Michigan Real Estate

One of the keys to success in the real estate world is building a strong investor list, otherwise known as a buyers list. When you have a solid buyers list, you can build a stronger career with the contacts and connections that you need to consistently perform well in the real estate market.

Simply put, if you can find a list of investors who will always be interested in buying new houses, you can help these specific investors find the houses they want. When you start to learn more about your specific investors, you can find inventory and houses that will appeal to their specific tastes, making it more likely for them to work with you time after time.

With a strong buyers list, you can go out in the market and find a number of great choices in inventory to make you more successful. In all, it’s important to have a good buyers list in order to be more profitable. Also, these investors will realize that you are an expert in the real estate market. They will return to you frequently to see what you have available for them. You will be seen as the first step towards their success and this ensures you will remain popular. The more people in your buyers list and in your network in general, the better for you. You will be able to sell house after house to the people who are consistently looking for new properties in your area.

Make your buyers list work for you. In order to have the most success possible, it pays to remember the following easy acronym: ITS MAGIC.

I – Identity

Why will people remember you? Why will they choose to go to you versus all the other investors and real estate “experts” in the field? You need to set yourself apart. When you meet future investors, other members of your local real estate clubs and even the strangers you meet in the grocery store, you need to leave them remembering your identity and admiring your personality. You want them to return to you time after time so making yourself as affable as possible is integral to your success. Have a signature action, a signature saying or a signature piece of clothing that will make people remember who you are. Once they remember you, you can help them by selling more and more houses.

T – Title Records

If you can make the process of getting title records easier, you will be more invaluable in the marketplace. Get access to local real estate records through title companies or other real estate brokers to get the information you need. If you pay attention to the names on the title records, you can see which investors are snapping up homes often. By highlighting these individuals, you can start to build your buyers list.

S – Signs on the Street

Promotions and advertising will help you find the people that are snatching up houses. Call the businesses that promise to buy the ugliest house on the block. Are they really buying houses? If so, note the business and the decision makers in this group to put on your buyers list for future real estate deals.

M – Marketing

Promotions and advertising will get YOUR name out there as well. Get a good business card and brochure to help promote your business. You can leave your information at title companies and everywhere else that could catch the eyes of your future investors. You should look to hand out hundreds of business cards each month. Join clubs. Find out where real estate investors are and put your name in front of them to get your name out there.

A – Auctions

Go to local auctions to find the investors that are looking for new real estate properties. Pass out your card and pay attention to see who is consistently shopping for new properties. Meet people and remember names. You’ll build your homes buyers list easier this way.

G – Groups

Join local groups and meetings. You can find a number of investors or potential investors. Help a great potential investor and you could find yourself with a gold mine down the road. You never know when your biggest investor will come across your path.

I – Internet

The Internet is a gold mine filled with investor leads and tips to help people like you build your buyers list. Look to real estate forums and discussion groups. Even if you meet other people in faraway states, keep track of them in case you move or they move in the future.

C – Clubs, specifically Real Estate Clubs

Real estate investor clubs are going to be the best place to build your buyers list, especially in the beginning. Pass out your business cards here and show off your established identity. You can find a number of real estate clubs near you to attend.

Taking the time to build and maintain a strong buyers list is one of the biggest mistakes I see investors make on a daily basis. Spend the extra time to build your personal buyers list and watch your business soar.

