Twas three days before Christmas, and we're all working hard
And Derrick's on crutches......he fell in his yard

Coleen at the front desk, and me at the back
Right by Dave's office, to keep me on track

Lisa in her office, and Steve just ran in
He's early today.......it's not even 10!

Cliff is here working - but haven't heard from Kate
She comes in at varied times; usually late :)

Maybe she's with grandma - or getting a map
Or texting or face-booking - or taking a nap

No John or Junior - so who is on floor?
I hope a new buyer doesn't come through the door

My ads are all finished; I'm caught up, so to speak
I'm very thankful - since it's a short week

Some Kaufman's have left town; to Florida they go
Where they will have Christmas without any snow

Some Kaufman's are still here - but not in the office yet
Dave will be in - he's at Wallhouse, I bet

Oh no - here he is. And his appointment is here
He's happy and smiling and spreading good cheer

Curt just came too - still working he is
But he's leaving too - a holiday break from this biz

So have a Merry Christmas, and a great New Year, too
Have fun and be safe.......whatever you do

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is the time of year to give THANKS. There is always something to be thankful for and people forget that these days.

Here is a great recipe for The Ultimate Pumpkin Pie. Try it on your Thanksgiving table next week!

Ingredients:

CRUST

2 cups all purpose flour, plus a little more for dusting

5 teaspoons sugar

Salt

12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

FILLING/TOPPING

1 15oz can pure pumpkin

2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter

Salt

3 large eggs, and one egg white

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 cup pecans

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 2.3 oz package amaretti cookies (about 12)

DIRECTIONS:

Make the crust first. Combine the flour, sugar and a pinch of salt in large bowl. Mix in the cold butter with your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work in 3 tablespoons ice water until the dough holds together without being too sticky. If it's still crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tsp at a time. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

On a floured surface, roll out the dough into an 11-12 inch circle with a floured rolling pin. Ease into a 9" pie pan. Press firmly into the bottom and sides. Trim the excess dough, then pinch the edges. Refrigerate until ready to fill.

Place a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat oven to 375. Make the filling: Whisk the pumpkin in a bowl with the butter and a pinch of salt. Whisk in 3 eggs and the sugar. Stir in the cream, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour the mixture into the pie shell. Lightly beat the egg white, then brush onto the pastry edges. Carefully place the pie on the preheated baking sheet, lower the oven temperature to 325 and bake until the pie is set, but still jiggles slightly - about 50 minutes. Let cool completely. Meanwhile, make the topping: Toast the pecans on a baking sheet in the oven for about 10 minutes. Cool. With a knife or food processor, coarsely chop the pecans, cranberries and cookies. Sprinkle over the cooled pie. ENJOY!!

Hopefully we are going to have autumn before winter arrives.....
The weather has perked up and the sunshine has peeked out a little more this week than last. Hate to have the furance running in mid October!

The deadline is just about a month away to qualify for the $8000 first time home buyer's tax credit. The property must be "closed" by 12/1/09 in order to claim the credit. However, there is some talk in Washington about possibly extending this credit. Nothing is confirmed, though, so don't wait just in case.

Homemade Apple Cider

a fall favorite!

Ingredients:

8 - 10 apples (I prefer Gala)

1/2 to 1 cup sugar

4 tablespoons cinnamon

4 tablespoons allspice

Directions:

Quarter apples. No need to remove peel or seeds.

In large stock pot, add your apples and fill with water - just enough to cover apples.

Add sugar.

Wrap cinnamon & allspice in a doubled up cheesecloth and tie. Add to apples & water.

Boil on high for one hour, uncovered, checking frequently.

Turn down heat & let simmer for two hours, covered.

Take off heat after 2 hrs of simmering and let cool.

Remove spices and mash up the apples to a pulp-like consistency (use a potato masher).

Once cool, pour into a strainer over large bowl. When most of the juice has drained away, put the remainder of the pulp into a doubled up cheese cloth and squeeze over the bowl until no more juice comes out.

