Avondale Square

Tucked away in a quiet area not far from major highways and restaurants, shopping and other businesses lies Avondale Square. It is just a short distance from Business I-69, Abbot Road and East Lake Lansing Road. It is within walking distance of Whitehills Park, which offers a baseball field and another field that is ideal for soccer or football.

Not far away is Patriarche Park. The neighborhood is also close to downtown. With a walking and bike path along East Saginaw Street, residents have easy access to many other nearby areas.

Avondale Square is part of a community revitalization project to replace old, empty houses with new buildings to attract families and breathe new life into the area. The homes are being built by Mayberry Homes and feature a wide range of styles, sizes and price ranges. They start at around $144,000 and include 3 and 4 bedrooms. If you choose to buy a new-build, you can select colors and other options to make the house look and feel like home.

This area has been designed to be a walkable community close to the East Lansing Public Schools. It is also nearby to the Michigan State campus with a small pocket park inside the community and child care facilities and a library for convenience close to the area. A community center is also part of the neighborhood. In addition to the single-family homes, you can find townhouses to fit in your price range.

If you are interested in looking at homes and models in Avondale Square, give me a call. I can tell you all about the area to help you decide if this is the right location for you and your family. Contact me if you are ready to start looking for your new home.

Abbott Parkside Neighborhood

If you are looking for a lovely neighborhood to call home, you may want to consider Abbott Parkside. Bordered by Abbey Road, Audrey's Way and Harrington Lane, this community is not far from US 127 for easy access to work or other places in the area.

The neighborhood is located near many amenities with plenty of shopping and dining places nearby. Healthcare facilities are also within a short drive, making this a wonderful retirement community. Numerous apartments and condos are available with features that are unique to each one. They may offer covered parking, on-site gym, a pool or other bonus features that will capture your attention.

The Crossings is one such association located in this area. They offer single-family homes that may run around $200,000. They were built in 2000 and often come with garages. Another option is Park Place Condos. This place is known for its low fees and offers beautiful features such as a nice deck that overlooks the woods and custom kitchens. These condos come with inside parking and many other nice bonuses.

Enjoy a slower pace in life when you live in Abbott Parkside. It is a short distance from the Falcon Golf Course where you may want to spend a few afternoons every month perfecting your golf swing. Spend time enjoying the great outdoors at Henry Fine Park or grab a cup of coffee at the Biggby Coffeehouse. You are also not far from a dog park to make your canine friends happy.

Coolidge Road lies right outside of the neighborhood to make it easy to get to all of your activities and appointments. If you have a young family, you will be concerned about the schools in the area. Pinecrest Elementary School is located nearby along with East Lansing High School. In addition, numerous private schools and secondary schools are within a short drive from Abbott Parkside.

If this sounds like a community you would like to know more about, please call me. I can help you find your next home in this wonderful neighborhood.

Combining Emotion and Logic for Your Next Real Estate Transaction

It is a well-known fact that people often buy out of emotion more than logic. This is obvious when you see advertisers appealing to a customer’s emotions for a product. It is true even in purchasing or selling real estate. It is one reason that what people want to buy may be very different from what they need.

Is Emotion Wrong?

At the height of the home-buying process just before the housing industry fell apart, many people were relying on emotions to buy their homes. They found the places they wanted and made the purchase regardless of whether they could afford it or even if it was a sound investment.

While that didn’t prove to be a good way of buying or selling properties. The other extreme doesn’t work either. You can find a house that meets all of your needs and looks good on paper, but you won’t be happy with it if it doesn’t make you happy (appeal to your emotions).

The Importance of Balance

It is important for either buying or selling a home that you combine the two, especially for buyers. The best way to make this a reality is to begin with the logical side. That is why it is a good idea to list your must-haves before you ever go look at a property. Also, take the time to figure your budget and know what amount is the top of your price range. When you go look at properties, stick with these guidelines so that you never lose sight of the practical side of buying a home.

On the other hand, don’t ignore the emotional side. If you see a property that looks good on paper but doesn’t feel like the right place, keep looking. It is unlikely that the home will grow on you in the long-term. Instead, you will be making a monthly mortgage payment on a property that you don’t like.

It has often been said that you will know when you find the home meant to be yours. Just make sure you are looking at only the homes you can afford and it will make sense both emotionally and logically. Contact me to help you find the right home to buy.

Get to Know Abbott Woods

Abbott Woods is a neighborhood located in East Lansing, Michigan. It is a small subdivision located off of Abbott Road. It is bordered by Abbott Woods Terrace and Abbott Woods Drive. While this is a small area, it is nearby many conveniences and amenities. It is within walking distance of a bus stop and an ATM.

For those who enjoy taking a walk or being close to nature, Whitehills Park is just a short distance away. Other nearby parks include Tamarisk Park and Henry Fine Park. If you prefer urban life, you have plenty of options, too. Enjoy delicious foods any time of the day from Big Apple Bagels for breakfast to Reno’s for a drink. The East Lansing public library is just a short drive on Abbot Rd. with the East Lansing High School nearby and Glencairn Elementary school close. MacDonald Middle school is also assigned to this neighborhood and is only 1.7 miles away. All of the schools have a high rating, which is important to families looking for a new home.

Just follow Abbot Rd to Highway 69 for easy access to the rest of East Lansing or to get out of town.

