Planning a move is never easy; whether it’s across the country, or across town to a new home here in Ann Arbor, nobody enjoys the process of relocating. You’re in good company – it’s estimated that about 40 million people move annually in the United States. Excellent planning can make your next jump far easier – and less painful – than you might think. Whether it’s your first move into a home, or a final move to the condominium here you’ve always dreamed of retiring, there are abundant resources available to help you plan and execute your next move without undue stress.

Write it down! Regardless of the method you choose, you need documentation for each step of the moving process. If you know you’re moving, then you probably know when you’re moving – make that date your starting point. Plot your activities on a monthly, weekly and daily basis; there are free, downloadable, printable forms available online (click here for an example), or you can create your own.

Stay organized! Designate a specific area in your home as “Packing Central.” Keep all of your moving supplies – including your checklists – in this space. Although the rest of your home may feel utterly chaotic, Packing Central will be your haven of clarity. Items to have on hand in your “Packing Central” space should include:

• printed, organized checklists;
• plenty of pens and markers;
• labels;
• packing tape;
• bubble wrap and/or packing paper for breakable items and, last but not least,

  Read the rest of this entry

As we head into the middle of the summer, the Ann Arbor real estate market has seen a 10% decrease in inventory from June to July. In the lower price points the drop is even more significant. There is a 16% drop in the 200K – 300K price range, and a 17% decrease in the 300-400K price range. Both of these price ranges are highly active. The main reason that we are seeing a decrease in inventory is the fact that home owners are locked into their current homes due to owing more than their house is worth.

The interesting thing to notice is that in spite of this decreasing inventory in the Ann Arbor Real Estate market, we are not really seeing much of an increase in pricing. There was a little bit of an increase in April as buyers were trying to take advantage of the Tax credit, however, now that has died down. I still like to let buyers know that this is probably one of the best times to buy a home. Prices are back to where they were 10 years ago, and the interest rates are at historical lows – in the 4.75% for a 30 year fixed. Keep in mind that a 1% increase in interest rates decreases your buying power by 10%. Expect a rash of activity in the next 2-3 weeks as buyers purchase a home to close before school starts. This will continue to lower the inventory as we head towards the end of the summer.

Read the rest of this entry

Ann Arbor has made the news again! According to this year’s CNN Money magazine list of 100 best small cities in America, Ann Arbor – the only Michigan city to make the list – is number 46. With the main campus of the University of Michigan, as well as Borders Books’ headquarters located here, Ann Arbor is a small town with all of the amenities of cities far larger.

The compilers of the list reviewed over 700 US cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to 300,000. The analysis included a look at an array of variables including affordability of housing, local economies, quality of health care, and education. And the news gets even better for Ann Arbor.

Rated #4 on Parenting Magazine’s list of Best Cities for Families, Ann Arbor continues to excel in education at all levels. Forbes.com named Ann Arbor as one of America’s “most livable cities,” based on ranking of crime rate, cost of living, arts and leisure, and a number of other qualities.

Read the rest of this entry

The south side of Ann Arbor, which has always been a great place to live, is turning out to be full of some of our city’s “best kept shopping secrets.” They’re rapidly becoming secrets no more, thanks to a recent initiative by several local business owners. Encompassing an area between I-94, State Street, Ellsworth Road, and Oak Valley Drive, the Southside Business District (SSBD) was recently formed in an effort to promote networking among, and visibility for, the businesses in the area.

The idea began to take shape when James Snider, owner of Arbor Motion car repair, was approached by  neighbor Huron Valley Ambulance (HVA) for a donation for their flu shot clinic. Snider began talking with the businesses around him, and the SSBD was the outgrowth of those conversations. Beginning with six businesses offering support and cooperation to one another, the SSBD has grown to nearly 20 establishments directly collaborating by promoting each other and even offering discounts to their neighbors’ clientele.

Read the rest of this entry

Fifteen years after Dearborn native musician Bob Seger graduated from high school right here in Ann Arbor, he released “Feel Like a Number.” The song seems, in retrospect, to presage the way many Americans, including Washtenaw County residents, really are feeling these days – especially with regard to big banks. People are angry at big banks for their involvement in sub-prime mortgages and complex financial products like derivatives, which contributed to the financial crisis.

In the wake of big banks’ risky investment practices, which led to our nation’s current financial downturn, consumers are looking at alternatives for the investment and safe-keeping of their precious funds. As Americans begin the slow rebound from the financial crisis, the New Rules Project’s Community Banking Initiative reports that the percentage of US consumer deposits held by credit unions increased from 9 percent to 10 percent. According to the National Credit Union Administration, federally-insured credit unions now hold nearly $724.8 billion of all consumer deposits. The Ann Arbor region’s credit unions are reaping the benefits of local dissatisfaction with big banks, and, as consumers seek to divert their funds to local institutions, they are positioning themselves to gain more customers.  

Read the rest of this entry

If you’ve been searching Ann Arbor for the perfect pair of shoes or the coolest new clothes, the hunt ends on Saturday. Although Pink Pump (formerly known as Shoe Envy) will celebrate its grand opening on August 14, lucky shoppers and Ann Arbor Art Fair attendees will get a sneak peek during the store’s soft opening on July 10. From Saturday until the grand opening, Pink Pump will be running specials and promotions, including 15% off merchandise. The Ann Arbor store will be located in the former John Leidy shop next to the Michigan Theater on East Liberty, which has been vacant since February.
Read the rest of this entry

We’ve mentioned many aspects of green living in Ann Arbor, and it’s important to note that an environmentally conscious lifestyle always begins at home. When you think about recycling, what comes to mind? For many people recycling seems like a daunting prospect; maintaining different bins for glass, plastic, metal, and paper, lugging bins to the end of the driveway, and spending time separating recyclable waste can feel like an overwhelming task!

Beginning yesterday, Ann Arbor residents now have an easy solution. Thanks to a commitment by the city to single stream recycling, and a partnership with RecycleBank, homeowners can put all their recyclable materials in one convenient wheeled recycling cart. As an additional incentive, RecycleBank provides vouchers and coupons to residents based on the amount each household recycles. The new carts will have radio-frequency identification (RFID) cards to electronically track how much households are recycling and award points accordingly. The vouchers and coupons can be used at certain businesses, or donated to charities. The RecycleBank program will begin on September 1.  

The combination of the single-stream program with the RecycleBank incentive program will substantially increase the city’s recycling rate, while lowering solid waste costs. The city is spending $3.25 million to upgrade their Materials Recovery Facility and $1.4 million for the new recycling carts. It is anticipated that the program savings will pay back this investment in less than six years.  
Read the rest of this entry

While it’s always easy to find fun weekend activities in Ann Arbor, the long holiday celebration of America’s independence promises to be cram-packed with excitement. There are loads of events planned throughout the weekend and, even if you’re not a “fireworks person,” you can make plans now to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful summer weather. Our community is offering up as much excitement or relaxation as you can handle!

Things kick off on Saturday morning at 10:30am. Take the kids to downtown Ypsilanti, where they can actually participate in the annual Independence Day Parade. Bring along a decorated bike, wagon, or tricycle and lead the library’s bookmobile (the Navigator) in the parade.

Read the rest of this entry

Parks are such an important part of the Ann Arbor landscape that every five years, the city’s master plan for the parks is reviewed and updated.  In preparation for an October meeting of the park advisory commission, planner Amy Kuras is holding focus groups, surveying residents, and holding public meetings about the Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) plan before it is voted on by the parks advisory commission and city council and submitted for state approval.  The meetings have been lively so far, and certainly illustrate that planning for green space in Ann Arbor is no walk in the park.

The process, however, shows a lot about how issues that concern citizens and the future development of the city are handled in Ann Arbor.  Ms. Kuras asks substantive questions and wants thoughtful responses from the public.  Clearly, the goal is to have an Ann Arbor that includes planned green space, with amenities that are kid friendly, attractive, and useful to all.  After all, many people may move to Ann Arbor to attend or work at the University of Michigan or local companies; they stay because they get hooked on all Ann Arbor has to offer.

Read the rest of this entry