About Kent County, MI

Who Dat Nation. The Saints come marching in!!!!!

After 43 years the New Orleans Saints have finally done it. Not one to have followed football this season I was not partial to any of these contenders whatsoever. But there are times when you just have to root for the underdog. I was more into the fellowship of people from my church and the great food that was served (big shout out to Brian and Daneen for their great hospitality).

Prior to game time there was a Wii tournament (basketball, bowling and such) in the basement and boy it was very competitive. You don’t want to go out there thinking you know what you’re doing and look like a complete idiot. After a series of competition it was time to start heading upstairs to the huge family room with comfy leather chairs and high back seats to seat 25-30 comfortably. Of course there has to be friendly trash-talking between our group. All in good fun. We sectioned off one side for the Saints and the other for the Colts. In the middle was the Mississippi River. If you were a Colt fan you had better not cross the Mighty Missisippi for fear of being in the Who Dat Nation. Yes it sounds extremely corny but if you look at it from the fellowship point of view you would get the picture. And to think I was going to spend it at home by myself. As you may not know my significant other lives out of state and she was a volunteer and was at Sun Life stadium.

I think next year I would like to do that. She told me it was a great experience. Go Sheri. One of the most impressive parts to me was when Carrie Underwood sang the National Anthem. Everyone at our gathering stood up and placed their hand on their chest and listened intently as she sung that oh so familiar song. Yes there was a little water in the eyes to hear it. But every time you do it makes you so proud to be an AMERICAN. There again it may sound corny but to look at that humongous flag draped on the field and watch those grown men on the field wipe their tears as well it’s a good thing. Also for me to watch those jets fly overhead gets me all the time.

Time to get into your seat, screw your wig on tight because they’re ready to play some FOOTBALL. New Orleans was very tight in the first half and my reasoning is that this being they’re first time for them. You know the jitters and all. The Colts played like seasoned veterans in the same time period. That’s what happens when you’ve been there did that. I can honestly say that this was a very good game played on BOTH sides of the ball. Some spectacular catches for both teams as well and the hits, well they speak for themselves.

Now we’re into half time and they bring out the ancient ones. Not to hate on Who fans but I would have liked to see someone else. But the light show was fantastic. I felt like I was in a medley from CSI with the song selection they used.

Second half and you could see a distinctly different Saints team. They seemed to play more loosely and their confidence level obviously went up a notch or two. You could see determination in the faces of the players. They just need time to settle ALL the butterflies in their stomachs and play the game. You could see the momentum building. You could see the sense of purpose and urgency telling them this is OUR time. I’m not taking one thing away from the Colts because they ARE a great team. They’ve represented their city and state on many occasion winning a few Super Bowls themselves. But for me (IMHO) I root for the underdog. Can everyone remember back to the Boston Celtics-Los Angeles Lakers dominance over the years in basketball? After awhile it got really old. Remember the statement” change will do you good”. We ALL need change in order to roll with the punches. You can see the correlation here and compare it to real estate (yes you knew I was going to get there). You have to roll with the punches in order to survive. This market will do it for you and to you. Be careful which one YOU pick.

All in all the Saints kept the Colts on the ropes in the second half. They played like a team with a purpose. And it didn’t help that Peyton Manning was intercepted putting them up by 14 pts with 3:12 to go. Everyone deserves to feel what it’s like to be on top. Now it’s the Saints turn. Will they repeat? Who knows. All they know today is that they made it to the mountain top and it feels great. Remember what the Bible says. Think about today because tomorrow will take care of itself. It was a great game and will go down as one of the best Super Bowls in history. Will it make me watch the game more? Probably not. Once or twice a year is good enough for me. I enjoyed more the company of good friends, great food and a friendly atmosphere. How was your Super Sunday? I would love to hear from you.

PS. At the end of the game we sang (Saints fans) “And the Saints come marching in”

Robert L Brown

Bellabay Realty

616 366 7030

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com

Statistics have proven for years that when buyers get in front of the computer

to start searching for a home, the questions they want answered are:

• How big is the house?
• How many bedrooms?
• How many baths?
• What is the price?

When we list a property and place it on the Multiple Listing Service we are competing

with all the other 3 bedroom 2 bath homes listed for sale in Grand Rapids. Buyers

typically bring up about 40 homes on a search and look on-line at 20 of them in our

Grand Rapids market. The graph below indicates what are the top requirements

to a Grand Rapids home buyer Home Search:

What are buyers looking for when they search for a home?

As you can see from the graph above, this is the order of importance buyers

put in their home searches:

1. Square Footage
2. Bedrooms
3. Baths
4. Price
   

Price is number 4 behind Square Footage, Bedrooms, and Baths.

BUT Price is the ultimate point of competition.

