Farmington Hills Real Estate and Events talk Michigan

Novi foreclosures

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:38:58 -0500

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.

Novi foreclosures

LIST PRICE	STREET NAME	SQUARE FOOTAGE	BEDROOMS	BATHS.LAVS	YEAR BUILT
$90,000	CLARK	1240	2	1	9999
$94,000	TAFT	1698	3	1.1	1954
$96,900	BORDERHILL	2026	3	2.1	1956
$102,000	LINHART	1634	3	2	1985
$109,900	HEATHERBRAE	1440	3	2	1971
$148,900	LINHART	1200	3	1	1985
$149,900	QUINCE	1420	3	1.1	1960
$225,000	PETROS	2046	4	2.1	1985
$274,900	ADDINGTON	3435	4	3.1	1993
$299,900	HAVERGALE	2700	4	2.1	1998
$429,900	SUNDAY	4265	4	3.2	2003
$799,900	CARMELA	5803	4	3.2	2008

More Novi real estate information

City of Novi data

Novi MI real estate

Novi Subdivisions

Search Novi homes for sale

Listing information courtesy of RealComp II Ltd.

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So many people have helped you over the years. Take time today to thank those around you. They will appreciate it. Sometimes a simple "thanks for all you have done" will put a smile on the persons face that lasts all day.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Irish bars - Irish taverns Plymouth Michigan

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:38:15 -0600

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.

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Wixom homes for sale 4173 Warrington Dr Wixom Michigan

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:11:34 -0600

Currently there are 39 Wixom homes for sale and and 22 Wixom condos listed for sale. 4173 Warrington Wixom Michigan is a beautiful home that was once a builders model. Check out the pictures and if you want to see more call or email me.

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

Search Oakland County MI Homes for sale

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Canton homes for lease

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:40:04 -0600

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

LIST PRICE	STREET NAME	SQUARE FOOTAGE	BEDROOMS	BATHS.LAVS	YEAR BUILT
1375	PRESTBURY RD	1314	3	2	1986
1400	FLEET	1449	3	1.1	1972
1450	SHELDON	1577	4	3	1978
1500	HILLSBORO	1826	4	1.1	1972
1600	WOODMONT E	1765	3	2.1	1991
1650	BURGUNDY	2259	4	2.1	1978
1650	BURGUNDY	2298	4	2.1	1976
1650	METALINE	2210	4	2.3	1991
1700	RIVER MEADOW	2339	4	2.1	1997
1700	PARKLAWN	2246	4	2.1	1994
1750	SHERWOOD	2600	4	2.1	1998
1750	WOODS	2180	3	2.1	1997
1795	HENDRIE	2925	4	2.1	2001
1900	POND	2583	4	2.1	1999
1950	AMANDA CT	2337	3	2.1	1999
1950	LABANA	3100	4	3.1	1999
2000	ADRIANA	2569	4	2.1	2003
2000	BUNKERHILL	1814	4	2.1	1973

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

White Lake water front real estate Oakland County MI

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:44:35 -0600

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.

LIST PRICE	STREET NAME	SQUARE FOOTAGE	BEDROOMS	BATHS.LAVS	YEAR BUILT
$800 for lease	JACKSON	600	1	1	1957
$169,000	TES	2042	3	2	1972
$199.999	TES	1369	2	1.1	1974
$209,900	TES	1767	4	2	1977
$229,900	CHAPIN	1237	3	3	1987
$319000	LAKEVIEW	3257	4	2.1	1952
$1,850,000	LOCKWOOD	10355	4	5.3	1993

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

ADDRESS	LIST PRICE	SALE PRICE	SQUARE FOOTAGE	SP PER SQFT	CLOSED DATE	DOM
4221 LAKE GROVE CT	110000	80000	800	100	7/22/2009	8
3660 LAKEVIEW DR	80000	80000	1282	62.4024	2/10/2010	84
3939 JACKSON BLVD	109999	96000	1303	73.6761	9/30/2009	27
3720 WOODLAND DR	200000	155000	2523	61.4347	11/10/2009	145
3851 WOODLAND	175000	175000	1468	119.2098	9/3/2009	304
4314 JACKSON BLVD	179900	179000	1008	177.5793	12/4/2009	15
3901 WOODLAND DR	248000	248000	2286	108.4864	12/11/2009	333
1927 GROVE	269000	255000	1364	186.9501	1/5/2010	1
4025 WOODLAND DR	280000	269900	1769	152.572	10/26/2009	62
3026 WHITE OAK BCH	359900	331500	2730	121.4285	10/20/2009	134
2531 RIDGE RD	449900	385000	2339	164.6002	3/5/2010	196
2177 RIDGE RD	499000	400000	3300	121.2121	9/9/2009	28
3691 ORMOND RD	485000	430000	2840	151.4084	9/3/2009	69
3099 RIDGE RD	649900	475000	3962	119.8889	3/5/2010	267

