Check out My Recent Interview About the Current Market on 107.1

I recently was interviewed on the 107.1 radio show with Toth Team endorser Martin Bandyke. Here’s the first part of our conversation about the current real estate market.

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I recently made an appearance on the 107.1 radio show with Martin Bandyke that I wanted to share with you.

Martin has endorsed us for a few years now, and we’re proud to have him as a supporter.

We got to talk about the Ann Arbor market and how the number of home sales has gone up 4.3% year over year. When you compare that to past trends, it shows that we’re in a very healthy market. I think the most important number in our market right now is residential home sales prices, which are up 7% year to date, which is outstanding. Homes sales are down, which is driving up prices.

The good thing about that 7% increase is that it’s not too fast; we’re not going to be in a bubble. We have steady employment and we’re adding tech jobs, so the local economy is strong.

 

Martin has endorsed us for a few years now, and we’re proud to have him as a supporter.

 

Martin and I also touched on the shortage of inventory and how our team has a competitive edge thanks to hidden listings that haven’t even hit the market yet. As a homebuyer in this market with limited inventory, you’ve got to have an edge.

I also got to talk to Martin about the cutting-edge tech our team uses to help the home selling process, like virtual reality. Martin even gave the VR goggles a shot live on the air! I also got to break down our incredible home search website, which has a ton of great search criteria to help you find the perfect home.

You can see my full interview with Martin in the video above. If you have any questions about our services or you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, just give me a call or send me an email soon. I’d love to tell you more!

Dexter Real Estate for Sale: 8240 Webster Drive, Dexter, MI

This beautifully maintained home is move-in condition  and  located in the coveted Westridge of Dexter Subdivision. This three bedroom expanded Bayberry model is nicely landscaped and shows pride of ownership. The hardwood flooring through out the first floor is neat, clean and lovely. The kitchen features granite and white cabinetry! With tons of counter space and bayed breakfast nook it will quickly become your favorite room. A large family with crown molding and gas fireplace is a perfect gathering place or fun to entertain in as well. A stunning dining room with french doors, vaulted ceiling and a wall of windows makes dining an event with friends or family. An elegant powder room with crown molding and wainscoting is conveniently located. Upstairs the master suite includes has a cathedral ceiling, walk-in closet and spa like master bath with wainscoting. Two additional bedrooms are serviced by the main bath. The lower level of the home is a finished study with french doors and an additional family/play room with plenty of room for storage. The exterior is well maintained with a gorgeous paver brick patio and landscaping! An underground sprinkler system will keep it looking great with minimal effort. Come and see this home in the Dexter real estate market and you will be glad you did!

Additional DEXTER REAL ESTATE Listings

6060 Hickory Lane
9928 Huron Creek Drive

Toth Team Worldwide Network

Keller Williams Realty

Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world. Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be the only trusted agent endorsed by celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide.

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate for Sale: 3613 Beech Drive, Ann Arbor Schools

Welcome to this beautiful ranch style home with an open floor plan. You will be entertaining in style in the spacious kitchen with newer appliances that are all included. The large family room features a natural fireplace and doorwall with access to the deck and backyard. A formal dining room provides space for family and friends to gather in a intimate setting. The master suite with private bath is a true luxury. Two additional bedrooms and a second full bath on the main floor, ensure that there is room for everyone. The fully finished basement with recreation room, office and possible forth bedroom includes egress. The great backyard is a perfect space for the kids and pets! Pittsfield Township taxes, Ann Arbor Schools, the best of both. Just minutes from everything you need: shopping, expressways, medical care, and all the the Ann Arbor area real estate market has to offer. This home is move-in ready, super clean and will not last long. Book your appointment today!

Additional DEXTER AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

12707 Raby Road
436 N Pointe Drive

Toth Team Worldwide Network

Keller Williams Realty

Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world. Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be the only trusted agent endorsed by celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide.

How Seniors Can Downsize When Moving Into A New Home

 

Author: Jim Vogel

After retirement, many seniors find that they’re ready to downsize a bit into a home that’s much easier to take care of. Moving into a smaller place can be a little overwhelming, but it’s often necessary for individuals who need to think about their health and what their abilities will be five or ten years down the road.

It takes some planning and preparation, but with some help from friends and family, you can find the right home for your needs and make decisions about what to take and what to donate, sell, and trash, as well as find financing.

Here are some of the best tips on how to downsize into a new home.

De-clutter

When you first begin thinking about making a move, go through your home room-by-room and take a look at each section with a sharp eye. Are there items that you’ve had for a long time but haven’t used in a while? Are your closets full of clothes you haven’t worn in years? De-cluttering your home will make it easier to start packing; start with a pile for items to donate, one for items to throw away (anything that’s broken or stained), and one to sell. You can have a garage sale before the move and make some extra cash.

