Farmington Hills Real Estate and Events talk Michigan

Whether you are relocating to Michigan or just moving from Wayne County to Oakland county or Livingston County or Washtenaw County, or just moving in Michigan there are many Novi Subdivisions that may be a perfect fit for your family.  Here are Metro Detroit suburb homes for sale info, and recent Michigan sold homes.
Everybody wants to know about Novi real estate.  Whether you are buying or selling a Novi home this page will help you.  Included are many Novi subdivisions.  These subdivisions have what Novi homes have sold and for how much.  And Novi homes for sale as of certain dates.  I will try to give you approximate age of homes, style  of homes, how many homes in subdivision, common areas, nearby schools district, how many bedrooms.  The general characteristics of the subdivision.  Here are many Novi subdivisions to look at and choose from. 

Addington Subdivision
Autumn Park Subdivision
Beckingham Subdivision
Barclay Subdivision
Bellagio Subdivision
Bradford of Novi Subdivision
Bristol Corners Subdivision (Bristol Corners North, South, West, Farms)
Broadmoor Park Subdivision
Cedar Springs Subdivision
Chase Farms subdivision
Churchhill Crossing subdivision
Dunbarton Pines subdivision
Fairfield Farms Subdivision
Greenwood Oaks Subdivision
Heatherwyck Subdivision
Island Lakes Subdivision
Jamestown Green Subdivision
Lexington Green Subdivision
Meadowbrook Glens Subdivision
North Haven Woods Subdivision
Orchard Ridge Subdivision
Riverbridge Subdivision
Roma Ridge Subdivision
Royal Crown subdivision
Simmons Orchard subdivision
Summerlin Subdivision
Vista Hills Subdivison  
Westmont Subdivision
Whispering Meadows Subdivision
Willowbrook Estates Subdivision
Windridge Subdivision
Wintergreen Subdivision
Yerkes Manor Estates subdivision
Yorkshire Place Subdivision

For more information on the Novi area, Canton, Livonia, Northville, South Lyon, Farmington Hills, Plymouth click on the city.  It will give you information you may want to know on each city.  For example Novi will have Novi taxes, Novi crime statistics, Novi demographics, Novi schools, Novi clubs, Novi community profile, Novi entertainment, Novi conventions, Novi Hotels, Novi Florists, Novi Golf,  Novi Hospitals, Novi sports, Novi churches, Novi recreation, Novi police, Novi Fire, Novi History, Novi library, Novi shopping.  Hopefully the city pages will give you a little more information when shopping for a Michigan homes for sale.  

Have a great day Russ Ravary

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

Plymouth Michigan, History

Whether you are relocating to Michigan or just moving in Michigan Plymouth and Plymouth Township are great places to live.  Here is a little history about Plymouth Michigan

Plymouth History
Plymouth was first settled in 1825 and became a city in 1932.  The railroad station was built in 1871.  Plymouth is one of the few spots in Michigan where train tracks went north, south, east, and wet.  The city was named for it's historical ties to Plymouth Massachusetts.  Many of the settlers in Plymouth, Mi came from Plymouth Massachusetts.  Plymouth almost was named "Leroy".
       Plymouth has been a hub of Michigan industry.  There has been a soap factory, cigar making factory, spring water sales, and the most famous "the daisy bb gun".  Plymouth was once the "air rifle capital of the world"   they first made the BB gun as a gift to farmers when the bought a windmill.  The air rifles were so popular that they quit making windmills and just made BB guns.  One of the most popular guns made in Plymouth was the "Red Ryder" One of the outside walls of the Daisy rifle factory still stands.  It is now part of the Daisy Condos.  The condos are just a short walk to downtown Plymouth.  

For more on Metro Detroit real estate go to my websites www.RussRavary.com and www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com    You can search hundreds of Plymouth Condos and Homes for Sale

So if you are thinking of buying a Metro Detroit home whether it is in Canton, Plymouth or Novi.  Or in any state or city for the matter you need to know the facts.

The most important thing to know is NOT WHAT THE SELLER PAID FOR THE HOME (who cares what they may make or might lose).  The most important factor is what comparable homes are selling for.

SMART MICHIGAN HOME BUYER TIPS

Here are the guidelines to find comparable homes:

1. Must be recent sold homes.  Within the last 6 months especially in this falling home price market.  Just because a home sold for $50,000 more 2 years ago doesn't mean diddly squat!  It is what houses are selling for now that means something to you as a Metro Detroit home buyer
2. Must be close by. Usually you like to compare the home you are buying to homes in the same subdivision.  But sometimes that is impossible.  So you have to go outside of the subdivision.  Then you like to stay within a square mile without crossing over major roads, freeways, or train tracks.   This is how appraisers do it and how the banks review appraisals.  You should do it that way too.  Again  just because a 3200 square foot house sold for $500,000 on the other side of town (2 miles away) doesn't mean much.  You may have had a 2900 square foot house in your sub that sold for $290,000.
3. Must be like your home.  You can't compare a ranch to a colonial.  Or a tri-level to a Bungalow.  Like to like.
4. Features and condition should be comparable or adjust for the differences.  Comparing a 3 to 4 bedroom is not uncommon.  A poor condition house to an excellent house isn't hard.  Figure out how much it would cost to bring the home up to excellent then deduct from the list price.

Once you know what comparable homes have sold for then you can determine what the house you want to buy is worth in today's market and in today's conditions.

Smart home buyersand investors ask for comparables.  Good real estate agents will always provide you with them.  But be pro-active ask you real estate agent for the public records, the comparables, the sellers disclosures.  Get all the information you need to make a sound decision when buying your new Michigan home.  You won't regret it.

For more home buyer tips or home seller tips go to my websites http://www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com  You can search over 68000 Michigan homes for sale free on either site. 

If you are one of the thousands of people across the country trying to keep pace with your mortgage payment and are ready to throw in the towel.   DON'T THROW IT IN YET!  

Call your mortgage lender or bank.  Talk to them about your problems and see if they will work with you.  If your home is like Metro Detroit Real Estate you may have trouble trying to refinance.  Many Metro Detroit homes have lost 20- 40% of their value in the last few years.  Some areas in California and other states are the same way.

SOME BANKS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU

• BE NICE (they are just doing their job too)(they are somebodies wife or mother)
• ASK THEM TO FIX THE RATE
• ASK THEM TO LOWER THE RATE
• ASK THEM FOR A MORTGAGE REDUCTION
• BE FORCEFUL, keep asking!
• TELL THEM THE TRUTH
• IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE THE HOUSE UP AND GO INTO FORECLOSURE, TELL THEM SO (they will be more inclined to work with you than get the house back.

Some banks and lenders are working with people to lower the rates and keep the families in the home.  I tell you this because I got the best call a person can get.  A simple thank you .  I told my client to do this when we went through the scenario and found out the house would not appraise for what they owe on it.  They wanted to stay in the house.  They just could not afford the new adjustable rate.   It worked the bank fixed the rate at the intitial rate.  My clients can now afford to stay in the house.

Many people took adjustable rate mortgages because they could not afford the house at the higher fixed rate.  It was a choice they made that is coming back to haunt them, but try to talk to your lender.  If that doesn't work try calling the National Mortgage Helpline.  Try to save your house first if you can.

Here are two numbers to call if talking to your bank doesn't work.

NATIONWIDE     888-995-HOPE

MICHIGAN         866-946-7432

For more on Michigan mortgages go to my websites www.RussRavary.com or www.DetroitMichiganRealEstatehomes.com  lots of great information on Michigan real estate, Michigan mortgages, and you are able to search Michigan homes for sale free.

How does your home look to a buyer?  Once again I was showing homes in Canton Michigan to one of my buyers.  He needs to buy within 2 weeks.

One home had wallpaper everywhere.  Let me say this "Michgan home buyers do not want to remove wall paper.  They want a Michgan home that is ready to move into.  This home had wall paper in every room and even wallpaper on the ceiling on one room.  This Canton Home will take a long time to sell.  If two Canton homes that are priced similar the home without the wallpaper will sell first.  I believe that there would have to be a $10,000 price difference in the homes for the one with wallpaper to sell quicker. Can you get the wallpaper taken down and painted for less than $10,00?  If you can and you don't do it, you are losing money.

Another home had a teddy bear collection that sprawled across the family room.  The young adult was home but it was dark inside the house.  They should have had the drapes open, the weather channel turned off, and the lights on.  We walked out of that Canton home very quickly.  Simple things could have made the presentation of that Canton home much nicer.

A shame for both the Realtor and the seller.  Little things can make the difference.  Are you doing them.  Email me to set up a time so we can "stage your home correctly"  I can help you prepare your home for sale so it has a edge in this buyers market.

