FSBO Archives | Honeybee Homes, LLC | We Buy and Sell Grand Rapids Real Estate

The Multiple Listing Service is tight right now in West Michigan. Right now, inventory is pretty low, and houses are moving quickly. If it feels like your dream home keeps getting snatched up before you can submit an offer, fear not! It may be time to search homes for sale by owner in Grand Rapids MI.

But how do you find the right house, and how should you approach the homeowner?

1. Drive the Neighborhood

Do you have a certain area in mind? A few blocks where you love the location, the schools, and the local park? Drive around! This sounds very basic, but it is one of the best ways to find FSBO homes. Many houses aren’t listed anywhere online, and the homeowner is hoping to attract buyers with a yard sign.

Keep a close eye out for the signs. Sometimes, you’ll see big, colorful, obvious markers. However, some homeowners will only have a small black and white sign on the corner of their property. Look to see if the notice is posted on the house itself. Also, be aware – you may be looking for a hand made sign, rather than the classic ‘for sale’ banner.

You may feel a little weird as you slowly drive, looking for homes for sale by owner in Grand Rapids. Remember though – you may find a great house, and do the homeowner a big favor in the process! Continue reading “Finding and Working With Homes For Sale By Owner in Grand Rapids MI” →

Buying and and selling houses can be tricky. Here in Grand Rapids, MI, we have a huge variety of markets and sub-markets, wildly different seasons, and enough options to make your head spin. Do you buy a historic home in Heritage Hills, or a brand new build in Walker? A side-by-side duplex in Kentwood, or a 3/2 in Wyoming?

What about the Kalamazoo, Portage, or Parchment areas? Am I crazy to consider a rent-to own, and will a new build be way too expensive? All of the questions can drive you nuts.

Fortunately, we can cut through the clutter. If you’re looking to buy or sell a house in Grand Rapids, MI, or the surrounding areas, read on!

How to Find Real Estate Deals

Let’s start on the purchasing side. Where do you start if you want to find the right home for your family (or the perfect investment)?

The ‘Tried and True’: First, you can talk to a Realtor. The right Realtor can provide a huge boost to your home search. Since they work in your local market every day, they often get wind of great deals before they hit the MLS. In addition, many homes are easier to access if you have a Realtor on your team. They can show you a dozen houses in a day if you like. Visit this page for great tips on picking the RIGHT Realtor.

The ‘Tech Savvy’: The internet has a huge number of sites where you can look up available homes for free. Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Realtor.com, FSBO.com, and ForSaleByOwner.com, are excellent places to start. Looking through these sites can give you a great idea of what is available here in Grand Rapids, MI.

The ‘Do-it-Yourself’: If you are willing to put in the work, you can find and create your own deals. While this is more of a commitment, these ‘diamond in the rough’ properties often wind up being great deals. Many of the best deals and homes aren’t listed on the MLS, so you’ll either have to find your own motivated sellers or know someone who does. Which leads us into our next point… Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Buying and Selling Real Estate in Grand Rapids, MI” →