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        <title>Macomb County Living </title>
        <link>http://www.macombhomefinder.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Your guide to living in and around Macomb County MI. Homes for sale, real estate and local news, places to go, things to see and stuff to do. </description>
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            <link>http://www.macombhomefinder.com/blog/are-you-ready-for-a-condo.html</link>
            <author>cindy@MacombHomeFinder.com (Cindy Knight)</author>
            <title>Are You Ready for a Condo?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Every few months my husband Ed will ask me "are you ready to move to a condo yet"? The topic usually comes up after I have picked weeds all day, or when I'm cleaning our house before or after a huge party. Of course, for him it's when a huge gas or electric bill comes. Although we're not quite ready to downsize and move into a condo, there comes a time when that decision may need to be made.


When to Choose Condo Living?


Some people choose a condominium so they can travel more, some to escape outside maintenance, some simply because they like the life style. Here in Michigan we see many retirees choose condo living when they become to old to care for their home or they become snowbirds. Of course, there are tons of snowbirds that keep there home here in the north and go south and buy a condo, allowing them to lock and leave.


Several years ago when the market was buzzing and building was hopping in Macomb County, we saw many younger people opting for condos. Mostly because they could purchase a brand new condo in an area they could not afford a home in. At that time the builders included granite, appliances and tons of upgrades making it even more desirable. In many of the warmer states when the market was buzzing, they saw loads of baby boomers buying condos to make a quick profit by flipping them in a few months. Here’s more Information about Condominiums.


Is it Harder to Buy a Condo Now?


Well, lets just say the lenders are more cautious when it comes to condos. One reason is because when the housing market fell it left tons of foreclosures in several condo complexes, along with many unpaid association fees. This caused some associations to go belly up and many more raising fees. This also opened the door for loads of investors to move in and turn the units into rentals. Something that is frowned upon by lenders.


Here in Macomb County the condos for sale seem to have hit bottom and are headed back up. However, we have a long way to go since we fell so hard. Unlike the southern states like Florida, Arizona and Nevada we did not see double digit prices going up but we lost huge percentages coming down.


 
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            <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:16:20 -0500</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.macombhomefinder.com/blog/achieving-your-goals.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.macombhomefinder.com/blog/achieving-your-goals.html</link>
            <author>cindy@MacombHomeFinder.com (Cindy Knight)</author>
            <title>Achieving Your Goals</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
One of my goals for 2012 was to start blogging again but getting started is the hardest thing to do. That was until I visited my Google+ this afternoon and saw my favorite blogger Chris Brogan post a video about Arthur Boormain's journey of weight loss. That's when I said girl get going. But rather than write about real estate in Macomb County I decided my first post should be about Achieving your Goals.


Every year just before New Years Day I look back to reflect on what happened the past 365 days and wonder if I could of or would have changed anything. That usually leads me into what goals I set and missed, then the goals I would like to achieve the following year. So coming into 2012 it was no different. I thought of how 2011 started with the loss of both of my in laws Ted and Evelyn, which of course brought tears to my eyes but immediately lead to the new born babies God brought to us Alexandria, Clarice, Finn and Ella. I then thought of all the lives lost and births I saw via Facebook, yes I admit I am an addict. Of course, that thought lead me into all the stories shared, friends I met, things I learned and how social media and the internet has changed my life - which lead me back to reflecting.


So what would I have changed in 2011? Nothing not a darn thing because to me life is a journey it's like a never ending road trip. We make wrong turns, we change gears to go up hills, we slow down to avoid small bumps and at times we just coast along on the most beautiful pavement with no traffic. Then due to some unforeseen accident, traffic jam or construction site we have to change course all together. It's the journey of life and it's easy to say after something happens I should of, could of, or would of but that's not how it happens. So once a year we look back in the rear-view mirror for a few minutes on New Years Eve then move right along on our journey into the new year.


So what does this have to do with Achieving your Goals?


Well for one I'm blogging thanks to Chris’s “Who Can’t” post about Arthur. But do you remember the movie Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? They set out to achieve a list of goals before they died. Imagine how different your life's journey would be if You created a map of goals then set out to Achieve them.


Well back in 1999 I created a list of 100 things I wanted to do, see and have. Never ever would I have imagined back then that I would have accomplished so many things on that list. Yet each item or goal created a detour in my life in order that I could achieve those goals. For instance seeing Celine Dion in 2007 - that goal lead me on a trip to Vegas and the Grand Canyon plus a wonderful time with my in laws Lori and Bob. Another was visiting Vancouver and Vancouver Island which we did in 2010 - that journey came from another small goal - changing websites. Two guys I only knew via social media Drew Hartanov  and Cal Carter recommended Real Estate Webmasters, who is based in Vancouver. Ed and I attended a seminar there and had a wonderful time, on top of that we learned a ton, made loads of new friends and even met Drew face to face. So as you can see your goals can actually help create a road map in your life.


Can Achieving your Goals change your Life?


You bet they can just look at Arthur, his weight loss goals helped him to walk again without canes. Back in 1999 I too had weight loss listed along with eating healthy, exercising,, running a marathon and hiring a trainer. Anyone that knows me knows I’m always trying a new diet and each one has taught me about eating healthy and exercising. Both of which I feel have helped me remain healthy and active.


Not sure why the marathon was ever on my list because at the time I was 43 and had never run. But somehow in 2003 I found myself completing a full marathon with the help of my first trainer. That goal changed my life forever. It taught me that setting goals is easy but to accomplish them you need to put in lots of hard work. I ran that marathon through the streets of Disney World in about 6 hours. However, it took 7 months of training to get there. I started by walking a mile, then 2 then adding a small jog. I trained in Michigan from the end of April through December, I ran in July when it was super hot and in December when it was freezing cold. Trained on vacation and in between appointments. I’d be lying if I didn't admit at times I wanted to quit but those 7 months allowed me to reach deep within myself and find the strength to keep going. Since then I completed several races, hired 2 more trainers and yes tried a few more diets. Each time in some small way controlling what gets added on my journey through life.


So whether you set a New Years resolution or a small goal throughout the year, just remember to achieve your goals it requires hard work, determination and most of all remember it's done Step by Step. Be sure to stop by from time to time as my journey continues through life, real estate and Macomb County.
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            <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:11:26 -0500</pubDate>
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