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

No, I don't have my months mixed up.

I know it's October and Thanksgiving isn't until November 26th. I'm sure after all the candy has been passed out for halloween and everything is settled down, we'll begin our preparations for Thanksgiving and the traditional Thanksgiving Day weekend.

But what if we extend it just a bit further this year and get thankful earlier. Why stop at a day or a weekend...try something completely different and try being thankful for the month. October is cancer awareness month...notice it's a month. I have been thankful for years over the recovery of cancer victims...they call them survivors. I have lost family memebers to cancer. I have had family member surviors too. My thankfulness doesn't stop at the end of a month.

With all the doom and gloom, there is many things to be thankful for, why not make our focus for the whole month of November? A time of being thankful and appreciate everyone and everything. I'll bet it will give your Thanksgiving Day Weekend a whole new meaning.

Here is a few thoughts, I am thankful for my children...they don't always do as I do but they do more than I could ever wish for. I am thankful to have such great grandchildren that make me smile and happy to be alive to share with them the joys of growing up.

I am so thankful that I have a wife that is committed, understands and shares everything with me as a life partner, friend, lover and most of all, my soulmate.

I appreciate my friends from all walks of life. They add the glue to keep me grounded and focused on the difference that makes the world so interesting. I appreciate my clients for trusting me to help make a difference in their lives. I appreciate that most of my clients have jobs in a state where 15 unemployment has hit nearly every family in some form or another. I pray for those that don't have jobs they will be able to find solice in family and friends while they are looking for employment. I pray that their life sustaining funding will be extended until employment is created.

I apprciate the cultures of the world for presenting different viewpoints so I can expand my global view beyond just my city, state and country.

When you consider what we have to be thankful for and to whom it will take more than a day.

Just some passing thoughts as I was going over my calendar for next week. Have you given any thoughts to being more thankful than just a day?

Live in the 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 listed a home for a past client.

He has spent thousands of dollars getting in readying the home not counting personal hours painting, cleaning and updating.

I laughed, during the signing of the listing documents my seller says, "show my house but don't walk on the floors or carpets they are perfect." He looked at me laughing and then says, "What?" with a shrug of his shoulders. So I say, "how exactly how do you expect me to levitate myself and potential buyers through your home?" Buyers have to feel comfortable and be able to look over the property.

My seller just remodeled and installed all new flooring and carpet throughout. He worked a few months getting the home ready to sell and it looks great...nicely done. So nice in fact, that we listed it and already have several showings scheduled. So now he is concerned with the rain and nastier weather that they will soil the carpets and mark up the flooring.

Clinck the link below to fixing up the inside of your home and other useful selling tips. http://www.flexitrealty.com/RealEstateTips/HomeSelling/getready4.html

Options for these issues is simple. I shared with him to purchase the plastic runner material and place on the carpets before the showing, or there are these slip over the shoes covers. They sell then by the box and can easily take care of the problem. Or we simply ask people to remove their shoes.

My suggestion was to go with the plastic carpet runner versus the slip over shoes booties. If you leave the booties some may not take the time to put them on and/or take them with them , thereby increasing his costs. I know the plastic carpet runner costs a bit more, but I thought the flooring would have more protection and less chance of someone ignoring the "remove" shoes request.

I have used the plastic stretch material in high traffic patterns for hallways, in front of window, bathrooms and bedrooms with a strip of the runner in front of each closet as well.

He's going to think about it and get back with me on which method he wants to use for showings and open houses.

People take pride in their homes no matter how simple or expensive and want it protected from damage during the selling process. Keeping carpets and flooring clean is one more issue to contend with in foul weather.

What works best for your showing and selling process?

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

Many sellers wonder if offering incentives really works.

I have seen incentives for Buyers, Agents and a combination of both. The reason for an incentive should be crystal clear....the seller wants to sell faster.

What works and what doesn't?

Pricing right in the beginning of your sale works best. You get more traffic and more offers at a higher price!

That being said, what about offer to pay closing costs, taxes, carpeting, painting, association fees, new cars, trips and the list is a imaginative as you can be.

This week a client asked if we offered a trip to some exotic island would that lure buyers? NOPE...they want a good deal not a trip. Now before you send me email we are not talking about the EXCEPTION....we are talking about a marketing plan poised around a give-away. Sure a few people might bite on a trip "IF" the home was the right home and they were going to buy it anyway! Wrong home...NO SALE!

What about that carpet allowance? It helps buyers if you need to update or replace your carpet...no sense in buying new carpet and having the buyers rip it out the day after close! You have wasted money...on the other hand does nasty old carpet help you get more money? NO. So if you need to update your carpet select a neutral color, not coral blue!

What about closing costs? Save your breath...if the buyer needs closing cost they are not bashful...they will ask! What about offering to pay taxes for a year? That would be nice...can you help me with closing costs too? Again it might sound nice but buyers will ask for more anyway...so save your money...it isn't going to bring you more buyer's and usually cost you more because you offered.

Ok if that doesn't entice buyers how about painting? If your home needs painting you should already have done that to get a higher price...again if it is the outside you want to have already painted...the inside, buyers willl do it themselves, in most cases. Not a big motivator to buyers...yet having a shabby outside is a big turnoff to most buyers and will fetch you lower bids or worse, NO Bids!

Association fee may bring a few buyers but what it really does is focus on the association fees, it makes buyers wonder if the fees are higher than normal.

Now that shiny new car...first of all if you are offering a car your home is priced to high....and the car isn't going to change the fact that the buyer knows it's priced to high.

How about a trip to some exotic place? Chances are the buyer won't be able to afford the plane fare and if they could they wouldn't enjoy themselves knowing they should have cashed in the trip to by carpet, paint, furniture or a yard! The truth these incentives are not going to bring you a bunch of buyers...you might have a few exceptions but the reality is buyers know what they want and the head turning incentives only cost you money.

The best is yet to come....what about offering the buyers agent more commission....use greed to have the Realtor sway buyers to your property. Here is the rub...if an agent does this and it can be proved they have broken their fiduciary responsibility to their client, the buyer. That word fiduciary is another word for legal obligation. It's not nice to break the rules an agents license could be gone for this infraction. So if the agent is doing his or her job to begin with, your home is already on the "to see" list, because it meets the buyers needs.

One last thing, what works best? Pricing Your Home RIGHT to Sell!

Hope this clears up a few misconception on incentives and what works best. Buyers buy what fits their needs...always have and always will!

Live in the 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

What is your most frequent item that needs to be addressed when inspections are complete?

For the last 10 years, mine has been furnace issues, specifically the CO2 readings. This happened again just the other day on a listing. I received offer and inspections are next! Inspections were complete and the report was in....the furnace! CO2 was at a high and needs to be checked and reinspected. I asked the same questions I've asked throughout the years.... Did they test the furnace when it was up to temp, was the furnace on and running, etc. etc.

I use a licensed heating and cooling company to reinspect every time I get this type of repair report. First before you inspectors start sending me a rash of hate mail I think there are great inspectors out there doing a fine job. I also think like in real estate there are inspectors and agents under trained and skills are less than professional but they have a pen and must justify their costs.

Right now I am 15/15 meaning out of 15 times I have been told the heat exchanger was cracked or the chimney was clogged and not drawing properly, the licensed heating and cooling contractor has not been able to duplicate the problem. This does not mean homeowners should not have inspections! I will make you sign a wavier if you decide not to have an inspection because I think they are that important.

Choosing your home inspector is just a critical as choosing your Realtor. Knowledge and experience come with training and time.

Thankfully, I have a seller who understands these issues, and after explaining the findings of the inspection is immediately calling a heating company to have them perform a service call and see what their findings are, and if anything, correct so we can continue and close. He has even gone a step further and turned the furnace off and is staying with family till he knows for sure the results. Better to be safe than sorry, both for himself and the new owner.

Since the results were so elevated I recommended he stay away until the heating and cooling contractor can inspect the unit. This unit looks like new, as if it was just installed. The hot water heater is in superb condition...but like many things on the surface it can be perfect on the outside and inside can be a whole different story.

My safety concerns are always protect the sellers and buyers and confirm. There is always the first time even a new stove, furnace, hot water heater or dishwasher can fail. This unit is about 15 years old and looks perfect. I have my doubts but I never expressed them just suggested confirmation by a licensed contractor.

These are the sellers who make transactions smooth..they listen and an understanding of what needs to be done and do it.

We will see what the results of his service call are when the heating company comes out. I've had several inspections performed over the years that all say it's the furnace and CO2 readings are high, and it's been because the inspector did a quick test without the furnace being up to temp or even on and received a false reading.

What's the most frequent item that comes up on your home inspection reports?

Live in the 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

Every year in the fall squirrels get into people's homes.

They are looking for that ideal warm spot to store their food supplies for the winter. One of my clients has been invaded!

The pesky little critters ate through the trim on the muti-unit home and were in the attic. The tenants were calling, the kids were laughing and the landlord was not smiling!

Owning multiple rental units can keep you busy but add squirrels and you might be in for some not so nice nature fun.

For the most part trapping and releasing squirrels is pretty simple. The local hardware stores sell small animal traps.

The next step is the bait...pretty easy this time of year when the squirrels are storing winter supplies. An apple, peanut butter and a few nuts sprinkled on top and you have the perfect bait. Squirrels might chew another hole to get at the bait! I think catching is the easy part of the task.

The move and release step requires a bit more caution. Typically these traps have little lift-up doors. The last thing you want to happen is be bitten by a frightened squirrel. That is why some folks think a pellet gun is the best option. I personally think the live catch and release is the right way to handle these persistent little intruders.

I wear leather gloves make sure I don't put my fingers where little sharp teeth can chomp and place my trapped little intruder in the back of my pickup. I do put a cover over the cage so it tends to calm the animal down.

My friend liked my suggestion and captured the first of a small family that had set up home in the attic. Transporting to a friends farm with land to roam and tall trees was a pleasant and satisfying release option. They arrived released the squirrel and it immediate ran for the barn and has a new home! The farmer friend was less than thrilled that he has a new tenant. He said, "well it won't be long and the squirrel will find the woods...the cats don't like to share very well."

So squirrels can be destructive to property and a bit of a task to catch and they can offer an adventure too!

Remember the peanut butter and those leather gloves! Do you have a squirrely story?

Live in the 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