findmymichiganhome

Preservation of Equity by Home Inspection

2008-09-22T21:03:00.000-07:00

Selling or buying a home may be one of the most stressful events a person faces in his or her lifetime and in this challenging current marketplace real estate agents are working more closely than ever with home sellers to sell homes as quickly and for as high a value as possible. As a result, many real estate agents are now advising sellers to schedule a home inspection prior to putting their home on the market.

By utilizing a prelisting inspection, which is a home inspection that is paid for by the seller before a house is put on the market , sellers not only reduce the possibility of last-minute surprises during negotiations, but also give themselves a marketing edge by providing educated buyers with upfront information on the condition of the home. Rather than await the results of the inspection which, is more often than not a contract contingency, the proactive seller can effectively disarm the potential for over inflated contract price negotiations.

It is far less expensive for a home seller to fix a problem than to allow it to become a tool in negotiating a lesser sale price for their home. A conservative estimate states for every dollar of identified repairs, the buyer would be looking at double, or sometimes triple, that amount in a price reduction. A wise home seller who, for example, learns from their home inspection that portions of the roof need repair, may opt to repair that section immediately rather than having the problem become a price-negotiating tool. Paying $5,000 for the repair is far more enticing than losing $10,000 in the sale.

Being aware of the home’s potential problem areas before putting the house on the market creates a conducive and trusting environment between the seller and the buyer. A prelisting inspection reduces the stress that might be involved in a transaction if major repair issue were to be discovered during the time the house is in escrow.

If, for example, three weeks before a house was to close the water heater or furnace failed, the seller would need to rush to schedule a repair which might potentially cost thousands of dollars. If these issues had been discovered in a pre-sale inspection, the seller would have avoided the stress and unforeseen expenditure of having to address these needs with such short notice.

With the growing number of housing inventory and the resulting increased leverage afforded the buyer, many real estate agents are encouraging home sellers to conduct a prelisting inspection in order to reduce the chance of a deal quickly falling into jeopardy or being lost altogether because of last-minute surprises.

The prelisting inspection tells the seller exactly what needs to be addressed and assists them with prioritizing the repairs. The seller can determine what they want to fix and can create a budget for repairs or they can choose to make allowances to the buyer for any major repairs uncovered by the inspection process . Once the inspection is completed the house is ready to sell with no hidden problem areas waiting to surprise the realtor, the seller and the buyer.

Even a newer home with marble counter tops and hardwood floors may have problem spots. Buyers who are looking to make a big investment will appreciate the added touch of a prelisting inspection that is included in the home’s marketing materials. This valuable information proves that the seller has all the information laid out for the buyer which shows good faith and disclosure and will undoubtedly help to make the sales transaction process smooth and seamless.

While much of the increase in prelisting inspections has been driven by real estate practitioners who have witnessed just how quickly and easily they can sell a home with such information readily available for buyers to view, the latest trend is for the sellers to initiate the inspection in the spirit of protecting their interests. Being able to present these reports reinforces the fact that the seller has nothing to hide and is beneficial to preservation of equity.

Pet Photography and the Rennaisance Woman

2008-05-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

It has often been said that necessity is the mother of invention
and such was the case with Renny Mills’ foray into the world of pet photography.

Renny was formally educated at the Ohio Institute of Photography and relocated to Chicago in 1984 to begin her professional career. She honed her craft over the next decade free-lancing for one of the city’s largest catalog studios in the demanding industry of table top photography while moonlighting as a wedding photographer on the weekends.

The combination of these two diverse disciplines began to shape her approach to creative photography and as a result her work reflected a photo journalistic flavor. It was evident that Renny exuded a calming influence, which allowed her subjects to feel at ease and is an attribute vital to capturing a natural and candid image.

Her evenings were spent in the stillness of the darkroom where she further perfected the technical elements and artistry of hand rendering and it was where, on one such evening , that she received a call that would set the stage for a new path that to this day is still unfurling.

A neighbor was dog sitting and called with a unique gift idea for her brother who was traveling with his family. Her thought was to photograph their dog “Audrey”, an elderly Cocker Spaniel whose health was failing, and surprise her family with a series of portrait photography as a keepsake reminder of their beloved pet.

Utilizing the lighting skills she perfected in the catalog industry and with the allure of an exciting new challenge, Renny re-tooled her studio with pet friendly props and squeaky toys. The backdrop was set and after a few simple test shots little Audrey tilted her head toward the camera as the flash bulbs popped. The dog was a natural and Renny was hooked.

The flash bulbs continued to pop over the next several days as Renny photographed her three dogs as well as her neighbor’s dog Cocoa the Pointer. The images captured during these early efforts would prove to be timeless and enduring as one of the early images of Cocoa, which was published nationally, has endured as the calling card most associated with Mill’s unique approach to her craft.

Her repertoire has expanded to include custom silk screen renderings, gallery exhibits, custom framing and matting, yet perhaps one of the most daunting challenges of late does not take place in the controlled environment of the studio but rather “ where a dog can be a dog!” Renny Mills is in her fifth year as camp photographer for Camp Dogwood which convenes twice a year and offers a unique bonding experience for the camper and their canine companions with activities such as lure coursing, agility trials, fly ball, dock diving, and just plain dog tiredness.

What started in a small studio in Chicago has grown and transcended the Midwest with demand for her services in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois and will culminate with the release of a calendar in 2009. The sale proceeds of the calendar will benefit the efforts of Pet Refuge, a no-kill shelter based in Mishawaka, Indiana and is one of several philanthropic endeavors that Renny has embraced and supported.

“ I truly love what I do, “ said Mills, “ I have the opportunity to freeze a moment in time and preserve a beautiful image that we can revisit at any time that we need to lift our spirits.” In dog years, that translates to a lifetime.

In The Midst Of A Harvest Sky

2007-11-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

It has often been said that a picture is worth a thousand words but more often than not those words cannot be accurately portrayed within the framework of the picture. That is to say, the picture frames the dialogue, and not the reciprocal.

Allow me to set the stage.

It is early autumn and the leaves have turned. The aroma of Concord grapes sweep through the countryside on the whim of the wind and for a few short weeks it is possible to smell the color purple. The vibrant palette of nature is on display as a fleeting escape of foliage jettisons the mighty sentinels of our Southwest Michigan forests. Our season gives way to the magnificent desolation that will be another Midwest winter with the splendor that only Michigan can provide.

The tourists are gone and the purists remain, save for the vestige of our annual refrain.

To live in the Midwest is truly a gift of seasonal survival. We brave the torrent of spring rain as we traverse the bridge to summer, we endure the harsh rays of an unforgiving sun as we strive for harvest, we pray for rain yet curse the floods, and we thank the soil for all that she bestows upon us. Thank you Mother Earth!

Tonight the sky is crimson red which is due in no small part to the dust kicked up by the harvesters as framed in the foreground of the setting sun.

To smell the soil is quite remarkable, to await the harvest is our destiny.

These unadulterated parcels of productive farmland our quickly becoming the dinosaurs of our modern era and unless we recognize them for the significance that they represent we risk losing them to the urbanization of the housing market.

It is time to educate ourselves as to the existence of PDR’s and Conservation Easements as well as a plethora of other land preservation mechanisms as we endeavor to set aside the very essence of family value as it pertains to our dinner table and how we feed our families.

Can you make a difference or will you stand by waiting for somebody else to do something?

I await your reply…and so does the rest of the Midwest!

Canines On The Catwalk

2007-10-21T17:31:00.000-07:00

The fashion industry has officially gone to the dogs, if only for a day in South Bend, Indiana.

On Tuesday, October 16 2007, a talented and resourceful group of volunteers known as “The Pet Refuge Guild” sponsored a full blown poochie fashion show and on this auspicious afternoon, it was all about the dog.

The show featured six different dog stars and their human counterparts complete with music, wardrobe changes, and a full service luncheon at the accommodating Waterford Estates.

The music was lively and the talent was primed but what was most impressive is that these wonderful dogs were flawless in their delivery. It was as if they were trained to do this yet they were just novices with no formal training. Turning on a dime, strutting to the music, and representing their brethren famously, these precious souls brought it! A “paws” for the cause, if you will, which raised over $2000.00.

The proceeds from this event will serve a truly benevolent cause by supporting the ongoing efforts of The Pet Refuge which is a no kill shelter serving the South Bend and greater Mishawaka areas.

Pet Refuge was founded in 1978 as a not-for-profit Corporation and consists of many volunteers whose sole mission is to protect the health and welfare of these rescued animals while providing the best possible placement options.

They recognize the value of these animal’s lives and are quite creative in establishing temporary foster homes while searching for long term and permanent placement. It is in this arena that the greatest challenges lie, in that there is an ever increasing demand as these pets are abandoned and left behind.

Another uplifting attribute of this organization is that they have created an opportunity for the youth of the community to contribute to this worthy cause.

A young man named Ethan Starke helped Pet Refuge to repair the roof and some of the exterior kennels as part of his Eagle Scout Project. Ethan spent 139 hours selling over $400.00 in candy bars and an additional 40 hours on the repair job with some help from Troop 256 from the Bremen area.

Pet Refuge also supports a “Junior Program” which meets every other Saturday from May through October and has children and their parents working side by side while instilling the values of caring and nurturing as they serve this wonderful organization.

Every dog has it’s day, and with the hard work and determination of these selfless volunteers, many other dogs will have their day as well.

Ruff-Ruff

A City On The Rise

2007-10-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

The City of Buchanan was settled in 1833 at the spot where McCoy Creek meets the St. Joseph River and was once a major transportation route for Native American tribes in the area, especially the Potawatomi.

An historical marker to that effect has been placed on Moccasin Trail north of Buchanan near Batchelor's Island.

Buchanan is in the midst of a civic rebirth in that many of the historic buildings that have come to define the downtown district are under renovation.

Not to be lost in translation, it is important to be cognizant of the industry that once flourished here.

Buchanan was historically known as the headquarters for Clark Equipment Corporation. A manufacturer of truck axles, fork lift trucks, front-end loaders, and other heavy machinery; Clark left the area in the 1990's and this departure forced the city to diversify which resulted in a number of smaller businesses which ultimately took over the buildings that Clark had essentially donated to the city.

Another industry leader was the Electro Voice Corporation which was a manufacturer of high quality audio equipment such as microphones, amplifiers and loudspeakers. Soon after being purchased by Telex Communications, Inc., Electro-Voice's management left Buchanan and several years later, in 2002, the remaining Electro-Voice manufacturing plant closed.

In addition to the remnants of industry, it is the beauty of this enclave that truly defines the character of Buchanan.

Bear Cave is a camping resort north of Buchanan featuring a cave which was once a stop along the Under Ground Railroad, assisting freed and escaped slaves from the Southern States to reach freedom in the Northern States or Canada. Bear Cave offers canoeing and boating along the St. Joseph River.

The Tin Shop Theater, located near Pears Mill, is a wonderful, little theater with great performances in the summer. The seasons run into September and a variety of shows for everyone of any age and any occasion are performed here.

Pears Mill which utilized the water power of the swiftly flowing McCoy Creek, was built in 1857. This beautiful piece of Americana remains open during the summer for visitors.

Fernwood is a nature preserve along the Eastern bank of the St. Joseph River along Rangeline Road and Redbud Track 'N' Trail is an event site north of Buchanan featuring motocross, BMX, and other motor sport activities. Certain races held there are of national interest and are often featured on ESPN and other such cable sports networks.

The hidden treasure and jewel of Buchanan lies in the diversity of the citizenry. There are winemakers and farmers, there are entrepreneurs and visionaries, but best of all there are the people who will shape the future while embracing the past.

