About Ann Arbor's Old West Side

Who is Josh Kercher and why Reinhart Realtors in Ann Arbor, MI?

Did all these people come to Ann Arbor to see Josh Kercher?

While I appreciate the thought (and I DO have many great friends in Ann Arbor) I don't believe all these folks came together for anything that I've done... I am an active member of the community and am very proud to participate in several charities including the Mott's Children's Hospital Greise/Hutchinson Champions for Children's Hearts Golf Event. I love my city of Ann Arbor and I help new (and current) residents find ways to call it home everyday! So go ahead! Google "Ann Arbor" and "Josh Kercher" and take a second to contact me before your next trip to Ann Arbor so I can help you see if this will be your next home : )

You may also want to take a free second to view our many listings on the Reinhart Realtors website! As Ann Arbor's #1 Real Estate Brokerage with over 40 years of experience: we know our city like no one else!

Here is an excerpt from a recent publication where I was introduced... shameless plug :P

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A genuine professional within his field, Josh Kercher promises his clients the most intelligent route to their most important goals by leveraging something he has surrounded himself with: experience.

Having worked as an entrepreneur and as a professional in the automotive industry prior to focusing on helping clients buy and sell homes, he possesses a valuable understanding of working with clients that have hectic and demanding schedules.

His previous experience working, almost exclusively, with local business owners and professionals provides him with the ability to navigate through large transactions without disrupting the rest of his clients lives. And, having significant experience with today’s technology, he’s able to maximize these skill-sets making transactions happen quicker and more efficiently; allowing home-owners a chance to settle in quickly and investors to move on to the next acquisition with alacrity.

A home-owner, himself in the Ann Arbor area, he’s witnessed firsthand the ebbs and flows of the marketplace, and how its changes affect its buyers and sellers.

“Buying a new home can be a daunting experience. I work with the number one Real Estate company in Ann Arbor and have a strong reputation for exceptional time management and look forward to working with my clients, utilizing all the latest tools to help them make educated choices that will, hopefully, exceed their expectations, both in the short term satisfaction and also in long-term appreciation,” Josh explained.

No matter how simple or complex the circumstances, Josh will work hard to ensure that your real estate transactions are smooth, rewarding and results-oriented. The loyal clients he earned in the Automotive Industry will attest to his professionalism and dedication to outstanding service.

Backed with the support of Ann Arbor’s number-one real estate firm, Reinhart Realtors, Josh supplements his talents with amenities such as Reinharts in-house real estate services. What’s more, he works in an environment that’s tailored to address and satisfy the unique needs of the Ann Arbor market. With more than 180 of the area’s most accomplished agents and brokers working in harmony to ensure that all clients represented have positive, fulfilling experiences, Reinhart gives Josh the kind of leverage we think you will be very pleased to have working, directly, for you.

On a more personal note: Josh is an avid golfer and a member of the Lake Forest Golf Course. He is also the owner and founder of the men's barber-salon and boutique store opening downtown Ann Arbor in 2011 called MAN UP [men's boutique]. His family also owns a Hops farm in Grass Lake, MI (Michigan Hops Company) and they are enthusiastic home-brewers.

Active within his community, Josh devotes time and energy to working with several animal rescue operations. He is a member of the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce and the Ann Arbor Board of Realtors. He also works with a program called Supercamp where he helps troubled young children and teens develop their academic skills and learn to open up to communicating and realizing their full potential. He’s quite handsome, can heal the sick, and Chuck Norris is his butler.

I was recently contacted by Jesse Herman, the Awareness Coordinator at the Mesothelioma Cancer Center .

Lately Jesse has been reaching out to real estate bloggers in efforts to getting some of our information published. As she reached out to me, I told her I would be glad to help her get the word out to the danger of asbestos in remodeling.

Homes built before 1980 likely have asbestos insulation in them. When homeowners remodel, they may expose themselves to asbestos, which could lead to the deadly cancer called mesothelioma.