They don't see the fabulous photos of your designer kitchen, the visual tour,

your wonderful photos of your "green thumb" garden or the newly

remodeled bathroom if your stats don't compare. If you are not in the top 20

by Square Footage, Bedrooms, Baths, & Price, maybe even the top 10 they

don't even bother with clicking on the photos or details of your home.

Price is the only thing left when you have 40 similar homes on the market

competing for the same buyers. Supply and Demand will continue to rule

the real estate housing market in the forseeable future, and Price Plays a

Major Role.

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I caught this incredible upper viral infection. I went to the doctor later than I should have. I was flat for a few days...looking like a zombie and feeling like I was in an altered state!

I am on the last day of my antibiotic regiment and just starting to feel like the living again. I have coughed for 4 days and my brain I am sure is damaged from the intensity of the coughing.

I made a listing presentation the day before I went to the doctor. I was in competition with 4 other agents and the seller had never heard of my company. That make me feel like my thousands of advertising dollars have been worth very little...until you understand the seller is a doctor and doesn't look at TV, doesn't get the local newspaper and is only concerned with myopic details of selling her own property.

Once I understood that I wasn't surprised.

The nice part I was the one awarded the listing of a high end condo. I will be posting photos by Tuesday and have a link on line for you to take a virtual tour.

This is a beauty in a small private condo association. Nice windows, natural daylight, corner lot drive-in covered garage and very upscale. It is perfect in neutral colors and will be listed for only $214,900.00

Come back Tuesday for the listing post. I am on the road to recover...now I have three days of work to make up for and a bunch of calls to clients that probably thought I died!

Take it from me...I rarely get sick. I haven't had a cold in FIVE years and this isn't something to wait on and think it will get better. I was one day away from being in the hospital.

Of course I shared with my wife...she didn't wait as long and is still talking to me...but says we have to draw the line on some of that sharing we do!

Have a great weekend and watch out for the creeping crud.

I had a couple come through an open house. The loved the layout and space, it is exactly what they have been looking for in a home.

I was taken back...this never happens where you have an open house and the first people though the door says...I'll take it. That always gives me a little nagging feeling like tell me more.

I outlined the buying process and asked if they had their lender pre-approval letter. They look at each other and said," no, we want a land contract we'll buy it in two years!"

That option wasn't on the listing or written anywhere....why would you think this home was available to purchase on a two year land contract?

The potential buyers looked at me without expression and then he says, "we have a buyers market everyone knows you can name your terms and pretty much what the buyer wants the buyer gets. We want a land contract and will convert to a conventional mortgage in two years when our credit it better."

So being cordial, I explained the seller does not have any obligation to sell the property for any terms other than those offered on the listing contract. I would be happy to write an offer. The seller will request a credit report to view you current credit status to determine you ability to pay on the land contract.

The next question from the buyers...can a seller really do that? Ask for a credit report and decide for themselves if we can pay based on our credit history? Yes...you are asking them to be the bank...if you want credit you have to show you can pay so the seller reduces their risk of making a bad loan or contract by knowing you pay history through other loans you have acquired.

They looked at me and each other and politely said, "forget it...this seller doesn't want to sell." I said, "sorry" and they were gone just as quickly as they came in the door.

I had forgotten about them. A few weeks went by and I received an email from the couple. They had checked out what I had said and now want me to help them find a home and repair their credit.

I can do one of the two. The repair their credit is only something they can do. I can get them in front of a reputable lender who can explain the steps they need to take to repair their credit.

That's where we are now. The interesting issues with this scenario is many buyers believe sellers will do anything to sell...the fact is the sale has to work for both the buyer and the seller. If you are going to ask the seller to take the place of the bank in the lending process...the seller is going to take similar steps to check your credit.

This means if you have bruised credit a seller may look at you more favorably than if you have damaged credit beyond repair. You may find a seller that will offer you a second chance where banks won't...you might find the right home and not be able to buy because you won't be able to get the seller to finance you because their circumstances also need cash to buy the next property.

Keller Williams Realty has been voted as "best of" in the readers poll of the Grand Rapids Magazine.

How proud I am to be working at Keller Williams Realty, not just today, but every day. Keller Williams Realty really does build people - they educate their Realtors so we can stay on top of the continuous changes of our market place, and it shows in our every day activity.

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty International now ranks as the third largest real estate franchise organization in the United States. Total North American associate count stands at close to 73,000.

Our rapid growth trajectory is a result of our unique culture, team spirit and a passionate conviction to serving our clients with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

I can tell you, where ever you go nationally and talk to Keller Williams agent - the pride and commitment is the same. We have great leadership that follows through out the Nation.

Thank you Grand Rapids, we will continue to work hard to earn your support and vote next year as the "Best Of" Grand Rapids!