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Right to Farm: A Farewell To Backyard Chickens and Beekeepers

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Michigan Loses ‘Right To Farm’ This Week: A Farewell To Backyard Chickens and Beekeepers

 

Little blond girl with farm chickens in pen.

Michigan residents lost their “right to farm” this week thanks to a new ruling by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development. Gail Philburn of the Michigan Sierra Club told Michigan Live, the news changes “effectively remove Right to Farm Act protection for many urban and suburban backyard farmers raising small numbers of animals.”

Backyard and urban farming were previously protected by Michigan’s Right to Farm Act. The Commission ruled that the Right to Farm Act protections no longer apply to many homeowners who keep small numbers of livestock.

 

Kim White, who raises chickens and rabbits, said, “They don’t want us little guys feeding ourselves. They want us to go all to the big farms. They want to do away with small farms and I believe that is what’s motivating it.”

The ruling will allow local governments to arbitrarily ban goats, chickens and beehives on any property where there are 13 homes within one eighth mile or a residence within 250 feet of the property, according to Michigan Public Radio.

The Right to Farm Act was created in 1981 to protect farmers from the complaints of people from the city who moved to the country and then attempted to make it more urban with anti-farming ordinances. The new changes affect residents of rural Michigan too. It is not simply an urban or suburban concern.

 

Shady Grove Farm in Gwinn, Michigan is the six and a half acre Home to 150 egg-laying hens that provide eggs to a local co-op and a local restaurant. The small Michigan farm also homes sheep for wool and a few turkeys and meat chickens to provide fresh healthy, local poultry.

“We produce food with integrity,” Randy Buchler told The Blaze about Shady Grove Farm. “Everything we do here is 100 percent natural — we like to say it’s beyond organic.

We take a lot of pride and care in what we’re doing here.” Shady Grove Farm was doing its part to bring healthy, local, organic food to the tables of Gwinn residents, and it mirrors the attitudes of hundreds of other small farming operations in Michigan and thousands of others popping up around the nation.

The ruling comes within days of a report by The World Health Organization that stated the world is currently in grave danger of entering a post-antibiotic era. The WHO’s director-general Dr. Margaret Chan argued that the antibiotic use in our industrialized food supply is the worst offender adding to the global crisis.

“The Michigan Agriculture Commission passed up an opportunity to support one of the hottest trends in food in Michigan – public demand for access to more local, healthy, sustainable food,” Gail Philbin told MLive.

Meanwhile, neighboring Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed Senate Bill 179 a few weeks before which freed up poultry and egg sales from local and state regulation.

Yesterday, the USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced massive funding to support research about small and medium-sized family farms, such as small farms ability to build-up local and regional economic systems. “There’s a lot of unnecessary legal action being taken against small farms who are doing good things in their communities,” said Randy Buchler, who is also on the board of directors for the Michigan Small Farm Council.

The Michigan Small Farm Council  actively fought to support Michigan farming freedom, but ultimately the Commission voted to approve the new restrictions.

“Farm Bureau has become another special interest beholden to big business and out of touch with small farmers, and constitutional and property rights of the little guy,” Pine Hallow Farms wrote to the Michigan Small Farm Council.

The Michigan Farm Bureau endorsed the new regulatory changes. Matthew Kapp, government relations specialist with Michigan Farm Bureau, told MLive that the members weighed in and felt that people raising livestock need to conform to local zoning ordinances. The Farm Bureau did not feel Michigan’s Right To Farm Act was meant to protect the smaller farms, and ultimately the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development agreed.

Tom Stachler is a licensed Broker and Builder working in the Ann Arbor Real Estate Area marketing houses and condos in the Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Ypsilanti and Milan real estate home market and more.  Check out the helpful Links and other information available on this website.  

Home of Harry Potter Hits the Market

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The Wizarding Home of Harry Potter Hits the Market

Harry Potter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Potterheads were to consider investing in some Harry Potter real estate, they’d probably aim for the Hogwarts castle. Yet, while the castle is indeed stunning, Potterheads must also remember their muggle condition. And for muggles, 4 Privet Drive, in Little Whingeing, Surrey is probably as close as they’re going to get to the magic.

Turns out the Dursley residence featured in the 2001 Harry Potter film (replaced by a set in later films) is actually a pretty quaint three-bedroom home in Martins Heron, Bracknell, England. On top of that, it comes with a well-sized garden, a renovated kitchen, and stands a few blocks away from the nearest train station.

So hold on to your broomsticks because for just half-a-million pounds, £475,000 to be exact, Harry’s cupboard under the stairs (and the whole house that comes with it) could be yours.

The house had hit the market twice before since the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, once in 2003 in the hopes of making a profit by piggybacking on the success of the film, and again in 2010 for £290,000 pounds. The current owner, Sandra Smith, is now testing to see if Harry Potter has cast a big enough spell on the property to make her more than the comparable £250,000 average sale price.

Of course, Smith also has to take into account that buyers might be thinking of Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon before making an offer. That’s not the kind of aura you want to surround yourself with. Plus, you run the risk of engendering the likes of Dudley Dursley and not receiving your mail on time.

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I’d definitely pick this as my new residence if I were considering a move to England, but to be honest, I would probably never leave the cupboard. All things considered, that might also be a sound plan of action given that fans still show up at “4 Privet Drive” in the hopes of finding, as I would, a young Harry shivering under the stairs. So, if you want it, either accio yourself some money or alohamora the heck into that place.

Totally your call, young wizard.

 

Tom Stachler is a licensed Broker and Builder in Ann Arbor Michigan.  Contact us or click on the helpful website Links herein should you need direct access to the Board of Realtors home inventory data base (see above) for homes or condos in the neighboring communities as well including Saline, Dexter, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Milan and Milan Michigan.  Contact us today or use the helpful links above to get a price on your current home or find a new one.  

How Can Fall Home Sellers Get Their Home in Tip-Top Shape?

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

In this interview, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors President Dan Steward shares ways your clients who are looking to sell this fall can get their home ready for prime time.

Q: For clients looking to sell this fall, what can they do to get their home in tip-top shape?

Tom Stachler: While spring is usually designated as the best time to put a home on the market, fall is also a lovely season to show a home.

Some of the most important fall clean-up tasks that should be completed include:

Clean Up the Exterior
It’s well-known that outdoor space is one of the top five most important factors for buyers, however, forgetting to clean up the yard is the No. 1 place sellers often drop the ball when preparing their home for sale. If you’re lucky enough to have magnificent trees on your property, spend a few dollars and get them trimmed so that they look their best.

-Raking leaves
-Removing loose sticks
-Weeding flower beds
-Trimming flowers, bushes and shrubs
-Aerating the lawn
-Cleaning gutters
-Painting the exterior of the house, even if you can only afford to do the trim
-De-cluttering, both inside and out

-Brewing a fresh pot of pumpkin coffee Cozy-up the Interior
Since you’re selling a home in the fall, it’s a great time to use scents to make the space more inviting. Some ways to introduce a fall scent include:

-Boiling cinnamon sticks, baked plate of cookies/smells or Burning fall scented Candles
-Fire in Fireplace

Another important tip to help prepare for showings during the fall season is to make sure you turn on all the lights. Since the number of daylight hours in the fall decreases, it’s more likely your home will be shown when it’s dark. Having all the lights on for showings will make the home appear larger and more cheerful.

 

Tom Stachler is a michigan licensed broker and Builder helping buy and sell homes in the Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea and Ypsilanti realty markets.  Call or use the handy navigation tabs and Links on this website for home owner information or find listings to purchase or sell.  Go to RealtyQuest.info to look up the price or your home or to MyHomeTour.com to access the AA Area Board of Real Estate.  

Pros and Cons: Buying a Property for your College Student

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

There’s no way around it, supporting a college student can be very expensive. Food, books, and most importantly, housing — all add a hefty expense on top of tuition. That’s why the idea of purchasing a property for a college student can be a good investment strategy for families and an alternative to paying Rent for four years. If you have clients with children going off to college, use this list to help them weigh the financial pros and cons of buying their college student an off-campus Home.  Ask Tom about how to also create a homestead exemption to save you approx. 33% on property taxes as well.  

Pros:

  • Offers possible tax benefits, appreciation in value, rental income, etc. Educate your clients on the area and demographics of the town in which they’re considering a purchase, as well as the current property values and typical rent prices.
  • Provides a stable living situation for their child and helps avoid rising rent prices and security deposits.
  • Eliminates any need to pay storage costs for furniture during summer breaks. In addition, they can rent the property out during the summer to make money.
  • Benefits multiply if you have roomates or other children who may attend the same college. 

