Community and Real Estate News in Macomb County Michigan

2010-11-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

A REAL CHRISTMAS TREE FOR CHRISTMAS

It's not too early to start thinking about getting that Christmas Tree! As a family, we have always gotten a real Christmas Tree! There is nothing like going to cut it down, or sometimes just going to pick it out (the easy way out). The 'Christmas Tree Rash' is only temporary from wrapping the lights on the tree. Also, sweeping (not vacuuming) up the tree needles after the tree is taken out the door when Christmas is over is not so bad. Even picking out the Charlie Brown tree has occurred in our family. It's hard to tell the kids that the one they have their heart set on is crooked, too short or too tall. You just seem to make it work somehow when you get it home. As the kids get older, it's harder to drag them out to get the tree together, but hopefully they will remember these times when they have kids or a home of their own. I was told by my parents that we even experienced the tree falling over when I was younger! It's all part of the 'real tree' experience. You don't have to get the most expensive one. It's all about picking it our together, decorating it together, and being able to enjoy the ambiance of it together afterwards! Enjoy Christmas this year and your tree!
I've posted some tree farms on the link below! Why not plan a family trip to find your Christmas Tree this year!
http://wdiv.cityvoter.com/4-the-best-guide/shopping/christmas-tree-farm

2010-11-04T09:37:00.000-04:00

ICICLES LOOK PRETTY - BUT THEY ARE HURTING YOUR HOME  - ICE DAMS

I found this valuable information from This Old House and wanted to share it. Ice Dams have become a growing problem in our area and can be remedied with some attention. Ice Dams are caused by the inside of the attic being too warm and the edge of the attic where the soffit vents are is too cold. This causes the melting snow to freeze at the bottom of the roof when it hits the cold air again. Not correcting this issue can cause the roof shingles to lift and further down the road to leaking inside the house when the icicles start to melt.

Stopping ice dams is simple, in principle: Just keep the entire roof the same temperature as the eaves. You do that by increasing ventilation, adding insulation, and sealing off every possible air leak that might warm the underside of the roof By taking care of these trouble spots, listed here in order of priority, you should enjoy a winter free of dams and use less energy to boot.

1. Ventilate Eaves And Ridge

A ridge vent paired with continuous soffit vents circulates cold air under the entire roof. Both ridge and soffit vents should have the same size openings and provide at least 1 square foot of opening for every 300 square feet of attic floor. Place baffles at the eaves to maintain a clear path for the airflow from the soffit vents.

2. Cap the Hatch

An unsealed attic hatch or whole-house fan is a massive opening for heat to escape. Cover them with weatherstripped caps made from foil-faced foam board held together with aluminum tape.

3. Exhaust to the Outside

Make sure that the ducts connected to the kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents all lead outdoors through either the roof or walls, but never through the soffit.   Many times on inspections these are found to be vented right into the attic because the homeowner did not do it properly.

4. Add Insulation

More insulation on the attic floor keeps the heat where it belongs. To find how much insulation your attic needs, check with your local building department.

5. Install Sealed Can Lights

Old-style recessed lights give off great plumes of heat and can't be insulated without creating a fire hazard. Replace them with sealed "IC" fixtures, which can be covered with insulation.

6. Flash Around Chimneys

Bridge the gap between chimney and house framing with L-shaped steel flashing held in place with unbroken beads of a fire-stop sealant. Using canned spray foam or insulation isn't fire safe.

7. Seal and Insulate Ducts

Spread fiber-reinforced mastic on the joints of HVAC ducts and exhaust ducts. Cover them entirely with R-5 or R-6 foil-faced fiberglass.

8. Caulk Penetrations

Seal around electrical cables and vent pipes with a fire-stop sealant. Also, look for any spots where light shines up from below or the insulation is stained black by the dirt from passing air.

Just doing some preventive maintenance can save you money and time in the long run. Having a checklist for general maintenance for every season would help to create a happy home!

Home Inspection Nightmares

2010-10-20T13:53:00.000-04:00

A relative sent these examples of bad home inspections to me from the This Old House website. Some homeowners don't believe that what they've done is either not up to code or unsafe! They just want to fix it so it works!

