Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate

You are welcome to attend Lola Audu's course on Blogging Ethics & Social Media for Business Professionals! Lola is a Michigan Continuing Instructor and has attended the Bill Gove Training Institute for Keynote Speakers.

This will be a great learning experience for those who want to enhance their business model through the use of blogging & social technology. Social technology is here to stay and now is the time to get ahead of the curve.

Lola will demonstrate how social media can play a significant role in growing your business by taking it to the next highest level online. Please see the instructions below on how to register for this awesome class!

You can resigister by going to www.auduhomes.com and click on the "Education" link. This will take you to your registration options. You can also register online or print out a download-able form and fax it over to AUDU Real Estate @ 616.791.0535. First come first serve as spaces are limited. *Please NOTE: The SAME 2 classes are offered on 2 different days! April 16th is almost Full. Reservations still available for April 17th, 2009.

Please confirm your registration by 5pm on Tuesday, April 14^th

Date, Time, & Place:

Friday, April 17th 2009

9am-12:45pm

Country Inn & Suites~East

3251 Deposit DR NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Payment:

The cost is $50 for 2 courses. $65 for walk-in. You can pay in advance via credit card or check. You can also pay by cash,credit, or check at the door, however you must still confirm your registration by submitting your registration form by the April 14^th deadline.

Important Note: It is recommended to bring a laptop if you have one. Wireless access will be provided. If you do not have a laptop, you may follow along with the instructor.

Blogging Ethics for Real Estate Professionals ~ Continuing Education ~ 2 Credits ~ K1062 Sponsor Code K355

Social Media for Real Estate Professionals ~ Workshop ~ Not Continuing Ed

Please email Takara Taylor at Takara@grar.com for questions or concerns or call 616.541.2312.

Related Post:

Why Real Estate Blogging is Like A Peanut Butter Sandwich...

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Snacks & Beverages will be provided! Course Agenda is listed here! This workshop is not limited to Real Estate Professionals. This course is considered to be a viable resource for many other professions.

We picked up two loaves of bread the other day from one of our favorite local bakeries, Great Harvest Bread Company. Let me tell you, there are few things more singularly delicious than sinking one's teeth into a soft, freshly baked piece of bread. And when it's challah or cinnamon bread, two of my favorites...well, it's like a little slice of heaven here on earth. :)

As we enjoyed a little break, my husband made a passing remark which went something like this...'just six things'. Now if you knew my hubby, you would appreciate that he is a man of relatively few words, so one learns to pay attention when he dispenses them. So, I inquired about what he was referring to.

Well, he was looking at the label on the bread loaf and noted how simple the ingredient list was. Remember the days when bread contained ingredients that you didn't need a science degree to understand? I picked up the loaf to see for myself. The list...white flour, honey, eggs, water, yeast and salt. That was it! All that taste and flavor from just a few simple ingredients.

Made me think about our jobs as real estate professionals. At a time when there's so much hype about this and that...social media, online advertising, online networking, personal promotion etc, etc...doesn't it still boil down to just a few simple things?

My dad used to say, 'it's not about what you know, it's about who you know'. I learned that you Treat people the way you want to be treated...don't manipulate, don't deceive...what goes around comes around. Then there was this...'whatever your hands find to do...do it with ALL your might.' And...always keep an open, clean heart...clear those accounts every single night. And then one of my favorites...a simple African proverb; 'No condition is permanent in this world.' Just a few simple things, but I've found them to be vital in creating an enriching life.

Copyright 2009 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved

With interest rates dropping to their lowest levels since 2004, the home equity loan re-finance bug is itching a lot of folks again. As we approach the Spring Market which traditionally swings into full gear around March, home buyers will be able to take advantage of low interest rates and a large inventory selection of homes to buy as well.

If you currently own a home and intend to sell it, it's important to coordinate your transactions properly so you do not find yourself making two mortgage payments. Failing to sell one home before purchasing is a tremendous source of financial hardship to many home owners. There are some steps which you can take to help you to avoid being trapped by your Trade-Up Home.

1. Know Your Values?

Many home owners make the mistake of relying on old data to determine the equity that they have in their home. In today's market with the shifting sands of changing value, an appraisal which is older than 60-90 days is probably NOT an accurate indicator of the current value for homes in your neighborhood. The average home Sale in Grand Rapids, Michigan has decreased almost 26% since the end of last year from $121,000 to just under $100,000 today.

2. Steer Clear of the Loan Guessing Game!

It is vitally important to get pre-approved for a new loan. Credit lending standards have tightened considerably within the last 3 months due to the sub-prime lending crisis. But with the New $8,000 Buyer's Credit AND the fact that interest rates are trending downwards below 5%, there's plenty of incentive to get a professional review of what you can afford.

Don't assume that because you qualified for a mortgage last year, the same terms and conditions still apply. To avoid an unfortunate surprise, get an updated, valid pre-approval letter from your lender which includes: verification of your credit, mortgage or rent payment history and verification of your employment.

If you own a home you intend to sell, verify the balance and pay-offs for your current loan. This will give you an accurate indication of how much money you may be able to spend towards the purchase of your new home.

3. Sell First!

If you own a home and don't want to be strapped down with supporting two mortgage payments...Sell Your Home First and then buy your new home. With the incredible array of properties for sale, the idea that your dream home will vanish if you don't act now is probably not as big a problem as holding onto your old home for a year while making monthly payments will be.

This is NOT the time to get into the Bridge Loan Trap just because interest rates are great. Although the spring market has definitely picked up, you don't want to create a bad deal for yourself while trying to get a good one!

4. Don't Leave Cash on the Table!

If you're buying another home, most home owners want to get as much as possible out of the home they are selling. This is normal and has a certain logic to it. However, taken to extremes, many home owners have inadvertently hurt themselves by holding on far too long to a declining asset. If you're moving to a more expensive home, negotiate hard to get concessions on your new home purchase.

A 10% concession on a $200,000 home will more than make up for a 5% loss on a $100,000 home. When you factor in the additional 3 ~5 months of mortgage payments which you may be making while you wait for a buyer rather than pricing your home to Sell...well, it can run up to be quite a loss.

5. Spiff, Clean & Repair!

In a market with a lot of competition, your home must look it's best if you intend to sell it at the best price the market can support. Home buyers are looking for value and the first indicator of value is curb appeal and general appearance. Here's a link to a Staging article which provides some tips about staging your home for sale.

6. When You're Ready to Look...

When you're seriously ready to start looking, you might want to consider a Brand New Model rather than a Re-Sale. You can get a lot for your money right now. I've created a search for a variety of of areas in Grand Rapids and the surrounding communities in which BRAND NEW HOMES start at around $100,000! NO KIDDING!

7. Coordinate Your Exit Strategy...

There are few things more stressful than closing on your home and having nowhere to stay. If you are buying a new home, sometimes there can be delays in obtaining permits or in completing the building process.

Even a home which is not new can present unforeseen challenges with move out dates. It is best to give yourself a little overlap time if you need to coordinate a move to a new home or currently occupied home. A good real estate agent will factor this into your contract negotiations.

Don't allow the purchase of your Brand New Trade Up Model to become a nightmare. At Audu Real Estate, we strive to coordinate the home purchasing and home closing process for a smooth stream-lined transaction. If you would like to learn more about our services, please visit our website.

*this blog post was originally published in the Spring of 2008 and has been updated to reflect current market realities. Questions about the myriad of possibilities which may be open to you can be directed to the author @ info@auduhomes.com

Copyright 2008 Audu Real Estate All Rights Reserved

Last night, I attended a huge dinner party. Our neighbors at the Temple Emanuel invited members of the greater Grand Rapids community to attend a Model Seder. I had never been to a Sedar celebration before although I am very familiar with the old Testament story of the Jewish Passover. The invitation was posted in the local paper and my husband and I registered to attend.

The hall was full when we arrived. The tables were set with the symbolic foods and each table had at least one member of the congregation present to answer questions and welcome the guests. Rabbai Michael A. Schadick opened the event with an introduction and then proceeded to share with us through demonstration and teaching the rich tradition embodied in the Seder.

It was a really interesting and educational event. We read passages from the book used by the Jews during their Passover Seder called the Haggadah. The meaning of the ceremonial foods was explained and we were invited to join in several songs; some in Hebrew and some in English.

The event was underwritten by the Coopersmith-Rosenzweig Foundation. At the end of the Rabbai's teaching demonstration, all 180+ guests were served a light supper and dessert. It was really delightful to see so many people from different backgrounds coming together to learn about a different religious tradition and get to know each other.

In a surprising coincidence, we found ourselves sitting at a table with 3 individuals who had lived in Africa; one of whom was the mother of kids whom we had attended school with. Then during dinner, we discovered that the member of the congregation seated at our table had also attended the University of Wisconsin, our alma mater. Now...what are the chances of all of that happening from an invitation to dinner?

*The Temple Emanuel is located on 1715 East Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

When you take a look at things in black and white, you see things in a different way.  This past year, I've taken several snapshots of a variety of areas in Grand Rapids, MI and converted them to black and white images.  This slide show done with Real Estate Shows captures some of these images which are as diverse as a giant cabbage rose at the Fulton Street Farmers Market to a downtown highrise taken from and adjacent parking ramp.  To view more of my images from my walk-abouts in Grand Rapids, Mi....vist my Flickr profile.