Real Estate Information

Courtsey of the Kentucky Post, check out these area Easter Egg Hunts.  Happy Easter to everyone!!!

The boys of summer are back and ready to bring back the pennant!  If you're curious as to what's going for The Cincinnati Reds opening day downtown and throughout the area we have the scoop.

The parade kicks things off with 200 + floats and those participating in vehicles.  The parade starts at Findlay Market at 1:00pm and ends at Fifth Street and Sycamore.  Make sure to grab your spot along the route and experience the electric atomosphere.

This year there is a block party outside Great American Ball Park before the game Thursday.  Parts of Freedom Way and Joe Nuxhull Way will be closed for the party, which includes live music, food and beer and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Various bars are offering special prices for drinks and food.  Many of them are featuring live music before and after the game.  Various radio stations will be live on air until 6:00om at various locations throughout the city.

If you have tickets, have fun at the game but if not, there are plenty of plenty other ways to celebrate.  GO REDS!!!!

Before You Call the Repairman

Have you ever had a service company to your home to repair something and find out that it really wasn't "broken"? It probably conjured up ambivalent feelings of joy that it wasn't something serious and frustration that you had to pay a service call for something so simple.

Before you call the repairman next time, keep these things in mind to see if it is something simple:

• Disposer not working - check to see if the reset button has been thrown. It is usually on the bottom of the disposer. If the disposer is making a humming sound, the blades may be stuck. While the disposer is turned off, use a wooden broom handle as a lever to gently rotate the blades. Remove the broom handle and turn on the disposer to see if it works properly.
• Air conditioner not working - check to see if a breaker has thrown on your electric panel. You might need to flip the breaker completely off and flip it back on.
• Electrical outlets not working - Electrical plugs in bathrooms or outside, especially on a porch or patio, are many times connected to a ground fault interrupter. The GFI will be a wall outlet and it may be located in the garage. Locate the outlet and reset the button that may have tripped.
• Clogged drain - a simple way to correct a slow or clogged drain is to use the water pressure from a garden hose. You'll need a helper to turn on the water full-blast once you have safely placed the hose in the drain and are holding a hand-towel around the hose to direct the water to the drain. Be prepared to tell your helper to turn off the water when needed.

Whether it's preparing a home to market or arranging repairs required by the sale, REALTORS® know reputable, reasonable and reliable service contractors. We're here to share our contacts with you to help make home ownership better.

The season of lent is now in full swing and you know what that means...FISH FRY!!!  Some of the best fish frys around are right here in Northern Kentucky.  Here is a list of area Fish Frys.  Which one is your favorite?

NOTE:  All Fish Fry's run every Friday until March 30.

Bellevue Veterans Club at 24 Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue
• Serving Fridays from 5-8 p.m.
• Fish and shrimp dinners and sandwiches
• Carry-out available
• For more info call 859-360-2046.

Crescent Springs Fire Department on Overlook Drive in Crescent Springs.
• Serving from 4-8 p.m. every Friday including Good Friday
• Fish, shrimp dinners, potato soup, chicken tenders
• Prices range from $2-$6
• For more information, call 859-341-3840.

Edgewood Fire Department at the Edgewood Senior Center on Freedom Park Drive.
• Serving 5-8 p.m.
• Baked and fried fish, shrimp, hot dogs, chicken nuggets
• Call-ahead and carryout available
• Prices range from $4-$6.50.
• For more information, call 859-331-5910.

Elks Lodge on Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring.
• Serving from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• Fish, cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, side dishes, shrimp, fries, hush puppies, onion rings
• Prices range from $5.50 to $7.75, Carryout available
• For more information, call 859-441-1273

Holy Family School on East 16th Street in Covington.
• Serving 4:30-7 p.m.
• Fish, shrimp, grilled cheese, soup, mac-n-cheese, french fries, coleslaw
• For more information, call 859-581-0290.

