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Dutchland Woods At Home

Because Home Is Where One Starts

June and July Issue 2010 www.Dutchlandwoodsathome.com

Pool is Open!

Grass Issues and Clean-Up Day, all inside this issue!

HGTV's FrontDoor.com Identifies Top 10 Things First-Time Homebuyers

Should Know

Published: 3/10/2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 8, 2010) - Buying a home for the first time can be complex. To avoid mistakes and make a smart purchase, do

the homework and know what to expect. To help start the process, HGTV's FrontDoor.com identifies the top 10 important points every first-

time buyer must know. (http://www.frontdoor.com/top10)

#1: Just because it's a buyer's market doesn't mean you should buy right now. Don't let the lucrative market dictate a buying decision if the

time isn't absolutely right. Potential homebuyers need to ask themselves if they have a good credit score, if their job is secure and if they can stay

in the home for a few years. If the answer to these questions is "no," it might make more sense to wait until life and finances are more stable.

#2: The cost of owning a home is more than just the purchase price. On top of a mortgage payment, there are several monthly fees and ex-

penses any first-time buyer should consider when becoming a homeowner: insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. Think about scal-

ing back the home price in order to better budget for the entire package.

#3: Programs are out there to help first-time buyers. A sizeable down payment is great to have for a home purchase, but not everyone can

afford to fork over 20 percent upfront. Fortunately, there are many federal, state and local programs geared toward helping f irst-time homebuyers

with down payments, interest rates and loan terms sure to make the whole process and affordability a bit easier.

#4: Foreclosures and short sales present great deals, but proceed with caution. Buying a foreclosed or short sale home can be a risky propo-

sition for a first-time buyer. Foreclosures are often sold "as-is," while a short sale transaction can be lengthier and more complicated than a typical

home purchase. First-timers should consult an agent or attorney with specialization in these areas.

#5: Getting pre-approved for a loan gives you more buying power. Obtaining lender pre-approvals are important because it establishes a

homebuyer's maximum purchase price, shows sellers that the buyer is serious about buying a home and lets the homebuyer compare interest

rates and terms to find the best deal.

#6: Good school districts boost property value. One of the most important aspects of a home's value is the neighborhood where it's located.Even if the homebuyer does not have kids, buying a home near sought-after schools can help the resale value.

#7:You may be able to access your tax credit upfront . Buyers using FHA-insured mortgages can apply their tax credit toward their home pur-chase immediately, rather than waiting until they file their income taxes to receive a refund. Prospective buyers who believe they qualify for thecredit are also allowed to reduce their income tax withholding, therefore increasing their take-home pay.

#8: Not all real estate agents represent buyers. There are three types of agents: listing agents, who represent sellers and help them get the bestprice; buyers' agents, who represent buyers and protect their interests; and agents who represent either (or both). Often, first-time buyers prefer towork exclusively with a buyer's agent so there are no possible conflicts of interest.

#9: Doing your homework can help you make a competitive offer. Before buying the home, determine the property's market value by havingthe realtor conduct a comparative market analysis. This report will show what buyers were willing to pay for similar homes in the area, giving agood idea of what will make a fair offer.

#10: It's important to have a back-out plan. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure to have a contingency plan in case things don't go asplanned in the home inspection or appraisal. If the home has a major flaw or doesn't appraise for the purchase price, an escape plan allows the contract to be voided.

Visit: http://www.Frontdoor.com/news/article/5558 7 to view this article.

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Call Tracy @777 -1147 or 324-0339*Room special is for one coat (second coat $25), 14x14 room

max, 9 ceiling height max, and does not include

ceiling, trim, or cost of paint.

MENTION THIS AD AND GET $10.00 off! Exp July 15, 2010

Tracy grew up here in Dutchland Woods and continues to donate

time to improve our White House. Her parents still reside here!

Whats on your wish list?Do you need a vacation, a new car or boat, a kitchen upgrade, or tuition for yourself or your children?

You can increase your purchasing power by talking with your neighbor, Brian Collins, about opening a home equity line of credit atFirst Financial Bank today.

The best thing about a home equity line of credit is that its ready when you decide to make an important purchase. No need to go tothe bank or call anyone for approval.

Credit card access A home equity account provides you with a Gold MasterCard and special checks so you will have a varietyof access to your line of credit. Its the perfect way to increase your purchasing power and write your own loan, saving you time andtravel.

Its easy Youll find the process takes very little of your time.

