About Berrien County, MI

The approach to selling Lake Michigan real estate can be compared somewhat to starting a company. You need to know the proper market your business will be catering to in order to understand what their needs are and develop a successful business.

Besides finding the right agent to assist you in your selling efforts, it’s important to take a look at the whole selling aspect as if you were about to purchase your home again. In other words, do your own walkthrough of the neighborhood and see what items can be singled out as highlights that may impress your buying audience. On that note, don’t try and overlook negative qualities and hope that buyers won’t notice them, anyone who does their homework will find out.

You obviously want to make sure the home looks clean, the yard is maintained and all those other important factors that boost the home’s appeal. It also works to your benefit however to see who would be the best fit for your specific home. If you own a two story house, perhaps it may not be the best option to promote it to senior citizens looking for Lake Michigan real estate in which to spend their golden years. Sprawling floor plans? Families are a good bet.

Home sellers in today’s Lake Michigan real estate market need to have all of their bases covered and must understand the [very] different rules that apply towards attracting buyers. As a seller, it’s very easy to make a mistake that could hinder your efforts, make sure to avoid these common mistakes that many first time home sellers often fall prey to.

Not hiring the right realtor. There are realtors who classify themselves as a jack of all trades and then are those who specialize in specific areas. For selling purposes, you’ll probably be much better off with someone who thoroughly understands the market you’re trying to sell in and/or to.

Lacking enough photos and using bogus advertising. Chances are you’ll be selling your Lake Michigan property to buyers from across the country, if not the world. The more photos you can provide, the better the chances of a buyer being able to envision themselves living there. On that note, be truthful in your descriptions and photos. Touching up pictures to give buyers a false impression will quickly backfire as soon as they do their own walkthrough.

Waiting for housing market conditions to improve. Many sources are pointing towards an imminent housing recovery but for the time being, prices are still dropping. Thus, the longer you wait the more money you stand to lose as prices and values drop.

WANTED: BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS EMPLOYED BUYERS OF NEW HOMES!

NAR's seventh pulse survey shows that despite improvements in affordability conditions, eight in 10 Americans still consider having enough money for down payment and closing costs to be the biggest obstacle facing them regarding buying a home. The survey measures how affordable housing issues are affecting consumers, has also found job security concerns to be the highest in seven years of sampling. Two-thirds of Americans think job layoffs and unemployment are a big problem; eight out of ten state these are issues and barriers to potential future homeownership.

Some of the key results from the NAR phone survey are:

• Eight in 10 Americans (82 percent) still consider having enough money for down payment and closing costs to be the biggest obstacle to buying a home.
• Two-thirds of Americans think job layoffs and unemployment are a big problem; 83 percent cite these issues as a barrier to homeownership.
• Eighty-three percent of Americans still believe buying a home is a good financial decision.
• Three-fourths of those surveyed also believe now is a good time to buy a home, a number that has increased steadily the past two years.
• The number of those who feel buying and selling activity has stabilized or stayed nearly the same has grown significantly, up more than 44 percent since last year.
• The majority (58 percent) report that activity in their market has slowed.
• Regarding home sales, nearly eight in 10 say it's harder to sell a home in their area today than it was a year ago, despite the fact that nearly three-fourths of respondents say home prices are less expensive.
• Foreclosures remain a real concern among survey respondents. Slightly more than half (51 percent) say foreclosures are a big to moderate problem in their area.
• The rate of foreclosures is generally seen as stabilizing; 41 percent say the rate of foreclosures in their area is about the same as last year.
• Ninety-two percent of respondents said neither they nor members of their immediate family have experienced a foreclosure in the past year, yet it is still a personal concern for many. One in five respondents said they are very or fairly worried that they will have difficulty making their mortgage payments over the next year.
• Thirty-two percent say it's a big or moderate worry that they, or a member of their family, may have their home repossessed or foreclosed because they are unable to pay rising monthly mortgage payments.
• In 2008, more than half of respondents (54 percent) were open to the federal government taking a more active role in overseeing mortgage and lending practices. The number dropped this year to 47 percent.
• Forty-two percent of Americans believe the country is back on the right track, more than double the number last year (16 percent).

Come on folks, let's breathe, respond and take forward motion related to housing in our country!

Southwestern Michigan is a desireable and fulfilling place to live, work and play! Another day in paradise!

Lake Michigan Sunsets are FREE!

www.johanrealestate.com Doreen Johan, REALTOR, Owner RE/MAX Sunset Coast

2009 Southwestern Michigan REALTOR of the Year

St, Joseph Michigan does WHAT again? Provides incredible downton family art sculprures for endless photo opportunities!

Breaking News from St. Joseph!! It's a jungle out here! Grab your camera and wander through St. Joseph's wild streets hunting for 29 artistically painted animals in our beautiful Southwestern Lake Michigan town! You will find lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes and more!

Artistic wildlife that leaps from the creative minds of our region's talented artists and represent the people, places and events of St. Joseph and Southwestern Michigan. Each year for the recent past we have ghad collected sculptures that are tourist and community entertaining collections, that have created corner sculptures including, carousel horse, bears, cars , boats and now Safari Animals. What FUN! You can't help but smile, grab a child and a camera!

Come and visit St. Joseph MI, a special place on the lake!

Doreen Johan Re/MAX Sunset Coast

Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS

2009 REALTOR of the YEAR

www.johanrealestate.com

HarborCountryOpenHouse has just ended and with the majority of Harbor Country Realtors reporting it seems that the event was a successful endeavor. New Buffalo and Union Pier had a majority of the homes open to the public with Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer topping off the remainder of the beach communities. For those searching for something a little different Three Oaks offered a wide selection of properties ranging in price, style and size. The artistic and cultural community that makes Three Oaks a destination for those who are looking for entertainment and art is a fabulous alternative to the communities that rely on the beaches, marina and lake.

The afterparty at the two wineries at exit 6 was fabulous. St Julian Winery and The Round Barn Winery have proved their worth to the community by hosting the event along with many, many restaurants, deli's, vendors and suppliers.

Realtors coming together and working very hard to host HarborCountryOpenHouse proves that we are all part of one community, with one common goal, each giving their best to promote this event. Whether you spent hours planning, spent all day setting up the party, directed car parking or even blogged about it to get the word out; it is you that deserves accolades for your role.

HarborCountryOpenHouse 2010 will be bigger, better, brighter and hopefully a little drier, so plan to be there because I Mario Zarantenello will be there too!

Stay tuned.