Cleveland's top 10 communities are ranked as follows!

Cleveland's top 10 communities are ranked as follows!
10.) South Euclid
9.) Middleburgh Heights
8.) Avon
7.) Independence
6.) Berea
5.) Kirtland
4.) Fairview
3.) Concord
2.) Ohio City & Tremont
1.) Detroit Shoreway
The conversation over the Top Cleveland Communities has long raged on with the east side vs west side debate. Over the long Labor Day weekend, while many were enjoying cookouts, the Cleveland Air Show, or simply spending time with their families, the real estate professionals at Keller Williams were busy looking back at the past year, analyzing trends, and determining, by the numbers, which communities have fared the best from Summer 2013 to Summer 2014.
The result is our inaugural Top 10 Cleveland Communities countdown… Here we go!
10. South Euclid
Nestled in between the Heights and Lyndhurst, this east-side suburb takes the number 10 spot on our list. Since 2010, Mayor Georgine Welo has been seeking to transform the city into a ‘College Town for All Ages,’ a nod to South Euclid’s claim to fame, Notre Dame College. Amongst steady year-over-year increases in enrollment, there has also been an influx of professionals and families choosing to call South Euclid home. The housing market has taken notice and over the last 12 months the average price of homes sold has increased to $71,000, up nearly 6% from a year ago, while selling nearly 20% faster.
9. Middleburg Heights
Our #9 suburb sits just south of the Cleveland Hopkins Airport and the IX Center. There’s been some buzz around Middleburg Heights since the announcement that Southwest General hospital signed an agreement to join the Northern Ohio Trauma System, joining the ranks of MetroHealth and the Cleveland Clinic in being designated a trauma center and primary stroke center. Over the last year, the average price of homes sold increased a modest 3%, but houses are selling nearly 30% faster.
8. Avon
Just across the border of Lorain County lies our #8 suburb, Avon. Over the last year, the average price of homes sold is up 20% – and for good reason! There’s a lot to love about Avon for families looking on the west side; Avon schools have been rated Excellent by the State of Ohio, the city offers outstanding public services at low tax rates, ease of access to downtown Cleveland, Lake Erie beaches, and Cleveland Hopkins Airport, and the housing stock offers newer and larger homes with modern floor plans than other comparable west side communities.
7. Independence
Can’t decide between east and west side? Go central with this #7 suburb! Independence has long been a family favorite, offering its ‘halfway from anywhere’ convenience – not to mention its terrific schools and some of the lowest taxes in Cuyahoga county. Over the last year, the average selling price for homes has increased a titch over 10% while selling over 25% faster.
6. Berea
Berea takes the #6 spot on our list. Baldwin Wallace University is Berea’s claim to fame, and amid its Top 20 rank in the US News & World Report College Rankings for Regional Midwest Universities and its consistent enrollment of just over 4,000, Berea embraces its reputation as a suburban college town. Over the last year, housing inventory has sold nearly 55% faster.
5. Kirtland
Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of city living in our #5 suburb. Nestled in tranquil Lake County, Kirtland has all the necessities for family living – strong schools, large homes, and some of the lowest taxes in the area. Home prices have been on the rise and are up nearly 45% from a year ago.
4. Fairview
There’s something for everyone to love in our #4 location – Fairview Park. This west-side suburb offers easy access to the tranquility of the Rocky River Reservation as well as many golf courses for the afficionado or weekend warrior alike. Alternatively you can visit the Westgate Mall for great shopping, or take a trip downtown – only 20 minutes away! Throw in good schools and affordable homes that show pride of ownership and you’ve got yourself a winner!
3. Concord
Take a step back and enjoy all that our #3 suburb has to offer in Lake County. Just west of Mentor and Painesville, Concord offers much for the nature-lover in you, with several Lake Metroparks reservations scattered about. Couple this with several fun golf courses and low taxes and it would make sense that this is a place you’d love to be. Over the last year, average home prices have increased over 25% and have sold over 40% faster.
2. Ohio City & Tremont
Part of the quintessential Cleveland experience includes spending time in our #2 communities – Ohio City and Tremont. The area has experienced an extreme surge in a mixed-use lifestyle, with boutiques and breweries sharing space with bistros and barbershops, all within a stone’s throw from Cleveland’s historic West Side Market. Ohio City has become a predominant location for work and play and the housing market has taken notice – on average homes have gone for nearly 55% a more than a year ago.
1. Detroit Shoreway
Drumroll please! Our #1 Hottest Cleveland Community award for 2014 goes to the Detroit Shoreway. This west side neighborhood has experienced a huge influx of development in recent years with the addition of $10 million of new homes and rental properties, which are going fast! The price of the average home sold has jumped over 80% in the past year and is selling more than 10% faster. Additionally, with the revival of Edgewater Park since coming under the management of the Cleveland Metroparks last year, as well as the addition of two tunnel access points connecting the Detroit Shoreway and Edgewater, the suburb has become the first-choice lakefront community in Cleveland.
Cleveland's Top 10 Communities in 2014. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2014.

What Is A Gross Lease And Net Lease?

The difference between a gross  lease and a net lease are as follows. A gross lease is a lease where the tenant pays for the monthly rent and the landlord pays the property taxes, insurance and maintenance. The landlord may or may not pay for the tenants utilities.
In a net lease, the tenant is responsible to pay additional costs other than  the monthly rent.  These additional costs are called CAM charges, Common Area Maintenance charges. These CAM charges in a triple net lease are the additional costs associated with the property's monthly rent.   There are three types of net leases, a single net, double net and triple net lease. In a single net lease the tenant is responsible to pay the monthly rent and the property taxes. In a double net lease the tenant pays the monthly rent, property taxes and insurance. In a triple net lease the tenant pays the monthly rent, property taxes, insurance and maintenance.

