battle creek realtor: Video Contest: My Entry - 'The Best of Both Worlds' - What do you think? - 05/20/11 11:10 AM
My board of Realtors asked me to compete in a video contest put on by one of the Continuing Education companies our board has an account with.  The contest was for a Realtor to put together a promotional video on themselves, and have it be unique and original. 
Three finalists will be chosen on May 31st, and if I am selected, voting will occur through the month of June and the winner chosen.  If I win, I win a cruise plus a Kodak Camera package and my Board of Realtors, having referred me, wins $1000 and a Kodak camera package.
Here is … (12 comments)

battle creek realtor: Buy a Home in Battle Creek, Michigan - 02/14/11 11:18 AM
If you are looking to buy a home in Battle Creek, Michigan or anywhere in Southwest Michigan there is a lot of great opportunity right now for first time home buyers.  Despite what you hear in the media about the ‘housing crisis' there is still a lot of good news that seldom gets the spot light shined on it. 
If you made it your New Year's goal to buy a home in Battle Creek, Michigan or elsewhere, then you should be excited about the times we live in.  Home values have not been this low in many decades, and interest rates … (1 comments)

battle creek realtor: Land Contract Homes Sales in Michigan - 12/12/10 11:29 AM
Land Contract home sales in Michigan at times reflects about 18% of the annual homes sales across the State.  Land Contract home sales in Michigan are popular because Michigan has favorable laws regarding this type of home sale, and it provides an option for buying a home if your credit standing is in poor condition.
A Land Contract (sometimes called a ‘Contract for Deed') is essentially a private sale of a home where a down payment is made, and monthly payments are made to the seller which include interest and principle.  When the contract is fulfilled the seller is legally obligated … (1 comments)

battle creek realtor: Snow Falling in Battle Creek, Michigan - 12/08/10 05:30 PM
Snow falling in Battle Creek, Michigan is something that we who live here come to expect.  It is now December 2010, and although we have been somewhat pardoned this season from having snow until now, it is kind of hard to get into the holiday spirit when there is none of the white stuff coming down or on the ground.
Snow falling in Battle Creek, Michigan brings about a natural cleanliness to the landscape, and an ambience that is peaceful to behold.  Sure, it is a time that we dig out winter coats from the back of the closet, and scramble … (0 comments)

battle creek realtor: Getting a Little Help on the Road to Home Ownership - 11/27/10 11:31 AM
According to poll results from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, the principal barrier to homeownership is accumulating the money needed for a down payment and closing costs.
Of the more than 2,000 poll respondents, only 12 percent said they'd have no problem coming up with a 20 percent down payment, while 49 percent of those polled say they would never be able to save that much.
The National Association of Realtors® research found that 61 percent of recent home buyers relied on savings as a source for their down payment and 22 percent were helped by a gift from a … (3 comments)

battle creek realtor: Home Ownership: Still the American Dream - 11/26/10 12:10 PM
Despite attacks by national media pundits and critics in recent months on the value of home ownership and whether it's still the American Dream, the idea of home and the goal of homeownership continues to resonate with a majority of people from all walks of life.
For proof, look no further than the Country Music Awards.   Country singer Miranda Lambert's song "The House that Built Me" won the award for Single of the Year.  A sample of the lyrics reinforces the importance of home:
"Mama cut out pictures of houses for you... From Better Homes and Gardens magazine... Plans were drawn … (6 comments)

battle creek realtor: A Certified Residential Specialist in Battle Creek, Michigan - 11/19/10 07:44 PM
When I became a Certified Residential Specialist in Battle Creek, Michigan there were only ten Realtors in town that had achieved this designation from the Council of Residential Specialists.  Today, there are only six remaining.  The other four appear to have moved away from the Battle Creek area. 
What is a Certified Residential Specialist in Battle Creek?  A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is a REALTOR® that has earned this certification from the Counsel of Residential Specialists by completing a rigorous course of advanced training on Real Estate, and by meeting significant experience requirements. 
It's a rare combination that makes a Certified … (0 comments)

battle creek realtor: Single Family Housing in Battle Creek, Michigan - 11/17/10 09:01 PM
Single family housing in Battle Creek is the general term used for homes that are a one family home.  This can be defined as any sized home that can comfortably house 1-5 people, but is more often defined as any single group of people living as a family in a single home, as opposed to a ‘multi-family' home which would be like an apartment building as an example. 
Single family housing in Battle Creek can be a free standing home, or a condominium.  When one mentions ‘Single family housing in Battle Creek' one typically thinks about a free standing house in … (0 comments)

battle creek realtor: Owning a Home in Battle Creek, Michigan - 11/17/10 08:50 PM
Owning a home in Battle Creek, Michigan is a desirable goal for anyone who is currently renting.  If you write that check to a landlord each month, and ever have the thought that it would be nice if you could just keep the money, then you should consider owning a home. 
Owning a home in Battle Creek, or anywhere, is essentially the same as renting each month, but you are buying something tangible with your monthly payments.  When you rent, you are buying time, or as it could be better defined ‘Time to remain where you are'. 
So owning a home … (0 comments)

