Inspired Real Estate For Today

Sometimes Home Buyers Say the Darndest Things...

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:15:54 -0700

Remember the program, 'Kids Say the Darndest Things?" I loved watching Bill Cosby interview little kids talking about life and their unique perspective on different issues. The show was funny and quirky in part because of the innocense and sometimes pure ignorance of it's little stars.

Recently, I picked up a call from an inquiry on one of our listings. The Caller indicated that he was interested in a property which it turned out had recently been Sold.

I asked the Caller if he was working with a REALTOR who could assist him in his search. He indicated that he was not. But it was what he said next that I found most surprising. He indicated that he knew many agents and other professionals (including family members) in the industry and was himself in the loan origination business. In his words...He wasn't using any of them, because he knew the drill.

Perplexed, I again inquired about if he was being sent listings in real time to avoid the situation he had just encountered by having a home Sold before he could look at it? He said,

'No, I just have these agents who send me stuff and I'm doing this on my own.'

I couldn't help but wonder why he was looking at so many homes without the success you would expect from an expert in the business. And if he realized that when you have EVERYBODY helping you on the job, it's sometimes the same as having NOBODY help you. You know the saying...'too many cooks spoil the broth'.

I wished him well in his Search, but not before telling him that this method he was using was likely to result in his missing the best deals which were often Sold very quickly in a market with record low inventory levels...not seen since 2003.

I put down the phone, shaking my head...It's not only kids who say the darndest things, sometimes grown-up folks who should know better do too.

True, for a long time, we've been in a Buyer's Market. Loosely defined as a time when Buyers could pretty much write up their own wish-list for a given home and have a pretty good chance of getting everything they requested and sometimes more. It's been that way for so long that some of us may have been lulled into thinking this state of affairs will continue forever.

It won't. Things have changed. The real estate market in West Michigan is transitioning. While every home is not getting a lot of action, many homes are. And homes which are priced appropriately and show well are receiving multiple bids in many cases.

To avoid seeing your dream home slip through your fingers time & time again consider doing the following:

1. Do Your Research.

Know what's available in the areas that interest you. This way you'll be better prepared to recognize and respond to a good deal when it shows up.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Loan.

Having the desire to buy is not the same as having the ability to purchase a home. In today's market, it's important to have your financial situation fully vetted by a licensed loan originator to ensure that when you're ready to move forward, you have the means available to do so.

3. Put Your Best Foot Forward

Over the past two months, we've had several situations where buyers have had to revise their offers due to multiple offer competitive situations. You see, prices have dropped so low, that in many markets, NOW is the time to buy. Real Estate is on sale and many folks who sat on the fence are swooping in to get in on the action while interest rates remain fairly low and inventory levels offer reasonable options.

4. Stay Connected to Your Source of Information.

It's important to remain alert and be informed about the latest offerings in the marketplace. You can obtain a FREE Notification Alert whenever any home which fits your search criteria is listed in real time. There is really no reason to miss the opportunity to pre-view a home because you weren't informed in an era of e-mail notifications and digital alerts.

If you're in the market for a new residence in West Michigan, call us. We will set up a customized alert to notifiy you when new listings pop up. We can also arrange for you to obtain access to view the property so you can determine if the home is right for you.

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. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511. Thanks for visiting our blog. Here are links to some of our most popular posts for you to enjoy!

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

When Your Landlord Wears a Suit! The Rise in Corporate Investment in Rental Homes.

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:28:35 -0800

One of the more popular forums on Facebook for REALTORS in West Michigan is a group that allows agents and other interested parties to trade information about clients who need to rent their homes or would prefer to rent a home rather than an apartment in the greater Grand Rapids, Mi area. There just don't seem to be enough homes to rent!

At Audu Real Estate, we have seen an escalation in the number of requests for homes to rent within the past 18 months. The reasons are varied:

1. Potential renters don't want to become potential buyers because they are scared of loosing home equity.

2. The potential renter may have lost a home or has credit issues and is ineligible to obtain a mortgage.

3. The potential renter thinks their job may require them to move, so they don't want to be 'stuck'.

4. The potential renter doesn't want to live in an apartment & would prefer a home setting.

As a result, we've seen rental rates increase. I've heard predictions which indicate that there will be a 3-6 percent increase in rental rates during the next year. This news has not escaped the attention of some major deal makers across America. In fact, a recent Bloomberg Businessweek article entitled 'Your Next Landlord Might Wear Pinstripes' highlights a significant rise of interest from institutional investors who are looking to beef up their portfolios by purchasing homes and turning them into rentals.

Last year in the fall, the Administration asked for public comment about the idea of renting out a growing inventory of foreclosed homes. Earlier this month, Fannie Mae, the government controlled mortgage agency initiated a program to allow qualified investors to bid in bulk for foreclosed homes as long as they maintained them as rental for a period of time.

So why are investors interested in a housing market that has seen some dark days? Well, it's all about opportunity. Today the US home ownership rates is about 66%. While that is one of the highest rates in the world, it is still below the peak of 69.2 percent recorded in June of 2004. Many Americans remain skittish about the prospects of home ownership even as the facts seem to indicate that this may be exactly the time to buy a home.

For starters, interest rates are insanely low. I'm hearing rates below 3.4% on 15 year mortgages. The inventory in West Michigan is actually pretty good. We're showing homes which would have retailed for 50-60% more just a few short years ago which have been totally re-vamped and are in move-in condition. I'm talking about homes priced in the $40,000 - $75,000 range that could easily have retailed for 3-4X that amount in the past. With today's interest rates, the mortgage amount would be significantly below the rental rate for a similar home.

Investors are interested in these homes because of the cash flow potential. Single family home rentals tend to fetch premium rates and can retail for 3-5% higher than apartment rentals. And, this is not about a quick turn around. Most investors expect to hold on to these homes for five years or more.

