Pool is Open!

Grass Issues and Clean-Up Day, all inside this issue!

Dutchland Woods At Home

Because Home Is Where One Starts
June and July Issue 2010 www.Dutchlandwoodsathome.com
HGTV's FrontDoor.com Identifies Top 10 Things First-Time Homebuyers
Should Know

Published: 3/10/2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 8, 2010) - Buying a home for the first time can be complex. To avoid mistakes and make a smart purchase, do
the homework and know what to expect. To help start the process, HGTV's FrontDoor.com identifies the top 10 important points every first-
time buyer must know. (http://www.frontdoor.com/top10)
#1: Just because it's a buyer's market doesn't mean you should buy right now. Don't let the lucrative market dictate a buying decision if the
time isn't absolutely right. Potential homebuyers need to ask themselves if they have a good credit score, if their job is secure and if they can stay
in the home for a few years. If the answer to these questions is "no," it might make more sense to wait until life and finances are more stable.
#2: The cost of owning a home is more than just the purchase price. On top of a mortgage payment, there are several monthly fees and ex-
penses any first-time buyer should consider when becoming a homeowner: insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. Think about scal-
ing back the home price in order to better budget for the entire package.
#3: Programs are out there to help first-time buyers. A sizeable down payment is great to have for a home purchase, but not everyone can
afford to fork over 20 percent upfront. Fortunately, there are many federal, state and local programs geared toward helping first-time homebuyers
with down payments, interest rates and loan terms sure to make the whole process and affordability a bit easier.
#4: Foreclosures and short sales present great deals, but proceed with caution. Buying a foreclosed or short sale home can be a risky propo-
sition for a first-time buyer. Foreclosures are often sold "as-is," while a short sale transaction can be lengthier and more complicated than a typical
home purchase. First-timers should consult an agent or attorney with specialization in these areas.
#5: Getting pre-approved for a loan gives you more buying power. Obtaining lender pre-approvals are important because it establishes a
homebuyer's maximum purchase price, shows sellers that the buyer is serious about buying a home and lets the homebuyer compare interest
rates and terms to find the best deal.
#6: Good school districts boost property value. One of the most important aspects of a home's value is the neighborhood where it's located.
Even if the homebuyer does not have kids, buying a home near sought-after schools can help the resale value.

#7: You may be able to access your tax credit upfront. Buyers using FHA-insured mortgages can apply their tax credit toward their home pur-
chase immediately, rather than waiting until they file their income taxes to receive a refund. Prospective buyers who believe they qualify for the
credit are also allowed to reduce their income tax withholding, therefore increasing their take-home pay.

#8: Not all real estate agents represent buyers. There are three types of agents: listing agents, who represent sellers and help them get the best
price; buyers' agents, who represent buyers and protect their interests; and agents who represent either (or both). Often, first-time buyers prefer to
work exclusively with a buyer's agent so there are no possible conflicts of interest.

#9: Doing your homework can help you make a competitive offer. Before buying the home, determine the property's market value by having
the realtor conduct a comparative market analysis. This report will show what buyers were willing to pay for similar homes in the area, giving a
good idea of what will make a fair offer.

#10: It's important to have a back-out plan. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure to have a contingency plan in case things don't go as
planned in the home inspection or appraisal. If the home has a major flaw or doesn't appraise for the purchase price, an escape plan allows the contract to be voided.

Visit: http://www.Frontdoor.com/news/article/5558 7 to view this article.

 What’s on your wish list?
Do you need a vacation, a new car or boat, a kitchen upgrade, or tuition for yourself or your children?

You can increase your purchasing power by talking with your neighbor, Brian Collins, about opening a home equity line of credit at
First Financial Bank today.

The best thing about a home equity line of credit is that it’s ready when you decide to make an important purchase. No need to go to
the bank or call anyone for approval.

Credit card access … A home equity account provides you with a Gold MasterCard and special checks so you will have a variety
of access to your line of credit. It’s the perfect way to increase your purchasing power and write your own loan, saving you time and
travel.

It’s easy … You’ll find the process takes very little of your time.

