Farmington Hills Real Estate and Events talk Michigan

Here is what is happening in the real estate in Livingston County.  As you can see the about the same number of Livingston County homes sold last Sept as this Sept but the median prices are much less.  Though you will notice that the number of Livingston condos sales has fallen dramatically.  The median Livingston County condo prices fell dramatically last year too.

Real estate Sales Statistics for LIVINGSTON County MI

Livingston County Single Family Homes
Time Period	Number of Sales	Median Sale Price
Sep 2008	159	$163,000
Sep 2007	162	$191,500
Aug 2008	133	$180,000
Aug 2007	171	$185,000
2008 YTD	1,221	$165,200
2007	1,484	$186,000

Livingston County Condominiums
Time Period	Number of Sales	Median Sale Price
Sep 2008	46	$176,361
Sep 2007	84	$218,858
Aug 2008	54	$177,300
Aug 2007	71	$215,000
2008 YTD	513	$178,900
2007	730	$210,000

For more on Livingston County real estate and Livingston County lake homes call me on my cell 313-310-9855 or email me at info@russRavary.com        

                              Comp and Listing Information Courtesy of Realcomp II Ltd

 

 Northville MI Subdivisions

Here is the latest Northville real estate updatefor Highland Lakes Subdivision Neighborhood of August 18, 2008
There are 5 Northville homes currently for sale in the sub.  The average list price is $269,780 and on the average has been on the market for 132 days

On-Market Residential
Price	Address	Bed	Bath
$250,000	1982 SCENIC HARBOUR DR	4	2.1
$259,000	1985 SCENIC HARBOUR DR	4	2.1
$269,900	1952 SCENIC HARBOUR DR	4	2.1
$270,000	2000 RIPPLING LN	4	2.1
$300,000	1955 SCENIC HARBOUR DR	4	2.1

IF YOU OR ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS, OR CHILDREN WOULD LIKE TO GET INSIDE AND SEE ONE OF THESE LOVELY HOMES FOR SALE OR GET MORE INFORMATION ON EMAIL ME AT INFO@RUSSRAVARY.COM OR CALL ME ON MY CELL AT 313-310-9855

Here are all the Nothville homes that have sold in Highland Lakes, Northville, MI in the last year as of 8/18/2008

Off-Market Residential
Status	Price	Address	Bed	Bath	OffMktDt
SOLD	$179,900	20302 RIPPLING LN	3	1.1	2/28/2008
SOLD	$227,500	20230 RIPPLING LN	4	2.1	3/21/2008
SOLD	$295,000	19471 SCENIC HARBOUR DR	4	2.1	11/17/2007

3 homes have sold in the last year with an average price of $234,133 after being on the market an average of 75 days.

Whether you are relocating to Michigan or just moving to within Wayne County MI feel free to browse my other websites Wayne County real estate or Metro Detroit real estate

Comp and Listing Information Courtesy of Realcomp II Ltd, Properties shown have been listed and sold by various MLS member REALTOR® agents,

Michigan facts

Things Michigan has THE MOST of:

1. fresh water coastline
2. variety of minerals
3. number of state parks
4. number of inland lakes-- 11,000

Michigan is fourth nationally in grape production and sixth in wine making.

Michigan is a four-season tourist attraction. Tourism brings more than 25 million travelers to Michigan each year.

Things MI grows more of than any state:

1. red tart cherries
2. navy beans
3. pickling cucumbers
4. Christmas trees

The Cereal Bowl of America, Battle Creek, produces most cereal in the U.S. 

Michigan's four Great Lakes make up 3,000 miles of coastline making it the longest freshwater shoreline in the world.

 Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of streams. 

10,000 acre lakes or larger = 10 lakes
3,000 to 10,000 acre lakes = 18 lakes
1,000 to 3,000 acre lakes = 67 lakes
300 to 1,000 acre lakes = 273 lakes
100 to 300 acre lakes = 723 lakes
30 to 100 acre lakes = 1,860 lakes
10 to 30 acre lakes = 3,409 lakes
3 to 10 acre lakes = 7,392 lakes
1 to 3 acre lakes = 13,105 lakes

Did you know....Michigan's largest inland lake is Houghton Lake in Roscommon county: 

The Upper Michigan Copper Company is the largest commercial deposit of copper in the world.

 Indian River is the home of the largest crucifix in the world. It is called the Cross in the Woods.

The Great Lakes hold a fifth of Earth's surface fresh water, and they've shrunk dramatically.

Toledo was once located in Michigan, but became part of Ohio after the Ohio/Michigan War.

Installed the first mile of paved concrete road, just north of the Model T plant, on Woodward Avenue between McNichols and 7 Mile Roads in 1909

 Installed the country´s first traffic light in 1915 in downtown Detroit
 
Built the nation´s first urban freeway, the Davison, in 1942

MI is home to the oldest state fair in the nation, first held in 1849

MI is the potato chip capital of the world, based on consumption 

Michigan is home to the largest flower-bedding market in the world ? Eastern Market

Shares the world´s first auto traffic tunnel between two nations ? the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel

Mich has the most registered bowlers in the United States

Michigan has more theater seats than any other city, east of the Mississippi River, outside New York City

Built in 1867, Whites Bridge near Lowell (pop. 4,013) is among the last covered bridges in Michigan. The 116-foot-long bridge cost $1,700 to build and still has its original wooden pegs and hand-cut square nails.

