Happy Day!!!!

Is it just me or do things just seem to be headed in the right direction for both Ypsi and Detroit. Maybe my news is always filtered to positive and uplifting news stories. Or, maybe just maybe we are heading towards good, sustainable, positive growth as a region and more importantly as a people. 

Everyday, I am hearing or experiencing another positive movement in the news that will help to bring better lives for our poor and under educated. More enriching lives for those of us that we would call "Middle Class" . And probably more money for those that have means and are ready to invest it in our recovering and reshaping region. 

To start I am so encouraged to hear all of the positive news on the transit plans. It sounds like as a region we might actually be able to come together to help solve this long term problem that has been plaguing us for an extremely long time. The fact is young smart engaged individuals don't want to have to drive everywhere, and they want public transit. This is just as true here as it is in any vibrant region in the United States, and Detroit is just the last to get on board. Here are a few articles that really gave me hope on this subject of late: http://goo.gl/1SfaJ, http://www.annarbor.com/news/public-iI don't know maybe its just me? Maybe nobody else has noticed all of the amazing an positive news in terms of growthnvited-to-give-input-at-ann-arbor-connector-drop-in-sessions-in-december/, http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-to-detroit-commuter-rail-officials-hope-to-hear-next-week-whether-refurbished-rail-cars-pa/.

In addition to this amazing news there has also been so much positive news here in Ypsilanti in regards to how we are going to use our city and how our young people will be educated. For those of you that don't know the Willow Run and Ypsilanti School districts just were approved by a vote by the people for a merger, the first of its kind considering both of the school districts are failing and in major debt. 

I have had the honor to be placed in a group of 200 other Ypsi Schools shareholders to help these two new districts re-form into a school system that we all can be proud of as Ypsilanti residents. It looks like a great new start to the financial and organizational problems that have plagued our schools for over a decade. 

http://www.annarbor.com/news/ypsilanti/whats-next-ypsilanti-willow-run-merger-supporters-dive-head-first-into-uncharted-territory/  

All I can say is that if these types of things keep up, that it will be great news for all of us :D

Futuring Real Estate in Michigan

      Yesterday my new Real Estate Agency Howard Hanna invited the top Realtors from our company to the Toledo Museum of Art for an amazing lunch and an amazing tour of this amazing museum. After the lunch our company President Hody Hanna spoke about the future of real estate in Michigan.

     Howard Hanna recently bought the brokerage that I have been working for (Edward Surovell). And what Mr. Hanna started talking about was all the reasons they have decided to take an adventure into the Michigan Real Estate market, by purchasing our company. He started talking about the unemployment rate and he said that "over the last 18 months the unemployment rate in Michigan has dropped at a more aggressive rate than any other state in the country". This is obviously a good sign for real estate as the more people that are coming back to work the more can afford to purchase homes.

   He also talked about the fact that people usually start getting aggressive about buying a home when they really see the market going up (which makes sense), comparing it to stocks and when a stock starts to rise how many people all the sudden feel a need to get in before its too late. And he as well as I can see that the market is starting to rise here in Michigan and cant stay this low much longer.

     I can see Michigan's real estate recovery on the horizon in the news as well. This week Chrysler added 1,250 new jobs (not old jobs new jobs) http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/11/15/ap-source-chrysler-to-add-1250-jobs-at-3-detroit-area-factories-in-near-future. And the government granted Detroit 6.5 million to remove one of Detroit's biggest eyesores http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/15/vacant-housing-project-where-diana-ross-supremes-lived-before-motown-stardom. I know that this is just some good news among a sea of negative news out there in the world, but I guess its a choice on how you want to view the world.

    I am so excited to see what will happen next in our great state and am looking forward to doing my part in helping our cities shine.

The Ypsi Times: Renting Vs. Buying in Ypsi

The Ypsi Times: Renting Vs. Buying in Ypsi: So, have you been asking your self what if it makes sense to buy yet? You are not alone more and more renters are becoming home owners every...

Times They Are A Changin'

Things in Ypsilanti are a changin' today I visited the new Bona Sera Resturaunt on the corner of Michigan Ave and Washington in downtown Ypsi and it was amazing. This business popped up do to the property owners adjacent to this business "MIX". The owners Ed and Bonnie were inspired by a visit from EMU business college on a visit that looked at their business and how to move it forward. They wanted to do something with the vacant biz across the street so.....they did it. For a little under a year they ran MIX Marketplace a weekly pop up market for local vendors. The Bona Sera Supper Club became involved when renting the space for non profit fundraiser dinners (here are more details http://bonaserasupperclub.com/).