Think about that! I just attended a forum on commercial real estate that indicated that the residential market in West Michigan could be poised for a surprising rebound within the next 3-4 years due to several factors including an uptick in manufacturing, more hiring for jobs and a work-force that is fairly well trained and prepared to meet the demands of today's emerging economy.

If this proves to be correct, homeowners who have had a few years of dreadful travail may find themselves once again smiling on the way to the bank. The question is...who will be the homeowner. You...or a corporation?

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

When Rolling Over is NOT an Option...How One West Michigan City continues to Defy the Odds!

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:14:32 -0700

Earlier this year, Grand Rapids MI earned a spot on the dubious list of Top 10 Dying Cities in a Newsweek magazine publication. Thankfully, our city is not a place where we choose easy over medium/mediocre when it comes to responding to what we instinctively reject as false.

Rob Bliss, Grand Rapids' own Event Planner Extraordinaire determined to fight back with the most powerful weapon...the TRUTH. As a result, over 5,000 West Michigan residents joined together to film an event that included media personalities, the mayor, a high school marching band and a host of other people.

In the process, they set a World Record for a Lip Sync event to Don McClains' classic song, ‘Bye, Bye, Ms. American Pie.’ The message was very clear…Grand Rapids, Mi is very much alive!

When all was set and done, the Youtube video had garnered over 2 Million hits in just a few days and the event had been carried on news media all over the world. Newsweek magazine issued a rare public apology citing the fact that they had been victims of poor research and had simply repeated bad data.

In some ways, this example mirrors the challenge that real estate agents face in West Michigan. As anxiety about the economy mounts, the real estate industry finds itself in a position in which everyone seems to have an opinion about what will happen within the real estate market in the future.

But in spite of these challenges, real estate agents in West Michigan have SOLD more homes in August of this year (2011) than they did in 2008 or 2009. This is no small feat in a market which has been significantly impacted by Short Sales and Foreclosures!

Today, the inventory of homes is less than 6,000 homes for Sale. Down from a high of approximately 12,000 homes just a few years ago. With plunging inventory, there has been an incremental rise in home sale prices. This trend has remained steady for seven months. We still have a ways to go as the average price of home fell to 2003 levels over the duration of the current crisis.

However, REALTORS in West Michigan are stepping up to the plate in ways that extend beyond selling homes. They are also actively giving of their time and talents to the West Michigan community.

REALTORS in West Michigan have determined to roll up their sleeves and take their service to the community to a new level. The official iGive campaign was launched at the end of May 2011 with an audacious goal of donating 50,000 FREE hours of services to community residents. The challenge has logged almost 5,000 hours to a variety of area organizations since May 2011.

By the way, that lip dub about Grand Rapids Mi has now garnered over 4 Million hits and was dubbed by Robert Ebert, the legendary film critic as one of the greatest videos ever made. Hardly the Requiem for a dying city is it?

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

Summer Real Estate Traffic Report~ Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate Summer Statistics

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:05:44 -0700

It´s been a pretty nice summer in West Michigan! There´s been more rain than normal which has sustained beautiful green lawns and fairly temperate weather. The other summer tradition which we have all come to expect is road construction.

With the harsh winters in Michigan, the roads take quite a beating with all the salt and sand poured on them to provide traction against slippery conditions.

So summer is when we repair and renovate. Which also translates to possible travel delays as traffic is routed into single lanes. So depending on where you are in the traffic pattern, you might be having a uniquely different experience than a fellow driver on the other side of the expressway.

That pretty much sums up the picture with regard to the real estate market in Grand Rapids, Mi as well. The Spring market has had some unique peculiarities this year. Last year´s Home Buyer Tax Credit artificially increased home sales and subsequently, housing sales are lower this year than at the same time 12 months ago. However, a comparison to 2008 and 2009 numbers shows that home sales have actually improved from the crisis that occurred in the wider economy at that time.

New Listings for the month of July were down almost 23% from the previous year (1,255 for 2011 vs 1, 628 in 2010). An even greater differential was observed YTD with listing inventory down 28.5%. We have witnessed a slow down in the number of foreclosures coming to the market.

Another encouraging trend is the volume of Closed Transactions which are up by almost 45% from a year ago. The average days on the market for a successfully CLOSED transaction in July of 2011 was BELOW 90 days! However, it's important to note that for vacant properties, the average days on the market remains fairly high at over 300.

Average home Sale Price was also up by 17.1% with average home Sale Price also up by just under 19%. The average home Sale Price in July 2011 is now $136,183 and the average home Sale Price overall for the month is $132,289.

This Spring, we´ve witnessed a number of homes which have been on the market for some time receive offers and close. Investors are purchasing properties at bargain rates in the case of distress sales. The volume of homes sold through Short Sales has hovered between the 40 - 45% range which is lower than many areas of the State.

Over the past six months, the second home and high end market has experienced some improvement and some area banks are offering good incentives for individuals involved in certain sectors of the healthcare industry.

There are a few distinct traits that characterize the process of successful sales. These are:

1. Correct Pricing

The market determines the value of the home. Distress sales have been a factor in pushing sales values in a downward direction. However, there is an increasing appreciation by many home buyers of the VALUE of a home which is not encumbered by a lengthy closing/negotiation process. And increasingly, there is a premium that home buyers are willing to pay to avoid potential costly delays.

2. Flexibility

Selling and/or buying a home today requires flexibility and patience. The more options you keep open, the more likely you are to obtain your goal. Home owners who are not maxed out on their mortgage have more flexibility for negotiation. Delays need not be Deal Killers if both parties can adapt to the obstacle course which can be a part of some Short Sale negotiations. Adopting a more relaxed approach towards the process removes a high degree of stress and allows clear minds to prevail.

