About Allegan County, MI

I have some clients who are definitely ready to buy and we just get on with it. Others can't seem to make a commitment. Some of this probably has to do with Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, being resort communities and these are often second homes. No one will be living in the street if they do not buy their second home.

However, there is something else going on too. Clients are watching the real estate news from the media and have decided that they will wait until things get worse. Are things definitely going to get worse and do these clients have a crystal ball that will tell them the absolute bottom of the market? And if they are in love with a property, will it still be around when things are worse?

I tell them buying a property is not like buying stock. One share of Dell stock is like any other share of Dell stock but the real estate property they fall in love with will not be like any other property. There is a similarity between stock and real estate in that it is good to buy on the way down and not on the way up. It is impossible to gauge the very bottom of either the stock market or the real estate market.

How do you handle this? I hate to see these clients making mistakes. Instead of "buyers remorse" they will have "non-buyers remorse" Thanks

There is lots going on in Saugatuck in the winter so if you need a get away, come on over. There are movies at the Saugatuck/Douglas library for adults every other Tuesday. Right now we are having Carole Lombard movies and free popcorn. There are also activities for children and young adults throughout the week. Their number is 269-857-8241.

Several of the restaurants are having music on the weekends and lots of them remain open in the winter.

There is a wine series dinner at Clearbrook Restaurant on the 18th. 269-857-2000. and a women's pamper weekend at Twin Gables Inn 269-857-4346.

The newest addition is the bowling alley in Douglas which has just been renovated and has a new chef and very affordable and delicious meals. The Bowling Alley has piano music on Wed and Fri and karaoke on Fri and Saturday. A fun place to just hang out.

The bike trail through the township and Saugatuck is operable and kept clean of snow so you can bike or walk on a sunny day.

The SCA (Saugatuck Center for the arts) is having art classes for adults, an ongoing exhibition of art, and entertainment in the evenings. For a full schedule you can call them at 269-857-2399.

The Red Barn is in rehearsal for a play to start Feb 1, 2008. There are also movies here on the alternate Tuesdays of the library movies. Their number is 269-857-5300.

February brings a winery weekend as well as a Sweetheart Sampler and Culinary Tour at The Grand Escape Inns. The Marti Gras parade and bash at the Dunes Resort. 269-857-1401. Another Pamper Weekend. A murder mystery at the Kirby House

The Historical Society is still working on the renovation of the Old School House. You can be involved.

Come on over. We are waiting for you and you can always call Dee Dee at 616-836-8535 to see the great deals in real estate available right now. Lots to see and do. Saugatuck is a great place for a second home or your retirement home. Michigan is very friendly from a tax perspective to retirees.

Ask yourself Where will you spend next summer or the rest of your life?

Here

is the market study for Allegan, Michigan which is the county seat of Allegan County in Southwestern Michigan. This study includes the townships of Otsego, Allegan, Trowbridge, and Wayland.

This is beautiful country with easy access to Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, and Allegan. Ten acre parcels of land can be obtained for about $60,000. Very affordable country living is available as a primary home or a get away with easy access from 131.

In 2007 - 246 single family homes sold with 26% of them on the market for over 120 days. Total dollars for all the homes was $27,000,000. Average price was $109,429.

In 2006 - 259 single family homes sold with 28% of them on the market for over 120 days. Total dollars for all the homes was $30,000,000. Average price was $107,000

Number of sales was down 5%. Total dollars spend was down by 10%. Average price was up by 2.27% Sellers continue to receive about 96% of their asking price.

You can get a lot for your money in this area. You would also have access to the beach of Lake Michigan in South Haven or Saugatuck about half an hour from your home. Homes like this one are available with almost 40 acres. For more market information visit mysaugatuck.com.

Happy New Year from Saugatuck! Last night during a large number of elegant and not-so-elegant house parties in the communities of Saugatuck and Douglas, we were visited by a winter wonderland. Coming home was a little slick but we all live close. This morning we woke to natures gorgeous display.

The party I was fortunate enough to be invited to featured shrimp cocktail, salmon from Scotland - our hostess being a native of Scotland and along with being an excellent hostess a first rate artist-. rack of lamb and all the trimmings topped off by chocolate moose and fresh berries. The fireplace was going and the snow was falling outside as we spent time with friends. I couldn't help thinking how lucky I am.

This is a small community. We don't even have mail delivery in the two towns of Saugatuck and Douglas because the towns are too small. Everyone collects their mail from post office boxes. This gives us time to meet and greet each other. There is a lot of comraderie. Living in a small community, we look out after each other and tend to display a little better manners in public probably because everyone knows who you are. We hold doors for each other. We comment on each others dogs, We don't cut each other off in public because we will just hear about it later.

Come on over for a visit to one of our historical bed and breakfasts. There are a number of events going on in January. There are free movies at the library every other Tuesday starting on the 15th. Currently we are working on Carole Lombard movies. On the alternate Tuesdays there are movies at the Red Barn. There is a pamper weekend at Twin Gables Bed and breakfast for women later in the month and a wine series dinner at Clearbrook. The bowling alley has just been renovated and serves great food at reasonable prices. Lots of events and plenty to do. Or just sit by the fire and do nothing. I was going to reorganize my basement when I got snowed in but the book and fireplace are sounding better and better.

And you can always check out the real estate. Quite a number of homes available at reasonable prices. If you have always wanted to have a second home in Saugatuck, NOW IS THE TIME! Mortgage rates are low and properties affordable. See all the homes on my website - mysaugatuck.com.