Homes sold faster in central Ohio than in any other city in the country, according to a new Zillow study. During the second week in June, typical Columbus-area homes that sold had been listed only five days, well below the national average of 22 days.

A new study confirms what many central Ohio home shoppers already suspect: Nowhere in the country do homes sell faster than in Columbus.

According to the real-estate service Zillow, homes in the Columbus area spent a median of five days on the market before landing in contract, the shortest time in the nation.

Second place? A tie between the Cincinnati and Kansas City metro areas, where homes sold in a median of six days.

Zillow based the figures on home sales during the second week of June. Nationally, homes that sold that week had been active for 22 days before going into contract — the fastest pace since June 2018.

Home sales in central Ohio and nationally plunged in April and May when the coronavirus shut down the economy.

But there was no indication that sales fell because of lack of demand. Instead, sales fell because the number of homes listed plummeted to record lows, as homeowners chose to stay put during the uncertainty.

As of Tuesday, 2,602 homes were listed as “active” (not in contract) in central Ohio, a record low for June, according to the Columbus Realtors trade group.

A year ago, that number was 4,784, and in 2007, the number hit a record high of 19,820. In other words: This time 13 years ago, central Ohio home shoppers had almost eight times as many homes to choose from as they do today.

“I’ve been doing this almost 17 years now, and for probably the past, almost four years, it’s been insanely hot in the Columbus area,” said Corey Burke, an agent with HER Realtors.

“Anything priced under $550,000 is going extremely fast due to the lack of inventory.”

Burke just sold a home on Montrose Avenue in Bexley that had been listed for $499,900. The home went into contract the first day it was shown, four days after being listed.

“Demand has definitely not dropped off, I can speak to that,” Burke added. “If people have a home to sell, this is a great time to sell.”

As Zillow noted, the lack of supply has kept prices up during the pandemic. According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller home price index released Tuesday, home prices climbed 4% in April, the largest gain since December 2018, up from 3.9% in March.

In central Ohio, homes prices were up 7.4% through the first five months of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.

While homes fly off the market in Columbus and Cincinnati, they are languishing in some larger cities hit harder by coronavirus.

In the New York City area, homes that went into contract in the second week in June had been listed a median of 70 days, and in Miami, they had been listed 55 days.

Article courtesy of  Jim Weiker The Columbus Dispatch

Instead of going on vacation or even hitting the local beaches and parks, many of us are stuck at home this summer. But we’re still craving a change of scenery, even if we have to do it ourselves, as a report based on Google Trends data shows.

Home decor retailer Living Spaces recently put together the report on the outdoor home decor trends that people are searching for the most this summer. Searches for some styles have more than tripled!

So if you want to freshen things up around your home, get the scoop on the most popular looks that you can re-create yourself. Here are six of the hottest outdoor decor trends of summer 2020.

Outdoor Tiles

Studio Hus 

Move over, drab slabs of concrete—it’s time for luxurious tiles to shine outside. Just ask Google, where online searches for outdoor tiling are up 174% in recent months.

“Tiling is a great way to enhance your outdoor living space and bring the comfort of the indoors out,” says Living Spaces interior decorator Shelby Greene. “It creates a trendy, elevated feel that makes it appear you’re at a vacation resort all the time, even if your travel plans are on hold.”

Patio Daybeds

Birchlane

Ever want to spend the whole day in bed? Us too, and these trending patio daybeds (with searches up a whopping 257%) seem to be the perfect solution to all those lazy summer days ahead.

“A daybed is a great place to work from home or take a siesta from all of those Zoom meetings,” says Barri Branker, co-owner of Beyond the Box Interiors. “They’re also great for evenings, and enjoying the underrated art of stargazing.”

Backyard Bars

Nothing completes an outdoor space for entertaining or small family gatherings quite like a backyard bar. And this trend is on the rise—by 192%, according to search data.