For more info on how to get ready for a downsize, read on here.

Get Some Help

Ask friends and family to come over and help you go through your things. This is a great time to give some of your belongings to close family members if you don’t want to take them to the new house; go through jewelry, dishes, and mementos with your loved ones to decide who gets what. They can also help you with moving heavy boxes around, as this is something you shouldn’t do yourself.

Get the Right Financing

Look online to see if you can find special financing for seniors, especially if you have a disability or are considered to be low income. There are different programs for each state, so make sure you’re familiar with your home state’s guidelines.

Look for a Home that Fits Your Needs

Do some research on neighborhoods and homes that fit your budget. Keep in mind that some newer neighborhoods might have a bevy of expansive two-story homes with a scattering of smaller ones, so don’t rule out any one area until you’ve checked it out. One-story homes are often preferred by seniors because they are much easier to get around in and clean than larger homes.

Many seniors make the decision to downsize because they want a home that doesn’t have stairs to climb or a big lawn to take care of. Keep those things in mind when you’re looking, as well as whether there’s a neighborhood association that requires fees every year.

Find the Right Helpers

Finding the right movers for your big day is important, so do a bit of research to see which companies will offer the lowest price. Ask specifically about whether they charge a per-mile fee on top of the flat rate and if they require a minimum amount of work hours. If you have pets, you’ll want to make sure the movers are informed of what type you have and let them know if they should refrain from interacting with your pet.

Remember that this can be a very trying time; any big life change can be overwhelming, so take good care of yourself and remember to ask for help when you need it. With some preparation and planning, you can find the perfect home for your needs.

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Looking to sell a home? Get a FREE Home Value Report.

How Overpricing Slows Down Your Listing

Right now we are seeing trends that put us in a strong seller’s market. But be careful not to overprice, because doing so could actually hurt your listing.

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Recently I went on air with Martin Bandyke from Ann Arbor’s 107.1 to discuss the current absorption rate in our market.

As I told Martin, my team and I study the market each week. The current absorption rate for single-family homes here in Ann Arbor totals to 4.5 months. This means if no other homes came on the market, it would only take 4.5 months to sell out of the current inventory at the going rate.

In cases where the absorption rate is under six months, as is the case currently, then it’s a seller’s market. So with fewer homes on the market and higher demand, you might wonder what this means.

These factors actually add pressure to home prices and cause them to rise. This is the reason why in the last month we saw that 7% increase in prices.

So how do absorption rates vary with price range? Well if you were selling between $600,000 and $700,000 we can see that right now there are 7.8 months of supply.

 

If you want to have access to this kind of information, you need to work with the people who are studying the market each week.

 

But real life circumstances tend to be more complicated than they sound on paper. For example, there is a 1.8-month difference in supply if a home were even $1,000 less than the lowest point in that range and was therefore in the $500,000 to $599,000 range.

In that range, the absorption rate is six months. As a seller, the smart thing to do here is actually to list your home for slightly less because it means the demand is higher in that lower-supply price range.

On top of that, we can also note that the list price to sale price ratio is 99%. Simply put: overpricing a home no longer works in today’s market.

If you want to know these helpful facts and have access to this kind of information, you need to work with the people who are studying the market each week.

So if you have any other questions or you’d like help with any of your real estate needs, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Dexter Real Estate for Sale: 6060 Hickory Lane, Dexter, MI

 

This beautiful move-in condition home sits on a scenic 3 plus acre wooded lot just waiting for the most discerning buyer. The fantastic kitchen is large and has been remodeled with quartz countertops and a huge center island. Custom American Woodmark cabinetry with self-closing doors combined with a coffee station makes this a dream kitchen. This home includes three wood and gas fireplaces!You can relax with your morning coffee in the hearth room/breakfast nook, the spacious 24×24 family room features a cathedral ceiling and fireplace. The finished lower level will be a cozy winter sitting area with the fireplace burning. A deluxe master suite has an organized walk-in closet and gorgeous bath. Three other large bedrooms are service by guest bath. The walk out lower level has two additional rooms available for a home office, study room or extra living space. There is a full bath on this level as well. The family room opens through a door wall to a fabulous 20×40 in-ground pool. An out building completes the country charm. It includes a fenced in chicken coop and fenced gardens!Updates include a new roof (2003), furnace (2013), and central air-conditioning (2017). Schedule an appointment soon because this home in the Dexter real estate market is a pleasure to see.

Additional DEXTER AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

9928 Huron Creek Drive
436 N Pointe Drive

Toth Team Worldwide Network

Keller Williams Realty

Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world. Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be the only trusted agent endorsed by celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide.

