Credit and Debit card reward points are a fixture today.  You can get cards that give you bonus points for air fare, travel, or general use – to be redeemed out of a catalog.  Years ago, I remember my local bank giving 4 points per dollar for the first six months your account was active.  It later downgraded to 2 points per dollar, then one point.  Now, it’s one point per two dollars spent. Guess we were having ‘too rewarding’ an experience, America. Scanning my online bank account, I noticed a promo (yes, embedded into my online account statement!) for 40 points per dollar (!) when I dine at Burger King®.  Wow.  Over 200 reward points for a fast food combo meal – quite a deal. That would be equal to me having to spend $400 elsewhere. It struck me that I had just read an online article ... 04/25/2012

There seems to be a lot of activity in the housing market right now.  As well it should.  We are seeing ridiculously low mortgage interest rates (floating just over and under 4% for 30 yr loans), housing prices are (finally) starting to creep upwards after years of decline, and the buyers that are ready to move out of rentals recognize this is a great time to purchase.  We are seeing low inventory levels, lower than what I consider 'desirable', which makes buyers do a lot of shopping.  And a lot of the inventory is in a condition that doesn't suit itself to quick decisions on writing a purchase agreement. But buyers that miss a few opportunities figure out the winning game plan.  1. Get new listings reviewed quickly, first on screen, then as a drive-by. 2. Get into the ones you want to ... 03/08/2012

My locale in SE Michigan (roughly the 42nd parallel) has had a milder than usual winter – at least so far. September weather was more like November weather should have been – cold, windy, rainy.  October wasn’t bad temperature wise and our snowfall this year is way down.  I’ve been seeing kids in tee shirts out playing at certain times on some days, and we’re in February right now. There have even been a couple of golf courses that have opened intermittently as the weather allows.  Crazy! It’s been a nice respite from the last three winters, which have been cold and very snowy.  We’re joking about not needing to go to Florida this year because we have the same weather (at least maybe for northern Florida). But there’s a big negative to this, too.  Our local ski area, Mt. Brighton, has s... 02/17/2012

  Schedule a Showing/Request Info Brighton Homes for Sale Livingston County Homes for Sale What Is Your Home Worth?   Garry Kwasniuk National Realty Centers 810-923-2500 Questions?Schedule a Showing! MLS#: 212006092 Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 106 SEVENTH STBRIGHTON, MIScan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools Property Video     For 24 Hour Information: 888-866-9430 x 106 $ Click for current price2 BEDROOMS1 BATHROOMS (1 full) 1676 Square Feet THIS HOME IS A MUST SEE! THERE IS NO OTHER HOME IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA LIKE THIS CUSTOM BUILT SUPER ENERGY EFFICIENT TIMBER FRAME HOME! THE ATTACHED PICTURES DEMONSTRATE THE HOMES MAGNIFICENT... 02/14/2012

  Schedule a Showing/Request Info Brighton Homes for Sale Livingston County Homes For Sale What Is Your Home Worth?   Garry Kwasniuk National Realty Centers 810-923-2500 garry@nationalrealtycenters.com MLS#: 212006092 Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 106 SEVENTH STBRIGHTON, MIScan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools PROPERTY VIDEO     For 24 Hour Information: 888-866-9430 x 106 $ Click for current price2 BEDROOMS1 BATHROOMS (1 full) 1676 Square Feet THIS HOME IS A MUST SEE! THERE IS NO OTHER HOME IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA LIKE THIS CUSTOM BUILT TIMBER FRAME HOME! THIS IS TRUELY A ONE OF A KIND CUSTOM HOME. THE ATTACHED PICTURES DEMONSTRAT... 02/06/2012

For 24 Hour Information: 888-866-9430 x 106 Quick Links Brighton Homes for Sale Livingston County Homes For Sale What Is Your Home Worth? See Property Details Call: 810-923-2500 for more information on this or any other property. Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. Visit Property Website Courtesy : Garry Kwasniuk garry@nationalrealtycenters.com 810-923-2500 THIS HOME IS A MUST SEE! THERE IS NO OTHER HOME IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA LIKE THIS CUSTOM BUILT TIMBER FRAME HOME! THIS IS TRUELY A ONE OF A KIND CUSTOM HOME. THE ATTACHED PICTURES DEMONSTRATE THE HOMES MAGNIFICENT CARPENTRY OF THE "TIMBER FRAME" STRUCTURE ALONG WITH THE BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED HARDWOOD FLOORS THRU-OUT. IF YOUR TRUELY LOOKIN... 01/30/2012

  Schedule a Showing/Request Info Brighton Homes For Sale Livingston County Homes for Sale What is Your Home Worth?   TOM GAMMON National Realty Centers 810-599-3533 tgammon@nationalrealtycenters.com Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 503 GLENWYTH RDBRIGHTON, MIScan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools Property Video     For 24 Hour Information: 888-866-9430 x 503 $ Click for current price3 BEDROOMS2 BATHROOMS (2 full) 1850 Square Feet SPACIOUS HOME ON LARGE LOT WITH LAKE VIEWS. FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT WITH BUILT-IN BAR, WRAP AROUND DECK, GAS FIREPLACE, 3 SLIDING GLASS DOORS. LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT. LARGE MASTER BEDROOM WITH OWN BATHROO... 01/05/2012