“One of the most irritating things about outdoor entertaining is being the person mixing drinks—inside,” says Branker. “A well-appointed outdoor bar assures you will not feel like the mixologist in the kitchen, away from all of the action.”

There’s no doubt gardening has taken off during the past few months as many of us have been forced to stay home more. But what if you don’t have the space for huge garden plots? To the rescue: potted and vertical gardens.

With a huge boost in search traffic (planters by 172%, and vertical gardens by 156%), it’s safe to assume you won’t be the only one coming up with creative gardening solutions.

Potted and Vertical Gardens

SP Gardens

“Home gardening is extremely popular at the moment, and vertical gardens and planters are perfect for getting the most out of every inch of your outdoor space,” says Natasha Nicolaou of NatNico Designs. “Utilize vertical space by installing a trellis, or creating a wall of planters to fill with a variety of vegetables and flowers. There are so many incredible vertical garden DIYs online, that having an outdoor space filled with greenery is completely within reach.”

Anything Green

Built Custom Homes, LLC 

Green far outranks other hues in decor and color schemes this  season. Google Trends reports for sage, mint, and emerald show a 41%, 24%, and 67% popularity increase over the past six months, respectively.

“Vibrant colors and shades of green are great for their connection with nature,” says Greene. “They really enhance the outdoor experience: Emerald-green creates a tropical atmosphere, sage is soothing and serene, and mint offers a fresh, youthful vibe.”

Alternative Outdoor Seating

R Brant Design

Many of us haven’t sat in an office chair in months, so the rising trend toward cozier outdoor furniture makes sense. With searches for Adirondack chairs up 303%—and hammocks and egg chairs not far behind (up 216% and 189%, respectively)—it’s safe to say that stylish comfort is a top priority for many this summer.

“Outdoor areas are the perfect place to experiment with playful and unique designs,” says Nicolaou. “Look for seating that creates a fun vibe and encourages guests to circulate and enjoy all aspects of the outdoor space. Adirondacks around a fire pit, hanging egg chairs, or a swinging bench under a porch, and a hammock set up in a shady spot all create perfect moments to enjoy a little staycation time.”

Article courtesy of Larissa Runkle 

If you started the new year with dreams of buying a home, you may now find yourself with altered plans in the midst of a chaotic 2020. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives have been turned upside down, and the residential estate market is no exception.

Widespread unemployment and uncertainties about the future have stopped many would-be buyers in their tracks. If the virus has thrown a wrench into your homebuying plans, you may be left questioning what to do next.

Before you throw in the towel and consider your goals a wash, you should first know that any negative emotions you’re feeling are perfectly normal, and even expected.

Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a New York City-based neuropsychologist and faculty member at Columbia University, says that what you’re experiencing in the wake of a major disappointment like this is a form of grief. 

“During this pandemic, that grief over having to postpone, or outright losing the opportunity, to buy your first home is compounded by the stress of health risks across the country, financial instability, career uncertainties, and social isolation from those we care about,” Hafeez says.

However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up. On the contrary, Hafeez recommends that in the face of adversity, you should strive to focus on your loved ones, health, and safety while remaining optimistic about the future. “Count your blessings as we hope for a better future and learn to adapt to our current situation,” she advises.

If 2020 crushed your homebuying dreams, here are three more things you can do to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and envision a brighter future. 

Really reconsider your lifestyle

The extra time the pandemic has bought you may be a blessing in disguise. The far-reaching effects of the virus have caused many people to rethink their priorities, which may change what they’re looking for in a home. 

“People are stepping back and considering what is important to them and their families, and in my opinion, thinking about lifestyle in a profound way,” says Parisa M. Afkhami of Warburg Realty. 

Afkhami recommends potential homebuyers use this time to take a close look at their needs and wants in terms of space, location, commute, and other factors that will influence their home purchase.

You may find that job loss or a renewed commitment to spend more quality time with family has changed the features you value in a home. 

“Some preferences we are hearing more of are for a smaller building or one with more than one elevator to maintain social distancing, or a space that can be carved out to make a home office as more people work from home,” says Afkhami. 

