Enjoy Marysville Parks!

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. Marysville Parks and Recreation has many wonderful programs and events for the many parks around town. Many of these events are free so get out and take advantage of the sunshine, grass and friendly faces around this great town that we live in!

Concerts in the Park
All concerts are from 6:30-8 pm in American Legion park at the corner of 5th Street and Park Avenue. Bring a lawn chair and snack!

June 14 Muleskinner Band, Kevin Mabry & Liberty Street Reunion
June 28 McGuffey Lane
July 11 Calypso Gypsies (noon to 4pm during a "Day in the Park"
Aug 2 Ju Ju Bees
Aug 16 Mo Jo Road
Sept 6 Trombones Plus
Sept 20 Gas Pump Jockeys
(all bands are subject to change)

The Municipal Pool
The pool pass registration form may be mailed (with check or money order) or dropped off at the Public Service Center (8 am -4:30 pm) located at 455 N Maple St. Proof of residency is required for all pass purchases. A current utility bill is a valid form of proof of residency. The for is available on the city website www.MarysvilleOhio.org by clicking on Recreation and then Municipal Pool

Day in the Park
This wonderful day for residents is planned for July 11. More details will be available soon. Please mark your calendar!

More information about the city parks is available on the city website www.MarysvilleOhio.org

For more information about Marysville and local real estate please contact us:
Dana M. Garrett - 937-645-6545 - Dana.Garrett@RealLiving.com
Nanie Ingram – 937-645-6542 – Nanie.Ingram@RealLiving.com

Union County Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Union County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

Saturday, May 9, 2009
9 am - 3 pm
“Rain or Shine”Union County Recyclers
15140 East St Rte 36, Marysville

Please Note-The morning is usually the busiest time andthere is a longer wait to have your items unloaded.

What we can accept for recycling:Materials must be in their original containers and clearly marked for easy identification.

Automotive products (Garage)
Waste oil, Lubricants, Fluids, Gasoline, Kerosene, Antifreeze, Batteries, Solvents, (less than 5 gallons per container, please)

Garden Products (Garage)
Fertilizers, Pesticides, Other garden chemicals, NO Farm Chemicals

Paints/Hobby Products (Workshop)
Paint thinners, Solvents, Asphalt & Cement sealants, Paint (water, latex, oil), Paint strippers, Photographic chemicals, Glue, Adhesives, Lacquers, Varnish, Sealants, Chemistry kits, Wood preservatives, Stains, Asphalt roof coating, Ammunition, Fluorescent lights, Dry cells Batteries

Cleaning Products (Kitchen)
Household cleaning solutions (liquid and powder), Oven cleaners, Degreasers, Drain cleaners, Bleach, Ammonia, Wood and metal polish, Rodent poisons, Flea powders

Personal and Health Care (Bathroom)
Nail polish/remover, Expired medications, After-shaves, Perfumes, Shoe polish, Hair treatments, Mercury thermometers

Tires (Garage)
Car tires only, (10) tire limit, 16" max. - No truck or tractor tires. Will accept tires on rims.

Household Recycling
Aluminum Cans, Steel Food Cans, Glass Jars
Plastic Bottles/Jugs #1 &#2, Newspapers, Magazines

Please Note: This program is for household hazardous waste only.We are UNABLE to process commercial, industrial,farm or school waste on this recycling day.

For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Collection
please contact the North Central Ohio Solid Waste District at 1-800-553-6763
or contact your local program coordinators office:
Hardin-Allen Counties – 419-674-2217
Madison-Union Counties – 740-852-3800 Ext.-214
Champaign- Shelby Counties – 937-484-1549

For all your real estate needs contact:
Dana M. Garrett - 937-645-6545 - Dana.Garrett@RealLiving.com
Nanie Ingram – 937-645-6542 – Nanie.Ingram@RealLiving.com

Defining the agency relationship

Buying or selling a home can be a challenging and stressful experience if you're trying to do it alone.

Enlisting the help of an experienced, qualified real estate agent can help calm your nerves and guide you through the process. There are laws in place to help ensure that you are provided with exactly what type of relationship you need and what you can expect from an agent when buying or selling your home.

