September 2012

Cash-only condos offer alternatives for buyers, sellers

Some developers choose to offer a portion of the units for cash-only sale, while offering the others as apartments for rent. Cash only offers a benefit to developers, since many commercial mortgage companies won’t lend for a building that is less than 51 percent sold. By offering a smaller number

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Government sells hundreds of distressed homes

Government officials recently announced the sale of almost 700 distressed homes that it owns as a result of defaulting homeowners with government-backed mortgages. The problem of what to do with all of this real estate has apparently been creating some uncertainty in the market. While experts say that the recent

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Thomas Kinkade estate at center of probate dispute

The death of a loved one can be a difficult matter to handle. Emotions are riding high and level heads are few and far between. If the deceased is without a will to specifically advise survivors on how to distribute the estate’s assets and survivors disagree on what should happen

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Renting versus owning

Deciding whether to rent or own a home is a big decision for Oakland County residents. Many families are still getting back on their feet after the tough recession, and choosing how and where to spend money and determining the best type of investments can be difficult. Housing prices and

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Rising home prices signal overall economic improvement

The number of sales of previously occupied home has risen 7.8 percent between August and July this year. The increased activity in the housing market is at its highest level in over two years, at a seasonally adjusted rate of 750,000. The new numbers are significant because they are higher

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Becoming a first-time landlord

As the housing market in Detroit continues to improve, many residents are considering an investment property or a second home. Others are considering renting out an existing second home or condo to cover mortgage payments while they wait to sell. In a situation, becoming a landlord can be both rewarding

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Belle Isle park redevelopment plan revealed

City and state officials announced a plan this week to transfer management and fiscal responsibility for Detroit’s Belle Isle park to the state government. The lease will run for 30 years and is a part of a larger plan to upgrade and beautiful the deteriorating island. The park is one

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Breathing new life into Michigan brownfield sites

A bill proposed by Michigan state legislator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township) aims to breathe new life into the state’s many “brownfield sites.” According to the environmental protection agency’s (EPA) website, a brownfield site is one that is not easily repurposed, reused or expanded upon due to the “presence of

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Lehman Brothers Detroit properties on the market

The investment bank Lehman Brothers, which declared bankruptcy in 2008, is working to sell its commercial property holdings in the Detroit area. Among the real estate holdings that Lehman is looking to sell is an officer tower that overlooks Detroit’s riverfront and the border with Canada. The company will also

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