Knox County Ohio Real Estate Information Archive

Heart of Ohio Trail.  With only 3.7 miles of asphalt, the Heart of Ohio Trail is well-suited for trail riders and hikers.  Parking is available at Centerburg Memorial Park giving a nice 7-plus mile round trip to the Delaware County line or an eastern trip to Mount Vernon, Ohio, of about 13 miles.  The current paved section is near Mount Liberty and parking is available.  Look for more paving work in 2011 to add another 3.5 miles connecting west to Updike Road.  The Heart of Ohio Trail shares several miles with Dry Creek, passes near the Knox County Horse Park and through several area farms before ending near Parrot Street in Mount Vernon, Ohio.  Watch out for wildlife crossing the trail!  

The Heart of Ohio Trail is a part of the larger Ohio to Erie Trail system that when completed will connect Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. Maintained completely by volunteers, the Heart of Ohio Trail is currently best-suited for hybrid style bikes or mountain bikes.  When the paving is completed, skaters will find a home as well.  A 3-mile horse trail is planned near the Knox County Horse Park on Thayer Road and will run adjacent to the Heart of Ohio Trail.  The future horse trail at the Heart of Ohio Trail will be a wonderful addition and is a significant point of difference between Heart of Ohio Trail and the Kokosing Gap Trail because the Kokosing Gap Trail doesn't allow horses.

This community highlight is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  If you would like to view our previously featured community amenities and attractions please visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  This series is brought to you by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty. 

Danville Turkey Festival.  The third weekend in June brings the annual Danville-Howard Turkey Festival to eastern Knox County, Ohio.  A celebration of the area’s turkey-farming heritage, this family event is held at Danville Community Park on State Route 62.  The festivities begin on Thursday evening and lasts through Saturday night. With fun games, food, contests, live music and rides, there is something for the entire family to enjoy at this annual event.

On Friday evening, the Chicken Bar-B-Q dinner is a favorite. Young girls and boys from Danville and East Knox elementary schools compete for the title of Miss or Mr. Turkey with a poster contest and all participants receive gifts and ride in the Turkey Festival Parade. Saturday is filled with events beginning with the 5-mile Run/Walk Turkey Trot, 3-on-3 basketball tournament and car and truck show. In the afternoon, the Turkey Festival Parade takes over Market Street in Danville, Ohio and you might even see some four-legged turkeys. Several auctions are held throughout the event to benefit the festival and the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire Department, as well as other local organizations.

This feature article is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  If you would to see all of our previously featured community articles be sure to click on this link and visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.

The Apple Valley Lake is a premier lake resort that is located in a small community in Knox County Ohio.  Apple Valley is comprised of 3700 picturesque acres that surround a sparkling 511 acre lake.  Apple Valley is well known throughout our state as one of the cleanest swimming and boating lakes in Central Ohio and features 3 gorgeous sand beaches. The lake has numerous natural springs that feed the lake with a constant flow of fresh water which explains why the lake water is so clear and the beaches are so clean.  The Apple Valley Lake is the perfect place for those looking for just a weekend get-a-way, a lake house, a vacation home / cabin or for those who desire the ultimate waterfront home.         

The term "Fun in the Sun" truly captures the essence of the Apple Valley Lake lifestyle especially during the spring, summer and the fall seasons.  Boating is one of the most popular activities at the lake and there are no horsepower or cubic inch limitations for boats or jet skis.  Water skiing, tubing and wake boarding are  all fun activities at the lake. Be sure  to bring your digital camera or video recorder because you are certain to capture some amazing photos and video footage at the lake.  Don't forget your fishing gear because Apple Valley is a fully stocked lake with some seriously big fish.  If you have small children or grandkids be sure to check out the fishing pond at Bennett Park which is the perfect spot for young kids who want to catch blue gills one right after another.  

If you love to swim, lay in the sun and tan, pic nic or just kick back and relax you won't want to miss the 3 sand beaches at the Apple Valley Lake.  Sutton Beach and Davis Beach are both located on the west side of the lake and King Beach is located on the east side.  Sutton Beach is located near the front entrance on Baldwin Drive and it's a popular hot spot with the kids.  The setting at Davis Beach is pretty spectacular and features the largest sand shoreline at the lake.  Davis Beach features a 180 degree panoramic lake view from the water, from the beach and even from the parking lot hill.  If you are planning to visit Davis Beach be sure to bring your digital camera because there isn't a bad view from this beach.  King Beach is located in a more remote setting and it's surrounded by beautiful mature trees.  It doesn't matter which Apple Valley beach you visit because you're sure to have a great time. 

There is more to do at Apple Valley than just lake activities.  If golf is your game you are sure to love the Apple Valley Golf Course and the newly constructed club house.  People travel from miles and mies away to play Apple Valley.  The 4th of July is a one of the most popular events at the lake and there are festivities, boating and ski shows and you will be blown away by the Saturday night fireworks display that takes place near the club house.  This is the busiest night at the Apple Valley Lake because most everyone has their boats on the water as they are shooting the fireworks over the lake.  The reflection of the fireworks illuminating over the lake is truly a site to see.  

Many Apple Valley home owners purchase vacation homes for relaxation, family fun, entertainment and for romantic getaways.  Available homes at the Apple Valley Lake typically range in price from $69,000 for a small cabin to $800,000 for a year round waterfront home.  For those just looking to gain access to the Apple Valley Lake amenities or so they can put a boat or jet ski they can simply purchase an affordable vacant Apple Valley lot for as low as $3,000 and the majority of the lots are buildable and include public utilities.  Apple Valley Lake is a private resort and it's amenities are available only for property owners and their guests.  

This is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  If you would like to view our previous feature articles be sure to visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  

The Mount Vernon Memorial Park is located on Mount Vernon Avenue and this park is a very popular destination for people of all ages.  This park is very well known for having the largest number of baseball / softball fields and ball diamonds in all of Knox County Ohio.  Many people visit Memorial Park for the baseball games either to play or watch a family member or friend.  Be sure to arrive early because sporting events in Knox County attract serious attendance.  However, there is much more to this park than just ball fields.  The park also features a series of very nice lighted tennis courts, a solid surface skate park plus there are even covered pic nic shelters for family reunions and special events.  

If you or your children have grown up in Knox County Ohio chance are very good that both you and your children have fond memories of the annual Easter Egg Hunts that are held at Memorial Park each year.  I can clearly remember my wife and I taking our daughter to more than a few Easter Egg Hunts at this park and it was as exciting for us to watch the excitement on the faces of the kids as it was for the kids to actually hunt for the eggs and prizes.  If you have never attended this event before it is truly something to experience because you can seriously feel the excitement in the air while the kids await the sounding of the starting horn.

This community feature is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio".  If you would like to view our previously featured articles be sure to view 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  This series is brought to you by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty (740) 397-7800. 

If you are looking for a place to cool off in Mount Vernon, Ohio during the warm weather months you will want to visit the Hiawatha Water Park and Swimming Pools.  The Hiawatha Water Park is located on the corner of Sychar Road and Beech Street.  This site of was previously known as the Mount Vernon Community Pool and it has gone through a significant transformation thanks to a our community leadership and most importantly because of the financial contributions from some very giving members of our community.  The efforts of so many Knox County Ohio residents, business owners and the City of Mount Vernon have paid off in a big way because the Hiawatha Water Park and Swimming Pools are one of the communities most popular destinations during the summer months.   

I have personally visited the Hiawatha Water Park on many occasions and I have had a lot of fun on the water slides.  The big yellow water slide is called the tube slide because you ride the slide sitting / laying in an inflatable tube.  This slide is fairly smooth with some nice twists and turns and most of the kids can ride the tube all the way down the slide and float to the pool exit stairs.  The blue water slide is much faster and is known as a body slide.  You won't need a tube for the blue slide and before you know it you are plunging into the water at the bottom of the slide.  Both slides are extremely popular but if you like a bit more speed you will be all smiles on the blue slide.  The water park features some king sized umbrellas, swimming pools, kiddie pool, a partially submerged playground, rope bridge, waterfall, tunnels and a captain's ship steering wheel.  There is something for everyone at the Mount Vernon Hiawatha Water Park and Swimming Pools. 

This feature article is part of an ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" by real estate professional Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  Feel free to check out all of our previously featured articles by visiting 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio feature articles.      .

Our "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" series takes us to the Brown Family Environment Center at Kenyon College which is an amazing attraction and a place for people of all ages.  You will experience visual beauty, you will hear the sounds of the birds and frogs, you will smell the flowers and clean air and you can walk, photograph, touch and connect with nature.   According to Kenyon College's website there have been more than 10,000 school children visit and experience the Brown Family Environmental Center.   

My grandparents used to live on Porter Road in Gambier which is just around the corner from the Brown Family Environmental Center and our daughter Erica loved the many afternoons they spent there together.  Some of Erica's fondest memories were seeing the turtles and their tiny little baby turtles in one of the ponds.  Last year she revisited the Brown Family Environmental Center for an evening of star gazing with a few of her friends.  

Originally known as the Kenyon Center for Environmental Study when it opened in 1995 was renamed to recognize a generous gift from the Minigowin Foundation to honor Robert Bowen Brown and family.  The center expands well beyond the visitor's center on Laymon Road and includes approximately 380 acres of land.  It's super easy to find and is located less than 4 miles from Mount Vernon just off of 229 east and directly across from the main entrance of Kenyon College.  The next time you take a walk or bike ride on the Kokosing Gap Trail bike and walking path just beyond the 3.5 mile marker you will find a small walking bridge that leads to the Brown Family Environmental Center.  Whether you have hours to spend or just 15 or 20 minutes the Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College is a community attraction worth visiting.

This feature is part of our ongoing series called 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio by real estate professional Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  Feel free to check out all of our previously featured articles by visiting 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio feature articles.  

This year the Memorial Day Parade in Mount Vernon was themed "Our Guardians of Freedom and Liberry; May They Rest in Peace".  The parade traveled on East High Street from Catherine Street to the Public Square in Mount Vernon where they had a special heart felt ceremony.  One of the the highlights this year was a wagon filled with 17 World War II Veterans and many of them were wearing their original uniforms and waving flags.  Every Memorial Day Parade is truly an emotional experience and if you missed seeing it in person we have included a short one minute video below.

This is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.  To view all of the previous featured articles be sure to visit 365 Thing To Do in Knox County Ohio.     

Mount Vernon Ohio Farmers Market.  Every Saturday morning from May through October, you can join neighbors and friends at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market to do a little shopping for fresh fruits, vegetables and some specialty products.  The Mount Vernon Farm Market is located on the Public Square which is at the intersection of Main Street and High Street.   Dozens of local farmers and vendors line the sidewalks of the Public Square offering their goods from 9 a.m. to noon.  In the early weeks of the Farmers Market you can look forward to asparagus, bedding, plants, flowers and spring salad greens.  As early as mid May you might find hydroponic tomatoes grow in Sparta - just 13 miles from the square.  These tomatoes taste AMAZING and they are typically better than anything you can buy in a local grocery store during this time of year.  

There are a few rules for the farmers and vendors who setup shop for the day at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market.  Everything must be grown or produced within 25 miles of the Mount Vernon Public Square and no resellers are allowed.  Local fruit such as strawberries, raspberries and of course, apples can be found as they are in season.  The Farm Market is not all about fruits and veggies because you can also find local honey, maple syrup, grass-fed cheese, jellies and fresh based breaks, pies and cinnamon rolls.  Just writing this article and thinking about all the great fresh food at the Mount Vernon Ohio Farm Market is making me hungry.