Really take the time to ensure you’re purchasing a home that fits the needs of your new reality.

Take advantage of low rates

For those who are lucky enough to have been spared major changes to their financial situation, this may actually be an ideal time to buy.

“For folks who still have a stable income, entered the pandemic with their finances in great shape, and don’t have unusual uncertainties about their financial future, historically low mortgage rates could make it a good time to purchase a home now,” says Andy Taylor, general manager of Credit Karma Home.

He notes that home prices have not plummeted to the degree some predicted at the onset of the virus, and that your situation will depend a lot on your local market.

“In some cities, it remains a seller’s market because low supply is propping up prices,” he says. “On Credit Karma, we’re also seeing an increase in purchase loan applications, indicating prospective homebuyers still have that purchase appetite.” 

Remember that this, too, shall pass

During tough times, it can be difficult to remember they won’t last forever. Even if your homebuying plans were put on hold, that doesn’t mean you’ll never get there.

“Don’t blame yourself,” advises psychotherapist and certified life coach Asha Tarry. “This pandemic is beyond anyone’s control. But, it is also temporary, too. Remind yourself of that.” 

She suggests listing your accomplishments so far and taking time to deepen your gratitude for everything you have, even if that list does not yet include a home to call your own.

“Don’t give up on the dream,” she says. “The dream is simply on hold.” 

This sentiment is echoed by those in the real estate industry too. Real estate agent and author of “Real Estate Revolution” Dan Rochon points out that even during times of crisis, people do continue to buy and sell homes. 

He says that even during the Great Recession, he was still working to help people buy and sell, and he recommends that if your life and financial circumstances allow, nothing should stop you from homebuying dreams, even during this unusual and challenging time. 

Article courtesy of  Kate Streit

Technology and good-old-fashioned creativity are helping agents, buyers, and sellers abide by COVID-19 health and safety practices while getting deals done.

Some buyers are touring houses virtually. Others visit in person while remaining at least six feet from their agent. Sellers are hosting open houses on Facebook Live. Appraisers are doing drive-by valuations. Buyers are watching inspections via video call. Masked and gloved notaries are getting signatures on doorsteps.

Here’s what home buying and selling during the pandemic looks like.

Showings Go Virtual

Agents have conducted home tours via FaceTime and other similar tools for years. But these platforms have proven invaluable for home buying and selling during the pandemic. Real estate sites report a surge in the creation of 3D home tours.

In places where in-person showings are allowed, agents wipe down door handles, spray the lockbox with disinfectant, and open up the house, closets, everything for a client.

Safe-Showing Guidelines

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, recommends only one buyer enter a home at a time, with 6 feet between each guest. NAR also recommends agents have potential buyers wash their hands, or use hand sanitizer when they come in the door. They should also remove their shoes. No children should be present at showings, either.

Down Payment Help

Many organizations offering down payment assistance to first-time home buyers have temporarily suspended the programs or changed the rules. You can check the status of programs in your area at the Down Payment Assistance Resource site.

Desktop, Drive-By Appraisals

Appraisers are essential workers in many areas, so home valuations are continuing. But often remotely. New, temporary rules from the Federal Housing Finance Authority allow drive-by and desktop appraisals for loans backed by the federal government.

In a desktop appraisal, the appraiser comes up with a home estimate based on tax records and multiple listing service information, without an in-person visit. For a drive-by, the appraiser only looks at the home’s exterior, in combination with a desktop appraisal. The Appraisal Foundation has put out guidelines for handling appraisals during the pandemic.

On the other hand, some private lenders still require in-person appraisals, which are allowed even in areas with shutdown orders. Private lenders hold about 35% of first-lien mortgages, according to the Urban Institute

When appraisers come to your home, they should adhere to Centers for Disease Control guidelines, including wearing gloves and a face mask, keeping at least 6 feet apart from anyone in the home, and asking if the homeowners have been sick or traveled recently to a COVID-19 hotspot.

