Simply Lenawee

Over 50% of the time lately when a buyer calls in for information on a listing, when I pull it up and do the research I find the home has an accepted offer.  What a change from a year ago when it seemed everything was available. 

These aren't the higher priced homes, they are the priced to move foreclosures.  Buyers are learning the hard way that a good value doesn't wait around, if it looks like a deal to you, it looks like one to all the other buyers that are finally getting off the fence and getting offers on paper.  When you do find one to write on, chances are the response will be...."you are in a multiple offer situation, inform your buyers that they must submit their highest and best"  Now the pressure is on, what to bid, how bad do you want it, at what price would you wish you had gone a little more if the answer is "you lose"?

What has caused this huge change?  First, I think prices are sometimes just jaw droppingly low and I for one can't imagine them going much lower.  Secondly, interest rates are great, payments are so low that you end up paying less for a home than you would pay in rent in many cases.  Finally the tax credit, this is one case in which what the government hoped would happen, has.  How can you beat getting up to $8,000 back to spend however you wish, it's like finding a magic genie.  Buyers realize this and don't want to miss out on the golden ticket. 

As a buyer what are the lessons to learn here?  If you are looking at one of the low priced homes that are basically being priced to dump quickly:

Don't listen to the news reports that lead you to believe that you can put in low offers on everything and win the home, reality is that some homes are going for over list price when the bidding wars begin. 

Don't believe that you can wait and let the seller get a little more anxious before putting in an offer in an effort to bring the price down, the home won't be there. 

Do have an agent that will make sure you have the latest information on new listings ASAP through the automatic updates system.

Do call and make arrangements to see the home as soon as you get the information.

Do have your pre-approval or proof of funds in hand, you can't write an offer on a foreclosure without this.

Do write an offer that the lender will take seriously, everyone wants a great deal, the question is if the deal is already great do you want to play around too long and end up losing to another buyer.  At any moment another offer can come in and force you into a highest and best situation, if you haven't locked in the seller with an accepted offer.

Do the dance of happiness when your agent calls to tell you the offer was accepted, now the other buyers calling in can hear the bad new that the house is "pending" instead of you!

If you are currently looking for a home in Lenawee County and are ready to find your great deal, call me today and we'll get you started with the automatic updates so you can be one of the successful buyers in this fast moving foreclosure market.

I actually changed about a month ago and am just now getting around to changing my profile to match my new company.  It is not from lack of excitement or enthusiasm about the change, just lots going on and time getting away from me.  It took me many months to decide to make the change, I had been happily with the same company since I began my career 14 years ago.  However, times change and with them my needs of what I felt would be the best place for me and my clients to face the upcoming years. 

My new office is active, busy and has recharged my batteries, sometimes we just need to step out into something fresh.  I went from one great group of people to another, one thing about Real Estate is we always are in touch with each other, whether in the same office or not, so I have simply expanded my friendships and working relationships. 

Now you know where to find me, I am up and running and ready to get to work with all by buyers and sellers, old and new.  I can't wait to share the benefits of being a part of Goedert Real Estate with all of you.

I'm sure, like me you are anxiously waiting for this extremely long, cold, snowy winter to come to an end. The good news is along with upcoming warmer weather, we find ourselves facing what may be looked back on as the best year ever to be a home buyer.  Here are some of the facts we are looking at...

1) Interest rates are at their lowest in nearly 40 years, buyers have been finding rates as low as 4.75%, this creates a terrific savings per month on mortgage payments.  If that home of your dreams was just a little out of your comfort zone, with the lower payment you might find you can get that house and still be paying less.  It's a good time to talk to your lender, find out what your current pre-approval would be and perhaps adjust your search criteria. 

2) Home prices are also jaw-droppingly low.  As Realtors we are amazed daily as we pull up the new listings and see some of the prices that are attached to really great homes.  These are generally foreclosures, the banks don't want to hold on to them and hence they price them more and more competitively.  These homes range from fixer-uppers for the handy person, to almost new, lovely properties that you can move right in and enjoy.

