[upandrunning]

I have a lot of family in north Michigan. Some are working, many are not able to find work in the building industry without going out of state.
One says he is working near Harbor Springs. My Father in Law has a home on Thumb lake road. He had an offer of 142k 1 1/2 years ago, he waited on it and lost the buyer. Now he is down to 99k and no lookers. He has moved to Kentucky and closed down the home. He says he will wait till things turn around, and put it back on the market. He is 70 ys. old. My feeling is he will likely not live that long. He should take his lumps and move on. I see that the condos in Petoskey are not selling still, and the hole in the ground is still a hole in the ground.
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[Rapunzll]

I can't speak for all of northern Michigan, but I recently sold my home in Traverse City and got $4500.00 more than my realtor initially wanted me to list the house for. It was only on the market for about three months, and I had three offers. The first only a week or two after it was listed, that fell through, and the second also fell through, but that buyer then came back and ended up buying the house. I do think that in my case staging had a lot to do with it, although I will confess that I also buried a St. Joseph statue!

I think Traverse City (and Grand Rapids) is doing better than other parts of the state, but the pox invading the rest of the state will eventually make it there too.

I just moved to Greenville SC Monday, and there are jobs here!

[topshop]

While Michigan could get a temporary boost when the Big3 loans come through, overall I doubt that things will improve for an extended period anywhere in Michigan very soon. One is probably better off unloading most real estate before it gets worse. In some northern counties, "official" unemployment is at 14% which means the true rate is the 25% neighborhood...and those numbers keep growing. If I owned an unused house here now, I'd likely price it aggressively and reduce it frequently to get out.

[upandrunning]

I do not believe in the St. Joseph clap trap or any other myths. Traverse City is one of the best places to own and sell right now, and not typical of many other places. And It is getting slow there. I did not know that unemployment was so high in some counties. Yikes that is getting depression era close. My father in law thinks he was being stubborn and now is in reality. He has just redrawn the stubborn line to fit the falling home values. I fear he will be long dead before he gets his home sold. Topshop I totally agree with your assessment. I sold out 2 years ago, and thought I took a hit. Now I doubt I could sell for 70% of what I got. I am now trying to sell again in the south and things are slowing here. I think that Michigan will be long behind the other states when the recovery even starts. It looks like we are blowing past the 77-84 depression of Michigan. I feel bad for many who live there. The cold will only help to make it more miserable. Some will claim the snow is fun. Ya, if you only play in it and do not have to do your own repairs, roof shoveling and the like, and then only in very small doses. I would rather look at a palm tree than a snow covered white pine.
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[Bydand]

I do all the repairs to my house, shovel the snow, clear the driveway, Vehicle maintenance in an unheated garage; and would still rather have a snow covered pine over a palm tree any day of the week. I usually don't play too much in the snow and cold, I am usually working too long out in it to play. Still like it MUCH better than the South.

Why is it that you continue to come to the Michigan forum if you hate it so much? All you do is complain about the economy, the weather, etc... and how glad you are to be away. Must do something for you to keep checking back, and spewing your hatred of the State. That is real trollish behavior and frankly it gets old real fast. I don't like Texas after living there, don't see me hanging out on the Texas forum bashing every single aspect of that state do you? Just doesn't make any sense.

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by Bydand

I do all the repairs to my house, shovel the snow, clear the driveway, Vehicle maintenance in an unheated garage; and would still rather have a snow covered pine over a palm tree any day of the week. I usually don't play too much in the snow and cold, I am usually working too long out in it to play. Still like it MUCH better than the South.

Why is it that you continue to come to the Michigan forum if you hate it so much? All you do is complain about the economy, the weather, etc... and how glad you are to be away. Must do something for you to keep checking back, and spewing your hatred of the State. That is real trollish behavior and frankly it gets old real fast. I don't like Texas after living there, don't see me hanging out on the Texas forum bashing every single aspect of that state do you? Just doesn't make any sense.

Amen Bydand!
I'm so sick of people bashing Michigan! we all know it is bad here, and we sure do not need everyone telling us! I'm sick of all the complaining when it gets us nowhere. We know the housing market sucks and there are no jobs, so please stop telling us people! I for one will stay here even if I have to build a cabin out of logs myself and live off the land. I love it here, and will never leave! Oh, and I love the snow so bring it on!

[Rapunzll]

My youngest son moved to Billings MT last year and is not liking it at all, I have told him he should check out Greenville SC, but he told his sister he is really missing MI. It would be nice to have him nearby me, but I can totally understand him wanting to move back to TC. It's very possible that I may do the same if I can get my at home business up and running enough to pay the bills!

[MI-IRISH]

Originally Posted by Bydand

That is real trollish behavior and frankly it gets old real fast. .

Lord of the rings troll or Chronicles of Narnia troll

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by MI-IRISH

Lord of the rings troll or Chronicles of Narnia troll

Never thought it out that far. Which ever one is more annoying and childish. Haven't really read the books and didn't watch the movies all the way through either. Just not my type of subject.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

Amen Bydand!
I'm so sick of people bashing Michigan! we all know it is bad here, and we sure do not need everyone telling us! I'm sick of all the complaining when it gets us nowhere. We know the housing market sucks and there are no jobs, so please stop telling us people! I for one will stay here even if I have to build a cabin out of logs myself and live off the land. I love it here, and will never leave! Oh, and I love the snow so bring it on!

It's not bad for everyone and so those in great positions don't need to think about leaving, they shouldn't leave if they don't want to do so.

You obviously aren't in a position of having to pay a mortgage and feed a family but face joblessness but not everyone has it great. I know if I lived where I couldn't find work, didn't have a lot of cash sitting around to buy land to live on, and had my kids to support, I would leave and find a job. Work isn't just an option for everyone, for some it's a necessity.