Therese's Blog-The Greater Grand Rapids and Jenison, MI Areas.

It's an Offer!....But is Just Any Offer Good Enough For a Short Sale??

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:50:48 -0700

Am I wrong in thinking that just getting any offer is no longer good enough for our Short Sales?? I currently have a couple of Short Sales we received offers on but nothing that held the Buyer accountable nor showed that they were serious Buyers. It was really more like, let's just cast a net out there and see if we can get lucky! You know the offers....offers that come in without an EMD, no Bank Pre-Approval letter, requesting a quick closing, 45 days (seriously??) no inspections until Lender Approval, Seller to contribute 6% of Purchase Price towards closing costs etc.. (now you get the jest).I must admit I have a difficult time taking these offers very seriously. Do these Buyers really want these homes (which are great deals) and what is it in these offers that makes them the least bit vested in the homes purchase?? I'll tell you......absolutely nothing.So I discussed the offers over with my clients and went back with counters something like this.....1. EMD required upon acceptance of offer.2. Buyer to allow 4 months to close from date of acceptance of offer.3. Home to be Sold "As Is" Seller to contribute no funds towards repairs.4. Seller to bring no Money to close for any reason etc....5. Inspections to be completed within standard 10 day time frame as per Purchase Agreement.6. Buyer will not pursue other purchasing alternatives for as long as Purchase Agreement is valid.We went back a forth in negotiations, one of the Short Sales moved forward, accepted most of our requests and we are now on track to close....the other did not want to be tied down and would only commit to a 60 day time frame for the Buyer to determine if "things were moving forward fast enough". (and exactly what would he have judged that by?) Unfortunately, that was not enough for my Sellers who now have only 4 months remaining in their Redemption Period. (and happily did get a more serious offer!) My Sellers who are at high risk of losing their homes and who are in need of more than anything else a serious and vested Buyer. A Buyer who has been well counseled by their Agent as to what to expect with the short sale process, understanding that it takes patience and a will of iron to get through to the other side. One who will stick with them through the long haul and will allow a reasonable amount of time now needed to close a short sale transaction. Time is of the essence for my Sellers and if our Buyers decide to walk away after months of negotiations because they have absolutely nothing vested and nothing to lose....my Sellers could very well be left with no further recourse and ultimately go to foreclosure. ....this is a high and risky possibility when taking a chance on a Buyer who is really not very serious at all.So I wonder....is just any offer good enough for our Short Sales?? *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Am I a Stealth Blogger?

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:55:33 -0700

Am I a "Stealth Blogger"? Hmmmmm....maybe, and it's just kind of evolved that way. I have been on Activerain since 2007 and am just now starting to find my voice here becoming comfortable posting and even commenting. This to me is quite an achievement for I am always careful (o.k...maybe even a little too careful) of what message(s) I am putting forward for they will ALWAYS BE OUT THERE. For me it is easier to write a blog than to make comments. When I am writing, the words just come but when I am making comments I have to put much more conscious thought into my words. I do not want to be repetitive of what others have already said, I do not want to unintentionally insult someone, I want to be thoughtful of others, I want my comment to be a "worthy comment" (Not a quick one liner). I am primarily here for the Google Juice and internet exposure and I still have much to learn regarding this. I am also here to interact with others in the real estate industry, build relationships, make new connections and to also keep updated and informed on what is constantly evolving in the real estate world. I have learned much here and have found there is no better place to do all this than here at Activerain....oh, and I don't really care about the points.I am not looking for a platform here to voice or push my opinions or for debates, to me this will just add more stress and discord to my world (I want to enjoy it here). Believe me, in this business there is already more than enough stress and discord out there, so I choose not to engage and keep this at a minimum. Do I have my opinions?...absolutely but I also know that what I prefer, what I believe, how I choose to run my business is not always going to gel well with others and that's ok, I just choose not to debate it here.I pop onto Activerain everyday and always learn something new. I swoop in and zip over many, many blogs and often may not make a comment but am pushing myself to do better at this. I enjoy the many different topics people are posting, the humor I see in others, the willingness to help and to guide, I find many creative ideas and thoughts at Activerain....this is also why I am here.So...if I'm a stealth blogger I don't mean to be but please know I am pushing myself now to COME OUT OF THE CLOUDS! *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Our Hearts will Always Miss Her.....

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:44:48 -0700

A very good friend and truly remarkable woman passed away April 5th 2010 and although over the recent years our lives crossed paths much less often than I would have liked, she has always been in my thoughts and prayers.It was over 5 years ago that Chris learned of her Lung Cancer, the prognosis wasn't good as she had an aggressive form and the cancer had already progressed. She wasn't expected to live more than a year or two but I believe that because of the positive personality she had and the optimistic person she was, she knew she had much more life to enjoy than the doctors had predicted.From the time Chris was diagnosed I saw what an amazingly strong woman she was and although she fought her cancer on every possible level, she also gave herself the gift of her life and made sure that the time she had with her husband and sons was spent, as much as possible, in creating lasting fun memories for them to have and always carry with them.I remember a couple of years ago Chris helped in putting together a fundraiser, not just for herself but for the LUNGevity Foundation (committed to medical research into diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer) and for the very first time I heard the phrase...."I Have Cancer but Cancer Doesn't Have Me". That phrase truly seemed to fit Chris for when she was with her friends, her cancer was not her primary focus, being with her friends, just enjoying the moment and having a good time was. I would never really ask Chris how she was doing, part of me thinks because I really didn't want to know, but also because when I was young my mother had chronic pain. The doctor had told us kids to stop asking our mom how she was feeling, because every time we did, if she was having a good day or even just a good moment, asking that question would only let the pain back in....and I didn't want to open that door.So although I really have no true idea of what Chris and her family struggles and triumphs have been over these last 5+ years, this is what I do know of her....-She was a fabulous wife, mother and daughter and deeply loved by them.-She had remarkable strength and was a force to be reckoned with when the need arose. -She was a Soccer Mom and took great pride in watching and supporting her sons at all their games and sporting events.-She was a wonderful friend and had more friends than she could count.-She could always find the joy and good in everything.-She will be greatly missed.....I know that Chris will truly be missed by many for she has touched countless lives. We are all the better for having been blessed to have known her, are grateful for the wonderful memories of her...and our Hearts will always miss her....In loving memory of our friend Christine Anne Stepanek Dec 10,1963 - April 5, 2010 *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Mr. and Mrs. Seller, I wish you could price your home for what you need to get out of it but...

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:13:19 -0700

This past weekend I was at a soccer tournament and was having a nice time chatting with a number of other parent's there. One of them suddenly mentioned she had given my name and phone number to a friend of hers who needed to sell her home. She had the home listed previously for $170,000.00 and couldn't understand why she had received no offers or even one showing during the time it had been listed.Her friend had spoken to another Realtor just this past week and he had told her that she would not be able to sell her home in her requested price range...that even last year this would have been very difficult and the market has continued to dip in pricing over time, so she is now looking for another REALTOR opinion as to the value of her home.As we continued to talk I learned this lady owed more money on the home that what this agent had suggested she list it for and that she also had some other debt she was trying to pay off with the sale. This lady is hoping to sell her home for enough to get out from under not only her mortgage but also some added debt she has accumulated.The above scenario is unfortunately becoming more and more common during these difficult times and I can certainly understand why Seller's are looking and hoping to be able to accomplish this.The cold hard reality however is...If you really need to sell your home you cannot price it by what you need to get out of it. Whether it is only what you currently owe on the Mortgage or if you are looking to also get rid of added debt you have accumulated on top of this. Home Seller's need to understand that home values are determined by the current housing market and what comparable homes to yours in your area are now selling for. If there are other homes in your area considered comparable to yours and they are listed at prices below where you want to be, you need to take this information into careful consideration for this is the price range your home should fall in. If your home is priced much above this comparable range your home will very likely sit on the market without showings or offers because you are now helping to sell all those other comparable homes. Your home is now making all these other homes look like really great deals when compared to yours.I know this is a hard pill to swallow and you can of course contact REALTOR after REALTOR if you like and you will eventually find one who will list your home for what you want to sell it for but please understand this...you will continue to put yourself through added stress and waste additional, valuable time that could have been spent aggressively marke-ting your home to get the best possible price you can for it. The best REALTOR in the world can't help you if you won't let them and there are other options out there available to you! Please do not ignore the advice your REALTOR is giving you if this is someone you feel you can trust, for as time goes by things will continue to get more and more difficult and much more stressful. *Please be sure to contact a reputable REALTOR in your area and learn what options are available that can help you. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Buyer's if You're Interested in Short Sales the Time is Here for You to Bring Something to the Table...If You're to be Considered a Serious Buyer.

Sat, 22 May 2010 05:12:11 -0700

The last few years have definitely been a learning experience in the Short Sale Process for everyone...and we have all been working furtively to be able to learn and understand the ever evolving and changing dynamics of the short sales. Each Lender has its own internal process and the dynamics of each transaction can change at a moments notice and at the whim of the Lender. Everyone was learning on the run and one transaction at a time. Sellers found themselves at the mercy of not only their Lenders but of their Buyers as well...gosh, they we're considered lucky just to have a Buyer!Inevitably times will change...and they did. It is no longer always a situation of the Seller "being lucky" to have a Buyer...any Buyer, then painfully finding themselves at both the Buyer and Lender's mercy. -Buyers were able to wait for lender approval before being required to do inspections...no longer...-Buyers were allowed to pursue other purchasing alternatives during a lengthy short sale process ....no longer...-Buyers did not have to really invest anything into a short sale with the exception of making a offer...no longer. Sellers are now expecting something in return from their Buyers, they want and need to have a reasonably high confidence that they have serious Buyers on board, who are in it for the long haul and are invested in this sale. (These Buyers are getting a great deal after all!) A few of the ways Sellers are doing this is....1. They are expecting a strong Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) which becomes hard upon an accepted purchase agreement between the Buyer and the Seller. 2. They are requiring inspections to be completed within the standard time frame stated in the Purchase Agreement.(this can mean $200-$400 out of the Buyers pocket) but will show Sellers they are serious about this purchase. **The added perk for the Buyers is, they have learned the house is in acceptable condition and have not waited 3-6 months (or even more) to ultimately learn something is wrong with the home...which they have now just wasted months on. (This really is a win/win for all)3. They are selling the home "As Is" and will contribute no funds to repairs. (The Sellers have no money)4. They are requiring a minimum of 3-6 months time frame in order to close. (This is the average time required for a short sale)5. They are not allowing Buyers the right to pursue other purchasing alternatives during this 3-6 month time frame. (you cannot find another home you like better and walk away with your EMD)So, for the Buyers who are looking for that GREAT DEAL and plan to make an offer on a Short Sale, if you want to be taken seriously you will need to bring something to the table, show you are invested in this sale and prove you are in it for the long haul....or your Seller's may just say no thank you....NEXT! *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

A Retired World War II Navy Vet...A Reprimand...Are you a Cut Above?

Thu, 13 May 2010 10:27:40 -0700

Recently I had a number of condo showings scheduled with a client of mine and the one for which she was the most excited to see happened to be owned by a Retired World War II Navy Vet. We knew this instantly as we began our preview due to the incredible memorabilia, medals and pictures he had carefully displayed in the office area of this meticulously kept home. As we were finishing up, the Seller arrived home early. He was quite the gentleman as he came in apologizing for coming back early, saying he had run out of things to do. We chatted a few minutes and I mentioned I had left my card on the counter just as a courtesy so he would know we had stopped in for the showing (I had set this out before he returned) his immediate reply was, "Did you write Thank You on the back?" Much to my dismay I had not and I apologized profusely. I have to admit I have never written thank you on the back of my cards for I had always felt in leaving the card this was the courtesy to let the Seller(s) know you had been there.We'll, he pretty much let me have it and rightly so..."Do you have any idea how much work and time it takes to get a home ready for a showing," He said? "I take great care and pride in my place and am proud to show my home to others." "YOU Realtors don't think anything of this and don't care about how much work we put in getting our homes ready." "A simple Thank You on the back of your card is the least you could do." He was right...a thank you on the back of my card is a small request and I didn't have a foot to stand on. I will say to you who are reading though...I truly do realize the hard work Seller's take in getting their homes show ready and am very conscientious regarding this. I just never wrote Thank You on the back of my cards....darn it, he got me!Well, we went back and wrote up a very strong offer (it was a strong offer) and on the very high end of what the condo's were going for in that community...the problem was, he was priced to high...really high, and we just couldn't justify it with the comps we were coming up with. I certainly did not want this offer to come across as an insult to him so I wrote him a letter with our offer explaining how well his home showed, how appreciative we were of the good care he has taken of it and that this offer was not intended to be a poor reflection of his home it is just what the market currently is willing to bare etc...Later the Listing Agent did tell me it was the first offer he submitted that he didn't get thrown out on his laurels! His client did give it careful consideration but ultimately would take nothing less than what it was listed for. Ahhh...well, it wasn't meant to be....we moved on.A few weeks later I received a letter from this Navy Vet and quite formal I must add...This letter really struck me for it resonated of an era gone by, where everyday pleasantries were common and expected. Today it seemes easy for these common courtesies to get lost in our extremely fast paced lives. This is what it said....To : VANDERMEER, Therese Realtor FlexIt Realty 1515 Michigan St. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503Subj : AppreciationThank you so much for showing my home this past week. You are very kind to have done so in the manner you did even though the basics of such are your lot in life. A cut above does not go unrecognized, and you acted a cut above. Too, your client seems to be a sweet one. Congratulations on your choice there.The purpose of this letter, however, is to thank you for the special letter you wrote to my Realtor (insert name) expressing your favorable regard for the condition of my home. This, I really appreciate. Home sellers are being trampled excruciatingly in this market with very little empathy shown for the work homeowners do to make our homes desirable, and I am one who resents callousness - I live clean, and I am proud to show my home clean - a word of recognition means much.Again, thank you,Mr. _____ ______This small acknowledgement of appreciation to me was touching and when I'm now showing homes, I will always write THANK YOU on the back of my cards! ....lesson learned. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Seniors...Is now the time for you to go Condo? Don't Wait Until too Late in Life to Make This Important Decision.

Tue, 11 May 2010 07:22:32 -0700

This is often a difficult decision for most however not for my Mom & Dad many, many years ago! When my parents were in their early 60's they suddenly decided (much to my surprise) that living in a Tri Level home was too much work for them. They no longer wanted to mow the lawn, shovel the drive way, pull weeds, paint the house, go up and down stairs and keep up with all the maintenance home ownership involved. I couldn't believe my ears! How could they do it?? How could they sell OUR HOME?!!...just think of all the memories our family had shared while us kids were growing up there. This was our home and it was quite beyond me to imagine anyone else living there. Mom then told me quite simply, "home" is not a house, it is whatever place you choose to live in with the one(s) you love and it will be whatever you make of it." ...I'll never forget it.Now in looking back, I see this actually turned out to be one of the best decisions my parents ever made. They were moving at a time when they were still physically able to do so and had young adult children around who were able to help them. I'm not going to kid you...this was an awful lot of work! They had so many things they had accumulated over the past 30+yrs and not only did they need to get rid of a lot of it, they also had to decide what to keep to furnish their condo and what things they just couldn't part with. They understood that in making this move they no longer had tons of room for storage and what they were able to hold onto was limited because of this. Fast forward 12+ years....mom and dad had many happy years in their condo and very much enjoyed the easier pace of life it had provided and there had been no regrets in their decision to down size. The condo they had lived in was very nice but not extravagant, it was what they called "very affordable living" which in turn allowed them the financial freedom to be able to winter in Florida and this they truly LOVED!!Then suddenly it was time to look into retirement homes for mom...no longer able to live on her own and lonely since dad passed away in 2005, I had found a lovely place for her and it was once again time for mom to move. This time the move, although not emotionally easy, was made much less stressful and difficult due to the fact that my parents had already downsized all those years earlier when they had moved out of "the big house". Because of this there was already a plan set in place as to what were the important things to mom and what needed to go with her, what things needed to stay in the family, what things could some of us use and what would we be donating. This was when I realized what a wonderful and insightful decision my parents had made all those years ago and how much easier our task now at hand really was.Since becoming a Realtor I have assisted Seniors in the sale of their homes, if it is a home they have lived in for the past 30+ years the work involved can be incredibly overwhelming, not only to the person(s) living there but also for the family and friends who will be helping them. It can entail weeks and weeks of work just to go through everything and make the decisions regarding what to keep, what to give away etc...this task most often will now fall to the children for many Seniors find it all too overwhelming and can have a very hard time coping. So, to my Parents who had the great foresight to plan ahead and sell the home which was too big and too much work for them....I now say THANK YOU!!! You were RIGHT and I was so WRONG, yup I can admit it. :-) This decision was one of the best you ever made, it made everything so much easier on everyone involved. And now I understand, you were not just thinking of yourselves...you were thinking of us your children and we love you for that!I can easily now say that when my kids are grown and have moved out of our home, we will be downsizing...for my Home is NOT a House, it is whatever place I choose to live in with the one(s) I love and it will be whatever I make of it. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

23824 Lake Dr. Sears, MI 49679 Lake View Home

Thu, 06 May 2010 04:38:00 -0700

Lake View Home Absolutely Perfect for Family Cottage or All Year Round!You're NOT Dreaming...as you enter this beautiful Lake View Home! If you are looking for the perfect home to call your own where you can enjoy time away from your normal every day hustle, bustle and grind, a place where you can welcome in family and friends just to relax and enjoy some good times...then you have just found it! This is not just a cottage it is a picture perfect home! Nestled at the end of a tranquil cul-de-sac street with a lovely view of Merrill Lake and where nature abounds. Absolutely stunning Four Season Room with Soaring Cathedral Ceilings, Great Room provides a splendid Bay Window and propane Wood Burning Stove for those snowy winter nights. Jumbo sized "Bonus Room" over garage for possible Non-Conforming 4th Bed Room, Fitness Room Office or Children's Play Room. Tasteful Moderate Landscaping with garden area and woods behind for your privacy, just a stone's throw away and you can be fishing for Pike, Bluegill, Perch and Bass! Lovingly maintained featuring a while glove interior, move in condition and ready for you. Wow! What a great opportunity to purchase this refreshingly affordable home! NEW ROOF Sept 2009.Here's the Virtual Tour For Your Preview!Priced at $99,900.00..Please feel free to contact me for your own personal showing today! *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Luxury Living in Summerset's Community of Premier Homes in Grandville/Georgetown Charter Township MI.

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:40:26 -0700

If you are looking for a home that will provide you all the amenities that true luxury living entails then the Summerset Community in Georgetown Township may offer just what you are looking for. Nestled among gently rolling hills and offering generous sized yards, you will find the homes here are wonderfully diversified in style and also in what they will have to offer you. With homes built beginning in the mid 1980's...until present (Summerset West is currently in development) you will find the price ranges beginning in and around $300,000.00...on up...and up! This simply wonderful community of Premier Luxury Homes not only offers beauty and elegance, it is also conveniently located close to Rivertown Mall, I196 and M6, an easy 20 minute ride to Downtown Grand Rapids and the shores of our Beautiful Lake MI Beaches! (Please know all prices are subject to change depending on current market conditions and the availability of homes) **If you are looking for a Luxury Home to enjoy in the Grandville MI, Georgetown Charter Township Area, give me a call and I will be pleased to help you find your perfect home. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Jenison MI and Georgetown Township Water Front Homes!!

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:12:57 -0700

Being that this is the time of year we all "Get the Bug" and have the dream of owning a home on the water with lot's of summer fun in the sun, I decided to do a little research and find out how many lakes we have here in our lovely Jenison MI, Georgetown Charter Township Area. Even though I have lived here all of my life, I was quite pleasantly surprised to find we had so many! We actually have approximately 16 lakes (to my best count) some which were developed in and around the 1970's or so and then of course our newer developments from the 1990's - 2000+ years. Prices will vary depending on the age of the home and the lake it is on...low end pricing may begin at about $150,000.00 and go all the way up to $700,000.000+ for our Luxury Homes located in our Newer Lake Front Developments. You will find we have homes on ponds or smaller lakes which will offer a bit more quiet and solitude...along with the All Sports Lakes, where families can enjoy all of their crazy fun toys like fast boats, jet ski's, wake boards, tubing and just pretty much anything fun on the water that you can think of! By the way...that insane kid in the picture jumping off the slide is my oldest son Corey and I've never seen this picture before! Somethings are just better kept untold, I think sometimes. :-) Both of these pictures were taken on Cedar Lake which is one of our newer lake front developments of Gorgeous Luxury Homes!!! As of this writing we currently have 28 Active Water Front Listings. I am enclosing them in the link below for your preview so you can get a glimpse as to what is presently offered. (Please know all prices are subject to change depending on current market conditions and the availability of homes)Georgetown Charter Township Water Front Homes**If you are looking for a home to enjoy on the water in the Jenison MI and the Georgetown Charter Township Area give me a call and I will be pleased to help you find your Dream Water Front Home. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Jenison MI Area Condo Location Map and Association Names

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:04:14 -0700

What are the names of all the Jenison MI Area Condo's and where can I find them????........ We all know that there are way more condo's available out there than many of us are even aware of. The trick is being able to learn what the different Condo Association Names are and where you can find them. It is not always as easy as going to the phone book or even the internet for often many associations will not have a main office for you to call or a even website. In order to make your Jenison MI Area Condo shopping experience as easy and uncomplicated as possible I have put together this very simple and basic map for you to use. You can view this map by simply clicking on the link below. If you then choose a condo name located in the left hand column and click on it, it will highlight the condo location on the map...you can then easily scroll up and focus the map, to view the crossroads and street names. View Map of Jenison Mi Area Condo's *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Jenison MI Area Condo's....Here's your List of our Condo Associations!

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 10:39:39 -0700

1. Allen Springs 6. Georgetown West 11. New Amsterdam Village 16. Stoney Creek 2. Boulder Bluff 7. Glen Eagle 12. Park Side 17. Wallinwood3. Cedar Grove 8. Glen Eagle Moors 13. Pine Brook 18. Water Front4. Cottonwood Forest 9. Grand Village 14. Pine Grove5. Fairway Estates 10. Green Meadows 15. Ridgeview Condo's in this area are seeing a new resurgence in popularity! What Condo Association will be the right fit for you will depend on a number of variables and questions you should be asking yourself as you begin to search for your new home. Depending on what it is you are looking for to fit your new lifestyle.....are you simply looking for comfortable low cost living? Condo's may be found as low as $45,000 in a couple of our condo communities. (prices are subject to change depending on availability and current market trends) If on the other hand you desire a little...or yes, even a lot more extravagance...we have this to offer you too! Whether you are a Senior looking to relax and enjoy a new lifestyle, free of the normal upkeep and yard work that your current home requires, a First Time Home Buyer or even somebody in between, wanting to own your own home but do not want the yard work and exterior maintenance that purchasing a house will require...buying a condo may just be a perfect fit for you! **If you could use some help looking for condo's in our Jenison Area Community, please feel free to give me a call, I'm always happy to help! *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Finding Condo Information is not easy but there is help out there!!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:19:07 -0800

As a Realtor Specializing in Condo's in the Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville MI Area's, I learned the hard way that finding General Information on Condo Associations can not only be difficult but also terribly frustrating. As you begin to explore the different possibilities open to you in Buying a condo you will learn quickly that when it comes to Condo Associations everything varies, from the cost of the Monthly Association Fee too, will they allow you to place that bird feeder out on your back deck? While preparring to purchase a Condo you should decide very early on what things are most important to you. On top of the typical wants and needs list for purchasing a home such as...1. How many beds and baths do you need? 2. What area do you want to live in? 3. What price range do you need to stay within? 4. How soon do you want or need to move? The above list can go on I know but when considering a Condo, there are some other things that are very important and must also be taken into consideration...1. Do you have a pet and if so will the condo association allow it?2. How important to you is an end unit? 3. What is the Monthly Association Fee and what does it cover? 4. Do you prefer a Senior Community, Club House, Pool etc...5. When repairs are needed what is taken care of by the Association?6. What type of parking do they have and where can your guests park when they come to visit?7. Where is your mail box!?8. How does the trash get picked up?Many Associations do not have a Main Office so there is no place to just stop in and ask. Also, unless you already know someone who lives in a particular association it can be truly difficult to find out who their Contact Person or the Association President is to get your questions answered. Ok...so how do you go about getting the information you are in need of and your questions answered without becoming so frustrated you want to pull all your hair out?? (and believe me you will, I have been there!) Please just contact your area Realtor who is experienced in Condo Sales and avoid this added aggravation! Isn't purchasing and moving difficult enough without having to throw all of this into the mix? It will be as easy as giving your Realtor all of your wants and needs, they will then be happy to contact the appropriate parties to get your questions answered. It's really just that easy.Aggravation avoided and Best of Luck to YOU!! ** If you are looking for help with the sale or purchase of a condo in the Jenison, Hudsonville or Grandville MI Areas please feel free to give me a call...I'm always happy to help. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Condo, Condo, Condo's In the Jenison, Grandville and Hudsonville MI Areas!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:03:08 -0800

