Michigan homes for sale

Here's my positive thought for the day

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:59:10 -0600

In these tougher times here are some inspiration quotes and thoughts.

"The miracle is this -- the more we share, the more we have."

~~~ Leonard Nimoy ~~~

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

~~~ Mother Theresa ~~~

"When odds are one in a million, be that one."

~~~ Anonymous ~~~

May whatever your troubles may be ..... may you have some good friends to help you through it.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Why an Open house may not work when selling your Northville home

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:45:43 -0600

Selling your Northville home you should use ever sales tool possible but what about open houses. Very very seldom does a open house attract a qualified buyer that will buy your home. I myself believe open houses are more likely to be successful in a starter home price range.

A $400,000 priced Northville home probably isn't a candidate for open house success. You are more likely to get qualified buyers that will buy your home if it is under priced under $200,000. That is the price range that I believe you will have success with open houses.

A $300,000 plus home open house will usually only get lookers.

People who have nothing to do for the weekend.
People who are looking for decorating ideas
People that want to see how the other half live.
people that are out for a weekend drive and the house happens to be on the route

So my advice to potential Northville home sellers don't waste your time if your house is priced over $300,000. The only person that benefits is the real estate getting some new clients. These are just my thoughts. If you have any questions about selling your Northville home give me a call or email me with any questions.

Here are more articles on

Northville home sellers tips

Northville first time home buyer tips

Northville real estate

Northville home sellers advice and articles

Search Northville real estate

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Ah the day in the life of a metro Detroit realtor

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:21:39 -0600

This is just another day in the life of a Metro Detroit realtor.

First I got a call from one of my clients. He was all upset. He kept slipping into his native tongue but I got the gist of the message. He went by the house we are supposed to be closing on. Well the seller is supposed to be replacing the driveway concrete by the street per city inspector. Well they did that. But they took the old concrete and wheeled it a hundred feet and dumped it behind the garage. Did the seller really think we wouldn't notice? So I had to call the agent and tell him we won't be scheduling the closing until the cement is gone from the property.

Then I got a call from my Redford buyer. The underwriter has decided even though the furnace is working per furnace inspection. The wording said "furnace is running hot" so the underwriter said to replace the furnace. So I called the listing agent to try to work this out.

Then two hours later I get a second call from my Redford buyer. Besides a new furnace wanted by the underwriter. The new appraiser that went back to check on the repairs has now added two more repairs. Of course the mortgage company loan officer or "client care specialist" hasn't called me. So I have to write them an email to find out what is going on and what is exactly needed. Then I am going to have to try to get the listing agent to have the bank do the repairs.

Then at 7:00 pm I get a call from another buyer. She's all upset with the mortgage company. She's about 60 days into a loan and they still don't have a clear to close. They didn't start asking for certain items until about 40 days into the loan. Tonight when we are expecting a clear to close they are asking for a student loan deferment letter. Why didn't they ask for this 40 days ago!!! Poor underwriting and operations is my guess. We are supposed to be closing on Monday. Unfortunately it's the same mortgage company as #2 and #3. So I'm not real excited.

Unfortunately this company is big and they tend to blame everybody else. When they blame the underwriters, or people in the company they talk in the 3rd person. As if it isn't their company. They even tried to blame their client for not getting the info to them in 4 days. It was the 54th day into the loan when they asked for it.

Of course I had asked the loan officer 30 days into the loan if they needed anything but he said they were fine. Now they are piece mealing everything. They keep asking for more. Hey it's 60 days into the loan. I call but there is no answer. So I have to send off another email to see what is going on.

I hate it when the clients are upset. But I will track these people down and get the problems worked out.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

In the picture of Metro Detroit real estate

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:55:36 -0600

I just blogged about a bad agent so I thought I should be fair and show that there are some great real estate agents in our Metro Detroit real estate market. So here is my hats off to Ralph of Century 21 Row .

Ralph is one of those REO agents that responds. I don't even know if he has an assistant. All I know is that when I email or call Ralph he responds. In a real estate agent that is a great quality. It makes the whole real estate deal go smoother.

Another thing about Ralph is that he doesn't pass the buck on getting his banks to do the repairs required by the mortgage company. Not like some agents that turn a blind eye and make us get the repairs done one way or another.

So here is a big thanks to you Ralph.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Does anybody have a job for this guy?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:33:05 -0600

I know this guy who needs a job because he can't be making it in the real estate business. First of all we put an offer in on his listing. It took 2 1/2 weeks to get the original offer accepted and there was not one single change.

No counter offers. Nothing. That should have been a clue. Then we gave the mortgage company 45 days to get the deal done. But again when I called the listing agent to schedule the closing it came out that he forgot to schedule the city inspection. This was 40 days into the deal.

He wanted my buyer then to take responsibility for the repairs and the costs because of his failure to order the city inspection. Of course we said no. He got the city inspection done finally. Then this bright real estate agent hired a unlicensed contractor to pour a new piece of concrete. So the city stopped the job. Now he has hired a new contractor and hopefully it will get done. It is only a couple of weeks past the contract date.

So if you are looking for somebody that:

doesn't respond to emails or phone calls
or fails to follow up on specific tasks
or fails to research details of a job
doesn't know how to negotiate
procrastinates

this guy is for you. Please hire him and get him out of the real estate business!!!! Save his clients money and other real estate agents grief.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Ah the end of the day

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:33:26 -0600

It has been a crazy few months for me. Real estate has been very good for me but with the Detroit economy in the dumps I'm still a little nervous on what next year will bring. I've sold quite a few homes but my plate is full.

So here I am like the last 4 or 5 weeks doing what I have been doing. Sitting here on Sunday night blogging like a mad man to get my ten posts in. Where does the time go. I thought I had time on Monday night. But then it was all of sudden it was Thursday and I still had not written one post all week. Now it is Sunday and I am trying to get some good posts together.

But I guess that it is like life. It rushes by and we rush to catch up with it. Here I am again running to catch up. Just wave as I run by.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Stonewater Subdivision Northville Township MI

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:09:38 -0600

Here is the latest Stonewater Subdivision market update that is located in Northville Township Michigan.

Stonewater sold homes Northville MI

ADDRESS	LIST PRICE	SALE PRICE	DOM	SP PER SQFT	SQUARE FOOTAGE	YEAR BUILT
48189 FOUR SEASONS BLVD	799900	200000	249	43.057	4645	2009
48391 BINGHAMPTON DR	260900	248000	17	66.8463	3710	2003
18417 STONERIDGE CT	379000	310000	9	64.5833	4800	2007
48325 BINGHAMPTON DR	425000	410000	38	118.0875	3472	2000
49200 PARKSHORE CT	344900	425000	22	124.269	3420	2005
17532 WILLIAMSBURG CT	475000	476000	6	120.5063	3950	2004
48641 STONERIDGE DR DR	499000		65		3796	2000
18477 STONERIDGE CT	499000		1		4400	2006
18845 OVERLOOK TRL	489900	523000	6	124.8507	4189	2006
48687 STONERIDGE DR	649900	562000	9	129.8221	4329	2004
18393 STONERIDGE CT	650000	620000	237	127.4933	4863	2009
18568 CLARIMONT CIRCLE	629900		12		4200	2009
17865 PARKSHORE DR	604900	650000	14	149.0825	4360	2001
18240 CLAIRMONT CIR	739000	690000	51	163.5071	4220	2000
18355 FIDDLERS COVE CT	749900	742000	105	154.7445	4795	2004
48490 STONERIDGE DR	699900	743999	46	169.0906	4400	2006
48820 WELLSLEY CT	1299999	1166000	67	181.96	6408	2008

Some of the Stonewater homes that have sold for the very low prices were what I would call the non premium lots. As they say location, location, location. But if you want to get into a great sub cheap and you like the house then location may not matter. For more on Northville real estate check on out my other websites.

Search Northville foreclosures and Northville homes for sale

Comp and listing info courtesy of Realcomp LTD II. Homes sold by various member Realtors

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

6 Oakland County home selling tips

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:47:14 -0600

Here are 6 great tips to sell your Oakland County

1.) Have your home available and ready at any time

Your Oakland County home should always be available for show, even though it may occasionally be inconvenient for you. Let your listing agent put a lock box in a convenient place, to make it easy for other agents to show your home to homebuyers. Otherwise, agents will have to schedule appointments, which is an inconvenience. Most will just skip your home to show the house of someone else who is more cooperative.

Most agents will call and give you at least a couple of hours notice before showing your property. If you refuse to let them show it at that time, they will just skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it will probably be with different buyers and you may have just lost a chance to sell your home. Usually if a home is not available at the time convenient to the buyer it may never get shown.

2.) Try Not to be Home

Whether it is a Novi home, or a South Lyon home homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit. They might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Leave the house, go anywhere, take a walk, go shopping, get out of the house and off the property. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an different room or outside the house. Do not volunteer any information, many times sellers show how anxious they are to sell or give the buyer information to make the buyers bargaining position stronger.