Also, many buyers of foreclosed homes come across these problems that they would have never know to look for in the first place. Just goes to show that a home inspection is well worth the money!

Hopefully none of these are familiar to you! Enjoy! :)

Home Inspection Nightmares XVIII Photos Home & Real Estate This Old House

The Dash Movie | The Dash Movie

2010-10-18T15:06:00.001-04:00

This is a beautiful way to realize that life is short and you really need to pay attention to what you do every day because it truly does make an impact. Please take the time to watch this short and be ready to start living life to the fullest! Have a Great Day!

The Dash Movie The Dash Movie

Cider Mills In Macomb County

2010-10-11T09:33:00.003-04:00

Cider Mills are a big event in Michigan in the fall. I've attached a list of all of the Mills and Farms in Macomb County and the surrounding areas. What a great thing to do on a nice fall weekend! Some of the orchards will even take a hay ride out to the apple trees where you can pick apples yourself! Some also show the history of the mill and how apple cider is actually made. Also, you can enjoy the surrounding nature and the changing colors of the trees! Don't forget to get your pumpkin! They also have all kinds of fruits, vegetables and baked goods (homemade donuts)! Yum! I would highly recommend getting out to do this visit during the fall season! Have Fun!

http://www.michigan.org/Things-to-Do/Attractions/Farms-and-Mills/Default.aspx?city=G3267&sort=asc&ln=50

What was a memory of yours from apple picking or the cider mill?

Home Energy Saving Tips - Home 101

2010-09-30T08:42:00.000-04:00

Vacant Homes and Home Owner's Insurance

2010-08-09T23:46:00.000-04:00

Is your home currently up for sale? Let's say that you have moved on and your home is now vacant. You could be putting yourself at risk and not even know it. There are so many vacant homes on the market for sale it is unreal. Some people have moved on, married, relocated or just have left their home and have it listed as a short sale. Be very cautious. If something happens to your home where you would need to make an insurance claim, you might be in for a big surprise. You need to review your current homeowner's insurance policy. Some policies have a 'vacancy clause' that states that if your home is not currently being lived in, your policy may not be valid. What if someone breaks in? What if there's a fire? What is something is damaged? It may be too late to do anything about it. The other sad note is that there are not too many insurance companies that will issue a high risk vacant coverage. If they do, it is at a higher cost. At least investigate now before it's too late! See the attached link for more tips!

http://rismedia.com/lowes/8355/9565%22%3EVacant Homes Pose Insurance Risks

10 Tips to Better Lawn Maintenance

2010-07-20T22:13:00.000-04:00

I Came Across This Information and I Thought I Would Share These Tips

Brought to you by and sponsored by Lowes

10 Tips to Better Lawn Maintenance

By Stephanie Andre

RISMEDIA, July 20, 2010--Taking care of your lawn and garden is time-consuming, there's no doubt. But, in order to have the lawn you want -- and keep it healthy -- you either need to hire someone to help you out or allocate the time necessary to getting it done the right way.

Here are 10 ways to keep your lawn healthy and happy:

1. Remove leaves and sticks. A chipper/shredder canconvert most small lawn debris to usable mulch or compost.

2. Prune dead or diseased limbs from trees and shrubs. Deadhead or remove spent annuals.

3. Clean up any edging that has started to look ragged from contact with mower blades or encroaching turfgrass. A power edger can quickly create clean lines.

4. Wash the driveway. Seal an asphalt drive if needed and if you have time. Concrete drives can be sealed, patched or cleaned also.

5. Clean the house itself, including brick or siding that are mildewed and areas of the foundation where rain may have splashed up mud. A pressure washer can make quick work of a cleaning job. Make sure you use the proper nozzle to avoid damaging siding.Clean gutters and downspouts, too (inside and out).

6. Add a new layer of mulch to the planting beds and paths. For an even quicker fix, stir up existing mulch to make it look fresh.

7. Add containers with in-season flowering or foliage plants. These will help to draw the eye away from the spots you'd rather not have people looking at.

