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Executive of Oakland County Determined To Stop Foreclosures
2009-02-09 14:46:00 The executive of Oakland County, L. Brooks Patterson remains optimistic about future, but is aware of the struggles that many will have to face in forth coming years. During his "State of the County 2009," there were 92-hundred foreclosures in Oakland County. He said that, one-in-47 homes have currently been foreclosed, compared to one-in-597 ten ...
Foreclosures May Increase in Oakland County
2008-10-09 16:48:00 The number of home foreclosures in Oakland County is expected to go up. L. Brooks Patterson, Executive of the county, envisions that the value of property in the county is not going to stabilize anytime before 2013. He has further said that the number of home foreclosures in this county may increase to up to ...
Detroit City Council Votes to Boot Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Out
2008-05-15 07:41:00 On Tuesday, the Detroit City Council narrowly voted to oust Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, after investigations showed that he perjured in a whisteblower trial. The council voted as follows on having the governor oust the mayor under her power, having the council itself remove the mayor and censure the mayor: Council President Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. - Yes, Yes, ...
Observations: Oakland County Housing Market Spring 2008
2008-05-01 10:19:00 Dmitry and I have had our busiest Spring in real estate in years in 2008. We are working with more clients than ever before. Last week we had a couple of closings and we asked the other Realtors and mortgage brokers if they were seeing what we are seeing: a lot more buying activity in ...
By: miOaklandCounty
The Michigan Young Republicans Have Officially Returned
2008-04-28 22:16:00 Yesterday, I had the privilege to attend the Michigan Young Republicans’ Kick-Off Party (I was finally able to meet Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson the Great). It was a lot of fun. I met a lot of new people and saw some friends that I hadn’t seen in a while. But the best thing about ...
March 2008 Oakland County Property Statistics
2008-04-18 21:58:00 This just in from MCAR, our board of Realtors. Sales figures for March cooled off a little from the previous two months. In February, for example, sales in Oakland County were up seven percent year-to-year. For March, sales dipped four percent. One likely culprit: the fourth snowiest March since 1880. And home buyers that may have ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Detroit Schools Graduate only 66% of SENIORS
2008-04-06 00:47:00 So I was watching FOX news just now and they gave the statistic that “Detroit graduates only 66% of seniors,” emphasizing that only 66% of the kids who make it all the way to their senior year actually graduate. So that means that the graduation rate of kids who enter Detroit public schools at kindergarten ...
So, You Want to Buy an Oakland County Foreclosure
2008-03-31 14:18:00 Dmitry and I happen to represent a couple of banks on their higher end Oakland County foreclosures. Most of the sellers we work with are your garden variety homeowner, and working with the banks is a completely different animal. For the banks, we do a lot in the way of reporting and maintenance. ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Two Illegal Immigrants Arraigned on Murder Charges in Troy
2008-03-15 06:53:00 Well, I had heard about these murders earlier this week - and now 2 suspects have been arrested and arraigned. What makes this case worse is that the 2 murderers never should have been here in the first place - they were illegal immigrants. Miguel Angel Servando and Nelson Oswaldo Mendoza (both from Texas) were ...
Michigan May Give Nonviolent Felons a Second Chance
2008-03-07 01:21:00 Earlier this week, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano (Democrat) released his outline for a plan that would help onetime nonviolent felons expunge their records. Here are the stipulations: The crime must have been nonviolent. The felon must stay clean for five years after committing the crime. As of now, hiring attorneys to get one’s record expunged can cost ...
Oakland County Real Estate Statistics 4th Quarter 2007
2008-01-30 16:47:00 Realcomp, our MLS, sends me real estate statistics every month because I asked to be on the special list of recipients of real estate stats. Along with their report comes a note that says the stats are not for redistribution. Hence, I have not been publishing them on my blog. But our association of Realtors ...
By: miOaklandCounty
2008 Oakland County Assessed Property Values Tumble
2008-01-25 02:14:00 Updated January 25, 2008According to Andrew Sawmiller in the January 23, 2008 edition of The Spinal Column weekly for the Lakes Area of western Oakland County "Lakes Area" assessed property values decreased by an average of single digits in 2008. According to the article, "only two communities in Oakland County did not have a decrease in property value...." (Look under Archives January 23, 2008 for the entire article after the week of January 21 - 26, 2008)The following local communities were highlighted in Andrew's article Residential property values declining across western Oakland CountyCommerce and Wolverine Lake property owners will see an average drop of 5.27 percent in their residential property values.Milford's average residential property assessment values fell by 2.55 percent in the last year.Orchard Lake homeowners may see an unprecedented decrease in their property's assessed value. Sailer said he expects to see a decrease of about 2 percent on average.Walled Lake is...
