Amid Rate Drops, Mortgage Applications Soar

With interest rates approaching reaching historic lows, the application volume for mortgages jumped a seasonally adjusted 48 percent last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey.

Application activity for the week ending December 19th was 124.6 percent over the same period a year ago,the Washington, D.C-based MBA said. The spike in applications coincided with another drop in mortgage rates, as the government's efforts to unfreeze the residential-mortgage market show further signs of having the desired effect.

Applications to refinance existing mortgages increased 62.6 percent on a week-to-week basis, while applications filed for mortgages to buy homes increased a seasonally adjusted 10.6 percent.

Refinancings made up 83.2 percent of all applications filed last week, up from 76.9 percent the previous week.

According to the MBA survey, interest rates fell across the board:

• Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.04 percent last week, their lowest level in more than five years. This was down from 5.18 percent the previous week.
  
• Fifteen-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.91 percent, down from 4.93 percent the week before.
  
• One-year ARMs averaged 6.36 percent, down from 6.63 percent.

Source: Mortgage Bankers Association and MarketWatch (12/24/08)

Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours!!!

Wishing you and your family good health, great spirits, festive holidays, and a prosperous 2009!

Chris, Jen, and Josh Cosco

(and Buddy too!)

5 Ways to Give Your Home Character

Far too many of today's homes and communities lack character, says urban designer and author Marianne Cusato, a featured speaker at this week's Sustainable Development & Restoration Summit in Newport, R.I. Urban sprawl is largely responsible for poorly constructed communities popping up across the country, Cusato says. It's resulting in homes that lack energy efficiency, cities with poor layouts, and long, congested commutes.

So how do you avoid the cookie-cutter look and create a sense of identity for your house? Start by using older homes as a model, Cusato suggested.

• Use four-sided architecture. Many home designs focus exclusively on the front, but the side of the home can be just as important and prominent. For example, windows on the side of a home are not only aesthetically pleasing but they also are functional – they offer cross-ventilation for cooling the home during the summer months to curb air conditioning costs and they allow more light to enter the home.
• Use color. Think beyond beige. Color can add more identity to a house. For example, if all the homes on the block have the same architecture, the color of the exterior can be one way to differentiate and add more character to the home.
• Less is more. Don’t overdo it on design elements to the exterior of a home; Too many details can make a home lose character. Focus on creating a hierarchy of most important elements. For example, the entryway and the side windows are prominent areas. Be functional, not just stylish. Shutters along a window of a home that aren’t functional and don’t close, don’t make much sense. The towering, grandiose entryways on many McMansions won’t provide much covering when it’s raining outside.
• One aspect of good design is that it’s functional, Cusato said. Connect with the outdoors. The home doesn’t have to be as big inside if it offers livable outdoor space. For example, a side private garden, front porch, and a public area near the house can connect home owners more to the outdoors.

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey for REALTOR® magazine online

Winter Parking Ban and Fall Brush Collection

If you are a resident of the City of Marquette, I thought you might find this info about the Winter Parking Ban and Fall Brush Collection to be useful.

Winter Parking Ban
If you live in the City of Marquette, please note that the winter parking ban for all city streets goes into effect on Nov. 1. The winter parking ban requires owners of vehicles to find off-street parking between the hours of 1-6 a.m. each morning. The fine for violating the ban is $50. The winter parking ban is in effect until April 1. You are encouraged to find off-street parking for your vehicles well in advance of the ban going into effect.

Fall Brush/Leaf Collection
If you use the "green bag" garbage system, the following information may be of interest to you.

The City of Marquette will begin its brush and leaf collection shortly. Check out www.mqtcty.org to find out when your street will be collected and what is allowed for pick up. The brush and leaf collection is available only to those city residents who use the “green bag” garbage system. This service is supported by fees, not taxes.

All residents are asked to observe the following rules:

• These collections are for brush, leaves, grass clipping and garden debris only. NO rubbish is allowed. Bags containing garbage or other rubbish mixed with yard waste will not be collected
• Brush and leave piles should not be combined. Brush and leaves are collected on separate weeks. Leaves will not be picked up on the brush week, nor brush on leaf pickup weeks.
• The volume to be collected from each property is limited to one pickup load (a pile approximately 12 feet long by 6 feet wide and 5 feet high).
• Brush and/or leave piles should be neat and kep on your own property. For brush, the cut ends should be facing the back of the curb.
• Pile your yard waste on the lawn next to the street edge, NOT in the gutter or on the street pavement.

Crews will collect loose or bagged leaves Oct. 27-31. Crews will return to the same routes Nov. 3-7 but will collect only bagged leaves. Do not use the green city garbage bags for yard waste.

If you miss the designated dates for your area, you are asked to deliver any yard materials that need disposing of to the composting site on Lakeshore Boulevard (one block from Hawley Street). The site is open on Mondays and Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The site closes Nov. 22 for the season.

Week One (Oct. 20-24) is for brush pick up. Week Two (Oct. 27-31) is for loose or bagged leaves. Week Three (Nov. 3-7) is for bagged leaves only. Go to www.mqtcty.org to find out which exact day of the week is designated for your street.

To learn more about the parking ordinance or brush/leaf collection, go to the city’s Web site or call the Public Works office at 228-0444.

8 Ways to Make a Home Sell Faster

Simple fixes and staging practices can focus buyers' attention in the right places and keep them from getting sidetracked by personal items in the home. Here are some staging suggestions from Deborah Ehrlich-Layne of Staging Plus in Tampa, Fla., Handyman Matters, and HGTV's The Stagers.

• Eliminate countertop clutter. A countertop covered with small appliances and utensils looks crowded, not spacious.
• Pack up the too-personal. Don't leave toiletries on the counter. Stash family photos.
• Be prepared for snoops. Prospective buyers pull open drawers, look in closets and peek behind the shower curtain.
• Make sure things work. Dripping faucets, burned-out light bulbs, and squeaking hinges detract from the home's appeal.
• Think "white-glove clean." Mop, dust, vacuum, clean baseboards, wash windows. Make sure the house looks fresh and smells neutral.
• Make sure the front door is clean and the hardware polished. Power-wash walkways.
  Store furniture that makes rooms feel crowded.
• Show every room for the kind of room it is. Maybe you've turned your formal dining room into a home office. Get rid of the desk and computer, and bring back the dining table and chairs.

