Julie Stevenson

I confess, I’m a summer girl. Nothing makes me happier than a good book, a beach and a comfortable chair. However, in Mid-Michigan, winter is a fact of life. You can huddle-up inside and wish it away OR you can embrace it!

One winter activity available in Meridian Township is cross country skiing. It’s fun and great exercise too! The Harris Nature Center on Van Atta Road in Okemos and the Lake Lansing North Park in Haslett are both great places to give cross country skiing a try.

Lake Lansing North Park is run by the Ingham County Parks System. There are several miles of groomed trails available as well as rental equipment, but hours vary each week. You can call the Ingham County Parks at 517/676-2233 to inquire. The Harris Nature Center is operated by Meridian Township. They are open daily and rental equipment is available by the hour or day. Fees are $5 an hour during the week or $7 per hour on the weekend. Daily rates are $15 and $20 respectively. Harris Nature Center has some nice trails that run along the Red Cedar River. You can also rent your equipment at Harris then take it elsewhere. Snow shoes are available for rent at the same rates.

Another fun winter activity in Meridian Township is sledding. Meridian Hill, located on the west side of Meridian Road, just south of Haslett Road is a great place to sled. It’s free and really fun for all ages.

Next time you are looking for a fun winter activity close to home, I encourage you to check these activities out!

Haslett is a great Mid-Michigan Community with a highly regarded school system. It is located on the eastside of Lansing and is known for Lake Lansing and the recreational opportunities the lake and surrounding parks provide.

There is truly a price point for everyone in Haslett. In 2011, the highest sale price was $1,059,000 and the lowest sale price was $19,900. The average sale price last year was $188,705. A total of 130 homes sold in Haslett in 2011 and that was down slightly from 2010 when 138 homes sold.

During the 4^th Quarter of 2011, home sales increased 38% over the 4^th quarter of 2010. The average sale price in the 4^th Quarter of 2011 was $171,681.

Currently, there are 111 homes for sale in Haslett. The highest list price right now is $3,000,000 and the lowest current list price is $29,900. The median list price right now is $219,900.

Average time on the market over the last year has been approximately 90 days. Homes that are priced properly for the market are selling.

If you're looking for a spacious home in a terrific neighborhood, look no further. 1083 Buckingham in Haslett is a terrific place for you to call home. This gorgeous property is located in the popular Chippewa Woods Neighborhood, conveniently located off of Cornell Road and tucked away in a quiet, upscale area with no drive through traffic. The home is situated on a beautiful, wooded lot. Outside features include a side-load 3 car garage, a welcoming front porch, a nice sized deck and a stamped concrete patio. The 2-story dramatic entry way welcomes you into the home. The main hallways have beautiful hardwood flooring, wainscoting and chair railing. To the left of the entry is a large dining room and to the right is a room, currently used as an office, but could also be a formal living room. In the rear of the home, the kitchen features hardwood flooring, a walk-in pantry, center island, Corian Countertops, and a spacious eating area with vaulted ceiling. The kitchen opens up to the family room with large windows that provide lots of natural light and a gas fireplace. Also on the 1st floor is a half bath, mudroom w/ lockers, and a laundry/craft room w/ built-in work space and cabinetry. Upstairs are 4 large bedrooms and 3 full baths! The master suite features a tray ceiling and spa-like bathroom. The lower level of this home is also finished and includes egress windows. Absolute move-in condition with neutral colors throughout. Within the award-winning Haslett School District. In fact, Ralya Elementary, the neighborhood school was recently recognized for having the top elementary MEAP Scores in Ingham County. Please contact me for more information about this outstanding property.

If your home has been on the market for months (three to six) and the price was already reduced, you are probably beginning to wonder how much lower you can go. A potential buyer may come along and present a low-ball offer, which can be 10 percent or more below the list price and involves some sort of strategic negotiations. Before slamming the door on such an offer, review these helpful tips to help guide you through the process:

Don't reject the offer right away. It is important you recognize this is a negotiation game and the buyer is serious or s/he would not have put in the bid.

Analyze your own goals and needs. How much do you need from this deal in order to move to your next home? What will be your counter offer?

Conduct a comparative analysis. Check the temperature of the marketplace. What has happened in the housing market recently to get this buyer to make this type of offer? Also, take stock of the present inventory in your neighborhood and how they are priced comparatively. It is important to recognize that your home may be priced too high compared to similar houses in your area.

Negotiate! Keep the conversation alive with the buyer for as long as you can. Do not settle right away. Always maintain open communication about your limitations with your agent; he or she is there to help you get the best price possible for your home. Remember, if the offer is too low, always counter; don't walk away. Sometimes buyers simply want to test the waters.

Work together. Ensure the buyer's agent and his or her clients are aware you are willing to work with them. If you have waited this long to sell your house, what are a few extra days or weeks? Keep everyone engaged in the process until your goals are met.

Offer your final counter. Make your final offer and stick with it. Keep in mind you don't want to be so stubborn that you lose the buyer over, say $2,000.

Be patient with the process. Understand selling takes time and both parties want to meet their expectations. By taking time to work together, you can arrive at a deal that is beneficial for all involved.

Every seller wants her home to sell quickly and bring top dollar. While there are some factors you can't control, like neighborhood popularity and market fluctuations, you can help your house put on its best face for showings and open houses. If you want to sell your home, here are some tips to prepare your house and turn it into an irresistible home.

Before any physical preparations, you first need to prepare yourself emotionally. Begin to dissociate yourself, and decide to let go of your attachments to the home. From now on, this is a house you really want to sell, not your own beloved home.

It's important that potential buyers can imagine calling your house "home," too. Make it easier for them by de-personalizing the space. Remove personal photos and family heirlooms. Buyers should be allowed to connect with the space, and to imagine displaying their own photos and artifacts. You want buyers to think, "I could see myself living here."

It's no surprise that you'll want a tidy house for a showing, but what about those hidden areas of the home? Buyers need to look everywhere; they will open cupboards and peer into closets. So, make sure storage areas are organized, and that coats hang neatly in hall closets. Stack dishes and re-arrange kitchen drawers. Tidy other stored items, like books, games or CD's. Bathrooms and kitchens should be especially clean, with counters clear of miscellaneous personal items and knick-knacks. Don't forget the outside of the home. Give your house curb appeal by trimming the lawn, sweeping the front walk, and artfully arranging outdoor furniture.

Now is the time to take care of those bothersome little repairs you've been putting off for years. Buyers will notice the flaws that you've grown accustomed to. From replacing light bulbs, to cleaning scuff marks off walls, to replacing missing tiles in the bathroom, or fixing the broken screen door, take care to repair all the minor problems with the house before the open house.

While you may have long determined which aspects of your home you love, having a fresh set of eyes scrutinize its best features is a smart idea. If you want to sell your home, take the time to walk through it methodically with your real estate agent. Together you can point out which features of the home should be accentuated...and which elements should be downplayed. Does your home have a wonderful view? Draw attention to it by sprucing up window treatments and arranging furniture to draw the eye toward the windows. Is the kitchen small and cramped? Make the most of it by lighting the space well, clearing counters of debris and displaying a vase of fresh flowers.

If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you when you sell your home, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, he won't want it. Once you tell a buyer he can't have an item, he will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.Finally, when it comes time for the open house, try to avoid being home. Not only does it make buyers uncomfortable, but it can interfere with your real estate agent's sales process. Whether you head to the office or just out for a walk with the dog, you can rest assured that in your absence, your house will look enticing to its new owners!