2008 Oakland County Assessed Property Values Tumble
2008-01-25 02:14:00 Updated January 25, 2008According to Andrew Sawmiller in the January 23, 2008 edition of The Spinal Column weekly for the Lakes Area of western Oakland County "Lakes Area" assessed property values decreased by an average of single digits in 2008. According to the article, "only two communities in Oakland County did not have a decrease in property value...." (Look under Archives January 23, 2008 for the entire article after the week of January 21 - 26, 2008)The following local communities were highlighted in Andrew's article Residential property values declining across western Oakland CountyCommerce and Wolverine Lake property owners will see an average drop of 5.27 percent in their residential property values.Milford's average residential property assessment values fell by 2.55 percent in the last year.Orchard Lake homeowners may see an unprecedented decrease in their property's assessed value. Sailer said he expects to see a decrease of about 2 percent on average.Walled Lake is...
Oakland County Residential Home Sales Increase Slightly
2008-01-09 02:59:00 Preliminary numbers for residential homes sold in Oakland County Michigan indicate a slight increase in sales during 2007. According to my search of all residential homes sold by Realtors® (based upon all homes listed and sold by all real estate companies and recorded on Realcomp II Ltd as of January 8, 2008)During 2007 there were 10328 homes sold as compared to 9991 homes sold during 2006. Median sale prices decreased almost 10 percent in relation to 2006. Most value decreases were caused by the glut of foreclosure homes on the market.Complete information from all Multiple Listing Services, for the first 10 months of 2007, is available at http://mirealtors.com/ by searching under Housing Statistics on the left side or top menu of the page.Totals above do not include private sales of residential homes. Information that is more complete will be available from Oakland County Public Records shortly.Looking for specific information on your home? An online Home Evaluation will provid...
Oakland County Residential Home Sales Increase Slightly
2008-01-09 02:59:00 Preliminary numbers for residential homes sold in Oakland County Michigan indicate a slight increase in sales during 2007. According to my search of all residential homes sold by Realtors® (based upon all homes listed and sold by all real estate companies and recorded on Realcomp II Ltd as of January 8, 2008)During 2007 there were 10328 homes sold as compared to 9991 homes sold during 2006. Median sale prices decreased almost 10 percent in relation to 2006. Most value decreases were caused by the glut of foreclosure homes on the market.Complete information from all Multiple Listing Services, for the first 10 months of 2007, is available at http://mirealtors.com/ by searching under Housing Statistics on the left side or top menu of the page.Totals above do not include private sales of residential homes. Information that is more complete will be available from Oakland County Public Records shortly.Looking for specific information on your home? An online Home Evaluation will provid...
Oakland County Home Sale Statistics-Third Quarter 2007
2007-10-13 04:01:00 Housing market figures for Oakland County in September reflect a decrease in sales activity compared to September 2006: sales and sales volume were down eight percent and 18 percent, respectively. Among the municipalities experiencing positive sales activity in the year-to-year comparison (with a minimum of 15 sales) were: Commerce Township, which ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County Gives Away FREE Radon Test Kits
2007-10-11 16:15:00 The Oakland County Health Division will offer free radon test kits to residents during National Radon Action Week Oct. 22-26. The kits normally cost $10. From the EPA’s Radon site: Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can?t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family’s ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County and Surrounding Area U-Pick and Cider Mills
2007-09-13 17:57:00 It's that special time of the year. The kids are back to school, days are getting shorter and our bodies crave the sweetness of apples, and apple baked goods. Luckily, there are several local Cider Mills and U-Pick apple orchards in Oakland County and surrounding areas.I'm trying to shopping locally whenever possible. So, I'll be picking apples next week at Longs Family Orchard and Farm located at 1342 E. Commerce Rd in Commerce Twp. (see interactive map below)Apples and cider are usually available through Christmas. For the latest information call (248) 360-3774. Fresh tomatoes are still being sold along the road near the red barn. I purchased some today, they were delicious. According to the hotline, picking season is as follows:September 15th, season starts Cortland and Macintosh apples are available.September 22nd, Jonathan, Empire, and Golden Delicious apples availableSeptember 28th, Red Delicious apples availableOctober 5th Northern Spy apples availableAdditional services a...
Oakland County and Surrounding Area U-Pick and Cider Mills
2007-09-13 17:57:00 It's that special time of the year. The kids are back to school, days are getting shorter and our bodies crave the sweetness of apples, and apple baked goods. Luckily, there are several local Cider Mills and U-Pick apple orchards in Oakland County and surrounding areas.I'm trying to shopping locally whenever possible. So, I'll be picking apples next week at Longs Family Orchard and Farm located at 1342 E. Commerce Rd in Commerce Twp. (see interactive map below)Apples and cider are usually available through Christmas. For the latest information call (248) 360-3774. Fresh tomatoes are still being sold along the road near the red barn. I purchased some today, they were delicious. According to the hotline, picking season is as follows:September 15th, season starts Cortland and Macintosh apples are available.September 22nd, Jonathan, Empire, and Golden Delicious apples availableSeptember 28th, Red Delicious apples availableOctober 5th Northern Spy apples availableAdditional services ...
