LaTroy Hawkins – Let Metro Detroit be your next home - 11/30/07 04:56 AM
  I’ve been reading of the Detroit Tigers interest in free agent pitcher LaTroy Hawkins and hope that the Tigers organization and Mr. Hawkins and his agent can come to an agreement to bring him to Detroit.   Perhaps if Mr. Hawkins knew more about Metro Detroit and Tigers fans it would help sway him in his decision about where to play next season.
Mr. Hawkins, first, I would like you to pick up the phone and call others who play for the Tigers, and those who have played here in the past.  Ask them about Tigers fans.
Hands down we’re the … (11 comments)

Dear Santa... - 11/29/07 07:02 AM
Dear Santa,
I have been a very good girl.  Really.  
Every year for the past 11 years I have asked you for the same thing for Christmas. This year I'm going to attach a picture since it seems that you don't know what I am asking for or surely you would have left it under the tree by now.
Here it is:Santa, that is a magical crystal ball.  I know your elves and you perform magicevery year.  A crystal ball shouldn't be too difficult to make.
Why do I want a crystal ball?
I want to take it with me when I am working.  It will … (30 comments)

I finally did it! (Not for the queasy) - 11/27/07 08:01 AM
I am so proud of myself!  Yesterday a buyer client had a well & septic inspection            for his soon to be new home in St. Clair County Michigan.   Normally when I attend an inspection I am right there with the inspector learning and absorbing as much information as I can.  Notice I said "normally".  With septic inspections I would get a bit queasy and be the volunteer to go inside of the home and run the water and flush the toilets.  Yesterday though I became brave. I told myself that the next septicinspection I would watch it through the entirety.  You … (25 comments)

Chesterfield Township full brick ranch - $159,885 - 11/27/07 05:07 AM
… (10 comments)

The typical Metro Detroit foreclosure family. - 11/25/07 05:23 AM
**I am putting my disclaimer upfront:  The story I am writing is not about any one particular family, it is merely an observation from a real estate agent in Metro Detroit who has watched the downturn in our real estate market unfold. It is also a story that I've heard more times than I've wished by families who work hard, have purchased their piece of the American dream and have faced financial stress that they didn't realize was coming.  Lola Audu wrote an excellent article yesterday entitled "When the pant legs are two different sizes".  Lola is a real estate broker … (35 comments)

A letter dated November 29, 2002 - I'm thankful - 11/22/07 05:41 AM
I did it again.  I read old letters this morning.  I woke up feeling extremely thankful for all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon my family and friends and that left me feeling nostalgic.
A post by Lenn Harley yesterday had me weeping as I left the keyboard.  It brought back memories and left me feeling grateful.  
Thanksgiving Day 2002 I received a phone call from my youngest son, GI Nick, who was at basic training in Fort Sill Oklahoma.  I didn't cry on the phone during the call, but believe me when I say I was weepy the whole … (25 comments)

Back to old fashioned math and loving it! - 11/20/07 10:58 PM
I'm old.  I'm not ashamed to admit it.  When I was in elementary school there weren't hand held calculators.  We learned math the old fashioned way.   Years later there was "new" math introduced into the schools.  My kids understood the teaching better than I did.  Thankfully they didn't need help with their homework.
During the real estate "boom" in Macomb County I saw quite a bit of new math methods being used.  Homes that sold for $100,000 would have neighboring homes sell for $120,000 just a few weeks later.  What shocked me (and my buyer clients!) even more was the fact that … (63 comments)

Chesterfield Township homes sold - November 1st through 15th 2007 - 11/17/07 06:22 AM
Who says the real estate market is dead?
In the Macomb County community of Chesterfield Township eleven homes have sold in the 2 week period covering November 1st - November 15th.The homes sold ranged in price from $134,000 to $260,000.  Not only are there eleven happy sellers but there are eleven happy new home owners in Chesterfield Township.All data was obtained through Mirealsource™ and its participating agents and brokers and does not reflect homes sold via private source.
Details of the homes sold  Courtesy of broker reciprocity provided by Mirealsource™ If you would like details about the current real estate market … (3 comments)

Be a good neighbor - overprice your home! - 11/17/07 04:57 AM
In Macomb County Michigan there are a few things that you can do that will make you popular with your neighbors.
Be helpful to your neighbors. 
Keep the outside of your home well maintained.
Don't be the "nosy" neighbor.
Put your home up for sale and overprice it.
How does overpricing your home help your neighbors?  There is a simple explanation for this reasoning.  I, as a buyers agent, will show my buyer clients the comparable sales for your neighborhood. It also means that my buyers will be well educated as to the value of your neighborhood.  When you've overpriced your home for the … (35 comments)

