11667 Morgan | Plymouth MI 48170

Nice Brick Ranch in Quiet Area!

Plymouth Township - UPDATED PLYMOUTH BRICK RANCH Includes Newer Roof, Tilt-Out Windows, Furnace, Air Conditioning, Pergo Flooring, Bathroom Vanity, Stove & Refrigerator * Spacious Master Bedroom Could Be Used As Family Room * Large 19' x 10' Florida Room, 2+ Car Tandem Garage With Opener & Fully Fenced Yard For Your Pets * Plymouth-Canton Schools + Township Taxes!

Property information 1,273 sq. ft., 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath
$167,500 - Plymouth Township Taxes!

Celebrate Earth Day By Recycling Electronics

Join Best Buy and the Great Lakes Electronics Corporation to properly dispose of your electronics 10 AM - 4 PM this Saturday, April 26th. It's the perfect time to gather up up all your old electronics and safely dispose of them.

They will be collecting computers & accessories, telephone equipment, TVs, VCRs, small electronics and household appliances (under 100 lbs). Data deletion is performed on all storage media.

Refrigerators and AC units will NOT be accepted.

Visit the Best Buy Locations near you:
Novi - Haggerty Rd
Farmington Hills - Orchard Lake Rd
Ann Arbor - Lohr Rd
Flint - Miller Rd
Grand Rapids - Alpine Ave
Madison Heights - John R

For more information call (313) 838-7000

19661 Northridge Dr Open Sunday, 4/27

Northridge Estates - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 19661 Northridge this Sunday, April 27th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Conveniently located West of Haggerty, just north off 7 Mile this 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo is updated from top to bottom.

This is just one of hundreds of homes being held open during The Big Open House. The event promises to be the biggest open house day in Michigan history.

Property information

19661 Northridge Dr | Northville MI 48167 Just Listed

A Pottery Barn Beauty

Out Of The Magazine Of "Pottery Barn" This Condo Is Updated From Head To Toe & Is Amazing * Features Include Cathedral Ceilings, Crown Moldings, New Hardwood Floors, Fixtures, Paint, Berber Carpeting, Stainless Steel Package * Loft Area For Office & A Fully Enclosed Sun Room Offers More Space For Entertaining * Shows Like A Model!

Property information - 1,275 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story - $129,900

21112 Lujon Open This Sunday

Farmington Hills - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 21112 Lujon this Sunday, April 27th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Conveniently located just north off 8 Mile in popular Meadowbrook Hills, this home offers over 3,000 square feet of living space on nearly three-quarters of an acre.

This is just one of hundreds of homes being held open during The Big Open House. The event promises to be the biggest open house day in Michigan history.

Property information

1177 Penniman Open This Sunday

Downtown, Plymouth - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 1177 Penniman this Sunday, April 27th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Located just two blocks west of Main Street in Downtown Plymouth, this home has been beautifully renovated.

This is just one of hundreds of homes being held open during The Big Open House. The event promises to be the biggest open house day in Michigan history.

Property information

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

Homeowners Catch A Break, Part 1

Although the Sunday, April 13th edition of the Detroit Free Press highlighted the high levels of home inventories in the area, the rates of foreclosures have decreased. We've definitely noticed an increase in activity over last year and there continues to be lots of good deals for both first time buyers and move-up buyers, so we're looking forward to a strong Spring selling season.

A couple of pieces of important legislation have been passed by the Michigan State Legislature recently to ease the homeowner burden during this challenging market. These include:

1. A 33-month 'pop-up' tax moratorium making it more economical to make a move, and a
   
Conditional recission of homestead exemption for those sellers who own and are living in a second property who still haven't sold their original property

Additionally Attorney General Mike Cox clarified an exemption to the state transfer tax enabling home sellers to request a refund of state transfer taxes paid during a sale if certain requirements are met.

Be sure to take advantage of any of these changes if they apply to you!

1690 Aberdeen St | Canton MI Just Listed For Sale

"Maintenance free"

NORTH CANTON COLONIAL SHOWS LIKE A MODEL * Updated Maple Kitchen & All Newer Appliances, Pergo Family Room Flooring With Cedar Book Cases * All Newer Windows, 3 Year New Pool And Decking, Updated Baths, Newer Air Conditioning, New Trim & Gutters A Maintenance Free Beautiful Home With Partially Finished Lower Level.

Property information - MLS® 28061255 $220,000
2,000 sq. ft., 4 bedroom, 2 bath, McIntyre Gardens Colonial

Join The MichiganMoves.com Team!

The MichiganMoves.com Team has signed up to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life® this year and we'd love for you to join and support us!

Also, if you know the Names & addresses of local survivors, please email Debra so she can submit them and they will receive a special invitation to the Survivor's Lap & Luncheon.We're looking forward to a lot of fun and commraderie with a great team while we raise money for a cause that impacts so many people's lives.

Visit our team website for more information. Then please join us in supporting the American Cancer Society in honor or in memory of your loved ones.