Oakland County Home Sales Hold Steady in August
2007-09-11 15:25:00 Last week the Detroit New’s new Real Estate reporter, Nathan Hurst, and I had a chance to talk on the phone. Nathan has been here a couple of months now, and is excited about his new position covering the Metro Detroit real estate beat. He comes here from Boston and Nathan admitted that ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County FREE Housing Counseling Services to Buy or Save Your Home
2007-09-10 21:25:00 Did you know that Oakland County residents can get FREE Housing Counseling? True, to all resident through a Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant.The following services are offered to Oakland County residents (owners and renters) by appointment and phoneProvide counseling and advice to tenants and homeownersProvide mortgage default resolutions servicesProvide reverse mortgage counselingEducation and counseling for both tenants and landlordsFair housing counselingInformation on government subsidiesInformation on non-profit (non-government subsidized) organizationsInformation on emergency sheltersConduct community outreach activitiesAffirmatively further fair housingAccording to the Oakland County website, the above services are approved by HUD. So anyone living in Oakland County Michigan, Visit the Oakland County Website or call 248-858-5402 or toll free at 1-888-350-0900, ext. 85402Having a Housing Problem? The Housing and Urban Development offers a list of Housing Counselors...
Oakland County FREE Housing Counseling Services to Buy or Save Your Home
2007-09-10 21:25:00 Did you know that Oakland County residents can get FREE Housing Counseling? True, to all resident through a Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant.The following services are offered to Oakland County residents (owners and renters) by appointment and phoneProvide counseling and advice to tenants and homeownersProvide mortgage default resolutions servicesProvide reverse mortgage counselingEducation and counseling for both tenants and landlordsFair housing counselingInformation on government subsidiesInformation on non-profit (non-government subsidized) organizationsInformation on emergency sheltersConduct community outreach activitiesAffirmatively further fair housingAccording to the Oakland County website, the above services are approved by HUD. So anyone living in Oakland County Michigan, Visit the Oakland County Website or call 248-858-5402 or toll free at 1-888-350-0900, ext. 85402Having a Housing Problem? The Housing and Urban Development offers a list of Housing Counselors in M...
Lower property taxes on the horizon for Oakland County
2007-08-21 15:47:00 Could there be a silver lining to the increasing number of foreclosures in Michigan? Maybe. Maybe not. The State of Michigan just changed the laws allowing foreclosures to be taken into consideration in property tax assessments. Previously the depressed sales were disallowed as aberrations. In Oakland County areas particularly hard ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County Home Sales UP in July
2007-08-15 22:54:00 Work has gotten in the way of me updating this blog recently. We have been selling houses. I should yell that because there seems to be a rumor circling about in metro Detroit that homes are not selling. So let me repeat: Dmitry and Maureen are selling houses. In the last few ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County Farmers Markets in Full Swing
2007-08-11 19:09:00 What a tremendous summer we're having! Oakland County Farmers Markets are in full swing until October. Take some time to visit a farmers market or street side vegetable stand today. All purchases help keep Michigan's economy rolling. Make sure to ask where items are produced and if there is a quantity discount. Canning supplies are available in many local markets and some Farmers Markets.Yes, canning supplies. You remember when people used to can their own fresh picked fruits and vegetables, right? That was in a time before global produce. Well, you can do your part to save the environment and assist Michigan by purchasing food locally and taking a step back to can some items. Try purchasing a locally made jam or jelly today and invent your own flavors. My favorite is the champagne raspberry jam sold at the Northville Farmers Market. I've tried but can never match their flavor.Here are a list of Oakland County Farmers Markets. If you know of one not on the lis...
How Long Will My Oakland County Home Take to Sell?
2007-08-07 19:33:00 Real Estate One released the latest Oakland County Market Report this morning for the period of April 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007. The average Supply of Homes in all price ranges was 20.8 months. This is compared to 16.0 months for the same time period in 2006 and signals a slight worsening of the market in some areas. View the entire Oakland County Market Report. Results are sorted by city and in 100,000 ranges. This is a two page report with totals on the second page. Raw sale data for the entire State of Michigan is available on the Michigan Association of Realtors website.How does this relate to How Long Will My Oakland County Home Take to Sell? If you follow the Four Factors in selling your home, paying specific attention to:Current market conditionsThe condition of your propertyPromotion efforts and tactics The asking priceYour home most likely will sell within your desired timeframe and with less stress. If you fail to follow any one of these factors...
April 2007 Home Sales, Oakland County
2007-06-01 12:48:00 I have been working on a market update, but then the following article landed in my mail box this morning. To strengthen? their statistics I will add that my own office just had its best month in 2.5 years. Our showings are up substantially too. The following is taken directly from MCAR Reports, a ...
