Today, I heard two interesting comments that I thought were worth blogging about. 1. The oil companies have made a lot of money over the last few years.  Why not have the oil industry fund the bail out of the auto industry?  Comments............ 2. The auto industry needs money to retool for the more fuel efficient autos of the future.  The big three auto manufactures already are producing fuel efficient auto in other countries.  Why not have them crate the tooling in those foreign countries and bring them back to the USA.  Comments...............  Please feel to visit my web site at http://www.bertsellstoledohomes/ for all your real estate needs.  Your Resource for Toledo Homes and Toledo Condos.  Bert Spangenthal 419-346-1458, The Lohman Team , RE/MAX Preferred Associates. Oh by the w... 11/20/2008

Toledo, OH It's a Wednesday evening, light breeze, comfortable temperatures and a setting that God must have designed especially for this event.  Friendship Park - located in the Point Place neighborhood of Toledo. I had the honor of attending the 4th Annual Support the Troops Rally that is held in my little berg and am still in awe of all the folks that turned out.  From infancy to WWII Vets - and every age in between.  All together to celebrate and honor our servicemen and women for the sacrifices they give. All the branches of the armed forces were represented - Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and all the respective National Guard units.  The faces of these men and women will remain vivid in my mind for a long, long time.  They are our neighbors, brothers, sisters, mothe... 09/11/2008

I love FREE advertising! Just 5 houses away from my listing, Extreme Home Makeover is currently filming. Hopefully I will get a few interested buyers and/or sellers from the throngs of people walking by morning, noon, and night. The property is already pending, but maybe somewone will call asking about price. I love FREE advertising. I went over to the build site tonight. It's amazing how organized it was. Several of the people (most likely producers) were firing up the crowd with a good old-fashioned Ohio State vs. Michigan fight song competition. Then they had a group of grade school (6 or 8 years old) cheerleaders all dressed up and doing a "Move That Bus" cheer. Police all over the place directing traffic. I was told that they offer the neighbors hotel rooms for the week. Anybody el... 09/10/2008

Ty and his team are in Toledo and I am honored to be a volunteer!!!  This Thursday, I will be among many volunteers helping to build a home for a deserving Toledo family.  I am so thrilled at the prospect!  I looked up the schedule and I am on Drywall day.  I don't know they first thing about drywall but I will be there at 6 am sharp (I haven't seen 6 am in a VERY LONG TIME!). Unfortunately, we are not allowed cameras at the site or I would come back with some very cool pictures!  Maybe I will go back after my shift and see if I can get some.  From the talk around town, there are a lot of people who are planning on doing the same thing!! 09/09/2008

               Statistics for: NORIS (Toledo area MLS)     As of:      8/31/2008 10:57:20 PM Prop Type:    Single Family     All TBR/MLS areas Beginning: 8/01/2008 Ending:     8/31/2008 Terms of Sale Number of Sales Average DOM Total 92 126 CONV/FIXED 49 135 1/1 ARM     ARM     VA 2 97 FHA 7 105 CASH 31 97 OWNER     SONYMA     TRADE/EXCH     ASSUMPTION     LEASE PURCH     FMHA     LEASE 1 500 OTHER 1 30   --- Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  8/31/2008 10:57:20 PM --- 08/31/2008

Okay, okay, OKAY - I know it's spelled "Dear", not "Deer". But actually, I meant to spell it DEER, because that's exactly what it is, Dear. A DEER! I am trying desperately to actually take some time for myself lately, so I have been walking twice a day, BelvaDear Holyfield in tow. (Yes, she's my dog. Which is different than a DEER.) And below is what Belva and I came across while we were walking. A dear DEER, Dear! I'm relaxed just looking at this again! (Have a relaxing Labor day Monday!) 08/31/2008

Extreme Home Make Over is coming to Toledo, OH!  Tim Schlachter with Buckeye Specialty Homes is the builder.  One complete home in 106 hours. Click on the link below to volunteer! BuildwithBuckeye Extreme Makeover: Home Edition arrives in Toledo on Sept. 7th, 2008 to stand on the lawn and scream at the top of their lungs, "Good Morning, So-and-So Family!" This deserving family will receive a new home built by The Buckeye Real Estate Group. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's Ty Pennington and his team will choreograph the build in 106, YES, 106 hours. That's seven days! Five families living in the Greater Toledo area are currently in the running and the chosen family will be announced on Sunday, September 7. Don't forget to click the link to check for more details! And don't forget to volu... 08/27/2008