3) Our government has recognized the devastating effect of the massive numbers of homes in foreclosure and they are focused on putting an end to this epidemic.  Looking at every way possible to keep Americans in their homes.  We all hope that they are successful in their efforts and if they are, home prices will stabilize and we will see an end to the decline in pricing that has been the direct result of regular sellers being forced to compete with foreclosed home pricing.  When can we expect the bottom?  No one knows for sure until looking backwards, but right now you can still jump in before that moment has passed.

4) Eligible first time home buyers can now claim up to $7,500 as a tax credit which, while it must be paid back, is a zero interest loan.  That money can be used to pay off high interest credit cards, make the repairs on a fixer-upper home, you can pay down your mortgage, whatever your needs are, its up to you how that money can best be used.  This credit is only good on homes purchased before July 1, 2009 it's a limited time offer, another reason now is the time to buy. Go to http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=186831,00.html to learn more about it.

It seems like we are entering what can be compared to the perfect storm for buying a home, the low interest rates, the low prices, the battle that's being waged to combat the foreclosures and stabilize pricing, plus the cherry on top of a tax credit, all converging at once to make a market that may be looked back on by those that took advantage of it in the same way that people who bought google or ebay stock in the early days get to smile and gloat about their amazing timing.

I look forward to a great spring and helping lots of buyers like you find the wonderful homes that are out there waiting for new owners.  You can reach me at 517-403-0989 or visit my website TecumsehProperties.com.  Hope to hear from you soon.

I just had to share my wonderful New Years Eve.  For Christmas one of my sons bought tickets for the two of us to go to see the play Wicked at the Detroit Opera House on New Years Eve.  I was thrilled with the gift and with his being willing to give up a wild party night with his friends to spend the evening with his mom.

We arrived in Detroit with plenty of time to eat and gamble a bit before the performance.  I love greek food, so we choose the Greektown Casino, played the slots for a while and then had a fabulous dinner at the Pegasus Taverna.  Not being able to pick one item, they have a sampler plate, starting with a fresh Greek salad and then a plate piled with lamp chops, spinach pie, moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, I had plenty to bring home for dinner the next day.  We also had the required opa! cheese to spread over their thick slices of homemade bread.

Afterwards we headed over to the Opera House, I had never been before and was anxious to see it after reading about the wonderful restoration work that had turned it into a city jewel.  The whole atmosphere downtown was sparkling with the holiday spirit with the Christmas lights still on, everyone was dressed up and excited, my son came away saying he would love to move to downtown Detroit.  I don't know if I like that idea, but the city was delightful that night.  The play was excellent, I read the book years ago and was interested to see how they would adapt such a long story to the stage.  The sets and costumes were just spectacular.

The New Year hit as we were driving home together.  I honestly told him that this New Years Eve was the best one I have ever spent and he told me that he felt the same way.  How great is that for a mom to hear, I had worried he might regret giving up bringing in the New Year with his friends and instead he enjoyed our time just as much as I did.   What a great start to 2009.

Every election since my kids have been old enough to vote, we knock each others votes out.  My daughter cancels me and my twin sons cancel each other. I guess we could all just stay home, since we basically end up in a stalemate, but we get out there anyway.  My mom and dad and my sister and brother-in-law always did the same thing to each other.  It's a family tradition.

Even though two of them vote the wrong way :) I am proud that they all care enough to make the effort.  I would much rather be canceled out because they want to add their voices to the direction the country will take next, as opposed to them not participating.   Besides, I have 4 more years to work on the other two and maybe by then I'll have them all straightened out. 

Winter is coming, what happens now?
For buyers in Tecumseh and throughout Lenawee County its a time to get out there and get some offers on the table. Knowing that the hottest selling season is over, sellers can become a little anxious. An offer that they may have turned down in June, might be more tempting in Oct.

Sellers, for you this is a time to review your pricing, take advantage of the fact that buyers are still out there looking for value and be the one to offer it. We don't know what the market will be like a year from now, up or down again. You have to price for where it is today.

Ready to make that move?  Visit me at TecumsehProperties.com and let's get started

As if there weren't reasons aplenty already to buy a home in Tecumseh or Greater Lenawee County, low prices, huge selection, low interest rates to name a few, now there is even more icing on the cake for first time home buyers.

When you buy your first home, you can qualify for up to a $7,500 tax credit as long as the purchase was made between April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.  The credit will be for 10% of the homes sale price, up to a maximum of $7,500, ie if you buy a home for $60,000 you would be looking at a $6,000 credit.  Your income needs to be $75,000 or less as a single taxpayer, $150,000 or less if filing jointly, in order to receive the full credit.

This credit will have to be repaid over a period of 15 years with the first payment being due two years after the credit was taken.  It's basically an interest free loan from the government, if you use the money to pay down a second mortgage, pay off credit cards, car payments or student loans, or to make improvements to the home that you would otherwise have had to take loans out for, this will be a great overall savings to you. 

You can research the credit by going to http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq.php 

To find the home that you want to buy, please visit TecumsehProperties.com where you can view all the local listings.

Wonderful news for Tecumseh has been announced this week.  The Tecumseh Products plant will be turning into a new location for the Consolidated Biscuit Company, an operation that bakes cookies and such for Nabisco and others.  Many thanks to our City Officials, Tecumseh Products and the State, working together to make this happen. 

According to the Tecumseh Herald in addition to opening 500 jobs for Tecumseh workers, the plant will create an additional 558 related jobs and generate more than $372 million in income for Michigan workers over a ten year period.

Now, instead of being the refrigerator capital, we will be a cookie capital and from what I hear, the aroma of cookies baking will become a familiar scent to those passing through town.  This is also great news for our home sellers, new jobs mean new buyers, and Tecumseh has lots of great homes to pick from!

For more information on Tecumseh or if you are considering a move within the area, please visit my website TecumsehProperties.com

One of the best Christmas presents I ever received was a gift certificate to a delightful shop in Tecumseh, because otherwise I may never have stopped in and discovered this gem.  The Boulevard Market is a small shop that is brimming with delicious treats.  You'll discover Artisanal cheeses, imported beers from around the world, special chocolates, spreads, tampanades, wines, salamis, olive oils, vinegars, fig cakes, pastas, coffees, herbs and on and on...

When I arrived with gift certificate in hand, I was greeted by the very friendly and knowledgeable owners, I had no idea which cheeses I would want from the awesome array in front of me.  I decided to pick up several different kinds for Christmas since I was having the family over for dinner.  Erika helped me put together a selection of varied tastes and styles, from cow to sheep to goat, soft to firm, sweet to pungent.  The best part is the constant tasting, they encourage you to taste before buying and they never rush you.  Offering a sliver of this and a tiny scoop of that, yum, I could stay there all day just making my way through the choices. 

After gathering all my cheeses, off I went to look over the beers.  My brother considers himself a connoisseur of the beverage and I wanted to find some beers that he had never tasted before.  All of my family lives in the suburbs of Detroit, larger more sophisticated areas than my little small town, but I knew with this new find, I could come up with options to rival their fancy shops.  The selection is huge and constantly changing and the best part is you can mix and match to make your own six pack for $10.00.  I selected six different varieties, again mixing up the tastes, some dark, some light, some strong, you get the idea.  That became the first of the family beer tasting parties.  Everyone had a taste of each beer and rated them, it was fun and mixed with the excellent cheeses, delicious. Now, I stop in whenever we are going to have a family get together it has become expected that I will be bringing new beers for another tasting.  John and Erika are always ready to offer their help on which will be interesting to try and since I don't drink myself, that is great for me.  

I need to finish this post soon because I just picked up one of John's homemade goat cheeses plus a wonderful french herbal soft cheese that I am addicted to and they are calling my name.  John makes a number of the cheeses they carry in his Four Corners Creamery, located right in the same building.  You must try his homemade butter, its creamy and just perfect.  Finding local, fresh, quality produce like this is an added treat.

Next time you are invited over to someone's home for dinner and want to bring along something really special, stop into the market, anything you find there will be unique, delicious and appreciated.  The big city has nothing on us now, we can munch with the best of them!

The shop is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays except Thursday when hours are until 7:30 p.m. Hours on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.boulevardmarket.com

To learn more about whatTecumseh has to offer visit my website TecumsehProperties.com