California Real Estate Bust

As I prepare to take a week's vacation in California, I'm reminded of the photo I took in May, 2006 when my husband and I were driving in the high desert from Temecula to Palm Springs.

Given the current state of the California real estate market, this picture is a classic!

My Kind of Detour

Oh man, if only the path to life on Easy Street were this clearly marked!

Thanks Juergen Schweder for sharing this great shot you caught in Ann Arbor.

A House For Hobbits

Check out this 300 square foot, 1 bedroom house that was recently on the market in Toronto.

Built in 1912 by a contractor who lived in the home for 26 years, it was totally renovated from top to bottom last year.

With increased media attention, the owners created a special website for viewers around the world to enjoy.

The house even captured the attention of Ellen Degeneres in January, who called the listing agent live from her show for more information!

At a little more than seven feet wide, it looks more like a 'house for hobbits' as reported on the CTV National News.

Bringing Home Other People's Stuff

Do you want to get rid of household items, but just haven't made the effort to have a garage sale or run an ad in the local newspaper?

Announcing the MichiganMoves Marketplace, the perfect place to post all your items, letting everyone in the MichiganMoves network know. Your castoff is sure to be someone else's treasure. Kinda of like a virtual garage sale.

Start Spring cleaning, declutter, and shed a few unwanted possessions, just in time to enjoy a more carefree Summer. Don't delay...visit the MichiganMoves Marketplace today!

What Are They Thinking?

There's nothing I hate seeing more when showing homes than dead animal heads!

Once I showed a small ranch home with a 14" x 12" Living Room that had a stuffed 10 point buck on one wall and a huge stuffed wild boar on another. It absolutely gave us the willies and we couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Now I know you hunters out there are very proud of yourselves, but take down and store any dead heads before putting your home up for sale. The market is challenging enough without you offending the buyers right after they step in the door.

For you dead head fans, the lamps to the right are made from preserved sheep's stomachs, courtesy of JuliaLohmann.com.uk, and the sheep chair is courtesy of Freshome.com.

Originally posted on aWackyWorld.com.

One In A Million

The wildest thing happened recently. A gentleman named Gary from the west side of Michigan e-mailed from our website. He had just accepted a job in Southfield, didn't know the area at all, and wanted me to show him a few condos.

When I met Gary and his wife the following Saturday, I casually mentioned "Oh, you're from St. Joseph. I have a cousin who lives in St. Joseph."

"What is his name?" they asked.

"Jon Bendewald," I replied, thinking they might know him since he is a pastor at a local church in their area.

To my shock, they not only knew him, but the wife was a teacher and currently had Jon's daughter in her class, and had taught his two other children!

What makes this even more amazing, is that we don't have a huge family here in Michigan. In fact, Jon and I are the ONLY Michiganders with the rest of the family out west in Washington, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota! And yes, he is as much fun as this picture makes him look.

What was the likelihood of Gary going to the internet, searching for condos in the Detroit Metro area, reading through the entries, and choosing me of all the agents in the search results?

It truly is a small world...and maybe I should buy a lotto ticket.

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.

February Posts Increased Home Sales

Did you see the headlines in the Business section of the Detroit Free Press this morning?

Feb. home sales leap 12.8%

Citing statistics from Realcomp, our local real estate MLS, 3,591 homes and condos in the Detroit Metro area were sold in February 2008 versus 3,184 in February 2007. President Karen Kage acknowledged with prices being "down as much as 15% in some areas and interest rates stabilizing, buyers are beginning to step forward."

On the local front, according to my rough estimates, sales of homes & condos in Northville were up 26% to 24 from 19 over February 2007 while in Plymouth they were up 12% to 19 from 17. This is in addition to the strong leasing market out there right now. Definitely a trend in the right direction.

A quote by Kage ends the article by saying "If you are a first-time buyer, I have never in my 30 years in the business seen a better time to buy." Let's hope that bodes well for the upcoming Spring market!

Real Estate 2.0

Realtor Magazine has a great article in this month's issue about what's up next next for agents on the internet. Blogs and social networking sites like Facebook enable Web users to connect with one another rather than view content passively. This evolution has been dubbed Web 2.0.

Likewise, Real Estate 2.0 brings the ability to actively connect consumers to agents online.

For agents, gone are the days where putting up a website for exposure in the hopes of passively attracting buyers for their listed properties is adequate. Real Estate 2.0 is all about blogs, social networking, wikis, mashups, posting videos on YouTube, and connecting with consumers.

I'm happy to say that we're positioned well for the transition. Besides this blog in which I syndicate articles I've written in my MichiganMoves "Bringing You Home" and A Wacky World of Real Estate blogs, I'm active on social networking sites such as ActiveRain, Trulia, and Zolve. Additionally, I'm creating neighborhood mashups, starting with All About Plymouth and All About Michigan.


Real Estate 2.0 is about being visible on the web and marketing our listings to the broadest possible audience.

Thinking Happy Spring Thoughts

I am SO done with snow!

As luck with have it, our snow blower broke in January. Just in time for February, the "fifth snowiest on record" according to the Detroit Free Press. That doesn't surprise me since it seemed like every other day we're out there shoveling.

Condo living is looking very appealing right about now. I think I'd seriously consider it if we weren't in the middle of yet another renovation. On the other hand, given our current market, we'd take a beating on the price of our home and all the money we spent on updates & renovations would be lost. Better fix the snow blower and hang on for the ride.

So for now I'm praying for an early Spring and I'll leave you with some cute snow sculptures built in December by my neighbors across the street.

2008 International Plymouth Ice Sculpture Spectacular

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Tales From The Foreclosure Front

In the last month, I've shown more vacant, foreclosed homes than I care to admit. It's really kind of sad to see the sorry state of some of these homes.

Last Saturday, with sub-zero temperatures, I had appointments to show three homes, all foreclosures under $100K. The necessities for showing these homes are long johns and flashlights (they have no power) and snow boots (driveways and walkways never get cleared). Additionally, a strong constitution is advised because you never know what you're going to find.

One time, we saw a refrigerator that looked like it had exploded with some kind of liquid on the floor and oozing black stuff everywhere. Because of the stench, we didn't get close enough to investigate further.

Back to my Saturday appointments. We couldn't get into the first home because the door was frozen shut.

The second home had been sold by a fellow agent in 2003 and had been in great shape so I was hopeful. Unfortunately, the previous owners must have loaded the place with cats because the smell was overpowering. The flooring had been stripped to the subfloor, but it clearly didn't help. Plus some of the windows were broken (above) and the entire Living Room ceiling paint was peeling off (right).

As we entered the last home, we noticed a nicely remodeled Kitchen, hardwood flooring, nice layout and bedroom sizes, great neighborhood...promising. Until we got to the bathroom. Check out the shower surround in the photo on the left. The rest of the bathroom had even been updated!

Foreclosed homes seem to range from those just needing a good scrubbing to better to bulldoze and start over again. Some of them are just a mystery, like the ones with every light fixture, switch, appliance, cabinet, and outlet yanked out.

I'll be really glad when the market turns around and foreclosed homes are a thing of the past. For now, I'm just praying for warmer weather!

A Wacky World of Real Estate Premieres

There are plenty of serious, newsy blogs around so my new blog, A Wacky World of Real Estate, focuses on the unusual, weird, and truly bizarre real estate related stories and photos.

This Summer, my husband and I took a weekend trip to Traverse City. Driving along Highway 72 to Sleeping Bear Dunes, I caught a glimpse of this sign. I just had to snap a photo of it on our way back.

Hmmm...how would you like to live on this street?

If you have an unusual photo or story you'd like to share, e-mail me.

Change Rings In The New Year

The MichiganMoves.com Team is excited to announce our new Downtown Plymouth location.

RE/MAX on the trail at 1000 West Ann Arbor Trail Road recently finished a complete renovation of their historic 1874 building. A large addition and remodeled interior has kept the unique character of the office, and an expanded parking lot to be built in the Spring will complete the renovations.

One of the reasons we made the change was we missed a downtown location, and we searched for a brokerage that didn't charge the administrative fees other brokers have resorted to, saving our clients money.

We're proud to join the 9 other agents in the office, and look forward to sharing our wonderful new location with our clients.

We wish you a very happy and prosperous 2008!

Michigan Real Estate Reflections on 2007

As the old year passes and we prepare to cross the threshold of another, I've been reflecting on many changes in the past year.

I was licensed in 2001 and since Michigan never fully recovered from the downturn after 9/11, I've never experienced a Michigan 'hot' market. Through the years, I've been reminded that real estate is cyclical and that what goes up must come down.

But even those who have weathered the many cycles over the past 30+ years haven't seen a market quite like this past year. The reasons are well documented everywhere, and so is the fallout:

• Brokerages closing their doors. Mayfair Realty, a well known real estate office in Livonia had been around for years


• Rumors of consolidation and buyouts of smaller brokerages by the big-name brokers in the area


• Agents working other part/full time jobs just to earn a living or abandoning their licenses and leaving the business altogether

While many states face challenges, ours are uniquely Michigan because of our motor-city identity. As we forge into an unknown future, I have to believe that while the present is painful, we'll emerge stronger and wiser.

Personally, a few positive things have occurred which give me hope for the new year. I teamed up with top producer Jo Steuwe and we're building the MichiganMoves.com Team. Together we focus on leveraging our knowledge of the internet and technology to continuously expand our property marketing efforts in this new Web 2.0 era. We're also excited to begin the new year at a great new Downtown Plymouth location.

We look forward to new beginnings with the promise of a fresh new year. Please join us bidding goodbye to 2007 and wishing "Cheers" to a great 2008!

Reviving Southeast Michigan Real Estate Blog

I was one of the first Michigan Realtor bloggers back in 2004 with this blog.

Once I realized I needed to blog on my website to build its online presence, I abandoned this blog and haven't written a post since July, 2006. Because I was proud of the work I had put into it, I didn't have the heart to just delete it.

Well times change. and it's time to dust off and breathe new life into this old blog.