On July 26th, 2008 Congress passed H.R. 3221, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, and  signed by President Bush on July 30, 2008.  This Act allows a first time home buyer of a single- family home, townhome, or condominum apartment to take a $7,500.00 Tax Credit.  To qualify the buyer must close on their purchase between April 9, 2008 and July 30,2009. For Imformation pertaining to this program Click Here. Please feel to visit my web site at www.BertSellsToledoHomes for all your real estate needs.  Your Resource for Toledo Homes and Toledo Condos.  Bert Spangenthal 419-346-1458, The Lohman Team , RE/MAX Preferred Associates. Oh by the way…………If you know of someone moving to the Toledo Area please do not hesitate to contact me.  I am never to busy for your Referrals. 08/17/2008

Point Place RanchLocation: Point Place3 bedroom, 1 bath ranch home on a deep crawl. Floored attic for storage. Updated kitchen with new tile back-splash, counter-tops and sink. Range, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, over the range microwave - they all stay. Even the washer and dryer! Laminate flooring in living room and family room. Slider opens to deck and fenced back yard. New entry door and storm door. 90+ forced air furnace and central air conditioning. Desirable neighborhood, close to everything - boat ramps, golf courses, rivers, bay and Lake Erie. Point Place - the best place anyplace!InformationContact Information Carol Smithcarolsmith2002@gmail.com419-297-7454Forward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingAsking Price: $95,000.00Flexibility: NegotiableAdditional Pricing Informa... 08/09/2008

Walkscore.com Are you interested in knowing what the most walkable city in the country is? Walkable refers to the amount of businesses. Entertainment, restaurants, etc. that are within walking distance of a specific location. In this website, walkscore.com, you can type in an address and it will tell you your walkscore on a scale of worst to best. It will also bring up a list of different types of places, from restaurants to grocery stores to parks, and give you the exact distance from your location. It will also show you a map that gives the location of all these places in comparison to your location. This is a great website to check out if you are looking into buying a home. Simply type in the address and you will have a list of everything that is close to that home. Check out the wal... 08/06/2008

Here are some steps for repairing your credit and buying the home of your dreams. Make a budget. Calculate your income and your expenses make a budget for your household. Look at your credit report and be aware of your score. Talk to your creditors. Do this as soon as you realize you are getting behind in your payments. You can work with them to reduce your payments before you get too far behind. Always get any agreement in writing. Make sure you get a letter when you negotiate lower interest rates and payments. Stop using credit cards. Only buy what you know you have money in the bank for. Gradually cut off credit accounts. All of a sudden cutting off all credit accounts makes others think you are financially unstable. Try a secured credit card. This means you supply money up front as ... 08/06/2008

On Friday, August 1, 2008, I had the honor of helping to serve lunch to a bunch of very selfless people.  All were volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity project site.  A nicer group of folks you won't find. A few of the agents of ReMax Preferred had decided to help in the effort by supplying lunch and being there to serve it.  The brokers (John and Kathy) were generous enough to contribute a check to purchase pizza for all.  This project was a huge blitz on behalf of local builders.  These 11 builders built 5 homes in 7 days.  That's right --- just like on television.  Except that Ty Pennington was nowhere in sight.  If you are not familiar with Habitat for Humanity then check out their story and mission statement here. Our local organization, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity, partnere... 08/03/2008

I just wanted to share this article I found in the Toledo Blade with everyone. If you like ribs, Toledo is the place for you this summer! There are two up-coming events in Toledo that you may want to check out. One is Ribs for the Red Cross which we be held Friday-Sunday at Promenade Park in downtown Toledo. The other is the 25th Annual Northwest Ohio Rib-Off August 7-10 at the Lucas County Fairgrounds in Maumee. The following article appeared in the Blade on July 29th by Kathie Smith. For those who love ribs, the next two weekends will be heaven. Smoke on the Water - Ribs for the Red Cross will be Friday through Sunday at Promenade Park in downtown Toledo. Eight confirmed rib vendors include six local ribbers. The 25th Annual Northwest Ohio Rib-Off presented by The Andersons and The Bl... 07/29/2008

If you are looking for a home Close to Toledo Hospital,and the University of Toledo,  Toledo Ohio, in the Sheridan Place Subdivision, this is the best priced home for you.  Of the 20 homes available via the Toledo Board of Realtors, this home is Priced at Only $99,000.  Move Right In! Freshly Painted Inside and Out.  You'll love the "Retro" Kitchen w/ new flooring.        This home also features a Spacious Living Room, Refinished Hardwood Floors, Cozy Upstairs Office Space w/ Cushioned Benched Seat.  90% Efficient Furnace.  Hot Water Tank is Only 2 Years Old.  Kitchen Appliances Included. Your New Home  also comes w a One Year Home Warranty.   Please feel to visit my web site at www.BertSellsToledoHomes  for a virtual tour of this home, and for all your real estate needs.  Your Resource... 07/20/2008

