Arcadia, MI

Plenty to do.

I like to take new pictures of listings. Since I live in Manistee county, I've got access to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

If you don't know what this is, let me explain. It's the stairs with a "gazebo" in the middle leading to.....

WHY AREN'T PEOPLE SNAPPING THIS UP? What a fabulous opportunity along Lake Michgan just south of www.arcadiabluffs.com

Are people REALLY waiting until the PRICES GO BACK UP?

That's right. We are all waiting for the stock market to open on Monday.

It seems everyone has an opinion as to what went wrong with our economy. In the mid nineties, the phrase "cooking the books" was born and became part of our culture. Suddenly, what was going up, was headed down. Many stockholders got hurt, and the corporate heads escaped with golden parachutes and millions in severance pay.

It doesn't matter if you are for or against regulation. What is painfully apparent, is that the moral compass of a variety of leaders, in commerce and in politics is spinning aimlessly. It is up to us to correct it.

As a real estate agent, the shocking truth has been staring at us for several years. Loans to people who would give up paying for a home inspection because they had no ready cash on hand, qualified for zero down financing. Or argue that they couldn't afford to put down more than a $100 in earnest money for a new home. Amazingly, the banks happily signed them all up.

Everybody kept betting the value of property would continue to appreciate. Who doesn't know the answer to that one? It hasn't. Ouch. I'm in the same boat. I built my house 5 years ago in Northern Michigan and I know I can't sell it for what I paid into it.

If you live in Michigan you have certain obstacles to overcome. We have the highest unemployment rate in the country - and our real estate market has suffered. It your greatest asset is your home, you have sleepless nights.

On the other hand, we are better off than most. Surrounded by the Great Lakes and thousands of property on inland lakes and beautiful streams, we are in the greatest position possible for a comeback. Those natural assets are here to stay.

Within Manistee County - the best place to put your money to work for you, is in Arcadia Township. It has experienced the smallest amount of development and development of the Michigan shoreline is here. Check out www.Pierportshores.com or my website at www.letmelook4u.com