It's important to understand the different types of relationships and decide on which is the best fit for you. Here is a list of those relationships:

Single agency
Buying or selling agents work exclusively with their client. In this relationship, agents must act on your behalf and promote your best interest. They can't disclose any confidential information, which includes anything that could have an adverse effect on your transaction to the other party. It's important to sign a buyer's agency contract or a listing agreement. These documents outline all the responsibilities the agent will perform.

Dual agency
Dual agency can occur under two circumstances. First, when a buyer and seller are working with the same agent, the agent can't share any confidential information with either party unless he or she has received written consent to disclose information. They may not support the position of one client over the other and must disclose any material defects of the property and prepare and present all offers and counter offers to each party.

Second, if the buyer decides to make an offer on a house that is listed under his or her agent's broker, the relationship could start out as a single agency relationship, but then change into a dual agency relationship. While most agents will continue to act as if it's a single agency relationship, it is important to be aware that type of information that is being shared with you and the other party could change.

Transaction agent
In order to avoid dual agency, an agent may choose to be a transaction agent. A transaction agent doesn't represent either party, but acts only as a facilitator to the transaction. These agents are responsible for proving the proper paper work and purchase contract. Transaction agency gives the agent more protection and takes away some of the responsibilities of dual agency.

Agency relationships aren't always established at the first meeting of the broker and the home buyer or seller. The relationship is established when an agent decides whose interests they will be serving; this is usually done through a disclosure form. State law declares that an agent must disclose his or her representation before showing you any properties.

When deciding on an agent, it's important to know the facts and consider the different relationships you can have with your agent. Talking with a professional, qualified agent before making a decision is in your best interest. He or she will be able to provide you with more detailed descriptions about the relationships and the laws in your state.

If you are looking for an agent who will always look out for your best interest please give us a call!

Dana M. Garrett - 937-645-6545 - Dana.Garrett@RealLiving.com
Nanie Ingram – 937-645-6542 – Nanie.Ingram@RealLiving.com

Provided by Bill Evans is the former president of Real Living HER.
From 1/31/08 This Week Community Newspaper

Welcome to the Real Living e-newsletter! April 2009

Downtown Living
Living in the city definitely has its perks. You're in an ideal location surrounded by nightlife, restaurants, shopping and other great downtown amenities—and you and your place will be the favorite among friends! It's a very unique living experience, so when looking for a place, you need to do your homework and consider all your options. Read on to learn more. Click for more...

Eco-Friendly Insulation
Whether you're dealing with cold drafts in the winter, air-conditioning in the summer, or both, you may feel like the price of your energy bill is steadily increasing. New insulation for your home could help lower you energy bills, and improve the environment. This is especially the case if you opt for the benefits of soy insulation. Click for more...

First-Time Homebuyers are in Luck
With Spring right around the corner, you may feel like it's time for a change. Have you recently considered transitioning to a new home? This is one of the best times to purchase the home of your dreams. Interest rates are low and first-time homebuyers are in luck. Congress recently passed an act which includes a tax credit for first-time homebuyers of up to $8,000. Click for more...

It's All about Curb Appeal
First impressions are important, especially when it comes to selling your home. Many sellers overlook the exterior quality of their homes without realizing that's what could make or break the sale of the house. A few quick and easy improvements can dramatically change the outside appearance and help you to sell your home faster. Click for more...

Potential Homeowner Fees
You want to make an educated decision about the home or condo you are buying, and the financial commitment involved. So understand that by signing a purchasing agreement, you may be agreeing to pay a homeowners' association (HOA) fee or a condo fee. Click for more...

Selecting a Real Estate Agent: What You Need to Know
Selecting the right agent for you and your family is an important decision, and one that deserves some careful consideration. Buyers and sellers have different needs when it comes to real estate, so it's important to understand what to expect from a buyer's agent and a seller's agent. Click for more...

Spring Cleaning Time
The sky is blue, the grass is green and spring is in the air—so that means it's time for spring cleaning. Grab your broom, roll up your sleeves and read on for helpful cleaning tips. Click for more...

Please contact us for all your real estate needs!