3.) Lighting

When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights ? even during the day. Don't be cheap. A bright cheery house sells. At night, a lit house gives a "homey" impression when viewed from the street. During the daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows from sunlight and it brightens up any dim areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with the lights on.

4.) Scented Sprays and deordorizers

Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find the smells of those sprays offensive, not to mention that some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, have a potpourri pot or something natural. Or turn on a stove burner for a moment and put a drop of vanilla extract on it. It will smell like you have been cooking, or burn a chocolate chip scented candle.

5.) Pet Control

If you have pets, make sure your Oakland County listing agent puts a notice with their front desk that takes the listing appointments. They need to tell the buyers agent about the pets. The last thing you want is to have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know someone is coming, it would be best to try to take the pets with your while the homebuyers tour your home. If you cannot do that, It is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. There is nothing worse than a barking dog or a smelly pet to ruin a sale. Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room when you expect visitors, and put a sign on the door.

6.) Keep the House Tidy

Not everyone makes their bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home. I know it is tough but a organized house looks better. It doesn't have to be white glove clean.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

The upcoming winter Metro Detroit real estate market

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:21:30 -0600

This winters Metro Detroit real estate market is going to be a little different than last year. Here is what I see happening this winter.

Last year you could snap up Metro Detroit foreclosures really cheap. It wasn't unusual to be able to pick up a decent Metro Detroit home at a bargain price. This year I believe foreclosure homes prices will be higher than last year.
We will see more Metro Detroit foreclosures hitting the market than we had over the summer. Because of Governor Granholm and President Obama's moratoriums on foreclosures there were quite a few Metro Detroit foreclosures that got spared for a few months. Now they will start hitting the market starting in December.
Some bigger homes will start going into foreclosure. People who had good credit, good jobs have held on longer to these homes. But now even they are feeling the pinch. Even the good credit people are struggling because of the economy.
Oakland County Lake home prices will fall this winter. Again for the same reason as above. Higher end lake homes, second homes on the lakes are going to suffer. Even the people with deep pockets are starting to feel. Some people are going to have to sell because of divorce, of death, because they just can't afford it any longer.
There will be more action in the market over the winter. With the first time home buyer tax credit and all the investors there will be more multiple bids on homes.
The "marginal" cities will still have a lot of homes to chose from.

These are just my thoughts on what we will be seeing because of Detroit's struggling economy. If you have any questions always feel free to call or email me with any questions.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

life is half full

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:32:23 -0600

I have to hand it too my wife. It has been a rough week. She's a three time cancer survivor who just got told that the cancer is growing again. So it's been a rough week for us, crying and worrying about what's next. We have been talking a lot about it, and seeing the doctor this week to explore her options helped us both.

But I think she's turning the corner with a positive attitude again. At first she was scared to death, but today I knew she was doing good. She says she can't wait to get the radiation. She can't wait to get the radiation to get rid of the pain.

THE GLASS IS HALF FULL !!!!!

She laughed. She said she never would have thought she would look forward to radiation. But she is. Thank goodness I'm getting my wife back.

SO if life is tough and rough for you. Look for that bright side no matter how small or crazy it is there is a bright side. So enjoy life!!!!

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

I like sharing emails and questions from buyers

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:55:33 -0600

So often I get questions and emails from clients about what is happening with their home purchase. Sometimes it is out of frustration and not knowing why or what is going on that the buyer gets upset or nervous. So I like to share them so if the email or question can help another Metro Detroit home buyer then it is good.

Russ,

I have had to check into a few things about the Westland home that was not disclosed to me. This Westland home has had two previous issues with claims of flooding. Is this the reason the basement tiles are in that condition. I was not even able to go get insurance through the insurance company I wanted, because of this. Instead I had to pay more out of pocket expenses for insurance resulting in the delay of available funds. If the seller could provide me more info about this it would be great. I am concerned and felt blindsided by the whole revelation. I want to know whats going on?

This Westland homebuyer got a surprise at the very end of the mortgage process. That's when he had to get his homeowners insurance. At that point the insurance company told it was going to be more expensive because of previous claims in the house.

Whenever a Westland home or any home is in foreclosure the bank has NO INFORMATION. They don't know what the people (that were in foreclosure) did or what happened in the house. In this case this was a flipped house that was completely re-done. New kitchen, new bathrooms, new flooring. Like a brand new house.

If there was an insurance claim it was from the previous owners that had gotten foreclosed on. Two sellers ago.

The current seller as you know bought it as a foreclosure from the bank. So neither of them filed the claim and they would not have knowledge of the insurance claims from the previous (foreclosure) owner. In fact the bank does not even fill out disclosure forms as they are not required to by law. They aren't required to because they have never lived in the property and have no knowledge of anything that happened prior to owning it. The current seller only has knowledge of what has happened in the last 90 days.

When people are in foreclosure they are usually hurting for money. Insurance claims are one way of getting money.

I wish I had more info but it is impossible to get without finding the people that were foreclosed on.

In this Westland real estate market with so many foreclosures it is impossible to know what the foreclosed owners claimed on their insurance. If the insurance companies say so it is true, but the bank or the flipper do not have any information about it.

So the bottom line is the only way you can find out about if a house has insurance claims that will cost you more in insurance premiums is by a CLUE report. Only the current Westland homeowner can order a CLUE report. The Westland homeowner can order a Home Seller's Disclosure Report for $19.50 from ChoiceTrust.com. But I don't know if it will only be for the current homeowner. I hope this helps

Search Westland homes for sale

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

OK now that's not how it is going to happen

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:11:15 -0600

I recently wrote a contract on a Redford home for one of my clients. It was a beautiful newer Redford home. In the contract we asked and the sellers accepted 6% sellers concessions. The sellers were going to pay for the closing costs, including the appraisal.

Well my client got the mortgage started and the appraiser went out to visit the house. Well the appraisal came back and it was $10,000 to low. There just were any homes (comps) in the area recently. So the bank's appraiser came back lower than I believe the house was worth. Thanks to the guy that thought of HVCC. Unfortunately the seller could not go lower. They owed too much on the mortgage and did not have any money to come to the table with. They didn't want to do a short sale either.

So the Redford home sale was DEAD!

The sad part is that my buyer had to pay for the appraisal out of their own pocket. No mortgage company in Michigan will start a mortgage without the appraisal being paid for. But what my client didn't realize is that the seller will not pay for the appraisal if the home does not close.

My client thought they would get their money back. But it the mortgage does not close the seller is not going to pay for any costs.

So you as a Redford home buyer could be out of pocket for

The appraisal
Any inspections you have done

even if you have the seller paying for the closing costs and the sale does not close.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Buying a Metro Detroit home isn't always easy.

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:57:12 -0600

Many people think they can just go out and look at houses and buy it, but buying a Metro Detroit home isn't always easy. it's just not that simple as putting in any bid. You have to now what the homes in the area are selling for.

I have had a few clients lately that think they can offer 20% below list price and win the first metro Detroit home they bid on. Sadly I had one home buyer that did this six months ago. I would show him the comps on the houses and then he would still bid the exact opposite of what the comps said.

His friends said it was a buyers market. The home buyer wouldn't listen to me. He lost a total of 5 Metro Detroit homes. Every time he bid way below the comps. Some of the houses he bid on went above list price. And they were still great deals even above list price. That home buyer lost a lot of great homes because he was looking for a steal. He never found a house.

He changed real estate agents 3 times now and still doesn't have a house. I'm sure he is still bidding below list price. The key is to look at the comps for the area you are buying in. What is market value of the home? Listen to your real estate agent.

I hate to say it but I'm not getting you to up your bid just to make a bigger commission. I am suggesting you to up your bid to win the house. That is my goal. Even if you bid a $2000 increase in sales price it is $60 to me. I most likely spent that in gas. $60 or $300 isn't going to sway me to have you buy a house.

What sways me is getting you a home in a price range you can afford. I didn't take you out looking at 20 thirty houses, have you want a certain house, research the house only to have you lose the house. I'm here to win that house if you want it. I want you to know what the fair market price for the home is and you to be able to decide for yourself what price you should bid. You can win at bidding if you bid right. But if you are buying a Metro Detroit home and bidding crazy you aren't going to win a home. You are just wasting your time and you are going to get frustrated.

Just my thoughts on how to bid and why you are bidding....

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Sorry if you don't know this by now....

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:21:43 -0600

Just because you post to members only doesn't mean that it is private. I just read a blog about a lady that wanted respect to keep members only blogs private. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.

Did you send your real estate license in to be verified when you signed up for Active Rain?
Does a mortgage person send in their business card?

Of course not. ANYBODY CAN BE A MEMBER. Anybody. How about a reporter or somebody from the media? Don't you think that some media members are Active Rain members? Any college student doing a paper can become a member of Active Rain. How about a client that thinks they will get more info by being a member? Anybody can set up a phony profile. Spammers do it all the time.

So if you are a newbie to Active Rain here are my thoughts:

Don't write anything on Active Rain (members only or not) that you don't want the public to see.
