February and March 2010

Easter Egg Hunt, Need Volunteers

See Page 5 Happy Valentine’s
Day!

Dutchland Woods At Home

Tracy
www.Dutchlandwoodsathome.com
Witzman
our favorite
painter is
still busy painting all around
Your Neighborhood Real Estate… Let’s Talk Facts
the city and did you know that
she has painted our White
House
Many of you already know me as your neighbor, and many of you also know that I am a Realtor
interior? I can personally with RE/MAX Unlimited, specializing in Dutchland Woods. Maybe you have read my bi-monthly
recommend her services. She
Dutchland Woods At Home newsletter that I publish myself to keep communication going in our
painted and staged a condo
neighborhood and to give you up to date real estate information about our neighborhood. As a Dutch-
and it sold fast! The client
land Woods resident, I have a vested interest in seeing homes in our neighborhood sell quickly
was very pleased.
and for top dollar. As a Realtor, I am also committed to Dutchland Woods. Even in a challenging mar-
Tracy has a special going still ket, I continue to successfully list, sell and outsell the market in Liberty Township, Ohio , you’ve proba-
for $99.00 a room. For more bly heard the saying “do the math.” Here are a few statistics from the Greater Cincinnati Multiple
information see Listing Service:
page 2. • In the last 3 years, there have been 67 sales in Dutchland Woods. Well, 33% of those sales were
Mention this newsletter for mine.
an extra discount of $10.00
• During the same period, I also out-performed the market in the time it took to sell a home by
per room!
more than 4 days. What’s the big deal about 4 days? For many sellers, it means not having to make
Expires March 31, 2010 another month of mortgage and utility payments before they move, saving them hundreds of dol-
lars.
Mother’s Day in May…
$100.00 Visa Give-Away • Since 2007, when most experts agree the market began to decline, the average selling price in
Would you like to tell every- Dutchland Woods was $158,744, but my average selling price in Dutchland Woods was
one why your Mom is the $164,564. My sales out-performed the market by nearly $6,000!
best Mom ever? Send me a
photo and one reason why • Last year, I represented the buyer, seller or both in a whopping 40% of all sales in Dutch-
she is the best Mom ever. No land Woods.
photo? Just send me a note.
We’ll publish your well • In 2009, the average sale price in Dutchland Woods was
wishes in our next issue. $147,420, but MY average sale price was $164,167!
Mom will love seeing how The numbers speak for themselves.
much you appreciate her!
One Mom will be chosen If you, or someone you know, are considering a move, let’s talk.
from the entries to receive a Brenda Swigert, e-PRO Relocation Specialist Realtor
$100 Visa gift card to spend
on herself! Dutchland BrendaSwigert@gmail.com 513-378-1461
Woods Residents Only!
Email me at www.BrendaSwigert.com
BrendaSwigert@gmail.com
Next Issue Deadline March 15, 2010
 D u t c h l a n d W o o d s A t H o m e
P a g e 2

Scott Lyle,
Mortgage Loan Originator
Contact Information
513-509-1736
Email
Scott.Lyle@53.com
30 Fountain Square

“This is a fabulous time to refinance

your home. We have loans to help you
reduce your monthly payments! Call
me today… I have worked with Brenda
Swigert for years”!

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.
References available upon request!
Dutchland Woods At Home Page 3

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
Page 6

Women’s Bible Study Here In Dutchland Woods

Come Join The Ladies From Your Neighorhood on
Tuesdays at 7 pm at The White House
We are busy studying
Living Victoriously in Difficult Times
Bring a snack if you would like, I am focusing more
on healthy snacks, but any snacks are welcome.
For more information please contact:
Kim Rogers at: kimbr@fuse.net
759-2094

Snow and ice clearing laws in Ohio

(Rev. 1/7/10)
As far as Ohio law goes, homeowners don’t have a legal obligation to shovel sidewalks due to a natural accumulation of snow and ice, but this
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least try to maintain them. In December 1993 the Ohio Supreme Court upheld this law when a guest attempted to sue
a homeowner in Franklin County for a slip and fall outside of the homeowner's house.

In the case Brinkman v. Ross, the court ruled that you are walking at your own risk when Mother Nature calls. The case stemmed from a visit by
the Brinkman’s to the home of the Ross’ in February 1989. Ms. Brinkman slipped outside the Ross home breaking her ankle. She sued her hosts in
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The court threw out the complaint, indicating that it had long been established that Ohio homeowners are
not obligated to remove natural accumulations of snow and ice.

The decision was reversed in the court of appeals, saying that if a homeowner knows of a hazardous condition and invites guests to visit, there is an
obligation to at least warn them. The case then went to the Ohio Supreme Court where the judgment was overturned.

It's up to your guests and other pedestrians to assume that due to the nature of Ohio’s winters, there's always a risk of
a slip or fall due to the natural accumulation of ice and snow. So let's be careful out there!
http://www.ohioinsurance.org

New BMV fees added for late license and plate renewals Call Jack Today for a quote on your car and
The Ohio Insurance Institute (OII) reminds Ohio motorists that new
late fees are in place for drivers license and vehicle plate renewals. home! Neighborhood Referrals!
New Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) requirements call for
transactions to be completed within seven days of the expiration date
“Dave and I save money with Jack”! Brenda
or be assessed $20.00 per transaction.

"This means that if you have two cars that require plate renewals and
Jack Lewis Insurance
a drivers license that also needs renewed, you'll be charged an addi- 8585 Mason Montgomery Rd
tional $60.00 if your plates and license aren't renewed within the 7- Mason, Ohio 45040
day window," said OII President Dan Kelso. Office: 513-229-8928
To avoid late charges, OII advises Ohio motorists to renew plates and Fax: 513-842-4361
their drivers licenses on or before their birthdays. Cell: 513-505-7654
jacklewisinsurance@yahoo.com
Former renewal Jack Lewis,
Prior law gave Ohio motorists their entire birth date month to renew Agent
“Advice...not simply insurance”
plates and licenses. The new BMV regulation only provides a 7-day
Auto-Home-Life-Health/Medicare-Business/Benefits
window before assessing a late charge.

http://www.ohioinsurance.org
 Page 7

Dutchland Wood’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Coming Soon… Need Volunteers
Please call Jodi Strutz, Trustee for Social and Recreation for
more information or to volunteer!
513-254-0301

We have residents in need of a repair person for washers and dryers. Know anyone? We also have residents
looking for an Avon lady. If you have any recommendations please email me and we’ll print them in the next issue
and I’ll forward your recommendation to the residents in need.

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!
http://www.dogdayeveryday.com/news/dded_0509_WC.pdf
Take a look at a previous newsletter, News From The Pack!
Mention Sammy and your dog will get the first day free!!!!

Remember when Sammy was born July 4 last year?

Well Sammy has sure grown fast! The first picture is him snuggling with us.
Sammy is a lab mix and his big “sister”
Dodger, a terrier mix is getting happier
about sharing the home with Sammy and here they are playing in the center!

Sammy

Dodger
 P a g e 6 D u t c h l a n d W o o d s A t H o m e

5 Things You probably Never Knew Your

Cell Phone Could Do

For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car,
purse, and wallet.. Good information to have with you.)
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave
emergencies.

Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival.
Check out the things that you can do with it:
FIRST
Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find Yourself out of the coverage area
of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing
network to Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can
be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday.
Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home,
call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot
From your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the
mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to
you.
Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has
the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

THIRD
Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will
restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery.
This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.

FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your
phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your
handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.

If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code.
They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone
will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever
stole it can't use/sell it either.. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing
mobile phones.

FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they
don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even
more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800)FREE411,
or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell
phone now.

Thanks to Jack Lewis, Insurance Agent for contributing this article!

 P a g e 7

SLOW DOWN PLEASE!