For more on Canton Homes for sale go to my websites http://www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com   Search over 68,000 Michigan homes for sale free at your convenience.

Brighton Michigan Median Home prices 

Average time on the market for homes for sale in Brighton Michigan.  Whether you are relocating to Michigan or just moving from one city to another within Michigan you will like Brighton Township's low taxes.  It is one of the lowest Millage rates in Livingston County Michigan.

The table below shows you the average time on the market for Brighton Michigan homes for sale in each price range.  The last table shows you the average median home prices for sold and listed homes in Brighton Township and the City of Brighton.  Also included is the average time on the market for homes.

Price Statistics Num of Listings   400   300 200 100   0    R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 R16   Price Range

Price Statistics Legend Range Name Price Range Number of Listings Days on Market R1 100,000 to 150,000 145 141 R2 150,001 to 200,000 402 148 R3 200,001 to 250,000 360 180 R4 250,001 to 300,000 316 172 R5 300,001 to 350,000 226 191 R6 350,001 to 400,000 188 182 R7 400,001 to 450,000 117 221 R8 450,001 to 500,000 102 210 R9 500,001 to 550,000 80 222 R10 550,001 to 600,000 47 234 R11 600,001 to 650,000 32 193 R12 650,001 to 700,000 25 267 R13 700,001 to 750,000 13 253 R14 750,001 to 800,000 14 252 R15 800,001 to 850,000 7 311 R16 850,001 to 899,000 12 291 For the 2086 listings: For the 425 Sold listings: Average List Price $314,520.00 Average Sold Price $259,444.00 Median List Price $274,900.00 Median Sold Price $226,000.00 Highest List Price $939,000.00 Highest Sold Price $850,000.00 Lowest List Price $104,386.00 Lowest Sold Price $103,500.00 List Volume $656,087,800.00 Sales Volume $110,263,500.00 Avg. Days On Market 180 Avg. Days On Market 151 For more on Metro Detroit Real estate or Southeastern Michigan Real estate go to my websites www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com or www.RussRavary.com  you can search Michigan homes for sale for free.  Find the home of your dreams.

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

Northville Real Estate Update
Northville Subdivisions
Northville Colony

If you want more information on the sold homes email me at info@russravary.com  I can get you the square footage, or other amenities.  If you are have a Northville home for sale or thinking of selling your home give me a call on my cell at (313) 310-9855 or contact me at info@russravary.com.  I will do a free comparative market analysis to help you decide what price to list your home at.  Remember pricing your Northville home right is one of the most important decisions you will be making.  At the same time I can provide tips on what to do to get ready to market your Northville home.  I can help you present your Northville listing in the best possible light so your home will sell for more and quicker.  By preparing before you put your house up for sale you can increase the sales price by doing a few simple things.  Take a look at my sellers tips and advice pages.  There are over 50 articles and tips on what to do and how to sell your home.  There are articles on common sellers mistakes, staging your home, preparing your home to sell, basic rules for open houses, For sale by owner

Or if you want to buy a Northville home call me on my cell to see all the Northville homes for sale.  If you want to search for Michigan houses for sale on the INTERNET my website is a great place to start.  I have over 45 articles on buying a home and checks lists to help you narrow your search.
Some of the articles include negotiating tips, house hunting tips, condos vs homes, where to start house hunting, 21 potential resale problems, home buyer checklist
 

You can check out my other website www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com for more great Southeastern Michigan real estate information or search Michigan homes for sale free.

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

As a Michigan Realtor we see all sorts of Metro Detroit Real Estate.  In Dearborn Michigan we have one of the largest populations of Arabic people in the United States.  Dearborn is a great vibrant city that has rebounded from an city that was once known as a racist city into a diverse multi cultural city.  What I have learned from working with the Arabic community is that they have great food, very family orientated, and adopt you like family once you earn their trust.  Extended families live together and take care of each other.  I have been invited to dinners where I didn't know what I was eating.  I had never eaten some of the different types of food.  My clients opened my eyes to their customs, and the delicious foods that they were accustomed to eating.  They have been a positive eating influence on me and I believe helped me gain five pounds.  Being a meat and potato person it is hard to imagine that I like hommous (hummus) and tabouli (taboli).  It seems I eat a lot of meals with my clients at their invitation.  I love it because you learn more about the family.

