Andrea Crossman

Lake Macatawa Real Estate Market Statistics

2012-02-02T15:52:00Z

Lake Macatawa Sales are robust. Currently on Lake Macatawa there are 16 homes or condos for sale ranging from $425,000 to $1,895,000 in price with the average listing price of $856,169. And the good news is there are currently 7 sales pending, a closing in the near future, and the average list price of those seven sales is $599,686.

In the past 12 months there were 15 Lake Macatawa homes or condos that sold with an average sales price of $653,667. They ranged from a condo at $275,000 to $1,125,000 with 3 of the 15 sales at or above $1 million.

The market seems to be responding nicely to the interest rates. I am in the process of doing a few refinances on investment properties and got a 3.25% rate (with all closing costs rolled in at that rate) for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage. 30 year rates and Jumbo loans (over $417,500) are a bit higher. Lots of good buys still out there!

National Association of Realtors Survey Results

2012-02-02T15:50:00Z

The National Association of Realtors® surveys homebuyers and sellers each year to uncover housing trends and monitor changes taking place in the industry. This year's report highlights a number of trends that haven't been seen in years. Here are just 11 highlights from the 2011 report.
1. In 2011, 37% of homebuyers were first-time buyers - which was down from 50% in 2010.

2. Last year, 88% of homebuyers used the Internet to search for a home. That number was down slightly from a high of 90% in 2009.

3. The typical homebuyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 12 homes.

4. The number of buyers who purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker climbed to 89% - a share that has steadily increased from 69% in 2001.

5. Nearly 1 out of 4 buyers said the application and approval process was "somewhat more difficult" than expected…and 16% reported it was "much more difficult" than expected.

6. About half of home sellers traded up to a larger and more expensive home…and 60% traded up to a new home.

7. The top 3 factors influencing neighborhood choice were: the quality of the neighborhood, the convenience to job, and the overall affordability of homes.

8. The typical seller lived in their home for 9 years. That number has increased from 6 years in 2007.

9. Although 61% of sellers said they reduced their asking price at least once, the average home sold for 95% of the listing price.

10. Only 10% of sellers sold their homes without the assistance of a real estate agent. Of those people, 40% knew the buyer prior to the sale.

11. The typical "for sale by owner" home sold for $150,000 compared to $215,000 for the average agent-assisted home sale.

All Contents ©2012 The National Association of Realtors®

Michigan’s economic health is second-best in the nation

2011-11-03T19:31:00Z

Michigan has the second-best economic record among the 50 states -based on a decline of merely 7.4% since 2008 on a new measure called BEES, the Bloomberg Economic Evaluation of the States. BEES tracks growth by compiling data on six components that are given equal weight: job creation, personal income, tax revenue, housing prices, mortgage delinquencies and the performance of Bloomberg stock indexes that track the share prices of locally based companies. The BEES index, updated quarterly, is a measurement of growth, not absolute performance, so a slowing economy with low unemployment may rank below a battered state on the mend.

By lowering businesses taxes, eliminating the Michigan Business Tax and removing other barriers to growth, Michigan is leaping from one of the bottom tax climates in the nation to a more competitive position. The nearly $1.8 billion reduction in business taxes promises a new level of economic certainty for businesses and makes Michigan an attractive environment for growth.

Earlier this year, Fitch Ratings also took note of Michigan’s progress. This balanced budget based on solid financial principles helped move Fitch’s outlook for Michigan to “positive,” another sign that Michigan is on the right path and that our fiscally sound environment is ripe for economic growth.

And just this week, the U.S. Small Business Administration reported Michigan’s banks and credit unions led the country in providing government-backed small-business loans, according to new data from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Detroit Free Pressreported that from October 2010 through September 2011, $689 million in small-business loans went to businesses in a variety of industries in Michigan. During that time frame, lenders made 2,063 of the most popular type of SBA loans, called 7(a) loans, up 47 percent from the 1,406 loans worth $386 million in fiscal 2010.

Michigan's strong,or should we say less-weak? Showing on the BEES index is partly because of a rebound in the auto industry. General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have all gained market share and become profitable since 2008. But the modest recovery in the auto sector hasn't spread to other industries. After being the nation's economic caboose for most of the past decade, why not give the Michigan whistle a little toot when some new numbers show you are suffering a bit less, proportionally, than the rest of the nation's sputtering economic train? Michigan’s economy is recovering from the recession at the second-fastest pace in the U.S., lifted by reviving car makers and local manufacturers, according to a new Bloomberg index that tracks the pace of state growth

North Dakota was the only state to record positive economic progress overall between the end of 2008 and the second quarter of this year, according to the BEES, a new quarterly index that combines data on tax collections, personal income, employment, home prices, mortgage foreclosures and the stock prices of public companies. Those suffering the worst economic tailspins -- with drops of more than 20% since 2008 on the BEES -- were Wyoming, New Mexico, Idaho and Nevada.

Bloomberg Business

Detroit Free Press

Similar Article from Pure Michigan

October Family Fun In The Holland Area

2011-10-12T16:59:00Z

Holland Michigan Farmers Market Holland, MI
Every Wednesday and Saturday you can visit the 50 plus venders selling local fruits, vegtables, flowers, spices, and so much more. The Market is open from May 18 to November 26 and from December 3 to December 10 (Saturdays only). Market hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
For more information visit: HollandFramersMarket.com
Location: 150 West Eighth Street Holland, MI 49423

Free Fall Movies Holland, MI
Every Saturday and Sunday with show times at 9am and 10am Holland Seven Theaters offers free fall movies for kids and adults.
10/15-10/16 -Mr. Popper’s Penguins
10/22-10/23 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid
10/29-10/30 – Kung Fu Panda 2
11/5-11/6 – Zookeeper
Visit Holland 7 for more information
Location: 500 Waverly Road Holland, MI 49423 Phone: 616-546-7469

Corn Maze and U pick at Crane Orchards Fennville, MI
Visit Cranes Orchards for great fall family fun. You can enjoy a great meal at Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant or purchase some old fashion baked goods. There is 20 acres of corn mazes, hay rides, cow train rides, and in season apples to hand pick yourself. For Holloween fun you can walk through the Huanted Corn Maze and 3-D special effects barn. The 3-D special effects barn is like something from a nightmare and unlike anything you've ever seen! You won't believe your eyes! Professional 3-D art work, eerie and dramatic lighting effects, and a vortex tunnel to walk through; full of surprised everywhere!
Haunted Corn Maze
Hours are dark till 10pm. (Not recommended for 10 yrs & under)
Open 9 days in October: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28,and 29th
Enjoy our Haunted Corn Maze together with the 3-d special effects barn for only $14
3-d special effects barn seperate is $4
Corn Maze
Weekdays: 10AM until 6PM and 12 noon until 6PM on the weekends
Pricing: Adults: $7 and Ages 6 years to 10 years: $5
For More Inromation Visit: craneorchards.com for prices and times
Location: 6054 124th Ave. - Fennville, MI 49408 Tel: (269) 561-8651

Run For Your Life October 28th Downtown Holland, MI
The Run 4 Your Life Fun Run is a fundraising event supporting the Holland Free Health Clinic. The event consists of a 5k untimed fun run/walk starting at 6:00pm. The run begins and ends at the Curragh Irish Pub. Participants will travel through Downtown Holland and then travel east to circle the spooky Windmill Island before returning to The Curragh. A Lil’ Pun’kins Mini Run also will be held for children up to 10 years of age starting at 5:30pm.
Online registration is available by going to www.signmeup.com/77768 or by calling Krista at the Holland Free Health Clinic at 616.392.3610 For more inrofmtaion on this event such as cost and domation visit Holland Events

Halloween At Van Raalte Farm Park Friday, October 28, Holland, MI
Start your journey along the trails at the VanRaalte Farm anytime between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Volunteers and staff will be on hand to help you discover wild creatures and fun activities and treats along a wooded trail. There is a $2 per person. Bring a flashlight if you come after 7 p.m.
Location: VanRaalte Farm Park 1076 E. 16th St. Holland, MI 49423

Treats & Trails Friday, October 28, Holland, MI
Trick or Treat on the ODC Nature Preserve! There will be wildlife and candy stops along the luminary-lit trails in addition to other family-friendly activities. Outdoor Discovery Center from 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: 4204 56th Street Holland, MI 49423 Phone: 616-393-9453

Trick Or Treating, Monday, October 31, for the City of Holland
Trick-or-treating for Halloween will take place from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Monday, October 31 in the City of Holland. Visit the City of Holland's website for more information.

