Saugatuck Real Estate | Pat and Pam Murphy, Realtors

STARTING IN MARCH, CENSUS FORMS WERE DELIVERED TO EVERY RESIDENCE IN THE U.S. AND PUERTO RICO!  The U.S. Census counts every resident in the U.S. and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.  The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year.

What does this mean for you???? Well, in addition to helping your communities receive deferal funds for things like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, and emergency services; the Census will arm you with statistics to better know your community.  To see recent reports on housing topics from the Census, visit U.S. Census Bureau Housing Topics.

And, of course, the data collected by the census also helps determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, further ensuring our voices are heard.  For our Canadian friends, your census is coming up as well.  The Canada 2011 is scheduled for May 10, 2011.  The 2011 Canadian Census will be the 15th decennial census since required by the Constitution Act of 1867.

So, the white bags you see hanging on the door handles when you come up this Spring to open your cottages, take the time to view and fill out if you had not done already!

See you soon, at Wicks Park Bar & Grille this season!!!  And for all your Real Estate questions, just shoot me an email!

Pam

My husband and team partner, Patrick, of Patrick Murphy Builders, LLC have been working hard this winter between the snow storms!  Clients contacting me from our web sites, sitting Open Houses or personal referrel, they all say the same things, "How are you surviving in this market?" 

Since Patrick and I have not started any "Spec" custom homes, the last one we Built in 2008 SOLD, we have been concentrating on REMODELING!!!  Forget the backhoe, less invasive, thoughful home improvements can have a huge impact on the value of your home!  Architect Sarah Susanka and author of Not So Big Remodeling, has a few great ideas on the subject.

People are staying put in their homes, so they want to make their current house into a place that fits their needs.  They don't see their home as a automatic stepping stone to their next purchase.  There's no longer the notion of onward and upward and that a bigger house is better.

So, that's what we as a Custom Home Builder and Realtors have been doing to survive.  A lot of people have contacted us to help them in this process of remodeling.  We balance the desire for high-quality design with people's need to save money!  We help our clients who call us in to remodel, especially after I sell them a property that needs updating, to have a vision of what is possible. 

Many people think they'll need a huge addition or have to practically rebuild their whole house, when in fact the house of their dreams is right under their feet!!!

Contace me today so I can help you in any area of your personal Real Estate Needs!  Buying,  Selling, Remodeling or Building a Home!

Pam

omurphy.com

patrickmurphyhomes.com

wickspark.com

2010:  Big Endings and New Beginnings for Michigan Small Businesses.  Defining Michigan!

The primary source of new jobs in Michigan will be from small companies, some start-ups and some in the early stages of their development.

Some call this shift the change from "hunting and gathering" to "gardening," growing our own companies while deversifying our economy.

To do this we did Banks willing to lend to small businesses and most important we need to change our state's culture from one that scared of risks to one that relished and rewards risk.  Michigan will never be prosperous without lots of little companies springing up all over Michigan, brought forth by energetic and innovative people who are attracted by the wonderful quality of life found here.

The best time to stay in a place, is when it's in trouble!  There is less competition for good jobs and starting a successful career.

Last year, my husband, Patrick and I and our family started a restaurant here in Saugatuck called Wicks Park Bar & Grille.  Along with our Real Estate Experience and

Building Custom Homes and Remodeling, Patrick Murphy Homes, Inc. we have definitely contributed to the entrepreneurial that is needed for this state.

Please contact me today at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

so we can start a e-conversation & tell you how the wonderful quality of life here in Michigan will attract and retain entrepreneurs from the world around!!

Pam

With Single-family homes and commercial properties down as much 50% from their peacks in some areas, bargain hunters are finding some irresistible

deals.  A story in The Wall Street Journal told of an investor who bought a custom home in Phoenix at a foreclosure auction for $486,300, about $800,000 less than the mortgage alone.  A week later, he agreed to sell the house for $690,000, a cool 42% profit.

If you're a hands on type of investor, you should look into the bargains available through foreclosures, repossessions, bankruptcies and IRS seizures.  Never done it before?  Get some low cost guidance from veteran property investor Jack Reed, author of Distressed Real Estate Times.  He has a no nonsense approach.

Also, for reference Bob Condon at Foundation Investment Group

Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration.

The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation.

Papyrus supports long term environmental sustainability and is committed to protecting and preserving the environmnet by using recycled and FSC certified paper and vegetable based inks whenever posible.

Papyrus click for more information.

Remember that special someone this Valentine's Day!!!!

-an old Gaelic prayer-"Deep Peace"

Deep peace     of the running waves to you.

Deep peace     of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace     of the smiling stars to you.

Deep peace    of the quiet earth to you.

Deep peace    of the watching shepherds to you.

Deep peace   of the Son of Peace to you.

 Wishing you and your family and friends, a Merry Christmas & Happy New year!

Putting fear behind us as the Real Estate Market improves, let me help you through your uncertainty!

Pam