COUNTERTOP STYLE

by HOLLY HURD 

Realtor Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

Choosing the right countertop can be a daunting task. It's an investment that can give your house the boost it needs, but you want to make sure you're making the right decision. Quartz is a great option because it doesn't require sealing and resist stains. Granite countertops require sealing, but are a very popular choice. Marble counters often need to be resealed, are  not very stain-resistant and scratch easily. Here are some other tips to help you with the process:

- If you're going with concrete counters be sure to hire a professional. Also, ask them for references from jobs completed at least a year or two ago. 

- Make sure you hire an installer that is manufacturer certified. If not, the manufacturer might not cover the work if there is a problem.

- Stone, concrete, butcher block, and the grout between tiles need to be sealed to resist stains. Some may also require resealing.

- Test  if it's time to be resealed by putting a few drops of wanter on the stone near the sink. Let it stand for 15 minutes. If the water doesn't stay in a bead it is time to reseal the counter.

- Clean stains as quickly as you can. Make sure you follow the care instructions or it could result in the warranty not covering it.

- Do all cutting on a cutting board. 

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

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

SORRY HOLLY WE ARE GOING WITH ANOTHER REALTOR

Last year I went to a listing appointment.  The seller was referred to us by a past client.  We thought that would give us the edge against the other Realtor she was talking to...  but it didn't.  

The listing appointment itself was awesome!

We instantly felt comfortable with the client, and she felt comfortable with me because of all the nice things our past client told her about me.  She said that she felt like she already knew me because she spent a little time reading blog and our Facebook. Northville homes 4 sale net

I toured the home and now it was time to get down to business. 

We all sat down around the dining room table and talked about our marketing, our brand, and what I have to offer.  I  suggested that the seller needs to de-clutter just about everywhere, and re-paint a couple of the bedrooms.

She didn't really like that idea.

Then we talked price.  She didn't really like that either.  She was hoping for an amount that was approximately 25% higher than what we (and the current market) told her.  

She thanked me for coming and we parted ways.  I was pretty sure that she wasn't going to list with me because I was not telling her what she wanted to hear but telling her the TRUTH.  

I was right.

She emailed me the following morning:

Sorry Holly.  We're going with the other Realtor.  Here are a few reasons why...

1.  He told me that I didn't need to do anything to get my home ready to list. 

2.  He said he would sell it for a drasticallly reduced commission since we are probably buying something else as well.

3.  He said that he could get us the amount that we want for our home.  

4.  He told me that he can sell it QUICK!

I replied and thanked her for the opportunity to meet with her, and wished her well.  

No harm.  No foul.  No worries.  You can't win em all, right?  

Fast forward to today (a year later).  The home is still on the market, but was recently reduced to close to the price that I recommended when we first met.

Oh, and the new pictures show the home de-cluttered a bit.  

I am not  always right.  

We've had some listings this year where we were a little bit off on pricing before we got it right.  But for the most part, we've been spot on.

Sellers, be careful when an agent tells you what you want to hear and promises you the moon.  

- 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  

A Shortage boosts prices of houses in metro Detroit

A shortage of move-in-ready houses and condos continues to drive up metro Detroit home prices.
Newly released figures show the median February home sales price was $80,000 in the four-county region of Wayne, Oakland, Livingston and Macomb.
That price was the same as January, but a 38% increase from the median sales price of a year ago, according to data compiled by Realcomp, a Farmington Hills-based multiple listing service.
The highest year-over-year jump was in Oakland County, where prices rocketed 47% to $139,770. Washtenaw County was not included in the data.
HOLLY HURD attributes most of the price rise to the small supply of for-sale homes.
The inventory of available homes in the metro area last month was 14,544, or 25% fewer properties than a year ago, according to Realcomp.
There are fewer short sales and foreclosure sales these days.  We have not seen them hitting the streets like we used to.
Yet despite the increases in home prices because well mainly of a lack of inventory, prices have a long way to go before all owners who are underwater on their mortgages can sell without taking a loss. If you have a home or condo HOLLY HURD will sell it, I will get top dollar for you  in today's marketplace, although not what it was at in 2005.  Indeed, home prices in metro Detroit remain 37% below their December 2005 peak and 20% below 2000 levels.


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 

Call to Action for Homeowners... We Need More Homes for Sale

Today's News Headlines coupled with a continuously changing real estate market,  is once again, creating a slowing in the market.  Ask any local Realtor and undoubtedly you will receive consistent responses such as:   "The supply of homes for sale is the lowest we have seen in years"    " We receive multiple offers within a matter of days on many of our listings"   "Our Buyers are extremely frustrated because they lack homes to choose from"    

HOLLY HURD  like most area professionals is working with several buyers who are ready, willing, and able to Buy Now!   Many homeowners may not realize that we have experienced several months of recovery.  Prices have increased in several locations and price ranges.   Supply and Demand has created  Seller's Market in certain price brackets.    Now may be The Best Time to Sell Your Home. Call me Holly Hurd today and we can get started marketing your home to get you top dollar in todays market .

www.Northvillehomes4sale.net 

HOLLY HURD        (734) 718-5736

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

201 Cady Center st

Northville Michigan 48167

Attention Northville and Northville Township Home Sellers

Are you exempt for paying the state transfer tax?

Are you planning on selling your Northville or Northville Township MI home? Did you know that a home seller is exempt from the state real estate transfer tax, if all three of the following conditions are met at the time of sale:

• The seller occupies the property as a principal residence and claims a principal residence exemption (PRE).
• The property’s “state equalized value” (SEV) for the calender year of sale is equal to or less than its SEV for the calender year in which the seller purchased the property.
• The sale price is equal to or less than the property’s “true cash value” (TCV) for the calender year of sale (the TCV is twice the amount of the SEV).

Want to find out if you qualify for this tax exemption? Give Holly Hurd a call today at 734-718-5736 or email her at hollyhurd@hotmail.com to find out what your home is worth in today’s market. From there we can help you determine if you qualify and what you need to do to get your home sold in the quickest amount of time for the most amount of money. And be sure to visit my  Northville and Northville Township Real Estate website where you can search for Wayne and Oakland County homes, learn more about local neighborhoods, and browse our great seller services!