The #1 Reason To Sell Your House Today in Greater Lansing, Michigan

Almost every industry is currently struggling with supply chain disruptions. This also applies to the current U.S. housing market, where buyer demand far exceeds housing supply.

Purchaser demand is very strong right now. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released their latest Existing Home Sales Report which reveals that sales surged in January. Existing home sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.5 million – an increase of 6.7% from the prior month, with sales up in all regions. However, there’s one big challenge.

Inventory Is at an All-Time Low

Because purchaser demand is so high, the market is running out of available homes for sale. The above-mentioned report states that the current months’ supply of inventory of homes for sale has fallen to 1.6 months. This prompts Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, to say:

“The inventory of homes on the market remains woefully depleted, and in fact is currently at an all-time low.”

Earlier this month, realtor.com released their inventory data for January. It helps confirm this point. Here’s a graph comparing inventory levels for January over the last six years:

As the graph shows, new listings coming on the market have decreased over the last four years (shown in blue in the graph). The graph also reveals that carry-over inventory has plummeted in recent years. This is because listings are now sold so quickly, they don’t stay on the market long enough to carry over month-to-month (shown in green in the graph). In other words, homes are not staying on the market for months as they had prior to the pandemic. In the report mentioned above, NAR reveals that:

“Seventy-nine percent of homes sold in January 2022 were on the market for less than a month.”

Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, explains it like this:

“A higher velocity of sales (lower [Days on Market]) helps to explain a housing market characterized by both higher sales & lower inventory. Many resale transactions are happening so quickly that they ‘flow’ in & then out of the ‘stock’ between the fixed monthly measurement of inventory.”

What Does This Mean for Sellers?

Anyone thinking of putting their home on the market shouldn’t wait. A seller will always negotiate the best deal when demand is high and supply is limited. That’s exactly the situation in the real estate market today.

Later this year, inventory (and by extension, your competition) will increase as many homeowners are waiting to put their homes on the market in the spring and early summer.

In addition, Len Kiefer, Deputy Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, says:

“Housing starts start off 2022 strong, just edging out 2021 for most in January since 2006.”

As these newly built homes are completed, they will also become competition for your house. This gives you a tremendous opportunity right now. Don’t wait for that increase in competition in your area. If you want to sell in 2022 and are ready to start the process, today is the day to list your house.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to sell, let’s connect to get your house on the market while today’s inventory situation is in your favor.

Mike Bowler - Associate Broker
Keller Williams Realty
6452 Millennium Dr. Lansing, MI 48917
517-755-8168
www.MikeBowlerRealEstate.com
Mike@MikeBowler.com
Blog: www.MikeBowler.net

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Five Great Summer Outdoor Tips for Greater Lansing Michigan Homeowners

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  Landscaping for Curb Appeal

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  Novice gardeners can get their landscapes off to a healthy start by heeding some tried-and-true tips from the pros. Read
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  Lawn Maintenance Calendar

  Regular lawn maintenance gives your home maximum curb appeal and preserves the value of your property. Read
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  Save Money with Your Edible Garden

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  10 Tips for Saving Money in the Garden

  Smart landscaping strategies can save you money while they add to the curb appeal and value of your home. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

 “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
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Three Topics to Discuss With Your REALTOR Before Listing Your Home

Three Topics to Discuss With Your REALTOR Before Listing Your Home in the Greater Lansing real estate market will either get you what you need to sell your house or keep you looking for the right agent to sell your house in today's market.

“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

Tips. Hints, & Thoughts to Prepare Your Home for Sale in the Greater Lansing Real Estate Market

Homes that I pre-visit for marketing in the Greater Lansing real estate market sometimes need minor repairs and decorating prior to final photos and virtual tours being created.

This proves to be a big advantage by preparing early and having things you can do to prepare a house for sale? Here are tips, hints, thoughts and ideas for sprucing up, cleaning out, decorating, staging, creating a great first impression and making a house appealing to buyers.



I am prepared to employ the latest techniques and services for your benefit, just like you've grown to expect from a professional. 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. I am prepared to offer my clients the knowledge and expertise to counsel them in relocating, buying, investing or selling the family home.

In today's market, you need someone who knows what they're doing and will work hard to get the job done. My knowledge of the real estate market, negotiating skills, and ability to listen to clients' needs and desires keep me ahead of my competition.

"Expect the Best" Mike

For Sale: 6BR/2.5BA Single Family House in Grand Ledge, MI, $159,900

For Sale: 6BR/2.5BA Single Family House in Grand Ledge, MI, $159,900

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Lansing Sellers: Improve Your Home's Curb Appeal

Thinking of selling your home in the greater Lansing real estate market? Find out 5 tips on how to make your home more appealing to those passing by as well as potential buyers in this video from This Old House.

