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

We all have little surprises that happen to us.

The time you don't want to be surprised is after you have purchased a new home. Walking in for the first time as the owner of a home and finding something your were not expecting.

I had an agent call and ask, "what do I do....my client just walked into to her home and the basement is full of water!" The agent had just sold a home...inspections were done. Disclosures said periodic water in a specific section of the basement after heavy rains.

We just had record breaking rains in fact the second highest rainfall in history for this past month in our area. The buyer had stopped right after one of the heavy down-pours with the agent and the basement was dry.

The buyer in this case does not have much if any recourse. That is why it is recommended to do a final "Walk-Through" the day of close. You could delay the close, to investigate further the problem. In many cases such as our purchase agreement rules...you have 10 days for inspections from the date of the contract. Once you have signed off on the inspections you could be in breech of the contract, unless the new evidence is considered a change in the property condition.

We have all heard of stoves and refrigerators being swapped by sellers and giving the buyer a old one from the garage or purchased a cheap one enabling them to keep the new one.

We have been the benefit of rugs and furniture covering stained carpets. We have even seen pictures hung to cover holes in walls, curtains to cover a broken window. Cookie jars placed just right to cover a burn mark on the counter. A new wall put up in a basement to cover that spot that molds all the time because of a little moisture leak.

The things that can be covered are as inventive as the sellers and buyers themselves. How about the purchaser that felt so comfortable with the seller that he didn't get a survey. Only to find out the driveway he thought was his belonged to the neighbor. Surprise! I must admit I read this one, it didn't happen to me or any of my agents!

The buyer walked down the driveway, looked in the garage that was open at the time....said to the seller, "nice garage...even has a new garage door". The seller said, Yeah it is nice, even has a work bench. The seller never said it was his or that it wasn't. The buyer assumed it came with the house, since the siding was the same color. The listing said no garage. The buyer bought directly from the seller and never questioned the buyer further.

Surprises can happen...using a professional to help you purchase and sell can help you identify issues before the become surprises.

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

Trick or Treat!

This Halloween brings back all the memories of the fun we had when we were kids. This year it might bring more than costumed goblins to your doorstep!

The H1N1 Virus is a real threat to children and those with immune system problems. Myself included. I have a left over problem from Vietnam. I had malaria...which by the way is not on the government list as a treated issue for Vets.

To make a long story short my liver was damaged because I was over medicated to get me back in the field and fighting. I was in a 20 man recon unit. Anytime we were short a unit went out without the normal firepower. That be what it may....my liver function dropped 30% from last year to this year.

This means handing out candy could expose me to the H1N1 Virus. My situation isn't isolated, anyone with an immunity issue should consult their doctor to know the dangers. For Example, I have avoided my granddaughter's school this year. I have not gone to see her with all the other kids at gymnastics practice, something I would love to do.

I don't mingle in large crowds. Caution is the word for me. I could be in serious trouble if I caught the virus. I am not allowed to take the vaccination either. I did get a flu shot that was recommended by my physician. Thousands of people like you and me might think twice this year to opening our doors to faces smiling with anticipation.

I see the media warning about wearing rubber gloves, using hand sanitizers, masks and various other precautions for the kids and the parents to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus.

So is the Halloween a Trick or a Treat? Is seeing all the kids and the fun you can have with them being wide eyed when you hand them a treat worth the risk?

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

Stigmatized properties can be a Trick or a Treat depending on if you are selling or buying.

Many people do not know that if a death happens in or on a property it does not have to be disclosed by the seller or sellers agent in Michigan and most other states.

The reason? The death natural or otherwise reduces the number of buyers when disclosed. This in turn reduces the sell price the subject property and all properties in the vicinity.

So, the ruling was to help stabilize prices when a death occurs. If you do find this issue you may be able to use it to your clients advantage because of the sellers own worries about selling the property and get a great buy!

A simple rule that I have adopted when acting as a selling agent....interview the neighbors about the property. Ask questions to give you a clear picture of the property and the sellers. Neighbors always spill the beans!

Neighbors...anyway some of them love to tell you the juicy stuff.

Ask simple concise un-intrusive questions....and let the neighbor talk. Sometimes you have to cut the conversation shot you could be there a long time!

•· Why are they sellers moving?

•· Did they buy another home?

•· How do their children feel about moving....only ask this if they have obvious signs of children. You might find out they hated the school system!

•· Do you know of anything wrong with the house...anybody die....laugh after delivering this question....If they say, How did you know?" You hit the jackpot. Sometimes you will find out about water in the basement, heating bills through the roof or termite infestations....you'll be surprise.

Then again you will be equally happy to know that nothing is out of the ordinary and the house is simply a Treat for your buyers!

So what do you think? Is a Stigmatized Property a Trick or Treat?

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

The Michigan market has many homes on the market longer than it usually takes to sell.

It is no wonder....the unemployment rate is over 15% the number of foreclosures has consistently in the top five for the nation, month after month. I just heard the new number of foreclosures is 2200 for Kent County Michigan where I am located. It isn't just bad times it is hard times for many families. They didn't cause their situation....they just lost their jobs and have no way of making the mortgage payments.

Wondering what to do? You need to sell but don't see a buyer on the horizon anytime soon!

There is a couple strategies that can help you sell and fast without lower your homes price a dime! I know, I must have a head injury, you have already lowered your price 4 times and no offers. It doesn't work for every situation but it works and works well.

Not all agents can help you understand the available options. If you have already moved and need your home sold....a perfect option is to sell it for top dollar to someone that wants it....right?

You want to sell it to someone that will take care of it...you have been considering renting but don't feel comfortable. You have heard all the horror stories of damage, stopped payments on the rent...the maintenance issues that you still have to do.

I have a system to take all those concerns away and get your home sold. Now if I let you in on a little secret, promise not to tell anyone, I mean really....promise? Thousands of agents across the nation know how to do this.

This method gets properties sold in weeks not months. It is called a lease/option, email me or contact your local real estate agent. Make sure your agent has experience in handling these types of programs.

If you need a referral to an experienced agent, I will give you the name of a local agent in your area that can help you. This may not be the right option for you but it works and gets your home under contract fast.

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

Stress, Inspections For Buyers & Sellers

There is a real push nationally for licensing inspection companies and inspectors.

Like any industry under the microscope some of the national organizations that offer certifications, continuing education and compliance standards based on national construction and building codes, have flourished. It doesn't mean that all inspectors or companies abbide by these guidelines or care about the national building standards. Some are simply in it for the money.

Here is a perfect reason why this issue in gaining steam. This week an inspector, (unlicensed, none required in Michigan), determined a furnace had a major CO2 leak. The problem....it didn't.

He put in writing that the CO2 readings were dangerously high. He also scared the buyer so bad that the home was unsafe, the buyer nearly pulled out of the purchase contract. The only thing that kept the buyer was my relationship with the buyer's agent over the years. I told the buyer's agent we would have the furnace professionally inspected and if the furnace was an issue we would repair or replace. No responsible home owner wants to jeopardize their loved ones either.

I immediately shared the outcome with the seller concerning the inspection and contacted a licensed heating and cooling contractor to evaluate the furnace (which both the buyer and seller agreed upon). I have had 10 furnaces reported as bad and not one has been bad. That does not mean you should ignore the findings of an inspection of an inspector BUT, confirm any findings that are technical in nature.

This same inspector has misdiagnosed two furnaces on my listings in 3 weeks. This time I sent him the findings including the last one that was cleared for the same problem.

The stress the seller felt was immense, he wasn't sure he could keep his family in the house. The buyer was so skeptical of the furnace because the report stated "elevated CO2 levels, dangerous CHECK immediately.

Here is the bottom line...the inspector didn't know the level required by federal guidelines and quoted the wrong number. That is bazaar in itself. He didn't have the right equipment to do the test properly and lastly wasn't licensed or trained to evaluate the furnace to the depth he was willing to report. Over stepping your area of expertise whether a Realtor or other professional can cause you some serious harm in reputation and monetarily, should you be sued.

The seller has mailed the inspector his $130.00 invoice to be reimbursed. I wonder how that will be handled?

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