Do I think Metro Detroit home prices have bottomed out?  No I don't.  I think there will be a continuation of foreclosures that will be hitting the Detroit real estate market.  I don't see that slowing down in the near future at all. What I am seeing is that many of the home buyers are people either moving in from out of state, investors, or first time home buyers.   So what do I suggest you to do?  Do you sit on the sidelines and wait for the bottom or the lowest prices? Well first of all .... how will you know the bottom has been reached.  Do you have a "expert in your pocket"  None of the "experts" have been able to call it so far.  And I don't think anybody can call the bottom until it has happened and then it will be too late. My thoughts are: 1) we have tremendous rates.  A full p... 01/16/2009

Here is the latest Metro Detroit real estate update for Autumn Park Subdivision as of January 11, 2009 There are 2 homes for sale currently in Autumn Park Subdivision Novi MI On-Market Residential     Price   Address       Bed Bath         $549,900    2252 SUMMER LANE       4 3.1         $599,900    2322 ARGYLE ST       4 4.2 There has been one Novi home that has sold in Autumn Park in the last 6 months and it was on the market for 407 days. Status   Price   Address       Bed Bath OffMktDt  Novi real estate Novi Michigan relocation Information            Autumn Park subdivision is actually 3 subdivisions with one homeowners association.  Autumn Park has approximately 150 homes in it.  The homes were built during the years of 1996 -2006.The homes are mostly Colonial and Cape Cod style.  ... 01/11/2009

Now that is a powerful sentence.  Life is not about acquiring things.  Many people think success is about being rich.   I have a buddy that is a great family man.  He is rich.  He has risen up from being poor to having lots of money. But now with the economic situation in Metro Detroit his once thriving business is struggling.  It's not his fault.  He is doing all the right things.  He is making the right business decisions.  Yes his business may fail.  But he is a rich man. He is successful at raising a good family.  He treats them well.  He loves them and takes care of them.  He is a model for many fathers.  He has coached his kid's sports teams, gone to all their games.  Did everything he possible for his kids.  So if his business fails and he has less money....   he still will be a ... 12/18/2008

When trying to sell your home in this buyers market the key is to appeal to the greatest number of buyers.  That is why home stagers and real estate agents tell you to paint your house in neutral colors and have it move in ready. So lets look at Christmas decorating in that way.  Does it appeal to the greatest number of buyers as possible?  Does it turn some buyers off? (that is what you don't want to do at all)  Does it keep a home buyer from identifying with your house?  Remember when you went into the house with all the vegetable wallpaper or the house with pink decorating scheme.  It reminded you of your grandmother.  It wasn't your style so you didn't like the house. Some home buyers can't get past the southwest or country decor.  Or they don't like the curry smell or the pet smel... 12/05/2008

MSN did an article today about homeowners being in denial about what their house is worth.  Here is the link to the article. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27648884 As all of us real estate professionals know that is the toughest part of the job right.  There is a big disparity between what the market value of a home and what most homeowners think their home is worth.  I go through it weekly with clients and prospective clients. It sometimes takes a lot of talking, a lot of recent sold homes that we can show the client.  The bigger the stack of homes that have sold in their neighborhood, the better the chance the client will come to realization that their home is not worth what it was.  What the client has to realize and come to grips with is their goal.  Why are they moving? retirement? t... 11/10/2008

Here is the latest Novi real estate update for homes in the $300,000 to $500,000 range that have sold in the last six months. Novi Home Price Statistics Legend   Price Range Number of Listings Days on Market           300,000 to 320,000 20 106   320,001 to 340,000 10 142   340,001 to 360,000 6 76   360,001 to 380,000 7 81   380,001 to 400,000 6 196   400,001 to 420,000 5 154   420,001 to 440,000 4 34   440,001 to 460,000 6 72   460,001 to 480,000 2 134   480,001 to 500,000 2 438 For the 68 Novi home listings: For the 58 Novi Sold listings: Average List Price $384,801.00 Average Sold Price $359,401.00 Median List Price $375,450.00 Median Sold Price $349,950.00 Highest List Price $500,000.00 Highest Sold Price $465,000.00 Lowest List Price $279,900.00 Lowest Sold Price $300,000.00 List Vo... 11/07/2008

What is a short sale?  A short sale is where the seller owes more on the house than the house can sell for.  So the selling list price is less than the mortgage amount owed.  The bank has to approve the sale and the purchase agreement because they will be losing money on the mortgage loan. How long does a short sale take?  A short sale can take from 2 weeks to 6 months.  Banks are understaffed to take care of short sales.  They may not even look at the purchase agreement for a month in some cases.  You have to have the patience and the ability to not hear anything for a month or more. Will I get a counteroffer or an answer?  Depends on the bank.  Sometimes they counter the offer.  Sometimes the bank even forgets about the offer.  Sometimes the deal never gets done. Why is the bank still... 11/06/2008

So many real estate agents take punctuality for granted.  I have seen them come to closings late.   I have heard stories of other agents showing up for listing appointments late and showing appointments late. I have this thing about being on time and even being a few minutes early.  If I arrive too early I sit in the car.  I make phone calls.  I usually keep some sort of reading material in the car.  I just feel if it a listing appointment your first impression is important.  If you come late you might as well come in shorts and a tee shirt. Be on time is the way to show respect for the other persons time.  If you don't show up on time I feel you don't respect the other person. I know there are reasons to be late.  Sometimes it is unavoidable.  But if you are late more times than not lo... 10/04/2008

   Michigan Real Estate taxes I received this email about Michigan SEV and taxable value.  Many people don't understand thier real estate tax bills because it is confusing.  Here is the email.   Hi Russ,I came across your websites Livonia Real estate and Metro Detroit Michigan real estate doing a search on thedifference between SEV and Taxable Values.This all started when I found out my condoassociation dues are going to go up.I began looking at my city's website (Novi, Michigan)and decided to snoop around, discovering informationon my property and hereby, being able to locateinformation on other people's property.I also discovered that my neighbor Taxable Valuewas $35,980 and her SEV was $69,500 (she lives in Novi , Michigan too). Also, my boss, who is lives in Livonia,  has a similar ... 09/12/2008

Pillar Financial Corporation offers a unique package we call the Family Care Package and includes the following:  Individual Health Care Plans Group Health Care Family Life Insurance Family Health Care Individual Disability Coverage Group Disability Insurance Group Retirement Plans Family Security Fund The Illinois Mutual Family Security Fund provides a cash lump sum payment at the time of death of the Insured plus monthly payments over a 20-year period plus a final lump sum payment after the monthly payments end. The initial death benefit is provided by a term life insurance policy underwritten by Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company. The premiums are guaranteed level for 20 years and thereafter increase annually to age 95. There are no cash values under the term plan. The Monthly B... 08/30/2008

Novi real estate Bradford of Novi subdivision Whether you are relocating to Michigan or just thinking of buying Oakland County real Estate Novi is a great place to live.  Here is an update on one of Novi's subdivisions. Bradford of Novi  subdivision is actually 3 subdivisions with one homeowners association.  Bradford of Novi  has approximately 145 homes in it.  The homes were built during the years of 1987 -1994.The homes are mostly Colonial and Cape Cod style.  Most of the homes have brick exteriors, 2 & 3 & 3+ car garages, 3-4 bedrooms, 2 + bathrooms, basements. Square footage of the homes range from 2200 - 5900 square ft.There are some courts that have large secluded lots & homesAll of the above information is general information.  We do not guarantee the information.  This is to gi... 08/27/2008

Novi Michigan Real Estate Novi SubdivisionsYorkshire Place SubdivisionRelocating to Michigan?  Whether you have to relocate to Michigan or just moving from your Wayne County home or your Livingston County home to a new Oakland County home.  Where ever you move from whether it is from Plymouth, Canton, Westland, Redford, Livonia, South Lyon, Northville, Dearborn, or Garden City you want to know about Novi, the Novi subdivision, and the Novi neighborhood.   This page will give you some basics about Yorkshire Place subdivision Novi Links City of Novi Official Site Novi Parks and Recreation My City of Novi info site Novi High School Other Novi Subdivisions Novi Police Novi Public Library Novi Chamber of Commerce Novi Public Library  Related Links State of Michigan Oakland County Wayne Count... 08/21/2008

I do a lot of subdivision updates and Metro Detroit real estate market updates for my local area.  I see what is going on in the Metro Detroit Michigan real market, but many times statistics don't tell the whole story.  I even have to look at them harder to realize what is going on.  Below I have a example of how statistics do not tell the whole story.                                                                                                   In the on-market residential section below there are two homes listed for sale.  One is very high priced and higher than what many homes have sold for in the Novi subdivision.  What that does is throw off the average list price of homes.  So if somebody only uses that information they will think their home should be listed for more or is wort... 08/20/2008

Higher rate doesn't mean better service. I just read this on a blog.  Don't play the "rate shopping" game. The lowest rate isn't the best deal. "    The author went on to say even if the rate is 1/8 higher, it "MAY" be worth it.  "MAY" is the key word.  Your child "MAY" be become president too.  WHAT!!!!!   I have made my career on being the low rate or low fee guy.  I love to compete on fees, or rate, or both.  If somebody had a bank rate, I would usually beat it.   Sometimes I can't and I will be the first to say you should stay with the lender.   Sometime if I would only make $400.  Over  the years it paid off.  I have a good clientele.  I have many repeat customers and I get a lot of referrals. To even say professionalism or knowledge is equated with a high or low rate is ridicolous... 08/12/2008

Metro Detroit real estate sales are picking up!!!!   I pulled listings for one of my clients last Friday and four of the Novi homes were sold that he wanted to see (2 of them a second time).  My client did not like it.  He wanted to know where all the buyers were coming from. It is my belief that some buyers are trying to get into Michigan homes before school starts.  Many Michigan home buyers were looking at as many homes as possible.  Then they started noticing that some of the homes they liked were sold.  So I think that some buyers decided to get off the fence and buy. It doesn't matter if it is Livonia real estate, Canton Real estate, or Northville real estate.  Michigan Homes are selling if priced right and in move in condition or if they are a good deal.  Many Michigan bargain ho... 08/03/2008

Novi real estate update Here is what has sold or leased in Royal Crown Estates in the last 6 months.  Royal Crown Estates is located off Beck Rd between 9 and 10 mile Roads.  Royal Crown Estates has approximately 228 homes in it.  The homes were built during the years of 1990 -1998.   Royal Crown Estates Novi MI Off Market as of July 25, 2008 Status   Price   Address       Bed Bath Off Market Date         PEND   $1,800   22649 FOXMOOR DR       4 2.1 4/23/2008     Leased   $2,100   22689 CHESHIRE CT       4 3.1 10/30/2007     SOLD   $311,000   22605 MOORGATE ST       4 2.1 6/6/2008     SOLD   $360,000   45639 WHITE PINES DR       4 2.1 2/1/2008     For more on Novi subdivisions or to search Metro Detroit Homes for sale go to my websites www.RussRavary.com or www.DetroitMichiganRealEstate... 07/25/2008

Ni hao (nee-Ha-OW) is hello in Chinese.  That is one of the new words I have learned in the last few weeks.  It seems I have been working with many different ethnic groups.  In the last wek I have been working with many different first time home buyers.  I am working with a young Turkish couple, a Hispanic family, an Arabic family, and the young Chinese couple.  Metro Detroit has many different ethnic groups.  Some are spread out through Metro Detroit and others are clustered in little areas.  What is great about most of my buyers is that let me experience and understand their cultures.  Sometimes with different languages and first time home buyers there is nervousness.  That why is why agents need to take the time to explain the whole buying process and explain little things. This week... 07/22/2008

  Island Lakes subdivision, Novi Michigan real estate update Island Lakes homes for sale as of 7/7/08There are 36 homes for sale.  The average time on the market is 349 days and the average list price in Island Lakes is $666,843.  If you would like more information on these homes or would like to see the inside of them  call me on my cell at (313) 310-9855 or email me at info@RussRavary.com Price Address Bed Bath   $405,000  2497 SAMOSET CT 4 3.1   $473,975  0000 TERRA DEL MAR DR 4 2.1   $489,975  0000 TERRA DEL MAR 4 2.1   $493,975  0000 TERRA DEL MAR DR 4 2.1   $493,975  0000 TERRA DEL MAR DR 4 2.1   $499,975  5062 BILLENCA DR 4 2.1   $508,975  2429 TERRA DEL MAR DR 4 2.1   $515,975  0000 TERRA DEL MAR DR 4 2.1   $531,975  0000 TERRA DEL MAR DR 4 2.1   $535,975  5056 BILLENCA DR 4 3.1... 07/06/2008

When I write a blog.  I always change the name of the city, the amount of the house, when it happened.  As a real estate and mortgage person we run into scenarios that are interesting, and that can help "Joe Public"  Sure we know a lot about the business.  Sure we know what can happen, and what should happen.   But many times the average consumer does not know.  Here are some of the reasons I blog.  To educate people so they don't make the same mistakes. To explain mortgage terms and real estate terms To help people understand what their realtor or mortgage person is trying to tell them To tell buyers and sellers what to look for, or what to do to make the best decisions or at least make sound decisions. To help people understand what they heard on the news  I never want to expose one o... 07/02/2008

Site condos are commonly created by a developer to "cut the red tape".  Most cities and states have a minimum requirement for the size of a parcel.  It depends on the size of the original piece of land.  By developing a site condo, a builder can create smaller lots and thus build more homes.  The homeowner has complete ownership of house and resulting lot.  But there are some rules... A condo assocation is formed and issues by-laws that control some of the happenings around the sub.  For example, they may have a final say in what can be erected on the grounds, such as fences or pole barns.  Each community is different; some more relaxed, others are stricter. I currently have a home listed in Novi Michigan on Emerson Way, that is part of such a plan.  The monthly association fee is $120 ... 06/16/2008