Today my daughter moves into her first apartment.  She is going to be starting her 2^nd year at Michigan State and is now going to live just off campus.  She is only going to be 12 miles form our home so it's not like I'm not going to see her but I'm still kind of bummed.  Her lease is for a year so she will be there next summer as well and then probably into her nexst apartment or she will stay there.  She is probably never really going to be living at home again

When she left last fall to move into her dorm room it bothered me a little but I knew she would be back home.  Now it seems like it's the next step.  She might be home for spot stays but I know it won't be for very long.  We are pretty close and do a lot of things together but I guess it's a new era.  She is extatic about having her own place and no classes for a month and I am happy for her but I don't know that I am ready to be old enough to have a child on their own.

It's all part of life and something that is all good but today will be a mixed day for me. 

Jeff Thornton

Jeff Thornton | Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood | 517-719-4430 1524 Carol Ln, Dansville, MI Newer Walkout Ranch on a 1.7 Acre Cul-De-Sac Lot 4BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $229,900 Year Built 1997 Sq Footage 2,613 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 1.7 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION GREAT ROOM WITH WOODBURNING FIREPLACE & CATHEDRAL CEILING. DINING ROOM WITH HARDWOOD FLOOR, STEP OUT BAY WINDOW. SUNNY BRIGHT WHITE KITCHEN WITH CENTER ISLAND, GRANITE COUNTERTOP. FULL FINISHED WALKOUT LOWER LEVEL. 2.5 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE WITH OPENER & FINISHED INTERIOR. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Office/Den Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Basement Laundry area - inside Yard Jacuzzi/Whirlpool     COMMUNITY FEATURES Garage parking Guest parking Laundry on-site   OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Finished Walk-Out Lower Level Cul-De-Sac Lot Cathedral Ceilings   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS   Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jul 30, 2008, 4:03pm PDT

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My Other Great Properties for Sale

Homes For Sale in the Greater Lansing Area

Jeff Thornton
Jeff@JeffThornton.com
517-719-4430

It is crucial that your home looks it's best for the potential buyer if you are to get the best possible price in the least amount of time. A little time now can pay big dividends when you sit down at the closing table. Remember, you are competing with other sellers in your area. Here are a few tips from experts in Real Estate sales.

1. Look at your home through a buyer's eyes.

• Look at other similar homes for sale in your area. How does your home compare?
• Tour model homes. These are normally in move in condition. This is an excellent method to understand a buyer's expectations.

2. Make a list.

• What are the obstacles preventing your home from showing its full potential?
• Begin with Curb Appeal. Lawn, Fences, Walks, Driveway, etc.
• Next move to the Inside. Closets, Kitchen, Bed Rooms, Bath Rooms, Play Rooms, Living areas, and Garages.
• Categorize your findings and create an action plan:
  
  1. Un-clutter - Get rid of it!
  2. Clean - Clean it!
  3. Repair - Fix it if you can. If you can not, hire someone that can!
  4. Optimize - Build on your homes features to help the buyer to connect with your home.

3. Complete the necessary tasks.

• Scrub, Spackle, Paint, Trim, Throw Out, Plant, Dust, Decorate and Organize.

4. Keep your home in showing condition at all times.

• Buyers can be unpredictable. Showings often happen at the least convenient time possible. Don't miss a potential buyer because of a un prepared home!

Jeff Thornton
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood
Jeff@JeffThornton.com
517-719-4430

Make the SMART Choice

The Thornton Team would be pleased to represent you as a Buyer's Agent. As your Buyer's Agent, we will represent your interests exclusively. Our complete responsibility and loyalty will be to you. Having the Thornton Team help you find a home and represent your best interests during the negotiation process doesn't cost you anything, and will save you time, money and energy.

Our Buyer Agency Services include the following:

• Giving you daily updates by email within 24 hours on every new listing that meet your criteria for a home
• Assisting you in computing the fair market value of the home you are interested in purchasing
• Creating a personalized negotiating plan to help you acquire this home at the best price and terms
• Assisting you in obtaining the best possible financing plan suited to your needs
• Assist in scheduling all necessary inspections for your new home to guard against unforeseen problems and repairs
• Handling all the closing details to make certain that your home closes quickly and smoothly
• Providing information and advice on how to get your existing home ready to sell, if desired

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us. We look forward to working with you in finding the home that is perfect for you.

Jeff Thornton
517-719-4430
Jeff@JeffThornton.com

I guess I am more gullible than I thought.

