miOaklandCounty.com

We’ve been to the Birmingham Pumpkin Patch and Parade, the Beverly Hills Halloween Hoot and the big day has finally arrived.  Thanks to the organizers of both events for making them memorable!
Happy Halloween!

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Written by Maureen FrancisSKBK Sotheby’s International Realty, 248.430.4450
Visit WebsiteSearch for homes in Oakland County_____________________________________________________________

If you are interested in local millage rates, this is the definitive source for 2006.  As soon as the 2007 publication becomes available, I will publish it here.
Oakland County property tax rates begin on page 110.  I did notice a mistake under the Birmingham City section.   I am not aware of any homes in Birmingham […]

For the last 18 months, maybe longer, a significant part of my job has been to disappoint people. I get to deliver messages that nobody wants to hear:

“Your home is not worth what you paid for it.”
“You owe the bank more than your house is worth.”
“Your neighbors got more last year than you will […]

The Birmingham Bloomfield Realtor Network is at it again this month. Join us! I will be at 1680 Norfolk in Birmingham. This event is open to the public. Hope to see you…
 

SPOOKTACULAR
Tuesday October 30 from 10 to 1
Tour these Nine Homes for some great “Treats”
32311Arlington - Beverly […]

The leaves in Beverly Hills and Birmingham are still on the trees, so imagine my surprise when I found a Christmas Tree stand erected at the corner of Pierce and 14 Mile on October 23rd! After shopping at Costco last weekend, I knew that the retailers were ready to start the season. But […]

Look around your neighborhood. How many houses are for sale? If you live in a typical Michigan neighborhood, the answer is “a boatload.” A good percentage of those houses are vacant, meaning the owners have moved out already and taken all of their furniture with them. What remains is the shell […]

Sad but true fact: If I can’t get into your house, I can’t sell it.

If your locks stick and are fickle, get ‘em fixed.
If your house in on the market, make it easy for the agent to get in. Long notification requirements, your presence, or the required presence of the listing agent are things […]

After years of study and discussion, a plan to rezone Beverly Hills, particularly the East side of the village, was recently approved.
The proposal had passionate opposition. I attended a Village council meeting at Groves High School where the police were summoned by the council president to remove a member of the audience. […]

Housing market figures for Oakland County in September reflect a decrease in sales activity compared to September 2006: sales and sales volume were down eight percent and 18 percent, respectively.
Among the municipalities experiencing positive sales activity in the year-to-year comparison (with a minimum of 15 sales) were:

Commerce Township, which […]

The Oakland County Health Division will offer free radon test kits to residents during National Radon Action Week Oct. 22-26. The kits normally cost $10.
From the EPA’s Radon site:
Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family’s […]

I can take this discussion in two directions.
First, I checked the sales in the MLS this morning, just like I do every morning (and again periodically through the day). In the past few days 11 houses have rented in Birmingham and Beverly Hills and 6 were sold. I would call that a […]

Larry Cragun has just launched the Neighborhoods Undressed blogging platform for Realtors. Coaching to be provided by Teresa Boardman. I think we have uncovered a great clothing optional Realtor client for him.
Good luck Larry and Kathleen.
We now return to our local programming. Clothing mandatory.
Photo by Mafleen
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Written by Maureen FrancisSKBK Sotheby’s International […]