Mac Facts

MacIntyre & Cowen January Newsletter- Referral Grand Prize Winner Announcement

2012-01-10T13:56:00.002-05:00

2011 Grand Prize Referral Winner

This is our big announcement of the Grand Prize Winner for our Annual Referral Drawing… And the WINNER is…

CARRIE FATA!!!

Pictured above is the grand prize winner Carrie Fata and her fiancé, Anthony Rue. Carrie provided 3 referrals of friends and family to our office throughout 2011, 2 of which closed, putting Carrie in the raffle twice. Carrie and Anthony plan to use their prize winnings toward their honeymoon, which otherwise would not have been possible.

This year the prize is a $500 shopping spree to a store of the winner’s choice!

If you would like to be in the running for the next Grand Prize drawing, simply make a referral to us! If you refer someone to our office at any point, throughout the year and they end up closing, MacIntyre & Cowen will send you out to dinner, on us! You will also be entered into our Annual Grand Prize Referral Drawing, where in years past we have had prizes such as an all inclusive trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. We always have a fabulous & luxurious grand prize.

The Five Golden Rules of Goal Setting - Just In Time For Your New Years Resolution!

2011-12-29T11:44:00.000-05:00

Every year we all set a New Years Resolution. Here is an article that we found at mindtools.com, that lays out the Five Golden Rules to set yourself up for success!

The Five Golden Rules

Rule #1: Set Goals that Motivate You

When you set goals for yourself, it is important that they motivate you: this means making sure that they are important to you, and that there is value in achieving them. If you have little interest in the outcome, or they are irrelevant given the larger picture, then the chances of you putting in the work to make them happen are slim. Motivation is key to achieving goals.

Set goals that relate to the high priorities in your life. Without this type of focus, you can end up with far too many goals, leaving you too little time to devote to each one. Goal achievement requires commitment, so to maximize the likelihood of success, you need to feel a sense of urgency and have an "I must do this" attitude. When you don't have this, you risk putting off what you need to do to make the goal a reality. This in turn leaves you feeling disappointed and frustrated with yourself, both of which are de-motivating. And you can end up in a very destructive "I can't do anything or be successful at anything" frame of mind.

Tip:

To make sure your goal is motivating, write down why it's valuable and important to you. Ask yourself, "If I were to share my goal with others, what would I tell them to convince them it was a worthwhile goal?" You can use this motivating value statement to help you if you start to doubt yourself or lose confidence in your ability to actually make the goal happen.

Rule #2: Set SMART Goals

You have probably heard of "SMART goals" already. But do you always apply the rule? The simple fact is that for goals to be powerful, they should be designed to be SMART. There are many variations of what SMART stands for, but the essence is this – goals should be:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Time Bound

Set Specific Goals

You goal must be clear and well defined. Vague or generalized goals are unhelpful because they don't provide sufficient direction. Remember, you need goals to show you the way. Make it as easy as you can to get where you want to go by defining precisely where you want to end up.

Set Measurable Goals

Include precise amounts, dates, etc in your goals so you can measure your degree of success. If your goal is simply defined as "To reduce expenses" how will you know when you have been successful? In one month's time if you have a 1% reduction or in two years' time when you have a 10% reduction? Without a way to measure your success you miss out on the celebration that comes with knowing you have actually achieved something.

Set Attainable Goals

Make sure that it's possible to achieve the goals you set. If you set a goal that you have no hope of achieving, you will only demoralize yourself and erode your confidence.

However, resist the urge to set goals that are too easy. Accomplishing a goal that you didn't have to work hard for can be anticlimactic at best, and can also make you fear setting future goals that carry a risk of non-achievement. By setting realistic yet challenging goals, you hit the balance you need. These are the types of goals that require you to "raise the bar" and they bring the greatest personal satisfaction.

Set Relevant Goals

Goals should be relevant to the direction you want your life and career to take. By keeping goals aligned with this, you'll develop the focus you need to get ahead and do what you want. Set widely scattered and inconsistent goals, and you'll fritter your time – and your life – away.

Set Time-Bound Goals

You goals must have a deadline. Again, this means that you know when you can celebrate success. When you are working on a deadline, your sense of urgency increases and achievement will come that much quicker.

Rule #3: Set Goals in Writing

The physical act of writing down a goal makes it real and tangible. You have no excuse for forgetting about it. As you write, use the word "will" instead of "would like to" or "might". For example, "I will reduce my operating expenses by 10% this year", not "I would like to reduce my operating expenses by 10% this year." The first goal statement has power and you can "see" yourself reducing expenses, the second lacks passion and gives you an excuse if you get sidetracked.

Tip 1:

Frame your goal statement positively. If you want to improve your retention rates say, "I will hold on to all existing employees for the next quarter" rather than "I will reduce employee turnover." The first one is motivating; the second one still has a get-out clause "allowing" you to succeed even if some employees leave.

Tip 2:

If you use a To Do List, make yourself a To Do List template that has your goals at the top of it. If you use an Action Program (see Mind Tools' Make Time for Success! course), then your goals should be at the top of your Project Catalog.)

Post your goals in visible places to remind yourself every day of what it is you intend to do. Put them on your walls, desk, computer monitor, bathroom mirror or refrigerator as a constant reminder. You can even post them in the Mind Tools Club forum, and share them with other members for added motivation.

Rule #4: Make an Action Plan

This step is often missed in the process of goal setting. You get so focused on the outcome that you forget to plan all of the steps that are needed along the way. By writing out the individual steps, and then crossing each one off as you complete it, you'll realize that you are making progress towards your ultimate goal. This is especially important if your goal is big and demanding, or long-term. Read our article on Action Plans for more on how to do this.

Rule #5: Stick With It!

Remember, goal setting is an ongoing activity not just a means to an end. Build in reminders to keep yourself on track, and make regular time-slots available to review your goals. Your end destination may remain quite similar over the long term, but the action plan you set for yourself along the way can change significantly. Make sure the relevance, value, and necessity remain high.

Key Points

Goal setting is much more than simply saying you want something to happen. Unless you clearly define exactly what you want and understand why you want it the first place, your odds of success are considerably reduced. By following the Five Golden Rules of Goal Setting you can set goals with confidence and enjoy the satisfaction that comes along with knowing you achieved what you set out to do.

So, what will you decide to accomplish today?

Make sure to check out the article! http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_90.htm

MacIntyre & Cowen Real Estate Newsletter - Fun Holiday Factoids

2011-12-16T09:54:00.000-05:00

Figgy pudding" has BACON in it!!!

In the Ukraine, it is customary to use an artificial spider and web as part of the Christmas tree decorations. As a spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck.

During a typical U.S. holiday buying season, Visa credit cards are used an average of 5,340 times every minute.

Since the Hebrew calendar is lunar rather than solar, Hanukkah falls on a different day each year, anywhere from November to early January on the standard calendar.

Before electric Christmas tree lights were first invented by Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison in 1882, fir trees were decorated with burning candles. Therefore people didn't usually put up their trees until December 24 because of the risk of fire!

It is estimated that 400,000 people become sick each year from eating holiday leftovers gone bad.

For every real Christmas tree harvested, two to three seedlings are planted in its place

Yuletide-named towns in the United States include Santa Claus, located in Arizona and Indiana, Noel in Missouri and Christmas in both Arizona and Florida.

The guttural sound of the Hebrew letters cannot be duplicated by the English alphabet. For this reason, there are many spellings of this holiday in English and all are correct. Hanukkah can be correctly spelled many different ways, including Chanukah, Chanukkah, and Hanukah.

It takes 44 candles all together to observe all the eight nights of the Chanukah festival. The candles used for lighting Hanukah Menorah are supposed to burn for at least half an hour after the stars come out.

In the 1800's the US Postal Service tried to outlaw Christmas Cards because people were sending so many. They were outraged because they had to hire 16 people just to handle the load!

Births on 25 December:

Humphrey Bogart, actor 1899

Alice Cooper, musician (1945)

Princess Alexandra of Kent, (1936)

Annie Lennox, singer 1954

Sissy Spacek, actress 1949

Bernhard Jr, Prince of Netherlands 1969

Helena Christensen, model 1968

Shane McGowan, singer 1957

Anwar el-Sadat, Egyptian president 1918

Tony Martin, singer/ actor 1914

Robert Ripley, Ripley's believe it or not 1893

Conrad Hilton, hotelier 1887

Alfred Kerr, writer 1867

Johann Herbeck, composer 1831

Patrick S Gilmore, composer 1829

Click Link Below December's Market Watch Newsletter:

http://www.lansing.com/peterm/Dec2011.pdf

MacIntyre & Cowen Team

ASSOCIATE BROKER - Re/MAX

517-999-2675

Fax: 877.334.1685

www.pmachomes.com

TIDBITS - Decorating Ideas For Fall

2011-09-15T16:55:00.000-04:00

I thought this article would be very helpful now that the Michigan fall weather is arriving. These ideas are from Better Home & Garden. Make sure to check out the whole article to view all their great ideas! .http://www.bhg.com/decorating/seasonal/autumn/fall-harvest-decorating-ideas/#page=2

1. Acorn Napkin Rings -

2. Harvest Corn -

3. Orchard Fruit

4. Fall Plant Arrangement

RE: Tidbits on Great Perrennials for Michigan

2011-09-08T16:34:00.001-04:00

Wondering how to keep your drive by appeal looking fresh, and colorful during the chilly fall weather? Below is a list of some great perennials for Michgan.

1. Grape Hyacinth -
These plants resist cold temperatures, as well as browsers such as deer and rabbits.

2. Blue Mist Spirea -
It also doesn't die back completely in the winter. Instead, it produces woody stems that stay partially alive through cold weather.

3. Butterfly Weed - It produces bright red, orange or yellow flowers from late spring through late summer.

4. Echinacea -

It blooms from late spring through late summer

5. Lavender -
Like blue mist spirea, its stems stay alive through the winter.

MacIntyre & Cowen Real Estate Consultants

2824 E. Grand River, Suite C, Lansing MI 48912
RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals
517-999-2675 office / 517-290-8883 cell
517-999-4061 fax / 1-877-334-1685 efax
http://pmachomes.com/ - Chat Live!
Find us on:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pmachomes
Twitter - PMacHomes

Reduced Home in a Desirable Sub.