Property investment in the UK has witnessed massive growth over the last decade.
A house bought 10 years ago, would be worth around 300% more today. If you were to look at house price growth over a longer period, youd be amazed by the results. For example, if you had bought a house in 1952, today it would be worth around 90 times more!
At an average growth of 8% per year, a house bought today for 215,000 pounds would be worth in excess of 1 million pounds in 20 yrs! 10 houses bought today for 215,000 pounds each would be worth an unimaginable amount!
Even today, as the market shows some evidence of slowdown, there are pockets of above average growth in certain towns and villages across the country. Its the job of the property investor to hunt out these areas and milk them for all they are worth.
When looking for property to buy in the UK, it is always advisable to do some research before commencing any viewings. Recent statistics on house values in any one particular area, historical data and local trends can help you to build a clear picture of the suitability of any one location for investment purposes.
A common misconception among novice property investors is that you can only really make money in property when house prices are going up in value. In this scenario, you would buy a property for x amount and resell shortly after for x+growth amount, pocketing the difference in value. If the market was flat, your property would still be worth x several months later, i.e. exactly how much you bought it for. When house prices are going down, your property would be worth less several months later, e.g. x-growth.
However, any experienced investor will tell you that you can make money from property investment regardless of whether house prices are increasing, decreasing or whether the market is flat. By buying well below market value, you would safeguard your investment from any short term economic trends that would normally affect your propertys value. You would also gain immediate equity in your property investment.
When deciding to embark on a career in property investment, as with anything else, you need to educate yourself. You can do this by attending seminars, attending courses and meeting others in the same field. Talk to real estate agents, brokers and lenders to gain a good basic understanding of current and future trends in property investments. Furthermore, take advantage of free online courses and material to learn the ins and outs of property investment.
Property investment is not rocket science. By learning and applying just a handful of basic principles, theres no reason why anyone cant benefit from the UK property investment market.

The French Alps in the Eastern provinces of Savoie and Haute Savoie are among the most popular ski destinations in Europe. Every year hundreds of thousands of ski tourists descend on the French alpine ski resorts that border Switzerland and Italy to enjoy the snow, sun and to marvel at the fabulous French scenery.

Visitors to the French Alps tend to hire accommodation to suit their purposes. While some tourists select ski resort hotels for their holidays, others decide to rent apartments and ski chalets close to the ski lifts.

Ski-in / ski-out accommodation is preferred by many. This allows skiers to ski up to the front door of the French property they have hired, avoiding the need to take their skis off and trudge through the snow and ice to get back to where they are staying.

I have to admit here that I am a fan of the French Alps ski scene. In the past few years I have visited several ski resorts in France. My favourites are Meribel, which is a very picturesque village with wooden ski chalets overlooking a spectacular alpine valley, and Courchevel 1850 – one of the most prestigious ski resorts in the world.

A lot of people I have met on the French ski slopes have talked to me about their desire to buy French property in one of the ski resorts. For most it is only a pipe dream – they see the property prices in the windows of real estate agents in the ski resorts and immediately declare that they cannot afford to buy property there.

Yet, if they were to dig a little deeper; if they researched the French property market they would find that a ski property is in truth affordable, and would make for a very good property investment indeed.

Property investing in the French ski resorts

Ski resorts in France, by their very nature, are big tourist draws. Many ski resorts – like Meribel, Courchevel and Val d Isere – offer summer alpine activities as well as winter sports, making them all-year-round holiday destinations. It is here where the vast potential for investment in French apartments and chalets in the Alps starts to become apparent, as it is possible (with the right type of marketing behind you) to rent out French property under your ownership to tourists for the entire year.
Imagine the amount of rental income you could receive from such a property investment!

Sceptics of course will point out that achieving a high level of tenant occupation is rather difficult. The majority of French property owners simply do not have the resources to market their property efficiently and obtain the necessary bookings.

In answer, there is another way! Buy French leaseback property:

In the 1970s the French government introduced an investment concept in France. Called the French leaseback scheme it encouraged overseas property investors to buy French property in France’s popular tourist areas and then lease the property back to a tourist management company for a period of several years. The tourist management company would take on the responsibility of renting the property out and obtaining rental bookings for the property. As part of the lease agreement the management company would pay the French property owner a guaranteed percentage of the rental income received.

Today, french property leasebacks continue to grow in popularity. They offer property investors the opportunity to buy freehold property in French ski resorts, and receive a guaranteed income from the property for the life of the lease, which is normally between 8 – 11 years. Property owners can also elect to have built into the lease plan a clause that allows them to use the ski property themselves for anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks of the year. It is basically like having a holiday home in France that you can use, but having the security of a world class tourist management company that pays you for the use of the property for the rest of the year. It’s a perfect property investment!

French leaseback rental yields

As I’ve mentioned, rental income from French property leaseback acquisitions are guaranteed by the management company, courtesy of the French government’s involvement. Rental yields are generally between 2% and 5% depending on the type of rental lease program chosen, and subject to how many weeks of personal use are required from the ski property.

Some of the best leaseback property purchase opportunities in the French Alps at the moment are in the Three Valleys area (Trois Vallees).The Trois Vallees is a massive ski domain that offers hundreds of kilometres of ski runs and cross country skiing tracks. It is possible to ski between the different winter resorts in the Three Valleys – something that makes the area very popular with tourists who want to try out the different ski runs in other alpine villages. If you are keen on the idea of trekking through the snow to other alpine resorts it is always best to take a map of the french alps and a compass with you. Getting lost in the snow if a blizzard sweeps in across the French alps is not a pleasant experience!

Top ski investment spots in the Three Valleys include Meribel Mottaret

Meribel is a very beautiful place to enjoy a winter break and to own ski property. One-bed ski apartments on a French leaseback deal are available from around 380,000 euros. Currently, at les Crets ski residence there is a west-facing 6th floor apartment of 54m2 living space + 8.3m2 balcony. It sleeps 5-7 people and is priced at 382,255 euros excluding VAT without furniture or parking. With furniture and parking the price is 402,257 euros excluding VAT. Rental income of up to 19,000 euros is guaranteed as part of the French leaseback scheme.

http://www.europe-property.org/property/leaseback-investments.html

Les Menuires

Situated between St Martin de Belleville and Val Thorens the ski resort of Les Menuires is a quiet family-oriented alpine village. It offers some superb ski runs and plenty of childrens activities to keep the kids happy. Ski property in Les Menuires is reasonably priced. Prices for ski apartments at the Residence Aconit in the heart of the village start at 225,000 euros. Rental yields are guaranteed at up to 4%.

http://www.french-property-1st.co.uk/listing-Ski+leaseback+at+Les+Menuires+in+the+3+Vallees-264.html

Courchevel 1850

Looking for a French leaseback investment in a luxury ski location? The Chalets du Forum lease back residence could be your dream come true. In the heart of one of the most prestigious ski resorts in Europe the Chalets du Forum offers luxury ski apartments in chalet-style wood and stone buildings. Prices for the luxury lease back apartments start at around 500,000 euros. Rental income is guaranteed at 4%.

http://www.propertymagnate.com/property/listing-Chaletstyle+ski+leaseback+apartments+at+Courchevel+1850-150.html

Buying ski property in the French Alps is a good investment decision. If you play your cards right with your property loan or mortgage you could be enjoying positive cash flow from your French property leaseback investments for many years to come.

Buying property in Montenegro for investment offers anyone wanting to invest in property a superb opportunity for big capital gains.

The country was recently voted one of the top 5 overseas investment destinations and investors are looking at property investment in Montenegro and its advantages longer term and buying in increasing numbers.

Why Montenegro Property Investment is rising in popularity

Many countries that have recently joined the European Economic have seen strong growth in property prices and Montenegro look set to follow this trend.

Montenegro could could join the EU as early as 2010 and has already adopted the euro as its currency.

Montenegro’s property market offers capital growth potential on property values, but there are also great buy-to-let options in the cities and popular tourist resorts.

Montenegro Facts

Montenegro is a small country of just 14,000 sq km. that sits in the Balkans.

It recently voted to become fully independent of Serbia in 2006 of which it had a loose federal union with after the break up of Yugoslavia in 2003.

Montenegro maybe small but has something for everyone from:

The fascinating capital of Cetinje, to rugged mountains, breathtaking river gorges such as the awesome kotor fjord and finally, the beautiful beaches of its Adriatic coastline.

With approximately 200 kms of coast and some of the most stunning bays in the Mediterranean, like the Bay of Becici – Montenegro has much to offer and is far cheaper than its near neighbor Greece.