Over the winter I had an evergreen tree come down at a rental house I owned.  I hadn't had it taken care of yet when I received a call from a local who was short money and was willing to work cheap.  I hired him to take care of the tree for what was a very reasonable fee.  Two weeks later more storms in Michigan and another tree down at the same property.  This time it was much larger.  I called the same guy up and hired him to take care of this tree.  He was short money and asked for $75 up front, so my wife, with her big heart, wrote him a check for $100.  A week later and a couple of reasonable weather related excuses later the tree wasn't taken care of.  Instead he needed another $60 as his assistant with the chain saw couldn't or wouldn't help him finish.  2 days later I received another call and another excuse.  He wasn't able to get a large enough chain saw and didn't have a place to take the leftover brush.  I'm beginning to get a little annoyed but I needed the tree taken care of and I wanted to help this guy make some money.  We discussed some ideas and he decided he would try one.  The next day comes and I receive a message that he can't do the job and he didn't have my money.  I needed to wait 5 days until he had some money coming in.  I let it go and waited for my money.  Today I get a call form a new tenant who took on the tree and finished the job in one day as he said he would.  It reminded me that the other guy hadn't brought my $160 back on Thursday as he promised.  When I called all I got was an answering machine.  So I drove over to his home.  He was on vacation, probably visiting Duane Marlink in beautiful Saugutuck, and he has a brand new grill in his back yard.

II stayed home this weekend to work on my home, something I seem to only have time to do on a holiday, and he is enjoying himself.  I thought that it was just my kids that new how to manipulate me.

Jeff Thornton
Associate-Broker
Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood
Jeff@JeffThornton.com
517-719-4430

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Jeff Thornton | Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood | jeff@jeffthornton.com | 517-719-4430 476 Cedar Run Court, Williamston, MI Beautiful 2 Story Home w/ Finished Walkout Lower Level 3BR/3.5BA Single Family House offered at $299,900 Year Built 2001 Sq Footage 1,927 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 3 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 15,770 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION FABULOUS 2001 PARADE HOME. WALKOUT LOWER LEVEL, OVER 2900 SF FINISHED LIVING SPACE. QUIET CUL DE SAC YET CLOSE TO EVERYTHNG. VERY PRIVATE BACK YARD WITH WOODED VIEWS! EXCEPTIONAL HOME!LOADS OF UPGRADES! LIVING ROOM WITH A GAS FP, 2 STORY SUNNY FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS, FRESHLY PAINTED. FORMAL DINING ROOM WITH GLASS SLIDING DOORS TO THE DECK, PILLARS. 1ST FLOOR MBR SUITE WITH PRIVATE BATH. $22,000 WORTH OF UPGRADES! GOURMET KITCHEN WITH OAK FLOOR, WHITE CABINETS, ALL TOP OF THE LINE GE APPLIANCES. FINISHED WALKOUT LL, BERBER CARPETING, GUEST ROOM, FULL BATH. 3 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE WITH A FINISHED INTERIOR. TO SEE A VIDEO http://jeffthornton.com/virtual_tours/CedarRun476.wmv OR FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO www.JeffThornton.com see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Tile floor Family room Living room Office/Den Dining room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Basement Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Balcony, Deck, or Patio Yard Jacuzzi/Whirlpool   OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Central Vacuum   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Jeff Thornton Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood jeff@jeffthornton.com 517-719-4430 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jun 4, 2008, 3:46pm PDT

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Jeff Thornton | Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood | jeff@jeffthornton.com | 517-719-4430 4711 Pardee, Webberville, MI 3200 Sq Ft Ranch on 2.55 Acre Lot 3BR/2.5BA Single Family House   offered at $269,900 Year Built 2004 Sq Footage 3,255 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 3 Car garage Lot Size 2.55 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION SPACIOUS 2004 RANCH ON 2.5 COUNTRY ACRES! LIVING ROOM WITH WINDOW WALL, FAM RM WITH FP, 3 CAR GARAGE. TIMBERTEC DECKING & RAILING, BRICK PAVER PATIO, ANDERSON WINDOWS & CUSTOM BLINDS THROUGHOUT THE HOME. ENTRYWAY HAS A CHERRY FLOOR, 9' CEILING, LIVING ROOM HAS A FULL WINDOW WALL, DINING ROOM HAS CHERRY FLOORING & A LARGE PICTURE WINDOW, HICKORY THOMASVILLE KITCHEN, 1ST FLOOR FAMILY ROOM WITH A GAS FP, 4 SEASON ROOM, MASTER BEDROOM SUITE WITH PRIVATE BATH, 3 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE. RESERVED TO SEE A VIDEO http://jeffthornton.com/virtual_tours/Pardee4711.wmv OR FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO http://www.JeffThornton.com   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Fireplace High/Vaulted ceiling Walk-in closet Hardwood floor Tile floor Family room Living room Bonus/Rec room Office/Den Dining room Breakfast nook Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Granite countertop Stainless steel appliances Washer Dryer Laundry area - inside Yard Jacuzzi/Whirlpool   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Jeff Thornton Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood jeff@jeffthornton.com 517-719-4430 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jun 4, 2008, 3:29pm PDT