Shelby Township, MI

Spring is the selling season in Michigan.

How many listing agents are asking for a cert. of insurance from the home inspector who is conducting a inspection on their clients home? I had a house inspector recently tell me that he has only been asked 1 other time before, in 20 years of business. This was a very reputable inspector, but my job is to protect the seller. In this economy everyone is cutting costs in doing business. Sometimes this could be the first budget cut to make, especially if agents are not asking for it.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against inspectors. But, if this person slips and falls, who is responsible? Should your seller's turn a claim into their insurance company on a house that they are trying to sell? We should not get caught up in the sale, but ask to have the cert. faxed to our office.

Let's make everyone in the transaction accountable.

As many of you know I recently moved my business to a new brokerage, Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center.   One of the reasons I chose this particular brokerage was because of the people that I've come to know there over the years, and the professionalism and dedication to the community that they have daily.

On Thursday December 11th our office hosted a holiday open house and it was packed with agents and vendors. Coming just a few days after I joined the office it was a perfect time for me to meet others and torment everyone with my photo taking addiction.

I had to laugh when one of the agents asked why I always have my camera with me.  My response was "You never know when a photo will come in handy, especially for your blog content." 

Within days I put together this holiday greeting using my new subscription to the RealEstateShows and had it up on my website.  My new agent family may be ducking and hiding when they see me in the office now, but at least they have an idea of why I carry my camera with me to everything :-)

HOMES for SALE

443 homes are currently on the the market

401 are private sellers

44 of those are short sales

42 are bank owned

64 homes are pending a closing

45 homes have closed in the past 30 days

67% of those were bank owned

CONDOS for SALE

178 condos are currently on the the market

150 are private sellers

8 of those are short sales

28 are bank owned

18 condos are pending a closing

9 condos have closed in the past 30 days

44% of those were bank owned

As you can see regardless of what you hear from the media homes and condos are still selling. In fact, sales are up from three months ago.

On Monday of this week I attended a mandatory-vital-got to be there meeting at my office, RE/MAX Advantage 1, Inc. in Chesterfield Township. During the meeting it was revealed that the owners of the company (Tom Figlan, Rich Kolb and Roberta Rasmussen) had decided to go in a new direction with their company and drop the RE/MAX Franchise.

They are becoming independent and as of today (or tomorrow?) will be called Advantage Realty, Inc. I wish each of the owners well, and hope that the change they have made bring them nothing but happiness and success.

The owners of the company are bold and driven, and I know much thought over many months must have gone into their decision. I applaud them for their vision and feet to the ground action. In many ways I wish that I could be more risky in my approach to life situations, but I am conservative at heart I’ve discovered. Nothing wrong with that - I am what I am and not ashamed of it.

After the meeting I realized I had my own decision to make, one that would affect my career and livelihood for years to come.

After much thought and soul searching I decided that the best course for me personally and professionally was to move my business to a franchise and group of people that are also driven and bold. This group of people are community orientated and well respected for their service to real estate consumers in Macomb County MI.

Today I am officially part of the Keller Williams family, with the Lakeside Market Center in Macomb County.

I am joining dear friends (Brian Thomas, Jim Kaschalk, John Morgan, Dale Black, Mary Lou Laporte, Dave Klaft) and a terrific real estate organization. I am blessed to have been accepted into the Keller Williams organization and know that I will be happy with this wonderful group of people.

The coming months are bringing change, to not only our economy and real estate industry but to me personally. I am looking forward to the change and embrace it. I’m sure I’ll be chatting with you in the days to come about the transition for me, the fun at the office, and share many pictures with you. Please indulge me as I make this career change, I’ll not forget what is important to you: Real estate news and how it affects all of us in our local area.

~Kris~

Kris@Macombhomes.com

Macomb Township Michigan real estate residential market report for November 2008

I have prepared a report of the home sales data in Macomb Township Michigan for the month of November 2008.

The information below is gathered from Mirealsource Multiple Listing Service and represents those homes sold by participating real estate brokers and agents and does not include data from private sources.

For the period of November 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008:

Total homes sold: 44

Total condos sold: 10

Average sales price for homes: $194,035

Average sales price for condos: $101,855


If you would like more detailed information in regards to the market value of your home in Macomb Township Michigan please don't hesitate to contact me either via phone or email.

www.LookForHomes.com