Dog Gone It!

When it comes to real estate, mans best friend is not always so friendly to the bottom line. I have seen pets, being dogs and cats, affect the selling price of real estate in the tens of thousands. I do not own a pet, family allergies have prevented even a consideration of pets. But home owners and potential home owners should realize that the family pet can cost them many, many thousands of dollars at selling time. I have seen pets costs homeowners as much as $20,000. Of course this would be in addition to the routine costs of owning and maintaining a pet. A recent study determined that the average vet bills per year per pet are $1,500. This also translates into the savings a buyer may have for a down payment or closing costs, that can actually prevent the potential buyer from being able to qualify for a home loan. All and all, the family pet is much, much more expensive that one may think.

This happens in a couple of ways. If you are a seller and own a pet, over time you have become accustom to your pets odor. It is something that you don't notice, or you notice it, but do not feel at all as a problem. Well, it is a problem, buyers without pets can tell a home with pets. Even if they are OK, with pets, they can still smell the pet and will add up carpet cleaning, and usually carpet replacement with their offer. In addition, just having a pet will reduce your potential buyer pool, as I have had buyer clients that will not consider a home that has a pet, particularly cat(s). Whenever you reduce your buyer pool you reduce your bottom selling line. Second, often the pet will inhibit showings. If it is a inside pet, sellers will need to make arrangements for pets to be taken off the premises either by themselves or someone else. This makes showings more difficult to schedule, and making showings more difficult make for reduced showings. Third, not always, but sometimes pets will give a home a more 'used' look. Scratches on the door trim, gnawing of corners, matted carpet where the pet sleeps, excessive dog and cat hair, scratches on a finished wood floor, staining, etc. Pets just tend to age a home.
Another example is when the owner cages up the dog for showings. Caging a pet for showings is a viable option when you can not remove the pet for showings, however it can be very costly. I recall a number of caged pets that barked or growled non stop when I was showing a home. This made for a extremely unpleasant showing in that I could hardly talk with the buyers and the dog monopolized the showing. The growling dog adds a safety concern that makes the showing uneasy.

Another, more difficult factor is the dog next door. Many, many sales have been lost due to the neighbors dog barking or growling at the potential homeowners. That is almost always a deal breaker! The buyers just can't see themselves coming home to that every day, in addition to their safety and that of their children. I have been with buyers that would not even go into the home when greeted by the neighbors unwelcoming dog. This is the most difficult situation for a home seller, to be held hostage by the neighbors dog!
Regardless, when it comes to selling real estate, there is not an upside to owning a pet. I have even seen pet owning buyers not consider a home because there was a pet living there and they were convinced that their pet would not take to the home where a pet have previously marked out the territory.

One of the options a seller has is to rent a small machine (about the size of a small dehumidifier, that will filter pet odors and other odors as well. These machines rent for approx $300 for 2 months, but do a good job of eliminating most odors. A high quality carpet cleaning with special solvents for pet stains and odors is another recommended treatment. Air fresheners and cleaning litter boxes and pet areas frequently can also help.

Obviously, pets have contributed to our personal and family enjoyment, and for many, life without a pet companion is just unthinkable. I have been with many pet owning buyers and sellers to know this and appreciate it. But it is good information to know the unseen cost of owning a pet when it comes to selling real estate can be extremely high, and to anticipate some buyer rejection.

A Fitting Tribute to 9-11 in Grand Rapids

Marking the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on our country, Grand Rapids offered a moving and profound tribute to the fallen on that fateful day. Hundreds of volunteers assembled over 3200 flags, each flag representing a person who lost there lives on September 11, 2001. In addition, tied to each flag pole was the name of the person honored, birth date, and a brief statement about the person. These statements seemed to be written by family members or friends as some were deeply personal. It brought home to me about the suffering and loss experienced by those most closely touched by the attack, as we were somewhat insulated here in West Michigan some 700 miles away. I say somewhat insulated. If you had loved ones or someone you knew, even just by acquaintance, a day of remembering brings more emotion to the surface. But here in West Michigan, we could not see the smoke of the towers. We could not smell the heavy polluted air. Those who live in and around New York City, remember that day in a way that we in West Michigan simply cannot. So for me, that solemn memorial on the hills of Cannonsburg Ski Area, awakened a fresh reality of the day and a renewed appreciation and gratitude for the men and women who rushed into the towers, willingly, giving of their very lives to rescue and save others. A fitting and special recognition was given to these fallen heroes at the memorial.

I was proud of my country as I experienced this memorial. I was proud of my fellow citizens, first responders, emergency and military personal who lost there lives on that day. I was proud of my town, for caring enough to erect this memorial.

