Knox County Ohio Blog

Many people think of Apple Valley strictly as a lake community for summer fun during the warm weather months but Apple Valley has activities year round.  The following is a schedule of events for the month of December 2008.   

• December 1st: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
  
• December 2nd: Apple Valley Singers at 6:00 p.m.
• December 3rd:   Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 3rd: Garden Club at 9:30 a.m. 
• December 3rd: Apple Blossoms at 10:00 a.m.
• December 3rd: Teen Fusion at 6:45 p.m.
• December 4th:   Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 4th: So and Sews at 11:00 a.m.
• December 4th:   Cookie Baking at 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• December 4th: Social Dance at 7:00 p.m.
• December 5th: Fitness Center 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. only
• December 5th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 5th:   Floral Valley Closes at 4:00 p.m.
• December 6th: Potluck Social Hour at 6:00 p.m.
• December 6th:   Potluck Dinner at 6:30 p.m. 
• December 8th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 8th: Fish Club Potluck ay 6:30 p.m.
• December 10th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 10th: Apple Blossoms at 10:00 a.m.
• December 11th:  Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 11th: Apple Core at 9:30 a.m.
• December 11th: Social Dance at 7:00 p.m.
• December 12th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 12th:  Skating at 7:00 p.m.
• December 13th: Children's Christmas Party 2:00 to 4:00
• December 15th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 15th: Square Dancers at 6:45 p.m.
• December 17th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 17th: Apple Blossoms at 10:00 a.m.
• December 17th: Teen Fusion at 6:45 p.m.
• December 18th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 18th: So and Sews at 11:00 a.m.
• December 19th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 19th: Apple Blossoms Family Christmas Party 5:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
• December 19th: Skating at 7:00 p.m.
• December 22nd: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 24th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 24th: AV Artists at 9:30 a.m.
• December 24th: Apple Blossoms at 10:00 a.m.
• December 25th:  All Facilities Closed
• December 26th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 26th: Skating at 7:00 p.m.
• December 29th: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 31st: Water Aerobics at 9:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
• December 31st: Fitness Center Open Only 7:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• December 31st: Apple Blossoms at 10:00 a.m.
• December 31st:  Floral Valley Closes at 4:00 p.m.
• December 31st:  New Years Eve Dinner and Dance 7:00 p.m.
• All events and dates are subject to change*

Going Green One Day At A Time

I am writing this because I am interested in doing my part to live a more green life.  I want to be very clear that I have no intentions of becoming totally green and I am betting most who read this won't go entirely green either.  My goal is so simple that people of all ages can follow it and if people utilize the ideas they can make a difference in the world we live in.  

The following are 10 basic ideas that will help you live a more green life.  

Be sure to keep your automotive tires fully inflated to the recommended level.  Under inflated tires require more energy to turn and by utilizing more energy you are burning unnecessary fuel wasting money.  This idea costs nothing and it is one of the simplest methods available to conserve energy.  

When it comes time to change your automotive air filter replace your disposable filter with a reusable air filter.  A very popular reusable air filter brand is K&N which is made of cotton and has a lifetime warranty.  There filters can be quickly and easily cleaned and will outlast your vehicle.  K&N filters also enhance engine air flow and this is like gaining free performance and increased fuel efficiency.

Never drink your morning cup of coffee from a paper, plastic or styrofoam cup again.  Instead consider using a washable and reusable coffee mug or thermos.  Consider the millions of disposable cups that would be saved each day if we all utilized this method.

Eliminate paper and plastic grocery bags entirely.  Utilize reusable tote bags for your grocery shopping and transportation.  These reusable bags come in many different sizes, they are super lightweight and these bags have more uses than just carting groceries.  Storing your lunch, carrying snacks for kids sporting events and the potential uses are pretty much endless.

Eliminate using paper towels and napkins as much as possible.  The best alternative is using wash clothes, cotton napkins and towels.

If you are using a disposable furnace filter consider using an air compressor to blow the dust and dirt out out of it so that you do not have to replace the filter as often.  If you plan to live in your home for many years to come you may want to consider investing in an electronic air filter system.  

Powering down much of your computer gear and technology each day can save a tremendous amount of energy each year and can help you reduce your energy bills.  Computer monitors, laser printers and electrical power strips tend to burn energy even when placed in standby mode.  Many of the commercially available power strips burn power even when the they are not in use by simply being plugged in.  Some experts believe that turning the switch to the off mode will assist while others recommend unplugging the power strip entirely which is the more logical choice.

Adjust your hot water tank to the lowest setting you can that will provide adequate hot water for you and your family.  Hot water tanks have different temperature settings and you may need to play with the settings for a day or two but the end result will worth it.

Make your daily to do lists and shopping lists on the back of a piece of scrap paper instead of using a new piece of paper.  I am continually using the backs of used mailing envelopes for my to do lists around the house and this is paper that otherwise would be considered scrap.  Either way, when you are done with the paper remember to recycle.

There are many times when sending an e-mail is far better than sending a letter.  Not only do you save paper, the envelope, ink or toner and postage but the speed of delivery is pretty much instant. Another benefit is that you are eliminating the delivery method which reduces fuel.  This is an area where I personally need to make some improvements.  One of the ways I stay in touch with my clients is through printed mail and through the use of postcards.  We are striving to get more clients to allow us to communicate by e-mail and each year more and more people allow us to make the switch.  

Next week I will cover 10 additional ideas that will help you live a greener life.

Sam Miller

 

Have you ever been on a real estate website and saw a listing that you were interested in and wished you had an fast way to get a quick question answered?  Until now E-mail has been the primary way for you to contact an agent after business hours.  We are offering a very easy to use solution to this challenge for our customers and clients.  Our goal is to make it much easier for our clients to contact us using the latest cellular text messaging technology.

