Robinson Sotheby's International Realty

Neighborhoods with the best percentage of sales to active listings (only neighborhoods with at least 25 combined actives and solds are included):

1. WESTERN HILLS  //  40 sold with 7 active //  571%
or a ratio of 5.71 solds to each active listing

2.  LOVELAND //  22 sold with 5 active // 440%
or a ratio of 4.40 solds to each active listing

3. WEST CHESTER //  102 sold with 29 active // 351%
or a ratio of 3.51 solds to each active listing

Compiled using information from the Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for the period 10/1/2021 through 10/31/2021. Information has not been verified, is not guaranteed and subject to change.

COTY or better known as Color of the Year announced by paint companies and trend trackers everywhere are aligning nicely for 2022.

Most are focusing on tranquil, neutral, organic and green.  Gone are the intense, saturated hues of the past, and gray, which dominated décor for a while.  Natural shades that evoke warmth, calm and comfort will be everywhere you look – culture, media, fashion, design, food and technology.

A home’s appearance can directly impact a person’s mindset and this year’s color bring a sense of soothing tranquility.   Of all the cool colors, green is possibly the most versatile.  It connects you to nature and is said to create feelings of balance and vibrancy.  There is a green for every space in your home.

Behr – Breezeway

A relaxed and uplifting sea glass green expressing peace and tranquility for forward movement.  Breezeway naturally harmonizes with shades of white, gray and natural wood tones for effortless style in any room. Where a breath of fresh air meets a coat of fresh paint.

Benjamin Moore – October Mist

This gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through color. Make room for creativity and nurturing. Evoking the silver-green stem of a flower, October Mist creates a canvas for other colors – and your imagination – to blossom.  Botanical hues ground us in a warm reassurance.

Better Homes & Gardens – Laurel Leaf

A shaded, rejuvenating green that mimics the soothing hues found in nature, such as dusty green eucalyptus. With warm undertones, this color pairs well with creamy whites, cozy beiges, light wood tones and leafy house plants. It’s the perfect versatile shade to create relaxation in any room.

Farrow & Ball – Breakfast Room Green

Described as the brand’s ‘most cheerful green’, this natural-looking tone would look at home in a scheme inspired by cottagecore or even goblincore – yes, that’s a real thing!

Glidden – Guacamole

This spirited yet soothing green brings an organic energy to any space.  Give your home office extra zen or create that bedroom retreat you’ve always dreamed of.

PPG – Olive Sprig

The gray-green shade is a relaxed, but enticing green that emulates the feeling of soothing aloe vera or a fragrant plant – brightening any space with organic liveliness. A versatile color that lives well inside or outside, and blends in with nearly any environment.  Elegant, grounded, versatile and highly-adaptable, it represents regrowth, mimicking nature’s resiliency.

Sherwin-Williams – Evergreen Fog

A versatile and calming hue, a chameleon color of gorgeous green-meets-gray, with just a bit of blue. It’s a simple but sophisticated wash of beautiful, organic color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade.  shade.”

Valspar – Blanched Thyme

A natural shade that encourages a calm balance within yourself and your home  Calming and nourishing – this natural shade encourages a calm balance within yourself and your home.

In 1891, Daniel Swarovski’s vision was to create “a diamond for everyone”.  He invented an electric machine that cut more accurately that ever before, making the beginning of a new era for crystal.  From American jazz halls to Parisian couture houses, dresses dripped with beads and Swarovski crystals, reflecting the excitement in the 1920’s.

Inspired by decades of creative collaborations and expertise, Swarovski opened its first boutique in the 1980s.  The world’s fascination with a new brand of jewelry and crystal figurines began. With the introduction of the annual limited-edition Christmas ornament, a new tradition was born for collectors around the world.

For over 35 years, Swarovski has captivated the world with unique pieces like the Nirvana cocktail ring, the Slake bracelet and its signature Swiss movement watches.  In 2008, the magical ‘Crystal Forest’ interior design was implemented in stores worldwide, welcoming shoppers to an architectural crystal wonderland.

From inspiration brief to collection launch, Swarovski’s creative process is uniquely prolific.  With a focus on trend curation, design, and meaningful branding, every piece tells a story and embodies over 125 years of mastered craftsmanship.  The continuous evolution of material and technique makes Swarovski the leader of crystal cut creations.

There is a range of brands under Swarovski.  Atelier Swarovski, for example, partners with prominent luxury fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Jason Wu to produce luxury clothing.  Schonbek is aimed at producing crystal chandeliers. Swarovski also manufactures lighting systems, road safety products, optical instruments, read-made jewelry, museum art, and figurines.

Two Mercedes models were covered with 300,000 sparkling diamond shaped Swarovski crystals. One in silver and the other in gold.  Priced at $901,000, one has already been bought and is being driven on the streets of Dubai.

There’s nothing Swarovski can’t design or create – from the giant crystal on top of the Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree to covering any designer items with thousands of Swarovski crystals. In a sense, Swarovski has tied itself to luxury and creativity.  Isn’t it time to start your own collection?

https://www.swarovski.com/en-US/

Monticello, a 43-room estate, was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. He began construction on Monticello in 1769, after inheriting 5000 acres of land from his father at age 26.   For more than four decades he spent designing, dismantling, and reimagining the estate he called his “essay in architecture”.

Due to its architectural and historic significance, the property has been designated a National Historic Landmark. In 1987, Monticello and the nearby University of Virginia, also designed by Jefferson, were together designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site*. The current nickel, a United States coin, features a depiction of Monticello on its reverse side.

