Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Enjoy Harbor Country This Coming Labor Day Weekend!

The upcoming Labor Day holiday is an exciting time in Harbor Country as many vacationers and locals alike share in the fun of the last big weekend of summer.  It’s hard to believe that we’ll soon be entering the fall season, but that doesn’t mean that the fun stops in the charming communities of New Buffalo, Harbert, Grand Beach, Union Pier, Lakeside, Sawyer or Three Oaks.  There are a number of great events, festivals and attractions that will keep you enjoying the Harbor Country lifestyle all year long!

If you are visiting friends and family over the extended holiday weekend, or you live in Harbor Country and are looking for a way to celebrate this coming Labor Day; you won’t want to miss out on these events!

14th Annual Greek Festival
American Hellenic Center
17760 Behner Rd, New Buffalo 
Friday, August 30 - Sunday, September 1

- Join in for a weekend of Greek flavors and activities at the Greek Festival! Authentic Greek food and pastries, folk dancing, church tours, the marketplace, and children's entertainment. Enjoy live music and a full bar. Admission is free!  View more information on the Harbor Country website.  

Music in the Park- Three Oaks
Dewey Cannon Park, Three Oaks
Saturday, August 31 starting at 6:30pm
- Enjoy music outdoors in beautiful Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks this Saturday!  Gather friends and family, and a blanket or lawn chair, to enjoy the sounds of Upstairs on Elm Street.  These outdoor concerts are a fun way to relax, hear local musicians and be outdoors.  For more information, visit the Harbor Arts website

Check, Please! Farm to Table Festival at Round Barn
Round Barn Winery
10983 Hills Rd, Baroda

Sunday, September 1 from 12-4pm

- Join DCatherine De Orio, the new host of tv show "Check, Please!"  as she co-hosts the Farm to Table Fest at Round Barn Winery this coming Sunday!  The festival, will pair chefs from Chicago and Southwest Michigan who embrace the farm-to-table movement with Michigan farmers in order to "bridge the gap and bring people to the source of their food," said Colleen Ryan, who, along with her husband, Tom Neubauer, are co-producing the event with Manilow.

The tasting event will be set up inside a tent on the Round Barn property where chefs will be paired at tasting stations with farmers. Guests will get the chance to taste raw produce from the farmers and then enjoy dishes crafted by the chefs that will incorporate the produce from farms like Green Spirit Farms, Green Acres Farm, Bluestar Produce and others. Local wineries, including Round Barn, Free Run Cellars and Greenbush Brewing, will pour wines to pair with the food.  For more information, visit the Round Barn Winery website

Our team of Harbor Country Real Estate agents and advisors here at Shoreline Property Advice hope you’re able to get out and enjoy one, or all of these great events this coming weekend!  We enjoy highlighting what’s taking place around Harbor Country and showcasing it’s unique lifestyle. 

If you’d like more information on living or vacationing in Harbor Country, please feel free to contact us today!  We would be happy to answer your questions and show you some of the current homes available on the Lake Michigan Shoreline.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend! 

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Pricing Your Home Correctly and Other Tips for Selling Your Harbor Country Home


Whenever we talk with sellers, one of the biggest challenges or questions that sellers have is determining the selling price of their home.  They have invested time, resources and energy into their Harbor Country home and want to price it accordingly. 

Yet, as Harbor Country Real Estate agents and advisors here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we know that there more factors that play a role in coming up with the correct selling price. Setting the right price from the beginning can set the tone for the entire home sale and can make the process a smooth and efficient one.

As you begin thinking about selling your Harbor Country home, here are a few tips when it comes to pricing and selling your home.  

1. Study past sales- While this will take a little work, getting to know what other homes in your town of Union Pier, New Buffalo, Harbert, Grand Beach, Three Oaks or other Harbor Country town have recently sold for will be helpful in giving you appropriate expectations.  Your Harbor Country Real Estate agent can also provide you with this list and can explain more about the current market value.

2. Do not confuse active listings with past sales- For those who are new to selling a home, this is key.  The active homes on the Harbor Country Real Estate market don’t reflect what the actual selling price for the home.  While these homes are your competition, they shouldn’t be the determining factor on the price point for your home.

3. Do not overprice because you have the time- This can be one of the biggest mistakes sellers can make.  They reason that, since they’re not in any hurry to sell, their Harbor Country home can sit on the market.  The reality?  This can have the opposite effect on your home.  The longer your home sits on the market, the harder it is to sell.  Buyers will assume there’s something wrong with your home, or may not even bother looking at your home if it’s overpriced.

4. Leave some room for negotiation, but don’t overreach- You never want to feel like you’re giving your home away, but you will want to leave some room for both parties to negotiate.   

5. Think like a buyer- You’ll want to talk with your Harbor Country Real Estate agent about current buyer trends.  What are the top things they’re looking for in a home?  What type of flooring or finishes are desirable?  If you’ve been out of the market for some time, chances are things have changed since you last bought a home.  Getting to know what buyers are looking for will help you evaluate your home, help you consider any updates you’d like to make, and allow you to price your home accordingly.

6. React swiftly and decisively- Being proactive with the price of your home is key.  You want to remain on top of what buyers are saying during the showing of your home and how the market is moving.  Your Harbor Country Real Estate agent will guide you with this information, and you’ll want to be prepared to respond quickly in order to keep buyers interested in your home.  Don’t delay the inevitable!

As you consider selling your Harbor Country home, we hope these tips will help you navigate through the issue of pricing.  Of course, we would be happy to talk with you about getting your Harbor Country home sold and can help you determine the best selling price for your home.

Contact us anytime to set up a time to meet! 

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

4 Tips for Buying a Harbor Country Home Now!


It’s an exciting time in Harbor Country as we near the end of summer and anticipate the beautiful fall season.  It’s also a time when there’s lots of activity as buyers want to make a purchase before the busy fall season.  New homes are coming on the market in New Buffalo, Harbert, Union Pier, Three Oaks and other towns along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

If you’re considering buying a home in Harbor Country; now is a great time to do so!  Mortgage rates are still low, and with their continuing upward swing, waiting to buy can be costly.  Of course you’ll want to weigh the decision carefully and have an experienced Harbor Country Real Estate agent by your side each step of the way.

Here are a few key things you’ll want to remember as you prepare to buy a home within the next few months.

1. Look past curb appeal- Summer and early fall is a great time for sellers as their home is being shown in the best light possible.  Budding flowers, lush trees and green grass set the stage for a home to show well.  Buyers see beautiful curb appeal and can instantly fall in love with the appearance of the home and its charming setting.  Yet, it’s important to look past curb appeal and focus on what’s going on inside the home.  Take note of any major updates or repairs you’ll have to do to make the home move in ready and take those factors into serious consideration.

2. Act quickly- On average, 30-40% of homes sell in the summer months.  And, as we begin to approach the fall, there will be buyers who want to be settled into their new home before the holiday season. This means that competition is tight.  If there’s a great home that fits your style, budget and your wants; move quickly or someone else will!  Of course you still want to weigh the decision carefully and talk with your Harbor Country Real Estate agent, but delays can lead to bidding wars or someone snatching up the home first. 

3. Have your financials in order- Because you’ll need to act quickly on a Harbor Country home this time of year, you’ll want to be sure to have your financials in order. This means being pre approved and making sure you’re prepared with a down payment.

4. Don’t be fooled by nice weather- A dry summer can hide a moisture problem in a home.  Look for clues of excessive moisture by checking the ceiling and walls for water marks.  Mildew is also another sign of moisture issues and will need to be dealt with immediately. You’ll naturally want a home inspection before purchasing the home, but these are a few clues to look for when viewing the home for the first time as they can tip you off to potential issues.

As a team of Harbor Country Real Estate agents and advisors here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we would be happy to talk with you more about your home buying needs!  

Please feel free to contact us today to get started in your Harbor Country home search!

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Don't Miss New Buffalo's Ship & Shore Festival This Weekend!


For those of you who’ve visited Harbor Country, you know what a special place it is.  Whether you call one of its’ charming towns “home” or you look forward each year to vacationing on our shores; this area along the Lake Michigan Shoreline is truly unique.

As real estate agents and advisors on the Shoreline Property Advisors team, we enjoy highlighting the various towns that we serve and showcasing their appeal.  Today, we wanted to focus in on the beautiful town of New Buffalo and an event taking place this weekend you won’t want to miss! 

New Buffalo received it’s name in 1835 shortly after Captain Wessel D. Whittaker’s ship ran aground new Grand Beach and was destroyed.  He began his journey up the coast to report his loss in St. Joseph, but fell in love with the beautiful area he found along the way.  He envisioned building a harbor town much like his hometown of Buffalo, New York and, after buying the land, he established New Buffalo.  

Since then, this quaint town has changed and grown due largely in the beginning to it being the end of the line for the Michigan Central railroad.  New Buffalo then became a popular resort area in the early 1900’s and has continued drawing tourists and buyers to its shores ever since!  

This weekend’s festival is a fantastic way to pay homage to New Buffalo’s rich history and take part in it’s future!  

The New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival
Downtown New Buffalo

Friday, August 9th through Sunday, August 11th

- Don’t miss the 29th Annual New Buffalo Ship and Shore Festival this coming weekend!  This great festival is a much anticipated event for visitors and permanent residents of Harbor Country.  This event began as a simple arts and crafts fair and has grown tremendously over the years! 

New Buffalo’s downtown is the host for the fair each year which is sponsored by the New Buffalo business association.  Streets will be blocked off to all traffic and will come to life with local artisans, musicians, food and much more!  You’ll enjoy tasting local wines from Round Barn Winery and Free Run Cellars along with other amazing food selections from Harbor Country restaurants.

There’s something for every age as special events will take place beginning on Saturday just for the kids!  Activities such as watermelon and ice cream eating contests and many other fun games will make this weekend a memorable event for everyone!  A 5K, volleyball tournament and other fun things are planned for the adults as well.  

Of course many look forward to the pinnacle of the weekend with the lighted boat parade that takes place on Saturday evening at 9:30 followed by fireworks!  You can view more information and the full schedule of events on the New Buffalo website

We hope you are able to get outdoors and soak in the festivities over the weekend.  You’ll find it to be a great community event no matter what town in Harbor Country you choose to vacation in or call home. 

If you’re interested in learning more about New Buffalo or Harbor Country and are hoping to buy a home here in the future; please don’t hesitate to contact us!  We look forward to hearing from you!

Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff