Free Professional Home Staging Consultations for Toth Team Clients!

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on January 26, 2015

Free Professional Home Staging Consultations for Toth Team Clients!

Home staging is a strategic advantage that attracts strong offers and a quick sale. Studies published by the Real Estate Staging Association show that staged homes spend about 50% fewer days on market. Independent surveys by HomeGain show that staged homes typically provide a whopping 343% return on a $500 investment.

Despite this, home sellers often have the impression that home staging is only for high-end properties, or that it’s too expensive and difficult. Not anymore! The Toth Team is proud to offer free home staging consultations by the certified professionals at MKW Staging and Redesign!

Home sellers who list with the Toth Team will be offered a personal home staging consultation and preview, up to one hour in time. During this preview, a professional MKW consultant will do a complete home walk-through, and provide immediate suggestions for staging options.

Sellers who wish to go further with home staging will be provided a quote for additional services. For example, the two-hour “Power Staging” appointment includes hands-on staging using materials and furnishings that the homeowner already has. The results are impressive and immediate! This service is only $250, and it’s ideal for occupied homes up to 2,000 square feet. Larger homes may require longer staging appointments.

The Toth Team provides Washtenaw County home sellers with unique sales strategies and innovative marketing. By partnering with MKW Staging & Redesign, the Toth Team brings professional home staging services to seller clients in every price range. Contact the Toth Team for expert home selling guidance!

More information on staging your home can be found at KathyToth.com.

The Ins and Outs of Buying from Abroad

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on January 9, 2015

Ann Arbor along with the rest of the United States has experienced a major increase over the past few years in international purchases. With the appreciation of foreign currency we are facilitating more and more overseas purchases having to do with moving for work, educational opportunity, children or investment. Our team has focused on being the resident Ann Arbor experts in order to help you conduct your home purchase from far away.

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Opportunities in Ann Arbor

You may be searching real estate in Ann Arbor for many reasons and will find yourself surrounded by a diverse residential community due to the influx in technological employment and educational opportunities at the University of Michigan. Several homebuyers are also searching for properties for their children attending undergraduate or graduate programs at the University of Michigan. Whether you are moving for professional and/or educational purposes, or even buying for your children or for an investment, the potential definitely exists here in Ann Arbor with properties ranging from condos to town homes, to single family homes, large estates and more.

Why Invest in Ann Arbor

The increase in property values over the past few years, coupled with the appreciation of foreign currency, a purchase in the U.S. and Ann Arbor in particular is financially a good move. Aside from this detail, Ann Arbor itself is growing leaps and bounds with a youthful population and surge in technology companies creating a wonderful residential atmosphere. The fantastic downtown district has endless dining, entertainment and property options right in the middle of it all. The University helps to maintain growth and property values with both international and local residents alike due to the turnaround in students and educational professionals at the end of their time here.

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Navigating the Process

Three out of 33 homes in the United States are now sold to international buyers. We are now well versed in selling to buyers from all over the world and can gladly help every step of the way from the home search itself to navigating the purchase and closing. We have preferred lenders at the ready along with native speaking lenders of several languages who are versed in translating documents and U.S. money requirements.

Investing in Your Children

Whether they are in undergraduate or graduate school at the University of Michigan, purchasing a home for their time here or as an opportunity for you to be closer are both wonderful options. Especially if you are abroad, being close to your children or having the peace of mind that they are living in a good home is invaluable. We can help you find this peace of mind through several properties perfect for students and located within steps of their campus.

Browse Available Condos

Why put a large chunk of money towards your children’s rent every month or thousands of dollars on visits when you can make a sound financial investment instead? With the Ann Arbor real estate market prime for investment whether it is short or long term there is a demand in Ann Arbor. Your money goes farther in the U.S. and it will be well spent on a home, condo or property for your child while they attend school. For further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Find Out More Here!

Michigan Association of REALTOR’S Published State-Wide August 2013 Stats and We Are Looking Good!

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on October 17, 2013

The Michigan Association of REALTOR’S (MAR) compiles and publishes a monthly analysis of each of the 40 participating REALTOR Associations. Our local Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTOR’S submits our local stats to MAR each month. This is a great way to stay abreast of Residential Sales across our entire Pure Michigan State.

Ann Arbor has been holding very consistent. Our August year-to-date average price was $251,943 up from 220,738 last August 2012; a 14.14% increase. And our 2013 year-to-date price was up in August 17.59% from $217.175 last year to $255,384 in August this year. We are still improving – See the Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTOR’s report for September 2013. We still need far more listings. Just click here to find out what your home is worth and have a report sent directly to your email inbox. We have buyers ready, willing, and pre-approved to purchase their new homes.

Looking around Michigan, the areas by the water showed nice improvement this year, like for instance Emmet County Board in the northwest lower peninsula that includes Alanson, Bay Harbor, Conway, Harber Springs, and Petoskey fared very well with a 77.20% increase making their average price this year $402,325 up from $227,046 – a whopping Average Price increase of $175,279. Amazing. The number of total average sales was only up by 4 units but still an improvement. Take a look at some of the other areas I have highlighted below. The number of units may not be huge in some areas but the state is showing so many great signs of improvement. Check out these waterfront properties.

Click chart to view a larger image of the entire report.

Are you looking for some entertainment this weekend. Michigan plays Indiana a home game this Saturday, October 19, 2013 with a game start time of 3:30 pm ET. Go out on the Huron River, it’s not too cold yet. Canoe the Huron River. Not to soon to pick out your Pumpkins and set the theme for Halloween. You know what I mean – Just Have Some Fun ! !

Kathy Toth and Team are Washtenaw County, Michigan real estate experts who will guide home buyers and home sellers through the entire real estate process. Our extensive knowledge of Washtenaw County combined with decades of expertise in the local real estate market are extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals. For quality service and personal attention during your real estate transaction, contact Kathy Toth and Team for all your home buying and selling needs.

View Our Listings | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter We want to be your real estate agents!

Kathy Toth and Team are your Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts at Keller Williams Realty.

Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS MLS Sales Report Reveals a Positive Upward Trend Heading into Fall

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on October 16, 2013

The Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS has published the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Sales Report for September 2013. In a nut shell – More positive statistical data to share with our friends.

The Average List Price year-to-date is up 17% from the same time last year. Last year’s year-to-date Average List Price was $219,128 compared to the year-to-date average list price this year of $255,726.
The September Average List Price is up. When comparing September 2012 @ $222,616 to the September 2013 Average List Price of $264,983. The Washtenaw County areas is up 19 % over last year.
Average Sale price year-to-date is up 18%. The 2012 year-to-date Avg Sale price through September was $211,168 compared to this year’s – year-to-date Average Sale Price of $250,029. Up 18% year-to-date.
Average Sale Price for September – 2012 was $214,059 and this year, September 2013, the Average Sale Price was $257,998. Up 20.5%.
New Listings were up 24% comparing September 2012 to this year, September 2013.

The stats continue to reveal the steady, upward trending market in all of Washtenaw County and especially Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas. The Spring market was strong and we are heading into this beautiful Fall season just as optimistic. Seller confidence is gaining. This is an excellent time for Sellers to consider placing their homes on the market. Click Here to view the MLS Sales Report as a larger image. We have buyers ready to purchase and pre-approved with their lenders.

Are you looking for fun this weekend? Take the entire family & friends and head over to Wiards Orchard for a picture of Fall and don’t forget your camera. You can also enjoy a delicious taste of cider at the Dexter Cider Mill. The Dairy Queen in Dexter closes for the season the last day of the month – it’s your last chance for that Banana Split that you have put off all Summer. Fall is a beautiful time to enjoy everything outdoors because we all know what’s coming.

Kathy Toth and Team are Washtenaw County, Michigan real estate experts who will guide home buyers and home sellers through the entire real estate process. Our extensive knowledge of Washtenaw County combined with decades of expertise in the local real estate market is extremely valuable in helping you achieve your goals. For quality service and personal attention during your real estate transaction, contact Kathy Toth and Team for all your home buying and selling needs.

View Our Listings | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter We want to be your real estate agents!

Kathy Toth and Team are your Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts at Keller Williams Realty.

