Candace PinaudcloseAuthor: Candace Pinaud Name:
Email: candace@leavenostone.com
Site: http://www.leavenostone.com
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1. Be Prepared!
a. Your Assessor is aware of most properties in their district
b. They are aware of property condition, outstanding permits and past/future work

2. Your best defense is a recent appraisal/CMA – within 3 – 6 months at most.
a. Appraisal MUST be reasonable
b. Some foreclosures can be used for value but only if representative of area

3. Take current sold information and other homes currently listed for sale a. Again – be reasonable & realistic.
b. Use only properties within your neighborhood

4. Tax abatement possibilities:
a. Some municipalities allow for a home that is uninhabitable to have a ‘stay’ in their property taxes for a full year while rehab work is completed.

5. Your 2009 property assessment will be coming out anytime;
a. NOTE at the bottom (usually in small print) will be the available dates you can make an appointment to petition with the Tax Board of Review.
b. DON’T MISS THOSE DATES – It’s the only chance you have until next year….

Environmentally Responsible Mortgages – Paper-Free for Two years and Running!

Candace B. Pinaud
Leave No Stone Mortgage Lending
a division of Ann Arbor Mortgage Company, LLC.

www.LeaveNoStone.com
734.476.3366
734.661.0379 Fax

22 E. Cross Street
Historic Depot Town
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Susan MarlettecloseAuthor: Susan Marlette Name:
Email: smarlette@reinhartrealtors.com
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Good morning!

Going green. This does not mean going to MSU. (Okay, in the case of my kid, it does but we won’t go into that. Don’t want hate mail from the rabid sector of Maize and Blue fans…) It was the theme of discussion at the North American Auto Show and is always a hot topic for companies that are looking toward the future with an eye on conservation. I am impressed with anyone who puts forth the effort to combine the growth of their business with the incredible task of keeping the environment in mind as an important part of their mission statement. Here are a few local “greenies”…

Our very own Eunice Burns was given the Realtor Environmentalist Award this year. Co founder of Huron River Day, Eunice has been involved in the “greening” of Ann Arbor for more than 25 years. Congratulations Eunice!

Once again, I received a great e-mail from Michael Klement, proprietor of Architectural Resource. They are an environmentally conscious remodeling company who’s amazing transformation of an American Bungalow garnered a selection to appear in the upscale magazine, Fine Home Building Magazine. Bringing national recognition home to Ann Arbor- gotta love that!

The Scrap Box is a classic example of reduce, reuse, recycle. Companies can drop off their unused pieces of well, almost anything, as long as it can be used for something else. Who knew bottle caps could be the wheels on a bus, that yards of cast off fabric can be the curtain for an impromptu dramatic performance or cardboard cylinders make great binoculars (okay, we ALL knew that…)? If you don’t want to spend a lot of money (wicked cheap entertainment, believe me!) and have a dire need to occupy children who have cabin fever, this is a fantastic place to support.

The city of Ann Arbor. FYI- The normal salt mix of 5% salt and 95% sand is required per a Council resolution in order to provide safe traction for vehicles and to protect the Huron River from potentially toxic levels of salt entering the river through the storm drain system. (We don’t want the fishies to have three eyes…) They’ve been working hard, the snowplow and salt guys. Been kind of a busy season so far…

Me? I really promise this time to not throw out possible recyclable items just to see if my husband will pick them out. Another musing on another Monday will have actual tips on how to we can be green. Will they be real or will they be “Susan Tips”? They’ll be real but with a twist, you know that. J

Now, if I could only see a little green in its’ natural habitat…

Have a great day!

Susan

Marjorie BolgoscloseAuthor: Marjorie Bolgos Name:
Email: mbolgos@reinhartrealtors.com
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Information that may be of interest to you is coming up this Saturday, January 24th.

* Do you want to know if your property taxes may decrease this year?
* Do you want an explanation on how your property taxes are calculated?
* Do you think your property taxes are high and wonder what to do about it?
* Do you, or someone you know need property tax foreclosure prevention information?
* Are you, or someone you know facing foreclosure on a home?

Listen to my live radio interview with the Washtenaw County Treasurer Catherine McClary Saturday from 10 – 11 a.m. on AM1290 WLBY. This is your opportunity to call in and ask Catherine any of your tax and foreclosure related questions. The program is Ann Arbor Life Style and the call in number is (734) 827-1290. Please tune in.

If you or anyone you know has a real estate need, please do not hesitate to contact me. I hope we all have a happy and prosperous 2009.

CherylcloseAuthor: Cheryl Name: Cheryl Eley
Email: celey@residentialproperties.com
Site: http://www.residentialproperties.com
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The Real Estate mantra used to be Location, Location, Location.
But in this current buyers’ market the new mantra is Location, Condition, Price.

It used to be in the good old days that sellers and their agents ruled the market and buyers were at their mercy. Supply of homes was limited. Bidding wars were common for desirable properties. Concessions? What concessions? You want it, you buy it as is and fix it yourself.

Fast forward to 2009. Buyers are discerning and driving hard bargains for even the most desirable properties. In many markets, supply exceeds demand by over a year’s supply.

