Lower Priced Homes Predicted To Drop Value Faster - 06/28/11 09:29 AM
A new study says that lower priced homes will have steeper price drops than their higher priced counterparts, according to a report by DSNews.com.
Already discounted heavily, many of these lower end properties are ‘distressed'. Before the housing market tanked, this market was robust due to the proliferation of subprime and ‘teaser' mortgages and lower down payments.  With the tightening of credit conditions and lending requirements, this market has been hit harder than the higher priced homes that are generally dominated by repeat buyers.
But the higher priced homes face valuation drops, too. The analysis was prepared by Capital Economics, a … (0 comments)

Ranch Homes For Sale in Howell - 06/27/11 08:38 AM
Some home buyers have very specific requirements. Perhaps it's a large kitchen, or a finished basement. Sometimes it's acreage with a pole barn, occasionally it must have an in-ground swimming pool.  One of the most often heard requirements  is for architecture type, and it seems that ranch style is at the top of the list.
Of the 270 of homes for sale in the Howell School District right now, there are 90 ranches and only 12 are bank-owned (foreclosures).  They range from a 1969-built manufactured home on deeded land (in Woodland Lake Estates) listed at $9,000 to a $1.8 million home … (1 comments)

Brighton Michigan – 35 Homes For $100,000 or Less - 06/25/11 02:37 PM
Right now, there are twenty three detached single family homes and twelve condos for sale in this price range.  This search is for the Brighton School District, so while some properties fall within city limits, many are in the surrounding townships.  Ten of the thirty five units are bank-owned (foreclosures) and another eleven are short sales (selling for less than what is owed and the bank will need to approve the sale).
Five of the units are in a senior (55+ years old) co-op.  The co-op units are small (950-1005 sq ft) two bedroom, one and a half bath each and … (2 comments)

American Music Festival-Downtown Brighton - 06/25/11 11:02 AM
Brighton enjoyed it's inaugural American Music Festival so much, that it's back again!  Held in the Municipal lot off First and Main Streets, there will be local and national talent providing folk, bluegrass and country music.  Of course, there will be food and beverage tents, as well as the large offering of local restaurants that are within a couple of blocks of walking. 
Enjoy a walk on the tridge at the Millpond, or take the kids to the adjacent Imagination Station playground. There's plenty to see and do in Downtown Brighton, including visiting some interesting shops.
There are also 'downtown' area business … (5 comments)

Local News Sources in Livingston County - 06/24/11 10:20 AM
It amazes me how many people don't read the newspaper, or who don't seem to care. I guess we're so used to talk radio and sound bites on the networks and from the big media outlets that it's just 'too easy' to forget about other sources.
We are fortunate in our area to have a great local paper, The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus.  Published every day except Saturday, they have wonderful local coverage.  They're a Gannett Paper, so if you also subscribe to the Detroit Free Press, you'll occasionally see a duplicated Editorial or top Detroit area news story.  … (2 comments)

The Yin and Yang of Livingston County Home Sales - 06/23/11 12:36 PM
Through the end of May 2011, there have been 2,150 sales in Livingston County.  The median sale price is $133,200 and the average sales price is $151,277, as reported by our Multi List System (MLS), Realcomp II, Ltd.
The highest price sale (reported as of today) in the MLS is a 2006-built 4138 sq ft waterfront home in the Hidden Lake Estates community of Green Oak Township. Four bedrooms, four and a half baths, in home theatre, and of course a private dock all come as part of the package.  This home was listed at $899,900 and sold for $850,000 with … (1 comments)

Real Estate Market Summary-June 2011 - 06/22/11 12:01 PM
Locally, there is still a lower inventory, especially in homes under $180,000.  The best homes (best condition at the best prices) go very fast.  TIP: Get daily listings from your agent, drive by interesting properties quickly, and have your agent get you inside as soon as possible.  If you like it, write an offer immediately or risk ending up in multiple offer situations or losing it before you have a chance to bid.
Interest rates remain attractive, but some lender programs are being modified to require either a larger down payment or larger ‘up front' fees to go with 100% financing … (0 comments)

Livingston County Market Stats – Through May 2011 - 06/22/11 11:30 AM
Using data from our Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Realcomp II, Ltd., we are seeing a continuation of the existing trend of lower inventory and shorter time on the market.
Through May, and comparing years 2009, 2010 and 2011, inventory has gone from a year to date (YTD) figure of 2840 in 2009 to 2455 in 2010 and the current 2150 for 2011. That's a drop of just over 24% in the last two years.
Both the total number of residential sales and the total sales volume (price of all sales combined) is lower in 2011 vs. 2010, almost 9% lower for … (0 comments)

Chipmunk Feast - 06/20/11 07:01 AM

I love this time of year. I have a serviceberry tree in my courtyard and when the berries ripen, an amazing array of large and small birds appear.  I just replaced a large bird feeder that hangs from the tree with one designed for smaller birds.  For the last few days I've noticed a chipmunk eating the seed that the birds spill onto the ground.  As I sat on the porch (with a camera, should an interesting bird happen by), I noticed a chipmunk scurry up the tree trunk and find a comfortable perch.  As you can see, he's helping himself to … (8 comments)

Screech Owl Visits - 06/14/11 09:53 AM

This past weekend I helped out at the Brighton Optimist Club's 'Free Fishing Derby For Kids'.  It was the 25th anniversary of the event and we had a proclamation signed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and some other special activities for the kids.  One was a visit from the Howell Conference and Nature Center's wildlife bus. They brought a screech owl and an opossum for the kids to see, as well as some other activities.
The owl was fascinating and I took a lot of pictures of it. Here's one that I think is pretty good. The children were quite … (5 comments)

Brighton Optimist Golf Outing - 06/02/11 12:03 PM
The Brighton Optimist Club will have its annual Charity Golf Outing on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at the Jackal Golf Club in Brighton, MI at 11am.
The Brighton Optimists have given tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students over their 34 years, and have spearheaded such large community projects as Brighton's Imagination Station playground and what is now called the Meijer SELCRA skate park. At this year's Free Fishing Derby for Kids (Brighton Millpond, June 11th) they are donating a youth-oriented piece of artwork to the City of Brighton, which will be on year-round display.
Golf fees are … (0 comments)

Best Methods To Get The House You Want - 06/02/11 11:59 AM
Here is a quick outline that will help you become a successful home buyer. There may be other things that would help and other agents may have different strategies. These work well in my experience and specifically in today's market.
Be Pre-approved.  Not pre-qualified.  Get your credit score pulled by a lender, supply them with all of the documentation they request and get a firm pre-approval. Talk to them about refreshing it if you don't find a house within 45-60 days and how these subsequent pulls may or may not affect your credit rating, too.  It's alright (even preferred) to interview … (1 comments)