Store in air tight container in fridge for up to a week, or can be frozen.

Reheat in microwave or on the stove to enjoy warm.

Can also be warmed in crock pot with cinnamon candies added for flavor/color!

AHHH AUTUMN


What a beautiful time of year.








"October's the month when the smallest breeze


Gives us a shower of autumn leaves


Bonfires and pumpkins, leaves sailing down


October is red and golden and brown"

Happy Fall!

CONGRATULATIONS

to our 2009 Ohio Assn of Realtors

President's Sales Club Award Recipients:

D. Anthony Kaufman

Junior Miller

Jason Miller

Steve Maag

Kaufman Realty & Auctions also was recognized for the following in the OAR Promotion & Advertising Contest:

First Place: Office Exterior Signs

Award of Excellence: Residential Listing Print/Brochure Advertising

Award of Excellence: Firm Website

Kaufman Realty & Auctions Welcomes Tony Mullet as our newest agent. Tony has over 20 yrs experience as a home builder in Holmes County. He is president of Dutchland Construction, Royal Development and co-owner of Timberstone Ltd, all locally owned companies. He served as area vice president and executive board member for the Ohio Home Builders Association of Wayne & Holmes Counties. He is a member of the Tusc Co Board of Realtors, Ohio & National Assn of Realtors, and the MLS. He is a board member for the Holmes Co Economic Development Council and also a board member for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Northern OH Chapter. He is also a past board member for Goodwill Industries in Wooster.

He is a life-long resident of Holmes County with over 25 years experience in residential & commercial construction. He can use this experience to help buyers & sellers get the best results.

He & his wife of 20 years, Annelle have 2 children, daughter Michaela, 17 and son Braxton, 13. Contact Tony at 330-763-0249 for all of your real estate needs.

Time is running out for the First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit. Property must close before 12/1/09 in order to qualify for the $8000 Tax Credit. If you are a first time buyer, contact one of our agents TODAY! Before time ticks out.....

http://www.kaufmanrealty.com/

888-852-4111

KAUFMAN REALTY CLASS A BASEBALL WINS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP!
8/15/09

That is 5 straight for Kaufman Realty Baseball. Congratulations on another GREAT SEASON!

Biggest Loser Update:

The results are in. After 6 weeks, eight of us lost 112 pounds altogether, and ONE of us GAINED 2 or 3 pounds (not verified). haha. The winner of 80% of the pot was JOHN HOCHSTETLER, and CURT YODER was 2nd and collected 20%. Congratulations and good job to everyone.

Kaufman Realty Class A Baseball

Tournament Championship Game

Saturday August 15, 1:00 PM
Tuscora Park, New Philadelphia

GO ORANGE MEN!

Curt Yoder - 2009 Ohio Bid Call Champion

http://www.theauctioneerchannel.com/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=1&video_id=64

CLICK TO WATCH CURT!!

OAA Bid Calling Contest - 2009

Ohio Auctioneers Association 41st Annual Bid Call Contest

Columbus, OH. 8/4/09 - The 41st Annual Ohio State Fair Bid Call Contest took place on Tuesday August 4, 2009 at the Showplace Pavilion at the Ohio State Fair from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

The contest conissted of two division, Junior and Senior, with 34 total entrants competing against each other. CURT YODER of Kaufman Realty & Auctions in Sugarcreek OH took FIRST PLACE.

We are proud to have the STATE CHAMPION on our team. Congratulations, Curt!

KAUFMAN REALTY WINS - CLASS A BASEBALL

Don't miss the class a baseball championship game at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia this Saturday, August 8 at 1 PM. Kaufman Realty vs. Kapper.

http://www.timesreporter.com/sports/x804164953/Kaufman-Kapper-win-in-class-A-tournament

It's hard to believe that July is just about over. Where does the time go? Wasn't it just Independence Day? They say the older you get, the faster time flies. I am beginning to believe that. Enjoy the rest of your summer. It will be over before we know it. Take time to smell the roses. Don't rush. Don't sweat the small stuff. Life really is too short, so take advantage of every opportunity. Hug your children, spouse, parents & friends. Be kind. Be healthy. Do something nice for someone else every single day. It really will make you feel good.

