Fox and Dish Networks are having a feud over how much one is going to pay the other.  I don't have Dish and don't care. I do get news updates on my phone from a couple news providers.  To keep it "Fair and Balanced" I receive blips from the right and the left!  It is wild how far a story can be spun.  The word manipulated comes to mind. Real estate has a word for overstating facts and adding fiction, Lie's!  We also have another word puffing.  If any of the normal rules applied on news reporting we would not have entertainment hour.  We would have News Hour.  We know the rules allow reporting to be ome place between fact and fiction with most of it fiction.  Programing wars by networks are like walking across the sand.  You can see a footprint the first hour but it doesn't take long and... 04/01/2012

Lottery fever took over our country for a few days.  The dreams of a different life sweep many people off to the lottery agents ticket booth. I am not so sure that anyone heard the odds of winning were 1.7 million to one.  That wasn't going to stop dreamers from placing bets on one life changing ticket.  Nobody noticed the odds except those that didn't buy a ticket.  I had some friends ask me if I bought a ticket.  Let me see do you have to buy one to win?  They looked at me puzzled and I said of course I bought five to support our schools!  That was the claim for bringing this legalized gambling into Michigan. I am not sure if the advertising would have been a little more understandable if ticket sales would have soaredas high.  For example you are more likely to be hit by lightning th... 04/01/2012

It used to be I know approximately what month and time of the year we were in by our Michigan weather.  Lucky I am not in the weather forecasting business.  This year everyone would be thinking summer one week, fall the next or the beginning of spring. We have had so little snow that it is a concern for water levels in lakes and streams.  Yet them seem to be where they are supposed to be.  Plants, trees and flowers are surely confused by the early mild temperatures.  We have a local community that uses Tulips as a basis for an international festival.  They announced, no "Tulips" this year, they bloomed to early. I have seen docks being placed in lakes.  Normally wouldn't happen for another month.  Marinia's can get another month of boating season.  Start collecting rents early.  I wonde... 03/31/2012

It used to be I would look at my fuel costs when I filled my vehicle and shake my head.  Now I shake my pockets to see if I have any more money to get a half a tank of gas! I had never paid $90.00 to fill my Avalanche, up until this week.  This problem has been something that should have been addressed years ago.  Now when your back is against the wall. We have a sputtering economy with most middle class families struggling to maintain their jobs and put food on the table. Add the pressure of gas prices and the focus on home values is secondary to surviving each day. I don't usually comment on political issues.  I keep my thoughts to myself even when I think something is truckload of manure! Look up Saul Alinsky and see what you find. Kick me while you can but remember I kick back, shou... 03/31/2012

NO...really they dug a hole in the my son's backyard!  I get a call from my son, "hey dad, a local builder just crossed into my yard and dug a hole for back-fill dirt to put around their house to stop water from draining into the basement. What should I do?" I asked a few questions like are you sure he isn't on the lot line?  He tells me no he ran over the bushes I planted this summer.  His yard is low and mine is higher so he came over for the dirt and told me it was in a right of way.  I then asked him to get out his survey and look.  Not on the survey.  So it was a rouse to get my son off his back. Since there are survey stakes it was easy for him to call the local police.  This only happens when someone is non-responsive and tells you to take a hike.  He (the builder) was charged wi... 03/31/2012

Some people go through all these antics and other look a issues very analytically.  My brother-in-law has had a year! His life was turned upside down without really trying.  First his wife of twenty years was caught cheating and decided she didn't want to be married any longer. He had to buy a house without selling the home his ex-wife occupies.  His company is downsizing and his job may be in jeopardy and his daughter needs more money for college!  Other than that it has been a  great year! Sometimes we have all these issues going on around us that we cannot think clearly.  The antics outweigh beinganalytical and calculating in how we are going to approach life.  Life happens with or without our consent. My brother-in-law came to my wife and I to discuss his options.  He knew he was no... 03/31/2012

You may not think that little document called a will is a big deal.  Let me tell you, it is a big deal when someone close to you passes and has possessions like a home, land, cars and furniture.  The law regarding death without a will is well tested and very clear. I have had to deal with four deaths in my family in the last five years.  All have had wills.  Mostly because of my insistence.  One of my current clients sister passed away accidental without a will.  She was very wealthy and had multiple properties.  It is going to be a long drawn out affair to get her estate completed.   You can spend a few hundred dollars or call an attorney (which I recommend) if you have large costly assets. You can not believe how much easier it is for everyone you leave behind if you have a Will.  The... 03/30/2012

You never know who or what the question may be when you answer a phone call.  I have turned my efforts toward internet marketing, with great results.  This also has increased area from where phone calls are received. Yesterday I am calling back a young man located hundreds of miles away from my office.  I am thinking to myself another referral.  I was wrong.  It turns out he is selling his Aunt's home.  She had passed away accidentally in a boating accident.   As I probe with my questions it becomes clear he isn't in a position to sell his Aunt's home.  The property is in probate court and has not been ruled on yet.  We can sell the property with a contingent on probate acceptance.  The problem is we cannot list the property with our local MLS because we do not have the documents for au... 03/30/2012

How long do you schedule for showing a buyer a home?  When showing multiple home you have a tentative schedule that you set as your showing time. I recently had a young man take over an hour looking over a home.  It wasn't new, it wasn't a costly home and it wasn't his first home purchase.  I had several homes selected to show him based on his criteria.  After viewing two homes I felt like I was going to be able to build a home before we could see the six on my list of showing appointments.   I asked him, what are you thinking you are going to find by looking at these homes so closely?  I am looking to see if I can find reasons to buy them for a low price.  OK, "if you find one you like, then we can look at the market and work out the price to offer."  I scheduled 6 homes for us to see ... 03/30/2012

I recently became involved as a volunteer for a Woman's Life Chapter #876 that is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Smith Regional Respite Center in Allendale Michigan. One of my agents, Therese VanderMeer is a member of the group.  We were discussing a listing.  Therese then shared her involvement in the Woman's Life group.  She told me about a fundraiser and I volunteered to do some advertising using the videos I produce. These children need a Rock Star in their life.  Their parents are all Rock Stars as far as I am concerned! I have just produced the first of three videos for this fundraiser.  During the research and production phase I learned some startling facts about families with "Special Needs Children". Link: Special Needs Children  One of the most eye-opening facts was:  80% of ... 03/26/2012

Many people are selling off possessions to raise cash.  Some use traditional advertising while others are turning to the internet as their advertising option. The statistics are stacking over internet advertising and selling items from homes.  It is very easy for criminals to target homeowners who advertise items for sale.   I was on my way to a showing appointment listening to a news broadcast on satellite radio.  It was surprising the number of robberies that have happened to people selling furniture, jewelry, cars, motorcycles and other personal belongings. Most real estate agents know about personal security but few homeowners think about advertising and security for themselves and their families.  Being anxious to convert a seldom used item into cash is exciting.  You get a call, m... 03/25/2012

If you listen to the major news channels or your local real estate board you do not always get the real facts.  You might get the daily dose of whatever is being served today as fact.  The underlying foreclosure ghost market is still there. I recently had a discussion with a local real estate broker that quoted all the local numbers and tried to sell me on the fact that the market is improving.  Yes, I have closings (sales) no I am not below last year levels so what's the point?  The point is the numbers need to be looked at for what they are.  National numbers do not indicate local markets and local housing market statistics may not indicate the state results or trends. Most data on foreclosures lags behind reported statistics.  This isn't or shouldn't be a news flash.  It takes time t... 03/24/2012

Many families are affected by a loved one with Alzheimer's.  My wife and I enjoy her father and he stays with us one a week overnight.  This is a family disease not an individual disease.  It may take the memories of the individual but it affects the family and friends. His memory betrays him more often now.  My wife calls on the phone and he asks, "who is this".  My wife calls him daddy because that allows his memory to connect to who she is yet.  He is able to recognize and be with us.  He still lives at home with his wife of over 50 years. Her loss is the best friend she has enjoyed and shared life with for so long.  The protector she could always count on to be there.  Now the roles have reversed.  She didn't have to worry about the checkbook or investments, insurance or even workin... 03/24/2012

