About Gladwin County, MI

You'd love to buy a vacation home, but the recession and the not-so-dim memory of the housing market collapse and the recent decline in values has left you a bit skittish. If only you could see what the future will hold! Since a reliable crystal ball has yet to be invented you must resort to less mystical indicators.

In the Gladwin area we have large and desirable lakes such as Wixom Lake and Secord Lake that hold popular for our second home owners. Located only 2-3 hours from Flint, Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids the Secord Lake and Wixom Lake areas are close enough to get away for the weekend. Back in 2003 and even as late as 2004 vacation home buyers were kicking themselves for not buying years ago when prices were much less expensive. In 2012 or so people will look back at 2009 as another missed opportunity to own a vacation home on the water.

While all home sales have been down significantly in Gladwin County so were the real estate prices. That of course makes for an extremely favorable buyers market. The vacation home buyers that I have been working with feel that now is the time to purchase! They want to own on Wixom Lake or Secord Lake and realize that no time in the near future will prices be this low.

To summarize why now is the time to buy your vacation home in Gladwin County and start enjoying yourself on Wixom Lake or Secord Lake:

1. Home prices are WAY down. Home prices in this area have declined as much as 30% and a water front home that was once $239,000 can be found listed at $169,000! Couple that with the rock bottom interest rates we are seeing and it becomes very reasonable to own a fabulous water front home.

2. Real Estate is a sold long-term investment. Where else can you invest your money now, enjoy yourself immensely AND see a healthy return on your investment when you are ready to sell?

If you are financially secure and can come up with the requisite 20% down, chances are good you are going to qualify for a mortgage. Of course, there are always risks when buying any kind of real estate. But the buyers I am working with in Gladwin County realize that conditions are right for a perfect storm! Even if housing prices did decline further, interest rates surely will not. Once the turn around comes the selection will never be as good as right now.

Naturally, be cautious, do your homework, work with an Accredit Buyers Representative like myself who can guide you through the process and don't miss this window of opportunity. Those windows do have a way of slamming shut and you don't want to be stuck on the other side!

Sonya Loose is an Associate Broker with Red Carpet Keim Lake Forest Real Estate in Gladwin, Michigan serving the communities of Beaverton, Gladwin, Clare, Harrison, Wixom Lake and Secord Lake. A real estate professional for over 8 years Sonya knows the area well and the market even better. She can be reached at 989-429-2600 or via email at sonya@sonyaloose.com. Visit her website to search for available waterfront properties at www.buyorsellwithsonya.com.

The humming birds like bee balm, so I like them too!

Lillies gone wild!!!!

The peas have been picked - they were really good!!!

Grapes are green now, but in the fall they make great grape jelly!

Will be picking tomatoes soon! Already picked (and ate) summer squash!

The potatoes and corn are doing great as well!

The gardens and farmers crops are in need of rain.

We need Rain!!!!!!!

Have a beautiful day.................

Marilyn Harrell

Realtor - Licensed since 2003

Century21 Smith-Miller, Inc.

989-689-4141 Wixom Lake Office

989-429-8511 Cell phone

Gladwin County is located in rural Northern Michigan and is conveniently located within 3 hours of Detroit and 2-2.5 hours from Flint and Lansing making it easy to come "Up North" for the weekend. But, we encourage you to stay longer, and after you visit this area you will want to spend much more time here! An area that is popular for its scenic lakes (including Wixom Lake & Secord Lake), plentiful state land, quaint parks, Amish communities and down town shopping. Gladwin County is primarily a second home/resort community. We have real estate to accommodate every buyer from very affordable cabins to luxurious homes. As a life long resident of Gladwin County I know the area well and I know the market even better!

$44,900

Sugar Springs!

5328 Winchester Way, Gladwin, MI 48624

The Real Estate market in this area, along with most areas of Michigan, remains challenging. We have seen home values declining, a stagnant economy and even a lack of qualified buyers since loan approval criteria has become more restrictive. However, if you are looking to buy your first home, or your vacation home it is a fabulous time to buy! Interest rates are phenomenal for qualified buyers, there is a lot of inventory to choose from and homes are more affordable then they have been in years! For home buyers who haven't owned a home in the last 3 years there is even an up to $8,000 tax credit to take advantage of.

