Mother Nature prevented most of the Michigan Challenge Balloon fest activates from happening.  After a weekend of rain and high winds, there was a  limited launch on Sunday evening, where a  half a dozen balloons were finally able to take to the sky. The most disappointment was caused by Saturday night's cancellation of the popular Balloon Glow.  Safety is the primary concern, and the spectators appreciated the efforts of all the pilots and respect there decision not to "fly."  Anyway, there's always next year.

 Have you experienced the excitement of ballooning?

We visited the Port Huron - Atchenson Development,  Tall Ship festival on Saturday, June 28th. The Fireworks display, started at 10:00 PM and were spectacular.

Since my last visit to the Port Hurlon, Atchenson real estate Development is responsible for  waterfront improvements, the south warehouse, previously used for sugar beet storage, has been converted to an event center. Amenities include an elevator, warming kitchen, bathrooms, and glass overhead doors that open to the waterfront for those special summer days.

The Atchenson Terminal is the home-port of the tall ship, Highlander Sea and the decommissioned USCG Cutter Bramble. It was a maritime experience to walk on the decks of these former US Naval Ships.

The Tall Ships festival, hosted the  U.S. Brig Niagara. Built in 1988 as a reconstruction of the warship aboard which Oliver Hazard Perry won the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. Her primary mission is to preserve the skills of square rig seafaring and to interpret the history of the Lake Erie Campaign during the War of 1812.

 Do you think the art of sailing these fine wind driven vessels is becoming a lost art?

What was The Big Open House?

The biggest open house event in Michigan's history, it was today, April 27,  Sponsored in part by Chase Bank and the advertising department of The Detroit News/Free Press and The Livingstn County Daily Press & Argus, and newspaper adds paid for by local Realtors.

The Metropolitan Consolidated Association of REALTORS  teamed with Detroit Media Partnership to present The Big Open House, a region-wide community open house designed to highlight both the unparalleled variety of homes available to today's consumer and the many great communities that comprise southeast Michigan.

In a desperate attempt to reduce the 20 month supply of unsold inventory, Real estate agents in four counties-Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and Livingston-were encouraged to hold open houses on Sunday, April 27  Projections from The Detroit News/Free Press predicted they would sell 67pages  encomassing 67 adds on each page, totaling 4,489 home adds. In reality the homes covered 8 pages and totaled 537 properties, resulting in a newspaper 88% shortfall in projected advertising revenue!

Livingston county homes contributed 22% of the open house adds  and yet we have only has 5% of the inventory in Southeastern Michigan market! If one consideres the additional "local Paper" Press-Argus, our county contributed 40% of the total market advertising  market, with The Micigan Group - Realtors comprising over 50% of Livingston County's open houses.

The Livingston County Area's results were nothing to brag about. Agents reported that no one attending the Open House were a result of reading the Expensive Adds in the Newspaper!  (all open house guests came as a result of the yard Sign), the agents reported!

If you missed this great event, you'll be able to get a preview ( 24/7) all of the houses that were featured during the The Big Open House. Just visit my website and you'll soon see the first of these listings appearing online. http://BillFear.com

So My question is: Do you feel that holding an Open House is an effiecive way to market a home?

18150 LOUD RD, ATLANTA MI, 49709    PRICED TO SELL FOR ESTATE AT $22,000.00

THIS CABIN IS APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES SOUTH OF ATLANTA MICHIGAN

LOOKING FOR PRICE 1ST, SIZE 2ND & RETIRING TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN TO HUNT, FISH, SNOWMOBILE OR 4 WHEEL, THIS SECLUDED CABIN WITH ELECTRICITY IS LOCATED 1.5 ACRE PARCEL. CABIN IS ON PRIVATE ROAD YET ADJACENT TO COUNTY ROAD 612. BRING YOUR DEPOSIT & OFFER. CALL BILL NOW FOR PRIVATE SHOWING
(810) 844-2212 OR CELL #  (810) 923-4361 LOCAL AGENT AVAILABLE FOR SHOWINGS

Regarding Property Assessments & Taxable Value ...

The current method of property taxation created by a constitutional amendment On March 15, 1994; commonly know as the Headley Amendment or  Proposal A.

When Michigan voters approved proposal A, a properties  "taxable value" was established by its current 1994 State Equalized Value (SEV.) Proposal A was established to limit the growth in property taxes by an amount not to exceed the consumer Price Index (CPI) or the rate of inflation, which ever is lower, but in no case may it exceed 5.0% annually.  The "taxable value" is capped until ownership in the property is sold. Upon a sale, the taxable value is uncapped and becomes equal to the State Equalized Value.

Proposal A "tax reduction" resulted in a reduction in the school operating millage;to  compensate for the reduction on school operating revenue, the State Sales Tax was increased to 6.0% from 4.0%

Property owner's current tax  is determined by the millage rate and the "taxable value." The "state equalized value" is determined by the local tax assessor and computed from "sales studies"  for a period of usually starting 2 year prior to the current year.. i.e. for 2008 most assessors use  the period of sales from  April 1^st 2006 thru March 31^st 2007.