Remember everything you write is part of your image. Potential clients will make a decision on whether to use you based on what they write.
Clients and the public can be members too so they may be reading members only posts.
Nothing is truly protected. Your comments, your blogs can be used against you. In court, in the press, by your competitors.

So if you have a really negative post..... DON'T DO IT. Write it, get it out of your system, and then copy to a word file. Don't post it for a week. Just writing it will make you feel better. If you feel that strongly about it after a week.... then maybe.....

If you are going to write about a client be very careful. Some do read your members only posts. I have a client that is a member. But I have to say that I do vent myself sometimes. I have actually gone to the mat with one person. But I write very carefully.

Never slander anybody.
Never stretch the truth....in other words verify the facts
Never breach the code of ethics on line....your blog post could be testimony against you

So the bottom line is member only posts are not just Realtors, mortgage people..... Anybody can read them and share them. So be careful what you write.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

why you can't do that

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:47:22 -0600

Many times I get the question..... "can I start fixing and painting the house before we close". NO. The answer is no. It is simply a matter of liability for the real estate agents or the seller.

As a buyer you don't have home owners insurance on the property!!! Who will pay if you get hurt? Who will pay if somebody burns the house down? Who would be liable?

The seller doesn't want to pay your medical bills. The listing agent and I don't want to be responsible if you get electrocuted. It's not that you aren't qualified to do the work. But accidents happen. Hospital emergency rooms are full of people that have accidents.

As your buyers agent I can't OK for you to work on a house that you don't own. If the seller said it is OK then we can do it. But the seller is not going to say yes. They never have yet. It would be crazy for them to say yes. If I am the seller's agent I am going to recommend to you the seller not to let the buyer work in the house until they own it.

What happens if the mortgage falls thru? What happens if the buyer loses their job and can't buy the house? What happens if they have painted it an odd color or tore out a wall? Bottom line is there is no rush to fix up the house. I want you to have the house exactly the way you want it, but for the financial protection of everybody you will have to wait.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

help

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:36:44 -0600

Can you help me out to win 5 pages of spanish website translation. Vote here http://www.micropoll.com/akira/mpview/648926-197002 thanks

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

I need a little help from my friends

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:50:34 -0600

I need votes!!!! Please, Please, please. Pretty please with sugar on top. A while back I entered into a contest here on active rain to get 5 pages of my website translated into spanish. Well the contest is near the end and I need votes.

I'm groveling here. I need votes! I need you! Here is the link to the contest on activerain. Thanks for the time and all the support. And may you get support when you really need it. PS after voting comment and get your 25 points too

Here is the link to the contest blog http://activerain.com/blogsview/1328069/who-deserves-to-win-

Thanks and have a great day!!!

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Me and facebook

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:02:26 -0600

I have been enjoying facebook. Some people hate facebook, some people don't want to put the information out there, some people love it. Some real estate agents use it strictly for getting business. But I'm proud to say I like to be able to reconnect to people via Facebook.

I'm not on there all the time but I like connecting with old high school friends. I enjoy seeing what their life is like. You learn about people what they place high in their life. It comes out on facebook. I like that. Over the years some of these people were friends. We drifted apart.

Not that we had a fight, or disliked each other. We just simply placed higher priorities on our immediately family, raising our kids, jobs, etc. The time slipped away. Sometimes good friends slid away.

Facebook has given me a chance to talk to old friends, people I worked with in the past. People I enjoyed. In fact I re-connected with a guy that I worked with at E. F. Hutton 22 years ago. It was good to talk to him. Good to relive the past. Facebook give me and others a chance to reconnect.

I even like being able to wish people happy birthday. It's like a built in reminder. I just need to check it more often. I almost feel guilty I don't wish everybody a happy birthday, but I'm not on there everyday.

I hop life treats you and your family well in the upcoming week.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Oakland County Lake front homes under $250,000

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:41:54 -0600

Currently there are 182 Oakland County lake front homes under $250,000. Oakland County has hundreds of lakes to chose from. Whether you want a small pond just to enjoy the wildlife or a large lake to enjoy power boats and water sports Oakland County Michigan has a lake for you.

What's even better than all those different types of lakes are all the different types of homes that are on the lakes. There are:

old cottage style homes (as small as 600 sq ft)
rustic up north style cottages
year round homes
mega mansions

So whatever you are looking for in Oakland County lake front home it is out there. We have Oakland County lakefront homes that range in size from 600 square feet up to 22000 square feet. We have brick homes, wood exterior, vinyl siding homes. What ever type of home you may be looking for there most likely is an Oakland County lake front homes for YOU!