  Schedule a Showing/Request Info Brighton Homes for Sale Livingston County Homes For Sale What Is Your Home Worth?   TOM GAMMON National Realty Centers 810-599-3533 tgammon@nationalrealtycenters.com Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. 503 GLENWYTH RDBRIGHTON, MIScan with your smartphone & take me with you. Description Features Photos Maps & Local Schools Property Video     For 24 Hour Information: 888-866-9430 x 503 $ Click for current price3 BEDROOMS2 BATHROOMS (2 full) 1850 Square Feet SPACIOUS HOME ON LARGE LOT WITH LAKE VIEWS. FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT WITH BUILT-IN BAR, WRAP AROUND DECK, GAS FIREPLACE, 3 SLIDING GLASS DOORS. LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT. LARGE MASTER BEDROOM WITH OWN BATHROO... 12/28/2011

For 24 Hour Information: 888-866-9430 x 503 Quick Links Brighton Homes for Sale Livingston County Homes For Sale What Is Your Home Worth? See Property Details Call: 810-599-3533 for more information on this or any other property. Information valid for the date of this posting only. Please contact us for the most current information and status of this property. Visit Property Website Courtesy : TOM GAMMON tgammon@nationalrealtycenters.com 810-599-3533 SPACIOUS HOME ON LARGE LOT WITH LAKE VIEWS. FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT WITH BUILT-IN BAR, WRAP AROUND DECK, GAS FIREPLACE, 3 SLIDING GLASS DOORS. LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT. LARGE MASTER BEDROOM WITH OWN BATHROOM, 2 CLOSETS. LARGE BEDROOMS. HOME IS MOVE IN CONDITION. HOME IS LOCATED WITHING WALKING DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN FOR DINING, ENTERTAINMENT ... 12/19/2011

A group of business owners got together to write, rehearse, and shoot a little video on patronizing businesses in their town - Brighton Michigan.  The narrator is George Moses of George Moses Company, publisher of the Marketeer.  Many other business are featured.  What a great idea!  My wife and I do almost all of our Holiday gift shopping in either downtown Brighton or downtown Howell. We do a lot of other shopping in the downtowns, too.  We like to keep our dollars local as much as possible.  Oh, and if you want to buy a Brighton home for sale, or a house for sale in Howell - give me a call! Here's the video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJdzXWjBmY4 11/21/2011

Currently there are 4 Brighton foreclosures (Brighton, Michigan). These homes have been on the market for an average of 109 days. Why is there only one picture on this Brighton foreclosure?  Sometimes the foreclosure listing agent doesn’t have the time to take the pictures.  All they care about is getting you into that Brighton foreclosure.  If it is in poor condition then they want prospective home buyers to see their client’s Brighton foreclosure.   They don’t want to eliminate buyers with poor pictures.  Remember some agents don’t take pictures of foreclosures in really good condition.  So whether this Brighton foreclosure has only one or two pictures you need to see the inside to make a decision on the home. Here is the latest list of foreclosure….remember to call me today if one st... 11/18/2011

Brighton, Michigan is located in Livingston County, roughly at the crossroads of US-23 and I-96. It is between Flint and Ann Arbor on a north-south line, and between Lansing and Detroit on an east-west line.  The Brighton area consists of the City of Brighton as well as parts of the surrounding Townships of Green Oak, Hamburg, Genoa, Hartland and Brighton Township.  Homes in Brighton Michigan seem to consistently be more desirable than many other homes in Livingston County. Brighton has a vibrant downtown area with a number of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, small specialty shops, a large children’s play area, the Imagination Station, and is centered by the Mill Pond.  There is a gazebo at the Mill Pond, as well as a renovated Village Cemetery, and if you feel like walking yo... 11/14/2011

Usually there are a few Woodland Lake waterfront homes for sale.  They are a mixture of colonials, ranches, bungalows, and even tri-levels.  The price range of Woodland Lake waterfront properties range from a $100,000 to over a million dollars depending on the size and location of the home on Woodland Lake. Like most of Southeastern Michigan lakes there are small lake cottages built from the 1920s to 1960s now updated and converted to year round use.  And there are new built colonials and lakefront homes with all the latest amenities.  The economy has even hit Woodland Lake residents too.  You will notice a few lake homes that become Woodland Lake foreclosures.   Woodland Lake is located on the outskirts of downtown Brighton in Livingston County MI.  You can see the lake from Grand Rive... 10/20/2011

School Lake front homes (Brighton, Michigan) range from 700 square foot ranches up to 3200 square foot homes.   Though there is one home that is over 7000 square foot on the lake.  Many of the homes were originally lake cottages built from the 1920's on but there have been homes built as late as 2000.  There still are a few vacant lots left on the lake. There are ranches, colonials, contemporary.  Many of the small ranches right on the water have no basements, but the newer homes have walkout basements.  The early homes are aluminum and vinyl sided but you will find some beautiful brick colonial homes.  According to a year round resident he guess 50% of the homes are cottages and 50% are year round homes.  They are a mixture of small lake cottages tightly next to each other to bigger re... 10/11/2011

Each month, Credit Suisse surveys Realtors about their local market.  September’s results were just released and for the metro Detroit area it concludes that buyer traffic and sales prices are down and incentives offered to buyers from new home builders are flat.  Even with true, record low mortgage rates (below 4%!), there are skittish buyers, largely attributed to economic uncertainty. While the most recent month’s home prices on new construction are holding steady, data indicates prices will drop in the next few months.  Folks in the Lone Star State should be happy, though, as both Austin and Houston were showing signs of a modest rebound.  On the other side of the spectrum, Charlotte and New York saw big declines in buyer traffic. There are some new construction starts in the Living... 10/10/2011

In the past year 16 Woodland Lake homes have sold (Brighton, Michigan). On average these Woodland Lake homes range from 900 square feet to 3500 square feet. On Woodland Lake there are small lake cottages built from the 1920s to 1960s now updated and converted to year round use. And there are new built colonials and lakefront homes with all the latest amenities. Woodland Lake front homes are on a 309 acre, "L" shaped lake with public access off of Hilton Rd. Permits are required. The Woodland Lake homes are located north of Hilton Rd, West of Grand River, east of Old US 23 and south of Hyne Rd. Price AddressCity BedBathStyleSq.Ft. ExteriorBasementGarage SizeLot Size/Acres Year BuiltSummer TaxWinter TaxSchool Dist. $595 2627 TIM AVE BRIGHTON TWP 11OTHER910 WOODNO GARAGE60X150/0.21 1968687... 09/14/2011

  The public was encouraged to line Grand River from Genoa Twp to the Brighton Area Fire Department with American flags to help commemorate the arrival of a girder from the World Trade Center, the centerpiece to Brighton’s 9/11 Memorial.  I entered Grand River near Hacker Rd., and saw the first flag just west of Hilton Rd, where a family was out with a flag-laden golf cart and the entire group holding flags, too. Small groups gathered on both sides of Grand River near the Fire Station, with a larger crowd at the site.  People came alone and carrying large flags, or in twos and threes.  Families were there with young children, and many veterans and a few presumably active duty troops in fatigues, too.  At 12:07, the vehicles escorting the girder came into view.  A large contingent of Ro... 09/10/2011

It will be a pretty busy weekend in Brighton. The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce is holding the Smokin' Jazz and Barbecue Blues Fest is this weekend from 5pm to midnight Friday September 9th and again noon to midnight on Saturday the 10th in the Municipal Parking Lot next to the District Court. Great line up of entertainers, including Motor City blues icon(ess) Thornetta Davis. And don't forget the great food! On Saturday at 11am, the centerpiece of the new 9-11 Memorial will be delivered to the memorial site at the Brighton Area Fire Department, 615 W. Grand River, 48116. Supporters are encouraging area residents to line Grand River while holding American flags of any size. Sunday, September 11th, the memorial will be dedicated at 9am. Grand River will be closed to traffic f... 09/08/2011

Work continues on the 9/11 sculpture site on W. Grand River, in front of the Brighton Area Fire Department.  A crew from Integrity Concrete was present when I stopped by this morning.  All workers were in constant motion in preparation for the official unveiling in a little over a week from today, on 9/11/11. The centerpiece will be a twisted segment of steel beam from the World Trade Center, suspended from the four angled black beams in the picture and will hover above pieces of broken concrete. There is also to be a wall around the memorial with the names of emergency responders that perished in the disaster. A team of Brighton Area Fire Department personnel travelled to New York City to pick up the approximately 8’ x 3’ beam.  Site plans call for the beam to be displayed in its curre... 09/02/2011

In the past year 8 homes on Brighton Lake (Brighton, Michigan) have sold. On average these homes were on the market for 467 days. The homes on Brighton Lakerange from 900 square feet to 8000 square feet. Homes on Brighton Lake vary from ranch, colonial, contemporary and bungalow style homes.  Brighton Lake is a 600 acre, all sport lake.  Brighton Lake is located north of Brighton Lake Road, east of Bauer Road and south of Brighton Road/W Main Road.   Price AddressCity BedBathStyleSq.Ft. ExteriorBasementGarage SizeLot Size/Acres Year BuiltSummer TaxWinter TaxSchool Dist. $5,000 6076 BRIGHTON LAKE RD HAMBURG TWP 75.1CONTEMP5,074 BRICK, STONEFINISHED, WALKOUT3 CAR126X120X232X192/0.82 200711,9004,300BRIGHTON $159,000 978 LAKESIDE DR BRIGHTON 21RANCH900 VINYL1 CAR63 X 102 45 X 100/0.27 19671... 08/31/2011