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

More Oakland County lake front real estate information

Oakland County lake homes under $150,000

School Lake Brighton MI & School Lake real estate

Cass Lake MI information

__________________________________________________________

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Farmington Hills MI happenings 3/11/2010

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:58:57 -0600

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

Michigan relocation information

Oakland County lake information

Search southeastern Michigan real estate information

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Another blog that inspired me

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:09:07 -0600

I read Bill Cherry's blog about THE WHITE LIE -- EXACTLY WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE FROM A REGULAR LIE?

As real estate agents it happens all the time. People do want free values. I had somebody ask for it on my website two days ago. I looked up the house and found out they had just bought the foreclosure. I'm sure they just wanted to affirm that they got a "deal". What they didn't realize is that it takes time to do a CMA, and to get a good true value.

But the one that gets me more is when clients use multiple real estate agents and we don't know about it. I am busy enough in life without competing unknowingly. I myself would rather spend time with my family. I would rather spend time with a client that is working exclusively with me. I don't go and tell another client about a great deal when one of my clients puts in an offer on a home. It's not ethical. I am working for that client. I work exclusively for that client and don't work against them.

I just expect the same thing. But once in a great while a client works with multiple agents. I have had them sign exclusive buyer agency contracts and then expect to be let out of the contract. I put my full energy and time into finding a client a home that fits their needs. I am willing to spend my gas, and put miles on my car in the hopes of helping them find a home.

Sometimes there are personality or time conflicts and I have no issues with us going separate ways. But I don't want to be "used". I don't want to be lied to. I don't want to find out after 3 months and seeing 25 houses that you found a house with another agent. If you want to use multiple real estate agents just be sure to let the agents know. Let the agent make the decision if they are willing to work that way.

I myself would rather spend time with my family, or with another client than do that. But each agent can make their own choice. Just don't be like the client last year that wasted my time. He would always be late. He was using multiple agents and never told me. Then he sent me this lengthy email (big lie) telling me that he was putting his search on hold. I later found out it was a lie and that he had put in an offer on a home with another agent. I think his line to me is that they were try to find the best opportunity for them

They were users. They didn't care about others people time or money invested. It was all about them. I don't want to work with people like that. I don't have time in my life for users and inconsiderate people. There are too many great people out there. I closed over fifty homes last year and I can say those clients were the salt of the earth. They were good people. I had one bad apple out of a lot of great, kind clients.

I guess I was very lucky! At fifty years old and a wife with cancer I have taken a different view on life. Life is too short to deal with jerks, users, or people that are inconsiderate. There are thousands of good clients, nice people that are honest and considerate. I'll keep working with them and leave the "others" to somebody else.

Just my take on things......

__________________________________________________________

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Want to know how to drive me crazy?

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:14:14 -0600

There is one sure way to drive me crazy if you become a client of mine. Nothing drives me crazier than not being able to get a hold of you after we submit an offer.

Once you put in an offer you need to be accessible by phone. Don't shut off your phone for hours at a time. Please check your email. Please check your voice mail. Things come up that sometimes I need to talk to you.

I had it happen today. Yesterday we put in an offer for a West Bloomfield foreclosure. They told us late yesterday we lost out on the offer. I emailed them this morning to keep us in mind and keep us as a backup offer.

Today at 5:35 in the evening they called. They had a counter offer. They wanted an answer to the counter offer tonight. I needed to be able to reach my client immediately. They wanted an answer tonight and it was already 5:35. I luckily was able to reach my client within an hour.

There has been other times my clients have disappeared off the face of the earth for over 8 hours. One client did lose out because they were unreachable. It's not unusual for the bank to demand a 24 hour response. I remember once having a client get off the subway in New York so they could get a check to overnight to me at 4:00 in the afternoon.

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Here is a home buying timeline

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:27:23 -0600

Of course no two home purchases are alike but here is a general home buying time line. It doesn't matter whether it is a Plymouth condo or a Commerce Twp lake front home.

The key to the whole purchase process is to jump and get your part done as quickly as possible. Drop what you are doing and get it done. Then you will probably wait and wait. But that is why you rush around and get your part done.

If you delay getting your part done then the whole process is delayed. The other party will add to the delay because there is "no rush".

