American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, NAR

In the February 17 video podcast, 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, NAR's Chief Lobbyist Jerry Giovaniello and NAR's Chief Economist Lawrence Yun discuss the housing provisions in the new economic stimulus law and their impact on the housing market and the overall economy
Hope you enjoy. Search Homes at MikeBowler.com

more about "American Recovery & Reinvestment Act,...", posted with vodpod
First time home buyers in the greater Lansing real estate market have a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the new tax break, low interest rates, and plenty of great homes to choose from.
Visit: my site for searching homes.

Selling Your Home in the Greater Lansing Real Estate Market? Here Are 10 Keys

Find the key to getting the most exposure for your real estate in the greater Lansing real estate market by talking to your agent about their Internet marketing plan for your house. The following questions, if answered properly will get your home the most exposure, which will generate traffic and interest. Top priority of course is pricing your home competitively based on recent sales.

1. Do you have a personal website, that syndicates out to other sites on the web?
2. What are those additional sites that my home will be marketed on?
3. If what fashion will you drive traffic to these sites?
4. Will you use keywords, pinging programs and social networking sites?
5. Will you post my house on a real estate Blog with links back to my property on your site?
6. Will you use a program like SawItOnLine to build ads for Craig's List and other media's?
7. Are you using a smart phone with instant email to respond fast to buyer inquiries?
8. Will you post my house on major Portals like Trulia, Realtor.com & Zillow?
9. Do you have marketing plans to talk about the amenities of my community?
10. Will you keep me abreast to all marketing, activity and communication by email?

If you would like to learn more about marketing your home in today's challenging real estate market, by getting the best exposure, feel free to contact me or visit my website today!

"Expect the Best" Mike

Are You Puzzled About the Real Estate Market in Greater Lansing?

If You're thinking of selling your home in the current real estate market, it's important to have a real estate professional that has a positive attitude, has experienced tough times (Early 80's), knows your market, Internet technology, real estate law, negotiation skills and someone who is ready to go to work for you.

Your home's value depends on many factors, including its style and size, amenities, condition and, of course, location, location, location. In addition, the value of your real estate investment can be affected by market conditions: interest rates, supply and demand and the overall strength of the economy.

My Home Sellers Kit is packed with information to assist you in your decision making process. You can also order your FREE Internet Marketing Seller Presentation here to discover the various syndicated websites your property will be exposed to when marketing your home with me. Not only will your listing get serious advertising on my website and on the websites of all of my network partners . . . I will also push it out all over the web, to the busiest real estate marketplaces online.

My goal is to provide you with the latest real estate marketing systems, technology and a high level of customer satisfaction to get you happily moved into your new home or to sell your existing home. In modern markets, having a technological edge can make a dramatic impact. I have that edge, and I am looking forward to using it to your advantage.

“Expect the Best” Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES

Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood

1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917

Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203

email: Mike@MikeBowler.com

Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com

Search Listings

Selling Your Home in The Greater Lansing Real Estate Market

Selling your home can be more likely in today’s market using the proper marketing programs and the Realtor who believes in technology. Yes, homes sell based on price, location and features, however it takes exposure as well. Here are some questions to ask your Realtor.
1. With more than four out of five home-buyers using the Internet to find their new home, which sites are you going to post my property on and how many?
2. Which multiple search platforms will you attract attention to my property with? Will you use Google, Yahoo, and MSN search engines that control the majority of the business.
3. How many photographs will you place on your website promoting my property? Will it be 10-20 or 30 various snap shots of different rooms of my home?
4. Will you post on your Blog about my neighborhood, community and my house in general to drive traffic toward your website, which increases exposure?
5. Do you have network partners like Facebook, Googlebase, Craigslist and Trulia who have national exposure in some of the busiest marketplaces?

By subscribing to some of the most effective real estate technology available a Realtor can give your home more exposure then has ever been available to effectively attract potential buyers. That’s why I use Point2NLS which automatically places potential buyers in a communication program so that I am sure to maintain friendly contact with them, encouraging more repeat visits to my website and more repeat viewings of your listing.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings

Holt, Michigan Now Only $79,900.00 Real Estate

Lansing Michigan Real Estate is Not a Loser - We're Winners!

Several news articles have broken in the past few days about how Lansing Michigan is the big loser when it comes to drop in housing prices, referring to the median price drop of 27%. What most articles always tend to leave out is that the national median normally is a typical market price, where half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.

NAR President Richard Gaylord, said the U.S. market is very dynamic. "It's more important than ever to examine what's happening with home prices at the city and neighborhood level," Gaylord said. "The old real estate mantra of ‘location, location, location' is perhaps more relevant today than ever before. Consumers should check with REALTORS® for local expertise on what's going on in their own area because conditions can vary considerably from one neighborhood to the next."

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the numbers don't tell the whole story. "These are highly unusual results because there were very few jumbo loan originations in the latest quarter, so sales are much slower in high-cost areas, and at the same time foreclosures related to subprime mortgages rose," he said. "Neighborhoods with little subprime exposure are holding on very well, while prices have fallen in neighborhoods with a wide prevalence of subprime loans because more foreclosed properties are being sold at discounted prices."

Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood recently published its quarterly housing report which gives you a more accurate description of what's going on in the Lansing area real estate market. Some interesting stats that show some parts of Lansing city area (Four Areas) with average sale price down as much as 44% vs. surrounding communities down in average sale price down as low as only 3%. I think thats what Mr Yun is referring to above, real estate is about location, location, location. We are seeing deep discounts on bank owned properties, that affect the median price, however you need to keep in mind that only 1 in 150 homes in the Lansing area are repo's and sellers don't need to play that game. To find out the value of your home in today's market, you won't find it in the newspaper, because they are not telling the whole story. You need to read beyond the headlines and take it to a local level. My last 3 closings were within 5% of list price.
Now, more than ever is when sellers need professional advice on marketing their real estate. Even more important is hiring a Realtor who is going to be optimistic about your transaction, yet realistic to be competitive in today's market.

Feel free to contact me if I can answer your questions about selling a home in the greater Lansing area. I'm SOLD on real estate as a great investment and understand that the there's repos and then there's your house, which is not all in the same.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: 517-492-3400 Fax: 888-832-6203
email: Mike@MikeBowler.com
Website for Clients: MikeBowler.com
Search Listings
Website for Agents: MikeBowler.net
Take the ePRO Class Get A FREE Website

Five FREE Home Seller Reports - Lansing Area Sellers

“Profit occurs when preparation and experience meet opportunity."

When it’s time to sell, you must be confident that every element of negotiating the best terms and the highest price has been set before your home is even listed.

Start with the resources I can provide you. There is no charge for this information. These will help get you started in terms of assessing your real estate situation and planning for a stress-free and successful sale.

The real estate market in the greater Lansing area is volatile, especially lately, and it takes an experienced professional to move your house quickly, professionally, and profitably.

When you’ve decided to sell, I will be your advocate, your guide, and your fierce negotiator. I will work hard to make yours a great sale.

I look forward to it.

"Expect the Best"
Mike Bowler Sr.
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood

Lansing Real Estate, Stars, Science, & Grilled Cheese

The Greater Lansing area is a great place to live, work, and visit, there are also great things to do here for all ages. Abrams Planetarium offer a variety of planetarium shows if your interested in the stars and planets. Sharon and I took our grandson there recently and thought it was wonderful. I highly recommend it. Another great place is Impression 5, to bring a group of children of all ages. There are workshops, tours and a variety of educational displays.
I provide a list of various community sites, in addition to other important links for the Lansing area on my website.

Now, before we get back to real estate, I thought you may find this interesting. Grilled Cheese Sandwich Restaurants are starting to pop up, Akron Ohio just opened one. I hope we get one in Lansing soon, everybody loves grilled cheese sandwiches.
The real estate market has shown some improvements over the past month and will gradually improve as the weather changes. With 0 degree temperatures on Sunday, not many buyers were out looking at open houses, however the ones who were, are serious buyers. Interest rates are below 6%, pricing is great, there is plenty to pick from. There has never been a better time to buy a home.
Bookmark my site for all your real estate needs and I also invite you to subscribe to my blogs.
"Expect the Best" Mike

Five Topics on Selling Your Home In The Lansing Area

Thinking of selling your home? Before you place the “For Sale” sign in front of your house, there are a few things you should consider in order to maximize your home value and make the sales process smooth and efficient. Be prepared to discuss the following subjects with your real estate agent when you’re ready to sell your home and you’ll be one step ahead in the market.

1) Best Time of Year to Put Your House on the Market
Conventional wisdom dictates that spring is the best time for selling a home. The weather is getting warmer, the school year is coming to an end, and people who have just received their tax refunds may now have extra cash to use for a down payment on a home. However, since not everyone can sell a home in the spring, here are some other seasonal factors to consider. According to annual home sale data from the National Association of Realtors, the slowest selling months of the year are typically January and February, since fewer home sales occur during the holidays. In spite of this, with less competition in the marketplace, you may be able to ask for a higher price for your home, (oops, Not in today's market!) or a quicker closing. Additionally, temperate locations like Florida and California don’t see the seasonal fluctuations in the housing market, where house-hunters are almost always looking. And a late winter or early spring in the Northeast may extend the typical “selling season.” These seasonal variations, as well as a variety of local factors, will all influence the housing market in your area. Be sure to talk to your real estate agent regarding the current state of the market and how it will affect the sale of your home. (Now, here's where I can help!)

2) Open House Strategy and How to De-Clutter
At an open house, first impressions count, so you’ll want to enhance your home’s perceived value. Make your home inviting by taking care of bothersome minor repairs; clean bathroom and kitchen counters and clear them of dishes and clutter. Arrange storage areas neatly and put unused items in a closet. If you have pets, consider having a neighbor watch them for the duration of the open house. It’s a good idea for you to be absent during the open house, also. If you must be present, let your agent do the talking. (Go to a Movie)

Decorate your home to sell by arranging the furniture to look as spacious as possible. Add color and fragrance to any room with fresh flowers. Lastly, don’t forget the outside of your home. Put away all gardening equipment and neatly arrange outdoor items like firewood or furniture. Even take a hard look at your mailbox and make sure it reflects the value and character of your home.
3) Features to Accentuate
While you may have long determined which aspects of your home you love, having a fresh set of eyes assess its best features is a smart idea. If you’re considering selling your home, take the time to walk through it methodically with your real estate agent. Together you can determine which features of the home should be accentuated. Does your home have a wonderful view? Make the most of it by sprucing up window treatments and arranging furniture to draw the eye toward the windows. Perhaps the location of your house is truly incredible. Your real estate agent can help accentuate this feature in sales and marketing materials.

4) Desired Price and Bottom Line Price
It’s great to shoot high, but when determining your home value, it’s also important to identify your bottom line. By assessing recent home sale statistics in your area, your real estate agent can recommend an appropriate target price range. Working with your agent, you can set an initial asking price, as well as privately determine the absolute lowest price you would comfortably accept for selling your home. By crunching the numbers and setting parameters early on, you can avoid emotional rollercoasters during the process of receiving, countering and accepting offers.

5) Disclosures
When selling your home, you may be obligated to disclose problems that could affect the property’s value or desirability. In most states, it is illegal to fraudulently conceal major physical defects in your property, such as a basement that floods in heavy rains. And many states now require sellers to take a proactive role by making written disclosures on the condition of the property. Ask your real estate agent for the particular laws of your state.

The staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC writes select articles about important topics related to real estate. For more information about buying a home or selling your current property, visit ColdwellBanker.com today. (When your done there, come back to my site for to view over 6000 listings, get additional selling information and the latest Lansing area real estate updates. "Expect the Best" Mike

Lansing Homes, Rate Cuts, & Tools for Buyers

Fed Cuts Rate Again This will be a big shot in the arm for home sellers and buyers in the greater Lansing real estate market. In addition to today's good news, NAR Says the Economic Stimulus Legislation Will Help Jumpstart Sluggish Housing Market .

Inventory remains high throughout the suburbs of Okemos, Holt, Grand Ledge and Dewitt, which means buyers have plenty to pick from.

An Online mortgage calculators are a good place to start, but as you get closer to being ready to buy, there is no substitute for a written mortgage pre-approval. Just speaking to your lender is an extremely worthwhile venture – this is the only way to really get an in-depth picture of your overall financial picture and to discover exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend on a home (and possibly on renovating).

"Expect the Best" Mike

Delta Township, Enrichment, Real Estate and Green

Right now in Delta Township there is an excellent selection of inventory to pick from on some great homes. Interest rates dropped below 6% last week to put a spark of enthusiasm into the market and increase hits on most real estate websites. If your thinking of moving to Delta Township area make sure you check out the opportunities offered by the Delta Parks and Rec Department. Enrichment classes for kids and adults of all ages. You'll also find some information about Delta Township's greener awareness program and recycling program. Delta Township is also connected to two great school systems, Grand Ledge and Waverly. If you are looking for demographics about the community and desire additional information feel free to contact me or visit my website.
"Expect the Best" Mike

Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood Merger is Huge in Lansing Michigan

Today Coldwell Banker Hubbell Real Estate Co and Briarwood Realty announced the merger of their companies that will knock the sox's off the real estate industry in the greater Lansing area. With great pride and excitement, Bob Hubbell (My Boss), announced the affiliation publicly today. Both companies share high values for integrity and quality service. The public will benefit tremendously with this newly formed company called Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood, enjoying 38% of the market share in volume, with the potential to grow substantially over the next few years. The talent of the management team, agents and support staff combined, will be an opportunity to multiply the exposure and strengths in a synergistic way for years to come. With the combined forces in real estate, the new company will have nearly 260 agents blanketing the entire greater Lansing real estate market.
Mergers and acquisitions have solved many challenges for our changing industry, by combining expenses, knowledge and expertise, to make excellent real estate companies. My hat goes off to Bob Hubbell CEO, and Bill MacLeod, President, for their vision and foresight to make this statement of courage in today's real estate market.
You can visit my website and blog for additional real estate market updates and tools to help you learn more about buying and selling real estate in the Lansing area.
"Expect the Best" Mike