May Residential Sales Data

                                                                                  2009      -     2008

Residential Units Currently Available:                             1392              1716

Number of Residential Sales:                                           133                100

Dollar Volume of Residential Sales:                       11,367,655     10,589,492

Average Selling Price                                                    85,471         105,895

Median Selling Price:                                                   75,000          86,500

Number of Housing Units Sold for:

$99,999 or Less                                                               88                   56

$100,000-$199,999                                                           39                   36

$200,000-$299,999                                                             5                   6

$300,000-$399,999                                                             0                     0

$400,000 or over                                                                 1                     2

Hey Everyone! Summer is here and so are the Fireworks! Check out these great places to go and enjoy. Have a great holiday.

JULY 3rd. 2009

Sterling State Park in Monroe, Michigan. Watch fireworks over Lake Erie. Starts at dusk.

Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Ohio. Enjoy a beautiful display of fireworks. Starts at 7pm.

Cascade Falls in Jackson, Michigan. See the waterfall light show and fireworks. Starts at Dusk.

JULY 4th. 2009

Lenawee County Fair and Event grounds in Adrian, Michigan. Full day of  fun! Fireworks start at Dusk.

Devils and Round Lake in Manitou Beach, Michigan. Enjoy the lake and fireworks. Starts at Dusk.

Realtor.com

Most everyone now owns a computer with access to the internet.  With news and information being updated online in a matter of seconds people are finding the information they are looking for online before they go anywhere else.. Most print and newspaper advertising are also utilizing the internet by posting their news online after they have released the  paper to their paying customers.  The age of print advertising is shrinking dramatically each year.

This is one reason why I advertise predominantly online and very little in print. Research has showed that your advertising money is better spent online verses print.  According to surveys done by Realtor.com 94.3% of home buyers who recently moved said that they believe the internet is becoming more important than print advertising. Further more findings in 2008 showed that 32% of home buyers used  online services verses the 3% who found their home through print, newspaper advertising.

To find out what websites I use to advertise my listings Contact me and I will be happy to show you how I can help sell your property faster and for the most money.

      April Residential Sales Data

                                                                                  2009      -     2008

Residential Units Currently Available:                             1346              1648

Number of Residential Sales:                                           150                108

Dollar Volume of Residential Sales:                       11,025,243     11,451,527

Average Selling Price                                                    73,502         106,033

Median Selling Price:                                                   51,250           92,450

Number of Housing Units Sold for:

$99,999 or Less                                                               111                   58

$100,000-$199,999                                                           34                   38

$200,000-$299,999                                                             3                   10

$300,000-$399,999                                                             2                     2

$400,000 or over                                                                 0                     1

Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means. Kids will be out of school looking for fun things to do.  With the state of economy upon us you may be thinking that there aren’t a lot of inexpensive enjoyable things to do. Maybe it’s time we get back to the basics. You just might find that Lenawee County has a lot to offer you and your family for little or nothing.

Like horses? Speed? Bucking bulls? Action? Then this summer start the fun with a year-round indoor rodeo at the 3 Bar B arena on Sword Hwy.  For only a few bucks you’ll be on the edge of your seats watching the cowboys riding those bucking bulls. At the 3 Bar B ranch you’ll find the atmosphere to be very welcoming. Add some snacks and refreshments, also at a reasonable price. Your sure to have some family fun! Here’s a tip make sure not to wear sandals at this ranch:)

Here’s another great idea gather up your family, and travel back in time at the Walker Tavern in the Irish Hills. Revisit the Civil War and explore 200 years of Michigan history. Back in the mid 1800’s Walker Tavern was the hot spot for travelers to have a hot meal and relax for the night before another long day of travel by  horse drawn carriage. Today you and your family will enjoy exploring the grounds and the rich history that it brings.  Admission is free however some special events may require a donation. 

Got any plans for this 4th of July? Take a peak at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds located in Adrian .And see what this summers great events will be. Admission fee is only $2.00 and lasts all day with free entertainment. Inflatable’s for the kids and topping the night you’ll find a traditional 4th of July fireworks display!

And you can’t forget the annual summer festivals and fairs. July 10th-12th plan a family day trip at the Blissfield  River Raisin festival admission is free with loads of free entertainment each day. Go and enjoy a day of carnival rides, music, tasty foods, fireworks and much more.

No summer would be complete in Lenawee County without visiting at least one of our 100+ lakes. Pack up a picnic and the family and head on over to Hayes State park to Wamplers Lake. Where not only can you swim, ski, build a sand castle, or even enjoy a game of volley-ball, horse-shoes or frisbee. You’ll also find hiking trails BBQ areas and a convenient snack shop. There’s only a small fee for a car load!

Summer relaxation any way you choose, there are many “cost effective” family fun activities in Lenawee County just visit the Lenawee CVB and start planning your fun filled summer today. You’ll give your family a lifetime of memories!

So you want to put your home on the Market? How about a few tips to help prepare yourself and your home before you do.

