billwhite.com

ApparentlyLeoni Township has signed an oil leasing agreement which has the potential to add up to $60,000 per monthto the coffers of the township treasurer.  If this becomes a reality, let me make a suggestion that the township provide the funds necessary to restore the Leoni Mill Pond so that it once again becomes a usable and valuable county asset.  I should tell you I have an emotional attachment to the Mill Pond.  It was a childhood recreational focal point to both my mother and to my grandfather and I am a resident of Leoni Township.

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/03/leoni_township_board_approves_1.html

I learned from my mom that the mill pond was created many years ago to facilitate the construction and then operation of a cider mill. From the time the cider mill ceased operation, the Old Mill Pond has slowly and sadly been a victim of neglect, apathy and misuse.  Even with some recent improvements, the Old Mill Pond is but a shadow of its former glory.  Now rather than a popular swimming and fishing “hole” and a sanctuary for geese, ducks, swans, we are left we a quite large mud bog.

Let’s hope the township invests its windfall wisely, including restoration of the Old Mill Pond.

Through February 28, 2010 here is where we are.  206 residential closings with an average sales price of $66,798.  Of the 206, 136, or 66% were foreclosures.  The same period in 2009, we had 212 closings with an average sales price of $51,247.  Of the 212, 165, or 78% were foreclosures. 

To put this in perspective, in 2006, there were 202 closings, with an average sales price of $120,000.  Of the 202, 24, or about 11% were foreclosures. 

What conclusions can we draw from this data?  Homes are still selling, though at a much discounted price.  Foreclosures have subsided somewhat and hopefully we have hit our reset point.  I am seeing a significant number of investors, including some from out of town, snapping up our very reasonably priced homes.  They in turn are renting them rather than “flipping” which had been in vogue a couple of years ago.  One caveat however, an increasing percentage of rental versus owner occupied homes is not a trend the City of Jackson wants to see; think Detroit.

Many buyers are under the misconception that when they start viewing houses with an agent, that the agent is representing them.  This is not true. An agent is the agent, or sub-agent of the seller, unless you have signed a “Buyers Broker Agency Agreement”.  Once you have, the agent will then represent you and your interests and has no obligation to promote the seller’s interests in the transaction. The Buyer Broker agreement does obligate the buyer to buy through the agent with whom they have the contract, so it could be construed as somewhat restrictive by some.  Typically, seller’s agree at the time they list their homes to pay the selling agent, even if the selling agent is a “buyers agent”.

When selecting an agent to work with, be sure to ask if the agency charges buyers an “administrative fee”.  These typically range from $150.00 to $300.00. They are for “preparing paperwork” and are sometimes referred to as “junk fees”.  

Did you know you can follow me on facebook?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-White/1286344811

And, I have a fan page, “I Sell Jackson”, which is real estate related:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-White/1286344811#!/pages/Jackson-MI/I-Sell-JacksonTM/340869100414?ref=search&sid=1286344811.2061533384..1

The former Tom’s Grill/Azaleas Restaurant is reopening as “The Hard Knock Grill”.  I have not yet dined there, but I know the owners have had great success with another venture, “The Napoleon Cafe”.  I also know the General Manager, Helga Kucklekorn (who is proficient in Spanish, German and English) was the main hostess at Bella Notte and I know she is a delightful person.  I believe Helga will make you feel welcome the moment you step in.  If you have dined at “The Hard Knock”, please post a comment.

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/03/hard_knock_grill_on_ann_arbor.html

The 1967 full sized Chevrolet SS427 (rated at 385 hp).  2,194 manufactured in 1967 in the Van Nuys, California assembly plant.  My car was built in November of 1966.  I purchased it in June of 1988 and was the 3rd owner.  The car was in relatively good shape when I purchased it, but I had the engine balanced and blueprinted, added hi-po rectangular heads from a 427/435 Corvette, an aluminum GM hi-rise manifold, headers, re-chromed the bumpers and had the interior redone.  We estimated about 450 hp when I was done with the modification. It was a beauty. 

But alas, I sold it in 2006 in order to finance a horse barn for my wife and daughter.  I have always said I traded 425 hp or 2 (a Paint and an Appaloosa).  What dads won’t do for their girls. 

This is not a video of my SS427, but cool to watch.  I will post a video of mine, as soon as I can find it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd11-obqNTo

Prime Cuts is a delightful butcher/general groceries/sundries shop located at 1821 Horton Road, Jackson, MI 49203 and owned by Walt and Starlet McGaskey.  I appreciate seeing Walt and Starlet minding the store whenever I stop in. As one of my mentors, Bill Taylor of Grass Lake and former owner of the Grass Lake Lumber Yard always told me, “the best thing a farmer can put on their field is their shadow”.  Walt and Starlet are engaging and authentically interested in their clients.  And oh, by the way.  Their meat and seafood is wonderful.

In addition to a wide array of meats and seafood, there is a selection of grocery items attractively displayed and easy to view.  Head Chef John, who previously held that position at Bella Notte.  John busies himself creating some unique and delicious dishes which are offered as take out lunch and dinner items.  Quality and selection are outstanding and priced for the most frugal budgets.  His soups are so good that those alone will bring you back.

If you think of it, tell Walt and Starlet you saw this blog and that I gave my highest recommendation!

http://www.primecutsofjackson.com/index.html

I was afraid of a septic line blockage at our home this weekend.  I looked in the phone book and found Mr. Rooter(http://irishhills.mrrooter.com/).  What most appealed was they did not charge an overtime or weekend charge.

My experience was A+.  The technician (Brian) was on time, neatly dressed, polite and very very informative.  He didn’t make a mess and provided an estimate before he started working.  I felt his analysis of my problem was accurate and he advised me of the options available to me. 

I would heartily recommend Mr. Rooter for this type of work.

Truly, a dog is a man’s best friend.  I have owned 4 dogs in my life; a German Short-haired Pointer (Bart), 2 German Wire-haired Pointers (Hans and Klaus) and currently a German Shepherd (Gunnar).  All had unique and very distinctive personalities and I loved them dearly.  I was an ardent Pheasant hunter and hunted my pointers right up to the end of their lives.  They all loved to hunt, but Klaus, who lived to be 14, was the best.  Unfortunately, he only liked my wife, daughter and myself.  Other than that, he could easily be mistaken for a guard dog.  My Gunnar, is the smartest, most loving and obedient dog I have owned.  One of his favorite things to do is to “sing” or maybe it is more like yodeling.  He is quite expressive.

My assistant, Julie Walz, is the President of the Cascades Humane Society, an organization I support and believe is a tremendous asset for Jackson County.

http://www.cascadeshumanesociety.org/

There won’t be a sustained real estate recovery until the jobs situation is seriously addressed, private sector solutions put in place and allowed to work.  Current pick up in activity can be attributed to individuals taking advantage of the extended and expanded federal tax credit and large numbers of foreclosed properties which are priced significantly below market value.  Though we can be pretty sure the foreclosure numbers will not subside any time soon, we can bet the tax credit program will be allowed to expire.  After all, the government just doesn’t have the money to continue subsidizing program after program.  Once the tax credit is gone, one can only imagine the dampening effect on our local housing market.  Let’s hope I am wrong on the tax credit.

http://www.housingwatch.com/2009/12/11/no-jobs-no-housing-no-bull/

The new fire chief has proposed that the City of Jackson Fire Department provide emergency medical service rather than Jackson County Ambulance.  Both the fire department and JCA are fine organizations with well trained and committed employees.  As a former ambulance attendant,I like the idea of city rescue responding to calls and providing order and triage when necessary, but leave the paramedic and transport duties to JCA.  That way you won’t have to deal with the union and layers of city bureaucracy.

http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/02/jackson_fire_chief_michael_bey.html