Grand Ledge, Lansing Old Town, East Lansing, Dewitt, and St. Johns all have some wonderful family events coming up in August for you to mark on your calendar to attend. July events can be obtained on Lansing.org which has a complete lineup for the entire year.
August 1 Island Art Fair Grand Ledge The 36th annual Island Art Fair features 130 artists selling their works, food and live music on the Second Island in downtown Grand Ledge.
August 7-8 Lansing JazzFest Old Town Lansing Lansing JazzFest is a two-day free festival bringing regional and national jazz acts to an audience of over 15,000. Located in Lansing's historic Old Town, offering galleries, shops and vendors of ethnic food, arts and crafts.
August 7-9 MSU Museum's Great Lakes Folk Festival East Lansing The MSU Museum presents this three-day celebration of culture, tradition and community. Find music, dance, food and more with the roots, the rhythms and the richness of cultures across America and around the world.
August 21-23 DeWitt Ox RoastDowntown DeWitt For over 60 years DeWitt has celebrated on the banks of the Looking Glass River with an arts and crafts show, food and beverage tents, a parade, classic car show, entertainment, fireworks at dusk and more!
August 14-16 St. Johns Mint Festival St. Johns 25th Anniversary festival in 2009 with arts and crafts, flea market, food concessions, parade, five sports tournaments, free entertainment, quilt show, car show and tons of activities for kids.
Buying or selling a home in today's greater Lansing, Michigan real estate market can be complicated without having the proper expertise and guidance throughout the process. Community information - about service - restaurants, services, parks, things to do, tourist stuff, local government and issues, buildings, and development projects, are only a few of the many services you should expect from your Realtor. You are welcome to visit my website for tips that will assist you.
"Expect the Best" and Have a Great Summer
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood 1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203 email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search Listings
The Cap and Trade Bill bill passed by a narrow margin of 219-212 only after 300 pages of amendments were added to satisfy members of Congress from agricultural and industrial areas at 3 a.m. in the morning.
Congressmen with constituents with rural electric coops, bio-fuel producers, farmers and ethanol producers secured a number of free credits for those folks to bring them around. That pushed the bill to more than 1,200 pages, think again, if you believe members of Congress had time to thoroughly examine the bill before a vote was called.
I see another nail in the coffin being placed for the housing industry with new regulations being placed on homeowners, appraisers, mortgages, and Realtors. The new home standards and bringing your existing house up to these new standards prior to selling is yet to be seen.
Here we go, back to school. Watch the video and tell me what you think! Representative John Boehner discusses this bill with regards to housing. It's Insane!
There's new energy and enthusiasm in the Greater Lansing Regional area with businesses, events, and opportunity. Most homeowners like the Lansing area because it's a great place to live, work and play. With many projects in the works for future growth, I am optimistic that Central Michigan will begin to see light at the end of the tunnel for the challenging times we have experienced.
The housing market is beginning to bottom out with inventory continuing to shrink, pricing stabilizing, and pending sales beginning to exceed last years numbers. The residential market surplus was 9.2 months of inventory compared to 15.7 months last year at this time as of May 31, 2009. The average sale price is still down 19.2% over last year as of May 31, 2009 to offset the economic conditions and inflated market values of 2001 - 2006. Most real estate economists are beginning to think we have bottomed out. If that's the case, I believe we will see an increase in sales, gradually over the next 24 months. (That's promising)
Greater Lansing has many events, festivals and celebrations going on throughout the tri-county area this summer. Below, I listed three that you may want to mark on your calander to attend. The Greater Lansing Michigan Visitors Bureauhas a complete list of all event and will allow you to get additional information.
June 21-27 Red Cedar Jubilee - Williamston The Red Cedar Jubilee features parades as well as craft shows, a demolition derby, lawn mower races, a duck drop and a food and beverage tent with live music. While in town visit the antiques district.
June 27th 12-6 P.M. Delta Rocks! Family Festival - Delta Township A free family festival featuring clowns, pony rides, inflatable attractions, games, kids' make-it and take-it crafts, music, live animals, super slingshot, face painting, turtle races, trackless train, concessions and more.
