Grand Rapids, MI

For over a decade, I've worked with individuals and families who were moving to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. The stress of relocating is a one of the most daunting aspects of the relocation process because it involves not only financial strain but also the emotional pain of leaving established relationships and seeking to form new friendships.

I'll never forget one encounter at a local grocery store with a lady who was pushing a cart with three toddlers. She stopped me and asked if I could recommend a local church. They had just moved and she didn't know anyone. We invited them to our church and they became good friends.

While it's not easy to move, I've discovered as I've worked with individuals who are relocating to the West Michigan area that there are some things which can you can do to help reduce the stress...often from the comfort of your current home.

Explore your community via the Blogosphere...

Researching a new locality can be daunting especially when your search results continue to land on commercial sites which are designed more to get your pay per click advertising dollars than to deliver helpful lifestyle information.

One way to get a taste of the local fare is to specifically search blogs. Reading blogs will give you insight into what is important to the locals and will often provide pictures of different aspects of the community as well as reviews.

Simply input the geographic location followed by the word "blogs" in the google search bar and browse. If you want to be more specific, you might try searching for a specific type of blog such as a local real estate blog.

Research Hotels & Restaurants...

Finding places to eat and a good hotel can make all the difference in the world in setting a good tenor for your stay. A couple of years ago I was introduced to an excellent site called Yelp. It has proved an invaluable user guide when travelling to strange locations. I also like Trip Advisor. Often times, you'll find that the 'wisdom of the crowd' has true value in steering you aright.

Plan a Trip to See the Area...

This can be really beneficial. It's important to get a feel for what a city feels like apart from the limited perspective you might get during an interview session. This can be accomplished by staying an extra few days after your interview to simply sight-see, check out local restaurants, schools and points of interest.

Connect with a Good Real Estate Agent...

Not every agent is experienced in dealing with the unique challenges of a relocation. It is not uncommon to find a wide range of service options and customer service levels. One of the best ways to ease the stress of relocation is to interview the agent yourself and ask the questions which are important to you. This can be especially important if you are assigned an agent through a relocation company.

Here are some questions which you might want to pose:

How many relocation clients have you assisted?

What fee do you charge for your services?

What type of community research will you provide?

Can you provide video tours or pictorial guides?

Will the home listings you provide be supported by pictures?

How often will I be updated?

Are you able to provide short term rental assistance if needed?

Can you provide a list of references?

What is your plan to make sure my time is used efficiently?

Be Kind to Yourself...

And to your partner and family. The stress of a relocation move can bring out the worst tendencies in all of us. Sometimes in surprising ways. Living in the cramped space of a hotel room and dealing with the uncertainties of an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar faces can be emotionally draining.

Make an effort to be polite to those who matter most...your family. Don't rush into making a hurried decision if this is not necessary. Talking about the pros and cons together will usually result in an outcome which is better than a position reach through division and strife.

If you'd like to discuss your move or relocation to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, please contact us at 616-791-0511. We're here to listen and to help.

Here's a link to a great site for relocation information.

Here's a link for other articles about Relocation by Audu Real Estate

Click here to view an extensive list of homes for sale or rent

Copyright 2009 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved

The sun was shining and a new year begun so we decided to take in the Richard Avedon exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum this past Saturday. The GRAM is truly a Grand Rapids treasure with something for almost everyone. This particular exibition was facinating because of the technique and style Avedon utilized as well as the subjects chosen, both obscure and famous. We found the museum humming with people both young and old, each enjoying various exhibitions throughout the building.

Outside the streets and sidewalks were filled with folks enjoying the sunshine and attractions nearby. Rosa Park Circle, designed by the famed Maya Lin was packed with skaters of all ages, all able to enjoy the reflection of downtown buildings on a nearby mirrored facade. This downtown attraction was designed with water in various forms...frozen, liquid and vapor...and is a gathering place year round. One can rent or bring their own skates and skate for a minimal fee surrounded by the urban scene. Nearby are coffee shops and restaurants where skaters can warm up with hot chocolate and reenergize.