Source: The Dallas Morning News (09/05/2008)

Plenty of Positive Housing Market News Today

New-Home Sales Surge in Northeast
Sales of new homes were up 3.3 percent in April, the first increase in six months, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s monthly report.The rebound reflected a 41.7 percent surge in demand in the Northeast. Sales were up 8.3 percent in the West and 5.8 percent in the Midwest. They fell by 2.4 percent in the South.The inventory of unsold new homes was down slightly to 10.6 months’ supply at the April sales pace, compared with 11.1 months in March.The increase brought sales to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 526,000.The median price of new homes sold in April fell to $246,100, down 4.2 percent compared with April 2007.
Source: The Associated Press, Martin Crutsinger (05/27/2008)

Plenty of Positive Market News Today
Hungry for a little good real estate news? Leon d’Ancona, president of IMS Inc., has something to cheer you up.D’Ancona, who provides real estate information to the industry, has set up a Web site that lists 2,319 markets in the United States where homes are selling well. For instance, Loganville, Ga., homes sold 38.5 percent faster in April than they did in March, and sales of homes in Avondale, Ariz., increased by 64 percent in April compared with March"The problem with glass-is-half-empty stories is that they have an undue psychological impact on markets that is not borne out by all the facts," says d’Ancona. "We know, because it's our business to know, that there are hundreds of cities and thousands of neighborhoods in the United States right now where the market is very healthy, thank you.”
Source: IMS Inc. (05/27/2008)

Purchase Mortgage Applications Rise
Mortgage applications fell 4.6 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis to 593.3 from 621.6 the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association says. On an unadjusted basis, the index also declined 4.6 percent compared with the previous week and was down 7.5 percent compared with the same week last year. The decline was driven by an 8.9 percent decline in refinance applications, whose share decreased to 46.1 percent from 48.2 percent the previous week. **Purchases actually increased 9.1 percent.
Mortgage rates were up marginally:
30-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.96 percent from 5.90 percent
15-year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 5.49 percent from 5.42 percent
1-year ARMs increased to 6.92 percent from 6.71 percent
Source: Mortgage Bankers Association (05/28/2008)

New Home Owners - 8 Skills Every Home Owner Should Master

These are skills every home owner should master to save lots of money over the years. Most can be tackled without fancy tools, although it helps to have a variable-speed power drill.

1. Replace a door lock.
2. Change furnace and air conditioning filters.
3. Find a stud in wall.
4. Learn to install wall anchors.
5. Hang a ceiling fan.
6. Drive drywall screws (to repair drywall).
7. Master a caulking gun.
8. Replace the flapper ball in the toilet.
   

Here are some books that are GREAT to have handy. They each contain information and helpful full color photos on home do-it-yourself projects:

• "The Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual." First published in 1973, it was last updated in 2005. A great all-around book. Amazon Link
• "Home Depot's Home Improvement 1-2-3" (Meredith Books, 2003, $34.95). Clear, helpful visuals. Home Depot Link
• "Home & Garden Television's Complete Fix-It" (Time Life, 2000, $29.95). Amazon Link

Source: The News & Observer, Allen Norwood (05/17/2008)

How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale

Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter — and earn a little extra cash — before you sell your home. But make sure the timing is right. Garage sales can take on a life of their own, and it might not be the best use of your energy right before putting your home on the market. Follow these tips for a successful sale.

1. Don’t wait until the last minute. You don’t want to be scrambling to hold a garage sale the week before an open house. Depending on how long you’ve lived in the home and how much stuff you have to sell, planning a garage sale can demand a lot of time and energy.

2. Get a permit. Most municipalities will require you to obtain a special permit or license in order to hold a garage sale. The permits are often free or very inexpensive, but still require you to register with the city.

3. See if neighbors want to join in. You can turn your garage sale into a block-wide event and lure more shoppers if you team up with neighbors. However, a permit may be necessary for each home owner, even if it’s a group event.

4. Schedule the sale. Sales on Saturdays and Sundays will generate the most traffic, especially if the weather cooperates. Start the sale early, 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. is best, and be prepared for early birds.

5. Advertise. Place an ad in free classified papers and Web sites, and in your local newspapers. Include the dates, time, and address. Let the public know if certain types of items will be sold, such as baby clothes, furniture, or weightlifting equipment. On the day of the sale, balloons and signs with prominent arrows will help to grab the attention of passersby.

6. Price your goods. Lay out everything that you plan to sell, and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, garage sales are supposed to be bargains, so try to be objective as you set prices. Assign simple prices to your goods: 50 cents, 3 for $1, $5, $10, etc.

7. If it’s really junk, don’t sell it. Decide what’s worth selling and what’s not. If it’s really garbage, then throw it away. Broken appliances, for example, should be tossed. (Know where a nearby electrical outlet is, in case a customer wants to make sure something works.)

8. Check for mistakes. Make sure that items you want to keep don’t accidentally end up in the garage sale pile.

9. Create an organized display. Lay out your items by category, and display neatly so customers don’t have to dig through boxes.

10. Stock up on bags and newspapers. People who buy many small items will appreciate a bag to carry their goods. Newspapers are handy for wrapping fragile items.

11. Manage your money. Make a trip to the bank to get ample change for your cashbox. Throughout the sale, keep a close eye on your cash; never leave the cashbox unattended. It’s smart to have one person who manages the money throughout the day, keeping a tally of what was purchased and for how much. Keep a calculator nearby.

12. Prepare for your home sale. Donate the remaining stuff or sell it to a resale shop. Now that all of your clutter is cleared out, it’s time to focus on preparing your house for a successful sale!

Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine (Realtor.org/realtormag) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Spring is here...

It's official... in the last week all the snow has melted from our yard, the crocus that Jen planted in the back yard have bloomed, the daffodils in the front yard are sprouting, a Robin Red Breast was fishing for worms on the lawn last night, and I've personally witnessed three different flocks of Canadian Geese flying in V formation overhead. SPRING HAS ARRIVED!!!!

In honor of our April Blizzard...

I first read this joke about 8 years ago when my family and I were living in Washington state south of Seattle. We were tired of the rain, so much so, that every now and then we would go up to Snoqualmie Pass in the mountains for a "snow fix" when we were feeling homesick for our U.P. winters.

Now with the unusually late and heavy snow storms we've been having this year I feel as though cabin fever has progressed into a state of cabin paranoia.
Will it ever melt?
What if there will be no summer this year?
I'm actually looking forward to cutting my grass - WOW!

