The Motor City Malcontent: Oakland County residents offer cushy …
The McAuliffes are a number of Oakland County lakefront property owners who have opened up their homes to campers and lodgers this summer. “It makes a lot of sense,” Pete McAuliffe said. “We have three acres of open grounds, a tennis court, pool and a hot tub. We’re able to accommodate … The McAuliffes listed their home/campground/bed-and-breakfast on the Pure Michigan Web site in early May and had most of their campsites and rooms booked for the summer by Memorial Day. …  read more…

Sarah's Deals: My Vacation and some of the Frugal Fun we had!
The first three nights were spent on property that my husbands family owns near Frankfort, MI. It’s a neat little town with a lot of history. Here are the kids in front of an old carferry propeller. … This is looking down on the generators at the Consumers Energy Pumped Storage Project that sits just south of Lundington on Lake Michigan. There are two public overlook areas….one about 400 feet up and the other that gives you a view of the generators. …  read more…

Michigan Messenger » Mich. Supreme Court expected to rule on Dow …
This week, six years after those landowners filed a class action case against Dow [NYSE:DOW] seeking compensation for property damage, the Michigan Supreme Court is expected to rule on whether the case may proceed as a class action. … The contamination has spread downstream from Dow’s Midland plant through the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and into Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently assumed responsibility for negotiating …  read more…

From Google Blog Search

Buffalo Apartments | How to Leverage a Popular Apartment
Whether you are on the east coast or the west, the best way to get the apartment of your dreams is to research, save your money, and get involved. But sometimes, if you are working in an especially co…  read more…

American Idol’s Matt Giraud: Stayin’ Alive or Home to Kalamazoo?
Last night on American Idol, top seven performer Matt Giraud did his best to impr…  read more…

Knoxville Real Estate — Trying to Gauge the Market’s next move
Knoxville, like many mid size US cities, is trying to reenergize itself amidst the recession. But it is difficult, especially with so many people out of work. But there are rare opportunities availabl…  read more…

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Open Question: I am looking for 1 acre of lakefront property close to Hastings Michigan to put my travel trailer on.?
I would like it to be on a sports lake so i can fish and ski. I want to leave my pontoon in the water so I will need to beable to put a dock in.

  read more…

Resolved Question: Is this illegal? I really must know.?
Me and friends just went down into our lake-OUR PROPERTY-And caught a whole bunch of fish. (Probably Bluegills or Bass) We put them into a tank full of lakewater, and now a debate has started. Can we keep them? Is it illegal? (We live in Michigan)
We scooped them up in a dip net, we didn’t use a hook.

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Resolved Question: Can a Cessna 150/172 have both floats AND tires?
Pardon this obvious noob question, but I am curious. I live in Ohio not near any water, but right next to two grass airfields. I have lakefront property in Michigan on a small private lake that occassionally have small planes land on it.

Is it at all possible, to outfit a small cessna with both floats for landing at the lake, but also with tires for taking off from the airfield? In my mind, I have envisioned a plane with floats with a wheel assembly that rests above the floats when in water, but out and over the floats to rest below the floats for airfield landing.

Thanks.

  read more…

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 Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Michigan announces project nearing …
Posted by eventline via Sporting Events Chicago – Google Blog Search  

 Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Michigan announces project nearing …
Posted by eventline via Sporting Events Chicago – Google Blog Search  

 Property / land for your PWC, jet ski, sea doo (SW Michigan) $1
Posted by sameerb via “4 Sale ALL” via drsameerb in Google Reader  

 @jsondy @fuzzyredrobe : normally buying property on lake in N Michigan is ridiculous … the shitty Michigan economy is working for me..
Posted by bikerbar via Twitter  

 @a2karen : we are playing it cool… on buying this house in N Michigan..
what a GREAT time to buy property.. nice place on lake on island
Posted by bikerbar via Twitter  

 has spent 90 min pretending my airplane is a boat, circling lake michigan, or a car, driving around ORD property.
Posted by dorafang via Twitter  

 @jsondy : looking for a lake property in Michigan… to “transition” into semi-retirement .. for awhile as a 4 season vacation place
Posted by bikerbar via Twitter  

 LEAVING: trip to UPPER/lower Michigan (Petoskey).. meeting with realtor.. looking at buying lake property.. look at Fall COLORS!.. “on road”
Posted by bikerbar via Twitter  

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1. Before bringing plants, grocery bags, cardboard, paper bags, or soft drink items into your home ,inspect for bugs that may be hiding. Make sure to remove pests is they are present or throw away the items

2. Firewood should be kept away from the foundation of the house. Also keep it off the ground. Shake the logs before bringing them indoors.

