Buyers beware, prices are on the incline in some market segments.  Long gone are the days of low ball offers.     Weekly Market Statistics          06/24/2013 thru 06/30/2013 267 New Listings 99  Sold Listings 287 Pending    Sales By Classification 78  Residential $17,000 to $715,000 Median $176,000 Mean $199,130 16  Vacant Land $7,500 to $320,000 Median $44,000 Mean $91,431  5  Commercial $35,000 to $395,000    Sales by Location 10 Antrim County 05 Benzie County 54 Grand Traverse County 08 Kalkaska County 19 Leelanau County 03 Wexford County   Expired Listings   48   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes   Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings        626  Sales                         06/12 to 06/13  1,154 06/11 to 06/12  928  Average DOM    ... 06/30/2013

By Lynn Geiger   New places to eat and shop are popping up around town. Today, The Ticker gathers up some of the latest openings to share with you: Likam’s Bakeshop Likam’s Bakeshop has opened in the alley between Cass and Union streets, just behind Union Street Station. Hand-frosted sugar cookies are its specialty, says owner Jon Buckey, who operates the shop with his mother Bonnie Goodman. Buckey brings 20 years of experience in the culinary arts and Goodman spent the last 15 years at Mary’s Creative Cookies in Saginaw. Likam’s offers other sweet treats including fruit-filled dessert cakes, cupcakes, brownies and chocolate-drizzled rice krispie treats. The bakeshop hopes to carve out a niche by focusing exclusively on sweets – no breads or sandwiches, says Buckey. For the home baker,... 06/25/2013

$155,500 , 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 0 half baths, 1,792 square feet     Christine Stalsonburg | Cherry Wings Realty | christine@cherrywingsrealty.com | (231) 409-4140 3686 Forest Lakes Dr, Traverse City, MI This 3 bedroom home has been beautifully re-modeled, complete with custom paint in all rooms. Heavily wooded backyard enhances the privacy of this hom 3BR/2BA Single Family House   offered at $155,500 Year Built 1977 Sq Footage 1,792 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 29,185 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month   Traverse City see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Basement - Dining room - Living room - Workshop - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Porch - Sprinkler system - Cable-ready - High-speed internet - ... 06/06/2013

$285,000 , 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 0 half baths, 3,034 square feet     Christine Stalsonburg | Cherry Wings Realty | (231) 409-4140 50 Pleasant Ln, Traverse City, MI This prestigious 2900+ square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Windmill Farms. Situated at the end of a private 3BR/2BA Single Family House   offered at $285,000 Year Built 2002 Sq Footage 3,034 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 54,014 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This prestigious 2900+ square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Windmill Farms. Situated at the end of a private road on 1.23 acres, this lot is encompassed by mature pines and professional landscaping. Enjoy the vaulted ceilings and... 06/06/2013

Slow and Steady Wins The Race   That is where we are right now when it comes to Traverse City Real Estate. Last week, our local real estate market saw increases in both activity and picing over this time last year. If you are looking to purchase a home or sell and upsize/downsize  ~  NOW is the time!!! It is anticipated to see interest rates creap up slightly. Inreasing interest rates affect your purchase power much more significantly than property price does.   Let our team of specialists assist you with your next home purchase or sale   Cherry Wings Realty is hnored to be the exclusive Northern Michigan Real Estate Brokerage offering ~ Heroes Home Advantage ~  Saving Our Heroes Thousands     Weekly Market Statistics          05/27/2013 thru 06/02/2013 218 New Listings 86  Sold Listing... 06/02/2013

Our Traverse City Real Estate Market is still moving in a strong, positive direction. Below, you will find the sales statistics for the week. Looking To Buy or Sell?  Call Today 231-944-9906 and speak with one of our Agents.         Weekly Market Statistics          05/20/2013 thru 05/26/2013 369 New Listings 89  Sold Listings 293 Pending    Sales By Classification 69  Residential $6,000 to $945,000 Median $180,000 Mean $231,656 16  Vacant Land $11,600 to $318,000 Median $27,750 Mean $71,656 04  Commercial $465 (Lease) to $350,000    Sales by Location 06 Antrim County 09 Benzie County 53 Grand Traverse County 06 Kalkaska County 14 Leelanau County 01 Wexford County   Expired Listings   45   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes   Off Water Homes All Val... 05/27/2013

Two New Upscale Developments Head to Downtown Traverse City May 22, 2013 By Tom Carr   Two new upscale residential developments in the works will bring 30 new residences to downtown Traverse City. The first, located at the northeast corner of Washington and Cass (behind City Centre Plaza), will be the four-story, 18-unit Washington Place. The development, led by Passageways Travel’s Tom and Sheila McIntyre, will have retail and office space on the ground floor. They hope to start construction this fall. “It’s going to be our primary residence,” says Sheila McIntyre. With their kids grown, the couple wants to be able to walk downtown to the shops, restaurants and the State Theatre. Realtors from Real Estate One and Coldwell Banker Schmidt are representing Washington Place; ten units are... 05/22/2013

Our real estate market continues to thrive here in Northern Michigan. Prices and demand are up on some market areas. Thinking of selling your home?  ~  NOW is the time Call Today and one of our listing specialists will assist you  231-944-9906   Weekly Market Statistics          05/13/2013 thru 05/19/2013 303 New Listings 107Sold Listings 290 Pending    Sales By Classification 80  Residential $19,000 to $1,075,000 Median $156,200 Mean $213,681 22  Vacant Land $12,000 to $440,000 Median $79,000 Mean $97,527 05  Commercial $225 (Lease) to $285,000    Sales by Location 14 Antrim County 11 Benzie County 61 Grand Traverse County 08 Kalkaska County 13 Leelanau County 00 Wexford County   Expired Listings   56   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes   Off Wate... 05/19/2013

Big Questions for the Big Three Festivals May 13, 2013 By Beth Milligan   Traverse City's "big three" festivals are coming soon, each facing its own unique challenge in 2013 and beyond. One needs to appeal to a more upscale audience, another needs more "connections" to locals, and the third is finding its identity among its peers. Here's the lowdown:NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL – June 29-July 6, 2013What's in Store for 2013: Now in its 87th year, the National Cherry Festival (NCF) is putting a modern twist on some of its traditional components, introducing the first-ever night air show and ramping up the Bay Side Music Stage with acts like Foreigner and Montgomery Gentry. The Global Wine Pavilion is gone this year, but culinary classic Cherries D'Vine is back.Can It Go Upscale? Part of NCF... 05/13/2013

  Our Traverse City Real Estate Market is holding steady Activity and pricing is up on most market segments Thinking about buying or selling? Call today and speak to one of our specialists  231-944-9906   Weekly Market Statistics          05/06/2013 thru 05/12/2013 214 New Listings 74 Sold Listings 304 Pending    Sales By Classification 56  Residential $22,180 to $572,500 Median $147,450 Mean $195,868 12  Vacant Land $5,000 to $318,000 Median $51,250 Mean $59,583 06  Commercial $2,400 (Lease) to $200,000     Sales by Location 07 Antrim County 04 Benzie County 43 Grand Traverse County 06 Kalkaska County 13 Leelanau County 01 Wexford County   Expired Listings   54   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes   Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings    ... 05/12/2013

  We are starting to see more and more homes come into our inventory, which is giving our buyers more choices.   No better time than now to list and sell your home.   Call Cherry Wings Realty Today  231-944-9906 to speak with one of our listing specialists who can help you list and sell your home.   Weekly Market Statistics          04/29/2013 thru 05/05/2013 258 New Listings 84 Sold Listings 296 Pending    Sales By Classification 69  Residential $13,900 to $670,000 Median $160,000 Mean $196,902 10  Vacant Land $3,750 to $295,000 Median $44,750 Mean $95,420 05  Commercial $87,000 to $259,900     Sales by Location 13 Antrim County 04 Benzie County 47 Grand Traverse County 10 Kalkaska County 08 Leelanau County 02 Wexford County   Expired Listings   90   Year over Year Comparison for Grand... 05/05/2013

Traverse City: Available and Affordable? May 1, 2013 By Heather Johnson Durocher   Traverse City is now a legitimate “foodie town” with statewide and national buzz, while Pure Michigan helps fuel another likely blockbuster summer tourism season. But as the region soars toward another peak season, is there fear that the Cherry Capital could become a place where “no vacancy” signs and high hotel rates could prevail? Ron Robinson, director of operations for Comfort Inn, Cambria Suites, Shadowland Motel and Best Western Four Seasons, is ready for a nearly perfect balance of occupied hotel rooms and just enough demand for more. “The last couple of years we’ve had 95 to 98 percent occupancy in July and August. Certain weeks are sold out already,” Robinson says, adding that while there’s “lot... 05/01/2013

April 29, 2013 By Beth Milligan   A nearly $3 million renovation of Clinch Park in downtown Traverse City is just weeks away from completion, with a targeted June 25 public ribbon cutting ceremony set to open the park. The project is being funded by tax increment financing funds (TIF) from both the City and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), as well as local foundational support. Hallmark Construction, which helmed projects including Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse Area District Library and Grand Traverse County District Courthouse, is managing the park revitalization. Phase 1 of the project, currently underway, calls for a complete upgrade of Clinch Park, including a new terraced lawn area with stone sitting walls, interactive playground equipment, new site furniture and light... 04/29/2013

