Free well water testing now available for Michigan residents September 05, 2023 Sara Pearson Supervisor, Source Water Unit PearsonS@Michigan.gov
September 08, 2023
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is excited to announce a special program to help Michigan families know the quality of their well water. EGLE and local health departments (LHD) are working together to ensure that safe drinking water is a priority for Michigan families.Last year, the Michigan Legislature appropriated $5 million to provide free ...
6 Ways Your Buyers Can Save on Their Mortgage
September 06, 2023
Although mortgage rates, which have been hovering near 7% over the last few weeks, are expected to fall in the second half of the year, home buyers have adjusted to higher borrowing costs and home prices. Still, affordability is a big issue: 60% of U.S. cities saw gains in home prices in the second quarter, according to data ...
4 Ways That You Can Use Your Home Equity
August 26, 2023
If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years. Equity builds over time as home values grow and as you pay down your home loan. And, since home prices skyrocketed during the ‘unicorn’ years, you’ve likely gained more than you think.According to the latest Equity Insights Report ...
Exclusive Listing Period Priorities
August 24, 2023
A primary goal of HUD in selling HUD homes is to provide housing ownership opportunities to those who plan on being owner occupants. An owner occupant is defined as someone who intends to occupy the property as their primary residence for at least 12 months and has not purchased a HUD home, as an owner occupant in the past ...
Housing Market Predictions for 2023
August 23, 2023
When will home prices be afforable again?The national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate crossed the 7% mark in the third week of August, rising to 7.09% the week ending August 17.The median existing-home sales price also broke through $400,000 for the first time in 2023, hitting $410,200—the second-highest price ever recorded—and is ...
BAD STEPS-ONES YOU TAKE AND ONES YOU WALK ON
August 22, 2023
BAD STEPS-ONES YOU TAKE AND ONES YOU WALK ONBy Tom Nelson, LLB-Real Estate One-Rochester, MIBAD STEPS-ONES YOU TAKE AND ONES YOU WALK ONBy Tom Nelson, LLB-Real Estate One-Rochester, MIBuying a HUD Property Series Number 6When buying a HUD or any home, steps are important, but often overlooked.More than 1 million injuries are caused by stairway falls each year ...
FED RAISES RATE
August 16, 2023
The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate Wednesday jULY 26TH for the 11th time in 17 months as part of its ongoing drive to curb inflation. But it provided little guidance about when — or whether — it might hike rates again.Wednesday’s move raised the Fed’s benchmark short-term rate from roughly 5.1% to 5....
Successfully Selling HUD Homes Seminar
August 15, 2023
Are you a seasoned agent who has sold lots of HUD Homes over the years, a brand new agent who has not sold any or somewhere in the middle? Then this class is for you. We can not stress enough how important it is to know the proper procedures to selling HUD Homes. Please join us ...
How someone can avoid foreclosure
August 14, 2023
There are a number of government programs available to help people avoid foreclosure. These programs can provide financial assistance, counseling, and other resources to help homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments.Some of the most common government programs for avoiding foreclosure include:Making Home Affordable (MHA): This program offers a variety of loss mitigation options to help ...
2024 Growth Predictions for Michigan
August 14, 2023
As 2023 gets closer to the end of the quarter for the year the real estate trends and values for the year have been stable with overall growth!According to Zillow, the average home value for MI overall is $235,361 which represents a 2.3% increase in value over the past year. Sales have shown that 44% of ...
How to manage Stress when buying a home
August 14, 2023
How to manage stress when buying a home!It is important to surround yourself with the right team. Selecting the right Realtor and Lender can make all the difference. The current market conditions are challenging for buyers with inventory being so low. Take your time to choose an experienced Realtor that you are comfortable with to ...
Real estate company unveils $215M project to redevelop downtown Lansing
August 10, 2023
By: Katharine FinnertyFox 47 News LANSING, Mich. — A major project to redevelop downtown Lansing was unveiled Tuesday by a local real estate firm with a $215 million price tag.Gentilozzi Real Estate, alongside Detroit real estate developer and manager JFK Investments, showed off their "New Vision Lansing" project with Lansing Mayor Andy Schor at a press conference ...
Where are all the houses for sale?
