Dayton Real Estate Blog

Possible Earthquake in Dayton, Ohio?

 Yes, it did happen! For an updated post as of 6/23 at 6:00pm, click here.

Around 1:45 today, I was sitting at my desk here at Irongate Realtors in Springboro, Ohio, and I felt....nothing. Not even a slight quake. However, I was on my computer and noticed that "earthquake in Dayton" was beginning to trend on Twitter. I wondered what had happened, and quickly, I tried to search the internet and found the information I was looking for on WHIOTV.com: Thankfully, it was not an earthquake! The earth did shake, however, because a man hole exploded and shot into the air on South Main Street. See their report below:

"DAYTON, Ohio -- People in downtown Dayton are reporting possible underground explosions and tremors.

 The Dayton Power and Light company is also reporting a number of power outages including 490 customers at the University of Dayton.

 At 2 p.m., the Dayton Fire Department reported an explosion that blew a manhole cover off in the 1000 block of South Main Street. One official said this may be caused by transformers blowing due to the extreme heat.

There are also multiple reports of traffic signals out and people trapped in elevators near the University of Dayrton. DAYTON, Ohio -- People in downtown Dayton are reporting possible underground explosions and tremors.

The Dayton Power and Light company is also reporting a number of power outages including 490 customers at the University of Dayton.

At 2 p.m., the Dayton Fire Department reported an explosion that blew a manhole cover off in the 1000 block of South Main Street. One official said this may be caused by transformers blowing due to the extreme heat.

There are also multiple reports of traffic signals out and people trapped in elevators near the University of Dayton."

-Julie Beall

Biggest DP&L Solar Power Plant in Ohio

The idea has finally become a reality. In 2008, Governor Strickland and DP&L began working on a plan to build and open a solar power plant in the Dayton, Ohio area. Why? To promote the movement to "go green"? Well, in a round about way, Yes.

The energy legislation that was passed by Ohio representatives will require 25% of all Ohio energy consumption to be solar energy by the year 2025. Though it is certainly a worthy investment, the amount of money required upfront is shocking. The cost for the Solar Power Plant located in Washington Township, Ohio is around $5 millions dollars!

According to DP&L, "Starting in July, a visitor center will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide information about solar power and up-to-the-minute performance of the array." It is located at 9975 Yankee St., Dayton, OH 45458.

For more information, read the whole article here.

View a picture of the plant here

Dayton to demolish 100 buildings and replace with low-income units

I recently read this intersting article in the Dayton Daily news. It's great that they are trying to help these people out, but I don't necessarily agree with the way they are doing it. Let me know what you think! Send me an e-mail @ julie@juliebeall.com.

(taken from Dayton Daily News):

"In an effort to aggressively address neighborhood blight in the most stricken areas of Dayton, the city has come out swinging with $4.3 million in federal money to demolish nearly 100 buildings, replacing them with low-income or disability housing.

The Neighborhood Stabilization Project funds will be awarded Wednesday, June 23, to Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority, St. Mary Development Corp. and East End Community Services Corp.

The city has received $26 million in stimulus funds in the last year to address some of the 15,000 vacant properties that drive down market values and invite criminal activity.

With this round of funds, the city is going after abandoned units throughout the city on the west and east sides:

• DMHA ($1.55 million) will purchase properties near Germantown and South Broadway streets to construct a 50-unit, low-income senior apartment building, director Gregory Johnson said. There are also plans to buy five to seven homes in Belmont and reconstruct them for the sensory and mobility impaired.
• St. Mary ($1.5 million) will purchase and redevelop 40 units near West Third Street and Ardmore Avenue for low-income families.
• East End ($1.25 million) will demolish 45 abandoned properties near Wayne Avenue and Wyoming Street. Replacement homes will later be built for low-income families.

HUD requires the city use some of the NSP funds for low-income families, but Aaron Sorrell, the city’s housing development manager, said money addressing those with handicaps was not a requirement.

“It is based on the need we are hearing is out there for that type of housing,” Sorrell said.

Want more information about this topic? Give me a call @ 937-806-1055.

-Julie Beall

THIRTY-ONE SECONDS TO GO!

You may recall the story of how steel-magnate Andrew Carnegie commissioned Napoleon Hill to learn the true philosophy of success from America's most successful individuals of the early 1900's. Hill's search for those success secrets culminated in his well-known book "Think & Grow Rich".

What you may not know was how Hill almost squandered the opportunity offered by Carnegie. At the end of a long interview, Carnegie abruptly told Hill, "We've talked a long time and I have shown you the greatest opportunity a young man ever had to become famous, rich, and useful. Now - if I choose you out of the two hundred and forty other applicants - if I introduce you to the outstandingly successful men in America - if I help you get their collaboration in finding out the true philosophy of success - will you devote twenty years to the job, earning your own living as you go along? We have had sufficient discussion. I want your answer - yes or no."

Hill tells that he spent twenty-nine seconds struggling with a negative mental attitude, thinking of all the hurdles he would face over the twenty-year project. Finally, finding the positive mental attitude he had temporarily lost, Hill replied, "YES!"

