Whether it's HGTV or a home improvement magazine, the advice remains the same.  When you are putting your house on the market, prepare it.  But how far do you have to go?  Some improvements may not be necessary because you do not get enough return on your investment.  Know what you should incest in.  Upgrading kitchen and baths is critical.  Granite counter tops and vanities return money.  Replace brass faucets.  They date the house.  Replace faucets and sinks that have lost their finish.  Replacing kitchen cabinets can be expensive.  Have them painted and you can get the same result.  They will look newer and trendier.  If the kitchen appliances are old, replace them.  It will be worth it.  Water heater leaking?  Replace.  Have the a/c checked and make sure it is in good condition.  Sa... 05/23/2012

      Weekly Market Statistics          05/14/2012 thru 05/20/2012        220  New Listings 77   Sold Listings   Sales By Classification 65 Residential $10,000 to $968,000 Median $147,500 Mean $198,705 7   Vacant Land $6,000 to $333,500 Median $17,000 Mean $70,785 3   Commercial $89,500 to $400,000   Sales by Location 6   Antrim County 6   Benzie County 42 Grand Traverse County 7   Kalkaska County 10 Leelanau County 3  Wexford County 3   Outside Areas   Expired Listings       57   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes   Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings         688  Sales                         05/10-05/11  794  05/11-05/12  842  Average DOM            158 or 5.3 Months  Value Direction          Up 3.1%  Market Activity           Up 6.0%  ... 05/20/2012

Traverse City, Michigan Photograph by Carlos Osorio, AP Traverse City is the biggest little beach town on the “Third Coast”—the U.S. shores of the eight-state Great Lakes coastline. The region’s 180 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline basically trace the upper left edge of Michigan’s “mitten.” Add another 149 inland lakes that are 10 acres or larger and you get a rambling Cape Cod-on-freshwater summer playground: quaint port villages, sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, rolling orchards, family-friendly festivals (including the National Cherry Festival, July 7-14), and summer-only Traverse City Beach Bums pro baseball games (team members bunk with local families). Head northwest from Cherry Capital Airport to the Leelanau Peninsula and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (pictured here... 05/14/2012

  Let us remember just what National Police Week symbolizes, it is not just the posting of a picture and saying thank you. It is about paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty. National Police Week, which occurs each year during the week in which May 15 falls, recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. 05/14/2012

      Weekly Market Statistics          05/07/2012 thru 05/13/2012        286  New Listings 57   Sold Listings   Sales By Classification 48 Residential $16,650 to $800,000 Median $130,350 Mean $176,355 6   Vacant Land $4,000 to $75,000 Median $44,000 Mean $44,000 3   Commercial $795 Lease to $275,000   Sales by Location 8   Antrim County 9   Benzie County 23 Grand Traverse County 4   Kalkaska County 10 Leelanau County 1  Wexford County 2   Outside Areas   Expired Listings       63   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes   Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings         701  Sales                         05/10-05/11  794  05/11-05/12  809  Average DOM            157 or 5.2 Months  Value Direction          Up 3.0%  Market Activity           Up 1.9%... 05/13/2012

To all of the Military Spouses out there, I would like to with you a very Happy Militiary Spouse Appreciation Day today.  The Military Spouses do so much behind the scenes to support their spouses in their career.  Most do not see the sacrifices that military families make with deployments, PCS and just everyday schedule changes.  It takes a special person to enter the military to serve our country.  It takes an even more special person to be a military spouse.    Thank you to each and everyone of you for supporting your spouses who serve our country.       Here is to a very special family here in Traverse City, MI   05/10/2012

          Weekly Market Statistics          04/30/2012 thru 05/06/2012        280  New Listings 96   Sold Listings   Sales By Classification 82 Residential $35,900 to $1,145,000 Median $146,000 Mean $194,023 8   Vacant Land $14,500 to $347,900 Median $56,500 Mean $97,300 6   Commercial $4 SF Lease to $230,000   Sales by Location 10 Antrim County 11 Benzie County 58 Grand Traverse County 5   Kalkaska County 10 Leelanau County 1  Wexford County 1   Outside Areas   Expired Listings       122   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes   Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings         698  Sales                         05/10-05/11  794  05/11-05/12  797  Average DOM            158 or 5.3 Months  Value Direction          Up 3.1%  Market Activity          ... 05/07/2012