So why should you buy be looking buying property in Montenegro?

1. The best value in Europe

Capital appreciation according to the World Travel and Tourism Council should see growth of up to 20% between 2005 and 2014; and the “value of Montenegrin property should triple or quadruple, given the huge surge in demand.

2. Tourism set to boom

In 2005 Montenegro was chosen as the #1 Country for tourism growth over the last ten years, by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The government is committed to the development of tourism having realized that there is exceptional potential in this area.

The potential can clearly be seen in the recent development of the Tivat marina, costing in excess of $600 million and more such developments look to follow.

Montenegro benefits from close transport links to Dubrovnik’s International Airport, which offers competitive and regular flights in and out of Croatia.

Getting Dubrovnik takes only around 20 minutes.

In the near future, the budget airlines are expected to reduce the cost of flying to Montenegro as its popularity increases as a tourist destination.

3. Rental yields and capital growth potential

Montenegro is short of quality summer rental properties to accommodate an ever-increasing number of tourists visiting Montenegro beautiful Adriatic coast.

This means, rental yields should remain strong for the foreseeable future.

4. Montenegro enjoys a low cost of living.

This includes the cost utilities, making it extremely attractive for renting out investment property to the tourists.

5 Montenegro has a booming economy

The economy is strong and overseas investment is increasing, when Montenegro joins the EU investment will accelerate.

6. The buying process is straightforward

The buying process is relatively straightforward and transaction costs and taxes are cheap.

Montenegro property investment looks a great investment for long term investors all the above will come together to create both capital growth and lucrative income from buy-to-let properties.

With average growth of 30% per annum and far higher in many locations and strong growth likely to continue astute property investors are buying property in Montenegro for high rewards and low risk.

If you are looking for the next property hot spot consider Montenegro Property investment and you may be glad you did.

Annual homeowners insurance premiums in Michigan have been on the rise this decade because of increased flood claims and higher rebuilding costs. Homeowners have seen their premiums rise 85%. This trend makes it more vital than ever that you take time to shop around for homeowners insurance and make sure you’re paying the lowest possible price.Keep Your Insurance Costs Down

To keep your homeowner insurance costs as low as possible, follow these tips:

* Set your coverage limits high enough to protect you, but not higher than your home and belongings are worth. To get accurate numbers, take an inventory of your belongings and call a realtor or builder to get an estimate of how much it would cost to rebuild your home.

* Set your deductible as high as you can afford. The deductible is the amount you pay on a claim before the insurance starts to pay. If you can afford $500 or even $1,000 out of pocket, set your deductible at that level and you’ll save 15% to 25% on your yearly premium.

* Get all the discounts you can. Michigan homeowners insurance companies typically offer discounts for non-smokers, for having multiple policies with the same company, for installing security features, and a host of other discounts. Ask if they offer any other discounts you might qualify for and include them in your policy.Shop Around for Insurance

Did you know that over 100 insurance companies offer homeowners insurance in Michigan? These insurance companies compete with each other to provide the lowest rates and the best service. Their rates can vary dramatically from one company to the next, which means you can save hundreds of dollars a year just by comparison shopping.

The best way to comparison shop for Michigan home insurance is to visit an insurance comparison website. At an insurance comparison website you fill out a form with information about yourself, the home you’re insuring, and your insurance needs (such as your limits and deductibles). You then receive quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies, allowing you to easily compare the quotes and choose the company with the lowest rate.

The best insurance comparison websites even have a chat feature, so if you have any questions about homeowners insurance, you can get accurate, timely answers from trained insurance professionals.

http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/homeowners-insurance.html or click on the following link to get Michigan homeowners insurance quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can also get more insurance tips there.

The television program, “Flip This House” was very popular for a while. Each episode usually followed a new investor or couple as they bought a fixer upper, renovated it and sold it – hopefully for a profit. That strategy worked well when prices of homes were still rising rapidly.