3. Keep floors clean by eliminating food sources for those pesky night time feeders. It s best to use a disinfecting cleaner on kitchen floors.

4. Inspect the home for possible entry points. screen or chalk areas to seal openings around your doors, pipes, windows, A/C lines. This will also help you decrease your energy bills.

5. Trim low hanging tree limbs so they don’t touch the home. Keep the shrubs trimmed so they don’t become safe harbor for insects or rodents.

6. Protect your patio and porch from ant invasions by placing powdered chalk or used coffee grounds around the foundation.

7. Always keep the lids on your garbage cans. Dont let food sit in the trash you keep in the kitchen. Clean the cans on a regular basis with disinfectant or bleach. It is best to use trash bags.

8. Inspect the outside of the home every month from July to frost. Yellow jackets will appear overnight. Get them before they eat through the plaster walls.

9. Orange peels can help repel insects. Mosquitoes and gnats can’t stand the smell of oranges, lemons, and limes, so try taking a bag of citrus peels along with you on your summer picnic. Rub the peels over exposed skin to keep the bugs away.

10. Make your own repellent with vanilla extract. Take a clean, empty spray bottle and fill it with one cup of water and one tablespoon of vanilla extra. Spray and wipe onto your skin and you won’t be bothered by some types of bugs.

Technorati Tags: clean house, do-it-yourself, exterminating, fixing, home improvement, home remodeling, janitor, pest control, Real Estate

It’s easy to understand why Big Bear homes have many different appeals to many different people. A lot of people who buy up here remember their vacations in Big Bear Lake, CA and want to pass on the family tradition.

Some people are outdoorsmen who love skiing in the winter and mountain bike riding and water skiing in the summer. Some people just want a place to escape the hustle bustle of city life for a just a little while. Whatever you are looking for, Big Bear has it.

Bear Mountain And Snow Summit ski resorts are both located in Big Bear Lake. These top southern California getaway resorts are a short drive from most So Cal cities and are also position right in the middle of Bear Valley. So no matter where you live in Big Bear Lake, you are never far from the resorts. Big Bear is the best spot for a snowy Christmas.

Even if we are having a light snow year, our local resorts boast some of the best snow making capabilities in the world. I get asked quite often about the roads and how good the snow removal operations are up here. In short, the snow removal is fantastic. The plows start working in the very early hours of the morning and most main roads are cleared before you even wake up.

The summer is just as vibrant as the winter. Big Bear not only has a large public lake, we also have numerous hiking trails, biking trails, and areas for off road vehicles in plenty. While Lake Arrowhead is private and available for use only by select residents, Big Bear is open for everybody.

You can launch your boat for free and park your car for free and go fishing all day long. Big Bear Lake has some massive fish swimming around in its deep blue water. And the city is continuously refreshing the fish supply ever new season.

If you’re looking for a dream home or even a dream vacation home, Big Bear Lake has what you’re looking for. Everything is better up here in the mountains. Altitude is everything.

So if the circumstances in your life should ever permit a rip or a move to Big Bear Lake, I hope that you would seize the opportunity. I would be delighted to welcome you to the neighborhood.

Technorati Tags: big bear homes, big bear lake, big bear lake ca, big bear mountain, big bear real estate, big bear rentals, big bear vacation, mountain property, Real Estate, vacation, vacation homes

I confess. My parents taught me well. They taught me not to steal. And all my journalism professors taught me well. They taught me not to plagiarize.

But in the realm of direct marketing there’s a device called a “swipe file.” And while it sounds like a license to steal others’ writing word for word, it really isn’t. In fact, it’s far from it.

The term being used is “swipe-file” where in you collect all the mails you received from other marketers who may have the same offer as yours or from other business. You have this collection mainly for the purpose of finding marketing terms which you think are effective to use for your marketing plan.

