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

The Perfect Storm is what has happened in the real estate business and communities across the nation.

If you look at the number of agents that left, some say a good thing, but others say too bad.  Some of the agents left because of the changes in the times, the technology and lack of knowledge to deal with it.

Others left the business because they were in real estate for a fast buck....they didn't know we work!  Yet others left out of frustration and the slumping sales.  They were concerned they would lose everything and didn't want to dip into their savings to stay in business.

This market could be classified as the perfect storm.  It rose with little warning signs the crept over us like a breeze saying hello.  The clouds formed giving us an advance warning that something was going to come, it was happening.  Then came the high waves of foreclosures, short sales, business closings, builders making last ditch efforts to stay in business by discounting homes to pay the banks.  Lenders going out of business, the filing of bankruptcies.

Those that could read the signs made preparations to ride the storm and help those that needed their expertise.  Today we have a better informed public with the information exploding on Internet sites.  The selection of real estate career professionals that adjusted to take advantage of the new markets have seen increases in business.  Those that have chosen to do business as usual are struggling in high debt and increased overheads.

The Perfect Storm isn't about a boat it is about survival and business and client decisions that meet the needs of the current real estate market.  It has always been about making the right decision which real estate company, which agent, client representation.

Now it is more about the "HOW" than the why.  Families are in the perfect storm for the first time in their lives.  In the 80"s S&L's went bankrupt costing people their hard earned fortunes.  Today we had easy credit with lenders looking at how they could get anyone and everyone a credit card, a new car, boat and home....it was about payments.  It was the transition to the two paycheck family.  It was about more faster.

Now we are seeing that "More Faster" is not the best choice.  Having that cushion "just in case" is a better choice.  Did you know that in China workers save 30% of their income?  That means they cannot sell everything they produce in their own country!  Who do they ship too?  US!  Who holds more of our debt than any other country?  China. 

How would you like to own other countries?  How would you like to be able to purchase what you want when you want?  The difference is you cannot purchase everything you want!

Business has changed forever and those that recognized the new real estate market and methods will flourish.

What do you think about the Perfect Storm?

Live in the Grand Rapids or West Michigan, 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

Twitter is Dead?

Have you seen what one analysist said from ComputerWorld?  Robert X. Cringely said it was his sad task to inform us Twitter is dead!

Here is your link to read about Twitter's demise!
http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=F29E05C2-1A64-67EA-E4DCAB687A69EA46

It is widely believed that once a social network is large enough and Twitter is considered a "micronetwork" the spammers and identity theft artists move-in.

The article, of which I have attached a link will give you some very interesting information.  Some of it is incredidable and other parts hysterical.  Make your own judgement on whether Twitter is Dead.

Somebody is spending thousands of dollars so you can tweet your heart out.  July saw it's largest surge to date and the Tweety Bird is still growing!

I have a Twitter account and us it sparingly.  I have a facebook account that is also listed as the #1 social networking site.  I have all of the accounts that are high on the hit parade and don't have enough hours in the day to run my businesses, serve clients and post on all the networks that I belong to on a daily basis.

My thoughts and yours could be very different....use what works best for your business or personal life and forget trying to use everything and be everything.  Life is to short and technology is going to move whether you do or not. 

Keep up with the best of the best and forget the rest.  When they reach the top make your decision on market share and impact to your business, clients and personal life.

Live in the Grand Rapids or West Michigan, 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

We don't give it much thought about social networking and identity theft.

Maybe you should think again.  We get these warning about spammers sending us emails.  Think of these unwanted emails as a probe to see if anyone is home.  Just like any theif they want to make sure who is there and if the target has anything they want.

I found Friday that my website or at least my company name was being used by another company.  It was a subtle little method too.  they removed the www. from the hyper link and make it a direct link to their site.  What this did was direct traffic to them as well as my site.

Not all of us own 144 domain names but I find this happening more and more now, redirecting my domain names.  One quick nudge and they are more than happy to disable the link but you don't have a clue unless you look.

Here is a link I found that may help you in your blogging efforts and give you 8 ways to protect your buiness indentity. http://www.bloggernews.net/122397

I subscribe to bloggernews.net.  This is not a recommendation just one of the many sites I use to keep myself up to date on trends and issues.  You might find the quote on the Nielson Report that blogging has increased 827%. 

So have you considered how to protect your on-line identity?  Here is one way...only use an email for your blog that is specific to the blog.  It never gets past that spot if it isn't something you recognized.  Make sure you preview the URL before you open an email.  The name may be a cover for where is actually comes from.  Identity theif people are pretty sneaky and make things look real!  How do you think people give up bank account numbers.  The email looks like it is from the bank.  We all know they would never as your to varify your bank account number in an email but....people do!

I hope this raises your security level and enjoyment using on-line social networks.

Are YOU a licensed Michigan Realtor or Broker?  Want to do more than survive? Thrive in this market, give me a call.  Always confidential, just conversation, but could be the best career move you ever made!

"Help is only a Call or Click away!"©2006-2009

Call Toll Free:  877-667-4699 

Local: 616-784-2360    Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com

First Time Buyer and Seller Anxiety is normal.

First time buyers have enough anxiety then add being newlyweds to the equation and you have very anxious buyers.

I have a couple I am representing that are just plain fun to represent.  They know nothing of the process so every step is like walking on quick sand for them. 

We spent time going over the process before we ventured through the first door of any homes to purchase.

We reviewed the type and style home, the amenities, lot size, garage attached, detached, age and demographics including commute distances to his work.

Then throw in the mix his new wife is from another country and does not understand all the lingo and slangs our culture uses as everyday language.  Now add another issue, she has no drivers license.  So now public transportation is a key element to the purchase.  This would have never been exposed as an issue without a pre-purchase consultation.

We reviewed only 10 or twelve homes and they were ready to write an offer.  We made the offer and it was accepted as written.  They were ecstatic until they realized they bought a home!   They didn't have buyer's remorse they had fear of the unknown.

They became worried over everything.  The husband's, of the duos, father was going to gift some money.  He was going to be there for inspections.  They became worried about a light switch, a broken cover plate, they had the jitters!

So here was my answer to their jitters.  We made a list of all the things they had concerns about.  Then we went to the local "Home Depot" and price every item as though it was going to require replacement.  We analyzed if it was something the buyer could do or if the father would help so we could also estimate labor costs.  The whole list was less than $500.00.  They thought it was much more daunting and expensive.

That 40 minutes of time with the buyers and their father saved the sale and they are all smiles.  I learned later that the buyers were thinking the price tag was going to be $4000 or $5000 in repairs.  I told him not to go into the estimating business!

First Time buyers can conjure up all these anxieties over issues that may or may not be relevant.  The only way to prevent more anxiety than is already present in the purchase or sale of property is communication.  Answering the questions and offering answers to questions before they come up.  I use a question and answer sheet for FAQ (frequently asked questions) for buyers and sellers.  I did this to save time and offer a sense of peace in advance.

How do you handle buyer and seller jitters?

Live in the Grand Rapids or West Michigan, 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

The past and future work in mysterious ways!

It wasn't all that long ago I was helping a young couple buy their first home.  They had been off to college meet and fallen in love.  They married and decided to move back to their roots to be close to family.

I had met the mother and father of the bride before, since mom was the township treasurer.  It is nice to know that after meeting hundreds of realtors over the course of doing business as a township treasurer she called me to help her daughter.

We met found a home close to the parents and all has been good....in fact after two years of marriage they have a new baby girl! 

My father-in-law just had hip replacement surgery and is now receiving home extended therapy to help him walk and maneuver properly.  I know this doesn't sound related but it is...believe me.

I dropped by their home to see how his therapy was doing knowing the physical therapist was going to be there.  I was hoping to get a professional update on his progress.  Since my father-in-law has dementia, his learning and retention of information is a bit challenging.

When I walked in my wife told me the therapists first name.  I turned the corner into the living room and David looked up with a big smile and said, "Hey Gary, how are you doing?"  Everyone in the room looked at us and I smiled and told them I sold David his home two years ago.

He went on to tell them how patient I was working with them and that he tells all his friends whenever the subject of real estate comes up, he knows just the guy!  I like him too!

They get my monthly newsletter, my way of keeping in touch without bugging them.  I have it delivered in two methods for those of you wondering how to do this. 
1. email 
2. snail mail for those without email. 

We all had a big laugh and my wife said to David, "I can't take him anywhere!"

Selling is great but keeping in touch is priceless!  Your referral business is the lowest cost advertising you can get and most times the best.

Live in the Grand Rapids or West Michigan, 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

First Time Buyers are starting to get anxious.  Initially they have so many questions to reach a comfort level to make a buying decision.

Then it becomes a "let's see them all" syndrome before making a decision.  It turns to panic once first time buyers have missed a few properties because they did not make an offer on the home.

Today my First Time Buyers made a second visit with the parents in tow.  We had narrowed down the search to a few homes.  I had explained the options to the buyers.  They were informed of the market structure for area price points.  They knew the demographic data from my website.

Then the buyers wife tossed out a curve ball she fell in love with a home that was not a good value, didn't have economic growth potential and needed a lot of repair.  Here is the point to that statement.  Realtor's don't decide for buyers what is best.  Out job is to expose buyers to the properties that meet the buyers criteria.

The parents on the other hand, who were contributing to the down-payment, they can exercise some voice in the purchase with a vested interest.

They were very kind but made it known that property was not a good choice.

The dynamics of buying is complex and simple.  The complex side is the decision process.  Buying can be influenced by friends, family and co-workers.  The career professional real estate agent should play a larger roll than a door opener.  They see hundreds of homes and should have an insight into the area and properties.  Using the expertise of a buyers agent can save you time and money.  If you don't feel like you can trust the agent you are working with then you have the wrong agent.  It is that simple.

So as first time buyers wanting to take advantage of the $8000.00 first time buyer credit the clock is ticking.  Right now the credit will end at midnight November 30th 2009.  It normally takes 35-45 days to close a sale. 

This means if you are going to get this once in a lifetime credit don't wait until it is to late.  They may extend the program but do you want to take that chance?

Buy while the market has hundreds of choices.  Get the right home at the the right price!

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.  FlexIt Realty designs selling and buying programs to meet our clients needs.  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