Macomb County Real Estate - Macomb Michigan Homes for Sale

Well now that Congress has the "Bail Out" finalized, it should be interesting to see just WHO and HOW they will be handling the sale of these "assets".

 I have an idea - since it's OUR money we should have a say from now on. Here's MY plan

• Get RID of the asset managers and the handful of bank agents they use and spread the wealth - I would like to get Some of my money back. Why over work a few agents?  
• Make these "assets" salable and put some money into them instead of taking Huge losses**. That way you'll stop running the prices into the ground and causing more foreclosures. 
• Price them at Market Value instead of pennies on the dollar, unless of course you would like to see "Bail Out" round 2 from the surrounding neighbors.
• Force the banks to approve a short sale within 2 weeks on the new ones coming in the pipeline. You managed to spend $7 bill in 2 weeks - they should get us an answer in 2 weeks.
• If someone is making their payments on time cut them some slack and Work with them Quickly, so they are not forced into foreclosure - we bailed you out at least you could do is help them. 
• How about we collect some of the debt back from those that foreclosed? I do not mind borrowing money to help a neighbor but darn it I expect some of it back. I pay my debts.
• Anyone that did a "buy and bail", destroyed their home or pulled money out and ran should be held responsible. Why does our society keep rewarding Bad behavior? 
• Do Not let HUD handle these assets - the last thing we need is more government involvement.

What concerns me is how much they are willing to sell these "assets" for here's an example**

• 03-11-05 home sold for $785,000 
• 07-12-06 mortgage $675,000 and $150,000
• 11-27-07 sold at sheriff sale for $562,500
• 06-06-08 placed on market by bank agent for $379,900
• 03-11-08 Sold for $415,000 in 5 days -  that's 50% which can ruin this neighborhood

Right now in Macomb County 15% (1396) homes and condos are bank owned/foreclosed and 5.5% (489) are short sales.  How many more are there around the country? How many of these are figured into the "asset" pile and how many more are going to follow?

Today I received a strange call from a very nice gentleman at Adult Well-Being Service, he asked if I had any rentals available in Roseville or Warren. He proceeded to tell me that he needed to place a man and his young daughter in a home very quickly because they were living in shelters and hotels. They needed to get this little girl in school, since it was count day. Normally since these cities are a distance from our home and office, we do not usually work rentals there and usually tell callers we can not help them. But in this case I felt compelled to try and help. The man gave more details which I will not go into now.  

I immediately dropped the 7 things I was doing, went into the MLS and searched for homes and condos in his price range. Then called him back a few minutes later and told him what was available. He asked if I could e-mail him the information. Shortly after he called back asking about two of the homes. The 1st agent told me his seller was really looking for a land contract, so I contacted the other agent.  Then proceeded to tell her the situation and told her I would back out so things could move faster. However, my portion of the commission was to go back to the organization.

Actually the commission would only amount to maybe $300 but hey I figured every little bit helps. This would help the seller get rid of a vacant home, get the other agent a little money, give the agency some help and the most important help this man and his young daughter find a Home.

Remember Pay It Forward - not only during the holidays but ALL Year.

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Recently while attending a trade show I entered into a conversation with an inspector from Protech about Radon. He proceeded to tell me that many areas of Michigan do have radon and it is the #2 leading cause of Lung Cancer. Of course, I was very surprised because although it is listed on our Sellers Disclosure it is a test very rarely done in our area. In fact, in 20 years I have maybe seen 5-10 tests done and they were done by a relocation company.

Now here's the best part the EPA radon chart for Macomb County Michigan is Zone 3 less than 2 pCi/L or Low Potential. The EPA acceptable level is 4, so this maybe why many are not concerned.

But since Protech offered me a Free Home Testing Kit we took it, hung it in our basement as instructed and sent it in to the lab. Shortly after we received a call saying our level was 9.8. So we decided to get a second opinion and hired Matt from Sherlock Homes Inspection. Now this test was much more detailed and cost us money. It was performed with a machine that was placed in our basement for 48 hours and the machine checked our Radon levels 50 times. Our high level was 11.2 our low level 5.4 and the average came in at 7.8. Remember the EPA safe level is 4.We are going to have it removed by having it vented outside via our sump hole as suggested by both companies and the EPA.

Now back to my orginial question- How does the EPA determine Radon Levels? Well lets just say I will find out. You can bet ALL my clients past and present will be given this information and I will personally recommend they have their homes tested. In 1991 I quit smoking, the #1 cause of Lung Cancer and I do not think there is enough information about Radon provided to the general public.  

