Kathy Toth Ann Arbor, MI Real Estate

Ann Arbor may be a great city known for its open spaces and vibrant community, however downtown there is much happening with areas which are not working being spruced up and rejuvenated and unused sites cleared for new developments.

For instance there is a new high-rise building called the "Metro" apartment project - a 202 unit, 9 story building at Washington & Division Streets which has approval from the city council in 2006 no has asked for a two year extension of the site plan approval.

The 0.12 acre lot was purchased in 2008 by Illinois based hotel developer "First Hospitality Group" who changed its plans for the building last year to 16 studio units and 72 one bedroom properties, originally the proposal included 12 studios and 30 two bedroom units.

Despite the delays it is expected that this project will go ahead and the extension will go through the approval process shortly.

Watch this space for more information on downtown Ann Arbor Real Estate & Development.

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

Kathy Toth and Team

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

May 2009 was certainly an exciting month for Ann Arbor Real Estate!

The Monthly Sales Statistics are in from Ann Arbor Area Realtor Association. The news is encouraging!

Sales figures show 233 residential units sold compared to 303 in 2008. The strong sales numbers for April have not yet translated into a consistent upward trend; however, the average residential sale price is up over last year by almost 9%. Low inventory, reports of multiple offers, and sale prices above list price are all good indicators that the market is moving in the right direction. Naturally of course, the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit is an added bonus and incentive for buyers to buy now! Also, MLive.com discusses Green Building - an issue which keeps coming to the decision making table.

In year to date figures released 2008 had 1074 residential properties and 2009 has an impressive 1001. This is not far different from the previous year meaning that the trend is optimistic. By the end of the year it is expected that a strong upward trend will be revealed as buyers take advantage of market conditions.

See the attached document for more detailed sales data for May 2009.

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

Kathy Toth and Team

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor, Michigan is known for many things, including its budding art scene. In fact, the American Style Magazine has named the city of Ann Arbor the 9th best art destination town in the country for 2009 in the mid size category.

This is such exciting news! American Style magazine is one of the leading bi-monthly art and craft magazines in the country and this latest readership poll which put to vote the top art cities in the country shows that Ann Arbor has a great art scene. This vote is held every year with many cities fighting to get on the list.

Here is the list in full:

MID-SIZE CITIES
1. Buffalo, N.Y.
2. Chattanooga, Tenn.
3. Pittsburgh, Pa.
4. Scottsdale, Ariz.
5. New Orleans, La.
6. Charleston, S.C.
7. Savannah, Ga.
8. Cleveland, Ohio
9. Ann Arbor, Mich.
10. Minneapolis, Minn.
11. Alexandria, Va.
12. Miami, Fla.
13. Tacoma, Wash.
14. St. Louis, Mo.
15. Athens, Ga.
16. Kansas City, Mo.
17. Colorado Springs,Colo.
18. Providence, R.I.
19. Salt Lake City, Utah
20. Honolulu, Hawaii
21. Rochester, N.Y.
22. St. Petersburg, Fla.
23. Cincinnati, Ohio
24. Raleigh, N.C.
25. Tampa, Fla.

If you are thinking, where is a good place to see art when I am in Ann Arbor? Well, the University of Michigan’s museum of art is a great start! Or perhaps the Ann Arbor Art Center? This award comes after Ann Arbor was ranked in 2008 as one of the best places to raise children in the country!

Ann Arbor really is a special place, if you are considering relocating to the area then please, click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor area Michigan homes
and condos with pictures and tours - FREE!

Kathy Toth and Team
www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

Ann Arbor, Michigan is known for many things, including its budding art scene. In fact, the American Style Magazine has named the city of Ann Arbor the 9th best art destination town in the country for 2009 in the mid size category.

This is such exciting news! American Style magazine is one of the leading bi-monthly art and craft magazines in the country and this latest readership poll which put to vote the top art cities in the country shows that Ann Arbor has a great art scene. This vote is held every year with many cities fighting to get on the list.

Here is the list in full:

MID-SIZE CITIES
1. Buffalo, N.Y.
2. Chattanooga, Tenn.
3. Pittsburgh, Pa.
4. Scottsdale, Ariz.
5. New Orleans, La.
6. Charleston, S.C.
7. Savannah, Ga.
8. Cleveland, Ohio
9. Ann Arbor, Mich.
10. Minneapolis, Minn.
11. Alexandria, Va.
12. Miami, Fla.
13. Tacoma, Wash.
14. St. Louis, Mo.
15. Athens, Ga.
16. Kansas City, Mo.
17. Colorado Springs,Colo.
18. Providence, R.I.
19. Salt Lake City, Utah
20. Honolulu, Hawaii
21. Rochester, N.Y.
22. St. Petersburg, Fla.
23. Cincinnati, Ohio
24. Raleigh, N.C.
25. Tampa, Fla.

If you are thinking, where is a good place to see art when I am in Ann Arbor? Well, the University of Michigan's museum of art is a great start! Or perhaps the Ann Arbor Art Center? This award comes after Ann Arbor was ranked in 2008 as one of the best places to raise children in the country!

Ann Arbor really is a special place, if you are considering relocating to the area then please, click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

Kathy Toth and Team

www.KathyToth.com
Keller Williams Realty

“Green” - a buzzword being used by all at the minute. The old saying “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” has become so popular these days! It seems like every part of our lives has been touched by the “going green” phenomenon. However, in Real Estate, the idea is just starting to catch on and the effects are fantastic.

“Green” homes are what many buyers are interested in these days. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), as much as 90 percent of home buyers think that energy efficiency is a very important factor when shopping for a home. Also there is some research suggesting that buyers will pay a premium to buy a “green” home from a developer - allegedly, 61 percent of consumers would spend more than $5,000 upfront to save on utility costs! Green is the buzzword for the moment alright and it looks like it is going to stick around for a while.

However, how can you jump on the green bandwagon and potentially benefit from it?

Well, going green could help you sell your home. Of course we are not talking huge renovations like solar panels or anything like that, however small simple steps which could help lower your energy costs and help make your home a little “greener” and potentially attract more buyers include; Installing appropriate insulation (in walls and ceilings, particularly the attic space!), using high-efficiency windows instead of those that minimally meet the energy code, Purchase/upgrade to Energy Star-rated appliances and install only low-flow water fixtures.

One of the best pieces of advice is to seal all gaps in any walls, doors and windows. This can make a huge difference!

In addition you can, for your own piece of mind also ensure you recycle as much as possible and install energy efficient light bulbs throughout the house to help lower your utility bill. These pay for themselves in around 6 months!

Turn your energy efficient efforts into not just an environment saving project but a selling feature!

Click here to search Ann Arbor Real Estate using our complimentary Ann Arbor Real Estate MLS Search service. Alternatively please contact Kathy Toth and the team if you need more specific assistance in your Ann Arbor Real Estate needs.

Click here to search all Ann Arbor area Michigan
homes and condos with pictures and tours - FREE!