Now is the perfect time to check out the possibility of using the equity in your home. For more information, just stop in today at the
Liberty Crossings banking center (7237 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in front of the Kroger store). Or call your neighbor, Brian Collins, or
Maria Kennedy at 513-346-3740.
Brian and Maria look forward to helping you be successful in turning your wishes into reali-
ties.
Brian Collins
RBC Assistant Vice President/Manager
First Financial Bank, NA
6945 South Liberty Way
Liberty Township, OH 45044
P 513-346-3743
F 513-755-3317 brian.collins@bankatfirst.com

Call Tracy @777 -1147 or 324-0339

*Room special is for one coat (second coat $25), 14’x14’ room
max, 9’ ceiling height max, and does not include
ceiling, trim, or cost of paint.
MENTION THIS AD AND GET $10.00 off! Exp July 15, 2010
Tracy grew up here in Dutchland Woods and continues to donate
time to improve our White House. Her parents still reside here!
Dutchland Woods At Home Page 3

Dutchland Wood’s Social and Rec Proudly Presents “Papa John’s Pizza Night”!
The First Monday of Every Month
Swing by the White House between 4:30 and 7:00 pm
Pick Up Your Choice of:
Medium Pepperoni or Extra Cheese Pizzas
Or Breadsticks! Any of these items are $6.00 each!
All proceeds benefits the Social and Recreation Committee’s Activities!
DID YOU KNOW?…..
These fundraisers pay for the social and rec committee activities for the community! I challenge every resident
to leave $1.00 extra with their pizza next month! We can all come together and make a huge difference!
Brenda Swigert
For More information Please contact Jodi Strutz at 254-0301
Sharon Mohan–Pierce 759-4160
 Upcoming Events!

Farmers Market in Middletown

Begins July 2, 2010 Governor's Square Broad Street and Central Avenue
Friday’s 10:00-3:00

July 18th, 2010, the 17th Annual Sunshine Concert Series, Corwin M. Nixon
Park presents Parrots of the Caribbean
Sunday, July 18th the 2010 Sunshine Concert Series at Corwin M. Nixon
Park, Mason, OH presents the:
"PARROTS Of The CARIBBEAN," known as the No. 1 Jimmy Buffett trib-
ute band in the country, delighting audiences throughout the U.S. & Canada
with their performances for the past nine years

FUN THIS
SUMMER

Call Jack Today for a quote on your car and

4th of July home! Neighborhood Referrals!
Festivities ―Dave and I save money with Jack‖! Brenda
Liberty Park Jack Lewis Insurance
5K– begins at Lakota East High School 8585 Mason Montgomery Rd
at 8:30 a.m. Mason, Ohio 45040
Parade begins at Lakota East High Office: 513-229-8928
School Fax: 513-842-4361
at 10:00 a.m. Cell: 513-505-7654
jacklewisinsurance@yahoo.com Jack Lewis,
“Advice...not simply insurance” Agent
Auto-Home-Life-Health/Medicare-Business/
Benefits
Everyone wants to save
money these days! Let’s
compare rates! Save money!
 Page 5

9474 Princeton –Glendale Rd (Between Rialto and Mulhauser Rd)

West Chester, Ohio 45069
513-860-DOGS (3647)
Open Daily 6:30-7:00 Saturdays open 7:30-5:30
Dog Day Every Day offers full and part time dog day care!!
Dog Day Every Day also offers grooming!
Sammy our puppy goes there every day and comes home exhausted
from the fun! Tell them Sammy Swigert referred you for specials.
http://www.dogdayeveryday.com/news/dded_0509_WC.pdf
Take a look at a previous newsletter, News From The Pack!

What Is Going On With These Homes With Overgrown Grass?

There are always residents (although few thankfully) who don’t keep up with grass and maintaining
their yards. What can you do when you consider it an eyesore? You can call Liberty Township
(759-7500) or go online and print a complaint form to fax to the
Liberty Township office. Visit this site to print the complaint and fax it to the township. http://
www.liberty-township.com/_filelib/FileCabinet/Zoning_Misc/Complaint_form.pdf?
FileName=Complaint_form.pdf
The township will directly contact the homeowner. You can call Steve Koebbe
(755-8668) our trustee for zoning issues here in Dutchland Woods.

I have had several calls asking why Realtors aren’t caring for
the yards when they have them listed. The answer is because we do
not have a budget for this. The maintenance of the home is still
up to the homeowner. When a homeowner abandons the home
with a short sale or foreclosure, usually it is because of financial hardship.
For myself I can tell you that I insist that the homeowners continue to take care of the home and yard,
or make other arrangements for this to be done. I have also called the banks when I have had this situa-
tion and asked the bank to help us with the yard. Most of the time though the bank officials state that
they will not take care of the home in any way until it is foreclosed on.

