In the news...Self Promotion opportunities - 02/28/09 02:18 PM
One of the associate brokers with FlexIt Realty made the headlines.  Linda Dezeeuw was interviewed after a Meeting of over 400 Realtors, put on by the local MLS the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors.  Here is what Linda had to say, "We are bombarded with negativity constantly."  Then she added, "But the market is picking up.  I have closings, I have buyers."
If you need help selling or buying Linda is a 10 year professional in the Grand Rapids, Michigan market.  Go to our website and look under agent roster...https://www.flexitrealty.com
I recently wrote a blog concerning a positive outlook on yourself, … (4 comments)

Who's in Charge? - 02/28/09 01:41 PM
It is a very widely publicized fact that the Michigan economy is in the tank...so can anyone share with me why we would spend 1.57 million dollars of taxpayers money to clean up a shredded tire pile?
OK, I know this is a fire hazard...I know it could cause all kinds of pollution and I also know the farmer that has accumulated this 2.7 acre pile of tires is responsible.
So why is the state forking over our money at a time when the economy is spiraling out of control?  Let me mention I don't think many politicians work for the … (4 comments)

Using your cell phone to scan and save cash shopping? - 02/27/09 10:26 PM
Technology marches forward...are you ready?
Here is something you may never have guessed was available...changing your cell phone into a bar code scanner?  Yup you can!
Now think of this....many of the retailers are starting to put this funny looking bar code that looks like this different, like artwork!
You might really like this artwork...you can scan in the bar code from your cell phone and shop by item by price!  Think of standing in your favorite store looking at an item...scanning in the bar code..go to the Internet and find the best price and compare an on-line price as well!
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HUGE PRICE REDUCTION!! 15450 Cedar Leaf Ct NE, Cedar Springs, MI NEW Price $349,900.00 - 02/27/09 03:46 PM
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NEW LISTING 12450 Sunset Pines Dr NE, Cedar Springs, MI - 02/27/09 03:42 PM
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NEW LISTING IN CEDAR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN 2135 Antler Ct. - 02/27/09 11:46 AM
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Hard Times Bring Out Schemers - 02/21/09 09:52 AM
Beware of the Scam Artists!
They can be on the Internet with an email that asks you to verify your bank account.  Everything looks like your bank...but your bank won't ask you to do that!
As times are getting more difficult we are seeing new wrinkles in the way scam artists are looking to get money.
Here is one that should be considered very dangerous.  A person coming to your door says they are from the water department...they say they have been told you have a leak and need to check your water lines or meter inside your home.  This is … (5 comments)

Are you a gadget GEEK? Find Fido Anywhere! - 02/21/09 09:01 AM
Looking for that one thing to give you peace of mind about you pet?
If you have ever lost a pet you know how difficult it can be...my children were very young when our pet strayed away from our home.  He (Sarge) was a German Police dog and only a couple of years old...he fell in with a neighbors dog that was know to stray. 
We kept a close eye on him...but one day they took off together...it took us 5 hours to find them.  We had a happy ending finding both safe and sound.  It could have been much … (1 comments)

Moving Pets - 02/21/09 08:30 AM
One of the issues that many home owners forget about during the move and sale of their home is their pets.
Moving pets can cause them to become sick and even despondent.  This can be birds, dogs, cats, bunnies, pigs and even lizards!
Pets have some of the same issues that we have during a move.  They get attached...their yard is friendly ground...they know the smells, sights and sounds.  It can be very traumatic for pets when they move.
Think of it this way...they are lost!  They don't know the new rules.  They don't know what rooms they feel comfortable in...so … (1 comments)

Are YOU Sure? - 02/21/09 07:49 AM
Presenting your offer to sellers can be more than letting they see the purchase price.  Closing the sale for their sake is helping them understand the "Real Market".
Rule #1  Knowing your numbers can be a savior for you as a Realtor in any market.  Rule #2  Being able to show the numbers to your client.....PRICELESS! I just had this happen with an offer yesterday on one of my client listed properties.  This is a beautiful well staged home but like any property it is for the right buyer.
I get an offer within 4.8% of the asking price.  This is where … (2 comments)

Beautiful Home For Sale 6795 Fawn Dr NE, Cedar Springs, MI - 02/20/09 04:43 PM
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Charming Home For Sale 4154 18th St Dorr, MI 49323 - 02/20/09 04:35 PM
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740 Howard Lane, Hastings, MI 49058 - 02/20/09 04:26 PM
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The Great Pretenders - 02/17/09 05:17 PM
Today more than ever it is important to get buyers pre qualified.
Can I mention one thing up front for those that may not know...a pre-qualification letter is good only for the moment it was written!  After that it is nothing but a piece of paper!
It does not mean a buyer can actually buy.  Here is another little know issue for many.  Just because the buyer is put through on the electronic processing for pre-approval does not mean an underwriter will agree!
How come....if the computer says OK their credit is good?  Simple he may see something like outstanding student … (11 comments)

