I'm so excited that Ann Arbor Restaurant Week is here again. It only happens twice a year, January and June, and I use it as an excuse to try out 1 or 2 restaurants that I haven't been to yet. I'm supporting my local business and getting a great meal, right? This year is no exception and the list of restaurants is astounding. Each Chef creates a special, fixed price menu, with choices for each course. Lunches are $12 and Dinners are $25, with some restaurants even offering 2 for 1 deals.

Restaurants in Downtown Ann Arbor

Restaurants Outside of Downtown Ann Arbor

• Carlyle Grill
• Carson’s American Bistro
• *Graham’s Restaurant
• Mediterrano
• *Passport Restaurant and Lounge
• The Quarter Bistro
• *Satchel’s BBQ
• Weber’s Restaurant

*new to restaurant week

In the mood to try something new? Head downtown Ann Arbor for a fantastic culinary experience. And when your finished, stop by our office at 564 S. Main and find out what's happening in the local market, we'd love to talk to you about buying or selling a new home! If you're planning a move in the future, visit our Ann Arbor Real Estate website where you can search for homes, find out the value of your existing home, or learn more about The Bouma Group.

Martin Bouma of Keller Williams Realty welcomes Linda Ansara as The Bouma Group's new Leasing Specialist.  Linda’s past experience as a buyer with the Kmart Corporation, along with a corporate operations background in retail that ranges from high-end products to mass-merchandise, and helping those who help others through her not for profit work, make her a strong asset to The Bouma Group’s real estate team. She brings a finely honed ability to match client needs to find them the perfect leasing opportunity.

Team Leader Martin Bouma is excited to have Linda as part of his dynamic team of Ann Arbor real estate professionals. With the growing need for home and condo leasing in Washtenaw County, a strong leasing specialist is a true asset.

Martin Bouma has been servicing the real estate needs of Washtenaw County for more than 25 years and brings a unique, personal touch to each transaction. Thorough market knowledge, exceptional follow-through, and cutting edge marketing are the hallmarks of The Bouma Group's continued success and have made them the #1 real estate team in Ann Arbor for the past 10 years.

The Holiday Season is Here in Ann Arbor!

The 2011 holiday season is finally here and offers more activities in Ann Arbor and around Ann Arbor than ever before. There are plenty of holiday activities for you and your family, and unique, local shopping experiences to find that perfect gift and support small business in Washtenaw County. Here are some of the activities going on in the month of December 2011.

Friday, December 9

·         Festive Fridays. Downtown Ann Arbor, corner of Main & Liberty/Washington. Free horse drawn carriage rides, live sidewalk entertainment, and late night shopping.

·         Yourist Studio Gallery Annual Holiday Show. 113 Broadway, Ann Arbor. Reception 5-9pm. Annual Pottery Show and Sale by various artists, featuring sculpture, functional ware, beads, and more.

Saturday, December 10

·         Sing Along with Santa. Presented by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 423 South 4^th Ave, Ann Arbor. Begins at 4pm, tickets are $10. A great family event, including a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’, festive songs, cookies & cider.

·         Tiny Expo. Downtown Ann Arbor at 325 Braun Court. 10am-7pm. An indie arts & crafts fair featuring local artists, food, film, and libations.

·         Santa Visits Kerrytown. 407 N. Fifth Ave. 10am-1pm. Visit with Santa and enjoy live musical performances from local musicians, schools, and groups.

·         Yourist Studio Gallery Annual Holiday Show. 113 Broadway, Ann Arbor. 10am-6pm. Annual Pottery Show and Sale by various artists, featuring sculpture, functional ware, beads, and more.

·         Treasure Trail to Santa. Busch’s Shopping Center, 565 E. Michigan Ave. Free. Follow the treasure trail through the center shops and enjoy entertainment, refreshments, carriage rides, animals, and look for Santa.

·         Ann Arbor Antiques Market Special Holiday Show. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. 8am-4pm. Shop your favorite antique market for unique gifts. Inside heated buildings.