  This program is designed to assist Police, Fire, Military and Emergency Medical Workers to  save them  money on the purchase or sale of a home.  As my way of saying THANK YOU, I will donate 30% of my commission to any of these professionals who buy or sell through the use of my services.  I have 15 years of Real Estate experience to assist you with your transaction.   You can use this money towards closing costs or to buy down your interest rate.   Whether you are actively working in one of these fields or retired you qualify for these savings. Military personnel - If you can provide proof that you were a member of our armed services, we will honor that service as well - you do not need to have been retired to qualify.   For additional information:   Team Stalsonburg is here to assis... 05/05/2012

Weekly Market Statistics          04/16/2012 thru 04/22/2012        236  New Listings 56   Sold Listings   Sales By Classification 43 Residential $1,300 (Lease) to $529,244 Median $165,100 Mean $219,798 7   Vacant Land $3,250 to $450,000 Median $34,500 Mean $155,414 6   Commercial $250 (lease) to $550,000   Sales by Location 7   Antrim County 5   Benzie County 30 Grand Traverse County 1   Kalkaska County 12 Leelanau County 0   Wexford County 1   Outside Areas   Expired Listings       74   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings         697  Sales                         04/10-04/11  825  04/11-04/12  792  Average DOM            155 or 5.2 Months  Value Direction          Up 1.1%  Market Activity           Dow... 04/22/2012

Part of my responsibility to my clients and prospects, sellers and buyers, is to update on the changing conditions of the Interlochen Real Estate Market, and the Traverse City Real Estate Market.  The one thing that is constant in real estate is that it changes all the time. If your agent can’t tell you what is going on in the real estate market TODAY, you are not working with the right agent. So here’s an important update– our market is changing!  It is changing, and with it comes changes to the dynamics of buying and selling.  It can affect both buyers and sellers, so whatever your position, there’s news you can use here. Nationally, the real estate market is still very depressed.  But real estate always has been, and always shall be, a local phenomenon.  It’s governed by the laws of... 04/22/2012

I am very proud to service our Coast Guard families transferring to Air Station Traverse City.  PCS time is a challenging time for our miliary and buying or selling a home should not be part of that challenge for them.  I am here to make sure that their moves into and out of Traverse City, MI are as smooth aspossible.     04/17/2012

Weekly Market Statistics          04/09/2012 thru 04/15/2012        269  New Listings 54   Sold Listings   Sales By Classification 47 Residential $16,000 to $825,000 Median $112,000 Mean $163,413 4   Vacant Land $3,000 to $100,000 Median $35,500 Mean $43,500 3   Commercial $1,170 (lease) to $325,000   Sales by Location 11 Antrim County 5   Benzie County 23 Grand Traverse County 8   Kalkaska County 4   Leelanau County 1   Wexford County 2   Outside Areas   Expired Listings       75   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings         690     Sales                         04/10-04/11  825  04/11-04/12  778  Average DOM            153 or 5.1 Months  Value Direction          Up 1.1%  Market Activity           Down  ... 04/16/2012

I would like to share a bit of wisdom from the school of hard knocks about marketing companies in our industry and some of the pitfalls.   Everyday our phones ring with someone on the other end trying to sell us something or get us to join a program.  Believe me, they are well trained on how to entice you in and get you to sign on the bottom line before you have much time to really think out the product/program that you are signing up for.  First word of wisdom - DO NOT get sucked into the sales pitch.  Take the information, digest it and NEVER let them convince you over the phone that there are a long line of people waiting to sign up in your area.  If that were the case, they would not be calling you.  Remember, they are SALES PEOPLE.  They are paid to sell, if they do not make the sa... 04/12/2012

      Weekly Market Statistics          04/02/2012 thru 04/08/2012        189  New Listings 50   Sold Listings   Sales By Classification 43 Residential $26,900 to $408,000 Median $142,500 Mean $151,833 2   Vacant Land $3,950 to $21,000 Median $12,475 Mean $12,475 5   Commercial $500 (lease) to $109,000   Sales by Location 11 Antrim County 7   Benzie County 20 Grand Traverse County 5   Kalkaska County 5   Leelanau County 2   Wexford County 0   Outside Areas   Expired Listings       122   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings         682     Sales                         04/10-04/11  825  04/11-04/12  764  Average DOM            153 or 5.1 Months  Value Direction          Even  Market Activity           Down ... 04/08/2012