I'll still be writing the MichiganMoves blog, but from now on I'll syndicate postings from that blog and others I write here. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday America!

Arkansas Trip

We just returned from a wonderful long weekend trip to Arkansas to surprise Dan's mom who was celebrating her 70th birthday with her brothers and their wives.

Bella Vista, in Northwest Arkansas, is a wonderful planned community. With 9 affordable golf courses, 12 tennis courts & all sports lakes, there is something for everyone. Better yet, the average home price is only about $125K!

Tired of McMansions?

According to a recent article in WallStreetJounal.com, many homeowners are opting for microhouses, particularly as second homes.

Other uses for mini homes are guesthouses, yoga rooms, personal sanctuary, or whatever the owner wants them to be.

Housing Bubble?

With all the talk about a housing bubble, I found the report The State of the Nation's Housing released by The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard Univerity very interesting.

According to the report, "when and if house prices do fall, the so-called bubble is more likely to deflate slowly rather than burst suddenly."

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out these sites for answers to frequently asked questions about our local communities:

City of Northville

Northville Township

Novi

Livonia

City of Plymouth

Plymouth Township

Canton

City of Farmington

Farmington Hills

The IKEA Buzz...

The IKEA Canton store finally opens at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, June 7, 2006. Gifts and prizes are being given to the first store visitors, and they're expecting people to start lining up Monday!

Prepare for your first visit by familiarizing yourself with the virtual IKEA store.

Hmm...I'm confused?!?

Volunteers Needed...

Join the City of Plymouth's Rouge Rescue~River Day taking place on Saturday, June 3, 2006 from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Volunteers will be cleaning up trash and debris plus storm drain stenciling in the area of Byron St. & McKinley. Gloves, t-shirts, trash bags, and lunch will be provided.

It's a good time for a good cause. Call (734) 453-7737 for more information.

Rent or Buy?

Check out this handy rent vs. buy calculator if you're on the fence about whether or not to buy a home or condo.

Memorial Day Tributes

Area events in honor of Memorial day include:

Farmington Hills ~~ Memorial Day Tribute at 11 AM on Friday, May 26th, 2006 at the
Costick Activities Center at 28600 Eleven Mile Road

Livonia ~~ A Veterans Memorial Dedication/Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 AM on Saturday, May 27th, at the new Livonia Veterans Memorial Plaza at the northeast corner of Five Mile and Farmington.

Plymouth ~~ Memorial Day Parade at 7:30 AM on Monday, May 29th on Main Street through downtown hosted by the American Legion Post 391.

Northville ~~ Memorial Day Parade at 10 AM on Monday, May 29th in Downtown Northville.

Novi ~~ Memorial Day parade at 10 AM on Monday, May 29th followed by a memorial service at the Novi Civic Center.

Identify Theft & Fraud Alerts

With the news that a laptop computer has been stolen containing the personal identity information of veterans discharged after 1975, it's more important than ever to periodically monitor your credit report.

If you suspect that you may be a victim of fraud, here's the contact information of the 3 major credit reporting agencies. Once you have requested a fraud alert put on your account, they will alert the other agencies as well.

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; www.equifax.com; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); www.experian.com; P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289; www.transunion.com; Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

Again, you're able to access your credit report from each company once a year. For more information about identity theft and what you can do to prevent it, visit the Federal Trade Commission's website.

Who Needs 50-Year Mortgages?

Yes, you read right, 50-year mortgages!

As a reference, in December only 14% of people could afford a median-priced ($548,430) California home with 20% down.

While 40-year mortgages account for 5% of all home loans, Statewide Bancorp in Rancho Cucamonga, California introduced a 50-year mortgage in March of this year. So far 220 applications have been taken. The downside is very slow equity growth and it is adjustable.

Read more about it in this Detroit Free Press article.

Free Annual Credit Reports

Did you know that you are entitled to one free annual credit file disclosure from each of the three major credit reporting companies? Under a new Federal law, you have the right to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies--Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

This free credit file can be requested by phone, by mail, or on the web at www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

New Construction Reality Check

The Detroit Free Press reported today that permits issued for new construction were down nearly 50% from January through April, as compared to last year at the same time.

This is certainly reflective of the resale market where there is a saturation of homes and noncommittal buyers. The Free Press went on to say that although the average U.S. home appreciated 12.95% last year, home values increased only 2.03% in metro Detroit and 3.76% statewide, the lowest among all 50 states.

However, James Babcock, president of the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan predicts that 2006 will finish strong in home building, based on the nearly 10 record-setting years of growth.

Just Listed

Country Living in the City!

This 3 bedroom Farmington Hills ranch with a basement sits on over one-half acre was just listed for $175,000.

For more details, call me Toll Free at 866-910-8600 or visit the web.

Internet Savvy Seniors

It's no surprise that most senior home sellers relocate less than 50 miles away from their primary residence. More surprising, however, is that nearly half the seniors use the internet in the home selling process, according to a report published by the the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council®.

According to "Moving Forward: 50 and Beyond" of those home sellers utilizing the Internet, nearly two-thirds (61 percent) did so to locate a specific real estate agent, 92 percent utilized the Internet to research comparable prices, and 20 percent went online to learn about specific neighborhoods to move to.

