Tim White

I was driving east on Ocean Dr. in Hart, Michigan today when I saw this little gem sitting alongside the road. I had my camera with me, like any good realtor should, and I just couldn't resist blogging about it.

Michigan is widely held to be a left leaning, liberal state. So much so, in fact, that Senator McCain's campaign withdrew from the state early during the election runoffs of 2008. John, I think you gave up on us too quickly.

You see, there are strong pockets of conservatism in West Michigan. The recent Tea Parties have sounded a clarion call to the formerly "Silent Majority", and I wouldn't be surprised to see more of these types of displays.

Even if you're a liberal, you have to admit this is pretty clever.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is considering expanding a down-payment assistance program that, when combined with the 2009 $8000 Federal Tax Credit, would provide more than $15,000 in help for first-time home buyers.

The MSHDA program offers down payment assistance up to $7500. Currently, however, your household income must be below $55,000 to be eligible. I've sold many homes with this program in Grand Rapids, but was often unable to help families with incomes that exceeded the limit.

This may be about to change, however. If MSHDA's new plan is approved, MSHDA would raise its limits on the household income for buyers eligible for the $7,500 loan from the current level of $55,000 to more than $100,000. This would open the door to a lot more potential homeowners.

MSHDA Loans are commonly referred to as a "piggy-back" type loan. "Piggy-back" loans are not stand alone mortgage products, but instead can be used in conjunction with other loans. When paired with another mortgage plan, like an FHA loan, for example, buyers can get enhanced benefits in their mortgage choices.

Combining the Federal First Time Homeowner's Tax Credit of up to $8000 with MSHDA's $7500 plan means that homeowners could get more than $15,000 in savings on a new home. The state loans can be used for homes worth up to $224,500.

The MSHDA Loan is different from the $8000 Federal Tax Credit in several ways. It is not a credit, but rather an interest free loan. The loans do not have to be paid back until the home is sold or the mortgage refinanced or paid in full. There are no monthly payments on the loan. Unlike the $8000 Federal Tax Credit, you can use the money at closing, rather than waiting until you file your tax return. The MSHDA loan can be used for closing costs, expenses such as setting up escrow accounts, or down payments.

If you've been thinking about buying a home, but don't think you can afford the down payment, think again. There are loan programs out there, but you have to know about them. Contact your lender for more information about MSHDA/FHA, MSHDA/RD, and other MSHDA combo loans.

Prices are the lowest we've seen in years, and interest rates are at historic lows. 8 out of 10 economists predict that home prices will rise within the next five years. What more reason do you need to consider buying a home today? Contact me or your local real estate professional to find out how you can fulfill your dream of home ownership.

You can get more information about the $8000 Federal Tax Credit here.

"March Housing Construction Drops 10.8 Percent"

By now you've probably seen headlines like this one. It's dramatic, it sounds like the world is ending for real estate, and it is just the kind of dramatic overstatement that makes me gag when I read the news. But have you actually READ the article? I've linked it to the headline.

Believe it or not, there's actually a lot of good news in there. The article explains that the percentage is based largely on the fact that multi-family home starts (apartments) are down, but in fact, single family home starts have stabilized. Here are two excerpts from the article which belie the headline:

"The much larger single-family sector actually stabilized in March at an annual rate of 358,000 units, the same level as February when single-family starts managed a small 0.6 percent rise."

"The bad news is that home construction is still in the tank. The good news is that single-family activity may finally be stabilizing," - Joel Naroff, an economist at Naroff Economic Advisers

So why the mixed message? No, wait, scratch that. Why the completely misleading, borderline outright lie of a headline? The answer is simple: bad news sells.

The media has adopted an attitude that no one wants good news. I am a fan of Fox News, which is where this article comes from. However, they are often just as prone to adopting this attitude as anyone else.

As a Realtor, I find it encouraging that apartment starts are down. This means that people are buying homes, and are less interested in renting. With low interest rates and low prices, the consumer is realizing that renting is not their only option.

Now, more than ever, it is extremely important that we perform as real estate educators, and not just salespersons. We have to counter this type of negativity, and make people aware that the sky is truly not falling.

Somebody get on the phone and tell Chicken Little he can come out, we're going to be OK. All we need is a healthy dose of reality. We've seen an increase in home sales in West Michigan real estate, and I'm doing my part to make sure the word gets out. You can help by reblogging and linking this blog to everyone you know.

My family and I spent the weekend with friends in Lansing. As we were making our drive home today, my wife and I decided to grab a little pick-me-up. We turned the Jeep onto the ramp and exited on 28th St. in Grand Rapids. There's a Starbucks there that I have been to several times. As we were eagerly awaiting a venti mocha for me, and a caramel machiatto for her, the kids were watching a movie in the backseat.