You then use your new knowledge on the marketing impact of these words in your own real estate direct marketing copy. You don’t use the same sentences or even impart the same idea in your real estate direct mail. You are just using the ‘words’ to market ‘your own ideas.’

In order to come up with something your own, you need to be creative with the help of other people’s work. In fact, some people gets to be more inspired and come up with better ideas when “using” other people’s work.

You are merely studying other people’s direct marketing materials and this is totally different from copying their mails. In fact, this method has been used by some of the most successful real estate marketers for years.

If you still don’t have enough collection of real estate direct mails, why not call them up and tell them you want to receive from them. This way you’ll be able to study the make up of their sales letters.

One effective method we can borrow from poets and creative writers is to read these real estate marketing materials out loud. By doing this, you get to both hear and feel the power of the words.

Other people’s marketing materials really helps in bringing out your creativity when you study them. These would inspire you to come up with better and unique real estate marketing materials.

Lastly, don’t feel guilty that you are committing a direct mail heist or that only uncreative and mediocre copywriters keep files of other people’s work. In fact, you are dead wrong. The most successful copywriters such as David Ogilvy do not hide the fact that they get inspired by other people’s ideas to help them create their own unique and successful copies. So, instead of getting frustrated about not being able to start writing your real estate direct mail copy; go read and be inspired by how other people use words for direct marketing!

Technorati Tags: foreclosure investing, foreclosure marketing, how to buy foreclosed homes, how to buy foreclosure, how to buy foreclosures, how to find foreclosures, Real Estate, real estate investing, real estate marketing, short sale investing, shortsale marketing

The popularity of investing in this nation with its picturesque coastal properties and rain forest views is still on an upward trend. For those who are researching property information in Costa Rica the good news continues that this is still a lucrative investment to make.

There are other countries which can compete with the cost of properties in Costa Rica but there is a risk factor and investing is not as safe and secure as in Costa Rica. Property Information in Costa Rica shows that the government is favorable to foreigners who want to buy properties here and offers them the same rights as the local inhabitants of this island country.

Another attractive property information in Costa Rica is the low tax rates which are charged by the government. Capital gains which you incur when you buy and then resell your property for large profits, also has a much lesser taxation than in the United States. This makes the Americans come down to buy large properties either to live in or to rent out and keep as a second home or a holiday home.

Property information in Costa Rica shows that the market is well established and the possibilities of buying at affordable prices and selling for good profits will continue for a while. It may mean keeping the property for a decade, but you can make a lot of money this way and it is more profitable than any other kind of investment. Most other investments will not give you this kind of profit and there are a lot of buyers investing to get rich quickly.

The property taxes are another reason why people are flocking to buy and invest here. The taxes on properties in Costa Rica are much less than anywhere else in the world. The nation is a safe place to live in with a really low crime rate and there is safety and security here because of a stable government. Property information in Costa Rica shows that the value of property will escalate and those who are investing now are on a good wicket.

Buying and reselling is a profitable deal here as the taxes on capital gains are very nominal unlike in other countries. People feel safe to invest in large properties as they are sure that they will not have to pay a large chunk off as taxes later. With property information in Costa Rica being so promising it is but natural that people make a beeline to this nation to invest.

The most attractive property information in Costa Rica is for the retired who come here to live a life of luxury and earn some money on the side by renting out rooms in their homes to the multitude of tourists who visit this country.

Technorati Tags: beach homes in costa rica, buying costa rica real estate, buying homes in costa rica, central america, costa rica, costa rica real estate, find real estate cost, property investment, Real Estate, real estate investment, where to buy real estate in costa rica

Many people are looking for HUD housing these days since it saves them quite a bit of money. HUD housing is typically for those people that cannot afford to pay rent on their income.

In order to apply for HUD housing, your income must be below poverty level. You can find income limitation information by calling HUD or going down to one of their agencies.

The next stop would be to head down to a housing agency and get the forms and fill it out. Take with you tax information, pay stub, and any other document that shows your income is within HUDs restrictions.

Some resources you might want to use for finding HUD housing are the rental house magazines you find at supermarkets or next to bus stops. These magazines can give you a good idea of the HUD housing available in the area, especially if you are new in town.

