Article in the current issue of Housing Trends eNewsletter from Angela Colley, 5 Tax Mistakes New Homeowners Make, discusses tax issues for new homeowners ... Few people look forward to tax season, and when you’re a new homeowner in Metamora MI, filing can be even more daunting. Suddenly, you have new forms to fill out and more potential for making a mistake. But taxes aren't all bad; homeowners get more tax benefits than renters. And if you can avoid these five common mistakes, you’ll survive tax season. 1. Not tracking your home improvement expenses If you bought a fixer-upper and you've put money into improving your home, you should be keeping a detailed record of your expenses. Some home improvements—like installing energy-efficient features or building an entrance ramp—may qualify ... 03/10/2015

Metamora Michigan Home Values, How to Increase Yours! ...These tips are to help increase your homes value and get your home sold in the fastest time possible based on our experience working with home owners who have sold their homes and feedback from home buyers that buy homes. This weeks tip: Declutter If you are thinking about selling within the next year, start this now. I have seen buyers walk through homes that have too much stuff everywhere and comment to me that it just looks messy. When a buyer thinks a home is messy, they figure that there are other problems with the home as well even if there is not! This is something that even I deal with sometimes as we just get so "used to things" laying around that we do not even see them anymore. They almost become invisible! Do declutter... 03/07/2015

Metamora Michigan Home Values Current market overview: Sold properties was at 3, priced between $185,000 and $355,000 / Average sold price was $271,000 / The average days on market until sold was 66 days / Homes for sale on market as of 02/13/15 is 12, priced between $124,000 and $495,000 / Pending sales expected to close is 2 / There is a 6 month supply of homes for sale in the 48455 zip code area. With days on market at 66 and a 6 month supply of homes, this Metamora area is borderline sellers-buyers market. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF MY HOME MEET DONALD HORNE   >>> MORTGAGE INFORMATION ASK AN AGENT A QUESTION HOW WE MARKET YOUR HOME   >>> If Metamora MI. is the type of community you and your family would like to live in or if you have a home you would like to sell / lease, please email or ... 02/17/2015

Metamora MI, Current Real Estate Market, Market Report February 2015 Current market overview: Sold properties was at 3, priced between $185,000 and $355,000 / Average sold price was $271,000 / The average days on market until sold was 66 days / Homes for sale on market as of 02/13/15 is 12, priced between $124,000 and $495,000 / Pending sales expected to close is 2 / There is a 6 month supply of homes for sale in the 48455 zip code area. With days on market at 66 and a 6 month supply of homes, this Metamora area is borderline sellers-buyers market. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF MY HOME MEET DONALD HORNE   >>> MORTGAGE INFORMATION ASK AN AGENT A QUESTION HOW WE MARKET YOUR HOME   >>> If Metamora MI. is the type of community you and your family would like to live in or if you have a home you would... 02/15/2015

Article that I found in recent RealtorMag discussing Top Amenities Buyers Will Splurge On, surprised me ... New surveys are revealing some of the features that new-home buyers say are becoming a "must-have." What Buyers WantTop Amenities Buyers Will Make Sacrifices ForPet Amenities the Next Big Thing?Over-the-Top Amenities Push Buyers Away "Consumers today aren't just looking for the biggest house on the block. They're looking for more efficient use of space and a greater area allocated to 'workhorse' spaces, like the kitchen," Ryan Marshall, PulteGroup's executive vice president of homebuilding operations, marketing, and sales, said about findings from a recent survey of buyer wish lists. "Home buyers want unique features and amenities and will do what it takes to find the home they tr... 12/29/2014

Metamora Michigan home values, how to increase yours! ... These tips are to help increase your homes value and get your home sold in the fastest time possible based on our experience working with home owners who have sold their homes and feedback from home buyers that buy homes. This weeks tip: Energy Costs These days, most buyers will ask me "What is the average monthly utility bill cost?" of homes they are looking at to buy. Most utilities offer free energy audits. Take advantage of this as it can help you save money now and it can help you down the road when you are ready to sell your home! I have seen buyers favor homes that have lower monthly utility costs over other homes all else being equal! This is just one of a number of tips that home owners can do to really maximize the valu... 12/18/2014

Metamora Michigan Real Estate, Homes For Sale in Metamora, Market Report December 2014  Located within Lapeer County and Metamora Township is the village of Metamora. With  just over 500 residents this small community is a hideaway from the bustle of larger towns and communities around Lapeer County. Covering just shy of a square mile Metamora is home to the Metamora Country Days and the Metamora Hunt. Each is deeply rooted in it’s history and community ... All properties for sale in and around Metamora The number of homes sold in the last 45 days including condos was 8, average sales price $148,816. The average days on market until sold was 38, available inventory as of 12/15/14 is 12 homes. Total pending sales that should close by 01/16/15 is 5 and number of months of available invent... 12/16/2014

