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

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

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

Investment Property in the Lansing area

Investing in real estate in mid-Michigan is one of the best decisions people can make. However, your home doesn't have to be the only real estate you can, or should, invest in.

YOU can invest in real estate and get a higher return on your investment than leaving your money in the bank with much less risk than buying stocks.

It is important to have a qualified REALTOR® who can explain how this process works, guide you through it and determine if a property provides a sufficient return to make it profitable.

Keith Barber