Canton, Michigan home buyers and sellers are enjoying the excellent new reports which indicate the falling of interest rates, as well as learning other optimistic news about the Real Estate Market! 

Currently interest rates are declining for most fixed-rate mortgages, which are the most popular and make up nearly 75% of all mortgages. These types of mortgages are very commonly used by first time home buyers, as well as those who would like to know what their monthly budget of expenses will be.  They are also frequently used for home buyers who plan on keeping their homes for longer periods of time.  Fixed-rate mortgages seem to benefit buyers in today’s market because buyers are purchasing what they can afford. Many buyers have gotten into trouble with adjustable-rate mortgages because they are able to buy more expensive homes, and ultimately when their mortgage rate increases, they can get in over their head. Often times people in these situations end up in Foreclosure and their credit tarnished for an extended period of time. Fixed-rate mortgages are much safer, and with the decline in interest rates we are hopeful that the future of our economy will continue to grow steady, while our home values increase at the same time.

Here’s the great news: A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.47% for the week ending December 11, 2008, down from the prior week’s 5.53% average and 6.11% a year ago. The rate hasn’t been lower since March 25, 2004, when it averaged 5.40%. With the recent new reports of interest rates dropping to 4.91% as of December 16, 2008, we should be very optimistic that our housing market is on a path to recovery.

Another beneficial reason that right now is a great time to buy a home is due to the tax credit that will only be offered until July of 2009. First time home buyers can take advantage of up to $7,500 in tax credits.  But you must act fast to take advantage of this added incentive!

 Call The Bittinger Team today, and let us walk you through the necessary steps of buying and/or selling a home in today’s market.  We guarantee results.

THE BITTINGER TEAM : When Trust and Experience Matter

Office: (734) 459-2600, Email: Team@Bittinger.com

• Make or purchase new pillows for your sofas and chairs. Textured fabrics in warm jewel tones will warm up your room. Adding a luxurious throw over your couch will provide a warming, comfortable feel to your home.

• Add new splashes of color and scent to your rooms by swapping out old candles. Replace the existing ones with great fall scents like pumpkin or apple spice, and try to stick to the warming fall colors if possible.  Don’t leave candles lit if you leave your home for a showing! 

• Modify your artwork and/or decor throughout your home. Vivid paintings and brighter accent colors will brighten up your rooms on dark, dull days.  This is very important when people are visualizing themselves living in your home this time of year.

• Change your bedding. Replace your summer duvet cover with a warm, cozy comforter, and place an extra woolly blanket at the foot of the bed. 

• Add area rugs to cold hardwood floors in the living room and bedrooms. 

• Buy some fancy bath towels and hang them just for showings. 

• A clean bathroom is a great selling feature. Be sure to keep your shower curtain and bathmat free of mold and mildew -buy new ones if necessary! Also, try adding a few more colorful candles or other cheerful objects to your bathroom and watch things liven up before your eyes!

• Add a new fall wreath to the front door, as well as a new "Welcome" doormat. 

• Place some seasonal plants around your home, as well as in the garden if you can. Adding real pumpkins and other seasonal vegetables of all sizes to both your front porch and inside decor will enhance the warmth of your home this fall. You may also want to add some hay for your pumpkins to perch upon outdoors. 

• It is important to rake the leaves and clean up your deck or patio regularly. Curb appeal for your home is just as important as the inside features your home has to offer. Be sure to throw your summer hanging baskets away. 

This blog was revamped from an original Active Rain blog post by RE/MAX’s Aboutowne Realty in Oakville, Ontario

Canton, Michigan residents are able to fight off more foreclosures with this simple, back-to-basic approach to not only understanding how the mortgage and foreclosure systems work, but also by educating themselves through ample supplies of quality foreclosure resources.

When calling your lender, you should have the following information available:

There are a number of other great resources available to you online. For example, a very useful tool is having a full listing of HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in Michigan and valuable information supplied by HUD on what do to if you are unable to make your mortgage payment. The "Save the Dream" foundation in Michigan also supplies foreclosure resources and information from the State of Michigan.  

If you know of any other useful links, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. 

                                                                       Canton and Plymouth Michigan residents have prepared themselves in case of an emergency by implementing "ICE"; a life-saving system they have put in place for themselves and their families that everyone should know about.

Nearly all Americans carry a cell phone on them. It stores hundreds of numbers, some of which are your closest friends and family, but it does not contain any information about who you are. In the event of an emergency paramedics are now being instructed to look through the cell phones of accident victims for contacts saved as "ICE". This intelligent protocol assists victims when they are unable to communicate themselves. It provides first responders (paramedics, fire fighters and police officers) the right contact information so they not only can identify who you are quickly, but will also help them get in contact with your family right away to obtain medical information and to inform them of your condition.

Here is what to do: Re-type contacts into your cell phone with "ICE" before their name. If you would like more than one emergency contact simply type multiple ICE contacts. For example: "ICE-Mom", "ICE-Michael", "ICE-Jennifer" and so on if necessary. Your local government has more information about ICE and other ways you can help first responders in case of an emergency.