Data is taken from Realcomp's realist

Data taken from Realcomp

Data taken from Realcomp

Information taken from Realcomp MLS

Not to mention the psychological aspects where buyers are not as trusting of sellers without the assistance of a real estate professional.  The statistics that support my perceptions and numbers are very interesting and indicate that we more than our paychecks!

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Statistics

Did you know?
. . . the typical FSBO home sold for $187,200 compared to $247,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

FSBO Methods Used to Market Home:
Yard Sign . . . 51%
Friends/neighbors . . . 53%
Newspaper ad . . . 31%
Open House . . . 29%
Listing on the Internet . . . 22%

Most Difficult Tasks for FSBO Sellers:
Getting the right price . . . 11%
Understanding paperwork . . . 16%
Preparing/fixing up home for sale . . . 18%
Attracting potential buyers . . . 9%
Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale . . . 9%

Source: 2006 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

Great time to buy now in Monroe, Michigan!

Contrary to media comments to the current climate of residential mortgage lending, our local bank, Monroe Bank and Trust - Howard Roberts 734 384-8117 Howard.Roberts@MBandT.com , LaSalle Home lending - Emily Lemieux and Arlene Walsh 734 457-3219, and Aaron LaFountain - Guaranteed Home Mortgage(734) 342-2510 are still booking residential loans for qualified borrowers.

There are great opportunities available for investors and move up buyers.    There are a lot of choices for buyers. 

I love the state in which I call home.  We have diverse terrain with the Great Lakes beaches, forests, urban cities, inland lakes, valleys and hills that were left behind by the glaciers years ago.  We enjoy all four seasons.

We have one of the lowest state income taxes yet still have consistently in the best publicly funded school systems in the country. (What a great place to have a company.  Talented pool of employees to choose from at every level.)

 If you live in Michigan, you can enjoy traveling non-stop virtually anywhere in the world through our beautiful, conveniently located Midfield Terminal Airport located south of Detroit, Michigan.  We have amazing colleges and Universities in Michigan.  The health care here is phenomenal  with the University of Michigan Hospital whose national rating is always at the top of lists and many other outstanding hospitals and world renowned physicians.

We have theatre and culture available for virtually every wallet.  As I look for a concise list to share, I found we have over a 150+ theaters including those of the colleges and universities.  We are fortunate enough to have the beautifully restored Detroit Opera House where the up-coming season schedule that is offered continues to exceed the already amazing previous schedule. Motown is the home of many talented musicians you may be able to see in many possible venues.

 There are a menu of restaurants to choose from with the world's finest and most talented chefs.  Main Street Venture restaurants have International trained chefs who provide choices for patrons in Seafood, American Fare, Italian, Mexican and upscale fine dining at their Chop House.  Locally grown but world travelled and educated Zingerman's deli, roadhouse, creamery and bakehouse bring the flavors of the country and world to Ann Arbor, Michigan in several different mediums.

Others continue to find some of the treasures we Michiganians take for granted.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/travel/escapes/17away.html?ex=1345089600&en=5adaff06b4cf0e11&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink 

We have more golf courses available per person, than any other state.In Michigan, our sports teams, with regularity bring home the roses, the cup, the pennant and even if we haven't won the Superbowl, we play on one of the finest (Ford) Field. 

Which reminds me, we have the rich history of the automobile, and the generous grandchildren of Henry Ford who remain committed to Michigan both economically and culturally.  They generously support a list too long to provide to theaters, schools, shelters, communities throughout Michigan (nationally too).  If you come to the area, make sure you take a day to visit Greenfield Village and Henry Ford museum.  We have Detroit Institute of Art and the Detroit Science Center whose extensive collections are enriched further with exhibits they bring in.  What a luxury to live in the area! 

I look forward to the soon to be changing leaves and weather change.  I love the first snow falls and our white Christmases.   By February, I can sneak away to a beach non-stop to virtually any Caribean Island or Mexico and be there in just a few hours.  On the flight back, as I remember where I packed my coat, I remember in just a short time the crocuses and daffodils will be pocking through the snow and spring is just around the corner.  I have a few more weeks to shed my winter coat to get primed for another beautiful summer in Michigan!