For more information on purchasing a home in this wonderful area contact the Andrea Crossman Group!

Michigan Rated Number One State For Job Growth

2011-08-26T19:15:00Z

Newsweek rated Michigan the top in job potential as number one in the 20 best states for job growth. To find the 20 best states in America for job growth they considered three factors.

First, a new poll and index from Gallup, which asked more than 100,000 employed people whether their companies are expanding or contracting, and provides an index score from the difference between the two.

Second, the change in seasonally adjusted unemployment rates, from the annual average for 2010 to the annual average to date, with data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Finally, each state’s 2010 average annual income, also with BLS data. Using z-scores (a measure of each state’s performance relative to the mean), each factor was equally weighted.

The first two data sets examine opinions on job creation and raw unemployment numbers, while the third takes into account how well, in general, jobs in each state tend to pay.

1. Michigan
Employers with expanding workforces: 32%
Gallup job-creation score: 14
Average annual income: $44,438
Unemployment change, 2010 to 2011: -1.99%

2. Indiana
3. Massachusetts
4. Virginia
5. Minnesota
6. Oklahoma
7. South Carolina
8. Pennsylvania
9. Ohio
10. Arizona
11. Wyoming
12. District of Columbia
13. Wisconsin
14. Missouri
15. Illinois
16. New York
17. Vermont
18. Alaska
19. North Dakota
20. Delaware

Full article can be found by visiting this link

Holland-Area Shore Named For Debris From 1880 Shipwreck

2011-08-23T15:49:00Z

Ask those who have been around Holland for a while and you may find a few who still remember why the stretch of lakeshore at the west end of Lakewood Boulevard is called Alpena Beach. It’s got nothing to do with the city in Alpena County or the old Getz Farm zoo there that used to draw thousands of visitors in the 1930s with its exotic animal display. No, Alpena Beach is named for a shipwreck; a lost vessel that Great Lakes wreck sleuths consider to be among the most sought-after discoveries the lake has yet to reveal.

Oct. 15, 1880, was a beautiful day when the Alpena left Muskegon, said Craig Rich, author of “For Those in Peril: The Shipwrecks of Ottawa County.”

The Goodrich Transportation Co.’s single-stack side-wheel steamer stopped in Grand Haven for passengers and freight before heading southwest across the lake, top-heavy with an estimated 80 people and 10 carloads of West Michigan apples loaded on its main deck.

Capt. Nelson W. Napier of St. Joseph steered the ship toward Chicago, away from the lakeshore that had become known as the city’s playground.

All was well by 1 a.m. according to captains who saw the Alpena in transit, Rich said. But the barometer pressure was dropping and the “worst gale in recorded history” soon swept across the lake, turning an idyllic weekend trip into a disaster in a matter of hours.

The Alpena was spotted by other captains at 6, 7 and 8 a.m., “laboring mightily” in the high seas about 35 miles off Kenosha, Wis. A large oil on canvas imagining of this hangs in the Holland Museum.

She was spotted again later, lying on her side with one large, distinctive paddlewheel facing the sky. Some say she swamped and sank. Some say she drifted the rest of Saturday and perhaps until Sunday morning.

“I don’t know if her wheel was still turning, but I like to think of it that way,” Rich said.

Over the next couple days, pieces of the upper decking and debris from the wooden-built steamer began to wash upon on the beaches between Holland and Saugatuck. Bodies also began to wash up.

Newspapers reported thousands of apples were found bobbing in the surf. The largest debris to beach in the area was the ship’s grand piano, the fat brown leg of which survives in the museum. “Weird melodies” emitted from the instrument strings, according to the museum exhibit.

Because the only manifest was onboard, there is no exact accounting for the lives lost. Reports estimate approximately 80. Newspaper records show crew estimates around 26, Rich said.

The editor of the Grand Haven Herald, W.S. Benham, and his wife, perished in the sinking. Other passengers hailed from Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Chicago and as far away as New Mexico and Philadelphia. An inquest found Goodrich in contempt following the sinking.

