kris wales: Fridays are the start of my work week. - 05/15/08 10:39 PM

 
 
Eleven years ago I began my career as a real estate agent.  When I first started I had a wonderful broker, Tony McHugh, who was always available to answer questions and give you a pep talk when needed.  One thing I remember clearly about my time with Tony was his comical way of putting things into perspective.
 
 
Before my coveted license came in the mail to Tonys office he talked to me about coming in to the office to get a feel for things, and to listen and learn from others. I remember that first Friday … (13 comments)

kris wales: What a fun week for the Tigers - 04/27/08 09:29 AM
One of the ways I handled the burnout that I was faced with a week ago was attending the Detroit Tigers ballgame vs. the Texas Ranger  on Wednesday night, courtesy of a good friend of mine.  (Thanks again Brian!)
Yes, that was the game that ended up being what is called a "laugher".  The Tigers hitters appeared to all come out of their slow starts all at once. It was also the game that Curtis Granderson came off the disabled list and the standing ovation he received from the fans gave me chills.   I can't tell you how good it was … (11 comments)

kris wales: Ignore the pre-approval amount - what payment are you comfortable with? - 03/15/08 11:24 PM
I was chatting with a young man the other day that is beginning his home search and we were discussing mortgage pre-approvals. He and his wife had talked with a mortgage lender previously and had been given an amount that they were qualified to purchase.
My comment to him was “Talk about what payment you are comfortable with first, then ask the lender to look at the whole picture and give you a purchase price based upon the mortgage payment you want.”   I think this is so important, more important than the ever quoted “pre- approved amount”.
In Macomb … (22 comments)

kris wales: A nervous Nelly about renewing my drivers license - 03/12/08 11:56 PM
I can't put it off any longer. I have to go to the ever popular Secretary of States officetoday to renew my drivers license.
In Michigan licenses are renewed every 4 years. However if you have had a good drivingrecord it can be done by mail once, and then you have to go in to a branch and renewat the second go-around.
It's been 8 years since I poked my eyes against that black rubber face cradler to takean eye test and read the extremely small text.
It's been 8 years since I took the written "What every driver must know" exam. Duringthe … (17 comments)

kris wales: One-sided-itis: When a contract is favored heavily to one party. - 02/29/08 11:20 PM
Yesterday while going over a VA required offer to purchase contract and various addendums I thought of that word.  One-sided-itis.  I have never, and I mean NEVER, seen a contract more one-sided (of course heavily in favor of the seller) than I have with their mandatory contract to purchase. 
My buyer client and I spent over 2 hours going through the language in this 3 page contract and each time we went through it either she or I found something new that brought into play the simple fact that there was no protection for her as the buyer.
Some of the things we … (15 comments)

kris wales: It's sold? How can that be? - 02/27/08 09:27 PM
A phone call the other day illustrated to me once again how quickly our real estate market here in Macomb County is changing.
The gentleman who called told me that he had been on my website frequently and had his eye on a bank owned home that was on the market. He said that he had been watching it weekly waiting for a price drop before he would call me to ask to see the interior. From the subject line of this article you can all guess what took place. While I was on the phone with him I looked in the … (22 comments)

kris wales: Perhaps now they'll believe. - 02/26/08 10:41 PM
For several years those of us who live in Michigan and work in the real estate industry have been shouting out to anyone that will listen that the housing slump hit us earlier than most areas of the country.
Why did it hit us so hard and so much earlier?  Our economy is different.  The foreclosure woes to hit the Metro Detroit area were for the most part, in my opinion, because of loss of jobs.   While other areas of the country are experiencing housing-bubble bursting and investor foreclosures we were being smacked upside the head with the loss of bread … (18 comments)

kris wales: Homes for sale near Selfridge ANG base. - 02/20/08 12:00 AM
Yesterday while grocery shopping on the base I realized once again what a terrific dutystation it must be for those who are being assigned here.   
Anchor Bay is within view, wonderful school districts for those who have children, terrificrestaurants and a variety of things to do and see and "play" while you have down time.In the coming weeks I will be highlighting all that our wonderful Anchor Bay area has tooffer to those coming in to Selfridge ANG base. In the meantime here are some of the homes that are currently for sale in Chesterfield Township that are available for VA … (3 comments)

kris wales: "Buy this photo" - I got SO excited, then realized I would go broke! - 02/14/08 09:40 PM
In todays local papers (The Detroit News and The Detroit Free Press)  my "official" first day of  spring was formally announced.
My beloved Detroit Tigers are in Lakeland Florida for Spring Training!   There are some terrific photos online, and one I especially would want that showcases our 2 young pitchers, Justin Verlander and new-to-the-Tigers Dontrelle Willis smiling while Justin aims a radar gun at some of his teammates while they throw.
Imagine my total excitement when under the photo there is a link that says:
"Buy this photo"
I went into Oh-I-would-have-some-awesome-blog-photos heaven!  Until I clickedon the link and saw the prices.
$30 for one … (28 comments)

kris wales: It isn't all bad news for Macomb County home sellers! - 02/13/08 10:01 PM
By now you are likely sick of reading all the bashing that our fine state is receivingbecause of the economic conditions caused by job losses in the last several years.I know I am sick of it. I'm a Michigander born and bred. I've raised my familyhere, worked here my entire life, paid my taxes to the State of Michigan, and contributed to the Metro Detroit economy year after year.This morning I did a bit of research and was once again pleasantly surprised at what I found.
As of 6:35 this morning, there are 682 homes that are marked "Pending Sales"in Macomb County … (5 comments)