3. Check Things Out before You Buy3;

Although it may not be possible to know everything about a purchase, the importance of a home inspection should not be underestimated. No home will be perfect. Knowing as much as possible is important in the negotiation process. Yes, this may create some delays, but it´s better to have a slow down in traffic as the system routes you through an obstacle course than to have a complete shut down due to an avoidable accident.

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

The Heart of Egypt Valley ~ 5733 Knapp St. NE Ada MI 49301 OPEN Sun, July 10: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:07:15 -0700

Welcome Home! This home features a graceful, inviting elegance which invites you to stay awhile! Situated on 2 acres in the heart of Egypt Valley, this handsome 7 year old home abuts the gated community of Treebrook Estates. This upscale community located in Ada township features homes in a picturesque hillside setting. The location provides numerous amenities including easy access to schools, shopping and the expressway.

A circular drive welcomes visitors and leads to a private entrance. A three stall attached garage provides ample parking. Professional landscaping includes the option for a fountain in the front yard. Elegant pillars frame the entrance, a space which expands to reveal a two story living room connecting to state of the art kitchen and dining areas featuring custom Italian marble & tile with granite counter-tops.

The Master bedroom suite includes a European spa style shower. Built to enhance and expand entertaining options, the residence includes a stadium style theater room, a Fitness room, fully equipped lower level bar, a Game Room, Hair styling Salon, and a basketball court, tennis court and in-ground trampoline. There's also room to add a swimming pool.

The lot is directly connected to a 20+ acre nature sanctuary which envelopes the backyard with exquisite privacy ~ wild life such as deer feel the freedom to roam and play. Exterior landscaping includes a circular drive and under-ground sprinkling connected to a functional well, saving on water costs and effeciences. Take a moment to experience a pre-view tour in living color. Contact us at 616-791-0511 to schedule a private pre-view.

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

Worrying, Wanting & Waiting...Releasing Emotional Hurdles During A Home Sale.

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 10:13:17 -0700

From time to time, I work with clients who are having a really difficult time leaving a home. Sometimes, it is a home that they have lived in for decades which holds a lot of precious memories. At other times, circumstances have changed; perhaps a job transfer which necessitate a move. It is a really difficult thing to be dealing with the normal stress of showings and a move and also wrestle with the fact that deep down inside...you're not really ready to leave...just yet.

Over the years as I've counselled with my clients, I've realised that there are a number of reasons why people struggle to let go of a dwelling...even when they know they must. One of the biggest issues is fear of the future and the unknown. Other times, it is the feeling that by leaving, they will be separated from special moments that were a part of this special space they call "home".

Here are a few simple suggestions that many of my clients have found very helpful.

Practical Solitude

Set aside some time to alone & quiet within your home...quiet your heart, be still. Turn off the TV, listen, hear and re-live special moments. Look, really look at your home the way you would look into the face of a dear friend. Relish the moments that have been shared, the laughter, the tears, the good times, the bad...Listen to hear things that may still need to be resolved. In the stillness you will hear this as well. Take note

Thanksgiving

Express gratitude outloud. Yes, these walls have heard a lot of things during your time within them. Why not your thanksgiving?

Thank out loud for the goodness & provision and shelter that your home has provided you. Thank out loud for the many friends and family members who have found solace, refuge and friendship within it's walls.

Thank out loud for the difficult lessons learned and the trials you survived. Thank out loud that you and this home exist...many homes and people no longer do. Thank out loud that your home will soon be transferred to new owners who will be the beneficiaries of the shelter your home has faithfully provided.

Release the Blessing of Peace

A final step is to release the blessing of peace. I suggest that you go through each room, thanking silently or audibly and then releasing God's peace into the space in preparation for the new owners. This can be a wonderful time to envision the blessings that you desire for the welfare of those who will purchase your home.

Different blessings can be released for different areas. For instance in the kitchen, you can release wholesome goodness in the food that is prepared & bless this center of life to be a place in which the family or individual experiences the joy of friendship and satisfaction. Remember we all reap what we sow. What you are doing for others will eventually be returned in some fashion back to you.

Many have found these few simple steps to be very helpful as they prepare to move. Even if it is not a difficult move emotionally, this process can be extraordinarily enriching.

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

Vibrant Community in F.L.O.W. and at the Fulton Street Farmers Market!

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:24:34 -0700

I didn't plan on visiting the Farmers Market on Fulton Street this weekend. In fact, we were on our way to tour the F.L.O.W. Landscaping Project organized by the Women's Council of Realtors; an extraordinary community event in which 10 homes in Grand Rapids were outfitted with new landscaping.

The project was envisioned by Michelle Gordon, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty in Grand Rapids, MI. The vision of Michelle and the Women's Council of Realtors chapter of Grand Rapids, focused on beautifying the yards of some moderate to low income neighborhoods around the city courtesy of the generosity of area landscapers, donors and sponsors. In addition to the gift of Free Landscaping, participants also attended workshops to teach them how to care for their new yards!

Entrance of Fulton Street Farmers Market, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

So, it was the tour of homes which had me driving past the market and unable to resist, we decided to pop in to see what was going on. When we arrived at noon, the place was packed! We were lucky to find a parking spot. It had been a very long time since I had visited, and the market has certainly grown in popularity.

The stands had a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, some select meats, arts and crafts, spices, health and beauty products and fresh flowers. Talking to local farmers was great. On more than one occasion, I heard merchants say they were selling out of products.

The appeal of the fresh market has grown as more people become concerned about environmental issues and supporting the local economy. Did you know that the average product in your grocery store travels over 1000+ miles to get to your table? In addition, several area restaurants, including popular sites like Marie Catribs, the Green Well , GRAM Cafe and Restaurant Bloom also highlight the fact that they strive to serve locally grown produce and food items on their menus.

Fulton Street Farmers Market ~ Fall Mums

The Fulton Street Farmers Market is located at 1145 E. Fulton Street, in Grand Rapids, MI. 49503. The Market is the oldest of it's kind in West Michigan, having started in 1922.

Permanent stands have been set up in the middle of a parking lot which allows local farmers to back their trucks in and unload their wares. Visitors to the market walk through the middle.

What I found especially delightful was the diversity of people...old, young kids and babies, moms and dads, foreigners, black & white...everyone was enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of the market.

We were even serenaded by a young guitarist who set up shop just outside the display area which made an interesting experience even more enjoyable.

Fulton Street Farmers Market website...

Michelle Gordon's blog...F.L.O.W. Project Coordinator

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

Why One 30 Day Period Can't Right the Injustice - Re-examining the Issue of Fair Housing...

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:15:14 -0700

I initially read the words inscribed on the Lincoln Memorial almost three decades ago. As a young foreign student, staring upwards at the enormous edifice, I was startled by the frankness with which President Lincoln addressed the nation on March 4, 1865 about the Civil War and the consequences of the gruesome legacy of slavery.

A portion of the second Inaugural Address inscribed on the walls of the memorial reads thus:

“Fondly do we hope-fervently do we pray-that this mighty scourge of war, may speedily pass away. Yet, if God will that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn by the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”

Almost one hundred years later, the backdrop of these words scripted within the context of the brutal horror of war makes the words of Dr. Martin Luther King who stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 to deliver, the “I Have a Dream” speech particularly compelling as he reminded us that:

"But one hundred years later, we just face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination"

April marks the traditional observance of Fair Housing month. Words like 'steering, block busting, and redlining' are the painful reminders of the reality segregation and separation have played in the struggle for housing equality. In the real estate community, the issue of Fair Housing is not a 30 day period which we pay respect to once a year. As our country becomes increasingly diverse, Fair Housing is an everyday issue which must govern the way in which we facilitate the transitions which occur as people move in our society.

But advocacy and education will only take us so far. Education can determine the correct answer to pass a Fair Housing test, but it will not change prejudice in the human heart. I've attended classes about Fair Housing where the discomfort is often palpable. This is still a very real and painful part of our American landscape on an emotional level...both past and present. Transforming this legacy is still a work in progress.

True freedom requires the ability to love oneself appropriately and completely enough to recognize the magnificence of God's creation in every single human being regardless of color, creed, national origin, sex, familial status, physical handicap, marital status or religion. True freedom gives us the strength and ability to examine a painful mistake and to choose a better path.

Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about the intricate web that binds us together when he said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

As REALTORS, we have the unique privilege of serving people in a manner which honors the dignity of the human spirit. Undermining justice and dignity for one impacts all of us. Today’s digital culture reminds us of how intricately woven together we are. Fair Housing is not about ‘someone else’, it’s about recognizing that what we do to another, we have really done to ourselves. That’s the essential core of the Golden Rule.

Photo of Lincoln Memorial courtesy of NCinDC on flickr.com

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

Re-Invigorating the Engines Of Productivity...Forging A New Way Forward.

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:31:58 -0700

There's something invigorating about the thought of spring! Even though much of the ground is still snow covered, the fact that the days are lengthening gives rise to hope. A sentiment aptly captured in the words of an old African proverb that says...'No condition is permanent in this world.’

Change…The New Constant…

If ‘Change’ is a constant, it is one which members of the real estate community are familiar with. Last month, members of the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors® completed a survey about their needs in the year ahead. According to the survey, here are the top 5 areas of concern for GRAR members in 2011.

1. Education – Including Social Media, Blogging & Technology

2. User Friendly Relevant Tools for Business – Including MLS applications

3. Mobile Technology - Smartphones, Apps etc

4. Building Better Relationships amongst Members

5. Authentic Communication & Transparency

The items on this list reflect what agents across the country are saying. Do you realize that some items on this list, such as Social Media and Blogging were not even invented a decade ago? That's how rapidly our world is changing! It is imperative that we adapt to embrace these changes and utilize new tools to enhance our services and improve productivity.

Productivity…the New Values Discussion…

Productive individuals are proactive. They respond to change rather than simply react to it. Productive individuals are also more likely to generate a Profit because they provide a good Value for their services. The Values discussion is one which the consumer increasingly engages when considering the hiring of a real estate professional. The Values discussion is one which envelopes every element of what we do as REALTORS. It is also one element of our industry which is undergoing the greatest level of SHIFT...

Proactively…The New Paradigm for Profitability

To be profitable in the future, the Values discussion will also be a personal question. One which is increasingly posed by potential clients and members of the general public who are asking questions about the value of home ownership during a time where there have been significant declines in home equity.

As real estate professionals, we must be prepared to address these issues on a variety of levels. That conversation must move well beyond the slogans which tell us, 'It's Great Time to Buy or Sell!' For instance, did you know that the current administration is currently in the process of determining the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? These two companies are involved in the vast majority of mortgages in this country. The fate of these institutions has the potential to impact the housing industry in a significant way.

As the financial crisis has unfolded, it is increasingly clear that mismanagement and under-capitalization were factors which had a devastating impact on the viability of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. As real estate professionals, it's important to be aware of the issues being considered by our elected representatives and to voice your opinion.

If you're a Broker, make sure you are enrolled in the NAR Broker program so that you are informed of key initiatives and can communicate the implications and appropriate actions to your agents. Failing to engage in conversations which affect our industry has the potential to impact Profitability and the benefits and value our industry provides to consumers. Failing to be informed is in my opinion...irresponsible.

Process...Sustaining Healthy Growth

As the first signs of life begin to emerge at the start of spring, they’re often easy to overlook them because the earth is still draped in the garb of the remnants of winter. But, the camouflage cannot stop the relentless progress of the growth that has been occurring below the surface and will soon emerge.

The winter of our season of challenge as an industry, has forced us to dig deep into our internal reservoirs to meet the new demands of our profession. This has not been easy. We must remember that some things must not change and strive to protect and strengthen that which strengthens the bonds and relationships between our members.

Many within our ranks have not survived the process of this difficult transition. As a current member of the real estate community, your presence bears witness to the courage and tenacity to weather a relentless economic storm. These challenges have had the effect of forcing a transformation...one which is still ongoing in creating the blue print for re-engineering our Value Proposition as we move forward.

Yours in Re-Invigorating Profitability

Lola Audu

*Abreviated version of the President's Message for the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors®

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

Relationship Stickiness...Why Wounded People Wound Others.

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:39:45 -0800

I don't know about you, but I suspect that most of us can remember the genesis of most close friendships in our lives. And most of the time, it's not an earth shattering moment. Just being in the right place, having the same needs... a desire for companionship.

But no matter how innocently a friendship develops, if it's going to last, it always becomes deeper. To thrive, it has to. And that's where friendships start to get tricky...and sticky. I used to think that meeting new friends was a random act and for the most part, life just happened. But, as I matured, it became increasing difficult to account for the randomness of fate as I began to observe certain patterns in my life and in the friendship choices of so many other individuals which were curiously repetitive. How was it possible that uncanny deja vu's were popping up all around these seemingly chance meetings.

I recall one friendship that started over a shared interest in hot chocolate. (Not really, but just about that trivial ~ situation changed to protect the innocent). It took awhile to discover that it really wasn't the interest in hot chocoate that brought me a new friend; rather that was just a cover for a shared need, a wound that needed a sympathetic resonance which over time became the basis for a deep and endearing friendship. But was it healthy?

Ultimately, I discovered that in my case, it couldn't be. There's something about an open wound which draws the wrong type of attention. And it's not just the flies. Wounds attract folks with similar wounds, issues which resonate at a particular level. Often far below the ability of the eye and even the mind to recognize.

Wounds weep, and in this way, they also speak...deep calling to deep. We may find ourselves attracted to certain people and certain issues because of deep needs and unresolved hurts. But, it's not healthy to bond on the basis of a wound, particularly not a weeping one.

Weeping wounds ooze. And that makes them sticky. When individuals with weeping wounds meet, there is often an unnatural bonding. This is true, even when these individuals look normal and put together on the surface. Even when they have wonderful careers and have seemingly made a success of their lives. Because wounds of this nature are not physical, it's often easy to ignore the true nature of the attraction. Attractions which dissolve in destructive, addictive patterns of behavior. Repeated over and over...

All Wounds have a life cycle of their own. Some wounds eventually heal. But, if the healing occurs when the wound is tightly bound to something else, it tends to stick to it. What may occur is the incorporation of that material into the healing process in an unhealthy and sometimes unsanitary way. That's why your mom was right when she told you that sometimes it was best to simply let a sore 'dry out.'

When wounded souls bind together in relationship while the wound is weeping, there is a process of incorporation. The mingling of shared pain and experience can abscess a wound and create a potently powerful glue that eventually binds the friendship with thick, tough scar tissue. The significance of this type of bonding is that in order for the individuals to go their separate ways even after the wound has dried up, they risk re-opening the wound in the place where the scar tissue is the thickest. Very painful...

But, there's a situation which is even more tragic. It's the continually weeping, oozing wound. The wound that remains unhealed. Sometimes, friendships are built on shared pain which continues to ooze together creating more and more pus and toxin over time. We refer to these relationships as toxic, because literally they are. This type of relationship results in a literal poisoning of both participants and can have untold horrendous consequences which spread the grief over wide swaths of people's lives. What's sad, is that the participants are often unable to see how unhealthy the relationship is. The shared dependency feeding off itself in a process of mutual dysfunction and disease. The shared pain literally becomes the food which sustains the cycle of pus.

Healthy relationships don't thrive on wounds. Even when they initially start through them. Nor do they continually create them. Our skin is intended to cover our body for protection and preservation; a process which enables us to live life well. Healthy relationships are based on shared interest, mutual benefit, respect, love and admiration. Healthy friendships thrive on companionship, but for the right reasons. The most important healthy relationship is within oneself.

For so many of us are wounded and frail, not understanding the importance of our own healing as being the vital component for life affirming interactions. The willingness to do the hard work of examining one's spiritual body for breaks and tears and other types of wounds can be emotionally exhausting and is definitely hard work. But, it is the only path through which we build the material which ensures that we become Wound Healers rather than the Wound Makers.

Lola Audu ~ 2011

*Thank you Rocky for encouraging me to write down these thoughts which have roamed through my mind for some time. :)

inspiration: What I Learned from the post Sarah Cooper told me NOT to read.

inspiration: What It Means to Live With Passion.

inspiration: What It Means to Live in Congruity

inspiration: Simplicity...

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

Changing of the Guard..."There is NO Rescue Team on the Horizon!" Realtors in West Michigan Challenged to Move Our Profession Forward.

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:13:59 -0800

This morning, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors® installed new leadership during the Awards & Installation Breakfast. I was installed as the Association President. It is an honor to serve alongside so many exceptional individuals. After the installation, I gave a speech to the members. Here's the text:

GRAR Installation & Awards Ceremony 2010

Good Morning Ladies & Gentlemen,

It is truly an honor to be with you today and accept the challenge and responsibility of the position of President of the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors® It is a responsibility I take seriously and will do my best to fulfill in a manner which benefits the good of the Association and its members. I would like to offer a word of Thanks to Cathy and Pat for their participation in this program. These women have blazed a noble and courageous path as past Presidents of this Association and for their service at the State and National level. It is a privilege to have them here and an honor to follow in their footsteps.

