Terry Bonnie Westbrook Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Real Estate

Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience

in real estate how are we capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale? Many

home sellers make the critical mistake of thinking all Realtors are the same. They list

with the first agent who comes along. Does it make good business sense to put the

responsibility of selling your home with someone who has no plan or qualifications?

This report will educate you with valuable information that will help you

make the best decision concerning: With which real estate agent should you list?

Start by doing a few hours of research. Ask around ... talk with someone who has had a

positive experience with a Realtor in your neighborhood. Find out which agents are highly

visible in your market area. Get to know who has the most web presence, ads and

marketing material in your neighborhood. Who's the most active agent? Compile a list

of agent names and use these questions to help you determine which agent is right for

you. Now you have the list ----Google each one to see how they compare. Make an

appointment and ask the prospective agents the following questions:

What does the listing agreement entail, what are the beginning and expiration dates,

and what are the fee amounts I will be paying?

Have your agent go over every detail in the listing agreement with you until you

understand it completely. Make sure the beginning and ending dates are on the

agreement; a good standard for length is four to six months. Know exactly what fees

you will be paying and remember that less is not always better. If the agent stands to

make very little commission you can bet it will be reflected in the amount of time and

effort that is spent marketing your home. If the agent reduces the commission to get

the listing it may mean they intend to spend very little money promoting the property.

What disclosure laws apply to me and what do I need to be aware of ?

Expect your agent to thoroughly explain the state required Seller's Disclosure Statement

and Lead Base Paint Disclosure. When completing these forms be sure to answer truthfully.

If the basement leaks, say so! We do not operate in a "Buyer Beware" real estate

environment and agents expect sellers to answer property condition statements

straightforwardly. The best method of dealing with any property defect or maintenance

requirement is to have it repaired or replaced prior to marketing the home. This prevents

a repair from becoming a negotiating issue.

What separates you from your competition and what kind of feedback will I receive

from you? How effectively will you advertise? Do you have 24-hour advertising

capability? Will all the leads be followed up on by your agent's team or will they go

to other agents who may have other listings they would prefer to show?

Agents who are innovative and offer new methods of attracting home buyers will

measurably outperform agents who rely on methods of the past. Marketing effectively

in today's market and beyond requires progressive strategies that add value and

service for both buyers and sellers!

10 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List Your Home ~ Part 1

10 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List Your Home ~ Part 2

10 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List Your Home ~ Part 3

All 10 Questions Can Be Viewed Here

Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes. With limited experience

in real estate how are we capable of maximizing the profits from our home sale? Many

home sellers make the critical mistake of thinking all Realtors are the same. They list

with the first agent who comes along. Does it make good business sense to put the

responsibility of selling your home with someone who has no plan or qualifications?

This report will educate you with valuable information that will help you

make the best decision concerning: With which real estate agent should you list?

Start by doing a few hours of research. Ask around ... talk with someone who has had a

positive experience with a Realtor in your neighborhood. Find out which agents are highly

visible in your market area. Get to know who has the most web presence, ads and marketing

material in your neighborhood. Who's the most active agent? Compile a list of agent names

and use these questions to help you determine which agent is right for you. Now you have

the list Google each one to see how they compare. Make an appointment and ask the

prospective agents the following questions:

Do you have an assistant or support staff?

By employing someone to handle the details of their business the agent can spend

more time servicing your needs. However, make sure you know how much time an

agent will spend and how much time their assistant will spend on the sale of your

home. It may be fine if the assistant does most of the legwork as long as the agent

is there at the most critical times of the transaction period.

How often will you hold open houses? Will they be public open houses or by

appointment only ads?

Simply putting a sign on your lawn and holding open houses every Sunday will not

sell your home. Over exposure may present an unfavorable picture also. Ask if the

agent's has a policy limiting the frequency that open houses are held.

It's in your best interest!

What listing price do you recommend and what is that price based on?

Pricing is the most critical step to selling your home. Take great care in choosing an

agent with the knowledge to price your home effectively. Keep in mind the selling price

should attract prospective buyers to your home, get you top dollar in the current market

and reflect the condition of your home. Be realistic and avoid "yes agents", who will say

"yes" to any request or price while your home languishes on the market. Some agents

may also encourage a lower list price simply to sell your home quickly.

10 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List Your Home ~ Part 1

10 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List Your Home ~ Part 2

All 10 Questions Can Be Viewed Here

Most of us sell only a small number of homes in our lifetimes.

With limited experience in real estate how are we capable of

maximizing the profits from our home sale? Many home sellers make

the critical mistake of thinking all Realtors are the same. They list

with the first agent who comes along. Does it make good business

sense to put the responsibility of selling your home with someone

who has no plan or qualifications?

This report will educate you with valuable information that will

help you make the best decision concerning:

With which real estate agent should you list?

Start by doing a few hours of research. Ask around ... talk with

someone who has had a positive experience with a Realtor

in your neighborhood. Find out which agents are highly visible

in your market area. Get to know who has the most web presence,

ads and marketing material in your neighborhood. Who's the

most active agent? Compile a list of agent names and use these

questions to help you determine which agent is right for you.

Now you have the list ---Google each one to see how they compare.

Make an appointment and ask the prospective agents the

following questions:

3. What is your average length of time from listing to sold?

Don't automatically assume the shorter the time on the market

the better. That could reflect selling homes quickly at lowball

prices. Look at what the asking price was compared to the

selling price. An agent who sells close to the asking price and

quickly is generally effective at helping clients determine the

right price and helping them get it.

4. How long have you been in business and with to what

professional organizations do you belong?

What additional training and professional designations have you

acquired? The length of time a real estate agent has been licensed

is not a sure fire sign that they've been an active seller. They may

have been in business for 10 years but only part time, whereas an

agent who's been in business for 2 years may be a real top producer.

So take into account what professional organizations they belong to.

The minimum should be a licensed professional who is a member

of the local real estate board and multiple listing service as well as

the State and National Association of Realtors.

Watch for the Continuation of this Series. Part 3 & 4 coming soon.....

10 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List Your Home ~ Part 1

All 10 Questions Can Be Viewed Here

We have gathered a list of the top Caledonia Michigan Houses

to buy, based on price per square foot.

Please note that this list can change daily as some homes

sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get

up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.

We have included Foreclosed Homes but will not include "Short Sale"

Homes in our lists, if this condition is stated.

The total square footage is noted here, although only the

main floors are used to figure price per square foot.

Lowest price/Sq Ft range from $46.57 to $87.82 in Caledonia.

We are starting to see prices creep up and inventory go

down, so if you have been waiting for the best time to

buy in Caledonia, don't wait much longer.

October 2009 TOP BEST BUY Caledonia Homes

Highest list price is $312,716

Lowest list price is $97,900

The Top 21 Caledonia Homes to Buy by Price per Sq Foot:

