Big Dreams require Big Character!

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

WANT TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING REALLY GREAT?

Ever dream of becoming a U.S. Senator? Want to become an anonymous benefactor of youth programs in your community? Want to rise to the top 1% of your profession? Inspirational artist D. Morgan puts it this way: 

The impossible dream . . . isn't!"

So - how do dreams become reality? Once your dream becomes your passion, you can begin building the foundation that will support the eventual structure of your dream. Begin by reading and studying how others have achieved similar dreams.

For politicians-to-be, there are plenty of biographies that reveal the long road to election. For those who aspire to achieve peak earnings, mentors are plentiful. Hang out with, attend courses with, and "shadow" the real stars in your chosen field. Ask how they began their rise, how they blend their work and family, how they attract and retain clients and customers.

In most cases, you will find that the models you choose have also made hard choices. They have first adopted certain principles upon which their decisions are made. Their actions are congruent with those principles. They are not duplicitous in their dealings with others. Their "word is their bond." Their foundational character sets the tone for the structure of their dreams.

Finally, with the foundation in place - they just build. They create plans, they implement strategies to achieve those plans. They understand that their final success does not occur in one fell swoop. It is the result of many footsteps in the direction of their dreams.

So . . . go ahead and dream! Remember - destiny is not a matter of chance . . . it's a matter of choice!

Julie Beall

There were 1,080 transactions reported in June

June was a very busy month for our office here in Springboro, but it turns out that many real estate businesses were also closing deals left and right. We thought that the home sales would drop off in July, because of the end of the home buyer tax credit. However, they have seemed to remain pretty steady for us.

According to WDTN, June’s single-family sales activity rounded out a very encouraging first half of 2010 with five of the first six months sales totals topping those of a year earlier. There were 1,080 transactions reported in June, an increase of 19 over last June’s 1,061.

Why the increase? Well, obviously, I think the government's tax incentive was a great plus. But more than that, home prices are pretty low, and jeepers, have you seen the interest rates these days??? Last week I talked to a man who got a fixed rate at 4.1%. It truly is a buyer's market in Dayton, Ohio!

For more detailed information on Dayton Area Home Sales in June, please visit the WDTN online report.

-Julie Beall

Recently, I was surfing the web looking for some formal invitations for my annual Client Appreciation Party for all of my Past Clients and Referrals. In the past, I have taken time to make them by hand, and they have turned out pretty nicely. However, with 200 or so invitations to send, it is rather time consuming.

So this year, I was bound and determined to find something formal that still looked homemade for a good price. That is when I stumbled across Everything on Paper. It is a locally owned and operated business founded in 2004 by Beth Tschirhart Hill who according to her biography, "believes that we each deserve stationery as unique as we are". She works with other stationary companies all over the nation and orders the basic cardstock and designs that you desire. Then from there, she personalizes it to reflect a little bit of you. Whether it's stationary, holiday cards, wedding invitations, save the date announcements, baby shower invitations, thank you cards, or envelopes, Everything on Paper is able to serve you. It's ideal for those located in the Dayton and Springboro Area because you do not need to pay for shipping (unless of course you want them delivered). It works out great!

Visit Everything on Paper online to check out some of her designs. I am thrilled to have such a great service like Everything on Paper right in my backyard!

My hometown, Dayton Ohio has been ranked by BusinessWeek as the 20 best City for New College Graduates. Just last year, Springboro, Ohio (where Julie Beall & Co. is located) was ranked as the 41st best place to live in the United States!! We are doing pretty well for the size of our community.

Take a look at some of our statistics from BusinessWeek:

Entry-Level Employers: 30
Average Annual Pay: $41,750
Cost of Living Index: 90.8
Unemployment Rate: 10.9 percent

Retail, customer service, and health-care workers can find opportunities in Dayton. Ourcity's economy runs on manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade and services. Employers are working to recruit highly skilled employees, according to the City Data website, because of an aging population in Dayton. This means recent college grads are more than likely in demand here...especially in business because of the necessity for technology in order to thrive. Large employers include Premier Health Partners and Kettering Health Network.

