Vance Shutes, your Saline, Michigan blog

Sure Signs of Springtime in Southeast Michigan!    The first hint of green grass through the snow and ice!       Flooded farm fields.       A half-moon through budding trees!       A snowy, flooded firepit, just aching for some roasting marshmallows!       Blue skies behind the switchgrass.     A...

For the past two days, I've been serving as a member of the Board of Review (BOR) for Lodi Township.  For each of the past ten years, I've served the Township on the BOR on the second Monday and Tuesday of March.The Lodi BOR consists of three members - all residents of Lodi township - myself, and...

First Month Missed Payment:  The first month that your payment is missed, your mortgage company is likely to contact you by mail and/or telephone to inform you of your delinquent status.  A late charge is assessed on your missed payment.Second Month Missed Payment: The second month that your paym...

In the Saline and Ann Arbor area, there are many different sizes and types of rental housing available to you.  All you have to do is decide which kind you prefer.  There are many positive and negative aspects associated with each and the type that is right for you depends on your preferences and...

On Sunday, March 2, 2008, the regular season ended for the University of Michigan Women's basketball team.  For my daughter and I (season-ticket holders), it was a bittersweet day.  The bitterness came from the outcome of the game, a 48-63 loss to the Golden Gophers from Minnesota.  The sweetness...

It's snowing again.  And so continues our long winter of discontent here in Michigan.So far this winter in Saline and Ann Arbor, we've had a lot of snow.  But by the end of February, most of us are thinking about Spring.   Our typical winter gives us about 42" of snow.  Global warming, anyone?  W...

When your home is listed for sale with a Realtor®, other Realtors® will be interested in showing your home to their prospective buyers.  It is best that you are not at home during any showing.  If you're in your home during a showing, the prospective buyer will feel uncomfortable about the intrus...

Once you have an accepted offer on your home, there are a few things that you should know.  For the most part, these are general ideas, applicable to most forms of real estate.  Check with your Realtor® to be sure.•1.      The Earnest Money DepositWhen the prospective buyer writes an offer to pur...

While your your home is up for sale, there are a few things that you should know.  For the most part, these are general ideas, applicable to most forms of real estate.  Check with your Realtor® to be sure.•1.      Curb AppealCurb appeal is the term used for the first impression a prospective buye...

Before you think about putting your home up for sale, there are a few things that you should know.  For the most part, these are general ideas, applicable to most forms of real estate.  Check with your Realtor® to be sure.•1.      Selling is a 4-step process    A            B                  C  ...