2011-09-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

Seller is very motivated and looking at all offers. Don't miss out on this Groesbeck Sub 1.5 story gem. Newly reduced the seller is very motivated. Home features 4 beds, 2 full baths and over 1400 square feet.

Check it out at http://pmactours.com/22362

Tidbits: What To Ask Yourself Before Purchasing Your First Home

2011-08-31T16:41:00.000-04:00

Below are some very important tidbits that any first time home buyer should know, before they decide to purchase a house.

1. Know your current household budget and lifestyle, to help you decide how much you can afford for a mortgage payment.

2. Determine what your needs are. EXP - Do you want to take care of your lawn and snow removal, or would you prefer a condo that handles the exterior maintenance?

3. All of the costs that a buyer incurs even before owning the home. EXP - property inspection fees, application fees, appraisal fees, etc.

4. On going costs. EXP - utilities, taxes, repairs, homeowners insurance.

5. Finding a REALTOR. It's always great to have a REALTOR that is working for you and your needs. REALTOR's understand the market, and can be very helpful with assisting you in the whole process.

If you believe that you are ready to purchase a house, and/or have any questions. Please call the office at 517-999-2675. Also make sure to check us out our Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pmachomes , and follow us on Twitter @PMacHomes.

Tidbits: Presentation is everything!

2011-08-23T15:45:00.000-04:00

Presentation is everything! Here are some very helpful ideas and tips from HGTV's Front Door "How To Make Buyers Bite" Article.

1. A nice entry way - First impressions really are everything. Impress the buyer from the start.
EXP: Repaint the front door

2. Hardwood floors - Have the most durability, and a good hardwood floor will never go out of style. Most buyers are hunting for hardwood floors.

3. State of the art fixtures - Fabulous fixtures to a house, are like diamonds to a woman. They never go out of style.

4. Stainless steel appliances - Who wouldn't want a kitchen like Wolfgang Puck!

5. Grass is greener - Is the grass really greener on the other side -YES! A good drive by appeal is always important. EXP: Plant a nice flower bush.

Have any more questions, or need any professional advice - Please check out the below website.

http://www.pmachomes.com/sellers.asp

Building Blocks

2011-03-18T08:44:00.000-04:00

A brief look at architecture as it has evolved over time.

Dutch Colonial

1. Timeframe: 1650-1750
2. Building Materials: stone or brick walls with cedar siding for the second story, splitwood shingles or tiles roofs
3. Structure: The earliest homes resembled that of the English cottage (single room structures, with steep roofs). However, the Dutch Colonial was stone made with wood shingled roofs. Modifications would be having a brick front facing the street. This was one of the first Row Houses. Adaptations of the basic cottage began around 1700. The roof steep gabled roof was flattened out and flaring eaves were added giving the home a graceful bell-shaped curve. Not only did this overhang add front and rear verandas but it protected the mud mortar entrance and foundation from water runoff. Two section doors were introduce. This allowed for fresh air without allowing barnyard animals entrance to the home.

Building Blocks

2011-03-04T12:43:00.001-05:00

A brief look at architecture as it has evolved over time.

Medieval

1. Timeframe: 1635-1735
2. Building Materials: stone foundations, wooden beams, brick and leaded glass
3. Structure: Many of these homes resembled the English Cottage in appearance but as families grew the homes needed to accommodate the added family members. Hence, the addition. Each side was complete with its own tall brick chimney. Dormers were added to the lofts since they functioned as sleeping space. Below the stone foundation a crude mud cellar was dug out. The wood shingled gabled roofs were steep. Two story homes were introduced.

MacFacts 04: Know what to ask your Real Estate Agent

2011-02-28T20:05:00.001-05:00

Click Here:
MacFacts on Facebook Fan Page

Title Tidbits - Principle Residence

2011-02-22T16:10:00.000-05:00

Michigan homeowners need to be aware of the law that exists to provide tax savings to anyone who has a home for sale but has purchased another home. You can claim both properties as your Principle Residence and receive Homestead millage. This law went into effect for homeowners in 2008, as relief for Michigan home sellers who have moved and have not been able to sell their home in Michigan.

The law is called PA 96 of 2008, and it is a HUGE tax break for people in Michigan that expands the Principal Residence Exemption on unsold homes. If you live in Michigan, and own a home you are allowed to claim one house for a primary homestead exemption. Non-Homestead Tax millage is 18 mills higher than Homestead, that is approximately 30% higher.

The home must be vacant and on the market for sale. You can claim this exemption by filing a Conditional Recission of Principal Residence Exemption form every year for a maximum of 3 years. Other provisions apply. Contact us for more details.

Building Blocks

2011-02-18T12:42:00.000-05:00

A brief look at architecture as it has evolved over time.

The English Cottage

1. Timeframe: 1623-1630. These were the first permanent home of the settlers
2. Building Materials: posts, wood bean frame, thin wall studs and roof rafters, twigs, mud, woven grass
3. Structure: To make the frame, four sturdy posts were spaced evenly out with wood beams notched and pegged together on top. Studs and roof rafters were then notched into the frame. Walls were made of woven twigs and insulated with mud. Hand split and later, pit sawn, wood clapboards were nailed into place. The roof was steep and made of thatched grass or reeds and offered protection from rain and snow. Stone fireplaces, with stick chimneys, were built in these one room structures. Windows were small and few to prevent heat loss. A variation of this home would be using equal sized beams for the entirety of the structure with twigs and mud used for walls. However, the wooden beams were left exposed. This is known as half-timbering.

MacFacts 04: Beat the Banks

2011-02-14T15:32:00.000-05:00

Peter MacIntyre feature:

Title Tidbits - Deeds

2011-02-08T13:03:00.000-05:00

Quitclaim Deed

A quitclaim deed is a legal document that allows the owner (grantor) of real property to sign over all ownership interest to another party (grantee). The Grantor makes no warranties that the property is free of debt or other ownership. An example of when to use this is when transferring property within a family or in the event of a divorce and one party no longer has interest in the property.

Warranty Deed

A warranty deed assures the grantee that the grantor (owner) does in fact own the property and has full rights to sell it. In this type transaction, with a proper title search performed, it will be known if there are any liens, mortgages, or other claims to the property before closing. This is most typical type of deed, although is not used when purchasing a bank owned property.

Special Warranty Deed

In a special warranty deed the grantor gives ownership of real property with a limited number of assurances. One assurance is that the grantor has in fact received title. The second is that the title was clear of defects while they owned the property. They warrant nothing prior to their taking title. This type of deed is typically used when purchasing a bank owned property.

Building Blocks

2011-02-04T16:11:00.008-05:00

A brief look at architecture as it has evolved over time.

The Wigwam

1. Timeframe: 1600’s

2. Building Materials: Bent wood poles and Bark

3. Structure: These one room structures, with a opening for smoke, were constructed with bent saplings and bark. The young trees were buried and bent to make an arched frame. Birch bark could be layered on top to make a roof. Cedar bark was then shingled on the sides.

Click Here for a Great Reference Site

Lansing MI Real Estate Referral Grand Prize Winner 2011

2011-01-13T09:43:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to our Grand Prize Referral Winner 2010, Juan Mendez. He is the lucky winner of a $750 shopping spree to the store of his choice. Juan referred 2 clients to MacIntyre & Cowen in 2010 that afforded him 2 entries in the annual giveaway.

Again in 2011, you will have the chance to win a fabulous Grand Prize, so please continue to contact us with your referrals or make sure your friends & family mention your name. For every client referred that works with MacIntyre & Cowen, you will be entered in our Annual Referral Drawing. Everyone can be a winner with MacIntyre & Cowen, because if that buyer or seller closes, we will send you out to dinner on us!

Again thank you for all who participated and trusted us with their family & friends' buying and selling needs. The highest compliment you can give us is the referral of your near and dear. You can be assured we will treat them with the same great service and care as we did you.
Here's to a Healthy and Happy 2011,

The MacIntyre & Cowen Selling Team

PMAC Testimonials

2011-01-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

We signed a contract with Peter MacIntyre after very disappointing results from a previous real estate company in town. MacIntyre & Cowen had been highly recommended to us and we were confident this was the right choice in the first meeting with Peter! He had the extensive experience in real estate and an attitude that we WILL sell your home. He immediately went into action with his excellent team of professionals in his office, providing a great brochure for our home, advertising in multiple websites and a conscientious follow-up on all leads. What wasn't accomplished in six months with our previous company happened in weeks with MacIntyre & Cowen. We would HIGHLY recommend this team of professionals to everyone! Thank you again, for your commitment and working so hard for us.

Robert & Glenda Hinman
01/12/2011

___________________________________________________________________________

Peter,

Thank you for working tirelessly to help sell our home. You and your staff were wonderful, timely and extra helpful thoughout the entire process. We appreciate that you are tech saavy which made it that much easier with our long distance transaction. Your team are true professionals and experts at what they do! Thank you!

Sincerely,

Karen Berry
11/11/2010

___________________________________________________________________________

PMAC IS AWESOME!

Dear Eleanor, Peter, and Jill,

Thank you, thank you, thank YOU for helping my parents in Arkansas find the perfect realtor with your referral. They are signing with this afternoon.

You have been a blessing in our lives since we met. Please let me know if I can ever return the favor.

Sincerely,

Wendy Carlson
Licensed Insurance Representative
01/10/2011

___________________________________________________________________________

Hello Eleanor,

We wanted to say thank you for all your great work. We are so pleased with the experience with you and your team. You should be proud of your fantastic team. We felt important and listened to and in great hands through the whole process. Thank you again and you will definitely come highly recommended by us!

Happy New Year,

Stacy and Candace Fulayter
12/28/2010

___________________________________________________________________________

MacIntrye Team,

Sorry it took me so long to get to this letter...I have been super busy with my frst home! Jill Sherman was great to work with. She was extremely helpful and so much fun to work with through the entire process. I couldn't have asked for someone better. Thank you so much. I LOVE MY HOME!!!

Kelly Fallot
10/15/2010

___________________________________________________________________________

PMAC Team,

Kim Henderson was amazing and the 100% perfect person for us to work with. She really took the time to learn about us and our needs and desires. She never had to reference a folder about us, though I know she kept one. She was so good she could remember everything about us, including the little mundane personal facts. It was a perfect experience in someone really getting to know us to make our first home exactly what we wanted. If this wasn't enough - she also made time for us and worked around our schedule no matter how busy she was. She also was extremely knowledgeable. I couldn't ask for more in a Realtor. She is one of the most honest, straight forward people I have met. Kim will take the time to be sure you find your dream home. We were extremely impressed and thankful to have such a wonderful home buying experience and we know it is because of Kim.

Thank you,

The Hermans
09/23/2010

___________________________________________________________________________

Michigan Home Sellers Can Have 2 Primary Residences For Tax Purposes

2010-12-22T13:42:00.001-05:00

Michigan homeowners need to be aware of the law that exists to provide tax savings to anyone who has a home for sale but has purchased another home. You can claim both properties as your Principle Residence and receive Homestead millage. This law went into effect for homeowners in 2008, as relief for Michigan home sellers who have moved and have not been able to sell their home in Michigan.
The law is called PA 96 of 2008, and it is a HUGE tax break for people in Michigan that expands the Principal Residence Exemption on unsold homes. If you live in Michigan, and own a home you are allowed to claim one house for a primary homestead exemption. Non-Homestead Tax millage is 18 mills higher than Homestead that is approximately 30% higher.
Now the legislature has allowed you keep two exemptions "if" you move from one home in Michigan to another one and are still trying to sell the previous home. The home must be vacant and for sale. You can claim this exemption for a maximum of 3 years by filing a Conditional Rescission of Principal Residence Exemption form.

Why Are Taxes So High on Foreclosures?

2010-12-22T13:41:00.002-05:00

There are many factors that are going on there. More often than not, when a property goes to foreclosure sale, the Twp or local tax authority equalizes the Taxable Value to match the SEV. (Often grossly out of whack from realistic market value because the SEV is based on the last purchase price & other factors such as state formula). So bottom line, the Taxable value jumps considerably at the time of foreclosure sale! Also at that time to add insult to injury, the taxing authority reverts the property to the Non-Homestead Tax millage- 18 mills higher than Homestead for a double whammy! The non homestead tax rate is approx 30% higher than the homestead rate. This is termed Principle Residence Exemption

Other times the Twp or County does not catch the foreclosure sale and make the change right away. It is hard for them to keep up with all the foreclosure sales. So the taxes remain reasonable.

New legislation was just passed to prevent this problem by allowing a foreclosure to remain Homestead for a maximum of 3 yrs or until purchased before adjusting the homestead exemption

This is why you are seeing such a wide range of taxes on foreclosed properties.

In any case, when you purchase a foreclosure - the taxable value will again be adjusted and will revert to Homestead millage ( if the Principal Residence Exemption form is filed prior to May 1st). The townships will NOT automatically drop it to 1/2 the sales price because all taxing authorities are in need of money. Usually it is advisable to dispute the taxable value in the spring at the Tax Review Board within your local taxing authority's specified dates and times.

If any particular property interests you, be sure to ask a real estate professional or mortgage lender to verify the taxes because it will greatly affect your pre-approval amount and ultimately monthly payment. It is better to be well informed than to jump into a home and realize the taxes put you in the 'poor house.'

Redemption and Deficiency

2010-12-10T12:06:00.000-05:00

Sellers facing foreclosure in Michigan have it better than any other state, as Michigan is a Redemption state. This means even once a foreclosure sale (sheriff sale) has taken place, the seller has the legal right to live in the home for 6 months to 12 months mortgage free (depends on amount of acreage attached with the home). This statute provides home owners in default the ability to redeem the property back in good standing. This way, property owners are afforded every opportunity to seek alternatives to foreclosure during this redemption period.

Michigan is also a Deficiency State. Being as such, a debtor or borrower who does not produce sufficient funds to pay the mortgage balance in full or negotiates terms to "satisfy" the loan, then the creditor has the right to pursue or sell the debt for 7-10 years. Many homeowners do not realize this applies to foreclosures, short sales and deeds in lieu unless specific language expressly states the loan has been satisfied or cancelled. Otherwise a deficiency judgment can be placed on your credit or this deficiency amount can be sold to a collection agency. Typically a deficiency judgment, until this is paid off, will not allow another home purchase through a lender.

This does not mean that the lender WILL pursue the debt, but provides them the right to. As of right now, every state except California and Oregon are deficiency law states.

Sounds of Sharing

2010-12-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

On crisp starry nights, with tiny snowflakes gently falling, you can hear the unmistakable sound of tinkling bells faintly ringing at nearly every storefront & street corner. This comforting sound of Christmas is the Salvation Army Bell Ringers. Since 1891, volunteers have been standing in the bitter cold, ringing the golden bell and possibly even singing a Christmas carol or two. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, passersby are encouraged to donate to this nation’s second oldest charity by dropping loose change into the red kettle and hear it cling and clang. However, if you are like many American’s today, you are probably carrying plastic including ATM & gift cards. This Christmas, we encourage you to make an effort to pull out your green, silver & copper and donate to those less fortunate. Add a jingle to that signature red Salvation Army bucket!! Happy Holidays to all our friends and family from the MacIntyre & Cowen Real Estate Team.

QR Codes in Real Estate and everywhere else

2010-11-22T09:22:00.000-05:00

QR codes are coming up everywhere. You can be directly linked to a website, list of open houses, link to a particular property all with the click of your phone. I had a free app in my blackberry and set it up in 4 minutes. All you do is read it with your phone like you are taking a picture and you are connected. I have sence found many other QR codes. One in the Sunday paper linking me to holiday recipies and another in the alumni magazine from the college I attended ( Rhode Island School of Design ) linking me to an overview of a proposed law about art in education. It is the latest way to get information fast. The codes were created by a sub division of Toyota to scan inventory rapidly. ( QR - quick response) codes are fanning out into all aspects of consumer driven high tech data systems.

