Jamie Vagnier

What makes house hunting even more fun than it already is…DONUTS!! Columbus is already a foodie’s paradise. So no one is surprised that they have created a “Donut Trail”.

Grab a hard copy at some locations (see below) or print one here.

Participating Shops Include

Tupelo Doughnuts : 2672 Billingsley Rd and 4584 N High St

Dragon Donuts : 1288 W 5th Ave and 2806 London Groveport Rd, Grove City

Peace, Love & Little Donuts : 656 High St, Worthington and 2110 W Henderson Rd, Columbus

The Dipped Donut : 256 S Sandusky St,  Delaware

Jolly Pirate Donuts – Grove City : 3118 Southwest Blvd,  Grove City

Donna’s Delicious Dozen : 5322 N. Hamilton Rd.

Daylight Donuts and Cafe : 5228 Cemetery Rd, Hilliard 

Duck Donuts : 7717 Sawmill Rd, Dublin and 825 Polaris Pkwy

The Original Goodie Shop : 2116 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington

My family loves donuts, and like any family we all like different kinds. I will review three on this list that we have been to and our favorites. 

Tupelo doughnuts…Something special in the ordinary.  This is their slogan, and they definitely take an ordinary donut and make it special. My husband’s favorite is the Blueberry. Mine and kids happen to be forever changing as they are always in our opinion making the next one better than the last. This past weekend we visited them at the Worthington Farmers market and had a mulled apple cider donut that was beyond amazing. I am already thinking about my next trip and what kind of creation will they think of next!

The Dipped Donut in Delaware. We discovered this wonderful donut shop on a trip to OWU. It is a family owned and operated shop. Our family favorite is the “Cronut”, a mix between a croissant and a donut…mind blowing! Another huge reason I am always singing their praises is the fact that they offer FRESH GLUTEN-FREE Donuts Monthly and Vegan Donuts.

The Original Goodie Shop in upper Arlington. If you want that small town bakery feel, you will get it right here. They have been around for 65 years and you can taste it in every bite!! They have cakes, breads, cookies and donuts! They are sure to have something for everyone in your family. My kids loved their devoted cookies when they were little, and of course my husband and I loved the sweet rolls. Oh and wait I almost forgot the bear claws!! Oh they are to die for… Again this is a must when you need your sugar fix. 

As you can see I have just featured a few and there are many more on the list so go for that weekend drive and check out a new spot for that sweet craving you know you have! 

Jamie Vagnier

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, it draws two things together; my love for food and being grateful! I guess I am not alone in the latter because November is now being observed as gratitude month. Gratitude is more than simply saying “thank you.” Gratitude’s amazing powers have the ability to shift us from focusing on the negative to appreciating what is positive in our lives.

Social Media, albeit not always viewed in a positive light, has taken this concept of being more grateful and ran with it. Many platforms are now asking their users to post daily in November about what or whom they are grateful for. In a time where things are uncertain this is a practice we should begin to implement more, not only this month.

Another way we can enact this feeling in ourselves and others is by “paying it forward”. The concept of paying it forward is simple; do a good deed for someone else and then they feel inspired to do a good deed for another person and so on and so forth. I’m sure many of us have been a part of this in the Starbucks line and it has impacted us so much we either write about it on social media or at the very least tell one more person about it in our day.

The last form of gratitude I want to bring attention to is something I love to do, and it doesn’t cost a dime. This is the concept of sharing your gratitude in the form of a genuine compliment. Telling someone, with a smile, that they have a beautiful smile, and that their smile was just what you needed to see that day. This in turn tends to increase and enhance your own sense of well-being. The act of giving compliments creates a perpetual cycle. Telling someone that they have made a positive impact on your life, or that you admired the way they handled a situation, is a powerful gift.

So I challenge you- love beats hate always, and little acts of kindness can genuinely help people.This month and every month, I’m going to habitually acknowledge my gratitude and see what impacts I can make on those around me. Will you join me?

Jamie Vagnier

The number one MUST do is cleaning out gutters.Clogged rain gutters or downspouts can damage your home’s foundation or cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. So, after the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves and twigs. Also, make sure the gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water, tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets, and replace any worn or damaged materials.

The number two MUST do is check your HVAC system.This being said before the weather turns cold, take this time to change your filters, at the very least. I recommend having the system inspected by a reputable HVAC contractor. Better yet, look into an annual maintenance agreement. Have the contractor check your system and make sure your heat is going to work when you need it. Also most companies will put you to the top of the list if you have an emergency if you already have an annual maintenance agreement with them. 

