audu real estate: SShhh....Are You Too Good at Keeping Secrets???
- 05/11/07 05:11 PM
In the age of knowledge workers, the cliche that information is power is truer than ever-which makes withholding information even more extreme & irritating" Quote from "What Got you Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith. I've been reading this challenging & provocative book on the recommendation of my sister. During her last visit, she kept on commenting that she thought she had bought the book to recommend as reading for her mangers...but found herself reading it more & more for herself. Well, I'm having the same interesting & sometimes painfully honest experience. Goldsmith, who as a corporate trainer has … (10 comments)
audu real estate: "Waking Up Spring in West Michigan!"
- 05/05/07 06:27 AM
Spring is in the Air in West Michigan. Gardens are beginning to blossom into riotous color. A variety of Parks & Gardens are beginning to Open. Here's a Selection of some of the luscious Beauty that is Blooming in Grand Rapids, MI & the Local West Michigan area. Starting May 5th and continuing for one glorious week, Six Million Tulips will command center stage at the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan. This is a wonderful time to get out with the family and enjoy this gorgeous array of flowers. The Festival has become the Nation's Fifth Largest Annual Festival & draws almost 750,000visitors yearly. … (15 comments)
audu real estate: Why Shifting Into Neutral Can Fast Forward Your Advancement!
- 04/30/07 04:28 PM
There's an oft repeated tale about how certain hunters in Africa catch monkeys. It can be very difficult to corral these intelligent creatures, so hunters have used a more inventive method...trapping a monkey by enticing him. A small jar is placed at the base of a tree with nuts or other items which may attract the monkey's curiosity. The opening of the jar allows the monkey to place his hand in, but when he tries to withdraw it, he is unable to do so without letting go of the contents of the jar. Believe it or not, some monkeys will stay there with … (35 comments)
audu real estate: Why The Right Reasons Can Create A Captivating Open House!
- 04/26/07 03:23 PM
In my previous post, I discussed how to determine if a home was a good choice for an Open House. Now, we will focus on the right reasons to hold a home open. This is something to take seriously. We are asking homeowners to leave their home & let it be canvassed by members of the general public, for whom we can not validate credibility or authenticity, in the hopes that this will create a viable prospect for the sale of their home. If we have not done our homework & prepared properly, at the very least, the effort has been … (36 comments)
audu real estate: Creating Captivating Open Houses!
- 04/26/07 09:42 AM
When I entered the real estate profession 12 years ago, my broker told me that I would not stand a chance at succeeding if I did not do Sunday Open Houses. When I transferred to another Broker a couple of years later, I heard the exact opposite advise, " Open Houses are usually a waste of time". So which one was right. Well, both were! Open Houses are a waste of time unless they are prepared and conducted properly. A well presented Open House is a successful strategy many saavy agents use to market and sell their listings & skill set as a real estate consultant … (16 comments)
audu real estate: What's Up With the Birds & the Bees?
- 04/24/07 01:01 PM
When I got the e-mail from my former neighbor this afternoon indicating that he was going to be on TV, my curiosity was peeked. Tom has recently started a new venture in his life & is now an Eco-farmer in Hesperia, Newaygo County, Michigan. News reporters were on his farm to interview him about a disturbing development that is affecting farmers across Michigan. The story featured on WZZM13 of Grand Rapids, Michigan indicates that there is a strange, unexplained phenomenon which has serious implications for Michigan. Apparently, honey bees are dying, literally by the ton...for no known reason. Tom refers to his … (26 comments)
audu real estate: Cultivating the Art of Rainmaking to Transform your Business Forecast!
- 04/22/07 09:02 AM
This past week was an adventure...the cost-a-fortune-college-trip adventure! We just got back from a long trip up the east coastline to visit a few universities with our son. Just prior to the trip, a scary Northeaster storm rammed the areas where we were headed. Then on the way into New Haven, CT, news of the Virginia Tech massacre was filtering in on the airways. With so much going on, including flooding reports in many areas, we were actually grateful that our final destination was simply blustery cold rain & moderate winds. We passed several areas which still remained covered by standing … (18 comments)
audu real estate: 1st Ever Blogging Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan...A Great Success!
