Are you thinking of buying a Metro Detroit home and putting in a house offer but there are home improvements?Even when comparing exact model matches within a subdivision of homes, you should note whether the previous owners have made any substantial improvements. Cosmetic changes should be largely ignored, but major improvements should be taken into account.  Just because it is painted or landscaped nice doesn't add huge value. New windows, new roof, new furnace are a little plus but doesn't add huge value.  We expect all homes to be in "working condition" or "fair condition".  Most important would be room additions, especially bedrooms and bathrooms.  If you get a new roof, new furnace it is a plus but not a value unless the other house you are looking at is going to need a new roof, o... 09/13/2009

All right, all you Metro Detroit first time home buyers it's getting to be crunch time.  If you want to get your your $8000 you need to buy a home and close on it by December 1, 2009.  We need a signed purchase contract by November 1, 2009. So let me ask you how long have you been looking? 3 months, 4 months, or 5 months?  How many homes have you looked at? 30? 50? 70? Have you lost more than one offer that you have put in?  Have you lost more than one home because you were outbid.  Were you outbid by $10,000 or more dollars?    Maybe you have changed Realtors because they weren't getting what you want.  Have you been bidding on homes at the top of your price range?  And you can't bid over the list price?   Are you tired of losing homes?  Then it may be time to scale back your expectati... 09/05/2009

All right, all you Metro Detroit first time home buyers it's getting to be crunch time.  If you want to get your your $8000 you need to buy a home and close on it by December 1, 2009.  We need a signed purchase contract by November 1, 2009. So let me ask you how long have you been looking? 3 months, 4 months, or 5 months?  How many homes have you looked at? 30? 50? 70? Have you lost more than one offer that you have put in?  Have you lost more than one home because you were outbid.  Were you outbid by $10,000 or more dollars?    Maybe you have changed Realtors because they weren't getting what you want.  Have you been bidding on homes at the top of your price range?  And you can't bid over the list price?   Are you tired of losing homes?  Then it may be time to scale back your expectati... 09/05/2009

Whether you are relocating to Livonia MI from out of state or just buying a Livonia home for sale.  If you live here in the Metro Detroit real estate area and just like Livonia and Livonia homes then this series might help you learn more about Livonia.  Here is what Livonia homes have sold for in the last six months. Livonia home Price Statistics Legend Range Name Price Range Number of Listings Days on Market         R1 15,000 to 65,000 96 88 R2 65,001 to 115,000 172 105 R3 115,001 to 165,000 155 110 R4 165,001 to 215,000 57 156 R5 215,001 to 265,000 12 176 R6 265,001 to 315,000 11 273 R7 315,001 to 365,000 3 174 R8 365,001 to 415,000 0 0 R9 415,001 to 465,000 0 0 R10 465,001 to 515000 0 0 R11 515,001 to 565,000 0 0 R12 565,001 to 615,000 0 0 R13 615,001 to 665000 0 0 R14 665,001 to 715... 08/30/2009

I got through reading a blog about one persons use of the "F" word and another one that was against it.  I grew up in the landscaping business which is a mostly male employee business and around contractors.  So swearing is nothing new to me.  But it's not about right or wrong but it is about the freedom to say what you say and the ability not to judge others.  I think that is one of the biggest problems in the US.  We have so many people that are so adamant in their beliefs that they forget that other people have Rights that they should treat others well that they shouldn't hate that God (whether it is a Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or Hindu) wants us to love each other and make the world a better place thru good deeds. Sometimes that goes out the window from the same religiou... 08/26/2009

Since it's the beginning of a new week, I thought we'd start off with some good news. Plenty of time for the junk later on.   As I've mentioned a couple of times, inventory in the local Detroit  market seems to have leveled off. For those of you who have been following my blogs this will be old news but for newbies here's a quick refresher.   Inventory is the leading indicator of the Real Estate market. Prices are the lagging indicator, simply meaning that prices follow the market. Prices indicate where the market was, not where it is. This is why it's so hard to time a purchase by looking at current prices. By the time prices rise, the market has been in recovery for some time and you missed the bottom.   O.K., since this isn't an economics lesson I'll get on to Real Estate. We look at... 08/17/2009

Yep, here it is again. Random musings about the week that was and the week that will. And awayyyyyy we go.   What did Tennessee... Some dear friends of mine are taking a trip to Nashville for a few days.  Since much of my family lives about halfway between Nashville and Memphis, I've visited both often. Here're a few thoughts. I love Nashville. It's very clean, the food is good and the last time I was there there was a guy playing his guitar and singing in an ice cream shop. And for a certified history geek, the Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's house is a must see. Yep, if I were Big and Rich I'd be "ridin' up and down Broadway on my old stud Leroy", too. Still, given the chance I think I'd pick Memphis. It's not as clean, although the cobblestone streets and trolley's are pretty cool. What ... 08/14/2009