Home For Sale Cedar Springs, Michigan 15450 Cedar Leaf Ct NE - 02/14/09 03:49 PM
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Home for Sale in Evart, MI 9125 Chippewa Trail - 02/14/09 03:44 PM
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Trimming state budgets may mean early parole for inmates. - 02/14/09 02:09 PM
Michigan like many states is facing a major budget crisis. 
The new motto for many state governments......Going Out of Business!
One way many states as well as Michigan are seeing a way to cut costs is reducing the prison population.
Some of the non-violent crimes people are incarcerated for will find themselves free because of the budget cuts.  I personally don't have any problem with low level or non-violent crime prisoners being released early.  I think they probably should have been on a supervision program in the beginning.
Laws have changed drastically over the last few decades.  The war on drugs … (2 comments)

Radon...the gas that kills! - 02/14/09 01:29 PM
Tasteless, odorless and deadly...that is Radon gas.  Many people don't know much about this...we have it in our selling area so agents, buyers and sellers should be very aware of Radon gas.
It is a natural gas that seeps into basements and the throughout the home through the heating and cooling system via the cold air returns.
Testing takes a few days...and you can get a free test kit from the county.  Most states have a Radon office to help citizens with questions concerning Radon.  The EPA has a link http://www.radon.com visiting this website can give you the particulars for your area.
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Get your mailing done fast! Postage going up.....Again! - 02/14/09 01:07 PM
Let me see....if it snows I don't get my mail...my mail carrier complains she doesn't have snow tires as she spins away. 
I get little notes from my carrier that my mailbox is to hard to open.  I couldn't figure out why the carrier was in from of my homes mailbox so long...reading the mail?  Nope...she was filing my mailbox door to reduce the friction so it opened and closed the way she wanted.  I asked her to stop...it could flop open in the wind and my mail would get wet.  She says you may buy them but they are under postal law … (0 comments)

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, FEB 15, 2009 1-4 PM 677 Pendleton Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI - 02/13/09 07:53 PM
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OPEN HOUSE Sunday, FEB 15, 2009 1-4 PM 5346 Silverstone Dr NE Comstock Park, MI - 02/13/09 07:49 PM
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Refinancing a stop gap to foreclosure? - 02/07/09 05:05 PM
The numbers are still coming but many homeowners that refinanced to lower their debt are still falling behind.
Did this only change the date of the inevitable?  Many are thinking that the buyout program that helped people who mortgaged their homes with adjustable rate mortgages received money, lowered their debt and they lived a little long in a home they couldn't afford...bilking the system one more time.
This may be true for some...other that have been able to maintain their homes have another story to tell.  They are thankful for the lender helping them keep their homes.
In 2004 the show Extreme … (11 comments)

The making of a winner! - 02/07/09 04:23 PM
Are winner made or born?
I like college sports....I have to say I am not big on professional sports....they make millions and whine all the time they have their hands out.
They are human not just heroes....whiny heroes but human with gifts that entertain and awe us.
The average guy, I hate to say, would not know what to do with the life style that told them everyday how great they were.  If nobody told them would they still perform to their own standards?
February 5th Pat Summitt hit a milestone in sports...I didn't say women's sports or men's, I said sports!  … (17 comments)

What sells homes? - 02/07/09 03:20 PM
What sells homes? 
Depending on who you as to the answer you get.  Many things sell homes but one thing consistently sells homes, agents with a marketing program.
What sells homes?  Photos...not just a photo but lots of photos the more the better.  What sells homes?  Virtual tours...not just the music tour...but a tour that shows off the property.  Next...what equipment do you need to offer a great photo slide show or tour?  Here is one of my listings and the virtual tour to go with it.
http://www.flexitrealty.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?ListingID=2113248
Quality matters.  So now we have two issues...quantity and quality.
Can anyone create … (1 comments)

Spring Market, will your home be ready to sell? - 02/07/09 09:43 AM
Spring Market, will your home be ready to sell?
Every year spring brings out more buyers looking for the elusive perfect home.  Getting ready now can make the difference in selling or missing a buyer that would have loved your home.
We have about 6 weeks before we start seeing the normal surge in the spring market buyers in Michigan.  Taking the time now to prepare your home...getting it ready can mean more than than spring cleaning.  It can mean more than picking up newspapers and magazines. 
Preparing for the spring market on the inside can mean selling faster.  This means you have time … (6 comments)

OPEN HOUSE Sunday 1-4 PM 2563 Chatham Woods Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 - 02/06/09 05:13 PM
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OPEN HOUSE Sunday 1-4 PM 2541 Chatham Woods Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 - 02/06/09 05:09 PM
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OPEN HOUSE Sunday 1-4 PM 2535 Chatham Woods Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 - 02/06/09 05:05 PM
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Tic Tic Tic...your days are numbered! - 02/04/09 08:28 PM
Can you hear the clock ticking?
Many home owners are finding themselves with two homes.  They bought and then didn't sell.
One of the options you should be aware of in Michigan is the "Dual Homestead Exemption.  For those of you that did not  know anything about this little know rule for Dual Homeowners here is some information that may help.
Form 4640-conditional Rescission of Principal Residence Exemption:  PA 96 of 2008 provides tax relief to those unable to sell their vacant homes.  This means you have another principal residence and have been unable to sell your former principle residence.  You … (8 comments)

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

Grand Rapids, MI

More about me…

Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions"

Address: Grand Rapids, MI, 49505

Office Phone: (800) 336-5124 x 0

Cell Phone: (616) 821-9375

Email Me

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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