Does A Negative Home Inspection Report Need To Be Disclosed?

The listing agent has a duty of disclosure when it comes to a negative home inspection report. If a property comes back on the market due to a negative home inspection report the seller needs to disclose the issues. The Seller does not have to provide the home inspection report to the next buyer but does have the duty to update their property disclosure. If the home inspection report is in the listing agent’s possession and the next buyer asks for a copy, it can only be given if Seller agrees to have the listing agent provide it. The Seller, if they do not agree with the inspection findings should have a their own professional inspector perform a home inspection and provide it to the next buyer along with the findings from the first buyer’s inspection. There is no law or mandate that states the first inspection has to be given to the next buyer.

While not specifically mandated by the Commission or the license law, providing a copy of the actual report (or at least  the pertinent pages) may be prudent. By doing so, the seller and listing agent can avoid an allegation that they misstated the inspector’s findings, thus reducing their risk of liability. Certainly the listing agent should obtain the seller’s consent before providing a copy of the report to the second buyer’s agent and should refer the seller to his own attorney for advice on this issue. – See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

While not specifically mandated by the Commission or the license law, providing a copy of the actual report (or at least  the pertinent pages) may be prudent. By doing so, the seller and listing agent can avoid an allegation that they misstated the inspector’s findings, thus reducing their risk of liability. Certainly the listing agent should obtain the seller’s consent before providing a copy of the report to the second buyer’s agent and should refer the seller to his own attorney for advice on this issue. – See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

While not specifically mandated by the Commission or the license law, providing a copy of the actual report (or at least  the pertinent pages) may be prudent. By doing so, the seller and listing agent can avoid an allegation that they misstated the inspector’s findings, thus reducing their risk of liability. Certainly the listing agent should obtain the seller’s consent before providing a copy of the report to the second buyer’s agent and should refer the seller to his own attorney for advice on this issue. – See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

While not specifically mandated by the Commission or the license law, providing a copy of the actual report (or at least  the pertinent pages) may be prudent. By doing so, the seller and listing agent can avoid an allegation that they misstated the inspector’s findings, thus reducing their risk of liability. Certainly the listing agent should obtain the seller’s consent before providing a copy of the report to the second buyer’s agent and should refer the seller to his own attorney for advice on this issue. – See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

To be safe you should send over the Home Inspection Report.

the seller and listing agent can avoid an allegation that they misstated the inspector’s findings, thus reducing their risk of liability. – See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

By adding the results to the Property Disclosure a Seller and Listing Agent may be accused of misstating the Inspectors findings by not writing verbatim. An agent should not be involved with telling a Seller how to fill out a Property Disclosure.  See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

While not specifically mandated by the Commission or the license law, providing a copy of the actual report (or at least  the pertinent pages) may be prudent. By doing so, the seller and listing agent can avoid an allegation that they misstated the inspector’s findings, thus reducing their risk of liability. Certainly the listing agent should obtain the seller’s consent before providing a copy of the report to the second buyer’s agent and should refer the seller to his own attorney for advice on this issue. – See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

While not specifically mandated by the Commission or the license law, providing a copy of the actual report (or at least  the pertinent pages) may be prudent. By doing so, the seller and listing agent can avoid an allegation that they misstated the inspector’s findings, thus reducing their risk of liability. Certainly the listing agent should obtain the seller’s consent before providing a copy of the report to the second buyer’s agent and should refer the seller to his own attorney for advice on this issue. – See more at: http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/#sthash.5397k6ZN.dpuf

Ritenour, P. (2014, March 24).
Legally speaking: Dealing with a negative home inspection report – see more at
. Retrieved from http://ohiorealtors.org/2014/03/24/home-inspection/
(Ritenour, 2014)

What Buyers Should Know When Purchasing Vacant Land

When considering purchasing vacant land a buyer should do the following:

1.) Soil Evaluation : Evaluate soils suitability, grading, drainage and other soils matters.

2.) Zoning and Other Land Use Regulations: Check with Zoning to see what can be built on the land.

3.) Survey: Have property surveyed for lot size, boundaries, easements and encroachments.

4.) Water Supply Inspections: Is it public or private water? If public, how far is it to hook up to city water line? The cost is a factor.

Is well water available and the cost to put system in?

5.) Sewer and Septic Inspections: If property has sewers, how far is it to connect and the cost to connect? If Septic, what type of system is allowed? Have qualified contractor conduct Perc Test to see absorption rate of water to ensure Septic System will function properly.

6.) Availability of Utilities: What utilities are available; Electric, Gas, Cable, Telephone, etc., and the cost to connect?

7.) Environmental Survey: Have an Environmental Survey conducted to ensure there are no pollutants in the soil.

8.)Natural Hazards Disclosure Report: Certain Hazard Zones are mandated by federal, state and local laws. Buyer should consult with local zoning for any disclosures of possible hazards such as Airport, Railroads, High Tension Power Lines, etc.

9.) Homeowner’s Association Documentation: Is there a HOA: If so, buyers are encouraged to review and accept.

10.) Split Potential of Property: Buyer should consult with local government regarding the plan for the area and see if there would be any use adjacent or near property that would affect future value of subject property.

11.) Permit Records and Code Compliance: Buyer should consult with local building department to see what permits are needed when building and other factors that could affect the building process.

12.) Appraisal: Have the property appraised to ensure value.

Contingencies are important in the purchase of vacant land. Make sure you know what you are buying and talk to the professionals to ensure.