I came up with a great marketing idea for the summer.  This year I decided not to plant annual flowers.  With the economic times I thought I would buy vegetable plants instead.  But I went overboard. Last fall I had noticed that some ethnic homes whether it was Chinese, Italian, Romanian, or Arabic planted vegetables every where.  In the front yard, on the side, wherever there was a spot for a plant they put one.  I live in Livonia and my yard doesn't get a lot of sun so I thought I would do the same thing.  I planted in the front yard, in pots, and in the side yard to.  The problem is when ever my wife and I went into a nursery or place that had plants we bought one more plant.  So now we have about 40 tomato plants.  I placed the pots wherever there was sun.  I planted my tomato plant... 08/12/2009

There are 7 items in a home that every Metro Detroit first time homebuyer should be looking at. 1.)  Roof.   How old is the roof?  How many layers are there?  How are the valleys?  Are any of the shingles curling or bowed? 2.) Kitchen.  Is the kitchen updated?  Or is older and needing updating.  A kitchen remodeling can cost from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the size. 3.) Furnace.  How old is the furnace?  Is it rusted.  If it is over 15 to 20 years old it may need to be replaced soon.  A furnace can cost over $3500 to replace. 4.) Windows and doors.  Are the windows old or newer?  It usually costs $5000 or more to replace windows.   A large window or a doorwall may cost up to $2000. 5.) Bathrooms.  Are they updated.  A bathroom remodel can cost from $4000 up to $10,000.   6.) Water ... 08/09/2009

Or has it happening in your area too.  In the metro Detroit area cities have been increasing tickets and traffic enforcement to make up and pay for budget shortfalls and personel.  We need police and the services they provide but it really has become a business here in Metro Detroit. In many cities the police officers retirement is based on the highest 3 of the last 5 years of service. So many police officers work as much overtime the last three years they have before retirement.  An integral part of paying for the overtime is the amount of tickets written. So it has become a vicious cycle.  The more tickets, the more overtime, the more personnel is all supported by local residents tickets.  Of course court personnel, city personnel, and police officers get a free pass when it comes to ... 08/07/2009

It may be afternoon by the time you get this but I did start it in the morning. That counts, doesn't it? Just some general and random musings on the week that was. And away we go... Full Disclosure Politically I've voted for Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians (there was that "leave me alone" period)  and Independents. I try to look for someone who at least, seems honest, has his/her country, state, city's interests at heart and will look me in the eye.  If someone meets those qualifications, they have a fighting chance. That being said, very few in office would get my vote right now. Health care I'm concerned about health care in our country.I'd like to find a way that everyone who needs and want coverage could get it. I'd also like people who like what they have to be able to keep it... 08/07/2009

  Han D Dip Dairy Barn is Livonia's hometown place for Ice Cream. My wife and I go there at least every three weeks.  I even say I have my own parking spot.  The local kids baseball teams go up their after their games.  And there is always a line at the Han D Dairy Barn in Livonia.  It is Livonia's ice cream spot. The Han D Dip Dairy Barn is located on 5 Mile Rd just down the street from Livonia's City hall and on the same side of the street as Bates Hamburges.  It's on 5 mile between Farmington and Merriman. 32624 5 Mile Rd Livonia, MI 48154 (734) 425-5370 (Phone)   Mr. and Mrs. Stan and Eunice Hancock started the business in 1963. But after 6 years they put it up for sale.   Pete and Cathy Hanson became the new owners of the "Han-D-Dip Dairy Barn" in the summer of 1969.  In the early ... 08/06/2009

I think the best sliders in town are Bates Hamburgers in Livonia Michigan.  Bates hamburger joint is located on the corner of 5 Mile Rd and Farmington.  Bates Hamburgers is just down the street from Livonia City Hall and across the street from Stan's Market.                              Bates burgers are considers to be some of the best sliders in Michigan.  They give White Castle a run for their money.   Just the basics, real hamburger, onions, pickles, ketchup & mustard on a bun that has been steamed on the grill right over the cooking hamburgers. Bates Hamburgers in Livonia Michigan is always busy.  They are open for breakfast and at lunch the carry out counter is usually jammed.  It moves really quickly but it is still good to call ahead and place your order.  The place itself is un... 08/04/2009

How to Build a Website on a Shoestring – No Hosting or Developer Fees Diana Masuoka will show participants how to build an effective website starting with a Google blog. At this all-day workshop event Diana will provide information for you to: Learn how to create a great blog and then convert it to a custom website Learn how to add comments to drive your blog to the Top of Google Learn how to add back links to your blog and get rid of the “blog” look Learn how to find and utilize the most effective keywords and keyword phrases Learn how to find and add pictures and images to your blog Learn how to “ping” your blog so the Search Engines can locate you Step-by-step instructions will be given to customize your Google Blog and convert it to a fully optimized, SEO popular website to provide ... 08/03/2009

Here is the latest Livonia real estate update on how houses are selling.  So many people are still thinking that you can put low -ball offers on homes in the area.  But the Livonia real estate market is changing.  It is no longer a buyers market.   Livonia real estate Price Statistics   Price Range Number of Listings Days on Market           10,000 to 30,000 8 121   30,001 to 50,000 24 115   50,001 to 70,000 24 72   70,001 to 90,000 30 93   90,001 to 110,000 44 109   110,001 to 130,000 49 100   130,001 to 150,000 26 96   150,001 to 170,000 25 104   170,001 to 190,000 11 161   190,001 to 210,000 10 130   210,001 to 230,000 7 362   230,001 to 250,000 2 124   250,001 to 270,000 2 71   270,001 to 290,000 2 73   290,001 to 310,000 3 298   310,001 to 330,000 2 30   330,001 to 350,000 0 0   35... 08/02/2009

So cousin Joe is going to help you out and save you $300 by inspecting your Metro Detroit home.  Just don't come crying to me.  Last week I had cousin Joe inspect one of my clients properties.  I wanted to cry.                               He spent more time talking about non essential things like:           what colors to paint the walls                        how little he paid for his house                                   how they asked for 5 years of w-2s and they are going to do it to you to                                                   he doesn't like the stove and refrigerator next to each other                                                                 that a $50,000 mortgage is going to have a $700 payment and if they need $30,000 to fix it up the mortgage payment i... 07/29/2009

Negotiating your Metro Detroit home purchase is one of the most important steps in buying a Metro Detroit home.  There are so many factors in negotiating that it is impossible to cover them all in one post.  But I am going to start by dividing whether you have to have the house or you can live with the house. If you have to have the house then the key to negotiating your metro Detroit home purchase is to not: Not to insult the seller by making a ridiculously low offer.  If you insult them with a low ball offer they are going to be harder to deal with.  And if your spouse really loves the house, then you don't want to ruin it right from the start. Stop negotiating.  One of keys is negotiating is to keep both sides going.  Keep going back and forth.  If you become stubborn in your positio... 07/26/2009

Does anybody realize what the new HVCC rules are going to do the real estate market?  If the appraisers are so tight with the appraisals and values how will home values ever go up? I had a young first time homebuyer that was buying a Livonia condo.  She had put an offer of $122,000 in but the bank came back and said it was only worth $118,000.    So my Livonia condo buyer had to come to the table with $4000 more because the sellers couldn't sell it for less.  They owed that much on it. Banks are now and appraisers are now determining market value.  My client thought it was a fair price.  It wasn't outrageously high.  Or extremely unreasonable.  But there was no Livonia condo that sold for that price in the last six monthes.  There were two other offers that were full priced offers on th... 07/01/2009

Livonia MI Livonia is a great community town and the city officials each year put on the Livonia Spreewith the help of local businesses.  Todays the last day of the Livonia Spree with only the fireworks left.  The Livonia Spreeis held between Eddie Edgar Ice Irena and the Livonia YMCA at Ford Field off Farmington Rd between I-96 and 5 Mile Rd. The had food tents with coney islands, pizza, middle eastern food, hamburgers, hotdogs, elephant ears, cajun food.     Everybody had fun enjoying the rides and the entertainment.  Livonia Spree is a family event with lots of police presence to make sure the fun didn't get out of hand.                                        I even got into the act.                They even had racing pigs, circus acts, and other entertainment for the kids. They had... 06/28/2009

In the metro Detroit area most of the banks take 2 to 3 days to respond to the offer on the foreclosure.  If you are lucky they sometimes respond in one day.  And if you are unlucky it could take much longer. I just had one that Fannie Mae was the party in charge.  It had taken over 2 weeks and we still had no answer.  We finally pullled our offer because our first offer was low and there were better homes on the market we wanted to bid on.  (My clients realized that they had bid too low for what the recent sold prices were.)  But taking two weeks to make a decision is not the normal time period. The second part of the process is how long does it take to get the documents signed after they accept the offer?  It USUALLY takes about a week to get the documents back. My longest time was a ... 06/26/2009