Okay it happened again - I think Someone needs to take control of these underwriter's and tell them they are NOT appraisers or Real Estate agents. Are they aware we are trying to sell homes out here and keep the economy moving? Not to be rude but some where during the mortgage melt down and real estate collapse they decided they were God.

Here's just a few examples - a few weeks back we received a call from the mortgage broker saying the underwriter did not like the appraisal because it was too high. Excuse me but when did underwriters become licensed appraisers? The best part is this home was priced "well below market" and had multiple offers. Supposedly she used the Automated Valuation Method to determine the appraisal was to high.

Well let me just say this - Real Estate is way to complex to be using this system. For one the AVM does not take into account multiple offers. It does not look at what is currently available for sale, in other words what buyers are seeing. Nor does it know that the home it may be using was trashed out or filled with mold. Yet the banks have decided that the underwriters can use this system and kill deals. As I said Someone needs to take control of these underwriters - better yet the Banks. I won't even go there.

Then the other day I am talking to the mortgage broker to get my weekly update and she tells me that since the buyer was putting a large amount down, they were not doing an inside appraisal. Okay did someone do a drive by? Nope we used the AVM (gulp) and we have the value at $68,000 and asks if that's what we needed. Ah No you apparently have the wrong file because we sold that 1800 sq ft detached condo with a fully finished basement and 2 car garage for $150,000. I nearly went through the phone to wring her neck. You need to get someone out there now to do an appraisal because the AVM is whacked. Makes me wonder if she ever looked at the purchase agreement.

So here's where the straw broke the camels back. We get an approval from the underwriter with one small condition, it appears that the buyer missed an initial on the purchase agreement. So they send it back to clear the condition and she decides that maybe they better get a second appraisal (at the buyers expense). You have got to be kidding me? This is a perfect buyer, slam dunk and she is buying a condo well below the market. Really someone needs to get control of these underwriters and remind them they are dealing with peoples lives.

It really makes me wonder if these underwriters have ever bought a house before? Sometimes I think we are dealing with robots ABC 123 and not people with common sense.

I was beginning to think it was just me. Then yesterday I read a post from one of my favorite blogger Jay Thompson - well it appears he is running into the same problems. How about You??

Last weekend Ed and I ran The Crim Festival of Races, a 10 mile race through the streets of Flint MI. It's a fun race but getting to the finish line requires training and commitment. This means running in the rain, getting up early when it's hot or if we you have early appointments and running when you really do not feel like it. Bottom-line it requires a commitment and a goal.

For Ed and I running started back in 2002 - our sons had all left for college and being empty nesters kinda made me feel well kinda empty.  So, I decided to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation and run a full marathon. However, I was not a runner and a full marathon is 26.2 miles. Needless to say Ed was not feeling my excitement but he came around once he met the coach with Joints in Motion. We started our training in April of 2001 and completed the Walt Disney World Marathon in Florida January 2002. That meant running in the spring with rain, the heat of the summer, into the fall and more rain, then into the cold and snow of Michigan. Many times thinking I must be nuts but remembering the whole time that getting to the finish line requires training and commitment and we had a great goal.

Since, then we have run the Crim several times, I did the 60 mile Breast Cancer Walk and now we are training for the Brooksie Way, a 1/2 marathon in Rochester Hills. So you can say we know about commitment.

Now you might ask what does all this have to do with real estate? Well if you think about it everything in our life starts with a goal or finish line - even our birth. Then once we are born we are always setting mini goals - to walk, to talk to say our ABC's, to get through grade school, high school and on to college. Find a partner, get a job or start a business. Maybe it's not as clear as running a race but getting to any finish line requires training and commitment. Hang on I am almost there.

Today, Ed sold a home in Macomb Township to a young single mom and she is now one step closer to her goal of owning a home. But it wasn't easy getting to this point. She looked at tons of homes and actually wrote about 5 offers. She started off slow writing just below asking price but she lost out. She searched again this time writing $5,000 over asking but again she was beat out. She viewed homes in the pouring rain, she drove through tons of traffic and again found another home only this time she wrote $10,000 over asking. Darn she was beat out again but committed to her goal she pushed on leaving work early, getting in and out of the car in the summer heat and then finally she found another home, she offered $20,000 over asking price but was beat out again. Back to the goal or the finish line and finally all her training and commitment paid off.

