Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 61-70 of 118

Michigan Pond Hockey Classic

Monday, December 12, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The 2012 Michigan Pond Hockey Classic will take place January 13th through the 15th, on Whitmore Lake. This annual event is one of the fastest growing hockey tournaments of its kind in Michigan. The three days of the tournament will consist of back-to-back 4-on-4 matches, taking place on the frozen lake, just as hockey was played in the good old days.

While the event is certainly about the love of hockey in its most traditional form, The Michigan Pond Hockey Classic is also a fundraising event for the Michigan Pond Hockey Sports Charities (MPHSC), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit. All proceeds from the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic will go directly into the MPHSC fund, which will then be distributed to local schools and hockey associations. These funds will be used to provide financial assistance to families in need, so their children can participate in youth athletic programs. Unfortunately, budget cuts have forced many schools to cut nearly all funding from athletic programs, meaning students who want to play sports must pay a participation fee. Families experiencing financial stress are hit hardest by the “pay to play” model, and it is the mission of MPHSC to make participation in athletic programs a reality for every child who desires it.

MPHSC Vice President, Ed Gentile, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our hope is that the support from the Michigan Pond Hockey Sports Charities will encourage and promote the health and wellbeing of children through youth athletics. We want children to be encouraged to play sports and stay active and not be discouraged by a price.”

So, whether you are a hockey fan, a hockey player, a parent, or a community member recognizing your vested interest in the health and wellbeing of our youth, come show your support at the Michigan Pond Hockey Classic!

Attention players! There are a limited number of available spots, so if you want to get in on this one-of-a-kind event for a good cause, make sure to register as soon as possible. Registration closes on December 11th.

Add Comment

So Just What is a Short Sale?

Monday, November 7, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Every short sale situation is unique, so it’s impossible to give a one-size-fits-all definition. However, there are some factors common to all of them that we’ll attempt to explain below.

Short sales are a complex process primarily used by those who find themselves in a financially distressed situation and are seeking to avoid foreclosure in order to alleviate supplementary fees and costs to the creditor and borrower. While short sales have consequences to one’s credit standing, the alternative – foreclosure – is worse still.

Short sales in Ann Arbor and elsewhere typically involve Home sales where the current owner is unable to repay loans and/or liens against the property. So, any proceeds resulting from the sale will inevitably be less than the homeowner owes on those loans and/or liens. 

Creditors in a short sale often not only have to take less than what is owed to them via the debt, but they also sanction the termination of their lien. This is not, however, a guarantee that the homeowner will have his or her financial obligations wiped clean, unless each party agrees to those terms.

Perhaps the only sure thing in a short sale is that before creditors agree to a short sale, they will require proof that the borrower’s financial or economic hardship is preventing him or her from paying the deficiency.

A short sale should not be entered into lightly. A central consideration is the credit impact for the seller; the impact can be significant negative damage to the homeowner’s credit report. Nevertheless, in some situations a short sale is unavoidable because the impact of an actual foreclosure is worse.

Add Comment

Avoid Chicago Traffic and Ride Lake Michigan High Speed Car Ferry

Tuesday, October 11, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Want to Get to Wisconsin and Avoid Chicago Traffic?

Take a scenic cruise on this high speed car ferry with you car, RV or motorcycle across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee Wisconsin and beyond.  This auto ferry is a great was to spend a couple scenic hours on your way west.  

 

Looking for Ann Arbor Real Estate?  Get Ann Arbor Real Estate here

Add Comment

Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summer Beer Festival: July 22nd & 23rd, 2011

Wednesday, July 20, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

With over sixty different breweries in attendance, hawking some of the finest brews east of the Mountain Time Zone right here in Ypsilanti, this year’s Summer Beer Festival will be one for the record books. For fourteen years the Michigan Brewer’s Guild (MBG) has organized the Summer Beer Festival to promote that special alchemy which turns grist, mash and wort into frothy, liquid gold. Attracting hundreds of devotees every year, the Summer Beer Festival is by far the largest and oldest of the festivals hosted throughout the year by the MBG. Breweries such as Motor City Brewing Works, Right Brain Brewery, Shorts Brewing Company, and Bell’s Brewery among many others, will pour summer seasonals as well as familiar favorites.

