randy ostrander: What in the Hunter Were you Thinking? - 11/13/10 05:04 PM
Had a showing yesterday at a beautiful log home I have listed. Showing was going really well all through the home. They loved the logs, the joinery and all the detail my builder had put into the home. We walked the land (all 40 acres of it) and I remember thinking we were on our way to a good offer. Last thing to check out was the huge pole barn. We chatted on the way out to the barn and once inside the husband and i were chatting about what all he could do with such a space when his wife … (5 comments)

randy ostrander: Veteran's Day Wishes - 11/11/10 05:16 AM

Take a minute out today to think about the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us to live with the freedoms we enjoy. If you are near Big Rapids, MI tonight stop by Highland View Cemetery around 6pm as the graves of over 800 veterans will have lit luminaries honoring them. There will be a brief ceremony then a drive through. Thank you to all the men and women who daily serve our country and I hope to see some of you tonight. Best of luck in all you do and thanks for reading.
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randy ostrander: Last Chance to Move Hunting Parcels - 11/07/10 09:06 PM

This is the last week before deer hunting opens in Michigan. Usually hunting property accounts for about a quarter of my business and this year has been a little down so I am hoping everyone is just waiting till the last minute to score their parcel. Even the vacant land buyers are looking for that amazing deal and there just aren't that many out there. Enough to make the price seem high on normal parcels. Typically here in West Central Michigan you can expect to pay between $1,500-$1,800 an acre for nicely wooded hunting land but there are always the scrub … (1 comments)

randy ostrander: Veterans Day Tribute in Big Rapids, MI - 11/07/10 05:32 PM
This year the Big Rapids Greater Federation of Women's Club is holding a Veterans Day Luminary Tribute at Highland View Cemetery. The GFWC will light more than 800 luminaries on each veteran's grave site in the cemetery on Veteran's Day. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call Shelly McHugh 231-796-6453. What a great way to pay tribute to those who were willing to give it all for us. Best of luck in all you do and thanks for reading. 

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randy ostrander: Breakfast with the Bob in Big Rapids, MI - 11/05/10 09:05 AM
Probably my favorite place for breakfast in Big Rapids would be our local Bob Evans restaurant. It is always nice to go to a place that not only knows you but makes you feel special every visit. My wife and I have breakfast there every Friday ad are impressed with each visit. This morning they were mentioning a new program Bob Evans is doing where you can buy a full dinner for 8 for under $75.00 and donate it to a local family they may not have a Thanksgiving dinner any other way. This time of year we are all overwhelmed … (1 comments)

randy ostrander: Log Home Auction Today in Sears, Michigan - 10/30/10 06:34 AM
Today I will be experiencing my first attempt at auctioning one of my listings. I have been to a few on the buyers side but now I will see it from the sellers point of view. With the economy still struggling we are always looking for ways to move homes so when the auction company approached us we decided to give it a try. We have a beautiful log home on 40 acres with a low starting bid so we will see how it goes. IF you are around Sears, MI stop on in. Anyone with tips or things to watch … (4 comments)

randy ostrander: Ribbon Cutting at MC Cares in Big Rapids, MI - 10/29/10 07:18 AM

Yesterday's Ribbon Cutting at Mecosta County CARES (Companion Animal Resource/Education Society) introduced me to another great bunch of people dedicated to helping. From their FaceBook page I found this snippet that give us all a glimpse into what they do.
Mecosta County CARES (Companion Animal Resource/Education Society) was founded in 1998. Our goals are to work towards ending pet overpopulation, to work to provide education promoting responsible pet ownership in Mecosta County, to raise funds to provide discount spay/neuter certificates for those people adopting dogs from the Mecosta County Animal Shelter or taking in stray or abandoned cats or dogs, … (1 comments)

randy ostrander: Rise and Shine at Jordan-Balkema Law Office in Big Rapids, MI - 10/29/10 06:58 AM
Every month the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce sponser events to help promote area businesses. We have both Rise and Shine events in the morning and Business After Hours in the late afternoon. This months Rse and Shine Event was at Jordan-Balkema Law Office right on Maple Street just East of Michigan. What a beautiful office and with Pere Marquette Catering on the job it was a great start to my day. With all the baby boomers getting ready to retire Elder Law is becoming more important.
The Elder Law professionals at Jordan Balkema Elder Law Center (JBELC), are dedicated … (0 comments)

randy ostrander: Ribbon Cutting at Mighty Muffler in Big Rapids,MI - 10/26/10 03:34 PM
Today, October 26, 2010 the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce gathered for a ribbon cutting at Mighty Muffler located right on Northland Dr in Big Rapids. Brian Hatchew has been in business now about 6 months and reports they are doing well. They do all automotive and truck exhausts including some custom work. They have a website for more info. You can find it Here. They are open Monday through Friday 8am-5:30pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm. Welcome to Big Rapids Brian and Sandy. Best of luck in all you do and thanks for reading.
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randy ostrander: Dealing With the Low Down Realtor Blues. - 10/25/10 07:09 AM
Sometimes I think our career choice should be in a few more country songs along with cheatin spouses and ran away dogs. When our roller coaster is on the up, usually right after a huge commission check, we are in heaven but when we have worked two months on a deal that went south and we aren't quite sure how to pay the light bill we get those blues. The low down Realtor blues. You would think given the number of times we have been through it we would have saved for such an occasion but which deals are about to explode … (10 comments)

randy ostrander: Business After Hours at Hospice of Big Rapids, MI - 10/22/10 12:47 PM
Every month the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce host events for its members to better network together. One of these events is the Business After Hours and this month we had an opportunity to visit Hospice of Michigan in it's Big Rapids location. The speakers for Hospice filled us in on what Hospice is about and how it helps people in their time of need. Their website is a great place to learn more about Hospice and how they work. You can check them out at Hospice of Michigan. If you would like to have your place featured for one … (1 comments)

randy ostrander: Ribbon Cutting for Wenger Insurance Agency in Big Rapids, MI - 10/22/10 12:39 PM
Friday October 22, 2010 Wenger Insurance clebrated another location for their company by holding a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony here in Big Rapids, MI. Wenger has been in business for over 80 years and already has a successful operation in the Baldwin, MI area and decided to expand into the Big Rapids, MI marketplace. Shows a great committment to a community when in these tough economic times they are adding jobs to our area. They offer a full line of insurance products from home/business to health insurance at very competitive rates. Check them out on their website at Wenger Agency. Seth and … (1 comments)

randy ostrander: Ribbon Cutting for LOSB in Big Rapids, MI - 10/22/10 12:31 PM
Lake Osceola State Bank celerbated the opening of another branch office in Big Rapids, MI with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce. Ribbon Cuttings are another great benefit to belonging to the Chamber. While LOSB already has an office in Big Rapids, this location on Perry Street offers a drive thru and convenience to both the Expressway and Ferris State University. Representatives of the bank spoke about how theis branch came to be. LOSB has a great variety of loan products for both presonal and business lines. Check out their website at Lake Osceola … (0 comments)

randy ostrander: Ribbon Cutting At MOISD in Big Rapids, MI - 10/22/10 12:22 PM
The Mecosta Osceola Intermediate School District celebrated the opening of it's addition to Miller Wing with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday Oct 21, 2010. The 15,000 sq. ft. addition will also be used for Allied Health, Public Safety and Computer Aided Design programs. Ribbon cuttings are another great benefit offered by the Mecosta County Area Chamber of Commerce. After the ribbon cutting we were treated to a luncheon by the Culinary Arts department. I had no idea they offered maels and was extremely impressed by the food and overall dining experience. I would rate these guys right up there with the … (0 comments)

randy ostrander: Can't Afford to Buy Shoes - 10/20/10 09:53 AM
In today's market we all are trying things outside of our normal advertising box. I decided I would try Ebay on a nice log home I have listed. Anyone who has tried Ebay knows the page views are great but the actual number of calls is normal. This particular home had extremely good numbers. In the 27 days it was live I had over 7,000 page views and more importantly I had 180 people "watching". That means there were 180 people interested enough to track the auction to the end where they would bid or call. Normally you don't hear from … (4 comments)

randy ostrander: Expiration date...on the seller? - 10/17/10 09:54 AM
When offering on a home our purchase agreements have all sorts of things covered including expiration of offers and such. We offered, they countered, we accepted counter and proceeded towards close. One thing I didn't see coming was the expiration of the seller. Two days before our closing the seller passed away. Didn't see that coming. I was a little ashamed that my first thought was my buyer's inconvenience. I think we tend to be so focused on what fires to put out to get to a closing we lose sight of the players. RIP seller, although I never met you, … (2 comments)

randy ostrander: Who is representing the HUD homes in Michigan? - 10/17/10 09:19 AM
Selling homes is not easy...selling HUD owned homes is even more of a challenge, but lately almost impossible. The last several HUD homes I have sold I had to go through MCB. When I called MCB (Michaelson, Connor and Boul) to ask about a HUD owned property I was told they no longer represent HUD in Michigan. They also didn't know who did. HUD's website still directs people to the MCB site for sales of HUD homes so who knows where we are headed. I have always looked at available HUD homes when searching as there are often great deals there. … (5 comments)

randy ostrander: I see something...Under the sink - 10/12/10 07:42 AM
When I was doing my morning ritual of reading the ActiveRain posts I came across a post by Karen Crowson entitled Under the Sink- Blog About Anything Challenge . It sounded like fun so I decided to see what lurked beneath my sink as it is an area rarely looked at.
If you show homes in a rural setting one thing that is often forgotten during a showing is the quality of the well water. I bought my house long before becoming a Realtor® and one thing that never hit me was to check the water for both taste and chemicals. In … (3 comments)

randy ostrander: Dear Seller, Clean your house. Thanks - 10/08/10 12:01 PM
One of the most talked about and ignored posts has to be about the condition of a home for sale. I have actually had to drop listings that just refuse to clean their act up. Maybe when the inventory was low you could get away with it but now more than ever you really need to clean up your act. Having to step on clothes laying on the floor is not the selling tool you may think...it even offends some people. The question is (at the risk offending many sellers) Does your agent really have to tell you to clean your … (8 comments)

randy ostrander: Safe Bow Season Opener - 10/01/10 06:54 AM
 
Wishing all of my ActiveRain family a safe opening day for bow season here in Michigan. For those who hunt be extra careful climbing in and out of old tree stands and for those who don't be extra careful on the roadways. With all the hunters hitting the woods the deer will be out in full force crossing roads and not always letting us know they are about to cross.

 
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Greenrandy Rainmaker_large

Randy Ostrander-Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

Big Rapids, MI

More about me…

Lake and Lodge Realty LLC

Address: 107 N. Michigan Suite B, Big Rapids, MI, 49307

Office Phone: (231) 796-5253

Cell Phone: (231) 250-9802

Email Me

<!---- start copying here ----->Author Bio: Randy Ostrander, Broker/Owner of Lake and Lodge Realty in Big Rapids, MI covers all of West Central Michigan. He does work weekends so he can be there wheneve you are ready to handle all of your real estate needs. <!-- insert your own bio between the <p> tags ---->


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