In the last year over 300 Oakland County lakefront homes have sold when they are priced under $250,000. If the home is priced right it will sell. I believe this winter we will see a drop in lakefront home prices.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

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South Lyon data Michigan

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:15:04 -0600

If you are relocating to Western Oakland County or Metro Detroit here is South Lyon information to help you chose a great place to live.

South Lyon, Michigan
South Lyon is town in Oakland County that has a small town atmosphere with modern housing. The Historic South Lyon Hotel is located in downtown South Lyon, Michigan. The South Lyon Hotel is one of the many old buildings in downtown South Lyon. In fact this historic landmark has been in operation for over 137 years ( still serving good food and drink and still making memories for those that come there)! The community was named after Lucius Lyon, legislator.

South Lyon was first called Thompson´s Corners, this city began in 1832 when the first house was built by the widow Thompson, whose son opened a store there.
South Lyon's City center is located at 10 mile and Pontiac Trail within 5 miles of US-23 and I-96. South Lyon area covers only 3.5 square miles and is home to 11,000 residents. You can take the expressway or eaiser yet you can take 8 mile to the other western suburbs.c

South Lyon Police
South Lyon has a police force of 18 full time officers , 2 clerks, and 1 service clerk. The number of violent crimes recorded by the FBI in 2003 was 12. The number of murders and homicides was 0. The violent crime rate was 1.1 per 1,000 people.

South Lyon is still very rural with horse farms, nurseries, working farms still in the area. If you are relocating to Western Oakland County or Metro Detroit and need information feel free to call me.

For more Metro Detroit real estate information check out my websites.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Canton Township Michigan Information

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:43:50 -0600

Here is a little infromation about Canton Township Michigan.

Canton Schools
Canton Township homes are primarily served by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. Though there are areas served by Wayne-Westland Schools (Walker-Winter Elementary) and Van Buren Schools.

Canton Shopping
Canton Township is 30 minutes from Briarwood Mall, 20 minutes from 12 Oaks Mall, and 10 minutes from Laurel Park Place (mall). Canton has many big box stores like Meijer, Jc Penny, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Ikea, and Walmart along Ford Rd. There are many stores all along Ford Rd to get what ever you need.

Canton styles of Homes
Canton Township like many cities in Michigan really started their subdivisions in the 1960 and the 1970s. Orginally many of Canton's homes were ranchs, colonial, tri -levels and quad levels. Most of the homes built during that period sell in $100,000 to the $250,000 range. Canton continued to build larger homes and larger subidivisions as time went on.
It has been a carefully planned community with city planners making few exceptions to the master plan. Now you can find elegant brick colonials up to $600,00 in Canton (2006) down to small ranchs. As the years went on Canton went from a small farm community to nice Metro Detroit bedroom community.

Canton, MI is a great place to raise a family, or live quietly alone, or grow old gracefully. With good city services, nearby interstate freeways, and quality shopping Canton is a great place to relocate to.

If you need more information about Canton Township give me a call or email me.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Short sale nightmares

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:11:43 -0600

I saw a beautiful Livonia short sale home about 3 months ago with one of my clients. At the time the listing was being touted on the MLS as "short sale approved". My clients were two weeks late on putting in an offer and their offer was going to be a back up offer. The listing agent marked the Livonia short sale home pending and my clients bought a different Livonia ranch home.

My clients were about two weeks before they closed when the other listing agent with the other short sale called. His deal had fallen apart. He wanted to know if my clients were interested. I said no, but I told another Remerica agent in my office about the Livonia short sale.

The other Remerica real estate agent talked to the listing agent. The listing agent said the short sale was just two weeks away from closing. So the buyers agent put in an offer, go it accepted, and rushed the mortgage person to get it ready to close. They had it ready to close. Unfortunately the listing agent wasn't ready at that time.

Then 60 days later the listing agent scheduled the closing. Everybody was at the closing table only to find out that the 2nd mortgage company never signed off on the sale. So it didn't close. It was never close to "SHORT SALE APPROVED''

The listing agent didn't know what he was doing.

He didn't have a clue.

His title company should have never scheduled a closing without the approval from the second mortgage company.

Unfortunately this happens a lot when buying and selling Metro Detroit real estate. Some metro Detroit real estate agents just don't know what to do when working with short sales. So every time I do a short sale I ask the listing agent questions. I can ferret out some of the issues and problems that might arise and whether the deal has a chance of closing. Unfortunately we can't always tell when the listing agent doesn't know what they are doing or when they are "fibbing" about the short sale.

