Live in family friendly Olde Sawmill within the Dublin school district and a Dublin postal address! Great walking community; it has a large park, schools, and stores. Only a short drive to movies, additional restaurants, golf, zoo and so much more!

With 3349 sq. ft., of finished living space, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, this contemporary home is waiting for your personal touches!

Vaulted ceilings in the family room, plentiful light, formal dining room, main floor laundry, recreation room, deck, and two car garage only scratch the surface of what this home has to offer you!

Dipping a Toe Into Property Management?
Be Prepared

Whether you’re an accidental landlord or you invested in property intentionally, you’ve probably been surprised by some of the quirks and challenges of rental management.
If you’re already in the property management game or if you’re thinking about making an investment, here are some need-to-know strategies for making your life easier and staying on the right side of the law.

Keep in mind that laws vary by state, province, and city, so it’s always wise to consult an attorney to be certain that you understand the risks associated with being a landlord.

1. Set realistic expectations. Know that not everything will go smoothly all of the time. Property management isn’t a hands-off investment. Properties, tenants and homeowners’ associations all require some babysitting.

   Glitches can range from late rent payments and unexpected special assessments to finding that your rental has been trashed and is filthy. The latter was what Janis Leis ABR faced with one of her rentals. Leis, an associate broker with Prudential Fox & Roach, specializes in marketing property in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.

   So you need the emotional distance and fortitude to accept that a treasured investment was abused. You also need the cash to fix the damage and the ability to tap the right trades people to get the property ready for the next tenant.

2. Cash reserves. No matter how well you crunched your numbers, rentals will unexpectedly swallow cash. So have money at the ready to cover emergencies, vacancies, and surprise expenses.

   “Never be paying this month’s mortgage payment with this month’s rent,” says Mia Melle, broker and president of operations for Renttoday.us, an Ontario, Calif., property management firm. “If you do, your financial situation is in tenants’ hands and you’re at their mercy,” she adds. Melle suggests having six months of mortgage payments set aside.

3. Repair team. Unless you have the skill and desire to serve as a handyman, put together a go-to team of repair people that you can call for emergencies. Experts in plumbing, electricity and HVAC are all key.

   Tip: Other professionals are critical too. Contact an insurer to discuss exactly the coverage you need to protect your asset and shield yourself from liability.

4. Oddball personal issues. “You never know what tenants are like until they move in,” comments Leis. Your lease stipulates that no pets are allowed, but your tenants adopted a Great Dane and now say they can’t get rid of it because it’ll break their kids’ hearts. I got injured on the job, my workman’s comp ran out, and I don’t have money for the full rent this month. My ex-spouse is late with child support. Your tenant is in jail and left behind his belongings.

   Know that you’re getting involved with strangers and that many of their problems become your problems. “There are always personality issues, and you’re dealing with people and odd situations you can’t prepare for,” says Melle.

5. Business is business. You need emotional separation from tenants. It’s much harder to evict someone when you know the details of their health and marital problems, for instance, or to demand rent when someone is facing financial hardship.

   So you can be empathetic, but don’t act as a counselor, keep tenants off your dinner party guest lists, and don’t friend them on Facebook.

   Melle says that everyone has a sob story. “But the fact is that the rent needs to get paid. You can’t be afraid of confrontation. If a tenant smells fear or sympathy, you can easily get walked on,” she comments.

6. Stay on the right side of the law. Understand what you can and cannot do as a landlord, understand tenants’ rights, and stay on top of changes in laws that govern rentals. It’s your responsibility to know and adhere to the laws. “Tenants know their rights more than owners do,” observes Melle.

   ‘In addition, it’s critical for U.S. landlords to adhere to Fair Housing Act. ‘

   Melle says people routinely get tripped up accidentally by Fair Housing. Just one troublesome spot is writing ads. Including something you intend as friendly and innocuous, such as “ideal for couples” or “near churches,” in ads could be seen as discriminatory. Some could believe that you’re discriminating against families with children or against those who attend religious services at places other than churches.

   Learn about the Fair Housing Act here.

