Monday, May 5, 2008

Things to do -- Emmett, Goodells, Riley Township, Memphis, Berlin Township

May 9, 2008 Fri. & May 10, 2008 Sat.
Emmett Lions Annual Yard Sale
8am - 4pm Emmett Lions Hall
10830 Mary St., Emmett Village

 

May 10, 2008 Saturday
Flea Market & Perennial Exchange
9am - 2pm
Riley Twp Park next to the Twp Hall at 13016 Belle River Rd.
Proceeds to to Riley Twp Parks & Rec.
any questions call Sue Hudema-Evands at (810) 392-2611

 

May 10, 2008 Saturday
Saturday Science for Families
1pm- 2:30pm  $4/family
Registration required at least one week before event.
This program is geared toward children in grades 3-5, though other ages are welcome to join in activities.
any questions call (810) 325-9109
Location: Pine River Nature Center
2585 Castor Rd., Goodells
prnc@sccresa.org

 

May 17, 2008 Saturday
Goodells Farm Museum & Saw Mill
Open House & Show
8310 County Park Drive, Goodells

 

May 17, 2008 Saturday
Lilac Festival Sunny Fields
11am-5pm  FREE-Donations accepted
Wald the trails of lilac & crabapple blossoms.
Crafters, Live Music, Food. 
Seminars: 12:30pm Plants / 4pm Organic Choices
5444 Welsh Rd., Emmett Twp.
www.visitsunnyfields.org

 

May 17, 2008
ALL YOU CAN EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER
Fundraiser for Vietnam Memorial Wall
4pm-7pm  Cost: DONATION
American Leg Post 566  (810) 392-3237
34330 Bordman Rd., Memphis
(810) 392-2784/ (810) 384-6616

 

May 26, 2008 Monday
Emmett:  Memorial Day Ceremony
12pm at Emmett Cemetery

 

May 26, 2008 Monday
Memphis:  Memorial Day Parade
Begins: 10am & ends at Memphis Cemetery

 

May 28, 2008 Wednesday
Berlin Twp Perennial Plant Exchange
6pm  Under Park Pavilion
Park is near the Senior Center at 740 Capac Rd)
586-784-9969

 

 
Saturday, May 3, 2008

Over the Rainbow

I do hope as you read this blog you have had a wonderful week end.  Here in Berlin Township, Michigan, as I write the temperature is at 55 degrees.  We have had a lot of clouds this day, some rain and then what seemed to be an immediate burst of sunshine.  You all know what we usually get with that situation..................yep a rainbow.  Just thought I'd share it with you all.

default       default

My husband was wondering which end of the rainbow the gold could be found....................What do you think?

This is what it says in Genesis 9:16    NIV  "Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Amazing !!!!!!!!!  That's God

 
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Vacation

My husband and I visited his sister and her husband in California.  What a beautiful state!  Everything was very green this time of the year.  Flowers were blooming.  The weather was a little cooler than we had hoped for, but we had a wonderful time.  Thank you Carolyn and Richard.  You were a wonderful pair as host and hostess.

While there Carolyn and Richard treated us to a concert of Carol King's.  She was wonderful, down to earth and full of energy. We just enjoyed the concert beyond explanation.

We also visited a couple of beaches.  I fell in love with Sycamore Cove Beach.

If you are reading this from California and  see Caroly and Richard, in their Westlake Village community, tell them Ken and Pat says "Hello".

 
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Expired Listings

An "expired" is someone who has previously listed a home with a real estate professional without success. 

There are a number of reasons why the listing contracts expire;

1) overpriced property
2) underexposed property
3)  or maybe you just don't need to sell. 
If the reason is number three, what I tell my client is that if they don't need to sell, now may not be the best time.

Does this some familiar, are you one of the homeowner who's home did not sell?
What do you think could have been different, either with what you or your agent did or did not do.

 
Saturday, April 12, 2008

Your home is the STAR

In Hollywood they are called stylists. They are fashion professionals who help celebrities shine by outfitting them in the right clothes and accessories. In the world of home buying and selling, real estate professionals fill the same role, but in this case the "star" is your home. Here are five things you can do to stage your home for sale.

Staging is an important part of the home sale process.Staging is presenting your home in its best and most appealing light to the majority of buyers. In the end, it may even lead to less time on the market and a better sales price.
1. De-clutter and de-personalize: Remove all clutter and reduce the number of personal pictures and mementos. You do not have to purge everything, but packing away items at a friend's house or in storage might be a good idea.

2. Go for an updated look: If you have well-worn, wall-to-wall carpet, rip it up and replace it. If your kitchen cabinets are dated, spruce them up with new paint. Making your home look its best may take some money and some elbow grease.

3. Create a warm and cozy environment: You want your home to have a welcoming feel. Rearrange seating to create conversation areas. You want buyers to want to stay and relax.

4. Lighten up: Use table lamps to create a warm glow and mirrors to reflect the light around the room. Open up blinds and shades to let the sunshine in. A fresh coat of paint in an inviting, neutral tone will play up the sense of light and warmth.

5. Use accessories: Accent pillows, throw blankets, fresh cut flowers, bowls of polished fruit and artfully arranged books, can help you complete the sophisticated and inviting scene. Remember, you want buyers to imagine themselves living in this setting.

Your real estate professional is your greatest resource when it comes to preparing your home for sale. Work with them to create the home of your buyer's dreams.
 
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Mom's Country Kitchen

If you live or travel through Mempbis, Michigan you should try "Mom's Country Kitchen".  The have very good food, reasonable prices, lots to eat and the sevice is great.  The restraunt is located at the corner of Bordman and Belle River roads. 

