Farmington Hills Real Estate and Events talk Michigan

I was searching Redford real estate for a client today and I found that there were 98 homes for sale in Redford Michigan under $50,000.  Sure they may not be in the best of shape or a great home but a few years ago you couldn't hardly find a home in Redford MI for under a $100,000. 

In the $50,000 - $100,000 range there are 360 Redford homes for sale .  360  unbelivable!  I just helped a client find a nice 900 square foot brick ranch for $68,000.   That was a pretty good bargain.  It need some paint and some carpeting.  I have seen some completely updated homes that were only $80,000.

So when you are shopping for Redford homes for sale you can find some good deals out there.  Metro Detroit homes are selling so if you find one that you like put an offer in on it.  It is not uncommon in this spring real estate market of 2008 to see multiple offers on some of these foreclosures.  Some of them are even selling for full price.

But be careful on homes with water damage and be sure to ask your realtor for comparables of recently sold homes to help you make a sound decision 

Sellers Beware!  Avoid these 4 Mistakes That Could Cost You Hundreds... Even Thousands of Dollars!
Metro Detroit Real Estate, Michigan Homes for sale, Michigan Real estate


Selling your Metro Detroit home can be an exhausting experience considering how long homes are taking to sell in this Metro Detroit real estate market. Last minute showings, always trying to keep the house clean, inconvenient calls, price adjustment and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are real concerns. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in profit.

The difference between a easy real estate sale and a bad experience boils down sometimes to who you pick as your Metro Detroit real estate agent.  Your agent is who sits in your corner, who gives you the latest Metro Detroit real estate information, guides you and helps point you in the right direction.  The agent that doesn't pressure you, but lets you make the ultimate decision.

1. Refusing to Make Repairs. It always costs you more money to sell 'as is' than to make repairs that will increase the value of your home. You need to have a neutral colored freshly painted home.  Sure a beautiful decorated home with vibrant colors will sell, but a nuetral painted home is always ready to move in.  Even minor improvements will often yield as much as three to five times the repair cost at the time of sale. I can help point out what repairs will significantly increase the value of your home. Seemingly small fix up jobs such as repairing door knobs, small drywall damage can have quite an impact.   Leaving that wallpaper up on that wall will cost you thousands of dollars.   Listen to your agent

2. Not Considering Other Financing Terms.  Giving sellers concessions sometimes allows a buyer that does not have money to complete the purchase to buy your home. Cash is usually the most advantageous transaction.  Again your agent can help explain why you might consider different financing terms in order to sell your house.  In this market if you can afford to do a land contract it may be a great alternative.  A land contract may sell your house when it may not have sold.

3. Allowing contingencies without time constraints.  Sure take the offer with the buyer having to sell the house, but but in the counteroffer that you have the right to continue marketing and showing the house.  If you get another offer then they either have to remove the contingency or release the purchase agreement.  Same thing with getting a mortgage, the seller must put a time limit on when the home will close.

4.   Not having your house ready to show at any time.  Let people in when ever they call.  I have sold houses when the agent was out front and wanted to get in right then.  I got yelled at by my seller, but he was much happier when he got that purchase agreement the next day.  Every time you turn away a buyer you have turned away a possible sale.  Yes buyers and home showings are inconvenient.  Yes it is work to keep the house clean and ready for shownings.  But those are the Metro Detroit Homes that sell faster.  Let the agent put a lock box on the house.  The more accessible your home is, the better the odds of finding a person willing to pay your asking price. You never know if the one that couldn't get in was the one that would have bought your Metro Detroit home.  Show, show, show at all times.

I hope these Metro Detroit real estate market tips help you sell your home.  The most important is having your home move in ready.  Most Michigan home buyers don't want to paint, don't want to tear down wallpaper.  For more Michigan home buyer tips   or Michigan Home selling tips go to my two websites www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com or  www.RussRavary.com

Plymouth Michigan and Plymouth Township have been on my list of great places to live in Metro Detroit.  Plymouth has a great downtown and is known to be an "upscale community".  Congratulations Plymouth and Plymouth Twp for being awarded a designation of 2008 top 100 places to relocate to.  For more on Plymouth real estate, Plymouth schools, crime statistics, parks and general information go to the bottom of this page for links to my other websites about Plymouth and Metro Detroit real estate.

The City and Township of Plymouth is a real community...like a dream come true...of small town and community pride of yesteryear, yet its location (just 30 minutes west of downtown Detroit and 25 minutes east of Ann Arbor) makes it ideally accessible to some of the nation's finest offerings: business, international trade, industry, education, health care, cultural events, entertainment, travel, and Big 10 sporting events.

From 19th century antique shops in historic Old Village to our contemporary downtown, along with Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth is a shopper's paradise and the choices for dining are plentiful.

Whatever your pastime, the Plymouth Community is well suited for your kind of play. The City of Plymouth operates the Plymouth Cultural Center which offers many leisure time activities in arts and crafts, judo, acting, ballet, tap, jazzercise, gymnastics, figure skating, soccer, volleyball, football, basketball, hockey and softball. Parks in local neighborhoods feature picnic and playground equipment. Kellogg Park in the center of downtown Plymouth is a great place to enjoy lunch on a warm summer day or to enjoy a Thursday night band concert. Massey Park located at Plymouth and Haggerty Roads offers lighted baseball diamonds. Plymouth Township Park, located on Ann Arbor Trail at McClumpha is the largest of the three township parks offering a fishing pond and is home to the Peter Rockwell Monster play sculptures. There is also Hines Park which runs through the community offering acres of parkland and miles of bike trails for you outdoor amusement.

Plymouth's school system now supports 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, and two very unique high schools. The Plymouth-Canton School District encompasses a 54-square-mile area and more than 15,000 students. Students in the district consistently score higher than the state average on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) and the national average on the Standard Aptitude Test (SAT). One of the most innovative, educational facilities in Michigan, Centennial Educational Park (CEP), houses both Plymouth-Canton and Plymouth-Salem High Schools. The 305-acre park is one-of-a-kind learning complex with over 200 teachers, counselors, and specialists. The park serves close to 5,000 high school students, plus the Community Education Program.

Locally, Plymouth boasts its very own: Symphony, Theatre Players, Historic Old Village, Library Historical Museum, and Farmer's Market (May-October). In the center of the quaint downtown, Kellogg Park hosts concerts and festivals year-round: Fall Festival, International Ice Spectacular, Art in the Park, and The Musical Celebration. Seven public golf courses, as well as a complete range of recreational programs and facilities, are available for all ages, youth through senior adults.

                                                                            
 
Plymouth has also planned for business growth in a way that lends substance to the area, but does not overshadow the community. A solid base of industrial, research and executive parks ring the area, and retailing thrives. Business growth is in balance with the needs of the community.. The markets are here and the surrounding communities are amenable to planned business growth.

All it takes is one look around and you know you've arrived...the perfect place for you family and the most prestigious site for your business. Plymouth is what every community strives to be; it has everything for a full life except the hustle and bustle.

 Complete information on the Top 100 from Relocate America can be found at the web site below: http://top100.relocate-america.com/  It is great to know that a national organization has recognized what we already knew, that Plymouth Township is a Top 100 place to live.

Richard Reaume, Township Supervisor

For more on what a great place Plymouth and Plymouth township go to my websites www.Russravary.com or www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com  You can search for Plymouth Michigan homes for sale

Buying your first home can be scary, but if you follow these tips, you will do just fine!   Many young people do not realize that they can afford a home, they can get approved for a mortgage. Sometimes you need little or no money to buy a home.  There are Government programs for first time homebuyers (FHA) and some Michigan counties qualify for low down payment programs.  (Rural housing program)

The key for any Michigan home buyer is to plan ahead.  You may need to repair your credit, save for a downpayment, get more time on a job, save for closing costs.  You need to know what you have to do to get started.  You may be one of the "great buyers" and have everything you need to get started right now and not know it!  The first thing to do is to set an appointment with a Michigan Mortgage loan officer to see whether you qualify for a Michigan Mortgage for the home in the price range you want.

Many times you do not need money.  We can ask the seller to pay your closing costs.  There are many programs that offer low rates and no money down if you can get a gift from a family member.  You may qualify for a VA loan.  100% financing through the VA may be the way to go for you.  But taking the first step and seeing what you need to do now is important.  It will make the home buying process so easy. 

Call me to set up an appointment to go over your credit report, and credit scores.  You may have imperfect credit, need to reduce debt, or improve your credit scores.  The key is to get started.  Even though you may have bruised credit, or too much credit I have helped many people improve their credit.  They then we able to buy homes.

Create Your "Wishlist"
Make your wish list. Focus on the features you want in a home: 2 bedrooms or 3? 1 bath or 2? Garage or no garage? Knowing what you're looking for will help you focus your search. And it will help your local Metro Detroit real estate broker, too. 
Search Michigan houses for sale

Think about where and why you want to buy in an area.  How far to work? School? Family?

Drive by, and look at many Wayne County homes (again we handle Oakland County houses for sale, Washtenaw county houses for sale, Livingston County houses for sales, as well as Wayne county houses for sale. ).  See as many possible to get a better feel for ones available in your price range. Visit my site often and search for homes.  Keep track of what you like and dislike about each home that you drive by or see on the internet.

Also consider the market value of the home, any special circumstances surrounding the sale of the home, how much you can afford to pay for the home, and the condition of the home when determining whether the home is right for you.

When you find a Metro Detroit home for sale in your price range and you want to buy it, call me at (313) 310-9855  Visit the Metro Detroit neighborhood at various times to get a more complete understanding of its activity. Talk with your prospective neighbors about what it's like to live in the area. Take a day and commute to your job from the area. And look at the home more critically -- you may discover flaws you hadn't noticed during your first visit.

Another aspect to consider is the financing you will use to purchase the home. For example, the seller may help pay closing costs such as pro-rated taxes or points on a mortgage. If this is the case, you may be more willing to accept the seller's asking price. Your local Metro Detroit realtor (Russ Ravary) can offer some assistance regarding how much you should offer, but the final decision is yours.

For more Metro Detroit Home buying tips visit my other website www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com  you can search over 60,000 homes for sale.

FHA mortgages is the way to go for many Michigan home buyers.  FHA appraisals are much easier than they were years.  So don't be afraid of using a FHA mortgage as a buyer or accepting a FHA mortgage approval as a seller.

Because Southeastern Michigan has been labeled as a "declining market" (Home values falling  fast enough that banks and lenders are concerned about loaning over 90% on Southeastern Michigan homes) it is harder to get a loan approved if you have border line credit, or borderline income or debt issues.  FHA has a little more flexibility to approve borderline credit issues.  So if you think you might not be approved for a Michigan home loan ask me or your loan officer about a FHA mortgage for you.

You may be able to get approved and be able to pick up a Michigan foreclosure at at great price.  For more on Michigan real estate, or to search Michigan homes for sale free go to my websites www.RussRavary.com or www.DEtroitMichiganRealEstateHOmes.com   You can search homes free of charge at your leisure or email me at Info@RussRavary.com for a list of Michigan foreclosures in your search area.

Metro Detroit real estate, Southeastern Michigan real estate update

Weare having a pretty decent spring real estate season.  Many Michigan home buyers are out looking for bargains.  The updated ready to move in homes are selling.  Michigan foreclosures are selling because they are bargains.  Many Michigan foreclosures are getting multiple offers.  There are some bidding wars on some foreclosed homes when the bank price them right.

Unfortunately some Michigan homes for sale are still sitting for long periods on the market.  Some of the reasons why these Michigan homes for sale are selling are:

1. Over-priced
2. Not updated
3. In poor condition
4. Wallpaper on the walls
5. No curb appeal
6. Over-priced
7. Over-priced
8. Over-priced

Remember to think as a buyer.  Michigan home buyers are not stupid.  They are out there looking for a bargain.  They are looking for the best Michigan home for sale that fits their needs and desires at a "bargain price"   

For more Michigan real estate infomation or Metro Detroit real estate information go to my websites www.RussRavary.com or www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHOmes.com   Lots of great Michigan home buyers tips, how to prepare your Michigan home for sale or just search thousands of Michigan homes for sale free at your convenience.

When you want to put your Michigan home for sale you may find out that you owe more than it can be sold for.  You may be going through a divorce or have lost your job.  You can't afford the home or need to downsize.  But what can you do?  Do you put your Michigan home up for sale or do you just let it go into foreclosure? 

You may want to contact your bank.  A short sale is where the bank accepts less than what you owe on the mortgage.  For example you may owe $270,000 on your 2200 square foot Livonia home.   Many 2200 square foot Livonia homes are selling in the $215,000 to the $225,000 range.  So the bank would have to either accept less money  than what you owe or take the chance of getting back as a foreclosure.

Unfortunately the issues with a short sale is that many banks don't have enough qualified personnel to handle all the Michigan short sales.  There are so many Michigan Homes for sale that just can't be sold for what is owed on the home. 

The two major reasons you may not want to get involved with a short sale are.  Many of them never get closed.  Many banks don't accept the offer.  Many times they are so far removed from the Michigan real estate market that they don't know what a Michigan Home for sale is worth.  The bank rejects the offer and eventually it becomes a foreclosure. 

The other issue is that it takes weeks for a bank to accept or reject an offer.  Sometimes you won't hear from the bank in 4-6 weeks.  Most buyers don't want to wait that long.

My thought whether you are buying or selling is to stay away from a short sale.  Too much trouble to put your Michigan home for sale as a short sale for the trouble and grief involved.

For more on Michigan real estate go to my other websites. www.RussRavary.com or www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com You can search over 60,000 Michigan homes for sale or get great buyers tips and seller tips

I spent 4 years of my life with the U.S military.  It was during the peacetime years.  Part of the time I was with the 82nd Airborne as an infantryman and part of the time I was part of the Special Forces Training school as a parachute packer.  We packed parachutes for their training.  I made quite a few jumps out of many different aircraft.

By being in the military I know that you give it your all.  They own you.  You do what they say, when they say.  The military comes before family, there is no calling in sick.  What you do on or off duty is governed by the military, and can (and will) come under scrutiny.

I applaud our veterans of these recent wars and past wars.  They are doing a tough job.  And those that made the ultimate sacrifice I say thank you and feel for their families.  I know how I would feel if we lost Ryan our son.  Marianne and I would be devasted.  My heart goes out to these families.  My prayers are with our lost heroes, and our current service men and women in harms way.  May we bring them home safe and sound as soon as possible.  Enjoy the weekend, but take time to send a little prayer out for all of them.

Russ Ravary 

I hate Metro Detroit short sales because it is such an iffy proposition and it takes so long to get an offer.  But one of my clients wanted to put in an offer on a short sale.  The home is in redemption period.  August 12 it becomes the banks property and the homeowner will lose all rights to the home. 

It is a house that is over a hundred years old, needs updating, and has many projects in the home that are unfinished.  The home will take lots to sweat equity to bring up to be a "decent home"  But somehow the homeowner has gotten an investor involved.  We put in an offer of $110,000that we thought would be submitted to the bank.  But low and behold the listing realtor called me and said they have a counter offer from the "investor client"  Now remember that the house has already been bought back by the bank at the sheriff sale.  They are just waiting to take it back over after the mandatory 6 month redemption period.  (the homeowner would have to come up with $187,000 to pay off the sherriff sale price.)  Here is what I emailed to the listing realtor.  

I know the investor is your client,BUT this is the dumbest thing I have run across in a long time.  This homeowner is in the redemption period with about 80 days left.  Short sales are tough enough to get through with out involving a third party who has no regard for helping the homeowner, but only to help line their pockets.  I don't know how this investor is getting paid but it is not going to be by negotiating with my client.   We will be willing to submit our offer of $110,000 to the bank and see what they say but my client does not want to go any higher. 

  If you don't get a solid offer within the next 4 -6 weeks you are not going to close it before the redemption period ends.  Your investor loses and the homeowner does too.  Let me know if you and your client are willing to let the bank decide.  If not we are walking away from your counter offer.

What do you Active Rainers think?  Isn't this the dumbest thing you have heard of too?  I can't believe this poor homeowner has created more problems by getting a third party involved with this Metro Detroit short sale

For more on Michigan real estate go to my website www.Russravary.com  You can search over 60,000 Michigan homes for sale and many Michigan foreclosures.

have a great day!

Farmington Hills is a located northwest of Detroit in Oakland County.  Farmington Hills, MI (official site) has the biggest poplulation of all the cities in Oakland County.  Many people consider Farmington Hills as an upscale community.  Here is what is happening in Farmington Hills:

FHPD Hosts "Cops for Kids" Run  to benefit MDA on Saturday, June 7.  The Farmington Hills Police Department will host its 19th Annual 10K and 5K Run/Walk for Muscular Dystrophy on Saturday, June 7 at the Orchard Ridge Campus of Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills.

 Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the run begins at 9 a.m. The event includes a 10K race, a non-competitive 5K run, and a free one-mile fun run for kids.  The $20 entry fee includes a t-shirt, food, drinks, and a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

 Proceeds from the race will be forwarded to the MDA at their Annual Labor Day Telethon.  Over the past 18 years, the Farmington Hills Police Department has raised almost $98,000 to benefit the MDA. 

The MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases.  In addition to funding research, MDA maintains 230 clinics nationwide, including the M.I.N.D. Clinic in Farmington Hills.  The local MDA Farmington Hills District Office sends over 75 kids to summer camp each year at Camp Cavell in Lexington and also supports research at Wayne State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan.  For more information, contact the MDA's Farmington Hills office at 248-474-0235. 

To pre-register for the Run/Walk, call Police Administration at 248-871-2703 or e-mail mrichardson@fhgov.com.

For more on Farmington Hills Michigan go to my websites www.RussRavary.com or www.DetroitMichiganRealEstateHomes.com for more great local real estate, Farmington school and city info