Hey all,
I'll skip the pumpkin seed recipes this time and resist the urge for a seasonal you tube video (maybe December), and simply wish everyone a happy and peaceful Holiday season.
On the serious and business portion of our November blog, whatever your political views are (whether you're right or wrong :0)) ... make sure you go out Tuesday and excercise your right to vote. The last two elections were decided by hundreds of ballots not thousands or millions... make your voice be heard.
The two blog entries directly below this one are great articles regarding fall home prep and fighting tax assessments in a declining market. Both are relavent articles to brush up on.
As always thanks so much for your referrals. Your family and friends make the difference in my business. The last three years have been tough on my industry, but we keep plugging away, and find ways to sell homes and get buyers into the multitude of great opportunities that are available.
Click the above link to my listings to see what I currently have in inventory, and use the Century 21 search engine to look for homes in areas you might have interest in... For that matter, call me or drop me an e-mail and I can set up a search for you and send periodic listings of homes you may have interest in.
So you're all waiting to hear about the family I know...
Jessy is slugging out the toughest semester of her college career to date. She's doing very well, and is anxious for this to all be over in April, so she can join the ranks of the employed... so are we frankly :0).
Dave Lauren & Bella are well. Dave started his career at T.A.C.O.M. finally this month and enjoys it very much. He started playing hockey in an adult league, and other than a lack of wind, he's doing pretty well. Lauren has her hands full with a very active 2.5 year old. I have to admit, Bella has me-ma and G-Diddy wrapped. Christmas is going to be a real ball this year.
Kelly has been fighting a pain in her lower back (no that's not a metaphore for me), which has hampered her ability to play hockey this year. Still going through testing and treatments to figure it all out.
I'm finally recouping from all the aches and pains from softball... it's tough getting old. We haven't quite retired the motorcycles to the corner of the garage yet, but little time is being spent riding these days.
Let me know if I can help with any of your real estate needs, whether you need to buy, sell, or just need advice... always willing to assist.
Dave
Friday, October 31, 2008
Appealing assessed value - click article for full view
This article was in this months realtor magazine... thought it might be interesting given our declining market over the past few years.
Fall clean up and winter prep tips...
Hey all,
Cooler weather is on us, and we're all scrambling to get our places prepped for the winter ahead. Dave Jones of Accu-Spec (see link above) recently sent this out to his clients and I thought it was a good check sheet of things to do for winter prep. I figured I'd forward this to you... Daves a great guy and does good work if you need help with any of these items. His contact info is below.
FALL
Clean debris from gutters.
Make sure that downspout extensions are in place.
Turn off circuit breaker or pull fuse block for central air.
Furnace should be cleaned and checked by contractor.
Check furnace filters and humidifiers.
Check all exterior caulking and reseal as needed.
Install storm windows if present.
Install storm doors.
Check brick chimneys for mortar cracks.
Check roof shingles and flashings.
Check window and door weather stripping.
Winterize irrigation systems.
Turn off exterior hose bibs.
Winterize lawn equipment.
Tune up snow blower.
Check attic for proper insulation and ventilation.
[12-18" of insulation is recommended along with proper ventilation.]
Make proper reservations for warm weather destination for January or February... You will need it!!!
Please call if you need help preparing for this winter.
Dave Jones
Accu-Spec Home Inspections
248-393-1250
Cooler weather is on us, and we're all scrambling to get our places prepped for the winter ahead. Dave Jones of Accu-Spec (see link above) recently sent this out to his clients and I thought it was a good check sheet of things to do for winter prep. I figured I'd forward this to you... Daves a great guy and does good work if you need help with any of these items. His contact info is below.
FALL
Clean debris from gutters.
Make sure that downspout extensions are in place.
Turn off circuit breaker or pull fuse block for central air.
Furnace should be cleaned and checked by contractor.
Check furnace filters and humidifiers.
Check all exterior caulking and reseal as needed.
Install storm windows if present.
Install storm doors.
Check brick chimneys for mortar cracks.
Check roof shingles and flashings.
Check window and door weather stripping.
Winterize irrigation systems.
Turn off exterior hose bibs.
