Earlier this year, Grand Rapids, Mi was in the national spotlight. A native son, the former President of the United States, Gerald Ford came home to rest. The harsh cold wintry conditions were no deterrent for thousands who waited patiently in line for up to 8 hours to pay their respects. The next morning, the crowds had thinned out & our real estate team headed downtown. The line for the viewing extended out the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, across the bridge over the Grand River & snaked through the DeVos Hall several times before exiting at the door. When we arrived at at DeVos Hall at 10:30, a secret service agent informed us that the viewing was concluding at 11:15 a.m. and the line was now a 2 hour wait. He suggested we simply sign the guest book & make our departure. I decided that we would stay in line. 
As the line inched forward & then began to move a little more rapidly, we anxiously looked at our watches...11:15 was rapidly approaching. Although all seemed lost, I kept on repeating to my team..."We are on the viewing line! I don't know what those who are turning around came to do, but we came for a Viewing & we will remain on the Viewing Line."
11:15 came & went. We remained in line, crossing the bridge & finally had clear sites of the museum door. Although no more people were joining the line, those who were in line were allowed to continue to move forward. When we reached the door, to our surprise, we were greeted by the children of President Ford. Steven Ford shook my hand & when I told him that I was praying for him, he said, "You don't know how much that means to us."
We payed our respects that day in tremendous gratitude for the life of a great leader & Our President. We later heard that the line had remained OPEN at the Special Request of the Ford Family. This experience really showed me the power of perservering & not giving up! We also learned another important lesson that has stuck with our team to this day. Whenever anyone repeats dire statistics about the real estate market in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we recall the lesson we learned from being on the Viewing Line. We've decided that we are on the Selling Team. We've decided that the houses we represent will be in the Homes Sold Statistics. Yes, this is our choice & it's a Quality Decision. Regardless of how long the line looks or how slim the chance, we know that all things are possible to those who believe & work hard. So if you're a home owner who has determined to SELL your home, call us...We're the Selling Team. In preparation for your impending success, here are a few tips to Get You Started.
Remember LESS is Sometimes MORE
Obtain a well researched Market Analysis (10-15 pages) from Audu Real Estate. This invaluable guide to pricing your home is an Excellent Starting Point. We will advise you on strategically positioning your home to create optimum interest & generate showings. Over-pricing NEVER works in this type of market. Rather, let us tell you about a tactic has brought many sellers multiple offers THIS year. One happy seller went to the bank with $14,000 ABOVE asking price & paid NO Concessions. Contact us to learn about our comprehensive strategy for marketing your home.
Set the Stage for Success!
Get your house ready & then Stay in Ready Mode! Audu Real Estate offers FREE staging consultations to our clients to make your home look & show it's best. Most of the items we'll use...you already own. We also provide a written list of all our recommendations. Our website & our Blogs generate thousands of hits every month & multiple pictures of your home will highlight it's best features. Selling your home demands that you give yourself every advantage. Audu Real Estate specializes in Selling homes & Presenting them well. Several homes in our inventory have recently closed or received offers. We're ready to help you be the Next Home to Sell in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
Promote Profusely!
Times have changed, you've got to mix it up! Today's buyer is looking in places on-line that you may not have considered. Most of them start looking 6-12 months before they buy. Real estate blogging has become on of the most important new promotional tools in the emerging marketplace. I say emerging because we frankly cannot accurately determine the enormity of the impact of Web 2.0...but we know that some of these developments are going to change business as we know it forever.
Along with blogs have come a number of important New sites to be aware of when promoting your home. You may want to consider utilizing these to enhance a traditional MLS listing. At Audu Real Estate, we have experienced results & leads through our Blogs and can also discuss the pros & cons of supplementing your listing with other listing portals like trulia.com or Craigslist. You don't have to be the expert when you can simply call one! Call Audu Real Estate...We're the Selling Team!
So we say, Down Market...No Problem, Lots of Houses for Sale...No Problem, Home Expired...No Problem, Home Needing a Short Sale...No Problem. We believe that when Life throws you a Lemon, the very best thing you can do is Determine to Squeeze Out the Lemonade!
Copyright 2007 Audu Real Estate All rights reserved
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
Eloise...Great perspective. Perception has a way of becoming Reality! Thanks for your comment.
Missy, Thanks for stopping by to read & comment. Our team will never forget the special lesson we learned through this experience.
Lola,
You are to be commended for your perseverence. Positive thoughts more often than not translate into positive results. I am sure that consumers will be well served by your real estate brokerage.
So we say, Down Market...No Problem, Lots of Houses for Sale...No Problem, Home Expired...No Problem, Home Needing a Short Sale...No Problem. We believe that when Life throws you a Lemon, the very best thing you can do is Determine to Squeeze Out the Lemonade!
You captured our market. Lots of houses for sale . . . . . .
When will it end?? Who knows. I am of the opinion that we need to see a 10-20% reduction in price to bring serious buyers out.
Michael, I gather you enjoyed the blog...or at least it made you thirsty! :) Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Lenn, Thanks for stopping by & commenting. I thoroughly enjoyed my own private "blog marathon" reading your posts. Excellent material!
I just talked with another client who is slowly coming to terms with the harsh realities of the market. The support that a Realtor provides through this process convinces me that machines will NEVER be able to replace what we do.
I continue to be surprised about how much mis-information there is out there regarding what needs to be done in a challenging market such as the one we are facing. I appreciate the fact that you are writing articles to address this need. People really do NOT know!
Lola,
Great story and post. Your posts are always so colorful, tastey, fruity..mmm..mmm. Sometimes it makes me want to reach out and take a bite or sip. But that's the whole idea? :) ;)
Thanks for your comment Ron! I'm glad you enjoy the "tasteful graphics." :)
Lola,
As always a wonderful post. Thank you!
Your recollection of honoring Pres. Ford is a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing.