Listings across America

A couple of sites like realtor.com, yahoo real estate and MSNHouse and Home have come to be dominant players in consumers searches for information about homes for sale. While these sites provide a valuable service to homeseekers, the information that they provide is often incomplete. A better source for listing information is the Multi List service. Many MLS's around the country have public sites that allow buyers to peruse current listing inventory. Typically these sites have more detailed data about listings, including multiple photos and complete descriptions. A great new site has been compiled to make it easier for consumers to find the public MLS sites. http://publiclistings.realtown.com

http://publiclistings.realtown.com

Birmingham Buzz

Concerned citizens are behind the website Bhambuzz.org The site is an interesting forum for those who like to follow Birmingham politics. If you own a home in Birmingham, check in here to see how your neighbors feel about how your tax dollars are being spent.

http://bhambuzz.org

Mold in Your Home

Mold issues have received a lot of attention in the press over the last few years, though things have seemed a bit quieter recently. Basically, mold is caused by moisture and it is found in all homes. The issue that home owners should be concerned about is toxic molds. A good source for more information about mold is The Environmental Protection Agency's web site.

http://www.epa.gov/mold/

For Sale by Owner

Did you know? . . . the typical FSBO home sold for $145,000, compared to $175,000 for agent-assisted home sales. FSBO Methods Used to Market Home

• Yard sign 72%
• Friends/neighbors 27%
• Newspaper ad 61%
• Open House 41%
• Internet 20%

Most Difficult Tasks for FSBO Sellers Getting the right price 19%

Understanding paperwork 30% Preparing / fixing up home for sale 26% Attracting potential buyers 7% Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale14%

Source: 2003 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers.

Beverly Hills, MI Market Stats--Homes for Sale and Pending

Listing and sales activity for Beverly Hills, MI 76 homes listed for sale: Avg List Price $385,285.00 The Median Price $479,000.00 The Highest Price $800,000.00 The Lowest Price $158,000.00 The Average Market Time 58 Pending sales since January 1, 2005 Avg List Price $361,214.00 The Median Price $352,400.00 The Highest Price $469,900.00 The Lowest Price $234,900.00 The Average Market Time 53 Source: Realcomp II

Birmingham, MI Market Stats--Homes for Sale and Pending Sales

307 Active Listings: Avg List Price: $879,264.00 The Median Price: $2,084,450.00 The Highest Price: $3,999,000.00 The Lowest Price: $169,900.00 The Average Market Time: 96 Pending since January 1, 2005 32 Pending Listings: Avg List Price: $833,970.00 The Median Price: $1,532,500.00 The Highest Price: $2,900,000.00 The Lowest Price: $165,000.00 The Average Market Time: 55 Source: Realcomp II

miBirmingham.com

Selling big homes in a Buyer's Market (Detroit Free Press)

A recent Detroit Free Press states that if you are selling a home in metro Detroit for $400,000 to $800,000, "you'll need lots of patience, some flexibility and possibly a little luck." The article attributes today's slow down in that segment of the market to the fact that our state's economy is not recovering as quickly as others due to the manufacturing and automotive sectors and our long hard winter. "In Oakland County, for example, currently there are 1,205 listed homes priced from $450,000 to $750,000, according to Realcomp II Ltd., a multiple listing service in Farmington Hills. Those homes are spending an average 90 days on the market (DOM). By comparison, there are 1,682 homes on the market priced from $250,000 to $350,000. They are averaging under 70 days on the market." Sellers are taking more aggressive measures to get a sale, including upgrading their homes, offering bonuses to Realtors, having their homes professionally staged and making sure their pricing is competitive. For the complete article, please click here

http://www.freep.com/realestate/renews/inventory20e_20050320.htm

Welcome to our new blog

As I look out my window at the snow swirling down on the cars in the parking lot during the last full week of March, I am having trouble not getting angry with the weather! Spring is overdue. My crocuses are up in the garden, but tonight they will be capped in white powder. Anyway, the purpose of this new blog is not to lament about Michigan's unpredictable weather. Dmitry and I are constantly looking for new ways to improve our web site and the service that we provide to our clients. This forum is just the latest enhancement to that commitment. We hope you will visit here often to check in with us. Dmitry & Maureen