Winterize lawn equipment.
Tune up snow blower.
Check attic for proper insulation and ventilation.
[12-18" of insulation is recommended along with proper ventilation.]
Make proper reservations for warm weather destination for January or February... You will need it!!!
Please call if you need help preparing for this winter.
Dave Jones
Accu-Spec Home Inspections
248-393-1250
Monday, October 6, 2008
New bailout package... Daves thoughts
Hey all...
Love the idea or hate it, we have a new new bailout package in place. My head has been swimming for two weeks trying to talk with people in the know, and analyze the info spilled on the t.v. from the talking heads.
For what it's worth, here's my take on it (from a Realtors perspective). The last several months we have seen banks tightening up standards for new mortgages as well as other sources of credit. Appraisers have been brutally adhering to stiffer and stiffer requirements placed on them by the banks. Unless you have spotless credit (a tall order these days), banks either deny loan applicants or bump them into higher interest packages.
Small businesses find it very difficult to obtain loans for cash flow, and even home equity lines of credit have been frozen (even if you were current on your debt repayment).
This tightening of the reigns is a direct result of mortgage companies lenient lending policies over the last several years, and the subsequent decline in the real estate market and plummeting home values. Many mortgages were written in the past few years for 100% of a homes value, plus a 10% equity loan allowing a buyer cash out, and no money down. Some professionals argue that too many loans were given to people that couldn't afford them in the first place... that's a topic for another day.
People, when faced with the realities of losing their jobs or taking wage cuts, often find themselves in the quandry of selling a home they have to pay the bank to get rid of... the result... they simply find it more financially beneficial to flip the keys to the bank and move on.
The bailout in theory allows the fed (you & I) to buy these mortgages off the banks books and relieve some of the pressure from them. This again in theory allows the bank a clean slate, and should make obtaining a loan (hopefully with a little common sense behind them) easier.
All that said... I am reservedly optimistic about the bailout. Can I say I was against it, but now I'm for it ? :0) (not to say I won't be against it again in the coming months)... no one seems to really know what the true outcome will be.
The real estate market and it's impact on our economy...
There are a few things we know about our economy today. Our auto industry is in trouble. We need to find a way to compete in the world market, or find replacement industry for our remaining work force. In the mean time, we currently have too much local business to support the local workforce and way too many homes on the market to be purchased by way to few buyers. The economy has a natural trickle down effect, and business will self level, and housing prices have been dropping and will stabilize sooner than later (we all hope).
While we wait for both to happen... this is a tremendous opportunity for buyers. I've preached this before, but if you are a first time home buyer or are looking for vacation home or investment properties, now is the time to buy. If you have stability in your income, and can qualify for a mortgage (I can help with that), housing prices are at levels similar to 10 years ago in some cases.
If you have a home to sell and want to buy up... now is the time. As long as you have equity and don't need to pay the bank most of the value of your home to get out, take your lumps on what you thought your house was worth, and know and understand the home on the other side (the high side) of the transaction is experienceing the exact same thing. You will undoubtedly make up the difference of the loss of your sold home plus plus plus on the buy side.
Take the initiative, price it smart, and you won't regret it. When we finally see real estate beginning it's rebound, we'll see the entire economy in detroit follow suit. That's how important your transaction and faith in our community are.
Give me a call if you need any advice about home values, obtaining a mortgage, or any general info about the market... I'm happy to talk.
Family...
At long last, David got out of the Army on 9/11 this past month. He returned home after a 32 hour drive from California on the 13th... just in time to go to the Lions game and watch them get crushed... but it was a good father/son outing anyway.
Bella & Lauren were pretty excited for him to come home as well, and Bella is soaking up tons of attention her dad is able to give her with his current vacation status. Dave was able to land a job at Tacom and starts work there on October 15th... thanks for all your support over the last 7 years.
Jessy & Anthony are doing well... Jessy is in the middle of her most difficult semester to date at Western, and can't wait until April when she is finished with her masters. Anthony is hard at work back in Chicago, and although he hardley rubs it in our face... gets to be a fan of three teams that are better than the Detroit teams... Too bad about those "Black Hocks".
