New Charlevoix Public Library Amazing!

I stopped by to check out the new Charlevoix Public Library recently. The grand opening for the new library was held on October 7th. The new library is incredible. The main reading room is very impressive, with large book stacks, desks, abundant computer stations and comfortable chairs. There are all sorts of other rooms, including a Michigan collection, a Children's reading room, activity center and garden, and a cozy reading room for newspapers and magazines, complete with stained glass lamps, wingback chairs, and gas fireplace.

What a treasure for generations of Charlevoix residents to come! Congratulations Charlevoix on your new library!

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." — Groucho Marx

Northern Michigan Land Sales Fall

Northern Michigan Land Sales Fall
In response to a comment left by a reader to an earlier post, I decided to run some numbers on Emmet and Charlevoix County land sales. These sales include vacant land, lots, acreage, waterfront land and lots, and water access land and lots.

The number of land sales for the first three quarters of 2006 is down significantly from the same period last year. During the first three quarter of 2006, there were 222 sales with a total dollar volume of $28,586,258. The average sale price was $128,767 with a median price of $44,250.

For the first three quarters of 2005, there were 331 sales, with a total dollar volume of $48,904,506. The average sale price was $147,748, with a median price of $50,000.

So where do we stand compared to last year, in terms of sales of vacant land? Unit volume is down by almost 1/3, dollar volume is down over 41%, average sale price is down almost 13%, and the median sale price is down 11.5%.

These appear to be much larger drops than we have seen in the residential market this year. I'm not quite sure how to explain the large drop. Purchases of land may be more discretionary than purchases of homes. Certainly, residential building activity has fallen off considerably over the last year. Builders and developers are much less likely to be building homes on speculation. There are many brand new homes on the market just sitting, waiting for buyers, and an ample supply of available building sites. As a result, builder and developer demand for raw land and new home sites has probably decreased significantly.

Charlevoix Apple Festival

Charlevoix Apple Festival
After several wintry days, the skies cleared on Sunday and all were treated to a glorious fall day. The weather for the annual Charlevoix Apple Festival was picture perfect, and my family and I took the opportunity to travel to Charlevoix for one of our favorite festivals. This year's festival did not disappoint. With numerous artists and vendors displaying their crafts, it was a perfect opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done early. We also managed to sneak in some plain donuts and caramel apples, of course. One can't go to the Apple Festival without buying some apples, and my wife chose some Honey Crisps. Boy are they delicious!

Surf's Up Petoskey!

Surf's Up Petoskey!



I never imagined I would wake up to a raging blizzard on Friday, October 13th. I can remember having a few snowflakes in October, but nothing like this. You can imagine my surprise when I saw four surfers in the waters of Little Traverse Bay in the middle of the snowstorm!

Now I actually remember reading an article earlier this year about how good the surfing can be on Lake Michigan. Other than the temperatures in the 30's and blinding intermittent snow squalls, surfing conditions were ideal, with winds steady at 30+ knots and wave heights peaking at fourteen feet (according to the NOAA data buoy in the middle of Lake Michigan).

Cowabunga!

Northern Michigan Real Estate Sales Continue Slide in 3rd Quarter of 2006

Northern Michigan Real Estate Sales Continue Slide in 3rd Quarter of 2006


Northern Michigan residential real estate sales for the 3rd Quarter of 2006 declined over 15% from year ago levels, dropping from 242 sales in the 3rd Quarter of 2005 to 205 sales in the 3rd Quarter of 2006. The 205 residential sales in the Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and Boyne City school districts represents a sales volume decline of over 25% from the high of 274 residential sales in the 3rd Quarter of 2004.

Note: Based on information obtained from the Northern Michigan Multiple Listing Service for the period from July 1 - September 30, 2001-2006.

Boyne City Real Estate - Poor 3rd Quarter

Boyne City Real Estate - Poor 3rd Quarter
The latest Boyne City residential real estate market statistics for the 3rd Quarter of 2006 are abysmal. The number of residential sales in the 3rd Quarter of 2006 dropped to 31, from 47 sales in the 3rd Quarter of 2005, a decline of almost 35%. The dollar volume of residential sales in the same period dropped to $7,965,400 from $15,944,670 in the prior year, a decline of over fifty percent. The median sales price dropped significantly as well, from $186,900 in the 3rd Quarter of 2005 to $155,700 in the 3rd Quarter of 2006, a decline of over 16%.

Note: Based upon information obtained from the Northern Michigan Multiple Listing Service for the periods from July 1 - September 30, 2005-06.

Reaction to Michigan's 2nd Gubernatorial Debate

Did anyone see last night's gubernatorial debate? I missed the first one, so I made it a point to tune in. Seemingly, most of the time was spent debating which candidate has the more misleading campaign ads.

Fortunately, at least the public seems to have focused in on the real issues at stake in this election, as shown by this sampling of opinions from the Detroit Free Press debate reaction website.

"Please, for the love of all that is Holy, Dick needs someone to tell him: NO COMB OVER! YOU ARE BALD DUDE BE PROUD OF IT. Nothing looks more silly on an adult male then trying to comb over a bald head."
- Tony

"I cannot take seriously the candidacy of a woman who lets a festering mole grow unchecked on her own face. Please, seek the help of a dermatologist immediately."
- Grossed Out

Holy cow, are we ever in trouble.

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