Jamie Vagnier

The first step of any organizing process is to make sure the spaces are neat and free of clutter. Think of it like this: Before you unload groceries, you have to create space for them to go in the fridge, freezer and pantry.

Speaking of fridge, freezer and pantry this is a great place for us to start. First place to start is to go through your fridge, freezer and pantry to make sure you have no expired or spoiled foods. We will then make sure to bring the oldest foods to the front. Also referred to as first in, first out (or FIFO) in the food service world. By organizing your fridge, freezer and pantry with the newer items to the back and the older items at the front. You will ensure that those older items are grabbed first so that they do not go bad. This technique is used in the pantry with can goods, pastas, and dry goods as well. We use a marker in our house to write the expiration date on the top or front of the items. So, if I have three cans of crushed tomatoes the one with the closest expiration date will be in front with the other two behind in sequential order. 

Moving on to our snack pantry. This space has very deep shelves so I had to get crafty. The kids were always opening up a new bag of chips when we already had one if not two already open. Not to mention the words every parent loves to hear “There is NOTHING to eat!” I took time to label and be sure that we have healthy and convenient snacks at all times. Although you know I still hear those five dreaded words anyways. 

This brings me to our chest freezer in the garage. This is another area that can become a bottomless pit. Dont get me wrong, chest freezers are great for stocking up on food. Although part of saving money on groceries is knowing what you already have, and that’s hard if you don’t have some sort of system for keeping your freezer organized! I have a free freezer inventory sheet here that you may find helpful.  It is not something I keep up with, but take a look at the great organizing idea below! This amazon find was life changing, I now use  metal baskets to keep track of chicken, beef, pork and frozen veggies. This feels way more manageable for me when I see the chicken basket is empty, I know it’s time to stock up again!

These ideas above are not only meant to help you keep your fridge, freezer and pantry more organized in the New year, but hopefully save you money and give you peace of mind!

Jamie Vagnier

Our family has a tradition that is Covid proof! Every Christmas Eve we get dressed in our Christmas comfys and drive around and look at Christmas Lights. This a tradition I did with my family growing up and of course when I had a family of my own we do as well. My kids have assured me they will keep up the tradition with their families,too. Oh, and did I mention there are always Christmas carols being sung slightly off key! 

Here is a list of great places around Columbus to start or carry on this tradition with your family. 

POWELL

The Lucy Depp Park Light Show

This drive-thru Christmas light experience features 6 houses over 7.5 acres. The show runs from Black Friday to the first week of January, dusk until 10pm Sun-Thurs and until 11 on Friday and Saturday. In order to manage traffic, there is a loop to drive. You enter at Frabell Dr and exit on Springdale Dr. Make sure you read about the history of Lucy Depp Park – it’s fascinating! Address: Frabell Dr. Powell, OH 43065

WESTERVILLE

Dazzling Christmas Lights in Westerville’s Annehurst neighborhood

Thanksgiving through December. Display features 100,000 Christmas Lights that dance to music. The show is every night (weather permitting) from 6:00pm – 10:00pm Sunday thru Thursday and 6:00pm – 11:00pm Friday and Saturday. Check Facebook to see the coordinating radio station and details for 2020. Address: 649 Old Coach Rd. Westerville Ohio 43081. 

DELAWARE 

Lights of Glenross

Thanksgiving – January 1, 2021. Glenross subdivision in Delaware and has around 250 houses with light displays choreographed to Christmas music played on 94.1FM. The displays will run from 5-9pm Sunday-Thursday and 5-11pm Friday & Saturday. Check out the website at www.lightsofglenross.com or like Lights of Glenross on Facebook for more info. Ballater Dr., Delaware, Ohio 43015.

Griswold Delaware Christmas Display

This is a MUST SEE! This Award Winning Christmas Display features over 120,000 lights. Lights are on starting November 27 from 6pm to 12am daily, until January 2. Listen to the music from the safety and comfort of your own vehicle on 88.3 FM to hear the 9 song light show. 7840 Overland Trail, Delaware, OH

Enjoy the Holiday season!

Jamie Vagnier

I would like to think many of us have gotten into the holiday spirit a little earlier this year because we just needed something to (finally) brighten our spirits. Well, I have decided to use the extra time I have been gifted during quarantine to make a couple DIY Holiday Crafts!

