|
|
-
Recovery in both real estate and employment has taken longer than we ever anticipated, and even though there are signs of stabilization in both areas, we are managing to a lower set of expectations for the foreseeable future. Underwater borrowers, along with continued high unemployment, remain the biggest threats to the housing recovery. At the end of last year, among all U.S. homes with a mortgage 24 percent were underwater. Those properties are mostly in California, Arizona, Florida, Michigan and Nevada.
It is predicted that home prices will decline into next year, Fannie Mae said, reversing earlier projections that the housing market would stabilize this year. After the expiration of the home buyer tax credits, transactions began falling immediately and were down to around 30,000 at the end of July. Although, foreclosures, though down from their 2009 highs, still average well over 300,000 homes per month. While it takes a record 461 days to complete a foreclosure, on average. Fannie Mae said that it expects its inventory of repossessed homes "to continue to increase significantly throughout 2010."
The market got a major lift from a federal tax credit for first-time home buyers, a program that spurred sales but is no longer available to new buyers, that boost did not ripple after the tax credit ended. The first-time home-buyer tax credit, which expired April 30, helped 2.5 million people buy a home, while the Home Affordable Modification Program, which helps borrowers modify mortgages rather than face foreclosure, is on pace to help 3 million to 4 million homeowners by 2012.
The rumors are continuing to grow louder that the Obama administration is planning to announce a massive stimulus via the housing market later this month. Earlier this week, the word was that the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac might subsidize mortgage refinancing at below-market interest rates. But today, a possibility is being talked about where the GSEs instead (or maybe also) forgive the principal on the underwater mortgages they own or guarantee.
Home prices, as best we can judge, have really flattened out in the last year. And while it is true that most economists expect a small dip from here largely as a consequence of the ending of the home buyer tax credit, the data does not show that at this particular stage.
Here's a look at the number of foreclosure filings since the Home Affordable Modification Program began its first trial modifications in March 2009. Permanent modification of loans began in July 2009.
 For more information on purchasing a home please contact the Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
President Barack Obama on Thursday opened the nation's ninth advanced battery plant funded with economic stimulus money, leveraging taxpayer dollars to build a new national industry.
Compact Power Inc., Holland's second advanced battery plant half-funded by $151 million from the stimulus, will manufacture batteries for the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric car, with a projected 52,000 to be produced each year. It will also supply the power for a new electric Ford Focus. It is only a part of a $2.4 billion federal commitment to the fledgling industry, financed under the economic stimulus.
White House economists say the U.S. produced less than 2% of the world's advanced batteries in 2009. By 2012, plants in the U.S. will have the capacity to produce 20% of the world's production. By 2015, that share will be 40%, the White House says.
But capacity is one thing. Demand for electric vehicles is another, and the market has been fickle in the past. Menahem Anderman, chief executive of Total Battery Consulting in California, estimates that the capacity to produce advanced automotive batteries just from the stimulus-funded U.S. plants will be three times greater than global demand by 2014.
To view the full article visitWall Street Journal
Noting that a shrinking US economy is now growing due to the steps being taken by his Administration, President Barack Obama asserted that his country would emerge stronger than before from this turmoil.
Addressing a meeting in Holland, Michigan, on clean energy, Obama asserted that because of the series of steps being taken by his Administration, the US would emerge from this period of turmoil; and come out stronger than it was before. Referring to the economic recession, he said it was a decade in which it seemed like the values that built this country were turned upside-down.
"It got even worse when the financial crisis sent our economy into a freefall and cost eight million Americans their jobs. Michigan was hit harder than anywhere else. An on top of this recession, you were also rocked by the near collapse of the domestic auto industry," he said.
"That's why, when my administration began, we cut taxes for small business owners and for 95 per cent of working families here in Michigan and across the country. We extended unemployment insurance to help folks get through these storms," he said.
"And we are seeing results. There are 4.5 million unemployed workers already hired whose employers are eligible for a payroll tax exemption, a tax break that I signed into law earlier this year," he said.
To view the full article visit Business Standard 
|
-
The list ranked public schools according to their scores on the MEAP and MME standardized tests, based on the number of students who scored well enough to be considered “proficient” in English language arts and math and on how much schools were able to improve the scores between the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years. This is the first year the schools have been ranked comparatively. Black River Public School, Eagle Crest Charter Academy, Hamilton High School and Hamilton Middle School also posted scores at or higher than the 90th percentile. Holland High School was ranked in the 42nd percentile, making it one of the lowest-ranked high schools in the greater Holland area.
RANKINGS FOR AREA HIGH SCHOOLS:
School Percentile
1. Saugatuck High School 99
2. Black River Public School 97
3. Hamilton High School 90
4. Zeeland West High School 81
5. Zeeland East High School 74
6. West Ottawa High School 63
7. Holland High School 42
8. Fennville High School 24
For the extended list visit the Holland Sentinel.com
For more information on purchasing a home along Michigan's waterfront contact the Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
New in town, New Downtown Holland Businesses
Fustini's Olive Oil and Vinegars tasting room At Fustini's they offer you a broad selection of Aged Balsamic Vinegars and the freshest Extra Virgin Olive Oils you can find in Michigan. Their products are imported from artisans and small batch producers worldwide to shops in downtown Traverse City, Petoskey, Holland & Ann Arbor where you can taste each one, and where they bottle and seal them for you right before your eyes. Fustini's offers 21 different Oils and 20-some Balsamic Vinegars in the store that you can mix to make a perfect marinade. Newb's a jewelry boutique offers a large variety of jewelry, accessories and some woman's clothing. The name is an acronym for necklaces, earrings, watches, and bracelets. Newb's has name brand jewelry, items are priced at amazing deals, and they take great pride in finding the best quality items at the best possible prices. Newb's is located at 182 South River Ave. Thistle Gallery relocated from a different part of town to Eighth Street. Thistle Gallery features a unique collection of fine handmade creations from professional artists in varied mediums. This gallery features work from more than 80 different artists in mediums including painting's, jewelry, pottery, glass, and more. Holland Clock Company is a retail outlet for German Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks, German Novelty Clocks, Black Forest Miniature Clocks, Dutch-style Clocks, and other unique Clocks. Holland Clock Company opened for business located on College Avenue downtown in March. Warner Vineyards invites you to explore, taste and experience their award-winning wines and champagnes. Enjoy complimentary wine tasting in the tasting rooms. Warner also produces a line of French hybrid wines and two flavorful non-alcoholic sparkling fruit juices, as well as dessert wines such as Cream Sherry and Port. Warner Vineyard tasting room is located at 208 College Avenue. Out with the old in with the new locationKilwin's is a confectionery shoppes that also offers our customers a unique online shopping experience. Kilwin's has moved to a newly renovated store on the corner of Eighth Street and College Street. With over 20 shops in Michigan Kilwin's continues to satisfy our sweet tooth with their confectionery delights including chocolates, fudge and ice cream. Tip Toes is a unique baby boutique. Tip Toes offers a wide selection of baby shoes, strollers, wall decor, furniture, baby books, toys, and gear for babies to young children. Tip Toes has also moved to a newly renovated storefront on Eighth Street next to Kilwin's. Second story artistHolland's downtown is know for its quaint shops and welcoming atmosphere but now more culture is being added to the second story. Most shoppes second stories are used as apartments, business offices, or condos but that is slowly changing. Artists have opened studio spaces and retail galleries on the upper floor adding more to the unique and vibrant downtown atmosphere. The upper story of the Model Drug/Apothecary Shop is a studio and gallery for four local artists. Readers World across the street is also a location for a second story gallery. Downtown Street PerformersEvery Thursday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm June 10 to August 26 Downtown Holland comes alive with street performers. features 70 different performers in 29 different locations over three blocks of the downtown streets. During the Series, artists from all backgrounds perform free for the public, filling the streets of Downtown with musicians, aerial acrobats, jugglers, dancers, balloon twisters, theatrical troupes, magicians, caricature artists, and much, much more. For more information on purchasing a home in Holland, Michigan contact the Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
Excerpt from: Borrowers face foreclosure after Obama loan assistance program fails to provide help.
