KW Selling Team News: Buyer Client Testimonial

We worked with Brock Fletcher, who we settled on as our chosen Buyer's Agent after meeting several other Real Estate agents.  Initially, we were impressed with Brock's responsiveness to our call/request to view a home where he was the listing agent; and even where he was wasn't the listing agent, he was always able to get us in to view in a timely manner; (and if he wasn't able, we would receive a call to keep up informed).  One of the actions we most appreciated from Brock as a professional was his responsiveness and follow up.  We felt that many times he went above and beyond what we had grown used to from other local Real Estate agents.  If his way of conducting business is how it's suppose to be done, then he should offer training to other agents in the area (in our opinion)
Thanks for all the help
Respectfully,

The Hamptons

To see what others are saying about The Selling Team, visit our website at www.kwsellingteam.com

Selling Your Home: Updates and Repairs

Talk to your KW Selling Team agent about common updates you can make to your home to help it sell 50% faster.  The most common updates according to KW Market Navigator are: painting, flooring, lighting.

Photo Courtesy of TrueValue Paint

When choosing a new paint color, pick a light neutral color.  Not everyone likes bold colors.  Lighter shades of paint also reflect light better and will help the home seem open and airy.  After you are done paint, box up the family photos instead of putting them back on the walls.  A blank wall is a clean slate.  A buyer can start envision their personal items in the home.

Photo Courtesy of Sullivan Floors

Refinishing hardwood floors, giving your kitchen floor a good scrub, or putting in new carpet is also important.  Gleaming hardwoods or spot free floors show how clean a home is.  You wouldn't want to move into a home that had permanent reminders of the previous owners, neither do the buyers looking at your house.

Photo Courtesy of iStockPhoto

Don't underestimate the power of lighting.  Replace burned out bulbs or add a new lamp to your living space.  A home should be well lit during a buyer showing.  Dark spaces can look dirty, dingy and smaller.  So add a new lamp to brighten up the corners of your house.  This will make the space larger as you can see all of the home instead of getting lost in the shadows.

Selling Your Home: Curb Appeal

You know the saying, don't judge a book by it's cover?  This is not true when it comes to Real Estate.  Buyer's quickly assess a home by is's exterior appearance alone.  Whey they drive by and see the lawn unmowed and the shrubs overgrown they assume that deferred maintenance to the exterior means deferred maintenance to the interior.

According to the 2012 KW Market Navigator, the average cost of curb appeal improvements is $1,000.  This results in HALF the number of days on the market!  If you want to sell your home quicker try these small, inexpensive tips:

Trimming Trees and Bushes

Mulch

New Plants

Window Washing

Power Washing

Fresh Paint

Front Door Updated

New Sod or Grass

Your KW Selling Team agent can give you recommendations on small improvements to make that will help your home sell faster.  Don't want to do the work yourself?  Give one of these landscaping companies a call.

Lifescapes Landscaping: 517-204-0008

Bluegrass Lawn and Landscape: 517-490-0449  

                                               

KW Selling Team's Homes for Sale: Cherish

Prime real estate; awesome location, Lansing address, DeWitt School District!  Beautiful free standing condominium in Rosewood Hills, where the association maintains the tennis courts and provides lawn care, snow removal, exterior maintenance, liability and fire insurance and trash removal.  Tastefully decorated, this home features warm neutral paint colors, new carpet, open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and only the best finishing touches.  The kitchen has a large island with cook top, lots of storage and counter space.  Most appliances stay!  First floor laundry.  Home has 3 large bedrooms and 3 full baths.  The master suite features a walk in closet and a large bath with dual sinks.  Full finished basement with egress windows features a huge rec room or family room, a bedroom and full bath.  There is over 1000 sqft of finished living space in the basement alone and oversized utility room.  The screened in 3 seasons room offers great views of the backyard.  For more information on this home click here

KW Selling Team's Homes For Sale - Blue Spruce

Great condo community in Delta Township, Grand Ledge schools. Home offers only the best! Open floor plan with cathedral ceilings, large master suite, first floor laundry, 3 full baths, four season room, and a full finished walk-out basement with full bathroom. Handicap accessible unit with chair lift to access lower level. Basement could be used as a third bedroom. Low Delta Township taxes. 

GRANDLEDGELUXURYHOMES.INFO

Selling Your Home: Appraisals

After the buyer completes their home inspection their lender will order the appraisal.  A real estate appraisal is a written professional opinion on the market value of real property (your home).  The appraiser must be a third party, impartial to the transaction and licensed in the state of Michigan.  The cost of the report is paid for by the buyer.

The value of the property is based upon a market analysis of recently sold properties (within the last 6 months) within close proximity (no more than 1 mile away) and in similar condition. The appraisal report states the appraiser's professional opinion of the property's value based on their knowledge and evaluation of the property.  The value is found 3 different ways.  

• The Cost Approach is an estimate of what it would cost to replace or reproduce the improvements as of the date of the appraisal given deductions like physical deterioration.  This number is added to the land value as stated in county records to determine the value of the property.  
• The Comparison Approach takes into consideration properties of similar size, quality and location that have recently sold.  Variations between the properties are factored into the value by adding or subtracting amounts to adjust for things like bathrooms, lot size, even the view from the living room window.  After all things have been calculated, value is stated.  
• The Income Approach is typically used for commercial properties and not relevant to residential purchases.  This approach estimates the value of the property based on the net income the property produces.  

Photo courtesy of Solar Knowledge

As a seller there are a couple of things you can do to get ready for the appraisal:

• Pick up and clean up your home.  You want your home looking the very best and the highlights of your home shown off.
•  Make sure all general maintenance is taken care of: outlets all have proper coverings, gutters are cleaned out, down spouts are attached, shutoff valves all work, all utilities are on and functional ect.

Your KW Selling Team Agent will help advise you on the necessary projects to tackle prior to the appraiser visiting your home.  

KW Selling Team's Homes for Sale -Holt Hwy

Excellent location, North East Corner of M-99 and Holt Hwy. Road frontage on both M-99 and Holt Hwy. Zoned Agricultural, however Master Planned for future Commercial use. 5.63 Acres in Windsor Township.

To search out all vacant land, check out these great resources:

TRICOUNTYFARMLAND.INFO

TRICOUNTYHUNTINGLAND.INFO

KW Selling Team Homes For Sale: Lac Du Mont

Great opportunity to own this cozy 3 bedroom. 1.5 bath condo on the Lake of the Hills Golf Course. First floor features spacious living room with large windows overlooking the golf course, remodeled galley style kitchen with eating area, and updated half bath. All appliances, including the washer and dryer, stay! All 3 bedrooms are located close together on the second level along with an updated full bath. Full finished basement with built-ins offers plenty of storage space for a home office, family room or play area. Home has been tastefully decorated and it move in ready. Association fee includes: water, sewer, trash and snow removal, lawn care, exterior maintenance, and liability insurance. Complex perks are: golf course, lake privileges, 3 pools, and clubhouse.  To schedule your personal tour, click here.  To see more homes for sale in the Haslett area, visit:  HASLETTLUXURYHOMES.INFO

Grand Ledge Open House Sunday, October 7th from 2-4

Don't miss this opportunity to see this fantastic home.  Open House this Sunday!

As you approach this beautiful two story home, take notice of the over-sized 2.5 car garage with dual doors, the welcoming front porch and mature landscaping.  Great curb appeal!  Home has many updates including new roof, central air and new furnace in 2005.  Newer vinyl siding and carpet on the first floor.  Home features 3 nice sized bedrooms including the master with walk-in closet all on the second level and 2.5 baths.  Kitchen has newer appliances that will stay with the home.  Nice dining area with French doors to the back deck.  Home also has a formal dining room, formal living room and great room with gas fireplace.  There is an office on the first floor that could be a 4th bedroom if needed.  Full basement allows for extra storage space.  Huge backyard with in ground sprinkler system has mature trees making for a very private setting.  Great views of the woods and river!  The back deck and new Gazebo feature built in lighting.  Gazebo is completely fenced in.  Great for sitting outside on a warm summer night.

KW Selling Team's Homes for Sale: Green, Haslett

Great buy in the Haslett school district.  Ranch style home features a spacious kitchen, large bedrooms, and hardwood floors.  Living room is cozy with a wood burning fireplace and has great views of the backyard.  Kitchen is open and has lots of counter space.  With over 1100 square feet of living space, there is plenty of room to move.  1.5 car attached garage.  All appliances stay.

For more information on this KW Selling Team's listing, click here

Understanding Real Estate: FHA/ VA Loans and Well & Septic Hookup

Many homes in the surrounding area still have a well and septic.  When purchasing one of these homes with a  FHA or VA loan it is a requirement to hookup to public services if they are available and the cost of the hookup is less than 3% of the sales price.  Often times, the costs of the hookup is between $3,000-$6,000.  

Photo Courtesy of UNC

Another case in which the hookup will be required regardless of the cost is if the well or septic system fails the inspection.  It is a good idea to get the proper documentation from the governing township early in the lending process so that closing is not delayed.  Your KW Selling Team agent will take care of this for you.