Charity Throughout the Year

2007-09-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

Please allow this to serve as a warm, heartfelt thank you to all of the many generous and benevolent contributors who donated to the Suitcases For Kids initiative here in Southwest Michigan.

This year’s effort raised approximately $2000.00 in cash contributions as well as a small truckload of shiny new travel bags and suitcases for our Berrien County area foster children.

Of course, the requisite personal care items which are stocked in these bags were collected as well and it was with great pride and humility that we presented these items this past Friday 14th, 2007.

While there are always rewarding moments that arise I thought I would share one particular moment that moved all of us on the day we organized and distributed the items.

A very colorful and vibrant back pack was stocked with some comfort items which could have only come from the heart of another child. A child’s blanket, socks, tee shirts, a music CD of children’s songs, and the donating child’s favorite bedtime story book complete with a Polaroid photo and a handwritten note explaining how good it felt to be helping!

The child in the photo was all of three and a half feet tall!

Have faith in humanity, there is hope for us all!

We chose to work on this program during the summer to illustrate that the need is ongoing and not seasonal in nature.

Many organizations endeavor to tie their charity work to the holidays as it seems the most logical of times to reach out to those in need.

I think that if I could instill one message it would be that those who are in need are in need right now.

Make a difference today.

Suitcases for Kids

2007-08-31T00:36:00.000-07:00

It has often been illustrated that through the eyes of a child the world appears to be an uncomplicated place where the most perplexing situations seem but a daydream away. Such was the case for a talented and young visionary named Aubyn Burnside.

In 1995, as a ten year old girl, Aubyn founded a wonderful program called Suitcases for Kids after she had learned that children in foster homes and foster care programs are often called upon to relocate with very little notice and are forced to transport their personal belongings in trash bags.

Now try to imagine that. A child who is just a lost soul searching for a sense of belonging. A child who is essentially homeless due to no fault of their own and as if to magnify this reality is forced to stuff all of their worldly belongings into a garbage bag!

“ I thought it was horrible that the children had nothing to carry their things in as they moved so many times. I wanted to make them feel special by giving them something of their own to keep. I tried to put myself in their place and think how I would feel”, said Aubyn.

Aubyn put the word out to 4-H clubs and Scout group organizations and church and social club gatherings and successfully delivered 175 suitcases to Catawba County Department of Social Services in March of 1996.

Within a month, suitcase deliveries had found their way to eight surrounding counties as the program partnered with Families for Kids which was an initiative of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to improve foster care for children.

Suitcase for Kids distributed 4,000 suitcases locally in 1996 and by the end of its first full year was in operation in 19 states and in all fifty by the end of its second year.
Currently, Suitcases for Kids is an international non-profit organization with chapters in every state as well as many foreign countries.

The Southwest Michigan Association of Realtors is proud to announce our second year of involvement in this most benevolent cause and we hope to build on last years success when we collected eighty new suitcases and duffel bags, two truckloads of personal care items such as new clothes, basic toiletries , diapers, soap, shampoo as well as over two thousand dollars in cash donations from our generous membership.

This years drive will end on Friday September the 14, 2007 for our members but the Suitcases for Kids program will remain ongoing. To donate to our effort on behalf of the program please contact our MLS office at 1-269-983-6375 or visit us at http://www.swmar.org/ or to find out more information on the program please visit http://www.suitcasesforkids.org/.

It is our chosen profession to help families to find that special place to call home and it seems a natural progression to affect this positive change and to help these children feel at home, regardless of where they call home.

Please rally around this cause, it is truly a need to be filled!

Market Upturn

2007-08-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

The National Association of Realtors reported today that a forward-looking indicator based on pending sales of existing homes suggests the market may stabilize in the months ahead.

The Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in June, was still 8.6 percent lower than a year ago, rose 5 percent to 102.4 from the downwardly revised May index of 97.5. This was the largest monthly gain in more than three years, since a 6.1 percent increase in March 2004, according to NAR.

