Date Archives: June 2016

Indian Lake is a wonderful place to spend time in the summer, getting out on the water and doing some boating with friends and family. When venturing out into the open water, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure everyone has a safe, and fun, time this boating on Indian Lake.

Boating

Indian Lake boating is some of the best in the area. Keep the following in mind when going out on the water.

Ramps: all public ramps have ample parking for trailers and vehicles without unhooking. Moundwood and Lakeview are generally busiest but also the largest docking areas. All boat ramp areas have restroom facilities. Chippewa on the north side, Blackhawk on the west, Lakeview Harbor south of the lake and Moundwood is on the east side.

Water Depths: varying depths exist across the lake from 3' to 12.' The lake bottom is mud and sand. A boat will need a hook anchor. Wake areas and speed zones are marked on maps available upon arrival or online. No wake areas are strictly enforced by the State Park Water Patrol.

Skiing: one ski zone exists for skiing and pulling tubes on the west side of the lake. No limit requirements on speed in this particular area but at least three people must be in the boat including the skier while boating on Indian Lake.

Speed Zone: a second speed zone is for boats not pulling skiers or tubers. This area is located on the east side of Indian Lake. No limit requirements on speed exist in this area. Take care and caution while in the game preserve area for weeds. Indian Lake now has a weed harvester to work the weeds through lily pads in the area.

Boat Swim: areas exist on the north side of Red Oak Island, along Snow Island and Little Walnut Island on the north side of Indian Lake. Boats may also anchor on the south end of Old Field Beach at Fox Island Beach.

Boat Safety: safety tips, boat operating ages and PWC rules are available at this page. No alcohol is permitted on the lake. Patrol boats navigate to help boaters, monitor speed and search for safety violations. The Indian Lake Auxiliary Coast Guard is also available to assist boaters on weekends.

Restaurant Docks

The following is a list of restaurants which have docks available for boats.

• Tilton Hilton

• Achesons

• McDonalds

• Kevin's Pizza

• The Moose Club

Registration

Some of the following tips are helpful to know before boating on Indian Lake.

• Any craft used in Ohio waters with a serial number requires registration (including rafts with oars). Owners of homemade vessels must apply for a serial number before registering the craft.

• Untitled vessels require a Statement of Origin, Dealer Invoice or Notarized Bill of Sale. Titled vessels require the title. All vessels must be registered before use on Ohio waters. Ohio now requires a 45-day temporary registration until title is obtained.

Get more advice on getting your boat ready for the summer!

Contact one of our agents today.

A home which provides eco-friendly features can sell well in today's market. Geothermal systems, solar panels, Energy Star-rated appliances and LEED certification go far when selling a home. Home builders and sellers of upgraded homes that provide 'green' features spend a fair amount but whether a prospective buyer cares about it depends on many factors. Learn what the factors are and how to position a home with 'green' features for the marketplace.

Feature, Fixture or Finish

Prospective homeowners look for features to touch, feel and show off to friends and family. Spa-like bath, media room or a chef's kitchen all have buying power. A buyer may not necessarily pay extra when it comes to home improvements that cannot be seen (such as the roof, boiler or new plumbing). Green features fall somewhere in the middle. A buyer may pay extra for 'cool features' such as an energy-saving thermostat which can be controlled from a mobile phone but will not necessarily pay extra for reclaimed hardwood and unique air filtration systems.

Savings

A consumer will not spend a huge chunk of money on a home but if a green home means savings, short term or down the road, buyers usually listen. Resale value such as a high-tech thermostat or remodeled kitchen can present a great scenario for buyers who receive value from the feature while also having built-in equity.

Green vs. No Green

Most buyers will make a cost-benefit analysis with new constructions. With extra cost must come extra value to the consumer in the form of an immediate tax credit or other benefit to make the purchase worthwhile. The cost of a new system which provides such benefits and requires zero out of pocket cost has great curb appeal. A buyer is able to realize savings in lower energy bills and savings over the long term but not everyone wants to pay for green features, regardless of savings. Overall, buyers who plan to be in the home a shorter time have less to benefit from the cost savings than those who plan to stay long term. A future buyer likely will not pay extra, especially in a down market.

Growing Market

Some new buyers are concerned for the environment and want to give back, financial features of a home notwithstanding. Whether or not the features are cool is not significant as an environmentally friendly focused buyer will pay extra anyways.

Green features are becoming a mainstay in the housing market. Today's consumer likes to see some of the features when shopping to consider environmental impact alongside cost savings. This, weighed against particular real estate decisions, can ultimately add up with personal considerations such as location, floor plan, number of bedrooms and, of course, green features. All of the above add up to choices worth prioritizing when searching the market for that perfect home.

Get more advice on ways you can get started on creating an Eco-Friendly home.

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The start of seller season in real estate begins April 1st, which also happens to be April Fools' Day. The time to sell a house is list it now and get ready. Homes show better in springtime. A seller is more likely to move a house quickly at good market value this time of year. In a competitive market, sellers may make a mistake by waiting to list property. Spring is a great time to showcase a home's best assets and help people envision living in the property. Some simple, yet effective, tips can position a seller's home on the market, save stress and help retain power of negotiation for fair market value.

First Impressions

Curb appeal is very important when selling a property. Landscape can take time to maintain. Instead, go with low-water grass and drought-tolerant plants. Visit the local garden center and explore native plants. Spruce up the front yard and back patio. Potential buyers love to see how relaxation and entertainment is possible in a new space. Make the front porch and entryway as attractive as possible as potential buyers will stop at this point to get into the home and have time to look at surroundings.

Model Home

The emotional connection to a home is an important selling point.. A home that sells fast is one which follows these get-ready tips:

• De-personalize the space to help potential buyer envision living there

• Remove family photos and kids artwork

• Edit collections, books, closets, cabinets, pantry and end tables

• Make home look as big as possible to showcase rooms

• Focus on big spaces in the home which will be used often like the kitchen (functionality, neutral design choices)

• Splurge on a few main spaces which have a lot of resale value (master bath, living room)

Marketing

A house will not sell itself without some help. Think of the process in three parts: pricing, listing, showing. View comparable properties in the area then set a competitive price point to ensure a quick sale.

Get more people to the open house by listing the property on a Friday before opening the home the following Sunday. The long exposure helps before showing. Following the open house, compare all offers on Sunday night. In a good market, multiple competing offers will be given and the home can sell at or above the list price.

Competitive markets may be more aggressive. Direct mailers may be needed to potential buyers to let everyone know about the property for sale. A 'broker's open' invites brokers and real estate agents to view the property before an open house to receive feedback on selling more quickly.

Forget Perfect

Highlight the positives of the property such as access to schools, health clubs or green space like parks. A positive approach will help the property sell quickly and easily, a win-win for all parties involved.

Get more advice on how to get ready for this years selling season. It's a hot one!

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The entryway is a high traffic area in most any home. Coats, backpacks, shoes and accessories tend to be dumped as soon as people enter the door which leads to an accumulation of stuff which makes it difficult to wade through. Learn some practical tips and ideas to help manage a high traffic hallway with minimal effort.

Display accessories. Outdoor clothing is usually stored near the exit but does not have to be hidden from view. Find attractive hooks to hang coats, hats and scarves to avoid a messy pile up. Swap out the winter accessories for sun hats, beach bags and blankets in the summer.

Add furniture. Create more surfaces to place items such as an upholstered bench, basket and coat rack for the hallway to provide spots for outerwear. The space will also look more cozy and welcoming with a personal touch.

See through a child's eyes. Kids need dedicated pegs to hang coats and hats easily without throwing items in a heap on the floor. Let kids choose a hook and give lessons on how to install safely for a fun learning opportunity which can motivate kids to use the hooks.

Repurpose dishes. A small dish or plate on a table can create order with minimal effort. Creating a small space to drop items quicklysuch as keys or loose change keep things orderly.

Use ledges or shelving to elevate items. Install a small shelf or ledge to place bags or purses on the wall. Not only will this save space but makes it easier on the body by not lifting heavy objects off the floor.

Opt for open. Rather than hiding the family's items from sight, create a system of open storage that makes it easy to grab and go. Separate pieces can add character to the hallway.

Line up baskets. Crates, baskets and salvaged drawers are an affordable yet visibly appealing way to create extra storage. Make the most of a series of containers against the hallway wall.

Make a feature. Get creative by making a beautiful backdrop for coats and bags and other bobbles which accumulate around the hallway. Frame the space with antiques such as a dressmaker's mannequin to hold coats or hats and similar pieces which add a bit of fun and flair to any space.

Stay hidden. Large pegs and shoe racks help keep items hidden with minimal fuss behind doors. Install shelves and hooks where needed and work out where the family will place individual shoes, gloves, helmets and other items to keep the space clutter free.

Upgrade the umbrella stand. The messiest item in the house (aside from muddy boots, children coming in from outside and pets) is a dripping wet umbrella. Leave it by the door in a fancy stand which keeps water from the floor, avoiding a potential slipping hazard.

Get more advice on unique ways to keep your hallways tidy!

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