Posts Tagged ‘Prudential Real Estate’
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Friday, April 29th, 2011
After you have bought or sold your home, the next challenge emerges: MOVING.
 When homeowners are attracted to the perceived monetary savings of a self-move, whether a truck rental or via portable moving containers, they soon realize that many other factors need to be taken into consideration.
In addition to the potentially complicated logistics of a self-move, there are also the physical, emotional, and affiliated costs to review:
- Do you have people available to help with the packing and loading at both origin and destination?
- Do you have fragile items that will require special handling? Do you have the knowledge and tools to crate them as needed? Are you prepared to be responsible for any damage or loss of property?
- Will you need to rent additional equipment/ supplies/ hired-hands to move larger items such as appliances?
- Did you add applicable costs like packing materials, extra insurance, gas, tolls, lodging, day labor, and meals to get a true cost of the self-move option?
- Are you going to miss work while packing and driving across country? This should also figure in to the total cost of a self-move as well.
Self-moving can be a great option for people with small households and in good physical condition, or at least have a large pool of friends and family volunteers that will work for pizza (and know how to safely and efficiently pack your worldly possessions).
For most families and active adults that are moving, the peace of mind, convenience, and personal touch service of a move advocate is tough to beat.
Van Line Express, a preferred partner of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, selects reputable movers from their quality network; arranges multiple estimates; and ensures the process goes smoothly through pack, load and delivery days.
In addition, because of the volume of moves we manage, we have the clout to ensure aggressive pricing and attentive customer service.
Your Prudential Snyder & Company Realtor can assist you in the sale or purchase of your home and can assist you with your move by contacting Van Lines Express and starting the move process for you.
As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor home buying, home selling, rental or other Ann Arbor area real estate needs. We cover Chelsea Homes, Dexter Homes, Ypsilanti Homes, Saline Homes, and the entire Washtenaw County area as well as Western Wayne County, and parts of Livingston, Lenawee, Oakland, and Monroe Counties.
Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: chelsea homes, dexter homes, moving, Prudential Real Estate, saline homes, self-move, sold your home, truck rental, Van Line Express, ypsilanti homes
Posted in Ann Arbor Homes |
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Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
 Photo By: Tom Raftery A home energy audit is the first step to determine how much energy your house uses and what improvements you should make to save money and energy.
Home energy audits can:
- pinpoint where your house is losing energy
- determine the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems
- show you ways to use less energy
- identify which improvements will save you the most money
DTE’s Your Energy Savings program offers four ways for you to learn about the energy management opportunities in your home. Each energy audit will help you identify easy to install measures to help reduce your energy use and control your energy costs.
Depending on which audit option you choose, you can qualify for a rebate of up to $150, plus take advantage of additional incentives on individual improvements that can total up to $1,350.
- Option 1
Perform a free online audit using MyEnergy Analyzer. When you complete the online audit, we’ll mail you a free energy efficiency kit valued at $25.
To participate, go to MyEnergy Analyzer and select the Perform an Energy Audit link.
You can also take advantage of additional incentives* on individual improvements that can total up to $500.
- Option 2
Schedule an in-home Energy Survey. For $25 a trained auditor will complete an inspection of your home’s thermal shell, providing a list of actions you can implement in both the short and long term to save energy year-round. Plus, you’ll receive a free energy efficiency kit valued at $25 containing items like compact fluorescent light bulbs, pipe insulation, a low-flow shower head, rope caulk and a faucet aerator. (Kit contents may vary.) You can also take advantage of additional incentives on individual improvements that can total up to $500.
To be eligible for this program, MichCon must be your primary heating fuel supplier, OR you must have all electric heat with Detroit Edison as your primary energy supplier. To participate, call 866.796.0512 to schedule your Energy Survey.
Note: To be eligible for any of the audit options or qualifying energy measures listed above, the audit and/or equipment purchase(s) must have occurred on or after January 1, 2010.
Information courtesy of DTE.
As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor Area home buying, home selling, rental or other Ann Arbor real estate needs.
Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Ann Arbor House, control your energy costs, home energy, home energy audit, Prudential Real Estate, Realtors, rental
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
ANN ARBOR REAL ESTATE SERIES-MOLD: WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO TO TAKE CARE OF IT
It is true that bleach will sanitize most anything but stay with the non porous surfaces when using it. It works great for solid surfaces like counter tops and appliances but it is very non effective when used on porous surfaces like building materials. Not only is it not effective but it can become an inhalation hazard if used incorrectly. OSHA actually recommends not using chlorine bleach for mold remediation due to these facts. The best way to remediate mold is to remove the affected material from the site using controlled methods. Then the cleaning process can began with antimicrobials that are designed for killing mold on contact.
Antimicrobials are products that have been used for years in hospitals and public facilities for killing germs and other contaminants like mold. Most antimicrobials that are used by professional remediation companies need a contact wetting time of at least 10 minutes before they become effective. Bleach becomes very ineffective before the 10 minute time is elapsed. Its effectiveness is related to its shelf life - the longer it is stored the less effective it becomes. Therefore it is not a good product to use in conjunction with mold remediation projects. There are many products on the market that are very effective for mold remediation. These products are also safer for the environment and the occupants of the home.
Another reason not to use bleach is that it is very corrosive to metal objects. There have been countless times that we have viewed corrosions on HVAC ducts, copper piping and electrical wiring caused by cleaning using bleach. Bleach can eat through metal objects if given enough time. The next time that you are in a home that was professionally remediated for mold, take a close look at the metal objects in the basement. If you see corrosions on the HVAC system, the nails in the structure, electrical connections or the copper piping it has probably been cleaned with bleach or other corrosive chemicals. If this is the case it would be wise to have everything wiped down to help prevent any further problems from occurring.
Attic mold is a common occurrence with many homes. Its cause is sometimes overlooked. Sometimes improper venting can be the culprit. An ideal attic is designed to have air flowing in through the soffit vents and up through the ridge vents. Of course other designs are possible but this is the simplest of examples. An attic is greatly affected by heat. If the attic temperature gets too hot the surfaces can condensate causing mold to grow. This can also degrade the shingle life. As the mold grows it will soften the plywood and cause it to degrade. An average roof lifespan is usually between 15 to 25 years depending on design. Many roofs are replaced before their time due to this simple fact. Here are some red flags to look for during an attic inspection:
- Check the nails in the attic – if they are rusted the attic has condensation.
- The temperature in the attic should not be 15 degrees or so different than that of the out side temperature. If so then additional venting may be needed.
- Check the soffit vents – Do they have baffles? Baffles are used to help create an air channel for proper venting to occur. If there are none installing baffles could help.
- Also make sure the attic hatch is insulated – This is sometimes overlooked and can cause heat from the home to enter the attic space. Along with it costing more money to heat the home throughout the year it could be causing the attic to condensate.
If mold is growing in the attic it more than likely is not a health concern due to the way an attic is designed to vent. An attic is designed to vent to the outside of the home and not to the inside of the home. Dealing with it properly can help save money on costly roof replacement in the future.
Information courtesy of RemTek Environmental
As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor Area home buying, home selling, rental or other Ann Arbor real estate needs.
Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor House, attic mold, home buying, home selling, mold, mold remediation, Prudential Real Estate, Prudential Snyder & Company
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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Thursday, April 1st, 2010
We keep hearing about them in the news, so what are they? Wikipedia defines a Short Sale as follows: A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property’s loan.
Once upon a time, being involved in a Short Sale held a stigma. It usually indicated that you were unable to make your payments. Today, that is not the case. Homeowners who are relocating due to job changes or other circumstances may qualify for Short Sale programs and it doesn’t have to destroy your credit rating.
Why is this so important to work with a specially trained Agent?
1. The process can be both lengthy and frustrating.
2. Not all Homeowners qualify for Short Sale programs.
3. IRS could determine forgiveness is income.
4. Your credit is at stake.
5. Release of lien is not the same as release of obligation.
6. Current government programs are changing rapidly.
7. Short Sale homes are sometimes stigmatized.
No one can guarantee the outcome of your Short Sale, but here at Prudential Snyder & Company, we have trained Realtors who are ready to answer your questions and guide you through the Short Sale process. We know the paperwork, the expectations, and the pitfalls of working with the banks. We will work diligently to make sure that the process is as low stress as we can make it.
As always, we are here in the Greater Ann Arbor Area to assist you with any of your home buying, home selling, rental or other real estate needs. Plus, we have a great network of Agents across the US who can assist with properties in other areas. Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or
734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Ann Arbor, home buying, HOME SALES, home selling, Homeowners, Prudential Real Estate, Real Estate, real estate needs, Realtors, rental, Short Sale
Posted in Foreclosures and Short Sales |
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Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
Transaction fees are charged by some real estate companies for services above and beyond the services normally received through the payment of commission on a sale. They are referred to as a transaction fee, compliance fee, paperwork retention fee, administration fees, and often cost several hundred dollars.
Consumers should be aggressive in asking for a detailed explanation of the additional service they are receiving when paying one of these fees. If you are satisfied with the explanation then you can go forward in your Real Estate Broker relationship. Just remember, these should be “added” services not a service normally provided through the payment of a commission on the sale. If you are not satisfied with the explanation, or you discover your required payment of the fee after you have entered into a contract with a Broker, then negotiate with the Broker and have them lowered or removed.
In Alabama, these fees were legally challenged and were found to be in violation of that state’s real estate law.
When searching for a real estate agent to assist you in the Greater Ann Arbor Area or Washtenaw County with your sale or purchase of real estate, make sure you inquire as to whether their company charges transaction fees. Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors does not charge any transaction fees. We are here to assist you with any of your real estate needs. Call us at 734-747-7500 or
734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Add new tag, Ann Arbor, commission, Prudential Real Estate, Prudential Snyder & Company, Real Estate, real estate fees, transaction fees, Washtenaw County
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Ann Arbor Real Estate Activity: Old West Side Ann Arbor 2010
With all of the negative news that we’re hearing today about the real estate market in the country, we’re happy to say that listing inventories are relatively low right now and regardless of your price-point, the housing market in the Greater Washtenaw County Area continues to move along.
In an effort to keep you up to date on the market in Old West Side Ann Arbor, we’re going to begin posting the recent closings. The most recent will be posted below. Since October 1, 2009, there have been 29 sales and there are currently 55 active listings for sale in Eberwhite & Bach Schools areas. If you’re interested in further information, we invite you to call or visit our website.
As always, Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your real estate needs. Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
 1174 Kay Parkway
List Price: $ 139,900
Sold Price: $124,999 after concessions
Close date: 1/7/10
112 E Davis Ave
List Price: $140,000
Sold Price: $128,000
Close date: 1/13/10
501 W Keech
List Price: $169,900
Sold Price: $170,132 after concessions
Close date: 1/6/10
 1010 W Washington
List Price: $498,000
Sold Price: $495,000
Close date: 1/11/10
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Tags: Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Home Search, Ann Arbor Homes, Ann Arbor House, Ann Arbor MI, Ann Arbor Properties, Bach, Eberwhite, Historic Old West Side, Homes for Sale, Prudential Real Estate, Prudential Snyder & Company
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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Thursday, January 14th, 2010
 We’ve all seen dogs in jackets, sweaters and boots, but is it really more than a fashion statement? Absolutely! If you live in the Greater Ann Arbor Area, you know it’s cold outside!
Even though it’s winter, Fido’s got energy stored up and still needs to go for walks or spend time burning energy off in the yard. According to VetInfo.com, it really is important for short-haired animals that are going to spend any time outdoors in the frigid cold be bundled up. Sweaters or jackets are recommended, as well as limiting the amount of time they’re outside as they can get hypothermia just like people do.
If your dog will wear boots (mine prefer to eat them) it will help protect their pads, which dry out in the winter. If they won’t wear them, use Bag Balm to keep them from cracking and drying (great on dry noses and ears, too, plus it’s non-toxic if they lick it). If Fluffy the Cat goes outside, Bag Balm is good for her paws too.
Make sure that you keep Fido’s tags up to date. More pets are lost in the winter than any other time because familiar smells and landmarks can be buried in the snow.
If you have a pet that spends any time outside at all, you’ll want to provide them with some kind of shelter from the elements. There are lots of different dog houses available, or they can be made inexpensively and filled with straw or old blankets to add extra warmth.
From dog houses to family homes, we’re here to help out whenever we can. Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors is here to assist with all of your family’s real estate needs. Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Add new tag, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI, dog house, dogs, family, pets, Prudential Real Estate, Realtors, Washtenaw County
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
We all know that there are no emotional ties between the bank negotiator and the homes they sell. They are looking at bottom line net prices only. So if you walk through a home and hate the carpet or it smells like animal urine, the walls are filled with nail holes, and there’s ½ inch of water in the basement, take that into account when you determine your offer price and/or ask for concessions in the original contract. Asset Managers understand that there are issues that may come up in inspections that were not known ahead of time, but if you write an offer and have it accepted, then go back to the bank and ask for items that should have been noticed and considered in your inital offer, they tend to get annoyed.
In order to make your transaction go as smoothly as possible, make sure you adhere to the following guidelines:
- Do your due diligence. Your Buyers Agent will assist you with confirming taxes, school boundaries, outstanding leins, square footage, etc.
- Make sure you have all facts gathered & inspections completed prior to requesting seller repairs or concessions.
- Include repair bids to expedite the negotiation process.
- Choose realistic closing dates. Underwriters are swamped and new guidelines that are bogging the process, so be sure to allow proper time.
- Listen to your Realtor. They are here to work in your best interest, they know the market, and they can usually get a feel for when you’re hitting the nerves of the negotiator. If your Realtor tells you to stand down on an issue, it’s probably in your best interest to do so. Remember, you’re not fully under contract until negotiations are completed and contingency removals are signed off on, so the bank can refuse to negotiate if you become difficult to work with, and move on to the next prospective buyer.
For many Foreclosure Asset Managers, the only issues that they will address are health and safety concerns. With short sales, often the bank will allow NO repairs or additional concessions. When a purchase is an “as is” sale, inspections done are for informational purposes only – the buyer will have the opportunity to walk away from the sale if the inspection issues are great, but it doesn’t mean that they will re-negotiate price.
As always, Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your real estate needs. Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Home Search, Ann Arbor Homes, Ann Arbor MI, ASSET MANAGERS, Foreclosures, HOME SALES, Homes for Sale, Investments, NEGOTIATION, Prudential Real Estate, Real Estate, Realtors, Short Sales
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
We have a fabulous listing in Old West Side Ann Arbor for a new home that is Energy Star rated! What does that really mean? As we all know, it takes a lot of money and energy to keep a house running. According to www.energystar.gov, in 2008, Americans saved $19 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 29 million cars with the help of Energy Star. Most of us agree that it’s important to save energy. We all like to save money.
In order to achieve the Energy Star rating, homes must include energy-saving features that make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes built (as compared to the 2004 International Residential Code). This is done by installing effective insulation, high performance windows, efficient heating and cooling units, lighting fixtures and bulbs, and hot water heaters. For more information on standards and guidelines for becoming Energy Star rated, you can visit their site as referenced above.
This Sunday, November 8th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. we are hosting anOpen House at 637.5 Fifth Street. Come by and see for yourself some of the features this new home has incorporated to earn the Energy Star designation.. Please feel free to stop in and visit and ask any questions you may have about Energy Star ratings, home energy audits, or our Eco-Broker certifications.
If you’d like more information on this listing, or any of the homes available in the Greater Ann Arbor Area, please call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays or 734-660-0105 evenings/weekends. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Add new tag, Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Home Search, Ann Arbor Homes, Ann Arbor House, Ann Arbor Properties, EcoBrokers, Going Green, Historic Old West Side, Prudential Real Estate
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
Ever wonder who lived in your home before you? Do you hear creaks and groans from the floorboards and wonder what ghost is roaming the halls? Do you ever watch the cable programs showing homeowners who’ve discovered lost artifacts in their walls?
If you would like to learn more about the history of your home, there are several ways to educate yourself. Deed registries are a great starting point. The recorders office should have a full history of the home sales. You can look up the former owners online and learn quite a bit about their history, professions, genealogy, and newsworthy events in their lives. Old microfiche of newspaper articles are still available in most libraries. If former owners are alive, you can track them down and ask them for any information that they may have available.
Often, it’s easier to find information about a neighborhood than a specific home, so starting there can be beneficial. Community historical societies may have background information which could then help you narrow your search. The Internet Public Library has a wonderful array of sites and references to assist at http://tinyurl.com/2q59rt. Your Burns Park Association may be a fabulous source of information, so don’t hesitate to ask. You may be amazed by what you learn.
As always, Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any real estate related needs. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays or 734-660-0105 nights and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or you can visit our website at www.prusnyder.com. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!
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Tags: Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Home Search, Ann Arbor Homes, Ann Arbor MI, Ann Arbor Properties, Burns Park, History of Home, Prudential Real Estate, Search Ann Arbor Homes
Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate |
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