An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined as well as the first of five consecutive record years for existing-home sales.

Between May and June, the index in the West increased 8.6 percent to 103.6; in the Northeast, it was up 3.1 percent to 96; in the South, it increased 4.7 percent to 111.6; and in the Midwest, the index gained 3.5 percent to 92.5.

NAR senior economist Lawrence Yun said that it is encouraging the increase occurred in all four major regions. "However, it is too early to say if home sales have already passed bottom," he said. "Still, major declines in home sales are likely to have occurred already and further declines, if any, are likely to be modest given the accumulating pent-up demand."

The indexes in all four regions were still lower than the same time last year, despite the month-over-month gains, with the West 5.5 percent lower than June 2006, the Northeast down 2.4 percent, the South off 12.7 percent, and the Midwest lower by 8.2 percent.

The index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of entering into contract.

Annual changes in the index are more closely related to actual market performance than are month-to-month comparisons. As the relatively new index matures and seasonal adjustment factors are refined, the month-to-month comparisons will become more meaningful.

These statistics and data were compiled by the National Association of Realtors and were reported by Inman news on August 1, 2007.

When Pets Are Forgotten

2007-07-21T23:06:00.000-07:00

The plight of the housing market as it pertains to the record number of foreclosures continues to worsen and has expanded to include the most undeserving of innocent bystanders.

What you are about to read is truly disturbing and what I hope will be an awakening for those who will never have to experience the disdain and emptiness that accompanies these chance encounters.

Recently I arranged an appointment with a client to tour a home which was listed for sale on the active market and my preliminary research showed that the residence was a foreclosure. Almost all such properties are marketed with language that states the home offers no disclosures and is being sold “as is”.

It is always wise to inform the client that these homes are usually unkempt and may actually be in a major state of disrepair but nothing could have prepared us for what atrocities we were to discover on this particular day.

I find it wise to arrive in advance of the prescribed meeting time so that I may preview the home in the spirit of gaining familiarity, the lay of the land, so to speak and when I arrived at this particular location my first objective was to open up the home and make a cursory inspection.

Almost immediately my sense of smell was accosted by an acidic odor which I recognized as animal waste and one which I had witnessed many times before. Often times a wild animal such as a raccoon or other such creature will gain access to a vacant home but this, however, was more familiar. This was definitely a domestic animal and as I entered the home it was evident that the previous occupant took pride in trashing this once proud home.

There was trash, clothes, tires, and broken furniture strewn all over the house and hiding in one of the closets was the sole remaining occupant. Scared, confused, and starving this completely trusting little girl came out to greet me.

This poor soul was left behind with no food or water and clearly with no regard for her welfare. You could count her ribs and her beautiful eyes appeared sunken and sallow but her spirit remained unbroken.

Just as we were getting to know one another, my clients drove up and I introduced them to my new friend. They were completely shocked, as was I, and I cannot even remember showing them the home as my thoughts were engaged with saving this little victim and broadcasting this atrocity to all who would listen.

This story ends well as I was able to re-hydrate and feed her and ultimately had her placed with a rescue organization but it made me wonder how many other such cases like this must exist.
I mean, how does the human condition allow some of us to punish our beloved pets for our own shortcomings and failures? Economics do not dictate that one abandon all of their commitments just because they are suffering financial hardship.

Such experiences might easily cause one to question the state of humanity but I choose to focus those negative thoughts on a more positive platform of awareness.

This particular victim was a mixed breed dog but it could have easily have been a cat or any other type of domesticated creature.

The call to action is to simply get involved. Donate to a pet rescue organization or act as a foster family for lost or abandoned animals.

If you are in the housing service industry or even an unsuspecting potential homeowner and you should bear witness to such an event, do something positive.

Help those who cannot help themselves and tell everyone that you know about this.

Spread the word!

