U.P. Builders Show Mar 5-7

Come check out the UP Builders Show this weekend. We consider it the kick-off to our Spring Real Estate Market. You'll also find vendors of all kinds, with new products and new ideas for all your home improvement projects. Its fun for the entire family. I'll be there Saturday morning. For additional information check out www.upbuildersshow.com

See you at the show! ~ Liz

Heikki Lunta Winterfest this Weekend in Negaunee!

Heikki Lunta Winterfest in Negaunee is set for this upcoming weekend January 16 and 17 and will feature events such as: a fishing derby, fireworks, bazaars, bonfires and blooper ball!! Few things are as fun as sitting near a bonfire along Teal Lake and watching Fireworks in the Winter sky. Enjoy everyone!


Please visit www.negauneeirontown.com for all the details.

2009 End of Year Market Stats

Here’s a quick peek at the Local Market statistics for the end of 2009. Every year we receive an official Annual Report from Closser and Associates. This years report is scheduled for Feb 4th. When I look at the market, I try to review it with the same parameters that the Closser report does, so that it has some consistency. They examine single family homes and condos only in the Marquette School District areas (Marquette City, Marquette Twsp, Chocolay, and the portion of Sands Twsp in the Marquette Schools.) I have done the same, and compared 2009 to 2008. Here are my results:

Units Sold - remained basically equal

Median Sold Price – down about 7%

Median List Price – down about 6.25%

Median Days on Market – down about 9%

These results were not surprising to me. This has been the year that our market started to reflect the downturn that has been occurring across the country. In the previous two years we had seen a drop in the number of homes sold but not in our prices. This year things changed for us.

Highest Priced Home Sale:
2008= $900,000., 2009 - $555,000.

2009 Median Sales Price: $142,000.

These stats are tentative right now. I’ll report back on the “official” results after we receive Clossers report. As usual, please feel free to contact me if you would like any local real estate information, or if you are thinking of buying or selling.

World Cup Speed Skating in Marquette Nov 12-15!

We are so lucky to be hosting the 4 day World Cup short track speedskating competition, right here in Marquette! The United States gave the home crowd a good show on Friday. Team USA advanced three men and three women in the 1,000 meters. Katherine Reutter had the top women's time, just shy of the world record. Apolo Anton Ohno ranked second in the men’s race.

Saturday's activities begin just after Noon, and end with an awards ceremony at 5:30 pm. Sunday's schedule runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Berry Events center is located on Fair Ave. Coming in through downtown Marquette, take Front St. North until Front St. ends, and you will be facing the Berry.

Enjoy Marquette while you are in the area. Many fine restaurants: for Italian food check out the Casa Calabria, the new Wild Rover Irish Pub is fun downtown, the locals love casual food at Stucko's or the Portside, and the list goes on. Lots of great coffee shops too, dotted about for your morning in town.

TAX CREDIT EXPANDED and EXTENDED

Great News for everyone! The existing First Time Home Buyers Credit that was due to expire by Nov. 30th just got renewed life. Its been extended until April 30, 2010, and now (qualifying) existing homeowners can also get in on things!!

Here are the details: http://embedit.in/SaCtaz62FN.swf .

If you still have questions, just let me know!!

Carve an E-PUMPKIN!

What type of Jack-O-Lanterns do you like? Do you like the friendly, happy ones, or the mean ones? Or are you one of those artist types that spends hours carving a black cat silhouette or an even more elaborate scene or design? Still undecided? Try out this great Pumpkin Simulator at http://carveapumpkin.bhg.com/carveapumpkin/?ordersrc=rdbhg0119 The simulator lets you try out all sorts of faces and designs without touching a knife, a pumpkin or any of the nasty, slimey seeds and stuff inside them. Cool! Let me know what type of pumpkin you draw and feel free to pass this along to others that may enjoy it. Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Don’t be scared!!!! ~ Liz

Closing Day is Here!! (Post 9 of Home Buyer Seminar)

The Day of Closing!!

Congratulations. The day is finally here. You will have:

Already obtained your annual homeowners insurance and provided your lender with your rider.

Already phoned the local utilities to switch them into your name.

Already found out from your lender how much (if any) money you need to bring to the closing. Most likely in the form of a Cashiers Check.

We will meet at either the Bank or the Title Company. In attendance will be your Realtor, your Lender, most of the time a Representative from the Title Company - sometimes an Attorney, along with the Listing Realtor and most often the Sellers. No wonder it takes awhile to arrange a time and date!!

You will start out meeting privately with your Lender and the Title Company representative to complete all of your Mortgage documents. When those are completed then they will call in the rest of us and there will be a few more documents for you and the Sellers to sign.

Depending upon the occupancy language that is written into your contract, you most likely will be given the keys and be able to go right over to Your New Home!!

Your relationship with me as your Realtor does not end at the closing table. If you have any questions with your home, or anything related, Im always just a phone call away!