One last thing, have your fireplace cleaned and inspected before you start building those cozy fires in the next couple of months. A good chimney sweep company will make sure the fireplace is safe to use, and it can also identify maintenance problems. And one of the most important things that goes along with this is checking the Fire Alarm and Carbon monoxide detectors.Winter is the time most house fires happen. It’s the time of year when we’re blasting the furnace and building fires. We are also much more likely to have our home closed up tight, so carbon monoxide is a much bigger hazard. Check all of your smoke detectors to make sure they are working and that they have good batteries. If your home is not equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, consider getting some. The HVAC inspection will also ensure your furnace and water heater are properly vented, which is the most likely source of carbon monoxide.

I know there are much more fun things to do to get ready for winter like tuning up your downhill skis, but lets remember we have to protect our family and our investment!

– Jamie Vagnier, Client Concierge

Whenever I have friends in town and I want to show off unique shopping and diverse places to eat and drink, Grandview is my go to! You see I fell in love with this suburb when I was much younger and I had small children. The walk ability to do just about anything but especially parks and coffee, is just what young moms NEEDS! I want to highlight just a few places you need to know in Grandview!

Shopping

Second Chance Consignment Shop:

At 1803 W. 5th Avenue in Grandview. This is a shoppers paradise 4000 Sq.foot of upscale ladies consignment it has everything from classic to trendy styles. If you like handbags then this is your JAM! They carry Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Coach and more, great pre-loved prices. They are also very good at always changing with the seasons and the trends.

No matter your age or style, there’s something at Second Chance for everyone!!

Food 

DK Diner

At 1715 W 3rd Ave in Grandview. First of all I started going to this establishment when DK stood for Donut Kitchen. My husband and I would take our first born here for an apple fritter as big as her head. This is something you can still get today! Although they have extended their menu it is just as good as it always was. One last thing you have to try is the Bloody Mary, it is very memorable and a great way to start a weekend!

Drink 

Byrnes Pub

At 1248 West 3rd Avenue in Grandview. Ok when you walk into this establishment it’s everything you would want in your favorite DIVE bar.  Happy Hour weekdays from 11 to 7pm. Live Bluegrass and Traditional Irish Music on the weekends. YOU will love it, oh and by the way right next door is excellent pizza!

Again this is just a snippet of the things to do in Grandview. If you have any places you think I don’t know about in Grandview and should check out let me know!

Want more info on Grandview – Check out the local website for events and more info

https://www.grandviewheights.gov/

ashley marsh

Keller Williams has committed to $1 Billion (yes that is $1,000,000,000) into renovating our new agent technology and client service tools. Our company has been working on this over the past couple years and it is just about ready to launch. This is amazing!

So what does this mean for you?

Let’s talk about the new client experience for Marsh Home Group and Keller Williams Consultants. We can take a look at this from a couple views.

The first is searching for and buying a home. You will be able to pull up our agent app and search your area, zip code, drawn out map section, bedrooms, baths, etc. It will be completely customized to you. You will even be able to map your route from home to work to see how long the drive takes in traffic versus not! You will have access to the neighborhood insights including restaurants, grocery, gas station, you name it! The biggest difference from what is currently out there as far as search engines is the accuracy. All of that data is actually pulled straight from the agent listing services and is constantly updating. The current search engines out there are lagging a day or so behind so you may find a home you love and it is already in contract. Yes this is 100% the case – the dirty secret is that most of the population does not realize that the homes they are searching on the major home search sites are actually not always available.

Next is a look from the selling side. We will be able to have state of the art flyers, brochures and marketing material. We will be able to market your home on social media from one central location insuring nothing is missed. Open houses will be marketed to the highest degree and the buyers have access to updated info on your home. We will also have state of the art contract maintenance as well. What does this mean for you? We have proven systems to insure that every step of the contract process goes smoothly and is monitored from the highest degree helping the closing to remain on time and seamless.

Tech leaders are calling this time of life the Fourth Industrial Revolution and we at Keller Williams are in the thick of it. To find out more about how our app and systems work – check it out! Here is our downloadable app. Walk through it and let us know what you think!

http://app.kw.com/KW1M9LOVX

ashley marsh

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This is a common thought to many folks who are getting ready to sell their home. “I can save on commission if I sell my home myself.” Have you had that thought before?

The reality is that you really do not save on commission and you likely will be riddled with headaches that you were not prepared for. Let’s look at an example.

Mr. Seller has decided he wants to sell his home in 2019. Has has lived in said home for 20 years. His home sits on about an acre of land. His home was one of the first in the area and he is surrounded by neighborhoods comprised of “New Builds”. He wants to downsize and his goal is get top dollar for his home so he can pay mostly cash for his new house.

Makes sense. Most people who downsize are looking to get top dollar and spend minimal money when moving to their new home. He puts his house up on Craigslist and sets a few for sale signs out. One week passes with no calls. Two weeks pass with no calls. Now he gets a call in week three.

