Brent Link's Blog

Is the Market Really Headed In the Wrong Direction?

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:38:18 -0700

Is the Market Really Headed In the Wrong Direction? I don't think so, and I can back it up!

Last week the national news naysayers told us that February sales were down 5.5%! Doom and Gloom! My question is, "Down From What?

Down from last week?
Down from last month?
Down from last year?
Down from 5 years ago?

I know that national statistics are interesting, but are they really important? Real estate is local. The local economy effects real estate. Local employment effect real estate. Believe it or not, local weather effect real estate.

Here is some relevant data to support my position.

As you can see from this chart, this just isn't the case in West Michigan.

February sales in Muskegon County were up 28% over the previous month
February sales in Muskegon County were up 15.5% over February 2011
February pending sales in Muskegon County were up 28% over the previous month
February pending sales in Muskegon County were up 16.8% over February 2011
Inventory of homes for sale in Muskegon County were up 1.2% over the previous month
Inventory of homes for sale in Muskegon County were down by 10%, over February 2011
Inventory of homes for sale in Muskegon County were down by 32% from January 2011 to April 2012

With sales on the upswing and inventory on the decline it is no longer a Buyer's Market. Reasonably priced homes for sale in Move-in Condition sell quickly. In January 2011 we had 11.3 months inventory of homes for sale in Muskegon County. That has been reduced to 6.9 moths inventory.

The Whitehall and Montague area as well as the North Muskegon areas are even stronger.

Now is probably the best time to buy.
Now may be the best time to sell as well.
Buyers can afford a higher price with the interest rates as low as they are.
They can not get much lower so don't delay.

Give me call or send me a note if you have any questions.

--
Brent Link - Associate Broker Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt
Office 231-737-4004 Cell 231-206-2772
Fax 866-334-2775      LinkRealtor.com

THAT Was an Expensive Secret!

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:20:58 -0700

Once in a while we are asked to "Watch" a house that is distressed, or in the process of being foreclosed. It is not fun but it is a part of life in West Michigan. REO properties seem to be declining but there are still some going through this in Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo, Ottawa, and Kent Counties. We drive by and take pictures now and then and may talk with the borrower. We try to learn if they intend to redeem the house or if they are going to just walk away at the end of the redemption period and let the lender have it back. Usually they are not very happy and won't talk to us, and I can not say that I blame them. They are under a lot of stress and feel they are losing a very important part of their financial worth and self-esteem.

These people need to talk to a Realtor. They need to explore their options. They have a few options but most are not aware of any options and they are angry, frustrated, and hurt. Once again, I can not blame them.

Last week a borrower called to tell me that they would be out of their house over the weekend. I appreciated the fact that she cooperated with me in transferring the electric service but if they had talked to a Realtor, they may have saved themselves a lot of work. When they left they took just about everything, including the kitchen sink, the kitchen cabinets, the interior trim, the steps going up to the door between the house and the garage, and even both garage doors! They worked their fannies off!

If they would have talked with an Realtor they may have learned that the lender would pay them a tidy relocation fee to leave the kitchen sink, cabinets, trim, steps, and doors. The lender doesn't want to spend any money on fixing the house up and now it will sell for a very low price. This hurts the lender and the neighbors as well.

OTOH, if the lender would have allowed me to tell the borrower that the lender would pay them to leave it in "Broom Clean" condition, everyone would have come out better. If they would have stayed past the redemption period, I could have offered them a tidy sum. We all lost on this one!

They would have walked away with some cash in their pockets
They wouldn't have had to work on removing all of the things they took
They wouldn't have a bunch of used building materials to store and wish they could sell
The lender would have come out better because the home would have been in sale-able condition
The lender would have been able to recoup more of the money they loaned on the house
The home would have sold for more money in a shorter amount of time
The neighbors homes would have held their value

I didn't expect the borrower would trash the house but I still wasn't allowed to offer them any cash. If I could have offered them $4,000. the house would have most likely been in live-in condition and the bank would have been $50,000. better off.

If you know of anyone in this situation, help them find a professional to talk to! Many Realtors have taken extra training to help with these issues and will be more than happy to help. If they are in Michigan, I would be happy to do what I can to help. It may save them a lot of work and frustration.

Let It SNOW!

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:22:49 -0800

Bring it on! I am ready!

We need the snow! Many businesses depend on real winter weather. The snowmobile dealers, cross- country ski shops, and sporting good stores, are getting busier as well as the towing companies and body shops! Muskegon Lake is getting frozen over and we will soon have people flocking to the waterfront in Norton Shores and North Muskegon to get out on the ice and catch some nice fish. Of course, Whitehall and Montague will have their fair share of shantys out on White Lake as well. Of course, the Winter Sports Complex at the Stae Park is really hopping now!