7. Paperwork. Keep good records about who you have shown the property to and why you didn’t rent to the person. Also keep on file your leases, communication between you and tenants and management companies, and carefully track deductible expenses. In addition, file warranty information and instruction manuals for appliances.
8. Opting for a property manager. Hiring a property manager lets you to delegate the more tedious day-to-day tasks of being a landlord. Such companies can handle just the leasing for you or you could rely on them for rent collection, maintenance, emergencies, day-to-day complaints, evictions, and any other management quirks that pop up. Here are some considerations:
   • Is property management the company’s sole business? “If it’s a sideline, then you and your needs will be on the sideline too,” warn Melle.
   • Be sure it’s not a one-man show. If a solo property manager has only a few properties, he’s probably out hustling for new business. Something–accounting, collections, or maintenance functions–could be being neglected, points out Melle, who says that you want a company with a dedicated staff for each of the key property management functions.
   • Check references, read online reviews of prospective managers, and talk to others about who they use and what their experiences have been. You want a sense of both how a company services its clients–you–and how well it treats your clients–your tenants.

   Tip: The Institute of Real Estate Management offers the “IREM® Guide to Choosing the Right Real Estate Manager or Real Estate Management Firm.”

Wishing all my friends and clients a happy, healthy new year in 2012!

For Families:

Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey vs. Washington CapitalsThe Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate the New Year and the Columbus’ Bicentennial with a game against the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. Featuring special Bicentennial activities throughout the game, and a fantastic indoor fireworks display inside Nationwide Arena immediately following the game. The team offers a Bicentennial Family Fun Pack starting at $25 per person, which includes a ticket, food, beverage and a family skate pass in the Ice Haus.
200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, 43215
614-246-4625
Nationwide Arena

First Night Columbus$10 admission, Activities begin Saturday at 5 p.m. Fireworks at midnight
First Night Columbus, Central Ohio’s award-winning New Year’s Eve celebration is a community-oriented, family-friendly, alcohol-free event. There is something for everyone with more than 40 live performances including jazz, funk, ragtime, storytelling and magic, hands-on activities and a children’s festival. COSI will stay open until 11 p.m. At COSI, see performances by Transit Arts, check out a talent show featuring some of Columbus’ teenage musicians and artists, take a whirlwind tour of holiday lighting with our Holiday Lights Live Show and explore COSI’s 300+ exhibits.
614-299-9221
Location: Throughout Downtown
First Night Columbus

Adults: Dance the night away!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve With Mike Albert and The Big E Band
Dinner, Dancing, Hats and Noisemakers, Open Bar and much more.
6500 Doubletree Ave., Columbus, 43229
614-792-3135
The Crowne Plaza Columbus North

Hyatt Regency’s NYE on High
For over 30 years we’ve been throwing the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in Ohio. 70,000 square feet transformed into the region’s most engaging and interactive live entertainment party complex in Ohio! Only the Hyatt Regency Columbus is big enough to bring together eleven of the region’s best bands, live entertainers, and DJ’s. Party with bands like The Personnel, Soul Kitch’n, Love Sick Radio, Bon Journey, Lt. Dan’s New Legs, Granny Shot, My Sister Sarah, Reaganomics, & Eldorado Karaoke. Laugh and sing along with Columbus’ very own entertainment legend and Ohio State party tradition, Chris Logsdon live! Mix up your evening of live entertainment with DJ Marino Monaco and DJ Ant pumping out all of your favorite techno, club, hip hop, and top-40 dance tunes with video.
$129-$499
350 N. High St., Columbus, 43215
614-463-1234
Hyatt Regency Columbus

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra: Celebrate! A New Year’s Eve Performance
Ring in the New Year at the historic Southern Theatre, a premiere downtown Columbus destination, as ProMusica Chamber Orchestra performs a program of Broadway tunes and a night in old Vienna. Enjoy an elegant performance featuring soprano, Sarah Pfisterer, and lyric baritone, Keith Buterbaugh, singing favorites from Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast and more. Includes a special champagne toast at intermission to kick-off the Columbus Bicentennial! (Ticket buyers may attend a special pre-concert party at The Westin Columbus for an additional cost.)
Concert Tickets: $32-$62. Party Add-On: $22-$30
Southern Theater, 21 E. Main St., Columbus, 43215
614-464-0066
ProMusica

