I think they’re onto something.  Buyers don’t always know what they want, but an “open floor plan” seems to be hitting the mark for many of them.  It’s certainly become a home trend in the last couple years.  Along with a GREAT room.  Those are popular.  Along with rooms connecting from the kitchen for entertaining and quick “grab a snack

It’s not sugar coated.  The homebuyer tax credit boosted sales for a time, but has not sustained them. The market is still healing.  The Certified Residential Specialists puts out a bi-monthly magazine in which Realtors from cities around the county were asked if the current market is moving in slow motion.  I have to say, yes.  My excerpt is attached

1023 Richland is a total rehab, complete with wisteria, (I know–sexy!) a new gourmet kitchen with–get this, tons of natural light and brand new appliances. Since appliances are such a personal thing, YOU CHOOSE your colors and we’ll have them delivered and installed for you!  If you’re a gardner — or even a *lazy* gardener like me, you’ll LOVE all

This message from a client MADE MY DAY. Hi Jody! I think you totally go off the charts on customer service!!!  You work hard for your clients before during and AFTER the sale!  I feel you have gone above and beyond more times than I can mention.  Everytime someone mentions anything related to home buying/selling I sing your praises.  I

Toledo Home Builders Association Parade of Homes is going on NOW THRU SUNDAY SEPT 26! Wanna go? I GOT your tix! Just holler. As a local real estate expert, that’s just what I do. Locations are scattered throughout NW Ohio and SE Michigan. Here’s the hours. 5-8pm Friday 1-8pm Saturday 1-6pm Sunday Here’s a link with the homes and a map

Having done a *little* time in chaotic newsrooms, I can see how this might happen. How unfortunate.  But I’m sure the fire had it coming. Devastated family members frantically searched the home for any sign the fire might have survived, but authorities believe the extinguishment was complete.  No word yet on what sparked the blaze. Thank god nothing like this

Next time you’re driving around your favorite neighborhood and you want to know how much they’re asking for a listing, just call my MLS HOTLINE!  Of course – you’re always welcome to call my cell, but this is just one more way to get the info you want immediately. Once you’re prompted, you’ll only need to punch in the house

I recently went to jail for Jerry’s Kids and truly appreciate y’all bailing me out. I raised nearly $1,000. I’m truly blown away by the generosity. Together, we sent at least 1 kid to camp. Thank you for helping make a difference!

Pricing is just one of many common mistakes

When it comes to marketing your home, the following is an outline of my plan. Visit seller’s property, learn expectations, take notes, take photos, ask questions, and provide disclosure forms. Selling your property is a team effort. It’s helpful for me to know how much or how little personal involvement you want to have during the process. Prepare a “Comparative

My job is to help my sellers overcome buyer objections.

Moving Money Around. Lenders are concerned about the source of funds for your down payment and closing costs. You’ll likely be asked to show proof liquid assets, including checking and saving accounts, money market funds, certificates of deposit, stock statements, mutual funds, and even your company 401K and retirement accounts. If you’ve moved money between accounts during that time, there

Getting pre-approved with a lender is beneficial in several ways. Avoid heartache. You’ll know how much you can spend up front. It’s no fun to find your ideal property and then find out you can’t afford it. Plus, once you find the house you want, you’ll be ready to pounce! Don’t waste time. Yours or your agent’s. What good is

Make sure your agent is on YOUR side!

I must agree with @BradPlocek on this, with regards to sellers. It happens.  You’re trying to sell your home and you get a lowball offer. Our homes are very personal to us. I mean, they’re an extension of ourselves!  If someone sends a lowball offer our way, it’s as  if they’ve said, ‘hey, you’re ugly and stupid.’  Instead of getting

Homebuyer Tax-Credit Success Story.

