Whether you are considering buying a house or selling one, conduct a rundown of property items.  The rundown could make all the difference in the world. Although not everything will require costly repairs, some might, which is why it’s important to be prepared. Before you head out to look at homes or put your home on the market, check these items to ensure they are properly working:

The good thing is that everything can be fixed. The bad part is that some items are costly, which is why it’s so important to ensure you keep operating systems of the home in good working order. If you are buying a house, a good inspector should find all of these items and work with the seller to ensure that most or all are taken care of. If you are selling your home, having these things working properly will put you in a much better position of getting a good price for your home.

Related Links

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  Receive Red Carpet Treatment as you sell your home| Click here

Click here to search all Ann Arbor area Michigan homes and condos with pictures and tours - FREE!

This list of fall projects is designed to help you to winterize your home and maintain your Ann Arbor Real Estate. With the cold season approaching, check out these valuable time-and money-saving tips to protect your home from damage caused by harsh winter weather. Your home is a significant investment and it is important to protect your Ann Arbor, MI assets.

In our Ann Arbor real estate market, we are more concerned about snow and ice than others. Regardless of whether weather will be an issue for you this winter, this guide contains tips for regular home maintenance that every homeowner needs to perform. This is by no means a complete list. Only you know what needs to be done. Fall is the perfect time to take a walk around you home, note problem areas and set in motion a plan to correct potential problems before they begin, small problems before they grow, and large problems before they become uncontrollable! 

Because of freezing temperatures, drain and turn off outside spigots, blow out the sprinklers. If you need a plumber to help winterize the plumbing for vacant homes in Washtenaw or Southern Livingston Counties, call us. Drain, dry and store garden hoses that you would like to use next season. Clean and store your patio furniture, gas grills and lawn equipment. Check to make sure that no critters are living in your foundation or attic. These are all simple things that you can do to make springtime more enjoyable, regardless of where you live. 

Trim Limbs. Fall is the best time of year for trimming back unruly trees. During the winter, ice can form on trees and make the limbs significantly heavier. Therefore, cut back any limbs that touch your home, or they might pose a danger to siding or windows if they become loaded with snow or ice later in the season. 

Look Through Your Windows. If your windows are foggy and cleaning them makes no difference, it is probably because a seal has been broken on multi-paned glass. The purpose of that seal is to insulate your home. With winter approaching and heating prices at an all time high, replace or repair window panes that have broken seals. If your home is on the market, remove the screens and store them - let the wonderful Michigan views in. 

Patch Cracks. Walk around your home’s exterior and look for cracks in the foundation and missing caulk around windows and other openings. Leaky windows and doors cause homes to lose heat, and they can grow as a result of ice formation in the coldest months. Fill cracks now before the weather gets colder: there are some very easy to mix cements available. 

Clean Gutter Clutter. This is perhaps one of homeowners’ least favorite chores, but unless you want to install new gutters in the spring, you need to pull out the leaves and other debris in the fall. Many manufacturers offer solutions to cover your gutters and reduce the buildup of debris. They are not foolproof, but if you hate to clean out your gutters they may be worth the investment. Don’t forget the downspouts, where ice can combine with debris to cause bursting and leaking. Gutters and downspouts were developed to keep water away from your home. If you skip this chore, you probably will spend a lot more time mopping the basement floors later in the winter, because all of that water and ice needs has to go somewhere. 

Ann Arbor Area Realtors know how to spot the difference between well-maintained and neglected homes. Some of the most common areas of neglect are those listed above. Homes that are well-maintained and properly winterized are a hot commodity! Don’t risk your investment by being lax in your upkeep. In just one or two weekends, you can complete all of the items described above. Your home deserves it.

Avoid Paying Too Much When Buying a New Home

Buying a new home is a major investment no matter which way you look at it. But for many homebuyers, it’s an even more expensive process than it needs to be.  Many buyers fall prey to, at least, a few of many common and costly mistakes.  These mistakes can trap the buyer into:

1. Paying too much for the home they want
2. Losing their dream home to another buyer
3. Buying the wrong home for their current needs

A Few Other Tidbits of Helpful Information

Many home buyers are under the false impression that if they deal with the builder directly they’ll receive a better deal…WRONG!  A Realtor’s commission is, usually, already factored into the new home sales price.  The only difference is that you’ll have someone on your side, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

1. The builder’s sales staff works for the builder and he/she is looking out for the builder, not you
2. A VIP Buyer’s Agent represents you, and your best interest! Best of all there is no charge for our services
3. The home sales price will not change if you use our services. Price remains the same whether you have an agent or not
   

Related Links

The Buyer Process | Click here

The Buyer Seminar| Click here
           Making Your Home Buying Dreams Come True
The Buyer Agency | Click here
           A Buyer Representative works solely for you
The Home Buying Process | Click here
           Walking step-by-step through the process

Finally, Come to the Ann Arbor Monthly Home Buyer’s Seminar!

Sometimes when I list a house, I may find that there are surprises the seller may not know about.  If you’re buying a home in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, you should receive a preliminary title policy from the title company within a few days of signing the sales contract.

This is the title company committing to issue title insurance subject to the terms inside the policy.

It begins with a page called “Schedule A.”  Schedule A describes who will be insured, to what amount, and legally describes the property on which they’ll issue title insurance.  The Seller usually pays for a title policy in the amount of the sale price to insure clear title to the Buyer.  The Buyer pays for a title policy required by the lender, in the amount of the loan.

It continues with "Schedule B, Section 1".  This describes the requirements that must be met before the title policy is issued.  Typically in this section, you see the Seller’s loans that must be paid off, any taxes due, anything that must be satisfied before the policy can be issued.  This is a must-read section.  Sometimes, there’s an odd lien or requirement that you need to find out about sooner rather than later.

"Schedule B, Section 2" are exceptions to the title policy - things the title policy will not cover.  Usually, this list includes the recorded easements, future tax liens, etc.

Issues do surface. Some times we find gas and oil leases that may be defunct so we will contact the gas company to remove this.  Sometimes we find a mortgage has not been discharged even though it was paid off.  There may be a road assessment that needs to be disclosed.  There may be a tax lien that one of the Sellers does not even know is on the home.  There have been improper legal descriptions. Previous title policies may have missed easements. Finding out about these issues early allows them to be addressed. If you don’t understand what you see, you can always ask your agent, attorney or title agent to explain it to you.  We align with Liberty Title and have access to Harvard undergrad and U of M Law grad Tom Richardson, owner, who is extremely valuable.

Whether you are buying your first home or your 10th home, it is not an easy process, but that is ok, we are here to help.  Contact me anytime.

Kathy Toth and Team
Keller Williams Realty
2144 S. State St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Phone: (734) 669-0337
Fax: (734) 661-4315
info@KathyToth.com

Related Links
Real Estate Process Explained | Click here
           This report explains in details the entire process of buying real estate

Hands on Museum? It’s in Kerrytown.

Zingerman’s? Yep, that’s Kerrytown too.

Kerrytown Market and Shops owner Joe O’Neal made a conscious decision to rent space to locally-owned businesses – to choose a Sweetwater’s over a Starbucks – for example. It’s just one of those things that has helped preserve the historic neighborhood’s unique character.

The Kerrytown District is part of what used to be an African-American neighborhood, and Relyea says its history includes a lot of Underground Railroad activity.

Relyea opened the Kerrytown Concert House in 1984, converting the pre-Civil War house, one of the oldest in the neighborhood, into a 100-sea performance venue, with teaching space upstairs. The Concert House hosts everything from theater groups to kids’ piano recitals to an avant garde jazz festival in October.

Lest you doubt that there’s always something interesting going on in Kerrytown, on August 21 the Kerrytown District Association sponsored "Nash Bash"– a mini country music festival complete with beer, barbecue and performers from Nashville. Nash Bash was rounded out by "Trunk-A-Palooza," a garage sale where people sold things out of their car trunks.

I love to take a break from the Ann Arbor Real Estate Market to explore the unique shops and grab a bite to eat; I invite you to explore and let me know what your favorite is.

When Ari Weinzweig (663-9304) and Paul Saginaw (913-0059) opened Zingerman’s Delicatessen in an old, brick building in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown District back in 1982, they had two employees, five stools at the counter and no idea this thing would grow so big.

Today, Zingerman’s shares its name with a family of Ann Arbor area businesses that all build in some way upon the original plan - providing great food in a service-oriented atmosphere that is not only good for customers, but also for employees, the community and the environment.

The original deli outgrew the confines of its home at 422 Detroit St., absorbing the house next door and the space between the two buildings, which now provides sunny outdoor seating.  Zingerman’s Next Door sells pastries, chocolate and baked goodies, along with coffee roasted by Zingerman’s Coffee Company, and when Weinzweig is in, you can often find him at his desk – a table tucked in a sunlit corner near the back door.  Back in the original deli, you can find big, serious sandwiches with names like Mary’s Commute, Wayne’s Inheritance, and The Ferber Experience.  Zingerman’s Bakehouse supplies the handmade bread, and the cheese comes from Zingerman’s Creamery, where they also make gelato.  A true foodie mecca, Zingerman’s constantly strives to be better, whether that means fresher, more authentic ingredients or better service. Its customers reap the rewards.

The Zingerman’s empire also includes Zingerman’s Roadhouse, home of the best ribs in town, Zingerman’s catering and a mail order business. Zing Train is Zingerman’s customer service consulting firm, and Bake! a hands-on teaching bakery with classes for adults, kids and families.

When I have hosted REALTOR luncheons, I pick up deli trays from Zingerman’s and don’t mind if I have leftovers.  My all time favorite is pastrami and their brownies.  What is your favorite?

ORLANDO, FL—Kathy Toth of Keller Williams in Ann Arbor recently returned from attending the top educational opportunity offered in the real estate industry, the STAR POWER Annual Conference.

Presented by internationally acclaimed educator and trainer, Howard Brinton, this Conference brought together over 1,500 of the most progressive, forward-thinking professionals in real estate today to share their methods of success. The faculty consisted of 170 of the continent’s top-producing real estate professionals, all ranking in the top 1% of all REALTORS in North America.

Kathy Toth, a REALTOR with Keller Willliams, had this to say about the experience: “This Conference and the STAR POWER Systems have armed me with the best tools available to provide the highest quality of service to my clients. In addition, I continue to build a tremendous network for referring my clients to the best agents all over the country when they’re considering a move or looking to buy a second home. I also received invaluable insight on the benefit of operating from a business philosophy, and incorporating the latest technology to keep me on the cutting edge.” 

As a part of the Conference, Kathy received information for consumers about the top six mistakes that sellers can make when selling a home, as well as a questionnaire for evaluating and hiring a real estate professional. As a public service, Kathy has decided to make these two reports available at no charge. Anyone wanting this information can check the reports on www.KathyToth.com, call 734-669-0337 or e-mail the request to info@KathyToth.com. Or they may drop by the Keller Williams Ann Arbor Market Center, located at 2144 S State Street  Ann Arbor, MI.

 Support local Michiganders and delight in surprise offerings

I love to go to the markets in our area; you can’t beat the quality of really fresh food.  Ann Arbor Farmers Market Manager Molly Notarianni suggests shopping without a list – it’ll help you stay flexible to take advantage of the wonderful and unexpected. If you’re looking for something special, call the manager.

The 150-vendor farmer’s market in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown (315 Detroit St) has been around since 1918 and is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays (hours?). Come early for the best selection, or shop for bargains at the end of the day. Most vendors appreciate cash.  For information call 734-994-3276.

There’s another Ann Arbor market in the Zingerman’s Roadhouse parking lot at the corner of Jackson and Maple Roads. It runs Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 19 through September 25. This Westside Farmers’ Market provides farm fresh local produce, meat, plants and artisan foods. Jen Salisbury can tell you more at 734-665-9399.

The Dexter Farmers Market in beautiful Downtown Dexter (8140 Main Street) overlooks Mill Creek and Warrior Creek Park. You can pick up fruits, vegetables, herbs, jams, baked goods, flowers, plants and handmade crafts. The market is open Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Tuesdays 4 p.m.-7 p.m. For more details call Courtney Nicholls 734-426-8303.

The Chelsea Farmers Market started in 1990 and is open May through October, Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m.-noon on Chelsea’s Park Street. There’s a variety of produce – including organic - from local farms, along with farm-raised meat & eggs. You’ll also find flowers, plants, shrubs and trees, home-baked breads, pies and cookies, fresh honey, homemade jams and local art and crafts. Your contact is Debbie Rydzon.

The Bushel Basket farmer’s market is open on Wednesdays from May-October, 2:30-5:30 p.m. on the Chelsea Community Hospital campus. Joan Lutchka, (517) 522-4596, can tell you more.

Michigan.gov has a great farm produce calendar that’ll also tell you what each market carries.  Other search sites for markets are Farmers Market Search and Celebrate Michigan Farmers Markets!  Let’s keep it local and support our buddies.   If you know of others, let us know via comments below so we can all visit and support our local vendors.

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For street view from Google maps, click here

How To Use The Web To Find The Lowest Rates | Click here
According to recent surveys, the Internet has been used for more than 50% of the general adult online population when it comes to shopping for the best mortgage rates. Learn why so many people are using this method.

Loans, Mortgages, And Financing Options | Click here
While shopping for a home is exciting, it also means you need to do some research to find the best loan. Finding a good loan can make a huge difference in your monthly payment as well as the overall process. Here are some tips to help you along your way…

Mortgage Rates
U.S. averages as of June 26, 2008:

30 yr. fixed:   6.45%
15 yr. fixed:   6.04%
1 yr. adj:        5.99%
30 yr. jumbo:  6.98%

View current rates

This is an article titled Fearing Foreclosure?  Consider  a Short Sale that I found in the Broker Agent News…it is a great article, full of great info on Short Sales. 

Below find a short summary of the article written By Bobbi Dempsey.  If you need more, click here to read Short Sale Can Prevent Foreclosure in its entirety

If you are one of the many homeowners who have fallen behind on your mortgage payments and you don’t see any way to avoid foreclosure, a short sale may offer you the least painful way to resolve the situation.

What’s in it for a seller?
Obviously, the ideal scenario would be that you magically catch up on your mortgage payments and keep your home. But for an increasing number of Americans, that is not a realistic possibility, so it’s to your advantage to take an active role. This is what a short sale is all about — resolving the problem, as opposed to simply hiding from your lender and hoping the issue will go away or, worse, walking away from the property.

Two short-sale killers
Before you even start considering getting involved in a short sale, there are two situations in which an attempt at a short sale is almost certain to fail.

The lender’s motivation
Why would your lender let you walk away from the home and forgive the shortfall on your loan? To save time and money. Foreclosures are expensive and time-consuming for lenders. Once the lender realizes that a foreclosure is inevitable, a short sale may seem like the lesser of two evils. Plus, short sales help the lender look good on paper — the property was never listed as an actual foreclosure, which helps the lender’s numbers.

By Bobbi Dempsey • Bankrate.com 

Related Links to help Sellers Sell
Advertising Your Home | Click here
The more your home is advertised, the more people will know it’s for sale, which increases the chance of it being sold quickly. What method of advertisement do you use? Discover what methods we find most productive, maximize on the exposure of your home.

How To Sell Your Home | Click here
There are nine steps in selling a home. If you are one of the many having problems selling your home then this article is for you.

More Ann Arbor Area Short Sales and Foreclosure Info
Ann Arbor Short Sales
Distressed Sales on Ann Arbor Real Estate