Farmington Hills Real Estate and Events talk Michigan

As a real estate agent our life sometimes changes from hour to hour.  Sometimes clients cancel appointments at the very last minute that took us two hours to research and set up.  Sometimes we find a foreclosure that just hit that market that is priced so low that we know it won't be on the market for more than a day or two.  We scramble to set the appointment and get our clients into the house as soon as possible.  Sometimes we get addendums from the bank at 5:30 at night that have to be in by the next day at 5:00.  We have to get the docs to the client and get the certified check hand delivered to the listing agent by 5 the next day.

Even tomorrow changed.  It's St. Patrick's day and a couple of past clients wanted to take me out.  They wanted to start at 9 am in the morning.  I don't know about you but I have never started drinking at 9 am ever in my life.  I'm a light weight when it comes to drinking.  I'm not one of those guys that can drink a case of beer and drink for 12 hours straight.  But those St. Patrick's Day plans quickly changed when I had a closing that was scheduled at 4.  Then I had a client call this morning that wants to see houses at 5:30 in the evening.  I had to cancel my morning with my past clients.  I would never drink and then go and meet clients.  I just don't think it is professional.

My even my late day has now changed.  My wife got a call at 3:30 from her oncologist saying that they needed to admit my wife right away.  One of her cancer spots had grown.  So I jumped in the car to pick up my wife from work to go to the hospital.  So I sit here patiently waiting with her.  Of course the doctor won't be in until the morning so we sit here nervously not knowing what they are going to do.

Meeting a Neuro Surgeon was mentioned, but we don't when or what they are actually going to do.  We don't know how extensive or dangerous the surgery will be.  We know her cancer has grown, but we are worried.  On the way to the hospital my wife was a wreck.  The worst case scenarios going thru her head.  Thank goodness for technology and great friends.  Four or five of her friends and our son Ryany texted back and forth for over an hour.  It took her mind off what was going to happen tomorrow.  Tonight and tomorrow I will be by wife's side waiting patiently for the doctors orders.  Hopefully life will change for my wife.  Hopefully they will be able to take the cancer out and take away the pain she has had since November.  Hopefully she will be able to sleep through the night without pain.  Hopefully she won't cry out in pain anymore.  This is how I hope our life changes.

Any prayers you can give for my wife will be greatly appreciated.  

Murphy was selling his house, and put the matter in an real estate agent's hands. The agent wrote up a sales blurb for the house that made wonderful reading. After Murphy read it, he turned to the agent and asked,

"Have I got all ye say there?"

The agent said, "Certainly ye have...Why d'ye ask?"

Replied Murphy, "Cancel the sale...'tis too good to part with."

Yes it's a couple of days early, but now you have a joke to tell at the office on Wednesday.   

     It is best to close on your home purchase in the afternoon.  My clients were using Quicken Loans to get their mortgage.  We closed on Thursday at 10 am.  When we first got into the closing the title company closer told us the money had not arrived yet, but it should arrive soon.  So the buyer and the seller completed all the paperwork.

 But at the end of the paperwork the money still had not arrived in the title companies account.  The title company called Quicken who said the money had been wired. 

SO NOW WHAT HAPPENS YOU ASK?

Without the money the closing is not complete.

             The buyer can't get the keys and can't take possession of the home.             

                                                The seller has to wait for the money and can't buy their next home.

EVERYBODY HAS TO WAIT AROUND UNTIL THE MONEY COMES IN.    Usually what happens is everybody leaves.  They go on with their day.  Then the title company calls everybody when the money finally arrives.  The buyer comes back in to get their keys and  the seller comes back to get their money.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?  Because the lender does not wire the money soon enough.  They could wire it the day before but sometimes they don't.   Some companies have certain times they wire the money.  It may not coincide with the closing times.  So the buyers and sellers have to wait.  

HOW OFTEN DOES THIS HAPPEN?  In 2009 and 2010 it seems to happen too often.  So you have to be patient if it happens.

We finally got the call about 12:30 to come back to get the keys.

How much short sale fraud is happening? I read that with the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program launch on April 5, 2010 there will be a rise in short sale mortgage fraud.  I hate to say it but it is already going on and nobody is stopping it as of now.

Here are three examples of short sale fraud I have seen.

1.) A "investor" gets the home owner that is upside down to sign away their rights to the property.  The "investor" hires a real estate agent.  They find a buyer for the short sale.  The "investor" makes money off the deal by either buying the short sale from the bank and then quickly selling the house to the real buyer after they close the short sale with the bank.  The "investor" makes money off the misfortune of others and makes a buck without investing a dime.  

