Gary White FlexIt Realty~Real Estate & Updates, Grand Rapids & West Michigan

Recently a kids soccer function a pair of the players collided...nothing new in soccer.  This case was different...the two banged heads and one of the children lost a front tooth from the impact of the collision.

The parents rushed on the field and consoled the injured player...and found the tooth.  Somebody said to place the tooth in tissue and take it to the Dentist.

I had heard of fingers, hands, arms, legs even feet being reattached.  I had not heard of anyone's tooth being put back in place.

The fact is if you keep the tooth moist...putting it in your cheek or in Milk and bring it to the Dentist it is possible to put the tooth back in place and it will re-root itself.

Do not clean the tooth...let the Dentist do that...if it is dirty put it in the milk if not in the child's mouth between the cheek and gums.

I had never heard of this being possible but it seems according to Dr. Paul Donohue this can and has been done in the past.

So now you know some very practical advice that just may save a kids smile and eliminate the need for a false tooth.  The tooth fairy may not like you but who cares....it's only a buck!

I decided to ad this to my monthly news letter....to my "did you know" section.

Did you know?  Do you have any little tidbits that would be interesting for people to know?

If you live in Michigan and are thinking of selling your home or your homes listing has expired and you still want to sell....go to our website www.FlexItRealty.com and Download over 30 Free Reports that Could Save YOU Thousands in your next real estate transaction.  For immediate Service Call Toll Free 877-667-4699 or Email GaryWhite@grar.com  

This has been around for a while.  We had a realtor offer this program and put a lot of money into a high profile advertising program.  It seemed to gain the agent listings too.

The odd thing many of the listings didn't sell and they were not purchased either.  Some or should I say most ofthese programs have some real issues that are not to the advantage of the seller.  In Las Vegas not all that many months ago this same technique was used to sell new homes.  The deal was if the seller purchased a new home the sponsoring real estate group would purchase the sellers home if it did not sell.  Well it didn't sell and the Realtors walked saying sorry...and the homeowner now with two mortgages was left holding the bag.  It may be a real shock. 

Sellers looking for any glimmer of hope to sell their homes for top dollar have to hire someone experienced that understands marketing, understands the market and can help them price the home to meet their needs.  Tricks and gimmicks are not going to put any more money in you pockets or help you sell faster.  I have been a seller in this market...I sold my personal residence in this market....I understand this market...but that does not make the market different or easier.

We just were blessed with more numbers in the State of Michigan where home sales dipped again.  That means that pricing your home right is more crucial than ever before.  If you price your home wrong it will not sell.  You will help other homes to sell first.

If you price your home wrong and adjust your sell price later all you have done is lost the difference from where you would have sold to the price you eventually sell at.  In other words if you lower your price to the market....where it was...now it changed lower you are still to high....and must lower again. 

I know this concept is at odds with what you are told...but if your home is equal in design, condition and location to another home but your home is higher priced which one would you buy?  If you said the lower priced one...you and 99% of everyone else did too!

To sell for more your home has to be in top condition, it has to be priced right and it has to be marketed so buyers know you are in the market and ready to sell.

If you are thinking of selling or buying  go to our website www.FlexItRealty.com and Download over 30 Free Reports they could save YOU thousands of dollars on your next real estate transaction.

If Live in Michigan and you would like a confidential consultation to listing your home or if your home has expired and you still want to sell...call Toll Free 877-667-4699 or Email us at FlexitRealty@comcast.net

Go to our Website see for yourself "Help Is Only A Call or Click Away"! copyright 2006-2008 Flexit Realty

Principle Residence Exemption, residents of the State of Michigan can now own two properties and get exemption under certain guidelines on both of them.

It was passed as Public Act 96...this enables home sellers to retain 2 principle resident exemptions for property still on the market after the seller has moved elsewhere in the state.

You must use a Conditional Recission of Principle Residence Exemption Form #4640 from the Department of Treasury...which is now available.

The conditional rescission allow an owner to get a Principle Residence Exemption on his or her new property and on the previously exempted property at the same time if certain conditions are met.

• the property is not occupied
• the property is for sale
• the property is not leased or available for lease
• the property is not used for any business or commercial purpose

The opportunity to apply and qualify for a conditionalo rescission begins for the 2008 tax year and is not retroactive to previous tax years.   Still this is a real benefit for many seller that have not sold the home they left for the new home they currently live in.

To qualify for the conditional rescission in 2008, Form #4640 must be filed to the assessor of the local unit of government where the property is located on or before May 1, 2008.