As for the beach, it wasn’t the only thing to be named after the disaster. The storm itself became known as the “Alpena Storm.” And Lakewood Boulevard was once called “Alpena Beach Road.”

The beach may not have formally received its informal name until 29 years later, when the ship’s side-wheeled nameboard washed ashore north of Tunnel Park in 1909.

Rich, a member of the Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates, is optimistic the wreck will someday be found and identified by the engine type and paddle wheels.

The problem, he said, is that “we don’t know where to even start looking.” The ship is thought to be mid-lake somewhere between Holland and Racine, Wis. — a potentially huge search grid.

“ That’s why it’s such a mystery.”

The Art Of House Hunting

2011-08-15T17:36:00Z

Armed with your down payment and your pre-approval letter for a mortgage loan, the next step is finding the house that will best meet your family's needs. With realistic expectations, patience and plenty of research, you'll be well on your way.

Once you narrow the search to neighborhoods you like, you'll want to determine the maximum house price you can afford. Even though you're pre-approved for a set loan amount, it doesn't mean you can afford it. You'll want to factor in other expenses, including retirement and college savings, vacations, and home maintenance and repairs, when you calculate how much you can afford for a monthly payment. And don't forget to budget for homeowners insurance and property taxes. There's also homeowner's assocation fees, especially in newer developments.

Next, differentiate your needs versus your wants. You need three bedrooms, but a fourth room would be nice for a play room or guest room. You need a two-car garage, but a larger one would be nice for storage. You need a functional kitchen but want hardwood floors. You need two bathrooms but want a luxurious master suite.

As you begin your house-hunting venture, prepare a checklist. Break it down between exterior and interior characteristics. Make notes on each feature and make notes. Some people give each a 1 to 10 score, which is fine, but the first few houses you see will score differently than the last few because you have many more to compare against. Also, after viewing many homes, the numbers begin to lose meaning.

Some of the exterior features to rate might include size of yard, quality of fence, paint condition, roof condition, window conditions, garage, back yard. When it comes to interior, think about square footage; the floor plan; condition of walls; the size, quality, and functionality of the various rooms and closet and storage space.

Your checklist should also include any other factors you deem important—the amount of traffic, the appearance of the neighborhood, safety in the area, the reputation of local schools, etc.

Here are some other suggestions from industry experts:

Take a camera with you to capture an image of each house you look at that makes it to the "maybe" list.
Don't make a hasty decision, especially if you feel yourself becoming guided by emotion. Selecting a home takes time, thought and analysis. You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each house you like.
Review your checklist and notes and compare it against your needs, wants and budget.
Bring your spouse, friend or family member with you to get a second opinion. They may notice a shortcoming that you've overlooked.
Find out how much utilities and maintenance cost.
Stay on top of newly listed houses via a Multiple Listing Service on the Internet.
Remain in close contact with your agent. This is extremely important if you're in a strong seller's market and/or in which homes that are priced right go fast. You want a good agent who will alert you of new listings and who will show you the houses as soon as they're listed.

Be prepared to look at the potential of a house rather than what you see in front of you. Set your priorities and decide what can be sacrificed. It's more important that the layout of the house and the number of bedrooms you need fit your needs and that all major systems are functional versus your dislike for the avocado green carpet or the lack of landscaping. Those types of cosmetic shortcomings can be easily remedied once you buy the house.

If you find a house you like, offer a competitive bid. Keep in mind you'll likely be competing against other offers—especially if interest rates are low and the spring buying season is in full bloom.

And don't forget—once you make an offer, make it contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. If any major defects surface, you'll want to have the leverage to renegotiate or back out of the deal completely.

Importance Of Landscaping

2011-08-08T15:11:00Z

A beautiful yard is a head-turner, no doubt about it. The good news is that even if you can’t tell a tulip from a turnip at the garden center, you can still create eye-catching curb appeal by paying attention to the basics of good landscaping. Ignoring your yard, or doing something that’s out of character with the neighborhood can jeopardize the assessed value of your home.

“We have several categories for design and appeal,“ says Frank Lucco, a real estate agent and professional appraiser in Houston. “That’s where we make those adjustments. Poorly maintained landscaping can be as much as a 5 or 10% deduction.”