If you have some friends that lived in HUD housing before, you can inquire them about some recommendations. They can tell you whether or not a particular HUD housing that they have lived in was good or not. They can also tell you what to expect from living in HUD housing.

Finally, a fast and easy way to look for HUD housing is online. There are many sites that seek to help you find HUD housing. Just put in the rent that you can afford and any other information that will help you narrow your choice.

Be cautious when you are look for HUD housing online. Some people will try to trick you by asking you to send a deposit first. You should always go and look at the HUD housing first with the owner. Make sure they actually own the place.

Buy renters insurance if you can before you move into HUD housing. The insurance will protect your belongings in case of theft or destruction from natural forces.

Technorati Tags: elderly, families, finance, homes, HUD housing, low income, Real Estate, renting houses, students

All roofs are susceptible to algae and other forms of roof deterioration, but coastal houses are particularly susceptible due to wind and salt air. Green and black algae can be a major headache for homeowners. Algae not only makes a roof look bad, but will likely shorten its life as well.

Fungus On Roof

Fungus is an algae that is dark brown, green or black in colors and causes streaking on roof shingles. At times these streaks are thought to be things like soot, dirt, or moss, which is usually a mistake. Areas that are warmer with high humidity levels are more likely at risk. This makes coastal houses a prime target for algae accumulation on coastal roofs.

Can I Clean My Roof?

Yes, you can clean your roof, but some methods of cleaning can cause unnecessary wear to the shingles. Many of today’s higher quality shingles have an algae-resistant barrier built-in. This barrier helps protect the roof from the unsightly streaks and maintenance hassles caused by algae. CertainTeed produces an asphalt shingle with an algae-resistant Streak-Fighter feature in the shingle. CertainTeed claims that specific raw material in the shingle protects it from the streaking and discoloration commonly caused by algae.

In Closing

Check your roof regularly for steaks from algae. When you see they are starting to develop, it’s time to get it cleaned. Purchase a roof cleaning product to clean your roof or hire a roofing professional who can do this for you. When it becomes time to replace the roofing shingles, check out your options for a shingle with algae protection.

Technorati Tags: business, coast houses, coastal houses, home, house, property, Real Estate

Costa Rica has become one of the most popular places for investing in properties, and the primary reason for this is the low cost which appeals to people from America and other nearby countries. The mainland is just three hours away by air and yet the difference in cost allows you to own a much larger property here. What you will need however, is finding a builder in Costa Rica who is as cost effective as the price of the land.

Apart from finding a builder in Costa Rica who can fit into your budget, you have to ensure that the person in question is capable of getting the necessary permits and documents for building on your premises. He should be up to date with the current policies and regulations. He has to reckon with the climatic conditions, including the heavy rainstorms, when building for you. Most of the houses use cement and iron unlike other areas in North America.

Download all the necessary information you require from the internet and use this knowledge to your advantage even before finding a builder in Costa Rica. Remember you are at the receiving end and it is up to you to play your cards right and take interest in the project. That way you can be the proud owner of a wonderful piece of investment.

You will have to think of the cost of your property and your budget, and while finding a builder in Costa Rica ensure that he can give you the best within your stipulated budget. Many builders can give you a beautiful home on a really affordable budget, while there are others who can splurge on the most expensive material and still not give you what you want.

Make doubly sure, after finding a builder in Costa Rica, that he is capable of making the most of the space available, using the right materials which are both strong and durable, and giving you your money’s worth. Some can lead you up the wrong path so one should be always on the alert when constructing. The way to do this is to show interest in the project and get involved without getting in the way.

Going through the real estate agents in this place will also help you in finding a builder in Costa Rica. If you are buying a built up home and want to redo it to your own taste and requirement, the real estate agent who got you the place will be able to assist you in finding a builder too.

It is vital to envision your project and decide your priorities. Finding a builder in Costa Rica could be that ultimate step that makes your investment a dream come true.

Technorati Tags: beach homes in costa rica, buying costa rica real estate, buying homes in costa rica, costa rica, costa rica real estate, find real estate cost, property investment, Real Estate, real estate investment, where to buy real estate in costa rica