Forbes names Charlevoix one of America's Prettiest Towns

Forbes.com has named Charlevoix the Beautiful as one of the 11 most beautiful spots in the United States. I'm sure this is no surprise to anyone who has visited Charlevoix in all of its petunia-lined street splendor. Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix, Charlevoix is truly gorgeous. My favorite activity by far in Charlevoix is boating. With the newly renovated state of the art marina facility, staffed by wonderful HarborMaster Hal Evans and staff, beautiful East Park with its bandshell and fountains, Charlevoix is a gem!

Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Number 1

Congratulations, Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, on being named Number One in the Nation for unparalleled medical excellence and patient safety for Vascular Surgery! The Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Heart & Vascular Center opened in May of 2004, and since that time has established an outstanding reputation. With state-of-the-art diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of blood vessel, artery, and vein disorders including blockages, closures, and clots, patients have access to innovative vascular surgery procedures that produce the best outcomes in the nation. What a tremendous honor and asset to our community! Congratulations!

Petoskey Real Estate Sales - 1st Quarter 2011

Petoskey Real Estate Market Showing Signs of Stability

Perhaps contrary to some claims you may have read in local real estate ads, the Petoskey real estate market in the first quarter of 2011 showed little change year over year from the first quarter of 2010. This is good news, however, as the federal first-time and repeat home buyer tax credits, which expired on April 30, 2010, significantly inflated the 2010 numbers. Simply holding its own, absent Uncle Sam's fiscal largesse, can be seen as a victory for the Petoskey real estate market in the first quarter of 2011.

The number of single family residences (including Petoskey homes and condominiums) sold in the Petoskey School District in the quarter increased by one unit, from 46 in 2010 to 47 in 2011. The total dollar volume from sales of Petoskey homes and condominiums in the quarter decreased slightly, however, from $10.1 million in 2010 to $9.8 million in 2011.

The median Petoskey home price declined from $165,600 in the First Quarter of 2010 to $145,000 in the First Quarter of 2011. The average home price also declined slightly, from $219,102 in the First Quarter of 2010 to $207,824 in the First Quarter of 2011.