I hear that question quite often from my buyers, and not just from my first time buyers. Do you have to? NO. Do I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY! All of my purchase agreements include the following verbage: FINAL WALK THROUGH PRIOR TO CLOSING: Purchaser reserves the right to walk through the property within 48 hours prior to closing. Why should we do a walk through?In most cases the buyer and their agent haven't been in the property since the home inspection, which many times was about 3 weeks prior or more. It is in your benefit to take 5 minutes and do a quick walk through and make sure whatever is supposed to be left with the house, (ie: appliances, light fixtures) is still there. Besides making sure that nothing is missing, you want to make sure there is no visible damage to the home. YES... 12/14/2009

Here's a quick update of available HUD homes for sale in St. Clair Shores. There are only 5 Hud homes currently on the market in St. Clair Shores as of December 14th, 2009. Of those 5, 4 of them are eligible for the owner occupant FHA $100 down program and incentives. Currently on the market 23221 Edsel Ford Court     $30,000 (CONDO) 22300 Kramer                      $31,000 23315 Edsel Ford Court     $40,000 (CONDO) 22125 E. 13 Mile Road        $54,000 21710 Elizabeth                   $60,000   * Don't forget, new Hud listings come out every Friday! New Hud listings are available to owner occupants only for the first 10 days. Investors can bid after the 10 day listing period if still available.   If you would like more information on Hud Homes in St. Clair Shores and the surrounding ... 12/14/2009

Why? .....Why? Why? Why, Mr. Dombrowski? Why did you trade our favorite player Curtis Granderson? Our All Star center fielder Curtis Granderson. Me, my family and I'm sure thousands of Detroit Tigers fans are angry. Curtis is a terrific ball player, and a great person, on the field and off. Many of us thought he was the face of the Tigers, or soon to be. The Alan Trammell of the team if you will. I know, it's a business, but I'm wondering how good a business decission it is trading one of the fan favorites who also happens to be a terrific center fielder. I know the critics will say, yeah but he has trouble hitting left handed pitching - yeah but you know what? He does everything else awesome! I've been listening to sports radio most of the afternoon in my car, and it seems most people ... 12/08/2009

Another Extreme Home Makeover! Truly in move in condition. You don't want to miss out on this one. Beautiful hardwood floors, NEW Maple Kitchen Cabinets, GRANITE Counters, all NEW Appliances including a Bosch dishwasher! NEW Vinyl Windows through out. New carpet in master bedroom. Partially finished basement (waterproofed 09) with half bath & glass block windows. GFA and Central Air. NEW concrete driveway, new sod and landscaping. Storage shed in backyard. Priced to sell at $95,000        For more info or to schedule a private tour of this fabulous home contact  Mike Mitchell   If you'd like to start looking for homes and take advantage of this buyers market in S.E. Michigan sign up for a free Listingbook account and search the mls on your own personal website! Absolutely FREE!    Mike... 11/20/2009

I live in St Clair Shores Michigan, which has three separate school districts. I live in the Lakeview district. Lakeview is a North Central Accredited district for the first time. According to the St Clair Shores Sentinel, the district is the only NCA accredited district in Macomb County. This could help local students get into college. It could also provide a boost in property values at some point. I know this isn't earth shattering news, but with the state of affairs in this area right now we can use a little positive news. 11/19/2009

© 2009 Mike Mitchell     If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in St. Clair Shores or the surrounding Macomb County area, give me a call or email and I'd be happy to assist you. To start searching for homes for sale, sign up for a free Listingbook account. Mike Mitchell - REALTOR ®                                                                  GMAC The Kee Group Direct: (586)291-2652  http://www.mmhomesearch.com   11/11/2009

Yes, it is official now. Yesterday President Obama signed the tax credit extension and expansion into law! Not only is this great news for first time buyers, but buyers who have lived in their existing homes for 5 out of the last 8 years will also be eligible for up to $6,500 tax credit. Click here for Tax Credit Comparison Chart.         Extension highlights The first time buyer tax credit of up to $8,000 is extended to April 30, 2010 You must have a signed purchase agreement by April 30, 2010 You must close the transaction by June 30, 2010          Expansion highlights Current home owners who purchase a home can qualify for up to $6,500 tax credit Current home owners must have lived in their homes for 5 out of the last 8 years You must have a signed purchase agreement by April 30, 201... 11/07/2009

If you would like to know what your St. Clair Shores home is worth in today's market, give me a call to schedule an appointment for a free market analysis (cma). No pressure, no obligation           ST. CLAIR SHORES REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT FOR OCTOBER - HOMES   There were 64 single family homes that closed in October. One positive thing that I noticed with the past month was bank owned homes made up only 31% of the sales! That is encouraging considering they made up 50 - 75% of the sales earlier in the year.  The official last day for the first time buyer tax credit is still November 30th. The last I heard, the extension for the tax credit has passed the senate but still had to be voted on by the house and signed by the president. Although it looks promising for an extension, anything... 11/03/2009

Doesn't that sound good! It's that time of the year again, time to fall back and set your clocks back 1 hour on Sunday, November 1st.     So after a long night of trick or treating, or other Halloween festivities you get to gain an hours sleep the next day when daylight savings time ends.   This is also a great time to change the batteries in all of your smoke detectors!   If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in St. Clair Shores or the surrounding Macomb County area, give me a call or email and I'd be happy to assist you. To start searching for homes for sale, sign up for a free Listingbook account.   Mike Mitchell - REALTOR ®                                                                  GMAC The Kee Group Direct: (586)291-2652  http://www.mmhomesearch.com       photo... 10/27/2009

