Blog Post 3

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed consectetur varius turpis, auctor consectetur arcu vestibulum id. Aliquam eget metus dui. Nulla ullamcorper erat et molestie rutrum. Aenean commodo, urna sit amet tempor efficitur, odio nisi tristique lacus, in rhoncus nisi velit ut erat. Nullam a faucibus augue. Sed fringilla mauris at erat congue, ac pharetra arcu scelerisque. Aliquam vel tempor justo. Vivamus sollicitudin orci et laoreet condimentum. Pellentesque accumsan, neque quis pellentesque suscipit, turpis est lobortis magna, vel ultricies dolor lectus vulputate erat. Integer facilisis, dolor quis semper elementum, arcu ligula malesuada sem, vitae consequat nisi magna sed quam. Etiam suscipit velit at dui dapibus lobortis. Mauris commodo tincidunt ex dapibus porta. Nulla erat velit, pharetra quis tincidunt a, sollicitudin nec mi. Fusce in ligula aliquam, iaculis quam sit amet, pellentesque nibh. Duis velit diam, posuere sollicitudin nibh sit amet, imperdiet feugiat lectus.

Cras malesuada turpis eu efficitur commodo. Mauris sit amet mi a mauris luctus efficitur. Vivamus varius sem id neque tempor, id tempus lacus sodales. Donec quam est, molestie ut elementum at, blandit id dolor. Sed molestie non mi ut bibendum. Nullam volutpat vel velit eu vestibulum. Nam eu ornare velit, nec eleifend turpis. Donec iaculis tempor elit, at volutpat ex dictum at. Praesent eget ultricies nunc, quis tincidunt orci. Aliquam tempor nulla et felis laoreet, non efficitur sem euismod. Nam quam sapien, volutpat nec mauris sit amet, congue fermentum leo. Praesent iaculis sollicitudin finibus. Morbi pulvinar metus a tristique vehicula. Ut vitae ultricies leo. Vestibulum accumsan malesuada scelerisque.

Nunc eget ex eget sem finibus pulvinar vitae vitae nunc. Morbi eu rhoncus erat. Nullam at accumsan arcu. Aliquam erat volutpat. Aenean porttitor faucibus libero in lobortis. Nunc fringilla massa ligula, at aliquet magna pulvinar ac. Nam eu massa nisi. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Etiam congue tortor vitae vestibulum eleifend. Morbi quis ipsum quis orci bibendum porta id eget nisi. Duis et lorem in nibh egestas ultricies eu id erat. Sed sit amet metus et lacus consequat mollis. Nullam pellentesque eros in risus tincidunt condimentum sed ac justo.

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Quisque lobortis tellus a libero suscipit, bibendum porttitor quam convallis. Aenean sem purus, tristique eu orci sit amet, blandit viverra quam. Nulla at felis enim. Nullam sed leo diam. Praesent ut nunc massa. Nam sit amet dui lectus. Nunc vel efficitur erat, in posuere risus.

Aliquam et lacus sit amet dolor laoreet molestie. Cras rutrum a nulla in efficitur. Etiam sed eros nec odio sollicitudin ornare. Aliquam eleifend eros sit amet nibh ultrices, sed aliquet ligula sodales. Curabitur luctus neque vitae ex feugiat tincidunt sed in nisl. Ut sed velit orci. Morbi elementum lorem et quam placerat, in auctor enim commodo. Maecenas risus sem, pellentesque non euismod at, pharetra ut magna. Praesent mattis at mauris sed consequat. Nulla a varius turpis. Duis mattis non neque accumsan tempor.

