Brent Link

Bring it on! I am ready!

We need the snow! Many businesses depend on real winter weather. The snowmobile dealers, cross- country ski shops, and sporting good stores, are getting busier as well as the towing companies and body shops! Muskegon Lake is getting frozen over and we will soon have people flocking to the waterfront in Norton Shores and North Muskegon to get out on the ice and catch some nice fish. Of course, Whitehall and Montague will have their fair share of shantys out on White Lake as well. Of course, the Winter Sports Complex at the Stae Park is really hopping now!

Not only is the winter weather good for these businesses, it is also good for my garden. Snowflakes bring nitrogen down and helps replenish this valuable nutrient. Come to think of it, it is almost time to start planning my garden and starting some tomatoe plants!

The snow and cold also bolsters my confidence in the head of steam our local economy is gaining. Homes in West Michigan are continuing to sell even though the roads are sloppy or icy. Buyers are still looking at homes and sellers are still putting their homes on the market. Nice homes, priced right, do not last long. Buyers have to be on their toes to catch them before they are gone. Banks are still supplying us with some REO properties they have foreclosed on but not as many as in recent years. Less inventory helps to stabilize prices and this is good for everyone as well. There are plenty of short-sale properties to chose from if you want a real deal and can afford to wait for an extended time.

Be sure to stay warm! Keep your hands warm and get ready for a Hot selling season come Spring!

If you are one of those sellers setting on the fence waiting for prices to climb before you sell, don't wait too long!

Prices have always went up and down and I believe we are at the bottom and beginning the long slow climb out of this lousy economy in Michigan. I don't think it will be anything fast but I have witnessed a 3% climb over the past year in residential real estate here in West Michigan.

Not only are prices stabilizing, Interest rates can hardly go any lower and most likely will begin to climb as well. The difference between a 5.5% loan and a 4% loan on $200,000. is about $180. a month and over $65,000. over the life of a 30 year loan. Now is the time to get on the band wagon before the prices are climbing along with the interest rates!

Many think homes are setting on the market forever getting stale. This is no longer the case with decent, well priced homes. The nice homes, priced right do not languish on the market needing a buyer. The respectable homes that are priced correctly are selling rather quickly. The rough homes that are not priced according ly do hang around for too long waiting for a buyer, who, most likely these days, will be an investor and will snatch it up with a low-ball offer.

Here is a link to a search for homes in North Muskegon and Norton Shores. http://tinyurl.com/6lncncv

Let me know how I can help.

Back in September CoreLogic posted a report telling of a decline in Shadow Inventory (distress properties that are in danger of being, or in the process of being foreclosed). They went on to explain that this is keeping home prices down. Don't tell anyone but it doesn't seem to be holding the prices down in West Michigan.

The total number of sales in Muskegon County during the first nine months of 2010 was 1447 with a slight decline to 1432 sales in the same period in 2011

The average sale price in Muskegon County in the first nine months of 2010 was $80,799. with an average of 89 Days On Market.

The average sale price in Muskegon County in the first 9 months of 2011 was $83,522. with an average of 93 Days On Market. This is more than a 3% gain.

The good news is that prices are continuing to climb. The average sale price from Sept. 1/2011 to Oct. 12/2011 is $93,441. which is a $15,000. gain over last year at the same time.

With interest rates at an all time low, inventory of homes for sale is not what it used to be and soon we will hear two words we have not heard in a long time, "Seller's Market."

Here is a link to see the average homes on the market in Muskegon County. http://preview.tinyurl.com/ I realize not everyone needs the average home. Give me a call or a text and I would be happy to set up a search for that home that truly fits your needs.

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I believe Realtors must be the most optimistic people on earth, especially here in West Michigan.

My grandpa sold real estate in Muskegon back in the '30s and '40s. My dad sold real estate and was one of the top producers in Muskegon County back in the '70s and '80s. I waited to get into the business until it was taking a nose dive and I really enjoy this business but at times it can be quite discouraging and I begin to wonder. But then the next day dawns and with it a good prospect or two show up and business looks good again. They may be looking for a waterfront home on Lake Michigan, Bear Lake or in Whitehall or Montague. They may want some hunting land in Newaygo or Oceana County. They may be looking for a nice home in North Muskegon or a small parcel of ground in Twin Lake. They may be looking for, or ready to list a piece of commercial or industrial real estate. It doesn't mater what their need is. They give me a smile on my face and I am ready to Sell! Sell! Sell!

Looking back I realize that many of these "Good Prospects" never pan out to much, and in fact, many times they are a total waste of time, energy and gas. Do I feel sorry for myself? Do I complain because I did not get paid? Do I get turned off on the business over it? No. I continue on with a smile on my face and I am ready for the next deal that comes my way. I may not be paid in dollars and cents but I certainly have my commission!

How can I be late on my house payment?

Last year, like a lot of home owners in Muskegon County, and all over West Michigan, I received a notice that my property taxes had been lowered. Cedar Creek Township realizes that property values have declined and they must have decided acknowlege this.

I also had a power boat and I sold it last fall. The insurance on the boat was a rider on my home owners policy. As soon as I sold the boat I canceled the insurance and figured this would decrease my escrow account for my taxes and insurance by a reasonable amount.

Early in January I received a letter from my lending institution stating that my payment amount would increase by only a little over $10. NOW WAIT ONE MINUTE! How can this be? My property taxes were less and my home owners insurance is less but you decide to charge me MORE?!!! This just doesn't seem right.

Since Cindy and I both sell real estate it is a challenge from time to time to make ends meet. Making our house payment takes top priority but sometimes there just is not enough money to go around. Yesterday we received a check in the mail for an amount more than one months mortgage payment. Apparently the escrow account had too much money in it.

I hear all the time that lenders are trying to work with home owners to reduce the number of REO (Real Estate Owned, aka, Bank Owned homes). Why do they make it more difficult to make the payments instead of being honest and only billing for the amount they need? Is this some new Christmas Gift program they have designed?

This brings up several questions:
Did I receive interest on my money? Am I due to be reimbursed late fees I paid? Can I send in 12% less on my payments now and be current?

This just doesn't make sense and is one more example of how inept the lenders are. No wonder banks are in trouble. This is nothing new though. I suspect something is not right every time I pulled up to an ATM machine. It asked me to enter the amount I want in dollars and cents, but will only spit out cash in $10. increments! And then it is also labled with braile! My Grandpa was blind. I am so thankful I never saw him pull up to an ATM!