So what’s a seller to do? You can’t control the location but in order to get it sold you work on condition and price. There’s no guarantee of a sale for any listing but properties that look their best are much more likely to get shown and are likely to command a higher price.

Make it look move in ready. Fresh paint is a must. Use a warm neutral color to create a cozy feel. Clean, cleaner, cleanest! Repair anything that needs fixing.

Give the buyer the opportunity to envision the space as their own. Clean out clutter and remove personal possessions. A few strategically placed accessories will make a buyer feel at home.

Price properly. Even the most beautiful home will not sell if it is overpriced. Consumers do appreciate value. A reasonably priced home in good condition will sell.
There is still a market for fixer uppers. Just don’t expect top dollar for a house that needs a lot of work.

Susan MarlettecloseAuthor: Susan Marlette Name:
Email: smarlette@reinhartrealtors.com
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Good Morning!

Well, the inauguration is tomorrow. I would like to watch it because it is a historical moment. Millions and millions of people will be hanging on to every word he says. His voice is calm and soothing. He is promising things we desperately need and talking about a better tomorrow, a better next month, a better next year. I feel I should be getting up and shouting and pumping my fists and saying Yes We Can!

Let’s rally! Let’s do it! And we all charge ahead with the rush of excitement of having a new love, a new hope.

But really, don’t those speech-y inaugural-y things just drone on and on and on? I start to gray out when I watch anything political. I think about what I need to get at the grocery store or I need to arrange for a carpool tomorrow or what day the movies have to be returned. Maybe I could mute it and have the close captioning on and vacuum and still get the feeling I was there. (Hey there would still be loud, crowd-like noise…)

As I tried to educate myself about this day I have found a few fun facts that I thought I could share. Of course, I cannot just let fun facts lie there and be…fun. I have to add comments. I’m sure you will recognize historic fact and what is, uh, running commentary. If you don’t, so be it. I could rewrite history and make it so much more interesting (but I think there is jail time involved in that…)

In 1789 George Washington took the oath and then added, “So Help Me God.” Other presidents have followed his example. So have most of the mothers around the world, just before doing something that involves a reprimand to a child for doing something incredibly stupid.

In 1961, John F. Kennedy was the last president to wear the traditional stovepipe hat to the inauguration. I cannot see JFK wearing that hat, can you? If Marilyn saw him in that, she would have just laughed at him instead of singing the birthday song to him in that creepy psycho killer way of hers.

Dolly Madison, the first lady to James Madison, hosted the inauguration party for which 400 tickets were sold at $4 apiece. The snack cakes were 49 cents. Red Zingers sold out in minutes…

Fourteen inauguration balls capped the day’s activities for the Clintons in 1997. They set a record with all those balls. The Clintons liked to… dance.

In 2001, the George W. Bush inauguration was interrupted by two naked protesters. I don’t remember that. I must have been vacuuming. Or already had grayed out…

I have high hopes for the political arena this year. Now if I could only get that positive thing going about the weather. But with the shoveled drifts at my house reaching four feet and Sadie literally disappearing in the yard to do her doggie thing, I do reminisce about 75 degree days, sandals and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. Someone please tell me- soon Susan, soon…

Have a great day!

Susan

Ed RidhacloseAuthor: Ed Ridha Name:
Email: eriddha@reinhartrealtors.com
Site: http://a.edwardridha.reinhartrealtors.com
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Business Week and San Francisco-based non-profit Great Schools have come out with their first-ever list of the best high schools in America. Ann Arbor Huron ranks first in the state of Michigan for Overall Academic Performance. Read the complete article on MLive.com at http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1232120478298070.xml&coll=2

Pat DurstoncloseAuthor: Pat Durston Name:
Email: pdurston@reinhartrealtors.com
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We have all heard the message “ It’s a good time to buy”, but have we really thought about what are the right reasons to buy? The benefits of home ownership are many and its easy to lose sight of why you should want to become a homeowner. It isn’t just because of the unprecedented pounding that the housing market has taken, but there are some basic fundamentals.

More Affordability…Houses in Washtenaw county have been adjusted to levels that create bargains to those who are first time home buyers or who wish to trade up.

Interest rates…Now at near record lows. When interest rates change even one percent, it can significantly decrease a monthly payment making homeownership available to more buyers.

Large Inventory of Homes…More homes to choose from especially in lower price ranges that appeal to first time home buyers and investors.

Newer homes are more energy efficient…Any newer home, built within the last few years, can be twice as energy efficient as homes built a generation ago. Tax credits are available to those who purchase an older home and do approved renovations that meet the criteria for improving energy efficiency.

Tax Benefits…Mortgage interest and property taxes are deductable. First time homebuyer tax credits of $7,500 for those who meet the criteria.

Personal Wealth…Owning a home is usually a primary source of net worth. According to an article in Builder magazine, Americans today have over $9 trillion in equity in their homes.

Investment Leveraging….When you purchase a home, only a fraction of the total price is used as your cash down payment. This makes the rate of return on a home purchase much greater than it would be on another investment with the same value.

