Wynne’s Michigan Real Estate Chat ‘ n Blog

Commercial / Residential Property features 3 bedroom 2 bath living upstairs with commercial building downstairs that is currently being used as a costume store as well as a sewing shop. Many uses for this building. Adjoining address 519 is a 2 story glorified garage - mechanics shop also with many possibilities. All units have central air, heat and bathrooms.  Just reduced to $299,000.Call Wynne  810-765-8167 direct for more details. Visual Tour

In order to find new ways to help me figure out how to help my sellers in Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac and St. Clair Counties compete in this "changing market" I have been to San Antonio Texas, the city that has its real estate booming. We worked hard with about 108 of the most aggressive, progressive, forward thinking professionals in real estate today. We are sharing our methods of success. The faculty consisted of the continent’s top producing real estate professionals, all ranking in the top percentile of REALTORS® in North America, Canada, and Mexico.

My mind is overflowing with exciting new ideas, one of which is comenting on a very regular basis on this blog. The comments will be about what I am up to and activity ninnthe communities I serve. There will be something new almost daily. We are selling homes in a most creative way - the key is the use ofn the internet.

List Your home in Macomb, Oakland or St. Clair  County with me and have it featured here on my blog. See the POWER of the Internet at work for you. Your home will also be featured in Oakland County’s Press on Michigan’s largest real estate web site  on My website and more!

Yes, that is right. Properties are selling.Our office negotaited offers today on 1 vacant parcel in China Township and a residence in Marine City. We scheduled 5 showings for properties that are listed in East China, M arine City and Algonac and expect 2 more offers by week’s end.

I am in the process of lisitng a home in Algonac, China Township East China and Marine City.

It takes a little more work today for a real estate agent to get that listing sold. Gone are the days of putting the listing into the MLS with a picture or 2. Today’s real estate market is saturated with homes for sale. There needs to be nine photos in MiRealSource MLS. These listings now go right into Google Real Estate. 

 Then listing should also be in the RealComp MLS, too. From there it will penetrate "MoveInMichigan.com.

It is very important to have a visual tour  of your home linked to the listing data sheet. These are just some of the Extra Steps an aggressive Real Estate Consultant will take to market your property to the buyer’s market that is searching the web daily for the best prices home.

For more information  or to list your home call my direct line today 810-765-8167.

In order to find new ways to help me figure out how to help my sellers in Macomb, Oakland, Sanilac and St. Clair Counties compete in this "changing market" I have been to New York, the city that never sleeps, working hard with about 1800 of the most aggressive, progressive, forward thinking professionals in real estate today. We are sharing our methods of success. The faculty consisted of the continent’s top producing real estate professionals, all ranking in the top 1% of REALTORS® in North America. My Associate, Jim Achatz , attended with me. It is our goal to achieve sales for our sellers and to keep transactions together for our buyers. I have been a Star Power Club Member for many years. This Conference and the systems learned from the "POWER WITHIN" our group have armed me with the best tools available to provide the highest quality of service to my clients. In addition, I continue to build a tremendous network for referring my clients to the best agents all over the country when they’re considering a move or looking to buy a second home. I also received invaluable insight on the benefits of operating from a business philosophy and incorporating the latest technology to keep me on the cutting edge. As a part of the Conference, I received information for consumers about the top six mistakes that sellers can make when selling a home, as well as criteria for evualting and hiring a real estate professional. As a public service, I have decided to make the reports available to Algonac, Marine City, St. Clair infact all area residents at no charge. Anyone wanting this information can email me or call me 810-765-8167.

ALGONAC- Officials are hopeful improvements to a once decrepit downtown shopping center will be a catalyst for economic advances across the city.
Turnkey Development of Macomb County’s Washington Township bought the Algonac Village Mall last year and has been making improvements since.

“That plaza is the center of economic activity of the city,” City Manager Chris Wilson said. “And we’ve taken it from the worst place to a show place. … We hope we’re really turning some corners with this development.”
CVS Pharmacy moved from its location at the back of the mall lot to a newly built store where the Farmer Jack building once stood. The grocery store was demolished because of disrepair. Powerhouse Gym will open in May where the CVS had been, and Algonac Coney Island will open in about a month in a new building on the site.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” said Scott Swain, who owns the Powerhouse Gym with his wife, Amber.
The gym’s 8,000 square feet will include physical therapy by Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, massage, tanning, child care and a juice bar - in addition to the usual workout equipment.
“We’re going to offer pretty much everything under the sun,” Scott Swain said.
The Swains also want their business involved in the community, sponsoring events such as fund-raisers for the local athletic departments, he said.
Business owners and residents alike seemed impressed with the progress.
“It’s an improvement. It’s all paved, lights,” said Cathy Somerrell, 54, looking around the plaza parking lot. “It’s attractive.”
Pavement and lights may not seem like much of a marvel, but before Turnkey took over, the city had significant problems with former owners maintaining the mall. The parking lot was torn up, trash littered the alley and one room in the mall still
had a dirt floor.
“This whole plaza was in a pretty serious state of disrepair,” Wilson said. “As it stands now this is still a work in progress.”
He said work on the plaza is about half done. Turnkey still has plans to remodel the strip mall’s façade and to entirely revamp one corner.
Turnkey president Mike Mentz said plans to remodel the corner where Dollar General and Jet’s Pizza now stand should be complete by late fall. The section would be made into four suites - one for Dollar General, one for Jet’s Pizza and one for Turnkey Self Storage, leaving one suite available for a prospective renter.
A second story also would be built for the self-storage business.
“I think it will contribute in the right way,” Mentz said. “It was an eyesore when we bought it, that’s for sure.”
To bring Turnkey in, Wilson said the city cut the developer a few deals on thing such as inspection and building-permit fees.
The property’s value was estimated at $1.4 million a year ago. Since development, that number has doubled.
In this first year alone, the property assessment has increased more than $23,000 and now is valued at $80,000, City Assessor Mark Miano said. That number only will keep rising as the rest of the property is developed later this year, he said. All of that property tax is allocated by the Tax Increment Financing Authority for the Downtown Development Authority, he said. The TIFA district assigns property taxes from a geographic area to specific projects, such as the DDA.
Using a TIFA, a district’s property value is assessed, and the taxes generated beyond that baseline are captured for improvement projects. If the property values decrease, however, so does DDA funding.
“Hopefully, it’s going to prove that you can do business and make money in Algonac,” Wilson said.

Visit My Web site, http://www.wynnea.com/, for more information or Call Wynne on cell 586-260-7653

Civil Rights groups will test fair housing practices Agencies to scrutinize offerings to ensure minorities get equal access in county. George Hunter / The Detroit News To get involved Training will begin Saturday. Those who are selected will receive $25 per visit, along with compensation for mileage. For information about the program or to register for training, call (248) 253-1548. Two civil rights agencies say they are joining forces to ensure minorities, senior citizens and other groups are given equal access to housing opportunities in Macomb County. The Macomb Ministerial Alliance and the Legal Aid and Defender Fair Housing Center soon will begin training people to pose as potential renters, to see whether landlords are discouraging some groups from renting apartments. The program is funded by a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Legal Services Corp. and the United Way as part of an initiative to end housing discrimination in Metro Detroit. People of all races and ages are being recruited for the program, said Ministerial Alliance spokesman Gregory Murray. "This is a big problem, not only for minorities, but for seniors and people of low income," Murray said. "What we will do is send two people of different ethnicities to inquire about the availability of an apartment, condo or other rental unit. "If a black person, or an elderly person, is turned down, and another person is not, and both people had the same kind of qualifications, then we’ll know there’s likely discrimination going on," Murray said. If a landlord is found to be discriminatory, federal sanctions could be levied by HUD, said Michelle Johnson, director for the Legal Aid and Defender Fair Housing Center, which covers Macomb and Oakland counties. The National Fair Housing Alliance released a report last week that found that in Detroit and 11 other cities nationwide, 87 percent of agents it tested directed African-American customers toward mostly black neighborhoods and white customers toward mostly white areas — an illegal practice known as steering. The group sent people of varying races to real estate offices in Metro Detroit, then measured any differences in the way each group was treated. It found that agents showed white customers homes mainly in the Grosse Pointes, but showed black customers with similar backgrounds homes in Detroit. The Michigan Association of Realtors wants to begin voluntary tests to determine if Realtors are treating customers differently based on their race. The group also is considering asking lawmakers to require Realtors in Michigan to receive regular training on the laws that prohibit housing discrimination. You can reach George Hunter at (586) 468-7396 or ghunter@detnews.com. Visit My Web site, http://www.wynnea.com/, for more information or Call Wynne on cell 586-260-7653

Macomb and St. Clair County Real Estate Update

St. Clair County - The Blue Water Area Experience Marine City The HEART of the Blue Water Area Known for the amazing blue waters of Lake Huron and The St. Clair River, the Blue Water Area boasts all-season recreation, many unique and historical communities and a small-town family lifestyle with close proximity to big city amenities. Located in southeastern Michigan 60 miles northeast of Detroit via Interstate Highway I-94 and 60 miles east of Flint via Interstate Highway I-69, St. Clair County is home to one of Michigan’s oldest settlements, Michigan’s oldest lighthouse and Michigan’s last operational lightship. The Blue Water Area’s love of the water is apparent along the 33 miles of the St. Clair River scenic shoreline. Riverfront communities of Port Huron, St. Clair, Marysville, Marine

City and Algonac offer a recreational water wonderland and are virtually a boating and fishing paradise. Ship watching is the Blue Water Area’s top, unique attraction for visitors and residents alike. Large ocean-going freighters pass through the narrow channel where Lake Huron flows into the St. Clair River more than 29,000 times each year, carrying more tonnage than what passes through the Suez and Panama Canals combined. These majestic giants, measuring up to 1,003 feet in length, pass so close; you can almost reach out and touch them. In addition, hundreds of brightly colored sailboats and sporty powerboats dot the waterways and horizon from May through October, adding to the picturesque beauty of the Blue Water Area. Visit My Web site, http://www.wynnea.com, for more information or Call Wynne on cell 586-260-7653

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Why does Michigan have agency laws? View Our Recent Listings