How did he know it took 29 seconds to answer? At that point, Carnegie showed Hill the stopwatch he had been holding beneath his desk. Carnegie had allowed Hill just 60 seconds to show his positive state of mind, the one trait he felt most critical to achieving his desired results.

Hill hesitated. We all do from time to time. What's important, like Hill's answer, is that we ultimately grasp that sometimes-elusive positive mental attitude, and adopt it as our own. Had he hesitated for thirty-one seconds more, Napoleon Hill would have given up a wonderful opportunity (as well as depriving us of his inspiring book).

He didn't . . . and neither should we.

-Julie Beall

2010 Ultra Cool Films at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton!

My friends recently told me about an "ultra cool" opportunity happening in Dayton this summer! Each weekend, The Victoria Theatre is showing some classic family movies from the 1970s and earlier. According to the website, "Free popcorn and sodas are available in the lobby, and, an authentic theatre organ concert and sing-a-long begins 30 minutes prior to showtime!" Sounds like a lot of fun for families or even date night without the kids!

Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. I've posted the movie schedule below.

Tickets are just $5 each, or $26 for a 10-ticket passbook. Individual tickets are available day-of-show at the Victoria Theatre box office, beginning one hour prior to showtime. Passbooks are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage. They may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton, by phone at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630, or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.

THE MUSIC MAN (1962 - Color)
July 2 - 4, 2010

PSYCHO (1960 - Black & White)
July 9 - 11, 2010

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969 - Color)
July 16 - 18, 2010

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958 - Color)
July 23 - 25, 2010

MY FAIR LADY (1964 - Color)
July 30 - August 1, 2010

ANIMAL HOUSE (1978 - Color)
August 6 - 8, 2010

INDIANA JONES WEEKEND (Color)
August 13 - 15, 2010

CASABLANCA (1942 - Black & White)
August 20 - 22, 2010

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1971 - Color)
August 28 - 30, 2010

The series is made possible by the generous sponsorship support of Heidelberg Distributing Company and Michelob Ultra.

Miamisburg-Springboro Road and Austin Pike Reopens Today, June 4th!

If you are a resident of Springboro or Miamisburg, you probably have noticed the inconvenience of Austin Pike/Miamisburg-Springboro Road being closed for the past several months. In fact, the road has been closed since March 30, 2009! But today, June 4th, 2010, the road finally reopened around 12:30pm. 

If you are like me, and make frequent trips between Springboro and Miamisburg, this is a huge relief! (Although it will take some getting used to, after taking another route for the past year and a half). 

According to Springboro City Website, the interchange will not be open until the end of this month. "This opening includes the new CFI intersection at Austin Boulevard and SR 741. The four new ramps at the I-75/Austin Boulevard interchange will remain closed through the end of June." 

Watch the video below to see the "continuous-flow" intersection at Austin Pike and 741. It is 1 of 3 in the nation!

School Board President Resigns in Springboro

 As a long time resident and business owner in Springboro, Ohio I have seen many, many highs and lows, hiring, firing, and changes in the Springboro School System. The one thing that has always remained the same is the incredible spirit of the students, their families and the community as a whole.

Even through this difficult news of the Springboro School Board President resigning, the community has remained supportive of the school’s leadership and respectful of the decisions being made. While this news could have had a negative impact on students and faculty, their responses have been incredible. They understand that change, while it can be difficult, can grow character.

"Growth is the only evidence of life."  ~John Henry Newman, Apologia pro vita sua, 1864

-Julie Beall

Heather's Coffee and Cafe in Springboro

I can remember the first time I visited Heather's last December. It was a cold day, snow dusting the road as I parked outside of the quaint historical building. I walked up the front portch and as soon as I opened the front door, I felt relaxed. The hardwood floors, warm colors, cozy furniture and fireplace invited me into the cafe. I turned a few corners and found myself in line to order. I had no idea what they had on the menu or what I should try, so I asked them. Heather and Nikki were both working at the counter that day, and recommended a dirty chai tea (A chai tea with a shot of espresso!). I took their advice and ordered a lunch sandwich too. While my food was being prepared, Nikki showed me around to different rooms and I ended up in an oversized comfy chair facing the fireplace. I enjoyed watching the snow fall outside and the television inside. A few moments later, Nikki brought me my order and we chatted a little bit about Springboro.

The food was delicious and their chai was outstanding! Last winter I must have gotten a dirty chai tea at least once or twice a week! I took my team back again in January and they loved it too. Heather's has rooms of various sizes perfect for a date for two and other rooms large enough for a business meeting. I love the atmosphere and find its tag line fitting "Where Friends Become Family".

So stop in and check it out sometime! I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

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http://www.heatherscoffeeandcafe.com/

-Julie Beall

The Difference Between a Short Sale and a Bank Foreclosure

Confused about the two? Not sure which option would be better for you?

Watch the following video as Julie explains the difference.

Have other real estate questions or needs? Contact Julie today!

E-mail: Julie@JulieBeall.com

Phone: 937-806-1055