Today she has a place she can soon call HOME - almost to the finish line. Are you setting goals, training and giving it your all? Are you committed?

Okay, now I am seeing tears from the seniors on our listing appointments and I don't like it one bit. Over the past couple weeks we have had a few listing appointments involving seniors that need to downsize. These sellers are in the over 70 age group, better know as the "Silent Generation".

Since this generation was born in and around the Great Depression they are usually thrifty, they learned to save for a rainy day and were raised to pay off their mortgages and own their homes free and clear. Unlike the generations after them they were also very loyal and generally worked for the same company their whole life. When you talk to them most can remember standing in bread lines, walking to school (usually miles) in old shoes and eating bacon grease with bread.

But now even this generation is starting to feel the effects of the real estate crash. Last week we sat across the kitchen table from an elderly couple that sold their home in 2002 and used the proceeds to purchase a condo for $172,000.  After careful review of the comparables we informed them that they could list the condo for $130,000 but that they should expect a sales price around $120,000 - $125,000.  Then as I look up from my paperwork, I am seeing tears from the seniors sitting across the table from me.

As we try to comfort them - we are reminded of other seniors we have met with this year and like the others they too are scared...

• worried about their health care or lack of it
  
• worried about their pensions
  
• wondering what happened to the companies they worked for
• worried about their children if they should lose their job
  
• worried - that they may run out of money

Downsizing is never easy but in Macomb County right now, many seniors are being forced to leave hard earned cash on the table, when they sell. Money they could of used to live on and it's happening more and more. This is why I am see tears from the seniors I meet.

While these seniors were paying their mortgages off or paying cash for their homes, many of their neighbors were putting very little down and getting large mortgages. Now these neighbors are simply walking away - foreclosing and leaving a mess of the property values.

While the "Silent Generation" asks us "When do you think it will turn around?" or "Do you think it will get worse before it gets better?"

Looking for Polish food? Then check out Marcus Grill in Shelby Township.

Being of Polish decent I can tell you this is as close to grandma's food as it gets. I recently took my parents there and they agreed and said they for sure would be back. You'll be happy to know that the Polish entrees are made from scratch daily and you can tell.

They originally opened in Detroit about 80 years ago, opened another restaurant in Sterling Heights and now we have a Marcus Grill in Shelby Township and it's close to the office. Which is good for those days when I just can't make it home to cook.

Besides the Polish entrees they are famous for their Detroit Orginial Marcus Burger - an all steak burger in a steamed hot dog bun - a secret recipe since 1929. These are the best and only $3.00 - imagine that! The Detroit News even featured on their website.

Marcus Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they offer nice size servings. My favorite is the mini Polish patter which comes with 1 cheese roll or Palachinski (crepes), 2 pierogi, 2 potato pancakes and a cup of chicken dumpling soup. Usually, half goes home. But many times Ed and I just split this and with the rolls it's enough for lunch.

The owner seen here is so sweet and always there to say hi. Now if you are planning a party Marcus Grill in Shelby Township also offers a room for private parties and will even cater your party. The bar as seen below has a large seating area.

You'll notice right way how clean it is and how friendly the staff is too. They are in the process of putting together a website but until it is complete you can visit www.MarcusGrill.com to view the menu.

The restaurant is located at 55690 Van Dyke between 25 & 26 Mile on the east side of the street. Here is a map.  A must visit if you are in the Shelby Township area near Van Dyke and 25 - 26 Mile area.

Looking for a new dentist? Then I would recommend MC Dental Care in Shelby Township MI. Whether you are a life long resident of Macomb County or new to the area and you are in search for a new dentist office, make an appointment with Dr. Michelle C. Dziurgot.