Investing In Foreclosures: Southwest Michigan Real Estate

2007-07-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

The real estate market is experiencing a staggering amount of foreclosures nationwide and all indicators show that this trend will continue. The growing number of such properties in lender portfolios continues to create further instability throughout the marketplace as the number of available homes for sale increases while the number of available buyers decreases.

This stagnation is also compounded by the recent rise in interest rates as well as the increased scrutiny of underwriting due, in no small part, to the collapse of the sub-prime market.
Many qualified buyers are finding it more difficult to obtain financing and the result has been an even greater tentativeness by these buyers seeking an opportunity to capitalize on this market trend. Even home sellers are reticent to list their properties which includes those of the high income bracket.

The third point on this triangle is the advent of new construction units which is usually a residual effect of a previous upturn in the market. Not long ago ( perhaps eighteen to twenty four months ) when the rates were in the four or five percent range on Adjustable Rate Mortgages, many investors and speculators began to add to the housing inventory by developing sites and constructing new homes. The result: even more homes for less buyers.

The cumulative effect has been reported almost daily as more and more families lose their homes to foreclosure and our nation suffers through this vicious cycle of surplus and tenuous financial stability. However, like all markets which ebb and flow, there is always opportunity if you know where to look.

The foreclosure market offers a plethora of varied inventory and in many circumstances an opportunity for future windfall. Due to the large number of these type of homes there exists a much greater level of negotiability and as such, a great deal of opportunity for the educated consumer.

The potential investor must be advised that many of these homes are left in deplorable condition and will be offered for sale “As Is” with the sellers offering no concessions. These homes will need repair and updating and will require the purchaser to provide earnest money and will almost always allow a very short time frame in which to conduct any due diligence relating to structural, mechanical, or environmental concerns.

The upside is the alluring aspect of this type of real state transaction because all markets eventually recover.

An investor with a good line of credit and a reasonable amount of contracting knowledge and expertise can truly find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The key to success lies in having access to the necessary market data and this is where having a knowledgeable Real Estate Professional is invaluable.

Your chosen professional should have pertinent market data, financial solutions, an understanding of local municipal codes, and most importantly be a visionary.

Open Land In Southwest Michigan

2007-07-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

Everyone yearns to get away from it all and to commune with Mother Nature. Southwest Michigan has offered such diversion for generations.

Vineyards, orchards, and rich fertile farms dotted the landscape like postage stamps, safe from the bastions of tourists who preferred the shores of Lake Michigan and would only visit these sprawling enclaves during the harvest.

Slowly, as the shore line filled in and the lakefront population increased, so too did the courtship of the speculative investor and the gentleman farmer as these large tracts of land beckoned.

This created a volatility in the market as developers and investors would suddenly offer a windfall to a fifth generation farmer who found the offer irresistible and opted for an early retirement. The fallout was the loss of the large open tract and the advent of medium to high density development of single family homes, planned unit developments ( PUD's ), and site condominiums.

Ownership of land and its encompassing "bundle of rights" bestows these gifts of ownership and it is certainly what was intended by the allodial system. The unfortunate casualty continues to be the loss of the open spaces.

My passion lies in the preservation of these big, beautiful, open spaces yet I am appointed to administer land divisions and other such functions of land use and land use controls for my township.

This presents and intriguing duality as I am both a licensed Realtor and a Township Zoning Administrator yet it is actually at this confluence that my two realities peacefully coexist.

Our Zoning Ordinance is currently being revised and by adopting language to support Purchase of Development Rights ( PDR's ) and Transfer of Development Rights ( TDR's ) we are potentially able to encourage our local framers to continue plying their generational trade while securing their financial security into the future.

A PDR allows for the purchase of the rights to develop and allows for compensation of fair and current market value. They may be offered and funds made available at the local, state, or national government level.

My platform for sharing this information is my alternate existence as a Realtor and the response has been quite encouraging.

The long term results of such a program's success will not be known for some time as we are at the mercy of budgetary funding and the political process, but if nothing else, there is hope and a new level of awareness.

Save the land, they are not making any more!

History of Harbor Country/Southwest Michigan

2007-06-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

Harbor Country is situated in the Southwest corner of Berrien County in the Southwest corner of the state of Michigan. This geographic region is limited to the following eight lakeshore communities and villages: Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Sawyer, and the inland community of Three Oaks. This trademarked region begins at the Michigan state line and stretches approximately 15 miles North along lake Michigan as well as 6 miles inland to the East.

In The Beginning
The Miami Indians were this area's first residents and were challenged for territory by the Iroquois of New York. These territorial struggles were short-lived as the Iroquois soon lost interest in the area and began returning to their native homeland. The Pottawatomi Indians migrated Southeast from Wisconsin by the early 1700's and assumed land from the area that is now Chicago to as far North as Grand Rapids. This area was infiltrated, over time, by French fur traders as their territories became diminished through treaties. Finally, in 1838 the Pottawatomis gathered their families and worldly possessions and migrated to a new home in the Kansas plains.

Growth In The Region
The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 brought an increase in travel and soon thereafter stage coach routes were carved out of the densely wooded forests. These new routes linked the larger cities of Detroit and Chicago which spurred growth and recognition along this new trade route. Many business investors from the East Coast realized the potential that the vast, dense forests offered and saw mills began to spring up in Harbor Country. Large ships were being constructed on the shores along the beaches and numerous piers (Union Pier) were built to service the demand created by the upstart local logging industry. The City of Chicago provided a proximal destination for the lumber as it continued to grow and flourish and even moreover as it recovered from The Great Chicago Fire. Eventually the forests were depleted and as the logging waned, the open spaces that remained became fertile farm fields which gave rise to fill a new demand for produce markets.

A Rebirth, as it Were
Harbor Country has experienced a veritable renaissance over the past decade as this tantalizing get-away has grown in both population and culture. While there are many new development and housing projects on the landscape the enduring charm of this lakefront community has and continues to be preserved. The shops, restaurants, and galleries, but most importantly the residents, create the sense of belonging and longing to be here as the sunsets over beautiful lake Michigan. Only ninety minutes from Chicago but a world away, Harbor Country offers the best of all worlds to both our full time residents and our welcomed visitors.

Log Homes

2007-06-23T00:38:00.000-07:00

Not all log homes are created equal.

In fact, there are a variety of methods and materials utilized to create the look and feel of log construction which either use manufactured or milled logs, half or split log, log panel, or a combination of these various elements.

Manufactured or milled logs are complete log components throughout which require chinking ( a type of caulk ) to seal the surface joint where the logs rest on one another. Since they are machined, this method usually requires a hidden spline detail as well as an additional means of adjoining the two components.

Half log or split log is essentially a facade treatment which affixes half log components to a conventionally stick framed structure as is the method of log panel type construction.

The highest level of craftsmanship can be found in the method of handscribing where each log component is handscribed and then hand-peeled using a draw knife. The result is a tight fit that requires no chinking. This is acheived by the handscribing and wedge notch corner detail.

Improvements in technology and engineering have brought innovations to the industry which have allowed for improved standards of quality such as the use of through- bolting which secures the vertical walls through the sill plate and into the foundation or footing walls. This allows for periodic adjustments and take up as the logs continue the process of drying and the structure settles which maintains a tight fitting, straight settling wall.

The look and feel of a true log home is quite incredible. They engage all of the senses as there is an almost surreal aura about them. As you walk through you experience the wonderful aroma of the wood, the vastness of the open truss construction, the visual beauty of large scale natural building materials, and an overwhelming sense of tranquility and belonging.

It has long been noted that earth tones are calming and there is probably no better illustration of this notion than an organically constructed home.

The written word does not capture the essence and beauty of such a home. It must be experienced first hand.

Buy New or Buy Vacant Land to Build New?

2007-06-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

There has always been a certain romanticism about finding a pristine piece of tera firma that is intact and as nature intended with lush vegetation, babbling brooks, and rolling features.
Essentially to tame that which is wild.