*ACTION*	*TIMELINE*
Offer is submitted to listing agent
Counter offer/ acceptance of offer	Sometimes you hear back from the seller in hours, other times it is days. Patience is the key here. But you want to respond back quickly if you want the house. Usually you want to keep the negotiation going quickly and smoothly. Sitting back and thinking about the counter offer can sometimes sink the negotiations.
Start mortgage	Same day you get acceptance of the offer - you should have all your documents ready prior to submitting your offer to the seller
Set up inspection	Same day you get acceptance of the offer - must be done within 7 days of signing by seller. Delaying the inspection delays the appraisal, which then in turn delays the mortgage. Get the inspection done as quickly as possible, because if there are issues and negotiations needed it could slow everything up by a week or more.
Get utilities turned on	Call utilities to turn on for inspection and appraisal. A FHA appraisal requires the furnace and the hot water to be working.
Inspection	Within 7 days of signing by seller and bottom line or within the guidelines of the contract.
Inspection results	You have 2 days of the inspection to put in writing what is wrong, what you want fixed, or whether you want out of the contract.
Seller responding to your inspection results	Seller has two days to respond to fix the issues, or reduce the price after we send them inspection issues in writing
Appraisal	Mortgage company orders it after inspection passes . So a delay in inspection will delay the mortgage process.
Wait for mortgage	Can be up to a month or more.. But if mortgage company asks for something rush and get it back to them. A two or three delay by you can turn into a two week delay by the mortgage company.
Shop for insurance	About 2 weeks in, shop for insurance, pay for it and let your mortgage company know the company and contact number. We need to know closing date for insurance company to know when to start the insurance
Clear to close	Once the mortgage has been completed the mortgage company issues a clear to close and calls both the Realtors to schedule the closing
Set the closing	The listing agent and the buyer's agent talk to their clients and arrange with title company a date and time convenient to all
Lender sends documents	Lender sends documents to the title company, title company does the HUD, and the title company tells the loan officer the final number. Loan officer calls you with the final number to bring in a cashiers check to the closing..
Set up the utilities in your name	The days before closing set up utilities to switch to you on the day of closing.
Final Walk Thru	On the day of closing you walk thru the house to make sure no damage has been done to the house
Closing	Sign all the mortgage documents- takes about 1 - 1 ½ hours on the average
Congratulations you own the house

I hope this home buying timeline helps you understand what happens and when.

Search Southeastern Michigan foreclosures and get the latest listings emailed to you.

Livonia real estate and Wayne County information

Northville MI information

Farmington Hills city data

Canton relocation information

Novi MI information

Plymouth relocation information

__________________________________________________________

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

The world is changing

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:13:14 -0600

I read a blog this morning about a writer commenting that good mortgage people were leaving the business. I too have noticed that for the last two years. Some of the good guys that made over six figures left the business because the amount of business and the size of the loans have dropped off. Add to the lower refinance business it makes it tougher for any loan officer.

But that is the way of the world. Businesses change, people are no longer needed for the profession. Lets look back through this century on jobs that have disappeared.

street car drivers
buggy makers disappeared after the invention of the automobile
milkman and coal delivery men went by the wayside
typewriter salesmen and repairmen are gone now because of the computer. Remember word processors
Photo retouchers was an industry that employed many before computers and photoshop, adobe, and other computer programs

Yes it is the way of the world. Change is inevitable. I worked in the sub-prime business as a wholesale account executive for Chase Manhattan Bank. I remember whole floors of underwriters and support staff for the different sub-prime companies. I remember the extravagant parties they threw for loan officers at the conventions. I knew quite a few people that made over $200,000.

Now those offices are empty and quiet. The people have moved on to different career. Many of the jobs no longer exist. Many of the people that made $200,000 a year will never see that kind of money again. Some are making $35,000 a year now. Many of those people have lost their homes because of the changes.

Change is unevitable. Change is going to upset our lives if we live long enough.

My thought of the day is:

Life is like a roller coaster. We all do good when times are good. But the true measure of a person is how they handle life when times are tough. How will you react when life gets tough? Are you able to pick up what's left and adapt to the change? Or are you going to just complain how bad life is?

It's your choice on what road to take. Will you stay a buggy maker? Neither road is easy or smooth. But one does lead to better times!

Just my thoughts

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

I can't believe, but it happened

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:50:09 -0600

I sold a Southfield home, or should I say I helped my client buy a house with no grass. The whole yard was covered in snow for the past 2 months. We saw the house a couple of times. But I never thought of digging through the snow to check if there was grass.

But my client closed last week on the house and this week the snow has been melting. He was noticing there was pea gravel in spots where the snow melted. So he started digging in a few more spots. The whole backyard was pea gravel!!!

Who would have thought. Here in Michigan I tell my clients to pull off some of the snow to look at the roof. But I would have never thought that a whole back yard would be full of pea gravel instead of grass. This is one story for my book on real estate stories.

