Some neighborhoods everyone knows, and some are less familiar, but very important to the history of Dayton. As a Realtor, for better or worse, we are limited to the kind of information we can give our clients about what it’s like to live in a neighborhood. The reasons for this are simple- for one thing, we might not have any real experience living in a neighborhood so our information comes second hand- not always the best source. Plus what we might think of as either unacceptable or perfect in a neighborhood, might be completely different from what you are looking for so if you can talk to the neighbors themselves, that’s the best way to get the skinny on whether a neighborhood meets your needs. Today is your chance to visit a beautiful historic neighborhood and mingle with the residents of several local neighborhoods to find out first hand what they are all about. It all happens at the corner of Harvard Blvd and Salem Ave, in University Row.
Today is the 3rd Annual Salem Avenue Festival of Neighborhoods. Nine neighborhoods along the Salem Corridor are joining together to celebrate their past, present, and future with food, music, and tours including a tour of the historic Grace Church and a walking tour of University Row.
A little real estate information- University Row is a neighborhood loosely bordered by Salem, Cornell, Catalpa, and Yale- you can see the map here. The homes are large, grand, majestic, unique. The have amenities and construction materials that you rarely find in homes built today- butler’s pantries, Juliette balconies, grand foyers, built-in cabinetry, marble floors, and details, charm, and character. Stats for the last year- Sept. 2013 – Sept. 2014, show the average Fair Market Value home (not a foreclosure) in this neighborhood will sell for about $105,000, has 2,771 square feet, and 4 bedrooms/ 3 baths. That’s a big home. If you are looking for distressed or foreclosed homes, the average price is $26,286 with 1803 square feet and 3 beds/ 2 baths- still a lot of home.
University Row has a park, tree-lined boulevards, and what is often unusual in neighborhoods is that many of the homes sit back away from the road, giving them a more majestic appearance, and offering some privacy.
The walking tour of University Row is today, September 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. The complete schedule of activities:
• 2:00 and 2:30pm – Art Show & tours of historic Grace Church
• 2:00pm – Walking tour of the University Row neighborhood guided by Merry Masterson of Dayton History!
• 3:00-6:00pm – Food, Music & Mingling, all free! Grace Church volunteers will be grilling hamburgers & hotdogs; sides & beverages will also be provided. Enjoy smooth jazz by DERON BELL & Friends!
• Vendor booths featuring crafts, jewelry, etc., info tables, doorprizes & more!
And you can find out more details about the 3rd Annual Salem Avenue Festival of Neighborhoods on the University Row Neighborhood 
Association Facebook page.
As always, if you would like to see any home in the University Row area, contact your friendly neighborhood Realtor. Any Realtor can show you any home listed for sale, so don’t hesitate to ask!