The Obama administration's flagship effort to help people in danger of losing their homes is falling flat. More than a third of the 1.24 million borrowers who have enrolled in the $75 billion mortgage modification program have dropped out. Borrowers that have left the program total 436,000 since it began in March 2009. Most of those borrowers likely defaulted on their modified loans, but a handful either refinanced or sold their homes. That exceeds the number of people who have managed to have their loan payments reduced to help them keep their homes. Analysts expect the majority will still wind up in foreclosure and that could slow the broader economic recovery.
Obama administration officials contend that borrowers are still getting help -- even if they fail to qualify. The administration published statistics showing that nearly half of borrowers who fell out of the program as of April received an alternative loan modification from their lender. About 7 percent fell into foreclosure.
As more people leave the program, a new wave of foreclosures could occur. If that happens, it could weaken the housing market and hold back the broader economic recovery. Even after their loans are modified, many borrowers are simply stuck with too much debt -- from car loans to home equity loans to credit cards.
Another option is a short sale -- one in which banks agree to let borrowers sell their homes for less than they owe on their mortgage. A short sale results in a less severe hit to a borrower's credit score, and is better for communities because homes are less likely to be vandalized or fall into disrepair. To encourage more of those sales, the Obama administration is giving $3,000 for moving expenses to homeowners who complete such a sale or agree to turn over the deed of the property to the lender.
A major reason so many have fallen out of the program is the Obama administration initially pressured banks to sign up borrowers without insisting first on proof of their income. When banks later moved to collect the information, many troubled homeowners were disqualified or dropped out. Many borrowers complained that the banks lost their documents. The industry said borrowers weren't sending back the necessary paperwork.
Graphic shows the number of permanent modification loans active and the number all loans canceled.
Treasury officials now require banks to collect two recent pay stubs at the start of the process. Borrowers have to give the Internal Revenue Service permission to provide their most recent tax returns to lenders. Requiring homeowners to provide documentation of income has turned people away from enrolling in the program. Around 30,000 homeowners started the program in May. That's a sharp turnaround from last summer when more than 100,000 borrowers signed up each month.
Obama's program is designed to lower borrowers' monthly payments -- reducing their mortgage rates to as low as 2 percent for five years and extending loan terms to as long as 40 years. Borrowers who complete the program are saving a median of $514 a month. Mortgage companies get taxpayer incentives to reduce borrowers' monthly payments.
About 340,000 homeowners have received permanent loan modifications and are making payments on time. Administration officials say the housing market is significantly better than when President Barack Obama entered office. They say those who were rejected from the program will get help in other ways.
For the full article click : Borrowers exit troubled Obama mortgage program.
For more information on purchasing or selling your home contact the Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
Dave Ramsey is a financial author, radio host, television personality, and motivational speaker. He has worked in the real estate business for many years in . He gives financial advisor that counsels folks hurting from the results of financial stress to help them avoid the mistakes he himself has made. Q: What are the advantages of using a real estate agent versus going the for-sale-by-owner route when it comes to selling a home? A: I've had a real estate license for 30 years. If I were to put my personal residence on the market today, I'd use an active real estate agent who really knows his or her stuff in the marketplace. I'd gladly pay them their commission, too. Now, why would I do that if I could just sell it myself and save the commission cost? For starters, if I do a for-sale-by-owner. I'm only getting my place in front of buyers I can attract from seeing a newspaper ad, Craigslist and anyone who happens to drive by the house. If I go with a high-octane real estate agent, I'll have the advantage of being exposed to their entire pool of buyers. More importantly, I'll be in the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service, database. There, you'll immediately have thousands of potential buyers. So, who do you think will have the best chance of selling my house? Market exposure is everything in the real estate game! And think about this: Even if you went the or-sale-by-owner route, every time you moved, you might do three or four of these transactions in a lifetime. A good agent closed three or four deals last week! They'll know all the ins and outs of buying and selling a home, and they'll walk you through every step of the process. Research has shown that between basic mistakes, pricing errors and lack of negotiation skills, you'll cost yourself more than the agent's commission by trying to sell it yourself. Trust me, you'll get a much better deal - with a lot less hassle - by using a top-flight real estate agent! Dave Ramsey: Real estate agent or for-sale-by-owner? For more information on selling your home with an experienced realtor team contact the Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
The State of Michigan no longer is on the steep downward slide that began when the national financial crisis hit in fall 2008, although it's a long way from climbing back to the level of economic activity it saw as recently as five years ago. Auto sales are rising after dropping to their lowest level in 50 years, and the three domestic automakers could see their share of the U.S. market rise this year after years of decline, University of Michigan economist George Fulton said. Michigan's unemployment rate still leads the nation after peaking at 14.5 percent in December, ending a year in which 285,600 jobs disappeared, including close to a fifth of the auto jobs present in 2007. Job losses so far this year have been far fewer, allowing unemployment to ease down to 14 percent. The Michigan Association of Homebuilders announced in April that it was seeing a modest recovery and expects permits to build single-family homes will be up 35 percent through October compared to a year ago. Among existing homes, houses that used to get no interest from buyers now are getting several offers. The competition for homes costing $600,000 or less is growing. Other business owners also are becoming cautiously optimistic, said Rich Studley, Michigan Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. Starting about two months ago, "All across the state people were coming up with a smile on their face saying, 'I think we've hit the bottom,'" he said. "What they were saying was, 'We've stopped losing money, we're going to survive, we're confident that the worst is behind us.'" Many residents are still discouraged about Michigan's economic future, however. A full quarter of the 600 likely voters questioned in a recent poll said they think Michigan's economy will get worse. Among the 73 percent who think the economy has bottomed out, only 35 percent think it's starting to improve, while the rest feel it isn't getting any better. The May 22-26 poll was conducted by Lansing-based EPIC-MRA for the Detroit Free Press and television stations WXYZ, WOOD, WJRT and WILX. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 4 percentage points. Shaky Michigan economy slowly starting to recover By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN (AP) For more information on purchasing a Michigan home contact Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
Michigan Motion Pictures Studios LLC has been promised local government assistance to build a $60 million film studio here at the Centerpoint Business Campus. The Oakland County Economic Development Corp., a public-private entity, has authorized the issuance of $28 million worth of tax-exempt bonds to finance the Raleigh Michigan Studios. With the funds, the company will renovate a 425,000-square-foot existing office building formerly used by General Motors. The company will also build a 185,000-square-foot studio. The project should be complete by January, according to a statement by the county. The funds will help add to the emerging film industry in Michigan, according to County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. “Such growth depends on the ability of the industry to build studios such as this,” he said in a statement. Patterson appoints local bankers, real estate developers, lawyers and other members of the community to the economic development entity, which then has the authority to issue bonds. Michigan has joined the competition for studios since it created its film incentive, officially called the film production credit. The refundable, assignable tax credit is offered for up to 42% of the amount of a production company’s expenditures (depending upon type) that are incurred in producing a film or other media entertainment project in Michigan. An estimated $325 million has been generated so far in Michigan with more than 87 major film productions and TV projects creating 7,000 jobs. Films include Gran Torino, Dreamgirls, Transformers, Up In the Air and 8 Mile to name a few. In 2010, three more major studios are expected to open in Michigan with the number rapidly growing. For more information on purchasing a home in Michigan contact Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
|
The near-collapse of the housing industry has actually had one beneficial effect: It has increased affordability for those with the ability to consider making such a high-ticket purchase. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) showed that 72.3% of all new and existing homes sold in the second quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,000. The large inventory of homes continues to push prices down, and that combined with continued low interest rates has made housing more affordable than it has been for several years. In fact, Michigan is one of the most affordable housing markets in the nation. Several Michigan cities ranked highly in the survey, including Detroit/Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Bay City and Lansing.
Home prices rose in 91 U.S. cities in the first quarter as states hard hit by foreclosures began to recover and a tax credit cut the number of properties for sale. Cities with the most foreclosures a year earlier had the biggest price increases as a tax credit of as much as $8,000 boosted demand and drove the supply of unsold homes to a four- year low in January.
The National Association of Realtors has lowered expectations for sales of U.S. resale homes in 2010. Only time will tell how the residential real estate market will be affected by the expiration of the home buyer tax credits. Consumers remain unsure about the direction of the housing market, but are optimistic about real estate values
Lawrence Yun, the national group's chief economist, said favorable affordability conditions have been working with the tax credit. "Clearly the home buyer tax credit has helped stabilize the market. In the months immediately following the expiration of the tax credit, we expect measurably lower sales," he said. "Later in the second half of the year, and into 2011, home sales will likely become self-sustaining if the economy can add jobs at a respectable pace, and from a return of buyer demand as they see home values stabilizing."
|
-
 MANISTEE — Imagine Manistee -- a place where boutiques and the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan are within walking distance of one another. Street musicians wander the sidewalks every Saturday in the summer. A farmers market sets up shop near a marina. A barrier-free river walk takes people on a waterfront tour of the downtown shopping district. And every building in sight — from a combination wine shop and art gallery to an inn built as a bank in 1891 — is on the National Register of Historic Places. “There’s a ‘hidden gem’ mentality to this place,” said Travis Alden, director of the Manistee Main Street and Downtown Development Authority. Downtown Manistee is both quaint and lively during the summer. Once known as the “Victorian Port City,” Manistee was a booming part of Michigan’s lumber era in the late 1800s, claiming more millionaires per capita than any other place in the state. In recent years, the city of 6,500 year-round residents is better known for its splendid fishing; unparalleled access to inland lakes, rivers and the Big Lake; and, of course, the Little River Casino Resort just five miles down the road on U.S. 31. “We’re glad the casino’s here. It brings people to this county that might not otherwise come,” Alden said, “but there’s more to Manistee than fishing and the casino.” There’s River Street: Manistee’s main downtown corridor that stretches from U.S. 31 to the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s enjoying a renaissance of its own, a revitalization that’s drawing not just tourists, but people who are learning to see their hometown through new eyes. “I love being an ambassador for Manistee,” said Jennie Marie Naffie, editor and publisher of the Women’s LifeStyle Northshore magazine that has a circulation from Muskegon north to Manistee. “As a kid, I think I took it for granted.” Now a resident of Muskegon, Naffie returns to her hometown of Manistee regularly on business. While there, she makes a point of shopping at its cluster of women-owned and operated businesses, including The Ideal Kitchen, Surroundings Candle Factory & Fine Cigars and Moving Spirit-Lloyd Henry’s Great Wine and Great Art — all on the same block on the west end of River Street. “There’s a local touch to downtown that you don’t see other places. There’s no ‘big box store’ feel to the downtown. It’s just really special,” Naffie said. Draw for business That’s what drew Shelley Doyen to River Street to open Ideal Kitchen, a full-service gourmet kitchen shop, four years ago. “I fell in love with downtown, all the unique shops ... all the possibilities,” Doyen said. Few shops are more unique than her next-door neighbor, Surroundings Candle Factory & Fine Cigars, with its walk-in humidor and smoking lounge where people who enjoy cigars will be still able to indulge in a fine smoke even after the May 1 no-smoking law goes into effect in Michigan. “Well, we’ve got something you’re not going to see everywhere,” said Karen Carlson, who owns the store with her husband, Oscar Carlson. Unique features Just like at Moving Spirit, a one-of-a-kind business that is a wine shop and an art gallery that sells the work of local artists. But the true star is the building itself with its original zinc ceiling and other historical elements from the 1800s, said store manager Theresa Burke. Burke said the family atmosphere is another reason to visit the area. While