July 6-12 Common Ground Festival - Lansing The Common Ground Music Festival is an annual celebration featuring an impressive array of headlining musical entertainment for seven nights! Be sure to bring a chair and enjoy the concerts under the stars!
If you're interested in learning more about the greater Lansing area real estate market, would like a more detailed report on market values, neighborhood sales or demographics, feel free to visit my site. Buying or selling a home in the greater Lansing, Michigan real estate market can be complicated without having the proper expertise and guidance throughout the process. Visit http://mikebowler.com for tips that will assist you.
"Expect the Best" Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood 1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203 email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search Listings
"Now's the Time to Make Your Move" Many people in the greater Lansing Michigan real estate market are concerned about how today's challenging economic environment might affect their ability to buy a home, or even whether they should become homeowners right now. Real estate remains a wonderful long-term investment compared to renting.
The greater Lansing real estate market will see an increase in home sales as a result of the Federal Housing Administration program to allow qualified home buyers to apply the $8,000 tax credit when purchasing a home. This true tax break is for first-time home buyers.
With This tax break, historically low interest rates, sellers willing to negotiate, and plenty of homes to choose from, I would advise anyone wanting the American dream of home ownership to begin the process by searching for homeson the Internet, becoming acquainted with the process of mortgage pre-qualification and move forward.
Here is a place to obtain a copy of a FREE Home-buyers Guide Book with step by step guides for preparing your house hunting adventure.
As I mentioned above; Real estate is first and foremost an investment, that will sometimes perform well and sometimes not. However for those looking long term, it has almost always performed well. The key is buying with the intention to hold long term. Property ownership equity accounts for more than half the wealth in the United States. It is never a bad time to buy real estate. Start your search for homes here.
Many Greater Lansing Real Estate homes qualify for the additional home buying assistance program through MSHDA, in addition to the new federal tax credit. Here's an example of a wonderful opportunity that can be bought this Sunday, June 14th, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
MAR reported today that The Michigan State Housing Development Authority has significantly expanded its down-payment assistance program that, when combined with the new federal tax credit, would provide more than $15,000 in help for first-time home buyers.
"MSHDA has raised its limits on the household income for buyers eligible for the $7,500 loan from $55,000 to nearly $95,000," said Mary Townley, MSHDA's director of homeownership. "We felt we just needed to provide more tools for home buyers."
For both the federal and state programs, buyers are eligible if they haven't owned a home in the past three years. The federal credit runs through Dec 1. The state loans can be used for homes worth up to $224,500. Income limits and other information can be found at MSHDA's Web Site.
The above property is located at 1132 Morris Ave. Lansing, MI 48917.Take Saginaw Hwy 3 blocks east of Waverly Road, go north on Morris Ave. Edgemont Park Sub, Waverly School District. A quaint red brick ranch with front porch great for rocking and back porch for grilling. This 3-bedroom home has hardwood floors throughout, refinished in 2008, beautiful kitchen with ceramic tile, updated hardware on cabinets, recessed lighting and spacious living room. Completely remodeled bathroom in 2006, (new tub/shower, toilet, sink, lighting, and medicine cabinet). All new light fixtures and modern paint throughout.
Other features include, high-efficiency furnace, central air, and replacement windows throughout, a partially finished and updated knotty pine basement. Enjoy the fenced in backyard, and garage. This home is a must to see.
"Expect the Best" Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood 1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203 email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search Listings
You have decided to purchase a home, or are thinking about buying one, in the Greater Lansing real estate market.You'll be joining the ranks of hundreds of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity as a long tern investment, saving for the future, and creating an environment for your family. When you own your own home, your hard-earned dollars contribute to your mortgage. The equity you earn is yours. Over time, your home will increase in value. Although real estate values shot up about 89% from 2000-2006, they have declined in excess of 30% in some parts of the country over the past couple of years. My point is this: Real Estate is a long term investment, and is also important for the welfare of the entire economic picture.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis; NAR recently reportedthat the total economic impact of a typical home sale in Michigan created income of $38,512.00 on the median priced home of $118,600.00. That figure contributed to furniture, appliances etc to be purchased, and additional people to be put to work, as originators of mortgages, appraisers, home inspectors, and others. This is the key contributing factor to recovery and has been in other economic downturns.
