Location, Location, Location: What Homebuyers MUST Know and Usually Forget!
Why Location Matters: The Ultimate Guide for Homebuyers
You've heard it a thousand times: "Location, Location, Location." But what does that really mean? Is it just real estate jargon, or is there some hidden wisdom in those words? In this comprehensive guide, we'll unpack why location isn't just a buzzword—it's a crucial factor that can make or break your homebuying experience.
Why Location Should Be Your Top Priority
Buying a home is possibly the largest investment you'll ever make. And while you can revamp the bathroom or add a new coat of paint, you can't change your home's location. Your neighborhood will dictate your lifestyle, safety, and even your home's future value. So yes, location should be at the very top of your checklist.
Proximity to Work: The Commute Factor
Let's face it, time is money. The more time you spend commuting, the less time you have for everything else in your life—like family, hobbies, or just relaxing with a good book. Research shows that long commutes can even negatively impact your health and well-being. So, when choosing a location, factor in your daily commute. Consider public transport options, traffic conditions, and even potential for remote work. A strategic location can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress.
Schools and Education: Investing in the Future
If you have or are planning to have kids, schools become a major part of your life. A good school district does more than offer quality education—it can actually boost your property value. According to studies, homes in good school districts sell faster and at higher prices. Even if you don't have kids, buying in a good school district can be a smart financial move for future resale.
Amenities and Lifestyle: Live Where You Play
Imagine having your favorite restaurant, gym, or shopping center just a stone's throw away. Sounds dreamy, right? Proximity to amenities can significantly impact your lifestyle and satisfaction with your home. Think about what you enjoy doing in your free time and make sure those activities are accessible from your new location.
Safety: Peace of Mind Comes First
Your home should be your sanctuary, a place where you can unwind without worries. That's why safety is a critical factor in choosing a location. Don't just rely on statistics—take a walk around the neighborhood, talk to potential neighbors, and trust your gut feelings. Peace of mind is priceless.
Future Resale Value: Plan for Tomorrow
You might not be thinking about selling your home right now, but it's never too early to plan for the future. Areas in the path of development or with planned infrastructure improvements can be a wise investment. Your choice of location today could pay dividends down the line.
Location affects almost every aspect of your life—from your daily routine to your long-term financial health. So take your time, do your research, and choose wisely. A well-located home is a gift that keeps on giving.
The Top 5 Reasons to (Not) Work with Me: Because Who Needs a Realtor Anyway?
I just can’t help myself when it comes to utilizing AI. While I use several different tools throughout my workday, I always end up coming back to the all familiar Chat GPT. While thinking of reasons why “you” would want to work with me, I couldn’t help but having some fun with my AI friend. I gave it my top 5 reasons that I think you should work with me and asked it to sarcastically spin it so that they were actually reasons you don’t want to work with me… LOL! It’s fun to get a little goofy every now and again, so take a read and let me know what you think!
Putting the "Real" in Realtor, with a Twist of Sarcasm and a Dash of Self-Deprecation
Reason One: I'm a Procrastination Expert (Or So I Like to Believe)
You know what they say, "Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow?" Well, that's pretty much my life motto. If you're looking for a Realtor who will respond to your inquiries with lightning speed, well, you might want to keep on looking. I mean, who needs promptness and efficiency when you can have an agent who takes their sweet time getting back to you? It's like a real-life waiting game, and hey, patience is a virtue, right?
Reason Two: Expert in the Art of Unintelligible Jargon
Ever wanted to feel like you're trapped in a linguistics lecture from the 18th century? Look no further! I've mastered the art of spouting incomprehensible real estate jargon that will leave you scratching your head in confusion. Why use plain English when you can impress clients with terms like "escrow," "amortization," and "encumbrance"? Let's turn the simple act of buying or selling a home into a mind-bending vocabulary challenge!
Reason Three: The Master of "Oops, I Forgot!"
Remember that time I promised to include your dream home on the viewing list, but somehow it slipped my mind? Yeah, that's just one of my many talents. From forgetting to send important documents to conveniently leaving out crucial details about a property, you can count on me to keep you on your toes. After all, surprises are what make life exciting, aren't they?
Reason Four: BFFs with Murphy's Law
You know how they say that anything that can go wrong will go wrong? Well, I've taken that saying as a personal challenge. Need a smooth and hassle-free real estate experience? Sorry, but my superpower is attracting unexpected obstacles and unforeseen hiccups. From mysterious plumbing leaks to sudden termite infestations, I'll make sure your journey is anything but boring. Just think of me as your very own real estate adventure guide!
Reason Five: Slightly Sardonic Sense of Humor Included
If there's one thing I can guarantee, it's that you won't be bored when working with me. My sardonic sense of humor is an acquired taste, but hey, life is too short to be serious all the time, right? Brace yourself for a steady stream of self-deprecating jokes, witty banter, and the occasional sarcastic remark. Laughter might not solve all your real estate problems, but it can make the journey a whole lot more enjoyable.
Conclusion:
So there you have it, the top 5 reasons (not) to work with me as your Realtor. From my expertise in procrastination to my mastery of perplexing jargon, I'm here to make your real estate journey an unforgettable experience. Just remember, while my approach may be unconventional, my dedication to helping you find or sell your dream home is anything but. So, if you're up for an adventure filled with laughter, occasional frustration, and a healthy dose of sarcasm, let's embark on this real estate rollercoaster together!
Pretty convincing list huh? 😉 Please keep in mind that this is dripping in sarcasm and is meant as complete satire. I’d love to work with you, so if you cracked a smile reading this, we might be a good fit for each other. Call me!! 🤙🤙
Father's Day 2020
Father’s Day 2020
Striving to maintain balance!
Is it possible to make everyone happy?
Not so far as I can tell.
This weekend was busy for a number of different reasons, most importantly because it was Father’s Day! Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of celebrating holidays (real or imagined) and Jessica has not been able to bring me to the dark side… yet!
Father’s Day is different for me because the kids are excited, not Christmas excited, but we all can sense the enthusiasm for whatever reason.
In spite of it being Father’s Day weekend, the real estate market is so fluid at the moment, it was imperative I showed homes early on Saturday to some clients and submitted an offer on their behalf. Sadly, that offer didn’t pan out as we were outbid by a higher offer (nature of the market currently).
On Saturday evening and due to some poor scheduling by yours truly, it made sense for us to head over to the in-laws and hang out and have a sleepover. Which meant it was S’more time!!!
For Father’s Day, I had new first time home buyers that i needed to show homes to on Sunday morning, so I was gone and on the road while everyone was still asleep. My clients checked out 4 properties and we were able to get one under contract! #winning
I made my way back to my in-laws and as soon as I pulled in the driveway, all 4 kids ran up to me and gave me the biggest hugs and told me they loved me… It was totally worth it! As I mentioned in a previous post, it seems like my kids are always around and yesterday, the saying that “absence makes the heart grows fonder” was in full effect. Yes, i worked on Father’s Day and my kids didn’t get to see me until well into the afternoon. But their enthusiasm in finally getting to see me was the best gift I could’ve ever been given (and we put a house under contract).
Cheers to all the Dad’s out there, here’s hoping your day was special as well.
How good of a seller's market is it? Can it be for real?
Good morning! It is a beautiful Friday morning and I am trying to get this written before my munchkins wake up, so let’s get right to it!
A great many of my peers in real estate have been beating the drum of low inventory and it’s a seller’s market. I’m fairly analytical, so I want to dive into the numbers and see if they were on point or if they were just using “sales tactics” to work their sphere.
To calculate months of inventory (MOI), I first needed to calculate the burn rate, or homes closed in the past 12 months and then average that out. Once the closed rate is calculated, I would take the current number of homes active and for sale and divide by the closed rate to get the MOI.
There has been discussion on what a balanced market looks like, but experts have agreed that roughly 5 to 6 months of inventory is fairly balanced and does not favor either the buyer or seller directly.
Let’s jump in to the numbers and see what my local market is doing.
Lapeer
Average Closed Home Sales per month - 40
Current Inventory - 102
MOI is 2.5 months
Davison
Average Closed Home Sales per month - 35
Current Inventory - 55
MOI is 1.5 months
Woah!! You have heard agents and housing experts saying that it is a seller’s market and I just proved it by the numbers. I cannot tell the future, but I don’t foresee this changing any time soon in my local market.
Food for thought if you had been contemplating selling your home. My weekly market update goes out today at 11:30 with tons of useful information and I even worked in a Lil’ Jon reference as well. Don’t miss it, make sure to subscribe by clicking the My Newsletter tab.
Cheers to the Weekend!
A Family Affair
Kids… My kids are everywhere, all the time, no matter where I go.
For the past few months, the shelter at home order here in Michigan coupled with school being cancelled and my career in real estate being relegated to the non-essential… I have been pushed to evolve into a full time stay-at-home Dad.
Cheers to all of you parents that have juggled working, parenting and just plain 'ol existing during these crazy times!
But... I'm back baby! Regardless of how you feel about the governor's stance in relation to Covid-19, Michigan is crushing it in terms of containing the virus and the real estate market is on fire.
Now that I'm back, I've been fortunate to have helped 2 first time home buyers, one we've closed and one is pending, just this week! You may hear my kids in the background when we’re discussing showings and different properties. They are used prominently in my marketing because they are everywhere, my partners in crime and I wouldn't be the person I am without them.
Call me any time to discuss your real estate needs, my assistants and I are always ready to help! 😁
Start them young! My best sales associates 2020!
Mother Nature's Mood Swings & The Seller's Market
Tuesday was 90+ degrees and we had a pool party at a friends house…
Wednesday was 90% humidity and crazy storms…
Thursday, I’m sitting in my office in a hoodie because it’s still a bit chilly…
Much like the weather, the real estate market can shift, but not nearly as dramatically as our lovely Michigan weather. In spite of the economic impact of Covid-19 the real estate market here in Mid-Michigan is still largely in favor of seller’s. I have had 3 clients in multi-offer situations within the last week and that is not an uncommon story if you speak with any active real estate agents out there hustling today.
I’m pulling the numbers together for my weekly market report and thankfully we’re starting to see an uptick in homes being added to the MLS. Time will tell how the summer market will end up playing out, but I can tell you this much, if you’re thinking about selling, there is literally no time like the present!
See you tomorrow for my weekly market update!
Biking 5k a day for the entire month of June and today was day 5!
Not much to say that the video can’t show you! Today was day 5 of our virtual 5k that is being conducted in support of Davison Township Parks and Rec and The Children’s Miracle Network. You can click here to enter and check out the details and don’t forget, you only have to do a single 5k (not one each day like yours truly)!
I hope you’ll join me in supporting these fantastic organizations!