The Colbert Report has a video that provides some sarcastic humor on the financial tsunami.  Basically if you promise to pay your mortgage, you give your word.  To honor your word, do what it takes to pay the banks, including selling body parts.  Sometime you just need to take a break from the madness, watch the video, and let me know what you think?

With the laws changing constantly, it is important to connect with a reputable Ann Arbor Real Estate lender when getting a mortgage.   There are specific risks if the good faith estimates are wrong at closing.

To buy Washtenaw County Real Estate in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline or other areas, we are eager to serve.

You may overlook the importance of a public parks system, but if you overlook the idea then you are missing out! Ann Arbor has an extensive and great parks and recreation system which benefits the community and helps it attract new residents – showing what a great relocation destination it is, offering a high quality of life for all. Asides from just green space there are many different activities which you can enjoy due to the Ann Arbor parks system, from walking, jogging or even following the bicycle trails (click here for a map!) – Washtenaw County has its great “bikeway” system.

Ok, we know that the weather isn’t exactly the best at the moment to go and enjoy the “great outdoors” but you would be surprised at what is going on in the Ann Arbor parks system – They even publish a “winter guide” for what is going on; there are even nice indoor pools for Ann Arbor residents! Not to mention golf courses, ice hockey, skating..and more!

Definitely something you should check out!

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

We have made much in the last few months about the Green Revolution! – Well, Christmas time is no exception, before the post-holiday blues set in, make a trip which will help the environment by recycling your Christmas tree.

However, most are not aware where or what to do, so the question – Where do I recycle my tree? Often comes up.

Here in Washtenaw County a drop-off station is set up at 2950 E. Ellsworth in Ann Arbor until the end of January. If you have any questions you can call them on: 734-971-7400.

Also if you are closer to Detroit you can always go to the recycling center and drop off trees from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m saturday at the recycling center, 1330 Holden St., or during the usual bulk trash collection days. You can call them if you have any questions on: 313-871-4000

Of course to save the journey next year, you could buy an artificial tree!

Remember – if you are looking to relocate to Ann Arbor in the new year please contact us.

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Schools Out! – As always happens when the kids are out of school, they get bored!

How about making that trip out into something fun AND educational.

Ann Arbor has the benefit of having a whole bunch of great museums either in the city of close by. One of the largest and most popular is the kids “Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum” whose mission is to inspire people to discover the wonder of science, math and technology. Or how about the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum which prides itself in celebrates childhood and the joy of learning by providing an interactive, hands-on environment that inspires learning and encourages self-directed exploration.

For a smaller establishment how about The Flint Children’s Museum? Which has exhibits about how things work, performing arts, health and transportation. Or perhaps the Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum in Albion which features a play bank, post office and grocery store to teach youngsters life skills, plus a climbing wall that explains the history of south-central Michigan – definitely a way for them to let off some steam!

This is just the tip of the iceberg on what is avaialble – click here to see a news article listing a few more museums within easy reach of Ann Arbor Michigan.

So rather than sitting at home this winter in Ann Arbor, get out and enjoy all that there is to offer in the area! 

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

NAR’s very own Realtors Confidence Index showed that 39% of recent buyers purchased a home with a Federal Housing Administration-insured loan. Also the number of first time homebuyers was noted in the same survey to have continued to climb to 51%.The results also indicated that distressed sales increased to 33 percent of all home sales in November.

FHA financing provides affordable mortgage financing to homeowners, particularly first time homebuyers. With Condo’s as we recently wrote about there will be some changes coming in the new year which could change the dynamics of condo sales financed using FHA insured loans; Read more here.

FHA offers such a great opportunity for buyers by allowing only 3.5% of the purchase price as a downpayment at a time when conventional loans are around 10% or more.

Things are likely to get tougher - rumours on Capitol Hill of higher downpayments for FHA and higher costs are being heard – now is the time to take advantage!

With inventory shrinking and guidelines toughening the chance of getting a great home in Ann Arbor for a great price with a great low rate 30 year fixed loan is falling fast. Take advantage of the market conditions and contact us today about getting a new home in Ann Arbor for the new year!

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

2607 Patricia, Ann Arbor Real Estate Jewell 

MOVE RIGHT IN TO THIS LOVELY WEST SIDE ANN ARBOR REAL ESTATE HOME! ALL THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE. LIGHT FILLED, ON QUIET COURT. WELCOMING LIVING ROOM WITH GLEAMING HARDWOOD FLOORS, W/B FIRPLACE AND SEPERATE ENTRY. OPEN KITCHEN WITH LARGE EATING AREA. ENJOY THE THREE SEASON PORCH FOR ADDITIONAL FUNCTION AND SPACE. GREAT FENCED YARD WITH PATIO. FRESHLY PAINTED. MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN ANN ARBOR, I94, M14 AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, NOT A SHORT SALE IN ANN ARBOR REAL ESTATE.

