Livonia, MI

I think the best sliders in town are Bates Hamburgers in Livonia Michigan. Bates hamburger joint is located on the corner of 5 Mile Rd and Farmington. Bates Hamburgers is just down the street from Livonia City Hall and across the street from Stan's Market.

Bates burgers are considers to be some of the best sliders in Michigan. They give White Castle a run for their money. Just the basics, real hamburger, onions, pickles, ketchup & mustard on a bun that has been steamed on the grill right over the cooking hamburgers.

Bates Hamburgers in Livonia Michigan is always busy. They are open for breakfast and at lunch the carry out counter is usually jammed. It moves really quickly but it is still good to call ahead and place your order. The place itself is unique. They have a carry out area that is about the size of 2 phone booths. Usually there are 3 - 4 people waiting to pick up their Bates' sliders. You place your order, step back and then somebody else places their order. While you are waiting you'll be watching the burgers sizzling on the grill.

Bates Hamburger joint isn't a large place. There is only about 8 seats at the counter. But what is neat is that they have 4 seats that face Farmington Rd. So as you drive by Bates Hamburgers in Livonia Michigan they will be 4 people facing the road chowing down on their Bates sliders and fries. I've never sat there in that big plate glass window but on any given Saturday you will see a family sitting there enjoying one of Livonia's oldest traditions.

Noble Bates opened Bates Hamburgers on February 14, 1959. The white Bates Hamburger building is now a Livonia landmark. Livonia locals affectionately call it "Bate's on the boulevard". (Bay tays)

The chocolate shakes are a must to wash it all down. You can pick up six Bates sliders with cheese for about $7.50. If you are in Livonia stop by and enjoy a Livonia tradition. The greasy sliders I will guarantee loosen you up if you know what I mean.

Bates Hamburgers Livonia Michigan

I hoped you enjoyed this little bit of Livonia information

Russ Ravary your Livonia real estate agent

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Here is the latest Livonia real estate update on how houses are selling. So many people are still thinking that you can put low -ball offers on homes in the area. But the Livonia real estate market is changing. It is no longer a buyers market.

It's hard to imagine that there are 84 homes in Livonia that sold for under $100,000. There are bargains in Livonia real estate right now. I have recently helped a client buy a nice house for under $100,000 and it wasn't a bank foreclosure. There are deals in short sales, estate homes, and relocation homes.

I hope this helps you understand the Livonia real estate market right now. Feel free to call me with any questions or if you want to see some Livonia homes.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit realtor

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sold comp information courtesy of RealComp II Ltd

So cousin Joe is going to help you out and save you $300 by inspecting your Metro Detroit home. Just don't come crying to me. Last week I had cousin Joe inspect one of my clients properties. I wanted to cry.

He spent more time talking about non essential things like:

what colors to paint the walls

how little he paid for his house

how they asked for 5 years of w-2s and they are going to do it to you to

he doesn't like the stove and refrigerator next to each other

that a $50,000 mortgage is going to have a $700 payment and if they need $30,000 to fix it up the mortgage payment is going to be $1500 a month. WHAT!!!!

that he's been a cement layer, hardwood floor installer, basement waterproofer and he knows how to do it all.....I honestly didn't know how many jobs he has had but.

that you need to pick up boxed electrical sockets and put them away.... because sitting in the kitchen cupboard will causes questions from the appraiser. WHAT!!!!

Sadly this guy did a bad job of inspecting the home but he knew about mortgages, and everything else. What was worse and he said it several times " AND THE REALTOR WILL BACK ME UP ON WHAT I'M SAYING" I about choked.

Who you have inspect your metro Detroit homeis important. So what I say to anybody that is thinking about having "cousin joe" or "uncle Bob" don't take their word for their expertise. I would only have cousin joe or uncle bob do it if they are a builder or a licensed contractor. If they only have a specialty in electrical work or just cement work, or just carpentry save yourself the potential problems. Hire a professional inspector for $300. It will be the best money you spend.

Just my thoughts. It's your house and I'll go along with whatever you decide. If you decide to have cousin Bob inspect your Metro Detroit home I won't over ride your decision. It's your decision.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

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Metro Detroit home inspectors

Metro Detroit home inspections

Negotiating your Metro Detroit home purchase is one of the most important steps in buying a Metro Detroit home. There are so many factors in negotiating that it is impossible to cover them all in one post. But I am going to start by dividing whether you have to have the house or you can live with the house.

If you have to have the house then the key to negotiating your metro Detroit home purchase is to not:

1. Not to insult the seller by making a ridiculously low offer. If you insult them with a low ball offer they are going to be harder to deal with. And if your spouse really loves the house, then you don't want to ruin it right from the start.
2. Stop negotiating. One of keys is negotiating is to keep both sides going. Keep going back and forth. If you become stubborn in your position the negotiations end. Give a little bit or accept their offer.
3. Don't make it personal. Keep in mind that the seller is just trying to get the most for their property. They really don't have an hidden agenda to screw you. They may need that extra $1000 for buying their next house. They may need three more days in the house because their next house may not be ready.
4. Take to long to respond. Respond quickly to their response and don't push your real estate agent to find out what is taking so long on the other side. If you want the house don't sit for two days before responding to a counter offer. The longer you wait the bigger the possibility that somebody else may come in with another offer.
5. Counter back with even a lower offer or worst offer than you had in the first place. Going backwards in the home negotiations is not smart in any negotiation and it is even dumber to do it if you really want the home.

Negotiating your metro Detroit home purchase smartly can insure you get the home you want. Whether it is a Livonia home, a Garden City foreclosure, or Northville home listen to your Metro Detroit Realtor and keep the end result in mind. You want the home at a fair price, but you don't want to overpay either.

I hope these tips help you secure your home that you want.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

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