MEDINA COUNTY, JULY 27, 2016 – “We have been waiting many years to have a new driveway, new roof, landscaping, our front stoop fixed and some new windows,” wrote one Wadsworth resident in an email to Treasurer Burke, “The ‘Fix-It Fund’ was perfect. It enabled us to take out a small loan with an excellent interest rate and 5-year payoff plan.”

Medina County Treasurer John Burke wants to remind Medina County homeowners that low fixed interest rate home improvement loans from the Fix-It Fund Program are now available through Westfield Bank at a fixed interest rate, which is up to 2% below the bank’s current rate. 

“Since its inception in 2002, this county-sponsored program has been very helpful to over 850 homeowners in Medina County, providing over $12.5 million dollars in loans,” Burke stated. “Last year, 28 loans were processed through the program totaling $630,000.”

Almost all types of interior and exterior home improvements are eligible from smaller projects such as painting, flooring and lighting to window replacements, HVAC upgrades, remodels and additions. A few “luxury” improvements such as swimming pools, hot tubs and satellite dishes are not eligible. Loans can range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000 and are given on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are depleted. 

To qualify for this program, you must be a Medina County resident; your home must have an appraised home value of less than $200,000 (excluding land) according to the Medina County Auditor’s appraised value; and you cannot be delinquent on your real estate taxes. There is no maximum income limit to qualify for these loans. According to our records, about 90% of Medina County homeowners may qualify for a Fix-It Funds Loan.

A Brunswick homeowner who also took advantage of the 2015 Fix-It Fund program wrote, “I am so pleased…I have my loan and just got my windows replaced…I am so excited about this program.”Qualified homeowners interested in low-interest home improvement loans may apply at Westfield Bank branches in Medina at 4015 Medina Road (Route 18) and Two Park Circle in Westfield Center.  For more information, please contact the Medina County Treasurer’s office at 330.725.9746, [email protected] or Westfield Bank, Cheryl Murrin at 330.764.6091, [email protected].

MEDINA COUNTY, OHIO – County Treasurer John Burke’s Unclaimed Funds search at the Medina County Fair started off strong when over $12,000 was located for one lucky resident on opening day. Wednesday was also a blue-ribbon day when the Treasurer’s staff helped another fairgoer find over $11,000. “I’m sure that money will be much appreciated by both residents,” said Burke. “It’s always fun when we “hit the jackpot” for someone.”
 
Each year, Medina County Treasurer John Burke and his staff provide fairgoers assistance with a free and secure online search for their share of the over $7 million in Unclaimed Funds being held by the State for Medina County residents. This year, the filing process was begun for 172 potential claims – a fair-week total of $54,849.55.
 
“It wasn’t as much as last year’s near-record $73,139.43,” said Treasurer Burke. “but we were able to find claims of $1,000 or more for twelve persons who stopped by our booth, and quite a few over $100.”
 
According to Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel’s website, each year 200,000 Ohioans lose track of some of their money, which eventually ends up with The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Unclaimed Funds. Most of these funds are monies that have been inactive for at least five years from savings, checking accounts, utility deposits, stock dividends and safe deposit contents. “Check every year or two to see if anything new appears in your name,” suggests Treasurer Burke, whose staff has located $1,684,054.40 in claims since 1998.
 
Residents should be careful of companies or individuals that contact them about having unclaimed funds and offer to assist them in reclaiming the money for a percentage or fee. This is a common scam. The Treasurer’s Office will research it and assist residents for free or they can do it themselves.
 
 “I urge folks to stop by our Unclaimed Funds table when they see us out in the community so that we can run this free and secure online search,” recommends Treasurer Burke. For more information and assistance, call the Medina County Treasurer’s Office at 330.725.9748 or learn more online at medinacountytreasurer.com

MEDINA, OHIO - JULY 25, 2016 — ​Each year 200,000 Ohioans lose track of some of their money, which eventually ends up with The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Unclaimed Funds, according to Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel’s website. These “unclaimed funds” are often balances from forgotten bank accounts or monies that simply can’t be found in financial records. Medina County Treasurer John Burke invites residents to visit his booth at the Medina County Fair where staff members will provide secure online searches of State unclaimed fund records to help residents see if there are monies due them.
 