In order to achieve a reduction in taxes, one's SEV must be below the current "taxable value."

Complicating the process is "Lansing" mandate, which essentially prohibits our local assessor from using bank foreclosed sales in the "sales study."

Qualifying Realtors are able to provide additional  neighborhood sales studies that provide additional sales data to the local assessor - for tax reductions.

If a family is experiencing a financial hardship, the local assessor has the power to "forgive" most of the current year's tax. Please contact your qualified Realtor or local assessor with your concerns.

So my question is: What can be done to make "Lansing" more responsive to homeowners taxing dilemma?  

Bill Fear contact me at Bill@BillFear   http://BillFear.com   (810) 923-4361 or Just Click Here

Visiting the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, located 12 miles west of Tucson in the Tucson Mountains, is an outdoor experience of a lifetime. The museum has enchanted me with its exhibits of live animals in astonishingly natural settings, It's a world-renowned outdoor zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! There are almost 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.  Exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, and more. Within the Museum grounds, you will see more than 300 animals and 1,200 kinds of plants.

The mission of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonora Desert,

 2/3 of this desert is located in Mexico and stretches North to encompass parts of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.

Do you think we should be more conscious of our ecological surroundings?

A 12 year old Canadian school student injured Wednesday at Mt. Brighton by a snow grooming machine. Austin Miles continues to make progress as he recovers at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.  Livingston County Sheriff Bob Bezotte said initial investigations showed 12 year old Austin Miles was run over by a snow grooming machine Wednesday afternoon when he lost control and fell in front of the machine. However an investigation into the matter is ongoing. It took more than an hour to extricate him from the device. He was originally listed in critical condition and then was upgraded yesterday to serious after officials said he was off of a ventilator and that it looked like they could save his leg, which had been severely damaged in the incident. Authorities have upgraded Miles to fair condition. So my question to you is: Should snow grooming machines be allowed to operate when skiers are present?

 Reprinted in part from WHMI, Livingston Counties Radio Station.

Hartland Township Board has granted its preliminary approval for a large shopping mall at the Northeast corner of M-59 and Hartalnd Road (also known as the old Oasis truck stop) at the Tuesday night meeting. The Hartland Towne Square project has been amended to include almost seven additional acres and now totals 85acres in size. Hartland Road is scheduled to be re-located at the Western edge of the "Big Boy " Restaurant through the shopping center and includes a roundabout :( in the new plans. A newly proposedRovey Drive (that paralles Highland Road to the South of "Big Boy") earlier drew criticism from residents in the nearby Farm Ridge Conds. subdivision due to concerned with traffic. The 91,351 square foot project will include retail shops, restaurants, a hotel, and a Meijer store. The developer, Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust, still needs final approval from the Planning Commission and the township board, however; the preliminary approval is generally seen as the last big hurdle to getting a green light for a project in the township. The Developer  Ramco-Gershenson was pleased with the preliminary rezoning to PD from GC  because there is a substantial benefit to the ultimate user of the project and the community will result in a higher quality of development that could be achieved under the conventional GC Zoning.  So, my question is: What do you think about the construction of another ROUND-A-BOUT on Highland Road ? Thanking you in advance for your reply. 

For more information on this commercial development call me at (810) 844-2212  www.BillFear.com                                             

North Ridge Church in Plymouth produces one of the finest holiday theatrical productions in Michigan.  This glory concerts at Christmas encompasses the frustration of the secular Holiday Season caused by competing family and business interest.  The "message" is it can be resolved within a common sense approach.  The Glory of Christmas is a must see for all ages. This theatrical production rivals Broadway at a fraction of the professional ticket price. The Glory of Christmas  has been seen by over 200,000 people in the past 7 years. Our family was delighted to experience the local talent, which rivaled Broadway performances.

To inquire about the schedule of  The Glory of Christmas

Phone (734) 414.7777

49555 North Territorial
Plymouth, MI 48170

http://www.northridgechurch.com/

The Community Theatre of Howell presented the Wizard of Oz today.

It was the last of eight shows.  It was a challenging role. Hannah Grischke, an eight grader at Williamson Middle School, played Dorothy Gale.  Although the theatre allowed four weeks to memorize the script, Hannah had the job done in two weeks, and maintained a 4.0 average in school.She received a standing ovation for her stellar performance.  This was her third CTH production.  Previous roles were Bet in Oliverand Brigitta von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Al and Sharon Weitecha of Lakeland are Hannah's maternal grand parents

The Community Theatre of Howell's mission is to promote the performing arts in Livingston County.  The stage provides invaluable opportunities for youth, offering them a positive experience that improves self-esteem, confidence, and cooperative skills.  if you would like further information on the Comminty Theatre call me at 810.844.2212

http://www.cththeatre.org/   Community Theatre of Howell

http://www.lccvb.org/  Livingston County Convention and Visitors Bureau