You immediately notice once you enter the lobby that this office is very clean and inviting. The waiting room is furnished with a large flat panel TV, loads of current magazines, play area for the kids, is tastefully decorated and offers a mini fridge filled with bottled water.

At MC Dental Care in Shelby Township you'll be amazed at how well this office is run. The rooms are all very bright, computerized and offer top of the line dental equipment. You'll also noticed the staff is always well dressed and very pleasant. Since Dr. Dziurgot was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy that may explain why her office runs so smooth. 

Now no one likes to go the dentist but one thing we have noticed about Dr.Dziurgot is she explains everything and has a great chair-side manner, along with her dental assistants - making you feel very at ease.

MC Dental Care in Shelby Township is also know as "The Home of the WOW Office"  and is located at 50202 Schoenherr in Shelby Township on the east side of Schoenherr just south of 23 Mile. The office phone number is 586-247-8000 or you can make an appointment on-line at their office website. You can read more about Dr. Dziurgot here in this Hour Detroit article and you'll find several great reviews on-line too.

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A real estate agent Must be present to open the lock box. So, if your agent is giving you the lock box code because they are to busy or to lazy to show you the home, than I suggest you find another one.  Why? Because they are actually placing you at risk of trespassing. You may not know this but as a member of the local MLS when we list a home we sign a contract with the seller that states "Broker, broker's representatives, agents and sub-agents are hereby granted access to the property". No where does it say that the buyer has permission to enter the home - so by doing so you may be trespassing.

It seems this is becoming an epidemic and not just in Macomb County. In fact, this exact topic was addressed this month in the MAR Publication legal section.  Then yesterday we received a call from a buyer asking for the lock box code on one of our listings. When we told him "a real estate agent agent must be present to open the lock box". He stated "the broker down the street gave me the code with out coming to the home". Really? Well today I sent off an e-mail to that broker stating that this is not only unprofessional but it is placing these buyers at risk not to mention the sellers they represent in the event something happens. The broker did contact me and said this was not acceptable practice and that he would look into it.

Our MLS listing contract also states "Owner(s) shall indemnify and hold Broker, Broker's representatives, agents and sub-agents and cooperating broker harmless from any and all liability for any reason as a result of injury to persons or damage or loss to property arising out of the showing". But does that protect you? What happens if no agent is present and something comes up missing, is damaged or if someone gets hurt? If you are not with an agent where does that leave you??? Can you then be held liable for damages?

Over the past few months several of our agents have come back with stories...

• They have found buyers wondering around in the home without an agent, that gained access via a lock box code. 
• One of our agents would not allow a buyer in a home because their agent was not present. The buyer got right in her face and said "Fine I'll just wait till you leave and said some choice words"
• Ed would not allow a buyer in the home he was showing only to find the same buyer inside the next home he was showing because the agent gave him the lock box codes.
• We have even had buyers tell us that their previous agent just gave them the lock box to view homes on their own. These buyers were going in flooded basements, mold filled homes and even walking around with flash lights in the dark.
• One buyer we know of viewed the home himself, had the agent write the offer and closed without the agent ever viewing the home

Sorry to say folks these agents are not working in your best interests. If they are to busy to take the time to show you homes how will they handle the offer and the closing? How can they give you professional advice on the market and the home? You may want to check and see if they are representing you or the seller. Better yet if you decide to sell with them in the future will they allow buyers access to Your home too without being present??

While preparing for this post I did some checking and obviously the public agrees a real estate agent agent must be present to open the lock box - here's one from Trulia and Yahoo. However, there was also a blog where this guy actually gave investors step by step directions on how to gain access to bank owned homes without a REALTOR®. Shame on the agents that gave him the codes.

What do you think? Is this okay or is it Trespassing?

Ocean Breeze Restaurant in Shelby Township is located at 51748 Van Dyke just north of 23 Mile across from the Shelby Township Senior Citizen's Center.  They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The restaurant is always clean, the tables are bussed quickly and the waitresses are always very pleasant. They also offer very generous servings and the prices are pretty reasonable too.

