4 Tips to Sell Your House Fast During a Michigan Winter

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WinterWinter is finally here.

After a very nice, pleasant autumn in Grand Rapids (and Michigan overall), the snow has arrived.  Hopefully, you’re looking forward to sledding, cocoa, and holiday time with family.

However, if you’re trying to sell your house fast, this can be a stressful time.  After all, who buys a house in a Michigan winter?

Fear not.  There ARE fewer buyers in the winter months, but also fewer sellers.  So if you need to get your home sold quickly, you can still get good results.  What are the keys to a successful home sale in the winter?

 1.  Access and Ease

When potential buyers visit a house for sale, they want to see a comfortable place.  They want to feel safe in the area, and to choose a place they can call home. Continue reading “4 Tips to Sell Your House Fast During a Michigan Winter” →

How to Estimate House Value in Grand Rapids (without MLS Access)

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HouseWhether you’re looking to purchase your own home or an investment property, it is crucial to properly estimate a house’s value.  This number is the starting point for all of your analysis and negotiations, so you need to get it right!

But what if you don’t have access to the MLS?  If you are not working with a realtor, it can be hard to find the data you need in a quick, easy way.  And analyzing the data you DO get can be a challenge.  So how do you estimate house value without MLS access in Grand Rapids?

1.  Understand the Neighborhood

Start by collecting data on houses in your target area.  If you know you would like to buy in a certain neighborhood or part of town, drive around!  See what is for sale, and then find the list price.  Check what kinds of amenities it has, in addition to the square footage, bedrooms, and bathrooms.

If you’re able to find 10 or more houses for sale in a given area, you can start to get a feel for prices and features in that area.  For instance, you might learn that $100,000 can get you a big house with a nice yard in one area, and a shoebox in another. Continue reading “How to Estimate House Value in Grand Rapids (without MLS Access)” →

3 Real Estate Sites You Should Use (That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of)

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ComputerThere are many great real estate sites online.  First, there are the usual suspects.  Sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, FSBO.com, ForSaleByOwner.com, and more.  But the internet is vast… there are a lot more quality sites out there!

So we wanted to shine the light on a few excellent resources that can help you with your home.

1.  Rentometer.com

This is a great real estate site for rentals.  It is simple and easy to use, and provides local rent numbers for just about everywhere in the country (including Grand Rapids).  Why is this useful?

First, if you’re looking for a place to live, this resource can help you figure out if your rent is fair.  They provide a nice range of prices, and indicate what is high and low for a given area.  You can quickly see if you’re getting a great deal. Continue reading “3 Real Estate Sites You Should Use (That You Probably Haven’t Heard Of)” →

4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Open House Listings in Grand Rapids

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CouchOpen houses can be a great experience.  You get to check out a nice house in a low-stress environment, and have an opportunity to talk to decision makers at the same time.  If you’re in the market for a new home, touring open house listings can be an excellent way to spend an afternoon!

However, you’ll want to make the most of the trip.  If you’re seriously considering buying a property, take an extra few minutes and maximize your visit.  Here are some key things to remember.

 1.  Don’t follow the path.

Typically, there is a set path people walk when visiting open house listings.  It varies based on the house, but there is a natural ‘flow’ to each property.

Go against the flow! Continue reading “4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Open House Listings in Grand Rapids” →

3 Great Places to Grow Your Grand Rapids Real Estate Network

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Grand RapidsWant to flip houses or own rental properties?  Great!  The world can use more quality homes for people to buy and rent.  But as we’ve mentioned in previous posts, you can’t do it alone.  You will need to work with realtors, appraisers, title companies, inspectors, and many more folks in order to be successful.

If we work together, we can all achieve more.  Here in Grand Rapids, we have a great advantage – there are some great groups around!  Here are three you should check out if you want to grow  your Grand Rapids real estate network.

We are involved in all three of these groups, and get great value from each.  So jump in!

1.  Rental Property Owners Association

Otherwise known as the RPOA, this is a group that focuses on helping landlords and real estate investors succeed.  As of this writing, they are the largest landlord association in Michigan, and are able to offer a wide variety of benefits and services. Continue reading “3 Great Places to Grow Your Grand Rapids Real Estate Network” →

How to Estimate Repairs on Bank Owned Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids

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BankBank owned homes for sale in Grand Rapids can be a great opportunity to get an excellent deal on a house.  However, they often come with additional challenges.