Inspections Via Live Video

Inspectors are now often working alone, no buyers in tow, and using hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes. The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors advises inspectors to videotape their inspection so clients can watch it at home later, or to use FaceTime or other live video chat apps to take their clients along on the inspection, virtually. They can also call clients with their findings after they’re done.

The American Society of Home Inspectors has also issued guidelines for inspectors so they keep themselves and the homeowners safe while providing an accurate assessment of a home’s condition.

Mortgage Rates and Locks

With mortgage rates fluctuating quickly and closing times taking longer than usual, some lenders are extending mortgage rate lock periods. You can grab a good rate and hang on to it even if your lender takes longer than usual to process your loan.

But the protocol depends on the lender and the loan. Some lenders are offering this for all loans; others for refis. Check with your lender about its policy.

Employment Verification

An important step in getting a mortgage is proving the borrower has a job. In pre-coronavirus days, lenders called the borrower’s employer for a verbal verification.

The Federal Housing Finance Authority, which oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and federal home loan banks, has relaxed the rules for loans backed by the federal government because so many businesses are closed.

Lenders for federally backed loans now accept an email from an employer, a recent year-to-date paystub, or a bank statement showing a recent payroll deposit as proof of employment.

Walk-throughs

Home buying and selling during the pandemic means real estate agents can conduct the final walk-through via video with their clients. Or they can just open the home and have buyers walk through on their own. Most buyers are using hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the house. Everyone’s wearing masks, too.

And, of course, when the buyers take possession, they should disinfect.

Closings Get Creative

Traditional closings, where everybody gathered around a big table to sign the final papers, are no longer possible. Title companies and banks are getting super creative in dealing with the limitations.

About one-half of states have permanent remote online notarization (RON) policies. These allow a notary and signer in different locations to sign electronic document, usually by use of video apps like Zoom or FaceTime. Notaries will watch you sign either a paper document or do an electronic signature on an e-doc, via camera.

The number of states allowing remote notarization could grow as federal and state pandemic legislation expands.

It’s all about being really flexible right now. Make sure to speak with your agent about your options.

Student Loan Relief

Finally, if you’re also trying to swing your student loan payments, know that federal student loan borrowers get an automatic six-month break in loan payments from April 10, 2020, through Sept. 3, 2020. Thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, they also won’t be charged a dime of interest in that time.

Learn more at the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s site.

Keep in mind that payment suspension only applies to federal loans owned by the Department of Education. Some help may be available to borrowers with private student loans and other loans (like Perkins Loans and Federal Family Education Loans) that aren’t covered. But it’s not automatic. Reach out to your student loan servicer for information.

So, Should You Buy or Sell?

The real estate industry is creatively and safely responding to the situation, and mortgage rates remain low. Your agent is a great source of information about home buying and selling during the pandemic to help you feel comfortable. But, ultimately, it’s a question only you can answer.

Article courtesy of Maggie Griswold/Style Caster

While being away from your mom on Mother’s Day is never an ideal situation. These virtual Mother’s Day ideas below might even make you feel like you’re really there. So go ahead and get brainstorming. You might just have the most amazing Mother’s Day yet.

Send Her Flowers

Ava’s Flowers

This might seem like the most obvious no-contact way you can show your mom you care, but fresh flowers really do make a wonderful gift. Plus, if your mom is stuck inside, having something cheery and bright in the house will instantly brighten her day!

Send A Family Video Message

Andrik Langfield/Unsplash

If you have siblings who also aren’t with your mom to celebrate, have everyone send you a video message wishing her the best day, and compile them all into one huge video you can send her on Mother’s Day morning! Feel free to include messages from her friends, other family members and whoever else is game to make sure Mom feels special. The best part? She can watch it over and over, as many times as she likes.