Have you ever heard: My friend knows someone that wants to buy my house - My neighbor has a family member that wants to buy my house - buyers agent feedback: my client likes your listing and is going to make an offer - PUT IT IN WRITING! There's nothing wrong with hearing the above. In fact it's kind of good to hear isn't it? Wouldn't you rather hear positive things about your listing than negative? Sure who wouldn't. My point is I don't want you my seller, my client, getting too excited until I have a purchase agreement in front of me. Verbal offers mean nothing in real estate. They are just that - verbal. I've seen the above examples happen many times. Some even had me thinking we were getting an offer but until we have that p.a. in our hands, we do not have an offer. Believe me I wan... 10/15/2009

The clock is ticking - 52 days and counting for the first time buyer tax credit. It seems like there's been a surge in activity as many buyers are scrambling to get a home under contract this month. It can still be done - make sure you have a good buyers agent and a good mortgage representative. Also make sure your Realtor and Mortgage officer are aware that you are trying to close in time for the tax credit. Good communication is going to be the key to success.   In order to claim the first time buyer tax credit, you must close on your home by November 30th, 2009. That means as of today, there is just 52 days left. If you were hoping to take advantage of this tax credit & I'm not trying to panic you, but if you do not have a home under contract right now, you realistically only have 2 ... 10/09/2009

© 2009 Mike Mitchell     If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in St. Clair Shores or the surrounding Macomb County area, give me a call or email and I'd be happy to assist you. To start searching for homes for sale, sign up for a free Listingbook account. Mike Mitchell - REALTOR ®                                                                  GMAC The Kee Group Direct: (586)291-2652  http://www.mmhomesearch.com   10/07/2009

If you would like to know what your St. Clair Shores home is worth in today's market, give me a call to schedule an appointment for a free market analysis (cma). No pressure, no obligation           ST. CLAIR SHORES REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER - HOMES   There were 70 single family homes that closed in September. The listing inventory is down almost 15% from last month - see August Market Report. Don't forget, the clock is ticking for the first time buyer tax credit.  Saint Clair Shores Real Estate Market Report ~ July,2009  Saint Clair Shores Real Estate Market Report ~ June,2009                                                                                                                                                                                 September Statistics  ... 10/06/2009

It's that time of year again! Michigans big in state college football rivalry game is here. The Michigan / Michigan State game will be played in East Lansing this year. Kick off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and it is televised on The Big Ten Network. Michigan is off to a good start with a 4-0 record and ranked 22nd. State is coming off of a 3 game losing streak with a 1-3 record. The Spartans won last years matchup and will be looking to make it 2 years in a row. The Wolverines have won 6 of the last 7 meetings. This will be the 102nd match up between the 2 teams.   No matter who you're rooting for, this should be a great game, it is a huge tradition here among many. Whether you're tailgating and have tickets to the big game or watching it at home, enjoy the game and have fun! Go Blue? G... 10/02/2009

In order to claim the first time buyer tax credit, you must close on your home by November 30th, 2009. That means as of today, there is just 61 days left. If you were hoping to take advantage of this tax credit & I'm not trying to panic you, but if you do not have a home under contract right now, you realistically only have 2 - 3 weeks to find a home when you consider it takes 30 to 45 days to close from contract. Also, Thanksgiving will come into play, where many title company's and lenders will be closed for possibly 2 days.   Do you qualify to receive this credit? You must be a first time home buyer. First time buyer defined as not having owned a principal residence in the past 3 years Home purchased must be used as your principal residence Home must be purchased between Jan. 1, 2009... 10/01/2009

© 2009 Mike Mitchell     If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in St. Clair Shores or the surrounding Macomb County area, give me a call or email and I'd be happy to assist you. To start searching for homes for sale, sign up for a free Listingbook account. Mike Mitchell - REALTOR ®                                                                  GMAC The Kee Group Direct: (586)291-2652  http://www.mmhomesearch.com     09/16/2009

Lakeview High Schools football team is off to a great start this season. With a new coaching staff, the Huskies are off to a 3 - 0 start for the season. The Huskies next game is away, Friday 9/18 at Madison Heights Madison who also has a 3-0 record. Should be a great game in a match up of 2 unbeaten teams. This game is also up for GAME of the Week on FOX 2. As of this morning the Lakeview / Madison game is in the lead for game of the week with aprox. 80% of the votes.    GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!                                                                                       Mike Mitchell - REALTOR ®                                                                  GMAC The Kee Group Direct: (586)291-2652  http://www.mmhomesearch.com   09/15/2009

I recently went to the 2009 Harper Avenue Cruise. It is one of the last of the season in our area, and this year they extended it another half mile which  meant it went past my house. Cruises are huge around here ( the Woodward cruise attracts thousands and thousands of people and actually lasts almost a week.). Here are some of my favorite cars from this year. 09/08/2009

  Here's a quick overview of the real estate market in Saint Clair Shores as of September 3rd, 2009. Listing inventory remains pretty much the same as it has throughout the year. August sales were up slightly from July.    I will post my regular detailed monthly market report for August soon. Saint Clair Shores Real Estate Market Report ~ July,2009 Saint Clair Shores Real Estate Market Report ~ June,2009    For more info on the St. Clair Shores Real Estate market, contact  Mike Mitchell,REALTOR ®    If you'd like to start looking for homes and take advantage of this buyers market in S.E. Michigan sign up for a free Listingbook account and search the mls on your own personal website! Absolutely FREE!                  Mike Mitchell - REALTOR ®                                              ... 09/03/2009

    © 2009 Mike Mitchell     If you are in the market to buy or sell real estate in St. Clair Shores or the surrounding Macomb County area, give me a call or email and I'd be happy to assist you. To start searching for homes for sale, sign up for a free Listingbook account. Mike Mitchell - REALTOR ®                                                                  GMAC The Kee Group Direct: (586)291-2652  http://www.mmhomesearch.com   08/19/2009