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

Beware of the Scam Artists!

They can be on the Internet with an email that asks you to verify your bank account.  Everything looks like your bank...but your bank won't ask you to do that!

As times are getting more difficult we are seeing new wrinkles in the way scam artists are looking to get money.

Here is one that should be considered very dangerous.  A person coming to your door says they are from the water department...they say they have been told you have a leak and need to check your water lines or meter inside your home.  This is a home invasion technique. 

All city workers make appointments for repairs.  They will not come to your home un-announced to check your water quality either....that is another one of the ploys.  They have identification.

Mostly this has been used on elderly residents.  So make sure your elder family members and friends are aware of this scam.  Locally we have heard of 3 attempts to access homes using this ploy.

We were told of another approaching people saying he was an undercover police officer and wanted to check the residence for a criminal that could be hiding inside.  They flash a toy badge and try to gain access.  No one has been hurt yet...but this is a very dangerous situation.

Get the word out to your family, friends and neighbors.

Looking for that one thing to give you peace of mind about you pet?

If you have ever lost a pet you know how difficult it can be...my children were very young when our pet strayed away from our home.  He (Sarge) was a German Police dog and only a couple of years old...he fell in with a neighbors dog that was know to stray. 

We kept a close eye on him...but one day they took off together...it took us 5 hours to find them.  We had a happy ending finding both safe and sound.  It could have been much different.

Today finding your lost pet means putting up flyers...telling neighbors and doing much the same thing walking or driving around the area looking.

Well the GEEKS have struck again...a company called Zoombak has a GPS locator.  You can buy them from Amazon.com for about $39.00.  You can even add a camera so you can take photos from your pets perspective.

The GPS can function much like the invisible fence only without the shock!  You can set parameters and your pet strays outside of the grid you have established you are notified via an alert even on your Blackberry...now wouldn't that be fun!

I can see myself in a presentation and get a buzz and look up at my clients and say, "Gotta Go Fido left his yard!"

The truth is some of the technology can send out over 10,000 emails within an hours to all the area home owners and businesses in your area.  This is real technology.

We are really moving at a fast pace and technology is moving faster than we can keep up.

If you live in West Michigan and are not under contract; would like to sell or buy a home....give me a call it could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction.  FlexIt Realty designs selling and buying programs to meet our clients needs.  Your call is always confidential and you are 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

One of the issues that many home owners forget about during the move and sale of their home is their pets.

Moving pets can cause them to become sick and even despondent.  This can be birds, dogs, cats, bunnies, pigs and even lizards!

Pets have some of the same issues that we have during a move.  They get attached...their yard is friendly ground...they know the smells, sights and sounds.  It can be very traumatic for pets when they move.

Think of it this way...they are lost!  They don't know the new rules.  They don't know what rooms they feel comfortable in...so you may have your little furry friend following you all around  for the first few weeks.  Pet have to settle in just like we do. 

Here are a few tips that can help your pets make the move transition.

During the move try to isolate them from the hectic activity.  If you hire movers they don't know those strangers....depending on your pet temperament the activity could really be upsetting.  They watch their favorite chair or couch go out the door and they want it back!

Keep your pets bed out for travel, keep any toys that they normally play with along as well.  Be Careful of over-compensating with treats...this could upset their stomachs.  Keep them on the same diet...even though yours may change during the move...Pizza is not pet food!  You will know if your pet needs a travel cage...it is best for safety reasons...you can actually put the seat belt through the cage so your pet is protected in case of an emergency stop.

Make sure you go out with them in the new yard for several days until they feel comfortable.  All these little issues will keep you and your pet happy.  Give them a personal tour of your new home....show them the rooms and closets. 

Some times pets will act out just like kids...except pets chew table legs, socks, shoes or magazines and papers just to name a few things. 

Pets will feel lost for weeks if you do not help them with the transition to your new home.

If you have children you can have them get involved helping your pet with the transition.  It is a great time to share with them and help them make the transition as well.

Having a happy pet results in a happy owner.

If you live in West Michigan and are not under contract; would like to sell or buy a home....give me a call it could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction.  FlexIt Realty designs selling and buying programs to meet our clients needs.  Your call is always confidential and you are 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

Presenting your offer to sellers can be more than letting they see the purchase price.  Closing the sale for their sake is helping them understand the "Real Market".

• Rule #1  Knowing your numbers can be a savior for you as a Realtor in any market. 
• Rule #2  Being able to show the numbers to your client.....PRICELESS!

I just had this happen with an offer yesterday on one of my client listed properties.  This is a beautiful well staged home but like any property it is for the right buyer.

I get an offer within 4.8% of the asking price.  This is where knowing the numbers makes a difference...I a member of Multiple MLS locations.  So knowing only one area of the state isn't good enough I have to know 5 regions as though each was my home area.

The average discount rate....sounds like an investment strategy...and buying homes is as much strategy now as any investment.  The average discount rate is 9.8% off the listed priced of a home on average.  So we already know that the offer is well within the market average discount rate, a good thing.

We look further into the offer and their is NO contingencies, inspections is the only requirement.  Nothing else has been asked for...no contributions...conventional loan clean as a whistle...hallelujah!

I am thrilled with the offer...but that really doesn't count...the seller has to be willing to accept the offer.  I make my call to let the seller know we have a great offer....

The seller's response after going over the contract..."are you sure that's it?  Won't they come up with $2000 more?"

Remember my little rules?   
#1 Know your numbers 
#2 Be able to show where numbers come from and why your numbers are important to the seller.

I can not blame any buyer or seller for trying to get the best deal they can for their family.  Many sellers and buyers forget...and we let them forget...our job is to get them the most value or money possible depending on our representation.  In this market buyers have hundreds of home to choose from...so a seller who receives a great offer within the guidelines established at the time of listing would be very wise to accept. 

A counter offer means the buyer can walk to the next great deal and the seller could be on the market for months.  I have one thing to say to people in this market.  "Your first offer may be your best offer and your ONLY offer!"

Helping clients understand the market and the numbers actually can get you more closings and happier clients because they have done thing at the right time.

If you live in West Michigan and are not under contract; would like to sell or buy a home....give me a call it could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction.  FlexIt Realty designs selling and buying programs to meet our clients needs.  Your call is always confidential and you are never pressured.

Conventional, HUD and Short Sale Specialists

"Help is only a Call or Click away!"©2006-2009   Call Toll Free:  877-667-4699  Local: 616-784-2360 
Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com