michigan: Man's Best Friend - More Photos from the 18th Annual UKC Dog Show in Kalamazoo, MI - 06/23/11 02:58 AM
This past weekend I took a little excursion over to the 18th Annual UKC Dog Show in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  It was held at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, which is a really good facility for a show that consists of both indoor and outdoor events.  
I was with my little brother from Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and we went there originally to learn about different breeds of dogs.  We found so much more, and had such a great time.  Here are are few other photos I had not shared yet from this event:





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michigan: What You Can Expect in the Process of Buying a Home - 06/22/11 02:28 AM
When it comes to taking that first step with the decision to become a homeowner, it helps to have some insight on how to begin.  Too many times I have encountered first time home buyers who have been given a lot of wrong directions from well meaning people, but they could have avoided a lot of heart ache if they had consulted a professional like a REALTOR®. 
I recently was working with a young lady who was very excited to buy a house in the same neighborhood as her family.  She had gone to her credit union and was told she … (0 comments)

michigan: Krystal Falls Golfland in Battle Creek, Michigan - 06/21/11 02:28 AM
If you are looking for something to do outdoors in the sunshine, then taking a visit to a local putt-putt golf range might be just what you need.  This past weekend I went to Krystal Falls Golfland in Battle Creek, Michigan with my little brother from the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.  We were on our way back from a dog show in Kalamazoo, and we got the idea to go have a little fun outdoors.
He suggested we stop at Krystal Falls Golfland, and so we were off.  There are 18 holes at Krystal Falls Golfland, and they are located … (2 comments)

michigan: The Ultimate 'Air Dogs' Show - Kalamazoo, Michigan - June 19th, 2011 - 06/20/11 02:35 PM
This past Sunday on June 19th, I attended the United Kennel Club's (UKC) 18th Annual Dog Show, which also had a featured event of the 'Ultimate Air Dogs Competition'.  Dogs would run down a dock and jump off into a swimming pool, and were scored and measured for distance. 
This apparently is a very popular event, and some of the dogs really loved to perform for a crowd.  I stood there for a good hour in the sun filming this exciting event.  It was very cool to see the crowd cheering on the dogs.
I went to this event with my … (5 comments)

michigan: More Classic Cars & Trucks from the Cerealfest 2011 - Battle Creek, Michigan - 06/18/11 08:34 AM
I posted photos last weekend of some of the classic cars that were on display at the Cerealfest in Battle Creek, Michigan held on June 11th.  I went through my photos and decided to post the remainder of the ones I took pictures of that were in my collection. 
Many of these cars will bring back memories, and I think that is why generations of people are still attracted to them.  They are a more than a piece of history, they are a testimony of the artistry and craftsmen from another era.  Many of these designs are timeless, and I wish … (2 comments)

michigan: Sometimes you have to dance... Cerealfest 2011 - Battle Creek, Michigan - 06/17/11 01:42 PM
I have been blogging this week about the annual Cerealfest that is held in Battle Creek, Michigan.  The 2011 Cerealfest was held last weekend on June 11th. 
During the event there was a large stage that was set up across one of the streets, and throughout the morning of a series of performers were presented. 
I happened by during one of the dance groups, and had my camera handy.  I managed to get a pretty good video, and some still shots.  If you look at the crowd, there were a lot of them dancing in the streets along with the performers. 
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michigan: Cerealfest 2011 - Battle Creek, Michigan - 06/17/11 03:32 AM
The annual Cerealfest was just held this past weekend in Battle Creek, Michigan.  It is an event that has gone on for over 100 years now, and it consists of the three cereal companies (Kellogg's, Post and Ralston Foods) serving free breakfast cereal to thousands of people. 
The event includes not only cereal, but games for the kids, booths with a variety of venders, a classic car show and a center stage where entertainment and broadcasting occur. 
This year there were also other food venders brought in, and the festival included all of McCamly Park downtown.  This was due to construction … (7 comments)

