The Long and Winding Road

Wilmington, Ohio, Clinton County, a unique little place. It sits in the center of the triangle which is Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus, right off of I-71.

Wilmington is the county seat, and is centrally located within in the county. Other towns in the county are Blanchester - south west of Wimington, New Vienna - south east of Wilmington, Sabina - north east of Wilmington, Port William to the north and Lynchburg to the south.

Several state and US highways converge at the city center but which came first, the city or the highways I don't know.

Wilmington was founded by Quakers around 1807 so we are soon to celebrate our bi-centennial. Quakers also founded Wilmington College, a small private college.

Clinton County is also the home of Southern State Community College which is a great place to get your associates degree then transfer to a four year. Southen State also has a satellite in Hillsboro.

Clinton County, although still considered an agricultural county, has many industries, not least of these is the DHL hub. (Bright yellow bananas with wings soar to the sky day and night.)

Clinton County also has many industries. Huhtamki Plastics in New Vienna; New Sabina Industries in Sabina; Ferno Washington, AStar and Airborne Express are based in the Industrial Airpark, also home to DHL; Kautex, and several others.

The airport that houses all of the airfreight delivery services used to be a US Airforce Base which is the main reason that Wilmington started growing in the fifties and sixties (that good ol' Cold War era.)

It closed and lay dormant for awhile until a small puddle jumping airline needed a place to set up a business flying cancelled checks around Ohio. This little concern saved Wilmington from drying up and blowing away. From this little business grew Airborne Express and from that DHL came up from Cincinnati to move their hub to Wilmington, again saving Wilmington because ABX was sliding down the charts.

Wilmington and the surrounding areas have many name brand restaurants, fast food places, a Wal-Mart (of course) and lots of small privately owned businesses.

Lake Cowan State Park is one of Clinton County's main recreational draws with people coming from Cincinnati and other surrounding areas to camp, boat and swim. Caesar's Creek Lake is also close by and is another nice state park.

Also, Majestic Springs is a nice privately owned golf course. Then there is the YMCA, Curves and a new locally owned and operated fitness club.

Wilmington,Ohio is the place you oughta be so load up your truck and move to our Counteee!!

Get Back

The real estate market has its ups and downs; no different here at Bennett Realty. 2003 to early 2006 were "wonder years" - everything was hot, unfortunately few bothered to wonder what would happen in the future. The media touted an imminent real estate bubble bursting.

It is difficult, however, when you are in that speeding train to envision it coming to an abrupt halt.

But it is not as though houses have disappeared. They are still here - Clinton County is awash in for sale signs. The influx from DHL's relocation here did not come. Builder's keep building in hopes that someone will want THIS house when no one wanted the last one they just built.

But amid this seeming gloom and doom, I have been rather lucky. Lucky considering that during the "pop" of 2006 I became ill and had to take a leave of absence. I thought I was washed up as a real estate agent. This is a very competitive business so if you stumble, you are bound to get trampled.

So when I came back to Bennett Realty in August of 2006, I was pleasantly surprised when a steady flow of clients came my way. Now, in July 2007, I am finally feeling the pinch.

I'm telling you all of this back story so you will know where we are now.

I have had about 10 closings in the past 10 months. Don't know how that holds up to other agents but for one who fell off the face of the earth for 6 months, I am indeed lucky. The last closing I had was a couple weeks ago. It was a clash of wills from the beginning. It finally ended with the threat of law suit (Bennett Realty was not the cause or influence).

I have 2 transactions in the pipeline right now, both with the same repeat client. We all like repeat business but this particular client nets me less than $500 per closing. He comes to me whenever he is in the market for a new "dump", "piece of crap", or "roach motel". Find out more in my next posting........