Traverse City Real Estate Blog: April 2010

We just got word last week that Century 21 Northland will be volunteering as greeters on July 4th for the 2010 National Cherry Festival! The National Cherry Festival is such a fun week of entertainment for the whole family. Our staff is excited to be a part of it!

Each year the festival hosts numerous events that keep locals and tourists coming back. Some of those events include: the million dollar hole-in-one golf contest, the cherry pit spit, family sand sculpture contest, Cherry Royale Parade, and a fireworks finale! Daily, there are midway rides, tons of food vendors, bingo, a beer tent, and the Bayside Music Stage. A few of the acts this year include: Los Lonely Boys, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and "1964" a Beatles Tribute.

In addition to all of the annual Cherry Festival events, The Blue Angels are coming back this year! They will do several shows over the course of the weekend. What a better stage than the clear blue skies overlooking West Bay!

But the most exciting thing about the National Cherry Festival is seeing people fall in love with Traverse City. There is no place like it! After all of the excitement of the festival dies down, and the crowds go away, it is still easy to see why Traverse City is a wonderful place to invest in real estate. So if you are looking to relocate or perhaps just purchase a nice vacation retreat, contact the experienced real estate agents at Century 21 Northland.  For more information about the 2010 National Cherry Festival, check out their website at http://visit.cherryfestival.org/

Jennifer Allen

Century 21 Northland

3337 S Airport Rd W Ste 2&3

Traverse City, MI 49684

231.9297900 (p)

231.929.2780 (f)

www.c21northland.com

Not only does owning a home give you a haven for yourself and your family, it also makes great financial sense because of the tax benefits - which you can't take advantage of when paying rent.

The following calculation assumes a 28 percent income tax bracket. If your bracket is higher, your savings will be, too. Based on your current rent, use this calculation to figure out how much mortgage you can afford.

Rent: _________________________

Multiplier: x 1.32

Mortgage payment: _________________________

Because of tax deductions, you can make a mortgage payment - including taxes and insurance - that is approximately one-third larger than your current rent payment and end up with the same amount of income.

Use mortgage calulator to figure your payments and contact a Traverse City mortgage agent to get your official financing pre-approval. A pre- approval will help you and even more so your Traverse City real estate agent to know exactly how much home you can afford but also many loan programs carry stipulations on the condition of the home, can you include closing costs and if so how much, how quickly can you close once you find the right home etc.  All of these will help make your Traverse City real estate search much smoother and stress free and assist you and your agent in the best way to structure an offer to your advantage!

Jon Becker - Century 21 Northland- Traverse City real estate

Published Sunday, April 25, 2010 12:54 PM by Jon Becker  Real Estate, Finances, Buyer Information

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Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:

1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.

2. How much you owe. If youowe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it's a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.

3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer's oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.

4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.

5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it's desirable to have more than one type of credit - installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.

For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit www.myfico.com.

Click to view Traverse City real estate listings photos and brochures +  Traverse City area information and links

Brought to you by

Jon Becker - Century 21 Northland

Traverse City real estate agent

Published Sunday, April 25, 2010 1:06 PM by Jon Becker  under: Real Estate, Announcements, Finances, Buyer Information

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• Appraisals provide an objective opinion of value, but it's not an exact science so appraisals may differ.
  
• For buying and selling purposes, appraisals are usually based on market value - what the property could probably be sold for. Other types of value include insurance value, replacement value, and assessed value for property tax purposes.
  
• Appraised value is not a constant number. Changes in market conditions can dramatically alter appraised value.
  
• Appraised value doesn't take into account special considerations, like the need to sell rapidly.
  
• Lenders usually use either the appraised value or the sale price, whichever is less, to determine the amount of the mortgage they will offer.
  
  Used with permission from Kim Daugherty, Real Estate Checklists and Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com

For the most current and accurate "fair market value" of your home or property contact a local Traverse City Real Estate Agent .

Local agents are versed in the currrent local market at any given time and can advise you also on what is typical for the area for a "quick sale", what is the normal / average days on market for your area etc.

For a FREE Comparative Market Analysis on your home or property contact:

Jon Becker - Century 21 Northland

Traverse City Real Estate

231-342-5401

jon@c21jb.com

www.c21jb.com

Published Monday, April 19, 2010 3:41 PM by Jon Becker Filed under: Real Estate, Market Conditions, Finances, Seller Information

Now that we are getting into the spring and summer months, your pets will be spending a lot more time outside. There are a few things you can do to make your yard a fun and safe place for that precious pooch.

The first thing to consider is some sort of fence. There are a few different options. The key is to make sure that your pet is secure in your yard. This will keep your pet safe and your neighbors happy. The Invisible Fence is an option, but this can be pricey, and some dogs will break through. Your other fencing option is a good old-fashioned fence. The important thing to keep in mind is containment. This means your fence will have to be deep enough in the ground so that fido can't tunnel under. Also, you'll want to consider how high to make your fence, so that your wonder dog can't leap over it. Other things to consider are the gaps and spaces in your fence. Make sure that there are no areas where your dog can escape or get their head or limbs stuck in.