If you watched the program, though, you saw that the process can be very stressful. There are always unexpected challenges involved in real estate investing, and this is especially true with homes that need a lot of work. But buying, repairing and selling a fixer upper is just one of the ways people flip a house.

Another strategy is the true “flip” in which you never own the home. The idea here is to make a low offer on a home that needs help and, once the offer is accepted, sell the contract. This involves writing the offer in such a way that you have the right to assign it to somebody else. You also have to be sure that the property has a lot of potential, so you can get paid say $5,000 or more and still leave plenty of profit for the investor who will actually fix and sell the house.

The advantage of this strategy is that you risk almost no money of your own, unless you can’t complete the transaction and you lose your earnest money or “good faith” deposit. Most investors who do this have found ways around even that potential risk. The downside is that like the former plan, this works best when home values are going up rapidly – something we may not see again for a while.

So how do you flip this house now, when times are tough? How do you do it even in the worst of areas, where houses are sitting empty and prices have plummeted? You use a different strategy altogether – one that is especially effective in the poorest neighborhoods.

You may not know this, but there are places where houses are selling for a few thousand dollars. Look around the country and you’ll find these pockets of “real estate poverty.” Try towns in Kansas or Oklahoma, for example. For the sake of this explanation, we’ll look at Detroit, Michigan, where many homes sell for less than a thousand dollars.

You read that right, by the way. As I write this (2009) there are homes listed for as little as $25. In fact, I just checked and found a duplex for $99. There were dozens for a few hundred dollars or less. As you might guess, these are in terrible neighborhoods.

This new strategy starts with cheap houses where people still live and rent. The idea is to buy a home for say $2,000 cash, and then sell it for $12,000 to any renter in the area who has a job. You do nothing to the house at all, selling it strictly “as is.” What you provide for the buyer is cheap financing with almost nothing down.

From the renter’s perspective, this is an opportunity to buy for less than the cost of rent. Prospective buyers may be paying $400 per month for rent on the same block as your house, and you can sell to them for payments of $200 per month. Of course you will have some defaults, even with payments this low. But if you are risking only a few thousand on each home and quadrupling your investment (not counting interest) on those that work, you can afford to do a few foreclosures – and then immediately resell the house the same way.

According to my research, several investors are using this strategy. As long as you have the cash, and you can sell for a great profit and still finance the deal for the buyer with lower-than-rent payments, it is a workable strategy. Even a home that you buy for $30,000 might be sold for $45,000 and still be cheaper than rent for the new owner. A quick clean-up might help, but the fact that you can quickly sell the house as-is (and without risking too much) makes this a more attractive plan than the stressful “flip this house” strategy from the television program.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has a vision for the state of Michigan and the Michigan schools. In 2005, the Cherry Commission on Higher Education recommended that the state must double its number of college graduates in order to compete economically. Granholm took this recommendation and developed her small high school initiative for the Michigan schools.

She believes that smaller high schools allow students to develop relationships and interact more with their teachers, subsequently creating an atmosphere for more rigorous coursework and graduating students who are bound for college.

It has been proven across the nation that smaller high schools with smaller classes make a big difference in the lives of students. The Governor, along with the Skillman Foundation, are encouraging the Michigan schools to create, expand and develop smaller high schools. The Foundation is encouraging and organizing foundation support for the initiative.

Specific Michigan schools are being targeted first for smaller school and classroom development. Any high school that has fallen short of the federal student achievement goals under the No Child Left Behind Act and/or are located in districts with high dropout rates are first on the Governor’s list for redevelopment.

After the Cherry Commission’s recommendations, the Governor called on state lawmakers to pass legislation to make it easier for Michigan schools to renovate and build new schools. Under the Governor’s Jobs Today program, which funds needed public improvement projects, Michigan schools districts may borrow up to $180 million over a three-year period to renovate or construct new buildings, as long as the finished schools house no more than 400-500 students each.