Here is the latest real estate market update for Gladwin and Clare County, Michigan which include the surrounding areas of Beaverton, Gladwin, Harrison, Clare, Rhodes, Bentley, Wixom Lake and Secord Lake.

The Clare/Gladwin Board of Realtors currently has 1,188 homes for sale through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and 145 of those were new to the market in June 2009. The average asking price of the homes currently on the market is $128,784 and the average days on market for those homes has been 288 days. These stats are virtually unchanged from May's figures.

During the month of June we saw 44 Clare and Gladwin County homes sell/close. This is up 6 sales from May. The average asking price was $57,695. The average sales price was $52,184 and the average days on market for these homes was 254 days. The sellers received an average of 90% of their asking price.

We saw 64 homes expire from the market in June. The main reason homes don't sell during their listing period is they were priced incorrectly for the market and/or condition of the home. In challenging buyers market periods it is imperative that a listing be priced as competitively as possible for its condition in order to have a chance of selling. To learn more about why homes typically expire and what you can do to avoid that fate click here.

$193,000

4181 Oak, Beaverton, Michigan

On Wixom Lake

Own one of the best homes on Wixom Lake! This 1300 sq ft 3 BR, 1 BA home or cottage is tastefully decorated and the soft beach colors, knotty pine and log enhance the feeling of being at the lake. Updated kitchen and bath, spacious living room with doorwall leading to large deck overlooking the lake. Exceptional lot with 104' of water front on all sports Wixom Lake. Steel seawall, boardwalk at waters edge, sandy beach area and good swimming. Deep lot is over 420' and is nicely shaded and offers an extra large pole barn, garage that is currently used as finished guest quarters, paver patio area, firepit, ashphalt and concrete driveway too. This listing will not disappoint and is loaded with valuable features.

If you're thinking about selling your home, one very important fact to know about your real estate market is the Absorption Rate. The Absorption Rate will tell you how long it will take for the current inventory of homes in Gladwin and Clare, MI to be absorbed by the market if no other homes come on the market. The absorption rate for June 2009 was 2.25 YEARS! If you want your Gladwin area home sold, you need to know this number to help you price your home accordingly.

Are you thinking about making Gladwin or Clare County, Michigan your new home? Are you thinking about taking advantage of the great interest rates and affordable prices to buy your own slice of Northern Michigan Heaven? Contact me today and lets gets started! I know the area very well and I know the market even better! You can call me at 989-429-2600, email me at sonya@sonyaloose.com or visit my website at www.BuyorSellWithSonya.com .

Diggin' Michigan since 1943

Beaverton Parade

July 4'th, 2009

A catchy slogan has always gone far in advertising!

Can you name where these come from?

"GOOD TO THE LAST DROP"

"HAVE IT YOUR WAY"

"Choosy mothers choose ____"

Some of you were named well for using in advertising! Like Sue for "Sue's News"

This is what I use for my real estate websites!

"BUYSELLHARRELL.COM" and WIXOM LAKE REAL ESTATE .com

and "WinwithMarilyn.net"

Selling Real Estate and licensed in Michigan since 2003!!!!

Have a GREAT DAY!

Billing TWP Fire Dept enjoyed the parade in Allbright Shores,

here's a good close up picture of the Air Boat

Billings Township shows off their AIR BOAT in the Beaverton 4'th of July Parade

Billings Township Fire & Rescue at the parade in All Bright Shores

The mini car! Doesn't that little car look like a lot of fun? Beaverton Parade

A Tribute to our men in the service - Beaverton Parade

Beaverton Parade was held at 11:00 AM Saturday July 4'th 2009!

All Bright Shores Parade was held at 1:00 PM Saturday July 4'th 2009

One thing I noticed, there was a lack of your old fashioned "Float" entries in the parade.

I thought there weren't as many classic cars as usual either.

It was great weather and a great day for a parade!

Still have my favorite pictures to post and my daughter took pictures of the fireworks which I plan to share in the near future.