First scheduled passenger airline service in the state was Stout Air (Detroit to Grand Rapids)  1926. Michigan has 235 airports open to public use, of which 129 are publicly owned and 106 are privately owned. Michigan ranks first in the United States in the production of peat and magnesium compounds and second in gypsum and iron ore.

I hope you enjoyed these Michigan fun facts

Russ Ravary

Your local Southeastern Michigan Realtor

 

I use the word stage but many of you may be unfamiliar with the term.  To "stage" your home is to get your Wayne County home ready for sale.  To "set the stage".  To put on it's best "suit".  To show off the homes best characteristics and sometimes to cover or camouflage problems or unusual characteristics.

Now I don't mean to cover up electrical problems or water leakage.  What I mean if you have ugly yellow tile in the bathroom then you might want to accent something else in the bathroom.  Or color coordinate the whole bathroom.  Or you have outdated dark paneling in a room.... you may want to paint it.

Or you may have an outdated floral couch from the 80's and you don't want to buy new furniture until you find your new house.  But that couch screams old grandma.  You might buy a throw to put over it or a slip cover so you don't scare off all the young buyers.

Staging is getting the home in the best condition possible.  To make your home look it's best.  To have your home appeal to the greatest number of buyers.   That's what you want to do isn't it.  You want to sell your Wayne County home quick and for the highest price possible.  That's why to take the time to stage your home.  That is why you spend money to get your home in shape to sell.

If you are thinking of selling your Southeastern Michigan home give me a call to help.

I know this might sound like a letter to Santa but we need you to act.  You cried when Barack got elected but it doesn't really matter who got elected.  Our elected officials can only do so much.  Our nation's economy depends on you Oprah!  Did you know that?

There is no way any bank bailout is going to save the nation.  All these pet programs like NAR's housing stimulus program or the union's save a job program is not going to jump start the the economy.  Sure it might help that sector or save a few jobs in real estate or in the unions.  We need consumers to start spending.

But that is not going to happen.  Consumers are cutting back because they are afraid.  But most of all many consumers have lost income.  Builders, bank people,Contractors, title people, mortgage people are spending less.  Which trickles down to restaurants, stores, and everything else in this nation.  Right now we are in a downward spiral, less spending, more people lose jobs, less money to spend, more people lose jobs.  We have to stop this. 

So Oprah it is up to you and all the rich people in this nation.  We need you to spend more money than normal.  We need Buffett, Gates, rich actors, actresses, musicians, and sports stars to spend more money in the US.  Spend more money on US products and services.  We need Britney Spears, Michael Jordan, Tim McGraw, Madonna, Peyton Manning, and all those extremely high paid CEO's to start spending more.

Quit socking away all your money.  Spend some of it.  Spend more of it than usual.  If you and every rich person spent more money it would be an economic stimulus program that the government could not match.  With what you (Oprah Winfrey) are doing and what the government officials are doing it would turn the economy before a depression hits.

More gifts for the poor for Christmas, buy food, build a building, buy some land and plant some trees, build something that is needed.  Pay to have some homes renovated here in the US.  Put people to work.  Buy the paint and pay the painters to cover up the graffiti.  Pay people to pick up trash.  There are hundreds and thousands of people that need work.  Make a true impact on this nation.  It is up to you to help Obama get the nation back on track.

He can't do it alone.  We need spending.  We need people to have jobs.  You have friends that can make a difference.  People will work hard.  Help get the nation back on track Oprah!!!!!

Yes I am thankful for the many wonderful things I have

I can walk, talk, think, hear and see..... Thank you

I live in the United States where I have many comforts and benefits many people in other parts of the world do not have..... Thank you

I have the ability to work, to reason, and have common sense.  I can earn money to pay my and my families way......  Thank you

My family and I have had health problems ( Marianne has had 3 bouts with cancer, I have re -occurring bouts with kidney stones and acid reflux) .... but not enough to incapacitate us or enable us not to work... Thank you

My wife and I raised Ryan our son.... to be self sufficient, to be honest.  He is able to find his own way and make good decision.  He is making a good living working for Sears Holdings in Chicago..... Thank you

I earn enough to make a decent living.  I have the ability to do other occupations and have the drive to work to get what Marianne and I need.  Sure the economy is not great and it has decimated our retirement but we will survive.....  Thank you

We have great friends ( our Catholic Central friends, my contractor buddies), good family, and good neighbors.....  Thank you

But the great gift in life has been my wife.  I wasn't on the "settled" path in life.  I was just easy going and foot loose and fancy free until I met Marianne.  She has been the best thing that has happened to me and has changed my life.  I am lucky man...........   Thank you   

Canton MI is the 24^th safest community in the United States with Troy ranking 22nd.  Other Michigan communities in the top 50 include Farmington Hills, Ann Arbor, Livonia, and Sterling Heights, . An independent for-profit company has issued its 2007 safest communities list for the United States.  The company utilizes F.B.I. crime statistics to determine its rankings.

