$125,000 , 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 0 half baths, 1,565 square feet     Matt Mulder | Keller Williams Realty | (269) 207-4712 1027 Homecrest Ave, Kalamazoo, MI Cape Cod - Kalamazoo Promise qualified -Open Floor Plan-Wood Beam Ceilings-Fireplace-Walk In Closets-Appliances Included 3BR/2BA Single Family House   offered at $125,000 Year Built 1927 Sq Footage 1,565 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 1 Car garage Lot Size 8,276 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Unique Cape Cod - Kalamazoo Promise qualified - conveniently located near I-94, Milwood Elementary, Portage Bicentennial Trail, shopping and more. Roomy open floor plan with arched entryway, decorative niches, and dramatic wood beam ceilings. Built-in cabinets and drawers can be found throughout the entire... 05/30/2013

About a year ago I was out showing houses in the Kalamazoo area of Michigan, and when my clients and I were walking out of one there was a rainbow in the sky.  We all quickly grabbed our cell phones and took a few shots.  I had forgotten about these, and came across them recently.  It turned out that they in fact did find a home that night which we wrote an offer on and it was accepted, and they are now happy home owners.  Maybe it was the rainbow that helped?  Perhaps there is really a pot of gold, but that gold is not real physical gold?  Maybe it is achieving your dreams?  If you look at this photo carefully, you will see there is in fact a double rainbow.  So maybe they were twice as lucky! 01/07/2013

A LOOK AT TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WITH UNIQUE SETS OF BENEFITS Everyone’s hustling and bustling to get all their “back to school” things ready. New clothes, new shoes, school supply lists, haircuts and even getting those last-minute vacations in. But what about those people that are on the brink of moving? School system is one of the greatest factors that impact a person’s decision on a residence location. In Kalamazoo and Portage – the two school systems are uniquely set apart in their own ways, yet each provides unparalleled benefits of being a member of the school districts. Here is a look at each and a snapshot of what they bring to parents, families and most of the children of our communities.   Portage Public Schools A renowned school system known for its high standards and in many ... 08/18/2012

Brand New PRES Home Staging Home Study Course Starts Tomorrow! I am so excited to be able to offer my brand new PRES Home Staging Home Study course to anyone, anywhere in the world who is interested in starting their own home staging business.This has been a dream of mine for years now and to finally be doing it for me, is a wonderful accomplishment. It's not just about teaching people how to start and run a successful home staging business, it's so much more than that. I get to share my sacred gift of teaching, writing and mentoring with thousands of people. And I know this course will transform their lives forever! So are you ready to be transformed! Whether you are just getting started or your existing home staging busienss (and you) need a boost - check it out because it starts tomo... 09/21/2011

Once a railroad line connecting nine towns between Kalamazoo and South Haven, Michigan between 1870 and 1970, the Kal-Haven Trail in Southwest Michigan is now a State Park.  The 34.5 mile Kal-Haven Trail is an active park all along its distance, even though some of the towns along this route have faded into the past.  I began my adventure exploring the Kal-Haven Trail in Southwest Michigan last Saturday, where I parked at the 10th Street trailhead in Kalamazoo, and bicycled 3.5 miles to the first town on the map.  The trail head features a red caboose as the information center. Being that I got a late start, and I am still building my endurance on my mountain bike, this was enough for me on this 7 mile round trip.  I must say that this trail is beautifully maintained, and is one of the ... 08/31/2011

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: 06/23/2011

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 little brother from Big Brothers, Big Sisters (BBBS).  He had a great time watching the dogs, and it probably was the most exciting part of the entire event. Listening to the announcer and judge, it appears this is a competition that is growing and traveling all over... 06/20/2011

I am a volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.  This weekend I was looking for something unique and different to take my little brother to.  We had already been to the zoo, car shows, the movies, and worn out a bowling alley over the winter months.  I had called him on Saturday morning, and he did not call me back until late Saturday afternoon.  We ended up planning to do something on Sunday.  I furiously was looking for something unique and original to take him to that we had not done before.  I came across on a Michigan festivals website that the United Kennel Club (UKC) dog show was still going on at the fairgrounds in Kalamazoo, and Sunday was the final day.  This was perfect!  So I called my little brother back and made the arrangements to pick him up early Sunday morning. We arr... 06/19/2011

I attended a Kalamazoo Wings Hockey game about a month ago, and took some video shots of their mascot whose name is Slappy.  I went to the game with my little brother from Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) and we got to go down into the tunnels beneath the stadium at one point where he got to particiate in an event held between one of the periods in the ice.  So I got some up close and personal shots of Slappy doing a little dancing in the tunnel as well.  I threw this short video together just for fun.  I hope you like it! 03/22/2011

I recently attended my first Kalamazoo Wings Hockey game at Wings Stadium.  Being a fan of active team sports, and enjoying making a good video now and then, I took my camera with me to the game and put together a video which you can see below.  The Kalamazoo Wings (known locally as the K-Wings) are members of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), an AA league which was founded in 1988-89 with originally just four teams.  Today the ECHL has grown to 19 teams all over the U.S. and each have a 72 game schedule.  So it is very easy to see some very talented and exciting hockey frequently if you are a fan.  Tickets range from $10 to $16 depending on seating and advanced purchase.  Season ticket for a team can be purchased for adults that range from $356 to $536 and a standard consistent rate... 02/27/2011

As many of you are already aware the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program ends November 30, 2009.  Only 60 days away. Considering that in today's mortgage world it can take up 30 - 60 days to close on a home, the clock is certainly ticking and first-time buyers have at the most 2 weeks left to find a home. In fact for the last two weeks some loan officer friends of mind have been referring buyers to me, because they know they can't meet the December 1st deadline.  The bottom line is that buyers not under contract by October 15th have a very small chance of meeting the deadline. Buyers looking to purchase HUD owned properties and short sales need to understand that there is absolutely NO WAY they will close by the end of November. There have been rumblings and rumors about this tax ... 10/01/2009

Kind of, you may have heard many lenders have stopped originating and funding Rural Development loans as they wait for congress to appropreate more money for the RD program.  This happens every year.  Here at AmeriFirst we will continue to originate and fund these RD loans.  It's business as usual, so have your buyers give me a call!   www.jeremydrobeck.com 10/01/2009

Quality 2 bedroom condominium completely remodeled in a neutral décor.  Has large open floor plan with kitchen opening to the dining and living areas.  Kitchen features ceramic tile and comes complete with new GE stove, microwave, and refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, garbage disposal and washer/dryer.  Living, dining, and bedrooms are newly carpeted and come complete with window treatments.  Living area opens to a nice balcony.   Included with the association fees are heat, water, trash pickup, and expanded cable TV.  The only utility bill you will have is electric. Condo is priced below adjacent units at $69,900.  Close by December 1st to earn the 1st time home buyers tax credit. Kensington Place Condominium is conveniently located on the Kalamazoo/Portage border close to shoppi... 08/28/2009

  Jeremy Drobeck talks about ways to boost your business 07/20/2009

We have been waiting on this mortgagee letter for over a year and it is finally here! We can now do Site Condos effective immediately without having to meet the Spot Approval process for FHA. Very exciting news indeed. Please take the time to read the mortgagee letter as it answers any questions you may have regarding this new process. HUD Publishes Condominium Letter: ML 2009-19 HUD has published Mortgagee Letter 2009-19 implementing new condominium rules pursuant to the law enacted last July. Lenders will have two condominium approval options. They are: 1) HUD Review and 2) Direct Endorsement Lender Review. (Environmental reviews will not be required on projects processed by Direct Endorsement lenders). Permitting Direct Endorsement lenders to process condominium project approvals sho... 06/17/2009

There is nothing better than coming home from work to the lake. 30 minutes after leaving my office I am on the boat taking a cruise to unwind and take the kids to swim. It is amazing, I did the lake house thing three years ago, a really solid move for my family. Early morning kayaking, weekend skiing, evening cruises, jumping off the dock...it is good. One of the good things about todays market is that there are again some pretty affordable options when it comes to lake living. This segment of the market has been on fire for the last 10 years and has cooled and prices (like me ) have relaxed. There is no doubt that long term this should be a very stable market, it is not housing it is a lifestyle, in most areas the greatest concentration of wealth is around the lake giving it stability.... 06/12/2009

While the number of homes sold in Kalamazoo County fell in May, 2009 vs. May 2008, homes sold in Texas Township actually increased! Six more homes sold in May, 2009 vs May 2009. The average price was down slightly, 8%, comparing the 2009 vs 2008 to $241,883. I was curious to see if what people were buying had changed much in the last year and looking at both Mays the same size house is selling, 2200 sq ft. but the average price per square foot is down $9. The bottom line is that increased sales will stabilize the market and seeing a year over year increase is great! To view Texas Twp homes for sale check out ChangingStreetsRealty.com. 06/11/2009

JPH Holdings Inc is very proud to announce the opening of ChangingStreets.com Realty in Southwest Michigan. ChangingStreets.com veteran LuAnn Defouw is the operating broker, she will working with the JPH marketing and business development teams to bring the great client experiences. "We are very excited, this is the first of four expansion projects for JPH in the next 60 days. We truly believe that the success our clients have enjoyed with our Mid-Michigan operations can be duplicated in Southwest Michigan, we certainly have the right person running the operation" said Scott Hoyt, President of JPH Holdings and on of the three founders of ChangingStreets.com. "Our goal is build the real estate company of the future. What that means to us the ultimate client experience. We will continue t... 06/11/2009

Please watch & sign . . .  HVCC Petition Watch Video     www.jeremydrobeck.com 06/08/2009

The Federal Reserve posted a report were they asked senior bank loan officers whether residential mortgage guidlines had tightened in the last 3 months.  Nearly 50 percent of banks said yes.  Now this is a much lower figure than what we saw last year.  Is it a sign of a thaw?  Maybe, however my personal opinion is that as long as guidelines continue to tighten the market will strugle to turn around because fewer and fewer people will qualify for a home loan and it will be harder and harder for us to clear out this inventory.  None the less it seems we are possible strating to turn the corner . . . . www.jeremydrobeck.com 05/19/2009