Real Estate Information Archive

The popularity of online house hunting continues to grow at a rapid pace.  My team and I are constantly researching the most popular websites and there seems to be movement to simplify the online house hunting search process.  A common goal among many within the real estate industry is to enable home buyers to see and view homes within 3 clicks once the consumer has entered their website.  

My team and I gave the 3 click real estate search some serious consideration.  We determined that in order to meet this goal our current website would require some specific updates but most importantly we were able to determine that our goal was within our reach.  We worked closely with our website designer and in less than a month we not only met our goal...we were able to exceed our goal and get over 80% of all home buyers searches down to a single click search.  One Click!

Apple Valley Lake Community Homes For Sale  This is an example of a simple single click Apple Valley home search.  You can now also visit www.SamMiller.net and search for homes in specific price ranges by highlighting the "Search Listings" button and a menu will appear, just click on your selected price range and only those listings will be displayed.  We have also created a one click specialized search for Bank Owned Listings which enables visitors to bypass sifting through every listing on our site and instead have a direct link to the specific listings they want.  

If there is a special search feature you would like to see us add to our website please let us know in the comment section below.  If for any reason we are unable to fulfill your request we have the ability to create a personalized Knox County Ohio MLS search specifically for you within 24 hours of your request.  The Sam Miller Team wants to be your REALTOR and we are willing to go the extra mile to earn your business.

Thank You!

Sam Miller 

 

Each year I compile "The State of the Market Residential Housing Report" for the Apple Valley Lake Community which is located in Knox County, Ohio.  This report highlights all residential home sales for the previous year.  This report includes only home sales in Apple Valley Lake Community including Apple Valley lakefront homes, lakeview homes, golf course homes and wooded and more typical locations.  This report excludes all vacant lot sales which are being featured in my Annual Apple Valley Lot report.  

• 101 Residential homes sales in 2008 at the Apple Valley Lake Community
• $16,058,378 or just over 16 million in total combined volume (per MLS)
• $158,993 was the average sales price for the homes sold in Apple Valley
• $530,000 was the highest residential sales in Apple Valley in 2008 MLS
• $65,000 was the lowest sales price in Apple Valley per Knox County MLS 

Here are the 2008 Apple Valley home sale numbers broken down by specific price ranges, how many sold in each price range and the average sales price per price range grouping.

• 3 homes sold from $50,001 to $75,000 with $68,500 average sales price.
• 23 homes sold from $75,001 to $100,000 with $88,607 average sales price.
• 23 homes sold from $100,001 to $125,000 with $113,744 average sales price.
• 16 homes sold from $125,001 to $150,000 with $138,059 average sales price.
• 4 homes sold from $150,001 to $175,000 with $161,236 average sales price.
• 15 homes sold from $175,001 to $200,000 with $184,950 average sales price.
• 4 homes sold from $200,001 to $250,000 with $227,625 average sales price.
• 1 home sold from $250,001 to $300,000 with $295,000 average sales price.
• 9 homes sold from $300,001 to $400,000 with $351,333 average sales price.
• 2 homes sold from $400,001 and higher with $467,000 average sales price.

 

Let me begin with some very basic yet very important concepts: #1. When your home is in "Top Condition" it will sell faster and for a higher price. #2. If the buyer smells cat or dog odors you won't sell it for top dollar and maybe not at all. #3. A home full of clutter and disorganization is a major turn off to buyers. #4. Clean, nice and neat homes that are well staged sells for higher prices than fixer upper homes. If the potential buyer feels that you love your home and if they believe you have taken good care of it you will be more likely to sell for a fair price, sell faster and have less issues with inspections and other inspection contingencies. However, homes that are simply listed for sale with no regard to the condition and are not show ready will sit, the seller will be forced to reduce the price over and over again in order to sell it. The best news is that preparing a home for sale is not difficult, it is not costly and is always worth the extra effort. If you want a faster sale for more money with less negotiating you will want to talk with me about my tops and methods for getting your home ready to sell. When I represent a home owner and after they have hired me to sell their home I work with them on ways we can make their house show it's best and appeal to the highest number of buyers. As part of my service to my sellers I provide a home preparation DVD called "Preparing Your Home To Sell" by real estate specialist David Knox. This DVD shows you tips and methods for making your house appear lighter and brighter, cleaner and it shows you how to give your home an advantage over other competing homes for sale. If you have ever watched shows like "Sell This House" you will truly appreciate this video. The real estate market is more competitive than every before anand it is important to take advantage of every opportunity available to you. Getting your home ready to show and sell and selecting a price that will attract ready, willing and financially capable buyers is what I do so if you want top notch representation give me a call at (740) 397-7800 or 1-800-282-9096. Sam Miller

Once an active branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Kokosing Gap Trail offers Knox county residents a relaxing and very scenic means of exercise and recreation. Opened in 1991, the Trail is a 10-foot wide paved path that stretches 13.5 miles from Mount Vernon to Danville. Along its course, the Trail follows Knox County’s scenic Kokosing River and surrounding countryside. Forested hills, wetlands, family farms, and the river itself offer pleasant scenery, and many opportunities for memorable photos. Beginning in Mount Vernon’s Phillips Park, the trail runs east to historic Gambier, the home of nationally respected Kenyon College. Here, one can stop for a rest at one of the Trail’s restroom facilities and take photos with one of the Trail’s travelers from the past: and old steam engine, coal car, flatbed and caboose; a standing reminder of the legacy of America’s once great railroad system.

 

From Gambier, the trail continues northeast towards Howard, where the beautiful Apple Valley Lake and resort are located. Here, Trail goers will pass underneath Route 36 through a stone-arched tunnel, and then continue on towards Danville. It is in Danville where the 13.5-mile Kokosing Gap Trail ends, but if one wishes to travel further, the Mohican Valley Trail, which opened to the public in 1999, begins only a few blocks from where the Kokosing Trail ends.

 

Many people use the Kokosing Gap Trail. Its close proximity to Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Kenyon College in Gambier makes it an excellent place for college students to get away from the stress of campus life and prevent the infamous Freshman 15. It is a great way for families to spend peaceful, quality time together, and instill in young children good exercise habits and a respect and love of nature. The Trail is an excellent way for anyone, of any age, to get the exercise needed to live a healthy, happy life.

 

The Trail is also a great place for nature lovers. In addition to the common squirrel, chipmunk, and deer, the Kokosing Gap Trail is also a great place for bird watchers. One of the most inspiring sights at the Trail is the rare spotting of the American Bald Eagle. At least one mating pair is reported to soar the skies along the Kokosing River, making the Trail one of the best places to try and spot this majestic, once endangered, bird of prey. With the 4^th of July fast approaching, the spotting of the American Bald Eagle within Knox County could be one of the most memorable sights of the summer.

 

Parking for the Kokosing Gap Trail can be found in Mount Vernon, Gambier, Howard, and Danville. The trail features several river crossings on wooden-decked steel bridges, a few of which include observation decks where people can rest and take in the scenery or take a few photos. Recently, there has been some talk on extending the Trail to also run north to Fredericktown, Ohio. The Kokosing Gap Trail is a beautiful, relaxing stretch of path, which is enjoyable to people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether biking, walking, running or skating, the Trail is an excellent venue for exercise and shows off the beauty and rich history of Knox County.