There are a number of metrics which one can use to get a handle on the current housing market in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  However, the one which captures my attention as we head into what is traditionally the busiest season in real estate is the Spring Parade of Homes. Here's what I wrote about the tour last year...

It’s a spring time ritual in Grand Rapids, Mi.  For residents like myself and many others who love to peek into gorgeous homes and pick up the latest tips for home decor and furnishings, the Spring Parade of Homes Tour is an event which is highly anticipated.

However, this year, the Parade of Homes will feature a tour with significantly fewer offerings than in recent years.  In 2006, there were 200 homes featured in the Parade of Homes, last year (2007) the number was 133.  This year, 83 homes will make their debuts in the Parade…far fewer entries than just 24 months ago. (click here to continue reading)

This year, the Parade of homes will feature less than 1/2 of the homes entered in the 2008 year.  The 2009 Parade debuts with 42 homes as it marks 50 years.  A search for the nucleus of this story traces back to the number of building permits issued in Kent County in 2009.  A number which has been declining for the past several consecutive months to just 25 for the entire county in March of 2009; down from 61 in the same month of the previous year 2008 according to data obtained from the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors®.  

For the first quarter of the year, permits are being issued at about 1/2 the rate of last year 2008...which was already a less than stellar year for new home construction.

But, West Michigan has always been a resilient community which prizes innovation and creativity.  This year, the Parade of Homes will feature six Green Homes, a Brand New offering.  Not only will the public be able to view quality built, affordable, environmentally sustainable home construction, there will be classes available for those who would like to learn more.

Last year, I visited a green built home in my neighborhood.  I thoroughly enjoyed talking with the builder and learned a lot about how smart investments can save a future homeowner money and increase the enjoyment and comfort of the residence.  If you'd like to tour a Parade home, look for the signs which mark each home or visit this site for additional tour information including scheduling for the Green Homes which are open on Thursdays.

Visit www.auduhomes.com to view NEW home construction in all price ranges!

Copyright 2009 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved

When the news broke that Grand Rapids was the 5th most affordable city in the United States, you would have thought there would be cheering and dancing in the streets.  After all, isn't affordability a great thing in the era of recession fears and increasingly dire economic news?  

Well, if there was such thing as negative miracles, somehow this normally great news is being apprehended by the boogie man...fear of the unknown.  News reports indicate that potential buyers fearful of further declines in the market are determining they won't buy now even though prices haven't been this low for more than 20 years!  Wow!

Well, I'm glad that I'm living in a parallel universe.  These past two weeks have been some of busiest we've had at Audu Real Estate.  We're taking buyers out and some of the deals that we're seeing are so good that we're being told that we're offer #2 or #3.  Today, I fielded several requests for home showings on homes we have listed!

When opportunity knocks, we have determined that we don't want to be sleeping.  We've found that it's better to open the door because often opportunity doesn't stick around, it keeps on trudging towards the next likely candidate.  What FDR said remains true... 'the only thing to fear is fear itself.'

So, if you're a homeowner who would like to sell your home or a home buyer who wants to check out what the incredible options are right now....give us a call or e-mail us at info@auduhomes.com. We're eager to be of service.

Click here to pre-view homes

Copyright 2009  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

Summer weather roared in with blazing high temperatures and strong storms here in Grand Rapids, Michigan!  It's been a little while since I've been able to look out my window at a clear blue sky and gently swaying trees.  In some ways the recent rush of climatic activity is a metaphor for the real estate situation here in West Michigan.

2008 has been a year in which we have seen some stormy conditions.  The year commenced with the down draft in the mortgage sector due to the sub-prime lending crisis.  In fact, until just recently, most of West Michigan was considered a declining market which meant that New Home Buyers were being asked to bring additional money to the closing table to close loans.  Money which many of them were hard pressed to find. Zero down programs evaporated into the cosmic ethers.

Yet, not all the news was bad.  In the midst of this tempest, affordability levels increased as the prices of homes plummeted sharply creating all sorts of opportunities for buyers and investors to pick up properties at rock bottom prices.  Home owners learned hard lessons about the laws of supply and demand Because bank owned properties now constituted almost 1 out of every 3 sales, marketing times increased to almost a year and homes that were not priced correctly were all but ignored.

In an environment in which so many winds of change are raging, it's often difficult to decipher exactly what is going on.  Recently, Jennifer Granholm the Governor of Michigan signed some important legislation into LAW!  It's the Agency Responsibility Act (ARA)  I think that this legislation is one of the best things to emerge out of the storm which has engulfed our industry.

The Governor's signature on the acts is the culmination of the Michigan Association of Realtors hard fought efforts to clarify for consumers the real estate services that were being provided by various agencies.  This movement was brought about by the amazing discovery that the ONLY duties imposed by statue or rule of law when representing seller or buyers or real estate property were:

The duty of agents to present offers to sellers within a reasonable period of time

The duty of listing brokers to review and sign the closing statements.

ASTOUNDINGLY, THAT WAS IT!

While most Realtors® were offering substantially MORE than this, the public had limited understanding of the potential vast difference of service levels between brokers because all brokers were using the "Exclusive Right to Sell Contract." (Buyers usually are serviced under a Buyer Agency Agreement)

As a result of this legislation, brokers who do NOT provide the required MINIMUM service levels will now have to use a LIMITED SERVICE AGREEMENT form which clearly defines exactly what they are doing or NOT doing.  The ARA also amends the law to make it a VIOLATION of the Occupational Code if a Realtor FAILS to provide all Statutory Services unless they are expressly waived by a client in a limited services agreement.

