Mike Bowler Sr. CRB, GRI, ePRO, RECS, SRES

There are plenty of events and activities coming up over the next 6 weeks in Grand Ledge, Waverly, Delta Township and Lansing, Michigan for the entire family to enjoy. The Greater Lansing area is a great place to live, work, and play. Check these out and note that we also have Broadway talent at Waverly and Grand Ledge High School. I Hope you enjoy.

November 19th-22nd Grand Ledge High School presents the Christmas Carol

The 25th Annual Silver Bells in the City will take place on Friday, November 20, 2009 from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Lansing.

Nov 21, 2009 Waverly High School Musical - Fiddler on the Roof

December 4th is the Grand Ledge Annual Christmas Parade. Family fun to kick off the Holiday Season including a Lighted Float Parade through town ending with Santa at the Sun Theater. For more information call (517) 627-2383.

Delta Township is sponsoring Santa Claus who will be making personal phone calls to area children this December! Calls will be made Wednesday, December 2, 5:45-7:15 p.m. For more information

Breakfast and Lunch with Santa is also in Delta Township on Saturday, December 12, 8:30-10 a.m. – Breakfast Saturday, December 12, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lunch

Buying or selling a home in today’s greater Lansing, Michigan real estate market can be complicated without having the proper expertise and guidance throughout the process. Community information - about service - restaurants, services, parks, things to do, local government and development projects, are only a few of the many services you should expect from your Realtor. Visit My Website for tips that will assist you.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Lansing Michigan area homeowners have an opportunity to take part a brand new site called House Logic as a free source of information and tools—from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®—that can help you make smart and timely decisions about your home.

What can HouseLogic do for me?

With content covering home improvement, maintenance, taxes, finance, insurance, and even ways you can get involved in and enrich your community, HouseLogic can help you increase and protect the value of your home by helping you make confident decisions.

Thinking of a Move in the Near Future?

Start with the resources I’ve provided on MikeBowler.com. There is no charge for this information. These free reports will help get you started in terms of assessing your real estate situation and planning for a stress-free and successful sale of your house.

The real estate market in the Greater Lansing area is volatile, especially lately, and it takes an experienced professional to move your house quickly, professionally, and profitably.

When you’ve decided to sell, I will be your advocate, your guide, and your fierce negotiator. I will work hard to make yours a great sale. I look forward to it.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings

Congress Votes for Home Buyer Tax Credit Expansion. The National Association of Realtors today commended the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for passing a bill that includes an extension and expansion of the current home buyer tax credit as an important step in ensuring a real estate and economic recovery.
This is great news for home buyers and sellers in the Greater Lansing area and more positive news for the housing market throughout the nation. Below, you will find a chart that gives detailed guidelines on amounts and dates. One major addition this Buyer Tax Credit includes is a $6500.00 credit to buyers moving up from an existing house, provided they have lived in the home for at least five years. The six months should provide a stronger market because of the deadline extended through May 1st, 2010. It's not to soon to get started with your moving plans and making arrangements for marketing your current home. Feel free to visit my website for additional updates or contact me anytime.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
One of 25 Most Connected Professionals in Real Estate
1020 S Creyts Rd. Lansing, MI 48917
517-492-3400 mike@mikebowler.com
Search Listings: www.mikebowler.com
Website for Agents: www.mikebowler.net

Here's some hot real estate news for the Greater Lansing, Michigan Real Estate market on the proposed new Home buyer Tax Credit. According to an article written by Bloomberg the U.S. Senate leaders moved closer to an agreement replacing an expiring $8,000 tax credit for first- time home buyers with a smaller one that would expand access to so-called step-up purchasers.

The Senate deal would reduce the size of the tax credit to 10 percent of the sale’s price, capped at $7,290. The credit would be available on home purchases that are under contract by April 30, 2010 and borrowers would have 60 days more to close the sale. The existing credit is due to end Nov. 30.

UPDATE: Move up buyers capped at $6500.00 Deal Sealed

The new agreement, which is still being negotiated and may change, would grant the credit to borrowers who have lived in their current home for at least five years. Lawmakers want to keep home sales from slipping as the economy struggles to recover from the worst drop in home prices since the Great Depression. Economists say a recovery in housing is a key to rebuilding the confidence and finances of American consumers, whose spending makes up 70 percent of the world’s largest economy.

The demand for new homes and condominiums may increase by “more than two times because you’re allowing step-up buyers into the equation,” said Andrew Parmentier, a managing partner at Height Analytics, a research firm in Washington. “ You just opened up a whole new pool of people who can buy into those empty homes and empty condos that were built out.”

The Bloomberg article went on to say:

The income eligibility for first-time home buyers would remain the same at $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples. The income criteria for step-up buyers would be $125,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.

This is an opportunity for those sellers who have been sitting on the sidelines in the Greater Lansing real estate market to take advantage of selling their home, and moving up to more space for the growing family. Regardless of values coming down over the past 3 years, sellers who are moving up, should be able to pick up the loss on the new purchase, in addition to a tax credit if qualified. Keep in mind that if you have considered moving, now is the time to plan ahead.

Buying or selling a home in today's real estate market can be complicated without having the proper expertise and guidance throughout the process. Visit MikeBowler.com for additional tips to assist you.

“Expect the Best” Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings

The Greater Lansing Michigan real estate market showed a substantial increase in pending and closed sales for weekending October 13, 2009 over last year the same week according to GLAR.

Pending home sales have increased for seven straight months, the longest in the series of the index which began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

It's nice to see positive news for buyers, sellers and Realtors. The 3rd quarter real estate market report does not exactly illustrate much good news with the exception of lower inventories and additional units sold. Pricing in the greater Lansing area is still coming down to reality and should begin to stabilize over the next few months. You can obtain the entire 14 page Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood Quarterly report on my site at the 3rd Quarter Report Link.

I am prepared to employ the latest techniques and services for your benefit, just like you've grown to expect from a professional. Real estate transactions are complex, involve large assets and demand competent representation. Marketing properties, home selection and financing are just a few of the skills today's consumer looks for when they select a real estate professional. I am prepared to offer my clients the knowledge and expertise to counsel them in relocating, buying, investing or selling the family home.

In today's market, you need someone who knows what they're doing and will work hard to get the job done. My knowledge of the real estate market, negotiating skills, and ability to listen to clients' needs and desires keep me ahead of my competition.

"Expect the Best" Mike