livingston county: New Listing-East Crooked Lakefront-5440 Sharp, Howell 48843 - 01/17/12 07:29 AM
This foreclosure home is in rough shape and likely will not qualify for financing other than a rehab loan.  It is being sold 'as-is' for now.
About 100 ft of frontage on the north side of East Crooked Lake, two detached 3 car garages that abut each other but are not connected in their interior.  Originally a cottage built in 1947, has ben extensively remodeled and added onto, but it would take a special person to really love the floor plan. Might make a better weeend/summer getaway place than a primary residence.  Needs extensive cosmeic work.
Offers from owner occupants can … (5 comments)

livingston county: Dump Your Old Electronics – Free! - 10/21/11 07:52 AM
Livingston County Solid Waste Program has a one-day collection coming up next Saturday, October 29th, from 9am to 2pm.  No appointment is necessary, just bring your old computer equipment, televisions and peripherals, stereos, cameras, fax machines, gaming systems for drop off and proper disposal. The collection is at the County’s East Complex, 2300 E. Grand River (48843) at Chilson.
They also accept old cell phones, but drop those off at my office for the ‘Cell Phones For Soldiers’ campaign. We’ve collected over 2500 cell phones so far!
This event is free to County residents, and includes small businesses with 10 or … (5 comments)

livingston county: 1st Annual Michigan Soybean Festival - 09/11/11 10:19 AM
I headed out to the Fowlerville Fairgrounds with my wife to take in some knowledge of the soybean.  A mere $3 entrance fee (with free parking) and a few free hours were all that was needed.  Who knew that there would be so many cute chicks there, too. 
 
There were swap meet vendors, an old Model A, and some tractors on display.  We missed the tractor pull and the evening entertainment, but the Historical Village was open, and the soybean displays were interesting. 
Being ‘city slickers’, we decided that farmers are pretty ingenious.  Who else could get you to … (2 comments)

livingston county: Survey Says! . . . . - 08/25/11 11:14 AM
I just received the August survey results from Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance, a firm that surveys agents and brokers from across the country.  This is one of many Real Estate-related surveys in which I participate.  Their results are broken down both in general groups of buyers and/or sellers and by geographic region. 
Last week my blog entry, “July 2011 Market Data” reported that the number of local cash sales is way down compared to 2010. This most recent national survey reports that July 2011 investor purchases are at a 12 month low.  This survey also says that about half of investor … (0 comments)

livingston county: 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)

livingston county: Michigan Takes Huge Census Hit - 03/23/11 08:55 PM
Yes, we are the only State to lose population from 2000 to 2010, dropping 0.6% of our residents and ending with a head count of 9,883,640.  Large cities dependent on auto manufacturing fared the worst. Detroit lost 237,000 people for a 25% drop, Flint lost 18%, Saginaw 17%, and Pontiac lost just over 10% of it's population. But some areas gained in population.
My ‘home base' - Livingston County - actually fared well in the census, gaining 15.3% or 24,024 people since 2000, the second highest gain among Michigan counties.  Clinton County was the winner with a 16.5% population gain. The other … (0 comments)

livingston county: Hot Properties Presentation - 01/12/11 11:06 AM
This morning I attended the ‘Hot Properties' function at Chemung Hills Golf Club & Banquet Center, in Howell.  Sponsored by Liberty Title, this event has the tag line ‘Market, Mingle, Motivate'.  Liberty Title does this event monthly and if you submit a listing prior to the deadline, you are able to get up and actually talk about a property. 
They put together a kind of feature sheet with pictures and a roster of all properties presented for reference.  I've spent so much time with internet marketing in the last few years, that it was really refreshing to have a minute or … (0 comments)

livingston county: Chemung Hills Golf Club & Banquet Center Sold - 12/29/10 08:19 AM
Oceola Township (Livingston County, Michigan) approved the purchase of this facility at a meeting on December 27, 2010.  The $750,000 price tag includes all equipment and the liquor license.
The facility will be operated by an outside organization but ownership will be retained by the Township and no tax dollars are expected to be used for operations.
This puts to rest the periodically turbulent proposals by investment groups to transform the 150+ acre parcel into either a residential development, or more recently, an RV park.
After a long history as a private club, Chemung Hills could no longer operate profitably in … (0 comments)

livingston county: Fall Colors in Michigan - 10/23/09 09:54 AM
I may be imaging things, but it seems like the colors of fall are really 'popping' this year. Vibrant, deep reds and oranges, bright yellow - I don't seem to remember the last few fall seasons being this way.  As I drive around SE and Central Michigan, it really makes me happy to live in Michigan.

Sure, we have our economic challenges to overcome and it distresses me to see so many families and college graduates moving away.  For those of us that have decided to stay and endure the ice, snow and cold of winter, Fall is our early … (1 comments)

livingston county: Golf Bug Bites Hard - 06/25/09 12:30 PM
Last year I finally succumbed to golf. I had played in a couple of outings (with borrowed clubs) some 30 years ago and never found a thirst for the game. I could watch it on TV, be amazed at the skill of other golfers, but never had the urge to play. That changed last year.I took four lessons in March & April of 2008, bought a starter set of clubs at the end of April and played my first round at a scramble outing in mid-May. I played a fair amount of golf last year (once a week, sometimes twice) and … (0 comments)

livingston county: Affordable Homes and Financing Programs - 01/16/09 06:23 AM
In my market areas, homes are at the most affordable levels in a very long time.  Call it a market correction, a recession or whatever you like, but homes are now in the best price ranges that I have seen. 
Part of the equation is supply. When I moved to Livingston County in 1988, the big wave of construction was just beginning. We had a marginally tough time finding a home that fit our needs and our budget. Almost immediately after moving in, I saw corn fields transformed into subdivisions, roads widened, traffic signals installed and more retail being developed. The … (2 comments)

livingston county: More Local Business Good News! - 12/11/08 11:41 AM
It looks like after many consecutive years of warmer weather and patchy snowfall that the local ski resort, Mt. Brighton, will have a great year!  They opened earlier than ever this year and are making snow like crazy.  A week ago today they had a 16" base on the intermediate hill. Today is the first day that all hills will be open.
 