Younger seniors are more likely to use an online appraisal, while older seniors are more likely to use the Internet to find a real estate agent, the study said.

The survey also revealed that not only did most senior home buyers stay within their home state (82 percent), 72 percent of seniors selling their primary residence move less than 100 miles from their previous home.

Younger seniors tended to move farther away from their previous residences than did older seniors, and of those senior home buyers who did move to a new state (18 percent), the most popular choices were: Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Georgia and New Mexico, the study said.

Calling All Shutterbugs

The Novi Historical Commission will award cash prizes to the top 3 photographers representing the theme "My Hometown Novi". Entry deadline is November 1, 2006 and you don't need to be a resident of Novi to enter.

Afterward, an exhibition of winning entries will be held at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi where a "People's Choice" award will be selected by popular vote. Click here to read the rules and get an entry form.

Neighborhood Associations

Curious about checking out neighborhoods in Livonia. Visit them on the web!

Clements Circle

Deer Creek

Rosedale Garden

Woodbrook Homeowners Association

Woodbury Park

Livonia Friends & Neighbors, "A Women's Club of Livonia, Michigan"

Ride for America's Patriots

Today, Tom Donegan, the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Premier in Fairfax, VA and a few of his associates began the Ride for America's Patriots. Starting in Washington, DC this morning, they will travel to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas with planned stops in cities along the way.

All monies raised will be donated to Coalition to Salute America's Heros, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping severely wounded and disabled veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and their families rebuild their lives.

Meet the riders, read about J.R. Martinez (the severely wounded veteran who inspired the ride), review their travel schedule, check out their blog, follow along on the webcam, and donate if the spirit moves you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Desert Real Estate

We just returned from vacationing in Southern California.

Check out the old real estate office we found outside the small town of Anza in the middle of the high desert while driving from Palm Desert to San Diego...definitely deserted!

Household Hazardous Waste Day

On Saturday, May 6 Livonia will host its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day. This event is for the disposal of residential hazardous wastes only and will be held at Ford Field in Livonia (enter on Stark).

Proof of City of Northville or Livonia residency is required. Driver’s licenses will be checked. For more details, call the City of Livonia Public Services at 734-466-2655.

Farmers Market Opens

Time once again for the return of Farmers Market. The Northville Chamber of Commerce hosts the Northville Farmers Market every Thursday from 8 AM to 3 PM, beginning May 4th. Held across from Northville Downs on 7 Mile & Center, the market has something for everyone.

For more information, please contact the Northville Chamber of Commerce at 248-349-7640.

Ameriquest Mortgage Closes Michigan Doors

According to the Detroit News, Ameriquest Mortgage has closed all 10 of its Michigan offices, consolidating their lending operations into four regional mortgage production centers in California, Arizona, Illinois and Connecticut. They continue to serve Michigan consumers on-line.

Earlier this year, Michigan was part of a lawsuit settlement against Ameriquest charging the company with unfair and deceptive lending practices resulting in $12.1 million paid in restitution to Michigan consumers.

Unclaimed Michigan Property

Visit Michigan.gov/unclaimedproperty to check out unclaimed property being held by the State of Michigan. You can file an initial claim online, with proof of who you are and/or what your relationship is to the person named.

Call (517) 636-5320 if you have questions about a possible claim.

Announcing...

After 5 years at Century 21 Town & Country, I've moved up to RE/MAX 100.

RE/MAX has always enjoyed a reputation of having the most experienced agents, and I'm excited to be joining their team.

I'm still in downtown Northville and have just moved up the street. Here is my updated contact info:

RE/MAX 100
422 N. Center ~ Northville, MI 48167
Cell (248) 974-6210
Office (248) 348-3300 x130
Toll Free/Fax (866) 910-8600
http://MichiganMoves.com

Presidential Greetings

Do you know someone who is celebrating their 80th birthday and would love a birthday card from the President of the United States? Visit The White House Greetings Office to find out how you can arrange that.

Recipients must be U.S. citizens, the request must be received 6 weeks prior to the event, and greetings are typically mailed from the White House 10 days prior to the special occasion.

Other milestones which qualify for presidential greetings include 50th (or subsequent) anniversaries, weddings, baby's birth, Eagle Scout award, Girl Scout Gold award, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or equivalent occasion.

The Purple Rose Is A Gem

Founded by Michigan's own Jeff Daniels, The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea is in its 15th season. The Theatre has a tradition of developing new plays and cultivating local creative talent.

We recently enjoyed The Late Great Henry Boyle written by emerging Livonia playwright, David MacGregor. Next up is the Midwestern premiere of Honus & Me, running from June 22nd to August 26th.

Local, professional theatre at its very finest!

Free Movies For A Month!

Do you like movies? If you haven't tried Netflix, here's a chance to try out the service that delivers movies straight to your front door.

From now until May 9th, sign up for one month of Netflix service for free. Quantities are limited to first-time customers only. We signed up last Fall and have seen a lot of great movies and love the convenience of it. Check it out!