So the bottom line is: whether it is a Livonia short sale home or any Metro Detroit short sale there is a chance that is may not close. There are things that you can't control, things the listing agent can't control, things the seller can do to make it close. So let your agent ask the questions and listen to your agent's gut instincts.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Is it time to downsize your Metro Detroit home?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:24:03 -0600

Lately it has been hard to downsize your Metro Detroit home because selling your Metro Detroit home would have lost you a lot of money. Most Metro Detroit homes have lost 30 to 50% of their value. So if a Metro Detroit home buyer sold their home and downsized their home they would lose money by buying a smaller home.

Let's say you own a 2400 square foot Farmington Hills home that was once worth $300,000. Now it's only worth $200,000. But now you want to downsize to a 1000 - 1200 square ft Farmington Hills condo. But you hated to lose all that money on your old Farmington Hills home.

Congress and President Obama have now given you a little gift of a $6500 tax credit if you have owned a primary residence 5 out of the last 8 years. $6500 just for moving. It's that a nice little gift. So even if you are downsizing it pays to move now.

So it may be a great time to move if you are:

a empty nester with home way too large for you and your spouse
a retiree that wants to move out of state
a seller that wants to move closer to family
a widower that needs to move from the memories
or a homeowner that can't keep up with all the home maintenance

Your Farmington Hills home's value won't come back for years to come so now is a great time to move forward with life. So give me a call to plan your move and grab the $6500 our politicians are giving out.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Northville real estate selling tips

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:15:18 -0600

So you are ready to sell a piece of Northville real estate or Livonia real estate but wonder how clean the house should be. YOUR HOUSE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE WHITE GLOVE READY EVERY TIME YOU SHOW.

Yes you heard me right. Your house doesn't have to be perfectly clean. You don't have to dust every shelf or put hospital corners on the beds. But here is my Northville real estate selling tip. THE HOUSE SHOULD BE ORGANIZED. Sure sparkling clean windows, counter tops spotlessly clean, and closets and laundry room organized will make your house appeal to buyers but don't kill yourself every time.

You don't want to be like this guy. Tidy the house up. Put the dirty clothes in a hamper or hide them. Pick up the junk on the floor. Put away your reading materials. Make organized stacks. Put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. BY MAKING THE HOUSE APPEAR ORGANIZED AND NEAT WILL MAKE IT APPEAR CLEANER.

So if you are going crazy trying to keep your house clean with your kids and pets just keep it organized and it will show better.

I hope these Northville real estate selling tips help prepare you to sell your home. If you have any questions feel free to call me anytime on my cell (313)310-9855.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website

Rochester MI one of the bargain home areas in Michigan

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:48:06 -0600

Lately I have been showing Rochester and Rochester Hills homes to two different buyers. Rochester is a nice stable community. Located off I-75 or M-59 it is not too far from the City of Detroit.

What I have been noticing is that many colonials have been selling for very reasonable prices. I have looked at so many Rochester Hills homes. If you look at the Rochester Hills homes under $250,000 you will notice that they are selling under a $100,000 a square foot.

Many selling for under $80 a square foot home. Some of these Rochester homes were move in ready. Now that is a deal.

ADDRESS	LIST PRICE	SALE PRICE	DOM	SQUARE FOOTAGE	SP PER SQFT
3525 W AUBURN RD	36000	32000	20	1916	16.7014
737 DRESSLER LN	90000	90000	5	1336	67.3652
734 KENTUCKY DR	90000	100000	105	1612	62.0347
903 HIGH ST	108900	108900	1	903	120.598
940 HOMESTEAD CT	119900	110000	50	2698	40.7709
1642 DANCER DR	124900	122000	94	1454	83.9064
325 ESSEX DR	174900	131250	190	2442	53.7469
735 LEINSTER RD	164900	138000	162	2013	68.5543
816 HAMPTON CIR	145300	138000	36	2004	68.8622
655 FIELDSTONE DR	169000	145000	79	2334	62.1251
1291 GETTYSBURG CT	170000	149000	32	2316	64.335
803 LION ST	150000	150000	361	2000	75
1280 BARNESWOOD LN	151900	151900	114	2616	58.0657
205 EASTLAWN DR	179900	155000	64	2038	76.0549
2112 CHALET DR	175000	160000	89	2344	68.2593
1836 JASON CIR	159900	162000	162	3100	52.258
1666 MORNINGSIDE LN	159900	162000	9	1676	96.6587
1632 DENNETT LN	170000	165000	56	1686	97.8647
2875 CULBERTSON AVE	174900	165000	36	2140	77.1028
3842 MILDRED AVE	169900	166000	13	1844	90.0216
2180 AVONCREST DR	159900	167500	8	2478	67.5948
1014 POINTE PLACE BLVD	164900	168000	4	2754	61.0021
618 SHELLBOURNE DR	169900	169900	158	2531	67.1276
548 TEN POINT DR	169900	170000	89	2653	64.0784
1049 CLOPTON BRIDGE DR	179900	170000	16	2160	78.7037
791 SHELLEY DR	189500	175000	104	2562	68.306
2530 WORTHAM DR	174900	176000	56	2289	76.8894
6130 SHELDON RD	214000	178500	159	4630	38.5529
535 THORNRIDGE DR	189900	180000	166	2076	86.7052
2465 HILLENDALE DR	187500	180000	87	2165	83.1408
25 WALTONSHIRE CT	179900	180000	4	2498	72.0576
2089 ALSDORF AVE	185000	181000	48	1846	98.0498
2362 LASSITER DR	176000	182100	168	3058	59.5487
1680 DEVONWOOD DR	194900	185000	2	2504	73.8817
712 WHITNEY DR	189900	186000	173	2076	89.5953
1243 BARNESWOOD LN	205000	190000	162	1960	96.9387
578 WYNGATE DR	197500	194500	4	2125	91.5294
1110 E FAIRVIEW LN	219000	195000	499	2500	78
284 SHAGBARK DR	214900	197500	110	2170	91.0138
2146 WAYWARD DR	198000	198000	5	2406	82.2942
820 FIELDSTONE DR	204900	200000	110	2415	82.8157
529 PLUM RIDGE DR	215000	208000	11	2577	80.714
1285 SANDY RIDGE DR	225000	215000	36	2360	91.1016
810 AUGUSTA CT	209000	221000	35	3010	73.4219
1060 HICKORY HILL DR	225000	223000	15	2382	93.6188
430 OAK ST	249999	225000	156	1596	140.9774
3332 FULHAM DR	254900	225000	394	2035	110.5651
313 LAKE FOREST RD	249900	230000	171	2687	85.5973
187 CHALMERS DR	219900	230000	97	3000	76.6666
3112 BAYPOINT DR	239000	230000	110	2371	97.0054
1297 HICKORY HILL DR	250000	233500	127	2360	98.9406
1725 KILBURN RD	259900	235000	1	2908	80.8115
600 LEHIGH RD	228000	237000	12	2428	97.6112
3267 FANTAIL DR	229000	245000	230	2949	83.079
2062 WENTWORTH DR	274900	265000	50	2977	89.0157
2196 CHIPPENHAM CHASE	275000	265000	30	2851	92.9498
1285 CHAFFER DR	299000	271000	61	2873	94.3264
3334 EVERETT DR	291900	274000	25	2500	109.6
3801 EVERETT DR	319900	280000	28	3362	83.2837
379 MYSTIC VLY	299900	284000	35	2667	106.4866
1922 BLUE GRASS DR	325000	310000	38	2978	104.0967
755 LOGGERS CIR	325000	310000	41	3013	102.8874
3035 KENWOOD DR	319000	312500	79	3774	82.8033
1106 KRISTA LN	349900	325000	52	3014	107.8301
3493 BLUE HERON LN	349900	328000	8	3750	87.4666
1734 SKYLINE DR	369000	335000	108	3569	93.8638
1361 TULBERRY CIR	339900	335000	12	3300	101.5151
1935 WATSON CIR	374999	339000	96	3415	99.2679
1840 SUDBURY CT	350000	355000	17	4390	80.8656
1161 TERRA LN	379900	367000	21	2900	126.5517
748 WINDSONG DR	390000	370000	126	3000	123.3333
1902 WESTRIDGE DR	375000	380000	235	4072	93.3202
1447 KENTFIELD DR	419900	390000	68	3195	122.0657
544 SPRINGVIEW DR	399900	400000	6	3789	105.5687
3865 CHERRYWOOD LN	475000	430000	66	4243	101.3433
1388 PEBBLE RIDGE DR	469000	450000	381	4100	109.756
333 FERNDALE AVE	599000	515000	128	3240	158.9506
315 FERNDALE AVE	599900	520000	260	3214	161.7921
795 MAJESTIC	568000	525000	50	4070	128.9926
267 WYNGATE DR	574900	530000	37	3700	143.2432

I think there still are some bargains in Rochester Hills if you are looking to buy. Information courtesy of RealComp II Ltd.

May life treat you and your family well today.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Metro Detroit real estate and relocation information website

Oakland County Lake front homes and Livingston County waterfront real estate information website