If you're a first time homebuyer and you've been waiting for "just the right time" to jump in and buy that home you've been dreaming of,now is the time 

Preseident Obama's stimulus plan has been adopted into law and there are wonderful incentives for the first-time homebuyer. Specific to note is the $8000 tax credit for first time homebuyers. For an informative explanation of the new law, see this article by the illustrious Luke Mullins in his "The Home Front" column at US News and World Report: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2009/02/17/first-time-home-buyer-tax-credit-6-things-to-know.html

Prices are low and affordable. In general, prices of homes have retracted to pre-2000 levels---as much as 40-50% in the Livingston/Washtenaw/Oakland county areas including my service area which includes, Brighton, Howell, Pinckney, South Lyon, Whitmore Lake, Ann Arbor, Hartland, Highland, Milford, Dexter, Chelsea, New Hudson and more. Housing is more affordable than ever. Check out this NY-Times Blog article about the affordability index published monthly by the National Association of Realtors: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/housing-affordability-at-record-high/

The United States Federal Government is going into unprecedented amounts of debt and inflation is highly likely to kick in within the next few years. Real Estate has consistently risen in value over time, especially in an inflationary economy. Here are some facts from the US CENSUS: http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/census/historic/values.html

Distressed property sales now represent over 50% of closed transactions in this current market. Bank-owned REO's, short sales, and Government owned HUD/VA foreclosures are still flooding the market. The current stimulus plan by the Obama administration does have a mortgage relief plan and when that initiative helps stem the tide of foreclosure activity, price stabilization on housing will occur. An upward trend will eventually begin again for home values. Get into the market now and you will not be disappointed.

Wait, wait!! Two Realtors walk into a closing...(make up your own ending and let me know)

But, seriously folks, I feel playful today because I haven't had a buyer or seller since I don't know when! When I joined the ranks and donned to Realtor suit of armor I have not saved a wench from the bad mortgage dragon or pulled, from the jaws of certain financial ruin, an elderly retired couple buying their first condo on the shores of lake Michigan.  I have been polishing my Realtor skills, taking classes and studying "tech knee ques" for proper client/property management.

I am doing floor time today and I have had the good fortune to sit by the window. Of course (woe, is me) there is a storm blowing in. 'magine that, how strange for Michigan! Yet it is a nice view and there's a beautiful twenty five foot pear tree all in it's coat of white Fleurette's and a six foot tall Japanese red maple! Large white southern style column frames the window and I feel like I am Alfred waiting in stately Wayne manor for the masters return.

The other day one of my sellers from the January thaw decided to rent out his house without letting me know! I was working on getting him a land contract for 215k with 25k down @ 7.5% percent. If he put that 25k in a high yield C.D @5% plus the 7.5% from the deal he would have a return of 12.5%...BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  Stupidity swooped in and opened that box of chocolates and he went Gump! Also he is mad at me for the deal falling through! What's that saying, THE HUMOR IS ON ME NOW!!!

Have a great day in the trench's my brethren and sisteren...peace out

I am new to the whole blogging arena. Yet I find it a good way to network and make friendships with agents in othe cities. With the population being so mobile etc. It gives us a chance to provide outstanding  customer service and earn referrals both in monies and future clients. This is why I am surprised at the total lack of cooperation between agents.

I had a client looking for a home in New Mexico and only one agent respomded and never returned any emails I sent! I wish I was so busy that I didn't have time to network and earn 3% commission. My client now has a low opinon of agents out there. Customers are not stupid, they read the papers and follow  the news. They may not be savvy about the business of real estate and paint everything with one broad brush stroke. So it behooves us to show some kind of solidarity.

When I went to Hawaii I spoke to so many people who are so anti agent it was scary. The FSBO magazine out there has INTERVENTION ads like you'd see on A&E network. Like we are leeches and lower than pond scum. After talking to a few agents I can see why. They do not return phone calls,e mails or post cards! One resent transplant to Maui said to me "They don't feel they have to earn their money. I will buy or not and if it isn't me,next"

It is the same when I tried to contact an agent in Florida. I have a client who has ocean front they bought on tax sale and they now want to build. Their seems to be some kind of confusion about timing of a tax sale and they wanted a builder etc. I thought I could contact an agent there, but again I met with the same old resistance.

I feel there is no excuse for poor customer service. It is after all the life blood of our endevors and the stuff of which puts cash in our bank accounts...I'll get off my soap box