There is a time that we move on from these tragic events. I would expect, that we will see less remembering as the years go by. But how tragic to let it become so unfamiliar that we cease to mark or remember that day at all.

My Favorite Boat and Car Show

Looking for a cool fall "Up North" event? Check out the annual "Wooden Boats on the Wall" September 17, 2011 in Leland, Michigan. This free yearly event plays host to Leland's finest wooden boats, all on display up close and personal. The event takes place on the quaint and tidy grounds along Leland River in the heart of Leland. The village of Leland harks back to its roots as a fishing village and still has some of the original structures of that era. The wooden boat show fits right in with this historic town. Dozens of wooden boats are on display with many owners nearby for interesting facts and history of the boats. Often free music entertainment is offered and food is available on site or at the many cafes and restaurants in the village. Next to the boats is an impressive antique and classic car show.

While you are there take some time to explore and experience what the Today's show has called America's most beautiful place! Leelanau county features approx 26 miles of incredible Lake Michigan shoreline known as Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore. Enjoy beach walks with out concern of tress passing on private property, it's federal land, you own it! Take in sensational sunsets with a glass of locally produced wine from one of the many vineyards located throughout the county.

You may want to consider Leelanau county when looking for a vacation cottage, condo, hunting cabin, or hunting land. I have been camping and vacationing in this hidden gem for 30 years and for the last 10 have been enjoying our cottage on Lake Leelanau. If you have any questions about Leelanau county real estate, or things to do and places to see, where to eat, great wine tasting venues, please contact me. I would be delighted to help!

"Life is like a box of chocolates...."

Some time ago a movie titled Forrest Gump hit the big screens. The title character. played by Tom Hanks, often quoted his mother saying "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get." As charming as that sounds, it really is not all that accurate. A more fitting statement would be, 'Life is like a box of choices, and those choices have a profound effect on the direction of your life.'

We make choices everyday. Some choices have little or no significance on our lives and those around us. Choices on what to eat for breakfast, what to wear, what shoes to buy, and so it goes. But other choices are more weighty. Cars to purchase, careers path to take, whom to date/marry, where to live, home to buy. Even when we decide not to make a choice, we are making a choice.

When I think of the importance of a real estate decision (choice) it seems to me that a buyer, or seller, would want to select a real estate agent that is competent, responsive, experienced, knowledgeable, and offers more than just opening doors. For many, the home investment will be the most significant investment of their lives. Although, we have seen a decline in real estate values of recent years, real estate will still remain to be where a large share of a buyers income resides. Yet, the home as an investment, is just one piece of the pie. What about the home itself, how does the home live. How does the homes floor plan work for the buyer, how does the natural light from the sun affect certain rooms, how is the home constructed, how well has it been built. Further, what are the utility costs of the home, the property taxes, future expenditures, neighborhood projections. All these factors play into a decision, a choice.

I can't imagine choosing to 'go it alone' when it comes to real estate. Whether buying or selling, why make such a big choice, with so little assistance!
The purchase or sale of real estate is often a emotional choice, and emotion is an important part of the decision. But pure emotion unbalanced with sound reasonable counsel is a poor choice. Make a good choice, connect with a realtor of your choosing, and then choose well.

Tips for Home Buyers Touring Homes

I have come to realize that after showing thousands of homes to potential home buyers, a sequence or pattern should be established on how to actually tour a home.
Here are some reasons for touring each home in a simular pattern.
1) It establishes a routine that keeps a buyer from side tracking or derailing on what offen is non essential.
2) If a buyer tours each home in a simular pattern, it makes it much easier to compare and recall features of the home after touring 6 or 7 homes.
3) You can experience the home as it is meant to be experienced, not as a home inspector randomly moving from room to room.
4) The home is put in it's best presentation, or puts the home in the best light.
Here are some simple techniques I can suggest.
* When you arrive, park on the street, not in the driveway, if off street parking is availalbe. This prevents any oil or fluid droppings from your car from staining the home owners driveway. Also, this gives the buyer a good vantage point for taking in the homes curb appeal, rather than a close up view of garage doors.
* If weather permits, walk around the home first before going into the home. The buyer can observe both the exterior of the home and the neighboring properties. Does the buyer have pets, like to garden? What is the view from the front porch? Back deck? What is the condition of the roof? These are items to consider when walking around a home.
* Walk in through the front door and remove shoes. If the key box is located on a side door, it works best for the agent to enter through the side and open the front door for the buyers.
* View the main level first, starting with the more formal areas, living rooms, dining rooms, then kitchen and family rooms. Then any bedrooms and baths on the main level. If home is empty, the buyer will want to observe window and door openings in rooms to understand where a bed or couch might be located and how it affects traffic flow.
* Next, move to the upper levels and view the bedrooms and baths, always leave the basement and garage for last.
* After touring the entire home, make some notes about the home, and re-visit any rooms or areas that you may have questions about.
* Bring a flash light and a measuring tape or tool.
* At the end of the tour, try to rate the home on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being No Way and 10 being Perfect. Understand that there is rarely a "perfect" home, so don't set your expectations unrealistically.
* Share your thoughts and comments with your real estate agent. This will be very helpful for your agent to know what is important to you, and what you will want to avoid for future showings.

