The National Association of REALTORS provides these 8 reasons to work with a REALTOR.

8. Objective voice. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, home buying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.

“Expect the Best” Mike

Below, I would like to point out three Greater Lansing museums to you and encourage you to include them on your bucket list for winter family plans. All Three will be well worth the time and offer great exibits. Eli and Edythe does not open until April 21st, however, I suggest you get this one on the calendar.

The Michigan State University Museum, initiated in 1857, is one of the oldest museums in the Midwest and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The MSU Website states the following: As Michigan’s largest public natural and cultural history museum and the state’s only land-grant university museum, Michigan State University Museum “is committed to understanding, interpreting, and respecting natural and cultural diversity through education, exhibitions, research, and the building and stewardship of collections that focus on Michigan and its relationship to the Great Lakes, and the world beyond.” I’m excited to add this to my list and looking forward to our visit.

MSU Museum has Status: In 2001, the MSU Museum became the first museum in the state to receive Smithsonian affiliate status from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the world’s largest museum and research complex, thereby giving the MSU Museum broader access to Smithsonian cultural and scientific resources.

The Michigan State University Museum is located on West Circle Drive, immediately east of Beaumont Tower and just north of the Main Library Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F and 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sat and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sun.
Openning April 21, 2012

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, a new Zaha Hadid-designed contemporary art museum at MSU, is dedicated to exploring global contemporary culture and ideas through art. Scheduled to open in spring 2012, the dynamic 46,000-square-foot museum will serve as both a teaching institution and a cultural hub for East Lansing and the region. This new complex is located on the corner of Grand River Ave. and Farm Lane. MSU Campus. East Lansing, MI 48824 Watch for grand openning news on this wonderful new museum. Below is a YouTube Video with Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum fly through animation by Zaha Hadid.

Greater Lansing Shares Rich Heritage

The flagship of the Michigan Historical Museum System, the Michigan Historical Museum offers you Michigan’s rich past, from the time of the state’s earliest peoples to the late 20th century. Major exhibit environments include a three-story relief map of Michigan, walk-through Upper Peninsula copper mine, one-room schoolhouse, 1920s street scene, 1957 Detroit Auto Show, and a lakes and lands diorama complete with a rustic cabin and lighthouse. Explore all 26 permanent galleries, located on four levels. Don’t miss the temporary exhibit gallery on the ground floor. The museum store offers unique items that have been carefully selected to reflect Michigan’s rich heritage.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The Michigan Historical Museum is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Downtown, Lansing, MI. The following shows individual admission charges for visitors to the Michigan Historical Museum. Adults (18+) – $6 Seniors (65+) – $4 Youth (6-17) – $2 (optional) Children up to 5 years – Free.

“Expect the Best” Mike 

Interest rates remain at historical lows and pricing of homes is the very attractive for anyone in the market to own a home. So here’s the big question:

“To buy or to rent?” Recent graduates, young couples, relocating professionals and others have all asked themselves this question at one point or another. While each option has its benefits, the decision to purchase an apartment, condominium or house as opposed to renting, is complex and based on a number of factors. According to a survey from October 2010 from the National Association of Realtors, nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home today is a good financial decision (Insert updated statistic when appropriate). The question that remains is whether or not now’s the right time to purchase a home for you.

For most people, deciding to purchase a home is the largest financial decision of their lifetime. Before making the jump into homeownership, potential home buyers should consider the “soft” lifestyle issues as well as the “hard” financial ones. Coldwell Banker has provided the following four financial and lifestyle questions to consider when determining if buying a home is the right decision for you:

1. Do you have a steady income? At or near the top of every potential homebuyer’s mind is whether or not they can afford to buy a home right now. Buying a home remains a sound financial decision for those with documented income and a good credit history, and a steady income can provide a strong backbone for the initial down payment and future mortgage payments. The “Affordability Radar” tool on coldwellbanker.com is a great way to begin this planning and assess “how much home you can afford.  Don’t hesitate to speak with a real estate professional even before you’re ready to buy a home. Along with a financial planner, a real estate professional can help you answer and uncover questions about the cost of home ownership.

2. Do you plan to stay in a home for an extended period of time? With proper planning, a home purchase has historically proven to be one of the strongest investments one can make. Along those lines, it’s imperative to understand that investing in a home is much different than investing in a stock portfolio. Homes typically appreciate in value over time while the owner builds his or her equity through monthly mortgage payments. If you anticipate staying in a home for only one or two years, it doesn’t necessarily mean buying is not for you, but you are less likely to see a significant financial return on your investment.

3. Do you plan to sell a house in order to buy a house? A local real estate professional can help you understand current local market conditions and will help you make smart decisions when listing a home on the market. If you do not currently own a home that needs to be sold prior to purchasing a new one, now is a particularly smart time to buy. Even with lenders becoming increasingly more thorough in their approval process, mortgage financing is still widely available for those with a steady income and solid credit. High inventories and low interest rates give first-time homebuyers a tremendous amount of opportunity and flexibility in markets across the U.S.