7 Fall Maintenance Moves That Will Save You Thousands, current article from Angela Colley on this being the perfect time for home maintenance. With the dog days of summer behind us, fall is the perfect time for home maintenance. A few weekends of work before the weather really turns will help you get ready for winter and avoid any nasty surprises—and big repair bills—the cold might bring. Here’s your must-do checklist for fall. 1. Gutter Maintenance Clogged gutters can allow overflowing water to damage walls, spark a rodent infestation and erode your landscaping. Worse, the water can leak through your foundation, causing a flood in your basement. A minor flood could cost $500 to $1,500 to repair, if you catch the problem quickly. If you don’t, there could be mold, damage to the sheet ro... 12/03/2014

This article, How Much Home Can You Afford, from Craig Donofrio in the latest issue from Realtor.com ... Looking at sprawling villas in the suburbs and 2,000-square-foot condos in the middle of downtown is one thing. How much home you can afford may be entirely different. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with looking. But when it comes down to finding a place that fits perfectly in looks, size and price, you need to know your affordability factor. What Is Your Family Plan? It’s not just how much you make; it’s also what you plan to do with it. Do your best to anticipate what the next five years or so will be like for you and your family. Are you planning to have kids in the next few years? Is your teen graduating from high school? Will they need you to co-sign for a college loan? Are yo... 11/03/2014

Metamora Michigan, Metamora Real Estate, Real Estate For Sale and Sold, Market Report September. Real estate market data for Metamora MI, provided by Donald Horne of Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty and Realcomp. Current properties for sale in and around Metamora Summary of current market in the last 30 days The number of homes and condos sold in Metamora in the last 30 days was only 3, with an average sale price of $160,000.00 that is up 8% from our last market report. The average days on market for all properties is at 57 days, down 5% and total available properties is at 68 which gives us 23 days of inventory. Examples of sold homes in Metamora *  Farm St, sold for $80,000.00 in 69 days with 2 bedrooms, 1309 sq.ft, no basement, 2 car garage*  Pratt Rd, sold in 12 days for $165,000.00 w... 10/04/2014

New Home Sales Surge to Six Year High, according to data released by the Commerce Department. RealtorMag reported this story in their 09/25/2014 issue about sales of new single family homes ... Sales of new single-family homes soared 18 percent in August, as greater confidence in the recovery swept across the housing industry, despite news that homebuilding tumbled 14 percent and existing-home sales fell 1.8 percent in the same month. Inside the New-Home Market Builders Haven't Felt This Confident Since 2005 8 Top New-Home Markets Luring Millennials Despite Builders' Optimism, Housing Starts Tumble 14% New-home sales in August reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 504,000 units, the highest level since May 2008, according to data released Wednesday by the Commerce Department. It ... 09/28/2014

The next big niche market ... 55+ housing, homebuilders predicting a surge. The 09/05/2014 issue of RealtorMag discusses how Pulte, Lennar and Toll Brothers are reporting higher sales in this segment ... Americans 55 years old and older are increasingly expected to begin trading residences as they near retirement, and that has many housing analysts and homebuilders predicting a surge in active-adult homes and communities that appeal to seniors. Could some baby boomers face housing challenges in retirement? Homebuilders PulteGroup, Lennar, and Toll Brothers are reporting higher sales in this segment. Builders also are trying to lure this age group with multigenerational amenities, such as a separate private entrance, bedroom, bathroom, and eat-in kitchen attached to a traditional home. "... 09/10/2014

New mortgage article in RealtorMag dated 08/22/2014, talks about fixed rate mortgages continue to tumble. Mortgage Rates Sink to New Low for 2014 is worth reading... Despite predictions that mortgage rates were to inch up in the second half of this year, fixed-rate mortgages continue to tumble. Borrowing costs moved lower this week, as the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dipped to a 4.10 percent average, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgages previous low average for the year was 4.12 percent. Forecasts: Right or Wrong? It's 2014 -- Why Aren't Mortgage Rates Higher? 2014 Expected to Have Strong Finish Altos: Critics Are Wrong About Where Housing Is Headed Freddie Mac reports the following mortgage rate national averages for the week ending... 08/25/2014

