Big Rapids Real Estate Blog

Seems like every deal these days is a chore. Most lenders don't really want to lend and underwriters don't really want to underwrite but sometimes it isn't the financial side at all. Working on a deal for about the past couple months and it has been a daily challenge trying to keep it alive.  It ...

When I first started my real estate career everyone had sayings for me and one that stuck was "Lister's Last". In today's market listings are plentiful and fairly easy to obtain but then the real work begins. More often than not the sellers are forced to list at higher than market value meaning w...

Being a Chamber member we are often reminded to buy local here in Big Rapids. We even have a Band of Locals Website to help people find where they can grab extra good deals. Here it is: Band of Locals. What a great program. You pay $10 for a Blue wrist band and it entitles you to all sorts of sav...

Had a closing this week that was a little over due. The buyers were looking for a place for their son to live while attending college and we found a good fit. Made an offer, offer was countered and we accepted. They decided to get a second on their home to purchase and we were on our way to a sea...

I had the opportunity to walk on the other side today. Like most Realtors®, I get my share of people looking for donations for many good causes but find myself trying to be polite and saying "let me think on it" or "I need to discuss it with my partner". A simple no would work but I don't want to...

I'd like to introduce shoppers to Sunrise Haven Estates here in Big Rapids, MI. Located on the Northern end of Big Rapids this development offers easy access to US131 for commutes and only minutes away fro the Downtown area. Sunrise Haven Estates is a planned residential community with 73 lots a...

Wouldn't it be nice if we could opt into a "Do Not Spam" list? I must get close to 200 spam emails a day in my business box that I am forced into sifting through making sure I am not missing an actual email. While the Do Not Call policy isn't perfect it has reduced the number of telemarketers tha...

Sally and David have nailed it with this one. Humorous and yet oh so true. Had to share.Do you play "Let's Start Here"....             It's a popular game that can be played by buyers, sellers and willing agents.The rules are very simple... Pick a number...it can be"from thin air" or if you are a...

I knew when the legal read "Northerly down the center line of a well traveled road" we were in trouble. We paid for a survey had the title company do a search prior to close and of course now 3 months after taking possession a neighbor has laid claim to a small piece of waterfront claiming his su...

Living in a University town, a good part of our real estate sales are students and parents of students looking for housing. I found a perfect house for my students close to campus and even zoned R3 allowing for student rental. We negotiated down to a reasonable price and during our inspection per...