We’ve all noticed it; the icy cool breezes, the flecks of snow on the lawn, and the need for an extra layer outside. While we might not like to admit it, Winter is just around the corner. Just like you’d get your vehicle ready for the weather ahead, there are some things that homeowners can do to ensure their home doesn’t turn into an ice palace when the temperatures drop.

Getting your home ready for winter doesn’t have to cost much, and each little improvement can help save expensive fixes and wasted energy, saving you time and money in the long-run.

Here’s how you can get your Northern Michigan home in tip-top condition this Winter:

REVERSE THE CEILING FAN

It’s something incredibly simple but it can make a considerable…

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The tax filing deadline is quickly approaching. If you own a home, here are some important residential tax-saving incentives you should not miss:

Residential Energy Tax Credits

  • Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit - Taxpayers may take a credit up to 30% of qualified solar, wind, geothermal and fuel cell property improvements. This includes labor costs to assemble, build, and connect the equipment. The credit is capped at $500 per one-half kilowatt of capacity purchased.
     
  • Non-Business Energy Property Credit - Taxpayers may take credit for 10% of the qualifying costs to improve energy-efficiency for the non-business property. Qualified improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient windows/doors, or…

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A Guide for Getting Started

Vacation rental homes are spiking in popularity and for good reason. A 2016 HomeAway survey showed that 70% of vacation rental homeowners could pay at least half the mortgage on their vacation home from the rental income it generates. For owners who work with professional property managers, the cashflow benefits may be even greater.

Investing in a vacation home that’s also a vacation rental can create a best-of-both-worlds scenario: You get to enjoy downtime in one of your favorite locations while getting an income-generating property that helps pay for itself. Full-service vacation rental management companies like Northern Michigan Escapes make life even easier by booking and communicating with guests while also managing…

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Natural disasters, theft, and other home security problems can arise no matter the technology or attention that you give to your home. But preparing your home with practical safety measures is a powerful way to enhance the safety of your family, and alleviate the problem or damages these incidents cause.

Northern Michigan isn’t exactly the most dangerous place to live in the U.S., but even the safest places on earth are far from perfect. Theft, fire, and weather are a possibility no matter where you turn. Those who desire more safety for their family can easily improve their security with a few intentional investments of time or money.

Here are a few ways to improve the safety of your Northern Michigan home:

1. Always Give The…

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YOUR SOURCE FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

We're thrilled to announce the launch of brookwalsh.com. This site has been designed to provide you with the valuable information you need to help make your home search simple and stress-free. 

OUR SITE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH:

  • State-of-the-art technology;
  • Unparalleled information;
  • 24/7 access to the most current listings of homes;
  • Advanced search features and agents that understand your unique home buying needs. 

Our Blog has informative tips and information to guide you on this exciting journey.

Focused on Northern Michigan Investment Real Estate

Brook is focused on lifestyle real estate investment properties as most people want a vacation…

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With the rising cost of rent in Northern Michigan, you might be thinking this year is finally the year you’re going to buy a home. This is an exciting time for anyone, but there’s one big thing that stands between you and your dream of owning: a mortgage. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of ski-in/ski-out vacation rentals)

While you might feel financially ready to take on a mortgage, it’s ultimately up to the lender to deem you responsible and financially stable. One of the ways they do that is to take a peek into your credit history. Maxing out your credit card in college or forgetting to pay a bill here and there might not seem like a big deal at the time, but it could come back to haunt you later in life when…

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Thanks to its awesome snowfall and abundant skiing at Boyne Mountain Resort and Boyne Highlands Resort, winter is one of the best times of year to visit Northern Michigan. However, the storms that bring all that cherished snowfall have the potential to derail your travel plans. Follow these tips if you are driving to Northern Michigan in winter and want to have a safe and smooth journey. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Ski Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

Look at the Weather

The biggest factor to take into account when driving to Northern Michigan is the weather. If big storms are making their way through Michigan, you might want to think about postponing your drive until they have moved through.

If you are itching to hit the…

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Estate-size parcels in the wooded hills above Deer Lake. Golf course living enjoyed from a serene and private vantage point. The benefits of Mountain Club ownership are that it's located along the prestigious Monument golf course, close to ski slopes and Village of Boyne Mountain, and it has underground utilities and cable television. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of Boyne Mountain vacation rentals)

Mountain Club is characterized as the most restrictive community within Boyne Mountain as they strictly forbid vacation rentals. As a result, they have the most year-round residents within this carefully planned community. (Click here to see all Boyne Mountain Homes for Sale)

Just like Edelweiss Club, it's quite common to…

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Buying a home is an exciting time in many people’s lives. It’s the point in your life when you stop paying rent and start building equity with a mortgage. While there are many practical benefits to owning a home, something many people don’t discuss is the tax breaks. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Waterfront Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

As tax season is upon us, let’s take a look at some of the unique tax breaks that homeowners can take advantage of:

MORTGAGE INTEREST

For many first-time home buyers, one of the most pleasant surprises come tax season is the knowledge that your mortgage interest is tax-deductible. At the start of January, you should have received a notice from your lender letting you know how much mortgage interest…

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The purchase of your first home can be an exciting and exhilarating process. Homeownership is something that many people dream of. Owning your own home means not being held accountable to a landlord. It means the freedom to paint, remodel, and redecorate your space how you like. It means creating the perfect space for you and your family to build a life together and create memories that will last a lifetime. (Click here to see Northern Michigan's finest collection of vacation rentals)

For most people, the purchase of a home is also the largest transaction they will make. This can be daunting. Few buyers have the resources to buy a home outright, and this can make the buying process even more complicated because lenders are involved too. One of…

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