In addition to the brews, there will be lots of live music and several local food vendors serving up tasty vittles. Since the state of Michigan has the highest number of craft breweries in the Midwest, with in-state barrel sales rising dramatically, attendees not only get to select from hundreds of different brews, they get to enjoy something uniquely Michigan. The Summer Brew Festival offers beer aficionados the chance to meet the brewers, ask probing questions and, above all, sample refreshing wares! The event kicks off Friday, July 22nd from 5pm-9pm at Riverside Park on Cross Street in Ypsilanti. Tickets are expected to sell out before the event, so be sure to pre-order to ensure your spot.

Add Comment

Huron River Day: Sunday, July 17th

Tuesday, July 19, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Pack a lunch, grab your hat and don’t forget the sunscreen; next Sunday the annual Huron River Day will be in full swing at Gallup Park. Come join your friends and neighbors, bring the kids and experience all that the Huron River has to offer in one action-packed day. The Huron River Watershed Council invites you to take in the scenery with area water conservationists. Begin the day at 8:30 a.m. with a river swim followed by a continental bagel breakfast. REI and the Huron River Watershed Council bring you free, family-oriented paddle instruction for both canoe and kayak. Or, join the tour led by a nature expert and learn more about Huron’s riparian flora and fauna while enjoying a leisurely paddle. Kayak and canoe Rentals during Huron River Day are just $5, but those who bike to the event will be rewarded with free boat rentals courtesy of Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition. Both beginner and seasoned fishermen alike can learn to cast wet and dry flies from local fly fishing instructors. There will be booths and exhibits discussing the Huron river ecosystem plus games and activities for kids, like the Envirochallenge, Storytelling or the Live Animal Program put on by the Leslie Science Center.

Whether you’re new to the river scene, or paddle the Huron daily, Huron River Day is a great way to get in the loop while catching up on the latest conservation news. Area businesses and local nonprofit groups, like the Huron River Watershed Council and Huron-Clinton Metroparks, pool their resources to make Huron River Day a success. It is a great way to get the kids away from the video games. It’s free and, best of all, the event focuses on bringing the community closer to its natural resources. Come out and play this Sunday, the water’s great!

Add Comment

Understanding College Financial Aid

Monday, July 11, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

CRASH COURSE IN COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID

Teens looking through the mailThe thick envelopes mean yes; the skinny ones mean no. That’s the stereotype when it comes to college acceptance letters. But not every school is right for your child’s academic path—or your family’s financial future.

“The cost of college has skyrocketed at three times the rate of inflation over the past decade,” says Farnoosh Torabi, financial expert and author of You're So Money: Live Rich Even When You're Not.So what’s a student with a limited tuition range to do? Get educated on financial aid packages.

Scholarships and Grants

These awards are usually made on the basis of achievement or financial need.

Pros: They never need to be paid back and most require nothing of the student other than maintaining grades and/or a specified major.

Cons: Scholarships can be lost if there’s a change in majors or the student’s GPA drops. And these awards don’t go on forever. “Scholarships have expiration dates,” Torabi says. “Read the fine print, understand when the money runs out, and plan accordingly.”

Student Loans

Torabi suggests approaching private student loans with caution given their interest rates. “Federal loans have far better repayment and forgiveness options for borrowers,” he says.

Pros: Loans are easier to qualify for than scholarships and grants and are more widely available. Good student loans also generally have lower interest rates.

Cons: They must be paid back, and four years of college can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.

Work-Study

Work-studies offer practical benefits. “Traditional part-time jobs can cut into class and study time,” Torabi says. “But work-studies offer students a way to make money and stay on top of courses.”

Pros: Work-study jobs are on-campus and often in the student’s major or an area of interest. Some may allow students to cultivate their resumes as they pay for their education.

Cons: They do take time and require a real commitment—if the arrangement doesn’t work, students can lose the aid.

Making Sense of Financial Aid

Use this chart to evaluate various financial aid packages. Enter all offers from the schools, then use the last column to list other things to factor in, such as the amount of a scholarship compared to the time your student would have invest in a sport/activity.