Any way - I thought the Diary of a Snow Shoveler was a fitting blog entry for today.
Enjoy...

Diary of a Snow Shoveler
December 8 - 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!

December 9 - We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snowplow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.

December 12 - The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. l don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man, I'm glad he's our neighbor.

December 14 - Snow lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath way,but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish l wouldn't huff and puff so.

December 15 - 20 inches forecasted. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out.I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.

December 16 - Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.

December 17 - Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.

December 20 - Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Damn snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.

December 22 - Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white stuff fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the a**hole is lying.

December 23 - Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she nuts!!! Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's lying.

December 24 - 6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, l broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snow plow I'll drag him through the snow by his you know what and beat him to death with my broken shovel. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been. Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy watching for the damn snowplow.

December 25 - Merry fricking Christmas! 20 more inches of the damn snow tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's a fricking idiot. If I have to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to stuff her into the microwave.

December 26 - Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.

December 27 - Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze, plumber came after 14 hours of waiting for him, he only charged me 1,400 to replace all my pipes.

December 28 - Warmed up to above -20. Still snowed in. THE BI**H is driving me crazy!!!

December 29 - 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?

December 30 - Roof caved in. I beat up the snow plow driver he is now suing me for a million dollars not only the beating I gave him but also for trying to shove the broken snow shovel up his ass. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.

December 31 - I set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling.

January 8 - Feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?

How is a real estate agent paid???

From time to time I will have a buyer or a seller who is unsure of how I am paid. This is more prevalent with my first time home buyers. So I thought this would be a good forum to give a brief overview.

Real estate agents almost always work on commission only and are not salaried employees nor are they paid hourly. The commission on a home sale is paid to the listing agent (representing the sellers) and selling agent (representing the buyers) at the closing of a real estate sales transaction and is almost always paid entirely by the seller of the home.

Commissions are shared between the listing and selling agents. A standard real estate commission on a home in our area is 6% (Commercial and land are sometimes more).

So let’s say that a home sells for $100,000.
Sales price: $100,000
Commission: 6%
Total commission: $6,000 (6% of $100,000)
Listing agent: receives 3% (of $100,000) = $3,000
Selling agent: receives 3% (of $100,000) = $3,000

Many people know this much but are unaware of what happens next...

Each of the agents usually will not take home $3,000. The real estate brokerage or agency that the real estate agent works for will still receive a percentage of the commission. The agency takes a cut of all agent commissions in order to pay overhead costs such as rent or mortgage for physical location, front office employees, liability insurance, association dues, state employee costs and taxes, small business taxes, etc.

Depending on the agency commission structure which varies from company to company the commission split between agency and agent could be 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, 90/10. So, instead of the agent receiving the full $3,000 in the above example, his or her commission may actually be anywhere from $1,500 (50/50 split, agency gets $1,500) to $2,700 (90/10 split, agency gets $300). The agent may also be required to pay a “desk fee” or rent for their office space at the company and/or other expenses.

Real estate agents are also considered self employed so they are usually responsible for every expense required to list and sell their client’s homes. This includes everything from photo copies to computers and everything in between as well as TV advertising, homes guide advertising, newspaper advertising, website advertising, mailings, business cards, postage, FedEx fees, plat maps, membership dues, licensing fees, Errors & Omissions Insurance, real estate signs, etc. These expenses can be astronomical. Most are tax deductible but many new real estate agents will not make it past their first year unless they have a considerable nest egg to start off with.

Every agent is different, every company is different but in general this is a good synopsis of how the commission structure works. Some agents or companies will offer their services for less, but it usually comes at the expense of full service and advertising. Most discount agencies will put the listing on the local MLS and limit their advertising to free resources. It’s one more instance of the classic “You get what you pay for.”

For All the Brett Favre Fans Out There...

Congratulations to Annette Summersett from the Upper Peninsula for her musical video tribute to Brett Favre - 100,000 hits and climbing on YouTube. If you're like me you may shed a tear. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caqr2zecCUs#

Local Millage Rates

My clients often ask me about property taxes, how they work in Michigan, and which areas in Marquette County have the most expensive and least expensive millage rates. In Michigan the state equalized value is approximately 50% of the home value. If you are living in the home and declare 100% homestead in that property the rate is less than if you use it as a second home or income property. In general a "Non-homestead" home costs about 18 more mills than a "Homestead" property.

Because of Proposal A's taxable value cap, the taxable value of property may be significantly less than state equalized value (one-half of estimated market value). Proposal A was put in place so that a home owner's taxes won't increase too quickly leaving them unable to pay. However, in the year after a property is sold, the taxable value of property will likely increase to the state equalized value. In estimating property taxes on property that will be purchased, use the state equalized value of the property, not the taxable value, or use one-half of the estimated purchase price. Hope that's all clear.

As far as millage rates go they can vary a great deal from one city/township to another. Here is a list of local 2007 homestead millage rates. Let's say you were purchasing a home for 100,000 in the city of Ishpeming. We would divide the purchase price by 2 to get 50,000 (taxable value). Ishpeming's millage rate is 43.3376 so we would then multiply $50,000 by 4.33376% for a total of $2166.88 per year.

You'll notice that several of the townships have different millage rates according to which school system the property falls under.

City/Township
City of Ishpeming - 43.3376
City of Negaunee - 39.4929
City of Marquette - 34.1615
Ewing Township - 30.8223
Champion Township - NICE Schools 29.9213 Powell Schools 25.7516
Richmond Township - 27.7458
Humboldt Township - NICE Schools 27.7776 Republic Michigamme 24.2079
Negaunee Township - 26.0369
Turin Township - 25.9703
Michigamme Township - Republic Michigamme Schools 25.9401 NICE Schools 29.5098
Marquette Township - Marquette Schools 25.2072 Gwinn Schools 23.9072
Chocolay Township - 23.9375
Forsyth Township - 23.7612
Republic Township - 23.6203
Ishpeming Township - NICE 23.3027 Ishpeming 25.1830 Powell 19.1330 Negaunee 23.2514
Sands Township - Gwinn Schools 22.2340 Marquette Schools 23.5340
Tilden Township - 22.8569
Ely Township - 22.8560
Wells Township - 21.4043
Skandia Township - 20.9919
Powell Township - 20.8172
West Branch Township - 19.5733

Thanks Guys!!!

Pictured from left to right

Eric McAuliffe, Adam Gannon, Chris Cosco, Ken Godfrey (NMU Athletic Director),

Chris Forsberg, Zak Green, Josh Cosco, Andrew Short, and Kyle Annelin.

I'd like to thank to my son Josh and his 6 friends for joining me at the NMU Berry Event Center for the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association play-offs on March 8th! I had a great time. I've never seen six pizzas disappear so fast!!!

The NMU Wildcats went on to defeat the Michigan State Spartans in their three-game series in the second round of the play-offs and then to a 2-1 win over Notre Dame in the CCHA Third-Place Game on Saturday March 22 at Joe Louis Arena. Great job Cats!!!

National Recognition for Marquette Again...

Outdoor Life Magazine names the city of Marquette as number seven of the 200 Best Places to Live. Recognized as the source for hunting and fishing adventure, the magazine ranked the top towns for hunters and anglers to live. This is what they had to say...

Leading Appeals: Huge diversity of fish, from native brookies to rainbows and lake-run brown trout to steelhead, salmon, lake trout, walleye and pike.

Amenities: Upper Peninsula's largest medical center, Northern Michigan University and thriving retail and arts scene.

Bottom Line: Trout share space with smallmouth in the U.P.'s pristine streams, and more than 100 lakes are accessible within a half-hour of downtown Marquette. The deer opener is like a national holiday here.

One of the best salmon and steelhead towns in the nation is hundreds of miles from the ocean. Just outside this thriving college town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, anglers cast to surly Chinooks, fight chrome-bright steelhead and play colorful lake-run brown trout. Inland anglers prospect dozens of rivers for trophy brook trout and woodland lakes hold walleye, northern pike, whitefish and crappie. But Marquetters save their vacation time for deer season, when the U.P.'s public land fills with downstaters looking for trophy bucks. Bear, ruffed grouse, ducks, coyotes, rabbits and a growing population of wild turkeys provide plenty of hunter days on the Hiawatha and Ottawa national forests and smaller state parks of the area. "The coolest thing about living here is the public access," says fishing guide Brad Petzke. "I fish hundreds of miles of rivers every year and, because of our liberal stream laws, there are only a few spots you can't access." Fishing is always good in the streams that feed Lake Superior and trophy lake trout are available in the big lake itself.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THE TOP 200 TOWNS AND THEIR RANKINGS, CLICK HERE

Lake Superior Sunrise!!!

Although most have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off this week in observance of Good Friday I myself am booked with several showings throughout today and tomorrow. It's great to be busy and I enjoy working with my clients, but I have to admit at 6am this morning as I was dragging a comb across my head and chugging coffee in an effort to revitalize I was feeling a bit uninspired. My wife, son, and "Buddy" the dog were still sound asleep as I left the house and while backing out of the driveway I thought "It's not even light out for crying out loud."

Then I arrived at my office and was met with this view from my office window. Ok - so maybe getting up early and coming to work on a holiday is not so bad after all. Sometimes the world has a way of reminding you how fortunate you are. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Easter.

Marquette County - Real Estate Market Snapshot

Once a quarter I plan to provide a quick "snapshot" of the Marquette County Real Estate Market.

This will include only residential sales that were listed and sold in the North Central MLS in Marquette County. This does not include vacant land, multi-family units, commercial buildings, properties sold for sale by owner or sales outside of Marquette County.

There have been 61 residential sales in Marquette County from Jan. 1, 08 to Mar. 19, 08.

• The average sale price of those residential sales was $128,878.93.
• The average home sold had 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.
• The average square footage was 1,787 sq ft
• The average cost per square foot was $72.75
• The average days on market was 168.

Sales by area...

• Big Bay = 1
• Gwinn = 2
• Ishpeming = 14 *Average Sales Price $70,158.57 ; Price Per Sq. Ft. $45.00
• Marquette = 32 *Average Sales Price $168,339.84 ; Price Per Sq. Ft. $98.81
• Negaunee = 7 *Average Sales Price $101,585.71 ; Price Per Sq. Ft. $52.92
• Palmer = 1
• Republic = 4

*Data maintained by the Upper Peninsula Association of REALTORs or it's MLS is in no way responsible for it's accuracy and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Another Sure Sign of Spring!!!

The Lake Superior 2008 shipping season has begun! The first of this season's Iron Ore freighters has arrived in Marquette. The "Mesabi Miner" made her journey to Marquette from the twin ports of Deluth / Superior. The 1,000 foot self-unloading bulk carrier was originally launched February 14, 1977! She arrived with a load of coal from Midwest Energy Resources to our harbor yesterday.

The U.S. Coast Guard began breaking Lake Superior ice last Tuesday to speed up the process of reopening lanes for the shipping season. The lake ice on the Great Lakes would take weeks to naturally melt, so every year the Coast Guard helps it along by breaking ice 20 to 36 inches thick in order to form shipping lanes with icebreaking tug boats like the Biscayne Bay, a 140 foot tug.

You can view video and photos of the Mesabi Miner at You Tube by clicking on the links below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJyR9XFT3f0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I1vdu_6Rn4

I will continue to be "on the look out" for signs of SPRING and will keep you posted!!!

What a weekend for Marquette Michigan Hockey!!!

Marquette Senior High Hockey Team named Division 1 State Champions after 8 overtimes in the second longest game in U.S. High School Hockey history!!! Michigan High School Athletic Association stops game at 1-1 tie and names both teams co-champions!!! Detroit Free Press Article GO RED!!!
AND...

The Northern Michigan University hockey Wildcats defeated Ohio State 6-1 on Sunday, March 9 to advance to the second round of the CCHA Play-offs!!! GO CATS!!!

Congratulations to both teams. They showed a lot of heart!!!!

Big Weekend Coming Up!!!

The annual U.P. Builder's Show is as sure a sign of spring on its way as crocus sprouting through the snow! With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, Yoopers begin to feel confident that there may only be one more snow storm on the horizon. Cabin fever has set in for many and we begin to look for any sign that winter will give way to spring. And for some they just can't wait, you know the ones; you see them out and about with their Bermuda shorts and a parka on! "It's above freezing - time to pull out the summer gear!" The show also marks the beginning of my busy season as a REALTOR. Home sales pick up in the spring when the snow melts, trees bud, and flowers bloom. In fact the activity has already picked up towards the end of February this year!

Held in the Superior Dome on the campus of Northern Michigan University, the builder's show attracts upwards of 290 vendors and 10,000 guests! It's definitely worth your time to stop in and take a look at the exhibits. (Don't forget to pick up some of the candied almonds while you're there! So Good!) The show also gives me the opportunity to see friends, clients and associates that I may not have seen through the winter and meet new folks as well. Feel free to come visit with me at the show Saturday March 8th between 10am and noon or Sunday March 9th between 11am and 1pm at the RE/MAX booth.

Print Your Dome Map

If you are looking for something more to do this weekend, I will be sponsoring the NMU Wildcat Hockey game Saturday March 8th at 7:35pm at the Berry Event Center. Come out and support the local team in the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Playoffs. The NMU Wildcats host Ohio State University in a best-of-three series beginning Friday night. The Wildcats enter the playoffs as the sixth seed while the Buckeyes are the 11th. The winner of the series will advance in the CCHA Playoffs. The playoff series is a rematch of last year’s first round when the two teams battled in Ohio. OSU took the first game 6-2, NMU won the second game in overtime 3-2, and then NMU advanced by winning game three (3-2). It's a great match-up. Tickets are currently on sale at the Superior Dome ticket office, the TCF Bank ticket outlet in the University Center or on-line (http://www.nmu.edu/tickets/). Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to have their season seat and to avoid lines on game day at the Berry Events Center ticket window. My family, friends, and I will be in box suite #1 - feel free to stop by and say "Hello!"& GO CATS!

Moving With Your Pet...

In the summer of 2000 my wife and I made the 3,000 mile journey home to Marquette from Tacoma, Washington where I had been stationed in the Air Force. With all of our worldly possessions in the back, we set off in a huge rented truck. Our family car was towed at the back and our seven year old son Josh and our two year old dog Buddy sat in the cab with us. Talk about spending quality time together!

I remember both Jen and I being worried about Josh, thinking that the transition might be hard on him. What didn't occur to us was that the transition might be hard on Buddy. Josh had no problems at all. He was excited about the big truck, excited about the travel, and excited about seeing Grandma in Marquette. Buddy, on the other hand, became very depressed. In fact he stopped eating the first day of the trip.

Now, if you knew Buddy, you would know that he is what veterinarians like to call a "ravenous eater". What does that mean - well it pretty much means Buddy will eat anything you put in front of him until it is gone. He doesn't recognize when he is full and he doesn't even care if it tastes good. He likes food - this is fitting being a part of the Italian Cosco family! We like our food! So to see Buddy unwilling to eat was quite worrisome.

Buddy continued not acting like himself and not eating for two days. We finally realized that he would eat only if we got down on the floor and fed him by hand and so we did for several days. I'm happy to report that Buddy adjusted to our new home and got back to his normal spunky self about a week later. He is very much a part of our family as I'm sure your pets are a part of yours. So consider these tips when you make your move with your pet.

10 Tips for Moving With Pets

Moving to a new home can be stressful on your pets, but there are many things you can do to make the process as painless as possible. Experts at The Pet Realty Network (www.petrealtynetwork.com) in Naples, Fla., offer these helpful tips for easing the transition and keeping pets safe during the move.

1. Update your pet’s tag. Make sure your pet is wearing a sturdy collar with an identification tag that is labeled with your current contact information. The tag should include your destination location, telephone number, and cell phone number so that you can be reached immediately during the move.

2. Ask for veterinary records. If you’re moving far enough away that you’ll need a new vet, you should ask for a current copy of your pet’s vaccinations. You also can ask for your pet’s medical history to give to your new vet, although that can normally be faxed directly to the new medical-care provider upon request. Depending on your destination, your pet may need additional vaccinations, medications, and health certificates. Have your current vet's phone number handy in case of an emergency, or in case your new vet would like more information about your pet.

3. Keep medications and food on hand. Keep at least one week’s worth of food and medication with you in case of an emergency. Vets can’t write a prescription without a prior doctor/patient relationship, which can cause delays if you need medication right away. You may want to ask for an extra prescription refill before you move. The same preparation should be taken with special therapeutic foods — purchase an extra supply in case you can't find the food right away in your new area.

4. Seclude your pet from chaos. Pets can feel vulnerable on moving day. Keep them in a safe, quiet, well-ventilated place, such as the bathroom, on moving day with a “Do Not Disturb! Pets Inside!” sign posted on the door. There are many light, collapsible travel crates on the market if you choose to buy one. However, make sure your pet is familiar with the new crate before moving day by gradually introducing him or her to the crate before your trip. Be sure the crate is well-ventilated and sturdy enough for stress-chewers; otherwise, a nervous pet could escape.

5. Prepare a first aid kit. First aid is not a substitute for emergency veterinary care, but being prepared and knowing basic first aid could save your pet's life. A few recommended supplies: Your veterinarian's phone number, gauze to wrap wounds or to muzzle your pet, adhesive tape for bandages, non-stick bandages, towels, and hydrogen peroxide (3 percent). You can use a door, board, blanket or floor mat as an emergency stretcher and a soft cloth, rope, necktie, leash, or nylon stocking for an emergency muzzle.

6. Play it safe in the car. It’s best to travel with your dog in a crate; second-best is to use a restraining harness. When it comes to cats, it’s always best for their safety and yours to use a well-ventilated carrier in the car. Secure the crate or carrier with a seat belt and provide your pet with familiar toys. Never keep your pet in the open bed of a truck or the storage area of a moving van. In any season, a pet left alone in a parked vehicle is vulnerable to injury and theft. If you’ll be using overnight lodging, plan ahead by searching for pet-friendly hotels. Have plenty of kitty litter and plastic bags on hand, and keep your pet on its regular diet and eating schedule.

7. Get ready for takeoff. When traveling by air, check with the airline about any pet requirements or restrictions to be sure you’ve prepared your pet for a safe trip. Some airlines will allow pets in the cabin, depending on the animal’s size, but you’ll need to purchase a special airline crate that fits under the seat in front of you. Give yourself plenty of time to work out any arrangements necessary including consulting with your veterinarian and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If traveling is stressful for your pet, consult your veterinarian about ways that might lessen the stress of travel.

8. Find a new veterinary clinic and emergency hospital. Before you move, ask your vet to recommend a doctor in your new locale. Talk to other pet owners when visiting the new community, and call the state veterinary medical association (VMA) for veterinarians in your location. When choosing a new veterinary hospital, ask for an impromptu tour; kennels should be kept clean at all times, not just when a client’s expected. You may also want to schedule an appointment to meet the vets. Now ask yourself: Are the receptionists, doctors, technicians, and assistants friendly, professional and knowledgeable? Are the office hours and location convenient? Does the clinic offer emergency or specialty services or boarding? If the hospital doesn’t meet your criteria, keep looking until you’re assured that your pet will receive the best possible care.

9. Prep your new home for pets. Pets may be frightened and confused in new surroundings. Upon your arrival at your new home, immediately set out all the familiar and necessary things your pet will need: food, water, medications, bed, litter box, toys, etc. Pack these items in a handy spot so they can be unpacked right away. Keep all external windows and doors closed when your pet is unsupervised, and be cautious of narrow gaps behind or between appliances where nervous pets may try to hide. If your old home is nearby, your pet may try to find a way back there. To be safe, give the new home owners or your former neighbors your phone number and a photo of your pet, and ask them to contact you if your pet is found nearby.

10. Learn more about your new area. Once you find a new veterinarian, ask if there are any local health concerns such as heartworm or Lyme disease, or any vaccinations or medications your pet may require. Also, be aware of any unique laws. For example, there are restrictive breed laws in some cities. Homeowner associations also may have restrictions — perhaps requiring that all dogs are kept on leashes. If you will be moving to a new country, carry an updated rabies vaccination and health certificate. It is very important to contact the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to which you’re traveling to obtain specific information on special documents, quarantine, or costs to bring the animal into the country.

Source: The Pet Realty Network (http://www.petrealtynetwork.com/)

U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship Feb 15-17...

This is the 19th year for our U.P. 200 and over 15,000 visitors are expected to watch alongside trails reaching from Marquette, through Wetmore, to Grand Marais and back. The event has a start time of 7:10pm tonight from Washington Street in downtown Marquette and will finish throughout the afternoon and evening Sunday the 17th at Marquette’s Lower Harbor.

The 200 is a 12 dog, mid-distance race that consists of 240 miles. The teams start one after another in equal time intervals, competing against the clock rather than directly against one another. This is due to logistic considerations of getting teams of 12 excited sled dogs to the starting line for a clean timed start. There will be 27 mushers this year, 25 male, 2 female, 21 veteran, and 6 rookies from all over the U.S. and Canada.

The teams consist of leader dogs, point dogs, swing dogs, and wheel dogs. The lead dog is literally the leader of the pack and is very important to the success of the team. The wheel dogs are the ones that do the “heavy lifting” of the group, they must be strong enough to pull the sled through the snow. Point dogs are behind the leader dogs and swing dogs between the point and wheel dogs. For all dogs endurance, strength and speed are important traits.

The event is an experience unmatched with local shop keepers providing warm cider, coffee, and snacks and an excitement in the air that is contagious. There’s a “Small Town America” feel to the event with neighbors and strangers huddling closely to see the start (and out of necessity to keep warm). It’s a moment in history as well, being that it is a qualifying race for the Iditarod, which has been called the “Last Great Race on Earth” and has won worldwide acclaim. Definitely worth your time! Come out and have fun!

One side note:
“Jim and Ray” will be playing at the UpFront & Co. from 7 to 11. The duo has become a musical fixture in the Marquette area over the years. In fact my wife and I watched Jim and Ray play at Vango’s Lounge (where they still play every Thursday!) 16 years ago on our very first date. Pop on over for a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” along with other classic tunes from Jimmy Buffet, Simon & Garfunkel, and everyone in between – you won’t be disappointed!

Here's An Idea For Sellers....

There are more homes to choose from in today's market. So how does a seller make their home stand out in the crowd? Put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Ask yourself what would I want to know about this home. And perhaps more importantly, after living here, what is it that I like best about the home. The idea here is to offer honest and relevant information to prospective buyers. Make a short list of items and leave it on the kitchen table where it can be easily found by the agent and buyers as they walk through the home. Warning - please keep it simple. Please do not write a two page essay on why they should purchase your home. Instead just offer a few little kernals of info that will peak a buyer's interest and make them feel "at home."

For Example...

• Where’s the school bus stop. What's the best place to get a pizza.
• If there's something that they can't see now, but will enjoy later tell them about it. For example if it's winter, tell them about the lilac bush that blooms in the backyard in the summer.
• Is there a little park or ice cream shop around the corner that makes a great family walk?
• If there is a time of day or time of year that your backyard looks best tell them about it and if you have one leave a photo, i.e. sunset from the front deck, fall colors in the back yard, etc.
• Do you have bird feeders? Tell them what birds visit Goldfinches, Grosbeaks, Chickadees?
• Do you have other wildlife visit on occasion - leave a photo of the deer in the woods behind the house.
• Do you have a favorite room or feature of the house. Tell them it's your favorite and why, i.e. We love to sit and read the paper Sunday morning in the sun room, or we've really enjoyed having the big deck for family barbeques.

Pointing out these features will make your home stick out in a buyer's mind when they are seeing 10 different homes in a day.

Another great idea once you've sold your home is to leave a "Helpful Hints" list on the counter for when the new homeowners move in. This list might include...

• When does the trash collector come.
• Appliance manuals, copies of receipts, and contact info for repair services, warranty info.
• The location of the water main and its on/off valves.
• The location of the well, the depth and gallons per minute it produces.
• The location of the septic system and information who last cleaned it and when.
• Age of the roof, warranty information, and what company installed it.
• The names of the service people you've used, including that of your plumber and your heating/air conditioning service.

Your buyers will appreciate the added effort both before and after the sale!

Selling your home? A little time now may save you a lot of time later...

What You Can Do to Prepare Your Home for Sale...

These are only recommendations, not requirements; however what you do now to prep your home may save you a lot of time and hassle later. It may take seven to ten days to accomplish these tasks and some may be work intensive, but it may mean the difference between selling your home fast and at top dollar or having your home sit on the market for an unnecessarily extended period of time.

De-Clutter: We all collect an amazing amount of "things". If you don’t need it, why not donate it to your local St. Vincent’s or Goodwill store. The general rule is “If you haven't used it in over a year, you probably don't need it.” Remove all books and knickknacks from bookcases and shelves and box them up. Clean off everything on kitchen counters. Leave only a few nice looking items on each surface. The idea here is - you will eventually be packing this stuff up for your move anyway – why not get a head-start.