January is National Radon Action Month get involved and be sure you test. Radon Fact Sheet.

Below is the Real Estate market update for Macomb Township as of Today.

618 - Homes are currently for sale

131 - Condos are currently for sale

of those 94% are private owners and 6% are bank owned

121 - Homes and Condos are currently pending a closing

80 - Home and Condos were sold over the past 30 days

It should also be noted that of the 749 homes and condos for sale 49 are short sales.

As real estate agents we use this data to help you determine how long it will take for your home to sell. It is referred to as absorption rate Currently in Macomb Township the rate is 10.9 months.

However, to speed up the process our sellers are given bi weekly updates and are e-mailed a daily status report, that details not only the homes hitting the market but also the homes that have sold. These 2 items help keep you abreast of your competition, so your home is Sold Faster.

For more information on homes for sale in Macomb Township you can visit us on-line at http://EdandCindyKnight.ListingBook.com or contact us at blog@edandcindyknight.com 

Information taken MiRealsource, Inc and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Below is the Real Estate market update for Washington Township as of Today.

208 - Homes are currently for sale

55 - Condos are currently for sale

of those 95% are private owners and 5% are bank owned

35 - Homes and Condos are currently pending a closing

26 - Home and Condos were sold over the past 30 days

It should also be noted that of the 263 homes and condos for sale 10 are short sales.

As real estate agents we use this data to help you determine how long it will take for your home to sell. It is referred to as absorption rate Currently in Washington Township the rate is 11.5 months.

However, to speed up the process our sellers are given bi weekly updates and are e-mailed a daily status report, that details not only the homes hitting the market but also the homes that have sold. These 2 items help keep you abreast of your competition, so your home is Sold Faster.

For more information on homes for sale in Washington Township you can visit us on-line at http://EdandCindyKnight.ListingBook.com or contact us at blog@edandcindyknight.com 

Information taken MiRealsource, Inc and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Below is the Real Estate market update for Shelby Township as of Today.

492 - Homes are currently for sale

180 - Condos are currently for sale

of those 91% are private owners and 9% are bank owned

111 - Homes and Condos are currently pending a closing

78 - Home and Condos were sold over the past 30 days

It should also be noted that of the 672 homes and condos for sale 35 are short sales.

As real estate agents we use this data to help you determine how long it will take for your home to sell. It is referred to as absorption rate Currently in Shelby Township the rate is 10 months.

However, to speed up the process our sellers are given bi weekly updates and are e-mailed a daily status report, that details not only the homes hitting the market but also the homes that have sold. These 2 items help keep you abreast of your competition, so your home is Sold Faster.

For more information on homes for sale in Shelby Township you can visit us on-line at http://EdandCindyKnight.ListingBook.com or contact us at blog@edandcindyknight.com 

Information taken MiRealsource, Inc and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Below is the Real Estate market update for Clinton Township as of Today.

573 - Homes are currently for sale

360 - Condos are currently for sale

of those 86% are private owners and 14% are bank owned

147 - Homes and Condos are currently pending a closing

105 - Home and Condos were sold over the past 30 days

It should also be noted that of the 933 homes and condos for sale 65 are short sales.

As real estate agents we use this data to help you determine how long it will take for your home to sell. It is referred to as absorption rate Currently in Clinton Township the rate is 10.3 months.

However, to speed up the process our sellers are given bi weekly updates and are e-mailed a daily status report, that details not only the homes hitting the market but also the homes that have sold. These 2 items help keep you abreast of your competition, so your home is Sold Faster.

For more information on homes for sale in Clinton Township you can visit us on-line at http://EdandCindyKnight.ListingBook.com or contact us at blog@edandcindyknight.com 

Information taken MiRealsource, Inc and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

From the time we are little children we are taught "Right from Wrong". As you grow older you know the difference...you get that feeling deep in the gut of your stomach or you hear that "little voice" in your head. But you know the difference. It's about being Honest, Ethical, Trustworthy, having Integrity,  Morals and just doing the "Right" thing.

Over the past few years I have become outraged at some of the things I have seen and heard. Years ago I would have just ignored them but as I grow older they really bother me.  Especially, now that we will be footing the bill for the Fannie Mae, Wall Street mess. I do the "Right" thing and I foot the bill for the ones who do "Wrong". It's just not right.

Below are some of my Pet Peeves and some are political.