Not only is the winter weather good for these businesses, it is also good for my garden. Snowflakes bring nitrogen down and helps replenish this valuable nutrient. Come to think of it, it is almost time to start planning my garden and starting some tomatoe plants!

The snow and cold also bolsters my confidence in the head of steam our local economy is gaining. Homes in West Michigan are continuing to sell even though the roads are sloppy or icy. Buyers are still looking at homes and sellers are still putting their homes on the market. Nice homes, priced right, do not last long. Buyers have to be on their toes to catch them before they are gone. Banks are still supplying us with some REO properties they have foreclosed on but not as many as in recent years. Less inventory helps to stabilize prices and this is good for everyone as well. There are plenty of short-sale properties to chose from if you want a real deal and can afford to wait for an extended time.

Be sure to stay warm! Keep your hands warm and get ready for a Hot selling season come Spring!

Sell Low? Buy Lower!

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:27:02 -0800

If you are one of those sellers setting on the fence waiting for prices to climb before you sell, don't wait too long!

Prices have always went up and down and I believe we are at the bottom and beginning the long slow climb out of this lousy economy in Michigan. I don't think it will be anything fast but I have witnessed a 3% climb over the past year in residential real estate here in West Michigan.

Not only are prices stabilizing, Interest rates can hardly go any lower and most likely will begin to climb as well. The difference between a 5.5% loan and a 4% loan on $200,000. is about $180. a month and over $65,000. over the life of a 30 year loan. Now is the time to get on the band wagon before the prices are climbing along with the interest rates!

Many think homes are setting on the market forever getting stale. This is no longer the case with decent, well priced homes. The nice homes, priced right do not languish on the market needing a buyer. The respectable homes that are priced correctly are selling rather quickly. The rough homes that are not priced according ly do hang around for too long waiting for a buyer, who, most likely these days, will be an investor and will snatch it up with a low-ball offer.

Here is a link to a search for homes in North Muskegon and Norton Shores. http://tinyurl.com/6lncncv

Let me know how I can help.

On The Upswing?

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:25:01 -0700

Back in September CoreLogic posted a report telling of a decline in Shadow Inventory (distress properties that are in danger of being, or in the process of being foreclosed). They went on to explain that this is keeping home prices down. Don't tell anyone but it doesn't seem to be holding the prices down in West Michigan.

The total number of sales in Muskegon County during the first nine months of 2010 was 1447 with a slight decline to 1432 sales in the same period in 2011

The average sale price in Muskegon County in the first nine months of 2010 was $80,799. with an average of 89 Days On Market.

The average sale price in Muskegon County in the first 9 months of 2011 was $83,522. with an average of 93 Days On Market. This is more than a 3% gain.

The good news is that prices are continuing to climb. The average sale price from Sept. 1/2011 to Oct. 12/2011 is $93,441. which is a $15,000. gain over last year at the same time.

With interest rates at an all time low, inventory of homes for sale is not what it used to be and soon we will hear two words we have not heard in a long time, "Seller's Market."

Here is a link to see the average homes on the market in Muskegon County. http://preview.tinyurl.com/ I realize not everyone needs the average home. Give me a call or a text and I would be happy to set up a search for that home that truly fits your needs.

Can I collect a commission on that? I Already Did!

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:13:01 -0700

I believe Realtors must be the most optimistic people on earth, especially here in West Michigan.

My grandpa sold real estate in Muskegon back in the '30s and '40s. My dad sold real estate and was one of the top producers in Muskegon County back in the '70s and '80s. I waited to get into the business until it was taking a nose dive and I really enjoy this business but at times it can be quite discouraging and I begin to wonder. But then the next day dawns and with it a good prospect or two show up and business looks good again. They may be looking for a waterfront home on Lake Michigan, Bear Lake or in Whitehall or Montague. They may want some hunting land in Newaygo or Oceana County. They may be looking for a nice home in North Muskegon or a small parcel of ground in Twin Lake. They may be looking for, or ready to list a piece of commercial or industrial real estate. It doesn't mater what their need is. They give me a smile on my face and I am ready to Sell! Sell! Sell!

Looking back I realize that many of these "Good Prospects" never pan out to much, and in fact, many times they are a total waste of time, energy and gas. Do I feel sorry for myself? Do I complain because I did not get paid? Do I get turned off on the business over it? No. I continue on with a smile on my face and I am ready for the next deal that comes my way. I may not be paid in dollars and cents but I certainly have my commission!