If you have any questions you can call (517) 373-1950 or Email: Patrick Huber, Manager of the Property Tax Exemption Section huberp@michigan.gov

You must act fast if you are going to take advantage of this exemption. 

If you live in Michigan and are Selling or Buying a property go to our website to download over 30 Free Reports These Reports Could Save YOU Thousands of Dollars in your next real estate transaction.  www.FlexItRealty.com

I just listed another home today.... I am happy for me....even happier for me it is priced right!

We were going through the comps as I was reviewing the home from the quick tour...in my mind.  This has been a bachelor pad....and a woman touch has never even entered the front door!

This guy had an arsenal of guns, twenty...maybe?!  Three cabinets of guns...oh sure they were locked in gun cabinets with glass front doors!  I want those out of the house....gone....I can see this being a burglars dream come true!  Slides in the back of the home in a small sub-division and glass gun cabinets...oh yeah they are gone!  A couple pistols, shot guns of all types, high power rifles with scopes...laser sights...I was in Vietnam in a recon unit....I understand this stuff and this is over kill....no pun intended!

Stacks of magazines, cloths in the corner....but the kitchen now that was a chefs delight.  This guy may work in tool and die but he like food and wanted to be a chef...so the kitchen is great.

Living room nice neutral colors but the traffic pattern...centered on the Big Screen TV...so if you had to walk a maze to get everyone a good viewing angle...OK with him.  Most women would have said....NO WAY!

The dining room...hummm how do you say...I can not believe you think like this.

As we are going through the listing agreement...I am mentioning we should have the home staged to maximize the features and benefits the home offers.  This should be done before the open house.   His response...."what is "STAGE" do you want me to build a stage in the living room?  I thought that might be to much...he said, I thought of it for my stereo system but bought the entertainment center don't you like it"?  You probably could have had a great shot for Candid Camera if you would have seen my face!  He looks at me and says..."What"?

So I explained the staging process to him.  I also explained the opportunity he had to sell faster with the home prepared, staged and priced correctly.  So we are going to get this done after the carpets are cleaned, some painting touch-up along with a pod to take the excess "man things" like the 3 work benches, (did I say 3 extra work benches beside the other 3?)  2.5 stall garage with one stall usable the other have benches, racks, air compressors etc.  If I could only find a one car owner that liked mechanical things.

We are nearing the end of the listing and I mention one more thing that has to go....the pellet stove in the dining area.  He looks at me like I shot him in the heart.  He says, "Do you know how much this saves on the heating bill"?  Nope but the wife of the buyer is not going to have that wood burner in her dining room for a minute....in fact she will not buy this home with it there....so do you want to sell?  He looks at me and says...OK I'll get it out of here.

This is a nice listing, the home is price right but there are some issues to prepare the home for sale.  Building that stage show it shows is one of them!

Selling or Buying in Michigan go to FlexIt Realty Website, Download over 30 Free Reports. www.FlexItRealty.com

This is one of the areas of society that I would rather not talk about...but as we know it touches many lives some of whom we know and many we never hear about.  Not talking about it does not make it go away!

I recently learned of a registered sex offender in the neighborhood of one of my listings.  Do you know the legal rights of a buyer and seller concerning discussion of a sex offender?  Do you bring this information up to your seller or buyer....or do you let them find out for themselves?

Have you listed a home and checked to see if a sex offender lived in the neighborhood?

If you are representing a buyer do you offer the website so they can look?  What do you think your legal position is when it comes to discussing or exposing the existence of a sex offender, if you know one lives in the area?

Myself I have personal feelings concerning this subject and some of it stems from legal issues, some of my feeling are from human issues and some is empathy for the victims.

I personally can not think of a bigger crime other than killing someone, breaching the confidence and trust of a child by molesting them.

I offer a link on my website to the National Sex Offender Registry.  I do not look up when I list a home...I send anyone who inquires about it to the link on my website.

When I was a corporate businesss owner outside of real estate I had several convicted murders and felons working in my company through a halfway house work release program.  They were never late, worked hard and were very appreciative of their freedom and the opportunity I offered them.  That said I never accepted a sex offended or chid molester. 

I could not feel comfortable exposing my female employees or their children, that might come visit during lunch periods, to this type of person and possibly breach the terms of their parole.

I believe people should be given second chances, time served as handed down by the courts is what it is...but social caution is natural when it comes to situations like these and when children are in neighborhoods.

