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Archive for the 'Good Real Estate Information' Category
Dave Ramsey says “Use Us”
June 16th, 2010
Don’t sell your house yourself – Don’t be a FSBO - Don’t be fooled by the middle-of-the-night TV huckster – It’s a lot harder than you think. Dave Ramsey’s column gets a question we get all the time – “What are the advantages of using a real estate agent versus going the for-sale-by-owner route when it comes to selling a home?
Since I’ve been actively selling real estate here in Grand Rapids for about 40 years, I have answered this question thousands of times – but Dave does it so eloquently – plus he has a bigger audience than mine (so far)! Here are some of the highlights of his answer which have resounded steady for the past 40 years:
“…you will immediately have thousands of potential buyers.”
-when you have your home for sale “By Owner” your market is as large as a sign, an ad, and limited internet exposure will bring you. The MLS and an active agent bring you qualified (very important as it separates them from lookeyloos) buyers who have the motivation and means to buy right now.
“…they (real estate agents) know all the ins and outs of buying and selling a home, and they’ll walk you through every step of the process.”
All real estate is local and it is so important to work with someone who knows the customs in the area, is familiar with all the forms commonly used and can keep their client (either a buyer or a seller) out of legal trouble as they go through the ever complex real estate transaction.
“…you will cost yourself more than the agent’s commission by trying to sell it yourself.”
Amen – I’m really liking Dave Ramsey!! Often we as real estate agents make it look too easy – we don’t bother the client with little glitches, we just go ahead and solve the problems and bring the transaction to close. We have the knowledge and the experience to know when to fire up the cannons and when to low-key something that can be solved easily – and then we solve it before it becomes an issue.
Bottom Line – Use a Realtor when you are thinking of Selling or Buying Real Estate! Contact us for your personal real estate needs – with almost 40 years of real estate sales and being a native of Grand Rapids – We know GR and we know Real Estate !
Tax Breaks for Seniors – Michigan is the spot!
June 11th, 2010
Can you believe it?? Michigan is the most advantageous place to live as a Senior if you are watching your tax dollars.
In a study done by the Washngton-based Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, Michigan comes out number one in tax treatment for Seniors – what a great reason to move here!
There are a number of tax breaks and tax treatments that are really cool for Seniors. They have defined Seniors as those over 65 years old – which actually seems pretty young to me as I ‘m heading in that direction.
I’m not sure I’ll be able to convince everyone looking for retirement that Michigan is a great place to be – but those folks who want beautiful landscapes, great sunsets, thousands of lakes, 4 gorgeous seasons, art, theater, symphony, ballet or a quiet place in the woods – plus advantageous tax positions: Michigan is the place. Take a look at the article and see for yourself!
Even if you are not a Senior – Michigan has a lot to offer you – contact us if you want more information.
Walk On Grand Rapids
May 13th, 2010
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(New!)
Does Walkability Raise Property Values?
Making your community more walkable can improve your quality of life and increase the value of your home. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Grand Rapids makes USA TODAY on Home Price Increases
May 12th, 2010
Check out the article published this morning in USA Today. We made the Top Ten markets in the US whose prices increased substantially over last year at this time. We fell below the astounding figure of 100.7% gain in median prices – that award went to our fellow Michigan town of Saginaw, Michigan .
Yet – we – the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market – saw a 26% gain in our median prices. Of course 2009 was a water shed year in the Grand Rapids market with low median prices – low sales numbers – there was not much UP in the market except unemployment. 2010 has started out to be a great rebound year.
Our Team has had the best first quarter in many years. I think the buyer tax credits and the positive consumer confidence in conjunction with some pent-up demand has fueled this increase. Our listings are selling even after the Credit is over – and we have a number of new buyers moving into the area with new jobs. The signs of Spring are still in the air!
Check in with us and we’re happy to give you good real estate advice and let us know how you feel about the First Time Buyer Tax Credit – was it a good thing for our marketplace??
5 Things you should know about Closings…the main event in Real Estate
May 3rd, 2010
One of the questions I get asked all the time by both Buyers and Sellers is: “I’m always hearing about a CLOSING – what is it?”
Here are 5 things you should know about closings:
1. What is a closing?
A closing in the State of Michigan is the culmination of a real estate transaction. This is where the buyer and seller get together (sometimes in person – sometimes not) to sign the final papers and transfer ownership. The buyers bring in their down payment and closing costs (the bank/mortgage company brings in the money for the mortgage) and the buyer becomes the legal owner of the property…the sellers, in most instances, receive their money and are no longer the owners of the property. The HUD Closing Statement summarizes the transaction and looks like this.
2. Where do you hold a closing?
In the Grand Rapids area, we hold most of our closings at a title insurance company. Some are located inside real estate offices, while others are in offices in different areas of town. A few even have mobile closings and drive up in a Mobile Closing Van (although they do come into the office to do the closings – I’ve not attended any sitting in a van). The Realtor representing you (either as a buyer or a seller) will let you know well in advance where your closing will be held and at what time. Few title companies do any closings on the weekends or after 5pm – so you will need to coordinate your work schedule around attending. Read the rest of this entry »
Get the Lead Out..New Law…Higher Prices???
April 25th, 2010
On “Earth Day” this year the EPA put into law a new Lead Based Paint Regulation. This affects disturbing any existing paint (so remodeling or scraping and painting rooms) on homes built before 1978.
I did a little research on just how many homes this affects in the Grand Rapids real estate market and found 4414 homes currently for sale which fit the description. From now on, any scraping and painting, new windows, remodeling…etc. on these 4414 homes must be done under compliance with this new law.
The Grand Rapids Press had a great article about it – read it here - which can help you understand it and how it might affect you if you own or are thinking of owning a property that is over 32 years old.
I have been surprised how many painters I have talked to who know nothing about this law – so make sure you ask your contractor if they have the RRP Certification. Check out the EPA’s website to get a little more information on both the law and the affects of lead paint on children – you can view it here.
It’s being said the cost of contracting for remodeling of any home built before 1978 might skyrocket due to the increased cost of certification. The cost for the contractors ($200 registration fee, $300 for classes, more expensive equipment, reporting and documentation) plus the fact there are very few trainers currently doing the training for certification, leaves many contractors in a bind.
As a Realtor I know this might slow down some closings, add extra costs to repairs and perhaps at a time when a seller is close to going under – might be the final blow to a possible sale. With every new law there is a learning curve and I hope this one is short and sweet for all involved.
5 Things you can do to sell your home in 30 days
April 25th, 2010
Hard to believe but there are 5 things you can do to get a quick sale now that the tax credits have expired:
1. Price it Right
Yes – Price is king today. There is still a lot of inventory on the market that is your competition. There are still repossessed homes and short sales hitting the market on a regular basis. You NEED to pay attention to Price!
2. Clean it Up: and still price it right
Buyers often judge your house on it’s cleanliness – not becuse they will keep it that clean – but the question always comes up “If the owners keep the things we can see in a messy state – what about routine maintenance and the things we can’t see?
I have seen buyers walk away from houses that are a mess – even if it is a perfect house for them – mainly because they couldn’t see past the clutter.
3. Trim up the yard – and make sure it’s priced right.
The first impression of any home is the walk to the front door – if you haven’t kept up on landscaping – grass is uncut – trimming not done – shrubs overgrown – you’ve lost that competitive edge of a great first impression. This is probably the most overlooked and the least expensive move someone can make in the sale of their home – but, don’t forget to price it right.
4. Light’s On for a showing – oh, and the PRICE!
Everyone is looking for that light, bright home that sparkles. Whenever you have a showing – day or night – make sure you turn on all the lights (and if you’ll be right back leave a note for the Realtor showing the property that they don’t need to turn them back off). If we can show a home without searching for all the light switches and lamp knobs – we can concentrate of selling your home.
5. Price Again – New Mantra in the Real Estate Industry “Price – Location – Price”
Make sure you and your Realtor have done all the homework to see where you fit in the marketplace and price your house accordingly. I know – but your house is “bigger than” “prettier than” “better than” all of the other houses in the market – but open up your minds to what your Realtor is telling you about the market – they are the professionals!
We do extensive research on prices and make recommendations for all our clients on price in the marketplace. If we can answer any questions for you as you decide if you want to sell or not – give us a call.
I’m also really interested in what you think ist he most important step in getting your house ready to sell – so comment back to me and we’ll compile a list of your suggestions!
Big or Small?? A Versailles Mansion or a Wee Cottage?
April 11th, 2010
Our family had the good fortune of heading to France for a week over Spring Break – mainly as a meeting place of kids (and their kids) spread outaround the world. Some of the things we saw certainly drew my attention and I gathered some good insights on the US Marketplace to share with everyone. Our trip to the opulent castle of Versailles yesterday really got me thinking about home sizes – so here goes:
Four things to consider when deciding on the size of home you should buy or rent:
1. Initial Price:
Of course a mansion the size of Versailles might be out of reach for almost everyone in the Grand Rapids area – but there are homes that are big and imposing and command a top price. No matter how much you might like a mansion – make sure you have a down payment and qualify for the monthly mortgage payments (including taxes). Seems like an obvious observation but many folks don’t stop to think about the price before forging ahead.
2. Maintenance:
The bigger the home – the more the maintenance on that home will be. Figure in the cost of yard upkeep, snow plowing (if you are in the snow belt), general maintenance like painting and decorating. If you are handy figure in your labor costs – if you have to hire it all done – rethink how big of a commitment you are making.
3. Utility Cost and Taxes
Generally speaking both of these will be higher if the price is higher for your home – simply due to size of home and valuation for tax purposes. Here is where buying a huge house cheap – maybe a foreclosure that needs fix-up or re-do – might end up costing you way more than if you had bought one for a little more money that had been maintined and kept up by the previous owner.
4. Pleasure
Prioritize what you want to spend your time doing. If decorating – working in the garden – and/or generally putzing around at home is your thing – buy a huge fixer-upper and go for it. If you want to spend some of your time doing other things than working on your house and don’t want to spend all of your money on house related items (like monthly payments, taxes, etc) – then buy something a little less in money and size but something that has been kindly cared for over the years.
Your Realtor is uniquely qualified to help you figure out where you might want to be in this scenario and can help you find just the right house that meets your needs. We do this every day in the Grand Rapids, Michigan market and would be happy to walk you through some of the decisions that a new buyer might have to make to decide if you want to live in Versailles or another house of your dreams – so contact us!
Hippity Hoppity… Hop to it now for the Buyer’s Tax Credit
March 31st, 2010
Time is running out for you if you are looking to take advantage of the Buyer Tax Credit yet this year. It appears that both the First Time Buyer Credit (up to $8,000) and the Current Homeowner Buyer Credit (up to $6,500) will be coming to an end on the 30th of April, 2010 – Yes, that’s within the next 30 days.
Here are some of the basic rules: Read the rest of this entry »
March Madness
March 13th, 2010
March Madness
What on earth does tournament time in basketball and the “Spring Market” in real estate have in common? Here are 4 ways they go hand-in-hand:
1. Excitement
March madness in basketball has teams in a frenzy and fans going crazy. March madness in real estate has buyers coming out of the woodwork (like spring fever) excited to buy – this year excited to get a buyers tax credit – with their fans (family mostly) going crazy too. Read the rest of this entry »
