Report a Pothole!

Does it seem that this time of year everywhere you turn there is another pothole in the road?

Did you know MDOT, or the Michigan Department of Transportation, encourages motorists to let them know about potholes they come across? You can do that here on their on-line form.

There is also a link from that site to file a damage claim.

SELCRA Programs Currently Being Offered

SELCRA, the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority, is currently offering registration for the following programs:

Recreational Youth Baseball and Softball
Available for boys and girls entering K-10th grade in the Fall of 2008.

Practice begins the end of May and games begin June 7th.

Deadline to register is May 2nd.

Summer Girls Basketball League

Grades 3-8th

Learn the fundamentals of the game with a one hour practice and two games per week.

Games begin July 7th and will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays thru July 31st.

Deadline: June 18

Girls Volleyball League
Grades 3rd-8th

The emphasis of this league is learning the fundamentals of the game.

Scheduled from May 12th thru June 26th with varying times and dates of practice and games. Deadline: April 23

Summer Sports Camps
Currently registering for the following clinics and camps: Tennis, Soccer, Golf, Baseball, Basketball, Cheer, Pom, Bowling, Skateboarding and more.

Please call 810-299-4140 or visit http://www.selcra.com/ for more information.

New Listing: 0 N Latson Road

0 N. Latson Road
Howell, MI 48855

3.29 Acres

Priced for immediate sale! 3.29 wooded acre parcel on Latson Road between Curdy and Clyde. Perk and survey on file, private drive already in, gas and electric at site. DEO wetland survey available. Extremely Motivated Seller!

If you are interested in this or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

New Listing: 7211 Campbell Mills Court

7211 Campbell Mills Court
Brighton, MI 48116

Four bedrooms, three and a half baths
3183 square feet

Like new former Cavalcade Home has Colorado feel with hickory floors, pine Four Seasons room, wrought iron staircase, back lit crown moulding, granite, tumbled tile back splash, stone fireplace and more! Home overlooks pine trees, has a beautiful patio and professional landscaping with outside lighting. Zoned heating and mechanical upgrades. Turn key and move in, a must see!

For more photos, check out the virtual tour.

If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

The Buckley Jolley truck is available to our past and current clients as well as Livingston County non-profit community groups. It is a simple procedure to use this fourteen foot truck. Call us today to reserve it.

New Listing: 5402 Leland Street

5402 Leland Street

Brighton, MI 48116

3 Bedroom

1 Full Bath & 1 Half Bath

1640 Square feet of living Space

Beautifully updated ranch with low Brighton twp taxes yet close enough to walk to town. You won't want to change a thing-spacious great room, hardwood floors in dining room, 2 bedrooms & spectacular decorating. Recent updates include Anderson Windows, vinyl siding, some carpet, shingles, H2O heater, sump pump, garage door & opener & more! 3 minutes to I-96 & US 23. A winner from top to bottom.

For more photos, check out the virtual tour.If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

New Listing: 1261 Fieldview Trail

1261 Fieldview Trail
Howell, MI 48843

3 Bedroom
2 Full Baths

1796 Square feet of living space

For more photos, check out the virtual tour.If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

Great house on a great lot. Located in popular Rolling Hills Sub, this 2-story home has much to offer. You'll love the open kitchen, nook, family room design. Features include a natural fireplace, large deck, newer furnace, tile & pergo flooring and a 28x16 above ground pool. The tree lined yard is a welcome retreat. Just minutes from US-23 & M-59 interchange.

Fill the Gazebo Food Drive!

Time for Real Change

Beginning March 7, the Livingston County Association of Realtors and affiliate members will team up with the residents of Livingston County to collect food and monetary donations during the Sixth Annual Fill the Gazebo Food and Change Drive.

Collection of food and monetary donations will be held at county real estate offices and their affiliates through May 3. The donations will then be brought to downtown Brighton's Mill Pond Gazebo from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m on May 3. The goal is to provide enough food and funds for one semi-truck load, which holds approximately 40,000 pounds -- a half-month s supply of food for Gleaners' Howell pantry to distribute to our hungry neighbors!

New this year is the Time for Real Change campaign to embrace hope during these struggling economic times in Livingston County by encouraging individuals to donate their spare change to Gleaners.

The drive is key to helping the food bank provide nutritious meals during the warmer months, when child hunger and malnutrition traditionally increase. During summer, when school is out, those who regularly receive free or reduced lunches in school must turn to other means of receiving nutritious meals.

Residents are encouraged to bring food and/or check donations to any of the local Livingston real estate office or to the Brighton Mill Pond Gazebo, Saturday, May 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

If you are unable to due so on that date please bring your donation into our office and we will take it to the Gazebo.

New Listing: 6932 Lovejoy Road

6932 Lovejoy Road

Byron MI, 48418

4 Bedrooms

3 Full Baths & 1 half Bath

2300 Square feet of living space with an additional

2000 Square feet on the finished walkout

If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

One-of-a-kind beauty on 40 acres. Words can not describe...high efficient (green) structural insulated panels & air recirculator system thru-out. Other features: Corian, wood floors, skylights galore extensive high end wiring, auto transfer generator & energy efficient geo thermal heat & cool. Fin walkout has full 2nd kitchen with appliances & much more! Heated garage and a spectacular pole barn with heat, H2O & drywall.

New Listing: 234 Newberry Lane

234 Newberry Lane
Howell MI, 48843

1518 square feet with an additional
700 square feet in the walkout basement

3 bedrooms
3 full baths

For more photos, check out the virtual tour.
If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

Dramatic price reduction on this stunning condo. Interior decoration is ready for magazine photo shoot. Bedroom and full bath on all 3 floors. All appliances stay. Walkout has family room with wet bar. Overlooks ponds & wetlands, whole house stereo, alarm system with tempature sensor, hi-eff mechanics. This condo is a dream for it's new owners, maintenance free living at it's best!

Lots of Easter Fun to Chose From This Weekend

Livingston County is hopping with Easter activities this weekend, so grab your family and hunt one down!

Egg-Mania @ The Naz

Howell Church of the Nazarene

Saturday March 22, 2008; 9:30 - 12:30 pm

Inflatables, indoor minature golf, puppet and clown shows, a carnival and more

Easter Bunny Breakfast

Howell Conference and Nature Center

Saturday March 22, 2008; spots still available for 1 pm breakfast

Call 517-546-0249 for more information

Easter Brunch

Crystal Gardens Banquet Center

Sunday March 23, 2008; 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Tickets are $22.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors

and $12.95 for children 6-12.

Call 517-545-1000 for more information

The Great Egg Hunt and Farmer John Show

Kensington Metropark Farm Learning Center

Sunday March 23rd 1 pm

Cost is $3 per person

Animal Show and then a traditional Easter Egg Hunt

Call 800-477-3178 for more information

Decorating Eggs Nature's Way

Kensington Metropark Nature Center

Sunday March 23rd 1 pm

Ages 6 and up; $5 per person

Registration is required

Hunt for Eggs

Crosswoods Church of God

Sunday March 23rd 12:00 - 2:00 pm

3940 Pinckney Road in Marion Township

Ages 1- 5th grade

Weather permitting

Call 517-546-0722

Egg Search

Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church

13667 W. M-59, west of Tipsico Lake Road

Sunday March 23rd 9:30 am

Ages toddlers - 8th grade

Call 248-887-4300 for more information

Buckley Jolley In The News

"Brighton Company Helps Avoid Foreclosure"

On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, Livingston Press and Argus featured an article on The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team's newest endeavor, Home Solutions. This new company is helping people who are unable to sell their homes in order to avoid foreclosure. To read more about this company see our previous post.

Check out the article on-line here.

Or click here to download in .pdf

New Listing: 236 School Street

236 School Street

Brighton, MI 48116

2083 square feet with an additional

680 in the partially finished basement

Four bedrooms

Two full and two half baths

Beautiful lot and perfect location for this charming two-story. Walk to town and enjoy restaurants, shopping and parks. A private wooded backyard with gazebo and fencing. Inside you'll notice two sinks in kitchen, a comfortable hearth room/nook, master suite and large family room in the rear of the home. Don't forget about the finished lower level. Some updates. A must see!

For more photos, check out the virtual tour.

If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

Market Update For Our Sellers

Karen & Todd send our sellers an update on market conditions every two weeks. Here is an excerpt of that e-mail.

This past weekend was busy here at Buckley Jolley and the trend has continued early this week. This is a bit of good news for our seller clients. The activity level is increasing up which is translating into more sales in the county.

The February sales statistics were just released and the number of sales was up 19% from February of ’07. We are cautiously optimistic about this news. I have attached this document for your review. As you see, the other side of the news is that the average sale price in the county is down from $212,900 in ’07 to 198,056 this year. This does not come as a surprise to us as we found price lags behind sales quite a bit. We are certainly not out of the woods yet.

Looking closer at the stats we see the foreclosure closings and short sales are a HUGE percentage of those increased sales. It looks as if foreclosures are continuing down the pipeline also. Last Friday alone, there were 26 foreclosure notices in the Press & Argus. If those owners are not able to catch-up on their payments, those properties will be bank owned in about 7 months and will be hitting the market shortly after that. To help reduce the number of foreclosures in our area, we have started a new division of our company. You can read all about that thru the following link:

http://www.livingstonliving.com/2008/03/buckley-jolley-real-estate-team.html

What to expect in the weeks to come? When the snow melts, more buyers start looking for homes. Also, more homes come on the market. So there are more people looking at your home and there is also more competition for your home.

Mortgage Lenders are Readjusting Standards

As more loans across the country default and home prices drop, the mortgage industry has had to modify their standards and requirements.

These lenders, who were criticized for requirements in past years being way too lenient, are raising the bar for homeowners in search of loans. Higher credit scores, smaller loans, down payments and detailed proof of income and assets are now the new norm.

Even in early 2007, customers with credit scores in the low 600s could obtain a mortgage with no down payment. Today a credit score of below 680 might subject you to higher rates and special fees.

Lenders have also drastically reduced their loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. This ratio measures the amount a customer borrows in comparison to the total value of the property. Traditionally these ratios never exceeded 80 percent, but during the peak of the market, some borrowers were taking out loans worth more than their home purchase price.

Today, many home buyers are often expected to provide a down payment, or face fees and much higher interest rates.

If you are in the market to buy a home, we suggest talking to lender and seeing what options are available that fit your circumstances. Getting a preapproval letter from your lender is always your best bet in starting the home searching process, and will give you and your Buyer Specialist a broader picture of your position.

New Listing: 124 Moon Ridge Drive

124 Moon Ridge Drive
Milford, MI 48380

Four bedrooms, three and a half baths

2362 square feet, with an additional

1000 in the finished basement

Beautiful landscaping on 2.41 acres with woods in back. Owner says house is inspection ready-already done! Brick fireplace in great room with windows overlooking woods. Daylight basement has exercise room with Tuflex floor, wet bar in recreation room, full bath and custom shower with seven shower heads. Aggressively priced! Country setting, minutes to expressway. Subject to bank short sale.

If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other

exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

2nd Annual Client Appreciation Movie Day!

On Saturday March 17, 2007, Buckley Jolley and close to 90 families (over 300 people in all!) gathered at MJR Theaters in Brighton for a private screening of the recently released movie Horton Hears a Who.

The movie was a hit with all who attended. We thank everyone who was there for helping us achieve another successful year for The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team.

We look forward to serving your real estate needs in the future, as well as anyone else you know who are looking to buy or sell a home.

And to paraphrase our friend Horton:

"I meant what I said, and I said what I meant
Buckley Jolley is here to help you 100 percent!"

We've created a slideshow of all the pictures from the day.

Buckley Jolley Presents Short Sale Seminar to Local Professionals

The short sale division of The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team was presented and outlined on Friday March 14th at the Brighton Chamber of Commerce to a group of local business people. The division, Home Solutions, is helping many families sell their homes within the greater Livingston County area who would otherwise go into foreclosure, or be unable to make a move.

A short sale happens when a lender agrees to accept less than a full payoff of its loan balance. The detailed process of a short sale was described to the group that included financial adivising, law, accounting and social services.

A special thank you goes to the Brighton Chamber of Commerce for supporting this educational seminar.

If you know of anyone that would like to receive free consultation regarding their home sale, call us at 810-229-7000.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wishing you a top o' the mornin' from The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team!

Happy Birthday Blog!

In March of 2007 we launched this blog in order to share with you information about the things we know, and the things we thought you might be interested about in our community.

Who knew that our first post, Why a Blog? would be the first of over 245 posts in the past year.

The feedback we have received about our blog has been tremendous, and we are happy to report that we get close to 1000 visitors here each month!

Thank you to everyone who has made this such a success, we look forward to growing with you in the coming year and beyond.

Spring Eggstravagnaza This Saturday!

The Brighton Jaycees and Selcra will be holding a Spring Extravaganza this Saturday, March 15th at Maltby Middle School in the gym.

The event will begin at 10am with an Easter egg hunt, a goodie bag for each child and different shows including a magician. Admission is just $2. For more information call 810-229-4140.

The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team Announces New Division: HOME Solutions

The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team opens a new division this week to assist sellers who are unable to sell their homes for what they owe. The new division HOME Solutions addresses the growing crisis of sellers who must get out from under their current home payments.

Owner/brokers Todd Buckley and Karen Jolley decided to open the division when they realized they were talking with more and more homeowners in distress. “We were getting calls from sellers who were making less money due to decreased employment hours, lay-offs, or unemployment. Some have been making their house payments with credit cards. They genuinely want to keep their commitment to pay their bills, but the debt soon becomes overwhelming,” said Jolley.

A short sale is an alternative to foreclosure. A short sale is a negotiated settlement when the lender agrees to accept less than the amount owed. The borrower must demonstrate hardship and agree to sell. Usually the borrower is getting behind on payments or is unable to make payments at all. These homes could eventually end up in foreclosure. A short sale avoids the foreclosure process by selling the home before the bank takes it back.

According to Todd Buckley, “Lenders spend $50,000 or more taking a home back in a foreclosure. Since these homes eventually end up vacant and not maintained by the borrower, they can fall into disrepair. A short sale is often a better option for the lender. The homeowner remains in the house until the house is sold, maintaining it and continuing to pay the utilities.”

“The process of selling a short sale home is longer and has much more “red tape” than a traditional sale. We have the systems in place to streamline the process. We can increase the likelihood of an accepted short sale by being involved early in the sellers’ hardship. Ideally we want to talk with them prior to their missing a payment. We want to get the word out that knowledgeable Realtors with short sale experience can help,” said Jolley.

Both Buckley and Jolley agree they would like to see owner occupied homes vs. vacant foreclosed homes in their community. “It is better for all of us to find a solution to this growing crisis of foreclosures in our county,” said Buckley. “We plan on helping as many families as we can this year.”

The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team began their business in December 2004. The team describes themselves as a boutique brokerage with salaried Realtors instead of the traditional commission-based Realtors. The company has seen a 20% growth in number of sales in each of the last three years.

Livingston Arts Council Chili Challenge

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you will know we love the events put on by the wonderful Livingston Arts Council. The Arts Council has now taken another thing we love, chili, and are making a whole night of it!

On Thursday, March 13th The Livingston Arts Council will be hosting a Chili Challenge on at the Howell Opera House. The Challenge will be from 6 pm-7:30 pm and will offer ten types of chili to sample! They will also have salad, corn bread and drinks.

The event is a fundraiser for the Opera House. For more information call 517-540-0065.

New Listing: 1868 Woodmar Court

1868 Woodmar Court
Hartland, MI 48843

Four bedrooms, two and a half baths
2546 square feet

Beautiful two-story home on gradual hilltop lot. Located in popular San Marino Woods this home offers a two story Great Room and foyer, catwalk, large kitchen with island and desk area; and front office with french doors. Other features include a master suite with huge closet and jetted tub, wood floors in fourth bedroom, brick paver patio and spacious deck. All of this on 1.3 acre lot with great views and landscaping!

For more photos, check out the virtual tour.

If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.

Thinking About A High End Renovation?

Think again.

"Say good-bye to granite countertops"

Spring Forward With Daylight Savings This Weekend

Prepare to lose an hour's sleep this weekend, but in return get the trade-off of more sunlight in the evenings.

Officially the change to daylight-savings time should be made at 2 am on Sunday morning.

The shift also serves as a reminder to check the status of your batteries in your home's smoke detectors.

Art on Main Opens This Weekend!

This weekend Brighton is welcoming Art on Main, the Brighton Art Guild's new center in downtown. The public is invited to the opening reception this Saturday, March 8th from 6 - 9 pm.

The center will feature a fine art gallery, gift shop, art classes and studio space.

Art on Main hours will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am-8pm, and Sundays from Noon-4pm.

For more information, contact the Brighton Art Guild at 810-220-9091 or visit http://www.brightonartguild.com/

Last Chance Rescue

One of our favorite pages in the Livingston Daily Press & Argus is the adorable "Adoptable Pets" featured every Wednesday. Many of the pets available for adoption are through the Last Chance Animal Rescue, which is located in Howell.

Not only are pets featured in the paper, but the Last Chance Animal Rescue shows their dogs from 11 am- 4 pm Saturdays at Tractor Supply Co. on Grand River on Genoa Township. Cats and kittens are on display seven days a week at PetSmart, 8537 W. Grand River Ave., in Brighton.

You can also view their available animals on their website or at the Petfinder web site.

If you are contemplating expanding your family with a furry friend, what a great way to do it!

"Home sellers adjusting to today's 'new normal'"

On Friday, February 29, 2008, The Livingston County Community News features quotes from The Buckley Jolley Real Estate Team's own Todd Buckley & Karen Jolley in it's article "Home sellers adjusting to today's 'new normal'". Also featured are Buckley Jolley's clients Amanda and Mark Prince, who are selling their condo in the South Lyon area.

Check out the article on-line here.

Or click here to download in .pdf

9th Annual GOT ART Exhibit Coming This Weekend

The Livingston Arts Council is hosting their 9th Annual GOT ART Exhibit on March 8, 9, and 10th at The Opera House in Howell.

GOT ART is a diverse mix of youth art from Howell and Brighton schools. Last year more than 350 pieces of art were displayed, in many medias- oil, watercolor, sculpture and photography to name a few.

Admission is free of charge and the exhibit will be open Saturday, March 8 from 1 pm - 3pm; Sunday, March 9 from 11 am to 3pm; and Monday, March 10th from 3pm to 7pm.

New Listing: 1610 Newgate Lane

1610 Newgate Lane
Hartland, MI 48843

Three Bedrooms, two baths
1384 square feet

Immediate occupancy for this stunning ranch. This is a bright and open floor plan with four skylights and neutral decor. Other features include volume ceilings, master suite, daylight basement, fireplace and a huge deck overlooking the fenced backyard. Situated in popular Millpointe Sub, just one mile from the US-23/M-59 interchange. A great location for a great home. All appliances stay too!

For more photos, check out the virtual tour.

If you are interested in previewing this home or any of our other exceptional listings, call us today at 810.229.7000. We'd be happy to provide you with more information.