Yesterday was TGIF for me...and I was happy it was over.  My last call of the day was a potential client I talked to a month ago at an open house.  At our first meeting during the open house I was informed about the future listing potential of the potential buyers home. Yesterday she calls and wants to me help her find a temporary rental while she has a home built. Fine I think I can do that...what about the sale of your existing home, I ask. She then tells me she is going to use a friend if the friend calls back.  I laughed out loud...sorry I couldn't help it.  I asked why she would pick a friend to sell her most valuable asset.  He answer, she wants to help her out...she hasn't sold anything in a while. I was astonished to hear this.  I immediately said, OK your friend hasn't sold any... 01/15/2011

We received the letter, and we have been well aware of the "deterioration of Samrick Avenue", but the big signs at the both ends of Samrick are a little less than comforting. Sometimes you never can appreciate a bad road until it is closed! I am glad to know that the Kent County Road Commission has been planning on a replacement for Samrick Avenue, and is saving us the thousands of dollars that it would have cost to do both of these at different times. I Thank you now before my journey home becomes a true mess of equipment, those @#$! orange barrels and joyful sounds of workers (which I know would rather be doing something other than working in the hot summer with tar and dirt and sewer connections). Ok, I am not sure how I really feel about this. I am not living right on Samrick and wi... 08/02/2008

It is great to ride, walk, skate, run, bike or hop to get an ice cream cone at Trailside Treats in Belmont. Not to mention now they are serving other foods as well. As of Thursday June 19th, you can now take the trail and visit  the Plainfield Township Farmer's Market now you can even go to the market!               It isn't 'on' the trail but is just off the trail south of the post office and accross the street fromt he township offices on Belmont Ave. It's first day was well greated with many vendors with fruits and veggies to flowers and some homemade crafts.   The White Pine Trail is a fun way to spend some time enjoying the community and nature.         One of the many vendors with flowers.                           Fresh Strawberries, Yum!   Venders have plants, produce and there ... 06/21/2008

Belmont, MichiganWant something to do and a cheap date? Attend this years Spaghetti Dinner and Used Book Sale. Where can you get an endless plate of pasta, connecting with family, friends, neighbors and shop for books? You can't beat this and it will help more kids have the opportuinty to read!Belmont Elementary School will be holding once again their famous All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner  and Used Book SaleFriday February 22, 20085:30 - 7:30 Belmont Elementary School6097 Belmont RoadBelmont, MI 40306 Dinner inculdes: spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and drinkAdults: $4.50Children (4-12) $2.00Under 3 eat freeMaximum of $20.00 per familyAll profits to benefit the Belmont Media Center   02/20/2008

I am just amused by this  street corner I drive in Grand Rapids. It has had not one but two people dressed up in the statue of liberty costume and stand there wind, rain and snow just waving and sometimes dancing  at the drivers. (They make the mail person's look wimpy!)Now if any of you want to know what the weather is really like, go to: www.wzzm13.com will gladly give you all the details.(This is a picture of an Bald Eagle in Holland Michigan that is looking for food. Apparently where they are from north of here, their food supply is frozen so they come down to Holland for a bit.)So, when you think about how bad being a Realtor@ is in this market in Grand Rapids, Michigan or just about anywhere in Michigan and other states, I bet you would gladly do what we do not to stand in a costu... 02/19/2008

Going into the last part of the year, I feel there is some great news in our little town to share about home sales.According to the the information from The Grand Rapids Association of  REALTORS web site, it has some pretty impressive numbers for our neighborhood. Indeed the market has torn a path in equity, but the sale facts remain strong and looking to be stronger.Currently as of 10/25/07 There are 88 homes on the market in 49306Lowest: $88,900Hightest: $650,000Average asking price: $278,412Average days on Market: 123 Solds as of 10/25/07There has been 65 homes sold since the first of the 2007Lowest: $90,000Hightest: $650,00Average: $229,220Average days on Market: 109What does this mean:Out of the 88 homes 74% of them should sellLowest Sales Price has dropped by 1%Hightest Priced Pro... 11/07/2007

We are headed into the fall season no doubt with this weather change, but what are the buyers thinking? Well, as an agent, it isn't easy for us to figure it out either.Here are some tips that might be of interest to you if you are thinking about selling your home within the next couple of months.1) Many people may start to think that fall isn't a great time to sell, so they might take their home off the market and wait till spring. This will give buyers less to look at and honestly, they are gonna buy when they want to buy. Seasons do not play a large role in their thought process.2) Start at your best price. Don't  think that starting at a higher price will allow buyers to come in and give you a lower offer. Within the first 2 weeks of a listing is the most important time to have your ... 10/10/2007

Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.                                                                                                                                ~Emily DickinsonContours Express of Belmont and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has formed a national alliance to fund-raise for breast cancer research during the months of September and October 2007.  "Various fun activities are already underway," states owner/coach/mentor/friend  Linda Dewitt.      "September if Bunco for Breast Cancer and  October's activity is 10/5 To Save Lives.  Contours members from all over the country are collecting pledges to be turned in on October 5th, 2007, which is the day to dedicate your workout to friends/fa... 09/23/2007

I love living in Belmont!I love the fact that the ice cream truck comes like clock work! I am not so crazy that my dog is "into" this event!She of course can hear it before we do, but needless to say I get excited too! There is nothing better than socializing with the neighbors and catching up who is selling or buying.Swapping stories of home repairs, yard maintaining and who got the new grill.Kids in school and sports games are always a highlight too!I say, if you are going to buy or sell, meet the neighbors at the ice-cream truck. You will find out the most information about the neighborhood.   09/06/2007

