Back in 2006 I posted a couple pictures of a house being moved from Washington Street downtown to Pontiac Trail near Barton. House being moved blog post Last night I was downtown and I noticed the big crane on the lot where the house had been. I thought it made an interesting picture showing the shops at Liberty.This is one of two different big cranes downtown this year. It is good to see the new construction even in these challenging times for Ann Arbor! 04/20/2008

Yes, another tale from the dark side.  I may start giving these blogs episode numbers so it doesn't look like I am just recycling the same old thing.  Roman numerals, identified by year/month shown, rated on a scale of 1-10 for level of buyer horror, perhaps on a profit & loss statement estimate when showing to an investor, maybe even the imaginary pangs of back pain experienced when envisioning the work needed?  So hard to decide....  I just like to write about distressed properties when I show one that in some way tops all of the other ones I have shown.  Today was one of those days.The $49,000 price point in a nice subdivision that could bring $200,000 or more begged the question, "What's wrong with this property?"  Wait, another idea!  This could be a game show!  I could give clues ... 04/18/2008

"Be careful what you say around her...she may blog about it."  I heard that remark more than once when attending a family event recently - always the same person saying it, my brother-in-law Robert.He has a way of taking the most serious of occasions and making light of it, not out of disrespect.  In this case, we were burying a loved one, hardly a time for levity.  People cannot be sad always though when a death occurs.I remember my own husband back in 1997, when UPS delivered the box containing his father's ashes to his brother-in-law who happened to answer the door.  We were inadvertently re-enacting "A Christmas Carol" with the possessions left in the house.  "Does it feel like it weighs 300 pounds?" said my husband.  We all laughed.  The healing needs to begin, the sooner the bette... 04/17/2008

While busily answering my email via gmail today, the little chat box appeared with this message:  "Moooommmy, I'm scaaaaarrrreed."  It was my daughter Sara.  When she calls me "Mommy", it is a clearly understood signal between us that she needs comfort and reassurance, but the additional "I'm scared" could hardly have been misinterpreted.Here's what stinks about being a realtor - her timing was very much in the way of my scheduled agenda.  Wow.  That is bad.  I made an executive decision to figure out what was going on, though I pretty much knew.  I risked being late for showings in the far reaches of Washtenaw County, MI and beyond, already a white-knuckle drive since that is the way I plan.  :-/  It is on my list of things-to-do...PLAN BETTER.Knowing time was of the essence I got righ... 04/17/2008

 I was in downtown Ann Arbor this morning at city hall visiting the building department. And.... It was crowded!I probably haven't been there for 4 or 5 months and I was so surprised that I ask one of the other people in line who looked like a builder if it seemed busy to him. He said he was just as surprised as I was.Now for anybody who has waited in long lines in government offices before this is the most interesting part... Everybody there was smiling!It was like everybody realized it was a good thing that things were busy and they were almost enjoying the fact that there were plenty of people busy behind the counter and there was still a line.It looks like things may really be turning around a bit in Ann Arbor.Helping Home Buyers Locate, Evaluate, and Negotiate great home deals!Jon ... 04/17/2008

In 2007 we had a buyer purchasing a home on the Southwest side of Ann Arbor near Dicken elementary school. The home was built in early 60's when Orangeburg pipe was very common so we recommended that they have a sewer line inspection.(All buyer agents should be recommending this but I'm guessing many designated buyer agents don't because they don't have the experience to know. This is an example of a typical difference and why many larger brokerages hide behind designated buyer agency.)Michigan law requires that designated buyers agents disclose in writing that they are designated not full buyer agents. However most agents seemed to be afraid to tell buyers they are just designated buyer agents. For information on Orangeburg: http://www.sewerhistory.org/grfx/components/pipe-orng1.htmTh... 04/15/2008