This has definitely been a banner year for me when it comes to the sale of condo's in the Jenison, Grandville and Hudsonville MI areas. What I have been noticing is it is becoming more and more widespread for our young First Time Home Buyers to consider purchasing a condo, not only as a good investment (rent vs own) but also because it provides all the benefits of home ownership without all the work and outside maintenance typically involved.This is quite a switch from the past when condo's were by and large considered just a good move for seniors in deciding to downsize as they began their retirement years. Although this new trend for First Time Home Buyers is definitely having an positive impact on our condo communities we still are especially fortunate to have our wonderful Seniors, who are also very much enjoying the fantastic condo communities and the ease of lifestyle that it affords!Our Jension, Grandville and Hudsonville MI areas have much to offer with their varried Condo communities. If you are simply looking for easy, affordable living it is very possible for you to purchase a condo with lower living expenses than that of an apartment! And if you are looking for a more "posh" style of living...we have that too and everything in between!!Jenison MI Area: Total number of units sold 2009 - 52 -Price Range of units sold low/high $45,000-$225,000 Total number of units sold 2009 Jan-Feb - 4 Total number of units sold 2010 Jan-Feb - 6 Total number of current Active Jenison Condo Listings - 56 -Current Price Range low/high - $42,500 - $204,900 Grandville MI Area:Total number of units sold 2009 - 20 -Price Range of units sold low/high - $45,000 - $220,000Total number of units sold 2009 Jan-Feb - 3Total number of units sold 2010 Jan-Feb - 2Total number of current Active Grandville Condo Listings - 22 -Current Price Range low/high - $50,000 - $235,000Hudsonville MI Area:Total number of units sold 2009 - 30 -Price Range of units sold low/high - $32,000 - $175,000Total number of units sold 2009 Jan-Feb - 1Total number of units sold 2010 Jan-Feb - 3Total number of Active Hudsonville Condo Listings - 30 -Current Price Range low/high - $49,900 - $319,900**If you are interested in pursuing the ease of the condo lifestyle and are in need of information regarding what we have available and even what the different Condo Associations have to offer you...feel free to give me a call and I'll be most happy to assist you. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

It Takes A Village - During These Difficult Times Many Good Things Do Happen!

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:25:20 -0800

I don't know about most of you but it becomes more and more difficult for me to listen to the evening news or even read the newspaper. I have tired of hearing primarily bad news and sometimes will find myself just tuning out, which believe me I know, is not a good thing. Recently, I received a referral from a good friend of mine to help friends of his with the listing of their home. This family had already attempted to work with the bank on a loan modification (which to their regret didn't work out) and also made several attempts at contacting a few Realtors in this area who "specialize in short sales" and did not receive one call back. I was able to connect with them shortly thereafter and set up an appointment to get together. They, as many in this situation are truly wonderful people and this is a family who will always be there for others, expecting nothing in return. The father has had his work hours cut, now working 3 jobs just to try to make ends meet and this on top of some family medical expenses have placed them in this unfortunate situation. We talked over the short sale process that evening and went ahead and listed their home and even though the thought of leaving their home is very difficult to bare, they do NOT hold a grudge against their bank. In the homeowners words..."How can I be mad at the bank?" "I took out this loan and told them I would pay it off, now I'm telling them I can't...I don't blame them." This couple really wants to do what is right and the best they can in selling their home and hopefully cause as little damage to their credit as possible.Now, enter the good friend who referred them to me...knowing this family's home could use a little help in getting "show ready" primarily a little paint, fixing a sink and a light socket, repairing the tracking of the closet doors etc...he pulled together a team of people (Volunteers) who helped and accomplished much on one recent Saturday morning/afternoon, making all the difference in the world. I just had to stop by while the work was in process (providing lots of pizza...only trying to do my small part) and was able to meet this fantastic crew of 14 people, adults and teenager's ready, willing, able and working hard! IT WAS AMAZING!! My friend took a minute to thank everyone for their time and participation in coming together to help out and in seeing this good group of people thoughtfully listening, I have to admit, brought tears to my eyes as it was truly heart warming. Thanks so much to Brendan for taking the above picture for me...unfortunately not all involved were able to be present at that time.During these incredibly hard times now more than ever people are in need...and in this time of great need I'm seeing more and more that those who are able, will reach out to do whatever they can in even the simplest of ways, to help someone else who is struggling. Although it may sound a bit cliche' it really does Take a Village and out of difficult times many good things do happen! People simply helping people, its heart warming, it's encouraging and it's a very good thing! Thanks so much to this inspiring group of people...you have made a difference and you all ROCK!! Picture provided by Brendan Powers. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Signature Design Salon and Day Spa is More Than A "Cut Above" the Rest and one of Grand Rapids, MI Top Notch Salons.

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:02:16 -0800

Every now and then I feel the need to decompress...to treat myself to just a bit of extravagance. I have found the perfect place for this at Signature Design Salon and Day Spa. I find I am always able to find a way and justify things like this....I'm not really "too high maintenance" (my husband may disagree a bit on this) and then too, the proverbial "I'm worth it" will always work with me!Recently, I decided to get my very first facial ever. I truly had absolutely no idea of what to expect, thinking I would be sitting in a dental office type chair, someone applying different and even surprising concoctions on my face, while providing a step by step presentation of what they were doing...WOW, did I find myself mistaken! I may sound a bit naive I know but in my own defense, I was a first timer. I was in for such a treat and had absolutely no idea this was not going to be just a facial, it was to be an experience. One total hour of absolute heaven and made wonderfully complete by the relaxing atmosphere of soft music, lighting, a fabulous facial bed, and very little to no talking!Under the relatively new ownership of Linda Young who took over the salon about a year ago, this lady makes sure her stylists and staff are provided every opportunity, along with exceptional training, to ensure they are keeping up with the new trends and services for which this caliber of Salon is expected to provide. This is her passion, and it shows in all the details large and small.If you too feel the need to decompress and be pampered a bit, this is most definitely the Salon that will provide you the experience you are looking for.Services offered are: Comprehensive Hair Service Salon - Full Day Spa Services - Double Massage Room - Facials - Manicures - Pedicures - Full Body Waxing.Signature Design Salon & Day Spa is located in Chateau Center on the corner of 44th St. and Burlingame in Wyoming MI. Just minutes from River Town Mall .Sorry...new and updated website is in progress and not currently available.Contact Information - Linda Young Direct - 616-328-0337Salon - 616-530-0040mailto:lindayoung@signaturedesign.comcastbiz.netAll Pictures provided by Linda Young and Nancy McKenzie-Markham *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

