Get to Know the Strathmore - Bailey Neighborhood

The Bailey neighborhood is a wonderful place to live if you are looking to move to the East Lansing area. It has plenty to offer people whether you are a young family, student, or retiree. It's close to downtown and the Michigan State University, but it's also a community of its own with special events and activities.

The area is bordered by East Grand River Avenue and East Saginaw Highway for easy access to other parts of town to make commuting fast and convenient. There's also plenty to do right in the area with restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Peking Express or even Harper's Restaurant and Brew Pub.

Enjoy being outside with two nearby parks: the little Valley Court Park and the larger Patriarche Park. You can also enjoy walking around campus or enjoy a performance at East Lansing Hannah Community Center. Since Bailey has its own community center right in the heart of the neighborhood, you'll find numerous activities scheduled throughout the month.

There's a wide range of housing from apartments to single-family detached homes. This area appeals to a wide range of people because of the differences in housing and prices. It's accurate to say you can find something for everyone. With home prices ranging from around $100,000 to those at well over $200,000, you can discover the perfect place to fit your budget and needs. There is new construction with modern design as well as older homes that have the classic character that many are looking for.

Bailey is truly a neighborhood that is designed for people of all ages. It features the East Lansing High School and other nearby schools both public and private. If you'd like to know more about this neighborhood, take a look at available homes on my website. Give me a call and I'll be happy to set up a time to show you some fabulous houses and help you learn more about the area. Consider Bailey for your next home and see what it has to offer.

The Avondale Project

Avondale is the perfect place to call home if you are looking for a quiet suburb right in the heart of East Lansing. Just a short walk from downtown, this area has everything young families are looking for.

Avondale Square is located within the 600 block of Virginia Avenue. The homes here are all detached with new single-family homes still being built. They all contain garages and are restricted for owner occupancy only to make this a more stable area. Pricing ranges from the low $100's to over $200 to make this affordable for families, young professionals and others on a limited salary.

A pocket park is located within the Square and other amenities are nearby. Located close to Avondale are the MacDonald Middle School, Marble Elementary School, and East Lansing High School. Because it has easy access to Business 69 and Highway 43, residents can get anywhere they need to go quickly.

Besides the park inside the community, several nearby parks allow you to enjoy nature. There's Valley Court Park and Patriarche Park where a new playground is slated to begin construction this summer to provide new facilities for the area's youth. It also contains pavilions and picnic tables where families can host events or just enjoy spending time outside together.

Spend time walking around the Michigan State University campus located not far away.

Many of these homes are two- or three-bedroom homes with around 2,000 square feet. They feature several different designs so that you can choose the one that suits your personal style. All homes are built by Mayberry Homes and are one- or two-stories.

Avondale is part of the city's Strong Neighborhoods initiative to bring better housing to the downtown area and create stable, solid neighborhoods. If you think this might be the place for you, give me a call. I can show you around the area so you can truly get a feel for the community and the goals of the neighborhood. Contact me and let me help you find your new home today.

Living in Hawk Hollow

If you enjoy the idea of living in a tranquil setting where neighbors get to know each other, then take a look at Hawk Hollow. This is a small community in East Lansing that has a lot to offer. Whether you want to retire or raise a family, Hawk Hollow may be the right spot for you.

Spend an afternoon on Eagle Eye Golf Course to perfect your swing or stop by Lou & Harry's Sports Bar and Grill for lunch. If you like the idea of a little variety, you're also not far from the Falcon Golf Course. Pet owners are just a short walk from the Northern Tail dog park where they can allow their friends to play and meet other dogs. Just a short walk and you are at Whitehills Park where you can enjoy nature in the middle of the city.

Hawk Hollow is a great place to raise a family with several schools nearby. For the young kids, you can choose between Pinecrest or Whitehills Elementary. They can move on up to MacDonald Middle School before they finish out their education at East Lansing High School.

You'll also find great places to live in Hawk Hollow with options from condominiums to single-story and two-story houses. Properties are built by Mayberry Homes and you can find a variety of styles and layouts to choose from. Choose your home based on square footage, layout, or number of bedrooms to find something to suit your family.

The area is beautiful with detailed landscaping to add to the design of the community. Hawk Hollow is tucked away in East Lansing just off Coleman Road. It is located close to all of the amenities you love while giving you the feeling of being miles away from the chaos of everyday life.

If this sounds like a place you could call home, I'd be happy to show you around. See what's available and pick out your new home. Give me a call and we can schedule a meeting so you can get to know everything there is to love about Hawk Hollow.

Enjoy Life in College Fields

A small community within the heart of the city of Okemos, College Fields is a wonderful place to raise a family. You are right on the edge of the College Fields golf course so you can go hit a few holes any time. It also provides the peace and quiet away from the bustling activity of a city.

Looking for a great place to live? College Fields just might be the home you've been waiting for. It's a place that is unique and yet has a comfortable familiarity to remind you of the neighborhood where you grew up. You'll find a wide variety of people living here, from young families to retirees to everyone in between.

Surrounded by the large 18-hole golf course, you can enjoy the tranquility that living in College Fields brings. Stop by the clubhouse grill for lunch or take a walk around the neighborhood. Catch a view of the wildlife in the area and forget that you are living in the middle of the city.

Homes in this lovely community are built by Mayberry and feature a variety of designs to reflect the diverse personalities. Choose from one-story homes to more elaborate two-story designs with front porches that are meant for relaxing and chatting with the neighbors. Instead of a cookie-cutter design, you get the feeling that each house fits the family that lives inside.

Families with kids will appreciate the fact that the Bennett Woods Elementary School and Okemos High School surrounds the community while the Chippewa Middle School is just down the street. And I-92 is not too far away, making it easy to access other city amenities while still keeping the small-town feel.

If you are shopping for a new home, consider College Fields for your needs. I would be happy to show you some fabulous homes in the area so you can check out the neighborhood. Just give me a call at (517) 351-7373 to set up an appointment and begin the search for your home today.  

Exploring the Neighborhood of Glencairn

Glencairn is a neighborhood located in East Lansing, Michigan. Originally dubbed Glen Cairn in 1926 by Robert Shaw using names from Scotland, his ancestral home, the subdivision later became known as Glencairn. Today it is an active community and a great place to live.

Take a walk around the neighborhood and you will see beautiful flowers and fabulous landscaping. Stop by Shaw Park for a moment to relax and people-watch. Even though it is part of a larger city, you get a real sense of community through the association with special events like the neighborhood picnic and garage sale.

You can visit the East Lansing Public Library or spend some time in Sherman Park, both within walking distance. Glencairn has its own elementary school for 5^th and 6^th graders with above average test scores. The East Lansing High School is also nearby, making this a great place to raise a family. Since the neighborhood is bordered on one side by W Grand River Avenue, it has easy access to other neighborhoods and areas.

You can find a wide variety of housing in this community from condominiums to detached houses. This also means you can find a wide price range to fit many budgets. Find homes from the $130's to over $600,000 and in a variety of architectural styles. You'll discover older two-story homes from the 1920s when the community was brand new as well as more modern designs.

If you are looking for a new place to call home, Glencairn just might be the perfect spot for you and your family. It also makes a wonderful location for investors looking at property. Whatever reason you are considering Glencairn, give me a call and I can show you available properties that fit within your budget and meet your needs.

Call me at (517) 351-7373 or send me an email at rbuffington@tomieraines.com. I'd love to show you around this wonderful neighborhood and help you find your new home.

Eagle Eye Living

Eagle Eye is a fabulous community just north of East Lansing with spectacular views and wonderful amenities.

Mayberry Homes is the builder of Eagle Eye. These homes have a mission style design that is simple and convenient. While these condominiums boast the latest and best in modern technology, they also recall the unique beauty of old-world styling. These homes are energy efficient and make excellent use of space while providing the lighting and style you can appreciate.

The Eagle Eye condominiums feature between 1 and 3 bedrooms with two to 2 ½ baths. These homes are all about having enough space for the things you need with floor plans starting at just over 1600 square feet and going upwards to over 3000 square feet. Since most of these homes are just one story, they offer convenience and function.

Located nearby is Frandor Mall with many stores conveniently located for easy shopping from Eagle Eye. Browse items in Tuesday Morning or World Market after enjoying breakfast or lunch at Panera's. Stop in Tripper's Bar and Grill for dinner or a drink after your shopping is done. Other great places to eat or hang out include Jimmy's Pub and Lou & Harry's Sports Bar and Grill.

Not too far away is Henry Fine Park where you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors right in the middle of the city. The Eastwood Town Center offers some great music in the summer music series. Besides Eagle Eye Golf Course, you can also try out the links at The Falcon Golf Course.

If you live an active lifestyle and are looking for a beautiful, spacious home, Eagle Eye Condominiums may be the perfect fit for you. Check out available properties from Lansing Real Estate or give me a call at (517) 351-7373. I will be happy to show you around and help you find your new home. With a wide range in sizes and prices, Eagle Eye has something to offer everyone.

Eagle Eye Living

Eagle Eye is a fabulous community just north of East Lansing with spectacular views and wonderful amenities.

Mayberry Homes is the builder of Eagle Eye. These homes have a mission style design that is simple and convenient. While these condominiums boast the latest and best in modern technology, they also recall the unique beauty of old-world styling. These homes are energy efficient and make excellent use of space while providing the lighting and style you can appreciate.

The Eagle Eye condominiums feature between 1 and 3 bedrooms with two to 2 ½ baths. These homes are all about having enough space for the things you need with floor plans starting at just over 1600 square feet and going upwards to over 3000 square feet. Since most of these homes are just one story, they offer convenience and function.

Located nearby is Frandor Mall with many stores conveniently located for easy shopping from Eagle Eye. Browse items in Tuesday Morning or World Market after enjoying breakfast or lunch at Panera's. Stop in Tripper's Bar and Grill for dinner or a drink after your shopping is done. Other great places to eat or hang out include Jimmy's Pub and Lou & Harry's Sports Bar and Grill.

Not too far away is Henry Fine Park where you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors right in the middle of the city. The Eastwood Town Center offers some great music in the summer music series. Besides Eagle Eye Golf Course, you can also try out the links at The Falcon Golf Course.

If you live an active lifestyle and are looking for a beautiful, spacious home, Eagle Eye Condominiums may be the perfect fit for you. Check out available properties from Lansing Real Estate or give me a call at (517) 351-7373. I will be happy to show you around and help you find your new home. With a wide range in sizes and prices, Eagle Eye has something to offer everyone.

Life and Living in Dewitt, Michigan

Dewitt, Michigan is a great place to live if you are looking for a better quality of life. It offers the peace and quiet of a smaller town while still providing easy access to amenities and entertainment in nearby Lansing. Here is a closer look at Dewitt, the city voted in the Top 100 best places to live in 2005 from CNNMoney.

What Dewitt Has to Offer

If education is important to you, then you can't do much better than Dewitt. The public school district is much higher in quality than the state average. It is also a low-crime area with very few serious acts of crime committed each year. This is a safe, wonderful place to raise a family.

However, Dewitt doesn't just appeal to families with children. With its Prairie Creek golf course, five city parks and other activities, it's also a great place to retire. Enjoy a slower pace of life without giving up the things you enjoy. While it's away from the city, it's close enough to Lansing when you want a night out. Dewitt features movie theaters, numerous restaurants and bars, and libraries and museums all either within the city or less than a half-hour's drive away.

Whether you are a fan of The Draft House or in the mood for pizza at Relli's, you'll find delicious options for dining out. Since you're only a few minutes from Lansing, you can go to the city to take in a play or concert or go shopping. It's also an easy commute if you want to work in the city but live somewhere quieter.

Many Reasons to Live in Dewitt

While the median income is higher than the rest of the state and many white-collar professionals live here, housing is affordable for the average person. A large portion of the residents are home-owners, making this a stable community to live in.

Between the low crime rate, easy commute to the city, and plenty of activities in this family-oriented community, Dewitt is a great place to live. It is ideal not only for families but for those who want to take time to enjoy life in a relaxing environment. If you are looking for a home in this wonderful community, give me a call to find out what's available and make your new home Dewitt.

The Advantages of the 1031 Exchange

If you are looking to avoid paying capital gains taxes on some commercial or investment property, you can benefit from the 1031 exchange. This is good news for those holding valuable property.

What is the 1031 Exchange?

The Title 26, Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code is known as the 1031 exchange. It specifies that you will not be required to recognize any gain or loss on a property that is exchanged for another property of the same kind. The properties must be used for a business or investment. It is important to note that it does not have to be of equal value or of the exact same type. In other words, it does not need to be land for land or office for office.

The Advantage

Instead of paying taxes on the sale of your property, you can use that money to purchase a higher-priced property. You have to meet the time frame requirements to qualify for this benefit, but it can allow you to continually move up in your property and grow your portfolio. It is in essence an interest-free loan from the government to use to increase your investment.

Another benefit of this exchange is that if the property is not sold before the owner dies, the heirs only pay taxes on the current value. They will not be responsible for any capital gains taxes from past purchases.

How You Can Use the 1031 Exchange

Investors are not required to exchange their property for a new investment at the same time even though it is allowed. This is called a simultaneous exchange. The most common type is the delayed exchange where your purchase occurs at a later date than the sale. However, there is a time limit that the investor must be aware of.

You can also build on a purchased property and use the exchange proceeds for the improvements.

If you are looking to buy or sell a commercial property or investment, contact me. I can help you find what you are looking for or attract buyers to the property you are selling.