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Home Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan

Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan

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Freedom Is Not Free

11-09-08
Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan
A Veteran...is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America” for an amount of “up to and including my life...”
     Author Unknown

This week is National Veteran's Awareness Week and Tuesday is Veteran's Day. Originally intended to celebrate the signing of the Armistice ending World War 1, we now honor the service of all veterans.

I joined the military just after the Vietnam War ended. While it was definitely not a popular thing to do, it was a great experience. The GI Bill paid for my college education and helped me buy my first home. But being in the military back then was a very different world.

Today's military members face multiple, extended deployments resulting in terrible family and financial stress, sometimes even leading to home foreclosures. Leaders are just beginning to address the serious emotional toll this extended war is taking on the warriors.

One thing that has changed from the Vietnam days, thankfully, is support for the troops. Whether or not people support the war, American citizens do support the troops this time around.

If you are a veteran, thank you for your service to your country. If you know a veteran, please express your gratitude for their sacrifice. And by the way, if you know any Marines, wish them "Happy Birthday" on November 10th.
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Reflections in the Rearview Mirror

10-30-08
Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan
Michigan Real Estate - Reflections in the Rearview MirrorTwo months ago, I started using a new Blackberry Curve. Besides being a great telephone/email tool, it has a halfway decent camera. So in early September, I launched a photo blog to highlight the places and things I see in my real estate travels.

I haven't documented anything too wild and crazy so far, but I have seen some interesting things.Here are some of my favorites
  • the two minute duck parade offered me a chance to transfer my irritation from my car being stopped into a photo op
  • catching the Sturgis or Hell sign at the Plymouth Chili Cook-off
  • finding Plymouth all a-pink in support of the Breast Cancer 3-Day
  • sharing photos of veterans and flags
  • discovering the South Lyon's Witches Hat Depot
  • and attending Northville's Victorian Festival and watching Greenfield Village's Lah-De-Dahs vintage baseball team play the Northville

Having a photo blog has been a lot of fun. A side benefit is that it's made me pay more attention to my surroundings, seeing and finding things I might never have paid attention to.

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Downtown Halloween Festivities

10-30-08
Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan
The streets of Downtown Plymouth were blocked off tonight for the The Great Pumpkin Caper.

Between 3,000-4,000 kids lined the streets to trick-or-treat from store to store.

Special awards were given for the best costume, but ...
the pumpkin princess pups got my vote!

Meanwhile, Downtown Northville hosts Rock 'O Ween tomorrow evening from 3-6 PM in the Downtown Square followed by trick-or-treating in the City.
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September Market Report

10-25-08
Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan
As if the Michigan economy didn't have enough challenges, the past month of national and world financial chaos certainly hasn't helped.

Even with all those challenges, the Southeast Michigan counties of Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, and Macomb all experienced higher sales volumes than last year for the month of September. Depending on the zip code, the number of September sales in Plymouth increased 48.5%, Livonia between 30-54%, Northville 15-175%, Westland 22-100%, and Canton 27-29%. However, sale prices are continuing to decline.

The good news is that between the higher number of sales and Sellers choosing to wait out the market and not putting their homes up for sale, the inventory of homes on the market was down 16.43%.

It remains a great market for buyers, especially those with good credit, first time homebuyers, or those who don't need to sell anything to buy. There are some smokin' deals out there, particularly if you want to put in a little sweat equity. Additionally, lots of investors are jumping into the market hoping to take advantage of the low prices to position themselves well for the market's turn.

With the financial bailout, auto merge rumors, job insecurity, and presidential politics, we're still in for some rough months ahead. Best to batten down the hatches, cut where you can, and hang on for the ride.

Summary of Economic Stabilization Act by the National Association of Realtors
Tax Credit to Aid First Time Homebuyers by the Internal Revenue Service
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Hospital Redevelopment Slogs Along

10-15-08
Debra Drummond | MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan
I've written about the Northville Psychiatric Hospital redevelopment efforts for over four years now and now there's a new fly in the ointment.

A group of local residents have filed suit against the Northville Township Board alleging violation of the Open Meetings Act. The next Township Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night, October 16th which should be interesting.

Somehow I don't think we're going to see redevelopment on this 400+ acre parcel anytime real soon.

See also:
Annexation Plan Goes Down in Defeat
The Great Annexation Debate
Another Round, Another Deadline
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