4. How do your other options compare? For renters, calculating month-to-month housing expenses is as easy as inquiring about the monthly rent and average utilities. The calculation gets a bit more complicated when considering the monthly cost of owning a home. A real estate professional can help you understand a range of financial considerations from annual property taxes to the tax incentives for owning a home.

There is no one right decision when it comes to renting versus buying a home. Each individual should take the time to look at their personal and financial situation to decide what will work best for their needs and lifestyle. Feel free to contact me to discuss your real estate questions concerning buying, selling or investing.

“Expect the Best” Mike 

The people of Lansing’s Saint Vincent DePaul have helped thousands of local families in need of assistence with bills, clothes and more. Now, they need your help.

Lansing District Council President of the Society of Saint Vincent DePaul Marcia Barrons-Maivalle is still in shock: “Right now we’re just trying to find a place where we can set up shop; mostly for our client assistance office but also to receive donations.”

Employee Denise Backlund is upset that she is unable to routinely walk into her work building this week as she has for more than ten years: “I feel sick to my stomach because we help so many people and they depend on us. Now I don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

Many presents were wrapped and ready to be given to lacal families in preparation for Christmas weekend. They were supposed to be delivered the morning after the fire hit.
They are in great need of donations as soon as possible.

Checks can be mailed to:

1020 South Washington Ave.
Lansing, MI
48910 You can also call: (517) 484-5395

Ten Reasons to Sell Your Home in the Winter.

1. Fewer Showings, less buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.

2. Less Competition- Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.

3. Homes Show Better During the Holidays- Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations.

4. January is the Biggest Transfer Month- Did you know that more corporate moves happen during the month of January than at any other time of year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter!

5. Timing- By putting the home on the market during the winter you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!

6. More Time to Get Top Dollar- By starting to market your home early you may be able to secure a higher price, with less competition.

7. Great Time to Shop- If your home sells quickly you will be able to shop for your next home during the winter.

8. More Marketing- Because most agents and offices have less inventory during the winter your home may be marketed on more websites and more often than during the spring months.

9. More Attention- Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have less clients to manage. This means better syndication of your listings to more websites, search engines, and portals.

10. The Market- Today’s interest rates are at historical lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!

As mentioned above, this could be the best time ever to buy or sell real estate or the worst time ever. That’s why it is important to make sure In today’s market, you hire someone who knows what they’re doing and will work hard to get the job done. My knowledge of the real estate market, technology, negotiating skills, and ability to listen to my client’s needs and wants that keep me ahead of the competition.

Buying or selling a home in today’s greater Lansing, Michigan real estate market can be complicated without having the proper expertise and guidance throughout the process. Plan ahead to reach your real estate goals by contacting “Your Best Choice” and obtaining additional information on buying and selling at my website.

“Expect the Best” Mike

The 27th Annual Silver Bells in the City will take place on Friday, November 18, in downtown Lansing. Silver Bells in the City, which attracted more than 150,000 people in 2010, annually features an Electric Light Parade, lots of fun and festive holiday activities, the lighting of Michigan’s official Christmas tree and a fireworks show (weather permitting) over the State Capitol.

If you’re coming in to town to visit friends or family over the Thanksgiving weekend (November 25-27,) make the Children’s Ballet Theatre’s performance of The Nutcracker part of your tradition if it’s not already. With Friday and Saturday evening performances and a Sunday matinee, this is sure to delight the whole family and definitely get you in the Christmas spirit.

Old Town Dickens Village, December 3, 2011, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm This holiday season Old Town will transform into a Victorian scene for the fifth annual Dickens Village. On December 3, from noon to 5 p.m., family friendly activities will be taking place throughout Old Town.

Friday, December 2, 2011 Family fun to kick off the Holiday Season including a Lighted Float Parade through town ending with Santa at the Sun Theater in Grand Ledge.

“Expect the Best” Mike 

Two Men and a Truck

• Lansing Charter Academy, 3300 Express Court, Lansing
• Windemere Park Center, 3100 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing
• TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, 1200 Keystone Ave., Lansing

Drop off shelf-stable food items such as canned goods, peanut butter and jelly, cereal, tuna fish, boxed meals, baby food and formula. Items will be accepted through Friday, November 10. All donations will be delivered to Food Bank Council of Michigan food pantries before Thanksgiving. Cash donations may be made by contacting the Food Bank Council of Michigan, fbcm@fbcmich.org

Two Men and a Truck said this year’s goal of $750,000 and 300,000 pounds of food will help over 4 million hungry familes and children in Michigan.

On another note, the Lansing State Journal just reported that the Greater Lansing Food Bank and the Mid-Michigan Food Bank will merge operations to better serve the region in the Greater lansing area.  Last year, the Greater Lansing Food Bank raised nearly $1.5 million, with an additional $300,000 to $400,000 in food donations. The Mid-Michigan Food Bank, received more than $7 million of food donations, along with more than $1.5 million in other support, according to its 2010 annual report. As a combined operation the monies will go much further to support needy families. Addional ways to donate are available here.

