Saugatuck Real Estate | Pat and Pam Murphy, Realtors

Vote now!  (Budget Travel)  received 147 nominations and then selected 21 American towns that stand out from the crowd. Cast your ballot now and feel free to defend your picks in our comments section.

Just click the link Coolest Small Town In America and help us to get the word out to people. This is what the current residences of Saugatuck already know about this beautiful Lakeshore area of Michigan!

Vote before the poll closes on May 9, and then spread the word. And if you can spare the time, upload photos and videos of the restaurants, galleries, shops, and natural settings that make Saugatuck the coolest in the country. Saugatuck has a little bit of an edge, more avant-garde than quaint and the best kept secret out there! 

Thanks, Pam

Earth Day was April 22nd and how many of us for just 1 day thought of ways to participate.  How about checking out these simple 10 ideas you can choose from to help you and your family get up and get involved EVERY DAY!!!

1.  Re-usuable Bags:  Utilize reusable bags for all of your shopping

2.  Plant a tree, shrub or other plants:  This is certainly a popular way to celebrate Earth Day, every day, and one that beautifies your surroundings

3.  Water Bottles:  use refillable bottles and a water filter ofr your water

4.  Recycle, Reuse and Repurpose:  Try to do one of these three actions with everything you touch and you's reduce waste considerably

5.  Turn off lights:  Use power strips for phone and other chargers, computers and other energy depleting appliances, the strip can be turned off and on easily

6.  Use natural cleaners when possible from baking soda to vinegar and lemons:  There are lots of great web sites with reciepes on how to mix them correctly

7.  Pay bills online:  It saves time and money, no stamps, no checks, no hassle

8.  Save water:  Turn water off when brushing your teeth or duing other grooming activities

9.  Save gas:  Plan your trips and errands efficiently

10. Storing off:  When saving food items, place them in reusable containers.

Before you make your choices, imagine for a moment each of us accomplishing just one or two of the items on this list.  What a positive affect we would have on the planet for our families, neighbors, and future generations, not to mention our wallet!!!

An other Tips or Suggestions you might have, please email me!

Pam

So much as happened over the past year!  There is something uniquely rewarding about building a business that you believe in, only to find that lots of other people believe in it, too!

Success, as they say, is its own reward.  But for my family who work at selling and listing Real Estate, omurphy.com  or Building Custom Homes and Remodeling

Patrick Murphy Homes, LLC or owning a family restaurant, Wicks Park Bar & Grille, the real reward comes in the form of emails and letters and casual conversations that describe all the ways we are making your lives better.  We are all very much like you:  We endeavor daily to make good financial decisions, raise healthy families, and achieve fulfillment in our lives.  And most of us, like most of you, feel as if we never have enough time.

So, we would like to give what we know is the most precious commodity:  more time!  More time to spend w/family or friends and instead of cooking, enjoy a meal at

Wicks Park Bar & Grille.  To sell your home or if you are looking for a new one or help you remodel , I can help you every step of the way with all 3 of my family Businesses.  Call or email today!

Pam

Definition:  spring fever-a feeling of restlessness, excitement, or laziness brought on by the coming of, SPRING!

The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the days are longer....it's a perfect setting to sell your home right now!  Home Imporvement-Differentiate and Add Value.  Make a big impact with some minor (and some not so minor) home improvement projects. 

#1:  Top Budget-Friendly Project:  Clean and Conquiet Clutter.  Cleaning and decluttering is by the far the most cost effective way to add value to your home.  A clean and clutter free home looks larger and makes a great first impression on homebuyers.  So scrub, dust, mop and vacuum each room until it klshines and while you're at it, seriously scrutinize your possissions and toss or donate anything you haven't used in a year.

#2:  Top Energy Efficient Project:  Add Insulation

#3:  Top Outdoor Structures Project:  Build a Fence

#4:  Top Big Ticket Project:  Finish the Basement

#5:  Top Home Exterior Project:  Repair Gutters

#6:  Top Outdoor Living Project:  Add OUtdoor Lighting

#7:  Top Landscaping Project:  Tidy Your Lawn

#8:  Top Storage & Organization Project:  Maximize Storage Space

#9:  Top Bathroom Project:  Refresh Fixtures

#10: Top Kitchen Project:  Upgrade Apliances

Anymore questions that I can help you with on selling your home along with establishing the best price, please contact me!

Pam

omurphy.com

STARTING IN MARCH, CENSUS FORMS WERE DELIVERED TO EVERY RESIDENCE IN THE U.S. AND PUERTO RICO!  The U.S. Census counts every resident in the U.S. and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.  The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year.

What does this mean for you???? Well, in addition to helping your communities receive deferal funds for things like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, and emergency services; the Census will arm you with statistics to better know your community.  To see recent reports on housing topics from the Census, visit U.S. Census Bureau Housing Topics.

And, of course, the data collected by the census also helps determine the number of seats your state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, further ensuring our voices are heard.  For our Canadian friends, your census is coming up as well.  The Canada 2011 is scheduled for May 10, 2011.  The 2011 Canadian Census will be the 15th decennial census since required by the Constitution Act of 1867.

So, the white bags you see hanging on the door handles when you come up this Spring to open your cottages, take the time to view and fill out if you had not done already!

See you soon, at Wicks Park Bar & Grille this season!!!  And for all your Real Estate questions, just shoot me an email!

Pam

My husband and team partner, Patrick, of Patrick Murphy Builders, LLC have been working hard this winter between the snow storms!  Clients contacting me from our web sites, sitting Open Houses or personal referrel, they all say the same things, "How are you surviving in this market?" 

Since Patrick and I have not started any "Spec" custom homes, the last one we Built in 2008 SOLD, we have been concentrating on REMODELING!!!  Forget the backhoe, less invasive, thoughful home improvements can have a huge impact on the value of your home!  Architect Sarah Susanka and author of Not So Big Remodeling, has a few great ideas on the subject.

People are staying put in their homes, so they want to make their current house into a place that fits their needs.  They don't see their home as a automatic stepping stone to their next purchase.  There's no longer the notion of onward and upward and that a bigger house is better.

So, that's what we as a Custom Home Builder and Realtors have been doing to survive.  A lot of people have contacted us to help them in this process of remodeling.  We balance the desire for high-quality design with people's need to save money!  We help our clients who call us in to remodel, especially after I sell them a property that needs updating, to have a vision of what is possible. 

Many people think they'll need a huge addition or have to practically rebuild their whole house, when in fact the house of their dreams is right under their feet!!!

Contace me today so I can help you in any area of your personal Real Estate Needs!  Buying,  Selling, Remodeling or Building a Home!

Pam

omurphy.com

patrickmurphyhomes.com

wickspark.com