Have a Virtual Wine Tasting

Kendall-Jackson

Set up your video chat and have a little DIY wine tasting with your mom. You can either send her bottles of wine, or just use whatever you both have at home. This is a chance to relax and have some fun with your mom—even when you can’t be there. Plus, a little booze will put you both in the party spirit. (Psst, maybe you can even include a wine subscription box membership as part of your big gift!)

Try an Airbnb Online Experience

Since most people can’t travel right now, Airbnb is offering one-of-a-kind virtual experiences, and they practically scream “Mother’s Day Activities.” From cocktail-making classes to cooking with a Moroccan family, you can gift your mom a unique experience she can enjoy while sitting on the couch—and then call you immediately after to tell you all about it.

Send Her a Spa Day

If you can’t send your mom to an actual spa, gift her all the items she needs for a spa day at home. She can spend Mother’s Day pampering herself and relaxing, and TBH, she might like that better than the busy day you would’ve planned if you could’ve seen her IRL. This adorable spa gift basket comes with eight different products, all in a soothing lavender scent.

Order Her Favorite Meal

healthylittlecravings.com

If you can’t be there to take your mom out to lunch or dinner, have it sent to her! Order delivery from your mom’s favorite restaurant and surprise her with the meal you wish you could give her in person. Make a promise to take her to that restaurant when they open back up!

Article courtesy of Maggie Griswold/Style Caster

Appreciate

www.instagram.com/p/BybfTsIBcf5/

Letting go of the little things and considering the intangible parts of your home, like the feeling you get when you’re sitting on the porch on a warm night, can help you love your home more. Learning to appreciate the small joys your house offers can be more effective and longer lasting than the satisfaction that comes with buying a new rug or sofa.

Get Personal

Douglas Calhoun

Whether you live in a custom-built home, an older house or a rental, you can make it feel like you. Honoring your tastes — in color, art, heirlooms and accessories — will help you stay true to yourself and make your home beautiful, too.

Create a Calm Place 

What makes a home peaceful? We know as soon as we see or feel it, but creating it in our own homes can be difficult. Most peaceful spaces share certain things in common: serene color palettes, filtered light and plenty of easy-to-implement tidiness tricks. Try integrating some of these strategies into your own home for a simply calming space.

Feed Your Creativity

Design Sponge

At the end of a long day, you may be more inclined to hole up on the couch with a glass of wine than to whip out a paintbrush and palette. When you feel the need to jump-start your artistic self, find a corner to call your own, eliminate distractions, make it easy to access your materials and add a dose of humor to keep your mind fresh and the ideas coming.

Pare Down

semihandmade.com

Simplifying your life can give you more time, space and happiness. Now, this doesn’t mean giving up all of your favorite furniture — it’s about embracing what you really love and learning to let go of the rest. Check out our ideas for creating simple systems that work for you and your house — and how to stick with them.

Follow Your Heart

Home Talk

When it comes to being happier in your home, sometimes it’s the big decisions that matter most — like learning to follow your heart. But sometimes it’s the little things — like putting new soap in your bathroom, painting your front door or simply setting the table — that make the biggest difference.

Article courtesy of Houzz

With all the time we are spending inside many of us our noticing our homes could use a refresh. How about 5 home improvement projects under $100? Cha-Ching!

Ugly bi-fold doors?

📸Monica Wants It

Give them a refresh by adding wooden lattice trim and a fresh coat of paint like this beautiful coral paint (Dishy Coral by Sherwin Williams), and some pretty brass pulls. The doors are unrecognizable! 

Old carpet on the stairs?

📸Sand and Sisal

Give it a refresh with a runner. Pull up the old carpet, sand and paint the wood beneath and install a seagrass runner. Instant easy update for your stairs!

Boring bathroom?

📸thervpts/Instagram

Add peel and stick tile as a backsplash and have a new bathroom in a few hours!

Do you have boob lights?

📸jillianharris.com

Give your whole house a refresh with updated lighting! 

Kitchen update that’s not in your budget?