Are You A Diehard Or A Tokig?

With the big IKEA store opening in Canton in 40 days, the IKEA Canton Project is looking for their biggest fans.

An IKEA Tokig (pronounced “too-kig”--a Swedish word that means avid in a playful and funny way) is someone who is dedicated to the IKEA way of life, with a passion for the IKEA brand clearly above and beyond that of the ordinary fan.

Visit the IKEA Canton Project to play IKEA games, solve IKEA trivia, and earn points towards exclusive benefits and prizes.

Time Again to Blog

With all the bad news being reported about the local housing market, I found the latest foreclosure information on National Realty News interesting.

While the national foreclosure rate is up 63% from last year, "Michigan’s foreclosure rate dropped from second to fifth place among the top state foreclosure rates thanks to a 25 percent decrease in new foreclosures from the previous month. The state reported 7,727 properties entering some stage of foreclosure in March, a foreclosure rate of one new foreclosure for every 547 households and more than three times the number reported in March 2005."

According to the article, Colorado’s foreclosure rate landed it in first place with a rate of one new foreclosure for every 339 households — more than three times the national average. Georgia is second with one new foreclosure for every 404 households and a 77 percent year-over-year increase. Rounding out the top 5 is Indiana and Utah.

Savor the Season!

Enjoy the colors of the season with a driving tour of Michigan. Ten different routes throughout the state are highlighted and you're sure to enjoy the journey.

For more outdoor fun, visit a local Cider Mill to enjoy some freshly pressed cider made from Michigan-grown apples.

Hot Fall Decorating Trends

According to the Better Homes & Gardens website, BHG.com, the hot decorating color this Fall is a bold orange. From color to updated classics and style for kids, check out the Top 10 Fall Decorating Trends.

Shift in Tax Collection Dates

According to the Detroit Free Press, the House just passed a bill allowing counties to collect a portion of the December property taxes in July for the next three years. Earlier passed by the Senate and called a 'tax shift' rather than a tax increase, it likely will have the biggest effect in 2006 when there may not be enough in escrow accounts to pay the July 2006 taxes.

Lowest Mortgage Rates Since April

Rates for 30-year mortgages dropped to 5.75% last week, the lowest rate since April. This compares to a rate of 6.16% one year ago. It's still a great time to buy that new dream home! For more details, visit the Detroit Free Press.

Northville's Victorian Festival

Celebrate a simpler era with Northville's 16th Annual Victorian Festival held Friday, September 17th through Sunday, September 19th. Downtown Northville is transformed into a Victorian Village with period costumes, horse-carriage rides, storytellers, musicians, and entertainment. To view all the festivities, click here.

Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps @ Northville Victorian Festival 

Victorian Biker 

Victorian Ladies Umbrella Drill Team 

All About Windows

According to Better Homes & Gardens, faulty windows can account for up to a one-third loss of heat in the winter and up to 75% interior heat gain in the summer.

If you're thinking about replacing those old windows in your house, do you know what your choices are?

Replacement windows can be wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, or combination (vinyl-clad = wood on the inside and vinyl on the outside). Click here to brush up on the functions, features, and cost guidelines of new window options.

Tales From The Home Improvement Front, Part 2

We are finally in our kitchen! Summer is winding down and after 5 long months of living out of our makeshift basement kitchen, Dan just has some trim and finishing work to do. A quick look at the before and after pictures below show the dramatic change. It came out beautifully and Dan has done a wonderful job! We engaged the help of a designer to help us along the way which is why it's so bold--and we love it.

Here are a few more lessons I've learned during this process (see Tales From The Home Improvement Front, Part 1):
1) There will always be something you would have done differently,
2) Much like the pain of childbirth, remodeling pain goes away once you're finally able to enjoy the finished results, and
3) It will cost even more than you think.

September brings final outdoor repairs before the cold is upon us. Winter remodeling plans include the two bathrooms and finishing/painting all the doors and trim (no rest for the weary).

I hope you've had a productive season and been able to finish all your Summer projects!

Remodeled Kitchen 

Original Kitchen 

Slight Breather In July Home Sales

WASHINGTON (August 24, 2004) – Existing single-family home sales slipped in July but still managed the third-best pace on record, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

In July, the inventory of existing homes on the market remained stable at 4.3 months, slightly up from a revised 4.2 months in June according to NAR. Sales of existing homes were down in all regions except the South. Home resales fell 4.8% in the Midwest. However with interest rates still below 6% housing experts expect the market to stay strong.

What Is A 1031 Exchange?

A 1031 exchange makes it possible for investors to sell and buy investment property while deferring tax consequences. This transaction is authorized by section 1031 of the IRS code and offers investors the ability to reinvest 100% of the equity from the sale of an investment property into the purchase of a replacement property without recognizing any gain. Primary residences do not qualify for a 1031 exchange.