Selling homes and farms in Metamora Michigan, market report for July, real estate for sale in Metamora. FREE search of all properties for sale in and around Metamora Examples of sold homes in the last 45 days: Kile Rd, sold for $158,000 in 9 days, 3 bedroom ranchHelen Ct, sold for $229,000 in 5 days, 3 bedroom ranchBrocker Rd, sold in 7 days for $275,000 with 10 acresSutton Rd, sold for $810,000 in 3 days, 5 bedroom colonial Neighborhood / community information Metamora schools Local mortgage information Metamora real estate market report summary: Average listing price $389,900 / down 2% from last reportDays on market is at 60 days / down 32%Total active listings 115 / up 36%2.7% of all listings are foreclosures or short sales / up 4%Owner occupied properties is 17.2% above national ave... 07/25/2014

Gorgeous, Serene 5 Acres Surrounded By State Land...   4288 Baldwin Rd, Metamora MI, 48455 Overview Maps Photos Features Description Market Stats $279,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms3 BathroomsInterior: 2,046 sqftLot: 5.01 acre(s) Location 4288 Baldwin Rd.Metamora, MI 48455USA Donald Horne, Team Success Listing Associate Broker for Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty(810) 338-0628donaldhorne.realtor@gmail.comhttp://www.donsrealty.net        Listed by: Kathleen Sanchez See more Metamora, MI real estate for sale For more detailed information or to schedule a private showing, please contact us direct at the numbers below. Donald Horne, Team Success ListingAssociate Broker for Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty810-338-0628donaldhorne.realtor@gmail.com 07/02/2014

Boomerang Buyers Get Second Chance, this article from RealtorMag talks about former homeowners that are credit ready to step back into home ownership... About 7.2 million homes have been lost to foreclosure or short sale since the housing crash began, according to housing data from Black Knight Financial Services. That has forced millions of former home owners into renting, as they work to rebuild their credit. But a government program launched last summer by the Federal Housing Administration is helping these former home owners step back into home ownership in as little as a year after a foreclosure or short sale. The FHA’s Back to Work program allows them to qualify for low interest rates with a minimum of a 3.5 percent down payment. Applicants must show that the main culprit behind l... 06/18/2014

Loan demand rises 3.6% according to this article in the May issue of RealtorMag, as interest rates drop...   Mortgage applications were on the rise this week as interest rates dropped to the lowest level in six months, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday in its weekly market survey. Mortgage applications, reflecting applications for home purchases and refinancing, rose 3.6 percent for the week ending May 9. Broken out, refinance applications increased 7 percent, reaching the highest level since the week ending April 11. Applications for home purchases, viewed as a leading gauge for future home sales, rose less than 1 percent unadjusted from one week earlier. Purchase applications are 12 percent lower than year-ago levels, the MBA reported. Average interest rates for the ... 05/28/2014

Have a small kitchen and need to make it feel bigger? This article in the RealtorMag talks about how to do just that... Many buyers are in search of great kitchen space. But the kitchen can be one of the trickiest rooms to stage, especially when the space is small. If your seller's house is lacking in kitchen space, it's important to make it look as appealing as possible, says MHM Professional Staging. MHM, who has worked with celebrity clients, offers up these three tips to help sell a small kitchen: 1. Remove all clutter and appliances from the countertops, leaving only one or two decorative items. This will make the space appear cleaner and larger. 2. Make sure the kitchen is getting plenty of light. Dark spaces appear smaller, so to open up the space make sure any windows are allowi... 05/10/2014

Selling Metamora Real Estate, May 2014 Market Report, Homes For Sale in Metamora Michigan. Real estate market data for Metamora is provided by Realcomp, Realestate.com and Donald Horne of Team Success listing. Real Estate Market Overview: *  The average mortgage debt is $153,792.00*  $396,970.00 is the average listing price / up 8%*  Average days on market is 88 days / down 16%*  Total active listings is 74 / down 2%*  2.7% of all listings are foreclosures or short sales / down 50%*  The percent of owner occupied properties is 17.2% above the national average*  Owned properties is 80.3%, vacant properties is 10.2% and rented is at 9.5%*  Average homeowner age is 45 and 46% are married*  Total homes in this area is at 2,978 and 33% have children Community Information Links: Metamora Town... 05/09/2014

Selling Metamora Horse Properties is this months current blog on Homes For Sale With Acreage in Metamora Michigan. This area of Lapeer County is considered Horse Country by many. We will also touch on homes for sale and sold, FREE search of all properties for sale, stats on local real estate, community and school information. FREE Search of All Properties Listed on The MLS For Metamora Twp, here. Real Estate Market Overview: * average mortgage debt is $153,792.00* average listing price is $387,060.00* days on market is 60 days* total active listings is at 72* 2.8% are foreclosures and short sales* active listings dropped by 2.0% from last month* days on market is shorter than the national average* percent of owner occupied properties is 17.2% above the national average* average sale pri... 04/06/2014