April home sales in Central Ohio set record high

April home sales set record high

(May 22, 2013) Central Ohio home sales last month (2,390) showed an increase of 30 percent in the market from one year ago (1,834). According to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, April saw the highest number of home sales on record, followed by the 2,286 homes sold in April of 2004.

In addition to the increases in sales, home prices continue to rise also. While the average sale price has increased every month in 2013 from $149,477 in January to $163,084 in April, the average sale price year-to-date ($156,386) is up almost one and a half percent from 2012.

“Even with more homes being sold and sale prices up, the average time on the market continues to fall: down over 20 percent from a year ago”, said Chris Pedon, 2013 president of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “With such excellent market conditions, we’re seeing inventory move quickly.”

There were 3,965 new listings added to the market in April, up 8.9 percent from April of 2012. New listings also saw increases from one year ago, and have been rising every month this year. 

“Central Ohio continues to see improvement in nearly every aspect of the market,” Pedon continued. “We have not seen the number of new listings this high in any month since April 2010.” 

 

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Italian Village - Street Sweeping Is Tomorrow, Don't Get Towed!

Street Sweeping is tomorrow! Italian Villagers, The first street sweeping of the season will be tomorrow, Wednesday, May 15 on the south and west sides of some of our streets. Please pay attention to signage when you park on the street tonight because vehicles must be moved by 8AM tomorrow in street sweeping areas or you will either get a ticket or your car will be towed. Sign up for text message reminders at http://www.italianvillage.org/dontgettowed.html!

HRC: With Rhode Island, 50 Million Americans Will Now Live in Marriage Equality States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2013Paul Guequierre 

With Rhode Island, 50 Million Americans Will Now Live in Marriage Equality States

Gov. Lincoln Chafee to immediately sign the bill at historic ceremony on steps of State Capitol

WASHINGTON – Today the Rhode Island state House passed marriage equality legislation, putting the Ocean State on track to become the tenth state in America where gay and lesbian couples can legally marry.  The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support, will be signed into law by Gov. Lincoln Chafee later today in a historic signing ceremony on the steps of the Rhode Island State House. 

"The unprecedented momentum for marriage across the country continues, with Rhode Island becoming the first state of 2013 to say yes to marriage equality,” said Human Rights Campaign (HRC) president Chad Griffin.  “As the Supreme Court deliberates the fundamental right to marry the person you love, these historic and bipartisan victories keep mounting and prove the country is ready for marriage equality."

The House passed a modified version of legislation it had previously passed in January, which was then amended and passed by the Senate last week.  Same-sex couples in Rhode Island can begin applying for marriage licenses August 1, 2013. 

The nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, HRC has been an integral financial and strategic player in winning marriage in each of the ten states and DC. In Rhode Island, HRC has provided significant financial investment and technical resources over many years to amplify the historic grassroots effort of the Rhode Islanders United for Marriage coalition. 

“For several years HRC has been a true partner in Rhode Island’s efforts to win marriage equality in the Ocean State,” said Rhode Islanders United for Marriage campaign manager Ray Sullivan.  “HRC provided us with key boots on-the-ground that added to our state’s unprecedented grassroots campaign to win marriage.  Thank you, HRC.” 

The passage of marriage equality in Rhode Island comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hand down decisions on two marriage-related cases by the end of June.  Hollingsworth v. Perry challenges the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8, and United States v. Windsor, challenges the so-called Defense of Marriage Act.  

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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