[xcalgal]

Thank you so much for posting something positive. We are moving from the Pacific Northwest which I love and feel like the native salmon swimming upstream (towards Michigan). I feel like everyone is leaving Michigan but I have always had an affinity for the state. I started a newcomer's club in Washington, so perhaps I will start a Survivor's Club for those left in Michigan!

[Maxine3]

It's a buyers market. Buy now if you can wait it out for the long haul.

[Driller1]

I have three pieces of land I am watching, these pieces are not dropping. It is one 80, one 100. One 30 that borders my land. About $3000 an acer.

[Michigansnowflake]

Just a q? How often do you people move to have to worry about your house value? It will go back up........you guys make it sound like you move or want to sell every year. The last house we owned, we lived in for 16 years.......our new home we bought in 06 and are planning to live here a long time.......I am not bothered by the houseing market at all

[S6Sputnik]

The you the PEOPLE of Michigan!

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

Just a q? How often do you people move to have to worry about your house value? It will go back up........you guys make it sound like you move or want to sell every year. The last house we owned, we lived in for 16 years.......our new home we bought in 06 and are planning to live here a long time.......I am not bothered by the houseing market at all

I don't live in Michigan -- but I think the problem with housing is that they were building houses like crazy. Whole subdivisions going up practically overnight. Cheaply made houses -- at least here. And many of them are sitting empty and we all know what happens to houses that sit empty for very long.

Housing was the industry that replaced manufacturing, that justified the bringing in of millions of cheap workers from Mexico. Much of our economy was based on easy credit, overly expensive homes to buy.

If someone lives in a neighborhood where houses are foreclosing and no one is moving in -- or the wrong types are moving in -- that is a problem. It's also a problem because without manufacturing, without high tech, and without a big housing construction industry -- what are going to be the jobs?

[malamute]

That said -- I think it still comes down to that old advice on housing -- location.

If you bought a home in a housing subdivision that has many unsold houses then you could have a problem. Or if you live where many have lost jobs and are losing their jobs, those neighborhoods will decline. Some neighborhoods will become gang infested as housing prices drop.

If you live where people are staying in their homes and are staying employed then you don't have much to worry about.

[mt67]

We moved to NC in Sep.07and I know I'll miss:
-4th of July Parade in Ada
-VITALES
-Pine Ridge
-total feeling of security in our old neighberhood
-snow? no

[mende01]

The things that I really miss about Michigan?

1. Lake Michigan Beaches
2. The bike paths in Holland, MI.
3. Boating
4. Traverse City
5. Downhill Skiing
6. Tulip Time
7. Believe it or not....great tasting well water! City water is terrible!

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by martinblake

The beaches are better in the carolinas,
the bike paths are better in Missouri.
The boating is better in Florida.
I do like Traverse city but only from may to aug.
Down hill skiing is better Aspen.
Tulip time is much better in amsterdam.
The water is good or better in any of the mountain states with many sping wells.
The economy is better almost anywhere.

And no one place has them all like Michigan. Thanks for pointing that out with such style!