August 10, 2023
For a few months now it has been obvious that the supply of homes for sale is way down. There are not a lot to choose from. A much more common type of market has many more homes that are for sale. Why are there so few listings for sale?One theory states that sellers ...
Nine ways to afford more house without more cash
August 10, 2023
https://themortgagereports.com/92976/ways-to-afford-more-house-without-more-cash-Nine ways to afford more house without more cash-Get creative to afford more house in today’s market!!Home buyers are feeling the affordability squeeze, with high home prices on one hand and rising rates on the other.If you’re looking at paying more for a house, one option is to save more cash. The more you ...
Down Payment Assistance Programs of Michigan
August 09, 2023
Buying a home is a significant investment that requires a lot of financial planning and preparation. One of the major obstacles that potential homebuyers face is saving up for a down payment. Fortunately, there are several down payment assistance programs in Michigan that aim to make homeownership more accessible for everyone.Down payment assistance programs provide financial support to ...
Real Estate is the best Long - Term Investment for 9 Years in a Row
August 09, 2023
Americans’ opinion on the value of real estate as an investment is climbing. That’s according to an annual survey from Gallup. Not only is real estate viewed as the best investment for the ninth year in a row, but more Americans selected it than ever before.Because inflation reached its highest level in 40 years recently, it’s ...
U.S. Foreclosure Filings Exceed 185K in First Half of 2023
August 08, 2023
According to ATTOM’s Midyear 2023 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, there were a total of 185,580 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings—default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions—in the first six months of 2023, up 13% year-over-year and up 185% from the same time period two years ago during the heart of the pandemic."...
5 Signs of a Home Improvement Scam
August 08, 2023
July 31, 2023Safety, Residential Real Estate, RemodelingBy: Melissa Dittmann TraceyOne in 10 owners has been scammed by a contractor, a new study shows. Here’s why you should consider leveraging your list of reputable service providers for your clients.As home improvement demand remains strong for kitchen and bath remodels, as well as for outdoor renovations, reports ...
A look at this week's market
August 07, 2023
With the recent spike in mortgage rates it has created a so-called golden handcuff effect. Nearly 80%+ of homeowners feel “locked-in” by their existing low-rate mortgage. As a result, there is a shortage of home sales which continues to drive up sales prices.Most homeowners today have mortgages with interest rates below 4% or even below 3% in ...
6 ‘Beige Flags’ That May Annoy You About Your New Home—and How To Fix Them
August 07, 2023
1. Lack of closets- “Ideally, you want [to add a closet to a] wall, so that it has a built-in look and aesthetic design,” says Mino.2. Not enough electrical outlets- It might be tempting to bring in some extension cords, but it’s far safer (and prettier) to add new outlets where you want ...
What is a HUD foreclosure?
August 04, 2023
What exactly is a HUD owned home and how can I purchase one? A HUD home is a house that has been foreclosed on that had buyers that originally used FHA insured financing to purchase the property. The homeowner could not make the payments for whatever reasons and the lender was forced to foreclose on the house. HUD ...
Challenges Remain for Buyers and Sellers as Market Avoids Crash
August 03, 2023
After record-breaking pandemic-era speed and price growth during 2021 and 2022, the housing market has largely settled down and avoided a crash in prices, but certain challenges remain. According to a new report by Zillow, home values have returned to growing at pre-pandemic rates, a trend that Zillow expects to continue; rent has also returned to an acceptable ...
8 Ways to Passively Cool Your Home, Office
August 02, 2023
As temperatures soar in many areas across the country, homeowners are looking for relief while also keeping their utility bills in check.Steve Wilson, director of technical underwriting at home insurance group Hippo, says “passively cooling” your home will put less burden on your air conditioning to manage the indoor temperatures. After all, he warns, cranking up the ...
Construction Starts On Co-Op Grocery Store In McHenry County
August 01, 2023
MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Construction is underway on a community-owned and controlled grocery store in McHenry County.The Food Shed Co-op, which will be located at Route 14 and Lake Shore Drive in Woodstock, is expected to open later this year. A grand opening date has not yet been announced.On July 18, the board of directors for McHenry ...
Work With Trusted Professionals
July 27, 2023
Your realtor will have a better sense of the conditions in your local market than any publication. Nationwide trends are informative, but you need to know what’s going on in the area where you intend to buy. So get help from a real estate agent with experience in the area and you’ll have an inside track on ...