Good News for Greater Lansing, MI sellers

2010-11-17T09:56:00.000-05:00

Michigan residents’ optimism about the future is at its highest in nearly five years, according to Michigan State University’s latest State of the State Survey. The number of Michiganians who say they believe they will be better off financially one year from now stands at 54.8%

National Association of Realtors has named Lansing, MI the 3rd fastest rebounding market in the United States in Oct 2010. Our community is receiving national attention for being one of the most affordable places to live.

**General Motors relocating 750 + workers from Tennessee plant in 2010. Also owns 700 additional acres in Delta Twp for future expansion.

**GM’s creation of 600 + jobs for the new small Cadillac line

**Eaton Rapids welcomes the Swedish wind turbine manufacturer with 280 – 550 jobs

**Auto Owners expanding- 80 new jobs

**Accident Fund expanding -500 new jobs

**Delta Dental expanding- Building 2 new facilities in Okemos

**MSU awarded $50 Million for Alternative fuel research and $550 Million cyclotron

**CATA was awarded Number #1 in North America for Public Transportation

**Lansing, MI was just awarded “Top Ten Best Tasting Water in America”

**Cooley Law is largest law school in the county

**Lansing Old Town and Downtown – Revitalization Projects

In Oct 2010, Governor Granholm announced a historic $2.1 billion investment by companies in Michigan, creating 6,000 new job opportunities for workers in the state and retaining more than 200,000 jobs.

We encourage you to take another look at the possibility of buying and selling in today’s market. MacIntyre & Cowen would gladly provide a complimentary Over the Net Home Evaluation or email alerts to Hot Buys/ Foreclosed /Liquidation/ Distressed Properties
Thank you, Pmac Team

Title Tidbits - Tenancy

2010-11-11T10:54:00.002-05:00

Be aware when purchasing a home that you need to direct exactly how your deed will reflect tenancy. If you are a single person buying a home, no notation as to tenancy is needed. However, purchasing with another person, or mulitiple people, it is important that tenancy read in a manner that reflects your wishes.
The basics:

Joint Tenancy with full rights of survivorship - each individual owns an equal share in the property. When one tenant passes away, their share passes to the remaining tenant(s).

Tenants in Common - two or more related or unrelated purchasers (co-tenants) own the property in equal or unequal shares. Each share is undivided meaning each has equal right to the whole property. Unlike in a joint-tenancy, the share of a deceased co-tenant passes on to his or her estate and heirs. All decisions to develop, mortgage, sell, or use the property may only be made collectively by all co-tenants.

Tenants By the Entirety with full rights of survivorship - this is the assumed tenancy for married purchasers. The property is owned as a whole by each spouse. The passing of one spouse transfers the whole ownership of the property to the surviving spouse. The passing of the sole surviving spouse transfers the property to that individuals Estate.

BEWARE OF GIMMICKY FORECLOSURE WEBSITES

2010-11-08T12:17:00.000-05:00

My real estate office receives calls and online inquires daily from eager bargain busters looking for access to properties found online advertised as “foreclosed/ liquidation/ tax sale/ auction” properties available for sale. These properties more often than not have NO indication of being foreclosed, available or listed for sale. Often these internet shoppers are looking for non MLS foreclosure listings and wish to deal directly with the banks in order to cut out the middle man (realtors) and walk into boo-koo instant equity.

I am not going to go as far as to name names, but several predatory sites feed off consumer curiosity and their natural desire to “sniff out the hottest buys before being available to the public.” These sites ask for membership fees and credit cards information and in exchange for a “propriety lists of liquidation properties not available on the market!” Often one can spot these websites with the following characteristic. 1. If it seems too good to be true, it is. For ex. a Million Dollar home available for purchase for $99,797 in back taxes. 2. Missing information -Many of these sites will not legally be allowed to display unreliable & unauthorized information and are prohibited in advertising complete addresses, property features, photos or contact information. For example, they will give a photo and a street, with no street numbers.

Truth of the matter is and are you ready for this? AVAILABLE DISTRESSED, FORECLOSED AND GOVERNMENT OWNED PROPERTIES WILL BE LISTED ON THE MLS IN YOUR AREA - PERIOD. The lenders rarely, if ever, will consider direct offers. There is a reason for this. The banks must follow very specific procedure & protocol to ensure the legitimacy of the legal process. When a new foreclosure comes down the pipeline, it is assigned a bank asset manager who in turn contacts an affiliate real estate professional in that territory to evaluate, list & market the home for sale. It is in the lender’s best interest to market the home to the public through free, openly- displayed, public information in order to generate the highest price & most qualified buyer. You can see how ridiculous it seems on the other hand for a lender to
begin wheeling and dealing with the first buyer who finds the property tucked away on some very mysterious website and pays for a private list with contact information.

