home purchase: 4 Mistakes Millennials Should Avoid When Home Shopping!
- 10/10/14 03:57 AM
A recent survey indicates that Millennials are ready to shop for homes! According to Consumer's Reports, Americans are ready to shop again, but they're proceeding far more cautiously than they have in the past. I recently had a conversation with some Millennials (aged 18-34) about the real estate market in West Michigan. One of the questions I was asked was if I thought it was ALWAYS a good idea to purchase a home? My answer was no. There are a variety of reasons why a home purchase may not be a wise decision including: a lack of stable employment, significant consumer debt … (7 comments)
home purchase: What's It Gonna Cost to BUY A Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan? (Part 2)
- 03/31/08 01:10 PM
The response to this Question from Homeowners has prompted me to do a similar article to address an issue which is also on the minds of many homebuyers. Although, the notion that you can buy a home for NO MONEY down has come under intense pressure in recent months, buyers have always wondered about what the REAL outlay would be when they decide to purchase a home. In Part 1 of the Series, we talked about some Intangible Coststhat impact the homebuying process with regards to Time & Energy. In this segment, we will focus on some Tangible outlays. We will discuss the … (6 comments)
home purchase: What's It Gonna Cost to BUY A Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan? (Part 1)
- 03/31/08 11:58 AM
The response to this Question from Homeowners has prompted me to address the same issue which is also on the minds of many homebuyers. Although, the notion that you can buy a home for NO MONEY down has come under intense pressure in recent months, buyers have always wondered about what the REAL outlay would be when they decide to purchase a home. First of all, it IS possible to buy a home which nets you ZERO out of pocket expense in the END...at the Closing Table IF you qualify for a mortgage which allows the homeowner to assist with the down payment and closing … (4 comments)
home purchase: How To Avoid Being Trapped By Your Trade-Up Model!
- 01/28/08 04:35 PM
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. 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 owners. There are some … (18 comments)
home purchase: Are You Keeping Your Eyes On the Right Ball?
- 01/11/08 04:01 PM
I've been a Soccer Mom for at least a decade. With two boys involved in sports, we've watched countless games and travelled to different areas of Michigan and the country for games. But, regardless of whether the game was soccer, football or basketball...you always heard someone yell this from the sidelines: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL! Invariably some kid was doing something other than concentrating on the focus of the game. Consequently, points were lost and the coach or in many cases the parents were reminding the players about what was important: FOCUS. When Focus was regained and the players once … (16 comments)
home purchase: When Rates Go Down...Smart Buyers in Grand Rapids, MI Start Moving!
- 01/09/08 10:23 AM
Rates are going down. Yippee Yeah! This is Great News For home buyers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. According to a January 9, 2007 article by Inman News, the Mortgage Bankers Association, a trade group for lenders indicates that this past week the Jump in applications for loans was a whopping 32%! This is the highest one week increase for mortgage applications documented within the past 4 years. The increase in mortgage applications is due to the fact that mortgage rates are now lower than 6%. The rate on a 15 year note is now averaging 5.21%. If you've got an adjustable rate mortgage, this is the time to get … (22 comments)
home purchase: FSBO Survival Guide...Buying & Selling Real Estate Without Help (Part 2)
- 12/11/07 03:53 PM
We did not truly understand the implications of our decision to purchase this way until we decided to sell the home. After the transaction was closed, we contacted the agent to tell him we had moved. What transpired next was one unsettling conversation. He asked us how much we had bought the home for and when we told him, he calmly offered to send us the comparables for the area. Ouch...we had bought approximately $10,000 above what many homes in the area were selling for. But of course...our home was much nicer. When we sold the home 4 years later, we found out that a nicely … (18 comments)
home purchase: FSBO Survival Guide...Buying & Selling Real Estate Without Help (Part 1)
- 12/11/07 03:51 PM
Many years ago, we bought our first home. Our first real estate transaction was with a FSBO aka Non Represented Seller. At that time, I had no idea that I would be a future real estate agent. In fact, we had looked for homes with a broker prior to deciding to go down this route. After some disappointment with not finding what we had hoped for, we were thrilled when we were introduced to the owner of a lovely home. The home was a lovely historic mansion. In fact, the interior was so lovely, we overlooked the surrounding area. The former owner had graciously preserved the interior; even utilizing the … (7 comments)
home purchase: Oh There's No Place Like Home....Past the Holidays!
