Don't miss the Wine Tasting Event in Shelby Township MI this Wednesday, August 5 th from 7 pm - 9 pm at the Cherry Creek Golf and Banquet Center  This event is being hosted by the Shelby Township DDA (Downtown Development Authority) and the Utica-Macomb Daybreakers Kiwanis Club.   This Wine Tasting Event in Shelby Township MI will feature 100 wines and 16 micro-brews from Michigan and around the globe. Ted Moss, Sommerlier at Vince and Joe's Gourmet Market and vendor representatives will be there to answer any questions you may have about their products.   There will also be Live Music and a strolling finger food buffet. So grab a few friends, family or co-workers and come join us for an Evening of Fine Wines and Specialty Suds and experience this special Wine Tasting Event in Shelby... 08/04/2009

  The Cherry Creek Golf and Banquet Center is located in Shelby Township on the south side of 24 Mile just west of M-53.  I have personally attended several events in their banquet facility - a wedding shower, baby shower and a wedding reception and I was pleased with the food and the service each time. Opened in 1995 and designed by Lanny Wadkins / Mike Bylen this course is a fun 18 hole, regulation course that offers 4 sets of tees measuring from 5012 to 6784 yards. The course is just beautiful and has gentle rolling hills, cherry trees and a variety of oak and ash along with water.  You can view the golf course here.       Although, I am not a golfer (but would love to be) I understand from several golfers I know that the course is great for all levels. All that I spoke with comment... 08/04/2009

  When Vince and Joe's Gourmet Market of Shelby Township opened in October 2006 it was an immediate hit. They moved in as the anchor store and soon filled the strip on either side of them bringing along many businesses. Honestly, before they moved in the corner of 25 Mile and Van Dyke was pretty dull. Now that corner is hopping with business which is great for the area. We just love it since our office is right across the street.   Vince and Joe's Gourmet Market is family owned and operated and was started in 1983 by Vince Domenica and Joe and Maria itale. Their first store in Clinton Township is on Garfield and Canal. That store has grown over the years no doubt allowing them to open their second store in Shelby Township. Their stores are always very very clean and all the employee's v... 08/01/2009

Are you old enough to remember the drive-in? Back when I was a kid the drive-in we went to was the Gratiot drive-in. It was located at Masonic and Gratiot, in Roseville. My parents always picked a nice warm summer night with no clouds. Once the plans were made to attend my dad would get the biggest pot he could find and make some popcorn. As dad made the popcorn, mom would make the kool-aid and get the cups and napkins together. Dad usually made 2 batches of popcorn - one with salt and butter and one with butter and a package of dry cheese from the mac and cheese box. Then he'd separate a paper grocery store bag and fill it up and off we would go. Of course, the Gratiot drive-in is long gone but Shelby Township is offering something similar to the old drive-in. So mark your calendar    ... 07/13/2009

Did you know Shelby Township had a Farmers Market? Well last Saturday Ed and I decided to visit the Farmers Market and took some photos so we could share it with others. The market is located on Van Dyke just south of 23 Mile in Shelby Township. Admission is Free but part of the proceeds go to the Packard Proving Grounds Foundation, to help with restoration of this historic site. So how many times have you driven by the Packard Proving Grounds? Did you know that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places? Something you should really visit and while there stop at the farmers market and buy from some of our local farmers and business owners. We purchased some vegetables that were really quite tasty. Biggby Coffee is there if you get an early start and need a pick me up, alon... 07/03/2009

Shelby Township Michigan real estate residential market report for April 2009 I have prepared a report of the home sales data in Shelby Township Michigan for the month of April  2009. The information below is gathered from Mirealsource Multiple Listing Service and represents those homes sold by participating real estate brokers and agents and does not include data from private sources.For the period of April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009: Total houses sold:   42 Total condos sold:  12Average sales price for houses:  $169,009Average sales price for condos: $78,642If you would like more detailed information in regards to the market value of your home in Shelby Township Michigan please don't hesitate to contact me either via phone or email. www.LookForHomes.com 05/10/2009

Washington Township, MI Weekend Bridge Closed To all my neighbors in Washington Township, the bridge at 26 Mile Rd. and M-53 will be closed this weekend.  As previously reported, construction will start at 11:00 P.M. on Friday and end at 5 A.M. on Monday for the bridge being closed.  This is just the beginning friends, the project will take till approx. September.  If we are lucky.  Start re-thinking your travels plans to and from work.  My family has talked about it for the last week.  I am sure that my husband, son and myself will end up stuck in traffic forgetting all the warnings.  Plan ahead for delays.  03/12/2009

  Spring is the selling season in Michigan.   How many listing agents are asking for a cert. of insurance from the home inspector who is conducting a inspection on their clients home?  I had a house inspector recently tell me that he has only been asked 1 other time before,  in 20 years of business.  This was a very reputable inspector, but my job is to protect the seller.  In this economy everyone is cutting costs in doing business.  Sometimes this could be the first budget cut to make, especially if agents are not asking for it. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against inspectors.  But, if this person slips and falls, who is responsible?  Should your seller's turn a claim into their insurance company on a house that they are trying to sell?  We should not get caught up in the sale, ... 02/14/2009

As many of you know I recently moved my business to a new brokerage, Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center.   One of the reasons I chose this particular brokerage was because of the people that I've come to know there over the years, and the professionalism and dedication to the community that they have daily.On Thursday December 11th our office hosted a holiday open house and it was packed with agents and vendors. Coming just a few days after I joined the office it was a perfect time for me to meet others and torment everyone with my photo taking addiction. I had to laugh when one of the agents asked why I always have my camera with me.  My response was "You never know when a photo will come in handy, especially for your blog content."  Within days I put together this holiday... 12/23/2008

  HOMES for SALE 443 homes are currently on the the market 401 are private sellers 44 of those are short sales 42 are bank owned 64 homes are pending a closing 45 homes have closed in the past 30 days 67% of those were bank owned   CONDOS for SALE 178 condos are currently on the the market 150 are private sellers 8 of those are short sales 28 are bank owned 18 condos are pending a closing 9 condos have closed in the past 30 days 44% of those were bank owned   As you can see regardless of what you hear from the media homes and condos are still selling. In fact, sales are up from three months ago.   12/21/2008

On Monday of this week I attended a mandatory-vital-got to be there meeting at my office, RE/MAX Advantage  1, Inc. in Chesterfield Township.   During the meeting it was revealed that the owners of the company (Tom Figlan, Rich Kolb and Roberta Rasmussen) had decided to go in a new direction with their company and drop the RE/MAX Franchise. They are becoming independent and as of today (or tomorrow?) will be called Advantage Realty, Inc. I wish each of the owners well, and hope that the change they have made bring them nothing but happiness and success. The owners of the company are bold and driven, and I know much thought over many months must have gone into their decision.  I applaud them for their vision and feet to the ground action. In many ways I wish that I could be more risky in... 12/04/2008

Macomb Township Michigan real estate residential market report for November 2008 I have prepared a report of the home sales data in Macomb Township Michigan for the month of November 2008. The information below is gathered from Mirealsource Multiple Listing Service and represents those homes sold by participating real estate brokers and agents and does not include data from private sources.For the period of November 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008: Total homes sold:   44 Total condos sold:  10Average sales price for homes:  $194,035Average sales price for condos: $101,855If you would like more detailed information in regards to the market value of your home in Macomb Township Michigan please don't hesitate to contact me either via phone or email. www.LookForHomes.com 12/01/2008

Shelby Township Michigan real estate residential market report for November 2008 I have prepared a report of the home sales data in Shelby Township Michigan for the month of November 2008. The information below is gathered from Mirealsource Multiple Listing Service and represents those homes sold by participating real estate brokers and agents and does not include data from private sources.For the period of November 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008: Total houses sold:   42 Total condos sold:  14Average sales price for houses:  $156,972Average sales price for condos: $79,561If you would like more detailed information in regards to the market value of your home in Shelby Township Michigan please don't hesitate to contact me either via phone or email. www.LookForHomes.com 12/01/2008

Yesterday while setting appointments to show homes with XYZ Real Estate here's what I heard "sorry there are no showing on that home till after 6 pm on weekdays. Would you like to reschedule?" Now unless I missed a Huge news flash we are still in a buyers market. I guess any buyers working the afternoon shift will not be able to view that home. Nor will my buyer who is a stay at home mom, with a husband in the military and Only looks while the kids are in school. Now I know some agents spend all day with their buyers and show them 20 + homes. But I limit my buyers to 7 max, pick the best homes for sale, allow 3 hours and map out the homes. That means if I am showing someone homes from 11 am - 2 pm, I will not be rescheduling with them that evening because one seller was not available. N... 11/22/2008

Homeowners are realizing that dumpster rental services are not just for commercial projects.  Dumpster rental services are an appropriate option for anyone who has a lot of trash to dispose of.  Here are a few tips for the homeowner who is thinking of renting a dumpster.   A good dumpster rental service is one that is willing to accommodate the average homeowner, explaining the options to those who may not be familiar with the terminology.  Roll-off containers are rented in standard cubic yard sizes.  The bigger the job, the larger dumpster you will want to rent.   Be sure to order the appropriate size dumpster for the job; you will typically want one that is one size larger than you think you will need.  Building materials, yard waste and unwanted items that have accumulated over the y... 11/08/2008

If you are in the habit of opening your mail over the trash can and simply throwing away the useless junk, you could be at risk.  Your junk mail could be the dumpster diver's treasure!   Most dumpster divers are harmless; they're collectors or they're very poor and just looking for items they can use.  But, some are looking to steal your identity with the junk mail that contains personal information and account numbers   One reported case of identity theft that was prosecuted was a case of dumpster diving.  Dumpster divers go through other peoples' trash, looking for items they can use or sell.   Most dumpster divers are looking for clothing or household items; some are even looking for food.  Most dumpster divers are harmless; some are homeless and this is one way they survive.    Some... 11/08/2008

Well here we are the day after election day....what has changed for most of us today???  If you're like me you did the same thing you do everyday.......I'm sitting here at my desk being truly grateful for all the wonderful blessings I have in my life......I'll continue to work hard to change people's lives, and enjoy doing it......The word "Challenge" I've decided to bury.....I like the words "Opportunity" and "Grow"...... 11/05/2008

The National Breast Cancer Foundation states "Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women." In fact, this year, researchers estimate that doctors will diagnose nearly 200,000 women and 1,700 men with some form of breast cancer. Of those diagnosed, researches estimate that more than 40,000 women and 450 men will die of the disease.   Breast cancer awareness is of utmost importance. Knowing how to prevent and detect breast cancer is crucial. Spreading knowledge and information throughout society aids in the number of cancers detected and early detection can save lives.  Prevention Prevention is the key to early detection. Consider the following when creating you... 09/23/2008

oving is a big job, with sorting, organizing and packing furniture and boxes to be moved.  A portable storage unit is a great way to get organized.  The containers come in a variety of sizes and shapes and the eliminate the hassle of renting a truck and rushing to return the truck before the rental company closes for the day and you're charged additional fees for keeping the truck for an additional night.     You can keep the portable storage container as long as you need it, so you don't have to wait until moving day to load the truck.  Pack and load the unit at your own pace, to easily manage the chore of packing and moving.  When all your furnishings and boxes have been loaded into the storage unit, do a final sweeping and vacuuming of the home to leave it clean, and then call your p... 09/22/2008

oving is a big job, with sorting, organizing and packing furniture and boxes to be moved.  A portable storage unit is a great way to get organized.  The containers come in a variety of sizes and shapes and the eliminate the hassle of renting a truck and rushing to return the truck before the rental company closes for the day and you're charged additional fees for keeping the truck for an additional night.     You can keep the portable storage container as long as you need it, so you don't have to wait until moving day to load the truck.  Pack and load the unit at your own pace, to easily manage the chore of packing and moving.  When all your furnishings and boxes have been loaded into the storage unit, do a final sweeping and vacuuming of the home to leave it clean, and then call your p... 09/22/2008