Other incentives under the Governor’s program include:

• A proposed New Merit Scholarship for Michigan schools students, who go to college and successfully complete at least two years — these Michigan schools students will receive a minimum of $4,000 in scholarship support from state and federal sources.
• The Governor has called for a statewide mandatory curriculum for the Michigan schools — rigorous and relevant coursework will be included to ensure students are prepared to continue their education after high school.
• Beginning with the class of 2008, Michigan schools students will be required to take the nationally recognized ACT (American College Test) college entrance exam — another recommendation of the Cherry Commission to pave the way for students to attend college.

The Michigan schools want to prepare every student for success in college, in the workplace, and in life. The Governor is helping the Michigan schools reach higher standards with her initiative. Both the Governor and the Michigan schools believe that helping all students attain and remain on a successful path that leads to a college degree is the most important goal. They wish to help students view a college degree as an attainable goal and be motivated to go after it.

A lot of people are making real money with their residential property investment portfolios. While the concept can be daunting to new investors, the key to making money is simple. And who doesn’t want to make money?! You may already know just how simple it is, but if you haven’t, here is a quick guide along with some helpful tips. A lot more than luck is required to make good investments of any kind. Really, with any investment the more you know the better you’ll do. With that in mind, you can study up on the basics of residential property investment. Nothing is more valuable than money, and the best way to protect and increase yours is with a solid strategy. If you’ve done your homework and are ready to take the next step, then that means you’re going to be viewing a lot of residential investment properties. The number one mistake first-time investors make is buying into the hype of so-called hot properties, and overseas properties are all the hype right now. Sure, having the ocean in your backyard sounds nice, but that’s for tourists not for property investors. For some new investors, the prospect of making their first residential property investment is overwhelmingly exciting while others feel only anxiety or fear. Both feelings are normal but letting your excitement override your good sense can prevent you from making the best investments, and letting fear hold you back can keep you from ever getting started. Begin by considering the following questions: · What are you really looking to accomplish? · What type of long-term goals have you set? · What are your expectations? · What type of finance options do you have available? Is Income or Capital growth, more important to you? Or perhaps both? When buying and selling investment property, each investor will have their own goals and strategies. Regardless, many still fall for typical sales lines and enticing new deal offers over and over again. The best advice for new investors would be to start by determining and focussing on their investment property strategy goals. The following four basic options to property investments are: 1. Flipping Property – In order to profit from the sale. 2. Buying Development Land. 3. Invest in “Income Generating Property” in the “Buy-to-Let” and “Commercial Property” markets. 4. Invest in Property Development Companies. Once you have decided which investment property strategy is best for your specific situation and goals keep the following business factors in mind: Consulting with most Professionals may seem like a good idea. Just remember that you should see your solicitor for legal advice, your bank manager for financial advice, your accountant for tax advice and your local real estate agent for actual property investment advice and also for any tips on where to find some of the better investments. Use professionals specifically in their areas of expertise only. Lastly, beware of the media and incorrect and often misleading information. Stay on top of the property market by following top sources only.

 

Property investment is a wise concept to consider, especially in the USA. Some individuals may be hesitant to invest their money in real estate due to the latest news headlines concerning the slow real estate market. However, such an issue can in fact act in your favor in a few different ways. There are a few different reasons why engaging in an investment in real estate now is a great thing to do.

 

One reason to consider purchasing real estate as an investment is that although the market is slow at this time, everyone needs a place to live. The sale of property may be slow right now but this does not affect the purchaser of the investment property. This in fact will help to benefit the purchaser of the investment property, especially if he/she plans to rent it out for investment purposes. Many individuals may not be able to afford to buy property and therefore will be willing to rent the property from you. This is an advantageous factor for the buyer of the investment property and one very good reason to consider buying some property to hold as an investment.

 

Another benefit to engaging in the investment of real estate is that equity on the property will accrue throughout the years. Although the market is seeing some trouble in various areas of the United States, it is still possible for a good amount of equity to be built in the property. In other words, the real estate slump is not expected to last forever. Therefore, those who invest in property may find that they receive a nice return on such an investment property in the future.

