A firm that has been studying our community of New Albany recently released a report that said we have a lot to offer – but we need to do a better job of marketing.

Evidently, planners from MKSK, a central Ohio planning and design firm, told residents in late January that New Albany should expand by constructing more homes and businesses in the village center.

They also suggested aggressively marketing such additions to the surrounding area.

Growth Opportunities in New Albany, Ohio

Consultants working with MKSK also suggested that the community should add more road extensions and leisure path connections.

A group of 30 stakeholders – including those from the New Albany Planning Commission and the New Albany City Council – are expected to thoroughly review the suggestions over the next several months.

The city council will make a final decision on whether to follow the suggestions of the draft.

The city paid $150,000 for the most recent report.

Here are some other highlights from the initial report:

• Current zoning in New Albany allows the city to grow to 18,530 residents.
• As of the 2010 Census, the city’s population was 7,724.
• Although most residents like the size of New Albany right now, many also said they want to see more restaurants and retail businesses.
• Planners suggested the city market its attractions to neighboring communities like Columbus and Licking County.
• They also suggested marketing retail amenities to the more than 10,500 people working in the New Albany business parks, especially given that retail usually follows people.
• In terms of roads, the consultants recommended widening state Route 161 to three lanes (which must be approved by the state of Ohio) as well as providing more connections to Route 161 in the city’s business parks in Licking County.
• They also suggested connecting Smith’s Mill Road north to Jug Street as well as Smith’s Mill and Jug Street to Beech Road.
• The consultants also suggested that the city work with neighboring jurisdictions in order to implement the best and most cost-effective bicycle and leisure trail connections, especially the Ohio to Erie Trail.

Improvements Coming to New Albany

What do you think of the proposals that the consultants recently made to New Albany Ohio stakeholders? We would love to hear your thoughts on how you think New Albany should expand!

And if you’re considering listing your property anytime soon on the local housing market, please contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas, today!

We’ll help you determine the best listing price for your property as well as offer you such helpful home-selling resources as:

• Preparing your home for sale
• Selling your home
• How much is my home worth?

Until next time,

Kate & Tony Thomas

Likely to the delight of all of our young families living here, there may be a new park coming to the New Albany Ohio area.

According to a recent article I read, New Albany Mayor Nancy Ferguson has publicly said that she wants the city to consider adding a park at the northeast corner of Main and High streets.

Living on the Central Ohio Real Estate Market

Evidently, the New Albany Company donated the land where the new park would go in 2007.

New Albany Co. is one of the area’s largest developers.

The city owns three parcels in that corner of the city and developed a veteran’s memorial there back in 2009.

Although the city had plans to developer passive park space with seating there around that same time, the economic downturn put the brakes on that plan.

Then, in 2012, the city council made moves to start planning the park again – but such preparations would have cost $7,500 and nothing ever happened.

Now the mayor is pushing for the city to move forward with plans for the park.

Meanwhile, the city is bringing several more improvements to the immediate area, including new street lights and sidewalks, brick curbs approved by the Americans With Disabilities Act, a new turning lane and on-street parking.

All of those improvements are expected to cost the city $1.8 million.

We’ll keep you posted on any new developments with this proposed park on the Northeast corner of Main and High Streets. It really would be a great addition to our city!

Relocating to New Albany, Ohio

As the city continues to invest in such projects as road improvements and municipal parks, quality of life is sure to get even better in our community.

If you’re interested in purchasing your own New Albany Ohio property, please contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas.

We’ll let you know about available listings, provide you with expert advice and also offer you such home-buying resources as:

• Buying a home
• Making an offer
• The closing process

Until next time,

Kate & Tony

Quality of life in New Albany, Ohio is about to increase even more, thanks to a recent partnership among the city, Ohio State University and the non-profit Healthy New Albany.

The three organizations recently announced their plans to build a 48,000 square foot, community-based health and wellness center in New Albany’s historic Village Center.

This is an amazing project that will improve the lives of New Albany residents.

Living in New Albany, Ohio

According to the recent article I was reading, the new health and wellness center will blend such key components as:

• Personalized medicine
• Exercise
• Community Activities

According to agreements between the three organizations invoved, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will lease more than 70 percent of the space in the center, which will be owned by the city of New Albany.

The health and wellness center is expected to allow the Wexner Medical Center to introduce its concept of personalized healthcare, which they call P4 Medicine.

What’s more, Healthy New Albany plans to promote healthy lifestyles to those living and working in the city through this new center.

Healthy New Albany founder Phil Heit called the new center a “destination place” that will serve “as a community hub of health and wellness activity.”

There will even be a research component to the new center, mostly through the Wexner Medical Center’s P4 Medicine concept, which will explore consumer participation, predicting and preventing disease and creating personalized life strategy wellness plans for individuals.

There is also expected to be a major programming component to the center, with classes given to meet the needs of all ages, athletic levels and more.

What’s more, city officials are saying that the wellness center could serve as a catalyst for even more development in the Village Center, which is closely located to a number of civic and social locations like the post office, the library, New Albany Plain Local School District campus and the McCoy Center for the arts.

Construction on the wellness center is expected to be complete by early 2014.

Relocating to New Albany, Ohio

It really is exciting that the New Albany, Ohio will be on the cutting edge of health/wellness research and outreach.

And with all of the programming that is expected to come out of this center, local residents have plenty of fun and educational activities to look forward to enjoying with the family!

If you would like to learn more about what makes living in New Albany such an exceptional experience, please contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas.

We’ll let you know about available listings, answer any questions you may have and also provide you with such helpful relocation resources as:

• Planning your move
• Moving with kids
• Relocation guide

Until next time,

Kate & Tony

The local housing market is improving, according to a recent article I read.

Evidently, the National Association of REALTORS reported seeing the strongest home sale figures in three years!

The Columbus Board of REALTORS, which oversees activity on the New Albany real estate market, echoed that sentiment for our local housing market!

New Albany Ohio Homes for Sale

Here’s an overview of recent activity on the New Albany, Ohio market:

• Central Ohio Sales increased by 14.9 percent between Feb. 2012 and Feb. 2013 – or from 1,264 to 1,452.
• That’s the 14th consecutive month that the area has seen year-over-year gains in sales.
• Statewide, home sales prices increased by 8 percent, and nationwide, prices increased by 11.6 percent.
• The average days on the market for Central Ohio homes decreased by 18.9 percent – from 106 to 86.
• Dayton was the only major community in Ohio that saw sales increase more than our area. Their sales increased by 17.6 percent year-over-year – from 686 to 807.
• And home sales across the country were at their highest levels since November 2009.

Still, the housing market has some obstacles to overcome to make sure that it’s fully healthy.

For instance, there is a very low number of homes available for sale on the market. In fact, in central Ohio, available homes for sale are at a 10-year-low.

What’s more, first-time home buyers remain hesitant to enter the market, instead choosing to rent. That’s why you’ll see that first time home buyers are only accounting for 30 percent of home sales in the area, when they would be accounting for 40 percent of sales in a normal market.

Prices remain well below where they were at their peak. For instance, the average sales price for a central Ohio home in February 2005 was $173,791. In recent weeks, that price has been $149,887.

Your New Albany, Ohio REALTORS®

The take-home message about the New Albany real estate market is that it’s improving, although there is still room for growth.

For more information on the current state of the New Albany real estate market and how it affects you and your home-selling efforts, please contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas.

When you do, we’ll answer any questions you have, help you determine the true value of your New Albany home and also offer you such helpful tools as:

• Preparing your home for sale
• Selling your home
• Market snapshot

Until next time,

Kate & Tony

There’s a new business coming to the New Albany, Ohio area, bringing with it plenty of excellent job opportunities.

According to a recent article I read, PCM/Sarcom is planning to add a second operation with the New Albany data center. With this expansion, residents can expect to see 15 to 20 more jobs open up in the New Albany area.

Job Opportunities in New Albany, Ohio

Here’s what else I learned about this job expansion in New Albany Ohio:

National IT services provider PCM Inc. will be building a data center in New Albany in the next several months.

PCM resells hardware from manufacturers and has been emphasizing growth in its IT services.

This company has been steadily growing for the last several years and now has about 350 employees – up from 280 just two years ago!

Recently, PCM purchased 7.8 acres at Souder and New Albany roads for $1.4 million in December.

Then, City Council approved a 65 percent property tax abatement for the data center project in November, which came out to be about $9.4 million, including land.

The data center – which is expected to add 15 to 20 workers – may open as early as this November.

Investing in New Albany, Ohio Real Estate

The fact that a company is willing to continue investing in our community signals that New Albany’s local economy is robust and desirable.

Plus, our community also offers such quality of life amenities as excellent public schools, beautiful and safe residential neighborhoods and numerous recreational amenities.

What better place is there to call home than that?

If you’re interested in purchasing your own piece of New Albany Ohio real estate, please don’t hesitate to contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas.

We’ve helped home buyers just like you find their dream homes in a variety of price ranges:

• New Albany homes under $200,000
• New Albany homes between $200,000 and $400,000
• New Albany homes between $400,000 and $600,000
• New Albany homes between $600,000 and $800,000
• New Albany homes between $800,000 and $1 million
• New Albany homes above $1 million

Until next time,

Kate & Tony

1st Quarter Results Encouraging

Despite a 25% reduction in the number of homes available for sale in New Albany, 1st quarter unit sales were up 5% over last year. There are currently fewer than 90 homes and condos for sale in the New Albany Plain Local School District. This represents less than a 5 month supply of homes based on the rate of sale for March. This definitely qualifies our current market as one that favors Sellers! As a result, we are beginning to see a slight rise in home prices pretty much across the board – particularly an increase in the list price of homes that are currently in contract. A breakdown of 1st quarter results by New Albany neighborhood follows but I’ve summarized the highlights:

• The number of homes for sale is down 25% – 87 homes currently available vs. 116 last year
• Unit sales up 5% for the 1st quarter of 2013
• The number of homes in contract is up 24% – 78 homes in contract this year vs. 63 last year
• Average list price of homes in contract is above the average list price of the homes that closed in the 1st quarter in every New Albany neighborhood
• Homes are selling 40% faster than they did in the first quarter last year – homes averaging 75 days on market this year vs. 126 last year

New Albany, OH 2013 Real Estate 1st Qtr Recap

Never a Better Time To Consider Selling Your New Albany, OH  Home

Based on the above, 2013 is shaping up to be a great year to sell your home – inventory and days on market are down while prices and number of homes selling are rising! Contact us, your New Albany real estate experts  if you have questions about the market for your home or about getting your home ready to sell! The members of our team are expert at handling the sale of your current home and purchase of your next one!  Call us at 614-939-1234 or visit us at www.NewAlbanyOhio.com, the #1 website for New Albany Real Estate!

Until next time,
Kate & Tony

Here in the New Albany, Ohio area, it’s obvious that our public officials and greater community care about the well-being of every single resident.

Case in point: The New Albany Community Foundation recently gave six grants totaling $76,200 to help local organization.

These organizations have a wide range of goals and missions – ensuring that everybody in the community who needs help is likely getting it.

Living in New Albany, Ohio

Here’s a breakdown of the organizations who recently received grants – as well as what they hope to do with the money.

Kids Here and There: This organization encourages students at Columbus Academy and other area high schools to complete service work for local children at a variety of charities, such as Nationwide Children’s Hospital. They received $21,000.

New Albany-Plain Local School District: The Easton Community Foundation donated $25,000 to help install the Easton-Ohio State University Nature and STEM Center. They also received another $20,000 from the Carolyn and Lance White Endowment Fund to help support the author residency program.

The New Albany Arts Council received $7,200 to help pay rent for productions that take place at the Janne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts.

Safety Town received $2,000 to help teach children traffic safety through the New Albany Police Department.

The New Albany-Plain Local School District received $1,000 for its environmental science program to honor Diane Nye, an environmental advocate in the area.

Relocating to New Albany, Ohio

It really is impressive all of the money that The New Albany Community Foundation was able to provide to area non-profits.

Central Ohio truly is the kind of community where everybody looks after one another.

If you’re interested in making New Albany your permanent home, please contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas, today.

We’re your dedicated New Albany Ohio REALTORS ® and we’ll be happy to assist you by offering you straight-forward advice as well as helpful home buying resources like:

• Buying a home
• Making an offer
• The closing process

Until next time,

Kate & Tony

For this month’s New Albany, Ohio featured listing, I’d like to tell you about a newer listing at 4853 Yantis Drive.

From its commanding façade to its luxurious interior amenities, this stately brick home, was clearly built for the discerning New Albany home buyer.

Real Estate for Sale in New Albany, Ohio

Built in 2001, the beautiful home on Yantis Drive in New Albany offers home buyers 8,500 square feet of living space, including 5 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms.

Priced at $2,099,000, this exceptional New Albany home comes with such lovely features as:

• 1 acre lot facing the golf course
• Hardwood floors
• Gourmet kitchen
• Sumptuous 1st floor owner’s suite
• In ground pool, terrace, pergola and built in fireplace

Those aren’t the only upscale features you’ll find in this home!  Other amenities in this New Albany home that are sure to appeal to interested home buyers include handmade brick slate roof, Multiple terraces, 13-foot ceilings, Crown molding, Beautifully designed fireplaces, Built-in shelves, Picture frame molding, Modern light fixtures and Updated kitchen appliances

What’s more, this magnificent home offers golf course views as well as privacy on an over-sized, 0.99-acre lot.

This home is served by the award-winning New Albany Plain Local School District, although there are also a number of private schools in the immediate vicinity.

Planning a weekend out with the family? This residential community is close to such fine recreational amenities as:

• New Albany Country Club
• New Albany Links
• Bevelheymer Park

Your New Albany Real Estate Experts

If you would like to request more information about the home on Yantis Drive, please contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas, today!

If you want, we can even help you by scheduling a showing for you or providing you with a virtual tour of this exquisite home.

Until next time,

Kate & Tony

Last year was a fantastic year for the New Albany Plain Local School District.

After all, as local newspapers reported, the districted gained voter approval for an operating levy and bond issue – a great step forward for the district.

In addition, the school made a number of beneficial staffing changes and also regained a top rating on the Ohio Department of Education’s state report card.

This incredible strides are sure to have lasting benefits that carry over into 2013, helping secure New Albany’s school district as a top public school district in the country.

Education in New Albany, Ohio

Today, I’d like to review a little more in depth the advancements that the New Albany Plain Local School District saw in 2012.

For one thing, the district gained voter support for Issue 50, which will pay for a new non-grade specific building for 1,200 students. It will also help with $11.4 million in site improvements, as well as prevent a deficit in fiscal year 2015.

In addition, the school district increased the size of its financial review and reporting committee, boasting confidence in the community about the district’s fiscal responsibility.

The district also made a number of new hires in 2012, including several principals; a director of teaching and learning; a chief of innovation and a communications director.

What’s more, the district reorganized many of the elementary and middle schools’ administrations.

Also in 2012, the Ohio Department of Education gave the New Albany school district a preliminary state report card rating of “Excellent with Distinction.”

The state report cards bases its results mostly on student test scores.

According to a recent article I read, the district met all 26 state indicators and increased its performance index score from 106.6 to 107.2.

What’s more, New Albany’s school district increased participation in accelerated math programs in grades five to eight and nearly doubled the number of students taking Advanced Placement classes.

At the end of the 2011-12 school year, 530 students took AP tests. In comparison, 802 students are expected to take AP tests at the end of this year.

Great Public Education Just One Reason to Relocate to New Albany Ohio

As you can see, it’s been an exceptionally exciting year for our local public school system and it’s clear that the district will continue to do great things in years to come.

If you’re interested in learning more about our local public education system – or any other quality of life factor in New Albany, please contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas.

We’ll be more than happy to assist you by offering you practical advice and answering any questions you may have.

And when you decide that you’re interested in relocating to New Albany, we’ll assist you by helping you find your dream New Albany home and providing you with helpful resources like:

• New Albany home finder
• Making an offer
• Relocation resources

Until next time,

Kate & Tony

Quality of life is about to get even better in New Albany, according to a recent article I read!

Evidently, there is a new company that’s coming to our Central Ohio community that is expected to add hundreds of jobs to the area!

Living in Central Ohio

According to the latest news, debt collections agency iQor Inc., is bringing a major call center operation to New Albany.

Currently the center is located in northeast Columbus. However, that center is about to arrive in New Albany and is expected to bring more than 500 jobs with it initially and ultimately up to 800 jobs!

The New Albany city council recently considered an incentive deal to attract the New York City-based company to the New Albany Business Park.

When the company relocates to New Albany, it will move roughly 500 jobs from 3,000 Corporate Exchange, which is located in northeast Columbus.

In addition, another 300 full-time jobs are also expected to be added through 2017.

The center will occupy about 40,000 square feet of space in the single-story New Albany Center of Technology, located at 7525 West Campus Road.

The company is expected to relocate to the center by early 2013.

The recent news about iQor Inc., is great news not only for those who are looking for a job with the center but also for the greater New Albany community.

After all, as more people relocate here, our residential tax base will become more robust, which will stir economic activity in our community.

Plus, our community will become increasingly attractive to investors and developers.

All in all, this new call center coming to New Albany is a win-win for everyone!

Buying and Selling New Albany Real Estate

If you’re interested in making New Albany your next permanent home, then contact us, Kate & Tony Thomas, today!

We’ll let you know about available Central Ohio homes for sale as well as provide you with helpful home-buying resources like:

• Buying a home
• New Albany home finder
• The closing process
• Making an offer

And if you’re already a New Albany home owner and considering listing your property, be sure to contact us as well for a free home evaluation!

Until next time,

Kate & Tony