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These Are Six of the Most Expensive Home Repairs
 When you become a homeowner, you’re taking on not just the cost of your mortgage and down payment, but you also have to budget for those expenses you might not expect. The repairs you may need to do to your home through your ownership can be nearly impossible to predict and often tough to avoid.
Some of these projects are major and have a big price tag, but preventative maintenance efforts can help reduce the risk you run into one of these issues.
1. Roof Repairs
Your roof is protecting everything else in your home, and if it needs repairs, it’s critical to be proactive about making sure they get done. The difficult part, along with the cost of
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MORTGAGE RATES
U.S. averages as of June 2023:
30 yr. fixed: 6.57%
15 yr. fixed: 5.97%
5/1 yr. adj: 5.99%
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cost of roof repairs, is first that it can be tough to realize there’s a problem until it grows into something much larger. The second issue is that storms often cause roof damage, and there’s
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Biggest vs. Smallest House in the Neighborhood
 Okay, let’s address the obvious first. The biggest house has more square footage than the smaller one. Duh. But that’s not what we’re going to talk about today. As it relates to appraised value is the message here.
When lenders assign value during a purchase transaction, they start with the sales contract. The sales contract should reflect the lowest the seller was to accept compared to the highest price the buyer will pay, all other things being considered. This conjunction works in a non-distressed transaction. A non-distressed transaction is one where the sellers aren’t motivated by the threat of a foreclosure or sudden family issues that might force a quick disposal of the property. What we’re talking about is a fair, open market where
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How Does Real Estate Crowdfunding Work?
 If you’d like to be involved in real estate investing, it’s a bit of a tricky time right now. Traditional methods of investing in real estate aren’t necessarily going to make a lot of financial sense during a time when interest rates are incredibly high and might even rise from here, inventory is low, there’s significant economic uncertainty, and prices are still elevated.
That doesn’t mean you have to count yourself out of real estate investing. Instead, you might just have to shift your strategy.
One option that people are increasingly considering is real estate crowdfunding, which makes investing in real estate more accessible.
You might already have some familiarity with the term crowdfunding, as it’s often used to raise money to create businesses or for charitable causes.
Now, however, you can become a real estate investor
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June 2023 Blog
Italian Food, Tea, Hot Dogs & CSAs: Leelanau Restaurant & Retail News, May 2023 Edition
By Craig Manning | The Ticker
One of Leelanau County’s most iconic restaurants is changing hands, a business closed to the public since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is roaring back to life, and peak CSA season is getting underway in northern Michigan. These are a few of the developments happening in local restaurant and retail news right now, and The Leelanau Ticker has the details. Trattoria Funistrada changes hands A Leelanau County institution has sold to new owners. News broke earlier this month that Tom and Holly Reay, the founders and longtime owners of Trattoria Funistrada in Glen Arbor, would be handing off their popular Italian restaurant to Susan and Mike Garver of Kassan Capital LLC.
The new owners plan to keep the restaurant operating mostly as is, with the same name, menu items, and team. “To our dear friends & customers – THANK YOU! For 23 years of support and community love,” the Reays wrote on Facebook after the sale became public. “As much as we have made it our goal to serve you, you have served us in return and we couldn't be more grateful. Today, we welcome the new stewards of Funistrada, who pledge to keep it all going as it was, same staff, same recipes, same neighborhood welcome, with a few improvements along the way.”
The Reays closed their Facebook announcement by noting that it was “the ultimate compliment” that the new owners wanted to preserve the traditions and approach of the business they built, rather than changing things up. Trattoria Funistrada marks its 23rd year in operation this year. In 2000, the Reays bought the former Glen Lake Inn building in Burdickville at auction and turned it into a restaurant; they have been running the business ever since. The Reays listed Trattoria Funistrada on the market back in 2021, and murmurs of a sale have been percolating for months. When asked about those rumors back in November, Holly told The Leelanau Ticker that there had been “no sale yet,” but that something would might be coming “hopefully in spring.”
The announcement of the sale drew an outpouring of support and well wishes from the local community, with the aforementioned Facebook post collecting over 500 likes and 120 comments. One commenter praised the restaurant as an “upscale Cheers,” referring to the friendly and welcoming bar from the beloved 1980s/1990s Ted Danson sitcom of the same name, while another called the restaurant “our favorite place in all of northern Michigan.” Light of Day Organics reopens Light of Day Organics, a tea farm located at the southern end of Leelanau County, is reopening its tea shop to the public for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The business, which touts itself as the “only both Certified USDA Organic and Demeter Certified Biodynamic” tea farm in the state of Michigan, has continued to produce and sell teas and other products over the past three years. However, since closing its tea shop down on March 15, 2020, the farm has not offered a brick-and-mortar retail option to its customers. Light of Day recently announced plans to welcome the public back to the tea shop starting next Friday, May 26. The shop will then operate every Friday and Saturday from Memorial Day weekend through mid-January – a schedule that owners say they plan to maintain for the seasonal tea shop in subsequent years. In addition to take-home retail sales of Light of Day’s extensive tea variety selection, customers will be able to enjoy prepared cups of tea and matcha smoothie shots, as well as a return of in-person tea classes and workshops.
On that front, Light of Day will host its first “Tea 101 & Tea Wellness Workshop,” of the season on Saturday, May 27 at 10:30am. During the 90-minute course, registrants will learn about biodynamic farm orientation, tea history, and optimal tea preparation, and will also take part in an “expansive tea tasting” spanning many types of tea. Beyond the opening week class, eight other sessions of the workshop will be offered this summer, between June 10 and September 23. More details can be found here. Capital Dog opens for the season Good news, hot dog enthusiasts! Capital Dog, the Lake Leelanau restaurant that opened its doors last spring with plans to specialize in chili dogs and other simple, affordable family-friendly fare, is kicking off its sophomore season.
The establishment opens for the summer today (Wednesday, May 17) at 11:30am. Since closing the book on a successful first summer, Capital Dog proprietors Sue and Kevin Burns have been busy testing new menu items and prepping the store. Last week, the business announced its reopening date on Facebook, also sharing menu boards for the 2023 season. Fans of Capital Dog will notice a few changes on the menu, including the addition of a few new hot dog options – the “Slaw Dog,” for instance, topped with chili and slaw, or the incorporation of veggie dog options. The sandwich menu is also a little different this time around, dropping the slow slow-roasted pork options that Capital Dog offered last year, but adding a Reuben, a grilled cheese, and a burger-and-fries menu. Capital Dog will also continue to serve ice cream, including soft serve, shakes, flurries, floats, sundaes, and hard ice cream from MOO-ville Creamery in Ionia.
CSA season gets rolling June is drawing closer, which means peak CSA season is nearly upon us in northern Michigan. Numerous Leelanau County farms offer CSAs, and slots are selling fast for these weekly direct-to-consumer boxes of fresh produce. Here’s a quick roundup of a few Leelanau CSAs that still have availability for summer 2023. >Loma Farm: Loma’s CSA runs from June 7 to October 18, costs $675, and offers weekly Wednesday or Friday pickups at Loma Farm.
Slots can still be purchased online. >9 Bean Rows: 9 Bean Rows is currently taking CSA members for both summer and fall. Summer shares start on June 29, while fall shares begin on September 28. The CSA runs 12 weeks for both seasons, and pricing varies depending on which tier you choose. More details are available on the 9 Bean Rows website. >MI Farm Co-op: MI Farm Co-op offers a multi-farm CSA, which includes produce from numerous Leelanau County farms – including Lakeview Hills Farm, Bardenhagen Farms, 9 Bean Rows, and Hallstedt-Homestead Cherries.
Slots for the summer 2023 CSA, which runs 16 weeks from June through September, are currently up for grabs. >Bluebird Farm and Gardens: This Empire-based farm is currently offering both 10 and 16-week shares for its summer 2023 CSA, with three share sizes available and shares starting in June. Grow Benzie (which will be one of the pickup locations for the CSA this summer) is currently running a sweepstakes on Facebook where one lucky person will win a 10-week Bluebird Farm and Gardens CSA share. The winner of that contest will be announced tomorrow, May 18, at noon, so enter ASAP if you’re interested!
Photo of the Month
Photo by Ken Scott
Real Estate Update
NEW 5917 S Cummings Suttons Bay, MI 49682MLS#1911369 $1,399,990Beautiful and clean waterfront home with a lovely green ,55 lot on w. Grand Traverse Bay with a dock and beach and spectacular sunrises. This nearly completely updated (2017 updates) home includes: New kitchen and all 3 baths with granite, marble and Italian porcelain including high end fixtures from Ferguson's and beautiful door hardware from Herald's in Troy Mi and top of the line Frigidaire Professional appliances. Other updates include: white oak flooring, Milliken carpeting, updated electrical outlets and recessed lighting t/o the main level and high end Mlnka fans, 5 new Anderson door walls, high efficiency water softener (2019), HWH (2021), Furnace 2013, Lake Pump for lawn irrigation system (2021). Newer EPS Alarm system, (2013),and Honeywell thermostat, front door and garage opener outside pad, The completely updated stunning high quality gas linear fireplace with granite surround was installed and is maintained by Source Julien (2015). The lawn and trees are professionally sprayed and maintained. The home owners spared nothing and their pride shows. Turnkey is possible with some exceptions. Oversized 2 car garage with second floor room, 4th bedroom used as a library/office and DR is originally a family room. This home pretty much is "move In" condition. Owner is a licensed Assoc Real Estate Broker. Measurements are only estimated, please verify all measurements. Well and Septic inspection have been completed at owners' expense andClick Here to View the ListingUNDER CONTRACT DOING INSPECTIONS 2411 N Lake Leelanau Drive Lake Leelanau, MI 49653MLS#1911227 $2,395,000This is a classic E. Leland cottage on N. Lake Leelanau with charm, expansive grounds and beautiful sunset water views. The cottage is set above the lake and makes you feel like you live in a tree house. The property has 212' of prime frontage on one of the best lakes in Leelanau County. The cottage has charm with 4 bedrooms,3 baths in the main cottage, master with F/P and private bath, living area with F/P and a screened eating porch. Your guests would love the guest house with full bath, living area with fireplace and bedroom. There is an additional parcel across the road with a 2 car garage included in the sale.Click Here to View the Listing
SOLD
 203 S Lake Street Leland, MI 49654MLS#1909661 $1,450,000This magnificent family home in downtown Leland is nestled on 6 lots just across the street from Lake Michigan and within walking distance to historic Fishtown, local shops and restaurants. Recently updated and constructed with top-of-the line materials featuring beautiful hardwood carpentry throughout. Perfect for small and large gatherings with a 25' lofted finished wood ceiling in the living room and a cozy fireplace for cool evenings. Easy access to the secluded stone patio in the backyard, plus a spacious, private first floor Master suite. A fabulous wood paneled main floor library adds character and warmth to the living space. Once upstairs, a spacious hall with an open balcony leads to 4 bedrooms. In total, 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms with over 3900sq feet, open kitchen, separate laundry room and direct entry from 2 plus car garage. This home offers all the amenities a family could ask for and the location is ideal. A must see to appreciate.Click Here to View the Listing
Restaurant of The Month
 RED SPIRE BRUNCH HOUSE GRAND TRAVERSE COMMONS800 COTTAGEVIEW DRIVE #30AT THE MERCADO BUILDING HOURS M-F 8-3 AND S-S 9-3PHONE 231-252-4648Enjoyed Sunday Brunch with my sister Stephanie and her children. We made reservations and were seated promptly. The waitstaff was at our table within 3 minutes to get drink orders and gave us the menu with so many choices. We had asparagus omelet, scrambled eggs with turkey sausage, their fabulous French toast and eggs benedict. Each breakfast included hash browns or toast with the best sweet ripe fruit medley. Highly recommended.Click Here to View their Website
Recipe of the Month
Sopapilla Cheesecake Ingredients2 (8 ounce cans) Pillsbury crescent rolls2 (8 ounce packages) cream cheese (room temperature)1 1/2 cups sugar, divided1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 cup butter, meltedInstructionsStep One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Unroll one can of crescent rolls and press it into the bottom of your baking dish sealing perforations.Step Two: In a medium bowl blend the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and the vanilla. Spread evenly over the top of the crescent roll layer.Step Three: Unroll your second can of crescent rolls onto a sheet of saran wrap or some other surface and press the perforations together. Transfer to your baking dish, placing it on top of the cream cheese mixture.Step Four: Pour the melted butter on top of the crescent dough.Step Five: In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the melted butter.Step Six: Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and bottom crust is slightly browned. Let it cool and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, slice and add whipped cream and strawberries if desired. Store leftovers in an airtight container.Recipe from “The Girl Who Ate Everything”
Wine Month Celebrations & Milestone Anniversaries: Here's What's New In Leelanau Wine For Spring 2023
By Craig Manning | The Ticker May is Michigan Wine Month, which means it’s officially the start of wine tasting season here in Leelanau County. As local wineries awaken from their winter slumbers and roll out peak season hours, summertime event slates, and the first of their 2022 vintages, The Leelanau Ticker checked in with a handful of them to find out what’s new.Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail Local wine enthusiasts should mark their calendars for the weekend of May 19-21.That weekend, the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is celebrating Michigan Wine Month with a coordinatedprogramming effort called “Experience Leelanau.” The series will span 11 participating Leelanau wineries and feature events ranging from vineyard tours to food pairings to vertical wine tastings. For instance, on both Friday and Saturday, Amoritas Vineyards will host a “locally-sourced picnic lunch” to accompany a vertical tasting and a guided vineyard tour led by owners Matt and Emily Goodell. On Saturday, May 20, meanwhile, French Valley Vineyard will offer a “unique and interactive course” aimed at guiding patrons “through the intricate process of selecting the perfect combinations of wine and charcuterie.”More information about participating wineries, event schedules, and tickets can be found on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail website. MAWBY MAWBY is marking its 50th anniversary this year, and has a busy slate of events planned to celebrate the milestone. Some of those events even reach beyond northern Michigan. Last week, the winery held a 50th anniversary party at Motor City Wine in Detroit, and this past weekend saw a pair of MAWBY-themed wine dinners at Granor Farms in Three Oaks – the farm where author and former Leelanau farmer/chef Abra Berens now works.But MAWBY has plenty of local events planned, too, starting with a spring release party on May 13-14. $27 tickets give attendees a chance to try MAWBY’s four new release wines – Bloom, Parallel, Eff Nat, and Neon – “paired with two festive treats made by our favorite baker, Kate Lacross” Details about other summer events can be found on MAWBY’s website. Dune Bird Winery The new vintage of Dune Bird’s dry riesling – described by co-owner and manager Nicole White as “quite possibly my favorite white” – made its debut in late April, and the winery’s 2022 rosé is “next on deck.” Those wines are coming back on the menu after Dune Bird’s impromptu winter break, which occurred after the winery prematurely ran out of all the wine it had made for its debut season.Per White, the rosé was uber-popular last summer and “sold out in less than eight weeks.” This year, Dune Bird’s winemaker “dramatically increased how many cases we’ll be able to offer,” which should make the wine last a little longer. The rosé will be available first to members of the Dune Bird Flight Club, but will be released to the public on Memorial Day weekend. Dune Bird is also bringing back its live music series, which features performances by local artists from 3-6pm each Sunday. The series will run from May 14 through October 29, and the first acts on the list are Luke Woltanski (May 14), Adam Dennis (May 21), Rhett and John (May 28), and Chris Smith (June 4). A full list of performers can be found here. Shady Lane Cellars Speaking of live music, Shady Lane Cellars made its mark this winter by launching a new Friday Night Live music series, and is planning to continue that series throughout the spring and summer months.A full lineup of performers is available on the Shady Lane website, but first up are Andrew Lutes (May 12), Keith Scott (May 19), Swingbone (May 26), and Luke Woltanski (June 2). Other upcoming events include a Mother’s Day brunch, a Father’s Day cookout, and even an out-of-town four-course wine dinner on May 21 at Copper Fox Restaurant in Geneva, Illinois. Aurora Cellars One of the big highlights at Aurora Cellars this summer is the winery’s first-ever “low-country boil” event, scheduled for Sunday, June 25 at 6pm. A low-country boil is a one-pot meal that combines seafood, sausage, corn, potatoes, and seasonings.It’s been described by one source as “the southeastern coast's equivalent to a New England clambake.” The Aurora Cellars low-country boil will feature “fresh blue crab, jumbo shrimp, mussels, potatoes, corn on the cob and smoked kielbasa,” paired with Aurora Cellars wines and followed by a dessert of “chocolate bread pudding smothered in a bourbon butter sauce.” Local musician John Paul Richard will provide entertainment during the event.Tickets are $60 per person, though