First Time Homebuyer Alert, Part 1

If you've been on the fence about whether or not to buy your first home, NOW is definitely the time--before October 1st!

The Mortgage Relief program recently passed by Congress goes into effect on that date and eliminates downpayment assistance programs. In fact, many mortgage lenders have already eliminated the option in anticipation for the October 1 deadline. After that date, the only assistance buyers will be able to get is through their family or friends in the form of gift funds.

Another perfect first time buyer option ends September 30th. Any HUD home purchased by an owner occupant buyer is eligible for $2,500 towards expenses and $100 downpayment options on most homes. Plus, the advantage of a HUD home over a bank-owned home is that your offer will be competing against other owner-occupants during the first week the property is on the market, rather than with investors who pay cash (which banks tend to prefer).

Whether for yourself or someone else you know thinking of taking the leap, the door is closing fast on these great opportunities.

Annexation Plan Goes Down in Defeat

Tuesday, August 5th, Livonia voters and seven Northville Township residents on the old Northville Psychiatric Hospital voted against the plan to annex the 414 acre property.

As a former Northville resident and current Livonia resident, I was conflicted about the debate. Mostly, I'd love to see new life given to this beautiful parcel, regardless of whose responsibility it is.

As it turns out, the developer dropped their $100 million lawsuit against Northville Township in exchange for 100 acres of land. Now that the annexation vote is behind them, that agreement can proceed.

Given the big push in Livonia to stop the annexation, I found it ironic to see this sign at the corner of 6 Mile and Haggerty. Hmmm, I wonder who was behind the stop annexation agenda after all?

31660 Mackenzie Westland MI 48185 Just Listed For Sale

Boulevard Gardens ~ All Brick Maintenance Free Ranch Presents The WOW Factor And Commands A 10! Rich Hardwood Floors, Updated Granite Kitchen With Pantry, Living Room With Fireplace, And 1/2 Bath On Main Level. Newer Roof, Windows, Driveway, Hot Water Heater, 560sf Finished Recreation Area In Lower Level With 14´ x 9´ In-Home Office Or Play Room. All This Plus An Enchanted Backyard With Lush Landscaping, Pond, Brickscaping…HURRY!!

Property information ~ $162,900
1,172sf., 3 bedroom, 1.1 bath Ranch

44453 Savery Drive Canton MI Open Sunday

Hidden Glen Condos ~ We invite everyone to visit our open house in Canton at 44453 Savery Drive this Sunday, August 17th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Come check out this mint 2 bedroom condo backing to a park-like setting. With an updated Kitchen and newer mechanicals, all you have to do is move in, relax & enjoy!

Property information ~ $94,900
South of Ford, West off Sheldon onto Savery

33268 Alvin St Garden City MI 48135 Just Listed For Sale

THE "WOW" FACTOR REIGNS In This Updated To The Max 3 Bedroom All Brick Ranch * From The Rich Hardwood Floors To The Stone Ceramic New Kitchen And Baths, Newer Windows, New Roof, Furnace and Electrical * All Mechanics Are Complete * 14´ x 9´ 3-Season Sun Room, 15´ x 10´ In-Home Office Or Play Room * Mint, Move-In And A Must See!!!

Property information ~ $129,900
972 sqft, 3 bedroom, 2 bath Ranch

The View From an Empty Nest

Yup, today we're officially 'empty nesters' as we spent the day moving our daughter to her new home in Redford.

A few years ago I wondered if it would ever be possible for her to purchase a home on her own, but the HUD home she bought recently has cheaper payments than if she had rented an apartment.

No dogs in the mudroom, parking in the garage again, and using the basement for storage... life is good!

39544 Village Run Northville MI Open Sunday

Country Club Village ~ We invite everyone to visit our open house in Northville at 39544 Village Run this Sunday, August 10th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

With a top of the line stainless & granite Kitchen plus state-of-the-art upgrades throughout, this Country Club condo presents the "WOW" factor.

Property information ~ $329,900
West off Haggerty on Village Run, South of 6 Mile

2 Bedroom, 1.1 Bath Northville Condo Just Listed For Lease

Highland LakesNOW AVAILABLE FOR LEASE, So Bring Your Stuff And Move Right In! Lovely Bay Window in Living Room And Gas Fireplace in Family Room * Updates Galore Including Kitchen Counter Tops, Remodeled Jack-n-Jill Main Bathroom With Cool Vessel Sink and Ceramic Tile * Newer Carpeting, Windows, Hot Water Heater & Washer * All Appliances Stay * Large Patio With Storage Unit and Gas BBQ * 2 Assigned Parking Spaces Plus Tons of Guest Parking * Association Fee Includes Structure Insurance, Grounds Maintenance, Snow Removal, Water & Gas * Enjoy The Many Wonderful Amenities This Community Has To Offer As Well As It's Proximity To Downtown Northville, Shopping & Expressways!

Property information ~ $1,150/month
1,300 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 1.1 bath

Radon Smadon...Who Cares?

You should because radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. As a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas, there are no physical warning signs of the presence of radon. Testing is the only way to find out.

While radon isn't a certainty in Michigan, there are definitely pockets in the most unlikely places. I've been surprised by high levels (over the 4.0 pCl recommended by the EPA) of radon in some of the homes that have been tested. In one case, it spiked to 70 during a one hour period!

I always recommend my buyers have a radon test done during their inspection period. If radon is found in the home, then the remediation and repair is on the seller's dime and the buyers have peace of mind that it's no longer an issue.

If buyers choose not to test, they not only may be jeopardizing their health but if elevated radon levels are found when they sell the home, they'll be on the hook for remediation.

Better safe than sorry.

Sweet Deal For 1st Time Homebuyers

Looking to take advantage of the great deals out there right now, my daughter just closed on a Redford foreclosure.

Just a few years back, there was very little available under $100K for first time buyers. Now with HUD offering $500 down FHA mortgages with $2,500 buyer incentives, her house payment on a $50K home will be less than she would pay to rent an apartment, much less a house with a garage and basement!

If you've got good credit with stable employment, it's a really great time to buy. The above incentives are only good through September 30th.

Not every agent is able to help with HUD homes, so make sure you're working with an agent whose brokerage is approved by HUD to submit electronic bids.

How To Embellish A Listing Using Video

According to YouTube, the video below is from a real estate listing that was labeled "Country living at it's finest!" And apparently, it sold!

Mid-Year Market Review

While we've continued to see values decline, activity is up year to date with Wayne County posting the largest increase in June according to the Detroit News.

In fact, for the sixth straight month this year, the number of homes sold increased 13.1% over 2007 in June according to an article in Crains Detroit Business.

However, there has been a lot conflicting press, particularly when it comes to recent sales. Karen Kage, President of Realcomp, our local and Michigan's largest Multiple Listing Service, clarified the reason for this in a recent Detroit Free Press article saying the MLS data is more readily available as it can take between 30-90 days for county governments to count a sale.

Those of us out on the housing front have noticed many of the properties we call on to make appointments are already under contract. That's a promising sign. Now let's hope values start edging up!

Avoiding Gutter Gardens

This is the perfect time of year to tune-up your gutters.

While the house at the left is a neglected foreclosure, I'm contantly amazed at the number of owner occupied houses I see with gutters so filled, they look like gutter gardens.

Clogged gutters can result in not only improper drainage, but water being diverted other ways that can rot fascia boards and infiltrate the house and even the basement, causing serious damage.

Visit AllAboutHome.com for detailed tips for cleaning up your gutters. And to make your job easier, check out Danny Lipford's cheap handy, dandy gutter cleaner-outer.

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

39544 Village Run, Northville MI 48168 Just Listed For Sale

Country Club Village - State Of The Art Kitchen With Granite & Stainless Steel Package With Planning Station - Thermador, Viking And Top Of The Line Appliances, Bamboo Planked Hardwood Throughout The Condo, 2 Fireplaces With Furnace Grade Remote, Home Automation System; All Rooms Wired With Cat 5e Cable; Positively A Must See For All The Upgrades!

Property information ~ $344,900
2,379 sqft, 3 Bedroom, 2.1 Bath Ranch

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!

Plymouth's 2008 Art in the Park

Celebrating its 29th year, Plymouth's Art in the Park kicked off today and runs through Sunday, July 13th.

Dubbed one of the "Gems of the Great Lakes" by AAA Magazine, Art in the Park features more than 400 artists. Come for the art, enjoy the food, check out the entertainment, and savor the sunshine.

And don't worry about fighting for a parking spot...catch a shuttle that delivers right to the heart of Plymouth.

Here's a preview of this year's event.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

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

14720 Susanna Livonia MI Open Sunday

Castle Gardens - We invite everyone to visit our open house in Livonia at 14720 Susanna this Sunday, June 22 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

From a new cherry and granite Kitchen to over 700 square feet of finished living space in the lower level, this totally renovated Castle Gardens brick ranch shows like a model home!

Property information -- $192,900
South of 5 Mile/West off Newburgh on Lyndon