audu real estate: Royal Treatment...Are Your Clients Getting What they Think They Deserve?
- 09/13/09 12:24 PM
It seems that every year, a new study comes out which highlights WHY real estate commissions should be lower. This one was written by academic researchers from Stanford University. The conclusions were: "the typical commission paid for the average real estate transaction does not impact the initial price offering for a home or the sale price. However, the home does tend to sell more quickly. In the estimation of the researchers, the average Commission of $34,000 (6% was the number quoted) on the average home they researched was too steep a price to pay for the efficiency gained in time." In a related … (45 comments)
audu real estate: Snatching Opportunity from the Jaws of Defeat...Lessons within a Time of Crisis
- 09/09/09 11:11 AM
It is said that the Chinese symbol for crisis contains elements of both danger and opportunity. Over the past couple of years, we've all borne witness to a real estate market gone awry. Nothing in my experience could have prepared me for the dramatic market downturn or the escalation in crisis sales which resulted at one point in one out of every ten homes in my county being at risk for foreclosure. Yet, as I look back over this period, I'm struck by the fact that so many other worthwhile things may not have taken place or had the same … (30 comments)
This challenging & provocative book was a recommendation from my sister. During a 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.
The author, Goldsmith is a corporate trainer who has evaluated and coached many of the nation's leaders and captains of industry writes … (11 comments)
audu real estate: Cool Weather Challenges Expectations of Summer in West Michigan.
- 07/28/09 04:19 PM
This has been one of the oddest summers I've ever experienced in West Michigan. July has been mild and temperate. Sometimes, it's actually felt more like spring sweater weather. I haven't minded too much because fall is my all time favorite season of the year. The flowers seem to love the weather too. The rainfall and moderate sunshine has allowed to them to bloom beautifully. Mother Nature seems to enjoy challenging our expectations from time to time. Copyright 2009 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved … (18 comments)
audu real estate: A Play On Expectations...
- 07/03/09 02:40 AM
It's funny how the mind works. We all form mental pictures of what we think someone will look like. That's why a movie of a good book rarely meets our expectations. You see, I had spoken to her on the phone several times. We had established a good rapport. She had contacted me via an on-line real estate referral service and was traveling to Grand Rapids to start a new life. With heart breaking honesty, she shared the difficulty of the past year with the passing of her husband and the challenges she had faced. Her voice played out an image … (5 comments)
audu real estate: And...NO, it's NOT a Short Sale!
- 06/26/09 10:56 AM
In a real estate market in which strange sometimes competes with downright wierd and just plain freaky as descriptive of the myriad of things that can happen in a transaction, one of the most interesting developments lately has been increased number of homes which are being advertized in the 'Negative'. Negative as in... This home is NOT bank owned This home is NOT in a short sales This home will NOT require you to deal with anyone other than a single party home owner trying to sell their home!
As weary buyers deal with sales (i.e. many short sales) … (6 comments)
audu real estate: 5704 Gatewood, Kentwood MI...True Value in a Great Location! $124,900
- 06/22/09 06:30 AM
If you're renting an apartment, it's time to take advantage of this great summer weather and go house hunting. With up to $8,000 available to qualified first time home buyers BEFORE December 1, 2009 through the New Buyer Tax Credit, it doesn't make sense not to explore what your rental dollars can buy. For example, this 3 bedroom home in a quiet location at the end of a cul de sac offers great privacy and a home in move-in condition for $124,900. You'll enjoy 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and two separate living room areas, one of which has a fireplace. It's contemporary, … (5 comments)
audu real estate: When Foreclosure Goes Upscale ...Part 2
- 06/20/09 04:09 PM
Just over three years ago, a select group of brokers and agents in Grand Rapids, Michigan got together in a conference room at the local board. They had been tasked by the Board of Directors to study and make recommendations about a problem which seemed to be mushrooming across the local community. Foreclosure and Short Sales has jumped from being barely a bleep in the statistics to trending into the double digits over 10%. Click here to continue reading Part 1.
Meeting the Luxury Home Challenge!
As values tumble, the challenge of selling a home for a good price particularly … (6 comments)
audu real estate: When Foreclosure Goes Upscale...Part 1 ~ Surviving the Grime in Prime.
- 06/20/09 04:02 PM
Just over three years ago, a select group of brokers and agents in Grand Rapids, Michigan got together for series of meetings. They had been tasked by the Grand Rapids Association Board of Directors to study and make recommendations about a problem which seemed to be mushrooming across the local community. Foreclosure and Short Sales had jumped from being barely a bleep in the statistics to trending into the low double digits. Although, few of us in the room could have envisioned where this assignment would take us, I vividly recall gasping when someone suggested that we might just be seeing … (4 comments)
audu real estate: The Flattened Life - the Impact of Digital Natives in a Traditional Realty World.
- 06/09/09 04:51 PM
In a perfect world, we would all know everything there was to know about everything and everybody...right? If you answered affirmatively to that statement, it's likely that you were born in the late 80's or sometime thereafter and are a part of Generation Y also referred to as the Millennial Generation. If you're a Gen Xer or Baby Boomer, you're more likely to squirm. Something about that statement feels intrusive... In "Born Digital", John Palfrey explores how Gen Y's are changing the world. The worldview of the Digital Native is impacting critical aspects of everyday life. Recently, I watched a speech Palfrey made at the Google Headquarters … (42 comments)
audu real estate: Grand Rapids, MI Home Buyers: You Don't Have to PAY for Listing Information!
