Lee Morof's Real Estate Blog

“There’s always something to be thankful for.  If you can’t pay your bills, you can be thankful you’re not one of your creditors” – Author Unknown

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I find myself thinking about everything I have to be thankful for.  For instance, I’ve been an Oakland County, Southeast Michigan real estate agent for some time, which is a position that I love and enjoy.  I’m also grateful to be able to share the knowledge that I’ve learned throughout the years with my clients and those of you who read my blog.  It’s a wonderful and rare thing to do something that you love for a living.

Most of us are so busy reaching our goals, making plans for the future, pushing and struggling to rise to wherever we feel our position in life should be, that we very rarely take the time to look back at where we started.  While it’s always a good idea to have goals, to visualize and work towards them, if you never take the time to appreciate what you’ve done then it becomes a constant, maddening race to the finish line.  Intangible things, such as happiness and satisfaction, fall by the wayside, considered unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

With Thanksgiving drawing closer, this Southeast Michigan real estate agent invites you to think about what you have to be thankful for.  Whether big or small, you’ll find yourself savoring all the good things in your life. 

So what are some of the things that you’re grateful for?  It doesn’t have to be a big thing to be appreciated.  Was the sky particularly beautiful today?  Maybe you caught the bus on time, or you’re throwing the family Thanksgiving dinner this year and everyone is coming.  If it brightens your life, brings a smile to your face, lightens your mood or warms your heart, be thankful for the experience. 

Enjoy each moment as if it were your last, sipping from the cup of gratitude and appreciation; you may find that your heart is constantly filled with happiness.  Your Southeast Michigan real estate agent, Lee Morof, invites you to make every day Thanksgiving Day.

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

In this real estate market selling your Southeast Michigan real estate requires more than just signing a listing agreement with a real estate agent and placing a sign in your front yard. It requires a great deal of preparation to impress buyers. In fact, preparing your home to sell is much like designing a stage for a play. Here are some tips for staging your Southeast Michigan home to sell faster and for Top Dollar.

• DO complete simple home repairs. Ripped screens, squeaky doors, and broken cabinets can quickly turn away buyers. Go through your home making minor repairs so that everything is in its best condition.
• DO get rid of clutter. A cluttered home is more difficult to walk through and looks smaller inside. Box anything you plan to move but don’t need immediately and put it in storage. Give or throw away anything you can no longer use.
• DO learn all you can about staging your home from professionals.  Order my no obligation, FREE Book for sellers, “Staging Tips to Prepare Your Home for Market.”  This book will help you pinpoint what needs to go and what will appeal to most buyers. 
• DON’T spend money unnecessarily. If you have to replace your carpet, choose one that’s moderately priced. De-clutter and neatly arrange your clothes in your closets instead of investing in expensive organization systems. These items are going to stay in your home after you sell it, so it’s like throwing money away.
• DON’T paint rooms to match your furniture. A fresh paint job is a great way to bring new life to your home. However, you should only use neutral paint colors. They will go well with your current décor and will help buyers picture themselves in your home.

Buyers are you thinking about purchasing Southeast Michigan real estate in Oakland County?  I can help you find and buy the right home for your needs and budget.

Sellers do you want more suggestions on how to sell your home quickly and for the most money?  Drop me an email now at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com or give me a call at 248-514-2640.  I’d love to tell you about my exclusive 30-Day Marketing Plan that gets results!

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

With the prices for everything skyrocketing these days, every penny counts.  This includes your homeowner’s insurance costs.  If you’re thinking of buying Troy Michigan real estate and need homeowner’s insurance, here are a few tips on getting quality insurance for a fair price:

Tip #1: Shop Around
Ask family and friends about their homeowner’s insurance.  Check the Yellow Pages, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the state insurance department.  Other places to shop for insurance include consumer guides, insurance agents and online Michigan insurance quote services.  Don’t just look for lower prices, however.  You need a fair price for the services you need.

Tip #2: Raise Your Deductible
The deductible is how much you have to pay before the insurance company starts to pay a claim on your Troy Michigan home.  You’ll find the higher your deductible is, the lower your premiums.  Make sure, when reading the policy, you carefully go over damage-specific information.

Tip #3: Use the Same Insurer
Some companies will take five to fifteen percent off your premium if you buy more than one policy from them.  If the insurer offers homeowner’s, auto and liability coverage, you stand a chance of having a lower premium for a multi-discount.  The key is to make sure the combined price is lower than if you bought them separately.

Tip #4: Improve Home Security
By installing a sophisticated fire sprinkler system and a fire/burglar alarm that rings the monitoring stations, some companies will cut your premium as much as fifteen or twenty percent.   And you’ll have peace of mind in case of an emergency.  For a smoke detector, burglar alarm or deadbolt locks, you can usually get at least a five percent discount.  Check with your insurer to make sure that the system you’re installing will lower your premiums, though; the systems aren’t cheap and not all of them qualify for a discount.