8. Clean and seal your deck, especially if your gathering will take place outdoors.

9. Install low-voltage lighting for security and to highlight your home's best features.

10. Build simple enclosures for the service areas such as trash cans and utilities. Lattice or fence panels can be installed relatively quickly.

WHAT SELLS A HOME QUICKER???? Check Out These Helpful Tips!

2010-07-12T22:48:00.001-04:00

1. Great Curb Appeal - If the seller doesn’t like the outside, they may never get in to see the inside. Experts say that most buyers make their decision at first sight. Always provide inside pictures and any additional "interesting" photos that differentiates your home or unique charteristics of your home (i.e. hardwood floors, ceramic tile, customized tile in the bathroom, your tennis court...) Don't forget the basement, even if it's finished or not.

2. Flexible Showing Access
a. Use a Lockbox
b. Try to not put any restrictions on showings
c. Sometimes showings are last minute. Try to keep home ready to show.

3. Making the Home “Showable”
a. Keep it Clutter Free and Clean. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just get into a daily routine of straightening up. Your Realtor would rather have you show it, than to wait until it's perfect. You may never get that buyer to walk through again. They will move on to the next home.
b. Make sure that everything is in working order. Buyers love to point out cracks, missing pieces, broken tiles, stains in carpet. Try to give them only the good things to point out. They will wonder what hidden items are badly taken care of if you allow the most visual items to be seen damaged.
c. Provide Pleasant Odors. Don’t overdo it. People will wonder what you are trying to hide. Have someone else come through your home and ask them what do they smell... your cat, your last night's dinner, the full garbage can, nothing?
d. Present Neutral Colors. You may need to consider a fresh coat of paint. This will make everything appear new and clean. Buyers also tend to frown upon too much wallpaper. Not a task they want to take on right away. Usually all they see is, "oh no, I'm going to have to pull down ALL of that wallpaper!"
e. Pay Attention to Detail.
f. Clean off kitchen counters. Keep only what’s necessary. The kitchen and the bathroom are key rooms that people will be looking at. Impress them! What is your first impression when you walk into a room? Why do you want them to notice your "stuff" instead of the details and space of the home?
g. Closets, cupboards and even your refrigerator may be opened. Try to keep them clean, organized and smelling clean.

**Ask someone to walk through your home as a potential buyer and look at your home with “buyer’s eyes”. What do they see as a detriment? What can be made more appealing? What needs to be cleaned? What needs to be repaired? What smells? Is it too dark?

4. Price Home Near Fair Market Value - You will want to have a good price on your home when it is “fresh” on the market. This is when the most people will be looking at your home as a prospect. If your home is priced too high for the area, they will never come to see it; even if you have the nicest home on the block. Price is one of the first search criteria buyer's use to find a home. And, everyone is looking for a deal!

5. Offer Incentives (What differentiates your home? What will draw buyers to your home? You can also put an expiration on an incentive to create a sense of urgency.)
a. Home Warranty
b. Seller Concessions
c. Pre-Inspection
d. Lawn Cutting Service
e. Cleaning Service
f. Special Price for a Limited Time (One Day Only?) and then Price Goes Back

Keeping a home “showable” is a lot of work. Hopefully your home will only be for sale for a short period. Anything you do to make your home more marketable will be worth it. Remember to highlight key areas of your home that makes it unique. Listen to your Realtor. He/She does this on a daily basis. You may have fresh ideas to share, but listen to theirs as well. Selling a home should be a "team effort"!

PROPERLY PRICING YOUR HOME

Setting the proper asking price for your home is one of the main factors involved in your home’s sale. (Location, Price, Condition)

If you price your home too low, you will literally give away thousands of dollars that could have been in your pocket.

Price your home too high, and your home may sit unsold for months. A home on the market too long will emit to potential buyers that there must be something wrong with your home.

• What you paid for your property does not affect its value
• An appraisal does not always indicate what your property is worth
• The SEV (State Equalized Value) does not always determine a home’s price

Your home’s sale price is determined by recent sales (usually within 6 months) in your area and what buyers are willing to pay for your home. Buyers determine value.

You house can be listed at any price. If you want to sell it, it needs to be at a price that will sell. Remember the old adage, your home is only worth what someone will pay!

Does Your Realtor Inform You About Title Insurance?

2010-05-27T15:57:00.000-04:00

The Title Search, The Title Policy & The Loan Policy ~ Do I Need Them When Buying A Home?

What is The Title Search?
After your offer has been accepted, the title company will perform a search on the property to look for any problems with the home's title. Some simple problems can be corrected before you get to the closing table. This search typically reviews public records and land records going back many years. Some problems could be contractor liens, tax liens or IRS liens on the property.

Why Does Someone Need an Owner's Title Policy?
Even though a title search was done on the property before closing, title problems can occur afterwards. To help protect the new owner, it is recommended that a Title Policy be purchased. This is a one-time fee paid at closing and usually issued in the amount of the real estate purchase. Title Insurance protects the owner and their heirs for as long as they have an interest in the property.

Receiving an Owner's Title Policy isn't always an automatic part of the purchase transaction and, depending on what was negotiated, can be paid by either the buyer or the seller. If the owner has no title insurance, any problems that are found on the title after closing, could be the complete responsibility of the new owner.

What is The Lender's Title Insurance For?
The Loan Policy is usually required by most lenders if you are getting a mortgage for the purchase of your new home. This also is usually based on the purchase price of the home. This policy only covers the lender and not the buyer if there are any problems that are found on the title after closing. This is also usually a buyer's cost at closing.

Now You Know!
(As always, check with your specific Realtor, Lender, Title Comany or Attorney for your specific situation.)

Check our this link to Capital Title Insurance Agency (A Part of Real Estate One's Team) to get more information about Titlework.

http://www.homeclosing101.org/whyneed.cfm

How Can I Prepare Myself For Buying A Home?????

2010-05-12T21:13:00.000-04:00

BE PREPARED!

Your goal and your Realtor's goal is to have a smooth and pain free home buying process! Yes they do happen! Being prepared is a big part of it! Some questions/suggestions for your preparation could be:

1. CAN I AFFORD TO BUY A HOME?

First, talk with a lender to see if your credit, work history and money available qualifies you to be able to buy a home.
          *What is the down payment amount I need?
               (3% - 10% or even up to 25% if you are buying as investor)
          *What Interest Rate will I be paying?
          *Do I need to worry about property taxes when searching for
           homes?
          *What other closing costs can I expect to pay?  (i.e. taxes and
            homeowners insurance for 1 year of escrow, title company
          fees, mortgage fees.  These need to be paid at closing.)

If you are paying CASH, be prepared to show proof that you have the funds available (copy of bank statement, liquid funds...) NOTE: These funds usually have to be in the buyer's name.

2. WHAT LOCATION DO I WANT TO LOOK IN?

          *Do I need to be close to work, family?
          *Do I need to buy in a particular school district or do they offer
           school of choice?
          *Is the area growing or declining?
          *Is the home located near airports, railroad tracks, freeways
           or industrial areas?
          *Visit the area at different times of the day.
          *Talk with the neighbors-they usually are more than willing to
            share the neighborhood scoop!
          *Visit the neighborhood police station.

3. KNOW YOUR "HAVE TO HAVES" AND "LIKE TO HAVES" IN A HOME!

           What style are you looking for?
           How many bedrooms, bathrooms, do you want a garage
          or basement?
           What about the lot size or the square footage of the home?
NOTE: The more information you can give your REALTOR, the faster your buying process will be.

4. START SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET

          *Become familiar with selling prices and how long homes have
            been on the market. Are there a lot of foreclosures in the
           area?  Are homes selling quickly?

5. FIND A REALTOR TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR SEARCH

           *Realtors have access to all the listings on the market. Most
            buyer's agents do not charge a fee for their services and
            most get their commission paid by the seller. It would be
            in your best interest to have a buyer's agent. They will
            present an offer and negotiate it on your behalf. If you
           don't understand - JUST ASK THEM! That's their job.   :)

Be prepared with your pre-approval letter or proof of funds and deposit when writing an offer. Most sellers will require these, and time is of the essence! If you find that home you've been searching for and then need to get your financing in order, it may be too late! Sellers won't wait if other offers are coming their way! A prepared buyer usually has an advantage!