Note: While every reasonable attempt has been made here to be accurate in quoting Michigan law regarding “agency relationships,” computers and web browsers are subject to error. The law may also change from time to time. Obtain a copy (from your real estate agent) of the latest interpretation of the law in the state where you are buying or selling property.
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Michigan Law — As of Jan 1, 1994 Michigan law requires real estate licensees to advise potential sellers or buyers with whom they work of the nature of their agency relationship.
In Michigan, real estate agents and brokers are required to provide you with a form that discloses who they will represent in the transaction. The “Agency Disclosure Statement” will be presented to you before you are shown property or discuss your financial ability to purchase or lease the property. Although you will be asked to sign the form acknowledging that it was given to you, it is not a contract and does not obligate you to work with the agent–it simply serves as a consumer disclosure form to protect your interests.

The “Agency Disclosure Statement” helps you understand the role of the real estate agent and broker in your real estate transaction. It is also intended to help you understand the role of other agents who may be involved in the transaction.

Seller’s Agent, Buyer’s AgentDual Agent, Transaction Coordinator . . .

A Michigan broker or salesperson may function in any of the following capacities:
Represent the seller as an authorized seller’s agent or subagent.Represent the buyer as an authorized buyer’s agent or subagent.Represent both seller and buyer as a disclosed dual agent authorized by both the seller and buyer.Represent neither the seller or buyer as an agent but provide services authorized by the seller or buyer to complete a transaction as a “transaction coordinator.”
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A seller’s agent under a listing agreement with the seller acts solely on behalf of the seller. A seller can authorize a seller’s agent to work with subagents, buyer’s agents and/or transaction coordinators. A subagent of the seller is one who has agreed to work with the listing agent, and who, like the listing agent, acts solely on behalf of the seller. Seller’s agents and their subagents will disclose to the seller known information about the buyer which may be used to the benefit of the seller.The duties that a seller’s agent and subagent owes to the seller include:

*****Promoting the best interest of the seller.
*****Fully disclosing to the seller all facts that might affect or influence the seller’s decision to accept an offer to purchase.
*****Keeping confidential the seller’s motivations for selling.
*****Presenting all offers to the seller.
*****Disclosing the identities of all buyers and all information about the willingness of those buyers to complete the sale or to offer a higher price.
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A buyer’s agent, under a buyer’s agency agreement with the buyer, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. A subagent of the buyer is one who has agreed to work with the buyer’s agent and who, like the buyer’s agent, acts solely on behalf of the buyer. Buyer’s agents and their subagents will disclose to the buyer known information about the seller which may be used to benefit the buyer.The duties a buyer’s agent and subagent owe to the buyer include:

*****Promoting the best interest of the buyers.
*****Fully disclosing to the buyer all facts that might affect or influence the buyer’s decision to tender an offer to purchase.
*****Keeping confidential the buyer’s motivations for buying.
*****Presenting all offers on behalf of the buyer.
*****Disclosing to the buyer all information about the willingness of the seller to complete the sale or to accept a lower price.
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When practicing Dual Agency, the agent agrees not to share any confidential information about their clients and customers. Dual Agency real estate licensee can be the agent of both the seller and the buyer in a transaction but only with the knowledge and informed consent, in writing, of both the seller and the buyer. In such a dual agency situation the licensee will not be able to disclose all known information to either the seller or the buyer.

As a dual agent, the licensee will not be able to provide the full range of fiduciary duties to the seller or the buyer. However it is often easier to put the buyer and seller together to negotiate “a meeting of the minds” to make a happy transaction for everyone.

The obligations of a dual agent are subject to any specific provisions set forth in any agreement between the dual agent, the seller and the buyer.

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A transaction coordinator is a licensee who is not acting as an agent of either the seller or the buyer, yet is providing services to complete a real estate transaction.The transaction coordinator is not an agent for either party and therefore owes no fiduciary duty to either party.

The transactional coordinator is not the advocate of either party and therefore has no obligation to negotiate for either party. The responsibilities of the transaction coordinator typically include:
*****Providing access to and the showing of the property.
*****Providing access to market information.
*****Providing assistance in the preparation of a buy and sell agreement which reflects the terms of the parties’ agreement.
*****Presenting a buy and sell agreement and any subsequent counter-offers.
*****Assisting all parties in undertaking all steps necessary to carry out the agreement, such as the execution of documents, the obtaining of financing, the obtaining of inspections, etc.

Please Note: Agency law in Michigan is essentially unchanged from principles established over hundreds of years through common law; that is, the accumulation of hundreds of court rulings and interpretations. In its simplest form agency law determines the rights and responsibilities between parties when one party conducts business on behalf of another. Fiduciary duties such as loyalty, obedience, confidentiality, full disclosure and reasonable care are similar for many forms of industry. We cannot simply abolish agency.

Ask for Wynne Achatz’ book: “How to Make Your REALTOR Get You the BEST DEAL” - MI edition co authored with Ken DeShaies of Colorado. Contact Wynne Achatz directly for information

Southeast Michigan Real Estate Services
Wynne Achatz
Real Estate One Westrick
Call 586-260-7653.
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