See Dick and Jane Buyer Run!

So I'm sitting with Mr and Mrs Seller and I hear some familiar words. "The wife and I have lived here for 20 years. We've kept up the home good on the major things, ya know. new water heater 5 years ago. replaced the garage door opener 3 years ago. We haven't done much with the rest of the home. Heck, a buyer can come in and paint the walls the color they want and replace the carpet so they can get what they want. They can put on new kitchen countertops, granite if they want! We were going to remodel the bath, but we figure, anybody buying this home will want to do it there way, so it is like a blank canvas, ready for the buyers personal taste. So a little paint, some new carpeting, kitchen counters, new bath with ceramic tile, you know, just cosmetic stuff, and they would have a beautiful home just like they want."
See Dick and Jane Buyer come, see Dick and Jane Buyer run! There is a very simple important rule that sellers should understand:

Buyers remember what they see, not how it's going to be!

It is interesting that when I tour 10-12 homes on a weekend with a buyer, and when we review the homes to determine which home may be a good fit, the buyers remember them by what they see. I will say, "remember the ranch home on the cul de sac street with the big back yard" and they will say, "Is that the one with the hideous pink tile and worn blue carpet?" Ya, that's the one. Unless the buyer is looking at low end foreclosure fixers, buying a home and moving is stressful. Most prospective buyers are looking at a major job just moving, let alone having 4 months of "cosmetic" fix up besides. In addition, buyers always estimate fix up costs higher than what is actual. This means lower than expected offers.
So sellers, freshen up your home with new paint, carpet (or at least cleaned), install new kitchen counters and have buyers remember how your home IS.... ready to move in and enjoy!

Election Reflections

I read with interest about a survey that revealed an extremely low voter turnout in the 18 - 25 age category. I recall it being in the area of 15% of the eligible voters in this age group actually voted. As pathetic as the overall voter turnout was, this age group brings apathy to a new low. Here is the kicker; the articles I read gave various reasons (excuses) for the low turnout in this group. It sited the negative ads that turned off this group. It sited the the prevailing position among these young people that it doesn't really matter who is in office, it's all the same. It quoted some as saying they are just fed up with how Washington behaves and they want no part of it. What a bunch of hooey! What is seems to me is that they just don't care, and they have no idea what is going on in Washington. Further, they don't realize that Washington is just part of the voting process, many local offices and local issues are decided from these elections that directly affect them. Second, they are lazy. They have not even taken the simple step to register, obviously, not all, but most. Many are so out of touch that they are not even aware that a registration is necessary. It is amazing that in the midst of the information age, and the most technologically advanced individuals are so ill informed. I recall in the last presidential election, a young first time voter wanted to know what number to call on his cell phone to vote, like he did on American Idol. The third reason from my observation is that this age group is just into themselves. They will protest some of the most silly things on campus that have so little significance, or will go to great lengths to participate in amusing or so called 'spontaneous' events (ie Zombie walks, or world's largest pillow fight, etc). Where does voting fit into their that mix?

Voting seems outside of their peripheral. It seems to far detached to enter into even of secondary importance. It is a sad commentary for what lies ahead for our country. I remember my first voting experience. I couldn't wait to get registered and vote. When I watch the election night returns and saw this huge number of votes cast, I knew that number would be one less had I not voted. My vote was actually posted on the television screen. I was proud to vote and counted it a duty and privilege to do so. I consider it the bare minimum a citizen of this great country can do. It is a freedom that many Americans have fought and died for to preserve and protect this right. It is a freedom that is only dreamed of in many peoples and countries across this globe.

There are some who want to challenge the voting process and make it easier for the lazy, uninformed, voter to cast a ballot. Perhaps on line vote casting or cell phone or texting. Do we really want to cater to those who don't care? Privileges come with responsibility, and exercising that privilege should take some, albeit small, amount of effort.

Years ago I remember the "get out and vote" campaign. A good idea that hasn't taken a lot of traction. How about the "stay home and don't complain" campaign. Stay home, don't vote, and don't complain. Let others make the decisions for you and your country, so our young adults can participate in the more important events, like world's largest cotton candy eating contest.