Fredrick Meijer Gardens- Chihuly Exhibit
by Bob Trimbach on Aug.19, 2010, under Mid Michigan events and activities
Amazing. I just can’t believe I have not been to the Fredrick Meijer Gardens before now. My recent visit was extra special since they currently have the Chihuly Exhibit going (extended through October 31). The work of this world-renowned glass artist is on display throughout the gardens and the conservatory, in part as a celebration of the 15th anniversary of the gardens. Along with special exhibits, the Meijer Gardens has an extensive collection of modern sculpture on display throughout the beautiful gardens, the largest tropical conservatory in the state, and children’s garden that features many hands on activities. With it only being about an hour from the Lansing area, it is a great place to spend a day. For all the details be sure to check out their website at www.meijergardens.org. For more information on Dale Chihuly, visit www.chihuly.com.
Be sure to click into the photos for larger versions.
Just Listed- Lovely Home in the Award-Winning Haslett School District
by Bob Trimbach on Aug.19, 2010, under Just Listed
Welcome to 5841 Wood Valley located in the award-winning Haslett school district. Covered front entry leads to the foyer with hardwood flooring. A convenient first floor office/den/flex room is a great place to work or study. Open floorplan with an oversized great room features a beautiful gas fireplace and great views of the lovely backyard. The dining area with slider to deck and a nice flow between the great room and kitchen. The large kitchen also has great views of the yard and features lovely oak cabinets, recessed lighting, snack bar, newer range and plenty of cupboard and counter space. A large mudroom with closet and bench perfect for the active household. This area also can be converted into a a first floor laundry. Upstairs, the master bedroom suite features a huge bedroom with vaulted ceiling, ceiling fan, a walk in closet and a master bath with tile shower and dual sinks. Two more nice sized bedrooms and a full bathroom completes the second floor. Full walkout lower level features another bedroom, a full bathroom and family room with slider to a patio. A finished 2 1/2 car garage with extra deep storage area. The private fenced in yard is extra deep and adjoins a creek (partial fence section removed, stored under the deck). Garden area includes a pond and fountain. Additional features include outdoor speakers and a storage shed. Great location in back of subdivision (no through traffic). Neighborhood association park and pond. Newer roof. The home is in excellent condition and is available for immediate occupancy. Call or email me today for your private showing.
Best Buy in Lansing! Completely updated 4 bed, 2 bath home, only $84,900!
by Bob Trimbach on Jul.22, 2010, under Just Listed
Welcome to 936 Hein in Lansing. Updates throughout this lovely 4 bedroom, bath and a half home. Freshly painted living room is flooded with natural light from the large picture window, also features recent neutral carpet, along with a nice open flow to the dining area and kitchen. Beautifully recently redone kitchen with new maple cabinets and countertops along with tile flooring. Appliances including refrigerator, range, dishwasher and built in microwave all stay with home as do the washer and dryer. Both full and additional half bath have also been remodeled and both feature tile flooring. All four bedrooms feature recently refinished hardwood flooring. Patio and a nice sized fenced yard for those lazy summer days outside, central air to stay cool inside. Newer roof, windows and siding insure a low maintenance exterior. The high efficiency furnace is new this year and will help insure low utility bills. Fresh paint and trim make this home a showplace inside. Convenient location in a lower traffic neighborhood. Move in ready and priced to sell quick! Call or email me today for your private showing.
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area
by Bob Trimbach on Mar.21, 2010, under Mid Michigan events and activities
Rose Lake State Wildlife Area is a great resource that is close to Lansing and the surrounding communities. With over 4100 acres and many trails, it is great place for hiking, photography, wildlife observing, mountain biking, and cross country skiing. It is primarily a wildlife research area and is supported entirely on hunting license fees and a federal excise tax on hunting supplies. The area is open to hunting and there is also a rifle range and skeet shooting area.
The topography at Rose Lake consists of rolling hills, several lakes, woodlands, marshes, and farm fields. The trail system is pretty easy to follow but some of it is very sandy if you are mountain biking. The area is open to horseback riding and it is not uncommon to see people riding on the trails. When visiting, I usually park on either end of the main east/west trail that runs between Woodbury Road on the east side and Peacock Road on the west side. There are many other parking areas on the roads around the area.
Below is a link to a PDF map of the area although it does not show the trails. A GPS or topo map and compass might be a good idea if you are unfamiliar with the area. Many years ago I was cross country skiing at Rose Lake with a friend. The sun was setting and it was getting very cold and we were completely lost. We ended up at a road and found our way back but it was a bit nerve racking at the time.
Rose Lake is great place to enjoy some time outdoors.
Time is running out, home buyer tax credits
by Bob Trimbach on Mar.18, 2010, under Market
The time to act on the extended and expanded home buyer tax credits is running out. In order to take advantage of up to an $8000 tax credit, a buyer needs to have a home under contract by April 30th, 2010. The maximum credit is $8000 for first time buyers, which is defined as someone that hasn’t owned a home in the past 3 years. I have been running into several people that have owned homes but do still qualify for the first time buyer credit because of the three year time limit.
The other credit is for people changing homes. This has a maximum credit of $6500 and one has to have lived in their current home for 5 out of the past 8 years. There are income limits with both of these programs. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit (a partial credit that is phased out for higher incomes).
There are many other details with these credits but the most important thing to consider is that there is very little time left to take advantage of the credit. With less then a month and half left before needing to have a home under contract, one needs to get going now with serious looking and being ready to put forth an offer.
It is also a great time to be a seller with many very motivated buyers ready to buy. The month of April will be a busy month so if you are thinking about buyer or selling this year, give me a call today.
Enjoying Winter in Mid Michigan!
by Bob Trimbach on Feb.11, 2010, under Mid Michigan events and activities
With our recent snow I thought I would put out a little reminder that we have some wonderful cross country skiing options in Mid Michigan. The past several days the trail conditions at Lake Lansing Park North have been superb. The trails are in good shape and very pretty in the varied terrain. They always keep the parking lots plowed out and I believe they have ski rentals on the weekend. Another nearby skiing option is Rose Lake. I haven’t had time to check it out so I can’t comment on the current conditions however I have enjoyed skiing there over the years.
Best Buy in Okemos!
by Bob Trimbach on Feb.07, 2010, under Just Listed
Just Listed! Beautiful home in Okemos, approximately 2900 sq ft, generous room sizes, 4 bedrooms, office/study, great neighborhood and location, some hardwood floors and only $259,900. Call me today for more details.
Seems like everyone got the memo, buy a house!
by Bob Trimbach on Feb.07, 2010, under Market
Wow, what a wild market we are currently experiencing. Since January 1, I have seen an increase in activity unlike anything I’ve experienced since starting in the real estate business about 6 years ago. Multiple offers on properties are becoming much more common, especially at the lower price points. Lots of showings on many of my listings but not on all. Very much depends on the area and price range as to the level of activity. The bottom line is that we are seeing a lot more buyers that are ready to buy.
So, if you are thinking about selling it is a great time to take advantage of this upswing in the market. Even though prices are still down, you might very well be able to offset that with the purchase of your next home.