The lenders are making headlines and the sellers are still worried about their homes price and the buyers are looking at 20-30 homes! Yikes! What is an agent to do?Well, here are a couple of ideas I have helped my clients with.1) Lenders ~ Interview your lender! Ask other people who they used and how their experience was. You are not always going to know the inside scoop on the lender, but you will be able to pick your loan officers mind about servicing, rates and maybe what they are not offering anymore. Agents have a pretty good feel for lenders and how they work, ask a agent! Talk to 2-3 even 4 and find the right fit for your needs. 2) What you sell your home for now might be less than what you think it is worth and most agents would agree with you that your home is worth more. Howev... 08/22/2007

Do you have an adjustable rate that is ending soon? Is your mortgage rate 8% or higher?  Are you looking for cash to remodel or pay off debt?  If you answered yes to any of these questions you should give me a call.  I can help you refinance quickly, lower your current rate and save you money!  CALL TODAY TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY.  I will provide you with quality service throughout the refinancing process.  I will represent your interests every step of they way.  I can help you lower your current interest rate, get cash out to remodel or pay off debt, and SAVE YOU MONEY.Example of savings by refinancing at a 30 year fixed rate:Refinance Amount - $150,000                Current Interest Rate -  8.25%       New Interest Rate - 6.775%Current Payment - $1,126.90            New Payment - $975.3... 08/03/2007

Price RangeAvg: $278,414Low: $109,900High: $649,900 DOM RangeAvg: 116Low: 2High: 444 Current listings above : 99 total as of June 21, 2007Price RangeAvg: $170,400Low: $91,900High: $259,900 DOM RangeAvg: NaNLow: 22High: 120Pending Listings above: 5 total as of June 21, 2007Price RangeAvg: $287,000Low: $120,000High: $454,000 DOM RangeAvg: 31Low: 8High: 54Sold listings above since June 1, 2007Price RangeAvg: $211,946Low: $114,000High: $525,000 DOM RangeAvg: 106Low: 8High: 323 Sold Listings: 32 since January 1, 2007 06/21/2007

I am going to be very frank and say: Don't listen to the media, they must be talking to people who are just not doing their job!I have been in real estate for a few years now and I can safely say that the media paints such a awful picture sometimes that I think they are part of the reason real estate seems to be slow going.Anything will sell in any market as long as it is priced correctly. That means as your agent what he feels the price to sell your home will be. We don't have crystal balls, but we have some feel for the market. This also means you don't have to give the property away either.Working with an agent that is "slow" market should make you questions what market they are good at working in. If they are slow in the current market, how well will they market and sell your home?Y... 06/19/2007

Car Key Tip  Someone rencently told me about the auto "break ins" that they were having in another neighborhood. They all agreed to put their keys by thier bed incase they "heard" anything they could press the alarm on the key fob. They were able to alert the neighbors and the would be theifs took off running. What a great idea to keep you safe.Another neighbor told me about installing the motion dector sprinklers. This also worked! Apparently burglars hate to get wet! 05/28/2007

All you need to do is call me or contact me through my web site www.thebesthomesintown.com and you can pick them up before 5/30/07. I will choose the home to pick them up at, but other than that, they are FREE!I am new to blogging and thought this would be a great way to test the waters to see who is out there reading about my neighborhood.How cool is that? 05/28/2007

 .... working? Who is playing? Or What?It is a nice long weekend. How many of us are responding to blogs or even working? Is this a 'working weekend' for most of us or just "catching up" on a few things?I for one, am on a cleaning frenzy and my husband, (bless is heart) is a little frightened of what will be the likes of him during this weekend. I have a few clients that I am working on a couple of things with, but for the most part, I am not working. I will be going to our local "Parade of Homes" (www.hbaggr.com) checking out the builders and the new colors and styles that 'are in'. That is the fun part of my job!I would rather be in my garden. The earth does seem to have a little bit of an inner connection there that soothes the soul."The Earth Laughs In Flowers."                    ~... 05/27/2007

Many of my clients ask me about the process of buying and selling. So many find the home of their dreams and then find out that financing is an issue. I have put together a few steps to start this process and why these steps are important for having a smooth real estate experience.1.) Determine if you are comfortable with your current monthly housing payment.Do take into consideration what that is as well, such as 1st mortgage, 2nd mortgage if any, PMI insurance, and homeowners insurance. Many clients say I am good with $1,000 a month, but then do not realize that taxes and insurance on the new home might be more than what they are currently paying or or not even included in their current payment. If you have a budget, this would also be a good time to check to see if more of house paym... 05/22/2007

  I lost my Mother in 2006, the day after Mother's day. I couldn't believe how her life was such a great strength in my own life. She always supported me in what ever I did for the most part and taught me how to be the best Mother I can be. She worked for 25 years in a factory and although she never said it, I think she tried to imagine her life in mine. She always loved to hear stories of homes and clients and what colors were were in style. She never had to worry about a mortgage payment. My father never had one and she never had to deal with that issue because of how he set up to take care of her after he was gone. How difficult that time was in my life, I can proudly say that I am stronger and blessed to have had a mother who cherished family memoires and holidays and enjoy being a ... 05/16/2007