Appraisers are quick to praise the allure of a well-tended lawn and good-looking landscaping when it comes time to sell your home, but most do not assign any specific increase in monetary value for upkeep.

Nevertheless, most professionals agree that curb appeal and a well-maintained appearance prevent your property from losing value. Here are the top suggestions from real estate agents, appraisers, and landscape designers for boosting the curb appeal of your yard:

Green Up The Grass

If your house has a front yard, make sure it‘s neat and green. You don’t want bare spots, sprawling weeds, or an untrimmed appearance.

“It’s so simple to go to Home Depot, buy fertilizer, apply it every six weeks, and water it,” says Mitch Kalamian, a landscape designer in Huntinginton Beach, Calif. “It will green up.”

If the yard looks really scruffy, you may decide to invest in some sod. According to the National Gardening Association, the average cost of sod is 15 to 35 cents per sq. ft. If you hire a landscaper to sod your yard for you, labor will add 30% to 50% to the total cost of the project.

Another alternative is to plant low-maintenance turf grasses. Turf grasses are durable and drought-resistant. Expect to pay $18 to $30 for enough turf grass seed to plant 1,000 sq. ft. of lawn area.

Add colorful planting beds

Flower beds add color and help liven otherwise plain areas, such as along driveways and the edges of walkways. In general, annual flowers are a bit cheaper but must be replaced every year. Perennials cost a bit more but come back annually and usually get larger or spread with each growing season.

If you’re not sure what to plant, inquire at your local garden center. Often, they’ll have a display of bedding plants chosen for their adaptability to your area. Also, they‘ll be inexpensive because they’re in season. Try pansies in the summer, and asters and mums in the fall to add vibrant color.

Valerie Torelli, a California REALTOR® who dresses up her clients’ yards to sell their houses faster and for more money, says that in her market, she can put in a bed of colorful annuals and bark, as well as cutting down overgrown shrubs, for less than $500. “We can buy gorgeous plants for $3.99 to $15.99,” she says.

Add landscape lighting

For homeowners who have made a size-able investment in landscaping, it makes sense to think about adding another 10% to 15% to the bill for professional lighting. “You can’t see landscaping after dark,“ says Brandon Stephens, vice president of marketing for a landscape lighting firm in Lubbock, Texas, “and buyers are not always looking at houses on a Saturday afternoon.”

The cost of a system runs from $200 for a DIY installation to more than $4,000 for a professional job. If you‘re doing it on your own, the key is to light what you want people to see, such as mature trees and flowering shrubs.

Plant a tree

The value of mature trees is particularly difficult to determine. Lucco says that in his market, mature trees contribute as much as 10% of a $100,000 property’s overall value. In addition, a properly placed shade tree can shave as much as $32 a year on your energy bills. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a young, 6- to 7-foot deciduous tree.

You can make your own initial assessment of the value of your property’s trees by visiting the National Tree Benefit Calculator. For example, a mature Southern red oak tree with a diameter of 36 inches in the front yard of a house in Augusta, Ga., would add $70 to the property value this year, according to the calculator.

http://youtu.be/hUdssGm5ReU

Why A Home Remodel May Be Better Than A Savings Account

2011-08-01T15:21:00Z

Are you keeping your home longer than you expected, due to the sluggish and uncertain home-resale market?? If you are, you've got company. Only 43% of homeowners believe they would get their asking price if they sold today, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker.

That lack of confidence, coupled with interest rates on personal savings accounts that are at or near record lows has a lot of homeowners investing in their homes instead of deposing money in their banks.

In fact, nearly 2/3 of homeowners will be remodeling in 2011, says American Express. Improving your home can be a smart strategy over the long run. In the meantime it cam make your home more comfortable and convenient while you are living there.

Now is the time to ask yourself if putting your hard-earned savings into your house is right for you. You wont see the retuning on your investment in the near-term, but when you factor in a quicker sale or higher sale price, you could end up with more profit than savings account interest rates can provide.

