Approximately 30 Minutes of Prep Time 2 one pound bags of frozen Ore Ida Potatoes O’Brien 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon pepper 2 cups Sargento sharp grated cheddar cheese, traditional cut (not fine cut) 1 stick of butter, melted 1 pint (16 oz or 1 lb) sour cream 1 can (10¾ oz) Campbell’s Cream of Chicken & [...]

A few months ago mortgage rates hit historic lows, but now rates are on a slow climb. Will higher interest rates have an effect on housing affordability? Are historic low mortgage rates history? Near-Record Lows For the second consecutive week, the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed no change in average fixed mortgage rates. [...]

Using Zillow to get an estimate (Zestimate) for the value of your home? Please don’t. Zillow voluntarily publishes data on their own website disclosing how inaccurate their Zestimate’s are in our area and nationwide. Their Zestimate’s are inaccurate 70% of the time in Oakland County, 72% of the time in the Detroit Metro area, 72% of the [...]

January started at full speed.  The activity level matched the spring markets of 2010 and 2011.  The result, of course, is an even tighter listing market, since homes are selling faster than new ones are coming on the market. Good things happen with values when demand exceeds supply. Throw in a record low supply, add [...]

There has been a growing trend of smaller, less expensive homes appreciating faster than larger, costlier homes. In a culture that values the ostentatious display of wealth, it may seem counter-culture to accept that idea. What are some reasons that someone would opt for buying a smaller home, rather than a larger one? Our Place In Time [...]

Your real estate agent has access to what are known as ‘comparables.’ These are listings of houses similar to yours in your neighborhood that have been sold recently, including descriptions, photos, the listing price and the price the seller accepted. Whether you’re buying a house or selling the one you own, you absolutely need to [...]