2011 ended on a strong note for the housing market in the Ann Arbor region. The improving local economy has gotten people off the fence and out shopping for new homes. An unusual fall rally has left the inventory of available properties low as we being 2012.
Home prices are beginning to rise and we have moved toward a seller’s market in some areas, but economists are in agreement that change will be very slow. Waiting for values to approach where they were before the recession could take many years.
If you’ve been waiting to sell your home, consider acting now instead of waiting until spring. The balance has shifted and there are more buyers than sellers. Listing before the spring wave of homes hits the market can put your home in a more favorable competitive position and result in a higher price.
For sound advice and help creating your real estate plan, contact a Reinhart Realtor today.
Reinhart has extended the 16th Annual Coat Drive into December to help us reach our goal of collecting more than 1,500 adult and children’s coats.
We are collecting new and gently used winter coats at all of the Charles Reinhart Sales Offices as well as all Sunday Open Houses.
Capitol Cleaners, Chelsea Cleaners, Gold Bond Cleaners and Forbes Cleaners have graciously donated their services to professionally clean the coats before they are donated to more than 20 local agencies.
Over our 15-year history, Reinhart has collected more than 14,500 coats, all of which have been donated to agencies in our community. The need for winter coats, especially for children, continues to be great. The 16th Annual Coat Drive hopes to help fill that need in our community as the weather begins to get colder.
For more information about the 16th Annual Coat Drive, please contact Megan Crosbie, Marketing Coordinator at (734) 669-5906 or mcrosbie@reinhartrealtors.com.
The Reinhart North Sales Office is hosting a free Halloween Maze on Sunday, October 30th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
You and your family are invited to join the Reinhart North Team for a family friendly spooky Halloween Maze. Guests are encouraged to come in costume.
Following the spooky Halloween Maze, guests will be able to enjoy cider, donuts and treats graciously provided by Ann Arbor Mortgage, Liberty Title and 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty.
If you have any questions about the Reinhart Green Road Halloween Maze please contact Marjorie Bolgos at (734) 669-5836.
Reinhart Green Road Halloween Maze
Sunday, October 30th
Charles Reinhart Company Realtors
2200 Green Road, Ann Arbor
2:00pm – 5:00pm
In most cities, yes!
According to Trulia’s second quarter Rent vs. Buy index, Americans in 39 of the country’s 50 largest cities have found that it is cheaper to buy a home than rent one. Trulia, an independent real estate advertising and search website, compared the cost of buying and renting a two-bedroom apartment, condo, or town home in the 50 largest cities in the county.
Compared to the previous quarter, buying a home has become more affordable than renting. Rising rents, falling home prices, and low mortgage rates have all contributed to home ownership making more financial sense in most areas of the country, according to Trulia.
Where It’s Cheapest to Buy vs. Rent:
The following is a list of the top 12 cities where it’s cheapest to buy a home than rent.
- Las Vegas, NV
- Phoenix, AZ
- Arlington, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Miami, FL
- Mesa, AZ
- Jacksonville, FL
- Sacramento, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Omaha, NE
- San Antonio, TX
- El Paso, TX
Source: Trulia.com
The United Way of Washtenaw County kicked off their United Way Campaign this week with the 4th annual Stuff The Bus event.
A full sized school bus will be staffed with volunteers from 9am – 3:30pm in the Target parking lot off Carpenter through Friday, August 19th to accept your donations.
Last year the Stuff The Bus event collected over $7,000 in school supplies, which gave thousands of students in Washtenaw County a chance to start their school year off with the school supplies needed to be successful. This year the list of participating schools has grown and the need is even greater.
The following are suggested items for donations:
- Pencils
- Backpack
- Three Ring Binders
- Composition Books
- Erasers
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons
- Pens
- Mechanical Pencils
- Pencil Sharpeners
- Folders
- Hi-Lighters
- Index Cards
- Calculator
- Display Board (science fair)
- Protractors
- Rulers
Details:
Stuff The Bus
August 15-19, 2011
Target Parking Lot
3749 Carpenter Road, Ypsilanti
9:00am – 3:30pm
For more information about the 4th annual Stuff The Bus contact Cheryl Perry at (734) 222-6784 or perryc@ewashtenaw.org.
The streets of downtown Saline will come alive with an assortment of activities, attractions, and amusement for Saline’s Summerfest. People of all ages are welcome to join in the festivities on Friday, August 5th and Saturday, August 6th.
Summerfest 2011 will feature the traditional family-oriented food, music, and fun of Saline’s annual Picnic in the Park. In addition, Summerfest will also include a juried art and craft show, a trolley tour of Saline’s historical sites, Casino Night, and a 5K run/walk. Activities for the kids include a fishing contest, volleyball tournament, watermelon eating contest, egg toss contest, bean bag toss, face painting, and an inflatable obstacle course.