These paper bag snowflakes were so fun and easy to make.Warning –  this is addictive because with each snowflake you make you have one more idea of what will make an amazing one of a kind snowflake!! I will add a list below with the supplies you will need. 

Materials

• Lunch Bags
• Hot glue Gun
• Scissors
• Hole Punch
• String/Fishing Line

 

Instructions

• Step 1 Count out 10- 12 for small bags 6-8 for larger bags 
• Step 2 Add glue to the flat face of the first bag. Place a second bag on top facing the same direction and press down to make sure they stick together.
• Step 3 Repeat this with all the bags.
• Step 4 Cut the bags! Cut diagonally along the end of the bag. Add in any center cuts as desired. Test to make sure it can open completely.
• Step 5 Add glue to the flat face of the top bag. Open up the bag and press it to the other loose end to form a star. Hold until the glue dries.
• Step 6 Add some fishing line or string and hang them all over for a winter wonderland feel!

DIY project #2 was this garland made out of you guessed it TOILET paper rolls!! It would not be a 2020 quarantine craft if it did not contain something about toilet paper! This Winter Yarn Hat garland is an adorable Christmas DIY to make with your friends and family because there are NO knitting skills required. Using just a toilet paper roll, yarn, and beads to make a cute and festive garland.

Materials

•  1 toilet paper roll
•  super bulky weight yarn
•  wood beads (I used 1.5cm beads from Michaels)
• scissors

Instructions

• Step 1 Cut a ring from the toilet paper tube. (I made mine 1/2-inch wide.)
• Step 2 Tie a 10-inch piece of yarn around the cardboard ring using a lark’s head knot. Repeat until the cardboard ring is completely covered.
• Step 3 Once the cardboard ring is completely covered. Push the knotted ends back through the ring to create the hat shape.
• Step 4 Tie a piece of yarn near the top, with enough room to leave a little fluff at the top. Repeat steps 1-4 8 times. Or as many times as it will take to make the size garland you want. 
• Step 5 String hats and beads on to a piece of yarn and hang!!

These DIY Christmas crafts have somehow soothed me and brought me back to a time in my life when things were slower and carefree. A nostalgia I think we all reach for when we feel things might be out of our control. So I hope you take time over the holiday’s to do something that makes you more connected to a time when things were slower and more carefree. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Troy Marsh

As you can see from the numbers below there are three trends that are continuing in the Central Ohio Real Estate Market. 

1) Fewer New Listings = Lower Inventory
Although the month of October saw a rise of 2.2% in New Listings compared to October of 2019, it was not enough to bring us back to level with new listings ytd in 2020 compared to ytd in 2019. This has been the driving force behind substantially lower number of active listings (down 45.1% compared to the same date last year)

2) More Overall Sales
This summer and fall have outperformed a “normal” summer and fall after a slower than average spring due to COVID.  Sold homes in October were up by 15.8% compared to 2019 and with pendings up by 33.4% compared to the same date last year, there is no end in sight for this trend. 

3)  Interest Rates Remain at Historic Lows
With interest rates at historic lows and not really moving at all, it has driven many first time home buyers who had been sitting on the sidelines of the real estate market with a rising interest rate environment back into the market in a big way.  This has allowed record sales despite fewer homes coming onto the market and it’s also made finding a home in the under $350,000 price range somewhat like finding a needle in a haystack.  (Insert your preferred old man joke here)

It means that now is a great time to sell.  

Is it also a great time to buy?  Check out the mortgage rates over the last 5 yrs, it’s a GREAT time to buy!  

Did you know that if mortgage rates were to go up by only 1% on a  $300,000 mortgage that your payments would go up by $2,000 per year over 30 years that equals $60,000.  

The comment that I get a lot from people is:  What if prices go down?  The value of your home only matters on two days (maybe 3).  The day you buy it, the day you sell it  and the third would be the day you refinance it.  With rates so low, refinancing will almost never make sense.  

The summary is that it’s a great time to buy and sell.  If you are interested in having a conversation about why that is please give us a call so we can give you advice on your specific situation.  Everyone’s needs are different and everyone’s situation is different and before we give any advice, we would always learn about your wants, needs and goals and advise accordingly.  

Thank you for trusting us!

Email Troy at troyre@gmail.com for a real market analysis for your home! 

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