michigan: Children at the 2011 Cereal Festival in Battle Creek, MI - 06/16/11 06:46 AM
Now that blogging has been a part of my life for over a year and a half now as a local Realtor, I am constantly looking for things to write about.  Sometimes photos are the best way to tell a story.  This year I took some time like I do every year and visit the cereal festival held downtown in Battle Creek, Michigan.  This year, I took over 300 photos and shot a lot of video, which I intend to create into something for my YouTube channel in the coming weeks. 
As I was going through the photos, I realized that … (6 comments)

michigan: Exploring Old Buildings - 06/03/11 03:20 AM
I have a commercial building under contract, which is scheduled to close next Friday.  It is an old bank building in Athens, Michigan, which is perfect for my clients needs.  As a bonus, the building has an unfinished apartment upstairs.  I learned from the listing agent and the seller that no one had been up there in probably 30 or 40 years. 
So my clients of course wanted to see the space, and examine its condition.  When we opened the door that led to the stairs, if was quite unique.  I thought I would share a photo of the door and … (6 comments)

michigan: Sweet Rocket Returns to Southwest Michigan - 06/02/11 03:20 AM
I have a fondness for herbs and plants.  I have my own small green house in the back yard, and although my schedule tends to prevent me from doing as much as I would like out there, I still benefit from the rewards of my perennial herbs that return each spring.  Sweet Rocket grows wild in Michigan, but it was originally brought over from Europe in the 17th century.  
It's official name is: 'Hersperis Matronalis'.  It has numerous common names including: Dame's Rocket, Damask Violet, Dame's Violet, Dames-wort, Dame's Gilliflower, Night Scented Gilliflower, Queen's Gilliflower, Rogue's Gilliflower, Summer Lilac, Sweet Rocket, … (4 comments)

michigan: 115 Year Old Grand Opening Flyer Found in Basement - Athens, MI - 06/02/11 02:45 AM
I have been working on a commercial sale of an old bank building in Athens, Michigan for the past few weeks now.  When the buyers and I were examining the building, we went into the basement and I discovered an old flyer pasted to one of the original door frames. 
It promotes a grand opening for the 'Graham & Palmers Store' featuring 'Hardware & Groceries' but the facinating thing is the date of the grand opening: March 10, 1896.  I just had to take a photo of this, as it has probably been down there since someone originally posted it, and … (9 comments)

michigan: Storm Damage in Battle Creek - Memorial Day Weekend 2011 - 05/31/11 05:00 AM
This past Memorial Day weekend Battle Creek, Michigan and many other areas in the Southwest part of the State experienced massive damage from an instense thunder storm that came through the area.  Tornado syle winds were a part of the tirade of winds that accompanied the storm. 
The good news is that the community is organizing and breaking out their chainsaws, clearing roads, etc.  The local power company, Consumers Energy has a massive amount of service trucks working to restore power neighborhood, by neighborhood. 
There are a tremendous amount of trees down, and many that were extremely large.  You can see the … (3 comments)

michigan: Fresh Peanut Butter & Battle Creek, Michigan - 05/28/11 04:00 AM
Do you like fresh peanut butter?  Have you ever had it?  At Horrock's Famers Market in Battle Creek, Michigan they have a fresh peanut butter making machine that is one of my favorite items to stop at.  You can put your container of various sizes right under the machine, and push the button and watch the peanut butter be made before your eyes.  I find this very cool.
The following history of peanut butter I found on Wikipedia:
"A U.S. Patent issued in 1884 to Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, for the finished product of the process of milling … (8 comments)

michigan: Buying HUD Homes as an Investor - 05/26/11 01:51 PM
Buying HUD homes as an investor requires some patience, and perseverance.  The first time an investor approaches the process, they may not realize that when a HUD home first comes on the market it is available only to owner occupant bidders.  So as compelling the home may be to consider buying, it may not be available to you as a bidder. 
As a Realtor, I stay on top of changes in the buying procedures for HUD homes.  Buying HUD homes as an investor is a great game, but it must also be played with common sense.  If you do not educate … (4 comments)