But my advice to anybody buying in Michigan, when there is snow on the roof is too pull a few spots off. Make sure the roof is good. A new roof on a average size house could cost up to $9000. It's always better to look at a house when it isn't snow covered. But it is extremely important for you or your home inspector to check out the condition of the roof when there is snow on it.

Search Michigan home listings

__________________________________________________________

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Short sale scams

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:44:51 -0600

Yes short sale scams are in full swing here in Southeastern Michigan. I know of one agent that does some short sales. When the bank does the BPO he tries to influence to a low ball amount. If the bank does a low BPO and then accepts that low number, the property now has a below market price that the real estate agent knows about.

Then the real estate agent has his "partner" put in an offer at the low ball price. Of course the bank accepts it. The partner buys it. Then the agent re-lists it for the "partner" after some repairs. The agent has become part of the transaction by influencing the banks appraiser for a low price and then having somebody he knows buy it at that price.

Gone are the ethics of a real estate agent. We as real estate agents are supposed to work to get the best price for our clients. The banks in short sales are our clients too. Not cheat them by having a friend of ours buy at a low price we influenced the bank to take.

THIS IS UNETHICAL. THIS IS FRAUD. This agent made $30,000 off the first deal and is in the process of making $50,000 plus off his second deal. I'm sure he will continue to do it as he is not breaking any laws. But he sure isn't working in the best interest of his clients. I'm just glad he doesn't represent me.

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

It was a beautiful day here in Southeastern Michigan

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:45:30 -0600

I don't know about you but after mid February I get tired of winter. Yes I love how the trees look after a fresh snowfall. It looks so peaceful and quiet in the morning after a snowfall. And I love being able to work or stay at home after an exceptionally big snowfall of 12 inches or more.

But about mid February winter wears me down. Michigan usually has grey skies in the winter. I am one of those people that need the sun. So a day like today with bright sunshine revives me. I love it. I think I am one of those people that need to put their face in front of a sun lamp because I am lacking sun in the winter. I need the vitamin D that the sun gives off.

When the sun comes out I get invigorated! I get energized! So thank goodness spring is just around the corner.

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Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Buy for the long term

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 08:14:51 -0600

Unfortunately the real estate market is not coming back anytime soon here in Southeastern Michigan. We are not going to see rapid appreciation in home values in the next five years. It is simply because of the economy and all the foreclosures.

All the people that have gone into foreclosure can not buy a home for at least three years. Many will never be able to buy again because the lenders guidelines have changed. Then they have to save for a larger down payment. The trend is for buyers to have at least 5% down. This is a big change for many of the home buyers that bought with no money down. So many people won't be able to buy for years to come. Less demand causes home values to remain low.

We need more buyers, more people to create more demand and higher home values. Yes home values are going to go up. But not at 5 or 10% rate in the next few years. We are going to see a slow appreciation in home values in the next five to ten years. As a metro Detroit first time home buyer or Oakland County home buyer buy for the long term. Buy for a 7 to 10 year period. Here in the Detroit area we are not going to see home buyers trading up rapidly every two or three years. The years of rapid home appreciation is gone.

So if you are planning to buy in Southeastern Michigan, think in the 7 to 10 year range. I hope that the economy and housing recover sooner but be safe. Make sure that they home you pick out can fulfill your families needs for the next 7 years.

So it doesn't matter whether you are buying Canton real estate or a Farmington Hills home the best course of action is to play it conservative. Just my thoughts.

Search Southeastern Michigan home listings and get the latest listings emailed to you so you don't miss out on the deals.

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My thought of the day is:

When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people."

Chinese proverb

__________________________________________________________

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!

Why relocate to Northville Michigan

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:47:50 -0600

Northville Michigan is a great upscale community in Western Wayne County. With a great school system, and easy access to freeways makes Northville a place to look into when researching where to live in the Metro Detroit area. What is nice about Northville is that it has a central downtown that is still vibrant.

With uniques stores and locally owned restaurants downtown Northville is a destination for both the local residents and the surronding cities. Here is a short video of downtown Northville. Now this is just an amatuer video shot by me and it definitely is not going to win an Oscar in the short film category. I just wanted to show people that are relocating to Northville or metro Detroit what Northville looks like.

Search Northville homes for sale

__________________________________________________________

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

Click on one of the pictures below to see the latest home listings

Metro Detroit has great areas to live in, email me for you package

Oakland and Livingston County are close to metro Detroit and have many all sports lakes, or peaceful waterfront properties whether you are a fisherman, boater, or just like to look out at the water.

Foreclosures have dropped off, but there are still some great deals that are getting listed. Be sure to sign up for daily or weekly email listings so you don't miss out on the deals!!!