Jim Hairston Blog

Tails Are Wagging at These Mansfield-Area Parks

There's nothing like the bond between a person and their dog, so why not celebrate that special relationship with a fun activity that both you and your pet can enjoy? Many local parks and recreation destinations in the Mansfield area are dog-friendly, with trails, natural scenery, and fun activities designed with dogs in mind. There are off-leash dog parks, as well as great places to take your pup on a walk with a leash through well-defined trails. Our REALTORS® love exploring the great outdoors, and we've got the details on six dog parks in the Mansfield area to enjoy with your four-legged friend.

1. North Lake Park – 268 Rae Ave., Mansfield, Ohio 44903
   Mansfield homes for sale make it easy to reach a variety of great local dog parks, including North Lake Park. With beautiful lakeside trails, stunning landscaping, and tons of room to play, North Lake Park has everything you need for a great day with Fido. This cozy park also features a playground, picnic areas, and a busy schedule of special events.

   Click Here to Read More...

Be a Part of the Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale

Did you know that Ohio is home to one of the biggest yard sale events in the world? The Lincoln Highway, which travels through Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, has long been referred to as the Main Street of America. On the second weekend of August every year, the Lincoln Highway is home to the massive Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Yard Sale, with yard sales taking place in a ton of local communities along the route. That includes Mansfield, of course! What a perfect opportunity to host a yard sale at your Mansfield home and our REALTORS® have the tips you need to make the most of thi...

Click Here to Read More...

Doesn't it seem like everyone you know becomes a real estate expert when they hear that you're trying to sell your home? While friends, family, and colleagues have good intentions when offering real estate advice, they're often relying on outdated info or common misconceptions about the real estate industry. It's so much easier to sell a home when you tune out the noise, ignore advice that doesn't work, and focus on tips from pros with their finger on the pulse of the industry. Our REALTORS® are here to help, with seven home-selling tips you should ignore.

1. "Spring is the only time to sell your home."
   Yes, real estate shoppers often hit the market in force during the spring months, but that hardly means that spring is the only time to sell. When you list during the busiest months, you also have to deal with increased competition. Selling your home during the winter or other "slower" months can be a great option because there are still people looking for homes and you'll have less competition for their attention.

   Click Here to Read More...

There's nothing like enjoying a picnic on a warm, sunny summer day in the Mansfield area, with a pleasant breeze at your back and natural beauty all around you. National Picnic Month, observed every July, is the perfect time to get out and explore all of the excellent picnic spots that the area has to offer. From parks to nature conservatories, reservoirs, bird sanctuaries, and art centers, the Mansfield area has no shortage of idyllic spots to enjoy a picnic. Our REALTORS® are ready to celebrate National Picnic Month, and we've got the details on six of the best picnic spots in the Mansfield area.

1. Gorman Nature Center – 2295 Lexington Ave., Mansfield 44907
   Mansfield homes for sale make it easy to reach every destination on our list, including the gorgeous Gorman Nature Center. This is a great spot to plan a day around your picnic, with free educational programs, extensive trails, and more than 150 acres of natural beauty. You can even have a picnic under the stars, and enjoy various night sky programs at Gorman Nature Center.

   Click Here to Read More...

You've already made the move to your new home, but your old one hasn't sold yet. That leaves you with the task of selling a vacant home. So what do you need to know about putting that home on the market? Perhaps the most important thing to know is that selling a vacant home can be a lot more challenging than attracting buyers for an occupied one. However, there are steps you can take to help ensure that your home holds its own among the other Mansfield homes for sale. Our REALTORS® have a lot of experience helping homeowners get vacant homes sold, and here are 6 tips that can help:

1. Keep it sparkling clean – Making a vacant home appealing to buyers means keeping it clean and inviting. A deep cleaning, from top to bottom is the way to go. Once that is done, you'll need to see to it that it stays spotless until it sells, which means cleaning it regularly. Dust will collect, air will get stale, and dirt will get tracked in every time the home is shown to a potential buyer, so it will need a once-over at least once a month to make it shine. If distance prevents you from taking care of it, hire a cleaning service to do it for you.
   
   

   Click Here to Read More...