Improvements that pay:

Experts recommend that you stick to improvements likely to increase your home's resale appeal and value. There's no such thing as a guaranteed return on investment, but some home improvements have better value track record than others. A basement remodel will recoup 70 percent of its cost at resale, according to the 2010-2011 remodeling magazine Cost vs. Value Report. Adding a bathroom returns more than 53 percent of your investment, while modernizing a kitchen can brings back 72.8 percent.

Build a bath:

If you plan to install a bathroom, laundry or wet bar in an area that lacks below-floor plumbing drainage, you can dramatically reduce your installation cost with macerating technology. Installing drainage in a basement attic or garage can be messy , time-consuming and expensive. But with macerating, or up flush technology, you can have plumbing virtually anywhere in your home, without breaking through floors or jack-hammering concrete.

Want to make your new bath seem larger? Let the light in! If a skylight isn’t in the budget, use recessed ceiling lights and large mirrors. Also choose a warm semi-gloss paint and install 12 X 12 or larger tiles to minimize grout lines.

A walk-in shower is a smart and cost effective space-saver. If you don’t need storage space, a pedestal sink is another good alternative. Two surefire ways to give the illusion of space are a recessed medicine cabinet and a packet door instead if a traditional hinged door.

Rebuild a kitchen:

An average rebuild of a kitchen takes nine months to plan and three months to build, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. You can improve the overall look and feel of a kitchen with a lot less work and money by simply refurbishing what you have. Some refurbishing options include refaced cabinets instead of new, resurfaced counter-tops or an added back-splash, updating flooring and under cabinet task lighting. Regardless of the project you plan to undertake, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the most for your money. Here are some general tips from the National Association of the remodeling Industry.

Establish a budget
Hire a qualified re-modeler
Compare products and prices before you begin
Work with a contract

From: 2011 Answer Book, The Holland Sentinel

Storm Safety

2011-07-18T17:29:00Z

Since the severe storm last Monday, the city of Holland has been picking trees and power lines off streets. This gave us a great idea to write a blog about how to stay safe in severe storms. Since we live on the west coast of Michigan we have the beautiful Lake Michigan, it keeps us cool in the summer and warm in the fall. But, it can also intensify storms, this meaning that it can ramp up the power on storms making them more severe. Where we live in Michigan we are susceptible mostly to Flash Floods, Tornadoes, and Thunderstorms. For these 3 major weather events I will give you tips to stay as safe as possible.

Thunderstorms are the most common weather event in the United States. Thunderstorm affects a relatively small area when compared to a hurricane or a winter storm. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Despite their small size, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous! Of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States, about 10 percent are classified as severe. Lightning and wind are the two most dangerous points of a thunderstorm. straight-line winds are any winds not associated with the rotation of a tornado. Straight-line winds are responsible for most thunderstorm wind damage.

Lightning:

Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you’ll go for safety and how much time it will take to get there. Make sure your plan allows enough time to reach safety.
Postpone activities. Before going outdoors, check the forecast for thunderstorms. Consider postponing activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.
Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind.

Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, immediately move to a safe place. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the best protection. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do not protect you from lightning. If a sturdy building is not nearby,get into a hard-topped metal vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.

If you hear thunder, don’t use a corded phone. Cordless phones, cell phones and other wireless hand held devices are safe to use.
Keep away from electrical equipment, wiring and water pipes. Sensitive electronics should be unplugged well in advance of thunderstorms. Don’t take a bath, shower or use other plumbing

during a thunderstorm

Straight Lined Winds:

Straight-line winds can exceed 125 mph!
It can cause damage equivalent to a strong tornado and can be extremely hazardous to aviation.
These winds can level trees and small buildings

Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are found most frequently in the United States. In an average year, 1,200 tornadoes cause 60-65 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm, to the ground. Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms within the funnel. The average tornado moves from southwest to northeast, but tornadoes can move in any direction and can suddenly change their direction of motion. The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 mph but may vary from nearly stationary to 70 mph. The strongest tornadoes have rotating winds of more than 200 mph. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day, any day of the year. Have a plan of action before severe weather threatens. You need to respond quickly when a warning is issued or a tornado is spotted.

Tornadoes:

The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement, or safe room.

If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.

Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes. Abandon mobile homes and go to the nearest sturdy building or shelter immediately.

If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter in a basement, shelter or sturdy building. If you cannot quickly walk to a shelter:

Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter.