kris wales: "The Process": An explanation for first time home buyers in Michigan - 12/28/07 11:19 PM
In other areas of the country after you’ve come to a written agreement with the seller of the home you wish to purchase and the processing of the transaction begins it is called “in escrow”. In Michigan we call the work that takes place “The Process.” Ok, not too original, but it works for us. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that you, the buyer, have not encountered before. Different people involved in the transaction and hired by you will be doing their jobs diligently to make sure that the Process runs smoothly and in approximately 30 … (14 comments)

kris wales: Bank owned homes in Chesterfield Township - 12/20/07 10:00 PM
Home buyers are snapping up the bargains in Macomb Countys Chesterfield Township, the "Gateway to Anchor Bay". There are some wonderful homes for sale in the Lanse Creuse school district, the Anchor Bay school district and also in the New Haven school district. For a list of the bank owned - foreclosure homes for sale in Chesterfield Township please click on the links provided below.Homes for sale today under $150,000 Homes for sale today $150,000 - $200,000Homes for sale today over $200,000If you would like more detailed information about these homes or any others that peakyour interest please don't hesitate to … (2 comments)

kris wales: Yes Virginia, homes ARE selling in Chesterfield Township - 12/19/07 10:00 PM
What a cheesy title, but I simply had to do it because of the holiday season AND the good news!There is a real estate market in Macomb County, and once again home owners in Chesterfield Township are seeing their homes sold and new home owners are moving in to our area.
In just the first 15 days of the month several homes and condos have sold, and many more have offers on them and are in the processing stage of the transactions.If you would like specific information regarding the homes that have sold in your neighborhood please don't hesitate to contact me.  … (9 comments)

kris wales: I'm not going anywhere. - 12/14/07 10:16 PM
During my conversations with people in Metro Detroit I hear a recurring theme. How is the real estate business? Are you staying in the industry? Why don’t you get out? I always have mixed emotions when I am asked these questions. The first response is always “Business is different this year”. The second response is “I’m not going anywhere.” The answer to the question “Why don’t you get out?” is much more lengthy. Grab a cup of coffee and I’ll answer it. Michiganders are a tough breed. We celebrate the highs together and ride out the lows as a community. I … (41 comments)

kris wales: We're in the "people" business - that hasn't changed. - 12/12/07 10:07 PM
Yesterday while doing some reminiscing I thought about my first clients. They were a young couple and also new parents.  Mr. Buyer #1 was a surgical resident relocated to this state, his wife a stay at home mom.
Their credit scores were good, although their income was certainly not up to the potential income they would see a few years down the road.  They met with a mortgage lender and it was decided that an FHA loan was the best way for this young couple to proceed.  We also sat down and discussed how property taxes were calculated in Michigan, their … (16 comments)

kris wales: Dear Santa - yes, it's me again - I forgot something! - 12/09/07 09:11 PM
We're into the 2nd week of December and I have to tell you, I wish there were 30 hour days through the rest of the month.My favorite holiday decorations aren't up.  I've only managed to put up my little "wannabe" tree  think Charlie Brown'ish), a few candles and my nativity set.Baking?  I haven't had time to shop for the ingredients.  I am proud of myself though, I do have the shopping list made.  I've also found some great recipes here and have added some of them to my holiday menu . Halloween and Thanksgiving went by in a whirl!  I was … (28 comments)

kris wales: Bring the kids - they're a big part of the home buying process! - 12/07/07 08:40 PM
We're loaded with the information on the homes you'll view today, our appointments are confirmed, and one of the next questions you may have is "Is it ok to bring the kids?"
Of course!I'm a mom.  Some of the sellers are parents.  We all know how important the home buying process is to the children. They feel the stress of a move sometimes even more than the parents do.  It can be scary for little ones as they are creatures of habit and thrive on stability.  Let's involve the children in the new home search right away.  If your children are old … (23 comments)

kris wales: For the Florida Marlins fans from a Detroit Tigers fan(atic) - 12/05/07 09:43 PM
Yesterday I had mixed feelings about the trade.   So much has been said and discussed on our local sports stations and talk shows, and much more written in our local papers and blogs.
You're also experiencing much the same thing I would imagine.   What I'd like to do however is tell you a little bit about 2 of the young men that you will be seeing this spring from my own personal observation.Andrew Miller is a young kid that is tall and lanky and your first instinct will be to want to take him home and feed him.  One of the … (16 comments)

kris wales: Dear Santa... - 11/28/07 11:02 PM
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)

kris wales: Chesterfield Township full brick ranch - $159,885 - 11/26/07 09:07 PM
(10 comments)

 
Kris Wales, Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI (Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center)

Kris Wales

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: (586) 536-5453

A partner for your real estate
needs in Macomb County.


Looking for a full time real
estate professional with over
a decade of experience in
Macomb County MI and it's
surrounding areas?  

Feel free to get to know me and
how I conduct my business by
reading here and visiting
 Chataboutmacomb.com and
Macombhomes.com

I'm a firm believer that the best
real estate relationship is a
partnership. We work together
to achieve your goals - whether
it be in purchasing your first
home or selling your present
home to purchase another or
to relocate.

Please feel free to email me at
any time. I would enjoy chatting
with you and getting to know you.


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