If you or someone you know is seeking to move to Dayton, Ohio because of the great job opportunities, please contact me (Julie Beall) right away and I would be happy to give some personal advice about the local area. Having lived in and around Dayton since the 1960s, I know about the fluctuating market and whether it is time to buy or wait. Give me a call today @ 937.806.1055.

Or, if you are not a serious buyer at this time, we have provided the form below so that you may receive your FREE Dayton Market Analysis:

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITY IN LIFE?

Imagine you've planned the trip of your dreams - say from North Carolina to Colorado. You've charted all the roads, have a fist full of maps just in case, and have your priorities straight in your mind. You get started on a beautiful sunny day, and begin enjoying the ride.

Late in the day, as you approach the Mississippi River, you drive straight into a bank of heavy fog. You turn on your lights, but still cannot see 10 feet ahead. Just because the highway is out of sight doesn't mean you've lost your way. Continuing on the path you've set for yourself, you soon break out into the sunshine again - still headed in the direction of your dreams.

In perspective, consider that the trip represents your life's goal - your first priority. Steering your vehicle down the highway hour by hour represents your efforts to reach your goal. The fog bank illustrates the momentary interruptions and obstacles encountered on your journey.

As day #2 begins, you find that you've come to an unexpected intersection - one that's not on your map. Confused, you pull over and examine the map closely. Stay to the right and you'll end up in Colorado. Take a left and you may arrive at an unanticipated, yet equally wonderful destination.

OK, let's cut to the chase! Sometimes your priorities change, don't they? Just as you think your goal is in sight, a new opportunity arises. Remember the saying that "life is a journey - not a destination"? What's exciting is that YOU are in control of the steering wheel, and as long as your priority is the journey, all that you set out to accomplish can be achieved.

Happy motoring!

New to the Market!

This new listing is a rare find in Springboro Ohio--A ranch with a basement and a large lot!! This home features a FULL BASEMENT plumbed for BATHROOM * Water softener * Ceramic tile in kitchen and entry * Tons of CORIAN COUNTERTOPS in kitchen* Gorgeous custom railing on stairway * Beautiful gas fireplace * 9 and 10 foot ceilings throughout * Vaulted ceiling in the Great Room and Kitchen * Huge Master bedroom with walk in closet and adjoining bath with Jacuzzi Tub and separate shower * Nice sized laundry room * Security System * Surround sound in Great Room * Awesome stamped concrete patio * Lush upgraded fescue green grass lawn with sprinkler system * HUGE Back yard backs up to woods * Walking distance to the YMCA and Dorothy Lane Market, close to I-75 new Austin Pike interchange. This is a keeper. Please Call Julie Beall @ 937-806-1055 or visit www.juliebeallandco.com to see more!

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

WHICH BOUQUET DO YOU PREFER?

Whether or not you have a green thumb, you probably know that gardens may contain either annual or perennial flower varieties. Annuals are fun to grow for several reasons: 1) they sprout quickly from seeds, 2) they flower the first year, and 3) their colors can be brilliant and most pleasing. They are also less hardy and die out at the first sign of frost. Each spring, new seeds must be planted.

Perennials are another story. Growing from seeds, they take longer to sprout and rarely flower the first year. Their colors are more subtle hues, and they require more attention in the early stages. They must be cut back in the winter and covered with mulch, and may require fertilizer in the spring. They also come back year after year, returning with stronger roots, greater beauty and abundant growth. With time, they require less and less attention, yet continue to prosper. No matter how cold the winter, they always return with renewed vigor.

Friendships and business relationships are a lot like flowers, and may also be either annual or perennial in nature. They may be quick to bloom and most enjoyable to experience, yet fade quickly at the first hint of trouble.

Others grow more gradually through trust-building and respect. They may not dazzle the senses or leave us breathless, yet they are consistent, trusting, and produce a warm glow that hardly fades when tested by adversity. These relationships grow over time, and produce an abundance of lasting beauty.

In business, as in personal relationships, the best things in life come with time and caring. When planning your life's garden this spring, why not devote your attention to the perennials? With an added touch of patience, you can look forward to the sweet fragrances to come.

- Julie Beall

In case some home buyers or realtors were wondering...On Wednesday the Senate approved more time for homebuyers seeking to claim a federal tax credit!