My Very First Active Rain Client and a True Christmas Eve Miracle Closing

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:43:10 -0800

It was just yesterday we were all anxiously awaiting those Magical Words from our Lender we all look forward too and love to hear...You Are Clear to Close! What an incredibly long day yesterday was, for that final piece of information required by the underwriter just was not coming through. Our closing had been set for 2:00p which unfortunately passed us by and the remaining few hours quickly ticked on. Then we were down to mere minutes and at 4:30p there it finally was....we were Clear to Close! We all knew that if we did not close by Christmas Day there could be no more extensions, so for us the pressure was really on. We had come such a long way over the past 10 weeks and our Title Co. would close at noon Christmas Eve! My client Marti had found me on Activerain and even though a number of co-workers tried to refer her to someone they knew, we had quickly made a great connection and she decided to stay and work with me, what a great compliment.As we all began our journey together it seemed to be a pretty simple and straight forward transaction. As the Buyer's agent however, I quickly realized that this was just not to be, but then also could see how fortunate we all really were. I had the simple good luck to be working with a Seller's agent Marlene, who was kind and considerate and we quickly clicked in how we kept each other informed and up to date as we tenuously moved through this long a difficult process. It's taken us over 10 weeks to get to this close from the date of our offer, 2 Lenders, numerous obstacles with getting the Condo Association Approved, 2 Appraisals, Private Mortgage Insurance hurdles and the list could easily go on. It has been such a very long haul for both my Buyer and the Seller and I so wanted to be able to give them the small gift of peace for their Christmas, in that we had finally reached our common goal then be able to breath that small sigh' of relief and say...whew...we did it. And last evening we found we had our "Ace in the Hole" Jenny, at First American Title. This young lady went above and beyond for us, even staying late last evening to make sure everything was ready for us to close first thing this morning....on Christmas Eve. Everything here went smooth as could be for us and what a true gift this turned out to be. As I look back at what we all experienced I realized that if we had not had the good fortune to be able to come together and help each other get over each one of these hurdles this certainly would not have turned out to be a very Merry Christmas for anyone. Now, here I sit typing my little "Christmas Miracle Blog" and realize how fortunate we all really are.... for it's Christmas time and the small daily blessings that normally may go unnoticed during stressful and difficult times make us realize just how truly blessed we all are. Now, I just have to say....WHEW.....WE DID IT!!!! and, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!! *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

23824 Lake Dr. Sears, MI 49679 - Lake View Home - $114,900.00!

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:30:47 -0800

Therese VanderMeer | FlexIt Realty | 616-780-0786

23824 Lake Dr., Sears, MI

Beautiful Lake View Home!

3BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $114,900

Year Built	1994
Sq Footage	1,455
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	8,712 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Nestled at the end of a quiet cul-de sac street with a Beautiful view of Merrill Lake, allowing boats with up to 10hp to maintain the quiet and serenity you are looking for. Providing Private Resident Access to launch your boat for a day of great fishing of Pike, Bluegill, Perch and Bass! Looking for a day of tubing or wake boarding? There are many lakes just a stone's throw away to ski your day away. Take a look at the WONDERFUL Oversized 4 Season Room, notice the lovely Cathedral Ceiling and so many windows you're able to almost bring the outdoors right inside. Enter the Great Room, Dining Room and Living Room combination and see the pretty Oak Parke' Flooring throughout. The Great Room provides a lovely Bay Window and propane fueled Wood Burner Type Stove to add extra comfort and warmth during those chilly winter nights...snuggle in! The Dining Area is generous sized with large windows one looking into your 4 Season Porch and the other with a pretty back yard view. The kitchen is perfect for entertaining family and friends with generous oak cabinets, plenty of counter space and all applainces remain. Main floor Master Bed Room, Bathroom and Laundry Room add even more to the easy living of this open and spacious home. DON'T MISS seeing the LARGE "Bonus Room" just above the garage which could be utilized as a possible non-conforming 4th Bedroom, a fabulous office, exercise room, children's play area, craft room whatever you desire...this room also features a beautiful lake view! Seeing this home should be at the top of your list so set up your own personal showing today!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Hardwood floor	- Family room
- Bonus/Rec room	- Dining room	- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven	- Basement
- Washer	- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio	- Yard

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Garage parking

- Lake

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Gorgeous Four Season Room with Cathedral Ceiling!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Main Photo	View of Lake from Home.
Gorgeous 4 Season Room.	Perfect Kitchen
Lovely Master Bedroom	Main Floor Laundry!

Contact info:

Therese VanderMeer

FlexIt Realty

616-780-0786

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Dec 1, 2009, 11:06am PST

*************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

My Buyer is Already Pre-Approved...Is This a Good Thing?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:12:55 -0800

What do you think...is this a good thing?? I have to say that I am not yet entirely convinced it is because now I find myself working with a lender whom I've have no previous working relationship with. Buyers are now coming to us already pre-approved. They are so excited to have already jumped this major hurdle and have found comfort in knowing that not only can they purchase a home they have a clear understanding of what they can afford. We meet, talk, go over their questions...learn more about what their wants and needs are...oh, and by they way....they love their lender, he is a great Gal/Guy and they have confidence that they have chosen well. Perfect! But is it?I now make the initial call to the new lender (to introduce myself and touch base before the process begins) the offer has been made, accepted, the process is now launched and...The new Lender/Realtor relationship has begun.Now, there it is...that pesky little knot in my stomach only because I have found myself to have been disappointed in past experience. It was not because we did not close, or even that they were not good people...they simply did not handle their business in a manner that provided confidence and trust. This is the largest and most important purchase my Buyers will may ever make and I need to know that I am working with a competent, communicative and trustworthy lender...every time. What could a "new lender" do to provide confidence, trust and also use as a great building block to establish a new business relationship?1. Communication, communication, communication.2. Please don't tell me I will have something by the end of the day if you are not 100% confident you will.3. Please answer a straight question with a straight answer. Don't be evasive.4. Please confirm receipt of my e-mails in a timely manner, all I request is a "Thanks Therese, got it. (or even "got it" works)5. I need to learn of any changes or new hurdles from you...not my client. 6. Please be responsive, if you keep me updated as to how things are progressing I'm happy. :-)7. Always feel free to let me know if I can help...for I'm always happy too.No, it is not the new tools many lender's now have available to help me "grow my business" that will bring my business to them for although these new tools may be very nice, this is not what I need or expect from them.I am always looking to make new, strong connections with others in the real estate industry. Over this past summer I had one of the most difficult transactions of my career. I represented the Seller side and one day felt compelled to contact this new lender just to ask..."what is your confidence level in that we can bring this transaction to close?" After speaking with him a few moments I had great confidence in him and ultimately we did close. This lender also kept me updated on appropriate matters during this lengthy and stressful process. Would I look to work with him again? Absolutely....because he was present throughout the transaction.The established working relationships I currently have with Lenders are ones who put the clients needs first, are proud of their profession, do their job very well and they are truly vital to my success for they are a reflection of me and how I do business. These lenders take excellent care of my clients, I trust them and if I could work with them each and every time on all of my transactions I certainly would. But this is not my choice...it's the Buyers choice. So to my future new lenders out there....Please take extraordinary care of my clients for that is all I really want or need and it couldn't be more appreciated! *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

First Time Home Buyers Have You Considered Going Condo?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:59:09 -0800

Our First Time Home Buyers are beginning to take advantage of another excellent option for home ownership....the Condo! This can be an excellent opportunity for although many want to take advantage of becoming a homeowner during this Buyers Market of low prices, low interest rates and the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, they do not necessarily want all the corresponding work that comes along with it.....primarily yard work and exterior maintenance. Yes, more and more First Time Home Buyers are noticing that a condo can be a great fit for them and are no longer thinking of them as the retirement communities of days gone past. Determining whether or not a condo is for you will be determined by specifying clearly what your wants and needs are. You will also be required to abide by associations rule and /or by-laws so be sure to talk to your Realtor and have a very clear understanding of what these are and what they entail. Condo associations have “association fees” which will vary both on what they cost and cover. Most often this fee will cover trash, lawn and yard care, water, sewer, snow removal and insurance. You may also find that electric, cable and or gas could also be included among other things. If your association offers any amenities such as a fitness center, club house, pool etc...the care of these facilities are also taken care of with the association fee. It is important for Buyers to learn exactly what this fee will cover before they decide to move forward on a purchase. So.......You want to become a homeowner but don’t want the all the expense and up keep that comes along with it?? Then you may want to consider a condo as this could be a really great fit for you! -If you are looking for a condo in the Jenison, Hudsonville or Grandville MI Areas, including the Greater Grand Rapids MI Area and could use some assistance, please give me a call for I’m always happy to help. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Some Simple Suggestions for Halloween Safety

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:54:36 -0700

It’s Halloween time and if you and your children participate in the tradition of trick or treating now is the time to consider what you can do to help keep them safe before they heard out the door! Here are a few suggestions..... 1. Watch the weather and be sure children are dressed appropriately. 2. Be sure costumes fit well and most importantly are not too long to avoid tripping. 3. I like to suggest face painting as a good alternative to face masks. It can be as easy or elaborate as your would like to make it and a safer alternative, for their vision will not be impaired if the mask does not fit properly. 4. If at all possible trick or treat before dark this may not fit too well with older children however the younger ones really don’t mind...they are too excited about getting candy! 5. Set a curfew and stick too it...better yet, have your child bring a cell phone and check in with you at set times. 6. Be considerate of others and watch out for the little ones. (be careful you don’t stumble over them!) 7. NEVER GO ALONE!! If your kids are old enough to go Trick-or-Treating with friends without adult supervision, pick up the Glow in the Dark sticks which come on a string to place around their necks (you can often find these at dollar stores) this will make them more visible to other people and motorists. 8. Always say, “thank you” have fun and most importantly be safe! It would be my "treat" to hear your safety Suggestions! Booooooooooooooooo.......... *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

Price Savvy Buyers Shouldn’t Apologize and Neither Would You.

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:21:32 -0700

I vividly remember the very first time I saw a 50% off rack in a clothing store...I honestly thought I might just keel right over! I couldn’t believe my good fortune and the great deals I was about to get, I actually got a little rush with the thought...couldn’t wait for my husband to get home and show him all my good deals. I was truly so excited I could hardly stand it!! At that time this was something unheard of...50% off...a true stunner but what a great motivator to make me to buy. Of course I bought more than I normally would have and even bought things I could have easily done without. Gosh, I was used to the 10% - 30% off racks and 30% was considered a really good deal! I am a girl with a strong retail background and back then didn’t think too much about being price conscious, if I wanted or needed it I bought it and if it happened to be on sale even better but it certainly was not a requirement. Now fast forward 15+ years or so and WOW how things have changed and how I have changed! I now find that the 50% off racks are really no longer a stimulus that will make me buy....I’m now looking for the 60%-80% off items and let me tell you I get great deals on good name brand merchandise...no one knows or really cares how much I spent and quite frankly it really is none of their business. So why should the housing market be any different? In this economy we are all more price conscious than ever and everyone is looking for the good deals no matter what they are shopping for. You see it everywhere....all the discount stores, the thrift stores and retail stores offering great sales on merchandise in order to be competitive etc... Our Buyers now are not only more price conscious than ever they are also very knowledgeable and have been doing their research. They know what a good deal on a home is and they understand the great Buyer incentives currently available with the low interest rates, first time home buyer tax credit, seller paid closing costs and great prices on homes! This is a Buyers dream market and if they are in a position to take advantage of all the available incentives then we should all be saying good for them! These are very difficult times for our Sellers though... we all understand and yes even sympathize but our current market is what it is. Sellers you must understand your pricing is key... so give yourself the advantage and let your Realtor assist you in pricing your home properly right from the beginning, be competitive, don’t let your home be the one that helps other homes sell first because they are the ones priced right to sell.... and are the good deals. Also, let’s try our best not to become too irritated with our Buyers for taking advantage of the great home deals, do our best to work with them knowing they are even more excited than I was all those years ago and are most likely almost keeling over themselves! And if at all possible...hard though it may be... please take the emotion right out of the deal for it is in fact business for our Buyers and not personal. This is the single biggest purchase any Buyer in all probability will ever make and if you were in their shoes.... I just bet you would be looking for the very best deals or even the 70%-80% off racks too!! *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

First Time Home Buyers...Are You Sure a HUD or Foreclosed Home is What You Really Want??