Sunday, December 11

·         Homegrown at Cobblestone. Cobblestone Farm Center, 2781 Packard Rd. Local artists assemble to promote their made-in-Michigan wares. Jewelry, clothing, pottery, bird houses, photography and more!

·         Yourist Studio Gallery Annual Holiday Show. 113 Broadway, Ann Arbor. 10am-4pm. Annual Pottery Show and Sale by various artists, featuring sculpture, functional ware, beads, and more.

Friday, December 16^th

·         Festive Fridays. Downtown Ann Arbor, corner of Main & Liberty/Washington. Free horse drawn carriage rides, live sidewalk entertainment, and late night shopping.

·         Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet. The Power Center 121 Fletcher St. 8pm. Ticket prices vary, visit http://annarborballettheatre.org/5.html. The 27^th annual production of this classic holiday favorite.

Saturday, December 17^th

·         Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet. The Power Center 121 Fletcher St. 2 pm & 8pm. Ticket prices vary, visit http://annarborballettheatre.org/5.html. The 27^th annual production of this classic holiday favorite.

·         Santa Visits Kerrytown. 407 N. Fifth Ave. 10am-1pm. Visit with Santa and enjoy live musical performances from local musicians, schools, and groups.

Sunday, December 18^th

·         Homegrown at Cobblestone. Cobblestone Farm Center, 2781 Packard Rd. Local artists assemble to promote their made-in-Michigan wares. Jewelry, clothing, pottery, bird houses, photography and more!

·         Ann Arbor Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet. The Power Center 121 Fletcher St. 2 pm. Ticket prices vary, visit http://annarborballettheatre.org/5.html. The 27^th annual production of this classic holiday favorite.

Chanukah Wonderland at Briarwood Mall. 100 Briarwood Circle, near the Sears wing. From Tuesday 12/20-Friday 12/23 & Monday 12/26-Tuesday 12/27. Times vary. A virtual, fun-filled Chanukah experience, including: arts & crafts, Lego Menorah contest, and interactive displays.

Monday, December 26^th

·         Chanukah on Ice. Ann Arbor Ice Cube 2121 Oak Valley Drive. $25/family, $8/person before 12/24 or $30/family or $10/person. Starts at 5pm. Skate to Chanukah music and sample traditional Chanukah foods, followed by dinner, then view a 5’ Menorah built from ice.

Leave us a comment if we've forgotten your favorite event, along with the name and location! If you are considering selling your Ann Arbor, Dexter or Saline home, after the holidays is a great time to get started. Beat the spring rush and call us today to find out the value of your Ann Arbor property and what you need to do to get it ready. And be sure to check out our Ann Arbor Real Estate website to search the Ann Arbor MLS for homes and get the most up-to-date information!

Rates Continue to Decline

Ann Arbor mortgage rates have hit another low! The mortgage rates have been down for 6 weeks now and at this level for the past 2 weeks.  We should continue to have rates in this range throughout most of the 4^th quarter.  What a great time to make an Ann Arbor home purchase with these lower mortgage payments!  With these rates your buying power has increased by $10,000 – $40,000, depending on your purchase price.

Please keep in mind that interest rates are subject to change without notice. The rates listed above are average rates and are presented to provide an illustrative perspective. To find out more about the current interest rates and which loan program is best for you, contact Charlie Chapell with United Bank & Trust today at 734-214-2728 or cchapell@ubat.com. If you haven’t already taken advantage of the low interest rates combined with low home prices, now is the best time! To search for that perfect Ann Arbor real estate, visit our Ann Arbor MLS site here!

The recent publication by the Wall Street Journal and Real Trends, Inc., 'The Thousand, The 2011 Top 1000' named the top 1000 Realtors in the United States. The Bouma Group Realtors of Ann Arbor, MI placed #106 in the nation for Top Teams by Transaction Sides and #208 for Top Teams by volume. ‘The Thousand’ report represents the most elite group of real estate professionals and teams in America.

The report consists of 4 categories with 250 in each: Real Estate Team by Sides, and Real Estate Team by Volume, Sales Professional by Sides, Sales Professional by Volume.  The Bouma Group ranked on bot lists for the Real Estate Team categories with 222 transaction sides and $43,157,716 in volume.

‘It’s quite an honor to be recognized on such a prestigious list. Our continuous hard work, thorough market knowledge, and dedication to our clients has enabled us to surpass our goals and our clients expectation,’ said Martin Bouma, Realtor and Team Leader of The Bouma Group.

The Bouma Group of Keller Williams Realty has been Ann Arbor’s leading real estate team for the past 9 consecutive years.  To find out how we continue to stay on top of the Ann Arbor Real Estate market, despite the recent downturn, contact us today at 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com. And be sure to check out our state of the art real estate website, where you can search the Ann Arbor MLS, find out your Ann Arbor Home’s value, or view all Ann Arbor subdivision photos, amenities and market reports!

Lower Rates are Here

Mortgage rates have hit another low and have remained at this level for 2 weeks now.  We should continue to see rates in this range for the next several weeks, making this a great time to make an Ann Arbor home purchase with these lower mortgage payments.

Remember that interest rates are subject to change without notice. The rates listed above are average rates and are presented to provide an illustrative perspective. To find out more about the current interest rates and which loan program is best for you, contact Charlie Chapell with United Bank & Trust today at 734-214-2728 or cchapell@ubat.com. If you haven’t already taken advantage of the low interest rates combined with low home prices, now is the best time! To search for that perfect Ann Arbor real estate, visit our Ann Arbor MLS site here!

The search is over and you’ve finally found the perfect home. But did you get to know the neighborhood? What seems like a utopia on the first visit, may be the opposite once you do a little research. Below are 6 tips for getting to know your prospective neighborhood and find your piece of paradise.

• Make Multiple Visits. See the neighborhood at different times of day and on different days of the week. What seems like a quiet place during the day, may be filled with road noise and barking dogs at night.
  
  
• Drive the Surrounding Area. Is there a power station or landfill nearby that you weren’t aware of? If you aren’t already familiar with the surrounding area, you may discover hidden aversions.
  
  
• Points of Interest. Where is your favorite grocery store, bank, and restaurant in relation to the subdivision. Where is the closest fire station and hospital? Do you need a park nearby? These are important things to consider in relation to your lifestyle.
  
  
• Check the Local Crime Reports. You may think a well-populated condo complex or a quiet country subdivision is a safe place to live, but a crime report may tell you something different.
  
  
• Neighborhood Market Statistics. Your agent may have told you the value of the home based on recent sales in the subdivision, but what about past statistics? How have home values fared over the last 5-10 years? Are values rising or falling? This is important information to consider based on the amount of time you plan on living in the neighborhood.
  
  
• Extras Amenities. Find out if the type of cable and internet services you want are available. If you not, find out what is and the costs involved with changing your service.

The Bouma Group has been helping Ann Arbor area home buyers find their perfect home for over 20 years. We’ve come across almost every type of home buying situation and know from experience how to navigate this difficult real estate market. For more information on home buying and selling from the experts, be sure to visit our Ann Arbor Real Estate website and check us out on Facebook today!

Well, you should!

Nowadays, your credit report is more important than ever. It is pulled and looked at whenever you apply for any type of credit: a new mortgage, apartment or home rental, credit cards, insurance, and a prospective employer may even look at it when you apply for a job!

Most people don't know this, but every 12 months you are entitled to receive a FREE copy of your credit report from all 3 credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. Many companies online, on the radio and on television offer your credit report to you for free, but many try to charge you extra fees or make you buy unneeded services. For example, the other day I received a letter in the mail from American Express. This is what it said:

‘Free Credit Report – Your signature below is required to try ID Protect Premium from American Express FREE for the first thirty days so you can get delivery of information regarding your protection benefits which will include the following:

1…Your Free Triple Bureau Credit Report

2…Daily Monitoring Notifications

3…Internet Fraud Monitoring’

It sounds great, until I read the fine print. In order to get my free credit reports from all three bureaus, I have to sign up for #2 & #3 for $15.99/month. Unless you really want these added services, it is not worth it. You can get a truly free credit report and it is authorized under federal law. The Federal Trade Commission has a Free Credit Report page on their website where you can apply for it at no cost whatsoever.  In fact, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that this notice be placed on source that offers a free credit report:

"You have the right to a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com or 877-322-8228, the ONLY authorized source under federal law."

The FTC even recommends requesting reports separately from each other, that way you can monitor your credit throughout the year. So, if you’ve been thinking about buying a new Ann Arbor home, renting a condo, or leasing a vehicle, be prepared and know what’s on your credit report. To find out more about the home buying or selling process, contact the Ann Arbor real estate experts at The Bouma Group at 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com. And remember, we're never too busy for your referrals!

According to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), mortgage scams are at an all time high with suspicious activity reports up 31% from the first quarter of 2010. This high number is partly due to large number of recent reports of fraudulent activity happening as long as 3-4 years ago that are just now being realized. But the latest scam current homeowners should be aware of is quickly making it to the top of the headlines, highjacked mortgage payments.

Here's how the scam works- The homeowner receives a letter from Bank B stating they have bought the mortgage from Bank A. It instructs the homeowner to begin sending their monthly payment to 'new' Bank B, who is now the mortgage holder. The homeowner may not think this is suspicious, as banks buy and sell mortgages to each other on a regular basis. They begin making payments to Bank B and don’t realize they’ve been scammed until a month or two later when they’ve missed payments with Bank A.

As a homeowner, you should know that the FDIC Mortgage Servicing Laws require that you receive two letters. One from the current company notifying them that as of a specific date their payment should be sent to a new company and one from the new company that provides mortgage payment information (principal, interest, and escrow). Both letters should include the loan number. You should also contact the original bank to verify that the loan has been sold and the letter they received is legitimate.

If you suspect that you have been a victim of mortgage fraud and are unsure of what to do, give us a call at 734-761-3060 and we’d be more than happy to advise you. If you are thinking of purchasing a new Ann Arbor home or condo in the future, be sure to start with our state of the art Ann Arbor real estate website where you can: Search for Homes, View Ann Arbor Subdivisions, or Visit the Mortgage Center. We look forward to assisting you with your next real estate transaction!

Planning on Building a New Home?

Having worked as an Ann Arbor Realtor for more than 20 years, I've been asked this question countless times, 'Should I use a Realtor when building a new home?'. My answer is always YES and here are just a few of the reasons why:

• Representation. You should always have someone on your side to represent your best interest. The onsite agent represents the builder, not you, and their goal is to make a profit for their company. You wouldn't walk into a court room without your own lawyer!
  
• Knowledge. A Realtor knows the different builders and companies in the area. They know who has a good reputation and what incentives each builder offers.
• Negotiations. A real estate agent can assist you in negotiating the contact. They know what the standard customs of the area are and will add in contingencies to protect you and your money.
• Save Time. A Realtor can help narrow down exactly what you need in a neighborhood and point out what is the best fit for you and your family, saving you hours of driving around.
• Market Analysis. Don't pay too much for your new home. A Realtor can give you a thorough market analysis to make sure you don’t end up paying too much based on the area and what homes are selling for.
• Upgrades. A seasoned Realtor knows which options can add value to a home and which are beneficial to a comfortable lifestyle. They can help you sort through the countless options available and help you choose the best for your budget.
• Mediator. If issues should arise between you and your builder, an agent can be the buffer you need for a smooth transaction and successful closing.

Using a professional, licensed Realtor when building a new home can save you time, frustration, and money. The Bouma Group will always represent you and your best interest. If you’ve been thinking of building a new home but aren’t sure where to start, or would like to learn more about Ann Arbor real estate property values, give us a call at 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com.  And remember – a builder always requires an agent to accompany you on your first visit to the sales office. Tell us about your home building experience, did you use a Realtor or work directly with the builder? We'd love to hear about it!