A Day For Memorials

How did you celebrate this Memorial Day holiday? Did you attend a parade? Did you visit a cemetary? Or was it just a rare day off?

For the first time in more than 30 years, I marched in a parade, bringing back a flood of memories.

I was born on "traditional" Memorial Day, May 30th. My first birthdays were spent watching, and later being in a parade, followed by a big family picnic complete with a birthday cake.

As a former Marine, I've always held a soft spot in my heart for veterans and all things Marine. So after I joined Northville's Marine Corps League earlier this year, how could I say no to walking in the Memorial Day parade.

The day was perfect...just the right temperature, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Northville High School Marching Band, and the crowds lining the street to honor the veterans riding motorcycles, marching, and riding in cars.

It was wonderful to hear the support from the crowd, something that was unheard of in the 1970s when I served. A moving ceremony at the Veteran's Memorial in Rural Hill Cemetary capped off the morning.

Wherever you are, whatever you did, I hope you paused a moment to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy.

Unlike the Memorial Days of old, my birthday falls on Friday this year. Today was extra special though...Daniel and I celebrated our 24th Anniversary!

Metro Market Perking Up

Earlier this month Realcomp, Michigan's largest Multiple Listing Service, released the latest sales figures showing promising signs for our housing market. For the fourth straight month this year, sales increased by 10.84% over the same period last year. Additionally, properties currently under contract show the trend is continuing.

While prices have declined and the credit crunch is still affecting mortgage options, interest rates remain low and well priced properties are selling. This is welcome news, and bodes well for this year's selling season!

If you know someone who has been thinking about taking the homeownership leap, now is the time. There are lots of really great deals out there.

9119 Hillcrest | Whitmore Lake, MI 48189 Just Listed For Sale

Decorator Delight!

ADORABLE WHITMORE LAKE RANCH Features Remodeled Kitchen With Custom Stone Ceramic Island, Skylight, Oak Cabinets and All Appliances * Formal Dining Room Open To Kitchen and Living Room With Large Bay Window * Oversized 2+ Car Heated Garage And Large Deck Overlooking Fully Fenced Backyard With Fire ring & Horseshoe Pit * Ready to Move In, Relax & Enjoy!

Property information -- 1,140 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
$162,500 - Updated Ranch!

47153 Dunsany Open Sunday, 5/25

Northville Estates, Northville MI - We invite everyone to visit our open house this Sunday, May 25th at 47153 Dunsany from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath homes is updated throughout with "Pottery Barn" flair and sits on a wonderful wooded lot North off 8 Mile on Lanthorn, just East of Beck Road.

Property information

182 Riveroaks Dr | Plymouth MI 48170

Best Buy in This Small Complex!

WHAT, NO GAS & WATER BILLS? This Townhouse With Finished Lower Level Is Perfect… Walk To Downtown Plymouth Or Hines Park *Private Backyard With Patio Perfect For Entertaining * Separate In-Home Office In Lower Level * Updated Kitchen, Pergo Flooring, And Carport Too * Located Deep Into The Complex For Privacy And Peace * A Great Buy In Plymouth

Property information - 1,100 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 2 bath 2-story Condo with basement
$129,900 - Location, Location & More!

400 W Rose | Garden City MI 48135

THE "WOW" FACTOR Is Presented In This All Brick Beauty! No Out Of Pocket Money Needed Here Because Everything Is New *Additional 800sf of Family Room and In-home Office In The Newly Finished Lower Level With Berber Carpeting * If You Want All New Appliances, Ceramic Baths, Maple Kitchen With Custom Ceramic, Separate Breakfast Nook & Rich Hardwood Floors, Stop Looking and See This Home Today!

Property information - 1,045 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch
$124,900 - Expanded All Brick Ranch

30559 Rustic Lane | Westland MI 48186

THE "WOW FACTOR" JUST ARRIVED! How About No Out Of Pocket Money Needed? How About All New Appliances? Rich Hardwood Floors Throughout, New Fixtures Everywhere, Newer Windows, Ceramic Baths, Open Floor Plan In Kitchen With Custom Ceramic Floor & Backsplash, 6-Panel Doors and Lots More! Shows Like A Model and Ready For Immediate Occupancy...We Dare You To Find Something Better For This Price!

Property information - 1,100 sq. ft., 3 bedroom, 1.1 bath Ranch
$114,900 - Updated From Top to Bottom

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.