The Macomb County Michigan Real Estate Blog

Is a bachelor degree necessary to sell real estate?

As I was preparing to respond to a request from a seller on a national lead generation website today, and I was mused.

The request from the seller was as follows:

Agent qualities should include: time management and high customer service skills; with at least a bachelor business degree with sales or market specialties; good negotiator & communicator; honest & ethical; motivated & driven; full-time & working out of the Happy Hollow area; membership in community organizations a great plus; understanding of the housing market; only serious agents need to contact with complete proposal on stages to be taken and corresponding time frame (operations plan), with complete customized marketing plan.

Just Curious? How are your time management skills? Do many sellers ask this of you? Or are you able to "sell the seller" on what you can do for them? Your experience, your track record.

Not sure about your area, but in the southeast Michigan area during the past year, the listing price more than anything is the reason why a property will sell!

Macomb County is located northeast of Detroit, Michigan and continues to be one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. It was formally organized in 1818 as the third county in the State of Michigan and named in honor of General Alexander Macomb, a highly decorated veteran of the War of 1812. Macomb County is one of 3 counties that make up the "Metro Detroit Michigan" region. Macomb County offers a diverse range of housing choices from urban to rural. Whether it is a well-maintained historical home dating back to the turn of the century, a contemporary home, a waterfront property located on any of the 31 miles of the Lake St. Clair shoreline, a subdivision in a peaceful urban setting or a farmhouse on acreage - Macomb County has it all! The beauty and grandeur of the four seasons and Lake St. Clair shoreline offer unlimited recreation to any outdoor enthusiast. There's something for everyone, whether it's water activities, golfing, cross-country skiing, farmers markets, cider mills, art fairs, outdoor concerts or a family picnic in one of the many scenic parks. Macomb County is just a short drive to many professional sport arenas. Also located within its boundaries is the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, offering a beautiful indoor venue for various cultural performances and entertainment. Macomb County has long been recognized as a leader in business and industry. A diverse manufacturing base and a strong retail sector supports its economy. It is home to the General Motors Technical Center and its world class shopping malls classify it as a shopper's paradise! At the heart of this thriving progressive county is an energetic, optimistic and hardworking population. Macomb County's close proximity to important industrial and business centers enhances its outstanding medical and educational facilities. Macomb Community College campus houses the University Center offering Macomb residents an opportunity to obtain undergraduate and graduate degrees from other Michigan universities located throughout the state without having to leave Macomb County! Be sure to visit Macomb County Michigan goverment website. From lakeside to countryside, I am certain I can find a home to make you feel at home in Macomb County! A few of the outstanding communities I serve in Southeast Michigan are Utica, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Macomb Township, Warren and Sterling Heights. I look forward to helping you find HOMES IN MACOMB! David Elya, ABR, e-PRO, GRI Broker Owner of Weichert Realtors - Excel

                                                                     Lookin' to SAVE? Call Dave!
                                                       1-586-286-3283 or 1-800-618-0550
                                                      fill out my on-line Buyer or Seller form today!

©Copyright 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 - Dave Elya
No one may reproduce or copy any information contained herein for use on another website or other promotional materials without specific written authorization from Dave Elya. Anyone who chooses to violate this will be subject to legal action for copyright infringement.

Mobile wireless MLS is now live in the Detroit Michigan market

Realcomp II Ltd. MLS has started offering mobile MLS service for use on cell phones. Read the article in the Detroit News.

Curious if your MLS offers such a service and how it has helped you? Has it made your life easier? Does it answer the questions buyers ask while on the road with them? Are there any limitations with your MLS's mobile solution? Do the pages load quickly? Has it made you a sale?

Is it worth the cost?

If you're a Realcomp II Ltd. subscriber, try it out for free during the 1^st quarter of 2007 RealcompMobile.com. See Realcomp.com.

My late father (bless his soul), worked, lived and grew the Detroit Free Press. I remember many nights awaking to his work schedule. He would wake up at 1:30 in the morning to go to work. His job as a Detroit Free Press circulation manager, was to deliver the papers to the carriers & newsstands. He loved his job of over 27 years! He loved his Teamsters union as well.

We always had a paper in our home. I was even a Detroit Free Press carrier. (My first job) After the nasty strike in the 90's his love for both papers (News & Free Press) seemed to fade.

But there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him and his love for the papers! I am still a reader of the Detroit News newspaper.

Unfortunately, my wife and 18 year old son don't share my joy of reading the papers like my Dad did and I do!

Wow! What a winter! Phones are hummin’. Birds are chirpin’ Buyers are buyin’ Has anyone else experience a real estate surge like I have in Michigan? Seems like the very mild winter (thus far) has created an early spring market. :) Buyers, who have waited to buy, may be kicking themselves for waiting for lower prices. Better hurry!

Days on market ... An Algebra problem?

Number 2 question from prospective buyers is ... "How long has this property been on the market?" (Number 1 question is ... "How much?")

Question for all is, do the number of days on market really matter?

Do the days on market really mean something to the buyer?

To the seller?

To the REALTOR®?

If the home is new on the market, the buyer says "Everyone starts out high. Must be over priced."

If the home has been on the market awhile, say over "X" number of days, the buyer says "No wonder it's NOT sold. Must be over priced?"

Let's talk about "X".

If the average DOM is "X", does the buyer know that? Does the agent know? Does the seller even know that "X" exists on the MLS listing display? Is the average DOM "really the average?" or just a number?

The DOM is used in many CMA's to determine a value. Do you adjust the analysis to reflect the DOM? If so, is it easy to do, or is there heavy math involved? Do you tell the seller that many "good" listing agents re-list their listings after "X" amount of days to re-start the clock? As a sellers agent, if the DOM clock doesn't re-set, are the MLS rules fair to your seller? Are you promoting the best interests of the seller?

What do your MLS rules say? Do the DOM re-set when the listing is cancelled and re-listed? If so, has this helped to "trick" the buyers into thinking the property was newly listed?

Does the buyer agent have a responsibility to investigate and disclose the actual amount of days on market to the buyer?

In our MLS, the DOM stays running unless the property is off the market for at least 30 days. The DOM re-starts even if the seller changes Brokers or if it expires.

NAR reports the DOM monthly. How is your MLS playing the game?

Other posts about days on market

Days on market, does it matter?

How much is that doggie in the window?