Tip #1 Mentally prepare yourself to say goodbye.

No matter how long you have lived in this home, you have built life long memories in your home and it may be  hard to let that go. A good suggestion is to take each day and remind yourself that this will soon be no longer your home. That will certainly help along the way when it comes time to leave, saying goodbye may not be as hard.

Tip # 2 De-Personalize your home.

It is also true that some buyers may not be comfortable, or be able to picture themselves in your home looking at all your family photographs. They want to imagine what their own photographs on the wall would look like, and it will make it difficult to do so if they are distracted by yours.

Tip # 3 Paint your house with neutral colors.

Although your house suit’s your style it may not suit others. You want buyers to be thinking about how they’re going to decorate the home. It may make it difficult to do this if they’re blinded by the lime green paint you or your child had chosen so carefully to paint the walls with. Keep in mind, a little paint can go a long way.

Tip # 4 De-clutter your house.

Sounds like a simple idea, but also a very important chore. By de-cluttering your home you not only make rooms appear larger, you also allow the buyer’s to see the full potential that your home has to offer. If necessary, rent a storage unit to store those large pieces of furniture and items in, that you know you won’t need for awhile. You will be so happy you did, it will make the move a bit more organized and less frantic too.

Tip # 5 Clean Closets and kitchen cabinets.

When buyers come in to your home they look at everything, and I mean everything. So make sure your closets are cleaned out, neatened up and organized. If you can take out any clothing that is not in season, this will also help make your closets seem bigger. This is a good time to think of your favorite charities for those unused items that you forgot were at the back of the closet. Spruce up your kitchen cupboards by re-arranging your coffee cups in the same direction and place your bowls and plates in a nice organized fashion.

Tip # 6. Make sure that your house is clean at all times.

 I know that this may seem like a difficult task but if you followed the other tips it should be easier. You never know when you may have someone that wants to see it today. If you always keep your home clean and organized you won’t have to rush around to get things done or possibly even have to re-schedule. This can sometimes take the risk of losing a potential buyer altogether.

Tip #7 Curb Appeal.

The outside of the house is the first thing that buyers see. No matter how nice you may have the interior of the house if the outside is bad you could lose the buyers interest. Take a look around and access whether or not you may need to power wash your siding. Is your lawn well maintained? Bushes trimmed, and weeds pulled? You will want you’re buyers to be excited to enter your home not run away. Make sure your entry is inviting.

Tip # 8 Update your home.

Don’t think this always means you have to spend a ton of money. We all know most of us are living on a tight budget these days. But, there are some very inexpensive ways you can update your home. For instance, instead of buying new kitchen cabinets consider sanding down the old ones and re-finishing them, or even just adding new hardware can be easy and not too expensive, and make a world of difference. Take a look at your light fixtures, are they outdated and old? Be sure to take a serious look at the kitchen and bath area and the fixtures there too. This can make things just that much more bright and shiny. The less a buyer has to do to feel that “move in” condition. the better chances you have of seeing an offer!

Tip # 9 Trust your Real Estate Agent.

Your real estate agent works hard to get your home sold fast.  They also want you to  get the most out of your home at close. So trust them when they give you advice at what price  to list your home .  Remember they’re the expert. How fast you receive the first showing request will give you the first clue as to how well you are priced for today’s savvy buyers.

By doing these simple and inexpensive tips you will not only help increase the value of your home but your chances of selling your home faster will increase as well.

Listing your home in the Southeast Michigan area? Contact Jeanee Gilson your professional Real Estate agent.

Spring is here time to start planting those beautiful blooming flowers and lush green perennials. But before you do that here are just a few tips you should know to help make your yard picture perfect!

Tip # 1. Layout on paper what you want your landscaping area to look like. You never want to go to your local green house not knowing what you want or need, you’ll end up coming home only  to have your plants sit in their plastic containers and while your deciding were to place them your plants are dying. So having a drawing to take with you will not only save your plants but your money!

Tip # 2. Know your landscaping area. Is it shaded? Is the soil ideal for planting. You’ll find that there are some plants that need shade at all times and some that need full sun. And you may need to buy plant soil to make sure your plants get the best nutrients that they need to grow.  So on your drawing include all shaded and non-shaded areas, and a note to yourself if you need to remember soil.

Tip # 3. Have an idea of the color scheme or planting style that will complement your home and landscaping. Make sure when you are deciding what to purchase take time to talk to someone in the gardening department that knows about your project. You will need to know what plants work with each other and what plants don’t. Some plants need more watering then others and if you over water them or don’t give them enough water they will die. This is another thought to keep in mind when planting.

Tip # 4.  You should also consider the time that it takes to maintain certain plants. If you don’t have a lot of time to spend watering and grooming your garden you may want to look for plants and flowers that are low in maintenance and care.

Tip # 5.  Before planting do a bit of additional research in the areas of size of your plants at their maturity. What space will be invaded or crowded if you don’t plant far enough apart or away from a porch or part of your home?

