Archives
March 2008
|
Ironwood, MI has continued its rehabilitation progress with city residents spending almost $2.5 million dollars on home improvements, such as new siding, roofing and window replacements in the past year. Just driving around town will show you a number of local contractor trucks parked in driveways and working on projects. The fix-it/remodeling season is really just getting started, so there should be a lot more ladders, saws and lumber seen in the near future!
The newspaper reports that three residents removed dilapidated structures and the city tore down three more as part of a blight eradication program. Two more homes should be removed once the condemnation process is complete. The city conducted 453 home inspections last year, but would like to see more business inspections happen.
On the business front, Josephson Nursing Home is set to expand; their site plan was approved by the Ironwood City Planning Commission on March 26th. The building will increase from 18000 sq ft to 23000 sq ft and will be able to increase the number of residents from 47 to 67 people.
Progress is also being made on the businesses that were awarded money as part of the Façade Grant program. Pizza King Joe’s, Coleman Engineering, North Light Photography and Mattson’s TV & Appliance are all involved in Phase I with work completed or almost completed. Each business must match the amount they’ve been granted for the building improvements.
The state has strict rules for the bid process and that has considerably slowed down the process of starting the next phase. Two bids are required and there can be only one contractor per project, so it’s hard for some of our smaller, local contractors to get involved. They can work as sub-contractors in their specialty, but they need to work under whoever is selected as the general contractor. The city is working hard to get bids in and get them awarded so work can be done this summer. Here’s looking forward to many more great looking businesses in downtown Ironwood!
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
(This report courtesy of the Western U.P. Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.westernup.com)
CURRENT SNOW DEPTHS: 18 inches
LATEST SNOW AND WEATHER: In a word...PERFECT! Anywhere from 4" of fresh heavy snow on the ground at Ironwood....7" at Bessemer....the bare cross-streets are covered again...at least for now....Temps for the week are forecasted to be in the mid-30's daytime and teens at night.
If you can get away for a trip - hurry on up....we're getting down to "One More Time, Time."
CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS: We are being told by riders BIG SNOW COUNTRY TRAILS are the best they've been in years. We're not going to give specific  trails this time because I know all the groomers from all the clubs are going to be out with the fresh snow. And I know it's going to make for some great riding...especially this late in the season. Be aware some trails will have icy areas and you may run into a few wet places-ride accordingly...and as always slow down on corners.
Overall, I think you'll be surprised at the condition of our trails. The season ends officially March 31st, so don't pass up this chance to get out and ENJOY!
As always, check with your lodging facility on ice depth and conditions before venturing out on any Lake, especially now. Come on up-have fun-be safe!
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
WESTERN U.P. SNOWMOBILE REPORT
March 14, 2008
CURRENT SNOW DEPTHS: 18
LATEST SNOW AND WEATHER:
while daytime temps are mild, nighttime temps in the teens firm things up nicely, thank you very much. Even a few flakes falling now and then. Conditions this season have really been amazing, according to riders across the big snow country trail system. However, it's mid-March folks, and we're getting down to "One More Time, Time."
CURRENT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
ON ALL BIG SNOW COUNTRY TRAILS: some trails will have icy areas...slow down especially on the corners.
From the Gogebic Range Trail Authority: groomers out on all trails every day or night-all are good to very good.
From Lake Gogebic: Grooming daily-trails in good to very good condition but again, you will find some icy areas-watch for a few bare spots.
Silver City: Low traffic has kept trails in great shape with the exception of in and out of Silver City. #1 from the intersection of 12 to Lake of the Clouds good with that exception...a few spots of water from 11 to the ski hill on 1...11 from the head of 11N is good to very good.
Ontonagon trails are groomed with good coverage and in good to very good condition.
Watersmeet trails groomed and they're reporting good to very good shape.
Overall, I think you'll be surprised at the condition of our trails. While the season ends officially March 31st, I wouldn't pass up this chance to get out and ENJOY!
As always, check with your lodging facility on ice depth and conditions before venturing out on any Lake, especially now.
Come on up-have fun-be safe!
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
A Little Brag
I received the ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation on March 11, 2008 and now join my Broker, Arlene Schneller and fellow agent, Karen Gullan as the 3rd agent in our Snow Country Real Estate office to earn the ABR designation. I took the 2 day course in December 2006 which also required an elective course to accompany it. Because my background was in software and computer technology, I took the e-PRO course and completed that in July 2007. Additional requirements for ABR were to complete 5 transactions where I acted as a Buyer Representative. My 5th transaction just closed on March 5th and I had the paperwork all ready to send in!
What is a Buyer Representative?
Purchasing real estate is a complex and major transaction with many details to be handled. Depending on state laws and the business arrangement you have with a licensed real estate agent, that agent may actually be negotiating for the seller, not you the buyer. The best way to be certain that an agent is working in your best interests is by signing a buyer representation agreement with an agent. Snow Country Real Estate practices designated agency; whereby, you can choose to be represented by your own agent not necessarily the agent who has the listing contract on a property you may be interested in.
The buyer's representative works for, and owes fiduciary responsibilities to the buyer and has the buyer's best interests in mind throughout the entire process. An ABR will:
-
Evaluate the needs and wants of the buyer and locate properties that fit those specification.
-
Assist the buyer in determining the amount they can afford and show properties in that price range.
-
Assist in viewing properties - accompany the buyer on showings or preview properties to be sure it meets the specified needs and wants.
-
Research selected properties to identify any problems or issues to help the buyer make an informed decision prior to making an offer to purchase.
-
Advise the buyer on structuring an appropriate offer to purchase the selected property.
-
Present the offer to the Seller's Agent and the Seller on the Buyer's behalf.
-
Negotiate on behalf of the buyer to help obtain the identified property - keeping the buyer's best interests in mind.
-
Assist in securing appropriate financing for the property.
-
Provide a list of potential qualified vendors (movers, attorneys, home inspectors, plumbers, etc.) if any of those services are needed.
-
Most importantly, fully represent the buyer throughout the entire real estate transaction.
Why you should use an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)
Why should you look for the ABR designation before looking for a home? These three letters after a REALTOR's name tell you that you will be working with buyer representative who is committed to your best interests. The ABR Designation is awarded to those REALTORS who have met the specific educational and experiential criteria needed to provide the high level quality service required by REBAC (Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council).
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
|
 We've only passed the 2nd month of 2008 and Snow Country Real Estate is up over 30% in sales during the 1st quarter of 2007! Our average per transaction is $119000 for '08 vs. $46000 for '07.
On top of that encouraging news, 4 out of our 6 agents are in the Top 10 for sales volume. Sad to say that I'm not one of those 4, but I do have several transactions "in the works" and I plan to join the ranks of my top producing associates as soon as possible!
A very positive piece of real estate news is that our entire Western Upper Peninsula MLS board has sold over $6 million dollars in the first 2 months of the year. Last year, the first 2 months saw only $2.5 million in sales. Some of the large increase can be attributed to commercial sales this year, which just means more jobs in our area and that brings the potential for more residential sales.
In talking to the various out of town buyers I've worked with in the past several months and in reading lots of publications and blogs, I understand that real estate does seem to be depressed in many areas of the country. However, Gogebic County, MI and Iron County, WI do seem to be holding their own, if not outright picking up speed.
I plan to analyze our sales statistics - for our company and for our entire board - on a monthly basis and will post what I find early each month.
|
|
Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link :: Email This Entry
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
RSS Blog Feed