Take Your Personality Out of the Home: Pack up any personal photographs and children’s art projects, trophies, awards. Buyers tend to be easily distracted by such items. Curiosity gets the best of them and suddenly they are looking for clues as to what the current owners are like instead of paying attention to the home itself. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls. Please pack up your favorite sports memorabilia collection, porcelain doll collection, model airplane collection, collectable glassware, etc.. What is treasure to one may be seen as clutter to another.

If Needed - Rent a Storage Unit: Do you have a lot of furniture? Or is your furniture rather large for the room it is in. Many homes show better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that obstruct paths and walkways and put them in storage. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to let the buyer know what the room’s intended purpose is. You want your home to have a light and airy appeal. Too much furniture in any room gives the room a heavy feel.

Remove/Replace favorite Items: Remember – What a buyer never sees, they can’t ask you to include in the sale. If you painstakingly sewed your curtains by hand, box them up and replace them with some economical linen curtains from your local discount store. If the chandelier in the entry is an heirloom, take it down and replace it with an economical one from your local home store. Remove and pack such items if necessary, but you must replace them, or it will look as though the home has been looted.

Make Minor Repairs: Replace cracked tiles, patch holes in drywall, replace burned out light bulbs, replace torn screens or broken windows, re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks, fix leaky faucets, fix doors that don't close properly and drawers that jam, etc. Now is the time to do any project that you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t gotten around to. These small details will make prospective buyers worry that the home has not been maintained well.

Make the House Sparkle! Wash windows inside and out, spray down sidewalks, clean out cobwebs, polish chrome faucets and mirrors, clean out the refrigerator, vacuum (vacuum before each showing if possible), mop floors, dust furniture, ceiling fans and light fixtures, replace or just remove worn bathroom & kitchen rugs.

Pretend You Are a Choosy Buyer: This is the BEST TIP! Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you? Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a new buyer. Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense. Consider repainting any room that screams pink little girl’s room, or lime green kitchen. You want your home to appeal to the masses. Neutral colors - light tan, light beige are good ideas, other colors can be used - just remember that they should be subtle. Have you been considering replacing your worn bedspread or that torn lampshade? Now is the time to do it. Hang up fresh towels and put fresh soaps or potpourri in the bathrooms.

Clean and air out any musty smelling areas: Odors are a no-no. If you are a smoker consider smoking on the back deck or front porch instead of in the home. This has become such an issue in recent years that some buyers will only look at homes that are currently owned by non-smokers. If you can, opt for airing out vs. masking a smell. If a buyer walks in a home and is hit by a wall of rosy smelling room deodorizer - they will assume you are trying to cover something up.

Last but Not Least - Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal, Curb Appeal: Remember! For every one person that will walk through your home, there may be 10 to 20 that drive by just to take a peak. Don’t open yourself up to the drive-by buyer who won’t take the time to look at the interior of a home if they don’t like the exterior. Keep the sidewalks cleared, mow the lawn, paint window trim, plant yellow flowers or group several planted flower pots together. Yellow is said to evoke a buying emotion - and Marigolds are inexpensive. Trim your bushes, and make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

I know it's a long list, but it's a proven methodology. Do the work before you list and save yourself time and money later.

Mortgage Rates fall to near 4 YEAR LOW...

As a buyer, you couldn't ask for a better set of circumstances. In most markets the inventory of homes is up which means that you have a larger group of homes to choose from, many sellers are motivated so there are some good deals out there, and the interest rates are low. It's looking like a very good time to find a home and lock in a fixed rate.

Freddie Mac reports that interest on 30-year, fixed loans fell for the fourth straight week, landing at their lowest level in nearly four years.

Economists say mortgage rates averaged 5.48 percent for the week ended Jan. 24 -- down from 5.69 percent a week ago -- because of the latest reports about the economy and because the
Federal Reserve made its biggest cut in 20 years to a key interest rate. Freddie Mac also reports that rates on 15-year mortgages declined to 4.95 percent from 5.21 percent, rates on five-year adjustable-rate mortgages dropped to 5.13 percent from 5.4 percent, and rates on one-year ARMs slipped to 4.99 percent from 5.26 percent.

Ok - you are ready to buy a home - now what...

I know this takes all the fun out of beginning the home buying process, but all the better to get this part out of the way...

What's the first thing you should do when you are ready to buy a home?
Get preapproved by your lender.

I know what you are thinking - boring - paper work - no fun -but this is really a great idea and it can go a long way towards achieving your ultimate goal of finding the right home in a reasonable time frame.

Your lender will help you to know exactly what your price range is which will help narrow the field of homes for you and your agent to review. Not to mention - there is nothing worse than finding the exact home you want and then finding out that the bank will not finance it's dollar amount.

The process is fairly simple and can typically be done over the phone. First if you don't already have a lender that you've worked with I would recommend that you ask friends and family who they have used in the past for their home loans. Word of mouth is usually a great way to find a good local lender. Bank or Mortgage Broker is no matter - just make sure it's someone with a good reputation for good service. Once you've decided who you would like to work with make sure you have all your ducks in a row. You will need your social security number, current address and any former addresses over a 5 year period, name, address, phone of current employer, 2 months bank statements, & 2 most recent income check stubs. This will usually do the trick. If you are self employed you may need copy of two years tax returns. Be informed about current rates, ask how much closing costs are and ask if you are being charged any points (a point 1% of the total loan amount) to reduce the rate. All of this should be offered to you on a Good Faith Estimate (GFE).

Once this part is done you can move on to the fun part - finding your new home!

Let's get started!

Click on the link below to print your own Wants Vs. Needs Worksheet offered by Freddie Mac. It's a great form to forward to your Realtor so that they know exactly what you are looking for right away. I think it also gives spouses the opportunity to talk and agree on what's important to each of them. It takes a lot of the guess work out and is a useful tool.

Wants Vs. Needs

How many services are FREE these days...

Recently I met a young couple who had contacted me to arrange a time to see one of my properties. We met at the home, walked through it, talked for a while about what they liked and disliked, and then made our way to our vehicles to say goodbye. At that point, I offered to send them a list via email of current listings meeting their criteria. They explained that they preferred not to work with any one real estate agent and that they would look on their own and contact the specific listing agents to see properties that caught their eye.

I wanted to address this strategy via the blog, because I think many people (especially first time home buyers) may not realize the pros and cons of using one specific Buyer's Agent.