Jefferson designed the main house using neoclassical design principles described by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio and reworking the design through much of his presidency to include design elements popular in late 18th-century Europe and integrating numerous ideas of his own.

Situated on the summit of an 850-foot (260 m)-high peak in the Southwest Mountains south of the Rivanna Gap, the name Monticello derives from Italian meaning “little mountain”.

Monticello was unique not only in its design but also in its use of local resources. At a time when most brick was still imported from England, Jefferson chose to mold and bake his own bricks with clay found on the property. Monticello’s grounds provided most of the lumber, stone and limestone, and even the nails used to construct the buildings were manufactured on site.

Along a prominent lane adjacent to the house, Mulberry Row, the plantation came to include numerous outbuildings for specialized functions, e.g., a nailery; quarters for enslaved Africans who worked in the home; gardens for flowers, produce, and Jefferson’s experiments in plant breeding—along with tobacco fields and mixed crops. Cabins for enslaved Africans who worked in the fields were farther from the mansion, out of Jefferson’s sight both literally and figuratively.

Known for spending lavishly on books, wine and, above all else, his beloved Monticello, Jefferson left his heirs under a small mountain of debt when he died on July 4, 1826. His daughter, Martha Randolph, was forced to sell the estate, which had already entered the early stages of decay due to years of neglect. In 1836, it was bought by Uriah Levy, a real estate speculator who was the first Jewish American to serve an entire career as a commissioned Navy officer; he and his nephew, Jefferson Monroe Levy, are largely responsible for its restoration and preservation. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a nonprofit organization, purchased the property in 1923 and continues to operate it as a museum and educational institution.

“I am as happy no where else and in no other society,” Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “and all my wishes end, where I hope my days will end, at Monticello.”

*A World Heritage Site:  the designation for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.  https://whc.unesco.org/en/faq/19

The Jefferson Residence:  https://www.monticello.org/  & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monticello

Neighborhoods with the best percentage of sales to active listings (only neighborhoods with at least 25 combined actives and solds are included):

1. MT. WASHINGTON  //  27 sold with 1 active // 2700%
or a ratio of 27 solds to each active listing

2.  WESTERN HILLS  //  33 sold with 5 active //  660%
or a ratio of 6.60 solds to each active listing

3. SOUTH LEBANON  //  29 sold with 9 active // 322%
or a ratio of 3.22 solds to each active listing

Compiled using information from the Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for the period 9/1/2021 through 9/31/2021.

In this unique tour, learn about the earliest settlers of the City of Montgomery, how they knew each other and built the city you know today.  Leaving comfortable homes and established families in Orange County, New York, these pioneers made their way west.

As development increased in the area after World War II, historic preservation began to play a major role.  Decisions by those visionaries established the 19th century village theme that is reflected throughout the city today: colonial architecture in housing, gazebos in parks, development of architecture styles in the Heritage District guidelines, and brick sidewalks.

In 1970 a Landmark Commission was founded to preserve historic buildings and declared the downtown business area an historic district.  Robinson Sothebys International Realty is located in one of Montgomery’s 29 designated landmarks and is thrilled to be a part of the tour and to sponsor this event.

Our office, located at 9429 Montgomery Road, is the Johnson-Murdough House c.1890.

The house is part of the early residential neighborhood of the village.  It is a simple front-gable townhouse. N.S. Johnson purchased a house on this property in 1874 for his father’s tailor shop.  It is thought the house was torn down in 1890 and replaced with the present structure.  The house was bought by the Murdough family in 1951.  Shirley Murdough was a descendant of Montgomery founder Cornelius Snyder.  It was deeded to the City of Montgomery in 1993.

Access the full walking tour details via the link below:
Lanterns and Landmarks Walking Tour

As the cooler air starts to settle in, it’s time to take a few steps to prepare your home for the colder months ahead.  Before you settle in for that long winter’s nap, cross these six home improvement projects off your list.  It will help you and your home withstand the chilly winter months.

Tune Up Heating System

Hire a technician to inspect your furnace or heat pump to be sure the system is clean and in good repair, and that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency.

An inspection can also measure if there is any carbon-monoxide leakage.  Don’t forget to keep the furnace running smoothly by replacing the filter as suggested by the product manual.

Check the Roof

If you are not comfortable checking your roof yourself, hire someone to inspect your shingles, flashing and gutters.  Make sure to complete any repairs necessary to prevent leaks and damage.

A home-energy auditor or weatherization contractor can identify and fix air leaks and inadequate insulation in your home’s attic that can lead to ice dams.

Seal Leaks Around Windows and Doors

Air leaks around your home can let valuable heat out and cold air in.  Keeping drafts to a minimum will keep you more comfortable this winter.  Cold air, among other things, can get in through gaps between both windows and doors.  Adding weather stripping or caulking to those spaces will block any potential entry points.

Winterizing Exterior Water Sources

Burst pipes from freezing can be the source of some of the most expensive repairs in the home.  Your water supply pipes are vulnerable to the cold temps.  Turn off the water supply outside, drain faucets and call in your experts to drain the lawn-irrigation system to help avoid freezing and leaks.

Inspect Your Fireplace, Chimney, and Flue

Typically ignored during the summer months, make sure your fireplace (or any heating appliance burning gas, oil, wood or coal), chimney and vents are clean and in good repair. Having a professional look over everything will help to prevent chimney fires and potentially carbon monoxide from entering your home.

Winterize the Pools and Spa

Schedule a pool maintenance person to perform all the necessary procedures to ensure when the warmer weather returns there are no surprises.