How many people does it take to make a sale? - 07/31/07 06:22 PM
We have all heard how many people it takes to change a light bulb.  
How many does it take to make a sale?  Do you know?
                                      
This does not have a simple or single answer....not surprising is it.
When your agent sells your hometo a buyer who is not represented then the number goes down.  If a buyers agent brings a buyer then the number goes up.  If your home is purchase by a relocation company then it changes agent.  Here is a list of the people that could be involved in your sale.
The listing agent.The buyers agent.The buyers themselvesYou the sellerStagersStorage … (11 comments)

Do you know how to pick a real estate agent, or do you do it because you like what they say? - 07/30/07 03:17 PM
Lots of articles have been written on "how to select a Real Estate Agent".  Most of the articles focus on the key elements of the past.  Yes past things that are already over, gone, kaput.
Here is a novel thought, what has the agent done this year? 
Do they have listings?  Do they work with buyers only and you are a seller and buyer?  Have they met their education requirements?  Realtors are required to have a minimum of 6 hours of continuing education each year or a total of 18 hours in 3 years.  You would be shocked at how many put … (4 comments)

Did you know the Mackinaw Bridge is 50 years old today? - 07/29/07 08:56 PM
The Grand Rapids Press had a very nice article in today's Sunday paper.  It was worth the read to see the history of the bridge.  I did not know many of the facts concerning the bridge.  I was 10 years old when the bridge was completed and remember the big stir it caused at the time.
I remembered the Yugo being blown off the bridge during a high wind event.  I was shocked at the time that a car, even a Yugo could be blown off the bridge.  I also remember the worker painting the bridge in 1997 falling to his death.  … (0 comments)

Have figured out the power of direct mail, increase you business series step 2 - 07/29/07 06:49 PM
In step one we learned about the power of voice mail.  I mention in step 1 that direct mail has very little return, the direct mail association says less than 2% of direct mail creates a response unless you incorporate a twist.
I asked you to create a mailing list....including birthdays, pet names etc.  Every agent mails new listings and sold cards to neighborhoods and clients.  So how do you make an impact when others are getting no response. 
How will you separate your mailings from other agents mailings?  This is the trick and it is a great one once you know … (24 comments)

Blogs are here to stay, now provide usful content to keep people reading - 07/23/07 10:24 PM
Why are blog so valuable and here to stay.....content, content about anything and everything and I mean everything.  I just started treasure hunting as a hobby, why not somebody has to find it....  I get to go to some great mosquito infested places, I get to think about anything but what I do for a profession. I get to be lost and no one notices, I don' t even hear we should have turned there.  I get to talk to myself without having everyone stare at me.  Besides my treasure hunting is very specific and if I find anything it will … (6 comments)

Are you a white tornado or a piggly wiggly? Do you take pride in the home you leave for buyers? - 07/21/07 06:08 PM
I have seen many things as a Realtor and one of the most surprising is the condition sellers leave homes for the buyers.  I have seen trash bags stacked to the ceiling in the garage.  I know at least they were in bags and in the garage, wrong.....the buyers are trying to move in too!  So where is the staging area for most buyers....yes the garage.  So not only does it take time to move someone else's trash out of the way, the buyer has to pay for it to be hauled away too, in most cases.  I do a pre-close walk … (6 comments)

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions, move, stay, sell or buy? - 07/21/07 05:16 PM
We all hear commentary everyday concerning the stock market, housing market and job outlook. 
Here are some thoughts that you won't hear.  Hopefully they make sense so you can make the best decision possible for you and your families future.
Are you happy where you live?  Is your job stable? Do your children like the school system, do you?  If you really like your neighborhood and school system why not remodel and stay?  The consideration is will you overprice the home for the neighborhood?  If you are going to overprice the home you must be prepared to stay a long time, since … (2 comments)

Looking for buyers in all the wrong places? - 07/21/07 09:46 AM
I hear about all these wonderful marketing plans, I even have one, but the truth is if you do not know who is going to buy your home you may not be advertising in the right places!
Think about this and then consider who are the buyers for your home or property.
                               
The buyer for a two story may not be the same buyer for a ranch. 
Some buyers can not handle the stairs so a two story in not in consideration unless it has a main floor master, then the upper bedrooms are guest rooms.  Most parents do not want … (4 comments)

Income Property, blessing or curse? - 07/20/07 10:15 AM
Income property can be a blessing or a cursedepending on how you manage your investment.  Tenants are the key to your success.  If you have tenants that pay on time and maintain the property like it is theirs you are blessed or maybe you just know how to interview tenants before the destroy your investment.
Recently I have been showing a potential buyer duplexes and quads.  We have seen everything you can imagine within the same price range.  Some should be condemned others are over crowed and nothing is to code.  We have found that most investors are buying renting and using the … (5 comments)