Dear Dutchland Woods Residents:

Over 37 combined years have been spent working in the classroom and on the school bus, be-
tween my husband and I. SAFETY of those children has always been a high priority. We love
children!! This is the reason for us writing this article. We have a SCHOOL ZONE in front of
our 2 school buildings on Dutchland Blvd, and it's time to SLOW DOWN and obey those
school zone times, which are posted. The times are from 7;15 am-10;30am. and again from
2:10 pm till 5;00 pm. The times are set according to each school start/finish time, allowing for
slower traffic 1 hour before and after those times. There are 22 schools in the Lakota district,
which is 67 square miles. Each school may have different start/finish times, so it's important to
observe the signs that are posted, or the yellow flashing lights. We must protect our children coming and going from school, those
who walk across Dutchland Blvd. from the neighborhood and the apartments, those staying after school for various activi-
ties...etc. Going 20 mph for a few feet to allow for the safety of our children should not be an inconvenience to any of us and
since we're all busy, we need to allow those few extra minutes.

Recently, Graeme George, long time DW resident was stopped by a deputy who said he was going 37 in the 20 mph zone. He
went to court in Hamilton and tried to convince the judge he wasn't going that fast. The judge said to either pay the fine or set a
date for court. He paid the fine without further complaint, instead of the $80.00 plus $100.00 court costs!

Moms.. dads...teens... so many of you are on the phone and totally ignoring the fact there are children coming and going from
school and buses are entering and leaving. Those schools have been there for over 20 years! PLEASE... LET'S ALL SLOW
DOWN, not only to save us the inconvenience of a ticket and expensive fees, but mainly for the SAFETY OF OUR NEIGHBOR-
HOOD CHILDREN! If you have teen drivers, please remind them to observe the school zone speed limits during the day. Let's
not have any of those precious young lives injured by our carelessness. They are not watching out for us, so we need to be watch-
ing out for them.

Larry and Bev Dowler

Brenda, I would like to add my daughter Gina Brown to your service list. She is an excellent masseuse. For one's own per-
sonal relaxation, physical needs, or to give a gift certificate to someone, a massage from Gina is a wonderful thing.

6939 Netherland Drive and phone 513-759-2681 or 513-515-4127

Thanks. Bonnie Ferrone

Northwest Heating and Air 652-5449 (Tony) f or furnace and a/c repair and tune-ups.

Lakota Auto Body Shop (oil changes and repairs - always affordable and convenient)

513-777-4615 at 7683 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd West Chester OH

EMA Construction

Eddie and Val are our neighbors. Eddie and Jamie just completed my new roof and I am very pleased with it. They truly
went above and beyond with working with my insurance adjustor to get my roof covered.

Thanks, Jennifer Wilson

Dr. Ryan Berlin, Chiropractor Baker Chiropractic, Voice of America Office 7554 Voice of America Dr

West Chester OH 45069 513-759-4666 Thanks, Ashley Berlin

Brenda Swigert, e-PRO
Your Neighborhood Realtor®
Direct: 755-9597
Cell: 378-1461
Website: www.brendaswigert.com
www.lovetosellcincyhomes.com
See this page in color…
www.Dutchlandwoodsathome.com
Click on Dutchland Woods Newsletter
New Listing! First Floor!
5134 Cassidy Pass Unit 34
Hamilton, OH $79,939
New Listing! Short Sale!
995 Havensport
Forest Park, OH $105,000
SOLD!
6565 Tulip Lane
Dutchland Woods $152,500
99.03 list to sale ratio
www.BrendaSwigert.com
MY LISTINGS &
SALES!!
SOLD in 69 Days!
7311 Chatham # C w/garage
$97,500 95.74% list to sale ratio
SOLD Pending!
6658 Woodland Trace Ct.
Liberty Twp $169,000
SOLD!
7807 Tances Drive
Madeira, OH $155,000
97.48% list to sale ratio
www.Lovetosellcincyhomes.com
7360 Liberty One Drive
Liberty Twp, OH 45044
I LOVE DUTCHLAND WOODS!
Call me for a free look at what your
home would sell for in the current
market!
New Listing!
6951 La Boiteaux Ave
College Hill, OH $69,900
SOLD!
6894 Willow Creek Run
$332,500 95% list to sale ratio
SOLD!
5917 Keystone Ct.
Liberty Twp $154,000
102.36% list to sale ratio