Nowis the perfect time to check out the possibility of using the equity in your home. For more information, just stop in today at theLiberty Crossings banking center (7237 Cincinnati-Dayton Roadin front of the Kroger store). Orcall your neighbor, Brian Collins,orMaria Kennedy at 513-346-3740.

Brianand Maria look forward to helping you be successful in turning your wishes into reali-ties.Brian Collins

RBC Assistant Vice President/Manager

First Financial Bank, NA

6945 South Liberty WayLiberty Township, OH 45044

P 513-346-3743

F 513-755-3317 brian.collins@bankatfirst.com

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D u t c h l a n d W o o d s A t H o m e Page 3

Dutchland Woods Social and Rec Proudly Presents Papa Johns Pizza Night!The First Monday of Every Month

Swing by the White House between 4:30 and 7:00 pmPick Up Your Choice of:

Medium Pepperoni or Extra Cheese PizzasOr Breadsticks! Any of these items are $6.00 each!

All proceeds benefits the Social and Recreation Committees Activities!DIDYOUKNOW?..

These fundraisers pay for the social and rec committee activities for the community! I challenge every resident

to leave $1.00 extra with their pizza next month! We can all come together and make a huge difference!

Brenda SwigertFor More information Please contact Jodi Strutz at 254-0301

Sharon MohanPierce 759-4160

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Jack Lewis Insurance8585 Mason Montgomery Rd

Mason, Ohio 45040

Office: 513-229-8928Fax: 513-842-4361

Cell: 513-505-7654jacklewisinsurance@yahoo.com

Advice...not simply insuranceAuto-Home-Life-Health/Medicare-Business/

Benefits

Jack Lewis,

Agent

4th of July

Festivities

Liberty Park5Kbegins at Lakota East High School

at 8:30 a.m.

Parade begins at Lakota East HighSchool

at 10:00 a.m.

Call Jack Today for a quote on your car and

home! Neighborhood Referrals!

Dave and I save money with Jack! Brenda

Upcoming Events!

Farmers Market in Middletown

Begins July 2, 2010 Governor's Square Broad Street and Central Avenue

Fridays 10:00-3:00

July 18th, 2010, the 17th Annual Sunshine Concert Series, Corwin M. Nixon

Park presents Parrots of the Caribbean

Sunday, July 18th the 2010 Sunshine Concert Series at Corwin M. Nixon

Park, Mason, OH presents the:

"PARROTS Of The CARIBBEAN," known as the No. 1 Jimmy Buffett trib-ute band in the country, delighting audiences throughout the U.S. & Canada

with their performances for the past nine years

FUN THIS

SUMMER

Everyone wants to savemoney these days! Lets

compare rates! Save money!

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Page 5

9474 PrincetonGlendale Rd (Between Rialto and Mulhauser Rd)West Chester, Ohio 45069

513-860-DOGS (3647)

Open Daily 6:30-7:00 Saturdays open 7:30-5:30Dog Day Every Day offers full and part time dog day care!!

Dog Day Every Day also offers grooming!

Sammy our puppy goes there every day and comes home exhausted

from the fun! Tell them Sammy Swigert referred you for specials.

http://www.dogdayeveryday.com/news/dded_0509_WC.pdfTake a look at a previous newsletter,News From The Pack!

What Is Going On With These Homes With Overgrown Grass?There are always residents (although few thankfully) who dont keep up with grass and maintaining

their yards. What can you do when you consider it an eyesore? You can call Liberty Township(759-7500) or go online and print a complaint form to fax to the

Liberty Township office. Visit this site to print the complaint and fax it to the township. http://

www.liberty-township.com/_filelib/FileCabinet/Zoning_Misc/Complaint_form.pdf?

FileName=Complaint_form.pdf

The township will directly contact the homeowner. You can call Steve Koebbe

(755-8668) our trustee for zoning issues here in Dutchland Woods.

I have had several calls asking why Realtors arent caring for

the yards when they have them listed. The answer is because we do

not have a budget for this. The maintenance of the home is still

up to the homeowner. When a homeowner abandons the homewith a short sale or foreclosure, usually it is because of financial hardship.

For myself I can tell you that I insist that the homeowners continue to take care of the home and yard,

or make other arrangements for this to be done. I have also called the banks when I have had this situa-

tion and asked the bank to help us with the yard. Most of the time though the bank officials state that

they will not take care of the home in any way until it is foreclosed on.

So what to do about the yard? It makes the community look bad! Here are some

options contact the township and they will cut it and lien the owner, or we being neighbors can take

turns cutting it and keep the home from looking abandoned.

