Detroit Real Estate

Or should I say the pessimistic type, or the realist type.  What I am saying is that I don't trust foreclosure banks, Fannie Mae, and most foreclosure listing agents.  Unfortunately those are some things that are happening in our real estate market that just ethical or fair.  What I am talking about is that a deal is not a deal until all the addendums and papers are signed.

When you get a bank addendum you will see in black and white that the banks reserve the right to sell to anybody, or to change their mind and withdraw the offer until the documents are signed by all parties.  AND IT HAPPENS.

I had a client last year that had their offer unaccepted after another offer came in.  We had a email stating that they accepted our offer, yet we had to give a higher offer to win it.  This was with Fannie Mae! 

So I am always a little edgy, a little nervous until I receive the signed documents back from the listing agent.  That's why I rush you to get them signed, so I can rush them back for the bank to sign.  Time is of the essence.  Remember a deal is not a deal until ALL PARTIES HAVE SIGNED OFF.

Russ Ravary your metro Detroit real estate agent serving Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties 

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I read a blog on another site this morning about a realtor that had been called about listing a house.  The caller wanted a price on what the house was worth.  So he did up a nice brochure and drove out to the guy's house.  Right before he got there the guy cancelled.  He never called back or returned calls.  The guy wanted a "free value",  he never wanted to list the house.  He wasted this agents time, gas, and money.  Of course nobody wants to work for free.  You don't go in, do work, and then let your boss not pay you for the day.  Well it is the same way with real estate agents.

Real estate agents don't want to drive clients around showing houses if the person really isn't interested in buying a home.

Real estate agents don't want to be one of the many real estate agents trying to find a client a home.  They don't want to spend time with a client if they have another agent.  Why invest time in somebody if they aren't committed to you?  Why invest time with somebody if it is a small chance of being the one that closes the deal.  Showing houses takes a lot of time.  The real estate agent take times to set up the route and the appointments.  It's gas money.  It's wear and tear on a car.  It's time an agent could be spending with a client that is working exclusively with them.

Real estate agents don't want to research a house to give out a free price.  That's not what they are in business for.  I'm sorry they are in it for commission.  To be paid for their work.  Just like you.  Just like everybody, we all want to be paid.  Real estate agents don't want to spend a couple of hours finding comps and putting together a pretty brochure just to give a free price of what the house is worth.  The agents don't want to waste their time driving to a house and spending time explaining what the house is worth if the client is just "using the agent".

The bottom line is that none of us like to be "used" or lied to.  Most people use a white lie to get out of something at one time or another in their life.  But think about the other person's time and investment when you "want" something.  Whatever type of salesmen their time is important.  Don't lead them on, or waste their time if you are not interested or if you are using them.

We all know "users" in our life.  People who only call when they need something.  The ones that come to your party but you have never been to their house.  The person that eats and drinks a lot but never puts in their fair share when the bill comes.  The person who will call you for help, but is always "busy" when you need a little help.  

Life is about what you leave behind, not what you take.

Let's explore the pros and cons of buying a condo.  If you are thinking of buying a condo it is usually for two reasons.

1. No maintenance
2. Low cost

Many people want a condo because there is no maintenance.  They don't have to cut the grass, or shovel the snow.  Which takes time.  The average person probably spends an hour or two each week taking care of the landscaping.  Then add on cleaning gutters, painting and all the other things.  It is nice not to have to worry about all of that when going on vacation, or when you have other plans on the weekend.

The con of no maintenance is that you have a monthly  fee.  A fee you can't control.  If you own your own home your costs most likely would be lower.  You would not do some of the things a condo complex does.

Usually you can buy a condo for less money than you can buy a similar size house. Which is good, but.... In Michigan homes appreciate better than condos.  If you own a condo and a house that you bought at the same price, in the long run the house will be worth more than the condo.  This is in Michigan.  In other states like Florida it is different.   But in Michigan you will get a better return on your investment when you buy a house.

So here are some different things to think about when buying a condo.  I think a condo makes sense for seniors, for young active people that have hectic schedules ( who don't want to spend the weekend working on landscaping).  I think a condo makes sense for a single woman.   

There are more pros and cons of buying a condo but I just wanted to give you the two most important ones.

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If you are thinking of relocating to West Bloomfield Michigan and buying a piece of West Bloomfield real estate, here is West Bloomfield demographics.  This will give you a glimpse of the city and what it's residents characteristics are. 

Yes as you know most of this West Bloomfield demographic information is from the 2000 census, but I don't think it has changed much.  There has not been a tremendous amount of change in the characteristics of the people that live in West Bloomfield Michigan.

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There is no better way to see a city thand through photos, here are Plymouth photos about Plymouth restaurants, and Plymouth bars.  THere are some many great places to eat and drink in Downtown Plymouth.  Plymouth Michigan has everything from high end steak houses, inexpensive Mexican food, good corned beef, all the way down to bar burgers.  With over 20 restaurants and bars within walking distance of Kellogg Park you have your choice of Mexican, Italian, Irish, American and many more specialites.  Add in coffee shops, tea rooms, martini bars, and all around bars and taverns make downtown Plymouth MI a place that fits anybody's tastes and pocket book.

Plymouth has so many festivals like the Plymouth fall festival, Art in the Park, and the Plymouth Ice spectacular that go on every year.  People from all around Southeastern Michigan drop in and visit, shop, eat, and drink.  Here is a little photo guide to downtown Plymouth's restaurants and bars 
 A good beer and burger place



Plymouth's Coffee Bean - Everybody comes to the coffee bean to hang out and drink a little java.  It was a warm day in March and everybody was sitting outside.  They even had some musicians playing.

       

 Plymouth's wine tasting store       

                            

A new Plymouth Bar that I have been to yet.                                           A simple bar and grill


                                  
A great place to hang out on St. Patrick's day or any Irish holiday.  Don't the Irish think everyday is a day to celebrate and drink?  So stop in and enjoy some good Irish food.

       Ah ice cream!

      

        A great place for the kids to play while you relax w friends.  They have a huge
playground for the kids to play in while you have your coffee.



Plymouth's martini bar


       This is my wife's favorite Italian restaurant in Plymouth.  Located right across from Kellogg Park on Main Street in Downtown Plymouth.. Reasonably priced too.

                                           
                                                           Plymouth's upscale steak and seafood restaurant

  We eat here quite often.  Good food at a reasonable price and a owner that cares.
    
                                                           
                                                                         Plymouth even has a tea room - Sweet Afton

                                                                      
                                                               

Plymouth now has a bakery in Dowtown!

  This is a nice upscale bar and grille.  Nice enough for a business lunch with clients.  Good food and good service.

So if you are looking for a great place to eat stop in Downtown Plymouth and try out one of the many restaurants, bars, and grills.   I'm sure you will find a place that you will love.

More Plymouth Photos and Plymouth videos

          Plymouth MI information

If you are relocating to Southeastern Michigan give me a call or email me.  I know the area well.  My cell is 313-310-9855 or email is yesmyrealtor@gmail.com