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:21:28 -0700

I have many people coming up and asking me about how things are going for me in real estate these days. Most of them are concerned, for they find it hard to believe anyone can survive in this volatile market. Many of them are just interested in learning any information they can about real estate or how our market is doing, which of course I am always happy to talk about. But most ask me the same question...so...”Are you selling a lot of HUD and Foreclosure homes to your Buyers?? ”My response to this question is surprising even to me, “No, I am not selling a lot of HUD or foreclosed homes. “ (And believe me it is not for lack of showing them!) But how can this be?? Nearly every time I begin working with a new Buyer they request the same thing...”I am really looking for a HUD or Foreclosed home that I can get a good deal on and fix up.” They all see the media where they hear of Buyers finding their dream home for cents on the dollar, which even appear to be in quite good condition. What they don’t yet realize is that although this can and does happen it is most often the exception not the norm...until they begin looking that is. Once we begin our viewing of these homes they start to see the sad and true reality of what the HUD and Foreclosure market really is. The vast majority of these homes are in great distress that will require many $1000.00’s of dollars and hours of hard work to bring them back to a livable condition. Once they take all this into consideration the bubble bursts! Their home buyer vision seems to shift and the request comes...”Can we take a look at some homes that are not HUDS or Foreclosures?” Just as an example: I was recently showing a distressed home to a Buyer and when we began to walk into one of the kids bedrooms it smelled STRONGLY OF URINE! My Buyer didn’t even make it into the room and walked immediately right out of the house. He was done. When I contacted the listing agent to let her know what had occurred her response was, “Oh, I know...one of the older kids is a bed wetter and it’s JUST the mattress!” Now maybe I’m expecting a little too much, but personally, I would get that mattress OUT OF THERE. Distressed homes are difficult enough to sell but this could have quite easily been taken care of. It is now when the Buyers notice that even though our market is loaded with HUD and Foreclosed homes there is also a good selection of homes available for sale that are not...and priced very well. Often when comparing these ”normal sale” homes (if there is such a thing as a normal sale these days) to the HUDS and Foreclosures, then taking into consideration the money, time and resources they will require just getting into to the home, it becomes quite overwhelming , the HUD and Foreclosed homes seem to just fall by the wayside. Now, I am not saying there are not good deals out there in the HUD and Foreclosure Market only that it takes someone with a strong motivation, the time, the talent and the financial resources to take on these homes and many of our First Time Home Buyers are finding they are either not willing or capable of doing this ....and their vision shifts. If you are a First Time Home Buyer is a HUD or Foreclosed Home is What You Really Want? You may just surprise yourself so be sure to keep your options open. -Therese is Selling and Marketing Properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area while specializing in Jenison, Grandville and Hudsonville. Please contact Therese directly at 616.780.0786 or by e-mail: tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net In this Challenging Market Every Advantage is Important! COPY RIGHT 2009 Therese VanderMeer All Rights Reserved. *************************************************************************************** All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville. Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

8075 Mellowwood Dr. Desireable Jenison MI Area Home!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:02:52 -0800

Therese VanderMeer | FlexIt Realty | 616-780-0786

8075 Mellowwood Dr., Jension, MI

Step Right In...to this one owner, pet free home with-in walking distance from highly desirable Jenison Area Public Schools!

3BR/1.5BA Single Family House

offered at $139,900

Year Built	1976
Sq Footage	1,469
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	0.37 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

WELCOME AND STEP RIGHT IN....to this one owner pet free home with-in walking distance of highly desirable Jenison Area Public Schools! This home features a wonderful convenient floor plan having Kitchen w/ Pantry and Built-In Desk, good sized Dining Area, Extra Large Family Room containing a Fantastic Fireplace to cozy up too and keep warm by during those cold winder months and even Newer Sliders right out to your own Private Patio with Fenced in Back Yard to relax and enjoy during the summertime! This home also has a Spacious Living Room with Huge Picture Window letting in lots of natural sunlight and bringing the outdoors right inside. Convenient Main Floor Laundry, Newer Energy Efficient Furnace and Hot Water Heater along with Added Insulation to Attic for more Economical Heating, Full basement with lots of extra room to expand and let's not forget Central Air for our warm summer months!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Family room	Living room	Dining room
Refrigerator	Stove/Oven	Attic
Basement	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

This Home Features a Wonderful Convenient Floor Plan!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Therese VanderMeer

FlexIt Realty

616-780-0786

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 17, 2009, 8:51am PST

5310 Southbrook Ct. Lovely Condo in Hudsonville MI.....For Sale!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:31:00 -0800

Therese VanderMeer | FlexIt Realty | 616-780-0786

5310 Southbrook Ct., Hudsonville, MI

Very Affordable Living in Quiet Hudsonville Community!

3BR/1BA Condo

offered at $52,900

Year Built	1973
Sq Footage	914
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	1 Covered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$151 per month

DESCRIPTION

Welcome in to this lovely Condo!! Very affordable living in this quiet Hudsonville Senior Community for 50+ers....this is the Best Buy in this Condo Development! Please note this is one of the Larger Upper Units, has been very well cared for and is ready to move into. Our condo features 3 bedrooms (one could easily be used for an Office or Den), Master Bedroom with Large Walk-In Closet, Walk-Thru Master Bath, Slider to Patio overlooking Lovely Manicured Courtyard with a beautiful view all year round, Newer Laminate Flooring in Kitchen, Dining Area and Hallway, Built-In China Cabinet and many windows throughout with lots of natural light! All Appliances stay and are in excellent condition. Possession at close. It's your time to sit back, relax and enjoy the good times without all the hard work!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Walk-in closet	Living room	Dining room
Dishwasher	Refrigerator	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Laundry area - inside	Balcony, Deck, or Patio

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Covered parking	Guest parking	Laundry on-site
Storage space(s)

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

This is the Best Buy in this Senior Condo Development!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Therese VanderMeer

FlexIt Realty

616-780-0786

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 17, 2009, 8:11am PST