We do not eat breakfast out too often but when we do we always go to Ocean Breeze Restaurant in Shelby Township. We're about 20 minutes away but it's worth the drive. We especially like their omelet's and the fact that they are not greasy. If you are heading out on Sunday morning there's usually a wait - but they move them in and out pretty quick.

Speaking of wait - Ocean Breeze offers a nice size waiting area just inside the doors, which really comes in handy in the winter months. There are also plenty of tables and booths inside so you never have to wait long.

The thing we notice is how well organized they are and attribute that to the managers who are always near by. This allows the tables to be busses quickly so customers are not waiting to long.

Ocean Breeze Restaurant in Shelby Township offers a nice lunch menu and for dinner several specials to choose from at reasonable prices. They also offer a good cup of coffee and bring a small pot right to the table.  As of June 15, 2009 the Macomb County Health Department stated they had No Critical Violations.

If you're in the area be sure to stop by and enjoy a great breakfast, lunch or dinner. Here's a map along with some reviews.

Don't miss the Wine Tasting Event in Shelby Township MI this Wednesday, August 5 th from 7 pm - 9 pm at the Cherry Creek Golf and Banquet Center  This event is being hosted by the Shelby Township DDA (Downtown Development Authority) and the Utica-Macomb Daybreakers Kiwanis Club.

This Wine Tasting Event in Shelby Township MI will feature 100 wines and 16 micro-brews from Michigan and around the globe. Ted Moss, Sommerlier at Vince and Joe's Gourmet Market and vendor representatives will be there to answer any questions you may have about their products.

There will also be Live Music and a strolling finger food buffet. So grab a few friends, family or co-workers and come join us for an Evening of Fine Wines and Specialty Suds and experience this special Wine Tasting Event in Shelby Township MI.

Tickets can still be purchased at Vince and Joe's Gourmet Market (55178 Van Dyke), Nitsches Meat and Deli Shoppe (52175 Van Dyke) and Cherry Creek Golf and Banquet Center (52000 Cherry Creek Drive) or at the door the evening of the event. Tickets are $15.00 each.

The Cherry Creek Golf and Banquet Center is located in Shelby Township on the south side of 24 Mile just west of M-53.  I have personally attended several events in their banquet facility - a wedding shower, baby shower and a wedding reception and I was pleased with the food and the service each time.

Opened in 1995 and designed by Lanny Wadkins / Mike Bylen this course is a fun 18 hole, regulation course that offers 4 sets of tees measuring from 5012 to 6784 yards. The course is just beautiful and has gentle rolling hills, cherry trees and a variety of oak and ash along with water.  You can view the golf course here.

Although, I am not a golfer (but would love to be) I understand from several golfers I know that the course is great for all levels. All that I spoke with commented on what a beautiful golf course it is and the fun they have with the tree. Cherry Creek Golf and Golf Banquet Center also offers a 50 stationed driving range with 7 target greens of various yardage. Along with 2 putting greens and 3 practice greens with bunkers for putting and chipping. They also offer golf lessons - which I just may think about taking after visiting this course.

Their Lakeview Room where I attended a wedding reception was just beautiful. It over looked the golf course and featured panoramic views of the course and the lake. The veranda and patio just outside the room also added space to the reception and allowed us to enjoy a beautiful summer evening.

This would be a wonderful place for a bride and groom to take photos for their wedding album. Someone we have personally used in the past Scott Green Photography offers a beautiful Wedding Gallery of the Lakeview Room and more.

Cherry Creek Golf and Golf Banquet Center has been featured in many of the areas finest publications like Hour Detroit Magazine - "Best Public Golf Course"; Crain's Detroit Business - "Best Clubhouse" and more. While there recently we also checked out the Ryder Cup Grille which is open daily for breakfast and lunch and dinner during golf season. Along with the Pro shop that offers equipment and many large brand names.

So if you are visiting Southeast Michigan and would like to check out a wonderful golf course, with plenty to offer be sure to check them out at 52000 Cherry Creek Drive, Shelby Township, Michigan 48316 or contact them at 586-254-7700 at the pro shop or 586-254-6001 at the Banquet Center. View a few more photos below....