National Rails-To-Trails Conservancy Recognizes Little Traverse Wheelway

The Little Traverse Wheelway was recognized by the national Rails-To-Trails Conservancy as its Trail of the Month for January, 2009. Stretching approximately 25 miles along the shoreline of Little Traverse Bay, from Charlevoix through Petoskey and on to Harbor Springs, this gem provides abundant year-round recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. A big thank you and congratulations to the Top of Michigan Trails Council, and its many volunteers and supporters, which has been instrumental in the development of the Little Traverse Wheelway!

November Northern Michigan Real Estate Sales Horrible

Horrible Northern Michigan real estate sales numbers for the month of November, 2008 seem to mirror the macroeconomic climate. Today the Labor Department reported that U.S. nonfarm payrolls fell by over half a million last month, the worst such tally in 34 years. Who can buy a home if they don't have a job?

Sales of single family homes and condominiums in the Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and Boyne City real estate markets were down year over year, with 43 sales in November of 2008 compared to 50 sales in November of 2007. Total sales by dollar volume decreased by a whopping 50%, from just under $20 million ($19,990,790) in November of 2007 to just over $10 million ($10,048,450) in November of 2008. The dollar volume of Petoskey sales was only a third of what it was last year, from just under $10,350,000 in November, 2007 to $3.6 million this year.

The median home price declined from $227,100 in November of 2007 to $158,500 in November of 2008, a decline of over 30% year over year. The average days on market for homes which sold during the month of November of 2008 decreased to 210 days, from 269 days in November of 2007.

Sales of bank owned properties almost doubled, from seven to thirteen. Bank owned properties accounted for over 30% of sales during the month of November, 2008, continuing to put pressure on prices in our marketplace.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Northern Michigan Multiple Listing Service for the months of November, 2007 and November, 2008.

Northern Michigan Real Estate Market Conditions - October 2008

Sales of single family homes and condominiums in the Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and Boyne City real estate markets were down year over year, with 58 sales in October of 2008 compared to 64 sales in October of 2007. Total sales by dollar volume decreased from $23,832,500 in October of 2007 to $17,551,855 in October of 2008, a decline of over 26%. The dollar volume of Petoskey home sales alone declined almost three million dollars, or over 36%, from just under $8 million last year to just over $5 million this year.

The median home price declined from $224,500 in October of 2007 to $212,500 in October of 2008, a decline of just over 5% year over year. The average days on market for homes which sold during the month of October of 2008 increased to 222 days, from 185 days in October of 2007.

Sales of bank owned properties more than tripled, from five to eighteen. Bank owned properties accounted for almost one in three sales during the month of October, 2008 continuing to put pressure on prices.

This report is based upon sales information obtained from the Northern Michigan Multiple Listing Service for the months of October 2007 and October 2008.

Harbor Springs Real Estate Market Posts Weakest Numbers in Recent History

Harbor Springs real estate market activity plummeted in 2007, with unit sales and total dollar volume of single family residential transactions posting lows not seen since at least prior to 2001, the last year for which sales statistics are available through the Northern Michigan Multiple Listing Service's computerized database.

There were 118 sales of Harbor Springs homes and Harbor Springs condominiums in 2007, defined as sales of properties located within the Harbor Springs School District. The total dollar volume of those sales was $50,296,695. This compares with 147 sales last year, and a record total dollar volume of $64,669,046. Unit sales volume was off almost 20% from 2006 to 2007, while total dollar volume was off almost 23%.

The total dollar volume of sales was the lowest in recent history. The next lowest total was posted in 2001, the last year for which computerized data is available. In 2001, there were 188 sales with a total dollar volume of $52,825,456. Sales in 2001 were impacted by the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001.

On a brighter note, the median sales price declined only modestly to $261,500, from $267,500 in 2006 and $269,000 in 2005. The median sales price in 2001 was $225,000.

Note: Based on information from the Northern Michigan Multiple Listing Service for the period from January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2007.

All That Jazz at Harbor - Ribbon Cutting

It was a gorgeous day in Harbor Springs for a ribbon cutting, as All That Jazz at harbor, owned by Nikolai Hargreaves, officially opened for business. Numerous well wishers and local dignitaries took part in the event, including Harbor Springs Chamber Executive Director Kathy Lott.

The concept of All That Jazz at harbor is "things that wrap." The store carries wraps "for fashion, warmth or just for fun," including throws, shawls, scarves and more, much more. There are picnic blanket/tote bags, "bearskin" rugs and teddy bears to wrap you in hugs. Candles and potpourri are available to wrap a room with warmth. Zulugrass jewelry, crafted by the Maasai women of Kenya, which helps to provide economic opportunity for the Maasai families, can be worn either singly or in multiple strands as a necklace, bracelet, ankle bracelet, belt, hair wrap, hat band, napkin ring, as a wine bottle topper, etc. Fragrances which wrap the senses, including Beanpod Candles made from soybeans, which are clean and healthy for the environment, and Greenleaf fragrances, including potpourri, room spray, sachet, candles, lotion, hand soap & sanitizer, shower gel and decorative diffusers and replenishment oils, are proudly offered.

What a great store! I bought my wife a vanilla scented Beanpod candle and some pink Zulugrass jewelry and she loved them both! (Big hint for all you guys out there, your wives/girlfriends love to receive gifts). :-)

Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC was pleased to assist Nikolai with the purchase of her new commercial condominium unit, with assistance from the Law Office of Stefan J. Scholl, P.C.

Congratulations on your new store, Nikolai! What a wonderful new addition to beautiful downtown Harbor Springs. We wish you much success!

Harbor Springs Summer Event Schedule

Make sure you mark your calendars for these wonderful Harbor Springs community events.

Harbor Springs Waterfront Wine Festival: June 15th
Independence Day (July 4th): Art Fair (10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.); Parade (1:00 P.M.); Fireworks (Dusk)
Harbor Springs Women’s Club Art Fair: July 11th
Blissfest Music Festival: July 13-15
4th Annual North American Indian Art Fair: July 21st
LTYC Regatta: July 27-29
Labor Day Community Appreciation/Sidewalk Sales Event: September 3rd

Birchwood Approves $5 Million Clubhouse Renovation

The Birchwood Farms Property Owners Association recently approved a $5 Million dollar plan to renovate the Clubhouse at Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club. The renovation, which was approved by an overwhelming majority of the members, will add 6,600 square feet of new space and significantly modify, redecorate and refurnish the existing Clubhouse. After the renovation, the Clubhouse will total 31,600 square feet.

Project architect Ken Evangelista is a widely respected specialist in country club planning and design. His 35 years of architectural experience includes projects at renowned golf courses such as Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills Country Club, and Orchard Lake Country Club.

The renovation plans include a new casual bar/grill, a new fitness center and exterior modifications to give the Clubhouse a “sophisticated Up North” look and feel. In addition to the Clubhouse renovation, two additional hydro grid clay tennis courts will be constructed in the spring of 2007, which will bring the Club total to six clay and four hard courts.

According to Bill Donohue, Publisher of "Club & Resort Business", “Birchwood is to be complimented on their willingness to maintain and build their club experience by investing in the future of this fabulous facility. The new improvements will make the clubhouse a destination and enhance the community. As a member for 26-years, I applaud the members for making a sound, gutsy decision that will only enhance the Birchwood experience for years to come.”

Birchwood Farms is a 1,600-acre year-round resort community with 27 holes of championship golf. It is surrounded by natural woodlands and unspoiled lake views. Birchwood members come from almost all of the 50 States, with many from Florida, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and other areas of Michigan. Touted as being one of “Michigan’s Best Kept Secrets”, Birchwood was established in 1972.

Journey To Bethlehem

After hearing about the live nativity play put on by the Stutsmanville Chapel for a number of years, I finally had the opportunity to attend with my family. We were not disappointed. The production, entitled "Journey to Bethlehem", involved six separate scenes, which I will describe as "The Visitation", "The Census", "No Room at the Inn", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", "The Three Wise Men", and "The Nativity".

And despite the blizzard-like weather, what a performance it was, both indoors and out, involving a cast of close to a hundred people, not including various livestock and animals including dogs, cats, chickens, horses and sheep. "Journey to Bethlehem" runs from Thursday through Sunday, December 8th-10th. Please call Stutsmanville Chapel in advance for reservations at (231) 526-2335. Stutsmanville Chapel is located approximately five miles North of Harbor Springs on the Northwest Corner of State and Stutsmanville Roads.

Nubs Nob Terrain Park Ranked #1 in the Nation

Nub's Nob Ski Resort of Harbor Springs has been voted as the number one terrain park on the entire North American continent by the readers of Ski Magazine! Nub's Nob was also voted number for four snow grooming.

Nub's Nob was previously voted into the top ten in all of the United States and Canada for snow and value, and is the only ski resort in the Midwest to ever capture North American "Gold Medals" from Ski Magazine. "All we think about is snow, snow, snow, running the best ski and snowboard resort of our size possible and making our customers number one," according to Nub's Nob head of guest services, Scott Stillings.

The readers of Ski Magazine obviously feel that "Nub's" has been doing a fantastic job of pleasing its customers. Northwest Lower Michigan boasts some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Midwest, including Nub's Nob, Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, and Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs. Think snow!