1031 exchanges are not difficult, however there are a series of steps that must be followed or the IRS may disallow and the sale may be subject to capital gains. When selling an investment property, all of the equity from the sale must be transferred to a 'qualified intermediary or facilitator (the taxpaper can't receive any cash from the sale). The bigger challenge is in the timing of the sale and purchase. The IRS allows only 45 days after the sale to identify a replacement property and up to 180 days to close on that purchase.

For more details, visit Section 1031 Legal Information Institute.

New Construction Versus Resale Homes

One of the first decisions you'll have to make once you start a home search is whether you will purchase a newly constructed home or concentrate on finding a suitable existing home. It is a very personal choice, especially since each has both benefits and drawbacks. Here is a closer look at some pros and cons to consider.

New Construction
Pros Building a home from the ground up gives you the opportunity to inject your personality and style into the layout, architecture and décor. Working with a builder, you will have the opportunity to influence everything from the size of the rooms to the lighting. You will also be able to install all new appliances and take advantage of modern conveniences, something not often available in an older home. Other benefits include the energy efficient products used in new homes and the knowledge that you will not have to renovate anytime soon.

Cons Typically, a custom-built home will be more expensive and require much more involvement from the buyer. You should also be prepared to deal with missed deadlines and unexpected costs. Other drawbacks include the possibility of a cookie-cutter look in the neighborhood and a lack of mature trees and vegetation usually found in a more established community.

Resale
Pros As a rule, resale properties often have more character, established schools and community groups, better developed landscaping and a more "neighborhood" feel. The previous owner may have also made upgrades and improvements that combine the charm of an older home with today's advancements.

Cons Purchasing an older home often requires more hands-on work from the buyer, such as taking down wallpaper, repainting and refinishing hard wood floors, to name a few likely projects. In addition, appliances and major home systems like plumbing and heating may be older and can need repairs much sooner.

Making An Organized Move

Moving is one of the most stressful times for most people. Whether you are buying or selling, here are some practical tips to help you make a pleasant, organized move:

> Use a checklist. Outline everything that needs to be done and give each step a realistic time frame.

> Get rid of clutter. Give away, sell or throw away anything you no longer use before you move.

> Mark and label. Use felt pens to mark boxes with their contents and label which rooms they go in.

> Make a survival kit for your first night. To save having to hunt through boxes for the basics, your kit should include essentials like towels, sheets, tissue, a flashlight, can opener, coffee, cereal, etc.

> Make the first night special. Order take out food, take a bath, light a candle, turn on some music. Moving is hard and you should reward yourself with a little pampering after it's done.

Using these tips to plan ahead and make an organized move can take some of the chaos out of the experience and help you transition peacefully into your new home.

Architecture 101: Roofs

Ever been at a loss for words when describing a home with an unusual roof. Brush up your architectural vocabulary with the Architecture Coach at Realtor Magazine Online. You'll learn the difference between a mansard, saltbox, gambrel and other roof types.

Selling Secrets

Thinking about selling your home? Here are some tips on how to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

> Appeal to the senses. Consider how to give the entire house a warm and inviting smell. You might install a room deodorizer, brew a pot of coffee, light a soft-scented candle, or sprinkle some carpet freshener before vacuuming.

> Jazz up your curb appeal. Help make your property appear even larger by cleaning out any underbrush and leaves and trimming bushes and trees. If possible, you may want to plant colorful flowers along walkways and in flowerbeds. Although subtle, these changes can make a home much more appealing.

> Create a tidy first appearance. Nothing makes a house seem smaller and more cluttered than a room scattered with children's toys and other items. Consider boxing up rarely-used books, games and toys and storing them in the basement, in the attic or at a friend's home until the house is sold. And for those unexpected walk-throughs, make sure you have a storage bin on hand where toys and other items can be quickly gathered.

> Be prepared for inquiries. Provide your real estate professional with as much information as you can about the home. This can be turned into a fact sheet that can be handed out at open houses or during showings. Also, be sure to give potential buyers honest answers. Tell them what you love about the home and be up front if they ask about drawbacks.

Second Home Sales Soar

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sales of vacation homes set a record in 2003. Largely fueled by low interest rates and baby boomers in their peak earning years looking for real estate investment, second homes in some areas are now appreciating at a faster rate than primary residences.

For more on the financial considerations of purchasing a vacation home, check out this CBS MarketWatch article and these strategies from RealEstateJournal.com.

Home Interest Rates Dip

Interest rates on 30 year mortgages this past week dipped to just below 6% for the first time in three months. Citing a 'soft patch' in the economy in June, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan predicted that growth will soon rebound and the Fed would proceed with their gradual plan to raise interest rates to curb inflation.

If you've been thinking about buying, now might be the time to lock in a great rate!

To keep an eye on the latest Federal Reserve news, check out FED Blog.

Recycle Your Old Electronics Today!

Office Depot and Hewlett Packard have joined forces in a nationwide electronics recycling program. Customers can drop off unwanted TVs (27" or less), fax machines, computer screens, printers, scanners, cell phones, digital cameras, or other handheld devices at their local Office Depot store. All electronics will then be shipped to Hewlett Packard facilities in California and Tennessee for processing into materials to make new products.

Limited to one item per customer per day, start clearing out your old electronics now, because this offer ends on Labor Day. Click Here for more information.

How Good Is Your Credit?

Whether you're thinking of buying a house, or a new car, the first thing a lender does is pull your credit report from one of three credit reporting agencies and your resulting FICO score. The higher your FICO score, the lower interest rates you qualify for.

Do you know what your score is?

To find out more, or to estimate your score, visit FICO Credit Score Estimator. You can also purchase your credit reports and FICO score at myFICO.com.

Is Now The Right Time?

Deciding when is the right time to sell your home can be a difficult decision. You will probably want to sell when you will get the most out of your investment, but also when it is right from both an emotional and a lifestyle perspective. Here are some scenarios that indicate it might be the perfect time to place that "For Sale" sign out front.

> Watch your local housing market. If homes in your community or neighborhood are selling for more than you ever dreamed, it might be time to cash in on that trend. However, this scenario is only effective if you are able to downsize or relocate to an area where home prices are lower. There is no sense in selling your current home at high price if you cannot afford to purchase another one elsewhere.

> In addition to home prices, watch the available mortgage rates. Your home will be more affordable for potential buyers when rates are low. In addition, those favorable interest rates may help you when it is your turn to buy.

> If your children are grown and have moved out long ago, you may want to consider putting the family home on the market. This can allow you to move to a smaller residence, one that has less upkeep and related expenses. Also, if your current home is located in a community that boasts a strong school district, it will likely be highly appealing to families with young children. This can help to strengthen your selling price and may result in your home selling faster.

> If you take a look around your house and see numerous repairs and upgrades that need to be made, consider putting the house up for sale instead of striving to complete these projects on your home. The home can be marketed as a "fixer-upper," which may be appealing to those skilled in repairing homes. And while this will likely bring down your asking price, it will also save you the time and expense of making the repairs yourself.

Anatomy Of A Home

If it seems like mastering the lingo of real estate feels like learning a foreign language, the helpful folks at Homestore.com, Realtor.com's parent company, have developed Anatomy of a Home: Homestore's House Guide. This helpful website briefly describes a home's structural components and refers to more detailed articles also available. Check it out!

Art In The Park

From today through Sunday, July 11th, Plymouth's famous 2004 Art in the Park features the finest selection of contemporary fine art and crafts available in the United States. Kellogg Park and several streets in the heart of downtown Plymouth will be lined with over 400 artists, entertainers, magnificent art, and wonderful food. It should be a great time!

Hours are:
Friday, July 9th – Noon - 8 PM
Saturday, July 10th – 10 AM -7 PM
Sunday, July 11th – 10 AM - 5 PM

First Time Buyer Q & A

You've been told buying a home is a good investment, but where do you begin? How do you know if you're ready? What can you afford?

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) clears up these and other questions for first time homebuyers in its 100 Questions & Answers About Buying A New Home.

From the thinking phase through the mortage and closing process, this 10 part guide provides a great place to start for those seeking answers and homeownership.

Fun, Free Family Entertainment

Check out the free Summer entertainment in the local parks!

Concerts in the Park -- 7:30 PM Tuesdays in Redford in Capitol Park, west of Beech Daly, north of Plymouth Road.

Novi Kids' Concerts -- 7 PM Thursdays at Lakeshore Park on South Lake Drive across from Walled Lake. 248-347-0473.

Music Under the Stars -- 7:30 PM Thursdays in Livonia. Concerts are scheduled at alternating locations, so check their schedule.

DaimlerChrysler Stars in the Park -- 7:30 PM Thursdays in Farmington Hills at Heritage Park on Farmington Road, between 10 Mile and 11 Mile.

Music in the Air -- 7 PM Fridays in Downtown Plymouth at Kellogg Park.

Clock Concert Series -- 7:30 PM Fridays in Northville in the old fashioned bandshell by the clock tower.

Farmington Summer Concert Series -- 7:30 PM Fridays at Pergola Gazebo at Farmington Place on Grand River. 248-473-7276.

Summer Concert Series -- 6 PM Sundays in Westland at the Westland Library Performance Pavilion behind Westland Public Library, 6123 Central City Parkway, north of Ford between Wayne and Newburgh.

Celebrate Your Independence!

Start the weekend with the Northville Parade on Saturday, July 3rd. Beginning at 10 AM with the Standard Federal Singers and a medley of patriotic tunes, the parade will feature a 50-piece military band. This year's theme is "Heros Past and Present". After the parade, visit Historic Mill Race Village for old fashioned kids games, entertainment, and demonstrations.

Plymouth's "Good Morning USA" July 4th parade begins bright and early at 7:30 AM Sunday, July 4th in Downtown Plymouth. A Township picnic follows from 11 AM to 4 PM at Plymouth Township Park, corner of Ann Arbor Trail and McClumpha, between Sheldon and Beck.

Federal Funds Rate Raised

For the first time in four years, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by .25%. Borrowers can expect to pay more for credit, and future hikes are projected to control inflation. For a full translation of what this might mean to you, visit Bankrate.com.