RE/MAX in the Hills

RE/MAX in the Hills Broker/Owner Joan Downing was interviewed Wednesday, February 20, 2013, live on The Nine show, part of FOX2 Detroit Morning News. Click the following link to view the interview: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/video?clipId=8439322&autostart=true

Locate your dream home with My Home Finder!

Our website is filled with real estate information and features a highly advanced property search system. When you register with My Home Finder you gain access to my full suite of advanced consumer tools:

• Access Restricted Property Details
• Save Searches
• Save individual properties to Favorites Folders
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• Get dedicated Personal Service

Experience Michigan's Best Service

At RE/MAX in the Hills, we are focused on giving our clients the best possible home buying or selling experience. We believe that to best serve our clients it is important to treat their real estate needs as if they were our own. We will work hard to earn your trust as we work together towards a common goal..

Whether you are selling your own home or searching for a new place in Michigan to call your own, We will work hard to make sure that you are completely satisfied. We have the knowledge, experience, and dedication that it takes to get the results you are looking for.

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Click the following link (will open in a new window) for an informative brochure (.pdf format)
The Field Guide to the Benefits of Home Ownership from the National Association of REALTORS®

Finding a good neighborhood

Anyone will tell you that buying a home in a good neighborhood is essential. But what things go into making one neighborhood more desirable than another? Aside from an intangible feeling about a place, there are a number of qualities that set some neighborhoods apart, such as:

• Good public schools nearby.
• Well-maintained homes.
• Close proximity to good shopping.
• Public facilities like parks and community centers.

Doing thorough neigborhood research is critical if you truly want your home to fit your needs. Here are some basic strategies:

Call City Hall

You may like an area now, but you could feel differently if a football stadium or six-lane highway will be your future neighbor. Check with local officials on the zoning of neighborhoods and the likelihood of any substantial public projects. Large projects such as major road construction are planned years in advance.

Resale Potential

Though appreciation can be an impossible thing to predict, it's good to at least try to determine a home's resale potential. Slow selling homes may just be a function of the current market, but they could also indicate problems (or perceived problems) with the neighborhood that could affect resale. Check for any information on new industries or companies moving to the area in the future that could lead to housing demand later.

Do the Footwork

Probably the most important step in researching neighborhoods is to get a first-hand look. Talk to residents, visit local schools, businesses, and parks, and get to know your way around. If you plan on using public transportation, see what options are available. Be sure to visit the neighborhood at several different times of day. Three quick ways to scope out a neighborhood:

• Eat at local restaurants (non-chains) to get a feel for the people.
• Attend a community meeting.
• Read the community newspaper for at least a week.

In the end your impression of a neighborhood will largely be an emotional reaction. By researching the facts and future of a given neighborhood, you'll ensure that your hunches are well informed.