- 05/07/09 11:32 AM
Recently a call came into the office from a prospective buyer. After talking with her briefly, I asked her if she was being assisted by an agent who could get her real time updates of newly listed homes when they were listed. She seemed surprised that this was possible. But it wasn't until she began to share her online experience with me that I became startled. Apparently, she had clicked on a link on a website to get information about a home listing and didn't think anything of it...until she was presented with a $15 charge on her phone bill the next … (27 comments)
audu real estate: Green Signing...Real Estate Marketing for the New Global Economy!
- 05/02/09 08:12 AM
Apart from my signs, one of the fist items that I purchased for my real estate tool kit more than 14 years ago was a brochure box. Remember when color brochures were the latest in creative marketing? Brochure boxes hung around many signs, sometimes along side the 'talking house', a radio broadcasting network which allowed listeners who tuned in to listen to the agent describe the experience inside the home they were parked outside of. Sometimes, brochure boxes were jerry rigged to ensure that they didn't fall off. Others were battered and cracked due to the rigors of banging … (80 comments)
audu real estate: I Can't Waste My Time on Social Media & the Internet...I've got to do my Real Job!
- 04/25/09 02:07 PM
I actually heard this comment recently! "I can't waste my time on that Internet/social media stuff...I've got to do my real job." I opened my mouth to say something, and nothing came out! I admit to still being somewhat taken aback by the number of professionals in a variety of areas who fail to comprehend that the Internet is REAL. And...just so you know, it was not invented by Al Gore! I thought I'd take a moment to share just one example of how … (26 comments)
audu real estate: Reving Up the Spring Real Estate Market...March Roars Out in 2009! (Grand Rapids, MI)
- 04/21/09 01:31 PM
If the beginning of the year 2009 was somewhat tepid for real estate sales in Grand Rapids, Michigan…things changed in March. March roared in and out with numbers which had many in the real estate community chattering with delight. Activity increased with home buyers sending sales into an upward spiral which eclipsed the same period of time in March of 2008 by 19.46%! For agents on the ground working with home buyers, this translated into multiple offers or Sold signs on many desirable properties. In addition, although foreclosures and short sales continued to depress pricing, the overall number of homes for … (4 comments)
audu real estate: Understanding How Your Home is Valued During the Short Sale Process
- 04/17/09 10:09 AM
While the number of homes being Sold under 'special conditions' a term which is a euphemism for distress sales in Grand Rapids, MI trended slightly downward in March, home owners will still be dealing with the impact of so many homes in 'crisis' on the market this spring. The spring market is traditionally the period for the most activity in the real estate industry. In Grand Rapids, MI; a gorgeous day like the one we enjoyed today, is just the tonic needed to spur many potential home buyers into the buying mode. With the tax credit available to buyers who purchase … (4 comments)
audu real estate: "Our Clients Are On Sale Today...Would You Like to Buy Some?"
- 04/15/09 10:16 PM
It's one of those mornings when I'm rushing around trying to get too many things done before I head out the door. Yet, my eye catches the flash of my phone which I've turned OFF precisely to avoid this type of distraction. I can't help myself. I pick up the call. The voice on the other line is friendly...and unfamiliar. I instantly regret my mistake in picking up the phone. He launches into a sales pitch. This guy is good! He starts out by telling me that he's got referrals that he has to get placed today. Folks are coming in … (81 comments)
audu real estate: NEW! Social Media & Blogging Ethics Class Combo
- 04/06/09 10:49 AM
You are welcome to attend Lola Audu's course on Blogging Ethics & Social Media for Business Professionals! Lola is a Michigan Continuing Instructor and has attended the Bill Gove Training Institute for Keynote Speakers. This will be a great learning experience for those who want to enhance their business model through the use of blogging & social technology. Social technology is here to stay and now is the time to get ahead of the curve. Lola will demonstrate how social media can play a significant role in growing your business by taking it to the next highest level online. Please see the … (12 comments)
audu real estate: Just Six Simple Ingredients...
- 03/28/09 10:43 AM
We picked up two loaves of bread the other day from one of our favorite local bakeries, Great Harvest Bread Company. Let me tell you, there are few things more singularly delicious than sinking one's teeth into a soft, freshly baked piece of bread. And when it's challah or cinnamon bread, two of my favorites...well, it's like a little slice of heaven here on earth. :) As we enjoyed a little break, my husband made a passing remark which went something like this...'just six things'. Now if you knew my hubby, you would appreciate that he is a man … (16 comments)
audu real estate: How to Avoid the Trade-In Trap When Buying Your New Home!
- 03/27/09 08:19 AM
With interest rates dropping to their lowest levels since 2004, the home equity loan re-finance bug is itching a lot of folks again. As we approach the Spring Market which traditionally swings into full gear around March, home buyers will be able to take advantage of low interest rates and a large inventory selection of homes to buy as well. If you currently own a home and intend to sell it, it's important to coordinate your transactions properly so you do not find yourself making two mortgage payments. Failing to sell one home before purchasing is a tremendous source of financial hardship to many home … (40 comments)
audu real estate: Striking in Black & White...Grand Rapids, MI
- 03/21/09 09:51 AM
When you take a look at things in black and white, you see things in a different way. This past year, I've taken several snapshots of a variety of areas in Grand Rapids, MI and converted them to black and white images. This slide show done with Real Estate Shows captures some of these images which are as diverse as a giant cabbage rose at the Fulton Street Farmers Market to a downtown highrise taken from and adjacent parking ramp. To view more of my images from my walk-abouts in Grand Rapids, Mi....vist my Flickr profile. … (9 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
It seems that every year, a new study comes out which highlights WHY real estate commissions should be lower. This one was written by academic researchers from Stanford University. The conclusions were: 
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