About Berrien County, MI

The great thing about being part of Active Rain is that you get great advice for free, on your own time.

What I want to talk about is Short Sales. I just pulled a market share report in my area of South West Michigan and found that we only had 5 short sale transactions close this month. This is tragic. I know for a fact there are a ton more people who could have been helped by putting their home up for sale as a short sale.

Short Sale Failures

One problem people are dealing with is that agent after agent doesn’t know what they are doing with a short sale causing them not to close. It is really easy to blame it on the bank, and often it is, but there is an astounding number of short sales that fail due to the agent or seller negligence.

One other problem with short sales is that people just don't want to deal with them, so they just rather not bother and let the bank take their home from them.

Financial Hardship

DON'T LET THEM! If you are having a financial hardship you are not alone! Many people are having money issues, either due to job loss, health issues, job move 100 miles plus, or divorce you can probably sell your home on a short sale, and save yourself a foreclosure on your credit.

Not far from the Sunset Coast, St Joseph MI. Lake Michigan, is a great town called Valporaiso in nearby Indiana. Thay are having a cool festival, really fun! Valparaiso Annual Popcorn Festival has become a September staple for Beach Coast inhabitants. This year's fest is Saturday, September 11th held in the heart of downtown Valparaiso incorporating a theme of "Popcorn in Paradise."

This is Valparaiso's 32nd year hosting the ode to Orville Redenbacher's popcorn legacy which attracts around 50,000 attendees every year making Valparaiso the place to be this weekend.

The downtown event will host over 200 arts & crafts booths along with more than 30 food vendors. Events that happen outside the downtown area are the Cutest Baby Contest, Rotary Popcorn Open, and the 20th Annual Kiwanis Hot Air Balloon Show (September 10th and 11th).

There will also be live music on two different stages Saturday along with a kids play place. It'll be fun for the whole family! Go to www.valparaisoevents.com for more information for this weekend's festivities.

The Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS SUITCASES for KIDS Collection Drive is ongoing and ready for completion October 7th. Three counties of Foster Care Children will benefit from the results.

REALTORS and Affiliates are collecting at any area office and DONATIONS are needed. Personal grooming items, tshirts, undergarments, diapers and small items for comfort are needed. Items must be new. The area quilt guild has joined forces and the incredible cuddle cloths and wonderful quilts are coming in. They are amazing. Please call if you have questions or donations.

Lets prove that REALTORS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Contact the MLS Board office 269-983-6375 or Doreen Johan 269-429-5252

What a privilege to be here! As Incoming 2011 President Elect of my ASSOCIATION of REALTORS I am so proud to represent Southwestern Michigan. This conference is AWESOME. Class act here in Chicago. Reception last might at The Art Institute, AWESOME exposure, in the company of Degas, Dali, Mattisse and Picasso. Oh and all the dedicated REALTOR Leaders from across the globe! Today we have shared. learned and been entertained by a wonderful acrobat ensemble. MORE SOON. Today I met Lola Audu, an ACTIVE RAIN Celebrity! I was thrilled and inspired to come straight to the RAIN and REPORT! More Soon.

CARPE DIEM

Doreen Johan www.johanrealestate.com Serving SouthWestern Michigan and the Sunset Coast

2009 REALTOR of the YEAR

2011 President Southwestern Michigan Association of REALTORS