mom shops, the kids can enjoy themselves on the beaches of Lake Michigan — just a few minutes away on foot, less than that by bike or car. Dad can fish, dock a boat at the marina, enjoy a cool one at any number of pubs along the way, some of which have outdoor decks overlooking the Manistee River and river walk. “We like to think of this as our own ‘Magnificent Mile,’” said Alden. “If you go west on River Street from U.S. 31 to the beach, you have shops, restaurants, art galleries, a marina, the river walk, two historical museums, recreational parks and boat launches. There’s just so much in a compact area.” Inn again The Ramsdell Inn, built as a bank in 1891 and renovated into an inn in 2003, anchors one of the most spectacular corners on River Street. The inn takes full advantage of its historic splendor, including turning an ancient bank vault into a gift shop. “It literally takes you back in time,” said manager Julie Feliczak. “It’s a little piece of history ... that doesn’t have that franchise feel to it.” T.J.’s Pub, which offers libations and food, shares space in the same building as the inn. Visitors walk downstairs to the pub, which occupies what was once Manistee’s first drugstore. There’s history around every corner in Manistee. The celebrated Ramsdell Theater, where actor James Earl Jones got his professional acting start, is just a couple blocks away on Maple Street. The North Pier Lighthouse acts as sentinel on the other end of town. The Manistee County Historical Museum can’t be contained to one site. It has its main “branch” on River Street, as well as the Water Works Museum near the waterfront. But the city’s downtown isn’t stuck in the past. This summer, four new shops will open on River Street just in time for tourist season that swells Manistee to twice its year-round size: The Bookstore; a meat market/deli/party store named River Street Stockyard and Spirits; The Glenwood with foods from the popular restaurant by the same name in Onekama; and finally an antiques-home furnishings store on the corner of River Street and U.S. 31. Add to that a new Mexican restaurant, La Familia, and the established Boathouse Grille that overlooks the river and river walk. The big draw But it’s the water — Lake Michigan and the Manistee River especially — that brings so many people to the city’s confines. “In Manistee, there’s constant and immediate access to water,” Alden said. “On your way home from work or shopping, you can make an impromptu stop at the beach. “I know people who always have their fishing gear in their vehicles ... that’s just how it is in Manistee.” And if that’s not enough, a band shell on the river walk is home to free concerts every Thursday night from June through August; the Manistee National Forest Festival is celebrated the first week in July; and The Port City Street Fair runs the first weekend after Labor Day in September.  MANISTEE Information: Go to visitmanistee.com or manisteedowntown.com. Call Manistee County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (231) 398-9355 or (877) 626-4783; Manistee Chamber of Commerce at (231) 723-2575; or Manistee Main Street and Downtown Development Authority at (231) 398-3262. Events, attractions, festivals, maps and other information are all provided on those websites. Water, water everywhere: Manistee is one of the busiest shipping and recreational ports on Lake Michigan. Watch 700-foot-long Great Lakes freighters navigate the narrow Manistee River Channel. During summer, Great Lakes cruise ships frequently visit. Maritime history buffs will enjoy visiting the S.S. City of Milwaukee, a historic car ferry ship and museum berthed on Manistee Lake. Side trip: Little River Casino Resort is five miles northeast of downtown on U.S. 31, near the juncture of M-22. Info: littlerivercasino.com, (888) 568-2244 or (231) 723-1535. Manistee: Beaches, boutiques and bumming around in this port city BY SUSAN HARRISON WOLFFIS Article found in the Grand Rapids PressFor more information on purchasing a home in Manistee contact the Andrea Crossman Group
|
-
The Great Lakes region is leading the U.S. out of the housing downturn as lower home prices trigger an increase in buyers with government incentives. The shake-up in Housing Predictor's best 25 housing markets for 2010 leaps Detroit, Michigan one of the worst impacted markets in the nation to the #1 position. Detroit is now forecast to experience double-digit appreciation in home prices for the year. The Best 25 markets for 2010 are taken from housing markets forecast by Housing Predictor in all 50 states and are updated as conditions demand over the course of the entire year.
