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2375 Hill Street graces the corner of Geddes as a hidden retreat.
Designed for energy efficiency in the late 70's this sophisticated walkout ranch set the trend for passive lighting, heating and quality construction.
When arriving home,
The gurgling waterfall provides a relaxing sound and secluded patio for quiet reflection and entertaining.
Just minutes from the central campus area, a bike ride or leisurely walk can take one to campus or to the Arboretum, Gallup Park or a restaurant or shopping downtown.
Entertaining for 2 or 50 is seamless with a floor plan that gracefully merges 3 patio areas with the indoor ambiance of comfort and elegance. The media room with its own kitchen makes viewing the big game a true event.
No need to drive miles, mow many acres or furnish a huge home to provide professionals with a place to call in the
HEART of Ann Arbor.
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Early in the week before last, the ice disappeared from the lake. What a joy to see open water after looking at weeks and weeks of white. The ice fishermen have gone and quiet has again returned to the lake. Nothing like having the dog get upset at 5:00 AM because a fisherman has arrived on the lake swinging a lantern while making a track to the favorite fishing spot. Each year we have less privacy in the winter than we do in the summer.
Beware the incoming !!! Low flying......
Geese, ducks and swans are appearing every day. The turkey buzzards are again roosting in the trees to the south and spring yard clean-up has begun. All the lakes, streams and rivers around Ann Arbor are experiencing this delightful return of wildlife. Real estate also swings into spring mode as more homes come on the market and irst time home buyers are feeling the crunch to find their first home purchase before the end of April. There is still time to put a contract into motion and have it accepted by the end of April. The closing has to take place by the end of June.
I am looking forward to a spring that continues to be quite busy. Call me if you have a thought about a real estate consultation. Lu Parsons, your real estate professional for life's transitions
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January brings the ice fishermen and their families to the lake.- The first snowmobile arrives and another is expected this week to roam the icy terrain.
- Neighbors family members have cleared an ice skating rink and spent house of the week end playing hockey.
- Lake living is fun even in the winter as long as the wind isn't blowing too hard.
- Looking forward to a sunny warmer day to walk around the lake.
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I know it sounds strange, but we close down the lake in the fall. Closing down is removing all water craft from pontoons to canoes to the make-shift, barrel raft of the neighborhood kids . For many, the docks are removed and the support structures pile up like an Erector Set . Leaves are raked from the lake as well as the yards and the tubing for watering systems is removed from the lake. Slides and water structures like swim platforms are dragged ashore and tipped so snow and ice do not sit on their decking.
Part of closing the lake is the last visit of the swan family of 5 , the osprey, the diving ducks and the miscellaneous water fowl that find our lake as a resting place on a journey to warmer places. On an unexpected warm day, a lone kayak or fishing boat might venture out for one last adventure hoping to catch the "big one" or see the great blue heron catch his dinner.
I am personally hoping to see the wood ducks before they make their final visit before the lake freezes.
Closing the lake is a very special time in the fall.
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Ann Arbor Lake Living in July
My lips are blue as I watch the tubers, jet skis and water skiers cruise around the lake with choppy water spraying in all directions. This is the coolest July on record and I am reminded of that each morning as the white tendrils of steam rise into the air from the lake's surface. Imagine !!! This is July behaving like late September and October. Emerging swimmers and kids who don't seem to be bothered by the temperature, have very red skin and it isn't from the sun's rays.
The red of July is also showing how prices in the market for lake real estate have dropped. The latest sale I am currently aware of was $400,000 on a property that three year ago might have sold for $500,000 with 45 feet of frontage and updated interior. As a result, the right lake property is available at the right price. With the theme to stay local, there are great opportunities to vacation close to home and enjoy the lakes in the nearby state recreation areas. Enjoy Michigan even in the cool July of 2009
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The gray clouds are rolling in again. The sunny days and the rain storms or gentle spring showers have changed the picture of my lake. The structures, new construction and old tipsy cottages are disappearing into leafy green veils. The beginning of the true boating season is Memorial Day week end. However, the lake residents are eager to launch their fishing boats and floating patios, the pontoons. The nesting ducks, orioles, hummingbirds and a vast array of other creatures make hurried dashes to the feeders and ground cover looking for their meals and snacks. The newly planted annuals and perennials stir up the ground for bird treats and mulch shelters the new home for summers splendor. Now is the time to enjoy the outdoors.
Many who are traveling north and fighting the orange barrels and traffic should consider the areas closer to home. The vast acres of the recreation areas are dotted with lakes, trails and nature centers. Hours of fun await- not hours in a traffic back up. Trade the orange for the green !!!
There are properties available in an assortment of price ranges to purchase or rent. Try the green vacation this year !
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What a teaser last Saturday was. With temperatures in the low 70's, there were a few boaters and fishermen on the lake. There was even a brief ride for the first jet ski on the lake. A pontoon boat cruised by with a load of people checking out the changes around the lake since the snows of winter have departed. Hopefully for good.
With the coming boat traffic, I am sure that the few diving ducks and mergansers will disappear as the activity increases. Taking the time to watch the antics of the diving ducks is very relaxing. Now you see them; now you don't. The king fisher has also made his appearance and his sassy nature has not changed over the winter.
As we raked oak leaves from the lake, a couple of large frogs, startled by the stirring of their peaceful habitat, swam furiously into deeper water. When they reached the surface to catch a breath, we held our breath thinking that a hungry bass would find them a tasty morsel for an afternoon snack. Fortunately for the frogs, the bass had taken a nap.
Slowly the tint of green and the red of the maple buds are coloring the hills around the lake. The trails have emerald green mosses and low ground cover peeking from under the dead leaves and sticks. Trail management is part of the hikes these days. The horsemen tromp over the downed branches but hikers have to battle their way around the heavier limbs. All this is a part of celebrating spring.
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As I look out my office window, the last vestige of Monday's snow is clinging to a few bare roots and fall's left over leaves. Last Saturday I said I didn't believe the weather person. On Monday I said to myself, April snow happens every year. I should have known. The good news is that it hasn't lasted long .
On Monday, it was beautiful in spite of scrapping and some dreaded shoveling. The lake was surrounded by a gray mist with lacey white trees stretching their limbs like a ballet dancer and swaying with the blasts of the wind. The shrubs and bushes that were hugging the ground were draped with a fleece blanket. A few brave daffodils and crocuses held their heads high against the deluge of mother nature's white shower.
As the wind surged the lake was a shiny gray satin, dancing erratically and buffeting against the sides of the tiny diving ducks and mergandzers. They seemed very nonchalant to the assaults. Now and then a crow, heron or turkey vulture stretched its wings and rode the swirling gusts and long blasts of wind with effortless grace. There was beauty in that unwanted day.
Now the beauty is the sunshine and the green accents that are struggling to reach for the warmth. Let's hope we are now green and the white is hidden until December.
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IT'S COLD !!!!!
The ice fishermen are still on the lake before dawn even when the temperature is below zero. I was wondering how many of them would like to live on a lake. If searching by lake, lake frontage, lake access or canal/channel property, the results are quite amazing.
Currently there are 41 properties, including a couple of rentals, that show in the MLS system as in the Chelsea School System. In the Dexter School System there are 31 including 3 rentals. For those wanting to be further north and east, the Pinckney School System has over 150 such properties.
The next question is how many sold in 2008. That is the next post.
Staying warm by the lake. Lu
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