 

An investment of this type is also beneficial in that it provides a safeguard for the property owner to have in their back pocket. With the ups and downs of the real estate market it is nice to know that one has a roof over their heads even if it is currently being treated as a property investment. Should an event occur where your primary residence is not livable or you wish to move, it provides peace of mind for you in knowing that you do have a property in reserve just in case you may need it.

 

Lastly, by choosing to invest in property in the United States you may be able to lay claim to something which is up and coming. Certain areas throughout the United States are experiencing revitalization and one area which was once a less desirable place to live may just be the new hotspot. By selecting a property investment of this type you are becoming part of a new era and investing in a piece of real estate which will pay you back quickly and efficiently in the future.

Michigan’s growing, problematic financial future, including the decline in automotive industry jobs (not to mention the higher cost of fuel), spells financial insecurity for many Michigan families, making it harder to afford long-distance vacations and high-priced recreational activities enjoyed so much in the past. This has led me to wonder, “How do we entertain ourselves and our families and fully enjoy summer break for less money? Better yet, how do we support Michigan’s economy in these tough economic times?” By enjoying the grass (and water) in our own backyard and partaking in all that our state has to offer.
I have compiled a list of activities that won’t break the bank, and will provide interesting ways to have some fun close to home this summer.
1. Museums. When was the last time you visited a museum? Michigan has wonderful world-class Museums from art to science to history. Standouts include the Detroit Institute of Art (did you know that it is the fifth-largest fine arts museum in the country?), and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The Detroit Science Center is geared to kids, and offers a host of family-friendly exhibits and galleries, not to mention the astonishing sensory experience of the museum’s IMAX dome theater. Your kids will thank you. Michigan.org is a great resource for finding these museums.
2. Lighthouses. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state. Bordered by the Great Lakes, the sheer multitude of these historic gems mean they have become an icon for our state, and their tall, slender columns grace everything from our shorelines to picturesque wall calendars. These lighthouses – many of which have been renovated and some which have become public museums – continue to educate and serve as a reminder of our state’s grand maritime history. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit them! If nothing else, you and your family will be treated to nature’s grand brushstrokes of a sweeping, maritime landscape.
3. Beaches. With our abundant coastline, beaches are everywhere in Michigan and easy to love during the humid, late summer months. Some beaches are better than others, and so it’s important to pick the right one. From personal experience, southwest Michigan and northwest Michigan truly offers some of the best beach experiences. South Haven (the magnificent century-old lighthouse still stands at the end of south pier), Grand Haven, St. Joseph, and the Traverse City / Leland areas are home to remarkable beaches. Long stretches of soft, white sand, clean, blue water for swimming and boating, and quaint, lively towns brimming with restaurants, shops, and ice cream parlors make these required destinations!
4. Parks. Take advantage of the many well-maintained and diverse Michigan Metro Parks. Pack a picnic lunch for the day, and don’t forget to pack the s’mores. These wonderful chocolate, marshmallow, gram cracker treats are a must-bring for a Michigander’s picnic feast.
The Michigan Metro Parks provide a myriad of family-fun activities, including swimming, paddle boating, fishing, and loads of scenic picnic settings. And most have paved and wooded trails, making them ideal for hiking, biking, roller blading, and bird watching. Plan to take bats and a ball for a friendly baseball game.
5. Festivals. Michigan offers a variety of outdoor summer festivals which draw people from all walks of life and from all corners of the state; from the cultural (Ann Arbor Arts Fair) to heritage festivals (Holland’s Tulip Time) to national extravaganzas (Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival), and everything in between. Most Michigan communities will host some form of festival throughout the summer months. For a complete list, go to Michigan.org.
6. Produce Picking – Take Your Pick! I can’t say enough about the produce grown here in Michigan. Across the state, and especially on the west and northwest sides, abundant crops of blueberries, tart cherries, strawberries, peaches, apples and grapes are grown each year. The fruits are then sold at various farmers markets and roadside stands throughout the state. There is nothing like eating farm-fresh fruit (or vegetables for that matter). The sweetness and flavor of the produce is far superior to anything found in your grocery aisle. And since it’s grown locally, it’s fresh!