The last time I visited Mom's Country Kitchen, I ordered Mom's Taco.  It was very good and tacos don't reheat well, so good I ate the WHOLE thing.  Nothing for lunch the next dayl  My husband on the other hand ordered the Meatloaf Dinner.  Guess what....................he took home lunch for the next day. 

Have you tried this restraunt?  What is your favorite menu item?

 
Sunday, February 17, 2008

SENIOR INFORMATION for Berlin, Capac, Emmett, Imlay City, Richmond and Yale

Be sure to call phone numbers listed for any changes in schedules.
____________________________________________________

Foster Grandparent Program:
600 Grand River, Port Huron, MI 48060   (810) 987-8813

Senior Nutrition Program:
Infor & Referral;   (810) 982-4400
also, 3 First Street, Yale, MI 48097   (810) 387-2162

Berlin Township Seniors:
Berlin Township Senior Center
740 Capac Rd.
Allenton, MI 48002
(810) 784-9969
Potluck 4th Tuesday at Noon.
Cards 1st Wednesday at Noon (sack lunch).
Exercise every Thursday at 10am-11am.

Capac Seniors:
Capac Senior Center
315 Meier St. (Lions Building)
Capac, MI 48014
Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Info: (810) 395-7889
Transportation: (810) 395-7748
Meet for lunch at Noon, Mon-Fri at 11am on Mon.,Wed.,Fri.
Call (810) 395-7889 for scheduled dates and time for the following;
Lunches, Cards, Table games, Puzzles, Crafts, and Exercise programs.

Emmett Seniors:
VFW Hall
3128 Main Street
Emmett, MI 48022
Infor: (810) 395-7998
Meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Noon.

Imlay City Seniors:
Casa Maria Sr Apts
600 Maple Vista
Imlay City, MI 48444
Infor: (810) 724-6300
or campagnc@trinity-health.org
Meet 3rd Thursday, 6pm-7pm for presentations.
1st Friday of month for breakfast, 8am-10am, Speaker at 9am.
Resgistration Required > 2nd Tuesday of month at 2pm for Community Tea Party.

Richmond Township Seniors:
Richmond Township Center
Info: (586) 727-6700
Meet on Mondays at 1pm for potluck lunch,
except for the last Monday of the month they meet at noon.
Call Info: (586) 727-6700 for location.

Yale Seniors
Yale-Mitchell Senior Center
3 First Street, Yale, MI 48097
Info:  (810) 387-3720
Transportation: (810) 387-2162
Meet for lunch Monday-Friday at noon.


Be sure to call phone numbers listed for any changes in schedules.
__________________________________________________________

 
Tuesday, January 8, 2008

What's your favorite..................

I'm curious.  You know all that free stuff you receive in the mail from Realtors. What are item you tend to keep and what items do you tend to file in the trash pile? 
You see I love to get my information out to the public so when the time come to buy or sell real estate,  that someone may need a Realtor, they can call on me.
So.............I don't want to end up in the trash. 

In the past I have sent out magnet calendars, jar grippers, pens,
note pads and recipe cards. 
What is your favorite items.

Thank you in advance for helping me out.

Pat McCray, ABR CGRN
CENTURY 21 AAA North
107 N Main Street
Capac, MI 48014

 
Tuesday, January 8, 2008

More Safety Tips for Seniors

MAKE YOUR HOME SAFE AND SECURE

1.  install good locks on doors and windows.  Use them!  Don't hide keys in mailboxes and planters or under doormats.  These are the first places an intruder might look.  Instead, leave an extra set of keys with a neighbor or friend.

2.  Ask for photo identification from service or delivery people before letting them in.  If you are the least bit worried, call the company to verify.

3.  Be sure your street address number is large, clear of obstruction, and well-lighted so police and other emergency personnel can find your home quickly.

4.  Consider a home alarm system that provides emergency monitoring for burglary, fire, and medical emergencies.

 
Monday, January 7, 2008

Not always a happy ending.

Homeownership isn't always a happily ever after story. There are times when owners can no longer meet their mortgage obligations. In this case, there are several options.

One is foreclosure. In this scenario, buyers have a grace period where they can stay in the home and try to make good on their outstanding debts. Eventually, if they are unable to reverse their current course, the bank or lender will evict the owner, reclaim the home and place it on the market for sale.

A second, lesser-known option is called a short sale. Here the lender agrees to take a loss on the home in exchange for recouping most of what is owed to them. In other words, if you owe $90,000 on your mortgage, your bank may agree to take $80,000 and consider the debt paid. The benefit for the lender is that the case is expedited and closed without the added expense of a foreclosure proceeding. Of course the seller would not see any profit from the sale.
If you find yourself in such a position, research the short sale option further. Start by using online resources to learn about the agreement. If you think it is feasible for you, consult with your lender and a real estate attorney who is familiar with this arrangement

Also, it is very important that you understand the tax implications in a short sale. While the lender may be willing to accept less than what it is due, the government will consider the debt forgiveness as income and a taxable gain. Speak with a certified public accountant that is well-versed in this area.
When you closed on your home, you surely did not envision yourself in this situation. Unforeseen circumstances, such as a job loss, can put you in a position you never imagined. It is imperative that you look at all options, including bankruptcy, foreclosure and the short sale before you select the one that will work best for you.
 
About me
PAT McCRAY and CENTURY 21 AAA NORTH - Capac, MI
Your Local Realtor
More about me