Unclaimed funds are monies that have been inactive for at least five years, mostly from savings, checking accounts, utility deposits, stock dividends and safe deposit contents. If monies owed you are found, a staff member will print the form you need to get the claim process started. All you have to do is sign it, gather the necessary information and mail your papers to the state. The Treasurer’s booth will be open in the Community Building every day of the fair from 11am to 8pm.
 
“This is a free service,” said Treasurer Burke, “and my staff enjoys helping people find what can sometimes be a fairly large amount of money. Last year, we found over $8,000 for one lucky person.”
 
The Ohio Department of Commerce publishes an annual list of individuals who have missing money valued at $50 or more, which the State has received in the past year. At last year’s fair 273 claims were found totaling $73,139.43. According to the State, there is more than $7 million which rightfully belongs to Medina County residents.
 
“Residents need to be careful of companies or individuals that may offer to help you find your unclaimed funds for a fee or percentage,” cautions Treasurer Burke, “This a common scam; you do not need to pay to get your money back or to have someone check with the State of Ohio. My staff will assist you for free or show you how to do it yourself.”
 
Brochures about this year’s Fix-It Fund loan program will also be available at the Treasurer’s booth. Treasurer Burke reminds everyone that these low fixed interest rate home improvement loans from the Fix-It Fund Program are currently available through Westfield Bank at a rate, which is up to 2% below the bank’s current rate. Since its inception in 2002, the county-sponsored program has been helpful to over 850 homeowners in Medina County, providing over $12.5 million dollars in loans. A Brunswick resident who took advantage of the program last year wrote, “I am so pleased with how the Fix-It Fund program has worked for me. I have my loan and just got my windows replaced. I feel like I am in a brand new house. I am so excited about this program.” A Wadsworth couple who used their Fix-It Fund loan for a new driveway, roof, landscaping, front stoop and new windows “liked the flexibility of choosing [their] own contractors and scheduling the work at times that were convenient­.” They also appreciated the “excellent interest rate” and five-year payment plan.
 
For more information, call 330.725.9199 or visit medinacountytreasurer.com. The Treasurer’s office is located on the first floor of the County Administration Building, 144 North Broadway in Medina and is open weekdays from 8am to 4:30pm. 

MEDINA, OHIO, MAY 17, 2016 — Spring is here and homeowners considering renovating or remodeling their homes might want to take advantage of low fixed interest rates on loans from County Treasurer John Burke’s Fix-It Funds Program. Beginning May 16, 2016, Fix-It Funds loan money will be available to Medina County homeowners through Westfield Bank at a fixed interest rate, which is up to 2% below the bank’s current rate. 

“Since its inception in 2002, this county-sponsored program has been very helpful to over 850 homeowners in Medina County, providing over $12.5 million dollars in loans,” Burke stated. “Last year, 28 loans were processed through the program totaling $630,000.”

Almost all types of interior and exterior home improvements are eligible including painting, wallpapering, lighting, flooring, plumbing, carpeting, furnaces, air conditioners, remodeling, additions, decks, window and door replacements, roofing, siding, gutters, driveways, and sidewalks. A few “luxury” improvements are ineligible, including swimming pools, hot tubs and satellite dishes.
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To qualify for this program, you must be a Medina County resident; your home must have an appraised home value of less than $200,000 (excluding land) according to the Medina County Auditor’s appraised value; and you cannot be delinquent on your real estate taxes. There is no maximum income limit to qualify for these loans. According to our records, about 90% of Medina County homeowners may qualify for a Fix-It Funds Loan.

Burke said, “this year with Westfield Bank we expect to see some very attractive fixed interest rates depending on the borrower’s credit rating.” Loans can range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $50,000 and are given on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are depleted. 

Qualified homeowners interested in low-interest home improvement loans may apply at Westfield Bank branches in Medina at 4015 Medina Road (Route 18) and Two Park Circle in Westfield Center. 

For more information about Fix-It Fund loans, please contact the Medina County Treasurer’s office at 330.725.9746, email: [email protected] or Westfield Bank, Cheryl Murrin at 330.764.6091, email: ​[email protected].