Venetian Masquerade Ball
Masquerade Balls came to prominence in Renaissance Italy, especially in Venice and were held to celebrate important events. Elaborate masks were a hallmark of these beautiful parties. Camelot Cellars will be featuring our signature Venetian wine, Valpolicella Classico at special glass prices that night. A glass of bubbly at midnight will be part of the celebration along with Italian-inspired appetizers. Guests will also have the opportunity to have their mask replaced and painted on their face by Leigh Ann Ehmann of Make You, LLC as part of their ticket.
$25 per person or $40 per couple.
958 N. High St., Columbus, 43201
614-441-8860
Camelot Cellars Winery

Wyandotte Winery’s New Year’s Eve Winemakers Pairing Dinner
Ring in the New Year on a high note when you attend our Special Winemakers Food and Wine Pairing Dinner. Join us for an intimate evening featuring passionate foods, and wonderful wine. Includes a six course wine dinner as well as a special take home gift. Seating is limited and online reservations are required.
$150 per couple.
4640 Wyandotte Drive, Columbus, 43230
614-476-3624
Wyandotte Winery

Fine Dining:

New Year’s Eve at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
Every Cameron Mitchell restaurant is hosting a special evening, contact your favorite!
Cameron’s, Cap City Diner, M, Marcella’s, Martini, Ocean Club, Molly Woo’s, and Ocean Prime
614-621-1204
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants around Columbus

Columbus Brewing Co. New Year’s Eve Dinner
Gourmet dinner includes: A 12oz Prime Cut NY Strip Steak, spiced tomato hollandaise with jumbo lump crab, yukon gold whipped potatoes, asparagus sauteed with roma tomato and shallots.
$27 per plate
525 Short St., Columbus, 43215
614-464-BREW
Columbus Brewing Co.

New Year’s Eve at Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
Featuring Any Signature Salad, 7oz Filet Mignon with Broccolini Garnish, and choice of Colossal Sea Scallops, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes or Scampi-Style Jumbo Shrimp, Choice of Dessert: Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee, New York-Style Cheesecake or Flourless Chocolate Torte.
614-224-2204 Downtown, 614-717-2828 Dublin, 614-442-3310 Upper Arlington,
and 614-438-1000 Worthington
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Enter Rental Investing With Eyes Wide Open

Demand for rentals, along with monthly rents are ratcheting up. Moreover, with the decline in condo and home prices, investors in some markets are picking up properties for a song.

Though investing in rental property has the potential for long-term financial benefits, becoming a landlord isn’t without its hazards and headaches.

Real estate experts routinely urge caution when investing and recommend that you fully understand the pitfalls and benefits of owning rental property. They also suggest that you look closely at your finances and goals and make purchasing decisions based on your individual circumstances.

Eyes wide open

Determining whether such an investment is right for you–financially and psychologically–and then picking the right property are among the first key decisions.

Though the list isn’t comprehensive, here are eight considerations before starting a sideline as a landlord.

