Help Save Heritage Festival

I have to say that one of the best things about Ypsilanti is how easy it is to get involved in the community. This is a place where one person really can make a difference, and that good ideas and positive thinking are encouraged and embraced.

Last Tuesday night The Heritage Festival Committee invited the community down to the Spark East building on Michigan Ave to ask for the communities help. The room was literally packed with supporters that want to help.

To give you a little history the Heritage festival is a annual free family fun event held in the city. In recent years it has lost some of its past glory and the opportunity to re-invent the event has been placed at the communities doorstep.

All of the previous council members save one are leaving the group opening the door for innovation. At the meeting on Tuesday the leaving council members talked to the group about the duties of their positions and where the event stood presently.

After the discussion and questions the groups were divided into areas of interest and were asked to form committees. They really allowed the individuals in Ypsi to make a change, and some absolutely great ideas came out of this brainstorming.

I am going to join the Entertainment committee and we have already came up with some absolutely great plans for next year. I will keep you updated, look forward to a rockin Heritage Festival!!!!

Ypsi's Got Talent Review

The 3rd Annual Ypsi's got talent ROCKED!!!! Hosted by the Ypsi Jaycees and Emceed by yours truly Coach T the event was fun, diverse, and original to say the least.

The event started with a awesome local artist Tim Dunn, who happens to moonlight as a Ninja (jk). He rocked out with his awesome shiny gituar and gave the crowd a thrill. There we 9 acts in all on this Friday night at the Tap Room in downtown Ypsi.

Other highlights were a spirited performance by Beemcee and Nino of the group FOW. The lyrical skills were matched with thier dynamic sound and coordinated performance. Definately a crowd favorite, to say the least.

The grand prize went to the dance troupe Patchwerk. I literally felt like I was on ABDC I was waiting for Mario Lopez to walk in. The group of ten dancers lit up the small space on the Tap Room floor. The dance styles ranged from ballet to hip hop.

The final artist Danielle put on a awesome Killing me Softly. The crowd was so into it they actually out sang her at moments.

Other highlights were when I played the Ghostbusters theme, and literally everybody in the crowd was yelling out GHOSTBUSTERS, good times.

What is Ypsilanti Open House

What is Ypsilanti Open House?!?!?!?

To quote one of my favorite shows the A Team "I love it when a plan comes together". For the last few months agencies from around the beautiful city of Ypsilanti have been working together to show the public what a great city we have.

This event is in its 3rd year and takes place in the city of Ypsilanti this Saturday October 15th from 12-4. There are many facets to this event and many parties that champion the city are involved. In summation this event was created to show new people to the area all the great things that the city has to offer.

Want to check out some houses? We will have almost 30 open houses in the city from 12-4 pick up your maps and the downtown Key bank on Michigan Ave. or simply visit the website http://openhouse.ypsi.com/.

Want to learn about the nuances of home buying? Please visit the Key bank center we will have lenders and Realtors on site to answer your questions about home ownership.

Ready to buy and need some assistance? We are holding a Washtenaw Housing Education Partners class at the Key Bank, and when passing they will offer down payment assistance http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/extension/CommDevelopment/WHEP%20Pre-purchase.

Just interested in seeing what the city has to offer and getting some eats? Take a tour guided bus tour around the city and get a EMU discount card to use at local eateries and shops.

Come give Ypsilanti a look we know you will like what you see :D

Ypsi's Got Talent......And My Story

This year Coach T will be hosting the annual Ypsi's Got Talent at the Tap Room on Friday October 14th sponsored by the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees. I happened to have won first place last year but I won something more important than any award.....my girlfriend Stephanie.

I remember walking into the the back room of the bar, and seeing her for the first time. She was so radiant I cant remember seeing another sole that night in the bar besides her. A bit later I got up and performed my song, and she was my biggest fan clapping and smiling, again all I saw was her.

After the performances we were running a "Dating Game", and my friend Mike was the bachelor. And wouldn't you know it Stephanie was one of the contestants. I sat in the front row and admired her and her cute and poignant answers.

And then the moment Mike had to make his choice between the three contestants. I could barely contain myself literally yelling at him to pick number two (Stephanie) "she is beautiful" I said, and "seriously".

Alas Mike did not pick her, I was in one moment sad, and in the next giddy with hope. Moments later I went over to congratulate her friend on the win, and started talking to her. Things have never been the same.

Who are you serving

When I became a Realtor I decided to do it because it gave me a chance to really serve "others". What does that mean? Well to me it means doing right by other people regardless of weather it is best for "me" or not.

Sure sometimes its tough but I knew it wasn't going to be easy. And there have been so many times I have been frustrated with my clients. Weather it was writing an offer that was too low, or needing to see a property at a time that was not perfect for my schedule.

But I decided to be in the business to serve "others" not "me". It does not matter what time is best for "me". It does not matter how much my client wants to spend, or even if they ever buy a house at all. The only thing that matters is that I serve them.

Many times we as Realtors, and really as people are too busy putting ourselves first. We tend to look at clients as dollar signs and adjust the value of people with how much they affect our bank account.

I am only saying this because I have done this myself and am guilty on all counts of putting price tags on the people I serve.

Thankfully, I have been able to cut this price tag off those I serve through constant self evaluation. And it has enabled me to remember the reason I decided to start this career to serve "others" not "me".

Why Real Estate

It seems like everytime I tell someone that I am a realtor they get a look of fear in thier eyes and ask "how are things going". The reality is that joining the real estate game at this juncture is a little bit crazy because the market is down so low.

This esentially means that there is not alot of cash to make (btw realtors are 100% comission). Reason being not alot of people are selling thier homes because they cant get alot of money for them, if they even can sell them as 28% of homeowners are underwater on thier mortgage.

As a result of this less homes are on the market, so less options for your buyers as well. This coupled with the fear that new home buyers have caused by all of the predatory lending makes for very few buyers and obviously becasue the market is so far down much less commission made by the realtors.

So why would I do this right now, why would I want to get into this business at such a tumultuous time in housing. Well, simply put I love to help people and this is what I do best.

When I bought a house a little over two years ago the process was very trying and I had a horrible realtor but the experience was worth it all. Everytime I wake up I realize the amazing blessing that is my home, my own home. When I see that people are renting homes just like mine for double what I pay on my mortgage I am extremely thankful.

I became a Realtor to pass this emotion on to others so they can wake up and be thankful. And I am doing just that :D

When Giving Back Gives Back

I read a quote today that made me think about the ability to live the life that has been intented for me and how often I fall short of it.

"Ones real life is often the life that one does not lead" Oscar Wilde.

I think about how much of my life has been spent not being who I really am, in my process of trying to fit in with what the world would like me to be.

And then I think about what my life looks like when I am really living the life that has been intended for me.

Today I am going to the U of M football game. I am not going becasuse I went to UofM, I am not going because I have disposable income, and I am not going because I am excited about Brady Hoke.

I am going because the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Washtenaw County gave me and my little brother Damon the tickets.

I realize as I walk though this life that when I follow the plan and allow myself to be "me" wonderful things happen. Not just for me but for people that are close to me as well.

We have all given till it hurt to somebody or something at some point in our lives. Maybe we need to ask ourselves what that giving has produced, did it give back?