In these tougher times here are some inspiration quotes and thoughts.

"The miracle is this -- the more we share, the more we have."

                                                                                 ~~~ Leonard Nimoy ~~~

 

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

                                                                                                       ~~~ Mother Theresa ~~~

"When odds are one in a million, be that one."

                                                                   ~~~ Anonymous ~~~

 

May whatever your troubles may be ..... may you have some good friends to help you through it.

 

 

Selling your Northville home you should use ever sales tool possible but what about open houses.  Very very seldom does a open house attract a qualified buyer that will buy your home.  I myself believe open houses are more likely to be successful in a starter home price range.

A $400,000 priced Northville home probably isn't a candidate for open house success.  You are more likely to get qualified buyers that will buy your home if it is under priced under $200,000.  That is the price range that I believe you will have success with open houses.

A $300,000 plus home open house will usually only get lookers. 

  • People who have nothing to do for the weekend. 
  • People who are looking for decorating ideas
  • People that want to see how the other half live.  
  • people that are out for a weekend drive and the house happens to be on the route

So my advice to potential Northville home sellers don't waste your time if your house is priced over $300,000.  The only person that benefits is the real estate getting some new clients.  These are just my thoughts.  If you have any questions about selling your Northville home give me a call or email me with any questions.

Here are more articles on

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Northville first time home buyer tips

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Northville home sellers advice and articles

Search Northville real estate 

 

This is just another day in the life of a Metro Detroit realtor.

  1. First I got a call from one of my clients.  He was all upset.  He kept slipping into his native tongue but I got the gist of the message.  He went by the house we are supposed to be closing on.  Well the seller is supposed to be replacing the driveway concrete by the street per city inspector.  Well they did that.  But they took the old concrete and wheeled it a hundred feet and dumped it behind the garage.  Did the seller really think we wouldn't notice?   So I had to call the agent and tell him we won't be scheduling the closing until the cement is gone from the property.

Then I got a call from my Redford buyer.  The underwriter has decided even though the furnace is working per furnace inspection.  The wording said "furnace is running hot" so the underwriter said to replace the furnace.  So I called the listing agent to try to work this out.

Then two hours later I get a second call from my Redford buyer.  Besides a new furnace wanted by the underwriter.  The new appraiser that went back to check on the repairs has now added two more repairs.  Of course the mortgage company loan officer or "client care specialist" hasn't called me.  So I have to write them an email to find out what is going on and what is exactly needed.  Then I am going to have to try to get the listing agent to have the bank do the repairs.

Then at 7:00 pm I get a call from another buyer.  She's all upset with the mortgage company.  She's about 60 days into a loan and they still don't have a clear to close.  They didn't start asking for certain items until about 40 days into the loan.  Tonight when we are expecting a clear to close they are asking for a student loan deferment letter.  Why didn't they ask for this 40 days ago!!!  Poor underwriting and operations is my guess.  We are supposed to be closing on Monday.  Unfortunately it's the same mortgage company as #2 and #3.   So I'm not real excited.

Unfortunately this company is big and they tend to blame everybody else.  When they blame the underwriters, or people in the company they talk in the 3rd person.  As if it isn't their company.  They even tried to blame their client for not getting the info to them in 4 days.  It was the 54th day into the loan when they asked for it. 

Of course I had asked the loan officer 30 days into the loan if they needed anything but he said they were fine.  Now they are piece mealing everything.  They keep asking for more.  Hey it's 60 days into the loan.    I call but there is no answer.  So I have to send off another email to see what is going on.

I hate it when the clients are upset.  But I will track these people down and get the problems worked out.

 

I just blogged about a bad agent so I thought I should be fair and show that there are some great real estate agents in our Metro Detroit real estate market.  So here is my hats off to Ralph of Century 21 Row .

Ralph is one of those REO agents that responds.  I don't even know if he has an assistant.  All I know is that when I email or call Ralph he responds.  In a real estate agent that is a great quality.  It makes the whole real estate deal go smoother.

Another thing about Ralph is that he doesn't pass the buck on getting his banks to do the repairs required by the mortgage company.  Not like some agents that turn a blind eye and make us get the repairs done one way or another.

So here is a big thanks to you Ralph.

                                                          http://www.iclipart.com

 

I know this guy who needs a job because he can't be making it in the real estate business.  First of all we put an offer in on his listing.  It took 2 1/2 weeks to get the original offer accepted and there was not one single change.

