We have just reduced the price of a condo in Vicksburg to $114,900.  This is a great 3 bedroom, 2 full bath unit with a 3-season porch, a full basement, and an attached 2 car garage.  This condo was $131,000 brand new in 2000.  With association fees of only $105 a month, you will be hard pressed to find a comparable condo this affordable.  For more information on this home and others, please visit Ron Houvener’s real estate website.

Downtown Kalamazoo, MI Festivals (edit/delete)

Now is a great time to start planning those outside events that everyone will be attending as Memorial Day is coming up and people are getting in the mood to be outdoors.

Downtown Kalamazoo, MI has so much to offer in the summer time that many people overlook all the events that are happening downtown Kalamazoo because they are often not advertised enough. Many events have been going on for so long that the downtown area commerce doesn’t advertise all the local events that sop many people are so anxious to attend.

I sit on the board for Greek fest, I chair Island Fest, and also sit on the committee for Taste of Kalamazoo, all events that people love to attend (of course permitting weather, and in Michigan can be undetermined up to the last minute).

Greek Fest, on June 5th throught the 7th, Theo & Stacy’s will serve authentic Greek Food daily from 11:00am-12:00am. There will be 3 Greek Shows daily along with performances from the West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance. After the Greek shows we will have performances by various non-Greek entertainers. On Saturday from 12:00-3:00pm we will have children’s programs in addition to the Greek Shows.   Click here for more info on Greek Fest.

Island Fest is to provide a celebration of the culture of the Caribbean region a ?Taste of the Caribbean?, featuring the art and cuisine of the region, promoting area vendors and artists, attracting patrons from the surrounding region to downtown Kalamazoo, with the pro. Local and regional vendors and artists provide arts, crafts, music and dance, while local vendors provide food and beverages all of which are presented in an Island, Caribbean thyme and featured throughout the event. Demonstrations by vendors and music workshops are part of the afternoon activities. Activities begin each day at 11am and continue to close. Offerings and activities are designed to attract a diverse audience including families from the surrounding region. for more info click here.

 The Taste of kalamazoo is a gathering of local restaurants and culinary organizations, breweries and wineries serving samplings of their cuisine. Cooking demonstrations by vendors, wine tastings, ice cravings and music workshops are part of the afternoon activities. Live entertainment is featured each night with a wide variety of music providing a taste of music for everyone as well. Activities begin each day at 11am and continue to close. Offerings and activities are designed to attract a diverse audience including families from the surrounding region.

For information on Homes available for sale click here.

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he Fed did this! The Fed did that! Rates are up! Rates are down! Aaaagggh! Okay, now exhale.  In turbulent economic times the media can’t wait to report what interest rates are doing.  Pundits prognosticate, forecasters forecast and soothsayers sooth.  When should you buy a home based upon interest rates and when is it the right time?

The fact is that interest rates, while important, have little impact when it comes to buying a home.  Alright, alright, I’ll admit: it’s important…but it’s not a deal-killer.

There is a fixation on what rates are doing.  A fixation on what rates will be in the future and what rates were in the past.  I’ve heard potential home buyers tell me, “I’m not sure I want to buy now because rates are ¼ percent higher now and I think I’ll wait.” I say,  “Wait for what?”  I say let’s not look at the rate but instead concentrate on what that rate actually represents … your monthly payment.

Let’s look at what an interest rate move of ¼ percent really does to a $200,000 mortgage.  Say a 30-year interest rate at 6.00 percent “jumps” to 6 ¼ percent. Shall we sit on the sidelines, thinking such a move is suddenly unaffordable?  No.  The payment on a $200,000 loan “jumps” by about $32 a month!

Now let’s get a bit more draconian and look at a ½ percent increase and the monthly payment increases by $64.  Putting that into daily financial terms, $64 is about a tank of gas. While not insignificant, it’s hardly a reason to stay on the sidelines of home ownership. Right now, buyers should have more urgency than ever. Home prices have declined enough to make buying more affordable than it’s been in recent memory and interest rates (whether at 6 percent or 6 1/4 percent) are historically low. It’s time to act.