23rd Annual

Rainbow of Hope Benefit Auction

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th of July

Fun, food, entertainment and MORE. Great charity event.

http://kaufman-auctions.com/index.php?subp=1&sct=&pg=ap&pid=11974

Week 2 of our Biggest Loser also brought a few people who stayed the same, a few who GAINED and also quite a few pounds lost. So far, the nine of us have a group total of 63 Pounds Lost and 4 Gained. :)

KAUFMAN REALTY CLASS A BASEBALL

on to the tournament championship...............

WELL

Week one brought many pounds lost, a few pounds gained and some stayed right where they were. We will keep going in our BIGGEST LOSER CONTEST and see what the next week brings. Hopefully a LOSS for everyone. Final weigh in is not until August 18 - so once again, stay tuned.......



It's a little quiet around the office this morning with a lot of our guys away at the NAA Convention. Hope they are having a great time in KC.


We also welcome COLEEN TROYER to our front desk/closing position. It's very nice to have someone out front every day now. We are very excited to have Coleen on board at Kaufman Realty & Auctions. Make her feel welcome!

9 of us at Kaufman Realty & Auctions have embarked on a weight loss challenge. Weigh in once per week for 6 weeks. $50 per person puts $450 in the pot. Winner gets 80% and 2nd place gets 20%. We are going by percentages of body weight lost - not by pounds. Just like the TV show. Makes it fairer, with men & women both participating. Lots of talk going on, but we will see who can walk the walk and talk the talk at our one week mark on Tues July 14. Stay tuned..........

Kaufman Realty Class A Baseball Continues to Dominate

http://www.timesreporter.com/sports/x737352909/Pitchers-lead-Gnaden-Kaufman-wins-in-Class-A

It's Finally Summer!!!


Ross Yoder's last day here will be tomorrow. We thank him for 3 years of service, and for taking on our receptionist/front desk position for the past month. Thanks, Rose!! I mean, thanks, Ross!! You did a great job on the phones and really improved your skills at playing solitaire! We really appreciate all of your efforts.





Thanks, also, to Krista Raber and Danielle Weaver for their past years here. We wish you all happiness and good luck in your new endeavors!

First Time Home Buyer's Seminar
Thursday June 18 at 7:00 PM
Kaufman Realty
40 W. Jackson St, Millersburg OH 44654

Call 330-674-7355 for seating or questions

Information regarding:
first time home buyer tax credit
financing
home inspections
how to get started

Hope you can be there!

Kaufman Realty

wins doubleheader

showdown with

SuperFitness

http://www.timesreporter.com/sports/x2122535959/Kaufman-wins-doubleheader-showdown-with-Super-Fitness

Don't Forget Dad!

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 21, 2009

TUNE IN TO Anthony Kaufman on THEVOICEOFHOLMESCOUNTY.COM

The Lunch Bunch, Thurs 6/11/09

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

or listen to his interview in their archives

www.thevoiceofholmescounty.com

Open Houses:

Thurs June 18, 5-7 PM

11762 Oak Valley Rd, Baltic OH

Well built, 4 BR, 3 BA home. 3000 sq ft. of finished living space. 2 car garage, central air, 1.25 acres in desirable location! $239,000. John Hochstetler, 330-204-0431

Thurs June 18, 5-7 PM

204 Dover Rd, Sugarcreek

Charming 2 story with 3 BR, 2 BA and lots of modern updates! Large, eat-in kitchen with breakfast nook, 2 car garage, patio with roof. "Must See" for $128,900. Cliff Sprang, 330-464-5155

Kaufman Realty Class A Baseball Schedule - 2009


Sunday Games are double headers starting at 1 PM
Wednesday Games are single games starting at 6 PM

JUNE 2009

Wed 3rd - @ Fairless
Sun 7th - @ Wood Electric, Tuscora Park
Wed 10th - vs. Dover @ Hiland High
Sun 14th - @ Super Fitness, Tuscora Park
Wed 17th - OFF
Sun 21st - @ B-Dry, Coshocton Lake Park
Wed 24th - @ Blue Waves, Dennison PHAC Park
Sun 28th - vs. Fairless @ Hiland High

JULY 2009

Wed 1st - vs. Wood Electric @ Hiland High
Sun 5th - OFF for holiday weekend
Wed 8th - vs. Super Fitness @ Hiland High
Sun 12th - @ Dover, Dover City Park
Wed 15th - vs. B-Dry @ Hiland High
Sun 19th - vs. Sandy Valley @ Hiland High
Wed 22nd - @ Gnaden, Indian Valley High
Sun 26th - OFF

Seven Kaufman Realty & Auctions employees received their certificates of completion for the ACC Public Speaking workshop they have been participating in since December. The class had their speech showcase finale' at The Raven's Glenn Winery on Friday May 15, 2009 with dinner followed by a speech from each of the class participants. Congratulations to the graduating class:

JAKE SCHLABACH, D. ANTHONY KAUFMAN, JASON MILLER, DAN MILLER, CURT YODER, INSTRUCTOR JOHN MILLER, HEATHER SCOTT AND CHRISTINE COX

Don't forget MOM on Sunday, May 10. Happy Mother's Day!

CONGRATULATIONS
to Auctioneer JASON MILLER for placing 9th (A Finalist) in the
World Auto Bid Calling Contest yesterday! Way to go Jase!!

Staging 101

Most home buyers make their decision on the property they are about to purchase in the first 10 seconds after they walk in the front door. That’s amazing! Setting the stage from the front door is critical if you wish to sell your property quickly and for more $$$!!! As all sellers wish to secure as much money as possible for their property, hiring a stager can make all the difference. A stager can be that go-between for the listing agent and the seller. The agent walks a fine line between wanting to sell the property as quickly as possible and offending the seller by making “helpful hints” about de-cluttering their space. As a stager, I’m not afraid to speak up and let the seller know that the rooms must be cleared of all those “treasures” so highly valued by the owner, but appear as confusing clutter to the prospective buyer.

According to HGTV, national statistics have proven that professionally staged properties sell 169% faster than those who aren’t staged. It’s not unrealistic to obtain an extra 10% to 20% on the final selling price with a staged home. Imagination is not the strong suit for most buyers. They have a difficult time seeing past that bright blue paint that looked great on the swatch and turned out to be alarming on the wall! Those days of fixer-upper sales are waning quickly. Buyers are too busy with jobs, kids, after-school events, sports and recreation to care about renovations and design. In general we have become a nation of instant-gratification junkies and want the same thing in our homes! Most buyers today are working couples who want to move on Saturday, and go back to work on Monday morning with little or nothing to do to the property itself.







As the owner of MBS Associates, I’ve worked in the design business for over 35 years, so practical experience is my most valuable asset. I work directly with the client from curb to attic, showing them what can be done to best show off their property. Physical staging, not just making suggestions is one thing that I insist upon. It’s much more effective to actually make the changes occur right in front of the client’s eyes, to show them just how important it is to utilize a professional’s services. Fees for my services range from $150 to $500, usually paid by the seller, although some realtors absorb the cost themselves, or split it with the seller in order to move the property quickly. Please don’t hesitate to call me for a consultation. I can make things happen!
Phone Melody Sindel at 330-674-0896 (home) or 310- 683-8603 (cell).

Things are looking up for First Time Home Buyers!

On April 23, 2009 the Millersburg office of Dave Kaufman Realty hosted a First Time Home Buyers Seminar. We had a full house with attendees ranging from those that are just beginning their search, those who have already been looking for a home as well as some attendees’ just gathering information for the future. It is very important that you are and informed buyer considering the purchase of a home is the largest purchase you will make in your life.

Professionals were on hand to discuss the $8,000 tax credit that is available until November 30, 2009, lending procedures and how to get pre-approved, home inspections, deeds and how to prepare for your house hunt.

This tax credit is for 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $8,000 for qualified buyers. All homes count as long as you have not owned a home in the last 3 years and you will be using the home as your primary residence. It is important that you start looking at homes now and plan on making your decision by October 1 so that your home can be closed by November 30!

We will be taking reservations for our next First Time Home Buyer Seminar which will be offered every other month. Call 330-674-7355 for more information of to reserve your spot.

Well, the rain seems to have stopped - at least for now. They are predicting 80's

for the weekend and we just can't wait! Several auctions are coming up in the next few days so good weather is always appreciated. Check out our website for when and where these auctions are .......www.kaufmanrealty.com.

Recent birthdays at Kaufman Realty & Auctions include: Heather Scott, Elaine Stein, Curt Yoder (who turned 30!!) and this weekend Kate Overton. Curt was surprised with a beautiful balloon bouquet at an auction on his birthday last weekend. This was the Zurcher Estate in Wilmot. It sold well and there were a LOT of people there. Hopefully they all saw Curt with his balloons on his special day.

Several of us at Kaufman Realty have been participating in a speech program. Next Tues is the FINAL class, after months and months. Our group started with 18 people signing up for the workshop. Our finale', the "Speech Showcase" will be held on May 15 with 7 participants "graduating". Congratulations to the seven who stuck it out. Should be a lot of fun and I'm very excited. And nervous. After all these sessions, I still get butterflies and break out in a sweat. Better get working on Tuesday's speech.....

Go Cavs. Go Tribe. :)

Cy Young Baseball & Other Happenings

On Saturday March 28 Kaufman Realty & Auctions held the Noble Trust Auction to disperse of 300 Acres, Farm Machinery and Household contents. Among the contents was a baseball signed by the Cy Young, considered by many the greatest pitcher ever in the MLB. The ball had been in the family for as long as any of the children could remember. Early estimates valued the ball at $2,000 to $3,500, in the end it sold for $5,750 to a local businessman. Check out the video at the end of this blog.

Additional Items sold included an older CAT D9 Crawler tractor that sold for $14,500.

The real estate tended towards what we have been seeing in the market place lately. The vacant acreage sold fairly well while the residential parcel was somewhat soft. Check our results page after the closing of the real estate in approximately 45 days for complete breakdown on parcel prices.

The auction season is starting to heat up be sure to check our upcoming calendar for the latest offerings or to select the date for your auction. Check back to this blog on a weekly basis as we try to keep you updated with the latest news regarding the real estate and auctions markets as well as happenings at Kaufman Realty & Auctions.

Certified Auctioneers Institute

On March 23 at the CAI Classes in Bloomington Indiana, Year 2 Student Anthony Kaufman was recognized as a finalist for his Auction Proposal. The award for top proposal went to Braden McCurdy of McCurdy Auction in Wichita Kansas, http://www.mccurdyauction.com/. The Certified Auctioneers Institute is the most prestigious designation awarded in the auction industry, by the National Auctioneers Association. http://www.auctioneers.org/web/2007/06/cai__certified_auctioneer_insti.aspx for additonal information.

It's a great day for an auction...

Lorenz Farm Auction

Friday March 6, 2009

Sugarcreek, Ohio

Future farmer

Amish guy eavesdropping... Curt soaking in whatever wisdom old man is imparting.

True face of auctions

Wait, what was that buyer number again?

Coming soon...

Kaufman Realty & Auctions Blog. Check back soon.