29445 Orangelawn St | Livonia, MI 48150 Just Listed For Sale

The Seller's Job Has Moved Out Of State and She Hates To Leave This Great 2 Bedroom Condo With Basement!

Cute Updated Oak Kitchen With Hardwood Flooring, Newer Appliances, Newer Carpeting, Windows, Air Conditioning & Furnace * Two Spacious Bedrooms With Updated Bathroom * Basement With Newer Washer & Dryer * Like Living In A House With The Convenience Of A Condo Plus Short Walk To Shopping, Restaurants & Parks * Offers Are Subject To Short Sale/Bank Approval

Property information ~ $59,900
2 bedroom, 1 bath condo with basement

September Market Report

As if the Michigan economy didn't have enough challenges, the past month of national and world financial chaos certainly hasn't helped.

Even with all those challenges, the Southeast Michigan counties of Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, and Macomb all experienced higher sales volumes than last year for the month of September. Depending on the zip code, the number of September sales in Plymouth increased 48.5%, Livonia between 30-54%, Northville 15-175%, Westland 22-100%, and Canton 27-29%. However, sale prices are continuing to decline.

The good news is that between the higher number of sales and Sellers choosing to wait out the market and not putting their homes up for sale, the inventory of homes on the market was down 16.43%.

It remains a great market for buyers, especially those with good credit, first time homebuyers, or those who don't need to sell anything to buy. There are some smokin' deals out there, particularly if you want to put in a little sweat equity. Additionally, lots of investors are jumping into the market hoping to take advantage of the low prices to position themselves well for the market's turn.

With the financial bailout, auto merge rumors, job insecurity, and presidential politics, we're still in for some rough months ahead. Best to batten down the hatches, cut where you can, and hang on for the ride.

Summary of Economic Stabilization Act by the National Association of Realtors
Tax Credit to Aid First Time Homebuyers by the Internal Revenue Service

Hospital Redevelopment Slogs Along

I've written about the Northville Psychiatric Hospital redevelopment efforts for over four years now and now there's a new fly in the ointment.

A group of local residents have filed suit against the Northville Township Board alleging violation of the Open Meetings Act. The next Township Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night, October 16th which should be interesting.

Somehow I don't think we're going to see redevelopment on this 400+ acre parcel anytime real soon.

See also:
Annexation Plan Goes Down in Defeat
The Great Annexation Debate
Another Round, Another Deadline

37168 Vincent St | Westland MI 48186 Just Listed For Sale

This Home Shouts "Pride of Ownership" With Lovely Updated Oak Eat-In Kitchen With Tons of Cabinets With Large Pantry, Corner Carousel and Pull-outs, Updated Roof, Furnace, Air Conditioner, Baths and Vinyl Windows and Siding * Large Family Room With Fireplace, Newer 2 Car Garage With Opener Plus Nice Fully Fenced Backyard With Deck * Check It Out Today...You Won't Be Disappointed!

Property information ~ $139,900
1,479sf, 3 bedroom, 2 bath Tri-Level

MichiganMoves Me

I love taking pictures and after I got a new Blackberry Curve, I decided to give photo blogging a shot.

I've followed St. Paul, Minnesota real estate agent Theresa Boardman and her All T All Day blog, especially enjoying her "on the street" perspective.

I'm not a native Michigander. Although I cherish my Dakota roots and love my California past, today I enjoy a nice life in Michigan. Even with our battered economy, it's a great place to live (ok, I could do with a few less months of Winter).

Some of the things I hope to do is document my real estate travels throughout Southeast Michigan highlighting property, communities, events, and the unusual, unique and sometimes downright bizarre things I come across.

Blogging and digital photography is familiar to me. Learning a new smartphone, taking photos on it, uploading to Flickr, and posting to Twitter and my new blog has been a lesson in patience and persistence (and if that wasn't enough, I just added a new Tablet PC).

It's definitely a work in progress. The pictures and resolution aren't the best, but hey, it's a camera phone!

Image courtesy of Marvin Kuo

9654 Arcola, Livonia MI 48150 Just Listed For Sale

Shows Like A Model!

The "Wow" Factor Is Offered With This All Brick Bungalow - Everything Is Updated, Custom Painted And Shows Like A Model. Newer Windows, Updated Baths, Fantastic Master Suite With Sitting Area, Newer Windows, A/C, Cement Driveway, Stamped Concrete Walkway, Professional Landscaping, Private Backyard, & The Best Is The Finished Lower Level Offering 500sf of Custom Oak Bar & Family Room!

Property information ~ $164,900
1,220sf 3 bedroom,2 bath Bungalow

29162 Minton, Livonia MI Just Listed For Sale

Absolutely Impeccable And Shows Beautifully!

Everything Is Done From The Roof To The Windows, Furnace, Air Condition & More. Hardwood Floors, 3rd Bedroom Currently Being Used As Dining Room With Doorwall To Custom Decking; Updated Electrical, Plumbing, Finished Lower Level Offers An Additional 600sf of Finished Area With Half Bath. Shows Like A Model And A Pleasure To See!

Property information ~ $167,900
1,058sf., 3 Bedroom, 1.1 bath Brick Ranch

The Great Annexation Debate

I first wrote about the old Northville Psychiatric Hospital property back in 2004 when the State of Michigan accepted a bid from a local developer on the property.

Fast forward 4 years, and the property is still entrenched in a quagmire. Now, because of difficulties between the developer and the Township, Livonia residents will have a chance to vote on August 5th whether or not to annex the property to Livonia.

Read the Livonia Chamber of Commerce's Question & Answers Report, check out the pros and cons and decide for yourself what the best course of action is for this property.

All I DO know is that this site along 7 Mile has been an eyesore for far too long!

21815 Arbor Lane, Novi MI 48375

Mint Condition!

Whispering Meadows - ABSOLUTE PERFECTION! Home Offers A Large Pie Shape Lot With Privacy For Your 19' X 9' Sunroom. Corian Counters In Kitchen With Ceramic Flooring, Spacious Family Room With A Computer Alcove For Privacy, Partially Finished Basement & Tons Of Storage. The Best Lot Deep Into The Sub And The Most Amazing Curb Appeal And Interior As Well. Electric Fence For Fido Plus A Covered Porch Too!

Property information ~ 1,970 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 2 bath 2 story Colonial ~ $262,000

47153 Dunsany | Northville MI 48167

Country Living In The City! Tons of Updates Throughout This Beautiful Colonial Including Solid 6-Panel Doors, Custom 2" Blinds, Newer Fixtures, Carpeting, Windows, Siding & Professionally Painted From Top to Bottom * Spacious Remodeled Oak Kitchen With Wonderful Cabinet Space Open To Breakfast Area and Family Room With Ceramic Tile & Fireplace * Spacious Master Bedroom With Crown Moldings, Built-In Bookcases & Large Walk-In Closet * Oversized 2 1/2 Car Garage Adjoining Large Mud Room With First Floor Laundry & Lots of Storage * Deck Overlooking Park-like Wooded Backyard In Great Neighborhood * You'll Love This Home!

Property information - $270,000 - Priced To Sell!
2,100 sq. ft., 2.1 bath, 4 bedroom Colonial

You've Got Mail

Did you receive a surprise in your mailbox recently saying your value has decreased, but your taxes have gone up? If you have, you're not alone. Countless numbers of residents in the Detroit Metro area are scratching their heads wondering what's up.

With all the news about declining property values in the area, how could this happen?

Prop A passed in 1994 limiting tax increases to the rate of inflation based on the taxable value (homeowners who used their property as their primary residence). It wasn't a problem when property values were continuing to rise, but starting in 2005 when values stalled to today when they are declining, it's a big problem for many homeowners.

For folks like us, who bought in 2004, both our SEV and Taxable Value declined $11,650 which should hopefully result in a decrease in taxes. But for homeowners who have owned their property since 1994, there is a big gap between the SEV (State Equalized Value--the 'value' the municipality perceives the value to be) and the Taxable Value (the amount your taxes are based on because it is your primary residence).

Papers like the HomeTown News and Detroit News have been warning about it since the first of the year. But now that assessment notices have been received, property owners are flooding tax review boards requesting reductions.

This morning's Detroit Free Press contained an excellent article including definititions, resources, and describes how to read your assessment notice.

For more information about the tax appeal process, check out WWJ.com.