Actually, there are a LOT of things that I love about Columbia Tusculum real estate, but to keep things short and sweet, here is my Top 5:

1. I love them Painted Ladies!
2. Location (8 minutes to downtown, 4 minutes to Hyde Park)
3. VALUE
4. Appreciation
5. My office is in Columbia Tusculum, and I love selling in my backyard!

Let’s talk about value. People love Hyde Park for many reasons, but two of the most popular reasons are its proximity to downtown and its charming homes. I love Hyde Park for those reasons, too, but think Columbia Tusculum fits the bill as well.

Downtown is only 8 minutes away (less, if you happen to have a lead foot) and its inventory of painted lady victorian architecture is unmatched in all of the Cincinnati real estate market. Yet a starter home in Columbia Tusculum will run you roughly 25% less than one in Hyde Park.

(Data Mongers: I averaged the sales of all 3 bedroom homes under $350k in each neighborhood from the past 6 months. Hyde Park was ~$245k, Columbia Tusculum was ~$175k).

Now let’s talk about appreciation. Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout have always seen consistently great appreciation rates, and Oakley has seen a major uptick in the past few years as well. That means that for people that want to live in greater Hyde Park, Columbia Tusculum homes are more often than not the best value. That means that they should appreciate.

Moreover, Columbia Tusculum is finally getting what it never had on its peers: its own town square.

With the addition of Columbia Square, Columbia Tusculum will gain that walkable neighborhood feel that it has never had on its peers in greater Hyde Park.

I can’t guarantee appreciation anywhere, but I’m pretty bullish on Columbia Tusculum, and in a down market, that’s saying something!