Loose lips? Not mine. - 11/16/07 07:15 AM
As I write these articles of interest (I hope you find them interesting) I have become more aware with each passing day of how far reaching the blogging world and the Internet truly is. I have had communication from people from all over the country, and locally more consumers are reaching out with questions and comments to me via email and the good old fashioned phone.
If you’ve read any of my past articles you will probably have noticed that I do not have “loose lips”.  When I have been given the precious gift of trust  I do not betray … (21 comments)

The skinny on buying a HUD home in Macomb County. - 11/16/07 06:06 AM
In Michigan there is a new company handling the HUD homes that are for sale and the processing of bids on these homes.
The process hasn't changed for the home buyer and many times I'm asked "How hard it is to buy a HUD home in Macomb County?"
It isn't difficult at all, it is merely different than purchasing a home that is owner occupied.
 The most common differences are these:1) HUD requires an earnest money deposit that is in the form of a certified check or a money order made out to the buyers agents real estate company.  For homes under $50,000 the … (4 comments)

Disclose Disclose Disclose - 11/15/07 06:02 AM
In Michigan as in other states when a home owner puts their home on the market in most instances they are required to fill out a sellers disclosure form.  
This form really isn't tricky or difficult to fill out.  It has basic "yes and no" questions about whether certain items are in working order and also has a section with specific questions for the home sellers to provide clarity on other items/areas of the home.   The most difficult part of filling out  the disclosure statement for most home sellers is the small font on the form and difficulty in reading it.In … (19 comments)

The "Roller Coaster" is back! - 11/14/07 04:46 AM
Warning:  This post is NOT real estate related but is directly related to the first love of my life - Detroit Tigers baseball.  
For all you Comerica Park bullpen watchers the "Roller Coaster" Todd Jones has signed another one year contract. Now many may sigh and think "One more year of biting my nails and going on the Coaster ride".  I'm one of thedissenters.  I enjoy Todd and think he does a fabulous job.  Just becausehe has my heart palpitating when I see him warming up doesn't meanhe isn't a whole lot of fun and an enjoyable pitcher to watch work.
Those … (5 comments)

Marathon Mondays - 11/13/07 03:53 AM
On Sunday I wrote an article about teamwork in our office and used the term "Marathon Mondays". I don't think I realized how much of a marathon yesterday was going to be in reality.
If you're not at all interested in the daily routine of a hard working real estate agent then skip this.  You'll be bored - it really isn't that interesting, it is simply my way of documenting why I am still rubbing my eyes this morning and will probably need 2 pots of coffee before I hit the road again.
4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m:  Read, check and return email. … (17 comments)

Let us not forget the Drill Sergeants and the role they play - 11/12/07 05:23 AM
This morning I was looking back upon my sons military service and once again grateful beyond words that he is home, healthy and happy.   I got out the photo album and came across a photo that I took during his Basic Training graduation.
I also read some of the letters that Nick sent home during basic training (no email access for these recruits!) and it was an eye opening experience once again.  The first letters are filled with "What did I do????" and "I want to come home!!" to the very last few that said "These Drill Sergeants are tough, but … (13 comments)

Competition between other agents in offices? Not in ours! - 11/11/07 04:25 AM
Before I type this post I'd like to preface it by saying that I have not been askedby  the broker owners of our office to write this, nor do I expect anything underthe office Christmas tree for doing so.   They probably won't even read this - but I am forwarding it to someone special in our office. 
I've been around the block for almost 11 years now.  During that time I have talked with thousands of real estate agents in the Metro Detroit area,and have visited many of their offices for either closings or to deliver paperwork or to present offers on behalf of my clients. 
Many times I've … (17 comments)

Bank owned homes in Chesterfield Township - 12 sold in the last 30 days! - 11/09/07 05:34 AM
Twelve smart home buyers purchased bank owned homesin Chesterfield Township Michigan within the last 30 days.
This northern Macomb County community has always beena leader in the real estate market and the quick resale ofthese bank owned homes is further proof that homebuyers are choosing Chesterfield Township for theirinvestments and residences.These homes sold during the period covering October 8th, 2007 and November 8, 2007.   All information regarding the homes sold is provided courtesy of Mirealsource™ and Broker Reciprocity.http://macombhomes.com   © Kris Wales 2007 Macomb County MI real estate
… (11 comments)

