Sometimes we take things for granted, perhaps it’s human nature. But it became clear how much people throughout this region (perhaps throughout the world) appreciate The Toledo Museum of Art http://www.toledomuseum.org/  as we blew away the competition in voting for “America’s Favorite”.  In a “March Madness” format, 64 of the nation’s finest museums were paired up in head to head competitions, and TMA won the crown in grand fashion.

Art Info’s website http://blogs.artinfo.com/modernartnotes/ has the details (see their August 30th post), including sour grapes expressed by a number of New York residents who can’t seem to imagine such a jewel hidden in the Midwest.  (Perhaps the same guys who thought we were still fighting Indians in Ohio when I went to school in NY decades ago!).

How well do your know your architectural styles?

Not all styles are easily found in our marketplace, but most exist somewhere in the Toledo real estate market. Perhaps our best example is The Old West End where spectacular examples of different architectural styles abound.  Old Orchard, Westmoreland, Beverly, Maumee, Perrysburg – beautiful homes are scattered all over our regional map.

When you drive down local streets, particularly in the more historic neighborhoods, can you spot the various styles?  CLICK HERE for a primer from Realtor Magazine:  http://www.realtor.org/rmoarchitecture_guide/residentialstyles. Click on the name next to each sketch for a photo and more complete descriptions.

You’ve heard it said before:  “Real estate is local, not national.  There is no national real estate market.”  When friends ask us “How’s the market?” we know they’re really asking “How are things in my neighborhood, on my street…?”  When you turn on the nightly news, however, you hear about the New York, Florida or Las Vegas markets, not the Maumee real estate market.

TV news in particular deals in sound bites, sometimes airing a few brief words from an “expert” for the sake of credibility.  But the fact that experts find their way onto television shows does not necessarily mean they’ve done their homework.  One perfect example:  last week one of the major network morning shows interviewed their “Financial Contributor” to discuss the mortgage market.  She said, among other things, that “ . . . you MUST have a credit score of 740, while the average American has a 600 credit score, or you will not get a mortgage.  And you MUST have a 20% downpayment. . .”  Hogwash! The most popular mortgage loans right now are FHA loans requiring 3.5% down with credit scores above 600!  Conventional loans may be more restrictive, but the message viewers were left with was that it is nearly hopeless to think you can get approved.

If you know someone in the Toledo real estate market with these misconceptions, please direct them to the “Financing” button above to speak with Ann, Emily or Greg.  They will explain the LOCAL mortgage market to you, and you may be surprised what an incredible time it is to be looking for financing.

On Saturday Danberry’s Oregon branch organized a fundraiser at The Crazy Lady Saloon in Curtice, Ohio to raise funds for The Danberry Treasure Chest. Funds donated came from 1/2 of every pizza sale, tips from the bar, 50/50 and prize raffle tickets. A huge thanks goes to Kelsey Hall and Melissa Domanowski, the organizers of the event. Besides planning and organizing, they gave their entire day up to be there and help!

Thanks to Melissa and Kelsey for all of their hard work!

Melissa and Kelsey counting profits for the Treasure Chest.

Huge crowd

Fundraiser at Crazy Lady for Danberry Treasure Chest brings in huge crowd!


This event raised $1,212 for The Danberry Treasure Chest, an emergency assistance fund set up at The Toledo Children’s Hospital benefitting families struggling with finances while their child struggles with a serious illness. Funds are administered through The Toledo Community Foundation.

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July 29, 2010

By Debbie Milnar

Please join our Danberry Oregon office this Saturday, July 31 at a fun event in Curtice, Ohio! They will be gathering at The Crazy Lady Saloon to raise money for The Danberry Treasure Chest, an emergency assistance fund set up at the Toledo Children’s Hospital benefitting families struggling with finances while their child struggles with a serious illness.

The event begins at 1:00pm and continues all night with live music on the patio, cornhole, 50/50 raffle and karaoke in the evening! The pizza is great and half of every pizza sale will go directly to the charity!

To learn more about the Danberry Treasure Chest please visit www.danberrycharities.com.

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July 9, 2010

By Debbie Milnar

June was another busy month for Danberry Realtors! The was plenty of action for Maumee Real Estate, Sylvania Real Estate, Toledo Real Estate and other surrounding areas, including Oregon, Northwood, Perrysburg and Holland. Monroe County Real Estate also showed signs of improvement.

June Leaders

Click here to see larger image.

We all know that our Metroparks are out there, but answer this – how many of them have you actually stepped foot in?  This incredible regional asset is great for newcomers and life-long Toledoans alike.  Metroparks of the Toledo Area is a regional system of premier natural, historical and cultural parklands totaling 10,500 acres!  The park district’s mission is to enhance our quality of life and inspire preservation efforts.  Why not visit soon, and take the kids with you!  For a taste of programs and what you can do in the Metroparks this summer, go to www.metroparksprograms.com.

If you are new to the Toledo Area, please contact Joyce DeLucia, the Danberry Co.’s relocation counselor, for information.  Thinking about moving?  Click here for information about moving to Northwest Ohio.

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June 16, 2010

By Debbie Milnar

May proved that the end of the real estate tax credit for buyers didn’t bring business to a halt! The month was still busy for Maumee Real Estate, Sylvania Real Estate, Toledo Real Estate and other surrounding areas, including Oregon, Northwood, Perrysburg and Holland. Monroe County Real Estate also showed signs of improvement.

Danberry May Leaders

May Leaders

For a larger image Click Here

Some of us who have lived in the Toledo region all our lives remember the tornado that ravaged our area on Palm Sunday, 1965.  But after four and a half decades, I have to admit that I’d become a little complacent. Last weekend’s storms were a grim reminder of the sheer violence that can descend upon the community so quickly. That realization hit me as my wife, two daughters, 3 grandchildren, dog and I rushed to the basement in the middle of the night Saturday.  But then we realized – where are our flashlights? We forgot a radio! Did anyone bring a cell phone? How about basic first aid supplies?

We in Maumee were among the lucky ones spared of the devastation that unfortunately descended upon surrounding communities.  But we vowed to have learned from their tragic experiences, and next time (if it ever comes) we will have a plan in place that is rehearsed, requiring no thinking.  Perhaps you remember from your own personal experience Saturday night, there just isn’t time to prepare or to gather supplies.  Survival comes first.

Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan don’t need to worry about hurricanes, tsunamis, landslides, wild fires, volcanoes; even earthquakes are rarely more than a “did you feel that?” rattle.  But let’s do our best to prepare for the next great storms.  If you are like me and didn’t have a great plan in place, this link might be a good place to start: http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/tornadoes.shtm

The caring spirit that this community has demonstrated since the storms is something to be proud of.  Volunteers are coming out of the woodwork, and donations are flowing.  If you are looking for a place to drop off relief supplies or donations to the American Red Cross, Danberry’s Oregon office is one of many places in the region you may do so.

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May 27, 2010

By Dick Baker

Be sure to make it a safe one!

Hopefully even Danberry Realtors who never seem to get a weekend off will find time this Memorial Day weekend to spend with their families. The economy of recent years has taught us a new word, “staycations”, and guess what – they can be great fun!

But if you will be among the millions of road warriors (estimated to be around 27 million of us), make it a safe one. You don’t need a checklist, just remember the basics. Stay alert behind the wheel, or take turns driving with someone who is. Buckle up, especially the little ones. And give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. We’re all better drivers when we’re not rushed trying to make up time.

Most importantly, let’s remember what Memorial Day is all about, honoring those who laid down their lives for us and made our incredible lifestyle possible.

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