This past weekend was brutal on my body.  When my Sunday open house ended (preceded at noon by snow flurries in April in Ann Arbor, Michigan) and I was headed home, I knew I was tired.  I didn't realize how tired I was until I felt myself literally falling asleep mid-typing, following up on some phone calls and emails.  I tipped right over on the family room sofa, pulled a fleece blanket over me and slept the deepest sleep I may have ever slept, waking fully refreshed after two hours or so.  I have no idea if my family came or went, cats jumped on me and left (they often do)...I just needed that total departure.That may have been how my tiny 4-week-old nephew felt on Tuesday when he peacefully passed away after the most miraculous fight for life no one ever really expected he would acco... 04/14/2008

Home Buyer's Agent of Ann ArborWe had a buyer purchasing a home on the Northeast side of Ann Arbor. The home was built in the late 50's to early 60's timeframe when Orangeburg pipe was very common so we recommended that they have a sewer line inspection.(All buyer agents should be recommending this but I'm guessing many designated buyer agents don't because they don't have the experience to know. This is an example of a typical difference and why many larger brokerages hide behind designated buyer agency.)For information on Orangeburg: http://www.sewerhistory.org/grfx/components/pipe-orng1.htmThis home happened to have Crock pipe. Helping Home Buyers Locate, Evaluate, and Negotiate great home deals!Jon Boyd, Broker/ManagerThe Home Buyer's Agent of Ann Arbor, Inc.http://buyersagentannarb... 04/13/2008

March Condo Reports Just like the residential market in Ann Arbor, the condo market saw a reduction of the number of listings that came on the market in March by 47%. The average sales price of condo's in Washtenaw County was $145,930. That is down over 28% since March of 2007. The number of closing is down 12%. With both those things declining, sellers are noting that the lower priced condo's are selling faster. Buyers are very picky and with so many units on the market, they have a chance to be extremely picky. Sellers need to contantly be aware of the number that are selling and what the selling price is. It is advised that you consult with a professional Realtor who will keep you updated as to the changes on a monthly basis. Data obtained my Big House Data LLC, in Ann Arbor, Mi fro... 04/09/2008

The other day I heard a pretty chilling story from an owner of income property and it is forcing him to rethink his entire strategy of income property as a way to accumulate wealth.  He has lost, not earned, a lot of money.He had rented one of his income properties to an individual.  That person was the only signed tenant on the property.  Another person was illegally offered residency, unbeknownst to the landlord, and when the lease terminated, the spare tenant refused to evacuate.  The owner asked him to leave and when he wouldn't, threw his possessions out the door.  That "tenant" had a social worker who said he had to be given notice of eviction, despite the lack of a lease with his signature.  A court battle ensued, and after many months, the "tenant" was evicted.  Do I need to men... 04/06/2008

Here is a video to introduce myself to anyone looking at home in the Ann Arbor area. My name is Karen Moorhead and the place to start your search is on the Internet and I thrilled you have found http://activerain.com.  While you are here "in the rain" as we like to say, feel free to look around.  If you have any topics you are doing research on please feel free to use the search button and look up your favorite topics.   That is just one idea for spending some time here.  Another idea might be to watch some videos and this is me:  Karen Moorhead.  Thanks for watching and spending sometime with me in the rain.     04/04/2008

A brief video describing how Team366 markets properties. In addition to the typical real estate agent marketing efforts, this video shows what Team366 does to expose your property to the WHOLE marketplace. The Team366 blog offers more information too! 04/04/2008

It's that time of year again! For those unfamiliar with FestiFools, here's the description from their site: FestiFools is a non-profit production of the START Project, a University of Michigan Lloyd Hall Scholars Program initiative. FestiFools brings students and community volunteers together to create unique public art that is free and accessible to everyone. Specifically, we make huge-mongous papier-mâché puppets and march them around downtown Ann Arbor the first Sunday in April. For more information, click on the logo above or check out the video below. 04/03/2008

There is a group of people in Ann Arbor who have a ton of fun…going to Detroit.  This event was a wonderful success.  We left A2 and took a bus (think party huge bus, not school bus) and went to the DIA for the late Friday night hours.  It is a wonderful experience I would recommend to anyone, but the fun on the bus made it a night to remember. This is straight from Rebecca’s description who is one of the wonderful organizers:  “If you don't know how getmedowntown.com works, essentially they organize a charter bus to take you and your best friends to enjoy Detroit's amazing nightlife.  They leave from downtown Ann Arbor, and take you to a predetermined location in Detroit, then leave at a predetermined time and place to come home.  Bus costs are around $15/person, then there are ticket... 04/02/2008

It all started at the wedding of clients of mine a few weeks ago.  I was delighted to be invited since I knew it was to be a small affair, spur of the moment despite the engagement, because of a job change.  They had planned an exotic wedding in Hawaii to mark the event but that was not to be.  The ceremony was at her condo which I have listed for sale.  Essentially, everyone knew I was the realtor.  I hope to be realtors to all of them if the need arises.I found I was the only person at the wedding who was English-as-a-first-language specialist, if one can call that a specialty?  There was a LOT that flew over my head though there were people who would see my puzzled looks and translate what the comments and laughter were about.  Yes, the moment was lost in the translation but at least... 04/01/2008

Outdoor fun for the kids has been proposed. There is a group of citizens proposing an outdoor skate park at Vet's Park.  The next meeting to discuss the Skate Park is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2 @ 6:30.  The meeting will take place at Abbott Elementary School.  If you are a supporter or just want to hear about the plans please attend the meeting.  Here is where Abbott is located.Veteran's park is a wonderful place that has already been voted the best sledding hill and ice rink in the city.  They have fun for the summer with batting cages, tennis courts and a wonderful outdoor pool with children's slide and large pool for the young children.  Now they are proposing a skating park and will be discussed on Wednesday, April 2.Looking forward to hearing how it progresses.  04/01/2008

Downtown Ann Arbor is characterized by architectural diversity as a result of the growth that began in the early 1800’s and has spread outward. When I first moved to Ann Arbor, I was amazed at the vibrancy of all the older buildings. Living in downtown Ann Arbor is a quality of life-style and the prices of homes in the downtown area are priced for the lifestyle they afford. I recently posted on how much Ann Arbor people like to walk. There has been much debate through the years and history buffs disagree on how Ann Arbor got its name. Legend has it that Ann Arbor was named after the two mens wives, that founded Ann Arbor, two settlers named John Allen and Elisha Rumsey. They made their way from Detroit and registered the name AnnArbour after their wives. John’s wife was named Ann and E... 03/31/2008

I was thrilled at Top of the Park 2006 to be introduced to one of Ann Arbor’s most up-in-coming musical groups called Tally Hall. They are an incredible band and not to be missed. If you would like an introduction please listen to 107.1 while you blog or answer e mail and of course you can do this anywhere not just Ann Arbor. Just click on it. I will be posting my own youtube with Tally Hall’s Top of the Park perfomance…later when I learn how to do that. But for this morning, just tune in and listen. They remind me a bit of the Beatles mixed with Bear Naked Ladies (that’s just my impression). Bottomline is they are loved nationally and they have their first CD coming out on national label: Atlantic Records. Here is the website for Tally Hall: http://www.tallyhall.com/ Listen to Tally H... 03/31/2008

03/31/2008

Time for another tale from the dark side.My intrepid buyers have been faithfully bidding on property for nearly a year now, coming up against the infamous, "highest and best" bidding process in numerous offers.  Well, recently they won, "won" being a relative term.  I have to question the bank's integrity on this one but those mysterious workings in vault-land are beyond our control and not to be spoken of publicly.  I would speak of them, mind you, but there is no way I would know what they are thinking, particularly in this twisting tale.The property in question is a gem.  An absolute palace with two bedrooms.  The lone bathroom is accessed from the bedrooms by crossing through the living room and the kitchen (another agent said there was no kitchen - hah! newbie!) and is the only shi... 03/30/2008