5 tips for buyers in a tight housing market

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When inventory is low, home prices tend to go up. Attempting to purchase a house in this type of market can make the already complex process of buying a home even more overwhelming. Get through the buying process with as little stress and difficulty as possible with these tips from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR):

  1. Determine and stick to a budget.
  1. Identify desired neighborhoods and home wants versus needs.
  1. Be ready to make a decision quickly.
  1. Bid competitively and limit contingencies.
  1. Work with a REALTOR® from Hall & Hunter Realtors. Meet our Agents

 

Blog Post 4

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed consectetur varius turpis, auctor consectetur arcu vestibulum id. Aliquam eget metus dui. Nulla ullamcorper erat et molestie rutrum. Aenean commodo, urna sit amet tempor efficitur, odio nisi tristique lacus, in rhoncus nisi velit ut erat. Nullam a faucibus augue. Sed fringilla mauris at erat congue, ac pharetra arcu scelerisque. Aliquam vel tempor justo. Vivamus sollicitudin orci et laoreet condimentum. Pellentesque accumsan, neque quis pellentesque suscipit, turpis est lobortis magna, vel ultricies dolor lectus vulputate erat. Integer facilisis, dolor quis semper elementum, arcu ligula malesuada sem, vitae consequat nisi magna sed quam. Etiam suscipit velit at dui dapibus lobortis. Mauris commodo tincidunt ex dapibus porta. Nulla erat velit, pharetra quis tincidunt a, sollicitudin nec mi. Fusce in ligula aliquam, iaculis quam sit amet, pellentesque nibh. Duis velit diam, posuere sollicitudin nibh sit amet, imperdiet feugiat lectus.

Cras malesuada turpis eu efficitur commodo. Mauris sit amet mi a mauris luctus efficitur. Vivamus varius sem id neque tempor, id tempus lacus sodales. Donec quam est, molestie ut elementum at, blandit id dolor. Sed molestie non mi ut bibendum. Nullam volutpat vel velit eu vestibulum. Nam eu ornare velit, nec eleifend turpis. Donec iaculis tempor elit, at volutpat ex dictum at. Praesent eget ultricies nunc, quis tincidunt orci. Aliquam tempor nulla et felis laoreet, non efficitur sem euismod. Nam quam sapien, volutpat nec mauris sit amet, congue fermentum leo. Praesent iaculis sollicitudin finibus. Morbi pulvinar metus a tristique vehicula. Ut vitae ultricies leo. Vestibulum accumsan malesuada scelerisque.

Nunc eget ex eget sem finibus pulvinar vitae vitae nunc. Morbi eu rhoncus erat. Nullam at accumsan arcu. Aliquam erat volutpat. Aenean porttitor faucibus libero in lobortis. Nunc fringilla massa ligula, at aliquet magna pulvinar ac. Nam eu massa nisi. Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Etiam congue tortor vitae vestibulum eleifend. Morbi quis ipsum quis orci bibendum porta id eget nisi. Duis et lorem in nibh egestas ultricies eu id erat. Sed sit amet metus et lacus consequat mollis. Nullam pellentesque eros in risus tincidunt condimentum sed ac justo.

Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Quisque lobortis tellus a libero suscipit, bibendum porttitor quam convallis. Aenean sem purus, tristique eu orci sit amet, blandit viverra quam. Nulla at felis enim. Nullam sed leo diam. Praesent ut nunc massa. Nam sit amet dui lectus. Nunc vel efficitur erat, in posuere risus.

Aliquam et lacus sit amet dolor laoreet molestie. Cras rutrum a nulla in efficitur. Etiam sed eros nec odio sollicitudin ornare. Aliquam eleifend eros sit amet nibh ultrices, sed aliquet ligula sodales. Curabitur luctus neque vitae ex feugiat tincidunt sed in nisl. Ut sed velit orci. Morbi elementum lorem et quam placerat, in auctor enim commodo. Maecenas risus sem, pellentesque non euismod at, pharetra ut magna. Praesent mattis at mauris sed consequat. Nulla a varius turpis. Duis mattis non neque accumsan tempor.

7 reasons to work with a REALTOR®

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This article is from the National Association of REALTORS®. REALTORS® aren’t just agents. They’re professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict code of ethics. This is the REALTOR® difference for home buyers:

  1. An expert guide. Selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.
  2. Objective information and opinions. REALTORS® can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They also have objective information about each property. REALTORs® can use that data to help you determine if the property has what you need.
  3. Property marketing power. Property doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. A large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts with previous clients, friends, and family. When a property is marketed by a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
  4. Negotiation knowledge. There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. A REALTOR® will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.
  5. Up-to-date experience. Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS® handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career.
  6. Your rock during emotional moments. A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.
  7. Ethical treatment. Every REALTOR® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a REALTOR®’s client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.