If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park. Now you have the following options as a last resort:

Stay in your vehicle with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, covering with your hands and a blanket if possible.

If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, exit your car, and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands

Flash Floods occurs within a few hours of heavy or excessive rainfall. These are dangerous because 6 inches of water can knock a person off their feet and 2 feet of water can sweep a large SUV away.

Avoid driving, walking, or swimming in flood waters.
Stay away from high water, storm drains, ditches, ravines, or culverts.
Move to higher ground.
Do not let children play near storm drains.
If you come upon a flood turn around

For more weather safety advice visit Weater.gov

Tips for Vacant Home Maintenance

2011-06-28T21:53:00Z

It is not uncommon for homes to be left vacant. Whether you are you attempting to sell your vacant house while it sits unoccupied or are simply trying to keep it maintained until your return, keep these tips in mind.

Climate: Depending on the location or climate of the home you’re leaving unattended, you may have to think about winterizing your vacant home or preparing it for warmer weather. In warmer climates you must attend to the yard upkeep not only keeping the grass trimmed and flowers weeded but also checking your home after a storm has passed through. Make sure that the storm did not cause any exterior damage or leave limbs in the yard.

Interior: Remember to keep empty fridges and freezers propped open to minimize moisture and potential mold buildup. Keep the heat or air conditioning at a moderate temperature to keep the house from freezing or getting damp and moldy. Invest in motion detectors or timers for both your indoor and outdoor lights. Make sure all light bulbs, battery-operated smoke detectors and other devices around the house are in working order It is recommended that every few months, someone runs the water in all sinks, flush toilets, turn on showers, let tubs drain, and even run dishwashers and washing machines, etc., to keep pipes from getting dried out. Unplug any appliances if you will not be returning for a long period of time.

You should check your vacant home regularly, and if you are unavailable to do so you should hire someone to do regular checks for you. These checks will help avoid potentially costly damages, pest invasions, flooding, moisture problems, plumbing failures, tripped breakers, and other potential problems.

Andrea Crossman Group General Statistics From Website for May

2011-06-08T16:42:00Z

Waterfront-LuxuryHomes.com Statistics

As you can see for the month of May we had nearly 200,000 hits on our website Waterfront-Luxuryhomes.com This means that there are over 6,000 hits per day. This month our page views were 20,000 and we had nearly 20,000 visitors.

Our real estate listings are known around the world, Even though most of our buyers are from the United States. As you can see form these graphs there are several other nations that are looking at our website. There are a thousand's hits from Russia, Canada, and Germany.

As you can see from these graphs their has been nearly 2,000 searches for our website this month. The vast majority of these come from Google, nearly 89% of the searches. This is an amazing number of searches. Not only have they been searching for our website they are also looking at our website. As stated before and shown in graphs their have been nearly 200,000 hits to our website. With people searching from ever where in the world.

Holland Michigan Battery Industry Could Spark New Jobs

2011-05-04T21:34:00Z

Holland’s growing advanced battery industry could spark 10,000 new jobs and $2 billion of investment in the next 10 years.

Both Johnson Controls-Saft and LG Chem are in the process of building large-scale advanced battery plants in the Holland area.

The new plants will cost a combined $750 million investment and cover 800,000 square feet. This summer, Holland was placed in the national spotlight when President Obama spoke at the LG Chem plant’s grand opening.

The plan unveiled today to leverage these investments is called “Advanced Energy Storage Capital.” Along with Lakeshore Advantage, the task force for the plan includes government officials, business leaders and company reps from both LG Chem and Johnson Controls.

If the plan succeeds, Holland could end up as the leading battery supplier on the continent.

Click here or full article in the Holland Sentinel

For other similar articles follow links below:

http://www.examiner.com/sustainability-in-detroit/sustainability-and-green-tech-jobs-michigan

http://gas2.org/2010/07/20/web-of-battery-plants-to-bring-62000-new-green-jobs-to-michigan/

Earth Day 2011

2011-04-19T21:30:00Z

Earth Day is a day that is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970. While this first Earth Day was focused on the United States, soon it was taken to an international level by 1990. Currently the day is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. The day was conceived on this day in order to maximize participation on college campuses. Senator, Gaylord Nelson (the creator of the holiday), determined the week of April 19–25 was the best bet as it did not fall during exams or spring breaks. Moreover, it did not conflict with religious holidays such as Easter or Passover, and was late enough in spring to have decent weather. More students were likely to be in class, and there would be less competition with other mid-week events—so he chose Wednesday, April 22.