Real Estate Statistics, the ones that matter! - 07/18/07 02:31 PM
Do you know key real estate statistics, the ones that matter?
I took the time to look up some statistics from the National Association of Realtors site (NAR).  For each set of informational data I will give you the source so you can find the rest of the information for yourself if you want more information.  Google under real estate statistics or click this link www.realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg006
Source: 2005 NAR member profile
What are the average hours worked by all Realtors?   46 per week....if this is the average some of us are not working very much!Gross personal income generated based on 40 hours?  $62,300.00 … (14 comments)

Personal security, act smart, be smart, Protect Yourself? - 07/18/07 11:24 AM
Personal Security....something you can not forget as part of your daily routine.
Unfortunately today's world of handshake transactions is long gone.  You can walk out of your home and your car most likely has air bags in a specific configuration to protect you.  The glass around you is likely to be tempered to minimize injuries and resist breakage at low impact.  Your tires, even pens are designed for safety.  Ink is now available so it won't wash off checks to protect against alterations and identify theft.      
So what are you doing to protect yourself?  Here is a thought...use a schedule that … (24 comments)

Buyer's who Can't make up their mind? Are you one of those? - 07/13/07 12:06 PM
I find clients like certain features and have a life style in mind when they are in the house buying mode.  Then again I find clients have so many choices that they like this feature today and that feature tomorrow after they have slept on the information from showings.
 at all the homes listed on the market and you wonder how people choose the right home for them to buy.  Some have solid surface counters, others have jet tubs with multiple head walk-in showers, even laundries on multiple floors.  The prices are very reasonable because of so many listings....what to choose.  I think … (4 comments)

Home Sweet Home or Condo? - 07/12/07 06:35 PM
At what point do you decide to change or downsize.  I have represented clients from all walks of life.  I have tried to track why and when clients make the change from a home with yard work, drives to maintain,roofs to repair or leaves to rake. 
I have found that the time is not the same for everyone but the reasons seem to be similar.  The top ten reasons clients select condo living over a single family home.
The home becomes to much to manage because of the owners age.One of the spouses becomes ill.Features become un-necessary, number of bedrooms, property size, … (6 comments)

Accept the offer, or do I counter offer? - 07/12/07 08:48 AM

Clients and home owners struggle in a buyers market more than the sellers market when they receive an offer of purchase.  The reasons for the difficultly in making a decision can be summarized in a few key items.
Questions
Is the offer high enough?Can I get more if I counter offer?Will I have enough money to buy the house I want and have the payment fit my budget?Will I have to reduce my price more after inspections?Can I go through all this and have the buyers walk after inspections if I do not do the repairs?I am not ready to move, I don't … (8 comments)

Representing Family, inlaw or outlaws? - 07/08/07 08:10 PM
One of the most difficult things for an agent to do is represent family.  It is difficult because of the emotional attachments.  It is difficult because your results could affect your family relationships. 
The challenges of compensation when acting as a sellers agent when representing your family are also something that can create tension.  The fact that selling requires marketing and investment to market means you can not represent anyone for free.  Not all family members will expect your services free but just as many may expect you to waive your compensation or severely reduce them.
Miracles are also high on the list … (17 comments)

Will Food Lure Buyers? - 07/07/07 11:57 AM
I couldn't believe the headline in the local newspaper.  The article said, "the way to a mans heart is through his stomach" these Realtor's are hoping the same holds true for bringing buyers!
You can put out all the food you want, but if the location, condition and layout are not what buyers want they may stop for a snack but they are not going to buy.  The key is to get "qualified" buyers to view sellers homes, choosing the right Realtor that has a marketing plan to sell your property is also a key element.  So promoting food to get buyers … (10 comments)

Are you aware of "Public Records" and what gets published? - 07/07/07 10:06 AM
The Grand Rapids area has a paper published called the "Legal News".  This has a variety of key sections that can be very helpful or embarrassing if you do not know it is going to be published.  The "legal News" is a subscription paper like all the others or can be purchased at the local news stand.   Here is a brief description of what you can find on a weekly basis.
Bankruptcies, are listed by name and how much they are oweLawsuits, listing the plaintiff and defendants namesFictitious name filingsDivorce petitions or filings and who along with decreesForeclosures who and how much, … (12 comments)

 
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Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-784-2360

Grand Rapids, MI

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Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions"

Address: Grand Rapids, MI, 49505

Office Phone: (800) 336-5124 x 0

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Grand Rapids Real Estate & West Michigan real estate markets, trends and issues discussed. Technical and personal thoughts pertaining to buying and selling real estate. How-to information, view 1000's of active listings. Go to our website for over 30 Free Reports that could save you thousands. For immediate service... Call: 616-784-2360 or Email: GaryWhite@FlexitRealty.com Flexit Realty® offers "Flexible Real Estate Home Selling Options"


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