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate for Sale: 436 N Pointe Drive, Whitmore Lake, MI

 

Enjoy this beautifully remodeled home that includes a granite topped center island oak kitchen with abundant storage. The nice kitchen space is open to living area featuring hardwood flooring. The great room has a vaulted ceiling and access to private a deck. This home is full of high end features like a master bedroom suite! This private suite has access to the deck and gazebo, perfect for relaxing with the WSJ in fuzzy slippers with morning coffee. A first floor laundry is a huge convenience and is situated at other end of house so you never have to worry about noise. There is an upstairs bedroom with a bonus room, perfect for a home office or craft space. Partially finished basement with built in bar and entertaining area, 2nd laundry and bath. This home would be a perfect home for residents with a nanny or someone needing guest space or in-law quarters. So many features including: remodeled baths, a newer roof, updated plumbing, central vac (not hooked up) and has been recently painted. Two furnaces and central AC in the front portion of home allow for comfort all year long. 3.5 garage with a workbench! With the addition this is one of the largest homes in the popular Wildwood subdivision, in the Ann Arbor area real estate market. Easy access to US-23! Come see this today!

Additional ANN ARBOR AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

12707 Raby Road
411745 Forest Drive

Toth Team Worldwide Network

Keller Williams Realty

Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world. Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be the only trusted agent endorsed by celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide.

Watch Live Stream of Bald Eagle Nest Near Ann Arbor, Michigan

Click play above to watch a live stream of a bald eagle nest with babies. This nest is located in a residential neighborhood near Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found throughout North America. It has been the national bird and national animal of the United States since 1782, and was an endangered species until recent conservation efforts were implemented. This video of a majestic creature in it’s natural habitat comes to you from the nest located nearly 105 feet high, near the top of a white pine tree.

Cutting Down Trees With Gary Mosher

Knowing how to spot and remove a dead tree from your property can improve your home’s overall saleability.

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Landscaping is very important to the value of your home. According to this HGTV article, “Several recent nationwide surveys show that mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can increase the value of a house by 7 percent to 19 percent.” Part of landscaping sometimes involves removing dead trees.

To illustrate this point, we’re onsite at a property that is having some trees removed from its landscape. Joining us is Gary Mosher from A-1 Tree. Gary is an expert tree cutter, and he’s taking down a few pine trees that are dying. As a 45-year veteran of this business, he enjoys it because it allows him to be in a different spot every day, and it’s fun for him to be outside.

Many pine trees in Michigan are diseased, but a lot of them just need to be fed and fertilized. If you find the dead needles early enough, you can save the tree by driving a piece of pipe down around the root system of the tree and filling it with triple twelve fertilizer. Cutting down a dead tree can improve your landscaping, which in turn helps your property’s saleability.

 

Cutting down a dead tree can improve your property’s saleability.

 

One particularly persistent problem in our area is Blue Spruce disease, which affects Colorado Blue Spruce trees and is easily recognizable by the branch dieback that occurs. According to the MSU website, “The rapid decline of many spruce trees in Michigan and surrounding states appears to be related to an increase of canker diseases coupled with other disease and insect problems that plague the species.”

According to Gary, the technology of tree cutting has improved over the years. Upgrades in equipment such as chainsaws, chains, and stump grinders allow them to do the job faster and easier. He does not, however, recommend that you try cutting down a dead tree yourself.

If you want to take care of some dead trees or make some improvements to your property, I highly recommend that you give A-1 Tree a call at (734) 426-8809.

If you have any questions about tree removal or you have any other real estate questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’d be happy to help you.

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate For Sale: 12707 Raby Road, Grass Lake, MI 49240

 

Peaceful wooded views surrounded this three bedroom, two full bathroom home situated on nearly 10 acres.  Step inside the bright living room perfect for entertaining.  Continue into the adjacent dining room complete with a cozy wood-burning stove and a door wall to the deck.  Prepare meals in the open concept kitchen offering ample cabinetry and counter space.  Relax and rejuvenate in the master suite featuring a soaking tub and separate shower.  Two additional bedrooms share a nicely appointed full bathroom.  A convenient laundry room completes the main level.  The full basement offers plenty of room for all of the extras.  Step outside and relax or entertain on the deck while enjoying the wooded view and pond.  A 2.5 car garage and a nice out building provide the perfect places for vehicle and toy storage.  Plenty of fireplace stacked wood awaits the new buyer for this home in the Ann Arbor real estate market!

Additional ANN ARBOR AREA REAL ESTATE Listings

11745 Forest Drive
8418 Roscommon Court

Toth Team Worldwide Network

Keller Williams Realty

Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world. Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be the only trusted agent endorsed by celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide.