THE 5 REASON WHY YOU NEED TO HIRE A REALTOR WHEN YOU ARE SELLING OR BUYING!

by HOLLY HURD

Whether you are buying or selling a home it can be quite an adventurous journey, which is why you need an experienced real estate professional to guide you on the path to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or F.S.B.O. The 5 reasons you NEED a real estate professional in your corner haven’t changed, but have rather been strengthened by the projections of higher mortgage interest rates & home prices as the market continues to pick up steam.

1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true real estate professional is an expert in his or her market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork  necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what?

There are over 180 possible steps that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, someone who knows what these actions are, to make sure that you achieve your dream?

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. After looking at the list of parties that you will need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll soon realize the value in selecting a real estate professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people who you will need to be knowledgeable of, and answer to, during the process.

4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the amount of time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to theNational association of Realtors, “the typical FSBO home sold for $185,000 compared to $245,000 among agent-assisted home sales.” Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional.

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and the internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively, and correctly, price your home at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a lowball offer? Dave Ramsey, the financial guru, advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring an agent who has his or her finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying or selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic. Why would you make one of the most important financial decisions of your life without hiring a real estate professional?

Holly Hurd~
Is a REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services
Northville, Michigan 48167
#1 Firm in MICHIGAN
hollyhurd@hotmail.com
Sell / Buy a home in Northville,Michigan register today at:
www.Northvillehomes4sale.net
Holly Hurd ~
Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well.
Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs #homerocks#YourHomeNorthville Michigan Real Estate Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167 #realtor #realestate#realestatemarket #realestateforsalemi #hometown #hollyhurd #home#homesforsale #historicnorthville #buy #buyingahome #buildingahome#buyrealestate #condo #northvillemi #sellyourhome #sellingyourhome#smalltown #shop #bhhs #berkshirehathaway #moveinmichigan#greattimetobuy #puremichigan #SOLD

How to Have the Most Wanted Home on the Market

by HOLLY HURD

1)      Curb appeal- There’s nothing like driving up to a well landscaped, well taken care of home.  It really is the first impression a buyer has when they see your home.  Fresh potted flowers, mulched flower beds free of weeds, a clean front door and exterior will make buyers want to see your home.  The outside should be inviting them to see the inside and the inside should invite them to stay.

2)      Enhance your layout- The placement of furniture will either draw a buyer in to sit down or cause them to scratch their heads wondering how furniture will actually work in the space. When we live in our homes, we use furniture so it works best for our needs. The oversized sofa that takes up more than half the living room shouldn't be kept when you’re putting your house on the market. It’s important the furniture in your living room is open and shows off the space you have.

3)      De-clutter & Edit- buyers love a home that looks clean and presents well. You can’t do that if you have a ton of pictures or wall art on every square foot of wall space. The same goes for shelves and tops of dressers and cabinets. If it looks visually cluttered, it feels cluttered. Buyers need to feel like your space is open and welcoming.

4)      Clean- Besides the obvious cleaning that should be done, you should also be making sure all your soft surfaces are clean like carpets, bed linens and curtains. When these things are clean your whole house will smell clean. And of course, make sure those windows are sparkling, the blinds are dust free and you clean every nook and cranny.

Holly Hurd~ 

Is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
in Northville, Michigan 48167 
#1 Firm in MICHIGAN

hollyhurd@hotmail.com

Sell / Buy a home in Northville,Michigan register today at

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net

Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs #homerocks #YourHome

Northville Michigan Real Estate
Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167
#bombogenesis #realtor #realestate #reaestatemarket #realestateforsalemi#hometown #hollyhurd #home #homesforsale #historicnorthville #buy#buyingahome #buildingahome #buyrealestate #condo #coldwellbanker#northville #northvillemi #sellyourhome #sellingyourhome #smalltown #shop#cbwm #cbbelieves #moveinmichigan #greattimetobuy #greattimetosell#sold

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel Blue Matter / The part of the brain that thinks about real estate

A "Frozen" Lesson for Homebuyers

by HOLLY HURD 
Realtor with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

I had the pleasure of watching "Frozen" this weekend, and like most animated Disney features, I really enjoyed it. If you haven't seen it, I would encourage you to check it out. The advent of pay per view cable and satellite TV has given those of us without small children the opportunity to see the films we would have taken our kids to in a different time, and you can do it without showing up in a theater feeling like the creepy adult in a room full of adolescents and toddlers.

One of things that happens in the film surrounds little sister, Anna. Prior to the beginning of a ball, she meets a handsome prince. During the ball, they link up again and she is smitten. Before the ball is over, they decide to get married, and it's that decision that sets the rest of the movie in motion. When Anna tells her sister about her wedding plans, Queen Elsa refuses to let her. The events following send Elsa off into the mountains to live as a recluse snow queen.

While on a search to find her sister, Anna runs into an ice salesman who guides her path to Elsa. In one of the early conversations they have, Anna confesses to the ruggedly handsome Kristoff that she is in love and to be married. She relates the story, and Kristoff is appalled that she is going to marry a man she just met. He brings it up over and over. This is where I leave the movie.

How many home buyers want to buy the first home they see? In my experience, it's actually a small number. I would say it's in the 10-20% range. The one thing they say over and over is, "Is it wrong to buy the first house you look at?" I would respond, "Not necessarily, but it really depends."

Depends on what? 

• Does the house meet your needs?
• Does the house meet your location choice?
• Does the house correspond to your financial abilities?
• Does the house offer a good deal overall?
• Is the house in a condition that meets your approval?
• Have you done your homework online to see what else it out there?
• Have you listed the pros and cons of the house as compared to looking at others?
• Are you sure you're not making a snap decision because the market is too competitive and you're afraid you won't be able to buy any house?
• What would be wrong with buying the first house you looked at if it turns out to be what you wanted?

I sold a property to a client a number of years ago who looked at 60 houses. He finally bought the first one he looked at. Thank goodness the market was moving slower then. He had the privilege of looping back a few weeks later, but in a hot market that isn't always possible.

Buying a house should be about meeting your needs. First, fifth, tenth house, there is no set number of views that make one a better decision than another one. Overall, it's all about meeting your needs. In Anna's case, the first husband candidate didn't work out. Fortunately, she found out before she said, "I do." In her case, the second choice was a better choice.

It's not the number of houses you look at. It's the ones that meet your criteria. If you're just looking at houses with no criteria, you may just as likely become "Frozen" without any sense of right and wrong. Decide what you want, weigh the options and buy based upon an intelligent choice.

Holly Hurd~ 

Is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel
in Northville, Michigan 48167 

#1 Firm in MICHIGAN 

hollyhurd@hotmail.com

Sell / Buy a home in Northville,Michigan register today at

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net

Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs #spring #YourHome

Northville Michigan Real Estate
Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167
#bombogenesis #realtor #realestate
 #reaestatemarket#realestateforsalemi
 #hometown #hollyhurd #home#homesforsale #historicnorthville #buy
#buyingahome#buildingahome #buyrealestate #condo #coldwellbanker#northville
#northvillemi #sellyourhome #sellingyourhome#smalltown #shop #cbwm
 #cbbelieves #moveinmichigan#greattimetobuy #greattimetosell #sold

HOLLY HURD

Real estate agents are so important in the sale of a 

property and choosing a selling agent is a huge 

decision. Choosing the right agent can be the

 difference between selling your home for asking price

 or higher and your home sitting on the market...Call 

me today if you want it SOLD tomorrow



Holly Hurd is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel in Northville, Michigan 48167
hollyhurd@hotmail.com
 www.Northvillehomes4sale.net
Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs

HOUSING INVENTORY

         

           It is no secret to anyone who has paid attention to the housing market over the past year that the number of     "homes for sale" has dropped sharply.

New interactive maps such as the one Zillow has help show where the inventory declines have been the most dramatic.
For example, in Northville,Mi. where inventory was down in June by nearly 30% if not more from one year ago,the biggest decline if for the least expensive third of the housing market, where supplies are down 50%.  This reflects heavy demand from investors for cheep properties that can be held off the market and rented at a profit.

On the sellers side, most home prices below $250,000 are attracting a large number of offers and often exceed the asking price.  That's created a "dire" situation for home buyers. Any offer from an ordinary home buyer is typically going to be less attractive then the multi "all cash" offers from investors with few strings attached and no appraisal required.  Many ordinary buyers are coming away empty handed after submitting 10 or more offers.

Inventories are also low in some of the hardest hit markets those feared to have a large number of shadow inventory of foreclosed homes because many homeowners can't sell without taking a big loss.  That means markets with high levels of underwater borrowers, or those who owe more than their homes are worth, are perversely seeing fewer homes listed for sale.

For the nation as a whole, inventories were down by 20% on average from one year ago, but it was the middle tier that saw the largest decline in listings , followed by the top end and then the low end.  Markets that have seen less severe declines in home prices have seen smaller inventory drops.

Holly Hurd is a REALTOR with Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel in Northville, Michigan 48167
hollyhurd@hotmail.com
www.Northvillehomes4sale.net 
Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs

April is Fair Housing Month

Every April, REALTORS® celebrate Fair Housing Month to reaffirm their continuing commitment to fair and equitable treatment and a professional level of service for all in their search for real property.

  

Here is a quick break breakdown of what you need to know…

 

The Law

Civil Rights Act of 1866: The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits all racial discrimination in the sale or rental of property.

Fair Housing Act: The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. The law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease or rental of housing, or making housing otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in places of public accommodations and commercial facilities.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act: The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes discrimination unlawful with respect to any aspect of a credit application on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program.

 

2013 NAR Fair Housing Focus

The Fair Housing Focus includes advice on reporting acts of discrimination, information on multicultural real estate organization meetings, NAR diversity, smart growth and housing opportunity grants, and ideas for Fair Housing Month.

PRINT FAIR HOUSING FOCUS

Responsibilities

The home seller, the home seeker, and the real estate professional all have rights and responsibilities under the law.
For the Home Seller: As a home seller or landlord you have a responsibility and a requirement under the law not to discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. You cannot instruct the licensed broker or salesperson acting as your agent to convey for you any limitations in the sale or rental because the real estate professional is also bound by law not to discriminate. Under the law, a home seller or landlord cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or rental; deny that housing is available, or advertise that the property is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
For the Home Seeker: You have the right to expect that housing will be available to you without discrimination or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin
This includes the right to expect:

• Housing in your price range made available to you without discrimination
• Equal professional service
• Ehe opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices
• No discriminatory limitations on communities or locations of housing
• No discrimination in the financing, appraising, or insuring of housing
• Reasonable accommodations in rules, practices and procedures for persons with disabilities
• Non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the sale, rental, financing, or insuring of a dwelling
• To be free from harassment or intimidation for exercising your fair housing rights.

For the Real Estate Professional: Agents in a real estate transaction are prohibited by law from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. A request from the home seller or landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in the sale, lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by the real estate professional.

Holly Hurd REALTOR®

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net  

HERE IS A LIST OF "12 DO NOTS " EVERY HOME SELLER SHOULD KNOW

1) Don't overprice your home.  It will cost YOU money!  Do not go with the agent that tells you your home is worth more then the market will produce.

2) Don't be surprised if the first offer on your property is the best offer you receive.

3) Don't let your property sit on the market too long before making a significant change in price (or it will get stale).

4) Don't think all real estate agents and companies are created equal...they are NOT.  Find an agent/company with a great track record and proven home marketing system.

5) Don't list with a real estate agent just because they charge the least or the most.  Look for the best VALUE.  Consider the company's track record with sellers and buyers.

6) Don't look just at the price the buyer offers.  Analyze the total package including buyer qualifications, contingencies, closing dates, etc..

7) Don't forget buyers will shop around looking for the best buy.  You are in competition with other sellers for your buyer's attention.

8) Don't forget that if real estate agents don't see your property as a good value, they will take their buyers elsewhere.

9) Don't believe those who tell you newspaper ads sell homes.  You need a COMPREHENSIVE marketing plan tailored to your property and your needs.

10) Don't make it difficult for agents and buyers to see your home.  Buyers want to look at their convenience.

11) Don't overlook the value of MERCHANDISING your home...make it look its VERY BEST!

12) Don't forget that you control the pricing of your home, how it looks and the overall marketing plan.  But it is the BUYERS who control value.  If buyers won't pay your price, the house remains yours.

Holly Hurd

hollyhurd@hotmail.com

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net 

Residential Properties

June 1 st ~ Principal Resident Exemption Date.
The taxpayer must own and occupy the property as their primary residence in Northville, Michigan as of June 1st to receive the 18 mill exemption from school operating tax. Please make sure you submit the Principal Residence Exemption form when you buy a home to avoid a higher tax bill.

Holly Hurd ~Living in the Northville, Michigan area for 40+ years , Holly Hurd is graduate of Northville High School, Schoolcraft College, Michigan State then raising her own family here Holly Hurd has first hand knowledge and knows the area quite well Please feel free to contact her for all your real estate needs.

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net