1. Tap experts. Be certain that a rental is a good fit with your short- and long-term financial strategy, that a deal is structured to your advantage, and that you’re properly insured. Rely on a team of advisors that includes real estate and mortgage professionals, an accountant, a lawyer, an estate planner, and an insurance expert.
   Tip: Your cadre of experts should be able to help you explore and understand all your options, including 1031 exchanges and buying investment property using a self-directed IRA. And they should address exit strategies and crunch the numbers so that you know the effect capital gains will have when you sell. And be sure someone schools you in IRS rules that affect investment property.
2. Know thyself. Owning investment property can create a special kind of angst that you’ve not experienced before. Do you deal with uncertainty well or will a one- or two-month vacancy stress you out? Do you have the skills to get along a variety of people? Can you build good will with tenants without becoming their pals? Are you assertive enough to address tenants’ misdeeds and say no to unreasonable demands? Are you able to make minor repairs? Do you want field late-night calls about burst pipes or broken air conditioners?
   Tip: A property management company can remove the burdens of day-to-day contact with tenants, and manage leases, tenant screening, maintenance, rent collection, evictions, and so forth. For a price.
3. Location analysis. Understand the history and the future of a potential neighborhood. That entails more than pricing trends, which a real estate practitioners can address.
   Vickey Wachtel ABR,CIPS,CHMS,CRS,e-PRO,GREEN,GRI, SRES, broker/owner of Imagine Realty International, Katy, Tex., looks beyond the obvious and checks with the city to measure, for example, the fiscal health of a city (tax hikes coming?), assess what projects are being planned (will there be new road running past your front lawn in a couple years?), and to understand how the empty lots in the immediate neighborhood are zoned. Also look at the ratio of owners to renters in a given area. Prospective tenants look at crime statistics and school rankings, so you should too.
   Tip: Neighborhoods that are walkable, accessible to public transit, and rich with amenities–restaurants, shopping, parks, and entertainment–often trump far-flung bedroom communities, particularly if your target tenant trends to a younger demographic.
4. Read your neighbors. Spend time in the neighborhood during all times of the day. You want to see what goes on on a Saturday night, for example. Is the neighborhood full of partying college students? If so, it may not be the place to invest if you envision your future tenant being a family. Is the neighborhood tidy? Are parks clean? Are lawns mowed?
5. Condition and upgrades–Determine whether you want a property that is ready to rent immediately or whether you’re willing to make upgrades and repairs. You’ll need to factor such decisions into your budget.
   Tip: Unless it’s a luxury property, don’t sink money into high-end finishes and appliances. Middle-of-the road upgrades, say real estate experts, likely are a better choice.
6. Rising costs. Particularly if you buy in a condo building or a gated golf community, know that you’ll face costs for assessments, club memberships, and so forth, and factor them into your decision-making. Such costs always rise, points out Janice B. Leis ABR, an associate broker with Prudential Fox & Roach, who specializes in marketing property in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida.
7. Future home? If you’re planning to turn your rental into your retirement home, be certain that you like the city, the neighborhood, and the property and that you’ll be happy living there. Be sure that the property can be adapted for aging in place. Sure, you’re 55 now and in good physical condition. But when you’re 75, do you want to be hauling groceries up three flights of stairs?
   Tip: Test-drive your choices by renting the property type and in the town in which you’ll be investing and possibly retiring in, suggests Leis. She asks, “If you’ve always lived in a single-family home, will you like condo living?” Find out before you invest.
8. Know your audience. Pick a neighborhood and housing type and size that are in demand among prospective tenants. In some markets that might be a three-bedroom, single-family house. In others it could mean a high-rise studio. Wachtel says that renters can include anyone from divorced singles and middle-aged couples who are downsizing to recent college graduates and college students.
   Tip: In a university town, you’ll likely find a steady flow of student renters to tap. But, warns Leis, know that you’ll probably face chronic repairs. College students aren’t, after all, always gentle on property.

Every Night – for All – Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. They’ve decked the halls, trees, and everything but the animals with gorgeous lights! Price of Admission, or free to members: Sun-Thurs 5-9pm and Fri -Sat 5-10pm, closed Dec 24 & 25 www.columbuszoo.org

Every Day – for All – Merry & Bright: Holidays at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Celebrate the holidays, enjoy the scenes and lights, and the gingerbread competition. Candlelight nights featuring live music and special programs on Weds evenings. Holiday cooking and fine art classes are also available this month. For prices contact www.fpconservatory.org 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203

December 7, 11, 14, 18, 21 – for Adults – A Taste of Dickens at Glenlaurel – a special package of luxury accommodations and a 6-course traditional Victorian Christmas Dinner with readings from “A Christmas Carol” and other notable Christmas stories. Dinner is $49 per person, and if you stay over, there is a 50% off your lodging with the dinner! Please make reservations at 877-913-0896

December 18 – For All – Hannukah Concert at the Wexner Heritage House, from 2pm to 4pm. For more information, contact Arlene Armstrong, 614-235-8111 or www.hadassah.org/columbus

