Happy Independence day (belated)

Hey all, it's a little delinquent I know, but I'm finally getting around to the blog this month. Optimistic news seems to be showing up everywhere for our state. Here's a little ditty I dug up from Foreclosures.com Michigan: As the auto industry has unraveled, foreclosures in the motor state have soared. Yet the Michigan Association of Realtors reports residential home sales as reported by 41 of its local associations are up more than 8.5% YTD as of April over year-ago numbers. The Detroit Board of Realtors reports sales up a whopping more than 23%. Affordability is the name of the game. At least 15 Michigan local Realtor associations report average home prices statewide off more than 30% over year ago numbers in April.

What that means is... prices are down but sales are up. People are finally starting to realize the time to buy is now because of the bargains out here. This is a critical recovery piece for our real estate market... the quicker we can get some of this inventory out of the system (even at all time low prices), the quicker we will see the shift toward a sellers market and some stability. We need that perfect fulcrum balance between a buyers and a sellers market to stabilize.

As I prematurely announced last month, the stimulus package Gurus were supposed to be defining a way to use the $ 8,000 first time home buyers tax credit as cash down at closing... after beating our heads against the wall for a month, there is still no sign that this will happen. Still, $ 8,000 from the feds April 15th is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick... so hop on board the stimulus train, call me and lets find that home.

Now for the Henderson news:

June and the July holiday season has been fast paced. Jessy relocated to Chicago, and has been working in a residence caring for Anthonys grandfather for the summer. Her new job begins in August, and shes very excited to get her career off and running. Anthony invited us to Lake Geneva for the 4th of July... it was sort of a pre-sample of how crazy our chicago wedding might be next summer. We had a ball getting to know his family a little bit better. We took the motorcycles out there and other than breaking Kellys handle bars... Anthonys maiden big trip went pretty much without incident.

Bella is getting so big and really likes the pool this summer. Her swim classes have given her tons of confidence, and she's starting to use her skills to really swim short distances. Dave & Lauren are expecting my second grandchild... looks like a March arrival. Not sure how mema and g-diddy are going to be able to spoil a second one as much, but we'll give it the old college try. David is rehabbing a torn mcl in his knee these days... he's not sure how or when the tear happened, but it could be "an old Army injury". Jumping off tanks is tough work... i did it once, They're really tall.

Real estate is hopping for me, it's been a busy spring/summer, and quite a bit of activity still on the horizon. Kelly has settled into her new career at QEK and loves it. The great thing is her office is located about 2 miles from home... she even pops home for lunch frequently.

Thanks again for all of your referrals... I truly appreciate the confidence you place in my service. Next months blog I will try to be a little more prompt with.