Over the years, Canton has been in the top 50 on numerous occasions.  Based on statistics reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Canton was the one of the nation's safest municipality with a population over 75,000 during 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.   Creating and maintaining a safe community is a tribute to the staff of Canton's Police Department and the involvement of Canton residents engaging in crime prevention behaviors.

Comparing Canton to the rest of Metro Detroit, Canton was lowest in property crimes with 18 victims per 1,000 residents and was lowest in violent crimes with 1 victim per 1,000 residents.  Great crime statistics for home buyers with families and safety in mind.

This is one of the great reason to look at homes in Canton and to investigate Canton Township if you are moving within Michigan or have a Michigan relocation in your future.   Feel free to call or email me anytime.

 

I am from the Detroit suburbs and pretty much lived here all my life.  But I don't have a football team.  Sure the Detroit Lions are metro Detroit's team but they have never given me anything to cheer about.

It is my believe that the Ford family is happy to have an "average" team so long as the team is profitable and making money for them.  The last great star we had was Barry.  The Lions is one of those teams that can have a lead all the way up to the fourth quarter and then lose the game.  The Detroit Lions can start the season well and then end up with a losing season.

I would rather watch any other pro team on TV but I am being tortured on Thanksgiving day to see the Lions get killed again. 

Did you hear about the Detroit custody battle?

So little Timmy is in the courtroom for a custody hearing because the little kid is being abused...

The judge says to Timmy, "Why don't we send you to live with your father?"

Timmy replies, "Oh no! My dad beats me!"

The judge then asks, "Well, what about your mother? Can you live with her?"

Timmy replies, "Please no! She beats me even worse than my father!"

Undeterred, the judge says to Timmy, "Well, how about we send to you live with your grandparents?"

Timmy says, "No!! They beat me, too!"

"Well, what about your aunt and uncle? Do they beat you, too?" asks the judge.

Again Timmy replies, "Yes sir, they beat me something fierce!"

A bit frustrated, the judge says to Timmy "Well, is there any place I could send to to live?"

After a bit of thought Timmy responds "Well...you could send me to live with the Detroit Lions, they can't beat anybody!"

 

 More Lion's jokes

 Q. How do the Detroit Lions count to 10?

A. 0-1, 0-2, 0-3, 0-4, 0-5, 0-6, 0-7, 0-8, 0-9, 0-10

 

Q. How do you keep a Detroit Lion player out of your yard?

A. Put up goal posts

 

Q. Where do you go in Detroit in case of a tornado?

A. To Ford Field - they never get a touchdown there!

 

Q. What do the Detroit Lions and possums have in common?

A. Both play dead at home and get killed on the road

 

No don't tell me I have to be thankful for them!!!  Overpaid 

Who knows they may win someday.  But for now the silver lining is that they may set the record for most losses.  Glass half full? 

 

 

Most of the students that reside in Plymouth and Plymouth Township go to Plymouth Canton School System.

The median home price for Plymouth real estate in 2006 was $294,112. 

 There are homes in Plymouth MI that were built in the 1800's and there are new homes and new Plymouth subdivisions that were built as late as 2008.  So there is a wide range and variety of homes in Plymouth and Plymouth Township MI. 

                                                                   

 There are little 800 square foot bungalows all the way up to mega mansions worth over a million dollars.  

                     

 The Milleage rate for the City of Plymouth is $39.74 for every $1,000 of state equalized value (SEV) or taxable value.

The Milleage rate for Plymouth Township is $27.96 for every $1,000 of state equalized value (SEV) or taxable value.  For an in-depth explanation of Wayne County property taxes go to my other website Livonia real estate and Wayne County real estate

For more on Plymouth MI real estate email me at info@RussRavary.com or call me on my cell phone (313) 310-9855

Photos courtesy of Realcomp II Ltd

I spent time in the Military and being away from the family during the holidays is always a lonely time.  Instead of a real turkey being carved you usually got a slice of white turkey meat.  One thing I can say the military cooks were good.  I had quite a few good meals in the military.  Sure they were not gourmet but they were good.

I give thanks to all those men and women protecting us around the world far from there families and friends.  To them I raise a drumstick salute.  May you stay safe and return to your family.  May you return soon so you can spend next Thanksgiving with your family.

As a Realtor you know we are an independent group.  We don't like a nine to five cubicle.  We don't like being told when to be there or what to do.  But that is what the military is.  The military owns you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  On base, off base no matter what.  Whether you are sick or one of your family members is sick you do what they say.

I salute you and give thanks that there are men and women that dedicate their life to the military.  They sacrifice family life many times to protect us.  They miss important things like seeing their kids born protecting us.

Thanks from this Southeastern Michigan Realtor ( Livonia ) and from all of us at Active Rain.  Thanks and enjoy your turkey dinner.