Back in 2009 Tongal.com and Tyson Foods, Inc. announced a collaborative effort to raise awareness for hunger relief in America through a video contest. Sonny Geha, a recent graduate of Michigan State University, entered the contest with this video highlighting the Mid-Michigan Food Bank. Take 3 minutes and learn more about hunger and the Michigan Food Bank below.

It’s not just football at Michigan State University

The Talbert and Leota Abrams Planetarium, located on the beautiful Michigan State University campus, serves as an astronomy and space science education resource center for central Michigan. This is a great family event as we begin to have cooler weekend in the Greater Lansing Area.

The Super Sky Show is held each Sunday. Join host Seymour Sky on the all-puppet talk show that features only the greatest “stars”. Special guests include Queen Cassiopeia, the Earth and the Sun, and an intriguing “mystery” guest. Your kids will love it. This is held each Sunday at 2:30

Also, you may want to plan to see the “Relics of the Big Bang” which illustrates the monumental scale of a project that extends from Geneva, Switzerland to East Lansing, Michigan. Along the way, the audience is invited to take a closer look at the Large Hadron Collider, the ATLAS detector, and to learn more about dark matter, the Higgs particle, and other fascinating physical mysteries. This event is held Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. or Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Check out the Abrams Planetarium website for detailed information and schedules.

Another great place to plan an evening is the Wharton Center for some of the best Broadway shows and entertainment in the Midwest. Below is just a sample of whats scheduled this winter. Viist the Wharton Center website for full details, schedules, and pricing.

• National Acrobats of China October 27, 2011
• Tony Bennett October 28, 2011
• Spartan Spectacular October 29, 2011
• Yamato November 04, 2011
• Vienna Symphony Orchestra November 06, 2011
• West Side Story November 08 – 13, 2011

Don’t forget the MSU Museum at Michigan State University. The MSU Museum has three floors of exhibits devoted to natural and cultural history with an emphasis on the Great Lakes region. Halls of continuing exhibits are devoted to world cultures, dinosaurs, animal diversity and heritage. Open Monday through Saturday until 5:00 p.m.

The Greater Lansing Visitors and Convention Bureau provides  information on the entire greater Lansing , Michigan area when it comes to entertainment, events and points of interests.  Our community has plenty to do everyday of the week.  It’s exciting “Living in Greater Lansing” don’t you agree?

“Expect the Best” Mike 

“Expect the Best” Mike 

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: September 16, 2011

Labor Day through Halloween is your window for preparing lawns for a lush spring.

“I’m already thinking about next year,” says John Dillon, who takes care of New York City’s Central Park, which features 200 acres of lawn in the middle of Manhattan. “The grass I grow this fall is what will be there next spring.”

Fall lawn care is no walk in the park. It’s hard work, and Dillon guides you through the four basic steps.

1. Aeration

Aeration gives your lawn a breather in autumn and provides room for new grass to spread without competition from spring weeds. Aeration tools pull up plugs of grass and soil, breaking up compacted turf. That allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach roots, and gives seeds room to sprout.

If kids frequently play on your lawn, plan to aerate twice a year — fall and spring. If your lawn is just for show, then aerate once a year — and maybe even once every other year.

A hand-aerating tool ($20), which looks like a pitchfork with hollow tines, is labor-intensive and meant for unplugging small sections of grass. Gas-powered aerating machines (rental, $20/hour) are about the size of a big lawn mower, and are good for working entire lawns. Bring some muscle when you pick up your rental: Aerating machines are heavy and can be hard to lift into your truck or SUV.

Depending on the size of your property, professional aeration costs about $150.

2. Seeding

Fall, when the soil temperature is about 55 degrees, is the best time to seed your lawn because turf roots grow vigorously in fall and winter. If you want a lush lawn, don’t cheap out on the seed.

Bags of inexpensive seed ($35 for 15 pounds) often contain hollow husks, weed seed, and annual rye grass seed, which grows until the first frost then drops dead. Splurge on the good stuff ($55 for 15 pounds of Kentucky Bluegrass seed), which resists drought, disease, and insects.

Water your new seed every day for 10 to 20 days until it germinates.

3. Fertilizing

A late fall fertilization — before the first frost — helps your grass survive a harsh winter and encourages it to grow green and lush in spring. Make your last fertilization of the year count by choosing a product high (10% to 15%) in phosphorous, which is critical for root growth, Dillon says.

Note: Some states are banning phosphorous-rich fertilizers, which are harmful to the watershed. In those places, look for nitrogen-rich fertilizers, which promote shoot and root growth. Check with your local extension service to see what regulations apply in your area.

4. Mulching

Instead of raking leaves, run over them a couple of times with your mower to grind them into mulch. The shredded leaves protect grass from winter wind and desiccation. An added bonus — shredded leaves decompose into yummy organic matter to feed grass roots.

A mulching blade ($10) that attaches to your mower will grind the leaves even finer.