📸thekitchn.com

Add pretty brass hardware for a quick and cheap facelift!

Holidays are the time for families and friends to gather to observe traditions, enjoy favorite recipes, and decide who’s going to do the dishes.

In the coming days, that will be challenging, but people are finding ways to make it work this year – to somehow stay connected during this time of social distancing and restricted gatherings. Here are 5 things you can do to enjoy the celebration at home!

Decorate Anyway

Even if you don’t have family and friends coming over for a big Easter meal creating the same sort of atmosphere can go a long way in terms of helping to get you in the holiday spirit. Dig out your spring wreath, your Easter bunnies and maybe some fresh daffodils or tulips from your yard to brighten your home.

Order a Special Brunch

Going out for Easter brunch is something that so many families will, unfortunately, miss out on this year. But ordering a special brunch spread from a local restaurant is a great way to celebrate at home. It also happens to be a wonderful way to support local businesses!

Have an Indoor Easter Egg Hunt

Who said an Easter egg hunt has to take place outdoors? Bring the fun into your home with an indoor Easter egg hunt! For an exciting room-to-room hunt, hide your eggs in clever spots: tucked inside coat pockets, tissue boxes, behind books on the shelf, in napkins on the kitchen table, and shoes by the door.

Get Creative with Video Chatting

Schedule a video chat with family members. You can use these services to socialize, watch an egg hunt or even eat your holiday meal “together.” Have each family set up a laptop at the table, while dining simultaneously. 

Watch an Easter Movie or Two

Festive easter movies are for grownups and kids and everyone in between and will get you in the holiday spirit. Grab a box of Peeps and enjoy your favorite Easter flicks!


The Best Disinfectants

For your high-touch surfaces, the Centers for Disease Control recommends a bleach solution diluted with water, or a 70% alcohol solution.

Follow this bleach recipe: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.

Make sure to properly ventilate when disinfecting with bleach.

And check to see if your bleach has expired. Who knew it could? After about 9 months to a year, and if it smells less bleachy, it’s lost its disinfecting power. Time for a new jug.

Tip: Don’t mix bleach with anything other than water; otherwise, it could set off a dangerous chemical reaction. For instance, bleach + alcohol is a deadly combo.

How to disinfect your home if you don’t have bleach? Regular old rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol) works, so long as it’s at least 70% alcohol, according to the CDC. The alcohol concentration will be listed on the bottle. Rubbing alcohol you buy should already be diluted, unlike bleach.

Is There a Such a Thing as Too Much Disinfectant?

According to an EPA fact sheet, studies have found that using some disinfectant products can cause germs to become resistant.

The EPA has issued a list of disinfectants on the market that it believes are effective in killing COVID-19. Look for the EPA registration number on the product and check it against this list to ensure you have a match.

Erica Marie Hartman, an environmental microbiologist at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., whose research focuses on resistance, confirms soap, bleach, and alcohol are your best bets.

What about the various disinfecting wipes on the market (at least if you can find them)? Hartman says the active ingredient in many of those is an ammonium compound, which could become resistant to viruses over time.

Surfaces That Need Your Attention

With your preferred disinfectant, wipe down high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, tables, remotes, banisters, toilets, sinks, and faucets daily or more often, if someone in your home is sick.

Contact time is another key aspect of surface sanitizing. “Disinfection isn’t instantaneous,” says Hartman. [For a bleach solution], you want to leave it on the surface for 10 minutes before wiping it off. ” 

By the way, new research from scientists at the National Institutes of Health, among other agencies, shows that at least some coronavirus can live for up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel.

But a report in “The Washington Post” notes that the most likely period for infection from the virus on surfaces is in the first 10 minutes to one or two hours.

Not All Floors Can Handle Bleach

For your nonporous floors, like those in the bathroom, the CDC recommends mopping with the bleach solution. 

Avoid bleach on hardwood and other porous floors because of staining. Instead, use a disinfecting wet mop cloth without bleach.

