Buddy's Blog

US Department of Treasury Supports Short Sales

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:47:40 -0500

The US Department of Treasury, under the Making Home Afforable program has outlined a standardized process for short sales and will incentivize both the loan servicer and the borrower. This really takes the short sale program from the dark alleys to the front window.

Foreclosure Alternatives for Borrowers Eligilbe for MHA outlines the process and includes "borrower incentives to cover relocation expenses to homes that are affordable" as well as " incentives for servicers to pursue alternatives to foreclosures".

The long term tax issues were wiped out last year and these new developments make much more sense than foreclosure, and can eliminate "strategic foreclosure" in many instances saving taxpayers and homeowners millions by selling these homes as opposed to them sitting vacant.

Borrowers also benefit by not having a foreclosure on their credit history and avoid totally nuking their credit score.

Give us a call 888.767.3380 or email info@changingstreets.com if you are interested in avoiding foreclosure.

Please Vote For Flint Farmers Market!

ChangingStreets.com — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:24:43 -0500

The Flint Farmers Market is leading the " Love My Farmers Market " contest being sponsored by Care2.com and local harvest. The lead may look impressive, 500 votes, but Carrboro is an extremely tough competitor. (for those that do not know Carrboro is basically attached to Chapel Hill, the home of the UNC Tarheels that beat my beloved Spartans in the D for the NCAA title, So a little Flint Style Payback would be good).

Please take a minute and click below to vote, then take another minute to email the link to your friends co-workers, relatives, and more importantly visit the market, you will thank yourself.

Flint Farmers Market Rocks!

Thank You!

Genesee County Home Sales July 2009

ChangingStreets.com — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:16:24 -0500

Only 12 less sales in Genesee County in July of 2009 compared to July of 2008! Not bad all things considered.

According to the Flint Area Association of Realtors MLS service there were 375 sales in Genesee County in July, 2009 at an average sales price of $72,164. In July of 2008 there were 387 sales at an average price of $80,015.

Was there really a 10% price drop? Probably not, there are just so many FLINT foreclosures in very distressed areas selling for less than $10,000.00 that is putting a ton of downward pressure on the macro numbers. It is more of demand shift than a price drop.

Flint Foreclosures For Sale

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:23:37 -0500

Flint MI, Foreclosure listings total over 600 in the Flint area. Do you really want a list that long sent to you or would you rather search with pictures map and value information- with no sign in required? That is what I thought, search Flint foreclosure listings the easy way, get the assistance you want, and work with a group that has sold over 1,000 foreclosed homes in the last three years.

That is Smart, Easy, Sane Forclosured home purchasing.

You can also get a mortgage preapproval!

West Bloomfield Vacant Home Registration.

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:08:32 -0500

West Bloomfield now requires the registering of vacant homes. This is not exclusive to West Bloomfield as other municipalities are searching for revenue. This is what I just received from the North Oakland County Board of Realtors:

Vacant Home Ordinance Recently the Township of West Bloomfield, as well as other Oakland County municipalities, has enacted an ordinance which requires that "vacant" homes MUST be registered with the municipality. There are fees involved when registering such a property, as well as fees involved when such a property is not registered. If the fees become delinquent, they could become a lien on the property similar to assessments for weed cutting, garbage, etc. For example, the West Bloomfield ordinance contains many requirements which you should be aware of. For instance, the property management company must be located within 30 miles of the subject property. It also provides for inspections and issuance of "new" certificate(s) of occupancy. Should you require a copy of the West Bloomfield ordinance please let us know.

Lovely!

This is still not as good as the City of Detroit putting stickers on the doors of vacant homes notifying owners of violations. If the violations are not done in 24 hours the City of Detroit will do them and charge the owner! Seriously!

Michigan has lakes, great infrastructure and pathetic politicians...text me your opinion : ) lol.

Vote for Your Farmers Market!

ChangingStreets.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:48:15 -0500

Flint Farmers market is in first place in the Care2.com farmers market contest based on visitor voting. The winning market not only gets the honor of being voted the nations number one farmers market but the also receive $5,000.00 to improve the market!

Not only is Flint standing tall but, Port Austin, Holland, Mt Clemens and Royal Oak Farmers markets are all in the top 50! pretty outstanding.

You can vote for your favorite farmers market at www.Care2.com, the farmers market contest is on the right!

Lake Fenton Homes For Sale, Fenton MI

ChangingStreets.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:36:59 -0500

Searching Lake Fenton Homes is one of my favorite passtimes. Having lived on the lake for four years and being in the is business I can tell you that one of the greatest pastimes on Lake Fenton is real estate gossip! Most of it is false. And the number one lesson is just because the home is listed for that....well, it means nothing!

There are currently 53 homes on Lake Fenton for sale, there are some screaming deals, some amazingly overpriced homes and some that will definately test the bottom of the market. The only thing for sure when speaking about Lake Fenton Homes for sale is that they are only worth what someone will pay!

Click here to see all the waterfront homes for sale in Fenton.

Grand Blanc Homes, Market Report

ChangingStreets.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:05:45 -0500

There are currently 502 Grand Blanc, MI homes for sale. This is less than a 12 months supply which is coming down. Through the end of July 2008 there were 246 Homes sold in Grand Blanc, vs. 319 Grand Blanc Homes sold this year to date.

The other interesting part is the number of Grand Blanc MI luxury homes sold. While last year only one home listed over $500,000 sold this year three have already closed and another is pending.

January 1- July 30, 2008

Number of Homes Sold in Grand Blanc: 246

Average List Price of Homes Sold in Grand Blanc: $154,742.00

Average Selling Price of Homes Sold in Grand Blanc: $148,044.00

Average Size: 1852 square feet.

January 1- July 30, 2009

Number of Homes Sold in Grand Blanc: 319

Average List Price of Homes Sold in Grand Blanc: $127,323.00

Average Sales Price of Homes Sold in Grand Blanc: $118,558.00

Average Size: 1927

There are some screaming deals when it comes to Homes for Sale in Grand Blanc, over 41 homes are currently on the market for under $50,000 and what you can buy for $200,000 is crazy, (the same house was over $325,000 only 30 months ago).

Michigan Short Sales

ChangingStreets.com — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:04:09 -0500

Short Sales in Michigan have become very common. The banks see short sales as a great alternative to foreclosure and sellers can benefit from selling a home worth less than the mortgage. That is the happy side!

Performing a short sale in Michigan takes expertice, patience and a ton of knowledge. A short sale is asking the bank to accept a payoff on a mortgage less than the current balance. There is much due dilligence that needs to be done for a short sale to be successful. A seasoned perfessional can make this happen, an inexperienced agent can make it a nitemare. As an agent and a broker I have been involved in both, unfortunately more nitemares than professional experiences. With those experiences in mind, and knowing we did not currently have the horsepower to perform short sales and provide clients with Smart, Easy, Sane experiences we went out and found us a very experienced bank agent, Ryan McFarlane.

Ryan is heading up the ChangingStreets.com Michigan Short Sale division. His team has worked with banks on over a thousand transactions, they have the horsepower we lacked in the past.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to sell your home and the mortgage balance is higher than the value you need to speak to our Short Sale team. We do not get paid until closing and it will be no cash out of your pocket. To find out more about how you can avoid foreclosure give us a call.

ChangingStreets.com Short Sale team

810.733.3374

Info@changingstreets.com

Summer Time, Lake Time!

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:57:11 -0500

There is nothing better than coming home from work to the lake. 30 minutes after leaving my office I am on the boat taking a cruise to unwind and take the kids to swim. It is amazing, I did the lake house thing three years ago, a really solid move for my family. Early morning kayaking, weekend skiing, evening cruises, jumping off the dock...it is good.

One of the good things about todays market is that there are again some pretty affordable options when it comes to lake living. This segment of the market has been on fire for the last 10 years and has cooled and prices (like me ) have relaxed. There is no doubt that long term this should be a very stable market, it is not housing it is a lifestyle, in most areas the greatest concentration of wealth is around the lake giving it stability. This is a good way to invest into the market, the benefits are way greater than just financial.

Surf some of Kalamazoo areas Lake Front Homes here, it's fun!

http://www.mlsfinder.com/mi_swmric/changingstreets?action=newsearchsession&city=kalamazoo&single_family=Y&waterfront=Y&has_lakefront=Y

May 2009 Sales data for Kalamazoo County, Texas Township.

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:33:16 -0500

While the number of homes sold in Kalamazoo County fell in May, 2009 vs. May 2008, homes sold in Texas Township actually increased! Six more homes sold in May, 2009 vs May 2009. The average price was down slightly, 8%, comparing the 2009 vs 2008 to $241,883.

I was curious to see if what people were buying had changed much in the last year and looking at both Mays the same size house is selling, 2200 sq ft. but the average price per square foot is down $9.

The bottom line is that increased sales will stabilize the market and seeing a year over year increase is great!

To view Texas Twp homes for sale check out ChangingStreetsRealty.com.

May 2009 Sales Data for Kalamazoo County

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:26:16 -0500

The real estate market in Kalamazoo is holding up very well compared to many others in Michigan. While many counties are seeing an increase in the number of sales vs. May 2008 it is solely do to investors and low end foreclosed properties.

Kalamazoo county is bucking that trend a little sales are down from May of 2008; 197 homes sold in 2009 vs. 257 homes sold in 208. Sales prices are also down slightly but not nearly as drastic many markets and the May average sales price shows increase over the YTD average sales price showing a trend up for the year!

Now Open in Southwest Michigan!

ChangingStreets.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:49:08 -0500

JPH Holdings Inc is very proud to announce the opening of ChangingStreets.com Realty in Southwest Michigan. ChangingStreets.com veteran LuAnn Defouw is the operating broker, she will working with the JPH marketing and business development teams to bring the great client experiences. "We are very excited, this is the first of four expansion projects for JPH in the next 60 days. We truly believe that the success our clients have enjoyed with our Mid-Michigan operations can be duplicated in Southwest Michigan, we certainly have the right person running the operation" said Scott Hoyt, President of JPH Holdings and on of the three founders of ChangingStreets.com.

"Our goal is build the real estate company of the future. What that means to us the ultimate client experience. We will continue to evolve as technology that empowers the consumer evolves, making agents and consumers lives better" Hoyt went on to say.

Search homes for sale in SouthWest Michigan.

For more information contact LuAnn DeFouw at LuAnn.DeFouw@ChangingStreets.com

Flushing Home Sales are Up!

ChangingStreets.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:55:10 -0500

Flushing homes sales were up over 55% in May of 2009 from May of 2008. Great news for a market that, dare we say may have stabilized? The average price is down and that has caused the swelling of the sales numbers, investors and first time buyers are picking up homes and condos as low at $15,000 with is about a 70% discount from 2005 prices on the low end.

This little Norman Rockwell like town with an average sales price of only $93,537. That is crazy.

See all the data from the May 2009 Market report here.

The months supply of Flushing Homes for sale is down to 7.75! Another great factor pointing to market stabilization. Search all the homes for sale at www.ChangingStreets.com

Lake Fenton Waterfront Sales Info.

ChangingStreets.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:38:12 -0500

Lake Fenton is one of the crown jewels of Mid Michigan real estate. With over 57 homes for sale ranging in price from $200,000 to almost $2,000,000.

There have been 14 homes sell so far in 2009 on Lake Fenton compared to only three last for the same period last year, sounds like good news!

To see the rest of the sales data go to Lake Fenton Market Report.

You can also search all homes for sale in Lake Fenton including foreclosures, waterfront and condos at

www.ChangingStreets.com.

Genesee County Market Data, May 2009

ChangingStreets.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:58:34 -0500

Homes sold in Genesee County Michigan were up 8% in May 2009 vs. May 2008 thanks to foreclosure sales, but hey we will take the increase. The average sale price is also trending up year to date as are year to date sales, 2129 in 2009 vs. 1815 in 2008.

If you would like more information regarding market data for Genesee County including absorbtion and foreclosure percentages please go to http://blog.changingstreets.com/index.php?cat=18 .

Mortgage Pre-Approval The Smart, Easy, Sane way....

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:16:42 -0500

More buyers use ChangingStreets.com than any other website to find their homes in Genesee County, as a matter fact 11,359 different people visited last month alone, why? We like to think it is the whole experience, easy to use site, experienced people to assist when you are ready and great lenders.

That great web traffic also means that ChangingStreets.com agents have helped more buyers on average than any other firms agents in our market, we love buyers. To increase the buyers experience we have been working with loan officers to provide you a reputable, reliable mortgage source.

http://www.changingstreets.com/buying_a_home/mortgage/

You can request a pre-approval at the above link, no private information, and we will not sell your information, we are in the client experience business, not the data collection business.

A pre-approval from a proven reliable lender, that is Smart, Easy, Sane.

The Countdown Starts!

ChangingStreets.com — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:10:47 -0500

ChangingStreets.com is getting very close to opening the first of four new markets in the next 60 days...the first? Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan! We are so proud that a ChangingStreets.com veteran will be spear heading our operations in southwest Michigan, assuring that our client-centric focus will be front and center of the operation. We will continue the countdown over the next short week, then BAM!

Clients will be able to search the MLS for homes for sale and lease, save searchs, get instant notification and learn market trends and facts all the Smart, Easy, Sane way at ChangingStreetsRealty.com and ChangingStreets.com, Your solution for buying or selling a home.

Search Lake Front Homes, The Smart Easy Sane Way.

ChangingStreets.com — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:21:16 -0500

Looking exclusively for a lake front home in mid-Michigan? Search for waterfront homes including foreclosed waterfront properties and see listing history, price changes and all the photos available. This search is better than the MLS and you can even schedule appointments right online and instant message us with questions.

Just click on the link below, there is no sign up required, and pick your area, price and BAM, every listing available. That is Smart, Easy, Sane.

WaterFront Homes For Sale

You can also search all the foreclosures available through the MLS by clicking here:

Foreclosed Homes For Sale

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your home shopping experience better! info@changingstreets.com

Grand Blanc Home Search, the Smart Easy Sane way.

ChangingStreets.com — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:06:09 -0500

Grand Blanc has always been on of highest selling areas in Genesee County. The home prices in Grand Blanc now make it even more attractive, search all the homes for sale in Grand Blanc (including Grand Blanc foreclosures) by Clicking

Search Grand Blanc Homes for Sale

Or Search all the foreclosed properties in our area by clicking

Search Foreclosures Only

I would caution you that many of the best deals are no longer foreclosures, they are owner occupied homes that are extremely well taken care of and priced very competitively with the foreclosed and distressed homes.

ChangingStreets.com will give you listing and price history, photos, room sizes and you can request a showing right online, search have fun and please email if we can make your home shopping experience better.

Info@changingstreets.com

Buddy Kain for Car Czar, The Pres is only one somebody!

ChangingStreets.com — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:00:19 -0600

America needs a Car Czar. America needs Buddy Kane.

President Obama has his hands full, I will handle this car bailout plan. I bring the muscle our New Hero needs, first cars then cribs, and you know why....cuz you can sleep in car but you can't drive a crib!

Lets look at Buddy's qualifications:

The following illustrates Buddy's knowledge of the Labor side:

-attended over 12 events at the UAW hall on Van Slyke across from the truck and bus plant.
Folks, that is a lot of baked pasta, cole slaw and PBR with members of the United Auto Workers. Nine of those events were weddings, they will respect Buddy because of all the Franklins he tossed around during the Dollar Dance!

-Buddy knows the warning sign in the Parking lot of the UAW Hall is for real, if you park your Jaguar there they WILL tow it! The UAW ain't messin' and the new Car Czar needs to understand this.

-Buddy's dad had a cup of coffee at GM, his uncles and Grandfather were lifers. (that is straight GM speak if you don't get it you need me more than you think!)

Buddy understands the BIG Three:

-Buddy purchased over 18 GM vehicles
-Buddy was one of the youngest GM dealer General Sales Manager ever at 21
-Buddy once rented a Ford Excursion in Miami to drive his family to Key West. (In early August for a wedding, has anyone sain ever been to Key West in August! MY GOSH it is humid. The car czar should schedule negotiations in Key West in August, by the pool, there will be no waffling when the heat is on!)
-Buddy once won a trip to the Super Bowl from Chrysler for running an outstanding dealership that was taken by the dealer himself, Buddy knows how those cats operate!
-Buddy has a GM visa! Did you know they limit the amount you can use per purchase and that depends on what type of vehicle! Don't tell you that in the slick ads. As Car Czar that will be taken care of!

Buddy is Conservative!

-Buddy is already has gold status with Northwest Airlines which shows he is cool flying commercial and the government will not have to pay to upgrade! Mo Money!
-Buddy has run a real estate company in Flint, profitably. NUFF SAID!

Buddy is from Flint:

-These colors don't run! Flint is the toughest, I mean 3rd toughest, opps 6th toughest city in America. That is what I am talking about, the Car Czar needs to bring heat.
-Micheal Moore has a built in movie. Flint + Car Czar + Buddy = OSCAR!
-The Turbo V-6! Buddy wants to bring back the Glory days Harry Gant style. (loved that Skoal Bandit car!)
-Home of the sit down strikers! WHOOOOO!
-Lived with totally inadequate goverments all around him, has learned how to do it right by seeing people do it wrong!

Who is more qualified? Thats right nobody. Buddy will clean it up from top to bottom, from supplier to dealership a clear and consice consumer value proposition. YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

See you at my inaugeration Gala at the UAW hall on Van Slyke, Italia Gardens will supply Pasta and Cole Slaw for everyone!!!!

Write your congressman and tell them No Buddy, No Bailout!

Snapshots of Market Price Trends, This Could Happen to You

ChangingStreets.com — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:48:42 -0600

I was just looking at headlines on CNN:

Yesterday: Homes Sales Up.

Today: Historic Slide in Values.

If you practice real estate in Southeast MI you have seen both of these for months. I started digging and putting together tons of data, still trying to put it all together but here are some nuggets.

Average Sales price in Genesee County last year was $73,418.00 in 2005 if was $129,760.00

60% of sales in Genesse County Q4 were foreclosures.

The last time the average sales price in Genesee County was $73,000? Late 1992.

The total volume of sales in Genesee County (the number that sales commissions and tax revenue are based on) fell over 50% from 2005 ( $734,964,635) to 2008 ($350,057,254).

Now it is easy to look at Flint and say yes job losses drop values...how about some Jewels of Michigan

Rochester/Rochester Hills; the data I have suggests that the average sales price dropped from $321,541 to $250,170 and price per sq foot from $139 to $105.

What I call the 'Brown House" report (homes built after 2000) shows price peaking in 2006 at $159 per sq foot and dropping to $120 in 2008. Prices $472,000 to $374,539.

Even Birmingham MI has showed a great deal of price softening, the lowest priced home in 2005 was a sale for $119,000 that the listing agent indicated was a short sale. In 2008 there were 20 sales less than this with foreclosure selling in the $70,000 range. Rough data on the high end of the market (homes over 4000 sq ft) indicates a drop in price per sq ft of around $90 but B'Ham is one of those towns that like the throw $1 sales prices in the MLS, so I will have to go back to the deeds...ugh! ( I love a guy that drives a Maserati, D&G sunglasses, and a honker watch but wants to be descreet about the price of his home!)

These are some big drops in a two year period of time, but not near the 20% Case Shiller reported for Detroit. Those numbers are far out of whack because when an inner city repo falls from $20,000 to $5,000 (which is the norm anymore) that 75% drop drives the other numbers out of whack.

It is also no suprise sales numbers were up in December, there seems to be a large number of cash buyers especially for the lowest priced homes. Q4 in Genesee county actually had an average sales price of $61,959.00.

CNBC Does piece on Loan Mod Fraud

ChangingStreets.com — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:46:47 -0600

Five minutes ago 10:30 am CNBC just did a piece on Loan Mod Fraud. The announcer said "loan modification companies are popping up everywhere, that is a red flag". No kidding.

State of California is investigating 250 companies! What!?! Just what a state on the verge of going broke needs to spend its money on right now.

The perpetrators of the said crime in most cases? You guessed it, out of work mortgage brokers!

I find it ironic that the some of the people responisible for the foreclosures are now trying to fix them, do you think the loan officers are calling their past clients?
"Hello this is Joe Cool from Golden Rule, Integity, Platinum Mortgage. Remember me? Have you figured out how bad I screwed you in 2006 yet" "NO, oh you will, your mortgage resets in 3 months and your payment will sky rocket! Now I know I told you that a refi would be no problem. But it is. Here is the good news...taxpayers will pay to knock your mortgage balance down!"

If you give me $3500, now. But it is free to you because the bank will not reduce your balance if you are current. So you will not have to make a house payment for 3 months!

UGH!!!!!

Please spread word to your sphere of influence to please do research on any loan mod company they speak to.

Where Have I Been?

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:29:15 -0600

I have not posted for a while, I have been busy, I love real estate but was exploring branching out (click and scroll up), the whole idea of being the car czar is very appealing to me, if you click on the link you will see I am probably over qualified.

Well I will wait it out, our new President is about working with outsiders...Buddy is his boy for sure, give me a trillion and I can fix anything.

Being A Leader

ChangingStreets.com — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:10:31 -0600

Being a leader doesn't have to mean spending. Especially now.

Look around your company, team or office and think what does this office need get one more deal a day?

More education?

Coaching?

Training?

Maybe conversation?

Teamwork?

A clear and concise message?

I promise there are at least 4 more deals a month in your office if everyone worked together, I promise consistant performance and committment by the leaders will lead to transactions.

Find one thing today and fix it by the end of the month, do that for all of 2009 and you will gain market share. Business is that simple...only you can grow your business. They guy trying to sell you (software, advertising, seo, new website) to grow your business is growing his.