Blogosphere

The Dispatch ran a story yesterday showing the results of a survey of Columbus Public Schools (CPS) students’ public transportation needs.  Over three fourths said they needed a pass for the school year for a variety of reasons, including transportation to and from extracurricular activities, school, work internships, and community service.  Granted, this is a stated preference survey, and if you ask people if they need free transportation, they’re likely to say yes.  Nevertheless, that’s a lot of students who need transportation options.

It’s that time again. COTA considers raising fares every three years. Fares went up to $1.50 for a local ride in 2006, were delayed a year and raised to $1.75 in 2010, but they’re on the agenda again for 2012.

COTA board to debate fare increase for 2012
Despite surplus, riders expected to pay certain share
By Robert Vitale
The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday September 27, 2011 4:52 AM

Although they’ve piled up nearly $42 million in surpluses over the past three years, Central Ohio Transit Authority board members will begin discussions today about a potential fare increase in 2012.

Holy Cow! It’s been 20 years since home buyers had this kind of Bang for their housing Bucks! Story and chart via Dan Green – Daily Mortgage Reports.

It’s been 20 years since your mortgage dollar has gone this far. Today, you can buy more home for your buck than nearly ever before.

Falling Mortgage Rates Boost Your Mortgage Dollar

Last week, Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey put the 30-year fixed rate mortgage at its lowest level of all-time.

It’s been a hectic summer for me professionally and the blog has suffered mightily because of my schedule.

I’ve helped many clients buy and sell Columbus Real Estate for sale this last summer, closed down Delicious Real Estate after a nearly three year run, and joined Re/Max Town Center as the Broker in Charge. Not to mention a still-not-finished attic build-out at my house.

Yes, I’ve railed against big box brokerages for years now but I do like the Re/Max model–it allows the agent to do what they do best and make their own decisions which benefit their clients. The company isn’t in the agent’s pocket for exhorbitant amounts of money and they provide outstanding resources for their agents.

Want to eat healthier, support the local economy, meet some new friends?  Check out the festivities for Local Foods Week.