battle creek realtor: FHA Loan Programs in Battle Creek, Michigan - 11/15/10 09:41 AM
Many home buyers are using FHA loan programs in Battle Creek, Michigan on their first home purchase.  The FHA loan allows buyers to get into a home with a low down payment of 3 ½ % of the purchase price.
So for example, if a buyer is seeking to purchase a home at the price of $100,000, the required down payment would be 3 ½ % of $100,000, which is $3500.  Most conventional loan programs require on the low end 5% and on the high end as much as 25% or 30% down.  So you can see the savings right there … (0 comments)

battle creek realtor: The Battle Creek Downtown Transformation - 11/14/10 12:23 PM
The city of Battle Creek has been working on a project called ‘Battle Creek downtown transformation' which is a plan for revitalization for the city.  The plan includes an $85 Million dollar project for redeveloping the downtown area with improved curb appeal. 
Part of the project involves the Kellogg Corporation establishment of the Food Production Training Institute and the Global Food Production Institute.  The plan also includes an expanded presence of the Kellogg Company in downtown, and their continued expertise in food and nutrition research.  The business of food science and research is the core of the development plan, and is … (4 comments)

battle creek realtor: Selling a Home in Battle Creek - 10/17/10 11:22 AM
Selling a home in Battle Creek takes a Realtor that knows the market place, and one that can makes sure the seller prices the home correctly.  The first two weeks of being on the market are the most vital in determining whether a home is priced correctly. 
Far too many homeowners when selling a home in Battle Creek are not fully aware of present market conditions, and often insist on pricing their home out of market range.  When selling a home in Battle Creek I cannot emphasize the importance of price enough. 
I have provided a graph here of current information … (2 comments)

battle creek realtor: Michael Delaware wins 'Realtor of the Year 2010' - 10/13/10 06:36 PM
Michael Delaware wins Realtor of the Year 2010 for the Battle Creek Area Association of Realtors.  Yes, this is Michael Delaware writing this blog post, and yes I am tooting my own horn on this.  However, I long since realized that if I do not toot my own horn, it is not likely that anyone else will toot it for me. The photo on the left here is me receiving the award from the 2008 winner, Mark Brown.
Today I was recognized for my achievements in the field of Real Estate in my area by my colleagues in the Battle Creek Area … (10 comments)

battle creek realtor: Stop Renting and Start Owning in Battle Creek, Michigan - 07/30/10 07:09 PM
Stop renting and start owning in Battle Creek, Michigan.  Do you know what it takes to make the transition from being a continual renter, to a happy homeowner?  It takes a change of mindset in your life, and decision to work towards that goal. 
Stop renting and start owning, in Battle Creek, Michigan!  You can become a homeowner.  Oh, sure, there may be some hurdles you will have to overcome.  However, it can be done. 
Working with an experienced Realtor is a great way to start.  Sometimes I do a lot of coaching in my job.  I coach renters to stop … (2 comments)

battle creek realtor: Moving to Battle Creek, Michigan? - 07/30/10 06:38 PM
Moving to Battle Creek, Michigan? 
Are you moving to Battle Creek, Michigan and you don't know where to start looking for a home?  Perhaps you just want to get familiar with the City, and learn the lay of the land, so to speak? 
Well, I thought I would offer some help to those moving to Battle Creek, Michigan in terms of getting to know our community. 
We have some great hotels in the area, mostly along Beckley Road.  Those would be the ones I would land in, if I were moving to Battle Creek.  We have a great downtown, complete with … (0 comments)

battle creek realtor: Buying a Home in Battle Creek, Michigan - 07/26/10 03:55 PM
BUYING A HOME IN BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN...
Are you thinking about buying a home in Battle Creek, Michigan?  It is a great community to live in, without the large noise that comes with a big city.  At nights we hear trains going through our town, and in the summer we have balloons crossing our skies. 
Throughout your time here, you will smell cereal at some point being made at one of the local factories of Kellogg, Post or Ralston.  The city has beautiful parks, rivers, churches, and is all in all a great community of people.
Buying a home in Battle … (1 comments)

battle creek realtor: Looking for a Battle Creek, Michigan Realtor? - 07/26/10 11:15 AM
Looking for a Battle Creek Michigan Realtor?
If you are looking for a Battle Creek Michigan Realtor, you found one.  I have sold many hundreds of homes in the Battle Creek, and surrounding area and I know the market. 
Whether you are looking for a Battle Creek Michigan Realtor that can show you investment properties, your first home in the area, or need help for a family member, I have the pulse of the area.  I am very active in my local Board of Realtors, and was recently elected as the incoming President of the Board of the Battle Creek Area … (0 comments)

 
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Michael Delaware

Battle Creek, MI

More about me…

Troxel Realty Co. LLC

Address: 720 Capital Ave SW, Battle Creek, MI, 49015

Office Phone: (269) 968-9293 x 211

Cell Phone: (269) 274-6102

Email Me

I enjoying looking at the lighter side of life. So, this blog is about my wacky observations, my sometimes sideways point of view and the Southwest Michigan, Battle Creek Area Real Estate Market.

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