Lansing Real Estate Update

Business Network International (BNI) will help real estate sales in Lansing

Business Network International (BNI) is a networking group to which I belong, and is the reason for my recent hiatus from blogging. But BNI will increase my ability to help people buy and sell homes in the greater Lansing Michigan area, so it was worth the time away.

Our BNI chapter, the Nothing But Networkers Chapter in west Lansing, Delta Township, and Grand Ledge just had its first meeting as a sanctioned chapter on 7/29/05. We have members in a wide range of businesses including: mortgage lender, lawyer, chiropractor, life insurance, investment, bank deposit accounts, Melaluca and Mary Kay.

The best part about BNI, is that the members of my chapter have become an extension of Sue's and my sales force, they'll be looking out for ways they can help my buyers and sellers just as I will be looking for ways to help their businesses.

We still have many openings if anyone out there in the business community would like to get involved with a group of people that will be actively helping them get the business they request. Please attend as my guest. We meet every Friday at the Grand Ledge American Legion Hall beginning at 7 a.m. and concluding at 8:30 a.m. sharp so we can attend to our businesses.

Contact Sue and Keith Barber in Lansing, Michigan

Buyers Beware - Waiting too long might backfire

There doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency to buy right now because buyers often see the same home for sale week after week.

This mindset could come back to haunt buyers who come back to make an offer on a desirable home they passed on earlier just so they could see what else was out there, only to find out the home already has an accepted offer.

I have already seen examples of this in my corner of the Lansing real estate market.

How do you avoid this?

Contact Sue and Keith

Welcome new readers who are looking for information about real estate

I want to welcome all the new visitors to this site.

My goal is to provide information that you will find useful about how the real estate market works, how to buy or sell a home, and identify some potential problems to avoid.

If you have a question regarding real estate in Lansing, or just a general real estate question, that is not covered on this site, please don't hesitate to send me an email and I will be happy to provide an answer. If I don't know the answer, or can't find it, I will tell you that too.

I usually update this site several times a week, and check my email frequently.

Sue provides a lot of information and ideas that I express here, but she doesn't like the entry part very well so I get to do that.

HAVE A GREAT MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND!

Contact Sue and Keith

Curb Appeal-outdoor clean up helps sell homes

Curb appeal. That's what we call it when a home looks inviting from the street, beckoning buyers to come inside to see what other delights await them.

The beautiful spring weather we have been experiencing in the Lansing area should light a fire under sellers to get out there and clean up their yards.

This is probably the easiest, least costly avenue at a seller's disposal to make their home appealing and maybe even get more money in the process.

Contact Sue and Keith

Refinancing your mortgage-a good idea that can cause problems later

I have had the unfortunate opportunity to counsel several home owners over the past few months about the realities of pricing their home for the market.  When you tell them that the price they want for their home is unrealistic and buyers won't even look at the home at that price, let alone give them that much, it is not uncommon to hear them say, "But we can't price it lower because WE NEED THE MONEY."

The reason they need the money is that they refinanced during the mortgage refinancing boom that started in 2001, but took equity out of their home when they refinanced to pay off credit card debt, living expenses, vacations...  You can only take the equity out of your home ONCE.

The answer for these people is to QUIT SPENDING. But how do they fix their problem now?

Contact Sue and Keith

Tour homes ONLY with your buyer's agent

When you're working under contract with a realtor who is your Buyer's Agent, don't go see a home with the listing realtor.

Many buyers think it's the listing realtor's job to show you the home, that there's no harm in the listing realtor showing you the home, or that there's no way the listing realtor is going to get any information out of you that will hurt you.

WRONG.

Contact Sue and Keith

Pricing your home to sell in a reasonable time

Did you ever wonder how people get a 'sold' sign in their yard when many other homes for sale on the same street or subdivision stay on the market month after month?

It's all about pricing. In order to get your house sold within the time frame that's important to you, it must be at the right price for the home's condition and location.

How do buyers determine the value of a home when making an offer, or just to decide WHETHER OR NOT to make an offer?

Contact Sue and Keith

Gas prices are a killer-let us drive to find your home

I can't believe that gas prices just hit $2.40 a gallon or more. Pretty soon none of us will want to leave home unless we have no choice and we can't convince somebody to pick us up. The price of gas and saving some money is another good reason to have Sue and I work for you to buy and sell your home.

Why not use our gas to drive all over town to look at homes, rather than wasting yours?

Contact Sue and Keith

Another great home for Sale in Lansing

3336 Glasgow - Southwest Lansing

This is a beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 full bathroom Cape Cod in a great neighborhood.

                                          Open House on Sunday, 4/3/05, 3-5 p.m.

Great home - Price reduced.

3211 Deerfield Avenue - Lansing, Michigan 48911

This 3 bedroom ranch has been completely updated and remodeled inside and out.

This is one of the best finds in southwest Lansing that would make a great home for first time buyers or someone looking to downsize.

The price has been reduced to $119,900. Open house on Sunday, April 3rd, 12:30-2:30. Go to Lansing.com for more pictures and information.