So what to do about the yard? It makes the community look bad! Here are some
options… contact the township and they will cut it and lien the owner, or we being neighbors can take
turns cutting it and keep the home from looking abandoned.
Why would we cut someone else’s grass when they abandoned the house? 1. To bring in families who
want to live there vs investors who may rent the home out. 2. To avoid potential squatters from taking
interest in the abandoned home and potentially bringing crime to our neighborhood. 3. The better the
home looks the faster it will sell and for more money which will keep your values up. 4. Because you
have to look at it.
It is not a good situation. We all know that and we have to make the best of it. Make sure if you are fac-
ing hardship that you contact a Realtor who has proper experience in short sales.

Brenda Swigert Your Neighborhood Realtor, Because Experience Matters!

 What’s Going On In Dutchland Woods?
Clean up day in May brought out several families and most of the trustees also worked
hard towards the annual clean-up of our common areas
surrounding the White House.
For 3 weeks leading up to the clean-up day Brian Church (White House trustee) and Ned
Burris (President of DW and grounds trustee) has been working around the pond area
removing honeysuckle and cutting out debris from the green space. Special thanks to
Brian Church for donating two days of his vacation time and his experience driving a
bull-dozer, to clean out the swale area behind the house and cleaning the
debris from the pond and improving the drainage so that the new decora-
tive bushes and grass can be planted. There is more work to be done later
to add rock to the bottom of the swale, after the area dries out.
5 Elderberry bushes will be planted soon. These were bought at
The Home Show for very little money! A GREAT BARGAIN!
THANKS TO THOSE WHO CAME OUT AND SPENT THEIR SATURDAY
VOLUNTEERING TO MAKE OUR COMMON AREAS BETTER THAN EVER!
THANKS TO: Ned and Donna Burris, Dan Remley and Family, Mark Miller,
Brian Church, Jodi Strutz, Butch (last name?) and Brian Collins!
Also… the White House in Dutchland Woods has a total of 2 HVAC units now! An
additional high efficiency HVAC/Heat Pump for the upstairs has been purchased to re-
duce overall heat and air conditioning costs. This unit is more efficient, allowing the
downstairs unit to be turned down in the winter and up in the summer. Cost savings
should be significant.
Interested in more information about Dutchland Woods?
Join the trustees for their monthly meetings the third Monday of the month at 6:00 pm.
If you need to contact the White House for a rental or to pay your HOA bill you may
reach the office Monday—Friday from 8:00– 12:00 513-779-2568
You may also email the office dutchlandwoods@gmail.com
All communication will be returned during the above hours from the office.
Have you seen the White House since it has been painted? It is lovely! If you are inter-
ested in renting the house for your next get together you can go on line to
www.dutchlandwoods.org and view the calendar for availability. Call the office for more
information or to set up an appointment to view our beautiful house!

Pool Opens Memorial

Day!
Guest Fees still
Show Your Pride!
$3.00 per person Fly Your Flag on
Must be accompanied by Memorial Day,
4th of July and
homeowner entire time. Labor Day!
 P a g e 7

ORDER YOUR
GRADUATION
ALBUMS
NOW!

SMALL-$20.00
LARGE-$30.00

Quality Construction Services

by Randy
Your Neighbors 16 years experience
Trust Us!
513-290-3793

Interior and Exterior, Drywall Repair, Professional Painting,

Staining, House Washing, Pressure Washing, Fencing, Decking,
and Concrete work.
Neighborhood References Upon
Request!
Call Randy today!
Brenda Swigert CDPE, e-PRO
Your Neighborhood Realtor®
7360 Liberty One Dr
Liberty Township, OH 45044
Office: 755-9597
Cell: 378-1461
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter!
I love Referrals! I’m never too
busy to hear from you! Call me MY LISTINGS &
anytime! SALES!!
New Listing! First Floor! New Listing! Enclosed Porch! New Listing!

5134 Cassidy Pass Unit 34 7169 Tylersville Rd 7208 Shirley Dr.

Hamilton, OH $77,895 West Chester, OH $127,777 West Chester, OH $339,888

New Listing! Short Sale! SOLD IN 8 DAYS! New Listing!

995 Havensport 6770 Netherland Ct. 7985 Ivory Hills

Forest Park, OH $74,000 Sales Price $156,400 West Chester, OH $244,900
98% list to sale ratio

SOLD in 7 days! SOLD in 13 days! SOLD!

6599 Wooden Shoe 6584 Hansbrinker Drive 5376 Elmwood

Sales Price $155,000 Sales Price $155,000 Liberty Twp, Sales Price $344,500
98.88 list to sale ratio 100.32 list to sale ratio These Buyers Saved $12,400!

www.BrendaSwigert.com Call me and ask about my summer listing specials! Full Service Always!