michgian: SEV VS Home Market Value - 08/05/17 05:29 AM
Very interesting topic as I am explaining this a lot
Why a home may sell more or less than its SEV.
 
A few definitions before we start
 
SEV - State Equalized Value - According to LARA (Department of licensing and Regulatory affairs)  this is One half (1/2) of your property's true cash value. We will discuss why this is no longer the case.
 
Taxable Value - The value used to calculate your property taxes. A property's taxable value can only increase annually by the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less, unless there is an addition to the property (i.e., … (0 comments)

michgian: How to break your Realtors heart - 01/09/17 04:53 AM
How you can break your Realtors heart by leaving us out - we have feelings too!
I have to think this would apply to most professions that work on commission.  I honestly think most consumers just don't think of it, a very honest mistake.  Commission sales means we do not get paid unless we sell and close on something. Referrals are huge in our business. Repeat clients and referrals keeps bread on the table. My family is very big on loyalty, we actually will pay a bit more for service we trust, and will stay with our service provider till they prove we should not.  (rarely … (5 comments)

michgian: The Art of Offer Writing - 04/28/16 09:10 PM
In this market, where there are multiple offers on a home, the way the offer is written is essential to the process. Not just what is written but how it is written.
 
We consider this an art form. Writing and offer that a homeowner will fall in love with is key to the winning, and sometimes if written well enough - price is not the only deciding factor.
 
Here are some quick tips to make sure your offer is taken seriously and a strong consideration.
 
Clean neat written offer - best if typed.
No terms scribble out - if you … (2 comments)

michgian: 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)

michgian: OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 1018 San Jose EGR, Michigan - 06/24/09 02:00 AM
Come one! Come all!!!!  A Great home in East Grand Rapids.  Click on the link and have a look see what this house has to offer............interactive floor plan available as well...........put your furniture in this house and see before hand how it will all work out!  Then visit us in person this Sunday!!!!
 
http://photoplan.planomatic.com/3508
… (3 comments)

michgian: 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)

michgian: 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)

michgian: 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)

michgian: To reduce your SEV or Not - that is the question! - 02/08/09 11:47 PM
As realtor, I wonder what the long term effects are going to be by reducing our assessed values. For those of us that are planning on being in our home for a long time, the reduction in property taxes is all we are worried about. 
 However, for those who will want to step up in a few years.......how this will affect the neighborhoods value and listing price. 
Yes we are declining in value and the neighbors are already affected.  But one day we will come out of this and return to a "regular" market.  However we would have reduced the assessed … (1 comments)

michgian: 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)

michgian: 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)

michgian: 1118 Myrtle NW - Open house Sunday 03/15/09 2-4pm - 01/30/09 12:43 AM
The listing is in, and we are waiting for it to go live on GRAR!  However active rain readers will hear about it first.  Till then you can look at the old listing on GRAR................but now offered at $95,000!  Open house is scheduled for 02/08/2009 2-4 pm...........we are not waisting any time and are eager to sell:

Details:
What a great time to buy and what a great place to call home.  This 3 bedroom home is as cute as it could be and priced for a quick sale.  The owners paid much more for the home 3 years ago, … (0 comments)

michgian: Keller Williams Realty makes the news - 01/28/09 11:29 PM
WOW!  This articlefrom RISmedia is great.............may I just say how proud I am again to be an agent for Keller Williams Realty.
Some of the highlights from the article are:
We are dept free KW gave back 30 million in profit sharing 4th largest Real Estate company in North America and the big one:
Keller Williams Realty was founded 25 years ago in a market much like today's market- the only difference was the interest rates were 18 percent!!!  Can you imagine?  And we complain when they go up past 6.5 percent! HA!
Congratulations to all of the Keller Williams agents … (0 comments)

michgian: Valentines dinner and dance at Naya Bistro - 01/19/09 11:34 PM
Are looking for somewhere to celebrate the holiday?
Well look no further...............February 12, 2009 Thursday, join WCR Western Michigan Chapter at Naya.  What a blast we will have!
Chefs table of 3 courses and paired wine............then Salsa dancing instruction - then the Salsa DJ will play on for a night of dancing!
Now I know we are looking to shed some pounds after the holiday's............so this is a guilt free evening.  Yes you will have a great dinner, but the dancing that will be had after wards will help take off the calories............
So you might say this dinner celebration is good … (0 comments)

michgian: A way to donate to F.L.O.W. with everyday shopping - 12/30/08 04:19 AM
A site that has been seen on Oprah has approved us a a charity!  For you on line shoppers check out this site.
They have everything.............flights, hotels, office supplies and at a discount!  so it s a win-win for everyone!
Also may be good for your local charity as well! 
 

 
 
 
… (2 comments)

michgian: Forest Hills - Cascade Township - Great location - 12/28/08 01:08 AM
The weather may be frightful, but interest rates are delightful!  What a great home that sits on a 3/4 acre picture perfect lot, that is right across the street form a million dollar home.  One thing has not changed in Real Estate.........location, location and location!
Click on the house for more pictures:
Interactive FloorPlan Presentation
 
… (3 comments)

michgian: 2105 Paris Ave SE - We are hot again! - 12/28/08 01:00 AM
This home is starting to get a lot of activity!  With great showing feed back.  People are waiting for a bigger drop in interest rates...........which who knows if this will happen, but do not wait too long, come see for yourself what all the hype is about!
Interactive FloorPlan Presentation
Click on the house for more pictures … (2 comments)

michgian: Just call me the Real Estate turtle - Commentary - 12/19/08 12:15 AM
I can remember when I first started selling Real Estate..............April 1st 2002!  My 2nd customer wanted to buy a bank owned home.
Well nobody did these............there was no one to ask "HOW", nor was anyone interested in them.  (In my spear anyway).  So I plugged away to get the job done for my client.
This was the start of what is now my specialty.............Bank Owned homes - buyers agent!  It was amazing to me how fast the word spread that I could/would do these kinds of sales.  Which back then was mostly 1st time home buyers looking for fixer uppers and … (3 comments)

michgian: Relocation - The emotional stress can be avoided - 11/29/08 04:39 PM
Relocation can be very stressful.  Yesterday I was showing my clients home to a couple who is moving here in the next few months.  Their agent had worked very hard to have a nice day of showings, with homes that "fit" their needs.One of the things for sure is they wanted to be in East Grand Rapids.  "He" is moving back..............he has lived  here before and is very excited about moving back.  They are moving here from a large city, and I assume this is where she is from.They had 7 homes to tour, mine being the 7th..................(they had a few … (44 comments)

michgian: I was on the radio this morning - 11/22/08 02:42 AM
1st off a BIG thank you to Rick Vuyst  - WOOD News Radio 1300 - AM: for having me today on
"The Flowerland Show"
They were broadcasting live from Flowerland on 28th street in Kentwood, Michigan.  Taking donations of food from local people.
Rick asked me to stop by and drop off some food and do a 5 minute spot on f.l.o.w.
I have to admit I was a bit nervous...............but boy was that ever fun! 
I enjoyed talking with them and they seemed to be enjoying their jobs!
Kudos's to Rick and "The Flowerland Show" for helping out the community by collecting food! 
Rick is … (0 comments)