About Livingston County, MI

It took some time but we finally got the deal closed on the Livingston County water front home. It was a for sale by owner who picked an attorney out of the yellow pages because the attorney lived close to them. Boy was that a mistake.

It took 2 months to get this Livingston County water front home closed. Sure it needed propate court approval, but 8 weeks on a cash deal!!!! I had to call the attorney at least twice a week to keep them moving. Sadly the attorney always had an excuse why this or that wasn't done. The only reason it closed this week is because I set the closing and alerted all parties that is was closing today. Even though the attorney wasn't ready to close it.

The attorney had to get the document from the court. Something he had been putting off for three weeks. He of course didn't show for the closing. The seller said he would have fired the attorney, if it wouldn't have slowed the deal down more.

Unfortunately this happens way too much in our business. Every once in a while the other real estate agent, title company, attorney, or mortgage company just falls down on the job. Even though I got this one closed today, I got a bombshell on another deal.

A downriver home needs a city inspection to close. Sadly the real estate agent never bothered to order it and only ordered it when I called to schedule the closing. Yes that agent fell down, but we are at least on the right path. And today I got the news that the title work came in on another house after 26 days. Again the real estate agent didn't order the title work for 16 days, then the title company didn't send it over for 10 days. The mortgage company was calling every single day for the past week. Sadly the listing agent and the title company didn't do their job well on that deal.

But that is what my clients pay me for. To handle the issues and push the other people to get their job done. It's my job to call, and to be the pain in the rear so the deal can close. Hopefully on time, hopefully without cost to my client, and as soon as possible. With as little stress as possible. That's my job to get your home deal closed. No matter if it is a Livingston county water front home or just Northville real estate we all have to do our job well.

I want to say I have to hand it too Michigan State Spartan football team. They played a heck of a game against Iowa. To lose the game with 2 seconds left was a heartbreaker. They played tough and they played well.

To all the young men on the team when you look at yourself in the mirror tomorrow be proud. You may have lost but I'm proud of you and I'm sure many other people are in Michigan. Football games sometimes are won with one key play and Iowa did it. But you made us proud by playing a great game.

I may be imaging things, but it seems like the colors of fall are really 'popping' this year. Vibrant, deep reds and oranges, bright yellow - I don't seem to remember the last few fall seasons being this way. As I drive around SE and Central Michigan, it really makes me happy to live in Michigan.

Sure, we have our economic challenges to overcome and it distresses me to see so many families and college graduates moving away. For those of us that have decided to stay and endure the ice, snow and cold of winter, Fall is our early 'thank you'.

I'm not an exceptional photographer and these photos are not altered in any way, other than being resized downward. The color here is somewhat muted from what I saw.

Wow, every Real Estate office that I pass has a banner, marquee, or sign claiming the above. Just stop on in and pick it up. Since I deal with a large number of foreclosures as a listing agent, I thought I'd share a couple of thoughts. This may or may not be true for other market areas.

I get calls every day for foreclosed listings that sold two to four weeks ago. They're definitely not being found online. Are offices not updating these lists or are consumers picking them up and letting them sit for weeks before they act? Hard to say, maybe some of both.

If you are interested in foreclosures, here's a few other thoughts. First, properties under $80,000 go very, very fast. If they're financeable, that is in good enough shape, they're absorbed quickly. In general, a lot of homes under $50,000 cannot be financed because they need too much work. Unless you are getting a rehab loan or a construction loan, you'll need to buy cash.

Are you handy? If you are, the above example is OK. If you're not, what good is buying a $20,000 house if you have to hire out all of the work to make it habitable? You might as well spend more on a home that can be financed and perhaps needs only re-decorating. Will you live there yourself or rent it out? Maybe it's a home for an older child. All are OK, but know your strengths and plan accordingly.

Of course, I am biased as a Real Estate Professional, but unless you have done a lot of buying and selling on your own, I strongly recommend that you work with an agent of your choice. They will help you refine your plan, get you listings that are appropriate and guide you through the buying process.

Remember, you have to know what you can handle in terms of repairs and expenses. If you're looking at the low end of the price range, you have to be prepared to act quickly or lose out to another buyer. I am amazed at the number of people buying under $50,000 homes for cash. Your best bet for a successful purchse is to work with a real estate agent that knows bank owned property procedures.

If you are like me, you like to work. Why? Work gives us not only a paycheck, but a significant piece of sense of who we are. Our work has a big influence on our self-esteem and sense of self-worth, which brings meaning to "good work." I am like most people, who wants to take control of what I do, and improve the way I work, so in the end everybody wins. Along the way, I want to keep learning, setting goals, and maintaining good interactions with others.

So everyday, not just today, we need to be "Zapped." How?

1. Take control over your work - be empowered

2. Make meaningful decisions - choose to do right

3. Measure your progress - document what you are doing

4. Consider yourself valuable to those around you - get more out of the hours you spend on the job