Quote of the Day

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Rick Curtis

“Paths are made by walking”

Franz Kafka

Fishing dock in Escanaba

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Rick Curtis

Do you you love to fish? If so, the Escanaba area is the perfect place to buy a house. The fishing on the Bays De Noc is so good, several professional fishing tournaments have been hosted here. The Bays are known for the awesome walleye fishing. Other types of fishing include salmon, bass and whitefish. During the winter, you will see countless ice shanties on the bay as people additionally enjoy ice fishing. Click on the linked words above for more local information about fishing. Also, check out this guide from the DNR.

Wells State Park

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Rick Curtis

Are you looking for an adventure that is not too far away from town? About 30 miles south of Escanaba you will find a beautiful Michigan State Park, Wells State Park. This park has a lot to offer. The park has a scenic campground with campsites so close to the lake, waves will lull you to sleep at night. There is an updated playground, rustic cabins and a sandy beach for your enjoyment. Take a walk down the beach or a nature trail to get your daily dose of the outdoors. After you close on your new home, pack up your gear and head out to play.

Real Estate Fact of the Day

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Rick Curtis

Did you know that Warren Buffet (one of the richest people in the world), still lives in the home he bought in 1958 for $31,500?

Source: Business Insider

Location, Location, Location!

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Rick Curtis

One of the most important factors when buying a home is location. Anyway you slice it, this has to be part of the equation when buying. After all, this is something you can’t change. Possible questions to consider before purchasing that next home are:

1.) Do I like this area?

2.) What do I think of the neighborhood?

3.) What schools will my kids be going to?

4.) How far is the closest grocery store, restaurant, hospital, etc?

5.) How far is my commute to work, school, etc?

The exact questions will vary for everyone, but the concept remains the same, where your piece of real estate is located will matter and needs to be a determining factor.

Happy Tails Story Time

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Rick Curtis

Are you settled in your new home but it feels a bit empty? Head down to the Delta Animal Shelter and adopt your newest family member. One fun activity the the shelter puts on is Happy Tails Story Time. It is a monthly event for children ages 3-5 and a caregiver to come listen to a story, engage in an activity and meet some of the animals. This event is enjoyable for the adults, children and animals.

Struggling to find a cold weather activity?

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Rick Curtis

It may be cold in the U.P. during winter, but there are a number of outdoor adventures to take advantage of, like snowmobiling, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing,snowboarding, ice fishing hiking, hockey, ice skating, skijoring, sledding, build a snowman, walking your dog, etc. What type of outdoor adventures do you enjoy in the winter?

Ideas to increase the value of your home to potential buyers

Posted on March 7, 2019 by Rick Curtis

There are multiple ways to increase your home value from minor tweaks to major upgrades. What are some ways to add value to your home without breaking the bank?

1.) Installing new knobs and pulls on your kitchen cabinets.

2.) Painting the rooms in your home to present a fresh, new look to potential buyers.

3.) Change out the front door to make your home “pop” with curb appeal.

4.) Upgrade or change out light fixtures if they are dated or don’t go with the property.

5.) Add crown molding

6.) Upgrade appliances

For more ideas to increase the value of your home, check out the following links:

1.) Realtor.com

2.) HGTV

3.) DIY Network

How much house can I afford?

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Rick Curtis

What we want and what we can afford may sometimes be a different story. We may want the most expensive lake home in our neighborhood or the log cabin of our dreams, our budget may not be on the same page with us. So, when looking for that next piece of property to purchase, a necessary question to ask is, “How much can I afford?”

According to bakrate.com your monthly payments should not equal more that 36% of your monthly income. This figure doesn’t only factor in your mortgage payment but all payments, like credit card, student loans, car loans etc. Taking on too large of a payment will put a strain on your budget and make other things, like saving for retirement or your kids college education more difficult. Take a look at these articles for more info on helping you determine how much home you can afford for your next purchase:

1.) Bank Rate

2.) Dave Ramsey

3.) Zillow

4.) Consumer Reports