Don’t make these cleaning mistakes

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8 Cleaning Mistakes You’re Probably Making by Real Simple

1. Placing all utensils in the dishwasher facing the same direction.
It’s fine for all the forks to point up. (This prevents the tines from bending.) But when spoons sit in one direction in a standard dishwasher basket, they end up, well, spooning, which prevents a complete clean. Place some up and some down for a more thorough, even wash, and do the same with knives

2. Washing windows on a sunny day.
Glass cleaner dries up much more quickly in direct sunlight, resulting in streaks on window panes. That’s why, in any season, the ideal time to clean windows is late afternoon or evening, or when the skies are overcast (and the temperature is below 70 degrees Fahrenheit). For quicker drying, swap your microfiber cloth for a window squeegee, which covers more surface area with each swipe.

3. Spraying cleaner directly on a surface.
This method is OK once in a while but should be reserved for extremely dirty surfaces that need extra solution. This shouldn’t be an everyday practice, because it will probably leave residue behind (for example, a gummy buildup on wood furniture and drip marks on walls). Instead, spray the formula onto a microfiber cloth. Wipe-downs done this way require less solution, which cuts down on buildup. (Your bottles of cleaner will last longer, too.)

4. Cleaning bare-handed (even for a quickie sink scrub-down).
Your skin is super-absorbent and will soak up almost any substance that touches its surface. Even natural products can dry out hands lickety-split. Avoid chalky rubber or latex gloves. Instead, choose gloves with a lined cotton interior (try these). They offer more of a protective barrier and are so comfortable, you’ll be motivated to put them on.

5. Treating liquid stains on a carpet superficially.
Scrubbing stains like pet urine, red wine, and coffee isn’t effective in the long term. Unless you remove fresh carpet spills at the deepest level, in time they may resurface. Try this method: As soon as you notice the spill, use a dry towel to sop up as much liquid as possible. Next, douse the spot with club soda or ice water and blot again with another dry towel. Step on the towel to absorb the liquid. Repeat the blotting until no more color is transferred to the towel. If the stain persists, apply a stain remover and repeat the process.

6. Putting a rinsed toilet brush right back in the holder.
Moisture breeds bacteria, so it’s important to let the brush dry completely before stashing it. Sandwich the handle between the toilet seat and the base, with the business end suspended over the bowl, or drip-dry. Leave it for at least 10 minutes or until fully dry, then return it to the holder.

Are you and your garden ready for summer?

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A little seasonal maintenance can go a long way toward ensuring safety and security. Traveler’s Insurance provides a home maintenance checklist to help you do just that:

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Indoors:

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  • Furnace – clean or replace the filter
  • Fireplace – remove any ash and have the chimney swept
  • Smoke detectors – change the batteries and check that detectors are working
  • Water heater – inspect for leaks or corrosion
  • Air conditioning – have the system checked and tuned by a professional before turning it on for the season
  • Electrical outlets – check outlets and cords for frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Fuse boxes and extension cords also should be checked to make sure they are not overloaded.
  • Dryer – Clean lint build-up from the clothes dryer exhaust duct and the space under the dryer. Use a specialized brush to clean out the vent pipe.
  • Windows – Let the sun shine in through clean windows all over the house

Outdoors:

  • Roof – Check for loosened shingles or any damage from snow or ice, and make repairs now to reduce the possibility of leaks
  • Gutters: Clean leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts to keep water flowing and reduce the possibility of water damage
  • Trees: Visually inspect trees for damage or rot and remove, or have professionally removed, any dead trees or limbs. Be sure all healthy trees and bushes are trimmed and away from utility wires
  • Lawn Equipment: Make sure lawn mowers, tractors and other equipment are tuned up before using. Store oil and gas for lawn equipment and tools in a vented, locked area.
  • Walkways and Driveways: Repair any cracks and broken or uneven surfaces to provide a safe, level walking area.