Cleaning Isn’t Disinfecting

From the you-might-be-surprised files: Disinfecting with bleach isn’t actually cleaning. If you also need to clean your countertops of dirt and grime, do that first with soap and water. Then use the bleach solution or rubbing alcohol to combat the virus.

Killing Microbes on Clothes

Most washing machines today do a bang-up job on dirty clothes with cold water, which is best for energy savings. But, and especially if you have a sick person in your house, the hot-water setting followed by a high-heat dry for about a ½ hour to 45 minutes is best for virus eradication. thoroughly dry.

Don’t forget about your laundry hamper. Wipe it down like you would other surfaces. You can also use a reusable liner bag, which you can launder with the clothes.

What If I’m Selling My House, and Inviting More Germs In?

How to disinfect your home when it’s for sale? Talk to your agent who will work with you to establish a hygienic showing protocol, including requiring visitors to wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when they arrive, and to remove shoes or wear booties before entering. Removing shoes not only reduces dirt coming in, but potentially germs.

In addition, some agents are reporting that they’ve eliminated open houses to avoid group situations.

After showings, practice your surface wipe-down routine.

Finally, when you work with disinfectants, practice some self care. “Alcohol and bleach can be very aggressive on your skin, so wearing rubber gloves can help protect your hands,” Hartman says. 

Article courtesy of House Logic


March is the month when spring officially begins, but you might not know it from the weather. As the seasons change from winter to spring, take some time to get out and enjoy upcoming events around Columbus!

Arnold Fitness EXPO

March 5th – 8th

The 2020 Arnold Fitness EXPO will again feature more than 1,000 booths of the latest in sports equipment, apparel and nutrition and two stages that hosts unique, non-stop competitions and entertainment that combine to make the Arnold Fitness EXPO the heart of the Arnold Sports Festival. https://www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/usa/

An Evening with Art

March 7th, 6:30-9:30 pm

Please join Columbus Museum of Art Women’s Board for An Evening with Art.

Celebrate the 2020 inductees to the Ohio Artists Hall of Fame and view original art by more than 80 professional and emerging artists. As part of your ticket purchase, we invite you to use your token for a chance to take home your favorite piece of art. Increase your odds of winning by purchasing additional tokens throughout the evening. http://www.columbusmuseum.org/calendar-and-events/an-evening-with-art/

Pop-Up Plant Shop at Seventh Son

March 8th, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Popup Plant Shop is back! Get some green into your house and keep away the winter drearies! Bakers Acres is taking their high quality collection of unusual and amazing houseplants and succulents on the road. https://bakersacresgreenhouse.com/

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 14th

Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a city where Irish is an attitude! Dublin was named one of the top 10 places to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by Orbitz and U.S. Travel. See for yourself when you bring your clan for all the festivities! https://www.visitdublinohio.com/event/st-patricks-day-parade/354/

Maple Tapping Festival

March 14th

The maple trees that grow here produce some of the best syrup and maple candy available. Taste it at the Maple Tapping Festival in Ohio! https://innatcedarfalls.com/blog/maple-tapping-festival-in-ohio

Blooms & Butterflies at the Franklin Park Conservatory

March 14th- July 5th

Whisk away to an enchanted land of tropical butterflies and splashes of floral color during the Conservatory’s 26th anniversary of Blooms & Butterflies. Hundreds of colorful butterflies fly freely in the Pacific Island Water Garden, a tropical haven filled with bright nectar blooms. Patrons can visit at any time to see a diverse array of butterflies soaring overhead or basking on nearby plant life. https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/blooms-butterflies/

Columbus Brew Festival

March 28th

The inaugural Columbus Brew Festival will take over the COSI, featuring over 50 breweries, 150 beers, and access throughout the museum. The event will take place after museum hours, from 7pm to 11pm, and give attendees access to the museum’s exhibits and some special surprises. Admission will include beer tastings, with food sold separately. https://www.facebook.com/Columbus-Brew-Festival-105534914226551/