Once your pet is secure, it's time to prevent dangers inside the yard. I'm not sure about your pet, but my basset hound will eat or roll in just about anything. And there are a ton of beautiful plants that are actually poisonous to your pooch! Certain ferns, lilies, and even shrubs can cause serious reactions in your pet. Make sure not to plant any of these in areas where your pet will be spending time. For a list of some of these dangerous plants check out http://www.dogpack.com/health/poisonplants.htm. Another thing your pet will need to be protected from the sun and over-heating. Providing at least one shaded area in your yard will allow your pet to spend more time outside. Also, keeping a fresh bowl of water out is another great idea. Just be sure to change that water regularly and keep it clean.

Now your yard should be all set for your four-legged family members to enjoy. But if your yard does not have enough space or you are looking to upgrade, contact one of our wonderful Century 21 Northland agents. They would love to help you find a home that is perfect for you and your pets!

Jennifer Allen

Century 21 Northland

3337 S Airport Rd W Ste 2

Traverse City, MI 49684

231.929.7900 (T) 231.929.2780 (F)

http://www.c21northland.com

Now that we are getting into the spring and summer months, your pets will be spending a lot more time outside. There are a few things you can do to make your yard a fun and safe place for that precious pooch.

The first thing to consider is some sort of fence. There are a few different options. The key is to make sure that your pet is secure in your yard. This will keep your pet safe and your neighbors happy. The Invisible Fence is an option, but this can be pricey, and some dogs will break through. Your other fencing option is a good old-fashioned fence. The important thing to keep in mind is containment. This means your fence will have to be deep enough in the ground so that fido can't tunnel under. Also, you'll want to consider how high to make your fence, so that your wonder dog can't leap over it. Other things to consider are the gaps and spaces in your fence. Make sure that there are no areas where your dog can escape or get their head or limbs stuck in.

Once your pet is secure, it's time to prevent dangers inside the yard. I'm not sure about your pet, but my basset hound will eat or roll in just about anything. And there are a ton of beautiful plants that are actually poisonous to your pooch! Certain ferns, lilies, and even shrubs can cause serious reactions in your pet. Make sure not to plant any of these in areas where your pet will be spending time. For a list of some of these dangerous plants check out http://www.dogpack.com/health/poisonplants.htm. Another thing your pet will need to be protected from the sun and over-heating. Providing at least one shaded area in your yard will allow your pet to spend more time outside. Also, keeping a fresh bowl of water out is another great idea. Just be sure to change that water regularly and keep it clean.

Now your yard should be all set for your four-legged family members to enjoy. But if your yard does not have enough space or you are looking to upgrade, contact one of our wonderful Century 21 Northland agents. They would love to help you find a home that is perfect for you and your pets!

Jennifer Allen

Century 21 Northland

3337 S Airport Rd W Ste. 2

Traverse City, MI 49684

231.929.7900 (t) 231.929.2780 (f)

www.c21northland.com

Foodie Finds: 10 Surprising Food Cities

Foodies worth their sea salt know metropolitan cities like Paris, New York City and San Francisco are considered food meccas. But diverse dining offerings and a deep-rooted food culture can be uncovered in smaller towns and cities, too. Livability.com has searched 200 of the most livable cities in America to find the 10 most surprisingly vibrant cities for foodies to flex their taste buds. These are cities and towns where gourmands can find some undiscovered gems. From farmers markets and independent restaurants to quality of life and cost of living, these aren't just some of the best cities for food - they're great communities for everyone. For more in-depth info about these great food cities, just click on the city names below. Bon appetit!

Traverse City Region was also voted #2 place in the USA  to live in 2007 and is the Cherry Capital of the World!

Moomers Ice Cream - Traverse City #1 Ice Cream shop in USA in 2008

Front St. in Traverse City voted one of top 10 streets in the USA in 2009

now best small town for food in the USA!

click link for top 10 cities http://www.livability.com/top-10/foodie-finds/10-surprising-food-cities

Known as the Cherry Capital of the World, the Lake Michigan resort town of Traverse City does a pretty good job with other foods, too. With plenty of award-winning restaurants, wineries, farmers markets and dairies, Traverse City has been called "a new foodie haven" by The Huffington Post, and Midwest Living magazine recently named it second on its list of the region's "best food towns." At the heart of the accolades is an emphasis on the farm-to-table philosophy. At Trattoria Stella, where chef Myles Anton was nominated for a 2010 James Beard Foundation award, the menu of Italian fare takes care to note ingredients from local farms and dairies. For wine lovers, the city's Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula wine regions lie along the 45th parallel- the same latitude that gives the Bordeaux region of France its famous reputation. Get started with a self-guided foodie tour.

So this is our list of the top 10 of the best food cities that might surprise you. Agree? Disagree? What city (and why) do you think is missing from the list?

Check out our other Top 10 lists and discover more interesting facts about America's best places to live.

www.c21jb.com   for complete Traverse City area links and information for entertainment, dining, lodging, recreations, shopping, transportation, REAL ESTATE, and more!