A home is a financial asset and more: it's a place to live and raise children; it's a plan for the future; it's an investment in your community. FHA provides 100 questions and answers for the homebuyer to consider. These questions will help you sort things out and give you some ideas for preparing for the future. I hope you enjoy.
"Expect the Best" Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood 1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203 email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search Listings
I posted this a few years back, however it's worth another look in today's challenging real estate market. Golf and Real Estate are so much alike. Sometimes you just have to go golfing to clear your mind.
In golf, weather conditions change your game; in real estate market conditions change your approach to business.
In golf, if you want score well you have to have the right equipment. In real estate today the right equipment means being on top of the best technology to provide great pictures, websites, syndication, and communication.
In golf, if a golfer wants to score well, he or she needs to know the course. Do we know our market? The inventory of what's available, schools, amenities, tax rates, transportation etc.
In golf, they say your score depends on 75% mental attitude; you have to have a vision of how the shot is going to turn out or feel the swing. In real estate, we have to believe the results are going to be that new listing or sale. We have to picture the results. "Those who believe they can, and those who believe they can't, are both right.
In golf, you should always play the course, not your opponent. Sometimes we in real estate worry too much about our competition instead of focusing on the services we can provide each buyer or seller.
In golf, we have the drive, the approach, the chip and the putt. We call that activities in real estate, like leads, prospects, open houses, FSBO's, expired listings, relationships, and presentations.
In golf, sometimes the hazards like sand, woods and water can challenge our game. We in real estate experience that with slumps along the way, problem files, challenging sellers, buyers, co-op agents and vendors. However, by chipping out and getting back on course we keep our focus on the end results.
In golf, I know most pros have coaches who may assist the golfer on mental attitude, stroke improvements, and various segments of their game. It's also important in real estate that an agent has a support system. We have managers; staff, systems, tools and many agents today even hire a coach to boost their income and accountability.
In golf, most golf pros practice, drill and rehearse daily to perfect their game. Realtors who want to be pros are also subject to practicing their presentations, scripts and staying on top of marketing techniques to survive in today's world. How can we expect to win customers and clients over to our side if we don't practice, drill and rehearse?
In golf, they call it good edict to replace divots, fix ball marks, treat every player with respect, count all your strokes and use the proper amount of clubs. We in real estate have a great code of ethics provided by NAR that gives us the guidelines and rules to follow. The golden rule goes along way when working with other Realtors to compliment, communicate and look at them as true peers of our industry vs. just competition.
In golf, they keep score and have a handicap. Are you keeping score of your real estate career? What's your handicap? Vision, goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics are what Realtors need to succeed.
If a golfer wants to hit a great shot, they have to keep their head down. IN today's market, I say, Realtors, I say keep your head up.
Some practical things to think about as we prepare for an exciting summer this year in Lansing Michigan real estate, what do you think?
"Expect the Best" Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood 1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203 email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search Listings
You can visit other real estate agent and broker related articles at PRETEC
Real estate consumers in the greater Lansing area and across the country can now take advantage of a Federal Housing Administration program to allow qualified home buyers to apply the $8,000 tax credit when purchasing a home, reported by NAR in a press release. FHA will now permit its lenders to provide a short-term bridge loan that will let qualified home buyers use the tax creditto either make a larger down payment above the FHA required 3.5 percent, cover closing costs, or buy down their interest rate.
Lansing has shown an increase in sales of 9.8% over last year compared to Michigan 8.55 % increase YTD compared to last year at this time, according to MAR.