It's chilly and rainy today, and apparently we weren't the only ones craving some warm, caffeine loaded goodness. There were several cars in line, and a black Chevy Avalanche directly in front of us. The baristas were cranking out the java joy as fast as they were able.

As we pulled up to the window to pay for our order, the clerk informed us that the people in the Avalanche had already paid for our drinks. My wife took a couple seconds for that to sink in, incredulous that some random stranger would do such a thing. We were both pleasantly surprised.

I have done this a time or two myself, but never expected to be on the receiving end. It was a great feeling, and so easy to pass it on. The $7 or $8 those folks spent on our drinks bought a bright smile to a couple of road weary travelers, and gave is something pleasant to talk about for the next part of our drive.

Even better, our kids were with us, and they got to witness that random people still do nice things for each other. I have long taught my children the value of doing for others, and it was nice for them to see someone else putting it into action. Thank you, whoever you are, for setting a shining example for others to follow.

Next time your in a drive-thru, and the lines are long, or the weather's crummy, or for whatever reason, think about spreading some good cheer and commit a random act of kindness like this. I know I will.

OK, I usually stick to real estate and business topics here, but I'm riled up and looking to vent, so please sit back and enjoy the ride. I've got some steam to burn off, so here we go.

Subject Number One: Susan Roesgen Deserves a Sound Flogging

If you don't know who Susan Roesgen is, just google her. I'm sure she's eating up all the publicity she is getting today. Susan is a "reporter" (and I use that term very, very loosely) for CNN who was assigned the task of reporting on one of the Tea Party events held yesterday across the nation. However, instead of being unbiased and reporting the news as it occurred, she decided to incite attendees, twist the story, and even yell at one of the men she "interviewed." It was all quite disgusting, and you can watch the video here.

Subject Number Two: The Left Wing Media is Still Serving Their Own Agenda

The way mainstream networks and CNN treated the Tea Party events yesterday is despicable. They either minimized the event, ignored it all together, or twisted the meaning and intent of the rallies to something sinister. What ever happened to just reporting the news? Would they have treated this the same way if it had been any other type of rally? Of course not.

Remember Cindy Sheehan? You couldn't turn on your TV or radio, or open a newspaper without reading about her or some other Anti-War Protest. They weren't blasted as "extremist" or "terrorists" in the newspapers. How about when a bunch of New Yorkers painted themselves red and laid in the streets of New York in protest of the war? Media coverage galore. I'm sick of it. Check out what Laura Ingraham and Bill O'Reilly had to say about it here.

Subject Number Three: DHS Secretary Napolitano, Shame on You

The Department of Homeland Security conducted an assessment that stated veterans returning from Iraq are highly susceptible to being recruited by "Right-Wing Extremist Groups" and should be watched. For those of you that haven't read my profile, I am a Marine, and just returned from Iraq last fall. I spent a year of my life FIGHTING terrorism. My family went without their father and husband so I could defend freedom and liberty.

Now, this administration, comprised of people who KNOW NOTHING about the military OR intelligence, wants to label ME a potential threat? It's enough to make me remember a bunch of those four letter words I try so hard to forget. It's apalling and offensive. At least their is public outrage about it as evidenced by Fox News and The American Legion.

In fact the outrage was enough to provoke an apology from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. A very lame, carefully worded apology that left me with the distinct impression that she wasn't really sorry at all. I'm not alone in thinking this.

"It wasn't an apology in my view," said Pete Hegseth, chairman of Vets for Freedom. "It was one of those non-apology apologies. She was sorry that veterans were offended. She should either apologize for the content of the report as it stands or they should rewrite the report and reissue it."

The Secretary further went on to reference the Oklahoma City Bombing, and how Timothy McVeigh was prior military. Great, one nut in the tree means we must all be psycopaths, right? Irresponsible, ungrateful, and deplorable are a few of the nicer words that come to mind.

In Closing

As I said in my intro, I am not prone to ranting on about current events. However, today's news managed to pull Sgt. White's string, and I couldn't stay silent any longer. I think it's a sad state of affairs when people with a valid and legitimate message are denied the opportunity to air it, and instead have aspersions cast upon them.

I furthermore think it is utterly unacceptable to demean or tarnish the sacrifices that my fellow service members have made for this country by making people think we are potential terrorists. No one values our country more than those willing to bleed for it.

Phew! Yes, I feel better. I'll feel even better when this gets read a lot and passed around. Does anyone know if Janet Napolitano is a RainMaker? J/K Thanks for reading, and Semper Fidelis.