"The Economy Runs Good When Oil is About $85. a Barrel"

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:01:54 -0700

I couldn't believe it when I heard his say that.
Does it even make sense?
Are there that many people invested in oil that it would be healthy for everyone else to dig deep to get to work, school, and stay home during vacations?

I find the phone rings more when the prices are lower. Real Estate all over West Michigan moves better when the price of fuel is lower. People come from all over to enjoy our fabulous beaches and rivers. Waterfront is a large draw for tourism. We have some of the best beaches on Earth!

In Muskegon, Norton Shore and the White Lake area around Montague and Whitehall the Commercial & Industrial market seems to move better when gas prices are reasonable. We need more businesses creating more jobs. Not rich people putting mopre away.

Have I missed something? It just makes sense that there will be more cash flowing throughout the economy if we are not pouring it all in our tanks.

In One Day Sampson Killed 1000 Philistines with the Jawbone of an Ass,

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:53:55 -0800

and thousands of transactions are killed each year using the same weapon!

I stole this from a trainer I am working with. Paul goes on to say, "Why sell a house with Blah, Blah, when you could sell it with Blah." In other words, say as little as possible, and listen.

I have always tried to be attentive when taking a class but another instructor actually "Demonstrated" listening skills in a way that I could comprehend it. Gwyn illustrated the process by holding her hand behind and above her head as a parrot would perch and explained that the "Parrot" needs to repeat to me everything that is said. The "Parrot" needs to continually repeat everything and I have learned that this keeps my mind from wandering and has gone a long ways in helping to improve my listening skills.

Listening is a skill that needs to be practiced. It is more than standing there attentively, it is actually hearing and absorbing the conversation. Yes, listening well is more than one party talking and the other hearing. It is a conversation between people. In order to listen well, I try to nod my head and give other body language that conveys the fact that I hear them and am understanding what they are saying, not just hearing them.

Commenting is also part of good listening skills. Agreeing or disagreeing is part of it but asking good questions is also an important part of listening. Restating their position is helpful as well. I may restate a phrase they just said so they may confirm that I do understand what they said, or correct me if I am not quite on track.

A good indication that someone is not listening is if they are interrupting. When someone is interrupting it shows that they have not been listening at all but have been formulating a response to something stated a while back. This is something that I work on regularly. I catch myself considering interrupting every once in a while and I have to pause, relax, and listen. It is a challenge at times but well worth it.

Arguing is another way to lose credibility. If someone tells me they want to buy an REO property that has been foreclosed I don't flood them with information trying to convince them that many sellers have acknowledged the market and are priced to compete with bank owned homes. I strive to show them that some homes, with an real, live seller are actually priced reasonable may not be as cheap up front but may be in a lot better condition and a better deal in the long run.

A friend from grade school was usually quite. When someone asked why he was so quite, Robert explained that if he listened he would learn what I knew and when he added that to what he knew, he was twice as smart. I always liked that response and tend to keep my mouth shut when I don't have something important to say most of the time.

I have learned that I make better use of my time by asking good questions and listening to the replies. People know what they want and do not need me to tell them.

I look forward to your comments. I am listening!

How much does your lender owe you?

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:28:59 -0800

How can I be late on my house payment?

Last year, like a lot of home owners in Muskegon County, and all over West Michigan, I received a notice that my property taxes had been lowered. Cedar Creek Township realizes that property values have declined and they must have decided acknowlege this.

I also had a power boat and I sold it last fall. The insurance on the boat was a rider on my home owners policy. As soon as I sold the boat I canceled the insurance and figured this would decrease my escrow account for my taxes and insurance by a reasonable amount.

Early in January I received a letter from my lending institution stating that my payment amount would increase by only a little over $10. NOW WAIT ONE MINUTE! How can this be? My property taxes were less and my home owners insurance is less but you decide to charge me MORE?!!! This just doesn't seem right.

Since Cindy and I both sell real estate it is a challenge from time to time to make ends meet. Making our house payment takes top priority but sometimes there just is not enough money to go around. Yesterday we received a check in the mail for an amount more than one months mortgage payment. Apparently the escrow account had too much money in it.

I hear all the time that lenders are trying to work with home owners to reduce the number of REO (Real Estate Owned, aka, Bank Owned homes). Why do they make it more difficult to make the payments instead of being honest and only billing for the amount they need? Is this some new Christmas Gift program they have designed?

This brings up several questions:
Did I receive interest on my money? Am I due to be reimbursed late fees I paid? Can I send in 12% less on my payments now and be current?

