Well we are hitting the end of June here and the housing Market is chugging right along . I have found my groove . I had it all along (laugh) We participated in Racefest to Raise money to donate to Childrens Miracle Network since RE/MAX Is a proud supporter of the cause. Many photos can be found on our Facebook page. I even got to take my first balloon ride above our wonderful Lakes here.  I never imagined how small they look from above .

Many clients are venting frustrations with other agents not returning phone calls in a timely manor or for the lack of a better word blowing them off because of the price range they may be in. I laugh inside and say keep up the good work I will keep writing the offers on the ones you don't want ! :)

Listing homes is still a challenge trying to compete with the bank owned homes. Finding comps. and being straight forward with the seller right out of the starting gate with the seller is key. How many times do I have to tell people beware of the Realtor who just wants a listing ! I can list your home at any price " you " want . That does not mean its going to sell. My goal is to move your inventory and to help you get the best price the market can handle at any given time.

Everyday requires change and knowledge . we have had some hard hits and since the tax credits have expired there are more to come. However positive influence and creative thinking are the way to go . We can perform miracles but people are still buying.

My quote for the month as the best lesson learned in every home transaction I have negotiated and taken to close.

"The Buyers have the power they know It and they are not afraid to use it" !

Dear Lillian,

Thank you for taking action recently on our Call for Action regarding the continuation of the National Flood Insurance Program and the continuation of the 502 Rural Housing Program.

Last night, the Senate passed the National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569), an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. This will allow transactions to move forward. The bill is retroactive and covers the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date of enactment of the extension. NAR members sent more than 250,000 letters to Members of Congress encouraging them to extend the program.

Additionally, Congress passed an extension of the closing deadline for the Homebuyer Tax Credit, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623). The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, that have not yet closed. The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension; the new closing deadline for eligible transactions is now September 30, 2010. There will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law. Extending the tax credit closing deadline will help provide additional stability to real estate markets across the nation.

Our Government Affairs team worked closely with Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to enact this important legislation.

NAR is still working on restoring the 502 single-family rural housing loan guarantee program. Language is included in H.R. 4899, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, that is currently in conference between the House and Senate.  We expect the House to pass that bill shortly and are hopeful the Senate will do the same when they return the week of July 12. When that bill passes, the program will be restored through the end of the fiscal year.

For additional information on the tax credit extension, the flood insurance program and rural housing, please visit www.realtor.org/government_affairs

We appreciate your commitment and involvement on these important REALTOR® Party issues and appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,
NAR Government Affairs and Community & Political Affairs Divisions

Dear Mrs. Fierro:        Thank you for contacting me regarding renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and funding for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Section 502 Single Family Home Loan Program.  I appreciate hearing from you on the urgent need to provide adequate support for homebuyers and homeowners.  Currently, Congress is considering legislation that would extend both of these important programs. Of the many kinds of national disasters that face the United States, flooding has historically caused the greatest economic loss.  Each year, flood waters devastate thousands of American properties, and the price tag for rebuilding homes and communities continues to rise.  Since most private sector homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage, the responsibility of protecting flood-prone properties has historically fallen on the government. In an effort to decrease the financial burden of disaster relief on the federal government, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968.  In addition to providing protection and assistance for homeowners, renters, and business owners, the NFIP works to prevent future flood loss by steering development away from areas that are likely to flood.  The program issues flood insurance rate maps to identify special flood hazard areas.  All properties located in these specified regions are required to have flood insurance. On March 10, 2010, I voted in favor of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R.4213) that, among other things, includes language to extend the NFIP through December 31, 2010.  On May 28, the House passed an amended version of this legislation, which retained the NFIP extension, and sent it back to the Senate for further consideration.  This bill would deem the extension to have taken place on May 31, 2010, effectively addressing the lapse in coverage.  H.R.4213 is currently being debated on the floor of the Senate. Additionally, regarding the USDA Section 502 Single Family Home Loan Program, I am a cosponsor of legislation (S.3266) intended to provide an adequate source of funding for this successful home loan program.  USDA Section 502 programs make and insure mortgage loans that allow low-income individuals or households to purchase homes in rural areas.  Funds can be used to build, repair, renovate or relocate a home, or to purchase and prepare sites.  In fiscal year 2010, USDA Rural Development in Michigan has obligated more funds through the Section 502 program than any other state.  Currently, the USDA is issuing conditional loan guarantees based on Congressional intent to provide a funding solution.  The success and scope of this lending program, especially in light of the otherwise tight consumer lending market, underscores the need to keep it solvent.   Many in Congress agree that a viable, long-term solution is needed to build on the success of this program.  On April 28, 2010, the House of Representatives passed the Rural Housing Preservation and Stabilization Act (H.R.5017) by a vote of 352 to 62.  This bill would amend Section 502 authorization with the intent of creating a self-sustaining funding mechanism.  Specifically, it would increase the loan origination fee from 1% to 4.05% and would increase the USDA's aggregate lending authority to $30 billion.  This bill, along with its companion legislation in the Senate (S.3266), has been referred to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee for further consideration.   On May 27, 2010, I supported Senate passage of the Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R.4899), which contains similar language to amend Section 502 authorization.  Slightly different from the stand-alone bills, H.R.4899 would increase the loan origination fee from 1% to 3.5% and would establish an annual fee of up to 0.5% of the loan principal.  This bill also would obligate up to $697 million in new loan authority for the remainder of FY2010 and would grant authority to waive the aforementioned fees for low and very low-income borrowers this year.  The House and Senate will now engage in a conference to reconcile the differences between the respective versions of the Supplemental Appropriation Act passed by each chamber.        I am hopeful that the conference on H.R.4899 will be completed as expeditiously as possible and that the provision to provide the funding necessary to keep the USDA Section 502 program operating will be retained in the final version of this legislation.  I also am hopeful that the Senate will complete work on H.R.4213 soon to provide an extension of the NFIP.  Thank you again for contacting me.   Sincerely, Carl Levin

As I'm sitting here at my desk watching the rain come down yet again. Four weekends in a row its poured. I wonder what will the Sunshine bring. I personally have had a great month thus far. No, not selling foreclosures or short sales but regular housing transactions. The market is still dictating that potential buyers can swoop in an low-ball the seller and from the media coverage they are feeling empowered to do do .