Dexter Library is a State-Of-The-Art Facility in Dexter MI

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on October 11, 2013

The Dexter District Library is an outstanding state-of-the-art, high tech facility located at 3255 Alpine Street in Dexter, MI. The library is situated on the northeast edge of downtown Dexter in a beautiful setting overlooking Mill Creek.

Where has the Dexter Library been located over the years. Here is a short summary. The library was first opened back in 1927 by the Dexter Woman’s Study Club where they began by placing reading materials on a shelf in a local store and soon moved to the little building at 8050 Main/Central Street that is now occupied by Hotel Hickman’s Chuck Wagon BBQ. As the community grew so did the library. The Library then moved to a spacious 2-Story Home located at 3137 Baker Road which is now occupied by Dexter Bike and Sport. In 1996 they moved to the former Methodist Church Education Building at 8040 Fourth Street. Plans moved ahead for a new library to be built. A millage was put to the citizens and passed. Property on Alpine Street acquired. They prepared the building envelope which meant burning down a home on the current site. (I was there the day they burned down the house to help prepare the building site – see photos below) And finally in 2009, the Dexter District Library opened in its present location on Alpine Street. Read the History of the Dexter Library.

The library has been a huge success. Enjoy a short tour of the Dexter District Library.

The Dexter District Library has so much to offer the Dexter Community and card members. Patrons have available an extensive selection of books, catalogs, movies along with downloadable audio books, music, and e-books. Just ask the librarian, they will be happy to assist you. Once you are a member you will be able to login from your home computer for easy access to download materials, check for availability of your favorite book and simply enjoy the library from your own home. They library, also, has a monthly book sale, so if you want to increase your home library this is a great way to make a selection or just come and browse so see what is available.

The Dexter Library also sponsors events for Adults, Teens, and Children. Here are all the current events hosted by the library and these are updated monthly. You can even sign up for a computer class or learn how to use email. Another great reason to become a member of the library is to be able to purchase discounted tickets to the Detroit Zoo but only if you are a Library Cardholder so check out the full details and go to Detroit Zoo – Tickets and More.

Have you needed to host a meeting but do not have the space in your facility? The library offers meeting room space up to 298 people maximum when the rooms are combined.

Do you want a library card? Please read this library article about how to get your library card.

Take time to visit the Dexter Library, you will be so glad you did. Below is a map to the library.

View Larger Map

Library Hours are: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm and feel free to call the library for further information at 734.426.4477

Click here to search for Dexter and Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively, please contact Kathy Toth Team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

“Painting Paralysis” Can Be Damaging to Your Decor: Tips to Get Past It

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on July 1, 2013

Scenerio: The room is ready. You can picture the new decor in your mind; well, sort of. Selecting a paint color for the walls has you stuck. The indecision is really annoying and, what’s more, it’s preventing you from enjoying the room you hope to create.

There is a reason for the popularity of certain paint colors: white, beige, grey and pale blue are easy to work with, easy to accessorize, and lend themselves to varying themes and stylistic interpretation. You can often detect your own color preferences by looking in your closet. As many experts attest, if you like wearing certain colors, you will likely be happy living with them. This is not to suggest, necessarily, if your wearable favorites are all navy blue that you should paint your living room that color.

Ann Arbor Real Estate — by Ragan Corliss

Begin With Purpose

The problem begins, however, with that first visit to the paint store. With the thousands of paint chips on display, its no wonder that hesitation and procrastination set in. Even the pros understand the dilemma. Some advise skipping that first step altogether.

If you have a favorite fabric, or an accent pillow that you adore, or even a beloved painting that has the exact color you seek, simply bring that item with you to the paint store and ask them to mix up paint to match.

If that seems too simple, or too terrifying, have a sample batch prepared. Take it home and paint it on the wall and live with it for a few days. If it doesn’t scream, “Mistake,” then go ahead and paint the rest of the walls. Try not to make the mistake, however, of “test-driving” multiple swatches — that can spell disaster and lead to true paralysis.

Chances are good that you have a basic idea of the look you desire, and the feeling you want to create. Whether your lifestyle is formal or casual, and whether your preferred color scheme is subdued or vibrant, walls should be the background, not the loud voice.