This just doesn't make sense and is one more example of how inept the lenders are. No wonder banks are in trouble. This is nothing new though. I suspect something is not right every time I pulled up to an ATM machine. It asked me to enter the amount I want in dollars and cents, but will only spit out cash in $10. increments! And then it is also labled with braile! My Grandpa was blind. I am so thankful I never saw him pull up to an ATM!

Sheriff Sale, Foreclosure, Short Sale, Redemption, Upside Down, Under Water, How Can I Help?

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:58:04 -0700

I believe it was Zig Ziglar that stated: "If you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want." I like that philosiphy and that works for me! This is especially important when helping people who are in trouble with their homes. I can't imagine how people expect people to shell out money for help when obviously they are already short money. With that in mind, I will try to help you understand your options so you can decide what works best for you.

Many people with perfectly good credit have lost their job and have seen their income reduced to a fraction of what it was. Once this happens house payments get more difficult to make and pretty soon the lender is calling to try to get the payments. This usually adds to the stress and seldom helps. Obviously if the homeowner had the money, they would make the payment!

First let me clarify some terms.

Borrower - Usually the Home Owner
Bank - Most likely you went to a local bank when you borrowed the money to purchase the house.
Lender - Many times it is Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. Most likely it is one of these businesses that hold the note. That is the loan that secures the mortgage on the home.
Mortgage - The note that secures the loan.
Note - The mortgage that secures the loan.
Foreclosure - This is a process by which a lender may take possession of a house when the payments have not been made.
Bank Owned - A house that has been foreclosed.
REO - Real Estate Owned - Bank owned homes are REO.
NOD - Notice Of Default - Sent out usually when a loan is more than 90 days past due.
Loan Modifications - The lender may modify the loan. Reduce interest, Reduce Payments, Reduce Principle, Refinance, Extend the loan to cover amount in arrears.
Arrears - The amount the payments are behind.
Upside down - Under Water - The Note or Mortgage is more than the house will sell for.
Equity - The amount the note or Mortgage is less than what the house is worth.
Sheriff Sale - An auction where the property is offered at auction to the highest bidder. The lender may bid the full amount of the note.
Redemption Period - A period in which the home owner can pay the amount bid at the auction and redeem the property. In Michigan it is 6 months. If it is 3 acres or more, it is 12 months.
Short-Sale - Selling a house for less than is owed on it. This needs approval from the lender and it usually takes several months. This is a better alternative than being foreclosed upon.

Next I will post the steps and some possible solutions.

Have a good day!

West Michigan Real Estate Market Facts

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:15:04 -0800

Looking for some West Michigan real estate market facts?

Here is a graph showing the number of single family home sales in Muskegon County from 2005 through 2009.

In 2005 we sold 2353 homes. 2006 was the high point when we sold 2626 homes.

2007 we were down to 2139 homes but in 2008 we sold only 1892 homes.

In 2009 we were climbing again when we sold 1974 homes.

Below is a graph showing the Average Sale Price of Single Family Homes in Muskegon County that sold through a Realtor from 2005 through 2009.

In 2005 the average sale price was $112,343. It slipped to $108,470. in 2006 and slipped even more in 2007 to $102,682. It plummeted almost $30,000. from the second quarter of 2008 through the first quarter of 2009 when hit a low of $63,784. and ended up 2009 with an average sale price of $82,086. This is mostly due to the flood of bank owned foreclosed properties flooding the market but also sellers realizing they have to price their home right to get it sold.

Waterfront and luxury homes were not as affected and actually have been quite strong.

I will post data on that in the near future.

The Most Important Single Word in Real Estate

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:01:59 -0800

It didn't take me long to learn what I feel is the most important single word in the real estate business. I have been in the business less than 4 years butI am always listening. I listen to agents rejoice when they finally get a deal closed. I listen when they lose a deal, and I listen when they just want to quit. I listen a little when someone is bemoaning the latest bad news prediction, and I listen a little when they are crying about the economy.

In all of my listening I have picked up one word that is always applicable and I will never forget it. It doesn't matter if I just closed a deal that was a piece of cake, or if it was the worst short sale in history. It doesn't matter if I just landed a listing that I have worked on for a year and a half, or I had to walk away from an over priced listing. It doesn't matter if I just had a listing pulled so they could afford to sell it on their own and bring less money to the closing. It doesn't matter if they want to work with someone else. You ask, What is this word that always applies?

NEXT!