How many times have you heard of homeowners returning to a home they lost due to foreclosure to do damage?  If you are the new owner and the former owner shows up what do you do? How many people are forced out of their homes due to foreclosure and leave possessions behind?  If the lender takes over the property the dispose of anything left behind.  It gets hauled away and the foreclosure company usually hires a service to clean out the properties. The companies hired to clean out the home haul many of the items to the dump.  They also pick through and sell what they can according to one company that I interviewed.  This is a form of extra pay for their employees.  They are given a list of homes that will need to be cleaned out.   This means they remove all appliances working or not.  Th... 03/23/2012

Scams are costing millions and most of the people initiating scams are never punished. Here is one that I know many elderly people will panic and call to get money.  It's a postcard it seems reasonable but in actuality it is designed for one thing and one thing only.  To get a call.  No return address yet the bulk mail stamp is out of Medina, OH. It has a clear warning on the address side of the postcard.  What is not included is the company name.  Want to know the hook, the reason people call and why this company can afford to send thousands of targeted postcards? Here is what is says: "This communication is to inform you that you may have an annuity that has reached the end of its surrender period." The end of a surrender period is a positive event that means an owner may cash in an a... 03/23/2012

The new proposed effort to help people in mortgage trouble may not be the silver bullet that all the news services are pointing out. Bank of America is hand picking some of their clients that currently have mortgages.  We don't know if the criteria they are using now will be the future method used to select ricipents of the "Stop Foreclose" give us your keys program! This proposal of turning over your rights to your home didn't sound like a great idea when I first heard of the Bank of America proposal.   The bank used to pay a "Cash for Keys" program which in some cases they still do, to my understanding. It takes longer to foreclose than having the mortgage holders (homeowners) sign over their property rights. Rent is going to less than a normal mortgage payment for the same property. ... 03/23/2012

That is exactly what the voice on the phone said this past week.  "Hi, I want a House, I found your name on a website and kept seeing your name on different articles and listings.  I need help I want to buy a home, can you help me get one? He saw my name on Activerain articles, websites and linked to multiple cities as he searched.  The key is he was doing what 84% of all buyers do, searching on the Internet before calling a real estate agent or a homeowner with a home for sale. My answer to the voice was simple.  Let's talk a minute to see how I can help you.  I found out he had not gotten preapproval.  He had cash!  Music to my ears until I asked the next obvious question.  Can you get a letter or bank statement for verification of funds?  He says, no you don't understand I have cash ... 03/17/2012

I finished my master's program!  I could not have been released from jail and be happier.  Don't get me wrong I was the one that signed up for the education.  I wanted to have a more in depth knowledge to help my company, business and clients. Obtaining a Master's Level education isn't exactly like getting your four year degree.  Doing in remotely and attending live lectures remotely is also a bit weird but it works.  Testing is still like it always is you have to answer the questions.  I started my Master's program in September of 2011 and took my final along with completing my projects one week ahead of designated schedule.  I have one more live lecture but I already have my work accepted, completed and passed! My thoughts for those that are challenged with Website Design and Internet... 03/17/2012

Michigan has not had temperatures like this EVER!  We are setting new high temperature records everyday.  Consequently we have also had some severe storms and fog because of the odd weather patterns. Yesterday I had an early morning appointment.  I did my morning routine to get ready, I took a quick look out the window and could only see a few 100 feet.  The fog was so thick I knew my commute some 20 miles was going to be slowand cautious.   Since I work full time as a real estate broker in the Grand Rapids real estate market, I know all the short cuts and side streets to get across town.  I decided to take the expressway system anyway.  I felt going closer to the river may increase the fog bank and decrease my visibility range. It took longer to travel to my exit, just as I had suspect... 03/17/2012

I have all these fancy features on my car.  I have owned it for three years and never once have I been able to get the remote start to function.  I have talked to the dealership and they tell me every time, it works fine.  I go to use it and the remote doesn't work.  I read the manual, again! I have looked at the remote start section of my owners manual so many times I can recite the chapter word for word.  I have asked the dealership no less than 4 or 5 times to check it, when I have my oil changed.  They tell me every time, it works fine. This last trip to the dealership I thought enough of this trusting stuff!  I want to see how they get the remote to work!  Every time when I have tried to use the remote to start my engine nothing, not a buzz, click, ding or sound from that expensive... 03/16/2012