2.)   A real estate agent takes a short sale listing.  He tries to influence the banks BPO agent to give a low price.  If he is able to negotiate a low price below market value he has a "friend" buy the property.  The friend buys the property and then the agent re-lists the property after a little fix up.  The agent gets some of the profit from the sale and gets the listing commission too.

3.)   A seller hires a real estate agent they know to get ready to list a short sale.  The sellers friend or family member with a different name gets another agent.  The buyer tells them they know of a short sale that is coming on the market. The same day the house comes on the market before anybody else can bid on it the sellers friend or family member puts in an offer.  That offer goes into the bank because the listing agent is using first in only.  I have seen this happen in Northville.

Other higher and better offers come in, but the sellers agent disreguards them because they use the "first in" rule.  They dis reguard their obligation to get the best deal or highest offer for the bank.  They protect the seller.  The seller's friend or family member buys the house.  The seller continues to live in the house.  The seller's friend either leases it back to the seller, or has the seller pay the mortgage payment to them.

The short sale seller has bought their own house back at a much lower price than they originally bought it for with the aid of their real estate agent.  They have beaten the bank out of money and helped commit mortgage fraud. 

It's happening already and I don't think the banks or the FBI is going after these people individually.    

 Here are the 12 Novi foreclosures that are currently for sale as of 3/14/2010.  The number of Novi foreclosures has fallen off dramatically since a year ago.  The average time on the market for Novi homes is 158 days. 

There are 28 Novi homes that are short sales that have been on the market an average of 136 days.  There are even 2 Novi short sales that are over a million dollars.

More Novi real estate information

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Listing information courtesy of RealComp II Ltd.

Where are you going on St. Patricks Day?  Here are a few Irish bars and Irish taverns in Plymouth Michigan. 

Sean O'Callaghan's Ltd     - www.seanocallaghanspub.com
821 Penniman Avenue, Plymouth MI 48170 - (734) 459-6666

Doyles Tavern (734) 207-9656 860 Fralick St, Plymouth, MI

Sheehan's on the Green
39450 Five Mile Rd
Plymouth, MI 48170  734-420-0646

So come to downtown Plymouth Michigan and enjoy our Irish bars and Irish taverns.

Russ Ravary | Remerica Hometown One | 734-414-3261 or 313-310-9855 Warrington, Wixom, MI Former Builders Model, Finished Basement, Beautiful inside and out! 4BR/3+1BA Single Family House   offered at $289,900 Year Built 1996 Sq Footage 2,294 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $177 per month DESCRIPTION BEAUTIFUL HOME INSIDE AND OUT. FORMER Builder' s MODEL. WALLED LAKE SCHOOLS. CATHEDRAL CEILINGS, LARGE OPEN KITCHEN, FORMAL DINING ROOM, LARGE MASTER BEDROOM WITH 2 WALK IN CLOSETS, STUNNING LANDSCAPE WITH FENCED IN YARD AND LARGE DECK. FULLY FINISHED BASEMENT WITH WALK OUT , PREMIUM LOT IN SUB,   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fireplace - High/Vaulted ceiling - Walk-in closet - Hardwood floor - Family room - Dining room - Basement - Laundry area - inside - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Walkout Lot Beautiful kitchen Large living room Dining room finished basement finished basement Contact info: Russ Ravary Remerica Hometown One 734-414-3261 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Mar 13, 2010, 4:32am PST

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Here are the latest list of Canton Homes for lease as 3/12/2010.  There are no Canton rental homes listed under a thousand dollars.  There are a few deal on the list.  How about a 3100 square foot house for only $1950 a month!  Many of the homes that are nice and reasonably priced are not on the market more than a couple of weeks, so don't wait on putting in an offer if the home is a good deal.  The dogs or overpriced ones of course sit forever. 

Canton is a great town to live in.  Ford Road is the main shopping area that is convenient whereever you live in Canton.  Then the easy access to I-275 expressway makes traveling around Detroit easy.  Feel free to email me to have the latest Canton homes for lease (Canton rental homes) sent to you weekly or call me with any questions about the homes below.  My cell is 313-310-9855 or email is yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Here is the latest neighborhood update on White Lake water front real estate in Oakland County Michigan.  White Lake is located in Highland Twp and White Lake, Oakland County, Michigan.

White Lake is a lake located in Western Oakland County Michigan.  White Lake is located just north of M-59 in Highland Township.  White Lake is about 540 acres and is an all sports lake.  

Here are the 6 homes for sale on White Lake.  There is also one home for lease for $800 a month.  The average time on the market is 237 days for these homes.

Here are all the water front homes that have sold in the last year on White Lake Oakland County Michigan

 White Lake is one of Oakland County's desirable lakes.  It is a great lake. 

Search Oakland County Michigan lake real estate and lake information

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School Lake Brighton MI & School Lake real estate

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Here are the upcoming Farmington Hills MI happenings in the next month.

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The City of Farmington Hills will affirm its commitment to environmental responsibility by participating in Earth Hour 2010.  All non-essential indoor and outdoor lighting on City-owned property will be turned off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the night of Saturday, March 27.

Earth Hour is an international event sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation.  The worldwide initiative is designed to express global solidarity in the commitment to controlling climate change.   Earth Hour 2010 will take place at 8:30 p.m. local time in more than 80 countries, including the United States.  Major U.S. cities that are participating include Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, and Las Vegas.

 Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour.  In 2009, the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights.  Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Coliseum, the Sydney Opera House, and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2010, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights in a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community.  For more information, please visit www.earthhourus.org.

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The American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team of Farmington/Farmington Hills has received the 2009 All American Award from the American Cancer Society.  This award recognizes growth, retention, Relay for Life branding, diversity, and leadership.  The cities' efforts were recognized with a plaque and congratulations from the national organization.  

 The Relay for Life Team of Farmington/Farmington Hills also received a Nationwide Top Ten Per Capita Award.  The local team raised $1.18 per capita, which exemplifies the tremendous time, energy, and passion committed to making Relay for Life a huge success.  The criteria for the award included achievement in fundraising, successful event planning, and team recruitment and retention. 

 Despite the current state of the economy, national Relay for Life teams had an impressive year in terms of involvement, recruitment, and fund-raising efforts.  In 2009, volunteers in more than 5,000 communities raised more than $385 million to fight cancer through Relay for Life events.

 The Farmington/Farmington Hills 2010 Relay for Life event takes place on Saturday, May 22 at 10 a.m. through Sunday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at Shiawassee Park in Farmington.  For more information or to join a team, go to www.relayforlife.org/farmingtonmi.

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Welcome spring with a Cultural Arts class in Farmington Hills! Art, music and performance classes are taught by high-quality instructors at various locations, including the charming, historic Stables Studio in Heritage Park.  Activities are open to both residents and non-residents of Farmington Hills.

 Registration forms may be obtained online - visit www.fhgov.com to view the Special Services program brochure, or call the Cultural Arts Division at 248-473-1859.  Registration may also be done in person at the Costick Center, located at 28600 W Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

ART     Dynamic Drawing, ages 18+. Expand your drawing skills in a one-day workshop, taught by CCS instructor Rachel Reynolds! Saturday, March 13, 9 am - 3 pm Heritage Park Stables Studio.

Exploring Ceramics, ages 12+, instructor Meredith Duckworth.  Basic hand building techniques to create wonderful pottery. Tuesdays, Mar 16 - Apr 27, 7:45-8:45 pm, Heritage Park Stables Studio.

 Walking Photography, ages 7+, instructor Jacob Nothstine.  Discover secrets of the trade while walking through Heritage Park and taking nature photographs.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Wednesday, Mar 10, 5:30-6:30 pm

 Step By Step Drawing, ages 5-7 & 8-12, instructor Mary Schmidt. This class takes your child beyond the usual drawing, and gives them the tools to develop their artwork! The results will amaze you!  Classes are offered in six-week sessions on Thursday afternoons.  Next session runs from March 25-May 6.  Classes meet at Heritage Park Stables Studio.

 Pottery for Kids, ages 5-7 and 8-12, instructor, Meredith Duckworth.  Tuesdays, Mar 16 - Apr 27, 5-6 pm for ages 5-7.  Classes meet from 6:30-7:30 pm for 8-12 age group.  Classes are held at the Heritage Park Stables Studio.

MUSIC LESSONS     Acoustic Guitar, ages 12 +, instructor, Al Rosenthal.  Classes meet on Saturday mornings, with sessions available for beginners through advanced.  Next session starts March 27, and runs through May 1.  Lessons are held at the Costick Center.

 Private Music Lessons, Ages 8+ - A variety of individual music lessons for children and adults, including vocal, piano, acoustic, electric and bass guitar.  Lessons are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and are taught by professional instructors. Available in four half-hour sessions. Piano lessons are held at the Longacre House, guitar at the Costick Center

 Here is more

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