The is a huge advancement forward for the rights of consumers to ensure they understand exactly WHAT they are getting when they sign up with a real estate broker.  I think it will help to dispel some of the misunderstanding and confusion which has marred the positive perception of the real estate industry. 

Sometimes, it takes a storm to bring out the best in nature.  Today, my lawn is a gorgeous green and the flowers are blooming.  It may have been a little rough getting here, but the results I'm witnessing make it worth it.  The Act becomes effective as law on July 1, 2008. My hope is that the turmoil in our industry will continue to yield changes which serve the good of our profession and the clients we have the privilege of assisting.

Copyright 2008  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

Trying to sell a home in Grand Rapids, Michigan has not been easy for the past few years due to the crisis in the manufacturing sector, the mortgage industry implosion and the glut of homes which deluged the market within the past 24 months. 

Selling a home without help as an Unrepresented Seller presents some additional challenges.  In a conversation with an experienced mortgage broker, this past week, I was surprised to learn about some unique criteria which are now pre-requisites for homeowners who are selling their own homes.

According to this source, she indicated that many area lenders are now requiring at least 2 appraisals on any home purchased directly from a home owner.  This additional expense is due to the fact that much of West Michigan is now considered a Declining Market. 

Thus homes sold by Unrepresented Homeowners aka FSBO's are scrutinized more closely because they represent a higher risk to investors. This is also why title/escrow costs are often higher for Unrepresented Sellers.

The designation of Declining Market has two significant implications for all home owners in West Michigan.  First of all, many lenders are looking more closely at ANY HOME which has been on the market for over 6 months even if the location has not been designated a Declining Market.  If a home has been on the market for some time, (in West Michigan, our average was between 9-11 months in many areas) the lender may require that the buyer put a deposit of 5% or more down for a mortgage. Unfortunately, many buyers today are unprepared or unable to come up with additional funds.

In addition, areas which have been designated as Declining Markets may experience this added burden on ALL HOMES regardless of how long they have been listed.  This contributes negative leverage to the drag that Foreclosures and Short Sales have already had on home values.

There are some lending options which may diminish the impact of these additional fees and these should be explored with an experienced lender PRIOR to placing a home on the market.  The government programs such as the FHA have really been much needed source of stability in these times. Now, more than ever...it's important to have a Strategy in place to Sell your Home.  Unfortunately, today...simply getting a Buyer to sign a purchase agreement will NOT guarantee you a seat at the Closing table.

If you'd like a referral to a highly qualified lender or need to discuss some options to successfully market and sell your home, please contact Audu Real Estate.  We are available to discuss the current Market Conditions in your specific neighborhood in the comfort and convenience of your home.

Copyright 2008 Audu Real Estate All Right Reserved

In Grand Rapids, Michigan it's an argument that every real estate agent has heard at least once. In the opinion of most...one time too many. It goes something like this. I'd like to sell my home, but I need (X) amount from it. I know that you are recommending I list my home for 10 ~15 % Less than (X) but I figure that if buyers are interested, they will make an offer. I refer to this argument as the decision to Chase Down the Market.

Chasing Down the Market has become a real estate consumer sport. Homeowners gambling with the odds of Selling their home before the market swings further south usually have several options up their sleeves. These include: Lowering the Price of the home, offering incentives to buyers such as 3 months of FREE Mortgage Payments or providing decorating allowances. These are held out like chips to bait potential home buyers.

Sometimes, these gambits work and attract an offer. But, it's usually not the offer that was anticipated or expected. What we are seeing in Grand Rapids, Michigan and across the country is that buyers for homes are remarkably well informed. Incentives are no longer viewed as reasons to purchase. Instead, savvy buyers dig deeper to try to determine WHY Incentives are necessary.

Savvy buyers understand that irregardless of the market, Accurately Priced Homes will Sell even within a challenged market like Grand Rapids, Michigan within 3-4 months.

It's particularly instructive to note that Banks who own a number of Foreclosed homes in the Grand Rapids area right now also understand this. In fact, these banks will often lower their prices several times within a relatively short period of time simply to ensure a quick sale. This tactic has led to an increase in the sales of Bank Owned Homes to a level which is almost 50% of ALL Current Sales in the Grand Rapids area.

The implications of so many foreclosed and short sale homes on the market has had a devastating effect on homeowners who are Chasing the Market Down. Last year, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors statistics indicated that homeowners who did not sell their homes during the first 5-6 months eventually Sold their homes for an average of 25% Less than the Listing Price. This was in stark contrast to those who through pricing their home properly to reflect the current market usually Sold within 3-5% of the Listing Price.

Thus the Penalty for Chasing the Market Down and Loosing in 2007 was about a 20% Reduction in Net Proceeds. This did not take into account the investment of additional time on the market or the inconvenience of two mortgage payments in some cases. Unfortunately for home owners, playing this game in 2008 will be even more risky.

With foreclosures and short sales on the rise, and a large influx of homes anticipated for Spring Market of 2008, the Grand Rapids real estate market simply does NOT have the elasticity to absorb all these homes for a couple of MAJOR REASONS. The most significant issue is the Lending Crisis which has dried up funds for a large number of potential buyers. Secondly, since many areas of West Michigan have now been designated as Declining Markets, potential buyers are being asked to come up with larger down-payments and sometimes having to pay higher interest rates unless they qualify for a government funded program.

In my view, Chasing Down the Market is a risky gambit. The twists and turns of gambling in this market require a pretty strong constitution...one which many home owners are ill equipped to maintain. The closer your initial asking price is to the Bullseye, the better your chance of obtaining a fair price and the pre-requisite mortgage for a buyer which allows you to move on with your life. Less exciting perhaps...but certainly easier on the stomach wouldn't you say?

Copyright 2008 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved