Ann Arbor Real Estate Talk

Opening today for the Michigan Wolverines is tomorrow. There is so much excitement living in Ann Arbor and a college town. Even if expectations are low around the country we are looking forward to a new era at University of Michigan.

We have a new coach, Rich Rodrigues, who runs the spread offence which is new and different at this Big 10 school, steeped in a running tradition. “Coach Rod” as he is called is the son of a coal miner from West Virginia, with blue-collar roots, he became a head coach at age 24.

Coach Rod is still not saying who will be the starting quarter-back. My guess is he will play both of them. Nick Sheridan is from Saline, who was the QB when my son Andrew played at Saline. Nick is a walk-on Red Shirt sophomore is competing with Steven Threet, from Adrian for the opening job. We open against Utah who also runs a spread offense and has their seasoned QB returning.In the past, Michigan has had a hard time defending against the spread offence, but now that we are defending it every day in practice, we should be much improved.

The Stadium is under construction with 49 suites (luxury boxes) not completed. Construction is due to be completed in 2010 and I have been watching the cranes and the steel around the Stadium all summer.

Here is a great air tour of what it will look like when completed.

Fans are asked to come early, due to the construction. Of course, all my kids and their girlfriends and boyfriends are going early like at 8:00 for a 3:30 kick-off. Christa will be running through the house, yelling, “get up, it’s game day” with the fight song playing in the background. About the only days of the year, she is the first one up.

The Victors Walk will begin 2 hours before the game, as the Wolverines walk 200 yards from the U of M. public safety building to stadium tunnel entrance and into the locker room.

So even with the QB situation not known, a stadium under construction, a new offense, and losing to Appalachian State last year in our season opener, this is still Michigan.

One of THE most winning college football schools in the country, full of pomp and tradition. A place where we sing, “Hail to the Victors” the best fight song known in the country and love every minute of it.

GO BLUE!!

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The second quarter data for Washtenaw County had both surprises and not some surprises. When you are out selling and working with buyers on a day to day basis, Realtors just instinctively know what is happening.

If a buyer wants a home in a certain neighborhood and a certain price point then the hunt is on. My last two listings both had offers within 2 weeks, a home in Saline and a condo in Ann Arbor.

Both of the sellers were aggressive in their pricing and both homes were in tip top shape.

In Ann Arbor there is currently a 6 month supply of homes on the market. Homes SW of Liberty to Main has the least amount of inventory with 5.5 months.

In comparison NW of US 23 to M 14 is showing the highest at 9.2 months.

Here are the charts, for residential homes in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, Ypsilanti City, Milan, Ypsilanti Township, Van Buren, Whitmore Lake and Willow Run. If you have more questions or want me to email you a larger version just call me if you need more information. 734-821-0757.

Bottom line certain area’s are in better shape for sellers and certain areas are great opportunities for buyers.

Originally published on BlogAnnArbor, by Missy Caulk

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This is a great deal ! Located in Northside Ridge community at 2928 N. Knightsbridge. Loft style condo, priced way below market value.

Corner fireplace, granite counter-tops, stainless appliances, crown moldings. Large covered balcony, light bright and open with 9 ft ceilings throughout.

The best part:

Only minutes to U of M medical school and complexes.

The association covers snow, lawn, water, sewer and deck.

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I love high school and college sports, that’s not a shocker.

Saline High School football is one of my favorite sports. Still trying to figure what player I will adopt this year as my own kids will be nowhere on the field.

Of course it goes without saying how much I love the Michigan Wolverines, just look at my page. I can’t wait, opening day is next Saturday, 7 days and counting. Of course everyone is anxiously awaiting kick-off with the new coach, Rich Rodriques.

August 29th is the Big Prep Day Opening at EMU, where Saline plays Ann Arbor Pioneer. Click the link for more information.

The rest of the local schedule for the Saline Hornets is:

September 5th Bedford High School   Away

September 12 Chelsea High School  Home

September 19 Dexter High School    Away

September 26 Tecumseh                Homecoming.

October 3rd Lincoln                    Away

October 10th Milford                     Away

October 17th Adrian                     Home

October 25th Ann Arbor Huron     Away

Directions to the away games can be found here.

This is intersting in light of all the posts on Video being the next big thing, or already here. You can now watch on the Saline Hornet web site, videos for all the games.

The Saline Hornet Football team has it’s own web site, where you can find more information on the team roosters, history and photos. 

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Michigan Association of Realtors offers a free legal hotline for Realtors in the State of Michigan to use. We can call in with questions to get a clarification on Michigan law or situations to get advice.

Every month in our MAR updates, a legal question is proposed to McClelland and Anderson the attorney’s for MAR. The question was interesting this month as I recently had a buyer agent encounter this exact situation.

Situation: A home is listed by ABC Realty, a buyer agent brings an offer to the listing agent. When reading the remarks in the MLS information it states, buyer must pay a transaction fee in the amount of $295, to ABC Realty at closing.

The agents are asking MAR ?

Is this legal?

The answer is No.

Basically it is permissible for the listing broker to ask, however, he can not require the buyer to pay as the buyer is not under a contractual relationship with the listing brokerage.

•1) ABC Realty has a relationship with the seller in regards to the listing contract.

•2) ABC Realty can not create an enforceable obligation against the buyer through the MLS.

•3) The only time it would be permissible is if the transaction fee was between the buyer and seller noted in the sales contract.

Bottom line… the buyers do not have to pay the sellers a transaction fee. If you are representing a buyer you can ask for a transaction fee, or a buyer agency fee but that is your contract with the buyers, not the buyers contract with the sellers.

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