I'd also like to thank the GRAR Staff and the Board of Directors. Serving during this period of time has entailed personal sacrifice of time and energy. It has been honor to serve with these men and women who have given of themselves, their wisdom and their talent. I look forward to serving our members alongside the new Board of Directors who are joining us at the table next year. To our officers...this year I've learned about the power of brevity through the focus of John Postma's leadership, the wisdom of experience through the service of Tom Paarlberg and the importance of not taking things too seriously by the fun-loving spirit of Ed Hansen.

I am incredibly grateful for the presence of members of my family here to witness this Celebration. I'm so thankful for the example and love of my Mother, affectionately known to many as Mom Comfort whose faith and guiding principles have been a bedrock from which I've learned to grow and thrive. She is one of the most loving persons I know and her practical example of dedication and courage continue to inspire my journey on a daily basis. And lastly, I'm so grateful for a loving partner in my husband Clement. Your support and encouragement are treasures which I cherish deeply.

A few weeks ago, I was going through some old journal entries when I stumbled upon a notation that I had made at the end of February 1996. I had been in the business for less than 10 months and was then employed by Art Sturgis at the Century 21 office on Plainfield. I was in the office when the secretary indicated I had a phone call. I answered it only to find that a deal was falling apart and the client could no longer purchase the home. Over the next 3-4 hours, I got a phone call approximately once every 30 minutes and watched 7 transactions tank in one single day! Talk about been unnerved! It's the sort of situation that is a serious challenge to a seasoned agent, but to a new agent it could have been fatal!

Over the next 24 hours, I did a lot of soul searching. Was this a profession that I wanted to be in? All that work, all that effort...and now nothing? I was tempted to throw in the towel, to call it quits. That night during a time of meditation and prayer, I had a serious talk with myself and God. I made a decision which I wrote down that with God's help, I would make it. I was not going to quit. You know, looking back I don't even remember what those 7 transactions that tanked were all about, but I do remember the decision I made to move forward IN SPITE of, not because of the situation that raged around me.

I believe that we are at a point of decision as an Association and an industry today. For many in this room, that may be a personal crisis or a challenging year in the business. Our industry has been sailing in stormy waters for several years. Buffeted by a flagging economy, rising unemployment, shrinking credit options and significant loss of equity for our clients as house prices have plummeted. As we talk to our clients, we find that many of them are also facing the challenge of making a decision. Over the past few years, the foreclosure and distress sale crisis had forced many families in West Michigan to make decisions that have wrecked havoc in their lives or been the result of having to deal with dire economic circumstances.

However, I've found that life often grants us the grace of it's most important lessons through showing us WHO we are through the manner in which we make decisions. There's a part in all of us that dreads the darkness of the valley. Just like the development of the pearl requires the oyster to go through a time of hardship and irritation to produce something of tremendous value, we often go through difficulties to enable us to gain wisdom, experience and more.

For in those low places, we are vulnerable and feel helpless. We crave mountaintop experiences from which we seemingly rise above circumstances and triumph. But I think that neither the despair of the valley or the triumph of the mountain give us an accurate picture of who we are or better said...who we are becoming. Rather, what these moments do is reveal what we're made of. Valley experiences are rich in nutrients, because everything from the mountain eventually washes down and provides fertile soil. The Valley experience reveals the courage of our convictions and the strength of our resolve and determination. Our unwillingness to dig deep or to wallow in self-pity is a waste of deeply enriching experience.

This year, your Board of Directors will be studying a book entitled, 'The Thin Book of Naming Elephants'. It's a book which chronicles the lessons learned by NASA through the horrible tragedy of the Challenger Disaster. It is a challenge to look at, grapple with and tackle difficult questions and issues in a practical and thorough manner. In the valley, we have a number of choices, but two are worth noting...we can choose to simply get dirty and pitiful, or we can become resourceful farmers who grow a fruitful harvest which in time will yield a bountiful return.

Mountain top experiences are no less challenging, although we may perceive them as more beneficial. The thing about mountain tops is that the air is thin. And people on mountains are prone to becoming lightheaded. They may even fall off. Success is wonderful, but it's what we DO in our success that reveals more about who we are than the fact that we are successful. The truth is the term 'MY SUCCESS' is really inaccurate. Is anything really ONLY the result of your own effort or hard work. Think about it? Are we not all indebted in some fashion to our life experiences and opportunities? Parents and teachers who cared for us, friends and family who have supported us, clients who have chosen to use our services, mentors who have trained us? Our success is really a result of their investment in our lives as much as it is a testimony to our efforts.

Failing to understand the true nature of the success of a mountain top experience has the ability to make us more prone to making fatal errors and miscalculating the implications of our choices. At the mountain top of high sales volumes, we often chose to focus on self promotion rather than self-improvement. We often failed to invest in training and technology and missed some opportunities to create important strategic alignments. As a result, during this storm, our industry has suffered.

Next year, we will be launching 4 New Initiatives at the Board to address the issues. The saying goes...if it's going to be, it's up to me! There is no rescue crew on the horizon which will guarantee us safe passage through these stormy waters. All of us will need to do the hard work and roll up our sleeves to deal with the task of re-inventing our industry and profession in a way that serves our future! We have to broaden our thinking and understand that we are a part of a global framework, but our greatest impact is in finding solutions that work for us locally.

The Broker Relations Taskforce will be tasked with the vital task of attending to the health and well-being of our Broker Community. Our Brokers are our first line of defense. Building a strong, profitable Broker community supports an environment which allows agents to be trained and supported. Broker education and professional development has often been neglected. Brokers are the core business building block of our community and your association will continue it's efforts to ensure that this important cornerstone in our real estate industry is given the tools necessary to weather the storm intact.

Ensuring that our Association remains financially healthy and takes full advantage of emerging opportunities for collaboration and cooperation will be the task of the Economic Enhancement Taskforce. This talented group of individuals comprised of several of our most experienced leaders will study opportunities for regional and international alliances. Today, we live in a global village. Grand Rapids is poised on the threshold of many exciting ventures. The real estate industry is big business. Our voice needs to be a vital part of the discussion about emerging issues which will shape the landscape for decades to come. In addition, we need to explore our current financial framework at the local level to ensure that we are utilizing our resources and investing them in the best way possible.

