A first floor half bath can fit almost anywhere!

I find myself telling buyer clients, usually without their asking me, that maybe they could put a 1/2 bath here or there when we are looking at a home they really like that only has one bathroom. In the Older Columbus Neighborhoods and the ones in the central city areas around downtown, it's quite common for there to be only one bathroom.
You would be amazed at the tiny spaces a half bath can fit in to. Usually, you see them tucked into first floor coat closets and that usually works quite well since underneath the closet, in the basement, it's typically wide open and able to accommodate the plumbing.
Here is another great idea, albeit a little different, that I saw in a home a couple months ago and had to take a picture of.
This half bath is tucked into the top landing on the way down to the basement stair. There is a door from the kitchen on the left and you can see the doorknob from the door leading down the stairs on the left. The picture was taken from the stairs that go to a landing where the side driveway door was. From the kitchen, it looks just like any other half bath if you didn't you the stairs where there.
Also, the positioning of the toilet and sink are such that they really don't get in the way of exiting to the side door or taking your laundry to the basement or whatever else you may need to do. It's a great way to sneak in a half bath. The paint job is great and these folks even threw in a wastebasket and mirror.
Just make sure to lock BOTH doors if you're looking for some privacy.

Woodsview of Bexley

Don't forget about Woodsview of Bexley, a 55 and over condominium building with 20 units left. All units are around 1,000 square feet, have 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, some with walk in closets and some with balconies. It's an extremely secure building and comes with Bexley city services and Wexner Heritage Village senior services available upon request. From the 120s to the 150s, you can't find a better deal in Senior Living in Central Ohio.

Mortgage Interest Rates

Just a few words about interest rates.
Everyone hears about Alan Greenspan and the Feds raising interest rates every 8 weeks or so when they meet. They have raised rates the eight consecutive times they've met to help keep the economy on track. Please do not confuse this with a raise in interest rates for your home mortgage loan.
The fed raises short term interest rates on monies banks and the federal government borrow from each other. This has nothing, directly, to do with long term interest rates such as a 30-year fixed mortgage. Interest rates today are STILL OUTSTANDING.
So don't work yourself into a tizzy when you hear Mr Greenspan talk about keeping inflation in check by raising short term interest rates. It will probably effect your new home loan very minimally.

Home appreciation strong in 2005

I get tired of hearing how the housing bubble is going to break any day now. We've been hearing this for about a year and a half. Appreciation remains strong here in Central Ohio and Sales remain relatively brisk. Yes, I think it will slow down soon but not so much that even the average consumer will take much notice.

here are the latest numbers from the Board of Realtors



April 2005 Home Sales

(May 18, 2005) The average sale price of a Central Ohio home last month was $173,143 - up 1.3 percent over April of 2004. However, the average sale price year to date stands at $170,094, up 4.4 percent from the same period last year according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.
"We generally average about a four percent appreciation on homes here in Central Ohio," says Doug McCloud, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. "However, over the past year or so, we’ve experienced a slight softening in higher priced home sales and a tremendous increase in the more affordable home sales, thereby bringing the average price down a bit."
The number of homes sold in April, 2005 was down a slight 1.4 percent over one year ago. April residential home sale statistics indicate that 2,255 homes were sold last month versus 2,286 last year. The number of homes sold, January through April, is 7,217 which is .6 percent lower than the same period last year.
"Home sales are actually well ahead compared to the past five years," offers McCloud. "The fact that we’re keeping pace with last year this time is exceptional since last April we had a torrent of home sales - over 15 percent higher than the previous year."