If you have a spare moment feel free to give our new text messaging system a try.  It's so simple to use and there are just 3 quick steps.  Your first online text message can be sent within 60 seconds or less.

1. Enter your cell phone number
2. Type in your message of 160 characters or less
3. Click the SEND button. 

Your message should be delivered to us within 60 seconds or less to our mobile device.  We are certain that this new feature will be a tremendous benefit for our clients and customers and we hope you will give it a try.

Sam Miller

Real estate sales activity for home sales in Central Ohio and specifically in the Knox County Ohio community were more stable than many had expected. It seems that the media wants everyone to believe that all real estate markets are the same and this is certainly not the case and all real estate markets are local. This past month the Knox County Board of Realtors reported 38 residential home sales in Knox County Ohio. The average sales price for September was $126,400. There has been a lot of discussion in the media lately about the current climate of the housing market. It seems that the majority of the media believes that America and the housing industry are in serious trouble. The reality is that the media should NOT assume that what is happening in Phoenix, San Francisco, Detroit, Naples or any other metro market has anything to do with the real estate trends that are taking place in Knox County Ohio. Something that the media is NOT taking into consideration is that Knox County Ohio has two very large, growing industries who specialize in the energy business. The energy business is booming and the backlog of orders is extensive and these manufacturing plants are investing over 20 million dollars in current expansions in our community. This investment is helping our community grow. Enjoy the fall seasonal colors and remember to take lots of pictures. Sam Miller

Despite all the negative media surrounding the housing industry these days our Knox County Ohio real estate market activity is stastically beating many other Ohio markets.  During the month of August the Knox County real estate market had 25 successful home sales close through the local Board of Realtors.  The average home sales price for August was $135,112 with the lowest home selling for just $39,900 and the highest Apple Valley Lakefront home selling for $372,000.  The total dollar volume for residential home sales for the month of August was $3,377,800. 

Currently there are 387 homes that are actively for sale and listed in the Knox County Board of Realtors.  Based on the 25 sales in August there is roughly 15 months of active inventory on the market.  What this means is that based on the current absorbtion rate of 25 per month it would take 15 months to deplete our current inventory.  Fifteen months of active residential inventory is certainly higher than in years past but consider that there are an increased  number of bank owned foreclosed homes on the market today which is more more than in years past.

Residential homes in Knox County Ohio continue to sell and there is increased buyer activity in the market today.  We track the number of incoming phone calls, internet website viewings, we track the number of visitors who view our virtual tours and online videos and most importantly we track the number of showings on our listing each week.  ALL of these numbers are increasing which means the market activity is heating up and there is continued interest in the Knox County Ohio housing market.

Sam Miller

Currently there are 163 homes actively for sale in the Mount Vernon School District with an average listing price of $169,317.  This average listing price is slightly higher than in years past because we have a higher number of more expensive homes currently on the market.  When you calculate averages and include a home that is listed for $825,475 it tends to elevate the numbers a little more than normal.  The lowest active home that is currently for sale in Mount Vernon is listed for $48,900 so there are certainly affordable homes available today that offer monthly payments that are cheaper than renting.

So far this year there has been 145 homes in the Mount Vernon School District that have already SOLD.  The average selling price for a home in Mount Vernon that since January 1st 2008 SOLD for $108,400.  Based on the current sales activity so far this year there should be more than 240 home sales in the Mount Vernon School District in 2008.  If you are considering buying a home in Mount Vernon Ohio in 2008 click here to view available homes, community details and virtual tours.

Currently there are 163 homes actively for sale in the Mount Vernon School District with an average listing price of $169,317.  This average listing price is slightly higher than in years past because we have a higher number of more expensive homes currently on the market.  When you calculate averages and include a home that is listed for $825,475 it tends to elevate the numbers a little more than normal.  The lowest active home that is currently for sale in Mount Vernon is listed for $48,900 so there are certainly affordable homes available today that offer monthly payments that are cheaper than renting.

So far this year there has been 145 homes in the Mount Vernon School District that have already SOLD.  The average selling price for a home in Mount Vernon that since January 1st 2008 SOLD for $108,400.  Based on the current sales activity so far this year there should be more than 240 home sales in the Mount Vernon School District in 2008.  If you are considering buying a home in Mount Vernon Ohio in 2008 click here to view available homes, community details and virtual tours.

Have you ever needed a quick phone number and didn't want to take the time to boot up your computer and search Google and you wanted to avoid the high charge for directory assistance or 411 connect?   Have you ever wanted the phone numbers for the local movie theatres or pizza places near you and you don't have anything to write the numbers down on?  There is a quick and easy way to get the information you want within 60 seconds and most of you can get the information quick and cheap with your cell phone and your text message feature. 

Send a text message to this number:  466453 (I know this is a partial number but trust me it will work).  Now type in what you are searching for and for your example use the following as a test:  Plumber 43050 (of you can type in Plumber XXXX (enter your zip code where my x's are)  Now simply press send and sit tight and within 60 seconds you will get a text message with the information.  This works for client names, addresses and phone numbers and it works for just about anything you are searching.  If you want another good test why not search your name or your spouses name and your zip code?  If you have a spare moment send a text to 466453 and enter Sam Miller Realtor, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 and see what comes up.

There are so many potential uses for this service and once you play with it a bit you will quickly see the many possibilities.  Your family will love it, your past clients will love it, your team will love it, I have a feeling that pretty much anyone with a cell phone will find a use for it at some point.  The key to remember is that if you do not have a text messaging account you will get charged a non contract text message rate.  For those of us with text messages contracts and especially those of us who have unlimited text messaging this is a feature that we will be using on a very regular basis.  Google has done it again and the speed of this service is amazing.