This call is from an investor that is looking to purchase land and wholesale it in order to turn a profit. He tells Mr. Seller that he will buy his property site unseen and offers a pretty low ball offer. Mr. Seller thinks about it for a couple of days and isn’t quite happy with the price so decides to pass.

Now we are onto week 4 then 5. No bites. What is going on?

Let’s take a look at what would have happened if Mr. Seller used an agent that is an expert in the area. Mr. Seller would have met with said agent and discussed a pricing strategy. It would have been discussed that he needs to price his home strategically in order to compete with the brand new homes surrounding him. He has a nice lot and the home has good bones, however it has not been updated and needs some repair. These are possible reasons as to why he was not getting any calls.

Once they agree on the price the agent would go through staging and repair opportunities, get professional photos taken and list it on the MLS. By listing it on the MLS, the home is being marketed online and sent to all the major platforms such as Realtor.com and Zillow. The agent also markets the home on social media platforms in agent to agent groups offering maximum exposure to the listing.

The same investor sees the ad and calls the listed agent. He again offers a low ball offer. The agent is able to explain the benefits of the land and the home and additional opportunities the investor may be able to take with this area and therefore is able to drive up the offer through negotiations. During this time a growing family also sees the listing and calls the agent. Now we have a multiple offer situation. All within a week of listing.

Mr. Seller is now able to weigh the offers and decide what works best for him with guidance from a professional. This enables Mr. Seller to be able to move out quicker, not incur as many holding expenses, depend on a professional to handle negotiations, and walk away happy.

Bottom line is that you would probably not represent yourself on the surgical table, or a major law case so why would you choose to risk one of your largest investments by not using an expert?

ashley marsh

Here are the top 5 upgrades you can make with the best return of investment according to HGTV.

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5) Basement Remodel – Finishing the basement adds extra living space and is very appealing to potential buyers. It offers another area for the kids to be in, a man cave, gym, office space, you name it!

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4) Exterior Improvements – This can be relatively simple. Just paint the front door, fix the shutters, power wash. Cleaning up can add tons of curb appeal

3) Minor Bathroom Remodel – A basic tile project and paint can transform a drab bathroom to an updated sought after one.

2) Landscaping – Keep this simple and add a ton of bang for your buck! Some simple annuals and a few shrubs along with cleaning out the beds and weeding will make a huge difference! Remodel – A basic tile project and paint can transform a drab bathroom to an updated sought after one.

1) Minor Kitchen Remodel – You don’t have to completely gut a kitchen in order to increase value. Simple paint, new counters, lighting or pulls can add major value and appeal to the prospective buyers.

Talking to an agent can help you through all of these steps. You need to see what the present value of your home is and whether you even need to do any additional remodeling in order to get a better price. Factors such as market trends, rates, etc can change the pricing substantially.

ashley marsh

With subarctic temps on the way we need to talk about what to do to help prevent freezing and busting pipes. Here are a few simple tips

1. The Slow Drip – Make sure all of your faucets are on and slowly dripping. The movement of the water will help prevent the pipes from freezing

2) Cabinet Doors – Open all of the doors to the cabinets that the plumbing runs through; especially if it is on an exterior wall. This will help heat get to the pipes.

3) Small Heaters – If you have small electric heaters and can set them in the basement or in front of the sink cabinets it will help keep everything heated.

4) Keep the Heat Up – Keep the furnace heat up a bit higher than you may normally keep it at night. A few cents on your electric bill is far less than repairing a busted pipe.

5) Fans – Reverse the spin on ceiling fans. This helps pull the hot air up and circulate it around.

Please post any additional tips you may have and let us know if you have any questions!

written by ashley marsh

In this week’s tips, Troy brought us the top 5 reasons to use an agent when purchasing in a NEW BUILD. Check it out!

5) Insure you hire the right builder – Not all builders are created equal so you need to make sure that you are getting someone with a good reputation and a great warranty.

4) Lot location and neighborhood guidance – Not only do you want to make sure that you are buying in the right neighborhood; you want to make sure you are buying the right lot. There are things like building set back lines, easements and reserve spaces that all affect the value of your lot when it comes to resale.

3) Contract negotiation and representation – It’s important that you have someone with you when you are negotiating the contract to make sure that all the appropriate items and contingencies are included and you understand what you are getting.

2) Guide you through the home inspection – Most people think when you buy a new build you don’t need a home inspector, however, builders make mistakes too so it’s always important to have a good home inspector to make sure your house is being built the right way and the way you want it

1) Help you choose appropriate upgrades and modifications – It is extremely important when you are building a new home, that you don’t over improve it for the neighborhood and end up not being able to sell it down the road when you are ready.

That’s it for us this week. If you think we missed something, please put it in the comments below. Make sure to like us on Facebook and Instagram @marshhomegroup so you don’t miss next week’s tips.

ashley marsh