If you haven't taken time to take a stroll down Monroe Ave. of late you should find the time to do so. Things are ever changing and there's always something new to experience!

I have taken the time to attend many real estate specific training courses and gained valuable advanced real estate specific knowledge to help my current and future clients.

My other career, since most people don't grow up thinking they want to become Realtors, was in corporate marketing and finance. Advanced education helped me in these endeavors too! First as VP of marketing in consumer products companies and later as an owner and president of my own corporation.

When I hired anyone to work for me I reviewed their educational background and experience. Some areas of business cross over nicely to real estate others require a larger learning curve and find real estate very difficult. The numbers that stay and go in real estate have always hovered around 50% that get licensed are gone by the end of the first year. That should send a clear signal that real estate isn't as easy as the career professionals make it look!

Many career real estate professionals go beyond the basics and continue their learning process with advanced real estate specific education throughout their careers.

In a national study sellers and buyers gain or save on average 5-8 % based on the advanced real estate specific education of the agent selected. That study alone is enough to consider the real estate specific education of an agent.

In this market (65% of all sales are short sales or foreclosures) listing and selling Short Sales and Foreclosed properties is must. Specialized training can greatly increase a seller and buyers chances of achieving their goal with an experienced and trained agent.

I just added another segment of training that has also proven to be a key element of selling homes. I just attained the designation of Accredited Home Stager, AHS is the acronym. Some of the other coveted designations are: Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate of the Real Estate Institute, Internet Certified Representative, Accredited Buyers Agent, Quality Service Certified.

Designations add to an agents knowledge base. Am I saying an agent has to have designations? NO, but you would be a bit skeptical of a mechanic working on your car...if you asked what specialized training he had....and he gave you the TV answer...I slept at the Holiday Inn last night!

Getting a license is minimal training...right after being licensed you will find many brokers saying, this is when the real training starts.

There are many professionals without designations but they do have years of experience...choosing the right agent could be the best real estate decision you make!

If you are looking for representation and you are not currently under contract and live in Michigan please consider giving me a call or drop me an email. You will never be pressured and your information is always confidential.

Call Toll Free: 887-667-4699 or Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com

Winter time in Western Michigan Do you ever feel like you have cabin fever? Over the holidays we had so much snow that we felt like prisoners in our own home. We had approximately 2 ft of both light and fluffy and wet and heavy snow. At the same time we were entertaining my In-laws from Venice FL. Needless to say we made the best out this snow situation.

Plow trucks anyone I live in the most wonderful neighborhood! Our neighbors look out for one another and on this weekend with the snow we experienced it seemed like forever before the plow's came to our secondary street. My husband was sure it was a full 48 hours and it made for quite the challenge to make it up our street. Most everyone I knew still had a lot of holiday running to do and the weather just got in the way!

Neighbors come together from the comforts of our toasty warm Christmas filled home we watched as neighbors tried to navigate through our street. One person appeared to be stuck going nowhere. I watched out my window for a bit and then decided to go out and try to help. Not only did I go out into the blistery cold winter day but several neighbors and kids came too! The adults with shovels in tow, we began to dig her out and then shovel my next door neighbor's driveway, so the stuck neighbor could park in her driveway and make the trek on foot up the hill to her home (she retrieved her car later). All the kids kept busy playing king of the mountain and really enjoying the snow and fresh air. Then all of a sudden from across the street the garage door opens and the roaring engine on the bigger than big snow blower appeared to save the day!! Yes, another neighbor to the rescue!!

Family time and winter days give us a chance to slow down. We had the best time visiting with my in-laws, playing cards, sharing some Christmas toddies. This is a once a year visit. My 8 yer old son watches with baited breath each holiday when they roll into town because his Papa & Oma bring him a Hess Collector Truck each year. Before my in-laws moved to Florida my husband and his Dad enjoyed several Lions games and dare I say, I witnessed a special moment that actually made history, my husband and his Dad sharing another special viewing of our uuurrrgg "Lions Football Team" priceless!

Mary Kent

616-915-3987

mkent@kentcountyhome.com

http://www.kentcountyhome.com

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