The Next Generation Leadership Taskforce and The Social Media Technology Taskforce will deal with the issues of developing a Leadership Track for emerging leaders for our profession. It is not only important to train leaders, but we must also give our members the tools to support their ability to be competitive in the professional setting that today's consumers demand. The launch of the Consumer Centric website will afford us a unique opportunity to reach out to consumers. This past year we also launched the Strategic Relations Matrix, a powerful initiative in which over 140 Members of our real estate community are actively engaging at various levels organizations and individuals throughout the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Through actively collaborating and sharing, we can extend our influence and service in tangible ways.

It is said, that there is only one sea in the world in which no life grows. It is known as the Dead Sea. Although I have never visited this sea, those who have tell me it is beautiful; in fact crystal clear. But, it does not contain active life forms...just minerals, the decaying fossils of life forms. Everything that lives, need to give and exchange in order to thrive. We stand at a threshold of opportunity. We can choose to actively engage and transform our environment. We must not give in to the temptation to become fossilized replicas of the vibrant community we once were.

We are here and must continue to make a difference! Today, I'm challenging ALL of us to a greater level of service! How can we serve our community beyond the practical limits of our profession. Realtors® have always given of themselves. Today's Good Neighbor Award winner is proof of the many ways in which members of our community reach out on a daily basis. And so often, we are not aware of what members of our community are doing on a day to day basis. Agents who serve meals at God's kitchen, volunteer in local schools and churches, coach and mentor kids, deliver meals to the elderly or sick... This year, we will be launching an initiative called 50,000 Points of Light! Imagine...50,000 HOURS of services gifted by the members of the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors® to our local West Michigan Community! We can do this! If 1,000 members or roughly half of our membership simply gave 5 hours per month in service, we could easily top 60,000! The Next Generation Leadership Taskforce will have the task of energizing us and coordinating our recording to make this a tangible reality!

An ancient fishermen’s tale recounts the story of 3 men who fished all night and caught nothing. Tired, drained and exhausted, they watched the sun rise slowly from their little dingy and prepared to head back to shore. It was then they heard the voice, an unidentified person from the shore calling out to them, asking if they’d caught anything during the night. Obviously discouraged, they admitted they had not. But, were surprised by what this man did next. He asked them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. What? He could have said, ‘you went fishing on the wrong day, or you’re on the wrong part of the lake, but no…just shift a little. Shift 3 feet. To their credit they did. The rest is history. The catch was so large, the boat began to sink! From this story we can learn something about the limits of experience. Many in this room are experienced veterans who have been leaders in our industry. For some, you may just be starting. But, crisis demand that we rise above. That we go beyond the limits of our experience. That we be willing to SHIFT a little.

We're in a race, a race we must win. A race we can win. Let's lean into the curve and take strength from the momentum of positive motion. Together, we can make it. Together we are capable of doing more than we ever imagined. I sincerely look forward to running this stretch of the race with you! Thank you for the opportunity to serve!

Grand Rapids Association of Realtors Installation & Awards breakfast

View more presentations from Lola Audu.

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

9 Myths Designed to BLOCK the Sale of Your West Michigan Home!

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:07:18 -0800

Click Here to Read Part #1 of this series on the first THREE myths.

Click Here to Read Part #2 of this series on the next installment of myths...

Over the years, I've had the dubious experience of becoming a myth collector. Specifically, regarding the myths around why a home has not Sold. As I talk with agents around the country, it has become clear that these myths are actually very widespread and have developed a life of their own...sometimes with variations which are location specific.

As a public service, I am going to do a mini-series regarding these myths and give some insights regarding why they ought to be dismissed and rejected. Continuing...

Myth #7...All forms of Advertising are Equal. Especially when it's the form I prefer or which helped me locate my current home.

FACT: All forms of real estate advertising are NOT equal. Just about every real estate agent understands this. Many agents will advertize on mediums that do not bring in the best results because the home owner insists. However, the truth is that today's potential home buyer is searching for their home and real estate agent online. In overwhelming numbers!

Take a look at this Field Guide provided by the National Association of Realtors®. Note that only 9% of Buyers are looking at print advertising to identify homes. In fact, most newspapers now have an online version of their paper and feature a number of real estate ads...online.

The other point worthy of note is that just putting your home on an online portal is not enough. It must be supported by visual evidence such as good quality pictures. You'd be surprised at the number of homes which are passed over without a second look because there are NO PICTURES of the interior of the home!

Myth #8...Buyers will always give a LOWER offer...Price HIGH to compensate

FACT: Big mistake! In a highly competitive market, pricing is key. Missing the mark is costly in terms of time and money. We are in a HYPER competitive market in many areas of the country including West Michigan. What this means is that the competition includes homes which are being sold significantly BELOW market value as a result of distress sales such as foreclosure.

In this type of environment, a home owner who wants to sell their home should be very conversant with the neighborhood value and recent history. A competent real estate professional can provide this service and give valuable insights about what it will take to 'get the fish to bite'.

Then price your home to Sell! Here's a little secret: I've seen more MULTIPLE offers in the past 24 months than at any time during my 16 year history of selling real estate. You can't keep a good home a secret. Buyers will sniff out a good deal every single time!

Myth #9...I don't need to offer any Incentives. My Home is a good deal!

FACT: You may be right! Your home might be a great deal. However, the final judgement of that will lie in the hands of a potential buyer. Today's home buyer is dealing with the prospect of rapidly changing lending standards which are impacting the amount of cash they need to have available for a transaction.

For most buyers, the ZERO down deal is gone! They have to bring in an investment of hard cash for the downpayment and then some more for closing costs and pre-paids. So while you may be unwilling to offer an incentive...remember, that your competition likely is. Sometimes, a bird in hand is worth two in the field. The sale you make today, is better than the one you might make tomorrow.

I hope that this post has shed some light about WHY a misunderstanding about the nature of the market can adversely impact the sale of your home. I will be sharing more Myths in upcoming blog posts, so stay tuned! Wishing you a Happy New Year in advance and the joy of a successful home sale. If we can be of help to you in this endeavor, please do not hesitate to contact Audu Real Estate.

Click Here to Read Part #1 of this series on the first THREE myths.

Click Here to Read Part #2 of this series on the next installment of myths...

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

On Simple Pleasures...

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:40:36 -0800

We've all had the experience of over-eating and suffering a tummy ache as a result. When the feast before our eyes overwhelms our better judgement, it’s easy to turn off the natural sensors which tell us that it is enough.

But we pay for it long after the tickling sensations which enticed our taste buds have been satiated. It is during these moments of miserable regret that we ache for simple things. The simplicity of being able to eat without pangs of pain and digest without regurgitation.

Excess is not limited to the arena of food, it’s become a large staple of modern western life.

The challenge of Simplicity is simply this…we love our excess; even when we know it is not good for us. The mega movement in Christianity today has produced the fastest growing, largest churches in the history of America.

But what is the result of the excess? How has excessive growth in the physical dimension impacted the transformation of our culture? And to what degree is a form of contrived simplicity merely another type of outward process which creates a false legalism that shields our conscience from the areas that really matter?

In some ways, I think simplicity is complex…it’s far more nuanced than the wider path which seems so tempting in an arena of abundance. I think that Simplicity is calling to an inner state of being…not merely a thing to do.

It’s a shedding, stripping and pruning which opens up the cluttered regions of a stuffed up existence so we can breathe and enjoy life fully and abundantly once again. But it will not necessarily come easily…something as solid as simplicity requires a dedication of commitment and focus. In other words a singleness of mind & body which we instinctively crave but often ignore.

*An unedited version of this blog post can be accessed on 'The Challenge of An Excellent Life"

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

It's All in the Mix...Avoiding An Important Stumbling Block to Your Home Sale.

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:02:36 -0700

Probably the biggest source of angst that home owners in Grand Rapids, Michigan have about selling their home is knowing IF their home has a chance for a Sale. Quiet turmoil mounts with the following irksome thoughts.

Potential Sellers silently question, "Will this Home Sell?" or "Will anyone even want to look at my home?"

This is especially troublesome when the home across the street has been For Sale for the past 6 months...and you've never seen anyone come to take a look. This question was actually raised during a recent listing appointment.

I've been hearing many reports of homes now sporting 12 month listing contracts instead of the traditional 6. The fact is that many homes in West Michigan are not having ANY showings at all!

To improve your odds of selling, it is important to understand that having a good Pricing Strategy is crucial to your success. Last month, approximately 680 homes Closed successfully in Grand Rapids. This was 25% below the number of successful property closings during the same 30 day period in 2009. However, there is good news; the good news is that there were homes that Sold and to be successful, it's important to focus on what successful home sellers did correctly.

Researching you area...

The days of simply guessing about the price at which to list your home, or asking your neighbor what they Sold their home for are over. The former is a dangerous strategy and the latter often provides inaccurate data. It's best to get the facts.

This can be done by requesting a Market Analysis from a good local Realtor® or obtaining an appraisal. One of the most valuable tools available through our Grand Rapids Association of Realtors® MLS system is the ability to obtain a quick analysis of your immediate area by utilizing a proprietary mapping function which details accurate records of homes Sold within a variety of radius options and also gives us access to trends data.

Utilizing mapping and trends data can provide insights which can be easily missed when using the broad ranges which generally divide areas on on popular sites like Zillow or Trulia for property search purposes. In addition to mapping tools and trends data, pricing strategy is enhanced by understanding how property has traditionally appreciated or depreciated in a local area. This is where the experience of a good real estate agent can be invaluable.

In today's market where less than 10% of homes listed for Sale are Closing in any given month, it's important to improve your odds by understanding the issues and specific dynamics in your neighborhood. If you'd like to know more about creating a pricing strategy for today's challenging marketplace and you live in the Grand Rapids, MI area, please contact us. 616-791-0511 or info@auduhomes.com

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There

This is My Father's World...

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:12:01 -0700

Several years ago, a meandering trip through the back roads of northern Michigan revealed a seemingly never ending expanse of sunflowers, stretching as far as the eye could see. I was mesmerized; for up to that time, my sightings of sunflowers had been limited to garden flowerbeds in the city where these majestic plants seemed overgrown and gangly spindles towering over the smaller plants.

But here in this field, unadorned by artificial constraints, they were in their element. Unfettered and free to be, their beauty was resplendent against the horizon. It made me wonder about the limitations we place on others and ourselves because we are not operating in our natural element.

Today, it's Saturday morning, on a rainy day in Michigan. It's September 11,2010...the nine year anniversary of a day Americans will never forget. The news media is filled with stories about fear, anger and mistrust as Americans still struggle to come to terms with the changes in our world and the feeling that all is not right in our nation.

Yet, I am reminded that 'This is my Father's World' as I listen to a beautiful arrangement by Fernando Ortego; a modern rendering of an ancient hymn. Click on the picture to listen. It's a reminder to me that although so much seems wrong in our world today, God is still creating times and seasons and working through the lives of human beings. Here's to hoping you have a good weekend.

The ABC's of Selling Short Sales in West Michigan

Bed Rock Business: How To Thrive While Travelling the Tide of Shifting Sand

The One Week Shortsale Miracle!

The Convenience Factor...Would you Buy Your Next Home at the Grocery Store?

Six Hidden Issues Which Can STOP You From Moving from Here...to There