This is just one of the examples of what an inexpensive commercial space can do for businesses and a city. I can see the economic momentum starting in our fair city with the addition of Red Rocks, and the Wurst Bar just to name a few. The next question we have is how will these impact affect our city and the real estate market?

As people become more and more interested in sustainable living, walkable, and bike able cities more and more people will want to see what Ypsi offers. I am going to attend the Regional Transit Meeting in a few weeks and this will be the next step in a progression of value in our city and our region. Soon there will be a day that homeowners in Ypsi can take a Bus, a Train, or Bike to just about anywhere. Being able to spend so much less time, money and energy on commuting will really affect the way we live and in turn greatly benefit our community.

The only question for the potential home buyers out there is are you going to be ahead of the curve or behind it? Because one thing is for sure the Times They Are a Changin'.

Ypsi Real Estate Is Hot

Are you looking to buy? Well you are no longer alone I work mainly in Ypsi and Ypsi Twp. and I cannot begin to tell you how the market has changed in the last few months. One of the reasons I have not been posting blogs is because I am too busy showing homes and writing offers. I have shown my clients well over 200 homes since the start of 2012, and closed on seven homes as well as had 12 accepted offers.

One thing that has been particularly notable is that there is many more people looking to buy than looking to sell. For the region we are down 14% year to year on the amount of homes listed. That means that there are less homes on the market and with more and more young people getting turned on to buying vs. renting there are more buyers than ever.

One home in my neighborhood that was priced at $99,000 had eight offers on it in three days. I wrote an offer for $15,000 more than the asking price, and we were no where near the top offer on this home. This has been happening increasingly in "hot" neighborhoods, and because of this the prices for homes listed has also been increasing. A lot of this has to do with the warn temperatures for the winter, but even more of it has to do with people realizing that they are paying more for rent than they would for a monthly payment on a home. All I am saying today, is don't be a turtle on this opportunity to change your life in a dramatically positive way, and start thinking about the home you always wanted as a reality, not a dream.

Transit in Ypsi = Super Relevant

So, in case you missed it (trust me you missed it) last night there was a meeting about Transit in our region at the Spark East on Michigan Ave in Ypsilanti see this link https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/219604381443178/.

The meeting was highly informative and very relevant to Ypsilanti citizens that might want to use public transport in the future or are currently using it.

The meeting discussed a five year plan as well as a thirty year vision for public transportation in Washtenaw county.

They discussed areas that they were looking to expand to, and ideas that they had to increase efficiency's in the current system. Not only did they discuss what their plans were they actually asked for input from the crowd and documented the info, and will actually follow up on it.

Of course I voiced some of my opinions about what I thought would be a benefit to the current bus routes including having buses come to the Whittaker Rd. Library as well as Schooner Cove apartments. I also recommended a park and ride at Waterworks park (off Factory and Grove).

They additionally discussed adding a line that will transport to the airport starting next month, that will cost about 15 dollars, much better than the current 50 dollar taxi ride.

All in all this meeting was very informative and very reflective. The committee of transportation they have brought together are very interested in becoming more efficient and growing the routes as well as connecting into the rail system.

This meeting gave me an even greater feeling of real estate worth in Ypsilanti. and shows the promise of an easy city living that could be possible through this system and alleviate many people unnecessary transportation costs and help to increase the quality of life and reduce our individual carbon footprints.

The Jaycees are Helping Ypsilanti

I am proud to say that I am a contributing member of the Ypsilanti Jaycees an organization dedicated to helping the community it lives and works in and loving every minute of it.

So, you re in your 20's or 30's and you have worked long hours all week at your job and along comes Saturday time to relax right. Sleep in, put your feet up watch the UofM game, take a nap, get ready to head out to the bar right?

Well this is what your Saturday would look like if you were actively involved in the Jaycees. 8:00 AM Saturday morning meet with the other Jaycees to organize 80 baskets of food that you and other Jaycees are bringing door to door to needy families in Ypsi.

2:00 PM all the baskets are distributed to the thankful and wonderful Ypsi residents that needed a little help for Thanksgiving.

3:00 Start setting up for the "Annual Senior Dinner" held at the Senior Center in Recreation Park in Ypsi.

6:00 Start dishing out food to over 80 Ypsilanti area seniors and enjoying their company and appreciation for a free Thanksgiving dinner well served by volunteers with smiling faces.

8:00 Clean up the Senior Center and put away all of the tables and wash all the dishes

9:03 Pass out :D

If you want to know more about the Ypsilanti Area Jaycees check us out, you wont regret it

http://ypsilantijaycees.com/