By: miOaklandCounty
April 2007 Home Sales, Oakland County
2007-06-01 12:48:00 I have been working on a market update, but then the following article landed in my mail box this morning. To strengthen their statistics I will add that my own office just had its best month in 2.5 years. Our showings are up substantially too. The following is taken directly from MCAR Reports, a ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County home prices on the rise in April 2007
2007-05-11 16:58:00 OK, no ‘rah rah rah’, just a few impressions of what I have been seeing out there in the local market in the last two weeks or so. Let’s just call this another one of my anecdotal market reports. I tried to set up 3 showings for one couple. Two of the houses were ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County home prices on the rise in April 2007
2007-05-11 16:58:00 OK, no ‘rah rah rah’, just a few impressions of what I have been seeing out there in the local market in the last two weeks or so. Let’s just call this another one of my anecdotal market reports. I tried to set up 3 showings for one couple. Two of the houses were ...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County Home Sales UP in February!
2007-03-09 10:50:01 Nothing like a some good real estate market news. Yes, I have said I don’t like talking about statistics, but our MLS, Realcomp reports that Oakland County home sales were up between 4 an 5% in February, and about 1% over February 2006. Good news indeed. Here is the story from the Detroit News. There are some outstanding values in the market today. It is a phenomenal time to buy a home. Photo by B TalTechnorati Tags: oakland county home sales, oakland county home buyers, oakland county real estate market
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County 2006 4th Quarter Home Sales
2007-03-02 04:41:02 I try to write about home sales statistics more often, but the truth is that I find it painfully dull. No, I don’t find the statistics dull. I find them rather informative quite honestly. The Economics major in me loves stats, charts and such things. It is the writing about them that I find tedious. Still, I think this information is important, so today I am making the effort. According to Realcomp II, our MLS: In the first two months of the fourth quarter, 4,430 jobs were added to the payrolls of Oakland County. As a result of these new jobs, the average monthly unemployment rate fell from 5.7% during the third quarter to 5.2% for October and November. The strong employment climate may help to create demand for home purchases. …I like the thought of creating demand for home purchases. Sounds good right now, doesn’t it? What happened in Oakland County in the 4th quarter of 2006? The average price of a home fell in the fourth quarter of 2006 from $250,200 to...
By: miOaklandCounty
Unique Homes of Oakland County
2007-02-19 04:32:01 .flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Houses of Goa Museum, originally uploaded by David Wilmot. Here is a plea for assistance. We want to run a series on unique homes in Oakland County. The home in the photo is actually in Goa India, and I sincerely doubt we will find much along this line here in Metro Detroit. So far we are planning to write about a home made from strawbales and some “green” earth-friendly luxury new construction. If you have other ideas of homes we could be writing about, please pass them along. Technorati Tags: oakland county, unique homes, unique homes in Oakland county
By: miOaklandCounty
The Best Corned Beef in Oakland County
2007-02-14 16:29:01 People end up on my blog for funny reasons. Someone landed here today because they Googled “Who has the best corned beef in Oakland County.” Well, I don’t remember ever writing much about corned beef here before, but the question is a good one. And, fortunately for that reader, I have the answer! I would love to find a better corned beef sandwich than I enjoy at the Bread Basket Deli in Oak Park, but I am not sure that it exists, except maybe in heaven. Really, their corned beef is sublime, and so is the crusty rye bread they serve it up on. I don’t think I’ve often strayed beyond the #17 1/2 which comes with Russian dressing, swiss cheese and coleslaw. The sandwiches are huge–enough for two meals. There is always a line, so plan on a wait. The atmosphere is pure, authentic diner with no pretenses of being anything else. I have to tell you a funny story about the Bread Basket. I was a long time vegetarian. For something like 15 years. B...
By: miOaklandCounty
Oakland County Real Estate Market Stats
2007-01-28 16:09:05 Faithful readers, I owe you more in the way of a market update, but I just came across these stats on our MLS and I am going to throw them up for now. I will be back in a few days with some legitimate market analysis. January has turned into an extremely busy month for us. That is a good thing! Sales Statistics for OAKLAND County MI Realist’s most recent recording date for this county is 01/08/2007 Single Family Residence Time Period Number of Sales Median Sale Price Nov 2006 982 $181,875 Nov 2005 1,166 $196,039 Oct 2006 1,391 $182,500 Oct 2005 1,396 $203,000 2006 YTD 15,687 $191,000 2005 17,509 $198,000 Condominium Time Period Number of Sales Median Sale Price Nov 2006 185 $202,619 Nov 2005 517 $179,500 Oct 2006 173 $232,965 Oct 2005 601 $177,000 2006 YTD 2,086 $184,601 2005 6,668 $186,015
By: miOaklandCounty
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