Looking for something to do this Labor Day Weekend? Looking for something that is cheap and fun for the whole family?  Check out the Romeo Peach Festival in downtown Romeo, Michigan.  The whole weekend has plenty to do, close to home, and is a blast.  Small downtown Romeo will have carnival rides, a car show, and plenty of yummy peach pie.  It is a great way to re-group with the family before school on Tuesday.  Wear your walking shoes.  Enjoy!!

Did you hear the news?? Our very own Rochester, Michigan has been voted one of America's best small towns to live!!  Take a look at www.CNNMoney.com for the complete article.  Rochester is #52 out of 100 acres of parkland small towns.  The artice sites the 82 acres of parkland gardens, and natural beauty.  If you have ever walked down main street or attended a "Dancing in the Streets" summer event, you would know the reason why!!  Rochester has a great community spirit that in these troubled times is refreshing.  Congrats Rochester!! You are truly a great town to live and work in.  Hopefully, the positive press with help with home and business values.  Come visit me in Rochester...

www.MaryannKepreos.com

It is always a pleasure to report when a project is completed on time.  It is a greater pleasure to report when that project is completed before the due date.  Today the 26 Mile Bridge and Ramp has officially opened.  It has been closed for months.  The bridge was not to be finished before Labor Day weekend.  My many thanks to the construction workers, planners and anyone that pushed this project to be finished ahead of schedule.  The northern macomb county area relies on this bridge for easy flow from east to west.  It has changed everyone's daily route who lives and works in this area.

  Thanks again!!

O.K. It has happened again to me today.  Leaving for a client's home, I wanted to exit at the ramp at 26 Mile Rd. and remembered that it was closed.  Yes, I have been blogging about it for awhile.  I have reminded my friends, clients, and family many, many times.  This is not the first time or second, maybe the fifth or sixth time it happened to me.  Today, I smiled.  I should have known.  I do know, but in my rush to get from place A to B, it stopped me in my tracks.  It slowed me down and let me take a few minutes to re-group.  How has the closure of the bridge been affecting your life?  I know some businesses on 26 Mile Rd. and it is hurting their pocket books.  Was this good timing with summer fast approaching and the park at the end of Mound Rd.  What do you think?  

If you are looking for a beautiful lakefront home in Macomb, MI look no further.  This home is located in a great subdivision called Woodberry Estates.  It is in the heart of Macomb Township, MI.  The subdivision has sidewalks and a great lake.  This home is approx. 2500 sq. ft. 3 bed/2.1 bath with a breath-taking view.  Enjoy the summer with the gentle sound of water right outside your doorwall.  The new owners will be lucky to have a view from every window.  The original owners are relocating and looking at all offers.  This is the one.  Call today for a private showing at (586) 703-8400 and ask for Maryann Kepreos.  You may also see more pictures at www.searchforhomesinmacomb.com .

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Macomb County Michigan Sold Home Stats for 1st Quarter-2009

Due to the $500,000 shortage in the general fund for next year, the Washington Twp. Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on March 30, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. open to the public. If you need more information call the clerk's office at 677-4202 or the supervisor's office at  677-4219.

Due to the $500,000 shortage in the general fund for next year, the Washington Twp. Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on March 30, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. open to the public. If you need more information call the clerk's office at 677-4202 or the supervisor's office at  677-4219.

 Spring has sprung in Macomb Michigan and you are trying to sell your house. Due to family reasons, job changes or economic reasons you are faced with a home to sell.  How can you be successful and complete the sale in a decent time frame? 

The following is a list of 7 easy steps to get your home in Top-Block condition.


1. De-Clutter-   I know that you are thinking "What should I do with all my stuff?"  Well, the answer is simple.  Get rid of it, give it away, or store it at a family or friends house.  You are moving!!  If it is in the next couple of weeks, or the next couple of months, start packing.   Buyers want to see empty closets.  Buyers do not care about your junk, they are sizing up your home to see if their junk will fit.  Make 3 piles; keep, give away, or throw away.  You will feel liberated to let it go!!!

2. Clean-  You do not have to hire a professional house cleaner.  Take one room at at time, and deep clean.  Dust corners, vaccum under the bed and closets, use Fantasic on walls.  Buyers love a clean home and will remember yours even if it is priced higher than the other homes in your neighborhood.  Gather the family, turn on the radio and burn some calories.

3. Front Door-  This is your first impression with the buyer, make it a great one!! Think of it as a first date.   Paint or replace the front door if needed.  Fix that torn screen, put a welcome door mat out, add some pots of flowers on your porch.  Hang a wreath (could be seasonal).  Polish the hardware on the door.  Give them something to remember.

4. Kitchen-  One of the most important rooms in a home.  Is your kitchen in order?  Do all the cabinets and door work properly?  Women will open drawers and doors.  Clean and de-clutter them.  Even if you do not like to cook, this is one room that has to sparkle.  Clean the sink and remove dirty dishes prior to showings.  I know this is alot of work, but the competition is high, and you want to sell.

5. Bathrooms-  Check this room before leaving the house.  Did your children put the toilet seat down and flush.  I know that this is common sense, but you would not believe how many houses I walk in and see this.  Fix any broken shower doors, or replace that ripped curtain with an inexpensive new one.  Scrub the tile, they will look.  Replace light bulbs, give good light in the room.

6. Furniture Placement-  Rooms need to look big.  Again, you do not need to hire a professional home stagger.  Ask your Realtor, they should suggest how to place your couch and chair in a room.  You might not like it, but you are moving.  A little change with placement could make all the difference in opening up a room.  Maybe some pieces need to go into storage till the move. 

7. Be Available-  Let the home be shown.  We are in a down market, with excess inventory available to buyers.  Show the home, open the door, let them use the lock-box.  Give a key to your Realtor if you do not want to have a lock-box.  It might not be the most convienet time for a showing.  You might have started cooking dinner, just got home from work, or even had plans for the day.  Ask the showing desk to change the time 1-2 hours.  Most Realtors are showing more than 1 house in your neighborhood at a time.  They can adjust.  Let the home be seen, the buyers will not come back, and you want to sell.

I hope that your selling season is a short one, pain free.  I hope that these simple steps will help you accomplish your goal.  Your Realtor can advertise your home, do vitual tours, take pictures and write great listing remarks.  You need to work with your Realtor and listen, they might not want to hurt your feelings and express all or any of the above.  You are a team, and are working together to get you moving fast.

Washington Township, MI Weekend Bridge Closed

To all my neighbors in Washington Township, the bridge at 26 Mile Rd. and M-53 will be closed this weekend.  As previously reported, construction will start at 11:00 P.M. on Friday and end at 5 A.M. on Monday for the bridge being closed.  This is just the beginning friends, the project will take till approx. September.  If we are lucky.  Start re-thinking your travels plans to and from work.  My family has talked about it for the last week.  I am sure that my husband, son and myself will end up stuck in traffic forgetting all the warnings.  Plan ahead for delays.