Kelly & I are well, golf and softball are over, and bike season is just about to end. Kelly is playing hockey already this year, and I'm about to start my hibernation phase...
Again thanks for all of your referrals, they make my business flourish.
See you in November... after election day.
Love the idea or hate it, we have a new new bailout package in place. My head has been swimming for two weeks trying to talk with people in the know, and analyze the info spilled on the t.v. from the talking heads.
For what it's worth, here's my take on it (from a Realtors perspective). The last several months we have seen banks tightening up standards for new mortgages as well as other sources of credit. Appraisers have been brutally adhering to stiffer and stiffer requirements placed on them by the banks. Unless you have spotless credit (a tall order these days), banks either deny loan applicants or bump them into higher interest packages.
Small businesses find it very difficult to obtain loans for cash flow, and even home equity lines of credit have been frozen (even if you were current on your debt repayment).
This tightening of the reigns is a direct result of mortgage companies lenient lending policies over the last several years, and the subsequent decline in the real estate market and plummeting home values. Many mortgages were written in the past few years for 100% of a homes value, plus a 10% equity loan allowing a buyer cash out, and no money down. Some professionals argue that too many loans were given to people that couldn't afford them in the first place... that's a topic for another day.
People, when faced with the realities of losing their jobs or taking wage cuts, often find themselves in the quandry of selling a home they have to pay the bank to get rid of... the result... they simply find it more financially beneficial to flip the keys to the bank and move on.
The bailout in theory allows the fed (you & I) to buy these mortgages off the banks books and relieve some of the pressure from them. This again in theory allows the bank a clean slate, and should make obtaining a loan (hopefully with a little common sense behind them) easier.
All that said... I am reservedly optimistic about the bailout. Can I say I was against it, but now I'm for it ? :0) (not to say I won't be against it again in the coming months)... no one seems to really know what the true outcome will be.
The real estate market and it's impact on our economy...
There are a few things we know about our economy today. Our auto industry is in trouble. We need to find a way to compete in the world market, or find replacement industry for our remaining work force. In the mean time, we currently have too much local business to support the local workforce and way too many homes on the market to be purchased by way to few buyers. The economy has a natural trickle down effect, and business will self level, and housing prices have been dropping and will stabilize sooner than later (we all hope).
While we wait for both to happen... this is a tremendous opportunity for buyers. I've preached this before, but if you are a first time home buyer or are looking for vacation home or investment properties, now is the time to buy. If you have stability in your income, and can qualify for a mortgage (I can help with that), housing prices are at levels similar to 10 years ago in some cases.
If you have a home to sell and want to buy up... now is the time. As long as you have equity and don't need to pay the bank most of the value of your home to get out, take your lumps on what you thought your house was worth, and know and understand the home on the other side (the high side) of the transaction is experienceing the exact same thing. You will undoubtedly make up the difference of the loss of your sold home plus plus plus on the buy side.
Take the initiative, price it smart, and you won't regret it. When we finally see real estate beginning it's rebound, we'll see the entire economy in detroit follow suit. That's how important your transaction and faith in our community are.
Give me a call if you need any advice about home values, obtaining a mortgage, or any general info about the market... I'm happy to talk.
Family...
At long last, David got out of the Army on 9/11 this past month. He returned home after a 32 hour drive from California on the 13th... just in time to go to the Lions game and watch them get crushed... but it was a good father/son outing anyway.
Bella & Lauren were pretty excited for him to come home as well, and Bella is soaking up tons of attention her dad is able to give her with his current vacation status. Dave was able to land a job at Tacom and starts work there on October 15th... thanks for all your support over the last 7 years.
Jessy & Anthony are doing well... Jessy is in the middle of her most difficult semester to date at Western, and can't wait until April when she is finished with her masters. Anthony is hard at work back in Chicago, and although he hardley rubs it in our face... gets to be a fan of three teams that are better than the Detroit teams... Too bad about those "Black Hocks".
Kelly & I are well, golf and softball are over, and bike season is just about to end. Kelly is playing hockey already this year, and I'm about to start my hibernation phase...
Again thanks for all of your referrals, they make my business flourish.
See you in November... after election day.
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