Saugatuck Real Estate | Pat and Pam Murphy, Realtors

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?  It was the question the adults asked us kids every Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncle's house in Chicago, Illinois.  Seated around a table overflowing with ceramic pilgrims and Indians, synthetic fall leaves, and silver candelabra, my cousins and I were each expected to give a thoughtul answer.

We always groaned, but by the time we'd finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

Remembering those Thanksgivings past got me thinking about my tight knit, food obsessed family here in Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan, and owners of

Wicks Park Bar & Grille.  I get so busy at times I forget to pause and consider the question of gratitude.  I would like to acknowledge how lucky I am to work with my family in running the restaurant but also working with my husband, Patrick, Patrick Murphy Builders, LLC and working with my Buyers and Sellers in Real Estate.

For all of their hard work, I'd like to raise a glass and offer the heartiest of thanks.

And for all my real estate clients and developing an understanding and interacting with you online, so I can share valuable information about this most unique area

Saugatuck/Douglas and all along the beautiful Lakeshore of Lake Michigan.  To help and guide you in your search for the perfect home!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pam

IS THE STIMULUS WORKING?  Not every product that saves a homeowner energy counts for a federal tax credit, so it pays to do your homeowrk.  EngeryStar.gov/taxcredits

summarizes which products qualify and for how much.  Here are some of the basics:

Tax credits for 30 percent of the cost and no limit through 2016 (for existing homes and new construction):

*  Geothermal heat pumps

*  Solar panels

*  Solar water heaters

*  Small wind energy systems

*  Fuel Cells

At ArtPrize, any artist—from established to emerging—has the chance to show work. Any visitor can vote. The vote will determine who wins the largest art prize in the world. We also took the unusual step to allow people in the city to open a venue and choose the artists to show in their space. There is not one official curator or jury for the competition.

The number of venues is fluid, so the number of competing artists is fluid. The possibilities are wide open.

We can't predict what will happen, but it should be a lot of fun finding out.

Come and see.

• Top prize: $250,000
• Dates: September 23 - October 10
• Location: Grand Rapids, MI USA
• Winner is determined by public vote
• All attendees of the event can vote
• Top 10 entries will receive a prize
• Multiple artists can collaborate on an entry
• Artists may only submit one entry
• Property owners/renters in downtown Grand Rapids can become a venue
• Number of artists represented is only limited by number of venues that become available

There is a personal friend of mine in the competition, Cynthia Mckean from Saugtuck, her work in metel is all inspiring & if you get a chance, please vote for her piece called, "Wing".  It weighs about 800 lbs. & I think Cynthia weighs, 120 lbs. soaking wet!!!

Good Luck, Cynthia!

A Bountiful Harvest and Glorious Color!!!  

Michigan in autumn is nearly perfect.  So, we don't have palm trees-we do have miles of beautiful shoreline, millions of acres of land dotted with Christmas trees, glorious maples and native hardwoods, and a vest agricultural base that feeds the nation.

In the news, we seldom hear about the wonderful growth occuring right here.  Agricultural exports have risen at a rate higher than any other state in the nation.  We are the leading growers of Christmas trees which play a vital role in holiday celebrations across the country.  Michigan is also one of the leading producers of apples, blueberries and cherries.  It's not surprising either, that you are never far from water from the Great Lakes to an in-land lake and never than 5 miles from a state park.

Michigan wineries, with their cool climate wines, took home more than 800 medals at national and international competitions in 2008 with more predicted this year.  Check out my new listing, "INSFREE" near the lakeshore w/18 acres of prime soil for growing grapes, restored 1893 restored home and barn not to mention a unique atmosphere of privacy and seclusion.  To the added: L-Shaped in-ground pool and cabana, guest house and a gourmet kitchen this is the perfect spot for entertaining family, friends, or clients.  Everything you need is right here for your enjoyment!   Contact me for a private showing or information of the area!

Enjoy the magnificent beauty of the changing season and the delights brought forth by Mather Nature, we have a lot to be thankful for.

Pam

Chicago Tribune Travel - Sneak to Saugatuck during the week!  We made the Chicago Tribune on sunday, August 30, 2009 with a great article on coming to Saugatuck/Douglas during the week vs. weekend!

When my husband, Patrick, and I would come to our second home we own in Saugatuck/Douglas, we did not like Sundays to come for that's when we went home to Naperville, IL where our permanent home was located.  Having lived in the Chicagoland all of our lives, and loved living in Naperville where we built our home, in 2005 we made the move to Saugatuck, this article describes this town beautifully and why we decided to move FULL TIME from Illinois. 

NO REGRETS!

We not only work w/Buyers and Sellers, but we also have been building custom homes and remodeling for over 30 years,

Patrick Murphy Builders, LLC currently we are along the Lakeshore. 

Also, last but not least, we own a restaurant in downtown Saugatuck which is called "WICKS PARK BAR & GRILLE"  It is family run and we open May 16, 2009.  Located across from Wicks Park and the famous Chain Ferry.  Hope to see you when you come into town for a visit. 

Read what the press  (Holland Sentinal) is saying about us at "Wicks Park Bar & Grille"

After reading this article, contact me w/any ????'s you may have been thinking about in regards to purchasing a second home or for that matter, making this your full time residence. Pam

"LIFE AS IT SHOULD BE LIVED"

Local writer Wade Rouse's book about moving to Saugatuck, MI was named by NBC"S Today Show as one of its "5 Summer Beach Read."  The book

entitled, "At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream"  has also received excellent reviews in USA Today, The Detroit Free Press, Out Magazine, The Grand Rapids Press, Chicago Magazine and can be found at our own local Book Store, Singapore Bank Book Store in downtown Saugatuck, Readers World in Holland, lMI and is also available at all National Chains and Amazon.com.  Click here for a more hilarious and heartwarming look at taking a risk, fulfilling a dream, and finding a home here in Saugatuck, Michigan.

I personally have bought quite a few copies to give as gifts to clients for a fantastic read!!!