eric michael: fun. - 03/08/13 08:17 AM
fun.
There's this band that's been out for a little bit called fun.
I've been listening to their record for about 4 months or so now, and it's awesome. Their popular radio song is called "Some Nights." You might know that one.
But you don't need to download or go out and purchase the CD.
Google "Spotify" if you don't have it. Download it, put in the artist you want to listen to, and viola! Instant music. And TONS of it!
Check it out and let me know what you think.

(3 comments)

eric michael: You NEED To Put In A SOLID Offer The FIRST TIME! - 03/08/13 07:58 AM
You NEED To Put In A SOLID Offer The FIRST TIME!
This one goes out to all the buyers and potential buyers out there...
The real estate market has changed.
It's not longer a "buyer's market" where you can offer 80% of the List Price to "see what happens."
There is a massive lack of housing inventory out there, meaning all the buyers that are trying to buy are bidding on the same houses.
What's this mean to you?
Put in a Sold Offer ASAP if you want the house.
Period.
(Sellers, you know what this mean, right? Call me)

(4 comments)

eric michael: Don't Forget To Set Your Clocks Ahead An Hour! - 03/06/13 07:58 AM
Don't Forget To Set Your Clocks Ahead An Hour!
Wait! Don't do it today. Wait until right before you go to sleep Saturday night (yeah, like anyone does that) or after you wake up Sunday morning.
Personally, I get the coffee maker going before I start changing the clocks.
Maybe this is the year that the kids get to "learn something new" and do it for me?
Either way, it's gotta be done.
Unless you live in one of those areas that doesn't do Daylight Savings Time.
I think there's one in Indiana or Wisconsin or something, but I don't … (11 comments)

eric michael: Can You Recommend A...? - 03/05/13 10:15 AM
Can You Recommend A...?
During the home buying process, you're going to need to choose a home inspector (you ARE going to have the potential purchase inspected, RIGHT?), a mortgage lender and possibly a home warranty company and/or a FHA203k appraiser (call me, I'll explain).
The good news? I have a few I can connect you with.
There are a lot of good vendors in the world, but unfortunately, a lot of bad ones, too.
I only recommend people that I've worked with in the past, that are professional, priced fairly and good at what they do.
It's just part of … (6 comments)

eric michael: Hey, (insert city name here)! Schedule Your Inspection, Already! - 03/04/13 05:22 AM
Hey, (insert city name here)! Schedule Your Inspection, Already!
There's been a new "thing" going around lately. It's called a City Inspection.
Some cities have required them for ages, but I'm seeing them pop up in new places over the last few years or so.
I know that the inspections help keep the cities in good shape and stuff, but that should've been the case all along. Or is this a money grab?
Either way, it is what it is.
BUT, when real estate professionals and/or new home owners try to contact you to set up the schedule, please get … (2 comments)

eric michael: Metro Detroit Real Estate Market in a Nut Shell - March 2013 - 03/03/13 09:23 AM
Metro Detroit Real Estate Market in a Nut Shell - March 2013
Housing prices are still low.
Mortgage rates are even lower.
Housing inventory is ridiculously low.
Because of the lack of homes for sale, buyers are having a hard time buying.
By "a hard time buying," I mean that there are almost always multiple offers on homes.
Sellers, this means that you have the advantage in this market.
If you're thinking of selling, call me. I'll explain more.
Buyers, you can call me, too. We can still get you in a house or condo, most likely for less than you … (3 comments)

eric michael: Today's Email Scam. 2-24-2013 - 02/24/13 06:30 AM
Today's Email Scam. 2-24-2013
Here's another email scam.
Know how I know? I don't use Quickbooks.
Check it out...
Guess what? I'm NOT gonna "respond" to this and I'm certainly NOT going to click on that .zip file.
I suggest you don't, either.
(5 comments)

eric michael: Overrated and Underrated. February 10, 2013 - 02/10/13 08:30 AM
Overrated and Underrated. February 10, 2013
Overrated - Whitesnake. The band. You know them. David Coverdale is the singer. Good voice, just overrated. Tawny Kitaen crawling all over that car in the video, on the other hand, is NOT overrated. Mute the "Here I go again" video and hit "repeat." Yeah, guys. You know what I'm talking about.
Underrated - Ghirardelli "Midnight Reverie" Intense Dark chocolate. I'm not really a "sweets" type of person, but I love me some dark chocolate. The darker the better. I bet this would be awesome melted into hot chocolate!

(2 comments)

eric michael: Overrated and Underrated. January 26, 2013 - 01/27/13 09:03 AM
Overrated and Underrated. January 26, 2013
Overrated - Ranked College Basketball Games, before March Madness. I love college basketball, but it seems that any time a ranked team plays, they get beat. Very few climb the rankings and stay there for the season. Let's just get it on during March Madness!
Underrated - The City/County putting down Salt BEFORE crap weather gets here. There's snow coming down right now (started at about 7pm) and the guys on the news were saying that the County salt trucks weren't going to head out to work on the roads until about midnight. That's a … (2 comments)

eric michael: Today's Email Scam. 1-24-2013 - 01/24/13 04:13 AM
Today's Email Scam. 1-24-2013
Not sure if it's actually a scam or not, but I certainly didn't apply for a job here.
 
Hi.
We would like to offer a newly opened position of a Project Support Manager available to start immediately. Our web design firm is currently looking for reliable and self-motivated inabziduals to join our energetic team of web professionals. We offer a remote full-time job. It will take 8 hours daily: 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday. You do not need any special software or equipment, only a personal computer with a stable Internet access. Please note that … (1 comments)

eric michael: Overrated and Underrated. January 13, 2013 - 01/13/13 06:44 AM
Overrated and Underrated. January 13, 2013
I just realized it's been over a month since I've put one of these together. Sorry about that.
Overrated - Professional Football Playoff Games. Just kidding, actually. There's Nothing Overrated about them. Unless they're blowouts. Then they're just not fun to watch.
Underrated - Sweet and Sour Pork. I normally get some kind of Chinese dish that has chicken and LOTS of vegetables, but every now and then I mix it up. This was delicious! Forgot to take a picture of it before I ate it. Oops.

(4 comments)

eric michael: Today's Email Scam. 1-10-2013 - 01/10/13 08:07 AM
Today's Email Scam. 1-10-2013
This is a new one. I think I'd remember spending money trying to get my "funds."
Check it out...
From: Jos_ Vi_als
Financial Counsellor and Director
Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Re: Funds RecoveryThe International Fund through the help of Interpol recovered your funds which some criminals diverted. We found out that you have spent so much money trying to get your funds.Right now, the fund is deposited with a vault company in Holland which your presence is required. The Vault Company in under IMF and the officer in charge will assist you.The IMF will not persuade you over your … (2 comments)

eric michael: I Need a Monroe, Michigan, Realtor! - 01/03/13 07:32 AM
I Need a Monroe, Michigan, Realtor!
I received an inquiry on my website earlier today from someone asking if a property is still available.
When I looked it up, it was already under contract and in an area that's out of my range.
I don't have an agent to refer potential clients to in the Monroe, MI area, so if you're there, contact me!
I also Googled "Monroe, MI Realtor" and to be honest, nothing really came up. If you do the same for Northville, MI, I'm on the first page.
I'm going to give this lead to someone by tomorrow, … (2 comments)

eric michael: Which Comes First...Buying or Selling? - 01/03/13 06:18 AM
Which Comes First...Buying or Selling?
January 2013.
It's still a sellers market.
But that doesn't mean that you can go out and look for a new house, expect an accepted offer on it and THEN put your house on the market.
The best way to buy a new house is to sell your house FIRST.
Unless, of course, you can qualify for the new mortgage without selling your house. Or you can pay CASH for the new one. That's even better!
In the old days (whenever that was, I wasn't in the industry back then), it was acceptable to make an … (11 comments)

eric michael: Last 111 Days of 2012 - Business Accountability - Day 109 - 12/29/12 08:27 AM
Last 111 Days of 2012 - Business Accountability - Day 109
Another cold, snowy day. I think we already have more snow this year than all of last year. Strange. Wonder if that means global warming isn't real?
Got a call from someone looking in a specific area of town earlier today. Not sure how I'm gonna play this one. It's in my "area," but I'm not as familiar with it as I probably should be.
Any suggestions?
 
(10 comments)

eric michael: My Sydney Turned 10 Today! - 12/19/12 08:53 AM
My Sydney Turned 10 Today!
Wow, how time flies! I can't believe it's been 10 years since my daughter, Syd, was born. Seems like only yesterday.

We went out for a steak dinner to celebrate, then came home and sang Happy Birthday and had some cake.
She opened her presents before we went out.
Love you, Squid!

(6 comments)

eric michael: "But, I Just Call The Number On The Sign..." - 12/15/12 07:29 AM
"But, I Just Call The Number On The Sign..."
How many times have you heard that statement?
There's a few ways to end up talking to a new potential buyer client.
Floor Call Mailings Blogging In Line at the Grocery Store During a conversation about real estate, you find out they're looking to purchase a house. You probe a little to find out how they're going about it and they say "we're not working with anyone." I say, "you should be working with a buyers agent. That's your best bet. They'll be able to advise you throughout the transaction and … (33 comments)

eric michael: Overrated and Underrated. December 9, 2012 - 12/09/12 08:19 AM
Overrated and Underrated. December 9, 2012
Overrated- Going to the Polls to vote. Why do we still have to do this? Shouldn't there be a better, faster, less controversial way to vote?
Underrated - A Good home Inspector. Every house needs to be inspected Before you purchase it. Old homes, friends/relatives homes, even new construction homes. Call me. I'll explain.

(10 comments)

eric michael: Today's Email Scam. 12-3-2012 - 12/03/12 09:43 AM
Today's Email Scam. 12-3-2012
 
I know you miss these blogs, but it looks like Gmail has been taking care of most of my email scams.
 
Here's an example of an email scam that Gmail caught, and when Gmail will send to notify me...

Message left on server: "FRAUD ALERT!!!"
The message "FRAUD ALERT!!!" from Robert S. Mueller III (info@fbi.org) contained a virus or a suspicious attachment. It was therefore not fetched from your account ericmichael@remerica.com and has been left on the server.
If you wish to write to Robert, just hit reply and send Robert a message.
Thanks,
The Gmail … (4 comments)

eric michael: 2012 Leaf Pickup in Livonia, MI, Round 2 - 11/26/12 09:58 AM
2012 Leaf Pickup in Livonia, MI, Round 2
Leaf pick up in Livonia is almost done. Here's the chart to see when your final pick up will be:

Rules for the leaf pick up:
Do not place leaves in ditches or far back from the roadway. Leaves only - Do not mix in other debris (NO sticks, branches, grass). Please remove parked cars from the street on your scheduled pickup day. Residents may also dispose of leaves on their weekly refuse pickup day.   Place leaves and other yard waste in garbage cans marked with a yard waste sticker or … (1 comments)