- 04/11/07 07:08 PM
Noto's Old World Style Italian Restaurant was the setting for the 1st Ever Blogging Seminar for Real Estate Professionals. The event, was well attended in-spite of a severe winter storm that surprised everyone in the middle of April! The seminar sparked a lot of interest and discussion about the implications of this revolutionary new technology for marketing and networking. Most attendees had little or no prior experience with blogging. The 2 hour presentation included a wonderful meal served with excellence by the staff of Noto's. Tony Noto, the owner was personally on hand to ensure that no detail was missed. This beautiful, newly renovated world class facility has … (27 comments)
audu real estate: Gator Fun in the Sun Splash Spreads to GR, Michigan's First Blogging Event!
- 04/09/07 05:00 PM
This Wednesday, April 11th at 11:30 a.m. some of the sunshine & fun that was enjoyed at the recent get together in Florida by members of the Active Rain Community will travel overland to create fresh Active Rain Showers in Grand Rapids, Michigan! The elegant, Old World Italian Restaurant, Notos will be the scene of the First Ever Real Estate Blogging Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The seminar is being sponsored by 2 Members of the Kent County, Michigan Chapter of Active Rain, Keith Jarrett of First American Title Company & Craig Boening of America's Preferred Home Warranty Company & well-respected Senior Loan Mortgage … (5 comments)
audu real estate: The Heat is On...Coffee Wars vs. Real Estate Options
- 04/08/07 05:27 PM
A fascinating article in the business section of today's Sunday's Grand Rapids Press explores the incredible growth of the specialty coffee industry in the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolis. The article entitled "Coffee War Heats Up" highlights how local entrepreneurs are cashing in on the popular trend of flavored hot beverages to boost profits. Several national players have entered into the Grand Rapids scene in recent years, sometimes pushing locally owned enterprises like the Grandville Bean Tree Bistro out of the market. The Bean Tree Bistro closed its doors last year shortly after 2 coffee houses, Bagel Beanery & Camille's opened within walking distance … (0 comments)
audu real estate: Assembly Line Real Estate....No Special Skills or Flavor Required!
- 04/05/07 01:05 AM
Choice! This word has irrevocably changed the real estate landscape in Grand Rapids, Michagan & every community in this country. Never in history have there been so many options available to real estate consumers and agents who work with them. This virtual potpourri of offerings has created a peculiar challenge...How does one properly discern important differences and accurately evaluate the value propositions offered by very different paradigms of service in a real estate transaction? Today consumers in need of real estate services can list on the MLS only for a Flat Fee, hire a Discount Broker, Advertise their own listing on-line through Craigslist, Trulia or Zillow.com, … (42 comments)
audu real estate: Would you Allow Your Real Estate Agent to Do this to Your Head?
- 03/27/07 01:40 PM
Several months ago, I conducted an unusual real estate agent interview. The request for the meeting to explore the possibility of working with my company had come in over the weekend. The prospective agent had been in the mortgage business and wanted to diversify and enhance his portfolio by becoming a Realtor. After we settled down in the conference room, I asked him to fill in some of the details of his resume which he had forwarded via e-mail earlier. He had an impressive curriculum vitae which included work with governmental agencies, serving as a city manager & his current job as a mortgage … (64 comments)
audu real estate: Why Now Is The Time to Buy In Grand Rapids, Michigan!
- 03/26/07 01:26 AM
Today, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors (GRAR) launched it's Local Ad Campaign encouraging home buyers to take advantage of the extraordinary opportunities offered in today's market. The ad campaign utilizes a clever mix of nostalgic news tidbits, in tandem with current unique opportunities, to highlight and illustrate why it makes sense to invest in a home NOW. The campaign features a re-design of the Associations' website and provides opportunities for local brokers to take advantage of the well designed advertising campaign in their local offices. This effort, the first of it's kind, launched by the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors also mirrors a … (6 comments)
This is a Catalog of the RendezVous Series. Please feel free to browse & get to know the members of the group better. It is our goal to continually breathe "Fraiche Aire" into Active Rain. The RendezVous in Black & White is the official Newsletter of the Fraiche Aire Group on Active Rain. "Welcome, You're a Breath of Fraiche Aire"- This post highlights the Group's Vision & Goals. Please read this to understand how to post to Fraiche Aire. We're an eclectic group of individuals & a wide variety of entries will find a warm welcome here. RendezVous in Black & White- This was … (1 comments)
audu real estate: Why "Just Looking" Can Cost You Your "Dream Home"!
- 03/21/07 03:14 PM
I seriously dislike being hounded by sales people when I'm shopping...especially clothes shopping. It's my time to zone out, relax and beam my precision guided "great deals" antenna to lead me to the best bargains. I'm pretty good at it. So much so that friends & family have sometimes consulted with me prior to planned shopping excursions about the best place shop for a good deal. But, I would have missed an extraordinary opportunity if I had not lowered my dogged "leave me alone, I'm just looking" attitude down on a recent visit to the mall. I had planned to just browse … (0 comments)
audu real estate: Take Your Business to the Next Level in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
- 03/21/07 11:44 AM
Join us for an In-depth Look at the New Way to Market Yourself On-Line. Be noticed on the internet FIRST! Get involved with a "Community Of Knowledge". Market yourself Worldwide! Communicate and share Thoughts, Ideas and Referrals with other real estate professionals worldwide! Build Lasting Friendships in a Busy World. Date: April 11, 2007 Time: 11:30 A.M. Where: Noto's Restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Exceptional full lunch provided! Cost: $25/per person CALL 616-283-7832 or EMAIL craigboening@sbcglobal.net
Someone will win a handheld GPS navigational unit... easily used to find your next destination!! Stay connected to today's latest marketing tools.
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audu real estate: How Will You Know When You're Ready to Seriously Consider Making A Move?
- 03/21/07 06:26 AM
Driving home from work, you notice that your next door neighbors did it last night. You're sure it wasn't there when you left for work early this morning, but now it...the For Sale sign...is boldly strutting it's stuff on their front lawn daring you to pull over & surreptitiously swipe a flyer from the over-stuffed information box. They've put their home on the market! You find the urge irresistible...Your must know what price they are asking for their home! You may have been mulling over the idea of putting your house on the market for some time. Or, perhaps, it's a sudden turn of events like … (1 comments)
audu real estate: Efficient Local West Michigan Spring Time Open House Search
- 03/18/07 04:06 PM
Spring is around the corner & snow piles are rapidly melting in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Now is the Time To Buy in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Great Inventory levels, with more New Listings appearing daily, PLUS Buyers eager to get outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and emerging warmth make Open Houses an Excellent Low Pressure Way to Explore the Excellent Investment opportunities in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Here Are A Few Simple Pointers To Maximize Your Time At Open Houses: 1. Utilize this Site for Up to the Minute Information on Open Houses 2. Map your Tour utilizing the Mapping Function on every listing to conserve Gas, Energy … (3 comments)
audu real estate: So, You Want A Great Deal on A Foreclosure...10 Power Tips for Success!
- 03/13/07 03:00 PM
Our local market in Grand Rapids, Michigan has witnessed an unprecedented increase in homes going into foreclosure. This is not unlike many areas of the country. If you're considering a purchase of a home that is in pre-foreclosure or in the redemption period during of a foreclosure it is important that you are aware of some important situations which will impact the process and /or your ability to successfully execute a transaction. This list is not all inclusive. Please be advised that consulting with a real estate professional with experience in this area is highly recommended. Do not expect things to be Normal. … (10 comments)
audu real estate: Dollar Days House Hunting in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
- 03/04/07 04:33 PM
Affording a home is one of the biggest challenges facing new home buyers. The median income in 2006 for US families was $59,600. A CNN Money.com article by Les Christie quotes National Association of Home Builders President David Pressly as saying, "40.4 percent of all new and existing homes sold during the third quarter were affordable to families earning the median." In a related January 2007 news release by the National Association of Realtors for housing projections for the year 2007, NAR Economist David Lerah indicates that the market will steadily improve during the year after what he terms a "soft landing" for … (2 comments)
Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate information including houses for sale, rent and home buyer/seller tips. Also includes wisdom and insights from Lola Audu, CRS Associate Broker.
Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate
Grand Rapids Real Estate
West Michigan Real Estate
Buying A home in Grand Rapids, Mi
Selling Your Grand Rapids, Mi Home
Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grandville, Michigan Real Estate
Relocating to Grand Rapids, Michigan
In the age of knowledge workers, the cliche that information is power is truer than ever-which makes withholding information even more extreme & irritating" Quote from "What Got you Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith. I've been reading this challenging & provocative book on the recommendation of my sister. During her last visit, she kept on commenting that she thought she had bought the book to recommend as reading for her mangers...but found herself reading it more & more for herself. 
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