Marquette, Michigan
Random thoughts about anything Marquette
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Oct. 27, 2008
Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”
John Ruskin
(English Writer and Critic of art, architecture, and society, 1819-1900)
When the first snow happens before Halloween I get nervous about the winter. But today’s snow is very pretty, as long as it doesn’t stick around!
But with snow comes the winter parking ban, which in Marquette begins Nov.1st. The Marquette City website says;
Winter Parking Ban
Marquette City residents, NMU students, and visitors are reminded the city's winter parking ban will be in effect beginning November 1st. The winter parking ban requires owners of vehicles to find off-street parking between the hours of 1:00 am and 6:00 am each night.
The winter parking ban will be in effect from November 1st to April 1st. The fine for violating the parking ban is $50.00.
Marquette residents are encouraged to find alternate off-street parking before the parking ban goes into effect.
Some people may say that winter is not the time to buy a new home BUT I say this winter may be a great opportunity to buy a home. I am seeing motivated sellers who are offering to pay 2 months mortgage, throw in snow blowers and are generally doing what they have to do to get their home sold. River Valley Bank wants to help buyers sort out fact from fiction and are holding a buyer event. If buying a home in the next 12 months is something you are considering then join me at River Valley Bank Thursday evening.
You know every detail about the new home
You want to buy...
Now get the specifics on financing your dream
Now is the Time to Buy
Market Update
Free Credit Report * Rent vs. Buy *
Prequalifying Process
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
1140 West Washington St.
5:30pm -7:00pm
Refreshments Provided
Sep. 25, 2008
If you know me, you know my glass is always half full. But I will admit that the continual media bombardment of doom and gloom has started to empty my glass. But after spending a few days in Detroit (no I will never like or be positive about the city of Detroit) at the Michigan Association of REALTORS® annual convention, I was pleased to be among so many positive people. Instead of a gloom and doom attitude, most of the attendees and speakers were excited about the positive attributes that Michigan has.
This week in Marquette, I have seen several purchase agreements written on commercial properties. Along with the hint (or some days scream) of fall in the air, there is a sense of anticipation of an economy turning in the right direction. In doing my research, I spoke with Dale Hemmila District Manager—Public Affairs
Cliffs Michigan Mining Company and I felt mypositive outlook grow. This is what the company says about pellet production.
“In addition to the capital investment, maximizing pellet production will increase Michigan employment. Projections call for adding approximately 375 new employees. This plan also means retention of the current Empire workforce of approximately 550 employees. That is a total of approximately 925 jobs, which will be created or retained with the implementation of this plan”
The company is also involved with biomass fuel.
“Renewafuel, a subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE: CLF) announced today its plans to build a next-generation biomass fuel production facility at the Telkite Technology Park located at Sawyer Airport near Marquette, Michigan. At full production the plant could produce 150,000 tons per year of high-energy, low-emission biofuel cubes from a composite of sustainably collected wood and agricultural feedstocks including wood waste, corn stalks, grasses and energy crops.”
So if you know any engineers who want to live in Marquette County they have a place to apply!
My question to you today is what do you see as the most positive aspect in Marquette’s economy?
Jul. 31, 2008
When I have the time I read as many blogs as I can. Switching up between Real Estate blogs and foodie blogs, I am in awe of the amazing writers on the web. Julie Woodward-Trenker is a Chicago REALTOR who posts a great Blog for the consumer and I am reprinting this post from her Blog with her permission. Thanks Julie!
Take the Stress Out of Home buying
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.
1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.
3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.
4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.
5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.
6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.
7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.
10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.
Jul. 10, 2008
Why do you love Marquette? I was just enjoying WMQT-Q107 radio personality Jim Koski’s list of 107 Things to Love about Marquette County. This list really rocks! I must agree with them all but I must admit one of my favorite places is not on his list…CAMP. For me it is a small place on Lake Superior close to Marquette. But it seems that everyone either has a “camp” or has access to one. We are so lucky to have the ability to escape without having to drive for hours. Our amazing number of lakes makes this possible, for Jim Koski it is Big Shag Lake for others it is the Basin or Big Bay. According to Jeff at The DNR there are 170 or so publicly accessible lakes in Marquette County. He also gave me the MI HomeTownLocator website which says that we have 11 reservoirs and 319 lakes. Isn’t that amazing? This website has a Marquette, Michigan MI Community Profile that is a great source for information about Michigan Cities and Counties. I can think of many more reasons to Love Marquette, can you? If everyone sends me their reason for loving Marquette we can top Jims list of 107 reasons! Another aspect of Marquette that I love is a willingness to work together. Tonight River Valley Bank is hosting an Inced!ble Home Tour. Agents from all the Real Estate Companies are holding a grand total of 54 Open Houses tonight from 5:30 to 7:30. The Mining Journal has the complete list either click The Mining Journal link or see it in the paper. As a community we are working together to get the message out that it is a great time to buy a home. From 7:30-9:00 River Valley Bank (in front of Shopko) will be open for refreshments and pre-approvals. They are even offering a $300.00 coupon towards closing costs. Tonight’s tour is just one example of how well Marquette people work together to promote great things in our community! I sent out my latest Recipe which is a great Mexican Pulled Pork that you cook in the slow cooker. For those who did not receive it in the mail email me recipe@StephanieSells.com to be included in future mailings. I love this recipe because it is so easy and know people are making it because I got a call from a friend at Econo Foods who wasn’t sure what Chipotle Sauce to buy so here is the one I use Bufalo Chipotle Hot Sauce I promise it is not too hot! Please post your recipe reviews on the blog.
Mar. 27, 2008
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore Dream Discover." Mark Twain
So these words are ringing in my head as I prepare to take a vacation! My son will experience his first plane ride this weekend as he, my dad and I travel to Phoenix to see relatives and explore. I have booked a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon and we have Phoenix Suns tickets, all that and some warm weather and we should be able to relax.
I use this as a lead in to something new in my Marquette Minute Blog….a contest! In conjunction with the Landmark Inn I am holding a write in contest open to all. What is your favorite Friday night activity in Marquette? The contest drawing will be held in my office the afternoon of May 1st and the winner will receive a gift certificate for a dinner for 2 at The Landmark Inn’s Capers restaurant (value $ 70.00). For your chance to win, email blog@StephanieSells.com with your answer to the question, What is your favorite Friday night activity in Marquette? Please include your Name, address and a phone number. Any submissions may be used in a future Blog.
For the Landmark Inn the first Friday of every month is …FASHION FRIDAY! Meet your friends and enjoy piano music, wine and a fashion show. Diane Tonella is reintroducing this monthly fashion show favorite, featuring the new boutique fashions of “Mary’s Closet.” The fashion show is casual in the round style, with an opportunity to touch fabrics and ask about pricing.
Don’t miss the next FASHION FRIDAY, April 4, 5 – 7 p.m. in the Landmark Inn Lobby.
With April fast approaching I am anticipating some decent first quarter statistics to report next month. I personally am significantly ahead of last years first quarter. Today’s interest rates are 6.125% for a 30 year fixed rate loan according to Julie Hartung from U.P. Mortgage Specialists.
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