Dear Senator, PLEASE consider passing the home buyer tax credit for PENDING deals through September.  There was no way to have known how complicated some of these deals would be—-especially with regards to foreclosures and short sales.  For me, every deal left to close is in that category. Foreclosures and short sales are the ones taking much longer to get

Dear Congress, I’m asking you to please consider extending the homebuyer tax credit for pending deals through September 30, 2010. I cannot seem to get over the tax credit not being extended on all these pending deals! Getting some of these deals done is like struggling to climb a mountain. Or swim the ocean. Or capture the moon. For my

THIS IS WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB. Days like this are always special for a couple reasons. The first, two more great clients have a new place to call home! (In my neighborhood no less!) Second, real estate is seeing some crazy times right now. We’ve entered unchartered waters with regards to prices, appraisals, inspections and underwriting guidelines. The

It’s now 2010! So you can now file your tax return for 2009 and apply for the tax credit you’ve been wondering about! What an incentive to file early. First-time homebuyers can get back 10 percent of the purchase price UP TO $8,000, and up to $6,500 for repeat buyers who’ve lived in their home for 5+ years. (Those repeat

Home sellers and potential buyers nationwide welcomed the recent news that Congress had decided to extend and greatly expand the Home Buyer’s tax credit in an attempt to further stimulate the economy. Not only does the new legislation extend the existing first time buyer’s credit until mid-next year, but it also creates a tax credit for qualified repeat buyers. The

When I get email with about 500 FWs in the subject line, I normally delete. This one managed to slip through the cracks. It makes me warm and fuzzy. Just thought I’d share.

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I’ve used Twitter since early 2008, back when it was mostly geeks and before it began going mainstream. People on the outside looking in don’t quite understand it, and my trusted advisor and tech guru Ed Hunter has decided, it’s almost impossible to explain to the average person. While the Twitterverse can be overwhelming to say the least, it’s best

HOPE, that is-that the furnace can soon be turned off, grass will become green and coats will no longer be necessary. Real estate activity also increases during this time and for many reasons. BTW, I hope this photo isn’t too shameless about promoting the Indiana Hoosiers. It truly was an accident. Truly.

When I met the reporter for this, she’d tried finding an unrepresented seller (FSBO) to speak with her for the story.  Each one she’d called had already listed with a Realtor.  Thing is, the majority of unrepresented sellers do.  Once realization hits on how involved the work is, it’s then they understand the value a Realtor can bring to the

[polldaddy poll=1386817]And the bowl of fresh fruit should give me a little extra credit for my critics.

  ANN ARBOR, MICH-Ann Arbor was one of many stops for Hodgman’s book tour for his newest release, “More Information than you Require.”  I managed to snap this paparazzi-esque photo with my iPhone. He’s a minor TV celebrity, you know.  Apple CEO Steve Jobs made him famous overnight with the “I’m a Mac” TV spots which first aired last summer.

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And perhaps earn some Kroger fuelperks—if that helps justify the purchase.

  Just 15 minutes from Toledo, Ohio farmer Duke Wheeler invites you to get lost inside the head of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin. A 16-acre corn maze in Whitehouse has been carved in her image, complete with Palin’s familiar eyeglasses and updo hairstyle. Wheeler says it took an artist from Idaho, a GPS and more than eight hours to mow down

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc3Zxq078ns]

He’s my friend.  And lives for the camera.  His social calendar is packed and I see him all over town.

I have Aunt Kay’s recipe and she would never lead me astray.  I followed all the directions up to the part where it says, refrigerate.  That’s when I decided it was time for a taste test.  Not bad.  It seems to have satisfied the craving.  Lookit me!  Cookin’ and stuff.  I had a slice of pie, but my slice was

Joe Cipriano is probably the top network promo (Fox, NBC, CBS) guy in LA. He’s been the official voice of all promotion for the Simpson’s since the beginning.  Really nice guy.  

   Featuring birthday cake made by Chrys Peterson.  I love a well-executed surprise!!!

Brian Vander Ark (of the Verve Pipe) gave a private concert on the lawn of a lovely Old Orchard home today. I was lucky enough to be a part of it!  You may recall the song, “The Freshmen.”  That’s him!  A real class act!  

Whenever I go into a garden shop, say to buy ONE thing—like mulch for example…  I wind up with a car full of posies.  I can’t help it that the flowers JUMP INTO my cart and my credit card swipes itself RIGHT OUT OF MY WALLET.

                Plus, a special appearance by Lee Johnson and all you can eat Taco Tuesday’s at Doc Watsons.     Oh yeah, and I hit my first home run of the season!  Yeah!!  

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