First and foremost, a buyer's agent works with their buyer, for their buyer, and in their buyer's best interest to find a home. They get to know their client, get a feel for what their client wants, and then is on the hunt for a home that meets their needs. The agent knows immediately when a home hits the market and can inform their buyer right away. When buyer's choose to look for themselves they typically use a homes guide, or Internet service. These are great resources but the information within can be a week to even a month old by the time it is published and/or circulated putting the buyer at a disadvantage to other buyers who are using their own agent.

Secondly, it is one of very few professional services that I can think of that is typically 100% free. The Real Estate Agents's commission is customarily paid by the seller as a percentage of the sales price. A buyer benefits from the real estate agent's time, attention, and expertise and the seller foots the bill. You can't get much better than that.

Third, many buyers are under the impression that a real estate agent can only show them what is currently listed by them or with their real estate company. Almost all offices everywhere are entered into a reciprocal agreement via their local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) where by each agent has access to info and can show any listing on the MLS.

So the long and the short of it is ... Finding one buyer's agent that you like and feel comfortable with is a win - win situation. No negatives - only positives.

Here's a post note - let's say you choose a buyer's agent, you look at several homes, and in the end you fall in love with a home that happens to be your agent's listing. In this case your agent can act under a "Dual Agency Contract" and represent both you and the seller and thereby act in the best interest of both parties.

It's Cold Outside! Brrrrrrrrr!

Ok - It is with heavy heart that I sit down to type this posting. The Packers lost to the Giants last night in what was the third coldest NFL game ever played (wind chill around 25 below 0). I could go on and on about what happened and what should have happened, but since I feel a bit like a kid who just got pulled out of a candy store, I've decided it's best to just buck up and move on! So what does a disheartened Packer fan do with his free time for the next few weeks?

Well if you are a Golf fan, as I am, take comfort in knowing that the Golf season has begun and the Buick Invitational will be televised from Torrey Pines next weekend with Woods and Mickelson battling it out for the first time this season.

Also there is a huge amount of outdoor fun to be had in the next few weeks. It is supposed to warm up by the end of the week so get out there and have some fun. Here are some ideas...

While decidedly a spectator sport, it's definitely spine-tingling watching skiers fly for hundreds of feet. The Upper Peninsula's ski jumping history is synonymous with Suicide Hill, established in 1925 at Copper Peak, in Ishpeming, Mich., also home to the U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. The world's tallest constructed ski jump, the fabled hill is home to the Ishpeming Ski Club, the oldest active ski jumping club in the United States. The club hosts a SuperTour ski jumping event Feb. 13, and the hill hosts the 2008 USSA Chevrolet Junior Olympics Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined, Feb. 26-March 1.

The Noquemanon ski marathon is this Friday and Saturday January 25th and 26th. Over 1,000 skiers from all over the United States and Canada participate in the annual freestyle (skate) and classic point-to-point race. The ever-growing Noquemanon Ski Marathon offers cross-country skiers a spectacular trek through the wilderness of Marquette County. It starts in Ishpeming at and finishes at the world's largest wooden domed stadium, the Superior Dome.

The Michigan Ice Fest at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising showcases the chilly thrills of ice climbing along Lake Superior's sandstone bluffs. "A majority of our visitors have never climbed before," says Bill Thompson, organizer of the 25-year-old festival (Feb. 1-3 this year) and owner of Downwind Sports. "There's a good energy because not only are people trying the sport for the first time but we have the world's best climbers here to learn from."

Also coming up are the UP 200 Sled Dog Championship and the Big Bay Fishing Derby, both of which are an experience unmatched.

So if you are a disappointed Packer or Lion fan and you need something to get your mind off your woes - get out there and have some winter fun. There's always next year. :-/

Mortgage Rates Officially Hit a 2.5 Year Low

30-Year Mortgages Hit Lowest Rates Since 2005
Long-term mortgage rates remain in a downward pattern, registering the third consecutive week of decline.

According to Freddie Mac's numbers, average interest on 30-year fixed loans settled the week at 5.69 percent—the lowest level since July 2005. Other rate declines include:
15-year fixed mortgages slipped to 5.21 percent from 5.43 percent a week ago.
5-year adjustable-rate average retreated to 5.4 percent from 5.63 percent.
1-year ARMs fell to 5.26 percent from 5.37 percent..

This may be a good time to refinance your home. Call your lender and see if you can do a cost free refinance (make sure they are not rolling the costs into your loan). Many lenders will do refinances at little or no cost in order to retain their current clients. Or if you have a home equity line that is adjustable - now may be a good time to roll it in with your 1st mortgage in order to fix the rate on both. Just a thought.

The 1st of Many!

Hello and Welcome!
I am hoping this posting will be the first of many designed to inform and entertain folks that are interested in the Upper Peninsula & Real Estate. For my first posting I have some exciting news. This week the Weather Channel named the U.P. as one of the top ten Winter Family Getaways. They had this to say...

"On center stage at the UP is Ottawa National Forest, rimmed by countless, well-maintained state lands like Porcupine Mountains State Park and Copper Country State Forest. Skiing and snowshoeing here takes you up gentle slopes and down through peaceful valleys. You'll see meadows, lakes, streams and waterfalls, which form spectacular ice sculptures in wintertime. Trails and backcountry are equally littered with deer, fox and snowshoe hare tracks, among others. Hours of fun can be had with the kids learning to distinguish one set of animal tracks from another, finding patterns, and imagining how the animals live their days foraging and frolicking, munching bark and other snowy-weather fare."

This is only the most recent in a long list of accolades that we've received in the last few years.

Sherman’s Travel named Michigan’s Upper Peninsula one of the top ten global summer vacation destinations in 2006.

Men’s Journal, 2006, named the Upper Peninsula one of the best places to buy vacation property.

Author John Villani named Marquette one of America’s 100 Best Art Towns in 2005.

Bike Magazine rated Marquette in the top five best places to mountain bike in the country in 2003 and 2005.

On June 14th, 2003, the National Civic League announced Marquette County, Michigan, as one of ten All-America Cities at the 54th Annual All-America City Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The All-America City Award is a 54-year-old program of the National Civic League recognizing civic excellence, and it annually honors 10 communities that best exemplify the spirit of grassroots citizen involvement.

On April 12th, 2004 MarquetteCounty was named one of the 30 Most Livable Communities in USA Today by the Partners for Livable Communities, a non-profit group that identifies what it calls the nation's most livable places every decade.

How lucky we are to live in an area that offers so much!!!