Best 25 Housing Markets 2010 Update | Rank | Real Estate Market | Forecast | | 1. | Detroit, MI | 21.5% | | 2. | Cleveland, OH | 17.8% | | 3. | Cincinnati, OH | 12.7% | | 4. | Columbus, OH | 10.3% | | 5. | Grand Rapids, MI | 8.4% | | 6. | Lafayette, LA | 6.8% | | 7. | Marquette, MI | 6.4% | | 8. | Des Moines, IA | 5.7% | | 9. | Baton Rouge, LA | 5.5% | | 10. | Arlington, VA | 4.8% |
|
-
In the wake of the Holland area’s No. 2 national ranking in the Gallup-Healthways’ Well-Being Index, The Holland Sentinel is printing readers’ reflections on why they’re happy to live in Holland. Submissions may be e-mailed to newsroom@hollandsentinel.com (put “happy” in the subject line) or mailed to Sentinel Newsroom, 54 W. Eighth St., Holland, MI 49423.
What makes me happy about Holland:
1. Max bus transportation for the handicapped.
2. Sidewalks and paths for casual biking.
3. Kollen Park, Window on Waterfront, Windmill Island, Sanctuary Woods, the path to the lighthouse, Laketown Township Steps, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Mount Piscah
4. Herrick District Library Sunday concerts, computer classes, bookstore, DVDs
5. Tulip Time flowers.
6. Farmers Market
7. Max Transportation handicapped bus drivers.
8. Hope College women’s basketball
9. Street performers on summer Thursdays downtown
10. Dutch Village
11. $1.25 kiddie cone at Holland State Park
12. Local theater
13. Variety of events at Hope College available to public
14. Lake Michigan beaches
15. Evergreen Commons fitness staff.
16. Local Happenings on Channel 24
17. Evergreen Commons coffee shop
18. Fireworks at Kollen Park.
— Norma Noordijk, Holland For more information on purchasing a home in Holland, Michigan visit the Andrea Crossman Group.
|
-
Readers of the Holland Sentinel have voiced their opinion on the change in property tax in Saugatuck that has an unfair effect on Aubrey McClendon. Andrea Crossman and Evonne Gritter have wrote in as reader contributor expressing their thoughts on the issue. MY TAKE — Aubrey McClendon is standing up for his rightsHolland, MI — For months I have remained silent in response to articles in the newspapers regarding Aubrey McClendon and his fight with Saugatuck Township over rezoning his land and over-the-top property taxes. I have never met the man, but I would much rather recall the entire Saugatuck Township board than to vote to raise property taxes and give the township even more power to fight you and me and Mr. McClendon in our right to appeal our property taxes when we feel they are out of line. The millage on the May 4 ballot would allow the township to fight every one of its property owners when they appeal their taxes, although the newspapers and the township board seem to be unfairly singling out Mr. McClendon, whom I believe is already the township’s largest taxpayer by far. As a Realtor I have seen every municipality that I deal with fight tooth and nail for all the tax dollars they can by raising property assessments and ignoring the fact that average real estate values have gone done nearly 30 percent since 2006 in West Michigan. Some of the salient points relating to the McClendon (former Denison) property that I have tracked from reading the news articles: The Saugatuck Township board, at the 11th hour before the sale to McClendon closed, unfairly changed the zoning to severely limit what he could do with it, “downzoning” the land from one home per 1.5 acre to only one home per five acres. The township should have worked with McClendon and not against him to come up with a great plan that involved green space but still allowed higher density development and a marina on the less environmentally sensitive areas. The township also took away any rights to build within the first 100 or 150 feet from the river’s edge and to have a marina or any multi-family development. All of those uses were permitted prior to his purchase. After the McClendon purchase, the township assessor took the taxes in 2006 (at the height of the market) while in the Denison family name from about $100,000 (on the parcels on both the north and south sides of the channel) to nearly $1 million. Mr. McClendon is now being asked to pay nearly 10 times as much in taxes on the same parcels as three years ago despite a huge decline in the value of real estate in West Michigan and stricter limits on what can be developed on the land. This is not fair to Mr. McClendon. Taxes far exceeding $1 million could be raised if the township would only work with its property owners. And just think of how full the coffers of the township would be if it collected property taxes on the kind of business and waterfront homes that were proposed for the northside parcel. Mr. McClendon compromised in selling the southern, more