1. Near the top of the market we saw people getting bogus appraisals, pulling tons of equity out and then foreclosing on their homes. Many moving out of state. Isn't this like robbing a bank?
2. How about the people that bought a new home, pulled all the toilets, sinks, doorwalls, light fixtures and more out of the home then foreclosed on it. Isn't that stealing?
3. We saw a lot of people buying homes they could Never ever afford, living there a year never even making a payment then foreclosing. That's just down right robbery.
4. What about the people that did not make their payments, blamed the bank, then broke mirrors and light fixtures, put holes in the walls, put graffiti every where and then ran the water.  Isn't that Vandalism?
5. Some of the foreclosures we are seeing today were from "Straw Buyers". They basically over sold the property pulled the cash and then foreclosed. Again robbers or crooks.
6. The ones that really get me are the people who lived Way beyond their means and bought big screen TV's, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton then filed bankruptcy and foreclosed. Why should I foot their debt?
7. Then there's the people that thought they were the next Robert Kiyosaki. They bought investment homes with no money down, forging docs to get loans they never should have had. Leaving no money for repairs, vacancies or higher taxes. Then foreclosing and leaving their mismanagement to us.
8. Where do all our taxes go anyway? Why does the government need more? Well it's simply we have the "Good Old Boys" in congress. They do not work for us they work for the "special interest groups". They spend our money while we cut back on food, utilities, gas, clothes. Want to get sick? Check out Citizens Against Government Waste. It's all about Greed.
9. The Fannie Mae mess really upsets me. But what upsets me more is what did not happen to Franklin Delano Raines. He walked away a rich man, did NO time and Fannie Mae paid a $400 million fine after he left. Just who do you think paid for that?
10. How about Movie Stars, Sports Players, Singers, Broadcasters ect keeping their political views to themselves. If I want liberal I'll turn on MSNBC if I want conservative I'll turn on Fox. Are they not business owners too? Do they ask what party you represent when you go to a concert, buy an CD or go to the show? As a business owner I do not talk politics with my clients. I add it to the Fair Housing Act of 1968 list. They should too.
11. Speaking of Politics. Can we Quit the mud slinging or "Smear Campaign"between McCain and Obama. As a business women I tell my clients what I will do for them. Not what the other agent will do Wrong. To me it shows inability to lead. 

Again you know Right from Wrong. Sure we have all seen people loss their jobs, have health issues and get transferred. But way to many people simply walk away from their responsibilities because they can. It seems like the flood gates have opened. I work harder now that I did years ago and it seems like sometimes I am swimming against a current. But I would Never Ever think of doing something Wrong and making others pay for my mistakes. It's time we all step up to the plate and Demand people start to do the "Right" thing.

When you owe more than what your home is worth - we call that "Upside Down"! Now if you go to the bank and ask them to take less than what you owe it's called a "Short Sale".

Over the past few years the Short Sale has become huge. However, due to the time it takes for the lender to answer us many never really work out. But just like people got around financing issues they are getting around the short sale.

Sometimes they are necessary and other times they are just Wrong. Let' say you  lost your job and have fallen behind in payments, the bank may approve a short sale. But what if you just want to move because your home is to small. That is Wrong. So the lenders changed the rules so this would stop some of the phoney short sales. Keep in mind many of these homes are sold below market value, thereby reducing other homes in the neighborhood. 

As they say when one door closes another one opens. The other day I heard about a local builder that would sell one of his homes to a buyer, then offer to buy there home. Sounds like a great idea right? Wrong! First they tell the buyer to get an attorney, come up with a hardship story and they start a short sale with the offer from the builder. In the meantime, they continue trying to sell the buyers home until the new home is done or until another buyer comes along. It is Wrong or is it Fraud? Did they explain just what would happen to the buyers credit rating? Do they even care what they are doing to the values in the area? Sure the builder, the real estate, the new buyer and the seller are all happy. But who pays for the loss? It doesn't just dissapear into thin air.

Then the next day I receive a call from a For Sale By Owner (friend whose upside down) who was contacted by a local real estate agent, who said he had a buyer. Of course, that was to get in the door. He proceeded to explain that he could help them sell their home by doing a short sale on their current home and then help them buy a new home. He told them his assistant does this all the time. Again what about the credit? What about the area's values?

This all sounds like a wonderful idea but what about the people left in the old neighborhoods? What happens to their values? Will this now create a snow ball effect? When does it stop? Can Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac handle anymore losses? Better yet what about our financial institutions? How much more can they take?