A NAR practitioner survey in April showed first-time buyers declined to 40 percent of transactions, implying more repeat buyers are entering the traditional spring home-buying season. It also showed the number of buyers looking at homes has increased 14 percentage points from a year ago. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist said: "This is consistent with our forecast for home sales in the latter part of the year to be 10 to 20 percent higher than the second half of 2008,"
As a home buyer in the greater Lansing area, it's important to start equipping yourself with the tools necessary to make your best purchase. In most businesses, knowledge equals power, and real estate is certainly no exception. Here are 4 free reports I've provided, and I hope you learn a little more about what it takes to make your important purchase a great one.
"Expect the Best" Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood 1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203 email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search Listings
• 3,238 sq. ft., 3 bath, 6 bdrm 2 story "Over 3000 sq. Ft of Living" - $169,900 - Priced to Sell
Grand Ledge, Delta Township - 8.2 Acres, Grand Ledge School District. Here's a an opportunity for the large family or ideal setup for mom and dad, or the kids to move back home. 6 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 3 baths, great room and living room. Historical home site with all new remodeling throughout. Yes there is more that can be completed, however then you would being paying more money. This is a beautiful piece of property with 2 out buildings, many mature trees and a great place to be located between Grand Ledge and Lansing area. This sale is subject to mortgage company short sale approval and is priced to sell.
Home sellers in the greater Lansing area will now have an opportunity to attract additional buyers to buy their home with peace of mind. Adding this program to the Tax Credit for first time homebuyers, the low pricing of homes, and record low interest rates, I would suggest sellers make this part of your marketing plan when selling.
Through the Coldwell Banker Business Advantage program, sellers can now offer a mortgage payment protection plan to homebuyers. This program, available from The Paycheck Guardian, features Job Loss Protection, Accidental Disability Protection, and Accidental Death Protection.
If a seller agrees to purchase the program, then they can include this program as an additional feature on their home listing. The program provides a qualified homebuyer with a monthly benefit of up to $1,500 for 6 months in the event the buyer becomes unemployed. The plan also includes a lump-sum payment for Accidental Death of $10,000.
Program benefits include: · Peace of Mind Protection - addresses the fear of job loss · Pays cash benefits directly to the home buyer if their income stops due to job loss or accidental disability · Covered individual can receive up $1500 per month and a $10,000 lump sum accidental death benefit · 4 or 6 month benefit plans available · Differentiates sellers listing from others on the market · No sign up fees and no premium payment until the home is sold · Easy internet enrollment after closing
Long and Foster Real Estate Company on the East Coast has been very successful with sellers offering this program for the past 4 months. Margaret Woda, Long and Foster, Crofton Real Estate and one of my fellow Active Rain, Rainmakers, authored a great Blog post back in April on Active Rain .
Home sellers who are thinking of moving up, may have a wonderful window period here for the next six month's to sell their house and buy another one. If you woud like to know the value of your home in today's market, look at your options, or learn more about the above marketing program, feel free to contact me for an appointment.
"Expect the Best" Mike
Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood 1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917 Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203 email: Mike@MikeBowler.com Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com Search Listings
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
coming up in August for you to mark on your calendar to attend. July events can be obtained on 
"Now's the Time to Make Your Move" Many people in the greater Lansing Michigan real estate market are concerned about how today's challenging economic environment might affect their ability to buy a home, or even whether they should become homeowners right now. Real estate remains a wonderful long-term investment 
You'll be joining the ranks of hundreds of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity as a long tern investment, saving for the future, and creating an environment for your family. When you own your own home, your hard-earned dollars contribute to your mortgage. The equity you earn is yours. Over time, your home will increase in value. Although real estate values shot up about 89% from 2000-2006, they have declined in excess of 30% in some parts of the country over the past couple of years. My point is this: Real Estate is a long term investment, and is also important for the welfare of the entire economic picture.
I posted this a few years back, however it's worth another look in today's challenging real estate market. Golf and Real Estate are so much alike. Sometimes you just have to go golfing to clear your mind.
Real estate consumers in the greater Lansing area and across the country can now take advantage of a Federal Housing Administration program to allow qualified home buyers to apply the $8,000 tax credit when purchasing a home, 
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