      Weekly Market Statistics          03/26/2012 thru 04/01/2012        173  New Listings 64   Sold Listings   Sales By Classification 52 Residential $20,000 to $515,000 Median $109,500 Mean $132,820 7   Vacant Land $3,500 to $39,000 Median $13,800 Mean $15,357 5   Commercial $80,000 to $799,000   Sales by Location 7   Antrim County 6   Benzie County 32 Grand Traverse County 6   Kalkaska County 7   Leelanau County 3   Wexford County 3   Outside Areas   Expired Listings       147   Year over Year Comparison for Grand Traverse County on & off water homes Off Water Homes All Values   Current Listings         678     Sales                         03/10-03/11 831  03/11-03/12 814  Average DOM            153 or 5.1 Months  Value Direction          Even  Market Activity           Down  2.0% ... 04/02/2012

  Many home owners are justifiably confused when it comes to a short sale.  Clients are relying on their Realtor to be the expert that will assist them through their home selling process.  A short sale is a very challenging process and can be devastating for a client if the appropriate steps are not taken, in a timely fashion with the lender. Do I Qualify For A Short Sale? The mere fact that you owe more than your home is currently worth does not qualify you for a short sale.  You must be able to show financial hardship and the inability to no longer afford your mortgage payments.  Lenders will look at what your monthly shortfall is (total monthly expenses versus your monthly income).  They will also look at your other assets that could be liquidated in order to continue to pay mortgage... 04/01/2012

Only a real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of Realtors may call himself or herself a Realtor. A Realtor is bound by a Code of Ethics and pledged to protect and promote the interest of the seller by providing fair treatment for all parties involved in the real estate transaction. Here are some of the ways a Realtor can help you sell your home:      A Realtor is knowledgeable of the market and gives you instant exposure to the              maximum number of buyers.  A Realtor can assist in "pre-qualifying" prospects as to their affordable price range and housing needs.    A Realtor knows current real estate values and can help you set a realistic,            competitive price for your home. They are skilled professionals and they know how             to market... 04/01/2012

  Several years ago, FHA changed the way that they view Site Condos as the relate to lending.  Unfortunately, the VA has not changed their point of view.  The VA treats Site Condos just the same way that they do traditional condo projects.  For all intents and purposes, Site Condos are no more than a single family home with a Home Owners Association and some common areas.  NOTHING at all like a traditional condo project.  Recently I have run into challenges with getting Site Condo developments approved through the VA.  They have a list of 27 items that are required to send in for the approval of the project and the buyers loan.  However, there are many other things that they look for that is not printed ANYWHERE in their guidelines.  Fortunately, I have a fabulous lender that knows VA f... 04/01/2012

Proudly Serving Coast Guard Families In Traverse City   I have been incredibly fortunate enough to service numerous Coast Guard families who are transferring to Air Station Traverse City over the years.  The amount of stress that these families are already going through by having to move every three to four years is unthinkable.  Searching for homes long distance and not knowing the area is a huge challenge for my families.  I take away some of this struggle by sending them a relocation packet that explains our area, amenities that are here and all of the things that families need to know when moving to a brand new area.  Our families only get one trip to the area to look at houses, negotiate a contract and feel that they have made a good choice.  It is important to have someone knowled... 03/31/2012

    So, what is a Cash Mob you ask?  Well, a Cash Mob is a group of people who assemble at a local business and all buy items from that business.  The purpose of these mobs is to support both the local businesses and the overall community.  There is a group of people living in Cleveland, led by attorney Andrew Samtoy, claiming to be the originators of the term and event.  Kudos to them for coming up with this great idea.  Their first Cash Mob event was started on November 16, 2011 when they gathered approximately 40 people to shop at a local bookstore.  Since this event, Cash Mobs have popped up all over the country and Traverse City, MI is about to have its first Cash Mob on April 7, 2012 at 10:00 am at Old Mission Multigrain Bakery and Cafe located at 1326 South Airport Rd. Old Missio... 03/31/2012