Lee Morof's Real Estate Blog

In the Spring of 2008, I learned that my elementary school age son was being picked on by a bully at his school. Almost immediately, I decided it was time for the both of us to learn self defense. I called a couple of Dojos in the area only to learn that my son and I would have to learn separately. I then contacted the Southfield Martial Arts Institute located at 29100 Southfield Rd., Southfield, Michigan, (248) 569-7030. www.southfieldmartialarts.com. Fortunately, this Dojo has family Karate classes three times per week. The experience has been amazing. The Dojo is run by Master Willie Adams, a 10th Degree Black Belt, and several other very talented and patient Senseis who teach Okinawan Isshinryu style Karate. Above is a photo taken at the Dojo’s Beginner Junior Tournament on October 25, 2008 that featured sparring, Black Belt demonstations, awards, and a luncheon following the tournament. A great time was had by all especially the precious children who all had big smiles on their faces as they wore their award medals. This Dojo not only teaches self defense technique that could save your life, but also respect for yourself and others, focus, and provides a sense of accomplishment. I highly recommend it.

Looking for Southfield Michigan real estate?  Give me a call today!

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

I am a RE/MAX Associate Broker/Attorney selling homes in the North Woodward Area of Oakland County, Southeast Michigan. Like the rest of the country, we are in a buyers market with more homes than buyers to buy them. Many home sellers think that they can list a home at a price they have in mind and then “see what happens.” In my opinion, that can be a huge mistake and here’s why. In a buyer’s market, you usually have a pool of buyers who have been looking for a while for a home, usually more than thirty days. To attract those buyers, your home must first be in excellent condition. Second, you must price the home somehwhere between the middle and the bottom of the market as those are the homes that the buyers are looking at. Naturally, they are looking for the best deal. At the present time, in Oakland County, Michigan, one of every two homes sold is bank owned. The reality is that if you want to sell, you have to compete with the bank owned home. Most buyers will pay about a ten percent premium above a bank owned home because bank owned homes are usually in rough shape and have had the appliances removed. After thirty days, new buyers trickle into the market. If the existing pool of buyers have rejected your home due to its price or condition, you will be fighting an uphill battle. Some sellers I recently worked with in Ferndale, Michigan understood all of this and listed their beautiful home at a price around ten percent above the bank owned competiton. Within fourteen days, a first time home buyer who had previously looked at more than one hundred homes made an offer on a Ferndale Michigan home that was ninety six percent of the list price, right after he looked at the home.

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

I am a RE/MAX Associate Broker/Attorney selling homes in the North Woodward Area of Oakland County, Southeast Michigan. I am currently working with a very motivated buyer who has already sold his home. Last week, we wrote and submiited an offer on a home that he was interesed in.  The amount offered, net of a needed seller contribution toward the buyer’s closing costs and downpayment, was approximately 88% of the listed price. This was not an offer we expected the seller to sing “I’m In The Money” about but, considering that the home was overpriced, was not a bad faith offer.

The listing agent called me the next day and, in a haughty tone of voice, told me that the seller rejected the offer “outright” and would not be making a counteroffer. I asked Mr. “My Morning Breath Doesn’t Stink” what his seller was looking for and his response was, “sorry, but the ball is in your court.” Politely, I told him that I disagreed with him and that he probably wouldn’t be hearing from me again.

The buyer was furious and rightly so. He had made his best offer and, if he would have increased the amount,  would have had to get a gift from a relative or friend which was something that he did not want to do.

This week, a similar offer was made on another home, his second choice. Except that this time, the listing agent came back with an acceptance and a very appreciative tone. She and her seller must understand that in this market. an offer is an opportunity, to move forward with your plans. Last I checked, the other home was still on the market.

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

Between 1997 and 2006, the number of home purchasers that found their home on the internet jumped by 1,200 percent according to the National Association of Realtors 2006 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers. The use of the internet to find a home is here to stay. In fact, in 2006, it was the number two source that buyers used to actually find the home that they purchased. The number one source that buyers used was a Realtor. Therefore, if one is serious about selling a home in this market hire a RE/MAX Realtor and have your home marketed where the buyers are.

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