Plymouth, MI

Are we protecting the home buyer enough? Here in Michigan we have a seller's disclosure form that has to be filled out by the seller unless it is a foreclosure..........

It's a shame really.... We as Realtors need to step up to the plate and get the home buyers protected better. This sellers disclosure should have a section for the realtor and the asset manager. We should be notifying the future home buyer that there has been water damage or if the basement has been flooded or if the water pipes have burst.

We as real estate agents should be held to a higher standard. If we know of past problems such as flooding and water damage that created mold then it should be revealed to potential buyers. Too many flippers and investors are getting away with covering up mold. Some banks are cutting out moldy walls, cutting out water damaged floors. The real estate agent and or the asset manager know that the house has mold. Shouldn't the consumer know too?

Investors and flippers should be held accountable to just covering up mold. Just because they don't live in the house....they shouldn't be allowed to gloss over the issues they know about. If the real estate agent helped them buy a moldy house then the real estate agent and the seller should have to fill out a portion of the sellers disclosure revealing all they know.

Just my thoughts.... some realtors won't want to do that because of liability. But telling the truth should never be a liability.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

doesn't me it is yours. I had a buyer call me over the weekend all upset. He had driven by the house and a lawn ornament that was in the flower bed was missing. He was all upset about it. He thought if it was in the picture it was part of the house. He thought it was his.

So I had to explain to him that lawn ornaments like gnomes were personal property. The grill or the flower hanger doesn't come with the house. If you are a buyer and want something like that you need to tell your agent that you want this or that out of the house. Your agent then will ask for it in the purchase contract.

You may not get it but you might. The seller may have emotional attachments to the item. But normally what is included in the home sale is anything that is permanently attached to the house. Some of the items that are included are

• shelves
• light fixtures
• curtain rods

What is not included is any personal items like pictures, lawn equipment, furniture. I have had people take down the light fixtures or take plumbing fixtures. It is wrong, you will have to put them back. I have had people try to switch out fixtures after the purchase agreement is signed. You can't do that.

As a buyer I recommend you to take pictures of the home so we have proof of what was in the house. If you are a seller take down what you want out of the house before it goes on sale. Make the switch before you put it on sale. I did have one client say it's so nice it will help sell the house, but I want it. If you want it take it down. Don't do a bait and switch.

But bottom line lawn ornaments are personal property. If it isn't attached to the home it belongs to the seller unless it is listed in the purchase agreement.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Don't run your fingers through the mold. The old adage of look and don't touch really applies here. Sure most molds are not harmful, but why take the chance of getting sick.

Some molds produce mycotoxins which are harmful to our health. Only laboratory testing can determine what is an "OK" mold or one that is bad for you. So if you go into a house with mold don't touch it.

And if you are not interested in the house get out of the house. Molds can aggravate your allergies and asthma. So get out of the moldy house as soon as possible. If you do touch it wash your hands and be sure don't touch your mouth or nose until you do.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

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Metro Detroit first time home buyer tips

The two reasons Metro Detroit FSBO's don't sell are:

1. The for sale by owner house is overpriced.
2. The FSBO is not advertised in the right places

Advertising is what sells a house. Getting it out there that your home is for sale. Whether you are a for sale by owner or have your home listed by a real estate agent it needs to be advertised.

The number 1 reason that for sale by owners don't succeed is the lack of advertising.

You need to have:
1) a for sale sign out front with a phone number that goes to you directly
2) listing brochure out front of the house with all the facts of the home (the data sheet)
3) getting listed on the local Realtor multiple listing service.

By being listed on the local MLS (multiple listing service) in Michigan your home's information is put on multiple websites like www.Realtor.com and www.moveinmichigan.com . Your home is available to thousands of real estate agents and their clients by having an exclusive right to sell contract with a Realtor. Your home is on the INTERNET and available to thousands of real estate agents across Michigan 24/7. Whenever a client comes in and asks about Michigan Real estate and the criteria meets your home's criteria,.... your home will be one of the homes that will be emailed or shown to the prospective client.

That is why most FSBO's don't sell, they don't reach a big enough buying audience. It's that simple. For sale by owners don't have the time or dedication to put the advertising out there.
They can get listed on the MLS but if they do not have an exclusive right to sell contract then they may not even be pulled up by the Realtors.

The MLS was set up by Realtors so their clients and themselves can advertise and see all the properties listed easily any time of the day or night. The MLS is the give and take of information, and advertising at the touch of a few buttons. (That is not available to most for sale by owners)

Sure a for sale by owner that advertises well, has open houses, has good traffic by the house, puts the word out to his neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers will have a good chance of selling their home if it is in good conditions and priced right for the market.

Many For Sale By Owners get sucked in by some of the For sale by owner websites. Sure it is a website but it is not the real website to be on. You need to be on the local realtor MLS website to help get your home sold. Lots of homes get sold without being on the realtor MLS but in this tough real estate market it sure helps to sell your Metro Detroit home quicker.

But over 80% of the homes are sold by Realtors, real estate agents, and the MLS.

So if you are thinking of selling your house, advertise, advertise, advertise! And don't make thetwo reasons Metro Detroit FSBO's don't sell. Price your home right and get it listed on the local real estate MLS.

Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent

Feel free to call me or email me if you are thinking of selling your Metro Detroit home.

cell 313-310-9855

info@russravary.com

if you are looking for great food in the Metro Detroit area then try E G Nicks Plymouth restaurant. My wife Marianne and I and two of our friends Tom and Debbie Jackett went there tonight. It was a little muggy after the rain but we still chose to eat outside on the patio.

E G Nicksis located on Forest Street which is one street west of Main Street. It is a quiet street with lots of boutique store, little restaurants, and bars on it. It is just a short walk from Kellogg Park. So it's easy to get to and there is lots of parking nearby.

E G Nicks Plymouth Restaurantis part of a small group of restaurants that are owned by a group of local business men. So the money you spend here is staying in the community unlike many of the chain restaurants. They have a big bar area, lots of booths, and even an outside seating area. That is both covered and open on the street.

The is a wide variety of food from burgers and sandwiches all the way to steaks, pasta, and seafood. E. G. Nicks is what I would call a medium priced restaurant. Entrees range from $10 up to $20. It is a reasonable night out.

Tom had a bowl of the clam chowder and Debbie had a Greek salad before their meal. The great salad was a meal in itself.

I had the ribs and coconut shrimp combo it was excellent. My wife had the pork chops, and Tom had the whitefish. We talked to the customers around us and they love the food and are regulars. The ladies next to us had the spring roll appetizer and the Terayiki Chicken. It was their favorite food.

E. G Nicks Restaurant

500 Forest Street
Plymouth, MI 48170

(734) 414-6400

So if you are looking to try out a new place try E G Nicks Plymouth Restaurant in Michigan you'll be glad you did. Come on down and support your local restaurants. You'll be glad you tried E. G. Nicks.

Russ Ravary your local Plymouth Michigan Real Estate agent