Congrats Boyne City High School Class of 2020!

The Boyne City Class of 2020 was successful in raising money for the recent Snowball Dance and future activities.  Shelly Brya, class adviser and high school teacher, said they were no longer in debt.  With the matching grant they raised over $700.  Brett Binkley, Associate Broker at Pat O'Brien & Associates, presented a check to some of the class members last Monday. 

Pat O'Brien & Associates Real Estate has contributed over $100,000 in the last 8 years to local charities and causes. The money is all private money from the agents and staff.

Lake Charlevoix Waterfront Parcel Listing

Beautiful parcel in Horton Bay on Lake Charlevoix’s north shore. Well located between Boyne City, Charlevoix and Petoskey. More information here. 

Luxury Storage Unit Available Now

More Information Here for this outstanding 40' x 64' unit available now!

Charlevoix County Residential Median Pricing Stats 2009-2017

In preparation for this blog I went back to 2009 to see what the median price appreciation or depreciation was over the years since the financial debacle in 2008.  

Our MLS provides monthly stats and a year end summary in December.  It's those reports that I used to come up with the numbers.  I also measured the units sold to see how that would correspond to the sales (demand).  

You can see from the graph that the units sold does have the same general shape as the fall and rise in prices. The most interesting thing to me is that if you take the percentage increases and decreases over the displayed years, do you know what the average per year prices did?  Rose 4.3%!  

While we were living the recovery, we weren't feeling it, but real estate continues to be a good investment.

Help the Boyne City Class of 2020

The clock has started on the matching grant Associate Broker Brett Binkley and O'Brien & Associates has offered to the Class of 2020 to help them raise money for school activities they are responsible to provide.  The grant is UP TO $425 but you have to hurry.  The clock runs out at the end of the day on Friday February 2nd!

Donate, buy some baked goods at the varsity basket ball, sell a kidney*--whatever you need to do to support this broke (but very bright) class of future leaders (God help us all!).**

Thank  you and help make these young adults dreams come true!

Contact:
Shelly Brya  kreynolds@boyne.k12.mi.us  
at the high school to donate

*Please do not sell your kidney, it's a joke
**Also a joke

Demand Remains Strong

From too many homes to needing more to sell in the span of a few years. Homes priced under 300k are in high demand.  Affordable housing is an issue for our service based economy in northern Michigan.  If a home in that price range hasn't sold, there could be a very good reason--or it's just not priced properly.  There are still home owners out there that may be underwater from the bubble in the mid 2000's and may not have

room to move on the price.  Why is that if prices are back up?  Some of those sellers may have taken out a loan with a minimal down payment or 100% loan like a Rural Development loan and cannot cover the closing costs because they don't have enough equity built up.  Unless they have money they can bring to the table they're stuck.

There was a decline in sales (or fewer than expected) in Emmet County. I believe that to be not an indication of slower demand but lack of inventory. There is a need for home owners to list their homes for sale. If you think the timing is right for you and your family to sell, please don't hesitate to contact me for a free market analysis.

Changes are Coming to a Couple Favorite Websites

Look for a new look and features coming soon!

I'm excited to announce that some changes are coming to a couple of our favorite sites, the patobrien.com and boynecitywebcam.com.  First, the patobrien.com site will feature a great new search option.  Always trying to remain a leader on our field and not willing to rest, we're making or site more user friendly.  We have the top local real estate website, driving traffic to our clients' properties.  Stay tuned!

Higher Definition Camera Coming...

The other site, boynecitywebcam.com, that provides a 24 hour view outside our office window, is awaiting the arrival of a new camera to enhance the experience.  One feature will be html broadcast that will allow iOS (Apple) devices to see the images more clearly and without having to click over to the button currently on the page.  Visitors to the page enjoy seeing Friday night events, 4th of July parades, traffic and weather (January is a huge month for visitors).  Other features include local events calendar, weather, links to property searches and local information.  Please visit long and often to these sites!