Real Estate Information Archive

Solar Tax Credit Extended

Lost in all the talk of dropping oil prices and rising interest rates is news that is expected to transform the solar world, and the homes (and bank balances) of those who have (or want) solar energy. A federal tax credit that was set to expire at the end of this year was instead just extended for five more years.

"In a surprise move, recently U.S. lawmakers agreed to extend tax credits for solar and wind for another five years," said Bloomberg News. "This will give an unprecedented boost to the industry and change the course of deployment in the U.S."

The extension means "a 30% federal tax credit offered by the EPA and Department of Energy to encourage Americans to use solar power" for the next five years," said The Simple Dollar. "If you install Energy Star-approved solar power systems, the credit allows you to claim 30% of the cost as a tax credit for the year you installed it. That amount is taken directly off your tax payment, rather than as a deduction from your taxable income."

The increase in installed solar because of the extension is expected to be substantial.

"Solar will more than triple in size from just more than 24 GW of total capacity to nearly 100 GW by 2020. By that point, there will be enough solar installed to power 20 million American homes," said Ecowatch. "This seemingly routine legislation is historic because it brings the solar industry to the forefront of the conversation about American energy."

Capitalizing on trends

Bloomberg calls this "exactly the sort of bridge the industry needed" to continue absorption trends. With costs continuing down while usage works its way up, it's important to capitalize.

"The costs of installing wind and solar power have dropped precipitously—by more than 90 percent since the original tax credits took effect—but in most places coal and natural gas are still cheaper than unsubsidized renewables," they said. "By the time the new tax credit expires, solar and wind will be the cheapest forms of new electricity in many states across the U.S. The scale of these new projects will help push costs down further and will stimulate new investment that lasts beyond the extension of the credits."

Making solar affordable

Affordability—or lack thereof—has long been a knock on solar, discouraging many from exploring options to traditional energy. The cost of a solar panel can range anywhere from $650 to $900 per panel, according to Todd Davidson, from Clean Energy Collective. Incentives make them more affordable, but that's not the only financial advantage.

"Incentives play a big part. But even without incentives there is ROI, or return on investment," said green-energy consultant Steve Pope on The Simple Dollar. Not to mention the cost savings associated with lower electric bills and the potential for building equity in your Home.

"From what we've seen about homes that go green, installing these assets increases the value of a house by 13%," said Pope. "It does make a difference when you're trying to sell a home. When you're adding solar power you're adding long-term value to your home."

Solar Options

Those who want to add solar panels to their home or incorporate them into a newly built home have options other than Buying them outright.

Power purchase agreement (PPA) - A PPA is a contract in which you pay only for your solar power. Because ownership of the system remains with the solar company, you don't pay for the equipment or installation.

Solar leasing - Lease your system instead of buy, just like you'd do with a car. Low and no-down payment options are available.

Low-interest loans - At a number of different solar companies, you can take out a low-interest loan for your solar system and make payments according to your solar production.

Is solar energy on your radar? Which options might you consider? Let us know in the comments.

tom stachler, real estate, one, michigan, homes, houses, condos, for sale, lease, broker, builder, solar, power, options. 

Broker and Builder in Ann Arbor

Tom Stachler has been in the local real estate sales and management business since the 1980's.  For the past 20 years he as been working as an Associate Broker and REALTOR with Real Estate One in Ann Arbor Michigan.  Client References and more information can be found on this web site.

You can Click here to view a digital Brochure for more information about this seasoned professional  

tom, thomas, stachler, real estate, one, ann arbor, michigan, saline, salinerealty.com, realtor, builder, local, references, information, leading, top, sales, agent, Home, property, condo, home, houses, dexter, university of, 

Get Instant Pricing Results - Online !

Thank you for stopping by.  I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that I value you and your good will.  I hope someday we will have the opportunity to work or communicate with each other again, however building life long relationships is what gives me the greatest joy and satisfaction in my career as a Broker/Realtor®.  I don't think of myself as selling real estate, but rather helping people change their lives. 

I would love to mail you a letter of introduction and a printed version of my digital personal brochure containing information about my background etc. while introducing you to my business philosophy.  Just click this link if you want my brochure mailed to you and then anytime you have a moment, perhaps we can chat further.  My objective is to be your Realtor®/Broker long before you actually need one.  I hope that when you have a real estate matter, question or just need a Contractor Discount/referral, you will give me the opportunity to help you with a recommendation or maybe guide you to one of the many resources found on my various websites that are also just waiting to serve you. Try out our new automated website that will provide you with the value of your Home.  Its fast and easy, just go to www.MyPrice.Guru

Even if you aren’t planning to buy or sell a property for years, I want you to feel comfortable calling me if you have any questions about real estate, the care of your property or even community taxes or any realty questions or concerns.

Contact us today if we can help and thanks again for stopping by!

Get Instant pricing on your real estate home or property.  Tom Stachler, with Real Estate One provides this free automated website to provide instant results for both a price and results.  Ann Arbor, Saline Real Estate along with Dexter, Chelsea and Ypsilanti home sales results.  

Popular Grass Lake Community

New Listing.   Sporting a generous dose of Brick, this Home has great curb appeal with a 2.5 car side load garage.  Inside you will find Maple & Brazilian cherry wood floors along with Marble tile and new Carpet. Gorgeous Granite, cherry and stainless kitchen.  This Ranch style home will minimize your need for stairs and has a finished basement, high efficient furnace, a 4 season room addition and a spacious patio surrounded by professional landscaping . Home has nearly 3500 Sq ft of finished living space.  

Additional Features on this New Listing - Call for a Showing Appointment Today

• Granite Counters
• Cherry Cabinets
• Stainless Appliances
• New Carpet throughout
• Finished Basement with approx 1200' extra livings space
• High Efficient Furnace
• Brazilian Cherry, Marble and Maple Floors
• Insulated and Heated 4 Season Room
• Underground 9 zone Sprinkler System
• Epoxy Finish on Garage Floor
• New Garage Door Opener with Internet access
• One each Peach, apple, pear and cherry trees in the back yard
• Corner Lot with Side Load Garage
• Well Water and Community Sewer
• Easy access to I-94 and quaint Village of Grass Lake

​Click the 4 arrows on the right Bottom Corner for Larger Video Image

Let us know if you would like to setup a preview tour by contacting us and requesting a preview.  Use the submission form below.  

​10700 marquedat grass lake michigan tom stachler stahold corp home house for sale property real estate chelsea 

4345 Sherwood Forest, Ann Arbor Michigan For Sale

This is a must see Classic Ann Arbor Gem just minutes from Downtown!

Stunning classic Home that sits on one and a half acres and is equipped with tray ceilings and bowed and transom windows, brazilian cherry and marble floors throughout. This classically designed home has a kitchen with maple cabinets and granite countertops with a larger island with gorgeous hardwood floors. The kitchen opens to the living room creating an open floor plan throughout the entry level. The finished basement has two studies, recreational room and a full bath! Not to forget the additional features outside including a house generator, newer patio and a beautiful landscaped with walking paths and sprawling grounds!  

Located near the Huron River off scenic Huron River Drive & Delhi Road.  Here are just a few of the features. 

• Marble & Brazilian Cherry with Inlays Flooring
• Granite & Stainless Gourmet Kitchen
• Huge Laundry & Mud Room with Freezer and Euro Washer & Dryers
• Epoxy Finished Garage Floor
• 5 BR and 4.5 Baths
• Study with Beveled Glass Doors
• + 1200 sq ft of Finished Basement
• Spectacular Landscaping, patios and Grounds
• Classic Architecture with Masonry Chimney, Copper Flashings, Pavers, Bluestone Porch and More
• High Efficiency Mechanicals, Reverse Osmosis Filters
• Professional Landscaping with Walking Trails and sprinklers
• Whole house automatic backup generator system
• 3569 Sq. Ft finished above ground and 1400 finished in basement for nearly 4000 square feet of finished living space

Does this sound like your dream home? Showings will begin next week and occupancy as soon as late September!  Contact us today using the information below to setup an early preview appointment.  

Call for a showing Appointment Today!  Click here to View Home for Sale Listing

Property is also available for Lease at 3950/mth and min. of a two year stay.

What size Home is right for you?    See anything you like here?

Feel Free to click on the bottom right corner of the view frame above for a Larger Image

Search for your home if whatever size you are looking for in Michigan by clicking here and let us know when you are ready to setup a tour.  We look forward to meeting you.  

Have a Great Day and thanks for Stopping.  

The rate of sales slowed in November as it has for the prior three months. It is still strong, but not as strong as this time last year. Inventories continue to fall as a result of an increasing number of listings that are expiring. New listings entering the market have been up for the past six months. Many of those are expired listings reentering the market, which are not enough to raise inventories. For buyers, there is still a significant shortage of available homes for sale with inventories remaining at 10-year lows. At the end of November, Southeast Michigan inventories dropped below 10,000 properties (this is compared to the peak of over 65,000 properties for sale in 2008). Values are up about 8% and new listings entering the market continue to rise. This shows that sellers are seeing some light at the end of the value tunnel and are putting their homes on the market at an increasing rate.

There are more than a few people predicting a flat to declining real estate year for 2014. Certainly with the possibility of tougher mortgage standards, rising interest rates, pent up demand having been released and a relatively flat economic growth, it is reasonable to predict a slow down. After all, we can’t expect to have record years every year (in terms of unit sales) and three years in a row is a pretty good run. We do think 2014 will not be as strong as 2013, but I am more optimistic than most, mainly because there is still quite a bit of Buying power left in the market. 

The housing affordability index is a good measure of that buying power. Historically, an index in the 120 range (the median family income can buy 120% of the median priced Home) is the good spot for a balanced and healthy housing market. In Michigan, we might move that range up to 140 since our values tend to be lower. We are still over 200 in Michigan, so there is still some buyer “slack” that will be capable of pushing up prices and creating multiple offers into 2014/15 (but not at the same pace as 2012/13). The chart below gives an example of what the index would look like given reasonable assumptions for the next few years.

If these assumptions hold, the market will settle to a balance around 2016. There is a positive wild card and that is household income. Income growth has been flat, which does not help home values. But as jobs grow and second income opportunities increase, this supercharges a household’s buying power. Although the median income may not be rising quickly, every job that creates a strong second income, also creates powerful homebuyers who can buy/outbid a significantly higher priced home.

A Short Spotlight on the City of Detroit: The city certainly suffered more than most in the downturn, but its rise has also led the way up. Since 2011, the median price has risen 89% and the average price 69%. Sales are still dominated by investors at the lower end of the market causing the median price to hover around $13,000. Looking behind those numbers we see some strong trends comparing 2013 to 2011. Sales of homes in excess of $40,000 have risen 20% and homes in excess of $100,000 have risen 61%. This shows that with more higher value sales, owners are moving in to replace investors. Midtown and Downtown have a housing shortage as well as key neighborhoods such as Rosedale, University, East English and many more.

As prices and interest rates rise, watch for some of the lower priced areas to heat up even more (Livonia, Redford, East Ferndale, Warren, Detroit, Taylor, Westland, etc.) as buyers move down in value, rather than leave the market altogether.

Thank you for your support in 2013. I look forward to working with you in 2014.

tom stachler, market, update, ann arbor, 2014, real estate, for sale, condos, homes, commercial, properties, listings, agent, broker, new, property, saline, michigan

For those of us who have spent any time hanging around Ann Arbor in the summertime, we surely remember the hustle, bustle and excitement surrounding the Ann Arbor Art Fair.  The Art Fair, originally established in 1960, is a combination of four award winning, independently juried art fairs, held simultaneously throughout Ann Arbor.  This year, the annual Art Fair runs between July 20-23, 2011.  The hours on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are from 10am – 9pm and Saturday, from 10am – 6pm.  Visitors in town searching for homes will definitly wish to attend this event.  We suggest you go early at 10am (preferably on Wens) thereby avoiding much of the larger crowds and this will help you see most of the display areas.  The cost for attending this renowned event is free!
            Together, the four fairs attract over 600,000 visitors from across America, and create an amazing outdoor gallery featuring over 1,200 artists.  There are an abundance of things to see and do while spending an afternoon outdoors at the Art Fair.  Activities include learning about and Buying art from the nation’s best artists, lively entertainment, artists’ demonstrations, 4 Imaginations Stations for art activities, more than 150 restaurants, and special sidewalk sales from downtown Ann Arbor to the University of Michigan campus.  You can also check out a complete list of exhibiting artists  and artist applications are available here.  This spectacular event attracts the finest artists producing top quality art work in every price range and is considered to be the largest art fair in the country.
            Transportation to and from the Ann Arbor Art Fair is extremely convenient.  There are several parking structures around campus, including the Maynard Parking Structure which has recently been renovated.  It is generally $10 per day for the parking structures and $5 after 5pm.  There is parking in and around nearby neighborhoods for low cost as well.  If you wish to avoid parking downtown near the Art Fair altogether, there are also shuttle buses that run throughout Ann Arbor.  Parking to catch the shuttle bus is available at Briarwood Mall or Pioneer High School.  The AATA Art Fair Shuttles will run every 10-15 minutes from 9am to 10pm, Wednesday through Friday, and on Saturday from 9am to 7pm.  The fares will be $1.50 each way, and children 7 years old and younger ride free.   Click here for a complete list of maps, parking and bus schedule.  You can visit the Visitors and Conference Bureau for infrmation on lodging, restaurants and more. Don't miss this nationally renowned art exhibit here in town! 

Visitors can check ann arbor real estate prices by clicking on the "All MLS Listings" link above for property listings for sale or Rent.

As of July 1, 2010, it is illegal in Michigan to text while driving and could result in fines.

The law says that reading, typing, or sending a text or email on any wireless two-way communication device behind the wheel is illegal. This civil infraction carries a first-time $100 fine and $200 in fines for subsequent violations.

To read the full story about the new Michigan Texting Ban, please visit AnnArbor.com at:http://www.annarbor.com/news/michigans-texting-ban-takes-effect-today-will-it-reduce-crashes/

Get new property listings reports at www.shelterquest1.com

In a state suffering from the decline of the auto industry and the loss of manufacturing jobs, Ann Arbor remains an economic and cultural oasis. The city has grown up around the university, which moved to Ann Arbor from Detroit in 1837, shortly after Ann Arbor was founded. A focus on research, technology, arts, and tourism has spared the local economy many of the hardships felt elsewhere in Michigan.

If you live here, it helps to be a Wolverines fan. The roar from Michigan Stadium—which seats more than 100,000 and is known as the Carnegie Hall of sports—resounds through town on football Saturdays in the fall. The games always sell out, drawing fans from around the country. If sports aren't your thing, there are still plenty of other activities, many associated with the university: several museums and galleries, an arboretum, an annual arts fair, an orchestra, and local opera and ballet companies.

The university employs about 16,000 people from all over the Detroit area, plus another 12,000 at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Private-sector employers add to a vibrant white-collar economy largely based on research and technology. Automakers like General Motors and Toyota account for some research jobs; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and companies like General Dynamics and Google provide others. Longtime local companies include Domino's Pizza and Borders.

Ann Arbor has cold, snowy winters, and moisture from nearby Lake Huron and Lake Erie contributes to a high proportion of cloudy days. But summers tend to be warm and comfortable, with highs in the low 70s and nighttime temps in the 50s or 60s. And Ann Arbor—known as "Tree Town"—is one of the greenest, most densely forested residential areas in America.

If you can tolerate cold winters and can afford the slightly above average cost of living, Ann Arbor is a dynamic retirement spot with year-round enticements. Detroit's metropolitan airport is about 40 miles away, with nonstop or one-stop jet service to most big cities, so grandkids can visit—or you can easily flee to the south in the winter.

In addition to the University of Michigan, there are several smaller colleges nearby, including Cleary, Concordia, and Eastern Michigan. Big Ten rival Michigan State is about 65 miles away, in East Lansing.

The University of Michigan Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in the country. There's also a VA hospital in Ann Arbor, and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital is just a few miles away (with some facilities in Ann Arbor itself).

After the University of Michigan, the biggest employers are auto supplier Visteon, General Motors, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Eastern Michigan University, and Borders. Drug aker Pfizer has employed several thousand in the area but is closing its operation.

The median Home price in 2008 was about $206,000, higher than in many surrounding areas. But consider that a sign of a relatively healthy economy: Prices in 2008 fell by a modest 6 percent, a small decline compared with other areas. Much cheaper homes are available in surrounding communities, where builders binged during the housing boom. In 2009 and 2010 both nearby Saline and Ann Arbor realty prices have gone up an average of 3% per year.  

To get real time foreclosure, short sale and other realty listings click here.