Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

Turkey Trot 5K in Ann Arbor

Saturday, November 23, 2013
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

Thanksgiving Day is coming up faster than you can say, "More turkey, please!" But before you pull the turkey out of the oven and sit down for a delicious feast, come out to the 8th Annual Turkey Trot in Ann Arbor.

This fun holiday run will be a 5K distance, with the the starting point on the corner of East Liberty Street & South 5th Avenue. The race will be broken into two segments, with the first run dedicated to the little runners, ages 10 and younger, and the main event starting soon afterward. The Tot Trot will start at 8:00 AM, while the adult run will begin at 8:45 AM.

You are sure to have a fun time and get into the holiday spirit! There will be hot chocolate stations throughout the course, over 50 pies given away in a random drawing and there will be a contest for the Uglyiest Sweater. Be sure to bring your camera because Tom Turkey and Santa will be out and about and available for pictures with the kids!

Online registration for the Turkey Trot is available through 6:00 PM on Monday, November 25th. If you don't make the online registration deadline, you can still mail in your registration or go down to Running Fit in Downtown Ann Arbor on Wednesday, November 27th between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM to register in person. Packet pick up will also be at Running Fit at this time as well.

The 8th Annual Turkey Trot is bound to be a fun holiday celebration for the whole family! Have a great Thanksgiving!

Add Comment

Home Inspections

Monday, November 18, 2013
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

As you navigate through the process of Buying a Home, you will find that one of the more critical components is the home inspection. To understand the value of home inspections, buyers and sellers should both be aware of what they do and do not include. While there may be some variation from state to state, home inspections typically do not look for asbestos, radon gas, lead paint, toxic mold, or pest control. If the buyer has concerns, professionals specifically licensed for each must address these issues. The focus of the typical inspection is three-fold: structural, mechanical and electrical condition of the house. The goal is not a complete laundry list of necessary repairs, nor an appraisal of worth. It is an unbiased evaluation of the home’s condition.

Step One

The process begins with a visual examination of the front of the home from a distance sufficient to view the entire exterior surface. Starting at the top and systematically moving down the wall, the inspector will review the roof, the chimney, gutters, fascia and soffits. Next, he will look at windows, doors, porches, decks and all of the structural details down to the ground. He will consider the grade or slope of the surrounding ground, inspect flowerbeds, walkways and driveways. Moving closer to the building, he will continue the home inspection by investigating details that caught his attention. Repeating the process with each wall, he will work his way around the house.

Step Two

Inside the house, he will continue the home inspection starting at the lowest level and moving up. The review starts with the floor, moves up the walls and across the ceiling. Then he will check each appliance in the room. He will open each door and inspect closets and storage areas before moving to the next room. He will look at floors, heating sources, electrical panels, outlets and switches. He will look for water damage including stains and sagging. He will check all plumbing fixtures and visible pipes.

Step Three

The home inspection will follow a checklist to insure that it is complete. Then the inspector will provide a formal report of his findings. It will then be up to the buyer to accept the property as it is, request repairs, request reduction of price to cover repairs, or decline the property. Your real estate agent will work with you to help you with your negotiation and decision.

Add Comment

University of Michigan Tennis

Monday, November 11, 2013
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

The University of Michigan has good reason to be proud of the Varsity Tennis Center, where the Michigan Wolverines host some of the most prestigious intercollegiate events in the country. Past events include such notable competitions as the ITA National Indoor Championships of 2003-2004, the Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional men's championships of 2004-05 and women's championships of 2000. The Big Ten Conference men's championships of 1999 and 2009 and women's championships of 2000 and 2011 also took place here. The indoor facility houses eight courts located 20 feet apart lit by 16 lights per court, ample for televised coverage. Outdoors you will find 12 courts and seating for 600 spectators. Electronic scoreboards enhance the spectator's experience. Located on South State Street, just south of the Golf Course, the facility is truly a gem on the University of Michigan campus, putting Michigan tennis on the map.

The men’s varsity schedule begins in September with non-scoring events and continues through the NCAA Individual championships ending May 26. The men’s team takes on Western Michigan on January 18. The women’s schedule runs concurrently. Women will partake in the Michigan Invitational January 18-20 with competition against Virginia Tech on January 25. The Wolverine Open takes place in 2013 on December 6-8. Competition will be limited to 32 singles and 16 doubles. The weekend should prove to be an exciting event for Michigan tennis enthusiasts.

Last season’s finish in the number two spot in the Big Ten is pushing the men’s team veterans, Evan King, Shaun Bernstein and Barrett Franks to lead their fellow Michigan tennis players on to victory. You can connect with the team for up-to-date news on their Facebook page. The women’s team is doing well as Ronit Yurovsky and Sarah Lee dominated at the ITA Regional Midwest Doubles matches. Yurovsky went on to win the singles title. That is not bad for a sophomore with more playing time coming up for a bright collegiate future. You can follow the women on Facebook as well.

Michigan tennis is just one more asset for residents of Ann Arbor to enjoy. The Wolverines have always been a great source of community pride, and these great young athletes promise not to let us down. Unless the University is hosting NCAA competitions, there is no charge to attend these exciting matches. If you ever have questions about schedules or tickets, call (734) 764-0247 for additional information.

Add Comment

University of Michigan Bidding for $185M Grad Student Dorms

Thursday, November 7, 2013
by Tom Stachler,ABR,CDPE - Group One Realty Team

During the October 18, 2013 meeting of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, approval was granted to issue the Munger Graduate Residences project for bids and award construction contracts. The schematic design for the eight-story building was approved at the September meeting. The structure will accommodate housing for approximately 630 students. Construction is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2015.

Charles Munger, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has generously donated $100 million toward funding the 370,000-square-foot building as well as another $10,000 in fellowships for resident students. Munger’s donation is the largest in the history of the University. The total estimated cost of the project is about $185 million, the balance of which will be funded by bond proceeds and commercial paper issuance. About 264 construction jobs will be created by the project.

The design includes 96 apartments, most of which will contain seven bedrooms for a total of 632 bedrooms in total. The residences will take up seven floors, with an additional floor of common space accommodating a solarium, a commissary and an outdoor balcony which encircles the floor as a running track. Music practice rooms, a media room and indoor gym are also included in the design. Lounges, study space and the track will be on the eighth floor.

The innovative design was a joint project by Hartman-Cox Architects and Integrated Design Solutions. The plans will follow U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification system which will insure exceptional energy efficiency, exceeding standard levels by about 30 percent.

On-campus residences for graduate students are unusual living options and the University hopes that the addition of this unique offering will attract more graduate students to the University of Michigan. Offering a communal approach to student life, the building encourages interaction across disciplines. The vision is that this positive social environment will remove some of the isolation graduate students often feel, and allow the free exchange of ideas to elevate the level of their educational experience. Each bedroom has its own private bath and shares a common kitchen and living areas with three to six other bedrooms. At the current projection, the new dormitory should be available for graduate students for the fall semester of 2015. The $10 million in fellowships will be used in part to select students to help defray their living expenses. The University of Michigan bidding for $185M grad student dorms is officially underway.

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4

Syndication

Categories

Archives