michelle gordon: Not all Lenders are Equal, Closing Cost Danger! - 01/10/12 11:18 PM

During a recent interview with Jason Jenkins from First Place Financial in Grand Rapids, Michigan I was reminded of the gaping differences in lender costs. Jason really re-enforced the fact that lenders are not all created equal, nor are closing costs or pre paid fees.
When you are securing financing to purchase a home, not only will you want to consider the type of service you will be getting from your lender, you will also want to get very specific about closing and pre paid costs.
Many people think that closing and pre paid costs will be covered by … (0 comments)

michelle gordon: Email etiquette - 08/06/11 07:22 AM
I have been using email for business for nearly 30 years now.  I remember when it was installed at our office.  It was a big deal!  My boss at the time was in awe of all the new technology and wanted everything he could get his hands on. 
 
After it was installed he had a mandatory class for all of us, to learn how to e-mail and the proper way to use it.
 
Today – we have instant messenger – texting – Facebook messages, so many forms of communications where the shortening of words and sentences is expectable.  So … (4 comments)

michelle gordon: Doors, yes they are important to the staging of the home. - 02/18/11 12:58 AM
My husband I went shopping for a new home about a year ago.  I think every agent should have to do this every 5 years as a reminder - what it is like to shop for a home for your self.  It was a great reminder to me, feelings of leaving my home I have lived in for about 9 years, plus how I felt looking at possible homes for us to purchase.  Which I have to admit is a different feeling then looking at a home as an agent - getting ready to list.  
 
The end of the … (5 comments)

michelle gordon: Give me a 2nd chance - 01/26/11 01:08 AM
Sometimes I wish the banks would allow the Short Sale listing agent the opportunity to sell the home as a REO.
I have about a 70 percent return rate on short sales.  Even though I am certified as a short sale agent, I do not do a lot of marketing for this kind of business, but I do list them.
Usually it is a referral of a past customer or friend; is how I get these listings.  I do try everything in my power to get it sold, and market it just like any other listing.  I work very hard to … (3 comments)

michelle gordon: Another great day with the Keller Williams Family - 10/15/10 01:26 AM
Yesterday I had the privilege and honor to attend the ALC workshop in Livonia Michigan.  
Another great day with agents from our Michigan and Northern Ohio region.  Another day, that confirms my choice to be a Keller Williams agent. And I am not easily pleased!  Or can stay satisfied for a long period of time with out change.  Just ask my husband!
In some ways my relationship with Keller Williams Realty is much like the one I have with my husband ( who I have been married to almost 21 years).  
Status Quo has never been okay with me. … (3 comments)

michelle gordon: If the shoe fits.................. - 02/09/10 01:02 PM
My husband bought me a pair of boots 2 years ago for Christmas.  Now he bought these for me because my VERY old Ugg boots needed to be replaced and I refused to replace them.  That after Pamela Anderson wore them my $80.00 boots went up in price, now $200.00.  And this made me mad.  It did not cost them any more to produce them after she wore them.  However, everyone wanted to wear them because she did.
So my husband bought me a pair of Coach boots. Now you have to understand I have a thing about wearing name brand stuff.  I … (6 comments)

michelle gordon: Home buyers Tax Credit - Will they extend again? - 02/03/10 11:14 PM
I received an interesting article from a local lender here.............Jason Jenkins with MetLife about the home buyers credit.
This article is very interesting...........John Burns, president of John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC),  suggest that we may not be on stable ground this summer and therefore will extend the credit.
I have very mixed feelings about the subject..............I do feel it gave us a boost and changed the way people think; to a more positive out look.  I am not all that sure we need to keep extending the credit as I feel this just may be a band aid and not a … (1 comments)

michelle gordon: You know you are from Michigan when................ - 10/06/09 02:22 AM
I would like to start a blog about you know you are from Michigan when you buy and/or sell a home and.............
I am hoping every one will comment on this, as I think this is great way to let people know who are moving here from out of state what to expect, but in a humorous way.  Must be real estate related.
Having relocated here about 9 years ago and have lived many other places in the past, it is very clear to me just some 'traditions" if you will, are expected or accepted here in the state of Michigan … (2 comments)

michelle gordon: Time to get down and dirty with FLOW and WCR - 09/16/09 12:17 AM
WOW!  We have a great line up of landscapers this year!!! Scenic Expressions, Wildwood, Frontier Lawn and Landscape, Wabeke, Harder and Warner, Signature Out Door Concepts, Bakhuyzen Landscape and WCR is doing one.
The WCR yard is getting landscaped on Tuesday at noon.  Enchanted Gardener is coming in behind us and spreading mulch and making it pretty, they do the soft scape. They are a great supplier for low cost curb appeal.
We usually do not do back yards........however, one home owner has a dirt pile for a back yard.........so with a donation of top soil from Romence and Sod from AAA Turf we … (3 comments)

michelle gordon: HUD changes rules in MID Stream!!!!! - 09/09/09 10:37 AM
New news, not sure how they are getting away with it but here is a paste and copy from e-mail converstaion............so beware before putting in offer with a FHA loan.
ME:
Hi Jeff,  
Me again!  Just got word that HUD will only pay up to 4,000 worth of painting?????  So there homes now offered on line that need more then that and are offered as FHA, but clearly can not go FHA as we cannot stabilize...........one of my fellow associates had a ratified contract and they took it back!!!!!!!  How can that be after it was advertised and sold that … (1 comments)

michelle gordon: It is Garden Party time! - 09/09/09 12:14 AM
On behalf of the FLOW Garden Party Committee I want to invite you all to the 2nd Annual
FLOW- Friends Landscaping Our World Garden Party and Tour.  
To get information and tickets:  
Date:     September 25th
Where:  Mangiamo 1033 Lake Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
 Time:    3:30- 6:00pm
Cost:    $25 for the Garden Party, $30 includes the Tour on Sat. Contact: Daniell Rowland              danielle@daniellerowland.com             616-893-8450
What will we do?  Well, appitizers will be served, cash bar or course, local artist auction and Bocce ball will be played..........rain or shine as the tents will be up in the back yard!  … (2 comments)

michelle gordon: Keller Williams Realty - Grand Rapids MI - We ROCK! - 07/14/09 08:00 AM
Did you know this about Keller Williams Grand Rapids, MI office?
 
•·        That February of 2008 through January of 2009 we were #33 out of 700 KW Market Centers in the country?
•·        That Year to Date (May) we are #1 in our Region out of 29 Market Centers?
•·        That Year to Date (May) our PROFIT SHARE is more than YTD last year?
•·        That in the latest "Real Trends Report" (February 2008), we are # 239 out of the top 500 Largest Brokers in the U.S. for closed transactions and #285 for closed sales?
•·        That Year to … (0 comments)

michelle gordon: Are dates on contracts become just a suggestion? - 07/09/09 12:54 AM
I wonder in this market environment of REO's and Short sales where we tend to "forgive" contract dates or leave them off totally due to the bank will respond when the bank will respond, has made us tolerant and/or slack in honoring contract dates with "regular" sales.
Not that I get too many "regular" sales these days, but when I do, I conduct business as I was once trained and honor all dates stipulated on the contract.
I do get the home inspections done in 10 days, I do put a date on the counter offer as to when the buyer/seller needs … (0 comments)

michelle gordon: Silently waiting to sell or buy in EGR, Michigan - 03/22/09 07:21 AM
I live in EGR, so this should not surprise me, most homes here are sold by word of mouth. However after my listing hit the MLS I was amazed to find out just how many "renters" are in the area that are just waiting for the right home to come a long.  Some have been waiting for over a year.  Most of these people do not have a buyers agent as well.
Now, after sending out an e-mail to fellow agents (I must admit I do very well at the net working) seeing if there are any homes that could be sold, … (2 comments)

michelle gordon: Spring market is here and offers are flying! - 03/17/09 11:53 PM
WOW!  Real Estate is moving.  Homes are selling, buyers are coming out of a very long hibernation!  I consider myself a very aggressive buyers agent when I need to be.  I love the fight and I love to compete for a home.  However I have had not much opportunity in the past few years to compete for a home, as I have always had the only buyer. 
Not this spring.  I have had several offers in where I was one of many bidding on a home.  I won a few and lost a few............However, the ones I lost the homes were … (0 comments)

michelle gordon: 910 Pinecrest - EGR New listing - 369,000 - 03/17/09 11:26 PM
The street everyone wants to live on! 

This is the home you have been waiting for! Pinecrest Ave, one of the most desirable streets in EGR due to location. Children walk to the Elementary School, Middle School , and the High School is only ten houses down the street! Walk to Gaslight Village to shop, dine, or community events. Friday night football games are "the" popular event or enjoy the beauty of Collins Park on Reeds Lake. This home boasts over 3,000 square foot spacious of living area! A great home to open up and entertain in or to close … (0 comments)

michelle gordon: A great question! - 02/15/09 12:16 AM
I was looking for a new quote for my facebook page when I stumbled on this one:
 
What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?- Dr. Robert Schuller
What a great question and I would love to hear your answers..............mine would be ....................
Launch a singing career!  I love to sing, not sure everyone wants to hear me!  I think it is so great to see live concerts and to know the pleasure that artist brings to people who come to hear them.  It must be such an over whelming feeling of accomplishment to know … (10 comments)

michelle gordon: Part 4 home buying - What to do after the offer has been excepted - 02/14/09 10:49 PM
If you have stumbled on this blog 1st go to step one.
 
Congratulations your offer has been excepted!  Now this is where things can get a little tricky and you need a buyers agent to see you through allthe details. 
If a "regular sale"  meaning not banked owned or short sale and you have written your purchase agreement on a current GRAR purchase agreement, you will have 10 days for inspections.  This is NOT business days.  There are many home inspectors to choose from and they are not all the same.  They all offer many different services with various cost.  … (0 comments)

michelle gordon: Part 3 home buying - Preparing to put an offer on the home - 02/05/09 11:39 PM
If you stumbled on this blog first go to part one.
Okay per part 2 we have narrowed down the search to 3 of our favorite homes and now we are researching the logistics of the homes. 
What is the status of each home?  Meaning:
Short Sale:  Have they started negotiations with the bank?  Are you the 1st offer in?  How much time is left before foreclosure is assumed? The best advise I can give my clients/buyers on a short sale is be prepared for the long haul.  It can and has taken up to 6 months to close a short sale … (0 comments)

michelle gordon: Turn of the centry home - EGR - Just listed - 02/02/09 10:01 AM
This turn of the century home has all the charm and exceptional workmanship you would expect and want in a 1920's home. Quality and style you just do not usually find in a newly constructed home. The breeze way entrance has closets on either side that go very deep, room for all your winter coats and boots. The grand entry way staircase is boosting with nostalgia and warmth. So appealing you will just stand in awe. The rooms are much larger then you would expect. The Kitchen is huge with a built in snack bar. However a large formal dinning room … (4 comments)