Personal Satisfaction….There’s no place like home. Home ownerships strengthens communities and is truly a cornerstone of the American way of life.

Susan MarlettecloseAuthor: Susan Marlette Name:
Email: smarlette@reinhartrealtors.com
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Good Morning!

Don’t you love music? I was thinking about this other day. I was in a calm state of mind, driving, not even being ticked off by those who just really don’t know how to drive. I was probably listening to John Mayer or maybe Corrine Bailey Rae as they are my choices when I want to be…tranquil. They are soothing. You know when you get in your car after a long day at the office and you find just the right song to start that drive home? You let that music hang out with you, like a friend. You can evaluate and reorganize the thoughts in your brain without interruption. And when you sing (because you KNOW you sing in your car…) you can usually hit the high notes as your esophagus is relaxed now. At least, this is my theory…

My teenagers love my music- uh…not exactly. “It’s old,” they say. Little do they know that they have listened to more than one remix of a song from my youth. I must admit I am little appalled at the lyrics in the stuff they listen to (Does that make me sound old? If you heard those lyrics, you would say no, Susan you are absolutely right…) but I have to respect them for what they listen to. And I know for fact they enjoy my kind of music because it is on their IPod. Of course, it is only maybe an album (oops, CD. Shows the age there, doesn’t it?) or two compared the eight gazillion other songs they have. But everyone has their own notion of what is good and that’s okay with me. Gives a lot of musicians in different genres a chance, you know?

I listen to music everywhere. You can find me swaying to the beat in the cereal aisle, reading the labels with earbuds in, oblivious to everyone, as this is the ONLY way to grocery shop. I like my music loud when I am deciding on the sustenance for my family. It helps with the life altering decision of which flavor yogurts to buy this week and helps to decipher the math problems that sale pricing can sometimes bring. Do you ever notice how you feel when you hear certain songs or certain artists? If you are in a serene, thinking sort of mood, it is probably a slower tempo, something that just floats around you without having to actually listen to it. Want to get something accomplished quickly, like housecleaning or sweeping out the garage? Put on something powerful and fast. I usually pick something old so I know all the words. And yes, I sing at work- not a word from you, Nancy- but I can close my door if necessary. So far I have not been called onto the carpet about the incessant warbling that comes from my office. I’m sure people just kind of wonder if that high pitched squealing, squeaking noise they think is coming from the furnace will ever stop…

There is some Good News here- music is such a great resource for happiness. It helps you feel what you are feeling and can make the day ever so much better. Are you mad at someone- put on something that screams so you can scream too. Feeling peaceful? Something with lots of strings or horns. Painting the kitchen? Anything loud will do. Having a summer party? Jimmy Buffet or reggae is a must. Music is another drug free drug. Makes you feel better with no side effects. )

Go on now, get your groove on…

Have a great day!

Todd LandscloseAuthor: Todd Lands Name:
Email: toddl@ameritech.net
Site: http://toddlands.reinhartrealtors.com
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Just this week while attending our monthly all company meeting (where I learn something new every month) Tom Richardson of Liberty Title gave us an interesting idea… If you are going to buy a house in the first half of 2009, delay filing your taxes (file an extension) for 2008 so you can get the $7,500.00 credit on your 2008 taxes, as if you bought your house last year. Really, he said he has done the research and it will work (to your advantage (if you want your $7,500.00 credit sooner)).

Happy House Hunting! It’s a great time to be a buyer!

Rick MangancloseAuthor: Rick Mangan Name:
Email: rmangan@reinhartrealtors.com
Site: http://rickmangan.com
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I thought I would offer some information on what you should know about appealing your home’s assessed value: Dates are important when contesting a property assessment. You should receive a notice of assessment change sometime in late February or the 1st week of March from your local assessor if you live in Washtenaw County. There could be some variance in other counties. A couple of local examples are as follows. Pittsfield Township will mail out their 2009 assessment notices during the last week of February and the City of Ann Arbor will mail the 1st week of March. These notices will give you the proposed 2009 State Equalized Value (S.E.V.) and Taxable Value (T.V.). Taxes are based on TV and that could change for 3-reasons. The rate of inflation or C.P.I., which will be 4.4% for 2009 for everywhere in Michigan; any improvements made to your property in 2008; and if you bought your home in 2008, your TV would un-cap and go to the same level as the SEV. Many properties now are showing SEV & TV as being the same number and so the “pop-up tax” (uncapping of TV) is irrelevant. In no event can a TV exceed a SEV.

Boards of Review (BOR) are citizen appointments that hear objections from residents in a local assessing district for 1-week sometime during the month of March. Pittsfield Townships’ BOR will meet the 2nd week of March and the City of Ann Arbor’s BOR will meet the 3rd week. Cities and Townships may follow this pattern. The window of time is short between receiving your 2009 SEV & TV notice and making an appointment to appeal with the BOR. You need to anticipate the notice and call quickly to schedule an appointment of protest with your BOR. Once the BOR adjourns; the SEV & TV are set for the year. I’ll provide more information soon on how you can decide if you have a legitimate argument. Ciao.