home selling: When will the Fed wake up? Part I -- the Problem
- 11/08/07 04:58 AM
Back in the mid-70's, we were living through an "oil shortage" thought to be the worst in U.S. History. I remember riding in a car, passing gas station after gas station, all of them advertising their price for a gallon of gas. All of them had signs on the pumps saying "Out of gas." My buddy, the driver, laughed and said, "They can advertise gas for 5 cents a gallon till the cows come home if they don't have any to pump." His statement wasn't all that profound; it was pretty obvious, in fact. I‘ve always remembered it, though. Apparently, our Federal Reserve … (0 comments)
home selling: Good News? Bad News? Who Knows? -- Part II
- 11/07/07 06:49 AM
As I mentioned in Part I, good news can come cloaked in bad news' clothing ... and vice versa. Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul and its sequels) has an equation for life: EVENT + RESPONSE = OUTCOME We have a choice about how we respond to any event in our lives and the choice we make is a factor in the outcome. Some people believe this idea is simply the power of positive thinking; that if you believe the outcome will be good and put all your energy toward a positive outcome, you will achieve it. That's not quite accurate, however. Sometimes the … (0 comments)
home selling: Good News? Bad News? Who Knows? -- Part I
- 11/07/07 05:49 AM
Charlie and Bill were best friends for life and loved baseball. Played together in high school, college, and well into their seventies. One day, they pondered whether there would be baseball in heaven. "Wouldn't it be great?" they thought. "We'd feel young again -- no aches, no pains and we could play baseball for eternity." A few days later, Charlie died. Months passed and Bill missed his lifelong friend. He often wondered if Charlie was playing second base again, able to wing the ball from short-centerfield to first base like he did in his youth. Once morning, sipping his coffee, Bill heard … (3 comments)
2-story living room with lots of glass to let the sun shine in highlights this home's contemporary floor plan and decor. The lot is larger than other lots in Bailey's Grove and is heavily wooded (see photos). Open floor plan provides a large kitchen perfect for entertaining. Master bedroom suite is large enough to accomodate a king-size bed comfortably. Professionally landscaped with underground sprinkling. Stove, refrigerator, washer & dryer stay. For more information visit http://www.donphelan.com/ … (3 comments)
home selling: Wyoming Rogers Open Saturday! Price Reduced!
- 11/06/07 06:58 AM
Wyoming Rogers Open Saturday, November 10, from 12:00n noon till 2:00 p.m. Now $109,900 613 Cricklewood SW (South on Clyde Park off 28th St. to Cricklewood, East to home) Totally redecorated from top to bottom and inside & out. New carpets, new paint, laminate floors, new vinyl -- even a new work room space. New carpet in family room, laundry room. Den/office with closet on lower level. Central air. Now $109,900. For more information and to see additional interior photos, visit http://www.donphelan.com/ To schedule a showing, call me at 616-648-0800 … (2 comments)
home selling: KENOWA HILLS/ALPINE ESTATES -- OPEN SUNDAY 2 - 4
- 11/06/07 06:55 AM
1372 Texas St. NW in Alpine Estates (South off 1300 3-Mile Rd. NW) -- Great Schools! Great Neighborhood! Under $140,000! 3-Bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, 2-Stall Garage, Family Room with Fireplace, Central Air. Roof is eight years new. For more information, call me at 616-648-0800 or 616-791-0110 ext. 2121 or visit my web site at http://www.donphelan.com/ and click on "Preferred Listings." Hurry, this one will sell quickly! … (0 comments)
home selling: Have You Hugged Your Web Site Today?
- 11/02/07 06:32 AM
How much money did your web site make you this year? Last year? The year before? If you have owned a web site for three years or more and you are not earning at least $25,000 per year as a direct result of your web site, you should a) try something different or b) stop spending your energy and money on a web site. Most real estate agents are disappointed with the amount of revenue they generate from their web site ... and they should be. If your site is buried on the 14th page of search results, consumers will not scroll until … (6 comments)
home selling: Price Reduced! Grand Rapids West Side Ranch!
- 11/02/07 06:25 AM
NORTHWEST G.R. CHARMER (Covell/O'Brien Area) Price just reduced to $128,500 Extremely well-maintained and ranch near the Mines Golf Course. Great area, 3 bedrooms, 1 full baths, 2 half baths, 2 stall garage, finished basement. Central Air. For more information, visit http://www.donphelan.com/ or call me at 616-648-0800. Don Phelan RE/MAX of Grand Rapids, Inc. e-mail: donaldrphelanjr@ameritech.net … (0 comments)
home selling: Think Inside the Box.
- 11/01/07 03:06 AM
For those of you who read my post "How to Write Good," you know how overused jargo-techno-buzz makes my eyes blur and start to water. You can imagine, then, it was nearly impossible for me to control myself when an agent waltzed into my office and said, "I think we need to think outside the box." I paused for a moment, trying to find a happy place, resisting the urge to grab him by the throat till his eyes bulged, before it dawned on me that this particular agent spends great deal of time "thinking outside the box" and not nearly enough … (1 comments)
home selling: My BEST LENDERS List
- 10/29/07 06:15 AM
Recently, I wrote a post about worthless prequalification letters and lenders who aren't quite above-board in their representations of buyers' credit worthiness. I suggested requesting credit scores when considering an offer, along with a few other ideas. I briefly also mentioned my BEST LENDERS list. I created the list to help my buyer clients shop for a lender from a groups of proven experts; lenders who had a proven track record for superior service, knowledge, and competitive rates and financing programs. As I've thought more about it, I've decided to publish the list here on my blog. Let me (again) point out that NONE … (2 comments)
home selling: KENOWA HILLS/ALPINE ESTATES -- JUST LISTED UNDER $140,000
- 10/29/07 05:51 AM
Great Schools! Great Neighborhood! Under $140,000! 3-Bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, 2-Stall Garage, Family Room with Fireplace, Central Air. Roof is eight years new. For more information, call me at 616-648-0800 or 616-791-0110 ext. 2121 or visit my web site at http://www.donphelan.com/ and click on "Preferred Listings." Hurry, this one will sell quickly!
… (0 comments)
home selling: The Story of the Man and the Village
- 10/25/07 07:03 AM
Recently, I wrote the following piece for a friend of mine who is the creative director for an ad agency in Houston. It was the result of a conversation about how the business of marketing has changed dramatically during the past 10 years due to the internet and blogging. At the risk of preaching to the choir, I'll share it. We all know the value of the internet and blogging. The Man and the Village.Once upon a time, in a village far away, there lived a man. His fellow villagers would make things, bring them to the man and he would tell others … (3 comments)
Welcome to the shaded sidewalks of the Marywood Area of "Near-Northeast" Grand Rapids (Between Fulton & Michigan on Plymouth). This well-maintained, classic 2-story is dressed to the nines and ready for you to move in! Hardwood floors and newer carpets, great colors throughout, and a 3-season porch to enjoy most of the year. This home also features central air, gas fireplace and tons of built-in storage. In addition to the good-sized bedrooms, you will enjoy spacious closets and updated bathrooms. Outside you will find a 2 ½ car garage, … (0 comments)
home selling: How to write good.
- 10/19/07 05:50 AM
How to Write Good. Realtors are salespeople. Salespeople talk. Most Realtor-salespeople talk good. Writing, however, can be quite another matter. Writing is an essential communication tool and it is sad to see otherwise bright, articulate people shy away from writing because of their lack of confidence in doing so. It is just as sad to see bright people try to overcompensate for their writing insecurity by using big words (usually improperly), jargon and tired clichés. Here are a few suggestions on how to be a better writer: 1. Get a clear idea. H.L. Mencken once wrote that most people "write badly because they cannot … (4 comments)
home selling: The Story of the Russian Dolls
- 10/16/07 09:57 AM
About this time last year, I was enjoying one of my "road trips," stopping for a late lunch and pumpkin fudge dessert while padding around historic Marshall, Michigan. One of the shops there was holding its annual display of Russian nested dolls and I stopped to take it in. It reminded me, you see, of my days at Ogilvy & Mather, one of the world's largest ad agencies, when David Ogilvy, the agency's found and legendary advertising guru, presented Russian dolls to every one of his executive staff. With the dolls he presented a note saying, essentially, that if you hire … (2 comments)
home selling: JUST LISTED! NORTHWEST G.R. CHARMER (Covell/O'Brien Area)
- 10/16/07 05:14 AM
$134,900 Extremely well-maintained and ranch near the Mines Golf Course. Great area, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 stall garage, finished basement. Central Air. For more information, visit www.donphelan.com or call em at 648-0800.
… (0 comments)
home selling: Wyoming Rogers Open Sunday! Price Reduced!
- 10/16/07 05:09 AM
Wyoming Rogers Open Sunday, October 21, from 2:00 till 4:00 p.m. Now $109,900 613 Cricklewood SW (South on Clyde Park off 28th St. to Cricklewood, East to home) Totally redecorated from top to bottom and inside & out. New carpets, new paint, laminate floors, new vinyl -- even a new work room space. New carpet in family room, laundry room. Den/office with closet on lower level. Central air. Now $109,900. For more information and to see additional interior photos, visit http://www.donphelan.com/ To schedule a showing, call me at 616-648-0800 … (0 comments)
home selling: Ottawa Hills/Iroquois Area Classic 2 1/2 Story
- 10/12/07 05:43 AM
1572 Alexander Street SE (Ottawa Hills/Iroquois Area) $329,900 Classic elegance is the hallmark of this plantation-style, all-brick two-and-a-half story home. From its white columns in the front that remind you of "Tara" to its soothing colors throughout, this home offers real comfort, southern style. Its kitchen is open and inviting, ready for a crowd to gather with its glasses of wine and stories of the day. The original butler kitchen makes a great wet bar and wine closet. Dress the table for dinner in the formal dining room or enjoy the convenience of the eating area, warmed by the corner fireplace. Upstairs, the … (0 comments)
home selling: Wyoming Rogers Price Reduced
- 10/12/07 05:36 AM
Wyoming Rogers Price Reduced Affordable Starter in Wyoming Rogers Totally redecorated from top to bottom and inside & out. New carpets, new paint, laminate floors, new vinyl -- even a new work room space. New carpet in family room, laundry room. Den/office with closet on lower level. Central air. Now $109,900. For more information and to see additional interior photos, visit http://www.donphelan.com/ To schedule a showing, call me at 616-648-0800 … (0 comments)
home selling: Tired of Worthless Prequal Letters and Slippery Lenders?
- 10/12/07 05:14 AM
The other day I posted a message about providing a buyer's credit score to a seller when making an offer (with the buyer's written permission, of course.) While most of the comments I received were positive, I received one comment that disagreed with the idea. The agent suggested that I stick with having the listing agent talk with the buyer's lender. Interesting concept, I thought. Talk with the buyer's lender. Now why hadn't I thought of that? Oh, yeah, right. I already had thought of that. There's on little problem with that strategy: Buyers and their lenders have been known to ... … (5 comments)
Articles and Discussion about Grand Rapids and West Michigan Real Estate, Preparing Homes for Sale, Choosing a Realtor, Information about Grand Rapids Area Schools.
Back in the mid-70's, we were living through an "oil shortage" thought to be the worst in U.S. History. I remember riding in a car, passing gas station after gas station, all of them advertising their price for a gallon of gas. All of them had signs on the pumps saying "Out of gas."
;)
;)