-- 
Brent Link, CRS, e-PRO REALTOR
Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt 
Office (231)737-4004  Fax (866)334-2775  Cell (231)206-2772  
Mailto:Brent@LinkRealtor.com
http://LinkRealtor.com
Your West Michigan Real Estate Link

Coldwell Banker 10 Day Sales Event

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:03:47 -0700

Friday begins The Coldwell Banker 10 Day Sales Event running October 10-19th. In order to get a little more activity for our sellers Coldwell Banker is sponsoring a National Sales Event. This will be advertised on TV, Radio, Newspapers, and online. We asked our sellers for a price reduction and we advertise these listings over and above our normal advertising in an effort to create more activity on our listings.

I have had a very good response from my sellers. I have had price reductions from my listings in North Muskegon, The Northside, Holton, Fremont, Hesperia, Wolf Lake, and Muskegon Heights. Today the Woodland Schmidt Division has posted over 100 Price Reductions in Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo Counties. The Fremont Office has had over 70 listings alone. This does not include the offices in Ottawa or Kent Counties or any of the Northern offices.

I believe Sellers are interested in a reduction as long as we are going to step up to the plate and make sure they get noticed. Why reduce the price if no one is going to really promote it so it gets noticed? This is just one more reason why I feel Coldwell Banker is the right choice whether you are buying or selling.. We have the #1 Rated company website at ColdwellBanker.com. We offer the the best Seller Service Guarantee and the best Home Buyer guarantee in the business. We have a network of offices that span the globe. Our agents are offered the best training available to keep us abreast of the market as well as provide the best in service to our clients.

I am here to help. Let me know if you have any questions regarding Buying, Selling, or evn retaining your current home. I work with several of the major lenders as a Home Retention Consultant to help people keep their homes. There are already too many foreclusures out there and the foreclosed homes are hurting the values.

Give me a call. I promise to treat you the way I would like to be treated. --
Brent Link, CRS, e-PRO REALTOR
Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt
Office (231)737-4004 Fax (866)334-2775 Cell (231)206-2772
Mailto:Brent@LinkRealtor.com
http://LinkRealtor.com
Your West Michigan Real Estate Link

Commission Not Earned

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:07:25 -0700

A few weeks ago on a late Sunday afternoon I was mowing the lawn and a friend stopped by. When he left he said there was something up with the bees in the hive by the garage. I went over to looked and got a warm fuzzy feeling. They were swarming. There were ten of thousands of honey bees flying around and around like a tornado, going higher and higher. They were collecting on a branch of the oak tree about 30' - 40 feet up. It was pretty cool. Cool enough to give just about anyone a warm fuzzy feeling. I probably should have went in a got the camera to take some pictures but I didn't. I went back to mowing and thinking about how to get them into a new home. Maybe it is the Realtor in me.

About 5 minutes latter I went back and they were pretty much settled on the branch. Kinda always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I see them hanging there. That is how they multiply and make more colonies. When the hive gets crowded, the worker bees pick a few fresh eggs and put them each in an individual Queen Cell, which is a bit larger and is vertical instead of horizontal like the rest of the cells. They feed these eggs Royal Jelly. After a few days they cap the cells off like all of the the other cells and in 3 weeks from start to finish, the queens begin to emerge. The first queen out goes around and seeks out the other queen cells and kills the other queens before they emerge. I know, Not so warm and fuzzy.

Just before the first queen emerges, the original queen leaves the hive and about 60% of the worker bees follow her. She usually lands on something near by and the Scout Bees are out looking for a good place to call home. I believe it takes about 30,000 bees to make a pound. 6 pounds of bees would be about 180,000 bees. That is a lot of little golden bodies clinging together. It always gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling when I see a swarm.

Back to getting these bees into a new home. I have a telescoping boom for my loader. It is rather short. Years ago a friend wanted me to lift a windmill for him. He got me a deal on a 24 foot steel tube that would fit in my boom then I could reach considerably farther. Since I am quite safety conscious, I also have a basket that fits the forks of my loader so I can work off it in a safe manner. I began thinking that just maybe I could put my long extension on my boom, hang the basket and set right there and scoop the bees into a hive.
The mowing was getting boring and all of those poor homeless creatures were still giving me warm and fuzzy feelings. I let Cindy take over the mowing.

I hooked up the boom and put on the long extension. Then I slung the basket from the boom. After careful inspection, I decided it might work and I began getting that warm and fuzzy feeling as I maneuvered the loader/cherry picker over to the swarm. I eased the basket up through the branches to where the swarm was hanging. Now the loader will reach about 10' or 11' feet high. The boom base adds another 3 or 4 feet and the extension 24'. I was about 10' short! I was bummed. I do have a nice 32' extension ladder and I am pretty good with ropes, knots and lashing from my Pathfinder Days. I began to get that warm fuzzy feeling again as I devised another way to get those bees into a suitable home that they could enjoy for years.

I collected the ladder and Cindy brought me a couple good strong ropes. I lashed the extended ladder to the boom adding another 12' feet or so. Looked a little springy to me but if I leaned it on the branch, it would be fine.

It was getting late. Bees are NOT nocturnal. Bees like sunshine and bees don't like to be messed with late in the evening or when it is looking like rain. I was scheduled to be on Floor the first thing in the morning so waiting was not an option. I began to get that warm fuzzy feeling again as I maneuvered the Stairway To Heaven toward the swarm. Cindy brought my bee veil, jacket, gloves, and a bucket with a lid. I was all set.

I laid out on the bottom rungs of the ladder and Cindy got in the loader and I began my accession. Now I have been on a few amusement rides in my life and most of them don't scare me. I found a new one! There is NOTHING like being flung into the air as you hold on for dear life and then it suddenly STOPS! What a RUSH! I can't wait to patent it! I would have liked to enjoy it a bit longer but the sun was setting faster than normal and I didn't want those poor homeless bees to be out in the cold dark night. Who knows what could happen to them? More warm and fuzzy feelings.

My expert operator eased the ladder into position next to the limb as the sun set over Lake Michigan. I climbed the ladder to the swarm. Lo and Behold, I could see the sun again! I couldn't believe the bucket had stayed on the end of the ladder during the amusement ride but I was in luck. I took the lid off the ladder and tucked it into my jacket so I didn't drop it. As I reached out and scooped several thousand bees into my bucket with each pass, I was having a warm and fuzzy feeling that didn't quit. I took my bee brush and gently swept them off the limb and into the bucket. Of course, at this time there are about 50,000 bees flying around thinking I am disturbing them when I am just out to help them find a suitable home. About then I noticed one of the bees was a little too perturbed and had found a vulnerable spot on my chest. I was a bit sad since a honey bee leaves it's stinger behind when it stings and then it dies fairly soon. As I snapped the lid on the bucket and began my decent, I realized there were a few more bees a little upset and had found the place in my jacket where I had stored the lid. They weren't going to live very long either. It was sad. As I was looking down to see if I could see any landing lights, I noticed that a few more bees had found where my jacket was unzipped and were following that up into my veil. The buzzing seemed to be getting louder. I climbed a little faster and Cindy began to let it down a bit. With the bucket full of bees I had that warm and fuzzy feeling, once again.

I had already set up a hive body with a bottom board, inner cover and cover so I just dumped them in and put the cover on. They were no longer homeless.

Now, I have been stung before and I am not allergic to bees stings, but sometimes, when I have been stung in the head a few too many times, I get this warm and fuzzy feeling. Well, I knew this was a good opportunity so I did not stick around for the house-warming party. I headed inside. Sure enough, I wsa gttineg a wram fzzuy fleenig. I akesd Cdniy to rnu me smoe cool bahtwtear and I clmideb in. It wsa too wram. I wnaetd CLOD wtaer. It wsa clod adn flet good. I was felenig wramer and fzzeur all of the tmie. I eevn truend on the swhoer haed for a bit. Taht flet good too. The wram fleening was laevnig but not the fzzuy. I bgean to get clod so I ran wram wtaer. Taht hlepd to wram a bit but I was sitll fzzuy. Atfer a wihle the fzzuy fleenig strated to sudbise but I was slitl clod. I sat on the cucoh for the rset of the enevnig udner a blkanet and s,s,s,shv,ierd. I was beginging to tahw by teh tmie we wnet to bed but I was still a bit fzzuy. I woke up in the morning warm and just a little fzzuy. There were still a few bees on the branch and the box was buzzing. Even though I was still a little fzzuy, I was happy. This family had a suitable home and we went to the office.

It was an interesting day to say the least but that is another story. We got home in the evening and I looked at the branch. They were all gone. Cool I thought, They found the queen and had settled into their new home. I took a peak in the hive. They were ALL GONE!
Guess I didn't earn a commission on that one!

--
Brent Link, CRS, e-PRO REALTOR
Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt
Office (231)737-4004 Fax (866)334-2775 Cell (231)206-2772
Mailto:Brent@LinkRealtor.com
http://LinkRealtor.com
Your West Michigan Real Estate Link

Even The Kitchen Sink!

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:26:32 -0700

I was on Floor and got a call to show an REO that needed a lot of work. Someone had taken the kitchen cabinets and sink. It was listed at $19,900. and he told me there were already some offers on it. (It's in a small town where everyone knows everyone) We showed it, wrote an offer and got it accepted. The next day a neighbor called to ask if he wanted to buy the kitchen cabinets and sink! She wanted to buy the house so had broke in and stole the kitchen!

He informed her that he would pay 5 times as much for cabinets elsewhere before he gave her one thin dime for them.

Beekeeping in Michigan

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:16:24 -0700

Well, it is that time of year when it is time to start collecting the honey.

I started the spring with 2 nucs and one colony that wintered over well. This is the first time I have used nucs and am very satisfied. The bees were ready when the blueberries blossomed.

I set one of the hives I lost over the winter up by the house so I could extract the honey when I found the time. It never happened. One day I came home from work and there was a swarm waiting to get in. It took about 15 seconds. I lifted the cover, slid it back a bit, and shook it. Put the cover back on and they moved right in. Seems to be one of my stronger colonies this year. It swarmed a couple weeksa ago but that is another story in itself.

A week or so later there was a swarm on one of my apple trees up near the house. I found a hive and shook them in. The next day there was a swarm on my peach tree! I had to scramble to find a hive for that one!

Last year I had an empty hive setting by the patio in the back of the house. A swarm found it and moved in. I set it in the lawn mower trailer and started moving it a little at a time to get it across the pasture to the area I keep my other hives. I realized I couldn't move it across the pasture with out my mules extracting some honey so I stopped for a better time. They seem to like the front yard but now I have 4 hives within 30 feet of my house and one is less than 10 feet from the garage door. They don't bother anyone, but then many who happen to stop by probably don't realize what they are parking next to. My plan is to set them on a trailer after I take off the supers and move them for a few days and then relocate them where they belong. I think this weekend will be spent creating a better apiary than I have now.

I extracted about 85 lbs. Tuesday night. Not quite as light as last years honey but still very good color and flavor that can't bee beat!

Could there be such a thing as too much training?

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:15:58 -0700

I have begun to wonder if there could be such a thing as too much training.

Why do agents settle for the minimum? I want to be at the top of my game, not competing for Last Place. Now don't take me wrong. I am not greedy. I just feel I can serve my client the best when I have spent the extra time and money to attend the classes that will give me the knowledge I need to stay on the cutting edge.

Many times, when I get into a discussion on agency or fiduciary duties, I find that some of these agents who have been at it forever, sit back and listen. They don't have any input and it makes me think maybe they are not sure of the answer. Sometimes I feel like they may not even be sure of the question. It scares me!

I look at the state website and see that many agents have 6 hours con ed each year for the last umpteen years. It is almost embarrassing to see that in a little over 3 years I have acquired just as much training as agents that have been in the business for 12 or 13 years.

I realize things have been slow the past couple years but what better time to get an edge on the competition than when things are slow! Yes. It cost a few bucks but don't you think it will put you in a better position when the market turns around? You certainly won't want to take the time off during a HOT Market!

A good place to start is e-Pro. I learned a lot form it and found a lot of resources from this class. You can use it for requirements on several designations. I used mine toward my CRS designation. It is an easy class to take. The only place you can take it is online. You can work on it any time of day or night. I got up a did a section or two one night when I couldn't sleep. Here is an easy link to check it out and sign up when you are ready. http://brentlink.internetcrusade.com/

At Home With Diversity is another good class. It is interesting and very informative. You can apply it to other designations as well. I used it toward my CRS designation as well. I took the class live but I believe it is available on line now as well.

Do I feel like I have had too much training? No. I am looking for more classes to take. I appreciate being confident when I get into a discussion with another agent. Yes, I may make a mistake now and then, but I certainly make fewer now than if I had not spent the extra time and money to take the classes. Besides. I ENJOY LEARNING!

Permanent eMail Address

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:29:16 -0700

Tired of buying new cards because someone changed your email address again? Would you like a permanent email address you can print on everything and never have to change it? Would you like an email address you can take with you when you change companies?

Want a domain name that will be easy for your clients to remember? Would you like to advertise your domain name on each email you send? Would you like your domain name to point to your your own site or a page on the company site?

I can help. It is absolutely painless and not very expensive. Go to http://BrentLink.InternetCrusade.com/ They understand the internet and are excellent to work with.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Brent

Trans-Plans by Gary David Hall

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 08:25:32 -0800

You may be interested in Trans-Plans. This is a set of plans Gary David Hall wrote. They work with several of the database systems. I have only used the Listing Plans so far. Once you launch the Listing Plan it will schedule many many activities that could possibly be required for that particular transaction. Of course not all will apply to each listing but they are easy to delete. They are very thorough. I am axious to implement both of his plans for a contract. One plan works form the contract date and the other works from the projected Closing date. For a while he was offering these plans at a reduced rate if you purchased an update from him. I don't know if he is still offering a discount or not. You can probably find out by going to his website at http://garydavidhall.com/

I will try to answer any questions you may have.

AgentOffice advantages

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:40:02 -0800

I have been using AgentOffice for over a year now and I still find new things it can do for me.

After trying to get Outlook to print some labels I bought an older version of AO and fell in love with it. I like programs that think like me and don't have a long learning curve. I figured this one would work. I used it for several months and kept finding new areas and capabilities. Finally I broke down and took a class from Gary David Hall. WOW! That was money Well Spent! Gary knows his programs and is a good teacher. I learned a whole lot and was able to put it ot good use.

One example: I used to print out my mailings and then I had to sort them by zip code. AO will sort them for you. The printing process is about as simple as it can get. I was very happy how easy and quick it goes.

Another: Listing Plans come with the program. Gary Hall wrote a set called TransPlans. They are Very Thorough. I was suprised at some of the things he came up with to remind me to do. Some are not relavant to my practice but most are and it is very easy to delete the ones you don't need.

Feel free to post any questions or tips of your own here. I certainly don't know it all and am hoping to learn.

The Northside Market

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:18:14 -0800

Curious about the market? Here is a graph showing the market activity for the the last 1/2 of 2006. This covers the Northside area. basically Cedar Creek, Dalton, Laketon, and Muskegon townships north of the Muskegon river.

The 100-125 = $100,000 - $125,000. price range the $125,000. - $150,000. price rqange is next.

The numbers beneath each price range are the number of homes sold in that area at those price ranges.

A couple examples:

13 Homes in the $100,000. - $125,000. price range Sold in Dalton Township between June and December 2006.

3 Homes in the $200,000. - $250,000. price range Sold in North Muskegon between June and December 2006.

The Variety of West Michigan

Brent Link (Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt) — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 15:37:10 -0800

I have lived in West Michigan all of my life. I enjoy the changing weather and the varied topography.

Sometimes in the summer time, it gets up to 100 degrees and is usually very humid. It makes a trip to the lake almost a necessity. It seems the Big Storms form further west and, a lot of the time, they approach Lake Michigan latter in the day. That usually cools them off a bit so we seldom get tornadoes.

Lake Michigan is about 80 miles across where I live. It is so far that you can not see either side when you are in the middle of the lake. It warms up to 70 to 80 degrees and we have some of the nicest beaches on Earth! We also have numerous inland lakes and rivers. Some are navigable from Lake Michigan. Usually good for a cruise or just to explore.

We get a lot of snow in the winter. The average for Muskegon is about 120 inches a year. Seems like we have been cheated the last few years but I am sure that will change also. We seldom have more than 1 1/2 or 2 feet of snow on the ground at any given time. We are also one of the cloudiest places on earth. Sometimes we don't see sunshine for weeks. Some get depressed but I guess I am used to it. The Weather At My House link is a direct link to the weather station I have set up at home. There are also links to other weather stations from Grand Haven, Norton Shores, North Muskegon, Twin Lake, Whitehall and Montague.Check it out!

I mentioned our beaches. We have the nicest sandy beaches you could ask for. It is all sand in this area on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. From about Muskegon south to the state line it is mostly nice clean sand! A ways north there is some clay now and then. Further north you will find some rocks mixed in but still mostly sand.

The Muskegon River is Michigan's longest River. It starts at Houghton Lake about 150 miles to the NorthEast. It was instrumental in making Muskegon the Lumber Capitol of the world back in the 1800's. Michigan used to be covered with massive White Pine trees. These were cut down and loggers floated their logs down the rivers to the sawmills. There were several sawmills on the shores of Muskegon Lake. The boards were shipped out from here. Many trees that floated down the Muskegon river were sawn into boards to re-build Chicago after the big fire destroyed most of the city. the first Millionaire in Michigan made his fortune owning sawmills in Muskegon.

There are many smaller inland lakes. Some just a few acres in size and some that are many miles long. We also have many small streams and creeks. When you are in Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles from a river, stream, or lake.

Our terrain on this side of the state has nice hills and valleys, forests and a few prairies. My wife is from the Saginaw Valley on the east side of the state. She enjoys having hills and valleys.

I know the lakes and rivers since I have canoed or power boated many of them. This gives me an advantage selling real estate whether it is lakefront, riverfront, or hunting property. Muskegon is in the process of completely rebuilding downtown. Now is the best time to invest in Muskegon. You can't go wrong whether it is commercial or residential real estate. Give me a call. I would be happy to discuss the potential of this great area.