Read everything carefully before you sign, to make sure the policy covers your insurance needs without adding on hidden fees.

Even a little money saved can go a long way toward making it easier to live within your budget. 

Are you ready to buy a Troy home in Southeast Michigan?  I can help you find and buy the right Troy Michigan real estate home or investment property that fits your needs at the best price and terms.  As a licensed real estate broker and lawyer I’ll keep you from making mistakes that could cost you thousands of dollars.  Call me now at 248-514-2640 or send me an email at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com.

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

If you’re thinking of selling your Bloomfield Hills real estate in Southeast Michigan, you’re probably thinking about what you need to do to get it sold.  Here is a list of do’s and don’ts to help you along your way to a smoother sale.

Do’s

• DO take pictures of every room of your house.  Look each picture over with a fresh eye; see what needs to be done to the rooms.
• DO clean, clean, clean.  What looks like typical family clutter to you may turn the buyer off.
• DO replace hinges that are broken or worn, tighten doorknobs, etc.  Buyers going through the house will open doors and cabinets, and having a doorknob come off in a potential buyer’s hand is a definite deterrent to buying.
• DO fix cracks and watermarks.  You don’t want to give potential buyers the idea you still have plumbing problems.
• DO take the time to stage your Bloomfield Hills home prior to putting it on the market.  Statistics show this can significantly shorten the time it takes to sell, as well as raise the asking price.  Order the free book for sellers, “Staging Tips to Prepare Your Home for Market.”

Don’ts

• DON’T spend a lot of money on major upgrades unless you have to.  While you may have to replace a water heater that’s trying to quit, you don’t have to replace a carpet that’ll look just fine when it’s cleaned.
• DON’T be stuck on one price.  The real estate market changes constantly.  Having a set price may get your home stuck on the market.  Take a moment and fill out my Maximization of Value Assessment that will help you Sell to the Max.
• DON’T use your tax appraisal as an estimate for your home’s value.  For a better estimate, compare your home to those in the neighborhood that have sold recently.
• DON’T do major packing until the sale is complete.  If you need to reduce clutter or simply have to start packing in order to meet a deadline, get the boxes out of sight by putting them in storage. 
• DON’T follow the potential buyers through the house.  This can cause them to feel they need to move through quickly, which lessens the chance of them buying.  It’s best to be absent while your home is being shown, even if that means sitting in your car down the block until they’re gone.

Putting your Bloomfield Hills real estate on the market to sell can be hard, especially if you’ve lived there for a long time.  I’d like to tell you about my 30-Day Marketing Plan that sells 85% of homes listed with me…and for an average 98% of listed price.  Drop me an email now at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com or call 248-514-2640 today!

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

Whether you’re looking at Michigan foreclosures to find a new home or because you’re interested in flipping houses, you need to know the basics.  There are three types of foreclosure properties, based on where the home is in the process.  The three stages are pre-foreclosure, foreclosure and post-foreclosure.

Stage #1: Pre-Foreclosures
Michigan foreclosures are not a pretty business.  You can’t help but know that no matter how you put it, you’re probably not making the situation better for the homeowner.  However, in the pre-foreclosure stage, you’ll be able to do the most good for yourself, as well as the homeowner.  Since this stage happens before the lender gets involved, the home can be transferred at a mutually agreed upon price, forestalling further damage to the homeowner’s credit rating.  The best way to find pre-foreclosed homes is to talk to a professional Troy Michigan real estate agent. 

Stage #2: Foreclosures
The process for foreclosures varies from state to state.  Whether a foreclosure is a judicial or non-judicial form depends on whether the state is a title or a lien state.  Judicial foreclosures have to deal with mortgages instead of deeds of trusts, and the process takes much longer than non-judicial foreclosures.  Non-judicial foreclosures involve the power to foreclose on a property without court approval and it includes a third party that handles the entire foreclosure process in two to four months. 

Stage #3: Post-foreclosures
In this stage of foreclosure, the property is already in the hands of the lending institution, a new owner or investor.  You can look at the foreclosure notice to find the name of the lender and the amount owed on the mortgage.  Lenders are generally very willing to sell.  While you can still make an offer to a private investor, either on your own or through a real estate agent, the price may be higher than you originally wanted to pay.

Does this all sound difficult for an average buyer to understand?  As a licensed broker and real estate lawyer, I’m uniquely qualified to help you through the legal maze of buying a Troy Michigan home foreclosure or other Oakland County homes for sale.  If you’re interested in purchasing Michigan foreclosures in Oakland County, Southeast Michigan, give me a call at 248-514-2640 or email me at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com. 

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

Buying a home is an important decision. Owning Southeast Michigan real estate can be your greatest financial asset when it builds equity over time. It can also be your greatest financial nightmare if you end up losing it to foreclosure. This is why you want to find an Oakland County home in Southeast Michigan, at a reasonable price with a payment that fits within your budget. Before you start looking at homes, make sure you know how much home you can afford.

• Be realistic. Get pre-approved for a loan before you start looking for Southeast Michigan real estate. This way you won’t waste time looking at homes you can’t afford. Just because your lender approves you for a loan doesn’t mean you have to use the entire loan amount. Take a look at your financial situation, including the amount of credit you have, the debt you owe, your monthly income, and your lifestyle.
• Consider the cost of homeownership. When you rent a home from someone, your landlord is responsible for maintaining the property. As a renter, you don’t have to take care of the roof or pay for pest control. This is included as part of your monthly rent. However, as a homeowner, home maintenance is your responsibility. Make sure you can set aside money to cover regular home maintenance costs and any surprise repairs that may occur.
• Practice with your finances. If you’re not entirely sure how much you can afford to spend for your monthly payment, try it out. For example, if you want to buy a home that costs $225,000, use a mortgage calculator to determine what your monthly payment would be. Then subtract that amount of money from your budget for the next few months and see if you still have enough to pay the rest of your bills. This will give you an idea of whether or not the payment fits in your lifestyle.  And, you’ll have that extra money saved for a down payment to purchase Southeast Michigan real estate. 

I’ll send you a free book for home buyers, “Let’s Find Your New Home.”  You’ll learn all there is to know about buying a home from start to finish.  And…it’s absolutely free with no strings attached.

Your home is an important investment that should be a part of your overall financial plan. I’ll help you find and buy the right home for your needs and budget.  As a licensed real estate broker and lawyer, I’ll keep you from making mistakes that could cost you thousands. 

Let me help you find the home in Oakland County, Southeast Michigan, that fits your lifestyle and needs.  Drop me an email me at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com now.  Or, call me at 248-514-2640 and let’s talk real estate! 

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

Selling your Troy Michigan real estate in a slow market isn’t easy, but it can be done. Pricing your home right is the key to selling it within a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes this could mean lowering your price while it’s on the market. Of course, you want to get as much money as possible, so how do you know when it’s time to lower your asking price?

1. No one is looking at your home. If you expect your home to sell, you need to have people look inside it. Most buyers search for homes within a certain price range. If you aren’t getting any showings, chances are it’s because your home is overpriced compared to other homes in the area. In this case, you may need to lower your price so buyers will look at your home.
2. Comparable homes are selling for less. Your home will sell for whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it. If the homes around you are selling for less than your asking price, it may be time to lower it. No one is going to pay more for your home when they can get the same thing for less. Pay attention to what homes are selling for in your community and adjust your price accordingly.
3. You are getting a lot of negative feedback. Buyers are a great source of information about other homes in your price range. After all, they’re spending their free time looking at countless homes similar to yours. Your Troy Michigan real estate agent can find out exactly what buyers think of your home. Perhaps homes comparable to yours have updated kitchens or more attractive landscaping. With this knowledge, you can choose to either remodel or lower your price.

If you’re ready to prepare your home for market, I can help you sell your Troy Michigan real estate for more money with our exclusive Maximization of Value Assessment. And as a licensed real estate broker and lawyer, I’ll not only help you sell your home for Top Dollar, but I’ll keep you from making costly legal mistakes.       

Staging your home can help it sell quicker and for more money.  Order your Free book, “Staging Tips to Prepare Your Home for Market.”  Absolutely no strings attached!  If you’re ready to hire one of the best Troy Michigan real estate agents to sell your home, call me today at 248-514-2640 or contact me now.  

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

Whether you are facing retirement or have already said good-bye to your working years, you may be wondering if you should sell your home and move. Although this is not an easy decision, there are some important points that can help you make up your mind. Before you buy Southeast Michigan real estate, ask yourself these four questions.

• What activities do I enjoy? Make sure you buy a home in a location that gives you the opportunity to do what you like. Southeast Michigan provides lots of natural scenic beauty.  There are year-round outdoor activities and sports for an active lifestyle.  In the summer you can go boating and fishing on local rivers and lakes.  Oakland County has many public and private golf courses:  Just click on my Community Guide to find golf courses in the community of your choice.  Winters are great for skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice hockey, ice skating…and much more. 
• Will my family be able to visit me? Your children and grandchildren will want to visit you after you move. They also need to be able to reach you easily in the event of an emergency. When you buy Southeast Michigan real estate you’ll be close to the Detroit Metropolitan International Airport, local bus transportation, and AMTRAK train stations.
• Do I like the area year-round? Unless you plan to split your time between two homes, you need to make sure you like the area year-round. Oakland County in Southeast Michigan offers many social and cultural activities throughout the year for your enjoyment.
• Can I afford to live here? Check the cost of living and government taxes to find what works best with your retirement budget.

Are you planning to move after you retire? Lee Morof can help you find and buy Southeast Michigan real estate that will meet your unique needs.  Learn why Lee is not your Typical REALTOR®. If you’re interested in finding out more about Southeast Michigan homes for sale, call Lee at 248-514-2640 or email info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com today!

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640