A Roundabout at the Crossroads?
After the Michigan Department of Transportation announced plans to put a roundabout at the intersection of M-35 and CR-492, the cry went out… again, for one at the crossroads of CR-480 and M-553.
Those who arrive at that 4-way stop, particularly when people are heading to work, will tell you… it can be a real war zone, often with the most aggressive drivers winning the battle. Is that really how you want to start your day?
Dan Weingarten, spokesperson for MDOT, acknowledges that a roundabout at that corner would indeed work well, but there are reasons why it’s probably not going to happen, at least anytime in the near future.
In addition to funding issues, mainly based on safety, the intersection as it is doesn’t lend itself to any rebuilding. Physically, it’s still in good shape, and, according to Weingarten, “The crash history at the existing intersection does not show a pattern of serious injury crashes that would warrant safety funds.” In other words, there’s no roundabout about to be built at the crossroads. The best advice? Leave a little earlier.
Still Speeding
While I had him, I also asked Weingarten about the controversial 55 mph speed limit on M-553 in the area of Marquette Mountain and what, if anything, can be done about it.
Well, we’ve been down this road before and the story hasn’t changed. It takes an effort just short of an act of Congress to modify speed limits on state highways, like M-553. Even though the area in question is well within the city limits, the state still makes the rules. Any revisions would have to be based on formulas the state uses when establishing speed limits, and those formulas are based on a set of factors that bla, bla, bla… I don’t care about your formulas. Fifty-five miles per hour is way too fast for that area.
Until something is done to make that stretch of highway safer, all I can suggest is… slow down. It might make a difference.
A Real Big Deal
Unless you’re some kind of big-time corporate honcho… buying and selling mega-properties worth millions of dollars, the most financially important deal you’ll likely ever be involved with is when you buy or sell your house.
I recently sat down with a local real estate professional to learn more about the industry’s best practices as well as their current bout with the Department of Justice. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has been accused of price-fixing, by artificially determining how commissions are paid to agents in the buying/selling process. Changes to the process might be on the way, with some thinking this could help bring down the cost of your next home. I was assured that’s not likely, since commissions aren’t the reason home prices have gone through the roof in the first place.
Though the veteran realtor who tried to educate me was obviously very knowledgeable with how the process works, I’m not ashamed to admit the complexities are a little too much for this novice. And I’m probably not the only one. It seems the art of the deal is more than just art. It’s math and science and legalese, and a lot of fine print. That’s not a bad thing. It’s all there to help protect both buyer and seller, whether they understand it or not.
A Lot to Know
One thing I learned, with the cost of real estate these days, small errors in the process… a percentage point here or there, can mean the difference of thousands of dollars.
What might appear to be a fairly simple and straightforward agreement… a buyer, a seller, and a handshake, is anything but. It seems there’s a little more to it than that, which explains why agents go through training similar to that of an air-traffic controller. Okay… that might not be the best comparison, but it’s probably not far off.
Though I’m barely qualified to scrape the surface of the intricacies inherent in the real estate biz, I’ll summarize by saying, if you choose to go through a licensed agent when buying or selling, choose one you trust and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
The DOJ With an Eye on the NAR
Getting back to the legal woes being dealt with by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), in short, they’ve agreed to pay the sum of 418 million dollars to settle the claim that they’ve been illegally setting the commission rates for agents, or at least letting people believe there’s one rate, and you gotta pay it.
According to my source, the NAR probably could have beat the rap, but would rather pay the fine and keep the issue out of the news any further. Apparently, unbeknownst to many, neither the NAR or your local real estate office sets pre-determined commission rates. They are, and always have been, negotiable. And this includes sellers’ agents, buyers’ agents, and anybody else involved in the transaction. Ah, negotiations… there’s the art of the deal.
Sign With a Trusted Advisor, or YouTube It
Fortunately, realtors have to know all this stuff, and in many cases, they have a fiduciary responsibility to their client’s interests. So, if you’re working with a responsible agent, it’s incumbent upon them to help you make informed decisions.
If you have the time and energy it takes to go it alone… the For Sale By Owner route, you’ll want to make sure you handle your due diligence, lest you make some mistakes that can’t be fixed. Like everything else, there’s plenty of DIY info on the internet, costing only your time. Remember, you’re buying or selling a house. It’s a big deal, with equally big ramifications.
I’ll conclude by saying that, after everything I did and didn’t learn during my tutorial, I don’t think I’d want to take on the biggest financial transaction of my lifetime without the help of a professional. Whatever those negotiable commissions are, I have a feeling they’re worth it.
Finally…
Without being too patronizing, I’ve always tried to present the Westwood Mall in the best possible light. I don’t mind cheerleading for local businesses… provided it’s well deserved, but today, regarding what’s left of the Westwood Mall, we have to acknowledge the mounting shortcomings.
Yesterday, a Facebook post shared a copy of a letter to “Westwood Mall Occupant,” from the Marquette Board of Light and Power, indicating a possible disruption of service due to a lack of payment. The letter referenced “your landlord or neighbors” as the delinquent parties.
Aside from adding a couple new businesses recently, this BLP development is one of a number of snags in what we thought was a Westwood Mall comeback. The church project, which looked like a great repurposing of the former Penney’s space, appears to be in pause mode. The proposed kids trampoline park, which could’ve brought a new vibe to the aging facility, looks to be dead in the water. And now the power company is threatening to pull the plug. What’s next?
Where Does it Go From Here?
I would imagine the bills will get paid and it’ll be back to business as usual soon enough, but it’s a black eye regardless. It’s too bad, because I think the businesses that are there… the ones with their lights on, are doing all they can, against considerable odds, to make it work.
I can’t speak to the competence of the mall’s ownership. I believe they own quite a few similar properties, but by all appearances, they haven’t done a great job with this one. A look at the decrepit mall sign out front gives you an idea as to their level of commitment.
Here’s to still hoping something good happens at the Westwood Mall. That would be nice for all of us. There you go… a little cheerleading.