8585 Acorn Ave SE $97,900 1282 Sq Ft $76.37/SqFt

572 145th Ave $99,000 1836 Sq Ft $53.92/SqFt

4494 2nd St $114,900 1400 Sq Ft $82.07/SqFt

5780 68th St SE $130,000 1777 Sq Ft $73.16/SqFt

6606 Buttrick Ave $139,876 2674 Sq Ft $88.08/SqFt

213 Johnson St SE $139,900 1942 SqFt $72.04/SqFt

9628 Morse Lake Ave $ 144,900 2751 Sq Ft $61.66SqFt

209 Terrace SE $144,900 1650 Sq Ft $87.82/SqFt

1616 Crescent Pointe $158,500 2174 Sq Ft $72.91/SqFt

9583 Scotsmoor Ct SE $ 164,638 2140 Sq Ft $76.93/SqFt

9615 Scotsmoor Dr SE $ 169,843 2140 Sq Ft $79.37/SqFt

9044 Alanada Dr $ 172,000 1974 Sq Ft $87.13/SqFt

327 Johnson St $178,500 3000 Sq Ft $59.50/SqFt

9580 Scotsmoor Dr $178,637 2073 Sq Ft $86.17/SqFt

8845 Whitneyville Ave $179,800 3000 Sq Ft $81.73/SqFt

7328 Patterson Ave $190,000 3227 Sq Ft $76.71/SqFt

323 Johnson St $239,900 3800 Sq Ft $82.92/SqFt

9555 Kraft Ave SE $249,000 3216 Sq Ft $77.43/SqFt

10441 E Rivershore Dr $271,950 3095 Sq Ft $87.87/SqFt

2947 92nd St SE $285,000 4158 Sq Ft $68.54/SqFt

8860 Vincent Ave SE $312,716 4272 Sq Ft $73.20/SqFt

*Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and

not habitable as is or available for a mortgage in present condition.*

Caledonia Michigan Real Estate

If you would like to see a Caledonia Top Best Buys Home, please

contact me: 1-888-240-1968 ext 0

or email me at terry@terrywestbrook.com

We have gathered a list of the top East Grand Rapids Houses to buy

based on price per square foot. Please note that this list can change daily

as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the

market. Price per square foot is a great leveler. If two similar homes are

listed at similar prices, their price per square foot should be similar.

It should reflect the interior finish of the home. For example, if it has

crystal chandeliers, marble tile, a new kitchen, this would be more per

square foot than a home that is in derelict condition.

Note: We will not be listing "Short Sale" properties in our list,

if disclosed.

The total square footage is noted here, although only the main floors

are used to figure price per square foot.

October 2009 - 22 TOP BEST BUY East Grand Rapids Homes

Lowest price/Sq Ft range from $54.86 to $117.77

Highest List Price - $349,700

Lowest List Price - $124,900

The Top East GR Homes to Buy by Price per Square Foot:

1635 Breton Rd SE $124,900 1893 Sq Ft $65.98/SqFt

2200 Estelle Dr SE $139,900 1474 Sq Ft $109.81/SqFt

1408 Edgewood Ave $144,900 1874 Sq Ft $77.32/SqFt

630 Rosewood Ave $159,900 1862 Sq Ft $85.88/SqFt

430 Rosewood Ave $159,900 2650 Sq Ft $73.72/SqFt

428 Edgemere Dr $164,900 3006 Sq Ft $54.86/SqFt

2752 Robinson Rd $169,900 1532 Sq Fr $110.90/SqFt

1646 Robinson Rd $174,000 3171 Sq Ft $54.87/SqFt

348 Gladstone Dr $174,900 1775 Sq Ft $98.54/SqFt

159 El Centro Blvd $174,900 1848 Sq Ft $94.64/SqFt

2258 Lake Dr SE $179,900 2261 Sq Ft $79.57/SqFt

1630 Lake Dr SE $179,900 2692 SqFt $66.83/SqFt

1117 Eastwood Ave $205,000 2250 Sq Ft $108.52/SqFt

2150 Anderson Dr $209,000 3322 Sq Ft $75.29/SqFt

3030 Cascade Rd $209,900 3000 Sq Ft $117.77/SqFt

147 El Centro Blvd $215,000 2318 Sq Ft $108.48/SqFt

1401 Pinecrest Ave $220,000 2350 Sq Ft $103.97/SqFt

2332 Boston St $269,900 2782 Sq Ft $114.46/SqFt

3030 Fulton St SE $269,900 3460 Sq Ft $113.40/SqFt

2305 Wilshire Dr $279,900 3000 Sq Ft $112.59/SqFt

3151 Brentwood $339,900 3596 Sq Ft $94.52/SqFt

1401 Breton Rd $349,700 3873 Sq Ft $102.85/SqFt

The bargains are fewer & prices appear to be getting more

expensive here in East Grand Rapids this fall. No homes

under $100K have been listed for the past 5 months.

If you have been waiting for the right time to buy, don't wait much

longer. We are starting to see signs competition for homes in some

areas, like East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills, is on the rise.

*Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and not habitable

as is or available for a mortgage in present condition.*

East GR Real Estate Market Blogs

If you would like to view an East Grand Rapids Best Buy Home,

please contact us @1-888-240-1968 x 0 or email us :

terry@terrywestbrook.com