RETURN TO HOME
A conversation with Keller Williams Consultants’ Toby Boyce
Delaware, Ohio, has consistently been listed as one of America’s “fastest growing counties” over the past decade and that growth – and its subsequent development – has created a wonderful and unique living environment.
Emerging from its agricultural roots, Delaware has maintained that historical classic charm, while Ohio Wesleyan University’s amazing students have led the community into the 21st-century. The third-Thursday in September the community swells by thousands as fans flock to take part in the festivities of The Little Brown Jug – known as harness racing’s Kentucky Derby – as much for the spectacle as the event itself.
Delaware’s Ohio Wesleyan University
Celebrity Residents
Even in its early years, Delaware became the residence of numerous local celebrities and was a resort community thanks to its numerous sulfur springs. Former President Rutherford B. Hayes cut his teeth in the city and even met the eventual first lady – Lucy Webb Hayes – in the sulfur spring at Ohio Wesleyan. Later film star/director Vincente Minnelli – possibly best known as an ex-husband to Judy Garland and father to Liza Minnelli – called the city home. However, potentially the “best known” resident of the city was the Big Ear Telescope which recorded the “WOW! Signal” from outer space in 1977.
Who’s Moving To Delaware?
Aliens coming to Delaware, Ohio, would be almost expected – since it seems everyone else is moving to the community. Located only 30 miles from Columbus – the state’s capital and economic leader – the community has attracted young and old looking for a place to call home. Delaware is not a suburban community, but is a growing vibrant city in-and-of itself. The downtown community is flourishing – thanks in large part to cooperation between the city, local business leaders, Ohio Wesleyan, and county officials – and the pride of local development continues to draw more residents that want more than just subdivision to call home. The Strand Theatre has continually shown first-run movies since 1916 and one of the region’s premier musical collections – the Central Ohio Symphony – both call downtown Delaware home.
Taxes & Schools
Delaware, Ohio includes three school districts with Buckeye Valley, Delaware, and Olentangy schools interlaced throughout the city to generate a unique blend of educational opportunities for residents. Buckeye Valley received the highest possible honor – Excellence with Distinction – in the 2009-2010 School Year Report Card from the Ohio Department of Education, while Olentangy was rated Excellent, and Delaware received an Effective grade. Property taxes in Delaware are higher than some areas of the state however are in line – if not cheaper – with many of its Central Ohio neighbors.
Going Green
With a major liberal-arts university located downtown, it comes as no surprise that Delaware is consistently working to improve its green footprint. Curb-side recycling is built into the monthly trash bills and bins are provided to facilitate recycling by community members. As new construction returns, many of the builders are adding green features to its home lineup to improve energy efficiency for years to come.
Nectar Candy, a tradition in Delaware
Has the Market Hit Bottom?
The Central Ohio area – Delaware included – has a diverse employment base and has traditionally weathered recessions very well both economically and on the housing front. The region has been named by several publications as being a safe investment. The economic highs will not be as high as those in other parts of the country however the corresponding lows will not be as volatile either. The exponential growth of the past decade did create a little bigger bump in this recession than many expected. However, overall, the economy in Delaware County – and Delaware, Ohio – is strong and leads the state in numerous categories including the lowest unemployment numbers.
The Future
Delaware community leaders are utilizing the current lull in the market to put plans in place that will create a vibrant and exciting future for this city. The city has a plan in place to “focus” future development into the southeast corner – around the brand new Grady Memorial Hospital slated to be finished in 2012 – of the city and allow for greater resources to be implemented in that area. Improvements to key arteries – I-71 and Sawmill Road extension being two key ones – will make travelling into Columbus from the community much easier and less traffic congested. In 2010, the City broke ground on a YMCA to be built on the city’s west side and will be a real gem for the community when it’s completed.
Delaware County District Library in Downtown Delaware, Ohio
The State of the Housing Market
While the city leaders understand that this recession will not last forever, the city’s real estate market is still fluttering. The market is very strong for homes priced in the $100,000 range – less than two weeks on market average. However with thousands of homes built in the 1990s and 2000s in the “cookie cutter” developments and priced in the $150,000 – $200,000 range the market has been very sluggish with many developments showing more than a year’s worth of inventory. The community’s ability to weather early portions of the recession has resulted in it hitting bottom later than many other communities. There is hope for those with “unique” homes, but subdivisions will continue to struggle into 2011.
What Should Buyers Expect?
As the local market continues to struggle, buyers will have the upper-hand in negotiations going into 2011. The effective buyer will be pre-approved and have conducted a “needs vs. wants” analysis to make selecting the right home easier. Buyers are always looking for a “great” deal and they need to be prepared to move when that deal is found – and increasingly those deals are being found in short sales and foreclosures. A great deal on a house is a great deal in any market and a buyer will scoop it up – so buyers have to be prepared so that deal becomes their home.
About Toby E. Boyce: Toby E. Boyce, is a licensed real estate agent with Keller Williams Consultants Realty in central Ohio. Boyce and his wife, Gretchen, have resided in Delaware for the past eight years and are active in numerous community activities and organizations. Boyce can be reached by phone at (740) 990-9748, via e-mail at toby@tobysellshomes.com, or online at www.delawareohrealestate.com.
This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com