Knights of Columbus Father Bealer Council on Lytle Avenue in Elsmere
• Feb. 24th- April 6th Serving from 4:30-8 p.m.
• Sandwich $4.50, dinner $6.50, jumbo $7.50
• For information 859-342-6643

Knights of Columbus on S. Licking Pike in Alexandria
• Regular fish dinner $6.00, $6.50 to go Cod dinner $7.50, $8.00 to go Baked fish dinner $7.00, $7.50 to go • •Menu includes shrimp, chicken, onion rings, breaded mushrooms, and many other items for all!
•Carry out 859-635-9863

Mary Queen of Heaven on Donaldson Road in Erlanger
• Serving from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• Baked or fried fish, shrimp, kids meals available
• Adult prices range from $4.75 to $9.50, carryout and drive-thru available
• For more information, call (859) 371-2622

Saint Augustine's on Euclid Avenue in Covington.
• Serving from 4-7 p.m.
• Fish sandwiches, shrimp dinners
• Carryout available
• For more information, call 859-431-3943.

Saint Barbara Church on Turkeyfoot Road in Erlanger.
• Serving from 4:30-8 p.m.
• Fried fish sandwich, baked salmon, fish nuggets for kids, 5 side items to choose from
• Carryout and call ahead available
• Prices range from $6.50-$7.50 for adults, $3.50 for kids
• For more information, call 859-371-3100

Saint John the Baptist on Dry Ridge Road in Dry Ridge.
• Serving 4:30-7:30 p.m.
• Baked or fried fish, shrimp, LaRosa's cheese pizza, kids dinners
• Prices range from $6 to $8, drive-thru and carryout available
• For more information, call 513-385-8010.

Saint Joseph Academy on Needmore Street in Walton
•Feb.24th, March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th
• Serving from 4:30 until 8:00 p.m.
• Menu includes fried fish, shrimp, pizza & beer. Live entertainment!
• Prices from $5-$9.50
• For more info, call 859-356-515.

Saint Patrick on Mills Road in Taylor Mill.
• Serving from 4:30 until 8 p.m.
• Menu includes fried and baked fish, shrimp, kids dinners, pizza, beer
• Drive-thru service available: call (859)-485-6444 after 4 p.m.

Saint Paul on Dixie Highway in Florence
• Serving from 5-8 p.m.
• Baked and fried fish, shrimp, crab cakes, weekly specials including seafood gumbo, gourmet grilled cheese
• Prices range from $7-8, kids meals and carryout available.
• For more information, call 859-647-4072 .

Saint Therese on Temple Place in Southgate.
•Every Friday during Lent except March 16th and Good Friday
• Serving from 5-7:30 p.m.
• Fish or pizza
• Dinner is $7, carryout available
• For more info, call 859-441-9137/ 859-441-1654

Saint Timothy on U.S. 42 in Union.
• Serving Fridays in March from 5:00-7:30 p.m.
• For more info, call 859-384-1100.

Trinity United Methodist on Southern Avenue in Latonia.
• Serving from 5-7 p.m.
• Fried or baked fish, with two sides, drink and dessert.
• Price is $8, $7 for seniors, $3 for kids meal. Carryout available.
• For more info, call 859-261-4010.

A special message from our friends at Classical Christian School....

Classical Christian School Open House - Save the Date!

Taste the difference a Christ-centered education can make when combined with God-honoring rigor! 
Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy invites you to experience life in the day of a student at our school. Participate with our students in the classroom in this dynamic evening event, Friday, March 2nd. Opening bell rings at 7pm. The event ends at 8:20pm and will also include a brief student performance and an opportunity to get your questions answered by teachers and administrators.

Come see CCCA! 
www.cornerstoneclassical.org 
(859)640-5147 
3800 Church Street
Latonia, Kentucky 41015 

Spring is only weeks away so that means its time for Cincinnati's largest and longest running spring showcase....The Cincinnati Home and Garden Show.  Whether you're preparing to buy a new home, update the home you have or just see what the latest trends are, bring the whole family down to the Duke Energy Center and prepared to be awed.

Participating companies include those from landscape and interior design companies, remodeling specialist, specialty companies, manufacturers, retail stores, contractors and more.  2012 Admission is $12.00 for adults and children under 13 are free.  If you swing by Kroger and buy your tickets with your plus card you can save $3.00.  The show runs February 25-26 & February 29-March 4, 2012.

Check out the Exhibitors list here and prepare to be inspired.......

Brought to you by The Mike Parker Team/HUFF Realty.  For more things to do in Northern Kentucky and the tri-state area, check out our blog - 365 Things To Do In Northern Kentucky.

If you're ready to let the good times roll but can't quite make it down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras activities, look no further than the tri-state for lots of Mardi Gras festivities.

1.  Hofbrauhaus - Fat Tuesday...German Style
Celebrate Fat Tuesday on February 21. from 6pm until close at Newport's German restaurant and beer garden the Hofbrauhaus.  The event will feature the Enzian Dancers and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.  That night also happens to be family night where kids eat from with a paying adult.  It doesn't get any sweeter than that!!

2.  Mardi Gras on Main Strasse
This amazing two night celebration begins Friday the 17th at 8pm with live music from the Websters.  The party continues on Saturday night the 18th as well.  You can join in the fun for $10/night or $15 for both nights.  Tickets give you admission to the entertainment tent with live music and admission into one of MainStrasse Village's bars.  If you haven't been to the party, you've got to check it out.  Some of the highlights include a parade through town and LOADS of fun.  Don't forget your beads...

3.  Voodoo Carnival 2012
Costumes are highly encouraged at the Voodoo Carnival.  At this party you can go all out in true Mardi Gras style.  The celebration is hosted by Pandora and the Queen City Cabaret, Friday February 17.  The event will take place at the Redmoor and space is limited so buy your tickets in advance.   

Regardless of what a lender quotes on mortgage rates, the actual rate paid by a borrower is based on a number of variables. Lenders determine whether to loan money and at what rate based on the risk involved with the transaction.

Factors that increase the risk that the loan will be repaid will proportionately increase the interest rate charged to the borrower. If the risk becomes too high, the loan will not be approved.

• Loan amounts - conventional loans for more than the conforming limits set by Fannie Mae are considered jumbo loans and generally have a higher interest rate.
• FICO score - the lowest interest rate is reserved for the highest credit scores; the lower the score, the higher the rate borrower will pay.
• Occupancy - borrowers occupying a home as their principal residence are considered a better loan risk than second homes and investment properties.
• Loan purpose - purchase transactions generally have the lowest interest rate while refinancing a home is generally higher.
• Debt-to-Income ratio - a borrower's monthly liabilities divided by their gross monthly income develops a ratio that helps lenders to assess the borrower's ability to repay the mortgage.
• Loan-to-Value ratio - the lower the percentage of the loan to the appraised value of the property will generally lower the interest rate.

-Message from The Boone County Public Library-

Pay your overdue fines with food! From February 6-19, you can exchange canned goods and other nonperishable foods for library overdue fines to help the Family Resource Centers at Collins, Ockerman and Florence Elementary Schools. These Resource Centers are school-based initiatives whose mission is to ensure that children come to school healthy, safe, and prepared to learn. With the current economic downturn and high unemployment, 9% of the children living in Boone County are below the poverty line and 31% of the children in Boone County Schools are eligible for the free and reduced lunch program. Children who are hungry cannot learn and succeed in life.

How can you help? The Library will waive $1 in current overdue fines for each can or package of food donated during the drive (a maximum of $20 can be waived). Donations may not be used to waive replacement fees for lost or damaged items or collection agency fees. Don't have any overdue fines? That's OK, no need to have fines to participate. All donations are gratefully accepted. Food may be dropped off at all Boone County Public Library locations. Bring a can down to your local library and help feed our community! 

Items especially needed include:

*    peanut butter

*    jelly

*    canned meats (tuna fish, beef stew)

*    canned vegetables and fruit

*    macaroni and cheese

*    rice and pasta

*    breakfast cereal or hot cereal

Please note: The library cannot accept home-canned  items, items that are opened, cans that are past their expiration date, dented, damaged, or cans with bar codes that have been lined or scratched through.