Many times these websites are only telling half of the story; advertising the amount of perhaps only the 2nd mortgage as the purchase price. Many of these so called ‘REO/ Foreclosed” properties are occupied homes with homeowners who have found themselves behind in payments or taxes. All of which are at least 12 months out from full foreclosure & have every intention to redeem their home in good standing!!!! Steer clear of gimmicky foreclosure sites asking for any type of payment or over zealous personal information beyond name, phone, email and property criteria.

Can't Sell Your Home For What It Is Worth????

2010-10-22T11:16:00.000-04:00

Upside down on your home? Many Greater Lansing Michigan sellers, like home owners all over the country, are experiencing the frustration of out growing a home that they cannot sell for enough to clear their mortgage payoff, let alone pay brokerage fees and closing costs! We have all heard of short sales as the alternative....but what about those who do not qualify? Or those who do not wish to ding their credit in hopes to turn around and purchase? What are the alternatives when you can not price your home to compete with the many foreclosures / short sales throughout your neighborhood?

OWNER FINANCING : A growing percentage of Americans have weathered through this economic downturn with a direct negative affect to their credit score. Making for an huge spike in good hard working families across all of our communities that temporarily DO NOT qualify for traditional mortgage financing. Day after day, my office fields calls of prospects with strong income & down payment money who have fallen below the 620 credit score minimum. These buyers are looking to pay good money for land contracts, lease purchase and lease w/ options. Unfortunately, there is little to no inventory offered.

As a seller, you have pricing leverage if you are open to owner financing terms because the competition is virtually nonexistent. You usually can drive the negotiations based on this fact. Best of all, you are able to use this income, land contract and/or lease agreement as a way to free yourself up for a pre-approval and move up into another home! Of course, you need to screen candidates thoroughly and there is always some risk and a little leap of faith. Generally we advise to collect enough money up front that it will hurt quite a bit if the buyer decides to default! I strongly advise you involve a real estate professional to protect your interests and provide the appropriate provisions within the agreement. We are always here to assist and provide the options for your situation.

Feeding our Feathered Friends

2010-10-11T11:06:00.000-04:00

Fact- As a homeowner, it’s always a joy to see the variety of birds that call your backyard home. There are a few things you might want to take in consideration before you feed your feathered friends. Just like us birds gotta eat too! Like many things, having a bird feeder can pose a variety of problems. Here are a few things you should know before you turn your backyard into the neighborhood smorgasbord.

Just like anything else mold can develop on feeders with moldy or rooting bird seed. This is a threat because this can spread disease among birds who drop in for a feeding session. To combat this issue, make sure bird seed remains dry and always clean the feeder. A simple solution anyone can make is diluting a small about of bleach (10 percent) and water, to disinfect the bird feeder. There are also a ton of berry and nut producing plants on the market; you can also place around the yard as a natural food source to feed birds. Besides providing a feeding source, you can also invest in shrubs and bushes with thorns, which make excellent shelter options. Brush piles are another way you can protect birds from predators and stormy weather. In addition, to feed also make sure the birds are well hydrated. Fresh water is highly important, check around there are special heating units to keep bird baths ice-free during the winter months.

Well, we have gotten the three necessities covered food, water and shelter for birds. There are other food options you can place in your feeder, just check your local supermarket or home supply stores. Attract a large diversity of birds through sunflower seeds. A simpler way of eliminating the mess from seeds, you can also invest in sunflower chips which are a little bit more expensive, but they eliminate the mess. Cardinals, chickadees, red –bellied woodpeckers, and mourning doves enjoy the taste of safflower seeds. This white seed also keeps squirrels and blackbirds away also. Worth the money, the thistle seed attracts golden finches, house finches and purple finches. Peanuts without the salt or sugar also make a great meal for jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees.

If you are looking to expand beyond the basic of bird seed and nuts, you can also feed birds beef kidney fat and suet. These high in fat content feed are high energy foods that keep birds warm and are best used in the winter months. Other options included whole kennel and cracked corn, this makes a good meal option for blue jays, woodpeckers and squirrels. Cracked corn will also not mold or rot.

Not only birds will be attracted to your feeder, cats, mice, raccoons and squirrels can also come for a meal. Besides these pests hawks and birds of prey can come to catch a feathered meal, take extra precautions to keep these pests at bay. Happy Bird Watching!

Moving with Children - The easy scoop on the difficult process

2010-06-18T17:04:00.001-04:00

So you want to move but even just the thought of moving your children sends shivers down your spine. First you think about all of their stuff and then it settles in that they will be disorientated and possibly angry that they will be leaving friends and comfortable situation behind. But we are here to tell you that it is possible to move your family without parting the dead sea first. Plenty of Greater Lansing, MI families have undergone this process and it went smoothly for them because they followed these simple guidelines:

1- Tell your children as soon as you know you are moving. Nothing upsets a kid more then being thrown into a situation last minute. This is all to inviting of tantrums and refusals. Sit them down and let them know where when and why.

2-Be excited about the move. Children are professional emulators or their parents and even the slightest signs of doubt will rub off on them.

3-Be open to questions. This is very important for children whether they are young or older. Answer every single question they have and they will feel much more comfortable about the entire situation. Make sure to ask them if they have any questions as well because this will give them the opportunity to be open about their feelings.

4-Let them help you move. Children want to be part of the action so let them! The simplest duties can make a kid forget about the move and concentrate their feelings elsewhere.