For the novelty and experience, visit a local fruit farm and pick your own cherries, blueberries, and the like for use now and in the colder months ahead. Bring along the family; children always get a kick out of picking their own fruit and dropping them into pails! It also gives them an appreciation and respect for nature and God’s beautiful creation.
After the harvest, have the family participate in baking something delectable and sweet. Cobblers, crisps, and shortcakes always satisfy during the hot summer months. Or, teach kids to can or package & freeze the fruit for the months ahead (bubbling, tart cherry pies always seem to hit the spot when the weather turns cool).
And one last word of advice: Save the fruit pits! You can have your very own fruit tree if you wrap the pits in moist paper towels until they start to spawn seedlings, and then transfer them to your own back yard!
7. Gardening. Gardening is a great outdoor activity that the whole family can become involved in. The wonderful Michigan summer weather provides optimal planting conditions. It does not matter what size garden you decide to plant – a large vegetable garden or an oversized container garden – it can be very rewarding for the whole family to share in the planting and harvesting of a garden.
To get started, make a trip to the local library and get some good books on the subject. Then, plan your garden – just what kind of plants to plant, and where? Time to visit the nursery to purchase your plants. Get the whole family involved in choosing just the right plants. Make sure everyone has a hand in the planting and caring for the new garden. You may be surprised just how rewarding gardening can be.
8. Family Cookouts. Get family and friends together for a pot luck or backyard barbeque. Plan some fun games for the kids, as well as the adults. Have everyone bring a dish. You will have a virtual feast.
If cooking for yourself and immediate family, find a new and challenging recipe. Experiment with using fresh herbs from the garden to add an earthy, pungent flavor to your meals. Or – next time you’re doing the grocery shopping – give exotic fruits and vegetables a try. My family is partial to sliced mangos, and this fruit pairs especially well with Mexican-inspired fish tacos. Cooking something new can provide not only an activity, but a tasty reward for all who partake in the meal.
9. Scavenger Hunts. Whatever happened to the old-time scavenger hunt? Organize a weekend scavenger hunt with friends. Plan and place your clues, and get that old competitive spirit out, and play to win!
10. Exercise. Get out and start that outdoor exercise program you have been promising yourself since New Year’s Eve. Walk, jog, bike, whatever…Just get out and “do it”! Head into fall with a leaner, more revitalized “you”.
11. Crafts. Crafting can add hours of fun for adults and kids alike. Visit a near by Craft store – you will be sure to find many exciting crafting projects for you and your children. Or, you might just have something lying around the house to inspire the imagination. For instance, polish the dust off a collection of miscellaneous seashells and glue them to flower pots, mirrors, unpainted furniture, and wooden boxes to create exquisite nautical treasures. Embellish with sea glass and milky-green coats of paint. The sky’s the limit!
Knitting is also a great craft, and easy to learn. Nowadays, there are so many scrumptious textures and colors of yarn, and so many unique patterns, that knitting as we know it has been completely revitalized! Spend a few afternoon hours teaching a child the rewards of making and wearing something made from the heart and the hands.
12. Reading. Reading can be a luxury for some. People leading hectic, stressful lifestyles may want to just sit back and catch up on some reading. Take that special book out of doors; your yard, the beach, or a great shady park. You might be surprised how much that outdoor setting can make it all the more relaxing.
Speaking of settings, I can’t think of a more appropriate summer book to read than “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. This poetic piece was written half a century ago by Charles Lindbergh’s wife. Her meditations on life, love, solitude and contentment are made against the oceanic backdrop of Captiva Island (before the loads of tourists) and a tiny, weathered beach cabin. Her muse? None other than the tiny seashells she collected from the beach outside her cabin door. Truly a soul-inspiring read.
I have provided just a few activities that won’t break the bank. Yet these activities will still provide some fun times for you and your loved ones this summer while also supporting Michigan’s economy. Just use your imagination, and I am sure you can come up with many more fun activities that will provide some wonderful summer memories for you, your family and friends.