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/

Rail Transit And Ypsilanti

So, its finally here.....well almost. The Detroit Region is one of the last major metro areas in the United States to not have a intergrated rail and transit system to connect cities and regions.

Recently Michigan has recevied federal grants to step up our rail service and make it possible to step up our Region and our State into transportation relevancy. Govener Snyder is a big fan of rail and sees it as a way to plan for our states future growth and sustainability. http://www.michiganradio.org/post/detroit-chicago-less-4-hours-3-upgrades-michigan-passenger-rail.

So, what would an active rail service look like in our part of the world. Well the way  I see it is like many other metro areas that have rail transit. In these areas many people buy real estate near rail for ease of commute to thier jobs or entertainment.

Now I want you to envision what Depot town would look like if it had a train stop with stops at UofM hospital, Ford, and the Airport. These are three of our regions largest and most consitent employers.

Could you imagine the attractiveness of Ypsilanti to a Ford Executive? I can, what about a Pilot? Or a nurse?

My point is simply this there are homes that you can buy a block away from a possible train stop in Depot town for $30,000.

Now can you imagine how much that same home would be worth the train stop to all of these destinations stopped in Ypsilanti? I can.

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!!!!