There you have it! Follow these steps and you will find yourself in a very manageable situation. Moving with kids is not impossible, just be open and willing to explain.

Thats a fact,

pmachomes

Misquito Madness

2010-06-17T16:56:00.000-04:00

So your looking for a private, treed backyard where you can lean back in your chair and relax on a summer evening. Well if you're from the Greater Lansing Michigan area than you know that this is all too inviting to those needle-nosed nagging mosquitoes. Just the thought of the endless scratching is enough to make someone leave their dream of a backyard paradise inside their head. But if there is one thing that us humans are good at, it is finding interesting ways to take care of pesky problems. Since the everyone has a different preference for how they avoid mosquitoes, I decided to compile a list. Some of these are simple and some are quite intricate, it is up to you to find what works the best for yourself.

1 - Bug Spray - Make sure your spray has about 25% Deet for hanging out outdoors. Companies have come out with great new alternative sprays that don't smell as bad and go on super dry.

2-Plant particular flowers and plants around your home- Planting marigolds, catnip, rosemary and basil can be effective ways to keep mosquitoes at bay. Many believe the strong odors of the plants mess up the mosquitoes sensors.

3-Dry Ice- Many of the methods for avoid mosquito bites is to attract them to something different. Putting dry ice in a bucket about 20 ft away from where people are gathering is supposed to keep mosquitoes far away. Apparently they are attracted to the CO2 we breath out so the CO2 produced by dry ice in water is a perfect detouring element.

4-Nets- If you hate the weird smells and don't want to spend too much money, buy mosquito net. These can be hung around your patio furniture and are an effective way to keep bugs out. Plus, this one time purchase is very cost effective.

These are just some of the great ways to keep mosquitoes off of your skin. Don't let pests control your home buying decision. For more information on finding a private, treed in lot, go to http://www.pmachomes.com

Green Living Tips and Tricks

2010-06-15T14:52:00.000-04:00

Fact- We are all fortunate to live in a time where global preservation techniques are constantly being monitored and improved. With the population growing bigger and bigger, it is up to us to help reduce waste and preserve natural resources. All of this can seem very overwhelming and it seems nearly impossible to make a contribution that will truly help, but this is far from the truth. You've heard it said before and it will rightfully be said again and again, if everyone pitches in a little bit, mountains of change can result. Here are some small tips that can help you reduce, reuse, recycle, and even save you some money!

1- Use a Fan!- Air conditioning can run up the bills and use massive amounts of electricity. Using a fan can lower a room temperature 5-10 degrees for a fraction of the price. Ya sure it's hot outside but embrace the good weather while we have it!

2-Re-Use Rainwater- If you live in the Greater Lansing Area then there is good chance you have plenty of rain during your year. Put a bucket outside and collect the water for use later to water plants or your garden. The process of cleaning water is not cheap and plants don't really have a preference as to what their water tastes like.

3- Grow a Garden - Growing your own garden can be a great way to save money and an even better way to practice being green. Gardens reduce the combined costs of growing, transporting, and selling food at a supermarket. Besides, growing a garden can be a great exercise and really rewarding.

These are only three of the millions of ideas for living green. Do some research and learn how you can be part of the solution.

The Rainy Day Home Seller

2010-06-14T16:49:00.000-04:00

Fact - When selling a home, a rainy day can prove to be an amazing motivation tool. The summer months tend to take us from our homes out into the sunshine, but this can cause sellers to push aside important tasks that need attention. Remember, if you are serious about selling your home, then you need to be serious about making it look its best. Here is a few rainy day chores that take a huge chunk out of your "To Do Before Selling!" list:

1- Clean out the basement - This area of the home is many times looked at as a over sized storage bin. The basement is were you will take things that you hope to never see again but are afraid to throw away. This may be perfectly fine for you but what about a buyer with kids? The basement offers a ton of extra space that can be finished to provide a play room for children, or at least a safe spot to get them out of your hair for a bit! Basements can be used to house laundry rooms, provide space for hobbies, they can be turned into second living rooms and can even offer space for a second kitchen. Go through the basement and CLEAN IT OUT. No, don't just move things around, CLEAN them out. Throw away old decorations and give old clothes to a local charity. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't even remember the last time you used something, throw it away. Make the basement an area where people can imagine themselves living, rather than just storing their stuff.

2- Detail the windows - Many times people forget to really clean their windows for no reason other than they just don't think about them. Windows are amazing in their abilities to collect crud from all around the house. Clean the inside glass with some window spray and by using a piece of newspaper, you can really reduce smudging. Grab the vacuum and suck out all of the dead bugs and follow up with a wet rag. Make sure to really get in there and get everything all cleaned out. The beauty of paying extra detail when cleaning your windows is that you won't have to clean them that often from then on.

3- Clean under appliances - Anyone who has ever moved their refrigerator knows that the things that manage to get under there are the closest things to aliens that man has seen thus far. Move these big appliances: washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc. and clean under them. Once again, this is a task that can be done a few times a year and be maintained fairly well, but you will be amazed at what you find under there. You never know what buyers may look for and if its that, you will be all set!

Obviously there is a million tasks to get done on a rainy day, but these are just a few to get you started. Get the hard work out of the way so that when the sun returns you will be able to enjoy the day. A little work goes a long way. Happy cleaning!

-Pmac