While this notion inspires an almost primal instinct it usually clashes with the cerebral reality of how daunting this task must really be. It is usually fear of the unknown that inhibits the average buyer from bringing their "vision" to fruition.

The reality is that one does not need to be an expert to accomplish this goal, however one must place their faith in a competent professional who is well versed in the language of zoning and land use controls.

Heterogeneity is a term that means "uniqueness" and one which has real pertinence when considering an investment in real estate, particularly here in Southwest Michigan.

The large and open tracts of land which have historically been agricultural or "buffers" are highly coveted and may be regulated by such agencies as the D.E.Q., FEMA, Conservation Reserve Programs, and Right to Farm Acts or restricted by Public Acts such as 116.

Finding an architect and a builder is only a small part of the task at hand as is finding the lender to secure a construction loan. The ability to succeed in these endeavors requires a working knowledge of the aforementioned land use controls and what requirements need to be met in each scenario. This is precisely where the concept of heterogeneity arises.

It is not necessary to understand each of the vast types of restrictions and requirements but rather to know that they exist.

Insist that your chosen representative possess the knowledge to provide you with the answers to make an informed decision on whether to buy, buy new, or build it from the ground up.

Knowledge is power!

Is This A Buyer's Market?

2007-06-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

Let's see... rising interest rates, the sub-prime market has imploded, there are a record number of foreclosures nationwide, and we seem to be on the precipice of an inflationary period.

Plenty, if not too much, inventory for new, used, and yet to exist ( vacant land ) and the tense and tentative nature of the marketplace....

Yes, this is a Buyer's Market.

Historically speaking, we are still enjoying great rates but since we are a nation built on revolving credit (debt) and since we are still diging out from those dreaded ARM's which were so enticing there exists an unspoken tension.

He who hesitates is lost!

The reality ( of realty ) is that these are cleansing effects and they will reset the market value and the true floor in the marketplace.

This will create greater opportunities now for the Buyer and stabilize the market in the long run!

Fear not!

Robert Kaufman

Attention All Buyers...Things are looking up!

2007-06-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

In spite of the current trend of increasing underwriter scrutiny there exists an excellent opportunity for buyers and investors of residential real estate.

The recent tightening of the lending market is felt not only in the rise in interest rates but also in the increased requirements placed on borrowers. While some would view this as adding further obstacles to the purchasing process, what must also be considered is that this is creating a cleansing effect on the market.

Greater inventory as well as a correction in the true market value of residential real estate has created a fortuitous climate for the savvy investor. The point to remember is that all markets will ebb and flow and while the rules change so too will the resultant opportunities for those in a position to capitalize.

It is a Buyer's Market.

A Beautiful Weekend in Southwest Michigan

2007-06-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend to visit the beautiful beaches and vineyards of Southwest Michigan. Located ninety miles from Chicago, Harbor Country awaits.

Hop in the car and come and say hi!

Last one in is a.........

Change in Lenders Guidelines

2007-06-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

The practices of mortgage underwriting have undergone increased levels of scrutiny over the past year due to the record number of foreclosures that the banking industry is holding in their inventory.

The sub-prime market has taken the largest hit and as such, buyers with limited resources are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain financing.

The term creative financing has taken on a whole new meaning.

Ultimately, the requirements will relax and the bi-product will be a cleansing of the market but in the interim the effects are felt industry wide.

No buyer is created equal in that each transaction is unique. Whether it is vacant land, multi-family, single family, or commercial the average consumer must carry more than just a laymen's understanding of todays marketplace.

Choose your Realtor wisely, insist on a profound depth of real estate and financing.

A Personal Thanks

2007-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

I want to offer a warm hearted thank you to Sabrina for all of her hard work on the new site. We are most pleased.

Robert

This is the best Real Estate Site I have ever used

2007-05-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

I love the look and feel of this website.
I talked to the Realtor & he was extremely knowledgable.
We are using him as our Buyer Representative to help us locate our lakefront estate.