How do you handle the issue of sex offenders when asked?

Here is the link the the National Sex Offender Registry.   http://www.familywatchdog.us/

If you live in Michigan are buying or selling a home...go to our website.  You can download 30 Free Reports that could save you thousands of dollars in your next real estate transation.  www.FlexItRealty.com

Looking for Michigan HUD property listings...FlexIt Realty is an authorized HUD Broker...they can help you bid on any Michigan HUD property....go to our website for more infomation.  Click on the FlexIt Realty logo to go to our website.  Free HUD Property List...Email GaryWhite@GRAR.com

FlexIt Realty is a member of the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors...each of our Realtors abides by a strict code of ethics as members.

Habitat for Humanity is one of those organization that really helps maintain humanity and dignaty for those they come in contact with during the course of making a difference. 

Habitat for Humanity impacts the volunteers, those that offer financial aid and the recipients of the homes themselves.  This month marked 25 years for the involvement of Habitat for Humanity in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Willie Ware helped construct the first home 25 years ago.  The Grand Rapids Press did an article on his involvement. 

Habitat for Humanity is looking to complete it's 250th home in Kent County this year.  That in itself shows the need and the impact the program has had on Kent County, Michigan.  Grand Rapids, Michigan has had it's share of home built as well.

We can not under-estimate the value of a few dollars as a contribution to a program like this.  Many of the contributors offer discounts, and free supplies to help reduce the cost so more homes can be constructed.  This type of program really is a humanitarian gift.

Families get a second chance to start over...and in some cases their first start.  The impact on the family unit can not be expressed in words...but the emotions sure poor out when the families are handed the keys! 

How has this program worked in your area as well as it has in ours?

If you live in Michigan and are interested in a HUD home we are a authorized HUD broker which means you can see and bid on any HUD home available on the Michigan HUD list.  For more information go to our website.... www.FlexItRealty.com to get more information on how to purchase a HUD home.  Or call Toll Free 877-667-4699 for immediate help.

FlexIt Realty offers seller and buyer Options visit our website to Download over 30 Free Reports that could save you thousands of dollars in your next real estate transaction.

How do families value homes when the parents have lived in them for decades?  Hopefully they call a professional that has market and neighborhood knowledge!

I get a call from a family member that outlines a story of Mom being moved into assisted living.  She is a meer 89 years young and not missing a step!  She has resisted selling the car, resisted adding a couple hearing aids, resisted going into a community that offers meals every day.   According to her son.....she has been a real pill!  Heck she is still very active and stronger than her children.

The eldest son...now retired, calls and says we have an offer from one of his nieces.  I get the address, do some preliminary comps, meet the son at the home for a personal tour.  I sold a home four doors away several years ago.  The son tells me the price...I ask if I can give him a thousand dollars more and write a check right now!  He looks at me with a puzzled look.

I had pulled the comps on the property...even though Mom had not painted or changed carpets in at least 30 years it was still worth twice what the niece was graciously willing to offer.  The home next door is listed for nearly three times what the neice has offered.

The little darling was going to "flip" the home and make a quick $40,000.00 and never look back at her Aunt's and Uncle's situation of still having expenses and care requirements.  The look on the Uncle's face was a Kodak moment!  He was less than happy when he grasp the stituation.  We went over the listings and sales in the area for the last six months...he could not believe they had really thought the price the neice offered was a good one based on paint, carpet and wall paper. 

People do not know the market....in today's market the home is not worth what it would have sold for three years ago but is certainly not a fire trap either!  Newer furnace, roof, all appliances stay including a washer and dryer...discounted $25-35,000 for cosmetics and clean-up and the home will not be on the market a week!

The most interesting result of this call and finally the follow-up was the neice's reaction when they came back with a new price.  She said, hey I was going to sell it and make some quick money...if you guys didn't know what you had it was your fault!  Her dad was standing a few feet away....he looked at us and said...I have no idea why she is so greedy or would treat family like this but she is not going to buy my mom's home....

I quickly interject that if she has the money and wants the home she is allowed under the law to purchase the home.  She said forget it...that price is to high...and walked off giving me a hand gesture because I ruined her scheme of making a quick buck.

I know both the son's of the lady who is now in assisted living.  They were very embarrassed...which they had no reason to be.  The daughter is the one that should brought to task for trying to cheat her family.  I doubt she will ever have a chance to purchase anything from the family again. 

This is why clients call, they need guidence understanding the market, current home values. 