Why would we cut someone elses grass when they abandoned the house? 1. To bring in families who

want to live there vs investors who may rent the home out. 2. To avoid potential squatters from takinginterest in the abandoned home and potentially bringing crime to our neighborhood. 3. The better the

home looks the faster it will sell and for more money which will keep your values up. 4. Because you

have to look at it.

It is not a good situation. We all know that and we have to make the best of it. Make sure if you are fac-

ing hardship that you contact a Realtor who has proper experience in short sales.

Brenda Swigert Your Neighborhood Realtor,Because Experience Matters!

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Whats Going On In Dutchland Woods?Clean up day in May brought out several families and most of the trustees also worked

hard towards the annual clean-up of our common areas

surrounding the White House.

For 3 weeks leading up to the clean-up day Brian Church (White House trustee) and Ned

Burris (President of DW and grounds trustee) has been working around the pond area

removing honeysuckle and cutting out debris from the green space. Special thanks toBrian Church for donating two days of his vacation time and his experience driving a

bull-dozer, to clean out the swale area behind the house and cleaning the

debris from the pond and improving the drainage so that the new decora-

tive bushes and grass can be planted. There is more work to be done later

to add rock to the bottom of the swale, after the area dries out.

5 Elderberry bushes will be planted soon. These were bought atThe Home Show for very little money! A GREAT BARGAIN!

THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME OUT AND SPENT THEIR SATURDAY

VOLUNTEERING TO MAKE OUR COMMON AREAS BETTER THAN EVER!THANKS TO: Ned and Donna Burris, Dan Remley and Family, Mark Miller,

Brian Church, Jodi Strutz, Butch (last name?) and Brian Collins!

Also the White House in Dutchland Woods has a total of 2 HVAC units now! An

additional high efficiency HVAC/Heat Pump for the upstairs has been purchased to re-

duce overall heat and air conditioning costs. This unit is more efficient, allowing the

downstairs unit to be turned down in the winter and up in the summer. Cost savings

should be significant.

Interested in more information about Dutchland Woods?

Join the trustees for their monthly meetings the third Monday of the month at 6:00 pm.

If you need to contact the White House for a rental or to pay your HOA bill you may

reach the office MondayFriday from 8:0012:00 513-779-2568

You may also email the office dutchlandwoods@gmail.com

All communication will be returned during the above hours from the office.

Have you seen the White House since it has been painted? It is lovely! If you are inter-

ested in renting the house for your next get together you can go on line to

www.dutchlandwoods.org and view the calendar for availability. Call the office for more

information or to set up an appointment to view our beautiful house!

Pool Opens Memorial

Day!

Guest Fees still

$3.00 per person

Must be accompanied by

homeowner entire time.

Show Your Pride!

Fly Your Flag on

Memorial Day,

4th of July and

Labor Day!

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P a g e 7

Quality Construction Services

by Randy

16 years experience

513-290-3793

Interior and Exterior, Drywall Repair, Professional Painting,

Staining, House Washing, Pressure Washing, Fencing, Decking,and Concrete work.

Neighborhood References Upon

Request!

Call Randy today!

ORDER YOURGRADUATION

ALBUMSNOW!

SMALL-$20.00LARGE-$30.00

Your Neighbors

Trust Us!

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Brenda Swigert CDPE, e-PRO

Your Neighborhood Realtor

7360 Liberty One Dr

Liberty Township, OH 45044

Office: 755-9597

Cell: 378-1461

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

MY LISTINGS &SALES!!

New Listing! First Floor! New Listing! Enclosed Porch! New Listing!

New Listing! Short Sale! SOLD IN 8 DAYS! New Listing!

SOLD in 7 days!

5134 Cassidy Pass Unit 34

Hamilton, OH $77,895

7169 Tylersville RdWest Chester, OH $127,777

7208 Shirley Dr.

West Chester, OH $339,888

995 Havensport

Forest Park, OH $74,000

6770 Netherland Ct.

Sales Price $156,400

98% list to sale ratio

7985 Ivory Hills

West Chester, OH $244,900

6599 Wooden Shoe

Sales Price $155,00098.88 list to sale ratio

Call me and ask about my summer listing specials! Full Service Alwawww.BrendaSwigert.com

6584 Hansbrinker Drive

Sales Price $155,000100.32 list to sale ratio

SOLD in 13 days! SOLD!

5376 Elmwood

Liberty Twp, Sales Price $344,500These Buyers Saved $12,400!

I love Referrals! Im never toobusy to hear from you! Call me

anytime!