MARK HAGAN's (mhagan1) Blog

Traverse City, Michigan?! Most have not heard of the local market that I do my business in and live. We have began to get some media coverage as consistently being a top destination for those in the retirement mode. With low median housing costs and a great upside with regard to qulity of life, N...

Short Sales... most professionals have mixed feelings at best. In a period of 109 days we listed, got an approval on the short sale, and closed the deal. I have to say that some of the stories and info on ActiveRain regarding short sales has become the norm... long delays, no communication, frust...

Well, at 1:21pm yesterday, the Dow reached 10,000 for the first time since October 7th of last year. What a long year it has been for so many in our industry. I remember the day back in 1999 on March 3rd when the market first reached that mark of 10,000. It was almost a new horizon for the folks ...

Hello... What a changing climate we have to try to conduct business in. I have worked several short sales with banks such as Countrywide, Huntington, HSBC, and others. I have a client with a short sale with OneWest/IndyMac. The condo has been on the market for almost a year and is now listed at u...

Hello... We have made it past the Inauguration Day of the newest edition to the long list of citizens who have been elected to the position of President of the USA. No matter who you voted for in this election, most folks in our industry are carefully watching what we as a country are going to do...

Hello... Whew! We made it into 2009. This has been a very unique time to be in our real estate industry. We have weathered the "perfect storm" of foreclosures bringing the median home value down, mortgage companies and banks folding- making lending somewhat non-existant, along with some of the hi...

Hello... We are seeing the mortgage industry change before our eyes. Rather than simply foreclosing on borrowers, many folks are being offered loan modifications on their existing loans in order to avoid foreclosure, which costs the bank money and the housing market growth. What is this process? ...

Hello... It seems as though the Thanksgiving hangover may be over and we may be waking up without the headache. Its been a while since I have been able to wake up on a Monday and see some good news. We in Michigan are seeing some news that directly affects us locally. It looks as though the gover...

Hello... Well another Thanksgiving being over can only lead to one thing... Black Friday. Traditionally, this is the first Friday of the Holiday shopping season and is called such because its the day that retailers all over run sales, promotions, and a ton of marketing to get you in their store a...

Hello... Waking up this Thanksgiving morning, I am thankful for one thing... the banks are closed! As our market sees a mixture of bank-involved properties, the interaction with the various departments (or lack there of) can make you want to pull your hair out. I am involved in quite a few and if...