treats until returning home so you can carefully inspect them.

Costumes

• All costumes, wigs and accessories should be made of fire-resistant materials.
• Accessories like swords or knives should be made out of cardboard or a flexible material.
• Pick brightly colored costumes and fasten reflective objects to clothing and bags so they are visible to motorists.
• Avoid oversized or high-heeled shoes that can cause a child to trip.
• Make sure masks or other head accessories don’t impede vision. (It is advisable to use make up or face paint instead of a mask.)
• Avoid tripping hazards, make sure costume is not too long and shoes are the proper size.
• Remove all makeup before going to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
• Attach your child’s name and contact information inside their costume.

Want to know what day and time to trick or treat day in your neighborhood?

• Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
• Butler County times
• Dayton, Ohio region times

A properly functioning house can save homeowners a lot of headaches and money. Not all home repairs have to be complicated with a little know-how. A bit of online research and some elbow grease is more than enough to tackle many issues that can arise. And, there are many home repair and maintenance jobs that can be accomplished in less than an hour with minimal investment

Just like any other kind of home DIY project, home owners should take all due caution when picking up these tasks, investing in the right safety equipment and tools, and proceeding carefully to ensure everything is done safely.

Quick Fixes
If you have a garbage disposal that is not working properly or has smelly odors, simply disconnect it from the power source. Usually it’s a matter of taking it apart and cleaning it out thoroughly.

If you have growing stains on your home’s ceilings, there are a number of products that will cover up stains and reinforce those areas of potential weakness. A hardware professional will be able to recommend which will work best for specific situations. Be sure to put plastic covering and drop cloths in place so the products don’t drip.

Need a new commode in your bathroom? Replacing a toilet is another DIY project. It requires a few tools and materials.

Cut the Noise
If you have a creaky staircase or a floorboard that just won’t stop squeaking, the “know how” needed to fix it is usually minimal. All it takes is locating the joist with a stud finder and applying a small screw to the area (right through the carpet). If one doesn’t work, try adding one or two more until the floorboard is more firmly in place and not making noise. This is the kind of job can be completed in a matter of minutes.

If your kitchen cabinet doors slam unpleasantly when being closed, simply attach little rubber bumpers to their corners. If you prefer to install “soft-close” fixtures, they are a little more expensive but add a nice element to the way closing a cabinet feels. In either case both are relatively easy to install.

Other DIY Home-Maintenance Projects
There are many other projects that can be done by a DIYer, such as adding weather stripping, patching a damaged wall, etc… Go here to learn about these and even more more DIY home-maintenance tips.

If DYI is not appealing to you, be sure to contact Sibcy Cline Home Services for recommendations of vetted home-related vendors and services.

Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty.  HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers.  To learn more click www.hmsnational.com

Theresa Harper and Robert Richardson, president of the Cincinnati NAACP.

Theresa Harper, a Realtor with Sibcy Cline West Chester, was honored with the “Distinguished Volunteer Award” on October 6, 2018 from the Cincinnati NAACP at the Freedom Fund Dinner.

Curtis Fuller of WLWT and Theresa Harper.

Theresa has been an active member of the Cincinnati NAACP for many years and has served on the executive committee for 16 years. For the past 15 years she has served as the Cincinnati Youth Advisor, teaching leadership skills and empowering students to improve their community by proposing legislative changes and policies enforcement. She has also served as the State of Ohio NAACP Youth and College Advisor from 2013 – 2016 coordinating youth programing and training. Theresa has been involved for 16 years as the NAACP Chair of ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics.) This group pulls together 32 talent and enrichment programs for students culminating with a yearly competition. (Fairfield is offering ACT-SO as a class – which is the first in the nation.) Theresa is also very active with her church and currently serves as the social action chairperson.

Says Rob Streicher, vice president/sales manager of the Sibcy Cline West Chester office, “We are very proud of Theresa and are very happy to have her as part of our team. She exemplifies what ‘giving back to the community’ is throughout the year. She is very deserving of her volunteer honor.”

The Cincinnati NAACP was established in 1915 and is the region’s oldest civil rights organization. It focuses on eliminating discrimination and inequality through empowerment, economic inclusion, criminal justice reform and transparency.

During the fall season it’s important to make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your home in good shape before colder weather arrives. Winter weather can inflict some damage on a home and so making sure everything is in good shape now – while the weather is still mild – is always a good idea. Here are six fall home-maintenance tips:

One (1) – Water and Sprinklers
Perhaps the most important place to start with fall home maintenance is outside, especially around driveways, front steps and other parts of the home where people are going to be walking and where ice, snow and slush can make their unwelcome presence felt. Identifying areas where stairs may need to be repaired, cracks and holes patched or smoothed, will help keep you safe from dangerous slip-and-falls. Also, be sure there are lights to illuminate pathways and sidewalks.

Homeowners should also make sure sprinkler systems are flushed out and exterior water connections are shut off to sprinkler systems and outdoor spigots. This will prevents the possibility of having pipes freeze and later bursting. Store all water hoses inside the garage.

If you know there has been water buildup in certain parts of your lawn – especially around the home’s foundation – think about ways to redirecting it. Experts recommend ensuring a six-inch vertical slope over 10 feet of space to usher water away from a home.

Two (2) – Leaves
Be sure the lawn is in good shape as fall arrives. Stay on top of raking when foliage starts to fall. Letting all those fallen leaves sit on a lawn over the winter, especially when compacted by snow, can create dead spots in the grass next spring, so clearing leaves before serious snowfall arrives is a must.

Three (3) – Gutters and Roof 
In addition to clearing leaves, it’s also important to clear out the gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which then result in water building up as snow melts – and potentially leads to a leaky roof.

And while you’re up on the ladder, you should also make sure everything is in good shape on the roof. If any shingles appear to be damaged or missing, they need to be replaced before harsh weather arrives. (Depending upon the scope of any roof issues,  these might not be tasks you personally tackle.)

Four (4) – No Air Leaks
Don’t let warm air escape your home this winter. Use exterior caulk around your home’s exterior to seal any cracks between the trim and siding, windows and door frames.

Five (5) – Furnace
It’s always a good idea to schedule check-up professional maintenance for your heating system to make sure it is in tip-top shape for colder days. Be sure to change your furnace filters regularly.

Six (6) – Fireplace
Make sure the damper opens and closes. Look up into the flue to make sure it is not obstructed with leaves or bird nests. Consider a fireplace and chimney inspection to fix any damaged bricks and mortar.

Need help with your list of things to do this fall? Be sure to contact Sibcy Cline Home Services. They can recommend vetted, home-related services and vendors to you.

Brought to you by HMS Home Warranty.  HMS is an industry leader with over 30 years of creating success for clients and providing peace of mind for customers.  To learn more click www.hmsnational.com