Dana M. Garrett - 937-645-6545 - Dana.Garrett@RealLiving.com
Nanie Ingram – 937-645-6542 – Nanie.Ingram@RealLiving.com

Prepping Your Home for Sale

Preparing your home to be listed can be an overwhelming task for some. But with “94.6% of Associate Staged Professional (ASP) Staged Homes selling on average in 35 days or less”, according to StagedHomes.com, taking the time to prepare your home for sale is an important task.

Here are some tips to help simplify the process of prepping and staging your home.

De-clutter
De-cluttering your home can be one of the biggest and most challenging aspects of preparing your home to sell, but it can also be helpful and rewarding on moving day. De-cluttering allows you to simplify your rooms and it also helps buyers better understand the size and potential of the space.

Repairs
Now that your home has been de-cluttered, it’s time to check for problem areas that need repaired. Areas can include, but are not limited to…
-Nail holes, dents, scratches or other holes in walls, ceilings and doors.
-Roofs, gutters and spouts.
-Malfunctioning outlets..
-Broken or burnt-out light bulbs and ceiling fans.
-Leaky faucets and rust stains.
-Caulking around tubs and other interior fixtures.
-Exterior fixtures and faucets
*If you are looking to boost the value of your home with repairs and renovations, be sure to consult with an agent to see which improvements increase your selling price.

Cleaning
Once the rooms have been de-cluttered and repairs have been finalized, it’s important to address the task of cleaning. If you’re trying to simplify the cleaning process, it helps to focus on…
-Sweeping, shampooing and washing all floorsDirt, food and pet stains along with crumbs and other debris can leave potential buyers thinking the carpet needs replaced when it really just needs cleaned.
-Washing walls may sound unnecessary, but over time walls can collect dust and cobwebs. They can also appear discolored with age. Simply wipe down walls with a wet cloth followed by a dry cloth to brighten the appearance.
-Dusting all appliances and furnitureThe appearance of a well-kept house is a pleasing sight—especially to potential buyers. This indicates that the house has been well maintained. Dusting will give your space an extra shine, so don’t forget this finishing touch.
-Staging If staging wasn’t an important task, then there wouldn’t be tons of TV shows teaching sellers how to arrange their home in order to attract buyers. Staging your home applies to exterior as well as interior spaces.

Exterior
-Cut the grass.
-Rake leaves.
-Plant flowers.
-Turn on a porch light to help illuminate your home at night.

Interior
-Create a great entrance
-Keep up the energy throughout every room.
-Depersonalize rooms.
-Open curtains and provide an unobstructed view of nature—letting in natural light.

These staging strategies can help you present your home in a warm and welcoming fashion.
So as you prepare your home for sale, good luck and let us know how it goes!

Please contact us if you need a list of professional stagers or any pointers on how to get your home ready to sell in a quick amount of time for the highest dollar amount possible!

Dana M. Garrett - 937-645-6545 - Dana.Garrett@RealLiving.com
Nanie Ingram – 937-645-6542 – Nanie.Ingram@RealLiving.com

Understanding Closing Statements

You found the home of your dreams and with closing date fast approaching that means paper work time! Before signing by the “X” it is important to be familiar with what you are signing. Here is a breakdown of a settlement statement.

A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) statement, also known as the settlement or closing statement, is a financial overview of all transactions. It is used by the closing agent to itemize all charges to the borrower (buyer) and the seller during the process.

Section J, Summary of Borrower’s (Buyer’s) Transaction – In Section J, you will find a breakdown of the gross sales price of the property and amounts owed by the buyer.

You will also find entries for funds the buyer will receive at closing such as credits for the amount of earnest money paid, amount of the new loan and miscellaneous items paid by or on behalf of the buyer. Bills that the seller has not yet paid but owes all or a portion of such as real estate taxes will be shown in this section. The total of all items is then added to the buyer’s proceeds.

A summary of the total amount due to the buyer and items paid by or for the buyer is also highlighted in Section J. The bottom line shows how much money the buyer must bring to a closing – a negative number means that the buyer will receive money back at the closing.

Section L, Settlement Charges – The numbers in this section, found on Page 2, are totaled before being brought forward to Page 1. The individual areas under Section L deal with commissions paid to agents, loan fees (which are most often paid from buyer’s funds), charges that the seller requires, escrow funds, title fees, charges such as costs for recording deeds, mortgages and fees for tax stamps, and survey fees and inspections for things such as pests, home warranty, etc.