Home sellers who are thinking of moving up, may have a wonderful window period here for the next six month’s to sell their house and buy another one. If you woud like to know the value of your home in today’s market, look at your options, or learn more about the above marketing program, feel free to contact me for an appointment.

“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
Search Listings

Why Internet Marketing of Your Real Estate is Important to Greater Lansing Home Sellers

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.

Point2Agent is A powerful, professional, and customized online presence to grab the attention of potential buyers. Everyone knows having a website online is very important. Making sure your website is sticky and packs a punch is even more valuable to being successful online. That's why sellers should make sure that real estate agents are providing the widest amount of Internet marketing exposure available in today's market.

My Point2 Agent website provides the seller with a powerful suite of website tools that allow me to have the customized, professional online presence I need and to properly market a home for sale in a competitive market.

With the highest number of syndication partners available and more being included all the time, Point2Agent also provides me with a competitive edge above other real estate professionals. Syndication gives me an advantage that is clear to sellers.

In addition to Point2Agent I like SawItOnLine and Postlets, These programs allow sellers and buyers to obtain updated information on properties, new liistings and many pictures. Syndication out to additional sites by all three of these programs also allows for my listings to be advertised across multiple popular home search sites with just a click of the mouse.

Real estate agents today need to be Internet savvy with the best tools to properly 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 getting your home the most exposure 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.

"Expect the Best" Mike

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
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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

Housing Opportunities for the Delhi Township, Holt, Real Estate Market - Timing is Money!

Delhi Township, Holt,real estate buyers and sellers do have opportunities in this market today. Crisis or no crisis, people still can move up or buy that first home. The large number of homes available for sale provides home buyers with a wide range of choices. Interest rates remain low. Affordability has improved in many markets. I think this is the smartest time to buy a home in my 30 years of marketing real estate.
Home inventory dropping almost 10% over the past 6 month’s is a sure sign that we may be reaching the bottom of this challenging market that we have experienced over the past 24 months.

Preparing your home for the spring market is very important to compete in today’s market. The Home Sellers Tool Kit will give you some great ideas to get you prepared for selling this year.
You may be thinking, is it a good time to sell my home and buy another? We have to remember that homes are selling when they are well prepared for sale and priced right. The reason is because people buy and sell homes for lifestyle reasons. Births, marriages, new jobs, retirement and others are all drivers. Following the advice of a full-service professional, who knows market conditions and a home’s competition, is critical in readying a home for sale.

First time home buyers receiving the tax credit which will be the lesser of either 10% of the home’s cost or $8,000 also contributes to the reason for buyers to start shopping. This will be available to qualified first time home buyers – and those who have not owned for at least 3 years - for the purchase of a principal residence in 2009. The credit does not have to be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least 3 years. This could have the domino effect to allow sellers to begin moving up to that larger home and selling their house, which they may have out-grown.

So, is “Now the Time To Make Your Move” I think so, however, much depends on your current situation, motives, and ability to qualify for the new, tight credit market. It may take a team of professionals to help you make some of these important decisions.

Our market could change soon, (or maybe not) as prices begin to climb back up, interest rates begin to rise, and inventory continues too go down. Is that when we will be back into a normal market? Not really. There is no such thing as a bad market or good market; there is just a market. Supply and demand is what made this the best country in the world to own real estate.

Mike Bowler Sr. ePRO, CRB, GRI, SRES
Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood
1020 S. Creyts Road, Lansing, MI 48917
517-492-3400
mailto:mike@mikebowler.com
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First Time Home Buyers in Lansing Michigan Can Benefit from True Tax Credit

The greater Lansing real estate market will get an incentive and tax break for
first-time homebuyers, however the $15,000.00 approved Senate Bill for all buyers got slashed to zippo. Well, it’s a start. According to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 the Refundable First-time Home Buyer Credit. Last year, Congress provided taxpayers with a refundable tax credit that was equivalent to an interest-free loan equal to 10 percent of the purchase of a home (up to $7,500) by first-time home buyers. The provision applies to homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. Taxpayers receiving this tax credit are currently required to repay any amount received under this provision back to the government over 15 years in equal installments, or, if earlier, when the home is sold. The credit phases out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $75,000 ($150,000 in the case of a joint return). The bill eliminates the repayment obligation for taxpayers that purchase homes after January 1, 2009, increases the maximum value of the credit to $8,000, and removes the prohibition on financing by mortgage revenue bonds, and extends the availability of the credit for homes purchased before December 1, 2009. The provision would retain the credit recapture if the house is sold within three years of purchase. The entire Act Summery can be viewed here.

Now’s the time to make your move, I encourage you to visit my home buyers tool kit page and Buying Services for Greater Lansing Area Home Buyers.You’ll be joining the ranks of hundreds of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity, saving for the future, and creating an environment for your family. Start your dream today, by becoming well prepared. Selling your home also requires well thought out preparation, in addition to hiring someone prepared to employ the latest techniques and services for your benefit, just like you’ve grown to expect from a professional. 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.

I'm prepared to offer my clients the knowledge and expertise to counsel them in relocating, buying, investing or selling the family 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

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I've Got the Real Estate Blues

Frankie lee has a great song to share here, that is so true. His humor, lyrics, and wittiness will make you smile at our current problems and challenges. Hope you enjoy.

more about "I've Got the Real Estate Blues", posted with vodpod

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

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

Holt MI Real Estate, Open Sunday, 2-4 P.M.

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

Avoid The Most Common Buyer Errors

Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It’s also time consuming and comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into three areas:

Paying too much
Losing a dream home to another buyer
Buying the wrong home
When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase:

Bidding without sufficient information
What price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could lose thousands of dollars. Before you make that offer, be sure you have researched the market. A professional realtor, can offer an unbiased opinion on the value of a home, based on market conditions, condition of the home and neighborhood. Without knowledge of the market, your offer could be too much. Or worse, you could miss out on a great buying opportunity.

Buying a mis-matched home
What do you need and want in a home? Sounds simple. Yet, clearly identifying your needs and bringing an objective view to home shopping, leaves you in a better position. Sometimes, home buyers buy a home that is too large or too small. Perhaps they didn’t consider the drive to work, the distance to school, or the many repair jobs waiting for completion. Plan ahead. Use your needs list as a guideline for every home you view.

Unclear title
Before you sign any document, be sure the property you are considering is free of all encumbrances. As part of their services, a realtor can supply you with a copy of the title to ensure there are no liens, debts, undisclosed owners, leases or easements.

Outdated survey
Before the purchase is completed, an updated survey is essential. This report will indicate boundaries and structural changes (additions to the house, a new swimming pool, neighbor’s new fence which is extending a boundary line, etc.).

Unexpected repairs
For $300 - $500 a professional inspector will conduct a thorough inspection of the home. This way, you’ll have an idea of the cost of future repairs. Make the final contract subject to a favourable report.

Shopping without pre-approval
It only takes a few days to get financing pre-approval. When you are shopping for a home, this gives you more power. A seller is more likely to consider an offer from a serious buyer.

Remember additional cost
Besides the funds for the purchase of a home, you’ll need funds for items such as loan fees, insurance, legal fees, surveys, inspections, etc.

Rushing the closing
Before you sign, ensure that all documentation clearly reflects your understanding and conditions of the transaction. Has anything been forgotten? Don’t rush. You could lose money, financing or even the sale.

Buying real estate in the greater Lansing area? View over 6000 listings here.

"Expect the Best" Mike

Delhi Township, Holt Real Estate, Preparing Your Home for Sale

First impressions make a significant impact on a buyer’s decision-making process! Once your home goes on the market, it becomes a product. Home Styling or Staging simply allows you to highlight the best of your home and de-emphasize its flaws. It’s not about decorating, but actually turning your home into a model, to appeal to the broadest range of prospective buyers. The goal is to make people feel like they could live there, and the best way to do this is to “neutralize” the surroundings.

Try out these helpful styling tips taken from Setting the Stage - REALTOR® Magazine Online. They’ve compiled the best tips from stagers and real estate pros—things you can do for little or no expense—to put a home in prime showing shape.

*Clear out closets and clutter—sellers can give away or pack up toys, linens, and small kitchen appliances to store offsite. Buyers are also forgiving of storage boxes neatly tucked away in a garage or basement.
*Focus most on the most visible areas—the foyer, kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and family room.
*De-personalize the home by removing photos, mementos, and dated items.
*Use plants in colorful pots or inexpensive wicker baskets to fill in empty spaces.
*Look to home catalogs for little details on beautifying the home. For instance, group books, pictures, and objets d’art appealingly on bookcases.
*Try angling one or two pieces of furniture slightly and move furniture 4 inches to 6 inches from the wall to create more interesting room spaces.
*Put away large collections— porcelains, plates, and so on.
*Remove valuables, prescription medicine, collectibles, and breakables.
*Trim trees, prune shrubs, and make sure the lawn is mowed and watered regularly.
In summer, turn on the sprinklers for five minutes, 30 minutes before the open house. It makes the lawn and driveway sparkle.
*Refrain from cooking anything that leaves a distinctive odor, such as fish, garlic, or cabbage.
*Hire a professional service to clean the home, including the carpets and the windows.
*Set the dining room table with attractive linens, dishes, and stemware.
*Arrange fresh or silk flowers throughout the home.
*Light a fire in the fireplace in fall and winter.
*A mirror in a pretty frame can make a small room feel more open.
*Use as much natural light as possible. Add extra lamps in dark rooms or corners.
*Make functional repairs—fix dripping faucets, sticking doors, and broken fences.
*Bring in another pair of eyes—even if it’s not a professional stylist. The person may see problems you and have missed.

Visit my website for addtional ideas on preparing your home for sale & establishing value.