Aurora wine club members get a $10-per-ticket discount. Rove Estate Rove celebrated its seven-year anniversary this past weekend, with a big bash at the winery on Friday evening. The winery is also currently rolling out several of its 2022 vintages, including a few wines that are being unveiled for the first time ever. One of those is a brand-new version of Rove’s trademark Ragaire Rosé. Where that wine has been made in the past with a mix of cabernet franc and merlot grapes, the new version was made with pinot gris grapes, which lend a slightly different flavor and character to the wine. Also new is the 2022 Fiona Rúnda, which translates to “secret wine” in Gaelic.A white blend of gewürztraminer, riesling, pinot gris and pinot blanc, the wine is described by Rove as “summer sunshine in a glass.” Green Bird Organic Cellars & Farm Since reopening last month after a February and March break, Green Bird Organic Cellars & Farm has introduced a few new wines from its 2022 vintages – including what the winery says is the best version yet of its signature traminette vignoles white blend. “We let the grapes hang as long as possible last fall so there is a fullness to these late-ripening, citrusy varietals not seen in previous vintages,” Green Bird says of the wine.Also new this year: A venture into red wines with the Green Bird’s “first-ever” vintage of Ridge Red Merlot, plus a bubbly chardonnay called “The Sparkler” arriving “just in time for mimosa season.” Black Star Farms Black Star hits its 25th anniversary this year and is celebrating with more than a dozen events throughout the year. Coming up soon is a Friday, May 19 incarnation of the winery’s Arcturos Dining Series, themed around “local mushrooms and pinot noir,” as well as a “Summer Pours for Pups Party” on Saturday, June 10.Guests at the latter event are welcome to bring their dogs for a celebration filled with live music, lawn games, gourmet hot dogs, specialty cocktails, and more. Ticket sales will benefit the Great Lakes Humane Society. More information about these events and other planned 25th anniversary programming at Black Star is available here.
CARTOON OF THE MONTH
By: Realty Times
Judy’s Movie Reviews
AMAZON PRIME
THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Season 1 It’s Emmy nominated and will give you a true understanding how the railroad worked, the people that worked it and the history of it. I grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan which was the way station for slaves on the way to freedom in Canada. I was very aware of this as we studied it in high school. 4 out of 5 stars
Click Here to View the Trailer
HBO MAX
TINA
Tina Turner died May 24, 2023 at 83 in Switzerland. This is her story in her own words, remembering this music icon. I loved her song, Proud Mary. This was my favorite fast dance music. I broke my right femur dancing to it at my granddaughter’s party in North Carolina. It’s still my favorite fast music, but I chair dance to it. Her relationship with her ex-husband Ike Turner is graphically shown. This movie is really good, so I gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars. Click Here to View the Trailer
AMC CHERRY BLOSSOM THEATRE
ARE YOU THERE GOD? ITS ME MARGARET
Judy Blum’s book of the 1970’s has come back into a very successful movie, as it was in the original book. It’s a warm and emotional movie about puberty, family and spirituality. 4.5 out of 5 stars
Click Here to View the Trailer
BAY COMMUNITY THEATRE
MADE IN MICHIGAN FILM SERIES
DETROIT: THE CITY OF HOT RODS & MUSCLE CARS.
Remembering Detroit the Motor City at it’s best. Shown June 25th at 4:30 and 7:30 Tickets $20 and $25.00 dollars Get tickets online at www.thebaytheatre.com 4 out of 5 stars
STATE THEATRE
ABOUT MY FATHER
Comic Sebastian Maniscalco joins the fabulous Robert DiNiro in this film about a young man who is encouraged by his fiancée to bring his immigrant hairdresser father, Salvo to a weekend get together, with her super rich and eccentric family. A real cultural clash, but father and son discover the great thing about family is everything. 3 out of 5 stars
Click Here to View the Trailer
BIJOU BY THE BAY
YOU HURT MY FEELINGS
Starring Julia Lewis-Dreyfus (from Seinfeld Fame) This film is an adult comedy about relationships. This type of movie you will not see at the Multiplex theatres. So happy it’s downtown Traverse City. 4.5 out of 5 stars
Click Here to View the Trailer
Video of the Month
Cherry Blossoms at Traverse City, MI
By: SKR Avatars
Click Here to View the Video of the Month
Local Information
The City Opera House
The State Theater and The Bijou By the Bay
Old Town Playhouse
Leelanau County Farmers Market
Met Opera
Cherry Capital Airport guide
Daily News and Advice
Read about the events shaping the Real Estate market today, find current interest rates, or browse the extensive library of advice and how-to articles written by some of the top experts in Real Estate. Updated each weekday.
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