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10 Tips to take the stress out of Real Estate
When I have the time I read as many blogs as I can. Switching up between Real Estate blogs and foodie blogs, I am in awe of the amazing writers on the web. Julie Woodward-Trenker is a Chicago REALTOR who posts a great Blog for the consumer and I am reprinting this post from her Blog with her permission. Thanks Julie!
Take the Stress Out of Home buying
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.
1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you chose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.
3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will make it much harder to make a decision. Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people who will be living in the home.
4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location, the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities and focus in on things that are most important to you. Let the minor ones go.
5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price or by refusing to budge on your offer may cost you the home you love. Negotiation is give and take.
6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself — room size, kitchen, etc. — that you forget about important issues as noise level, location to amenities, and other aspects that also have a big impact on your quality of life.
7. Plan ahead. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate home insurance, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.
8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.
9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big financial commitment. But it also yields big benefits. Don’t lose sight of why you wanted to buy a home and what made you fall in love with the property you purchased.
10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is to serve as a comfortable, safe place to live.
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Posted: 6:51 AM, Jul. 31, 2008 |
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What is up with real estate and the weekend?
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“Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.”
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Michael Caine
(Internationally successful British motion picture actor, b.1933)
Finally a day with sunshine! I love this quote because I think it fits well with our current real estate market. Calm to the outside but we are working hard behind the scenes to get homes sold. In the press we continually hear that real estate market is bad but I did a limited absorption rate study and was pleased with the results. According to Pat Zaby absorption rate measures the time it takes for a home to sell. “Competition in the market place affects the sales price of a home. If the demand is constant and the supply is low, the price can increase. On the other hand, if the demand is declining and the supply is constant or increasing, the price will go down.
Five to six months of market time is considered to support a healthy inventory of property. If the market time is less than that, the shortage of property can cause the price to go up. If it is more than that, the glut of properties can cause the price to go down.” According UPAR MLS statistics for the city of Marquette in the 100,000-300,000 price range we have a 7 month supply of listings. Just a little more than a balanced market.
On the local weekend watch we have one of Marquette’s busiest weekends coming up with the ever popular Art on the Rocks which is celebrating its 50th year, and The Outback Art Fair. Both fairs are easily accessible if you park at Lakeview Arena and walk over to Picnic Rocks or take the shuttle out to Presque Isle. To add to these Saturday and Sunday events don’t forget about Downtown Marquette’s Blueberry Festival Summer Youth Talent Show and Blueberry Dance Festival. Which takes place at the commons building.
All the downtown stores are ready for you, including the grand reopening of the beloved Donkers Candy Store and Soda Fountain. Tom Vear and company have been working in overdrive to be ready for you to check out the “return to the past” renovations. Let me know what you think of the project!
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Posted: 12:59 PM, Jul. 24, 2008 |
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Ethics in Real Estate
Today I am going to touch on a few of the articles that I think the consumer needs to know. First and foremost we are to protect and promote our clients’ interests while treating all parties honestly. We must make sure all agreements are put into writing and the parties understand all agreements. A client is someone with whom a REALTOR has a contract, Buyer, Seller, or any other service. A customer has no contract for services with a REALTOR. When a customer calls an office they often just want information but we are bound by our Code of Ethics to ask if they are working with another agent. It is unethical to intrude on another agent’s client.
When I was President of UPAR for 2 years I was amazed at how many people would rather complain, not bothering to file an ethics complaint. It is a relatively simple procedure and unethical agents do face penalties that may include fines or expulsion. The hearing process is private but I can report that hearings do happen.
On a much lighter note…Have you heard the new radio station in Marquette? It is 100.3 The Point and it plays classic rock for 52 minutes out of every hour. Now I tried to find information on the web but I could not find any contact information, so I do not know if this station will always have limited or no commercials but I love it! This is the music I listened to when I was growing up and I never stopped loving it! I am a lite classic rock junkie. If anyone knows more about this station let me know. |
Posted: 11:53 AM, Jul. 17, 2008 |
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What's to Love About Marquette
Why do you love Marquette? I was just enjoying WMQT-Q107 radio personality Jim Koski’s list of 107 Things to Love about Marquette County. This list really rocks! I must agree with them all but I must admit one of my favorite places is not on his list…CAMP. For me it is a small place on Lake Superior close to Marquette. But it seems that everyone either has a “camp” or has access to one. We are so lucky to have the ability to escape without having to drive for hours. Our amazing number of lakes makes this possible, for Jim Koski it is Big Shag Lake for others it is the Basin or Big Bay. According to Jeff at The DNR there are 170 or so publicly accessible lakes in Marquette County. He also gave me the MI HomeTownLocator website which says that we have 11 reservoirs and 319 lakes. Isn’t that amazing? This website has a Marquette, Michigan MI Community Profile that is a great source for information about Michigan Cities and Counties. I can think of many more reasons to Love Marquette, can you? If everyone sends me their reason for loving Marquette we can top Jims list of 107 reasons! Another aspect of Marquette that I love is a willingness to work together. Tonight River Valley Bank is hosting an Inced!ble Home Tour. Agents from all the Real Estate Companies are holding a grand total of 54 Open Houses tonight from 5:30 to 7:30. The Mining Journal has the complete list either click The Mining Journal link or see it in the paper. As a community we are working together to get the message out that it is a great time to buy a home. From 7:30-9:00 River Valley Bank (in front of Shopko) will be open for refreshments and pre-approvals. They are even offering a $300.00 coupon towards closing costs. Tonight’s tour is just one example of how well Marquette people work together to promote great things in our community! I sent out my latest Recipe which is a great Mexican Pulled Pork that you cook in the slow cooker. For those who did not receive it in the mail email me recipe@StephanieSells.com to be included in future mailings. I love this recipe because it is so easy and know people are making it because I got a call from a friend at Econo Foods who wasn’t sure what Chipotle Sauce to buy so here is the one I use Bufalo Chipotle Hot Sauce I promise it is not too hot! Please post your recipe reviews on the blog. |
Posted: 12:06 PM, Jul. 10, 2008 |
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It's 4th of July Time!
Happy 4Th of July
I truly am a Fourth of July geek. I love the parades, fireworks and running in to people you may only see once a year. As long as the weather is decent (and AccuWeather.com says it should be nice) and everyone is safe I think it can be the most fun holiday! The Exchange Clubs Annual Food Fest is always fun and the time for everything in Marquette can be found by clicking Marquette Michigan July 4th. Other Marquette County events are listed at Fourth of July.
This is also a time to say thanks and be grateful for what we have. I read a piece from Tim Connor today called It’s Time and I thought it would be a good time to share it with you.
It’s time,
-To let go of our differences and embrace our similarities.
-To stop judging others based on our unique values and beliefs.
-To accept that we are all in this together – we will survive or perish together.
-To love rather than hate.
-To accept others in spite of their color, race, gender, their beliefs or where they are from.
-To care more about our universal survival than our personal agendas.
-To share rather than hoard.
-To use the gifts we were given by God for others and not just ourselves.
-To build bridges rather than walls.
-To reach out rather than hold back.
-To let go of prejudices no matter how small and insignificant.
-To come together rather than continue our separateness.
-To let go of pettiness and look deep inside for compassion.
-To put aside our own needs at the expense of others.
-To erase greed and all its negative consequences.
-To take care of our home – Earth – rather than continue to abuse it.
-To see beyond our own personal struggles to see that others are worse off.
-To love our neighbors more than ourselves.
-To set aside our need for wealth, power and fame and realize that it is all worthless in a world dominated by pain, strife, fear, disease, hunger and misery.
-To release our selfishness and replace it with hope and faith.
It’s no longer just about you or me but US and US is - ALL -of US regardless of our race, nationality, gender, age or religion.
It’s time to do your part before it’s too late for all of US.
Tim Connor, CSP World renowned Speaker, Trainer and best selling author of 67 titles, Box 397, Davidson, N.C. 28036 USA, 704-895-1230 (voice) - 704-895-1231 (fax) - tim@timconnor.com (email) - www.timconnor.com (Website)
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Posted: 11:05 AM, Jul. 3, 2008 |
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