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How are our schools doing? Not too bad, according to the latest data from the State of Ohio Department of Education. All the public schools in the State of Ohio were given a “solid B” (effective rating) based on state tests results from the 2006-7 school years.
All of our local central Ohio schools did fairly well in the latest test results. For the first time, all central Ohio school districts were rated a “C” or higher. The Columbus school district (central Ohio’s largest school district) improved to “continuous improvement” over “academic watch”.
The main web site for the Ohio Department of Education is a tremendous resource for statistics, data and information on our schools. If you like to review statistics and data then you will love this post. You can research every imaginable statistic (proficiency test results, enrollment, student disciplinary actions, attendance, graduation rates, etc.) that deals with your local school district.
Survey results from our clients have shown that the condition of the school system is always one of the homebuyers top “biggest fears” when buying a home.
Below are some good links to review:
- Department of Education’s iLRC (Interactive Local Report Card)*
- Rating local central Ohio schools
- Report cards for local central Ohio schools (nice graphic)
- Central Ohio schools with the biggest improvements & declines
- The performance rating of local charter schools.
- The 10 highest and lowest rated school district in central Ohio
- Map graphic of how central Ohio school districts fared
I hope this information helps.
*You will need to “uncheck” the match case box to utilize the power users reports section. This section is also incredibly slow.
In early August, Governor Ted Strickland signed a new, expanded Homestead Exemption Act that will provide tax savings (money!!!) to qualified senior citizens and disabled Ohioans. The Homestead Exemption credit has been in effect for years. But, in the past there were very restrictive income requirements to qualify for the credit. 
The BIG NEWS now is that the new Homestead Exemption has NO income qualifications. If you are 65 years or older and a homeowner in the State of Ohio then you can reduce your taxes and save money just by filling out a form (Franklin County) and sending it in to your local county auditor.
IMPORTANT; completed form must be received by your county auditor by no later than October 1st, 2007. Please, you don’t think our government would give us anything free or make it easy. Good news is that the form is very simple to fill out. So don’t delay.
For example, if you have a home with a market value of $100,000, you would get billed as if your house was worth $75,000. The average savings to you would be $400.
Don’t fret if you don’t qualify for the new credit, just contact your parents, grandparents and other family members that might qualify for the credit. Your family members will be so happy that you saved them money that they will put you back in their will. Voila, you are in the money!
You can follow the links in this post for more information. Please contact your local county auditor for more information on eligibility and tax savings.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2007-07-19-existing-home-sales_N.htm
The home sales still continue to be slow across the country and in the Columbus Metro area. Slow home sales impact Sellers and make it more a “Buyer’s Market”.
This is a very good time for a Buyer in Central Ohio to be purchasing a new home. Especially a first time home buyer that does not have a home to sell. Mortgage interest rates are still at low rates. The State of Ohio has the highest foreclosure rate in the country.
http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2006/04/07/20060407-A1-01.html
The high inventory of foreclosed homes is a big plus for potential homebuyers.
Excl
usively representing your interests as the Home Buyer
Buying a new or existing home can be a “nerve–racking”, stressful event in anyone‘s life. Past studies have indicated that purchasing home is in the Top 5 of most stressful events in a person‘s life. The Other most stressful events being marriage, divorce, death and loss of a job. For most people, purchasing a home will be the single, largest financial transaction that they undertake in their lifetime… But you already knew that.
Serving Columbus Ohio Home Buyers 
Hello, my name is Mike Marshall. I am an Exclusive Buyer Agent with Buyer‘s Resource Realty Services. I have been representing homebuyers since 1996. It is my responsibility and my duty to try and get my clients the BEST price & BEST terms on any home they buy. I help my clients with financing options, locating the home, determining a home‘s worth, negotiating the contract, inspections and closing the transaction.
Before becoming an Exclusive Buyer Agent, I worked 7 years in banking as a bank manager. Part of my responsibility as a manager was originating mortgages. So I bring extensive mortgage loan knowledge to my clients that hire me. It‘s a fact that if a homebuyer makes a wrong decision on the type of loan or program that doesn‘t match their goals and objectives, then this mistake could cost them thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars.
My Buyer Broker Advocate! 
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