miOaklandCounty.com

I’ve repeatedly jumped up on my soap box about the importance of listing photos. I like to take LOTS of them so that I can chose my favorites to display on our various web sites and the MLS. Sotheby’s General Manager recently observed that I have as many as 200 photos for a […]

Two recent news items are good news for Troy and Birmingham. The regional transit center is one step closer to becoming a reality at Maple and Coolidge. The Amtrak stop will be moved from its current location in Birmingham by the Big Rock to the other side of the tracks, in Troy. […]

There are currently 637 single family homes on the market in Troy.
For the 637 listings:
Average List Price $324,171.00
Median List Price $279,900.00
Highest List Price $1,500,000.00
Lowest List Price $92,500.00
Average Market Time 127
Since January 1, of 2007, 212 homes have gone pending or sold. The average total days on market was 135.16.
Pending Listings: 63
Average List: $312,896
Average […]

One of my favorite Birmingham traditions is the Farmers Market. Those new to Birmingham don’t know that the Farmers Market is a relatively new addition to Birmingham life. We called one of the founders, City Commissioner Julie Plotnik, and asked her to tell us a bit more as the Farmer’s Market season approaches.
Maureen: […]

Tomorrow is an extra special Last Tuesday Tour. The Birmingham-Bloomfield Realtor Network, our group of 9 top producing agents from competing offices, is teaming up with The Somerset Collection and King Financial to raise money for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Center. We will be accepting donations at each of the 9 wonderful homes […]

Too bad this guy has no water front views. Developers in China have turned his home into an island to force him to sell to them. They reached an impass on price, so the developer dug the 30 foot pit. More here.
______________________________________________________________
Written by Maureen FrancisSKBK Sotheby’s International Realty, 248.430.4450
Visit WebsiteSearch for homes […]

There are all kinds of articles on the web for first time buyers. Plenty of advice, including seminars, classes and such. But rarely do I hear someone talking about first time sellers and the questions they may have. Yes, first time sellers have been on the other side of […]

Exciting things are happening in downtown Birmingham. Last night the city commission made bistro licenses a possibility, making way for smaller establishments to serve alcohol, opening up opportunities for those who cannot invest in an $800,000 liquor license. We stayed up until after midnight last night observing the commission meeting on TV, but […]

Ken Mascia from Oxford Financial is back today with some wisdom about the sub prime implosion and it’s impact on our Southeast Michigan real estate market.
One topic has gotten a lot of press lately and it’s how everybody is in foreclosure. I have heard some of the craziest statements made as if they were […]

Our piece last week about the peeing great dane stirred up some conversations about what a homeowner can do when she wants to sell her home but she decides to rent in the meantime. A journalist called me and posed the question, and I thought that it would be a good idea to put […]

First off we have this YouTube video. As a Realtor with a sense of humor, I don’t mind when the joke is on us. Head over for a laugh, and I hope nobody has to work with a guy like this. Ever.  Warning, he drinks out of the milk carton and he […]

Recently a very successful Birmingham Realtor asked me, “Maureen, how come you have been quoted so much in the newspaper lately? Is it your…ummm…ahh…(she struggled to find the word) … blog?” Um, yes, Mrs. Successful Realtor, it just might be that as I have not been sending any gifts to newspaper reporters lately, nor would […]