Just listed in Birmingham

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Welcome to 680 Westwood Drive | Birmingham

This stately 4 bedroom, 4.2 bathroom Birmingham home welcomes you. Dramatic two story foyer invites you to the living room with hardwood floors that leads to three French doors ushering you out to a private deck and yard. The spacious floor plan is ideal for entertaining and active families. Additional features include 9′ ceilings, hardwood flooring throughout most of the entry level, dual staircase, center Island granite kitchen, 1st floor laundry, stunning wood paneled library, princess porch off master and much more. The master suite includes a magnificent marble master bathroom. The remaining bedrooms have en suite or Jack & Jill bathrooms. The beautifully finished 1,500 square foot lower level has a home theater, full bar, exercise room and play room. Walk to Quarton Elementary School.

For more information, contact The Newville Team.

Jason H. McKevitt Realtor (248) 644-3500

Gary & Ellen Newville Realtors (248) 320-2487

Hall & Hunter Realtors ranked top single office residential real estate brokerage

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Starting off the 2017 with some great news & kudos to our entire Hall & Hunter Realtors team! Hall & Hunter Realtors is featured in the Crain’s Detroit Business Book of Lists 2017 issue.

So proud of our entire team for making the CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS LIST: LARGEST RESIDENTIAL BROKERS–ranked by 2015 gross sales. We are the highest ranking single office.

Congrats to our hard working family!

How to cook up a professional grade kitchen

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In a recent House Beautiful article, a newly-built gem in Michigan is featured due to its scullery-inspired kitchen. This East Grand Rapids home is for the true chef and has no-nonsense accents, like overscale Circa Lighting brass pendants and acres of simple white subway tiles (with charcoal grout to hide grease stains!). The result: a kitchen as good-looking as it is hard-working.

If you are interested in creating your very own professional grade kitchen, here are the 7 ingredients the experts at House Beautiful suggest you really focus on…

  1. Organization
    Create a place for everything. To improve workflow, position flatware drawers next to the dishwashers, spice drawers beside the range and cutting boards in a divided drawer within the island.
  1. Surfaces
    Deploying the luxe material strategically, use a walnut island with a 2 ½ inch-thick slab of Calacatta marble‚ then used heat-resistant, tough-wearing Hastia quartzite for the perimeter counters. A natural stone quarried just like marble, quartzite is “almost immortal.”
  1. Sinks
    Never to match everything because it can get boring. When it came to selecting the kitchen’s sinks, consider a traditional English farmhouse double-bowl style from Rohl and a French-influenced hammered-metal prep sink from Waterworks.
  1. Proportions
    Create a work area that’s scaled for meal prep, without the need to run laps. Bringing everything in closer is not only cozier, it also makes cooking, cleaning and grocery unpacking a lot less aerobic.
  1. Cabinets
    To break up what could have quickly become a monotonous wall of solid white cabinets, Zaveloff commissioned a British company to craft wire-mesh door inserts overlaid with a metal diamond pattern. Unlike transparent glass doors that show everything (so shelves have to constantly be neat), the haziness of these custom inserts adds a little mystery to the contents of the cabinets.
  1. Mood Lighting
    The clients went gaga for Waterworks’ utilitarian Watt sconces, which are modeled on telephone-pole insulator covers, but Zaveloff was unsure of where to mount them. Rather than nixing the fixtures, the designer had tiled columns constructed next to each window and installed the sconces there. At night, the family switches them on as a low-light alternative to the brighter overheads.
  1. Fast Access
    A built-in stove-side niche puts everyday seasonings within arm’s reach, while a pot rack mounted above the La Cornue range keeps well-used copper cookware where the action is.

Give your room a relaxing vibe with these paint colors

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House Beautiful showcases select colors that promise to make you say “Namaste.” Here are our favorite three!

Mauve

Not too gray, not too violet. Its gracefulness and subtlety set the tone for relaxation.

Tan

Like the warm glow of candlelight, this soft shade creates a cozy feel.

Mist Gray

Gives any room a quiet sophistication & elegance

Mauve

Tan

Mist Gray