michigan: Buying a HUD Home in Battle Creek, Michigan - 05/18/11 06:08 AM
Buying a HUD home in Battle Creek, Michigan or anywhere requires that you work with a local REALTOR® that is registered to submit HUD bids through their brokerage and HUD.  As a local REALTOR® who works with a lot of first time home buyers, as well as investors, I can tell you that HUD homes offer a few advantages. 
To begin, when buying a HUD home in Battle Creek, Michigan as a first time home buyer, you are given a unique opportunity over general property investors.  HUD places a property for sale on the market for a reserved period when they … (4 comments)

michigan: Amazing Collection of Sculptures at the Meijer Gardens - 05/15/11 11:39 AM
There is quite a collection of amazing sculpture at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  I visited there with my wife last month, and took several photos. 
Some of them are tremendously large. From personal taste, I always seem to most admire the ones that can be viewed from different angles, and offer an entirely unique view.  I have included a selection of the ones I liked the best in this blog. 
The park is a great attraction for the area, and people visit from all over the country at various times of year.  During the warmer months … (7 comments)

michigan: New Changes in HUD Home Sales in Michigan - 05/14/11 04:40 AM
There have been some new changes in HUD home sales in Michigan.  Last October Michaelson, Conner and Boul, commonly referred to as ‘MCB' did not have their contract with HUD renewed.  Instead, two new companies are now managing HUD properties statewide. 
One is BLB Resources, and the other is City Side Corp.  There are differences on how HUD homes are found on the internet now, which make for a much improved change for buyers interested in them. 
All HUD homes for the State of Michigan can be viewed in one central location: www.HUDHomeStore.com.   In fact, you can now search for HUD … (3 comments)

michigan: Softball and Baseball Games at Piper Park in Battle Creek, Michigan - 05/07/11 10:14 AM
I live across from Piper Park in Battle Creek, Michigan.  It has its benefits, as it is a wonderfully kept city park here in Battle Creek.  In the park during the warmer months, there are frequent baseball and softball games. 
In the last few weeks, I have observed a lot of teams showing up and using the field for practice.  In short order games will start to be held, but right now it seems mainly to be a time of year for working the kinks out of your batting swing, and loosing up the old throwing arm. 
People of all ages … (0 comments)

michigan: Happy Easter! - 04/24/11 11:21 AM
Easter so often marks the beginning of spring, and new things for the year, more so than any other holiday.  I hope eveyone has a wonderful Easter, with good weather, and a lot of fun times with family. 
I hope you will enjoy my selection of flower photos to celebrate the occasion.  I tried to come up with a variety to show a colorful splash for the holiday.  All of these were photographed in my backyard last year.  So they all grow very well here in Battle Creek, Michigan!



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michigan: Blue Skies in Southwest Michigan - 04/01/11 04:13 AM
Living in Michigan, we grow accustomed to cold winters.  However, another interesting aspect of living here is that the winter months tend be cloud covered most of the time, so one constantly sees gray skies, gray skies, and gray skies.  It is so commonplace that one finds themselves somewhat energized when the blue skies finally return for even a day or two. 
Lately in the past week or two we have seen blue skies more often, which is a great indicator that spring is coming.  Our friends in the Northern part of the State are still getting snow off and on, … (7 comments)

 
Michael Delaware, REALTOR®, CRS, GRI (North Sky Realty LLC)

Michael Delaware

REALTOR®, CRS, GRI

Battle Creek, MI

More about me…

North Sky Realty LLC

Address: 720 Capital Ave SW, Battle Creek, MI, 49015

Office: (269) 968-9293

Mobile: (269) 274-6102

I enjoying looking at the lighter side of life. So, this blog is about my wacky observations, my sometimes sideways point of view and the Southwest Michigan, Battle Creek Area Real Estate Market.


  








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