Edge of town - Close to River & Nature Trails $99,900

Near River & Natural Area - Edge of Town

• 2,040 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm manufactured home - MLS® $99,900 - 2000+ sq. ft. Under $100k

Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County  -  Best of both worlds - country setting but "just" out of town! This 7 yr. young home features over 2000 sq. ft. w/ large rooms, island kitchen w/ breakfast nook + formal dining room, private master suite w/ garden tub,shower & walk in closet, laundry/mud room & all appliances induded.
Set on large corner lot w/ fenced back yard, stomped concrete patio+ deck, kids playground station, 2 car garage. Close to boardman river and nature trails. All for under 100K!

Property information

Published Thursday, April 08, 2010 2:52 PM by Jon Becker -Century 21 Northland,  Traverse City Real Estate, For Sale

New Listing-"The Bear" golf course, 3800+ sq. ft $275,000

Golf & Resort LifeStyle

• 3,821 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm single story "Contemporary" - MLS® $275,000 - 3800+ sq.ft.-Golf Course

Acme Township, Grand Traverse County  -  Not just a home...it's a lifestyle! Part of the 900 acre Grand Traverse resort spa & set on world famous Jack Nicklaus golf course "The Bear". 3800+ finished sq. ft. features large kitchen w/ solid surface counters & breakfast nook, Master suite w/ his&hers walkin closets, large bath w/ shower & whirlpool tub, 2+ car finished garage w/ work bench & back mower door, double sided fireplace to large living room & formal dining, trey ceilings, crown molding, sep. laundry & mud rooms, large sun room, mostly finished basement w/ egress windows and optional 4th bedroom /home office, or gym.
Resort boasts multiple golf courses, beach & indoor water park, 24 hour dog care, Health & tennis center, spa, kids programs, casino, shopping and fine dining!
Call Jon for complete information package - Best Value in the area - Motivated Seller!

Property information

Published Wednesday, April 07, 2010 3:35 PM by Jon Becker, Century 21 Northland

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property's realistic price range. With the current market being very competitive for sellers given high inventory numbers, foreclosures and short sales you must be ready to " aggressively compete" with other homes for sale in your area. Buyers know it's a buyers market and are looking for a "great deal".  Even though it may not be the price you " want" you must be realistic for current market conditions if you want your home to sell.

2. Prepare for visitors. Get your house market ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it. Contact Jon Becker - Traverse City real estate agent for a free walk through of your home to offer tips and suggestions on how to make your home show at it's best. Jon will also supply you with checklists from enhancing your curb appeal to staging your home. Remember " you only get 1 chance to make a first impression".

3. Be flexible about showings. It's often disruptive to have a house ready to show at the spur of the moment. But the more amenable you can be about letting people see your home, the sooner you'll find a buyer. I once heard a very accurate saying about selling your home.  " When you live in a house it's a home, when you are selling your house, it's a house.

4. Anticipate the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you'll find acceptable. Consult with your

Traverse City real estate agent to discuss what is reasonable for the local market and for your home.

5. Don't refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30-60 days without an offer, you should be prepared to at least consider lowering your asking price. Again contact Jon for sound honest advise on what is realistic for the local market and your neighborhood.  Also consider your carrying costs, if you hold to tight to your desired price and the home does not sell, not only will buyers come in with lower offers because it's been on the market too long, calulate how much you are paying out to keep and maintain the home every month ( payment, taxes, insurance, association dues, utilities etc.). In most cases it will make much more financial sense to reduce the price and get a faster sale than your home being on the market for months and months + it will save you a lot of work keeping the house show ready and frustration of waiting for that right offer.

  Sellers: If you have a home or property you are considering selling in the Traverse City area please contact me for a FREE Home Evalution. This will show you an in depth comprehensive report on the current market value of your home/property and the competition,  as well as provide you with tips and suggestions on improving the marketability of your home/property and developing an aggressive marketing strategy to help you achieve the "SOLD" status you desire at the highest price possible, beating your competition! ( I average 7% sales price for my sellers than the local mls average) This service is always a FREE "No Obligation" courtesy. I work very honestly &  aggressively for my sellers and keep them consistantly up to date on changing  Traverse City real estate market conditions, what is new or sold in their area, activity and interest in their listing and all advertising and marketing.  In today's world of technology with 90+% of buyers using the internet to find their next home this is where I focus the main marketing efforts on over 150 websites ( WOW!!!), many complete with enhanced descriptions, photo slide shows, virtual tours and custom activity tracking and Traverse City real estate listing is assigned it's own domain name. In addition if you are behind on your mortgage payments and are headed for foreclosure * DON'T be a statistic * contact me today find out how we can progress with a short sale to save your credit and stress level!    Please view my "Client Testimonials" page for just a few of the comments from my clients.....YOU WON'T BE DISSAPOINTED!
Selling out of area? Contact Jon and I will match you with a knowledgeable, professional agent in that area.

Published Wednesday, March 31, 2010 7:14 PM by Jon Becker Filed under: Real Estate, Announcements, Seller Information

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