Angie Ridley Broker, EcoBroker Certified , Mid and South Eastern MI

You never know where you will find "Green" technology. My client and I have viewed a few homes 5-6. We keep going back to the same home. The more we look at the home the more we realize the "green" features. Keep in mind; this is a previous owner occupied home, not "new" construction which makes this more interesting.

Rain barrels are used to fill the pool. Rain barrels collect the water from eves. The collected then fills the pool by a hose running from the barrel to the pool. Rain barrels can also assist in preventing water in the basement and flooding yards. For more information please visit: http://www.arlingtonva.us/DEPARTMENTS/EnvironmentalServices/epo/EnvironmentalServicesEpoRainBarrel.aspx

The construction of the pool room was constructed SIP style, structural insulated panels. SIPS are made in the factory. Constructed inside, weather is not a factor with materials. Insulation is foam or Styrofoam that expands between to pieces of OSB, Oriented Strand Board. SIPS can be used to construct all exterior parts of a home or building. The SIPS come in sections and provide easy installation, energy efficiency and cost savings. For more information please visit: http://www.epsmolders.org/3-sips.html Exterior Cedarwood siding provides for low future maintenance. The material doesn't rot.

Insulation with a high R factor is needed in northern climates. The higher the R factor the more efficient.

Solar panels were installed to heat the pool. For more information please visit: http://www.poolcenter.com/heater_solar_poolstor.htm

Angie Ridley, MI RE Broker, Notary,EcoBroker Certified^®
www.CompleteRealtyLLC.com
mailto: Angie@AngieRidley.com
Flint: 810 744 4600 Fax: 810 936 4395

Angie's Real Estate Corner, a little of this and that blog.

2009 Michigan Women's Council of Realtors® President -Elect

Paperless with Instanet Transaction Management, e-signatures and much more...

Al Serra Hummer has out sold every other Hummer Dealership in the United States for the 3^rd year in a row! They sold approximately 900 Hummers. http://hummer.alserra.com/

With all the gloom and doom on the news, I hope this gives Genesee County a reality check. Try to eat at Logan's, Out Back Steak House, Olive Garden, ect on Friday or Saturday night with out having to wait 45 minutes to an hour. Record home sales are happening in Genesee County. Last year we had our 3^rd largest transaction year, we are way ahead of the year to date sales this year already. The prices are down, we have to sell to level the prices out and create a demand.

My husband and I were attempting to find our kids a used camper for the summer. That was nearly impossible. The used trailers went like hot cakes and the salesperson at General RV Birch Run Michigan said the new trailers are selling just as fast!

I wish the news media would talk about these positive issues...

Al Serra, Congratulations for more reasons than one!

Governor Granholm Consolidates to reduce cost

As most of us are aware the 2009 Michigan budget is living with shortfalls. Too assist with the budget issues, Governor Granholm is attempting to consolidate 18 state departments into 8.

The Michigan Association of Realtors® (MAR) supports streamlining government to prevent tax increases. In 2005, MAR in efforts with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce funded an initiative to change the way the state approaches the budget process. The Price of Government (POG) approach is to budget for outcomes. If this approach would have been used, perhaps we wouldn't be in the budget situation we are now.

Let's hope the consolidation works in the long run. Change can be difficult, we are witnesses that change is needed. As of May 2009, these changes have not yet been implemented.

(Source: MichiganRealtor March 2009, May 2009)

Angie Ridley
Complete Realty, LLC
810 744 4600

Serving Mid and Southeastern Michigan

Possible Property Tax Relief?

In Nov. MI voters maybe asked to make major decisions about property taxes. House Speaker, Andy Dillon (D-Redford) says Michigan's tax system is too complicated. Property taxes continue to increase while values decrease. Representative Brian Calley (R-Portland) would like to add to the ballot a constitutional amendment to prohibit property tax increases when values stay the same or decrease. If the Legislature doesn't put Calley's amendment on the ballot, he will ask for signatures from the people of Michigan. He will need to collect 300,000 registered voter signatures.

We have to think on the side of caution and make sure the full research is done before we vote. How will this effect budgets? The Michigan Association of Realtors® Public Policy Committee is watching the proposals closely. The Michigan Association of Realtors® will review the proposals and share the information. As always the Michigan Association of Realtors® is looking out for home owners and property rights.

As if May 2009 the Legislature will be polling the Michigan consumers for ideas as well. To be successful the plan will have to be simple...

(Source: MichiganRealtor March 2009, May 2009)

Angie Ridley
Complete Realty, LLC
810 744 4600

Serving Mid-Southeastern Michigan

Micrsoft Office Live Workspace with Shared View has proven to me to be an awesome "free" program. I needed assistance with some paper work I was filling out. It was so nice to invite other people to view the document as was typing as giving their input and advice.

I also use this space to store and share documents that I may need to assess while I'm out of the office. The program stores and allows you to edit stored documents. I can share the docs from that space instead of sending attachments through email.

I really like being able to upload multiple documents at once! I have tried other programs and that is the slowest part. With Micrsoft Office Live Workspace I will no longer pay for Relay Transaction Management system.

Check it out!