During the entire home-buying process be sure to be very clear during contract negotiations as to who is going to be paying for what costs, because what is written on the contract is what will be finalized on the settlement statement.

And always, be sure to ask your us if you ever have any questions.
Dana M. Garrett - 937-645-6545 - Dana.Garrett@RealLiving.com
Nanie Ingram – 937-645-6542 – Nanie.Ingram@RealLiving.com

Membership Operated Dog Park In Marysville

Union County commissioners are considering a proposal for a membership-operated dog park. It would be located on land next to the Humane Society facility.

Steffen Baldwin, executive director of the Union County Humane Society, Susan Adkinson, board president, and Meg Michel, a board member, approached the commissioners about the land use earlier this month.

"We feel we could offer a whole lot to the community and to the residents of Union County with a membership-run dog park," Baldwin said.

He would like to see a dog park open as early as May, but the commissioners didn't think that was likely.

Baldwin recommended that a member be charged about $120. He said the closest dog park, located in Delaware County, charges $125.

"Our thoughts for this summer, if it would become a reality, would be to start out on a small scale," said Baldwin, "with Friday, Saturday and Sunday operations. That way we could manage it."

With a dog park next to the Humane Society, he said, dog owners would be reminded about rabies shots and dog tags or licenses.

"We could also offer a lot of community benefit programs and enrichment programs," Baldwin said.

Training sessions could be offered at the site, along with an "Ask the Vet" session in which the on-staff veterinarian responds to dog owner questions. Eventually, Baldwin said, training sessions could be offered on dog etiquette and agility classes. He said a concession stand and a restroom could be built.

"We could fence it off with a double L-fence entry," he said, "maybe a small dog and large dog partition."

Baldwin said he and the two board members wanted the commissioners to give them the OK to proceed with developing a plan.

"We wanted your take on it before we invested a whole lot of time to research it," said Adkinson.
Commissioner Tom McCarthy asked the group to explain what they meant by a dog park.
"You go and you let the dog race around," said Adkinson. "Sometimes they will get together with other dogs and they will just start playing and people go in, too."

Picnic tables, she said, allow owners to sit and watch their dogs play.

"It's a place for the dogs to just zoom and get some energy out," said Adkinson. "Usually they are divided into small dogs and large dogs and a time-out area."

With the Humane Society right next door, Baldwin said, it would offer more benefits than a city-operated facility.

"We would be able to offer a better experience for the community, because our Top Dog volunteers would be out there to intervene," he said.

Dog fights sometimes occur in common parks, but, Baldwin said, the Humane Society would be able to limit the fights and lower any sort of liabilities or risks.

Through their investigation, Michel said, they discovered there have been numerous requests for dog parks across the country.

The commissioners said about six months ago, a community member talked with them about the need for a dog park.

Michel said it would be easier to train people than having folks surrender their pets.

Baldwin moved to the area from Los Angeles, where there were multiple five- to seven-acre dog parks with at least 30 in the city. Indianapolis has a Humane Society dog park, he said.
McCarthy said long-term demand for space near the Humane Society facility is pretty high and he would like to determine how much land could be set aside, if any.
"What it should encourage us to do is look at that land and the longer-term plans for the campus," he said.

McCarthy and fellow commissioners are concerned that if they carve out space for the dog park and then there is a need to locate a building on the site, the commissioners sitting on the board in 10 to 15 years would have to contend with a "bunch of angry dog owners."

"We need to consider it in the context of the other needs of the county," said McCarthy.
Michel said in about six to eight years, the Humane Society will be looking at expanding.
Commissioner Charles Hall was concerned about maintenance of a possible dog park and the difficulties in mowing and weeding around fencing.

Commissioner Gary Lee asked engineer Jeff Stauch to look into the situation. Stauch said on March 16 that he had not had a chance to contact all parties.
The commissioners didn't deny the group the opportunity to proceed with research, but McCarthy asked the board members and director to give the commissioners time to consider the situation.

From This Week Community Newspapers
March 21, 2009
By CATHY WOGAN
ThisWeek Staff Writer