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Michigan’s Longest Yard Sale is taking place on Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th, from 9 am to 5 pm. The event runs the entire length of the US-12 Heritage Route from Detroit to Chicago. Locally, the Rentschler Farm Museum will be participating with a garage sale, with proceeds benefiting the museum. It’s located on US-12 in Saline, just east of downtown. Come on out for a great cause.
Debbie Leutheuser
Sales Associate
dleutheuser@reinhartrealtors.com
11 years ago I was interviewing candidates for the accounting position in the company. There were many qualified people for the job, but no one stood out as a good fit for our close-knit family of long-time employees. That is until Steve walked in. He was soft-spoken and nervous during the interview. His accounting credentials were solid. Then he launched into the story of his other life. He and a partner own Vault of Midnight, Ann Arbor’s premier comic book store. My ears perked up because our previous motorcycle-riding accountant had also had unique qualities. People with full lives make better employees, I said to myself. I had found my new employee.
For all these years, Steve has been juggling his full-time career with Reinhart and his responsibilities with Vault of Midnight, working 7 days a week and many evenings much of the time. Keeping the dream alive has meant moving the store 4 times and working harder than most people could handle. Today the store occupies a prime location on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Business has steadily improved and its reputation has grown.
This weekend Vault of Midnight won the most prestigious award in the comic business, the Eisner Award. It’s the equivalent to the comic industry what the Academy Awards are to the movies. 100 stores around the WORLD were nominated, and our very own Vault of Midnight was the winner. Congratulations, Steve! We know how hard you’ve worked and we’re incredibly proud of you!!
Just don’t quit your day job!
Here’s the video that led to this extraordinary recognition:
The real estate market was going gangbusters before the homebuyer tax credits expired April 30, but has slowed down since. If the tax credit was the motivation, people need to realize they can probably save just as much or MORE if they buy now, because there has been another drop in interest rates. The difference in interest paid over the life of the typical 30-year mortgage when rates drop just 1/4% is over $5,000 for a $100,000 loan. Home prices are bottoming in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County and interest rates haven’t been this low in at least 40 years. Waiting to buy could be costly.
For the right person, there is no better career than real estate. It’s a people business with flexible hours and unlimited earning potential. A management consultant we worked with long ago said, “it’s a business that pays you exactly what you’re worth.”
Reinhart is the home of about 170 agents, many of whom have been in the business most of their adult lives. They wouldn’t have it any other way. There are few other career choices that reward hard work, relationship building and having fun, as directly as real estate. And, there is no other company with a better training program for getting new people off to a fast start, which is critical in commissioned sales.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to explore the possibility of working for Reinhart, please get in touch with us. It’s not for everyone–it requires a full-time commitment and discipline to be successful–and we have high standards. We’re always happy to talk with anyone about how to decide whether it’s right, and then how to get licensed and started in the business. Recognizing talent and ability is our strength. Now is the perfect time because we are anticipating the retirement of several long-term agents. We may have a spot for you.
Marsha Volchoff, VP
mvolchoff@reinhartrealtors.com
734-669-5816
Is your neighborhood safe? Is your home secure? What is one thing you can do to lessen becoming the victim of a crime? Tune in AM1290 WLBY from noon – 1 and l hear my interview with Sheriff Jerry Clayton and Deputy Eugene Rush. Our conversation covers these topics and more.
You can listen live online at: http://www.1290wlby.com
For information on upcoming guests visit my website: MarjorieBolgos.ReinhartRealtors.com and click on the ‘Radio Show’ button.
Marjorie Bolgos, Associate Broker
Charles Reinhart Company Realtors
2200 Green Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105
mbolgos@reinhartrealtors.com
Office: (734) 747-7777, Fax (734) 747-7789
Cell (734) 645-5590
Three Reinhart employees, Dave Lutton, Marsha Volchoff and Nancy Bowerbank are the featured guests on the Local Lifestyles radio show this Saturday on AM 1290 at 12:00 p.m. The hosts of the weekend show, longtime Reinhart agents Sheila Shulman and Marjorie Bolgos, invited them as experts in their subjects to discuss the changing local real estate scene.
Dave, president of Reinhart, will talk about where Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County stand in the recovery process that has begun in some parts of the country.
Marsha, vice president of operations, will describe how the internet has changed the real estate business, both for customers and brokers.
Nancy, short sale and foreclosure specialist, will discuss positive trends–lenders doing a better job of working with borrowers who are in trouble, and fewer bank-owned properties entering the market–as well as ways people can get help.
Be sure to tune in. If you’ve been longing to hear some good news about real estate, this show is sure to make you feel better.
Ann Arbor has done it again. Forbes has released its list of the most livable cities in the US. Most of them are college towns, which comes as no surprise to those of us who live in one. The criteria were unemployment, crime, income growth, the cost of living, and artistic and cultural opportunities. Ann Arbor follows Pittsburgh, home of over a dozen colleges, Provo, Utah where Weber State is located and Ogden, Utah which has Brigham Young University. For the complete list and more details, read the full article.
As the end of the home-buyer tax credits approached, sales were building to a frenetic pace. By the end of the day on April 30, Reinhart counted 407 sales, a record for the month of April. Although the tax credit had a significant impact, most people say they weren’t motivated to enter the market because of it. If that’s true, the hectic pace may continue, more a function of the pentup demand that has accumulated over the last 3 years of inaction, and of the continuing low interest rates and moderated home prices. There is no consensus on what lies ahead, though one thing is certain. National predictions don’t quite apply to Michigan and Washtenaw County because we’ve been operating in recession conditions for 3 years already. If public opinion plays an important role in recovery, we’re well on our way.
Marsha Volchoff, VP
mvolchoff@reinhartrealtors.com
First quarter results at the Charles Reinhart Company, Realtors in Ann Arbor support the idea that a real estate recovery is underway. For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, Reinhart President David Lutton reported that closed transactions were up 52% versus first quarter 2009. Dollar volume of the transactions increased 68% to $68,250,000, and Reinhart’s average sale price increased by 10% per transaction.
“Closed transactions don’t tell the whole story,” Lutton added. “The big news is that the number of signed purchase agreements increased by 80% versus 2009. Momentum is building. March results were second only to March 2004 in our Company’s history. It appears the market has entered a new phase of improved customer confidence.”
The Charles Reinhart Company is Washtenaw County’s residential sales leader. With over 160 associates in six offices, the company closed $380 million in residential and commercial transactions in 2009.
FREE FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER SEMINAR
Ann Arbor Mortgage will be conducting a free First-Time Homebuyer Seminar at the Ann Arbor Public Library, Pittsfield Branch, 2359 Oak Valley Drive, Monday, March 29th, at 7 pm. Our goal is to help prospective homebuyers understand the process of purchasing and mortgaging a home.
With the pending expiration of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, this seminar is perfectly timed to help you take advantage of this government program.
Focus Topics include:
• Reducing Stress and Fear
• Understanding the (up to) $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Requirements
• FHA, VA, Rural Home, Conventional Loans; which one is right for me?
• How much money will I need?
• What monthly payment am I likely to qualify for?
• Getting Pre-Approved
• Why should I work with a Realtor?
• Purchasing Foreclosed Property
• Negotiating a Lender Short Sale
• The mortgage process
• Inspections and appraisals
Our goal is to help prospective homebuyers better understand the process of purchasing and mortgaging a home.
Free Admission….. Seating is limited…..Reservations Required
If you would like to attend, please call 734.669.5880 with your name and number of attendees or email MaryAdams@a2mc.com
2200 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Phone 743.669.5880 Fax 734.669.5881