On Friday, Summerfest runs from 5pm – 11pm and Saturday, from 8am – 11pm.
Additional information and a continually updated schedule of Saline’s Summerfest activities is available at: www.salinesummerfest.org.
Thinking about a career change? Consider real estate.
It may be a surprise to you, but now is an excellent time to consider a career in real estate. Successful agents are flexible, patient, great communicators and love their job. Agents enjoy being in control of their income, setting their own hours and enjoying flexible vacation schedules.
If anyone has ever told you that you would be great at selling real estate and the attributes above describe you, you may be perfect for a career in real estate.
Reinhart is hosting a series of career open houses for anyone interested in learning more about the real estate profession or a career in real estate. Attendees will be able to network with others during a one-hour informational session followed by questions and answers with experienced Reinhart sales managers.
Upcoming Career Open Houses:
Wednesday, August 3
East Office
2452 East Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday, August 3
Chelsea Office
800 South Main
Chelsea, MI 48118
5:00pm – 7:00pm
For more information visit ReinhartCareers.com.
Readers of AnnArbor.com were asked to vote for the best place in Washtenaw County to enjoy ice cream. After a week of voting, and with more than 50% of the total votes, Washtenaw Diary was crowned the best place for ice cream. Stucchi’s of Dexter and Stucchi’s Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt of Ann Arbor rounded out the top three.
For over 75 years, Washtenaw Dairy has been serving their customers more than just generous portions of mouthwatering ice cream. Whether it is milk and cheese for local businesses or ice cream on a warm day, Washtenaw Dairy is an Ann Arbor institution for dairy. In addition to their selection of quality dairy products, Washtenaw Dairy is also known for their fresh home-made delicious donuts.
Washtenaw Dairy is located at 602 South Ashley Street in Ann Arbor. For more information or to order a dozen donuts, call (734) 662-3244 or visit their website.
This week “Best Of” is looking to find the Best Thrift or Secondhand Shop in Washtenaw County. Cast your vote on AnnArbor.com for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
Did you know Charles Reinhart Company agent, Linda Forster, is on the Board of Washtenaw Camp Placement Association?
Washtenaw Camp Placement Association (WCPA) passionately believes that attending summer residence camp is a unique life experience that provides children an opportunity for growth in social, emotional, and physical well-being. Through community support, WCPA works to connect at-risk children to camps.
Linda was recently spotlighted by WCPA for contributing tremendous amounts of time and energy to the nonprofit for decades. Linda’s passion for the mission of the organization is clear and her dedication is inspiring. She understands how summer camp impacts children as well as how valuable and meaningful the experience can be.
“Camp is a level playing field; each camper is just one of the gang and free to be a kid,” said Linda Forster. ”They leave behind baggage such as poverty or a troubled family situation and can just be a kid.”
The Charles Reinhart Company is proud to support Washtenaw Camp Placement Association! For more information about WCPA or to make a donation, visit their website.
Over 1,100 amazingly talented artists from across the globe travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan in July for one of the nation’s best art fairs. The Ann Arbor Art Fair is comprised of four award-winning independent art fairs – the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; the State Street Art Fair; the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair taking place simultaneously throughout downtown Ann Arbor. The art fair is a free event; bringing over 500,000 visitors downtown to experience the art, live performances, delectable food, sidewalk sales and activities for the kids.
Date & Times:
Wednesday, July 20 – Saturday, July 23
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Park & Ride:
- Park for free at Pioneer High School or Briarwood Mall (near Sears) and ride the AATA’s The Ride. The shuttle fare is $1.50 each way for adults, $0.75 for K-12 students and AATA Fare Deal cardholders, and free for seniors, A-Ride cardholders and children 5 and younger.
- Trinity Westside will pick up passengers from The Maple Village Shopping Center, where parking is free. Round trip transportation is $3. Children 5 and younger can ride for free.
Getting Around the Fair:
Cool off from the heat in the air-conditioned A2 Art Trolleys, travelling a loop around all four art fairs. A trolley ride is $1 per person per day and children 12 and under ride for free.
Information Booths:
Information booths are located throughout the art fairs and are staffed by trained volunteers who can help answer your questions.
Live Entertainment:
- Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Fountain Stage at Ingalls Mall
- Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair – The 107.1 Main Stage at Church and Willard
- The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair – iSpy Performance Stage on Liberty
> Download the Official Ann Arbor Art Fair Map
> Download the complete guide to the 2011 Ann Arbor Art Fair
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