ecologically sensitive parcel to the a city/conservancy group. Now let’s see the township use some common sense and compromise with Mr. McClendon. Who knows, maybe those new taxes generated could even help keep the Kalamazoo River dredged and cleaned up? Saugatuck Township is asking residents to pay for a fight that I not only disagree with but takes millions of sustainable tax dollars annually out of the public’s hands — money that is desperately needed for schools. Why not ask the unemployed builder who has a chance at millions of dollars worth of contracts? Private property rights are one of the last vestiges of private enterprise that we should all enjoy. Please vote “’no” to raising a special millage to give Saugatuck Township even more power to hire attorneys to fight property owners who have a right to complain about their property tax bills and fight back against unfair zoning changes. — Andrea Crossman is a real estate broker in Holland. LETTER — Saugatuck Township has given Aubrey McClendon no choiceSaugatuck Township, MI — Thank you for the well-written commentary by Andrea Crossman on the opinion page Monday. I am a resident of Saugatuck Township and am very disturbed by the actions of the township against Aubrey McClendon. They have taken away both the former value of the property and then have not been reasonable on reducing the taxes on the reduced value. Their handling of this matter has left Mr. McClendon with little option but to go through the courts to protect his rights as a property owner and now they want the taxpayers to foot the bill. This could be a great development for the township with a much needed economic stimulus for the retail stores, golf courses, harbor and schools in the area. The township should have been willing to wait for the development plan and then worked with Mr. McClendon to make it the best possible for all parties. The township has done all the taking and none of the giving and I am disturbed at the use of taxpayer money in this way. If they want to put up roadblocks to development, then they should not come back to the taxpayers for increased taxes, as they are making the choice to cut off sources of funding. Evonne Gritter
|
-
|
According to an article in the Holland Sentinel the Holland Hospital was named among the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals today. Holland Hospital was one among 20 in the category for mid-size community hospitals with 100-249 acute-care beds by the Thomson Reuters. The Thomson Reuters study evaluates performance in 10 areas: mortality, medical complications, patient safety, average length of stay, expenses, profitability, patient satisfaction, adherence to clinical standards of care, and post-discharge mortality and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia, according to the Thomson Reuters Web site.
|
-
The U.S. Senate will try to pass another short-term extension of federal unemployment benefits this week. The one-month extension should allow the House and Senate enough time to iron out their differences on the $154 billion jobs bill the Senate passed earlier this month that extends federal unemployment benefits through the end of the year. The five worst housing market states, California, Nevada, Michigan, Florida and Arizona are getting $1.5 billion in government help. The only catch is the states need to find "innovative" ways to spend the money in a short increment of time, 6 weeks. The money be divided between the states according to a formula based on unemployment rates and housing price declines. Of the $1.5 billion Michigan is getting $154.5 million and only six weeks to come up with plans on how to spend the money. The money can be spent, for example, to help families who can't pay their mortgages because of job losses, unable to refinance because plunging home values have left them "underwater," or to give relief from second mortgage payments.
Three different sets of issues the states can tackle with the funding are outlined according to the biggest set of problems, unemployment, underwater mortgages and second liens. The combination of unemployment and a housing market crisis is a serious problem because homeowners who have lost their jobs used to be able to sell their property. Now that property values have decreased exponentially, the unemployed are left only with foreclosure options or loan modification. Distressed properties made up 48.1 percent of home purchases in February. This was an increase from the 37.3 percent level recorded as recently as November. Distressed properties include homes that are bank owned or whose market values are below the balance of the homeowner's mortgage. It was also the highest distressed property market share seen since last July.
|
|
|
|