The 2011 season for the Farmers Market began on May 7th.  Something interesting is that vendors are prohibited from selling before the courthouse bell chimes at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings.  Bring the entire family - even your four-legged kids - and taste what Knox County Ohio has to offer.  

This community feature article on the Mount Vernon Ohio Farmers Market is part of our ongoing series titled "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio" by Sam Miller of REMAX Stars Realty.  If you would like to view all of our previous features articles be sure to visit 365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio.

One of the primary goals of preparing your home to sell is having the buyer experience an emotional connection with your home.  You want the buyer to see themselves living in your home.  Most of us live in our homes entirely differently than when we are trying to sell our homes.  The challenge for many of us is that we simply have too much stuff inside our homes which can be very distracting to a buyer which can create a negative experience.  

Decluttering your home is a critical step to creating a positive showing presentation.  I once read "When in doubt, throw it out, sell it, store it or give it away!".  This is great advice and it applies perfectly to preparing your home to sell.  When you start decluttering your home it's best to start with a plan and decide where you will be relocating the items you are removing.  If you are keeping certain items it is always best to utilize some sort of storage system such as moving boxes or plastic storage tubs.  If you are removing seasonal clothing from your bedroom and hall closets you may want to consider utilizing one of the newly designed sleek low profile tubs because they can be tucked under a bed or stacked and organized very easily.

Take a walk through your home and pay careful attention to how your furniture is arranged in each of your rooms.  Watch for furniture that protrudes into doorways, openings, arches and traffic areas that connect adjoining rooms.  Many times we see a piece of furniture that is so big that it sticks out and is in the way and it is better to remove this furniture before photographing the home and certainly before showing it.  One of the services we offer our clients is a consumer video DVD titled "Preparing Your Home To Sell".  This 16 minute video offers some creative tips on how to make your home really shine above other competing homes.  If you are interested in selling your Knox County Ohio home I would be happy to loan you a copy of this DVD because it will give you some cost effective ideas that will help you concentrate on the areas that will help you set your house apart from the competition.  Remember that over 80% of the buyers in the market are making their decision of which homes they want to see and buy based on what they see during their home search while viewing viewing online home photos and the real estate virtual tours.  

If you are interested in meeting with us and discussing how we can help you get your home sold give us a call at (740) 397-7800 or feel free to email us at Samsells@sammiller.com.  We also offer an online electronic listing request form called "I want to list my home". 

MOUNT VERNON OHIO FIRST FRIDAY.  If you enjoy free live music, good food, shopping, fun and family entertainment you should attend one of the First Friday events in Downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio.  First Friday is sponsored by the Heritage Centre Association and is supported by many local area businesses.  First Friday events begin in May and run through October with festivities beginning at 6:00 p.m. and running until 9:00 p.m.  Someone once asked me what First Friday stands for and it is a fairly valid question.  First Friday is the designated event dates that occurs on the very First Friday in May, June, July, August, September and October.

First Friday has a little something for everyone.  Live musical entertainment, a cruise-in car show, art galleries, restaurants, food vendors, retail sales vendors with lots of shopping, tours of the Woodward Opera House from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. plus most of the downtown businesses stay open later and they welcome you to stop and look around.  I clearly remember attending my First Friday event and I couldn't believe everything that was happening in Downtown Mount Vernon because there was so much to experience.  At previous events they have had some special amenities and attractions for children including a live animal petting zoo, balloon sculptures made just for kids and the huge inflatable bounce house is always a big hit with the kids.  Many small towns across America have watched their downtowns fade away yet our Mount Vernon Downtown is experiencing MAJOR growth with the addition of several college expansions.

 This First Friday Mount Vernon Ohio  community feature article is part of our  "365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio"  series by REALTOR Sam Miller of  REMAX Stars Realty.  If you would like  to view more Knox County Ohio feature  articles be sure to visit all of our previous  365 Things To Do in Knox County Ohio feature articles.