According to the Wall Street Journal, "The homebuyer measure would help only those that entered into binding contracts before April 30. It would give such homebuyers until Sept. 30 to close the sale. Under current law, they would have had to close by today to be eligible for tax credits."

I was a little bit worried about the whole tax credit closing extension especially because my team had a contract that was supposed to close on June 30th, but with the timing for paperwork, we we cutting it rather close! Thankfully, however, this extension was passed because I was beginning to think "There are going to be thousands of lawsuits all over the U.S.!" Hopefully everyone will be closed by September 30th now. This extension for the closing date of the home buyers tax credit will give them at least 5 months since being in contract until the closing. I think that is a reasonable amount of time, considering bank owned properties and short sales (which take a really long time!)

For more info. on this decision, see the full article here.

-Julie Beall

 (Between SR 725 and SR 73)

Friday, June 2nd the I-75 ramps will be open for the morning commute! Finally, after causing so much construction in Miamisburg and Springboro, this ramp opening will be well worth the wait!! Try out the new Austin Pike Interchange starting June 2nd at 9:30AM.

View Larger Map

For the full, official report, see the information from ODOT below:

Montgomery County (Friday, July 2, 2010)

"The interstate ramps at the new I-75/Austin Boulevard interchange will open to traffic beginning Friday July 2^nd.  These ramps are expected to open prior to the morning commute.  The four new ramps are located at exit #41 between SR 725 and SR 73 along I-75 in Miami Township.   

ODOT District 7 Deputy Director Rex Dickey will be available for media interviews Friday July 2^nd at 9:30 am.  Media interested in this opportunity should meet in the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport parking lot along SR 741.

ODOT has a “Target: Zero” goal for any and all safety hazards.  To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

This ramp opening is weather permitting."

I know I can't wait for this new opening. It will definitely make it much easier to hop on the highway from Miamisburg!

-Julie Beall

205 Springhouse Drive in Settlers Walk

ONE ACRE of lush green grass and huge ominous trees, truly a rare find in the area! The features of this 5 bdrm home (3208 sq ft plus finished basement) include *Gorgeous Granite counter tops and *Trendy tile back splashes,*state-of-the-art appliances,*Huge wall of floor to ceiling built-in cabinets in the gourmet kitchen, *Hardwood Flooring in entry and kitchen, *9' Ceilings on first floor, *Beautiful fireplace and mantel, *Incredible crown molding in living and dining room, *The Master Suite is awesome; wait until you feel the HEATED FLOORS in the master bath *double vanity sink *two master closets *oversized whirpool tub and separate nice sized tile shower. The backyard is private with large trees, deck and patio. Full basement, partially finished and ready for entertaining. Location is incredible, two doors from pool, close to Dorothy Lane Market, YMCA and I-75. Hurry this won't last long. Give Julie Beall a call @ 937.806.1055 to see this home today!

Have Dayton Area Real Estate and Home Sales Improved?

Hot of the press! The Dayton Area Board of Realtors just released a summary and comparison for Single-Family Home Sales between 2009 and 2010. Comparatively, the overall numbers look great! There appears to be roughly a 40% increase in total sales prices. We hope this will continue even after June 30th (when closings for First Time Home Buyer Credits must be completed). However, we have no solid statistics to predict what will happen next. Thankfully, this summary gives us room to hope!

MAY 2010 - MLS SINGLE-FAMILY SALES SUMMARY

Average Sales Price

0.40%

 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

From my desk in Springboro, Ohio, I never felt a thing! But at 1:45, I started receiving updates on Twitter and Facebook that buildings were shaking in Downtown Dayton Ohio. I wondered if we had experienced an earthquake, but quickly dismissed it, since I didn't feel it. Some news sources suggested a blown man-hole cover to be the cause of the earthquake felt in Dayton. However, it turns out, there was an earthquake today in Ontario and Quebec. The City of Dayton was able to feel the results of the earthquake even so far away! Scary stuff. But I am thankful that no one has been reported injured and thankful nothing has been damaged here in Dayton.

To read the full article about the Earthquake felt in Dayton on Wednesday, click here.

-Julie Beall

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

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

Andrew Carnegie and Napoleon Hill

INSPIRATION FOR TODAY:

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

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.

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!

 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