Fresh landscaping and updated landscaping can not only add to the charm and curb appeal of your home, but possibly to the value as well. Keep that in mind whether you are planning on staying in your home or considering putting it on the market soon. A few hundred dollars or, even less in landscaping can go a long way in increasing your homes value.

For more home tips on improving your homes value in Lenawee and the Monroe County areas, contact Jeanee Gilson your professional real estate agent.

Happy Earth Day

Earth day is today and it’s important that we all take part in recognizing our planet and all the beauty that it provides us on a daily basis. It is becoming more evident each day how much we need to preserve our planet. We should celebrate earth day not just today, but every day.  Here are some tips on how we can do just that.

# 1. Plant a tree. Trees are an important part of our lives. They help produce the oxygen that we breathe. Trees can be planted for any occasion, not just on Earth Day. You can enjoy planting one to  celebrate a new baby, an anniversary, or just because you care.

# 2. Don’t use plastic or paper bags at the grocery store, use the reusable, or recycled bags. They only cost around a $1 and they last a very long time. By doing so you help the environment in many ways. From landfills, to our ocean, and land creatures to what we breath and more.

# 3. Turn off lights and unplug appliances. It’s amazing how much energy we would save if we turned off any lights that weren’t being used. Unplug any appliances for instance a microwave, toasters, lamps and so on.  Even if an appliance isn’t being used if it’s plugged in it still uses energy. Plus you save money on your energy bills. It’s a win-win situation for you and our environment!

# 4. Car pool or ride a bike. If four people rode together to work or elsewhere, that’s three less vehicles producing pollution that day. If it’s a nice day out ride your bike to work, or the store or to a friend’s house instead of driving.  Every little bit helps! And the exercise is good for you too!

There are a lot of ways you can help the environment on Earth Day and everyday. A great time to start would be on April 25th in Irish Hills at the Hayes State Park . Where they’ll be celebrating Earth Day by planting trees as well as other family fun environmentally friendly activities. They are even serving lunch!

Have you ever thought about where we are headed?  We are all talking  about a green society,  what are you going to do today to “change the World”?

Here are a couple of videos that I have seen, that really show what is already happening and may happen to our planet. Take a moment to look for yourself. It will make you think hard about our world and it’s preservation. Have a Great day! And don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers!:0)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJppxDgCHFE 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72MCumz5lq4&feature=player_embedded

9292 Pence Hwy in Blissfield, Michigan.

Imagine waking up surrounded by nature and the beauty that it brings. With 50 acres of traditional country farmland that includes, wetlands, woods, trails, ponds, and plenty of hunting ground, you’ll never want to leave. Years ago this parcel and the adjoining one were a 100 acre horse farm, maybe that’s what you are looking for?  Built in 1996 this home has 3660 sq ft. plenty of room for a large family to grow. The spacious open floor plan means you’ll never miss a thing at your holiday gatherings, and cooking for your events will be stress free with the large granite island in the immaculate kitchen.

Located just south of  Blissfield Michigan on 9292 Pence Hwy this home has so many wonderful features four bedrooms and four bathrooms, enough space for your whole family to be comfortable. A very spacious office surrounded by windows for the work from home person giving you more time to spend where it matters most. The village of Blissfield offers that “feel right at home” friendly lifestyle., with local small town shops. Blissfield community schools cater K-12 graders with an awesome academic program. Your children will enjoy making lifelong friends in the small town atmosphere.

You’re sure to find everything that you’re looking for in this home. Call Jeanee Gilson today to set up an appointment for a private showing. With an asking price of $675000 this home is a must see.

Click here for more photos and details of this beautiful property.

With hundreds of foreclosures popping up in your area you may be wondering if buying now is right for you. If so there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First and foremost make sure your finances are in order. Most times banks want proof  of funding before they will even consider your offer. And there will be times when you’ll  have to act fast and won’t have time to wait for your bank to approve your loan. Another point to ponder the fact that many loans today including conventional may require inspections on the condition of the property. With many properties being left in horrible conditions this can cause some major headaches and cost time and more money to get to the closing table and most if not all bank owned properties are sold “As is” In other words what you see is what you get and will be yours. These banks are having to take huge losses on their properties, so they’re in a position not to put any more money into them. So when considering a particular bid for a property, make sure you have assessed the repairs and their cost that will need to be made before renting, selling, or living in the property.  

Research the area. Look at the current resale values. You maybe thinking you are getting the best deal ever, but not if it wont sale because there are a half a dozen just like it on the same block or nearby for sale. Have a profit margin in mind that is attainable and that you can live with.  If you don’t know how to do this it’s best to obtain the services of a professional real estate agent. These are just a few things that you should know before even thinking about buying a foreclosed property. It’s important that you are realistic about your project and the end result.  Should you have any questions regarding market conditions and investing in the foreclosure market  contact Jeanee Gilson your professional real estate agent.