real estate: Who Is Your Favorite ActiveRain Blogger? - 04/15/13 04:02 AM
Who Is Your Favorite ActiveRain Blogger?
I think a lot of people here on AR would like to see the answer to this question.
I have a subscription list of almost 250 bloggers in various states of activity, but I'd like to read a few more good ones.
They don't necessarily have to blog every day, or always write about real estate topics, but someone that's just a good writer and is fun to read.
I'm sure the newbies would be interested in hearing from you, too!
Looking forward to your responses...
 
… (16 comments)

real estate: Today's Email Scam. 4-13-2013 - 04/13/13 11:47 AM
This one is a bit different.
I got the email, but the strange part was when I went to "copy" it, it showed me a LOT of hidden text below the email. It wont show up in here, but it was there.
To whom it may concern We have recently expanded and have vacancies for the Full- and Part- time Work from Home. 
We are immediately looking to fill customer service, sales, and marketing positions. We serve niche market segments where performance, precision and reliability are critical. 
Position title : Purchasing Coordinator
We offer:
- our commission plan is flexible
- starting wage expectation of between … (8 comments)

real estate: Looking For A New Buick or GMC in Metro Detroit? Look No Further! - 04/13/13 10:51 AM
Looking For A New Buick or GMC in Metro Detroit? Look No Further!    
If you're looking to lease or purchase a GMC or Buick, I not only found the dealer you should use, but the best car salesman I've ever had the pleasure to meet!
I stopped by Sellers Buick GMC in January, actually on the way to another dealer to buy a different car.
I'm very happy that I did!
Chris Moore met me at the front desk. There was no "sales pitch." We just talked.
I'm in sales, too, and it only took me a few … (2 comments)

real estate: When Losing A Buyer Client Is A Good Thing! - 04/10/13 12:44 PM
When Losing A Buyer Client Is A Good Thing!
I hadn't heard from one of my buyers lately so I sent him a quick email tonight. It was almost 10:00 pm when I sent it and I was surprised when he called me right back!
Let me set the stage: He's a referral from the mortgage pro at my local credit union. We hit it off really good right off the bat. Not only did he demand from the get-go that he doesn't want to waste ANY of my time or money and that he'd drive by any and every house … (16 comments)

real estate: Not An April Fool's Joke - 04/01/13 07:19 AM
Not An April Fool's Joke
It's Spring Break.
That means that my daughters don't have school this week.
Turns out one of my daughters is having not one, but TWO of her friends sleeping over tonight.
I was told I'm taking them to the video store to rent a couple of movies.
Actually, I need to get going. They told me to be home about 15 minutes ago.
Not An April Fool's Joke, but I wish is was.
 
… (9 comments)

real estate: S & S Tax Service, Inc. - 03/28/13 09:03 AM
S & S Tax Service, Inc.
I've known Mike Seykell, owner of S & S Tax Services, since about 2000. I've hired him to do my taxes my taxes since 2003, and can't imagine having anyone else do them.
Give him a call and tell him I recommended him very highly!
734-464-8292
38701 W. 7 Mile #145  Livonia, MI  48152
www.sandstaxservice.com
 
… (5 comments)

real estate: Overrated and Underrated. March 26, 2013 - 03/26/13 10:27 AM
Overrated and Underrated. March 26, 2013
Overrated - Fast Food. I might have mentioned this before, but all the chemicals and carbs are NO GOOD for you! Stop eating it. Or, at least, eat very little of it. I promise you'll be better off.
Underrated - Road Trips! I LOVE road trips. I'm going to a real estate conference in Atlanta next week and I can't wait! I'm picking up a real estate buddy of mine in Cincinnati on the way. Hope we can get along musically.
 
… (8 comments)

real estate: "Cash Only" Doesn't Always Mean "Only Cash" - 03/24/13 09:26 AM
"Cash Only" Doesn't Always Mean "Only Cash"
That might sound weird, but here's what I mean.
When real estate agents, or office staff, input the listing information into the MLS (multiple listing service), "cash" is usually the default in the financing terms.
What that means is that if you don't put anything in, it will always say "cash."
But, there are other possibilities.
Maybe the agent didn't check the other financing box(es), like FHA, Conventional, VA or Land Contract financing options.
It's also possible that the secretary, or other staff, was "multi-tasking" while inputting the info into the computer.
More than … (22 comments)

real estate: Facebook Scam - 3.24.13 - 03/24/13 09:15 AM
Facebook Scam - 3.24.13
I received a FB message earlier today from someone that's not a "friend" of mine. I get email scams all the time, but this is the first one that came through via Facebook! Check it out...
"Hello,, am sorry to disturb you.i see you are a real into Business, i will like to work with you,am with investible fund but limited time to oversee any other business activity.as am always busy with my profession.no intentions of starting  my own business as i work on contract most times,its a great tough and it pays a lot ..i cant keep holding my funds … (2 comments)

real estate: Metro Detroit Market Shift - 03/22/13 09:38 AM
Metro Detroit Market Shift
The buyers market is long gone. Has been for a while now.
Did it go to a stable market, where buyers and sellers are about equal?
Absolutely not! It ran right by that.
It's a sellers market, big time!
Inventory is extremely low. There are still plenty of buyers out there.
You know what that means?
Listings are sold quickly, there's a good chance you'll get multiple offers on your home and the offers you do receive are stronger than they've been in years!
Sellers - Give me a call, let's talk about selling your … (3 comments)

real estate: To Be (A Buyer) or Not To Be (A Buyer), That's The Question. - 03/14/13 11:13 AM
To Be (A Buyer) or Not To Be (A Buyer), That's The Question.
Picked up a new buyer today.
He's totally rational.
Wants twice the house for half the money.
And he hasn't been pre-approved, but wants to look at homes this weekend.
He's counting on his income tax refund to be enough for a down payment, but doesn't know how much it's gonna be yet.
Last mortgage person he talked to  said he'd qualify for half of what he thinks he can get now.
Needs to go FHA, but "can do any work that needs to be done."
*stop*
Before … (6 comments)

real estate: 3.13.13 - 03/13/13 11:47 AM
3.13.13
Pretty cool date, isn't it?
A couple of cool things happened today.
I had one of my favorite dinners, chicken Parmesan. Love it!
Also, talked to an investor that I've been working with. They're ready to put some offers in. Sweet!
My Detroit Lions signed Reggie Bush to a 4 year deal. Awesome!
13 is my favorite number. Maybe it'll be lucky for me. And my Lions.
 
… (7 comments)

real estate: How To Schedule A Home Inspection - 03/12/13 11:05 AM
How To Schedule A Home Inspection
There are a few ways to accomplish home inspections, and they sometimes depend on which kind.
Regular home inspections, the kinds that determine if you want to move forward with your purchase agreement, can be done a few ways.
You can get permission from the listing agent, and have the inspector schedule a time to inspect the house via the listing office. This can be done with or without the buyers being present (though, I would always suggest they be there, to ask questions along the way). You can request the buyers agent be there … (6 comments)

real estate: Thinking About Selling Your Home? Guess What... - 03/10/13 08:44 AM
Thinking About Selling Your Home? Guess What...
Now is the time!
Here's the deal...
There are a TON of buyers out there, running around looking for a house. So many, in fact, that there's a good chance you'll get Multiple Offers on you house! Interest rates are still Incredibly Low! Buyers can afford more than they could if the rates were higher! The Lack of Inventory is Amazing! With the number of homes for sale so low right now, there's a potential for a Bidding War. How's that sound? No Equity? A Short Sale is an option! Even if you don't … (6 comments)

real estate: Overrated and Underrated. March 9, 2013 - 03/09/13 09:36 AM
Overrated and Underrated. March 9, 2013
Overrated -McDonald's Shamrock Shake! The did something. They had to have. I had one the other day and it wasn't very good. I remember years ago, getting the minty shake and it was awesome! Same with the Arctic Orange shake. They either changed the "chemicals" they use in them or made them "low(er) fat" or something. Just not good. PS. Avoid the chicken nuggets at all costs!
Underrated - Buying Stuff Online, For FREE! I had a few bucks to spend because of the points that I've accumulated on my Amazon credit card. Because it's … (1 comments)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)

real estate: 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)