Can we give seller clients a gold star? - 11/08/07 05:55 AM
I have been in contact for a while with potential home sellers in Macomb County.I wish I could post a flyer of their lovely home for this article, but as their home is noton the market yet I cannot do that.  What I want to do though is give them a huge gold star.  A shiny "let the world see me" star. 
These potential sellers are doing everything correctly.
They have a lovely home that has been well maintained. They are currently doing a few "touch ups" to make it more appealing to a broad range of buyers.  A pre-listing home inspection … (18 comments)

Macomb County Michigan home sellers: Is your porch light on? - 11/07/07 04:58 AM
Late yesterday afternoon and early evening I was showing homes to potential buyers in Macomb County.  It was a gloomy day; rainy - windy - and overcast most of the day. Add to that the new time change that took place the previous weekend and myself and my clients were greeted with darkness by 4:30 to 5:00 p.m.The real estate market is looking so much better in our area that most of the homes I viewed last night were not vacant or bank owned, but were privately owned and occupied.They also had something else in common:  Not one of the homes … (11 comments)

Michigan home buyers - You have the right to remain silent. - 11/04/07 04:21 AM
As your buyers agent I have many responsibilities.  One of myduties is to negotiate on your behalf when you've chosen thehome you want to purchase.When we are out viewing homes that you have expressed an interest in most of  the time the sellers of the home are not present.  The agent that works for the seller will tell their sellers that a buyer will linger longer and talk more freely if the seller leaves during viewings. On the rare occasion that a homeowner is present during our viewing time I will ask you to remain silent.  I will encourage it.  No, this … (14 comments)

Tonights the night! - 11/03/07 05:00 AM
I don't know about the rest of you, but when my computer clockand another clock in my home reset last Sunday morning I wasa bit confused.  
Tonight, Saturday night at midnight is the correct "Fall Back" timein Michigan.   I don't know the reason why it was a week laterthen it was in previous years, but it surely was a nice "treat"for the tricksters on Halloween.Now I simply have to remember that my appointment tomorrowat 1:00 is really 2:00 - or is it? 
Ah well, I'll get there at 1:00.  If my clients show at 2:00 that would be fine, I'll have … (6 comments)

REALTOR® safety issues & how I conduct my business. - 11/02/07 06:58 AM
When I was growing up in Macomb County it was a different time in theworld, and a much safer environment for us all to live in.  We stayed outuntil the streetlights came on, our parents knew we were "in the area", and we didn't have cell phones to call home and check in.  
In todays world our children play outside with supervision, parentsknow exactly where they are and whom they are with, and have cellphones to use for emergencies and to check in with Mom and Dad.I am a people person.  I thoroughly enjoy the relationship built with my clients and many clients become life … (13 comments)

Chesterfield Township MI real estate market report October 2007 - 11/02/07 06:17 AM
Macomb Countys Chesterfield Township continues to bea strong fixture in the real estate market.
Despite all the negative media and the foreclosure rates in Macomb County, Chesterfield Township homes are selling and at a volume that is a bit higher than last year.
Last year during October twenty-four homes sold in the townshipand the average total days on the market was a whopping 229 days.
As you can see from the chart below, more homes have sold in Chesterfield Township during the same period this year and the days on the market is considerably lower. More homes sold + less days to … (2 comments)

Macomb County Michigan real estate market report October 2007 - 11/02/07 05:40 AM
October of 2007 is over, the fall season is well upon us and the real estate market inMacomb County Michigan is going strong.   Even with the cooler weather and the normalfluctuations that we see in the homes sales in the fall there were many homes andcondos that sold in Macomb County during this period.
The following is gathered from information provided to Mirealsource™ and its participating brokers and real estate agents.  This does not include data fromoutside sources (i.e. local assessors offices, private sales). During the same period in 2006 there were 588 homes that sold in Macomb County.As you can see … (0 comments)

 
Kris

Kris Wales - Macomb County MI real estate blog & homes for sale search site

Macomb, MI

More about me…

Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center

Address: 45609 Village Blvd., Shelby Township, MI, 48315

Office Phone: (586) 536-5453

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A partner for your real estate
needs in Macomb County.

Looking for a full time real
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a decade of experience in
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surrounding areas?  

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I'm a firm believer that the best
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