Prudential Snyder Real Estate Blog

Green Ann Arbor Real Estate Company

blogeditor — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:06:54 +0000

Green Ann Arbor Real Estate Company Goes Paperless

The future is now. We have cell phones that can take complex auditory ordersand complete tasks, 3D television sets, jet packs flying through The Big House, and electric cars. You would think that most companies have some sort of hightech paperless contract/signature software, yet most of them don’t.

There is one company, however, that is fully utilizing a new paperless electronic signature system. Prudential Snyder & Company, Realtors is proud to announce that they have implemented, with great success, a new secure electronic signature system to improve the overall customer experience and lower their carbon footprint. The DocuSign e-signature solution is the easiest, fastest, most secure way to get a signature—anytime, anywhere, on anydevice. The system allows for documents to be sent via the electronic signature software to be signed by any device that can receive email, which includes tablet computers and mobile phones.

Prudential Snyder & Company, Realtors is extremely proud to have some of themost innovative, progressive, and eco-friendly Ann Arbor real estate agents who have taken on the challenge of learning the new system and putting it into practice. Not only is the implementation of the electronic signature software saving trees, our clients love it. No longer do agents or clients have to drive across town to sign a contract or spend extra time printing out, signing, scanning, and then emailing a signed document back. The new process is simple, elegant, secure, and quick…Simply click on the dotted line and confirm.

For additional information about the Old West Side Ann Arbor Homes Tour, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors and Ann Arbor Real Estate.

Old West Side Ann Arbor Tour

blogeditor — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:06:56 +0000

The 39th Annual Old West Side Ann Arbor Tour

Make sure that you get your $10 tickets for the 39th Old West Side Ann Arbor Tour this Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 12 noon – 5PM!

Tickets for the Old West Side Ann Arbor tour are available Sept. 25 starting at 11:45AM at the Community of Christ Church, 520 W. Jefferson Street. You can get tickets in advance at any of these locations and our office at 2655 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 for $8.

The Historic Old West Side of Ann Arbor continues to embody the classic characteristics of 19^th Century Midwest architecture. It is the only “streetscape” district and was the first in the nation to receive this designation. Harken back to a time of sidewalks, corner markets, bakeries and large front porches. The Old West side is bound by South Main Street and the Ann Arbor Railroad tracks on the east, South Seventh Street and Pauline. W. Huron Rd borders The Old West Side of Ann Arbor on the north. Neighborhoods include parks, schools, industry and waterways. Some residents refer to the collection of approximately two thousand households as “old German Town” or “Cabbage Town.” Most of the structures date from 1850 to 1925. Close to Downtown Ann Arbor, Kerrytown, the Farmer’s Market and a short walk to the ever popular Jefferson Market! Ann Arbor Public Schools include: Eberwhite Elementary, Slauson Middle School and either Pioneer or Skyline High School.

The Old West Side Association is dedicated to the conservation and improvement of the community formerly encompassed by the “old second ward” in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was organized in May of 1967. The group is a non-profit neighborhood association chartered by the state. As the by-laws note: “the retention of its unique residential atmosphere” is a priority. The Old West Side is representative of the modest neighborhoods once typical of the Midwest in architecture, history and environment. The community is now a part of the Fifth Ward.

Ann Arbor Housing Report August 2011

blogeditor — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:02:08 +0000

Ann Arbor August Housing Report 2011

The Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS has released the August Ann Arbor Housing Report.

A lot of friendly neighbors were saying “Welcome to Ann Arbor” last month. The Ann Arbor housing report for August 2011 shows a big win for the Ann Arbor area Real Estate market. The electricity in the housing market was comparable to the electricity in the air at the Notre Dame vs Michigan night game last Saturday. Well, that may be a small exaggeration, but it was definitely an exciting time in this office. Board-wide figures indicate that there were 322 residential units sold in August, up 23 percent over last year. Sales of condos jumped 46 percent, from 65 in August of 2010 to 95 in August of 2011. Sales of all property types are up 27 percent compared to August of 2010. Not too shabby, all of you Ann Arbor Realtors!

The Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS attributes this growth to continued affordability and low mortgage rates. According to the Ann Arbor Housing Report, year-to-date sales are on pace to match or exceed 2010 numbers which were strongly influenced by the federal tax stimulus. The year-to-date average sales price continues to climb, showing 4.2 percent growth over last year.

For additional information or stats from the August Ann Arbor Area Housing Report, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors and Ann Arbor Real Estate.

You can view the actual report at the following address: http://www.aaabor.com/downloads/News/HousingStats/2010-2011/08-2011stats.pdf

Notre Dame vs Michigan Football Game 2011

blogeditor — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 16:56:33 +0000

Final Score: Michigan Football 35 – Notre Dame 31

Notre Dame vs Michigan Football Night Game 2011 Highlights

U of M vs Notre Dame 2011 Night Football Game

All of Ann Arbor is buzzing with anticipation for the first ever University of Michigan football night game played at The Big House. In honor of the special occasion, both Notre Dame and Michigan football teams will be wearing completely redesigned uniforms with vintage-inspired helmets and custom throwback jerseys. There hasn’t been much fuss about tradition being broken by playing a night game at The Big House, probably because the city of Ann Arbor is very progressive and pragmatic. Everyone is excited to share the experience of the Notre Dame vs Michigan football game this Saturday night at 8:00PM.

Everywhere you go, you can feel the camaraderie and pride that the people of Ann Arbor have in their nationally recognized football team and world renowned University. Flags are out on the houses & buildings, game day deals are advertised on the chalk boards in front of restaurants and bars, and there is electricity in the air. You know exactly what I’m talking about. That sense of “something big is about to happen” and you’re going to be right in the middle of it. It’s rare. It’s the deep sense of belonging to a community that can only come from cheering on Michigan football against a worthy opponent. The city is in football mode and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Michigan vs Notre Dame night game 2011 will be an epic moment in time. The114,000 fans that will pack The Big House on Saturday night will remember the event far into the future. The entire city of Ann Arbor is in rare form for the Notre Dame vs Michigan football game.

For additional information, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. You can also email us at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder & Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors and Ann Arbor Real Estate.

Android Real Estate Apps

blogeditor — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:01:41 +0000

Android Real Estate Apps

Real Estate Apps for Android Devices to help you house hunt on the move.

Have you ever been out for a drive and thought to yourself, I would love to live here? With mobile apps, the time investment to house hunt on the spot has been drastically reduced. Instead of going home, getting on the computer and searching from there, you could be checking out some of the local real estate for sale in Ann Arbor right now. Searching for houses for sale in Ann Arbor on the go is a lot more efficient when you use mobile apps on your smart phone. Whether you’re on your way to lunch, out for a run, or on the way home from work, you can find homes or rentals near you with mobile apps for your Android device.

To help you make the most of your mobile search we’ve compiled a list of mobile apps for your Android device. These are the best of the best and have the ratings to prove it.

REALTOR.com App for Android

This app has the most frequently updated database, which will give you the most correct and most current information. The database is updated at least every 15 minutes, so you are never without correct and up-to-date information that may be lacking with other apps. The information you will find on other apps is usually either incomplete or out of date (for days, weeks, or even months).

Zillow App For Android

This app is the golden standard for usability by which other mobile real estate apps are measured. It has information on over 90 million homes, voice search, Google Street View, and GPS tracking & search capabilities.

Trulia App for Android

With this app, the focus is on usability. Of all of the apps, this may be the easiest to use! Some awesome features of this app are integrating open house times straight to your phone’s calendar, GPS tracking & search capabilities, and voice search.

Smarter Agent App for Android

This app shows aparments for rent as well as homes for sale. It has search capabilities as well as all of the information listed in the MLS for a property.

Homes.com App for Android

This app is pretty basic and can help you find what you are looking for without any bells and whistles. It has search capabilities and allows you to refine your search pretty easily.

What is a Deed?

blogeditor — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:51:45 +0000

What’s a Deed and are there different kinds of Deeds?

A Deed signed by President Fillmore. (Photo: Meredith Harris)

A deed is a written legal document by which ownership of real property is conveyed from one party to another. It must contain five essential elements in order to actually convey the ownership of the land from one party to another.

First, the deed must identify the grantor or seller and the grantee or the buyer. The actual act of conveying ownership is known as a grant.

Second, the deed must state the consideration, or money, was given by the buyer to the seller.

Third, the deed must contain words of conveyance which clearly states that the seller is making a grant of real property to the buyer.

A legal description of the boundaries and the exact location of the land is the fourth requirement.

Lastly, the grantor, seller, executes the deed by signing it.

In order for the deed to take affect, there must be delivery and acceptance. The seller delivers the deed to the buyer at closing and then to ensure that a record of the transfer of ownership has taken place, the deed is recorded with the local government as evidence of the change in ownership.

There are several types of deeds. The one most commonly used and considered to be the best deed a buyer can receive is known as a warranty deed. It contains all of the five elements referenced above. It also warrants that there are no liens or other encumbrances on the property other than property taxes or municipal assessments. Unfortunately, as a result of the high level of foreclosures, buyers of foreclosed properties will receive a sheriff’s deed. It conveys the foreclosed party’s title and warrants that the sheriff has not damaged the property’s title.

Information courtesy of Charles J. Jacobus & Bruce Harwood authors of Real Estate Principles

5 Tips: Selling Your Home

blogeditor — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:43:48 +0000

Top 5 things you should know to help sell your home fast.

Our Ann Arbor real estate is selling fast, and it’s because we follow some simple rules.

1. Curb appeal is key to selling your home

If it looks like a dump, then it has probably been treated like one! Why would
anyone want to live there? Curb appeal is all about first impressions. Buyers
want to feel like they could live there from the moment they pull up in front of
the house. Fix what’s broken, paint, cut the grass and plant some flowers.

2. Deodorize

If it smells, it never sells! Even though Fido and Princess Kitty are part of the
family, they frequently are responsible for making the house smell like a kennel.
Professionally clean the carpet and the furniture. Some carpet may need to be
replaced. Keep the dog clean. Cats take care of themselves. Besides, washing a
cat can turn a beautiful day into hell on earth.

3. Really want to sell your home? Repair and Repaint

Putty and paint makes it what it ain’t! Repair the dry wall, gouges in the wood
surfaces and paint the walls. Your daughter’s favorite purple wall color has got
to go. We like to repaint our Ann Arbor homes with a neutral shade that will be attractive to a wide variety of buyers.

4. Put away your moth collection

One man’s treasure is another man’s junk! De-clutter! Knick-knacks, heirlooms
what ever you want to call them have got to go. After all, they are special to you
and only you. If you are lucky enough to have expensive collections you should
put them away to keep them safe.

5. No guns, drugs, or other valuables

This isn’t the OK Corral! If you own a gun, lock it away. Don’t leave it on the
night stand next to the bed. The same is true for prescription drugs, fine jewelry
and valuable art work.

We may be putting these tips into effect in one of our newest properties at 1003 Berkshire Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, MLS #3102999.

What is Escrow?

blogeditor — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:38:16 +0000

What is Escrow?

Congratulations! You just found out you have qualified for a mortgage but your lender wants you to escrow funds for your insurance premiums and taxes. What’s that? We can explain it all:

Escrow

Definition - An item of value, money, or documents deposited with a third party to
be delivered upon the fulfillment of a condition. For example, the deposit by a
borrower with the lender of funds to pay taxes and insurance premiums when
they become due, or the deposit of funds or documents with an attorney or
escrow agent to be disbursed upon the closing of a sale of real estate. This is
also referred to as an earnest money deposit.

Escrow Account

Definition – An account a mortgage servicer maintains to hold the
borrower’s escrow payments.

Escrow Collections

Definition – Funds collected by the servicer and set aside in an escrow
account to pay the borrower’s property taxes, mortgage insurance and hazard
insurance. Escrow disbursements use the escrow funds to pay real estate taxes,
hazard insurance, mortgage insurance and other property expenses as they
become due.

Escrow Payment

Definition – The portion of a mortgagor’s monthly payment that is held
by the servicer to pay for taxes, hazard insurance, mortgage insurance, lease
payments and other items as they become due. In some states they are known
as “impounds” or “reserves”.

Escrow Analysis

Definition – The periodic examination of escrow accounts to determine if
current monthly deposits will provide sufficient funds to pay taxes, insurance and
other bills when due.

Now that you’re “chewing” this over you might as well enjoy yourself and join
Ann Arbor Realtors for Restaurant Week: A local celebration of dining in
our community. June 12 – 17, 2011. Extraordinary three course dinner menus
and prix fare lunch menus from Ann Arbor’s best restaurants. Experience cuisine
that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in Ann Arbor. Now is your
chance to discover new restaurants! Another great reason for Living in Ann
Arbor!

For more information click http://annarborrestaurantweek.com/

Weekend Activities in Ann Arbor

blogeditor — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:00:11 +0000

Weekend Activities in Ann Arbor

Summer in Ann Arbor is packed with fun and entertaining things to do.

Starting this weekend, there are events and festivals every week until September. We want to be sure you know all about Living in Ann Arbor.

The 2011 Nichols Arboretum Peony Festival June 4-June 10

The Peony Gardens in Nichols Arboretum are a national treasure and the largest collection of antique and heirloom peonies in North America. The 2011 Nichols Arboretum Peony Festival begins with a Peony Sale June 4-5 featuring live music and guided tours and continues through Friday, June 10 with guided and self-guided tours available at the garden entrance throughout the week. Free admission. Peonies are weather dependent; call ahead for bloom updates and guided tour times. Peony Festival hours are 10 am-4:30 pm; Nichols Arboretum is open dawn to dusk. University of Michigan NicholsArboretum, 1610 Washington Hts., Ann Arbor

Phone: 734-647-7600

For more info, visit website

Dexter Ann Arbor Run June 5

If strolling through the peonies isn’t enough exercise for you, but you long to be inspired by native scenery, nature along a rolling river and a fast run out in the wild, then the Dexter Ann Arbor Run is for you. The Dexter Ann Arbor Run has three levels of run/walk: half marathon, 10K or 5K. In its 38th year, The Ann Arbor Track Club continues to find ways to bring you their high quality, nationally respected run and walk. It has been designated as the Road Runners club of America state half-marathon championship.
Full event info
Cost: $10-$55 registration fee for runners, go to support the runners — FREE!

Phone:734-213-1033

visit website

Taste of Ann Arbor June 5

photo courtesy of: The Ann Arbor News

Ok, so if you’re not into nature or exercise you can go to the other extreme at Taste ofAnn Arbor. Realtors will tell you, this kicks off the summer season downtown! Taste samples from area restaurants at this family-friendly event. Admission is free, tastes are 50 cents each.
Further Event Information
Sunday June 05, 201111:00am-5:00pm

Cost: This is a free event.

Address: Main Street and Liberty Street, Downtown Ann Arbor, MI

Phone: 734-668-7112

Email: maura@mainstreetannarbor.org

For more info, visit website

DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO SHOW A PAY STUB BEFORE YOU CLOSE ON YOUR NEW HOME?

blogeditor — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:33:50 +0000

Photo: Brian Collette

Buying a new home? You may need to show a pay stub.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac recently changed their policies on verification of income, causing lenders to require buyers to produce a paystub before officially buying a new home.

Why is this a big deal?

Here’s why it’s a big deal: Prior to the change in policy at the national level, buyers who were moving to start a new job would be able to show their offer letter from their new employer to their lender as proof of employment and income and could close on their new home before they started their new position. Now closing has to be delayed until the buyer actually receives a paycheck putting their lives and their relocation on hold.

What’s being done about it?

This is what’s being done about it: The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has not changed their guidelines and allow for an employment start date up to 60 days after closing. They allow a client to put as little as 3.5% down for mortgages up to $345,000 and have a variety of loans available. Ann Arbor Realtors have recently become aware of a program for University of Michigan employees. Bank of America has recently negotiated an exemption from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for U of M employees that also allows for an employment start date up to 60 days after closing. They require a minimum of 5% down on mortgages up to $417,000 when buying a new home.