No counter offers.  Nothing.  That should have been a clue.  Then we gave the mortgage company 45 days to get the deal done.  But again when I called the listing agent to schedule the closing it came out that he forgot to schedule the city inspection.  This was 40 days into the deal.

He wanted my buyer then to take responsibility for the repairs and the costs because of his failure to order the city inspection.  Of course we said no.  He got the city inspection done finally.  Then this bright real estate agent hired a unlicensed contractor to pour a new piece of concrete.  So the city stopped the job.  Now he has hired a new contractor and hopefully it will get done.  It is only a couple of weeks past the contract date.

                                              http://www.iclipart.com

So if you are looking for somebody that:

  • doesn't respond to emails or phone calls
  • or fails to follow up on specific tasks
  • or fails to research details of a job
  • doesn't know how to negotiate
  • procrastinates

this guy is for you.  Please hire him and get him out of the real estate business!!!!  Save his clients money and other real estate agents grief.

 

It has been a crazy few months for me.  Real estate has been very good for me but with the Detroit economy in the dumps I'm still a little nervous on what next year will bring.  I've sold quite a few homes but my plate is full. 

So here I am like the last 4 or 5 weeks doing what I have been doing.  Sitting here on Sunday night blogging like a mad man to get my ten posts in.  Where does the time go.  I thought I had time on Monday night.  But then it was all of sudden it was Thursday and I still had not written one post all week.  Now it is Sunday and I am trying to get some good posts together.

                                                  http://www.iclipart.com

But I guess that it is like life.  It rushes by and we rush to catch up with it.  Here I am again running to catch up.  Just wave as I run by. 

 

Here is the latest Stonewater Subdivision market update that is located in Northville Township Michigan.

Stonewater sold homes Northville MI
ADDRESS LIST PRICE SALE PRICE DOM SP PER SQFT SQUARE FOOTAGE YEAR BUILT
48189 FOUR SEASONS BLVD 799900 200000 249 43.057 4645 2009
48391 BINGHAMPTON DR 260900 248000 17 66.8463 3710 2003
18417 STONERIDGE CT 379000 310000 9 64.5833 4800 2007
48325 BINGHAMPTON DR 425000 410000 38 118.0875 3472 2000
49200 PARKSHORE CT 344900 425000 22 124.269 3420 2005
17532 WILLIAMSBURG CT 475000 476000 6 120.5063 3950 2004
48641 STONERIDGE DR DR 499000   65   3796 2000
18477 STONERIDGE CT 499000   1   4400 2006
18845 OVERLOOK TRL 489900 523000 6 124.8507 4189 2006
48687 STONERIDGE DR 649900 562000 9 129.8221 4329 2004
18393 STONERIDGE CT 650000 620000 237 127.4933 4863 2009
18568 CLARIMONT CIRCLE 629900   12   4200 2009
17865 PARKSHORE DR 604900 650000 14 149.0825 4360 2001
18240 CLAIRMONT CIR 739000 690000 51 163.5071 4220 2000
18355 FIDDLERS COVE CT 749900 742000 105 154.7445 4795 2004
48490 STONERIDGE DR 699900 743999 46 169.0906 4400 2006
48820 WELLSLEY CT 1299999 1166000 67 181.96 6408 2008

 

Some of the Stonewater homes that have sold for the very low prices were what I would call the non premium lots.  As they say location, location, location.  But if you want to get into a great sub cheap and you like the house then location may not matter.  For more on Northville real estate check on out my other websites.

Search Northville foreclosures and Northville homes for sale  

Comp and listing info courtesy of Realcomp LTD II.  Homes sold by various member Realtors

 

Here are 6 great tips to sell your Oakland County


1.) Have your home available and ready at any time

Your Oakland County home should always be available for show, even though it may occasionally be inconvenient for you. Let your listing agent put a lock box in a convenient place, to make it easy for other agents to show your home to homebuyers. Otherwise, agents will have to schedule appointments, which is an inconvenience. Most will just skip your home to show the house of someone else who is more cooperative.

Most agents will call and give you at least a couple of hours notice before showing your property. If you refuse to let them show it at that time, they will just skip your house. Even if they come back another time, it will probably be with different buyers and you may have just lost a chance to sell your home.  Usually if a home is not available at the time convenient to the buyer it may never get shown.

2.) Try Not to be Home

Whether it is a Novi home, or a South Lyon home homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit.  They might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Leave the house, go anywhere, take a walk, go shopping, get out of the house and off the property. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an different room or outside the house. Do not  volunteer any information,  many times sellers show how anxious they are to sell or give the buyer information to make the buyers bargaining position stronger.  

3.) Lighting

When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on all the indoor and outdoor lights ? even during the day. Don't be cheap.  A bright cheery house sells.  At night, a lit house gives a "homey" impression when viewed from the street. During the daytime, turning on the lights prevents harsh shadows from sunlight and it brightens up any dim areas. Your house looks more homey and cheerful with the lights on.

4.) Scented Sprays and deordorizers

Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find the smells of those sprays offensive, not to mention that some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, have a potpourri pot or something natural. Or turn on a stove burner for a moment and put a drop of vanilla extract on it. It will smell like you have been cooking, or burn a chocolate chip scented candle. 

5.) Pet Control

If you have pets, make sure your Oakland County listing agent puts a notice with their front desk that takes the listing appointments.  They need to tell the buyers agent about the pets. The last thing you want is to have your pet running out the front door and getting lost. If you know someone is coming, it would be best to try to take the pets with your while the homebuyers tour your home. If you cannot do that, It is best to keep dogs in a penned area in the back yard. There is nothing worse than a barking dog or a smelly pet to ruin a sale.  Try to keep indoor cats in a specific room when you expect visitors, and put a sign on the door. 

6.) Keep the House Tidy

Not everyone makes their bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home.  I know it is tough but a organized house looks better.  It doesn't have to be white glove clean.

 

This winters Metro Detroit real estate market is going to be a little different than last year.  Here is what I see happening this winter.

  1. Last year you could snap up Metro Detroit foreclosures really cheap.  It wasn't unusual to be able to pick up a decent Metro Detroit home at a bargain price.  This year I believe foreclosure homes prices will be higher than last year. 
  2. We will see more Metro Detroit foreclosures hitting the market than we had over the summer.  Because of Governor Granholm and President Obama's moratoriums on foreclosures there were quite a few Metro Detroit foreclosures that got spared for a few months.  Now they will start hitting the market starting in December.
  3. Some bigger homes will start going into foreclosure.  People who had good credit, good jobs have held on longer to these homes.  But now even they are feeling the pinch.  Even the good credit people are struggling because of the economy. 
  4. Oakland County Lake home prices will fall this winter.  Again for the same reason as above.  Higher end lake homes,  second homes on the lakes are going to suffer.  Even the people with deep pockets are starting to feel.  Some people are going to have to sell because of divorce, of death, because they just can't afford it any longer.
  5. There will be more action in the market over the winter.  With the first time home buyer tax credit and all the investors there will be more multiple bids on homes.
  6. The "marginal" cities will still have a lot of homes to chose from.  

These are just my thoughts on what we will be seeing because of Detroit's struggling economy.  If you have any questions always feel free to call or email me with any questions.

 

I have to hand it too my wife.  It has been a rough week.  She's a three time cancer survivor who just got told that the cancer is growing again.  So it's been a rough week for us, crying and worrying about what's next.  We have been talking a lot about it, and seeing the doctor this week to explore her options helped us both.

But I think she's turning the corner with a positive attitude again.  At first she was scared to death, but today I knew she was doing good.  She says she can't wait to get the radiation.  She can't wait to get the radiation to get rid of the pain.

                                                              water glass

                                                         THE GLASS IS HALF FULL !!!!!

She laughed.  She said she never would have thought she would look forward to radiation.  But she is.  Thank goodness I'm getting my wife back.

                                 Marianne Ravary  

 

SO if life is tough and rough for you.  Look for that bright side no matter how small or crazy it is there is a bright side.  So enjoy life!!!!

 
 
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Russ Ravary - Michigan Homes for sale - Michigan Real estate & Mortgage info

Northville, MI

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Remerica Hometown One

Address: 44785 Five Mile Rd, Plymouth, MI, 48170

Office Phone: (734) 414-3261

Cell Phone: (313) 310-9855

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Michigan and Metro Detroit area real estate and mortgage information. Local, up to date by a Michigan real estate and mortgage specialist. Novi Real estate, Livonia real estate, Northville real estate, Wayne county real estate, Oakland County real estate, Livingston county real estate. Buyers and sellers tips


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