Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Thinking of buying a property in another state?

You might want to think a few things over when moving to another state. It is one thing to invest and another to relocated using an out of state lender.

This just happened during one of my closings this week. The buyer and buyers agent offer an approval letter through a national lender. The lender may be national but the loan officer is local in a branch office.

The loan officer had no idea about Michigan title insurance or this states closing process. The buyer thought he would get a loan, the seller would hand him the keys and that would be that.

The lender wanted more documentation about future employment, outstanding debt and a host of other issues. Buyers many times do not understand that little piece of paper called an approval letter is only good the day it was issued.

The sellers many times do not know the ramifications of a preapproval letter either. It doesn't mean a thing until the credit report, income statements, verification of down money and income.

The buyer had one issue after another with the lender. The loan officer for the lender didn't know many things that would have been customary in his home market but cross state lines and they didn't apply.

The buyers agent had a difficult time communicating with the clients lender as well. Time zone issues, local and state issues that did not match the knowledge base of the lender. This created frustration and delays. The closing was delayed and extended 3 times.

The seller would have abandoned the contract if I had not talked with the lender directly to see what issues were holding up the sale. The lender outlined issues that were specific to the buyer and some that were because of being out of state.

So when you are relocating it makes good sense to check out a local lender. If you are affiliated with a national lender use a local office to help establish your credit in your new community.

Home this gives you a head start in your relocation process.

I was arriving home from an evening appointment...I noticed a couple young men walking, I hadn't seen them in the neighborhood before.

They noticed me right away...and turn into the a cul-de-sac like they were out for a stroll. The cul-de-sac happens to be where I live. I turned and my headlights showed two young men one in camouflage and the other in black. Odd attire for walking.

I slowed to get a look...they turned and walk across the street and head out of the cul-de-sac....they make another turn into a dead-end side street...all seemed eerily bad.

I made a circle and notice on had a plastic bad looking a little heavy with what seemed to be the outline of a "BIG" knife. They continue out of the neighborhood. I decide to check on my wife before calling anyone.

She is fine....I tell her of the events and she heard nothing and seen nothing. All at once an old pickup is parked in the bend of the cul-de-sac. I look, the same two guys exit and run onto my two acre parcel of privacy. I can hear them struggling with something....I ask them to Identify themselves.

Bloody hands go up in the air...and they say hey mister sorry....we are bow hunters and the deer we shot ran about a half mile before we found him here. We didn't mean to scare you or your wife...we just wanted to get our deer!

I laughed and said no problem guys...how big is it? They never thought to ask if they could get it....some people are funny and wouldn't let them. So the miss trust of the situation created a dangerous situation. Being a Vietnam Vet who was in the thick of things my reaction to people sneaking around my home in camouflage or black clothing isn't going to be very positive. But common sense works best before getting out Mr. Smith and Wesson.

Having two guys put up their hands with blood all over them isn't something you would expect in a urban neighborhood either.

It all worked out and I found out one of the bow hunters wanted some hunting land...so I gave him my business card and collected his email to send him property profiles.

Many things go bump in the night...being careful is being responsible to yourself and neighbors.

Are You Watching "Who Goes There?"

Live in Grand Rapids or West Michigan area, not under contract? Like to sell or buy a home....give me a call. It could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction. Always confidential, Never Pressured.

"Help is only a Call or Click away!"©2006-2009

Call Toll Free: 877-667-4699
Local: 616-784-2360 Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com

I just placed home under contract last night that I have sold twice before....only to have the seller blow-up the purchase.

It seems as we age we gain some unusual personal requirements. How we place value on our homes and possessions is certainly one of them.

Many of my senior clients....remind me I can buy senior coffee! I rather not be reminded of that fact. Other tell me I am a "just a Kid" at my age. It is all perspective.

Ever notice that old "something" you have had for years that looks like junk to someone else conjures up all these great memories. I have moved more family "treasures" from home to home over the years. I could start my own family museum...some of it people would love to see other items they would wonder why you still have them.

I have a collection of my grandcildrens school invitations to school events. Of no value to anyone else but priceless to me. I smile everytime I look over them and remember the antics of each child as they grow up.

Senior clients have "treasures" sometimes it's a little photo, lamp, rug or saw, a knife handed down from great granddad. Sometimes it's their lifelong home.

As time passes the value goes up in their minds eye. You can show them the factual numbers and reality....but it doesn't change their minds.

Then you get the phone calls....."when are we going to sell? I have to have time to move and plan who is going to help me. Oh No....I have to get packing cartons, it might be easier to stay! Are you sure we can sell....do I have to drop the price?"

Sometimes you have to let clients talk themselves through the selling and buying process. They have to take a breath. Last night I met with one of my clients. She wanted to sell...but not really. We priced the home right for the current market. I get a written lowball offer.....the sellers feels insulted...

I explain offers as starting points. Without an offer we have no starting point. I share how we are going to counter-offer and what to expect.

Then when the offer is accepted they panic all over again....it can be buyer's remorse or sellers remorse, as we call it in the industry. Regardless, in many cases it happens. Handing over the keys or receiving the keys is the final reality.

So working with seniors takes patience and understanding of what makes them feel the way they do.

The rewards are high...they usually have the money to make the final decisions. Seniors also have children that will become your clients. Making your business work with seniors increases your opportunity and you can have some great homemade cookies too!

As career professionals dealing with clients is a great experience. Helping clients through the buying and selling process is what we are trained to do.

Any Senior client comments you would like to share?

Live in Grand Rapids or West Michigan area, not under contract? Like to sell or buy a home....give me a call. It could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction. Always confidential, Never Pressured.

The "New" stimulus package could make the difference in helping you decide to sell.

It might not have been right to sell before BUT now it could be "Just The Right Time"! To put a sold sign in your yard!

Why?

The Exiting Homeowner - Buyer Stimulus package may make the difference for you. If you have owned your home as a primary residence and lived in your home 5 consecutive of the last 8 years you could get up to a $6500.00 Buyers Tax Credit. This means you can sell your home...get the home you need or want and get a tax credit for buying it after you sell!

You still have to use your good credit and have a 3.5% down payment to get another FHA loan but your current home most likely will have the equity for you to do that.

A First Time Buyer may be interested in your home and you move to the home of your dreams and get a tax credit too! What more of an incentive do you want to make the right move at the right time?

The first time home buyer can get up to $8000.00 as a tax credit. Making your home affordable and in demand.

So why is it such a good time to buy or upgrade to the home of your dreams? Besides the tax credit that you could qualify to receive?

Simple, in most markets home prices have not been lower in decades! The interest rates are still at all time lows as well.

This Means Two Things

•1. Price right and sell fast for Top Dollar!

•2. Buy Lower and enjoy the home of your dreams for nearly the same payment as you are making
now, for a home that no longer meets your needs!

Want to know what your home is worth before you make a selling decision?

No problem CLICK the Link MY HOMES VALUE and I will send you a Real Value Estimate.

Want to know what homes have sold for around you before calling for a comprehesive, pressure free, selling analysis?

No Problem CLICK the Link RECENT HOME SALES.

If you are out of the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market or not close to any of our West Michigan Offices or in Another State....I will refer you to a Professional in Your Area who is honest, open and willing to help you meet your goals.

It may be exactly the right time for you to sell your home and qualify for a tax credit at the same time.

Did you ever think you would get paid for selling your home? Just think, the money you get with the tax credit may cover most or all of your selling costs!

The Right Time - The Right Price! © 2009

Live in Grand Rapids or West Michigan area, not under contract? Like to sell or buy a home....give me a call. It could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction. Always confidential, Never Pressured.

"Help is only a Call or Click away!"©2006-2009

Call Toll Free: 877-667-4699 Local: 616-784-2360
Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com

AgentGenius Magazine rated the Active Rain Bloggers.

The article was posted October 23, 2009. Here is the link http://agentgenius.com/g-rants-insanity-more/real-estate/51-top-ranking-activerain-com-real-estate-blogs/

I know based on a number score how I rate. That has very little to do with how effective your blog is and the viewership....is viewership a word? It is now! :-)

I received a nice email from a client that told me about the article. I had no idea my blog had reached #23 in Active Rain. That has very little to do with issues that I write about...or pod-casting, videos or any of the issues you would think would make a blog rate.

The issue of being rated in anything that is titled AgentGenius is a bit laughable to me. If you know me personally...I won't WOW you with fancy words, in fact I am engaging...open...intent. If I do say so myself.

I paddle everyday for all I'm worth and enjoy life so enjoy my only magazine cover shot....I made it myself!

The fact that I have fun with my clients and business is almost difficult for some to understand in a business and economy so decimated with foreclosures and family hardships.

So to believe the rating of this Internet magazine is hard for me to understand. I know the 139 blogs I follow on Active Rain are superb. Many are on the list as well. Their blogs are a cut above and should be recognized.

Take a quick look and you will see it has nothing to do with points. It has nothing to do with pod-casting, videos or the things you would suspect would place people high on the list. It is content...it is engaging the reader so they comment.

It is sharing so readers connect and come back. People come and go from blog sites. They read you for awhile and then go away....then they come back. It is interesting how blogs flow.

So many great articles have been written on how to blog and gain readership here on Active Rain it is hardly worth me adding my two cents.

Here it is anyway and might be worth more than two cents to some.

Many just don't have the time or patience to develop a blog that is as rewarding to write as it is to read. Sounds simple and it is...just write engaging posts with content. It works everytime.

Now you want to know how I rated #23? It was simple they did the ratings by state in Alphabetical order! Michigan is #23 in the order "M"...I knew you would wonder about the number system. If I kept you reading this long....you found out. If you skimmed the page and commented you will never know!

Thanks for visiting my blog.