Slow and Steady wins the race.  Our Northern Michigan real estate market has  been heating up for quite a while not and is beginning to really build momenteum.  What we are seeing is inventory level still contracting in some price points and we are begining to see more and more multiple offer situations as well as buying sight unseen. Thinking of selling  your home?  ~  Call today  231-944-9906 and one of our Listing Specialists will assist you in pricing and staging your home to SELL. Weekly Market Statistics          04/22/2013 thru 04/28/2013 187 New Listings 66 Sold Listings 279 Pending    Sales By Classification 57  Residential $6,000 to $914,500 Median $132,000 Mean $190,852 08  Vacant Land $2,950 to $305,000 Median $32,000 Mean $93,431 01  Commercial $365 Lease     Sales by Locat... 04/28/2013

By Beth Milligan     When contentious issues come before the Traverse City Commission – be they granny flats, street repairs or urban beekeeping – commissioners often rely on public input to guide their approach in shaping new city policy. But in recent years, some voices have become particularly influential in the local political process: Those belonging to Traverse City's numerous neighborhood associations. These volunteer groups – comprised of residents in such districts as Central Neighborhood, Old Town, Boardman, Kids Creek, Slabtown and Traverse Heights – meet on a regular basis to discuss neighborhood needs and concerns, socialize, and advocate on behalf of local homeowners to the Commission. Seamus Shinners, a long-time area music promoter, is president of the Central Neighborh... 04/23/2013

  Inventory levels for non-waterfront properties are starting to creep up, ever so slightly.  Pricing is also up slightly and activity is up tremendously.   Now is a GREAT time to LIST your home for sale.   Call us today 231-944-9906 and speak with one of our listing specialists about your homes value.   Weekly Market Statistics          04/15/2013 thru 04/21/2013 202 New Listings 77 Sold Listings 294 Pending    Sales By Classification 64  Residential $12,500 to $1,435,000 Median $139,950 Mean $189,611 07  Vacant Land $12,000 to $650,000 Median $87,000 Mean $145,271 06  Commercial $60,000 to $450,000     Sales by Location 07 Antrim County 12 Benzie County 30 Grand Traverse County 09 Kalkaska County 11 Leelanau County 08 Wexford County   Expired Listings    39   Year over Year Comparison... 04/21/2013

Cherry Wings Realty is setting out to make May "Hero Appreciation Month"  here in Grand Traverse County.     Why are we doing this?  There are over a dozen individual Hero Appreciation Days in the month of May, so why not dedicate the entire month to our local Heroes.  These Heroes include our local, Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Workers and Active Military Personnel.    How are we doing this?  With the generous sponsorships of our local business community and local individual citizens, we will be able to deliver lunch to each of our local Hero agencies throughout the month as our way of saying THANK YOU for being in a ready state to protect and serve.   How can you help?  Sponsorships can be as small as $35 for an individual shift of one of the agencies or you can choose to sponsor t... 04/16/2013

Our Traverse City Real Estate market is still moving forward with great steam.  Our off water inventory levels are at all time lows.  Some of our sellers are actually seeing above asking price contracts submitted on their homes.  The tides have turned in our market.  We are optomistically hopeful that this trend will continue.  IFyou are thining of selling your home, call Cherry Wings Realty TODAY for a market analysis of your home.   We offer a special program for our Heroes ~ Heroes Home Advantage can save you thousands on your home sale or purchase.   HEROES HOME ADVANTAGE       Weekly Market Statistics          04/08/2013 thru 04/14/2013 207 New Listings 58 Sold Listings 312 Pending    Sales By Classification 45 Residential $27,000 to $1,150,000 Median $128,000 Mean $189,045 08   V... 04/14/2013

Even though our temperatures are not warming up, our Norhtern Michigan real estate market is.  If you are looking for that perfect off-water home, you may be certain to find lots of buyer competition out there as out inventory levels are low and our values are increasing.  If you are thinking of selling, NOW is the time.  Call one of our agents TODAY for your market analysis.       Weekly Market Statistics          04/01/2013 thru 04/07/2013 190 New Listings 63 Sold Listings 289 Pending    Sales By Classification 47 Residential $23,700 to $1,300,000 Median $175,900 Mean $242,108 12   Vacant Land $6,750 to $445,000 Median $37,000 Mean $78,150 4   Commercial $784 Lease to $150,000     Sales by Location 07 Antrim County 07 Benzie County 32 Grand Traverse County 06 Kalkaska County 11 Leelan... 04/07/2013

Specially Adapted Homes   Certain veterans with service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant from V.A. to assist in either building a new specially adapted home, adapting a home they already own, or in purchasing an existing home to modify and remodel to meet their disability-related requirements by utilizing a "702 Housing Grant" VA may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying or adapting existing homes or paying to reduce indebtedness on a previously owned home that is being adapted up to a maximum of $63,780.  In certain instances, the full grant may be applied toward remodeling costs.   If you or someone you know meets the above eligibility requirements, Cherry Wings Realty would be happy to assist them with their paperwork to apply fo... 04/03/2013