Many of these houses are in rougher shape, and access can be limited.  How can you successfully estimate your repair costs on a house like this?  Fixer-upper houses can be great, but you don’t want to find yourself with a money-pit you can’t escape.  Here are a few tips to help you nail your costs.

1.  Establish Times to Visit

Bank owned homes for sale typically offer limited access times.  You won’t be able to get inside them as easily as you can with homes listed on the MLS, so be ready to dig! Continue reading “How to Estimate Repairs on Bank Owned Homes for Sale in Grand Rapids” →

4 Types of Real Estate Companies You Need to Understand in Grand Rapids

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Real EstateReal estate is a big field.  There are a lot of moving parts in housing transactions, and a wide variety of real estate companies.

What is the difference between all of these companies?  What do they do, and when are they important?

1.  Inspectors

House inspectors are experts in structures and buildings.  A thorough inspector will be able to walk through your property, and diagnose areas of concern.  From separated gutters to insect issues to foundation flaws, they find areas that need attention and repair.

A good inspection can take several hours, so be ready to commit to an afternoon at home. Know in advance that they WILL find problems in the home.  No house is perfect… don’t get stressed over minor repairs! Continue reading “4 Types of Real Estate Companies You Need to Understand in Grand Rapids” →

6 Keys to an Effective Real Estate Listing in Grand Rapids

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ComputerYou’re ready to sell!  Whether you’re looking to list your home For Sale By Owner or with a Realtor, you’ll need an effective real estate listing to get your home sold quickly.

But where do you start?  Here are a few keys to remember as you post your home in Grand Rapids:

 1.  Get Ready.

First things first.  Make sure your house is ready to sell, and is priced properly.  The prettiest, most well-written real estate listing won’t get your home sold if your house isn’t ready.  So if you haven’t finished your repairs, cleaning, and staging, start there.  For some advice on this step, visit this page.

Having your house priced correctly is crucial.  People tend to overprice their houses, for a number of reasons.  First, sellers will often have a lot of great memories in a home, which inflates the value in their minds.  Secondly, they don’t want to ‘leave money on the table,’ so they tend to start high. Continue reading “6 Keys to an Effective Real Estate Listing in Grand Rapids” →

5 Ways to Avoid Scams on Craigslist Real Estate in Grand Rapids

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ComputerThe Craigslist real estate section can be wonderful.  I have recommended it in several previous posts, including the 3 best ways to find homes for sale in Grand Rapids, tips for working with FSBO homes, and the Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate in Grand Rapids.  It has a lot to offer, and when used properly, can be a great resource.

However, there is are some risks.  Since postings are not monitored for content and legitimacy, there are scams on the site.  The type of fraud varies, from fake money transfers to shady leases, but all can leave you high and dry.  How can you avoid scams, while still taking advantage of this great resource?

1.  Stay Local

First, work with local people who you can meet in person.  The Craigslist real estate site for Grand Rapids has a lot of postings from local property managers, owners, and sellers.  When you call on an ad, find out where they are located.  Offer to walk through the property with them, or meet at a nearby coffee shop. Continue reading “5 Ways to Avoid Scams on Craigslist Real Estate in Grand Rapids” →

What to Expect with Rent to Own Real Estate in Grand Rapids MI

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RoofRent to own real estate can be a great choice in Grand Rapids.  But it can be a little confusing at first.  What is a rent to own property?  What is the tenant-buyer responsible for, and how does it all work?

Fortunately, once you understand the basics, you can take advantage of this excellent option.  You can live in your dream house as you prepare to get more traditional financing, and help build up your credit along the way.

Getting Started

First, how do you find rent to own real estate in Grand Rapids?  There are a few options, and some are easier than others.  First, check with a local Realtor.  They will be able to run a quick search on properties on the MLS, and check if any are offering their homes for sale as a lease option.  From there, you can set a showing, follow up, and begin the process. Continue reading “What to Expect with Rent to Own Real Estate in Grand Rapids MI” →