I'm not a pushy Realtor.  I don't mind looking at a "few more houses" if you are unsure whether "this house is the right house".  I'm not afraid of pointing out a major cost that you may not be aware of when buying a home.  I want my clients to be happy with their house in the long run.  I don't need to sell you a house today, we will find you a house that fits your families' needs and budget.

Here is a testimonial from a client that switched from buying a home for themselves to a small investment property.  Some real estate agents would have pooh-poohed the idea of buying a $23,000 investment property versus a $150,000 house.  But it was a great deal for the client and it made financial sense for them to buy the investment property first before they bought their new home.

 My husband and I had a really bad impression about real estate agents until we met Russ Ravary. We had several real estate agents that were pushy when we were looking a t Dearborn Real Estate. They wanted us to buy any Dearborn home to make their commission. But Russ was different. Not only is Russ honest but he is trustworthy, knowledgeable and very patient. He walked us through the buying and mortgage process thoroughly and gave us wonderful advice about when and when not to buy. He has a very genuine personality and he truly loves helping people make the right choices. We know that Russ is not the type of Michigan Realtor to try make a quick sale and move on. Russ makes the effort to know and understand his clients on a personal level. He does everything in his power to help meet the needs of his clients and we sure our thankful for that. If anyone is looking for an intelligent and professional Realtor, Russ is the man!
Thank you,
                   Ahmed and Nagat

For More on Metro Detroit real estate, Dearborn Real estate or Search Dearborn homes for sale.  My websites have great information for buyers, sellers and you can search Michigan homes for sale free.

HazMat Day at Costick Center

Saturday, May 3

FARMINGTON HILL HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY  

The City of Farmington Hills will hold its annual Household Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Drop-off Day on Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Costick Center on Eleven Mile Road between Middlebelt and Inkster.  Residents of Farmington Hills, Farmington, Novi, South Lyon, Southfield, Walled Lake, and Wixom are all eligible to attend with proof of residency.

A variety of common household items will be accepted including cleaners, oil-based paints, herbicides, insecticides, and solvents.  These materials can be brought to HazMat Day in labeled containers that do not hold more than five gallons or weigh more than 50 pounds.

According to Mike Csapo, General Manager of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC), unneeded or expired medicines should also be disposed of in a safe and proper manner.  "Bringing old medications to HazMat Day helps avoid the inadvertent or incorrect use of those products as well as keeps them from ending up in our environment," said Csapo.

 Document shredding is also available with a 100-pound or three-box limit per household.  Used computers and computer components such as CPUs, monitors, printers, and keyboards will also be accepted. The following items are not accepted: commercial or business waste, unknowns over five gallons, smoke detectors, radioactive waste, or explosives.

Latex paint is also not accepted because it's not considered hazardous waste.  If the can is more than half full, pour some of the paint onto newspapers then add sand or kitty litter to the paint left in the can, which should solidify in a few days.  Once it's solid, place it out with your trash with the lid off. 

For a complete list of acceptable items, go to http://www.rrrasoc.org/ or call 248-208-2270.  Farmington Hills residents who can't attend on May 3 may go to any of the other regional HazMat events listed on the RRRASOC website.

For more on Farmington Hills real estate, Oakland County Homes for sale, Wayne County buyers tips, Livingston County sellers tips go to www.RussRavary.com or www.DetroitMichiganRealEstate.com

Being Earth Day it seems natural to announce Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held at Compuware Sports Arena, 14900 Beck Road  

Saturday,  April 26, 2008-9 a.m. to 2 p.m and is free to Plymouth Township, Michigan residents 

Examples of Items Accepted:  

• Household paints, stains, dyes

• Floor wax, floor care products, carpet cleaner

• Furniture polish, bathroom cleaners, stain removers, solvents

• Nail polish, glue

• Fertilizer, lawn and garden chemicals, pesticides

• Antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline

• Automotive batteries and dry cell batteries

  Fluorescent bulbs and Compact fluorescent lamps

• Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors

• Mercury containing thermometers and other devices

  Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

  Electronic Recycling

•   Computer monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice

This is another one of Plymouth Township's city services that it provides to it residents.  The City  and the city personnel is constantly striving to make Plymouth Township a better place to live.  To find out more about Plymouth Township and Plymouth Michigan go to my website www.RussRavary.com  I have lots of inofrmation about the city and township including Plymouth history, Plymouth styles of homes, Plymouth parks and recreation, Plymouth Schools.  You can also search Plymouth homes for sale.  Have a great day.  Russ Ravary