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Traver Lakes in northeast Ann Arbor Michigan is a great community!

This great condominum based development was constructed back in 1973 -1979 and consists of 88 units with maintenence fee’s of $277. Residents of the desirable units, due to their proximity to downtown Ann Arbor pay Ann Arbor taxes and their children attend Ann Arbor schools. The units range in size from 2-4 bedrooms, 1420-2100 square feet and 1-4 bathrooms.

The community offers all the amenities that Ann Arbor offers and is close to the University of Michigan and its downtown campus. The units are built around small ponds and creeks that feature walking trails around the development.  Garage parking is available, and a clubhouse, outdoor pool, & tennis court are maintained for recreation. This makes Traver Lakes the ideal community to relocate to in Ann Arbor!

We have a listing at 2515 Meade Ct, for sale at present in the community. You can view more on this great 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom property here.

For more on the community association you can view their master documents here.

Here is an aerial shot of the community:

Remember if you wish to purchase a home and if your are a first time homebuyer there is still time to be eligble for the tax credit!

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

With only just over 2 months remaining on what has been a wildly successful program it is no wonder that the National Association of Realtors is urging the government to keep the $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit program going!

Since its inception earlier this year, the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has brought 1.2 million new buyers into the market—350,000 of whom would not have purchased a home without the credit, according to NAR.

The credit expires November 30th – buyers have to close by that date to be eligible – and NAR are trying to get congress to extend the program into 2010 or beyond! As the current deadline for the credit looms, potential homebuyers need to complete a contract, satisfy any contingencies, secure financing and go to closing by November 30th. In today’s market, NAR estimates that it generally is taking between 45 and 60 days from contract to closing. This means that if you are a first time homebuyer you need to act now to make sure you can get in for the credit!

There are rumors that some have voiced their opinion that the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit program should be extended indefinitely or the amount be doubled etc. Also, with organizations like FHA, who have played a crucial role in helping first time homebuyers secure financing, are strengthening their financial position, it seems to make sense that congress could take advantage of the situation and extend the program.

NAR has said that in every economic downturn in the past, the housing market has lead the way in stabilization for the economy and it has been shown that this one government program has given a much needed shot in the arm for the industry and for the nation.

We will watch this space closely. In the meantime CONTACT US TODAY IF YOU ARE A FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER!

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

www.KathyToth.com Keller Williams Realty

9/11 – 8 years after the dreadful attacks on American soil we still remember those who lose their lives that fateful day.

The images broadcast that day are seared into our memory as millions across the nation remember and use what is now Patriot’s day for quiet reflection. As a nation, we will never forget.

Numerous memorial services are being held across the nation as well as in Ann Arbor. AnnArbor.com has written a touching story about a University of Michigan Football Player, who along with his family – his father a former NYPD police office on the scene can never forget 9/11 and every year is a poignant reminder of what happened.

No matter where you are, we hope that you and your family are safe and that you have time to reflect on those events just eight years ago this Patriots Day.

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Before jumping into market data, click on picture for Chelsea Tour.

As of August 31st, there were 172 active homes (down from 176) for sale ranging from 6 bedrooms to 1, 7 baths to 1 and prices from $995,000 to $29,900. The average asking list price per square feet was $137.41.
There have been 84 homes sold in Chelsea this year ranging in bedrooms from 5 to 2 and baths from 4 to 1. The largest home sold is 3800 square feet down to the smallest at 850 square feet. The average list price of the homes that sold was $190,158 and the average sold price was $179,085. This represents an average sold price per square feet of $93.43 and an average list price per square feet of $99.59. The sellers got an average of 94% of asking price. The Chelsea Real Estate Market from August 06 to July 09 is graphed below with the wide sold price swings displayed. As far as August sales data goes, average sold prices were $146,180 with SP/SqFt of $80.33 compared to the average sold price in July of $230,840 and SP/SqFt $113.43.

The chart below shows there is 12 months of Supply of Homes for sale in Chelsea, Michigan, so we are still in a buyers market and may be stabilizing unless we see a rash of foreclosure homes hit the market. There is still an abundance of choice, low interest rates and great prices.

Other charts below show the trends over the last 12 months.
The first chart – Chelsea: Median Price (FS, Sold) shows home prices listed are down 5% and sold prices are down by 16% comparing to August 08 to August 09 with trend lines showing slight increasing price directions over the last year.

Chart 2 Chelsea: Supply & Demand – # Units (FS, UC, Sold) below shows units for sale from August 08 to August 09 are down 24% and sold untis down 67%. At least the number of active homes for sale is being reduced somewhat indicating we are on the way to stabilizing.

There is still an abundance of choice, low interest rates and great prices. If you know any one who is a first time home buyer looking to use the first time home buyer tax credit, time is running out to ensure closing by November 30th, 2009.

Want to know what your Ann Arbor home is worth?