Holland-area businesses and organizations are celebrating Earth Day with films, festivals and recycling drives. Here are some of the event events scheduled for area residents to get in the environmentalist spirit:

WHAT: Recycle your old electronics
WHERE: 86 E. Sixth St., Holland
WHEN: Noon-6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; noon-3 p.m. Thursday
COST: FREE
INFO: For details, call (616) 392-2383. Due to size restraints, unable to accept TVs, large appliances, air conditioners and large copiers.

WHAT: Computer and TV recycling collection
WHERE: Civic Center, 150 W. Eighth St., Holland
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30
COST: FREE
INFO: Open to the public, residents and businesses; businesses can drop off 10 to 20 items for free, but are limited to one skid. For details, go to 5rprocessors.com/AcceptableItems.aspx.

WHAT: CityFlats Hotel Earth Day recycling drive
WHERE: CityFlats Hotel, 61 E. Seventh St., Holland
WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon
Saturday
COST: $3 charge for computer monitors and $10 for televisions; other electronics are free to recycle. Those who drop off goods will receive a discount coupon for CityVu Bistro’s Saturday breakfast.
INFO: Items accepted: computer equipment including monitors, printers, laptops, USBs, hard drives; televisions 27 inches and smaller remote controls, VCRs, DVD players; washers, dryers, irons, dishwashers, stoves, microwaves, answering machines, copy machines, fax machines, scanners, pagers, satellite dishes, stereos, power tools, car rims and bicycles.
Not accepted: air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers.

WHAT: Tree Huggers recycling event
WHERE: Tree Huggers, West Shore Mall, 12331 James St.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, bring in recyclables to enter raffles, kids activities; 5 to 8 p.m. vegan/vegetarian potluck with New Holland Brewing Co. and live entertainment by The Vandrie; 4 p.m. Saturday workshop with Average Joe Green; 6 p.m. Saturday screening of documentary “Tapped.”
COST: Free
INFO: thetreehuggerstore.com

WHAT: Hope College
celebrates Earth Day
• “Climate Refugees” film and a panel discussion, 7 p.m. Monday in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall, 263 College Ave.
• “City of Holland — Developing a World Class Community Energy Plan” with Peter Garforth, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall, 263 College Ave.
• “Green Coffeehouse” with local environmental organizations, live music and free CoolBeans coffee (bring your own mug), 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the DeWitt Center Kletz, 141 E. 12th St.
• “Thinking Green: Ethics for a Small Planet” with Karel Rogers, 4 p.m. Thursday in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall, 263 College Ave.
COST: Free
INFO: The public is invited.

Michigan Unemployment Decreasing Steadily

2011-04-14T13:12:00Z

Michigan's jobless rate continues to drop after being among the nation's leaders for more than a year.

The state said Wednesday that February's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 10.4%, a decrease of three-tenths of a percentage point and well below the February 2010 rate of 13.5%.

The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth says total employment increased by 11,000 jobs.

The nation's unemployment rate for February was 8.9%. Michigan's jobless rate has declined steadily since reaching 14.1% in September 2009.

The number of unemployed fell below 500,000 for the first time since November 2008.

The state says job levels have increased since mid-2009 while the numbers of unemployed have fallen. There also are fewer workers active in the state's labor force.

Unemployment benefits do not define the statewide unemployment rate, state officials have told 24 Hour News 8. The rate is based on interviews with what officials calculate to be a representative sample of residents. But if a person who exhausts benefits stops looking for work, he or she does disappear from the ranks of the unemployed.

Jobs Outlook
The W.E.Upjohn Institute , in its West Michigan business outlook, sees employment in West Michigan increasing by 0.8%, about 6500 jobs in 2011. Manufacturing jobs will grow by 0.5% and private service jobs will go up by 1.2%. But the state's budget problems may spill over into job cuts.

For full article click here.

For more information on area homes for sale contact the Andrea Crossman Group.