Grand Rapids Michigan like so many communities has a wide divergence of neighborhoods and listings on our local real estate board (GRAR).  The Grand Rapids Association of Realtors provides statistics for the public to review.  Home sales are down significantly in Michigan and in our local market as well.  The Michigan Association of Realtors supplies statistics for Realtors and the public to keep them up to date on market conditions state wide. 

I subscribe to Realty Times and have a direct feed on my website offering national an local market information to further help my clients with daily updates of the real estate market and trends.

Many times clients do not understand or can not read the charts and graphs...we as Realtors provide a valuable service in offering key market information for sellers and buyers.

This is just one more page in a list of real estate issues that can happen to families if they do not seek professional help.

If you are a Michigan resident and need help with the sale or purchase of a home, give me a call.  We have programs designed specifically to meet YOUR needs.  NO two sellers or buyers have the same issues or requirements. Call: Gary White Toll Free 877-667-4699  Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com

Go to our website and Download over 30 Free Reports, these reports could save you thousands of dollars in your next real estate transaction.  www.FlexItRealty.com 

Once a seller has listed their home with a Realtor they hand over responsibility of one of their largest assets.  Many seller's feel it is now in the hands of the professional.

In some respects the sale of the home is the responsibility of the Realtor.  But....theres that word..."But" the sellers still have issues that Realtors can suggest....help sellers understand "but" can not physically do themselves.

Some of these issues are:

• Secure drugs and personal medicines before a showing or open house. 
• Secure valuables so rings, watches, cameras, phones, Ipods and computer accessories are not taken.
• Make sure the home is trip proof...look for rugs, shoes, toys that could cause a visitor to fall.
• Make sure the dishes are done and the dish washer is empty.
• The garage is a place where curious little boys a cut themselves on knives and boards with nails.  They should be watched by parents "but" why leave it to chance?
• Irons left out even cold could fall from a little girl seeing if it is like mommies and having it fall on a foot.  These things may seem far fetched but each and everyone of them have happened.
• Pets, they should be taken with you when you leave the home if at all possible but at minimum caged or shut in a specific area.  The pet may be very friendly under most conditions but with the sellers not home and strangers in "their" home someone getting bit is not out of the question.
• Any repairs or painting that is underway....should be noted....finger prints in fresh paint are never cute.
• Check the yard for potholes, old sign posts that were removed...the last thing you want is a buyer twisting an ankle while walking around the outside of your home.
• Lawn equipment should be put away...don't have the lawn tractor in the front yard where it ran out of gas.
• Check for wasp and bee nests.  I was at a home today and we could not get close to the home on the outside...wasp nests were very active and the windows looked find from a distance...but that was a something the buyer noted....lots of wasp nests.  They have small children...it was a turn-off even though it is relatively easy to fix.

You get the idea.  You may turn over your largest asset to a Realtor to sell but some of these issues can not be addressed by your Realtor.  Creating a checklist with key issues that need to be addressed is a great way to attack these issues.  Your Realtor can help you develop this list. 

If you live in Michigan and are thinking of selling or your listing has expired and you still want to sell:
Call: Gary White Toll Free 877-667-4699, Email: GaryWhite@GRAR.com  For a personal consultation on how to sell your home faster and for more money.

Go to our website and Download Over "30 Free Reports" these Free Reports could save you thousands of dollars in you next real estate transaction.  Go to our website and check out the "Free Reports" you do not have to be from Michigan to take advantage of them.  If you would like the name of a "Great Realtor" in your area let me know...I would be glad to refer you to someone you can count on. 

Go to Our Website:  www.FlexItRealty.com

Many sellers have the misconception that putting a home on the Realtors MLS will sell their home...and that is all they have to do.

When weeks pass with no offers or showings they wonder why nothing is happening.  The reasons can be many or few.

Here is a short list of key points that help sellers sell when using a Realtor.

