Who Buys The Home Men or Women? Plus Some in Lansing, Michigan

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC did a survey on the real estate differences between men and women. This video takes the survey to the streets to get live reactions from both genders.



Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S Creyts Rd. Lansing, MI 48917
517-492-3400

Greater Lansing Area Real Estate - Ask Questions Prior to Selling or Buying

Lansing Michigan real estate buyers in today's home market want to have access to houses for sale, with plenty of information and lots of pictures.

It amazes me to no end that you can still visit real estate websites to find no pictures or very few. Even Realtor Boards and MLS Services sometimes limit the number of photos to 8 or 10. A large percentage of the houses have more rooms than that, let alone community photos that could be included, landscape, amenities of the neighborhood, schools, and parks.

The real estate professional must meet the needs and expectations of the Connected Consumer. The rules of business are changing, especially in the real estate industry. Consumers need to start asking more questions and expecting more results from the Realtor, when it comes to marketing their home. With Syndicated websites, major portals, search engine marketing, and social networking sites that drive more traffic to the listing, their is no excuse for apathy in our industry any longer. All real estate agents have had a great opportunity over the past few years, in a slower market, to get re-educated and trained in Internet Marketing for real estate, but few have been willing to pay the price or devote the time necessary to become Internet savvy. That's not all that bad, for they will be left in the dust, when the market turns.

Real estate agents today need to be Internet savvy with the best tools to market a sellers home.

A few snap shots of the house is not sufficient when most major portals accept up to 30 pictures, plus a virtual tour of the home. The key for anyone selling a home in today's market is to ask the right questions and have your Realtor demonstrate an Internet marketing plan on where your house will be promoted.

The e-PRO Certification Program will establish a baseline of online competence, and it will also introduce its students and graduates to the best aspects of Online Community...the Internet is about the power of people connecting with people. However, this is just a beginning for any agent who is in this business for the long haul. What's your thoughts?

The greater Lansing area real estate Seller's today, need massive exposure to their listed home, to get the most exposure. The days are gone of just putting a sign in the yard and selling your house. With over 85% of all home-buyers shopping the Internet prior to contacting a Realtor, it is imperative that your Real estate agent provide syndication from their website to offer better search engine exposure.

Each agent should be able to explain their Internet marketing plan prior to being hired to sell your home.

Website Syndication, Photo sharing, vitual tours, Blogging, Social networking for business, Search engine marketing, and optimization, are only a few of the many complex, yet simple systems that will get your house the best exposure in today's market. Real estate transactions are complex, involve large assets and demand competent representation. Marketing properties, home selection and financing are just a few of the skills today's consumer looks for when they select a real estate professional. Make sure your Realtor is prepared to offer you the knowledge and expertise to counsel you in relocating, buying, investing or selling the family home, using the most up to date technology and Internet tools.

Your Realtor should be prepared to employ the latest techniques and services for your benefit, just like you've grown to expect from a professional.

"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

How Do You Make Your House Your Own in the Greater Lansing Real Estate Market?

The answer is different for everyone.

What is universal is that when we buy real estate, we're really adopting a particular lifestyle as well.

That's what makes buying and selling real estate such a difficult, complicated process... and in the end such an enjoyable, satisfying one.

I can provide insight into every aspect of the greater Lansing real estate market, but also into the often-overlooked aspect of the transaction: adjusting to your new home.

I've provided a few helpful hints and reports that I thought you might find useful.

When you call me to represent you, know that the business aspect of your transaction will be treated with the utmost importance... but that the human element will never be forgotten.

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

 

Delta Township, Michigan, Home Sellers - 4 New Reports Available

Selling your home in the greater Lansing real estate market is an involved process that affects your family and your future. Before you begin this process, you'll want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information. When should you sell? How do you get the best price? What kinds of renovations should be made prior to the sale?

These home selling reports will assist you in answering the many questions that arise during the home selling process. When you're armed with the right information, and an experienced real estate professional, you'll be closer to reaching your goal - selling your home fast, and for the best price. Get all four right here!

Common Selling Mistakes - Learn the top nine selling mistakes, and what steps you can take to avoid them.

Selling Your Home - Remember what first attracted you to your house when you bought it? What excited you about its most appealing features? Now that you're selling your home, you'll need to look at it as if you were buying it all over again.

Surviving the Sale - Getting a good price for your home is important, but minimizing stress and simplifying the selling process can be just as essential.

The Right Selling Price - When you're selling your home, the price you set is a critical factor in the return you receive. Learn several factors to base the assessment of your home.

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

"Barnes Ave" "Large Duplex" "Lansing MI"

"Barnes Ave" "Large Duplex" "Lansing MI"
Originally uploaded by mbowlersr

This home has been completely renovated and is huge. 4 bedrooms on one side, 3 on the other, it’s a must to see and a great opportunity for someone who attends LCC, Colley Law School or works downtown. Rent one side out and live on the other. Legislators, Congress Representatives, Liberals Conservatives, Independents, you name it; they could join forces and live together here and share a ride downtown. (Now that’s bi-partisan) This is an example of pride of ownership and making Lansing a better place to live. Call or email today on this one. Virtual Tour Here:

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

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

Real Estate Disclosures for Eaton County

When selling your home, you may be obligated to disclose problems that could affect the property’s value or desirability. In Michigan, 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. Today Realtors in the greater Lansing area are required to provide you a four page seller disclosure form that you fill out in your own handwriting that becomes your statement of of disclosure for condition of the property. This is not a substitute for for any inspections or warranties the Buyer may wish to obtain when they place an offer on your home. Other disclosures may include: a lead-based paint disclosure, a well and septic evaluation, and others. You can be better prepared to sell your house by having a pre-home inspection, placing a home warranty on your house, and using the full disclosure opportunities we provide in today's market. If you have questions on these issues or any other related questions about selling your house in today's market, feel free to visit my website.
"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

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
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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

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