- 12/11/07 02:47 AM
This song has been meandering through my mind all day. Oh, There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays...It's a song that we hear frequently on the airwaves at this time of the year. It conjures images of nostalgic warmth...fireplaces blazing, steaming hot cups of cider or hot cocoa, spicy earthy aromas and glittering lights on Christmas trees. The thought of this seasonal cheer has airplanes into the Grand Rapids, Michigan airport fully booked. I think the holidays evoke this warmth because it is at this time that we pause to Celebrate and Remember what makes our homes Special. For some it's the food … (73 comments)
home purchase: Michigan Buyers...When the Government Gives Free Money to Buy a House...Go Get IT!
- 11/29/07 11:04 AM
It's almost the end of year...the time when most funding programs tend to run low on funds for buyers without down-payments. In a surprising and refreshing reversal this November, the Federal Housing Authority Administrations (FHA) Philadelphia Homeownership Center has approved several Sales Incentives for use in the purchase of HUD homes in Ohio AND Michigan! This is great news for Michigan buyers! Particularly if you're a first time buyer strapped for cash as the holidays approach. Now, you can give yourself a really nice Christmas Gift...A Great New Home! Here's the skinny... If you use FHA financing, you can obtain a $2,500 … (24 comments)
home purchase: How To Avoid Paying Too Much for Your Next Home!
- 10/23/07 01:25 PM
Buying a home is one of the most exciting moments in life. It can also be one of the scariest. The question in every buyer's mind is: "How Do I make Sure that I'm not paying too much for this house?" In today's market, this is a valid concern. I was doing some research on line today. Today it's not unusual to see homes which had been reduced tens of thousands of dollars...I'm talking between $20,000 ~ $30,000 and still remained unsold! In the higher price ranges, the downward shift was even more bone chilling...$100,000 ~ $150,000 or more. That kind of depreciation … (11 comments)
home purchase: How to Avoid Buying a Real Estate Lemon.
- 10/23/07 11:09 AM
The interesting thing about lemons is that they're pretty to look at. They also smell really good. That's one reason why they're used as the enticing scent in a lot of cleaners. The smell of lemons makes you think clean. Well, if you're purchasing a brand new appliance, a new car or a new home...you should also be tuned into the "smell of lemons." Except that in this case...it's best to avoid them. Because purchasing a real estate lemon can be a very very expensive and heart wrenching money pit. First of all...let's be clear on this one thing. There's no such … (40 comments)
home purchase: How to Take the Hassle Out of Building a New Home...Step 3~Selecting the Right Home Design!
- 10/19/07 11:49 AM
One of the most challenging and interesting aspects of the New Home Building Process is figuring out the right architectural plan. Most of us are not regular readers of Architectural Digest magazine and are unfamiliar with deciphering architectural renderings. You may know what you want in terms of bedrooms, baths, number of garages, and square footage and may even have a good idea of the type of layout you prefer. However, intelligent home design is a critical aspect of ensuring that what you want flows well and enhances your lifestyle. Just about every real estate agent can tell you a "horror story" of a … (7 comments)
Selecting the right builder for a new home construction process can mean the difference between "being sane" at the end of your home building adventure or feeling like you've embarked on a scary roller coaster ride. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, there are a number of different issues to consider when selecting the builder who is right for you. There are also several different types of home builders/contractors. In this post, we will explore a few options and discuss the benefits and challenges which may be associated with different options. It is also a good idea to contact your local home builders … (10 comments)
home purchase: How to Take the Hassle Out of Building a New Home...Step 1~Selecting the Right Lot!
- 09/20/07 07:00 AM
Building a New Home is one of the most exciting experiences you can have. It can also be one of the most stressful. Over the past decade, I have assisted several clients who have gone through the home building process. I have also gone through the same experience myself. There is definitely a difference in perspective when the home which is being built is yours! Through the years, we have put together a process which has been helpful our clients who are considering either a Builder's Spec. home or a custom built home. These steps can alleviate or at least moderate a lot … (5 comments)
home purchase: 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)
home purchase: 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)
home purchase: 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)
home purchase: 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)
home purchase: Creating Transformational Transactions! Part 3
- 03/06/07 06:13 AM
Readers of my Blog may remember a series I did about the challenge of finding land to build a home with some proximity to Lake Michigan entitled "Transformational Transactions" Parts 1 & Part 2. Well, Joel the Builder delivered. Ed & Penny just recently moved into their new home! Last week, I had a delightful lunch with Penny. She & Ed are settling down finishing unpacking and she sent me a few pictures to show how beautifully things are taking shape. So much has happened in Penny's life over the past 2 years. She & Ed moved to a completely different part of our state … (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
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A recent survey indicates that Millennials are ready to shop for homes! According to Consumer's Reports, Americans are ready to shop again, but they're proceeding far more cautiously than they have in the past.
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