About Ingham County, MI

Need something to do this weekend; well Jazz fest is here again, in Old Town Lansing, for the 14^th year. According to ILoveoldtown.org they are expecting roughly 15,000 people.

I have to say I am not a huge Jazz fan but last year was a wonderful time. Not only did I have a great time, it is free! This is a great event that brings so many people to Michigan's capital which in turn helps the local economy. How does that saying go.... Support your town or lose it... I think? Old town is Full of Great Art galleries, restaurant's Shops. So if you have some free time Friday or Saturday Stop by and enjoy the Music!! Visit ILoveoldtown.org for more information. Here's to seeing you there!

Summer always brings lots of fun to the Greater Lansing Area. With many events in and around the surrounding areas

The class A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, The Lansing Lugnuts, has a full schedule. They provide great entertainment beyond baseball, from the Friday Night Fireworks to Thirsty Thursdays. A night at Oldsmobile Park is great fun for the whole family.

Common Ground Music Festival provides seven nights of live entertainment. Live music and comedy acts are all performed on two stages from July 7^th through July 13^th on the banks of The Grand River at Adado Riverfront Park in downtown Lansing. Acts include Seether, Finger Eleven, REO Speedwagon, Snoop Dog, Kellie Pickler, Lyle Lovett and many more. Don't forget to try some of the many foods and drinks while enjoying the great entertainment.

The Wharton Center offers many plays, musicals, and other acts. Located on Campus of Michigan State University, The Wharton Center offers easy parking in the attached ramp as well as close proximity to many great restaurants.

The areas many golf course offer an array of challenges. From the difficult links style course Eagle Eye to the up north style Timber Ridge. Visit Brookshire Inn & Golf Club in Charming Williamston on Lansing's East side for a round of 18 and some of the areas best Steaks and Ribs.

Lake Lansing in Haslett (I know its strange being named Lake Lansing and located outside of Lansing in Haslett) is a great place to take your family to picnic, play Frisbee or just lay on the beach with a good book.

Potter Park Zoo is relaxed pace zoo. A great place to take kids of all ages as they offer many educational classes for children in the 1^st through 7^th grade.

Lansing a great place to Live

Jeff Thornton
Associate-Broker
Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood
Jeff@JeffThornton.com
517-719-4430

I know that sports are not what schools are all about but I still enjoy watching the games and the kid's accomplishments. Williamston Schools have enjoyed a phenomenal success this past school year. This small town in the East suburbs of Lansing has won 5 state titles with 1 still to be decided. This past fall the Boys Cross Country team won a state championship (they have been 1st or 2nd 7 out of the last 8 years and the only year they weren't 1st or 2nd they were 3rd or 4th). This spring the Boys Track Team won both the MiTCA and the MHSAA state championship. The girls have won a state Tennis championship, the MiTCA state championship and play for a possible 6th state title on Saturday in Soccer. In the Lansing State Journal High Scholl Power Poll 3 out of the top 4 teams were from Williamston. Not only were the kids excellent on the field but also in the classroom as both the boys and girls cross country team were in the top three GPA's for the state. I know it doesn't mean anything but I am still a proud parent of a Student at Williamston high school (who by the way is a straight 4.o student way to go Josh).

If you would like your kids to go to Williamston and you need to find a home call me.

What a great place to raise a family!!

Jeff Thornton
Associate-Broker
Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood
Jeff@JeffThornton.com
517-719-4430

In todays market in Lansing MI opportunities are plentiful, regardless of your price range. Although I have seen a huge increase of investors in our market taking advantage of the opportunity to purchase houses at unbelievable prices.

One of my insurance agents Dale Simmon owner Simmon Insurance Agencyhas always said "If a can of tuna fish is at its regular price how much are you going to buy? Not much right? What if cans of tuna fish were on sale for $.25! How much would you buy now? You' would probably back up the truck and buy as much as you could right?" Well guess what. Tuna is on sale and it won't last forever.

There are currently 375 ACTIVE listings under $50,000 in the Greater Lansing MLS. Savvy investors are finding ways to borrow money to take advantage of the housing market in our area. Many of these houses need little to no work to bring them up to code and become great rental units. This is not a market for "Flipping Houses" this is a market to build a great portfolio of investment properties that could cash flow for you for many years to come.

Its not all wine and roses though there is always risk and lenders have tightened the reigns on lending money to investors. One hurdle we are seeing all to frequently now is that appraisals have been coming in below value and marked "Declining Market" and rightfully so. We are in a declining market that's why you can buy a 3 bedroom house for under $10,000! The days of 100% financing on investment properties has passed.

Many people I talk to like the idea of investing in rental houses but don't want to be a land lord. Well I'm with you! The good news is there are many reputable property management companies out there that will not only manage the buildings but will handle the rental contracts, repairs, maintenance and you just own the building.

Enjoy your day and remember,

When You Think Real Estate, THINK ROB!

Robert Dowding, Keller Williams Realty

www.RobertDowding.com Sold@RobertDowding.com

517.853.6390 Office 866.206.5926 E-Fax

As many of you know, at this moment, my home is in Grand Haven along the Lakeshore in Michigan and I am madly in love with this quaint tourist area. So when a fabulous offer knocked on my door to return to the Lansing area and rejoin Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood as a team member with one of the areas Top Producers....the decision was not made until after much prayer and meditation.

At first I waited for the loud voice of guidance or better yet a letter from my higher power arriving in my mailbox ~ of course, neither happened. I now realize that decisions like this come on a whisper, doors just keep opening in the same direction, and the feeling of wholeness begins to wash over you while you sleep.

I am excited to say that I am returning to my "home" town of Lansing, Michigan. Happy to join my family at Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood and of course all my wonderful friends and clients in the area. Right now I am busy updating all my sites, marketing, etc to now reflect Mid Michigan, the area that has been home to me most of my life and where my Real Estate career began.

Still passionate about our Great Lakes, I will continue to be an advocate for these wonderful bodies of water. And this summer, when the desire hits to get my feet back into the sand, I am only a short drive away. I am very blessed to have two homes in the beautiful State of Michigan...One in Grand Haven and one in Lansing. Life is good.

For all your Real Estate needs, callreneeparker@yahoo.com