Cons:

  • Give this checklist to your client to help them determine if buying a property for their college student is a good investment.Creates homeowner costs such as a mortgage, insurance, and repairs. Have your clients determine a budget and create a list of estimated costs.
  • Unlikely to turn a profit or even recoup the costs of buying and selling the property after their student graduates (e.g., 3-5 years).
  • Must be prepared for the typical “college renter” consequences, i.e., the occasional party trashing, heedless roommate damage, etc. College students don’t have the best reputation when it comes to taking care of properties. Make sure your clients are financially prepared to cover possible repairs.
  • Inherent risk: their student could decide to transfer to a different school, or move back home. Make sure your clients have thought about what they would do if something like this happened.

 

Tom Stachler is a licensed Broker and Builder based in the tri county area surrounding Ann Arbor Michigan.  Also specializing in the Saline, Dexter, Chelsea and Ypsilanti Markets.  Call Tom for assistance on houses, homes and condos to purchase, list or Lease.  Check out the helpful Links page and navigation tabs above. Looking to purchase a home, check out the all MLS Inventory link above for currently active properties in the Board of Realtors data base.  

The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Housing and Younger Generation Ability to Purchase

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Over the past year, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has become increasingly concerned about the impact of student debt on Home ownership and the overall economy. The U.S. currently has a whopping student debt load of $1.3 trillion, which accounts for 10 percent of all outstanding debt. While student debt has risen, the homeownership rate has fallen, especially among younger generations. NAR’s second quarter 2016 Housing Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) survey reports that roughly two-thirds of non-homeowners with student debt said they are generally not comfortable also paying for a mortgage. Furthermore, non-homeowners and younger adults with student debt are less likely to believe that they can qualify for a mortgage due to student loan repayment obligations.

To address the growing concern about student debt, NAR highlighted the issue during the 2016 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. The Regulatory Issues Forum featured U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro, along with a panel of speakers, who discussed important regulatory changes that would ensure housing opportunities can exist for young people. At the Residential Economic Issues & Trends Forum, Senator Elizabeth Warren discussed Congressional efforts to alleviate the growing burden that student loan debt repayment is having on young adults, the housing market and the overall U.S. economy. Finally, the NAR Board of Directors adopted a policy that, “NAR should strongly support policy proposals to allow student loan borrowers to refinance into lower interest rates and to streamline income-based repayment programs. Additionally, NAR supports policy proposals that promote student loan simplification, clarity and education. NAR also shall ensure that mortgage underwriting guidelines related to student loan debt should become standardized and that they do not impair homeownership.”

In June, NAR partnered with the American Student Assistance (ASA) program SALT® to conduct a survey of student loan borrowers who are current in student loan repayment. The results of the survey demonstrated the impact and challenges that student loans have on housing, even among those who are managing to pay their bills on time. Among survey respondents, 67 percent received their loans from a four-year college, 31 percent from a two-year college, 27 percent from graduate/post-graduate school, and 11 percent from a technical college. Twenty-four percent were delayed by at least two years in moving out of a family member’s home after college due to their student loans. While 18 percent are currently homeowners, 17 percent live with friends or family and do not currently pay Rent.

NAR also continues to work with Congress and the Administration. NAR submitted letters of support for several pieces of legislation that have been introduced in Congress this year aimed at addressing the issue of student loan debt. Some of these legislative proposals address a variety of issues, including streamlining the student loan process and limiting repayment to 10 percent of a borrower’s income; allowing borrowers to refinance student loans at a reasonable interest rate or utilize an income-based repayment plan; and enhancing financial counseling options. Additionally, NAR worked with HUD to alleviate the burden of student debt for potential homebuyers by revising the calculation of student loan debt for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans.Among non-homeowners, 71 percent cite student loan debt as the factor delaying them from Buying a home. This is most frequently the case due to the fact that borrowers cannot save for a down payment because of their student debt. Among homeowners, 31 percent say student debt is impacting their ability to sell their existing home and move to a different home. The delay in buying a home among non-homeowners and homeowners is typically five years.

NAR and this broker remains committed to addressing the impact of student loan debt on the economy and housing market.

 

Tom Stachler is a licensed Broker and Builder based in the tri county area surrounding Ann Arbor Michigan.  Also specializing in the Saline, Dexter, Chelsea and Ypsilanti Markets.  Call Tom for assistance on houses, homes and condos to purchase, list or Lease.  Check out the helpful Links page and navigation tabs above. Looking to purchase a home, check out the all MLS Inventory link above for currently active properties in the Board of Realtors data base.  

Tips for Your Next Bathroom Update

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Tips for Your Next Bathroom Update

Check out this video for a couple ideas to prime your next Home improvement project perhaps?  

We are always here to help you in any project or referral.  Check out our contractor discounts page to take advantage of Tom's Builder and property manager discounts and have a referral list of quality contractors our team continues to use.  

 

 

tom stachler, real estate one, house, homes, condos, for sale, for Lease, contractor, recommendations, quality, work, highest rated. references, ann arbor, michigan, saline, dexter, chelsea, ypsilanti, mi

Facial Skin Care in Ann Arbor Michigan - Great Gift Idea

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Looking to tighten up those facial features?  

Looking for a Great Gift Idea?  Well we can never look too good right?  I would recommend contacting Hanna for a consultation or treatment or it makes a great gift idea too.  She brings a lot of experience and training from overseas to the table to benefit her clients.  Watch the video below. 

Hannah Prestige Skin Care Interview 

Prestige Skin Care

4695 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite #6,  Ann Arbor, MI,48108

+1.734.834.3453  www.prestigeskincares.com

[email protected]

 

 

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What Should Homeowners Know about Energy Efficiency?

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Today’s “Ask the Expert” column features Mark Walker, Director with NRG Mass Sales.

Q: What are the top five things new homeowners need to know about energy efficiency?

A: First-time homebuyers have many questions, ranging in scope from a Home’s square footage, what the neighborhood is like, whether the asking price is negotiable, and more. Typically, it’s not until they receive the first electricity bill that they begin to think about energy efficiency.

Insulation is tops.As many REALTORS® know, new homeowners are one of a kind. They’re excited about their purchase, but perhaps nervous about the costs ahead. At Reliant in Texas and NRG Home in the Northeast, we want the electricity bill to be one less thing that causes concern. That’s why it’s helpful to understand what drives energy use, and how to be more efficient. Naturally, new homeowners consider their REALTOR® the go-to source for all things home-related, so here are five energy efficiency tips you can share with first-time homebuyers.

For re-sale homes, it’s important to make sure the home is well insulated. The most cost-effective improvement any new homeowner can make is adding insulation. Without proper insulation, a home can lose up to 40 percent of cooled or heated air.

  1. Heating and cooling account for most energy use.

Did you know that heating and cooling your home can account for up to half of its energy use? Save energy by following these simple tips:

  • Air filters and vents should not go unnoticed.Follow the 4×4 principle. Setting your thermostat four degrees higher when away from home for more than four hours can help reduce electricity costs.
  • Rotate ceiling fans. Turning your fan counter-clockwise during the summer helps create a wind chill effect for a more comfortable living environment. In the winter, set your fan clockwise to move hot air downward.
  • Always use the automatic A/C fan setting. Keep your A/C fan on the “auto” position. Turning it to the “on” position can increase energy costs and make it harder for your A/C to maintain the desired temperature.

Homeowners often overlook replacing air filters, but it’s important to change filters regularly to keep your system working efficiently. Also, ensure return air vents are free from obstructions. If air flow is hindered, the system can’t operate properly, and your energy bill will suffer.

  1. Energy-efficient appliances matter.

If appliances are more than 10 years old, it may be time to invest in new, energy-efficient models, from refrigerators and dishwashers to washers and dryers. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when upgrading.

  1. Small actions add up.

Turning lights off when leaving a room and shutting blinds to block summer heat are just a couple simple ways to decrease energy costs and make your home more comfortable and efficient.  LED light bulbs last longer and run on a very small fraction of what it takes to run other types of bulbs.  For more information and resources, visit our Links page above under resources tab on the right. 

 

Tom, Stachler, real estate, one, homes, for sale, michigan, ann arbor, saline, school information and more. condo, houses, for Lease, resources, energy. Thomas

Thinking About Keeping Chickens at your Home?

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

More people are keeping chickens in their urban and suburban backyards, and I don’t think it’s just because they enjoy the fresh eggs. It would be cheaper and easier to just buy eggs at the grocery store.

Most people view backyard chickens as pets, not livestock. Chickens have distinct personalities, and they will respond to people who feed them and show them attention and affection.

But how many of these “new” chicken farmers know what they’re doing? There’s a wealth of free information available on the website of Penn Vet—the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.

The school has sent a news release with 12 important tips because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports people have been sickened by salmonella after coming in contact with backyard chickens.

A total of 324 people in 35 states got salmonella from January 4 through May 11. More than 90 percent had contact with chickens, according to the CDC, and 27 percent of salmonella victims were young children.

Moreover, in a July 19 update, the number of salmonella cases had almost doubled to 611 in 45 states.

Below are several important tips that can keep chicken keepers and their families healthy. They come from Sherrill Davison, a Penn Vet professor and veterinarian who has worked with chickens for more than 30 years.

“Not all poultry have salmonella in their intestines,” Davison says. But some chickens who are not ill do have salmonella in their intestinal tracts, which can be passed on to people.

Follow these guidelines:

— After tending your chickens, remove your shoes or boots before entering your Home. Wear them only in your chicken yard—and nowhere else.
— Do not bring chickens into your home.
— Wash your hands after handling chickens.
— Do not let chickens near food that will be eaten by people.
— Keep the coop clean. Change bedding every one-to-two weeks and disinfect with diluted household bleach or cleaners formulated for chickens. Chickens should be out of the coop when cleaners are used.
— Isolate birds that seem sick. Your garage is an OK sick bay. Your house is not.

Sick chickens need veterinary care. For names of vets who know how to treat chickens, contact the Penn Vet Laboratory of Avian Medicine and Pathology at 1-610-444-4282. Calls to the lab are free, and the staff will also answer questions and concerns, “though I cannot diagnose over the phone,” says Davison, who is director of the laboratory.

Penn vets are seeing an increase in backyard chickens with Marek’s disease and Mycoplasma. Neither disease is transmitted to people or pets that are not chickens.

Marek’s disease is an untreatable virus that causes tumors, weight loss and paralysis. Chickens won’t get it if they are vaccinated when they are one day old.

Mycoplasma is a bacterial-like respiratory disease that can be treated with antibiotics, but it will decrease egg production for the life of the chicken.

With good care, chickens generally live five to six years, Davison says, although one of her patients lived for 10 years. Chickens raised on egg farms are only allowed to live for one to two years—their peak egg production years.

For more information, go to www.vet.upenn.edu

Check the "All MLS" listings tab at the top of the page to view an inventory of homes for sale in your area.  

 

tom stachler, real estate, one, for sale, homes, houses, inventory, list, chickens, city farmers, raising at home, kids, saline, michigan, ann arbor, chelsea, dexter, ypsilanti

L.A. Reid Lives it Up in LA Mega New Mansion

by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

L.A. Reid Lives it Up in LA Mega Mansion

 
 
 

Reid

As everyone remains distracted with Olympic activity in Rio, music executive, producer and ex X Factor judge Antonio “L.A.” Reid has slid into a brand new mansion on the west side of L.A.

While music moguls snatching up mega mansions in Los Angeles is hardly breaking news, Reid's new pad scored for a hearty $17.99 million—is an epic piece of architecture, to say the least.

Sprawling over 11,200 square feet, the Home includes a 300-bottle wine cellar, a home theater, a bar and a gym.  The home boasts seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, and Reid can take one of two floating glass staircases or an elevator to the three floors in his new posh pad. Beyond the home's walls, 2,820 square feet of outdoor living space offers ample room for an infinity pool, an outdoor kitchen, a bar and a baja deck.

Built in 2015, the property entered the market at $27.5 million. The price eventually dropped to $20 million before Reid gobbled it up for a “bargain” of under $18 million on July 21.

 

Photos by Scott Everts / Benny Chan

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Homes for sale, ann arbor, michigan, tom stachler, saline, michigan, ann arbor, house, home, inventory, list dexter, chelsea, condo, prices, million, dollar, results, 

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