This home at 609 Gramercy, Toledo Ohio is the best value for someone looking for a 3 bedroom home, with a large family room with a fireplace, 2.5 car garage, and a basement.  609 Gramercy, 3 bedrooms and 1 Bath, $94,000          920 Gramercy, 3 Bedrooms and 1 Bath, $109,000  4833 Walker, 3 Bedrooms, 1 Full Bath and 1 Half Bath, $119,000 1321 Elanor 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full baths, $145,900 5340 Goodwood, 3 Bedrooms, 1 Full Bath and 1 Half Bath, $149,900   Looking forward to being your REMAX Toledo Ohio, Realtor.  Please feel free to visit my web site at www.BertSellsToledoHomes.com for all your real estate needs.  Your Resource for Toledo Homes and Toledo Condos.  Bert Spangenthal 419-346-1458 REMAX Preferred Associates. Oh by the way.......I am never to busy for your Referrals.           . 07/19/2008

Toledo OH Real Estate Market Report Posted in July 9th, 2008 | Edit by Real Estate Manager in Neighborhoods Toledo Ohio Real Estate Market Shows Signs of Recovery! The following Toledo Ohio Real Estate Market Report by The Blade is captioned negatively, but actually carries some positive news. Specifically, it reports that: Properly priced and staged homes ARE SELLING Unsold HOUSING INVENTORY IS DOWN from one year ago Homes listed this spring and summer are selling FASTER THAN LAST YEAR!!!! Each of these developments should help housing prices recover in the second half of 2008. I am not sure how the headline came to be so negative for this article. Maybe we should gently encourage the Blade to use a GOOD NEWS angle on articles like this if they want to help stimulate the local economy ... 07/09/2008

The history of the Old West End is as unique as the buildings.  Each summer, during the first weekend in June this neigborhood comes together to put on a festval for the City of Toledo.  During the fesival you can take a tour of some of the  homes of the founding fathers and mothers of Toledo. The current owners of these homes take great pride in restoring these homes to the gradure when they were first built. Just walking around the neigborhood one can appreciate the architecture of the time.     Feel free to visit my web site at www.BertSellsToledoHomes.com. to search for all the homes in the Toledo Real Estate, area.  Your Resource for Toledo Homes and Toledo Condos .   Bert Spangenthal 419-346-1458 RE/MAX Preferred Associates.   Oh by the way………….If you  know of someone moving to th... 06/08/2008

This past fall one of my friends said let's go to Raceway Park.  I remarked who goes there these days?  However, my friend was recovering from a serious illness, so my wife and I decided to join her and her husband.  We were pleasantly surprised.  The evening was a lot of fun, the food was good, and while we were eating we could bet on the horses.  I had not thought much about that evening, but when our friends asked what did we want to do this weekend, I said let's go to Raceway Park. How many times have you gone out to dinner and than thought what do we do next.  Raceway Park has it all rapped up into one.  With today's high gas prices, and if you like an evening of chance, why drive to Detroit's Motor City Casino or the Windsor Casino in Canada.  Why not try Raceway Park.  You might ... 05/19/2008

I can’t believe what I am about to say.  I agree with Mayor Carty Finkbiner, Toledo Ohio.  In the April 13th, edition of the Toledo Free Press, Pg A3 of the Publisher’s Statement article, “Roll of the Dice”,  Carty told the Free Press in July 2006 “I do not see gambling as the devil that some people do, nor do I see it as the panacea to our economic challenges”.  “It’s common sense that if Michigan and Indiana and Pennsylvania have these options available, we probably could and should offer a venue here in Toledo.  Sooner rather than later, we need to recognize that a modest gaming facility could be viewed as a common sense part of nightlife here”. I’s been two years since Carty’s remarks.  I hope he still remembers what he said about bringing a gaming facility to Toledo.  Times have c... 04/13/2008

Orchard Hills is located in the southwest section of the City of Toledo.  Homes in this nice area are typically 3 or 4 Bedroom Homes with 1 Full Bath and 1 Half Bath, and range in size from 1200Sq. Ft. to almost 2000 Sq. Ft..  Students from this neighborhood attend schools in the Toledo Public School District. Orchard Hills is a great location that is close to shopping and leisure activities.  Homes in this neighborhood are reasonably price.  Currently there are 11 homes for sale.  Prices range from $80,000 to $149,000.  If you like to Rehab Homes  2421 Cherry Hill is a great value for only $80,000.  This home has 3 bedrooms and 1 Full bath and 1 Half Bath.       There were 8 Sold Homes in Orchard Hills during the past 12 months. 2546 Luddington, 3 Bedrooms, 1 Full Bath and 1 Half Bath... 03/14/2008