Are rates important? Sure they are.  But are they the end-all?  Heck no.  Interest rates over the past few years have been in a very tight range, with few major swings.  Just remember what interest rates represent, your monthly payment, and pay less attention to the headlines.

Hemlock Lake is an all sports lake, spring fed, sandy bottom and located in Cass County near Marcellus.   Hemlock lake is a deep lake with the deepest spot being 75′ deep.   Hemlock lake is a designated trout lake along with Birch lake, Harwood lake and shavehead lake in Cass county.   Special fishing regulations applys to these lakes.   So make sure you check with the DNR for your inland Trout Guide.

   The DNR has stocked Hemlock Lake with Rainbow Trout.   Each year from 2000-2007 they have stocked about 2200-2600 fingerlings.   The average size was about 6″-7″.   for a fish stocking database chart go to michigandnr.com/fishstock/default.asp.

   The active listings on Hemlock Lake:   1 bed/1 bath 450 sq.ft. cabin with 40′ of lake frontage for $135,000.          4 bed/ 2.5 bath, 2500 sq.ft, year around home on 125′ lake frontage for $265,000.

On 09/05/07 an as is where is home was sold for $145,100.   The home had 3 bed/ 1.5 bath and 60′ of water frontage.

All information contained herein should be deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

If you would like to see the active listings on Hemlock Lake call or e-mail Bonnie Wright @ Keller Williams Realty (269)492-7597, BonnieWright@kw.com

Economic Stimulus Checks

I thought I would cover the topic of this economic stimulus check that people are receiving to help offset the hard times that many Americans are facing. With foreclosures, and people not making payments on lines of credit, installments loans, and credit cards the government of course steps in to help when America needs it the most.

What are people doing with the money?

I don’t, for one minute, believe that this will help our people in need of the money.  Many people who have been counting down the days to receive the check have ALREADY SPENT THE MONEY! People who are in a hardship are typically people who have not managed their money well in the first place, and when they know they are getting a check for $600 or $1200 they have already made the purchases and need to pay it back already. With the government having so many alternatives to helping our economy, it is very sad to know that the government uses a system that hurts the people in economic hardship.

How is this affecting consumers?

First of all, the consumers are dishing out this money while creditors are offering down payments with their stimulus checks, or being offered lending opportunities if they use the stimulus check as cash for a car, or credit cards, and many other ways where people are getting into more debt using the stimuls check. It amazes me in these times how many people are using this to get deeper into debt.

I had to put this link on here of where you can go to find out when you will receive your stimulus check.

Click here to find out more about me! or go to my website http://www.mattmulder.com/

For information on my real estate background, or to get more info on Porage, mi reo homes for sale. Kalamazoo, mi reo homes for sale go my website.

Overcoming the misconceptions about the “credit crisis”You’ve watched the news and read about it in the papers. You know, the “credit crisis” and how buyers need 20 percent down in order to buy a home? And even if you found a buyer with 20 percent down, lenders aren’t making loans anyway. So, why bother, right? Wrong!

We’re right smack in the middle of what just might be the biggest disservice ever perpetrated on potential home buyers.  It seems the press just can’t get enough of all the gloom and doom in the housing industry.  The fact is that mortgage money is as available today as it was a year ago and loans are being made this very moment with little or no money down. And, no, platinum credit isn’t required.  You just need to know where to look.  Who are these lenders? They’re right down the street.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are exploding onto the mortgage scene; recent estimates are that one out of five mortgages are FHA loans. FHA loans never went away, their reemergence is a result of the collapse of the sub-prime market. FHA doesn’t technically have a minimum credit score, although, in practice, lenders won’t approve an FHA loan with a credit score below 500. But that’s a far cry from the notion that an 800 score is the only thing lenders care about.

The best part?  FHA only requires 3 percent down. 3 percent. And that 3 percent can come in the form of a gift or grant.  FHA borrowers only need to have $500 in a transaction.  All the while, FHA mortgage rates are as good or better than their conventional counterparts.

Low or no down payment, extremely competitive rates and easier qualifying.  No wonder FHA is moving up the charts!

Please contact me if you would like more information about FHA loans or help getting into your first home.