Our firms statistics are great we have moved 148 Houses in the first quarter . We again are setting the pace to be the dominate factor in the area this year. The numbers in price are down but there are alot of smart people out there buying property right now.

I this month have met some great folks and people who will be called friends . I sold a large Farm parcel to some people who wanted a place to retire and grow a garden. The house was Early 1800's needed a ton of work and the Barn well lets say a major Barn raising party would be appropriate ! However these folks will be friends and neighbors for life. Another client is buying a retirement home It closes today . This will be there first lakefront . They called me after another agent had refused to show them a particular property they were interested in . They in turn got disgusted and one year later picked up the phone and called me. Within a week they had there retirement home under contract and 2 weeks later we are closing on it. I was able to get them there first pontoon boat thrown into the deal. Cant wait to see them buzzing by on the Lake this summer. Last but not least I had a cute little house that needed some love. It has been shown 17 times since listed. Some previous termite damage was hindering the process. The home was an estate from a elder couple and was in it 1940's decor mode. However I kept at it . Finally the right person came along and made an offer. The client accepted over coffee at the local Big Boy. This home a diamond in the rough will now become a restoration . I cant wait to see what it becomes. Large or small I love them all !

Glad I could share with you my readers. Stay tuned and know I am out doing my job ,meeting great people, and future neighbors. Cant wait to meet you !

Lillian

Re/max Mid Michigan Brooklyn 131 N. Main St Brooklyn Mi 49230

Wonderful well maintained Circa 1843 Farm with Barn& Pasture for animals and many updates including Geothermal Heating. Visit www.lillianfierro.com for a virtual tour . This home can be found under the featured listings.

Finally Winter is gone !

The trees are showing signs of green .The Lakes have thawed much earlier this season then in the past few years. Real Estate traffic to our area is still on the increase. Buyers especially are in the position to navigate the choppy waters and find "Hidden Jewels". I am absolutly amazed at the Lakefront bargains that are in our area. This summer season in the Irish Hills area will prove to be a Gold Mine for those who never dreamed that Waterfront property could be affordable. I have also been on a few interesting adventures as well . I recently have had quite an increase in buyers looking for large parcels that can accomodate horses, gardening, and hunting potential. Little did I find there are very few farms left in the area that are on the Market or in tact . People are thinking about planting gardens once again and getting back to some of the basics of life. Greener living so to speak. The point of this story is that not only are waterfront properties a great investment. Farming properties are in very limited supply on the market now. If you are a buyer that has been sitting back and waiting I would suggest you jump the fence. The stock Market is rising,Interest rates in the past week are spiking up and key indicators show that you have had a opportunity in the market to aquire a home at a unheard of price . I would not want you to miss that boat , eventually that ship will sail away !

I invite you to tour some of our new listings in the area. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home please feel free to call me anytime for no obligation consult. I look forward to warmer weather and lots of sales !

Happy House Hunting

Nice Channel front home visit www.lillianfierro.com for more information. Located on All Sports Lake Columbia and 840 Ac Private Lake. 3 bedroom 2 bath Nice floor plan large yard . 2 car garage. Dock and Paddleboat are included. Can be a vacation or year around home.

BREAKING NEWS

LESS THAN 50 DAYS TO UTILIZE NEW AND EXISTING BUYERS TAX CREDIT

CONGRESS EXTENDS AND EXPANDS THE
$8,000 FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

MARKET UPDATE FOR THE IRISH HILLS AREA

As we enter the month of March many exciting things are happening in the Irish Hills and Brooklyn Michigan & Jackson areas . The first is now that it appears the snow is melting people are getting back outside and starting to tour homes in full force again. One new dynamic is that vacant land is starting to pick up full pace . Me personally, I have facilitated two new builds and am working on another within the last two months. One Lakefront on Archwood Circle in Lake Columbia and another a Lake Access home in Lake Somerset in Hillsdale . If all goes well another should be erected in Brooklyn very soon.

I have been out every weekend showing properties to folks from outside of our area. Dreams of owning an affordable Lakefront vacation Cottage or retirement home have not been forgone in this economy. People realize that the value in this market is unsurpassed. I can tell you we have some values coming about this spring and summer that you will never see again.

Our area as far as Realtors has been ever changing. The Re/max Mid Michigan office once again this year is number one in sales in the area. When many other companies around us have moved, changed names,tried to merge to stay afloat or however they would like to portray it. One thing remains the same . Re/max is reliable dependable and has not cut back on services to buyers and sellers. We have continued to outpace our competition.

I look forward to be able to get a little more personal with each and everyone of you this year and share my adventures with you .

The sad Truth "Most Realtors" will not tell you . Brought to you by your local Re/max Agent Lillian Fierro.

Call me direct for results . I Sold 95 % of the homes, I listed last year in the worst economy in recent history. Don't be a consumer that ends up with a company that had to merge ,change names or another Realtor that had to change companies. We are a solid office that had remained number 1# in sales in Jackson County . We have earned that distinction again this year. We advertise on TV radio and are a nationally recognized firm with many local connections as well .