Mary Kent~Grand Rapids to the Lake Shore

Now don't get me wrong, I love me some good ole Michigan winter! Usually around mid February, I start yearning for spring to come along. Well, it's hit me already. I figure it's because we've received record snowfall.

It just keeps snowing and snowing and then it snows some more! I look at it this way, as each winter day passes; we're closer to spring, so, I got that going for me!! Most things are easier, no piling on the heavy coats, boots, gloves, hats and mittens!

When I go out into the frozen tundra to show homes or check on my listings, I bring the following care package to assist my clients and myself for just about anything we may encounter. A few things in my arsenal are a shovel, salt, flashlight and first aid kit.

My TOP Reasons why I want WINTER to go away:

• Can't see my phone# on my signs
• Warming my car ahead of time
• Mats in my car are wet and starting to smell
• I'm just cold
• Blowing and drifting snow
• Wet flyers
• My directionals signs are buried
• It takes me longer to make it anywhere
• Operating key boxes makes my hands freeze
• Climbing through snow banks (literally) to show homes (love my Ugg boots)
• It's hard to be fashionable with all the winter ware you have to pile on

Mary Kent

www.kentcountyhome.com

616-915-3987

Back Story-I met Randy on July 4^Th 1986 in a home of a friend that lived on Fairview Street over looking downtown Grand Rapids. This was a hookup through another friend that turned into so much more than I could have imagined. Thank you friend!

Dating-We began dating after the July 4^Th hookup and were inseparable ever since. We became engaged on July 4^Th 1987 in Downtown Grand Rapids while watching the fireworks. Randy and I married in September 1988 and we were on our way!

It's a boy! - In late Dec 1999 our little guy Sam was born. Like any sweet baby entering the world it was more than that for us, you see, we struggled for years to have children. When Sam was born the nurse had to kick our visitors out because we had so many family and friends in the room, hallway ect. It created an unwanted commotion for the hospital! The nurse thought we may have broken the record for the number of visitors.

Fast Forward to late December 2008, we are happily married, Sam is a healthy sweet little boy who loves Star Wars and Lego's! We added another addition to our family in 2004 a beautiful little girl, (golden retriever) named Riley. We decide to go see the movie "Marley and Me" (Great movie, bring some Kleenex!) This movie really touched me because we are right in the midst of another big life moment ourselves

We knew the possibility was there. Like so many people, Randy was downsized from his job as Mechanical/Design Engineer in November. We've never traveled the waters of being unemployed. Out of college he started with a company and stayed for almost 16 years. He left for a better opportunity in 2000 when our son was 3 months old. He remained with that company until November 2008.

Heartfelt thank you-Randy went to work right away trying to figure the art of finding a new job/opportunity. Yes, we chose to look at this" life moment" as an opportunity! Randy has several colleagues and friends along with the network stylings of his wife. He said to me in late November, can you believe "Mary" that so and so did this for me! What a nice person! You all know who you are and thank you from the both of us!

How I see him-Through out the years Randy has been my rock! He's a very loyal person and a great father and provider. I often refer to him as my steady freddie. He's a "what you see is what you get type of guy", and I think he's a handsome dude, the ladies at the grocery store think so too! They keep trying to run their carts into his! (that's what he says) He has supported and encouraged me with my career. I'm here to do the same for him, for our next big life moment!

So your sitting at your computer searching through all the homes on the market, and your thinking boy, I'd like to sell my house, but will it ever sell? You've found the home of your dreams online at an awesome price and you wonder again, would my house sell?

You have the best palace on the block, in an ideal location! What would be the best possible price? Sellers often say lets' just put it up, see what happens, and more often than not they price it too high.

This, in my and most real estate professionals opinions, is a HUGE MISTAKE. I show my sellers the cold hard facts and some still don't see the big picture. I don't make up the numbers, it's all there in writing.

The numbers below further support the price importance. It's the law of supply and demand. If your serious about selling, you must price (Mary's word of the day!) your home right. Buyers are extremely educated in the fine art of home purchasing and they shop...shop...shop for the perfect home. They buy the homes that are:

1. Priced Right (redundant I know!)

2. Ideal location

3. Shows like a shiny penny

Mary Kent

http://kentcountyhome.com

I'm so excited about the new outlook and possibilities our country has in store in the upcoming months!I feel encouraged that our new president is calling on all Americans to give back.

While I was never one myself to really "get it" in my 30's, I do feel I've come a long way in my 40's with finding meaningful ways that I can make a difference.

I've learned so much over the years with volunteering and have received more that I could ever imagine in return. Just the pure satisfaction you get by helping others will give you a great sense of well being!

So, will you join me in committing to something you care deeply about? There are so many worthy causes in our community and beyond that need your help!

Mary Kent

Choosing the right agent- When it comes to one of the most important decisions of your life you need to have personable and professional agent on your side. This agent should have closed on several homes through out the year and be a full time real estate professional. They should keep up with the trends in the industry to effectively consult with their clients.

Where do I find this agent?-In Grand Rapids MI check out open houses, blogs and ask family and friends who they would recommend. When choosing this person make sure you connect and they have your best interest in mind. You will know when you find the right person. Trust your instincts.

Face to face-Set up a few appointments with a couple of agents. These agents should go over the process of purchasing a home in this challenging market. It's very important to select a buyers agent that will work specifically for you. They should lay out the differences in purchasing bank owned, short sale, hud homes and seller owned homes. Each choice comes with pro's and con's.

First time buyers will benefit greatly by attending a 1st time buyers class. Such classes can be found sometimes through community education programs and other non profit organizations. I teach the real estate portion of this class a few times per year at Inner City Christian Federation, the employees of ICCF are group of trusted professionals that support the public with all things housing related.

Shop for a lender selecting a lender for your mortgage is very important these days with all the uncertainty in the banking industry. The best resource to find a lender is your agent (they work with lenders all the time and know who can get the job done for their clients) or check with family and friends, make sure it was a recent transaction not more than 3 months old. The pre approval process will find any problems before hand, so you can address those first before finding your dream home.

Start House Hunting-Once you have your approval in place, you and your agent should start touring homes. Make sure to have your wish list in hand and know before you go what's most important to you and your family. Do you want a big back yard? How many bedrooms? Finished basement?

Mary Kent

616-915-3987

http://www.kentcountyhome.com