If you are prepared and know what you want, your home buying process will be a lot easier! Bring some patience! Buying a home is very stressful and a big decision! Good Luck!

FREE Radon Test Kits if you Live In Macomb County

2010-02-05T15:32:00.000-05:00

Macomb County Public Health Radon In The Home

Research shows that the air within homes and buildings can be more polluted than outdoor air. The average person spends approximately 90% of their time indoors. A potential indoor air pollutant of concern is radon.

What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas. It is formed during the breakdown of uranium, which is found in nearly all soils and rock. Radon ranks among the most serious environmental health problems facing our nation today.

How does radon get indoors?

High levels of radon in the soil are primarily responsible for indoor radon problems. Radon seeps into homes through gaps or cracks in the foundation floor or walls, sump pits, drains or other openings. Once confined in an enclosed space such as a home, it can accumulate to unhealthy levels.

What are the health risks?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that residential radon exposure is responsible for 7,000 to 30,000 lung cancer deaths per year. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has an elevated radon level, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

How do you find out if radon is a problem in your home?

Data indicates that in Macomb County approximately 5 - 10% of the homes will have elevated radon levels. Since radon is odorless and invisible, the only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test for it. Testing is easy and inexpensive. Do-it-yourself test kits are accurate and readily available at most hardware and home improvement stores. Test kits are also available, free of charge, to all Macomb County residents at the following Health Department locations:

Central Health Center                                    Southwest Health Center
43525 Elizabeth Road                                    27690 Van Dyke
Mt. Clemens, MI 48043                                   Warren, MI 48093
586-469-5236                                               586-465-8030

The Macomb County Health Department encourages all residents to test their home for radon.

What can you do if your home has a radon problem?

A variety of methods are used to reduce radon levels in homes. The cost of making repairs depends on the design of your home and the extent of the radon problem. The average house costs about $1,200 to fix, although repairs can range from about $500 to $2500. Contact the Macomb County Health Department to obtain a list of contractors that have completed federal and/or state radon remediation training programs.

If you have any questions, call us at 586-469-5236, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Other Resources
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
http://www.michigan.gov/deqradon
Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/

Reposted with Permission from the Macomb County Health Department

Do It Yourself Pet Wash in Warren Michigan

2010-02-01T09:57:00.000-05:00

DO IT YOURSELF PET WASH IN WARREN

I've driven by this place many times, and I finally stopped and took a picture of it! I'm sure some of you have seen this, but for those of you that haven't..... here it is! This is a pet wash business that is attached to a do-it-yourself car wash. You bring your pet to this do-it-yourself Pet Wash, put coins in the machine, and wash your pet! I think it's a great idea! No dog hair in the tub! I think the only other solution someone needs to come up with is some kind of wrap to bring the wet dog home in your car or some type of dryer ! Good creative thinking and Good Luck with your business!

Part Sink - Part Toilet

2010-01-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

I came across this ad in our Realtor.org magazine and I couldn't resist posting it!

Echohaus is the company and they are trying to promote this fixture to help with environmental concerns with wasting water. You are able to wash your hands in the sink, the water then travels into the toilet's tank and then you can flush! They state that water consumption is reduced by 40-70%! http://www.ecohaus.com/

BENEFITS OF HOME OWNERSHIP!

2010-01-16T23:34:00.003-05:00

Should I buy a Home? Should I buy a Home Now?

The answer is simply YES!

Home Ownership Offers Great Benefits:

1. Mortgage Interest is Tax Deductible

2. Real Estate Taxes are Tax Deductible

3. Unlike Rent, a Portion of Every Mortgage Payment Builds Equity

4. Rents May Increase, Mortgage Payments Usually Do Not

5. Home Ownership Can Improve Your Credit Rating

6. Owning a Home Helps Plant Roots in a Community

7. There is More Privacy and Usually More Space in a Home

The pride that comes with home ownership, along with the freedom to decorate and organize your environment to your taste are perhaps the biggest benefits of all!