Sunday afternoon reverie

Sat on the front porch of this wonderful ranch home on Nixon Rd, Dimondale, Michigan and imagined myself entertaining family and friends on a sunny, Sunday afternoon. I heard and saw the tykes out in the yard, running after one another, falling down and rolling around on the warm green grass. And the big people on the porch talking, glacing at the kids every so often, maybe some of the women and moms watching for longer, but turning back to laugh with the others at something. The drinks were tall and cool, the music distant and enticing, and the afternoon warm and unforgettable.
This home is still available and the price is lowered to help you make it your home for many years to come. View it at www.rhondafuller.com.

Market Sales in a Foreclosure Market

When prospecting expired listings in the Greater Lansing real estate market, I ask sellers if they intend to keep their home off the market or relist. Quite of few tell me they are going to keep their home off the market for a while.

Usually these sellers are in their second or even third year of trying to sell their home. And many of them have done things to update or improve their home to compete with the foreclosures. Plus, they’ve lowered their price to as low as possible without breaking their bank account bringing money to the table, or giving the house away.

Still, they get no offer. Why? There are plenty of reasons, the main one being competition from foreclosures. Buyers want a steal, and banks have deeper pockets than individual home owners, especially now with the Federal Government’s involvement in the banking/mortgage industry. The foreclosure is very attractive, even if it isn’t move-in ready. And buyer attitude is, if you don’t want to give me what I want at the price I want, I’ll go on to the next house. There’s plenty of product on the market.

What’s frustrated seller Lansing or the surrounding areas to do? One thing I notice when looking at interior pictures of homes is all the clutter. Sellers have a hard time imagining what the buyer is seeing when they’re looking online at their home. Even if sellers look at their listing online, they don’t see the clutter because they’re used their “stuff” where it is. Buyers, however, see the stuff and not the home and think, why bother?

Agents can tell sellers to declutter, to pack their prized possessions away, because they’re going to be moving anyway. Agents can strongly direct the sellers to depersonalize, so buyers see what the house has to offer instead of the seller’s decorating style. And sellers can agree with the agent and say they will make the necessary changes, but they don’t.

Often times I tell sellers it’s presentation more than price when it comes to selling their particular home. Buyers look at HGTV and TLC and see all these great homes- never mind the price- and that’s what they want when they buy. Buyers do get realistic after while, but they still want to see something that looks like it belongs in the 21st century. A fresh coat of paint in a contemporary, neutral color will do the job.

Yet, for some sellers who have done all the right things, there’s no offer. What else can they do? Keep it on the market. Keep the listing fresh by relising every three months. A buyer will come along who connects emotionally with your home and you’ll get that offer.

Selling a home has never been more challenging, especially in Michigan. But you have to look at the challenge as an opportunity: an opportunity to live in a “show case home”. Imagine that.

For more information on selling or buying a home in Lansing, East Lansing, Holt, Dimondale, Grand Ledge, Eaton Rapids, Charlotte, Potterville, and St. Johns areas, call me any time.

Lansing Neighborhood Specialist

Hello Lansing from an ardent lover of the city. I have walked the trails and parks since returning to my home state in 2002 after a 30 year absence. When I first went to Hawk Island park I marveled that such a wonderful park existed within the city boundaries. My next stop was Fenner Nature Center, and again I exclaimed my joy at such a place existing within the city. Even more are the little parks connected with almost every neighborhood. I had never seen that in any other city where I had lived. I figured people in the area just didn’t appreciate their capital city because I had heard so much Lansing-bashing.

So I am happy to proclaim myself as the real estate agent specializing in Lansing neighborhoods. I include the 48917 zip code in my neighborhoods. I go outside the area, too, such as Holt, where I lived for a few years, Mason, Charlotte, St. Johns, and Grand Ledge.

As a real estate agent I have learned from prospects and clients which neighborhoods are desirable. I have learned, too, that perception of a neighborhood is not necessarily its reality. Additionally, I have learned the neighborhoods that are transitioning: changing generationally, or going from owner-occupied to rental, and vice versa.

Call me any time if you’re looking for a home in the Greater Lansing area. I’ll put all I have learned and loved about Lansing real estate to work for you.

3921 WALTON, LANSING, MICHIGAN 48910

3921 WALTON, LANSING, MICHIGAN 48910

Price   $105,900 MLS #   187721 Bedrooms   3 Baths   1.5   Click here for details Description: Appealing ranch with 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, hardwood floors and full basment. Rhonda Fuller RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals 517-648-1826 fullerhonda@gmail.com rhondafuller.remax-mi.com/ Video Tours by: www.HDhat.com

424 Rosemary Ave., LANSING 48917

424 Rosemary Ave., LANSING 48917

Price   $79,000 MLS #   182045 Bedrooms   2 Baths   2   Click here for details Description: Waverly School District affordable home. Best features are 1st floor laundry, front porch, deck, back yar d, 2 full bathrooms. Take advantage – Call Agent. Rhonda Fuller RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals 517-648-1826 fullerhonda@gmail.com rhondafuller.remax-mi.com/ Video Tours by: www.HDhat.com

3501 GLASGOW, LANSING, Michigan 48911

3501 GLASGOW, LANSING, Michigan 48911

Price   $155,000 MLS #   183309 Bedrooms   4 Baths   2.5   Click here for details Description: Large family home in desirable Eton Downs neighborhood. Exterior updates include new roof, windows, paint and trim cover. Rhonda Fuller RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals 517-648-1826 fullerhonda@gmail.com rhondafuller.remax-mi.com/ Video Tours by: www.HDhat.com

14402 Keefer Hwy., SUNFIELD, Michigan 48890

14402 Keefer Hwy., SUNFIELD, Michigan 48890

Price   $169,000 MLS #   182920 Bedrooms   3 Baths   1.5   Click here for details Description: Hunters and country-living lovers take a look at this well built 3 bd, 1.5 bath, 2 car att home. Bonus – traditional, maintained barn. Rhonda Fuller RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals 517-648-1826 fullerhonda@gmail.com rhondafuller.remax-mi.com/ Video Tours by: www.HDhat.com

5835 ANNAPOLIS, LANSING 48911

5835 ANNAPOLIS, LANSING, MICHIGAN 48911

Price   $118,999 MLS #   185523 Bedrooms   4 Baths   2   Click here for details Description: Beautiful home. Newer mechanicals, roof, windows, and now new kitchen laminate hardwood floor. More updates in the works. Keep this home on your short list. It’s a place to live for years to come. Rhonda Fuller RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals 517-648-1826 fullerhonda@gmail.com rhondafuller.remax-mi.com/ Video Tours by: www.HDhat.com