It's About Time!

Yes, it's about time I said something here in this blog, so here goes.....something, lol.

I apologize for not posting for the last 6 months, but things were rather tough on the old Chapster during that stretch! First of all, on May 11, I lost my beloved father Reginald back in New Hampshire, at age 93 1/2. Dad had been living at home with his wife, my Mom Viola, almost until the end. He had spent his final month and a half alternating between a hospital and a rehab center. A fiesty character, he was very active until that final month and a half, mowing his own lawn, snow blowing his driveway and "puttering" around the house. He actually passed while I was home on vacation in May, so I did get to see him and speak with him, just a couple of days before he went to his final reward.

Then in mid September, I went home to spend 2 weeks with my Mom at their home in Kingston. All seemed well. I left New Hampshire September 24. On Sunday, September 27 while holding an open house in Troy, during a slow spell, I called Mom to check in. She always got a kick out of me calling her from a Michigan open house. Well, there was no answer. Then someone came thru the open house. After they left, I called my Mom again, and again, no answer. I called the local Kingston, New Hampshire police and gave them the lockbox number on my Mom's house. 25 minutes later they called me back and told me she was sitting in her easy chair in the living room, with no pulse. Mom was gone at age 87 1/2!

So between funeral services and estate things to take care on in New Hampshire, I've been busy in 2 states over the past 4 months! Anyone want to buy a 1457 sq ft ranch in Kingston, New Hampshire? If so, call my friend Lee Bartlett at the Merrill/Bartlett Agency in Kingston. She's MY real estate agent and she'd be delighted to speak with you about the home and I'd be delighted for you to speak with her about the home.

As for here in our area, home values seem to have bottomed out, but they will not be rising anytime soon. It will take a while. You know Michigan, first into a recession and the last one out! But please think about taking advantage of the new programs out there, including the tax break for both first time buyers and repeat buyers, that are in affect until April 30. It's a great way to get into a home while receiving a nice tax break from your Uncle Sam!

I've said this before and I'm saying it again. I'll make every effort to post here at least once a month in 2010, or more as situations warrant! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!