December 9-24 – for All – The Nutcraker, by BalletMet. Come see the holiday classic! Dates: Dec 9 – 7:30 – 9:30PM; Dec 10 – 1-3PM and 7:30-9:30PM; Dec 11 – 2-4PM; Dec 15 and 16 – 7:30 – 9:30PM; Dec17 – 2-4PM and 7:30-9:30PM; Dec 18 – 1-3PM and 5:30-7:30PM; Dec 20, 21, and 22 – 7:30-9:30PM; Dec 23 – 2-4PM and 7:30-9:30PM; Dec 24 – 1-3PM
Ohio Theatre, 39 East State Street, Columbus, Ohio www.balletmet.org

December 9 & 10, 16 & 17 – for All – Dickens of a Dinner: American House Hotel features a victorian dinner, and entertainment. 6pm-7:30pm. Reservations required. Tickets $60/adult and $50/OHS member call 800-686-1541

December 9 & 10, 16 & 17 – for All – Dickens of a Christmas: Ohio Village features a victorian Christmas, crafts, and entertainment. 6-9pm. Tickets required. Tickets $12/adult and $10/OHS member, $9/youth and $7/OHS youth member and FREE for the 5 and under tots call 800-686-1541

December 16-18 – for All – Nia Performing Arts Presents Black Nativity 2011: the powerful gospel play written by Langston Hughes. The King Arts Complex, 867 Mt Vernon Ave, Columbus, OH. Times: Friday 7pm, Saturday 2:30 and 7pm, and Sunday 5pm. Tickets are $10 and $15 in advance, and $3 more at the door. Call 614-848-3550 for more information and to purchase tickets

Zero In on Retirement Dollars

It’s never a bad thing to analyze your finances pretty regularly. We’ve been poking around research done by Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, a non-profit foundation focused on retirement security.

We found some cool tools at its site to help you crunch your numbers this quarter.

Sweet treats’ worth

You’ve heard that ubiquitous tip about cutting wasteful little habits. It’s often called the Starbucks effect. The advice usually goes like this. “Slash your daily coffee consumption and save a bundle.”
A little basic math on your part shows the monthly hit your daily treats have on your budget. But for truly eye-popping–and motivating figures–take a look at the long-term savings you could realize by eliminating that coffee-milk-caramel concoction from your daily routine.

Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies’ “loose change” calculator makes it a cinch.

Just plug in your age, the cost of your habit, and a few other details. You’ll find, for instance, that a 55-year-old intending to retire at age 65 and who buys a $3 cup of coffee every work day will sink a total $9,045.46 on this treat by the time he or she retires. Invest the money instead, and it could grow to $13,355.44. The above figures are adjusted for inflation.

Up the ante a bit and see the long-term cost of a pricier treat, like a $23 weekly Sunday brunch for a 50-year-old looking to retire at age 65. By the time that “bruncher” retires, he or she will have spent $22,656.42 on bacon and eggs. Investing the breakfast dollars could yield $40,758.82. Again, the above figures are adjusted for inflation.

So just how sweet are those daily or weekly treats? It’s your call.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve calculated where you can hunt down additional dollars to save each year, the Transamerica site offers some insight that can be a huge help in deciding how to manage and protect that found cash.

And if you’ve not developed a retirement strategy, it’s not too late. The site features an array of surveys, studies, tax tips, and retirement education.

In addition, you can learn about lesser-known benefits to tap, such as catch-up contributions for those over age 50 and the Saver’s Credit, a tax credit for low- to middle-income tax filers.

It’s little surprise that Transamerica’s “The New Retirement: Working” study found that workers’ two biggest retirement-related fears were outliving their savings and investments and not being able to meet the financial needs of their families.

That May 2011 report includes some strategies that will help you to respond to those fears. They include:

• Formulate a plan and write it down: Only 10 percent of workers have written out their retirement strategy, according to the report.
• Get educated: The majority of workers (71 percent) say they don’t know as much as they should about retirement investing.
• Weigh retirement benefits as part of your total compensation package: 53 percent of workers would select a job offer with a higher than expected salary, but poor retirement benefits over one with excellent retirement benefits and minimum salary requirements.
• Participate in employer retirement plans: 22 percent) who are offered a plan at work don’t participate.
• Take advantage of the Saver’s Credit and make catch-up contributions: Just 25 percent of workers know about the Saver’s Credit. And Transamerica found that only 56 percent of workers know that those who are age 50 and older may be eligible to make catch-up contributions to retirement plans.
• Have a Plan B, if you can’t keep working to your planned retirement date: Only 19 percent of workers currently have a backup plan.

Sighing with relief

Yes, retirement studies and calculators routinely deliver feel-bad results.

But if you’re one who started saving at a young age and made all the right financial moves, run your savings figures through Transamerica’s “saving up” calculator.

You just might find that you’re socking away enough for a comfortable retirement and that your money won’t run out until you reach the ripe age of 105. Then let out a gusty sigh of relief.

Lorri Molnar offers grateful thanks to all the men and women whose patriotism led them to serve in the US Armed Forces, and extends a warm invitation to any Veteran or family member to contact her for more information about VA loans, and any questions they may have about buying or selling a home or investment property.

In 2007, our government, acting on The Energy Policy Act of 2005, mandated that Daylight Saving Time be extended by one month. The Act applies to most of our States, to Mexico, and to Canada. (Did you know that there are six States that do not observe Daylight Saving Time?) An easy way to remember when Daylight Saving Time comes around is this: it starts the second Sunday in March, and it ends the first Sunday in November. In each case, 2 a.m. is the official tolling of the bell.

Remember, as you set your clocks back this weekend, take time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; change them if you need to.

• Are you interested in picking your own fruit or veggies? Sites like Fresh Connect have a complete list of other U-Pick farms all over the area.
• Many of us have fond memories of fall harvest fun, and want to continue that tradition with our kids and grandkids. Pumpkin Patches has a list of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides, and fall fun for all ages.
• Take a walk in the woods! Central Ohio has 16 Metro Parks, with over 175 miles of trails, from easy strolls, to demanding hikes. It’s a perfect combination of exercise and autumn beauty.
• Also, the Metro Parks has lots of outdoor programs. They’ve got everything from nature talks for little ones, classes about nuts or wildfowl…often on group hikes with a naturalist, to night-time lantern strolls.
• Visit a local food festival, and explore tastes of local produce, and fun activities for the whole family!
• Don’t forget memberships you’ve already purchased: Whether it’s the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, The Franklin Park Conservatory, COSI, the Columbus Art Museum, or another Central Ohio attraction. All of them offer seasonal activities or displays. Make your membership fees work for you!
• Crafts are a perfect idea for children on chilly, rainy, autumn days. Plan ahead during your other activities, by collecting beautiful leaves and branches, buying gourds and vines, and keeping an eye out for other crafty items. Then when the weather coops you up indoors, create fall décor, rubbings, Thanksgiving cards, and other autumnal crafts. Sites like Kaboose.com can give you great craft ideas and instructions.
• For adult crafters, sites like Martha Stewart and Midwest Living may offer more sophisticated crafts for adults who want to put special autumnal touches on their décor and holiday decorating.

If fright-night isn’t your style, or if you have young children or grandchildren with whom to share the season, this list of venues might just fit the bill!

All Hallow’s Eve: The Ohio Village’s 1800′s version of a Halloween event.
Open Saturday, October 22nd, 5:30-9:00pm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for children.
(At the Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave, Columbus)

Boo at the Zoo: This fun family even includes candy stations, fortune tellers, magicians, and a haunted train ride! All suitable for young children. Open Friday-Sunday evenings, October 21-30, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Haunted Ship: The Santa Maria is all set up for Halloween! Open October 27-9, from 7-10pm. And it’s free! (25 Marconi Blvd, Columbus Ohio. 614-645-8760)

The Haunted Statehouse Tours: History and Hauntings, the perfect combination! October 21-22, 7-9pm. Tours depart every half hour, and tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children.
(Downtown Columbus in the Ohio Statehouse).

Scareatorium: While a scary haunted house on most nights, this family event, “Lights On Sunday” has the venue fully lit and no actors involved, fun for the very brave over-six set!
From 7:30-10pm on Sundays Tickets are $20 (6765 Dublin Center Drive, in Dublin)