Skiers and snow boarders eat at local restaurants, buy gasoline, and often shop at area stores while in town for the slopes.  And Brighton has a very strong retail segment between the newer developments at Grand River and Challis and … (0 comments)

livingston county: Hear The Bell? It May Be Me! - 11/27/08 11:36 AM
On Thursday, December 4th, I'll be joining my colleagues from the Brighton Optimist Club to ring bells for the Salvation Army.  We'll be in front of Taorello's Market Place, 1007 E. Grand River, Brighton 48116, from 10 AM - 8PM.
If you're in the area, stop by and say "Hello!" to an Optimist - especially if it's a cold day.  We'll be working in one hour shifts, and I can tell you that standing for an hour on a cold day is a challenge.  My time slot is from 3-4pm, and I'd especially love to see you and exchange greetings of … (0 comments)

livingston county: Activity Report - First Time Buyers Driving The Market - 06/04/08 06:33 AM
Single Family Home sales in Livingston County for the period of January 1st through May 31st have increased by 6% over the same period last year. The average sales price is down 12.9%, but at the end of April that figure was at 13.7%, so it appears that we're moving in the right direction.
Almost half of the sales (46%) are being attributed to first-time buyers. First-time buyers are defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as:
an individual (or spouse) with no ownership in a principal residence for the 3 years prior to the purchase of … (1 comments)

livingston county: Blood Drive, May 10, 2008 - Preview Properties, Brighton - 04/17/08 11:08 AM
On Saturday, May 10th, Preview Properties will be hosting a blood drive for the Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross. This is the company's charity activity for May 2008, and we invite you to participate.
Hours will be 10 am - 3pm. You can call the Red Cross office at 517-546-0326 to set an appointment, or just show up during the blood drive hours.
Preview Properties is located at 130 W. Grand River Ave., Brighton, MI 48116, at the corner of St. Paul Street.
The Livingston County Chapter of the American Red Cross web site is http://www.liv-redcross.org/index.html
… (0 comments)

livingston county: Brighton Optimist Club Golf Outing - 5/17/08, Whispering Pines Golf Club, Pinckney - 04/09/08 01:25 PM
The Brighton Optimist Club is a community service organization whose motto is 'Bringing Out The Best In Kids'. Perhaps best known for the Free Fishing Derby for Kids at the Brighton Millpond every June, they do many other notable things.
In their 30 year history, they've given out tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships, conduct an Oratorical Contest to encourage public speaking in youth, recognize area youth through their Youth Appreciation events and Public Safety professionals through Respect For Law days. The Brighton Optimist Club was also the group that started the effort towards what is now the SELCRA Meijer's … (2 comments)

livingston county: Gleaner's Food Bank - Fill The Gazebo, May 3, 2008 - 04/07/08 05:56 AM
The Livingston County Association of Realtors has been supporting Gleaner's Food Bank for a number of years by way of its 'Fill The Gazebo' Food Drive.  As the name implies, we want to fill the Brighton Millpond gazebo with food donations.
On May 3, 2008, you can drop off items on Main Street in Downtown Brighton. Realtor volunteers will be standing in the center lane to accept your food and monetary donations.  We'll also be stationed aroudn the County at various grocery stores to accept donations.
In addition to food, the Gleaner's Food Pantry needs household items like laundry detergent, toothpaste and the … (2 comments)

livingston county: New Home Construction Summary - 02/05/08 08:54 AM
In a previous post, I reported on an industry survey of new home construction that is conducted monthly by Bank of America.  With their kind permission, here is a summary from the January 2008 report.
New home prices and incentives to buyers continue to increase while time to sell is taking longer. Nationally, part of this is still an over-abundance of inventory, but as many builders are now reducing standing stock and beginning new construction only upon receipt of a signed puprchase agreement, this inventory continues to drop.
New home affordability, attractive mortgage interest rates and the dropping inventory will help this sector … (0 comments)

livingston county: MDOT Closing Park 'n Ride Lot at M-59 and Michigan in Howell - 01/30/08 02:36 PM
Due to the expansion of M-59 to a 4 lane boulevarded roadway, this Park 'n Ride lot will close for good on February 4, 2008. The next nearest lots are at Michigan Ave and I-96, south of the Howell City Limits, and to the east on Old US-23 just north of M-59.
The project will also undertake ramp improvements at I-96 and M-59, resurface the road and make drainage improvements. Three bridges over M-59 will be totally replaced.
See this link for details. http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11008_45330---,00.html
… (0 comments)

livingston county: Groundhog Day Is On The Way - 01/28/08 06:53 AM
This Saturday, February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks, marmots, and even as land beavers and ground squirrels. They are widely distributed in North America, especially in the central and northeastern United States, and can weigh in between 4 and 9 pounds. There's no real relationship between woodchucks and wood. The name is believed to have originated from the Algonquin or Narraganset name for the animal, 'wuchak'.
Groundhog Day started in Pennsylvania and New York State as a prediction of how the last half of winter would proceed. If the groundhog comes out of his burrow to see … (4 comments)