There are many environmentally safe and healthy ways to insulate your home.

In Ann Arbor some of our most desireable area's are in downtown area of Ann Arbor, Burns Park and The Old West Side. The homes built during this time period are built between 1860-1940.

Used as a form of insulation for pipes and attics throughout the twentieth century, asbestos is a mineral found in the environment. Although a naturally occurring substance, this mineral can be extremely toxic. The inhalation of its toxic fibers can produce serious illnesses, such as; mesothelioma, asbestosis and other forms of lung cancer.

Asbestos used in millions of homes throughout the last quarter of the 20th century, asbestos insulation can become a real dilemma for homeowners due to causing a variety of health problems, including Peritoneal Mesothelioma and Malignant Mesothelioma. These types of cancer take the lives of thousands each year.

Non-regulated asbestos material can be legally performed by homeowners, regular contractors, or licensed asbestos abatement contractors as long as the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) are not violated.

Asbestos removal in public facilities, homes and workplaces must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

Once the removal is complete, green insulation options should be given serious consideration, such as: Cellulose, Cotton Fiber and Lcynene.

Not only does, asbestos affect home remodelers but other occupations are at risk too, the list can be found here.

To find out exactly how much asbestos exposure is prevelant in your state you can read it here.

***Disclaimer: Photos in the post are only examples of homes around Ann Arbor and do not reflect they have asbestos. Only used as an example of older homes where there is the potential to find asbestos. ***

The Old West Side of Ann Arbor has some wonderful aspects to it and one of these gems has been the Jefferson Market which has just been sold and the new business is:

Jefferson Market and Cakery

The new owner is Mary Rasmussen from Saline who fell in love with the building and location. It was purchased from the prior business owner and manager Jean Henry. Jefferson Market and Cakery will open with coffee and pastries at 7 a.m. except on Sunday and will also offer an array of lunch sandwiches. She will also handle wedding cake business and catering from Jefferson Market.

There is a suggestion box for the new owners. You know like, "will you still keep my favorite....at the new store?"

All of the Old West Side wants to know if she will get someone to make those wonderful fries that Jefferson Market has been known for and I personally loved the spinach. Yes, we still miss the old chef. But I digress here...we want to welcome to Mary and her new business!!

Welcome Jefferson Market and Cakery

Additional updates on the OPENING DATE will be covered at http://treetowntalk.com

Photos reprinted with permission from Jim Rees.

The new building for the YMCA is located in the Old West Side of Ann Arbor and is a beautiful building from the exterior as well as the interior. It is a place to learn to swim for young and old, play basketball, exercise on weights or treadmills, learn to dance or find peace in yoga. Really the new Y (as it is called in Ann Arbor) is a place for families to do wonderful things whether it is volunteer or exercise or meet friends. So many of the city members belong to the new Y that it is a success story, way past its expectations. When it was built they figured some new people would join; oh, they had no idea what a successful community project this building would become.

One of the wonderful aspects of the new Y are the classes and one of my very favorite is the spinning class. There are really remarkable athletes that teach the classes and they have many classes which begin at 6:00 a.m. or 6:15 so you can get a start on your day.

My favorite teachers are Dawn (teaching at the crack of dawn or before) and Dave. Both are really remarkable and keep the music flowing so you almost forget how painful it was to leave the warm bed in the morning.

The other very exciting part of this spinning is my involvement with volunteer Sundays. I am there to hold the spinning room open with music playing from 10:00 a.m. to noon and anyone over 14 is welcome to stop by. All the volunteers are CPR certified and all we do is hold the room open. We don't actually lead a class but if you have ever wanted to try the spinning bikes, this is your opportunity. Hope to see you Sunday on a bike or around the Y sometime!

Location for the new Y is: 400 W. Washington
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-996-9622

Hope to see you at the Y!

Karen Moorhead

Keller Williams Realty Ann Arbor Market Center

734-660-4785