School Name
Annual Tuition + Fees
Grant/
Scholarship Amount Offered
Work-Study Offered
Loan Amount Needed
Amount out of pocket
Debt at Graduation
Notes/Other Considerations
               
               
               
               
               

 

Learn more about more funding a college education at statefarm.com®.
Add Comment

Tea Cafe Locations in Ann Arbor Michigan

Saturday, July 9, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team
VideoVideo

Explore the Tea Culture and Locations

Ann Arbor Michigan

Watch this video covering various Tea Cafe locations and owner comments.

 Let us know your favorite places!

Video Link: http://therealtytour.com/video/Tea-Culture-in-Ann-Arbor
Add Comment

Walk and Wag Fundraiser at County Farm Park

Thursday, June 16, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Bring your family and your dog down to County Farms Park on the Eastside of Ann Arbor for the 32nd Walk and Wag Fundraiser. Bring the family and your dog for a day of fun, while raising money for the Humane Society of Huron Valley on Saturday May 21st, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants will only be asked to walk their dogs and collect donations from other walkers, but there will also be games, contests, childrens activities and more.

The minimum donation is $25, but prizes will be awarded to the top three adult fundraisers, top three kids and top three team fundraisers at the end of the day. You can also donate by Buying raffle tickets, which are $5 each. Simply taking your dog for a walk has never done so much good for the community and other animals!

Register using this link: http://hshv.convio.net/site/TR/DogWalk-a-thon/WalkandWag?fr_id=1100&pg=entry.

Initial donations can be made online. All donations must be submitted by the end of the day of the event and checks should be made payable to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Children under 14 must have an adult accompany them and all dogs must stay on a leash. Waste bags will also be provided at the event for cleanup. Rain or shine, be ready for another great Walk and Wag! You can also purchase raffle tickets and give yourself a chance to win $1,000 in cash, 4 University of Michigan football tickets, or a 10 megapixel camera. You could end up going Home with more than you came with, but at the end of the day it’s about the animals, so bring your wonderful dogs and help some needy canine friends.

Add Comment

Iron Horse Ride for ALS-June 11th, 2011

Thursday, June 16, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Join in on the fight against the disease ALS on June 11th, 2011 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. by participating in the Iron Horse Ride at Olson Park on the Northside of Ann Arbor. Registration is $75 and for that fee you will receive breakfast, mechanical support at the start, snacks, hydration, medical support, bike mechanics and ride marshal support along the way. A delicious lunch and a soothing message are also awaiting all riders at the finish line. Whether you are a competitive rider or a newcomer to biking, cyclists of all levels are encouraged to register as there are three rides of varying lengths available. You can register online by visiting www.rideals.org, so sign up today and help defeat ALS!

Iron Pony-For beginning riders (25 mile ride)

Metric Century-For Intermediates (62.5 mile ride)

Century-Expert riders (100 miles)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease is a progressive and fatal form of motor neuron disease with no cure or known causes. This is where you come in. For us to win the fight against ALS, more research has to be done to find a cure and you can help by partaking in a fun ride at the beautiful Olson Park on Ann Arbor’s Northside. See you there!

Add Comment

2011 Nichols Arboretum Peony Festival

Thursday, June 16, 2011
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The Nichols Arboretum at the University of Michigan’s North Campus in Ann Arbor will be the site for the 2011 Peony Festival, set to run from June 4th-12th. The Peony Festival will include guided tours through the botanical gardens and, of course, peony sales. The event will kick off with the Peonies rand Plant Sale on June 4th, which will feature live music and a guided lunchtime tour to view one of the biggest and most extravagant collections of heirloom peonies in all of North America. The peonies are beginning to bloom, so come view the natural beauty of these flowers at this year’s Festival!

Horticulturalist Carmen Leskoviansky will lend her expertise to the event and will share her vast knowledge of peonies with visitors June 6th-10th from 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m. These tours will give visitors a rare look at how these peonies are grown and developed. People keenly interested in horticulture will not want to miss these tours. You can also check out the visitor center to learn more about these blooming wonders, while taking a look at the peony cut flower display.

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 61-70 of 118

Syndication

Categories

Archives