Analyze Your Goals

Thinking in this way can help guide you toward a color choice; often the best option is a neutral color because the way is then clear for you to accessorize with the seasons, or to alter the mood of the space according to your mood. Take stock of your room and what kind of feeling it projects: Peaceful and Zen-like, happy and playful, moody and quiet, bright and full of energy?

Collecting pictures of appealing spaces, from magazines or online sources is a great way to define your preferences and to crystallize your goals. Not only will it help you to decide on an appropriate color scheme, but seeing a variety of attractive room settings will aid in solidifying your design philosophy.

Finally, if accents of that favorite navy blue aren’t enough — go ahead, paint an accent wall, or a door, or a piece of furniture. If you love it, others will as well!

Click Here to Explore Ann Arbor Real Estate

Gardening for Your Ann Arbor Condo

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on May 15, 2013

Condos offer many benefits and are an excellent option for those who are first-time home buyers, residents wanting to live in the heart of the city, or for those who do not have the time for much home maintenance. They can offer simpler living. However, if you are living in a condo but miss gardening, or long for the opportunity to grow a garden of your own, take heart! Living in a condo does not mean you cannot grow your own garden. With a few tips, you can be gardening in your Ann Arbor condo in no time — all it takes is a little motivation and creativity!

Ann Arbor Condo Garden — by Barbara Cannizzaro

Getting Started with Your Condo Garden

The first step is to make a plan. You will need to know how much space you have in your gardening area. Your garden area may be a well lit sun-room or a patio or balcony, for instance. You will also need to determine how much sunlight the area gets, and what types of plants you would like to grow. These should be plants that grow well in your area.

Next, you will need to gather your tools and materials. Some things a condo gardener will need include: gloves, a small spade, potting dirt, fertilizer and a watering can or self watering globes or beads.

When you have all your supplies, it is time to get your plants and pots. Here you can be creative. Make the space your own by choosing pots and plants that reflect your dream garden. For instance, if you have a shady balcony and want a striking effect, Rex begonias are beautiful and grow well in full shade in Ann Arbor. Finally, you are ready to plant your foliage and watch your garden grow!

Creative Ideas for Your Condo Garden

Living in a condo may mean you have a limited space to grow your favorite plants or herbs, but with a splash of creativity, you can have a beautiful garden that rivals those of a home. From our perspective, small space means great potential for big ideas. If you have a small balcony you’d like to decorate with flowers, forget about the usual pots and find a different container. Our favorite are the old and used snow shoes/rain boots. Simply fill them with fertilizer and plant your flower at the top. It gives them plenty of space to stretch their roots out.

You can also string tie some burlap sacks to your balcony railing and plant a few flowers or herbs in those. The burlap sacks give your condo a rustic appeal while still creating an elegant garden in the heart of the city. You could also try a vertical basket planter, which adds depth to your garden. For more ideas, feel free to email us via our contact page (click here).

Condo living does not have to mean giving up on gardening. Even with a small growing space, with some strategy, love and creativity your condo garden will soon be in full bloom!

View Wonderful Condos to Start Your Garden In!

Spring is a Time for Renewal – Take to the Outdoors

Posted by Toth Team Worldwide on May 2, 2013

Spring is a time for renewal. We all know the familiar saying, “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” The last day of April actually did just that. There was rain in the morning hours and sunshine in the late afternoon here in the Ann Arbor area. The daffodils and tulips are blooming and the forsythia branches are shining bright. I know, I know – there is still snow on the ground in some of the Northern areas in the state of Michigan. I am glad Ann Arbor is looking green. Take to the outdoors, if you are able, and breath the fresh air, enjoy the warm temperatures – renew yourself with the sights and sounds of nature.

When I was out for a short walk today, in this beautiful Spring weather, I was thinking about how grateful I am for my family and friends that have referred The Toth Team Real Estate Services to their circle of friends and co-workers. Referrals are a very important part of our success. We truly value the trust and confidence you have in The Toth Team when you recommend us to others that are thinking of listing or selling their home. You are the BEST. And if you, personally, need any real estate assistance, call us today.

Here is the May Schedule of Events at Hudson Mill Metropark. Take some time this weekend to renew your spirit; step outside and enjoy the weather. Head out to Hudson Mills Metropark for a little recreation with friends and family.

Category: Additional Resources