1. Realtor selection....if you think all Realtors are the same then you must think all Doctors are the same too!  I only use this to point out that Doctors and Realtors have a real impact on your life...Doctors literally and Realtors monetarily selling most peoples single largest asset.  So deciding on who to use can have a big impact on how quickly you sell and how smoothly the transaction goes.
2. Marketing....many Realtors and brokerages use the same format for every listing.  No two homes are alike even if they have the same floor plans!  Think about that for a second.  Two homes built by the same builder with the same floor plan and they are not alike?  No!  They are painted differently, they usually will have different carpet and certainly different furniture, accessories and even flowers.  So they will show differently.  They may not even sell for the same price if one is maintained and the other one has children's artwork scribbled on the walls with felt tip marker!
   So marketing the home is designed for individuals to meet individual needs and to highlight key features and benefits of the home being sold.
3. Advertising....Internet is a key element with most buyers starting on the Internet not having your home marketed with a Virtual Tour on the Internet can certainly reduce your market exposure.  We use an  
4. Internet Address Specific to the Property....so buyers go right to the listing they are interested in seeing.
5. Internet Down-loadable brochure....we provide a color brochure directly from the Internet so buyers can have information in their hands at the click of a button.
6. Yard Signs....this is still one of the most effective ways buyers find homes for sale.
7. Direct Response numbers....800#'s with prerecorded messages work 24 hrs a day.
8. Magazines....key real estate magazines have continued to be a great way of home exposure to buyers.  We find multiple marketing methods one of the best ways to generate more buyer exposure.  Using the right magazine that has wide distribution within the market area of the home listed is a key marketing element.
9. Color Brochures....this gives the buyers something to reference.  They will have the key information in their hands.  Some agents and companies think brochures are a waste of time and other think that not having a brochure the buyers have to call them.  This way the agent gets a buyer lead not matter what.  I find that brochures are a way of defining interest.  If buyers call after having the brochure they are interested.  I have gone through over 200 brochures in a weekend on properties.  That is interest.
10. Open Houses...this is an area where I sit on the fence....if the property shows well, is located where traffic finds the listing an open house increase the potential sale faster.  On the other hand the statistics say only 2% of homes sold are the result of an open house.  Most agents hold open houses to satisfy the seller...not because they know it is going to sell the home.

Not all buyers will use the Internet, not all buyers will look on the MLS, not all buyers will pick up a real estate magazines, not all buyers will spend their weekends driving around looking for homes for sale, especially at today's gas prices.

So like selecting a doctor you have to select your Realtor with care.  Make sure the Realtor understands marketing techniques to sell your home.  The Realtors marketing plan needs to be specific to meet your needs and show off the best features and benefits your home has to offer.

I hope this offered you as a seller a better understanding of the concepts of selling in a market with fewer sellers.

If you live in Michigan and are thinking of Selling your home or if your listing has expired call Gary White for a personal consultation on how to get your home sold faster and for more money!

Call Toll Free: 877-667-4699  Email: GaryWhite@GRAR.com  Or Go to our website we have over "30 Free Reports" That could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction www.FlexItRealty.com

Sellers can help themselves make the sale!

I was a seller myself recently.  The market isn't going to change soon.  The other very dependable piece of information is....you are going to have other homes competing for the same buyer as you and your home.

So what can a seller do?

1. Make sure your home is ready to show on a moments notice!  I know that means changing your lifestyle but at the same time....if you miss a showing it could have been the buyer that would have bought your home.  How many buyers are fighting over your property now?
2. Agents can advertise, display your home on the Internet, MLS and magazines but is the information accurate?  What I mean is agents can only go by what you tell them.  Sometimes what is heard and written are two different things.  So review your information for accuracy...agents don't mind and it could mean the difference in finding a buyer and buyers passing your home by.
3. Make sure you curb appeal is eye popping...plant flowers...get hanging baskets if need be...but make sure they are not by the entry door.  Some people are allergic to bees and this creates fear.
4. Make sure the yard and sidewalks are edged and look great, along with the lawn mowed.
5. Touch-up any paint that is pealing or faded.  Making the outside look crisp will bring buyers to the inside.
6. Wash windows, this is one of the best ways for a home to show it's stuff!  Clean windows make people feel like a clean car...it just feels good!
7. Clean carpets if they need it or at minimum look at spots and use spot remover to make them look fresh.
8. Make sure the counters are free of excess appliances and nick-knacks.
9. The bathrooms should shine and the tubs should gleam.
10. Closets should be open and cleaned...they do not want to appear full or have things falling when the door is opened.  A short term lease on a storage unit...may make the difference between selling and staying.

This is only a few of the things a seller can do to help agents sell.

Thinking of selling or your listing just expire?  Michigan Residents...Call Gary White for a free evaluation on how to sell your home faster and for more money! 

Call Toll Free: 877-667-4699  Email: GaryWhite@GRAR.com Visit My Website to www.FlexItRealty.com  download over "30 Free Reports" that Could Save You Thousands on your next Real Estate Transaction!