Homes in this area sell for around the mid-200’s with some under the $200k price tag. They are mostly single-family homes with many 3-bedroom, 2-bath places. The area would be ideal for young families, busy professionals working in the area or even retirees who want to enjoy East Lansing. Many of the homes in the area were built in the mid-1990s.

If you are interested in looking at homes in this area, give me a call. I can introduce you to the neighborhood and answer any questions you might have about the location. Contact me and let an agent who knows this area help you find your new home.

Capital Prime: The Newest Taste of Lansing

When you are house-hunting, you consider the neighborhood first. Along with safety and good schools, you also think about the best stores and restaurants. If you are planning to move close to the Eastwood Heights area or anywhere in Lansing, you want to check out Capital Prime. It is the newest steakhouse and seafood place and offers delicious foods to tempt your palate.

Located right behind the NCG cinema, it has plenty of room to accommodate up to 250 people. Host a fabulous party in one of the two private dining rooms. Besides a variety of meats, the restaurant tries to use local produce to create their fabulous entrees. Vegetarians can also find a variety of meals to suit them. A fabulous selection of wines and beers is included with a full dessert menu to finish off your meal.

In addition to a delicious menu, Capital Prime also features The Lounge, which becomes a fun piano and jazz bar with live local and nationally-known entertainment that can be enjoyed Thursday through Saturday evenings.

Capital Prime is sure to be a hit with the experience of the ownership team leading the way. Joseph Goodsir is the primary owner and is involved with many other eateries, including Harrison Roadhouse and The Riviera Café. His operating partner and the general manager of Capital Prime is Leonard Jump. The executive chef is Bassam Sharkas who has 23 years of experience in creating delectable menus that are unique and sophisticated.

If you want to try out this new hit in Lansing, the restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday from 4-10 and 4-12 Thursday through Saturday. On Sunday, you can enjoy a meal from 3-9. Make a reservation to enjoy Capital Prime. It has already been receiving rave reviews from visitors on the food and the atmosphere.

Is the American Dream Still Alive?

It has been a long way back from the housing crisis of 2008. In fact, statistics show that the U.S. is still nowhere near where it was before the boom that led to the bust. Does this mean that home ownership is no longer the American Dream? Is real estate not a viable investment in today’s world?

A Slow Return

The good news in the housing industry is that numbers have improved from where they went when the market hit bottom. The bad news is that the recovery isn’t complete yet. That doesn’t mean that it won’t happen or that something is wrong with the economy. To understand where the housing industry is and where it is going, you have to understand where it was.

At the height of the housing boom, more homes were being built than what had been averaged for the years before. The number of new homes being built today is higher than at the lowest point but nowhere close to the numbers before the recession. The reason for this is that it takes some time for the excess inventory to be reduced to normal.

Lost Confidence

Another problem is that many people have decided that buying is no longer the best option for them. They have chosen to rent instead as a more affordable choice. It takes some time for people to overcome the fears of home ownership after a recession. Over time, people will develop more confidence and forget about their fears and take the plunge. It may take several years for this to occur, but the housing market will recover gradually.

Another possible reason for the slow growth in the housing market is because more people are looking to alternative solutions. For example. Baby Boomers are downsizing and moving into condos and apartments instead of single-family homes.

Many people in the younger generation is saddled with higher student loans and problems finding a good-salaried, stable income. They can’t afford or qualify for the homes they want. However, once they overcome these issues and are ready to settle down, home ownership will become more appealing.

While the housing market has not rebounded like many had hoped, it is moving in the right direction and should continue to do so going forward. If you are ready to become a homeowner and are looking to buy a house, contact me. I can help you find the right place to call home.

How to Find Your Dream Home Within Your Budget

Imagine what your new home is going to look like. Fabulous cherry cabinets with granite countertops, an open floor plan, a large master bedroom with an amazing en suite bath. It’s time to get your head out of the clouds if you are a first-time buyer. Your home is definitely going to be special to you, but it probably won’t have everything you are looking for.

Get Real

What you have to remember is that when you are starting out, you won’t be able to afford everything you want. The goal is to find a starter home that has most of what you want and all of what you need. You can always move up later on.

Know What Matters

Figure out what really matters to you. It may not be the same thing as what is important to other people. This also means figuring out what you can live without. You may discover that you could be happy in a condo instead of a detached house. A condo is often less expensive while giving you the features that you love.

On the other hand, having a yard may be more important so you will settle for basic features inside. It’s all about compromise when you are buying your starter home, and you have to know what things are right to compromise on.

Consider an Older Home

While many people like the thought of moving into a brand new house that no one has lived in, you can get more for your money if you look at older homes. If you are willing to work with a fixer, you may even get a better deal. You can work on making it what you want over time and add value to the property. It is often a smart decision if you can live with a house the way it is now and see its potential.

Be Willing to Move

From your desired location, that is. Some neighborhoods are more expensive than others. If you do not want to sacrifice on the house you want, you may have to be willing to compromise on location. In some areas, you can barely get a 1,000-square foot house for a decent price. Move a few miles away and you can find a sprawling home with plenty of room and the latest upgrades for the same price.

In the end, it’s all about compromise and knowing what will make you happy and what you can live without. Be prepared to make some changes in your mind as you search for the dream home you want. If you are ready to begin that journey, contact me. I can help you start your search for the home that is right for you.