Things to think about before you purchase a Lake Property.

1.   What type of property are you looking for?   Fishing, swimming, Sandy Beach, All Sports Lake, No wake Lake, Privacy, water quality, size, pontoons, boating, jet skis, a Lake Association, No lake Association, Pro active in weed control.   Just a few things to consider.

2.   Who do I choose to be my real estate agent?   Experience, understands Lake living, credentials, professional, available on week-ends and evenings, explains the process, follows through from beginning to end of transaction.   A professional can make the transaction smoothe and enjoyable.

3.   How much do I plan on using the property?    Summer only, year around, residence, second home, cabin, cottage.

   Ask me any questions about the Lakes in South West Michigan if I can’t answer them I will e-mail you information, phone #’s, websites and etc……..

   I am on the MLS I have a lot of Lake listings and can show you any in S.W. Michigan on the MLS.   So far this spring two of my Listings are pending and will be closing real soon.    I do have a lot of Buyers looking so if you have a Lake property to list please call or e-mail me.

Bonnie Wright, Associate Broker

CRS, GRI, ABR, ASP, e-PRO

Keller Wiliams Realty, Direct: (269)492-7597, Cell: (269)303-6240

BonnieWright@kw.com  BonnieSellsLakeProperties.com

I’m hosting an Open House this Sunday, 4/20, from 2:00-4:00 at 223 Evelyn Avenue in Kalamazoo.  At $87,955 this home is a terrific value.  It sits in a quiet neighborhood conveniently off Westnedge near Whites Road.  Even if your looking for something different, please stop by, I love to meet new people.  For more information on this home and others, please visit Ron Houvener’s Kalamazoo Real Estate website.  If there is a topic you’d like to know more about, or if you’d like to contribute to this blog, please feel free to leave comments or email me at rhouvener@kw.com.

My name is Matt Mulder with Keller Williams Realty in Kalamazoo, MI. I have been a Realtor in the Kalamazoo area for 6 years and strive to be on the leading edge of a shifting market.

 I have noticed with Kalamazoo, MI & Portage, MI, that home sales have been in a decline due to loss of jobs in the pharmaceutical field, and a much rise of foreclosures, bank-owned, reo’s, and short sales as many Realtor’s have noticed. 2007 was known to be only of the most homes sales in history according to NAR statistics, yet many more homes have gone into foreclosure as well. Most of the attribution in Michigan has been from local/state government not stepping in to help local business owners, GM, Ford, and Pfizer. Since, the real estate business is economically controlled, shouldn’t the government’s do everything they can to help these companies?

I do believe a lack of local economists have led to a negative appreciation, low home sales, high foreclosures, and many Michigan homeowners packing up and leaving the state.

The economy has changed the way I have to do business. Some of the most important things I point out to homeowners, especially sellers, is that if they want to sell their home, now is a better time than any. Interest rates are at an all time low, buyers have a choice so if a seller has a home in better than competitor condition then theirs will sell. I think the awareness of the positive things in light of a dark media need to be brought to the sellers attention.

On a local note, portage, mi condos, kalamazoo, mi condos, kalamazoo, mi bank-owned homes, portage, mi bank owned homes, kalamazoo, mi real estate, kalamazoo, mi homes for sale, portage, mi homes for sale have been selling given the seller’s have their product in a staged condition with a market accepting price.

 Kalamazoo, MI local attractions have also helped bring in visitors to help drive local business’. The Kalamazoo, MI downtown has seen an increase in attractions with the R.A.V.E movie theater. Bell’s brewery is another big business manufacturing world known beers.

Please feel free to contact me anytime or go to my website www.MattMulder.com

With the vast number of homes available today, it’s very easy to be overwhelmed by the options available to you.  To help narrow your options down to a more practical number, sit down with your family and make a list of the features you consider to be required and the features you would like to have, but aren’t required.  What style of house do you want?  Do you want a two story home, or a one story home?  Do you have a neighborhood or school district you would prefer?  Do you want a basement?  This is a large investment, you might as well get what you want.  Please visit Ron Houvener’s website for more information on homes for sale in the Kalamazoo area.