JOB OPENING: Real Estate Agent/Assistant

Basis’ broker/owner, a top-producing agent, is looking to bring on an energetic individual with a strong attention to detail, a passion for excellence, and a growth mindset to help serve his existing clients, obtain new clients for the firm, and provide administrative assistance with all aspects of running a real estate business...

Preparing Your Home For the Market: A Step-by-Step Guide

When you prepare to place your home on the market for sale it becomes a product. Just like any product on the shelves at your local store it has features and benefits, pluses and minuses, and there are other products to compare yours to. To gain an edge in your marketplace you must be priced right and look better than the competition. Sometimes it is difficult to think of your home as a mere product, but it helps to think about it that way so that you can get top dollar for your property and sell in a reasonable amount of time.

February 2019 Washtenaw County Market Report

Residential Sales Rise While Sales Prices Drop...

2018 Washtenaw Real Estate Market In Review

Higher Sales Prices and Fewer Sales in 2018

Overall, the Ann Arbor area housing market saw higher housing prices in 2018 compared to 2017. The average sales price of single family homes in 2018 was $321,737, 6.2% higher than the average sales price in 2017. Condos sold at an average of $254,051 in 2018, 13% higher than the $224,818 average sales price of 2017...

What can I do for you? (buyers)

Ultimately I want to know what YOU specifically need to best accomplish YOUR real estate goals, but in case you’re not sure how I might be able to help, here are some ideas. I provide all of these services to clients and potential clients at no cost so I can provide value to you and hopefully win the opportunity to work with you if, and only if, you feel we’re a good fit.

2018 November Washtenaw County Market Report

Here is an in depth report on the real estate market stats for November 2018:

Where are home selling fastest

Good news if you're selling in Michigan: we're in the fastest category (median days on the market is under 30 days). I just listed a house that received 5 offers in the first 3-4 days on the market and that's fairly typical...

Starter Homes Are Where the Market is Toughest

I'm sure you've heard (or experienced) the horror stories about the current market with low inventory and bidding wars, etc. Apparently this problem is worst in the starter home category. Check out this article from Trulia for an in-depth look at this issue:

Washtenaw County Market Stats April 2018

The Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors just released detailed market stats for last month. Prices are still going up, but what's very exciting is that the number of listings is also up - that's what we really need! Take a quick look at the summary below and then read the full report if you're intererested.

Renting or Buying...Either Way, You're Paying Someone's Mortgage

There are some people who have not purchased homes yet because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s...

What you need to know about fire safety in your home

October is National Fire Safety Month. According to the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA), approximately 60% of home fire deaths result from homes with no smoke alarms or working alarms with dead or missing batteries. The facts are clear: smoke detectors save lives...

No... You Do Not Need 20% Down To Buy NOW!

The Aspiring Home Buyers Profile from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The results of the survey show that non-homeowners cite the main reason for not currently owning a home, as not being able to afford one...

Should I Buy A Home Now? Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

• The Cost of Waiting to Buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
• Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 4.4% by next year.
• CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 5.0% over the next 12 months.
• If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!

Article/infographic source: Keeping Current Matters

Why you need to be checking your attic periodically

Ok, the last thing most people think of when it comes to attics is "fun"...

4 Reasons To Buy A Home This Fall!

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today, instead of waiting...

In Which States Do Properties Sell Most Quickly?

Everyone knows it's a hot real estate market and that good properties fly off the market almost as soon as they're listed. Here's an analysis from the National Association of Realtors that breaks down how fast properties are selling in each state...

Don't Disqualify Yourself... 52% Of Approved Loans Have A FICO® Score Under 750

The results of countless studies have shown that potential home buyers, and even current homeowners, have an inflated view of what is really required to qualify for a mortgage in today’s market....

More Boomerang Buyers Are About To Enter The Market

Best Updates to Increase Your Home's Value

If you're thinking about putting some money into your home, you might be concerned to make sure that it will actually increase the value of your home... 

Top 10 most shared homes on Zillow

Just for fun, this week here is a list of the top 10 most shared homes on Zillow this year...

Looking to Move-Up to a Luxury Home? Now's the Time!

If your house no longer fits your needs and you are planning on buying a luxury home, now is a great time to do so! We recently shared data from Trulia’s Market Mismatch Study which showed that in today’s premium home market, buyers are in control...

Consumer Confidence in Economy & Housing is Soaring

The success of the housing market is strongly tied to the consumer’s confidence in the overall economy. For that reason, we believe 2017 will be a great year for real estate. Here is just a touch of the news coverage on the subject...

Again...You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy NOW!

A survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. There are two major misconceptions that we want to address today...

15,014 Homes Sold Yesterday... Did Yours?

There are some homeowners that have been waiting for months to get a price they hoped for when they originally listed their house for sale. The only thing they might want to consider is... If it hasn't sold yet, maybe it's not priced properly....

The Foreclosure Crisis: 10 Years Later

CoreLogic recently released a report entitled, United States Residential Foreclosure Crisis: 10 Years Later, in which they examined the years leading up to the crisis all the way through to present day...

Renting or Buying... Either Way You're Paying a Mortgage

There are some people who have not purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage - either yours or your landlord’s...

Millionaire to Millennials: Buy Now!

Self-made millionaire David Bach was quoted in a CNBC article explaining that "the single biggest mistake millennials are making" is not purchasing a home because buying real estate is "an escalator to wealth"...

Which Homes Have Appreciated the Most?

Home values have risen dramatically over the last twelve months. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors puts the annual increase in the median existing-home price at 7.1%. CoreLogic, in their most recent Home Price Insights Report, reveals that national home prices have increased by 6.9% year-over-year...

4 Great Reasons to Buy This Spring!

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting...

It's a Seller's Market! Should I Downsize Now?

A study by Edelman Berland reveals that 33% of homeowners who are contemplating selling their houses in the near future are planning to scale down. Let’s look at a few reasons why this might make sense for many homeowners, as the majority of the country is currently experiencing a seller’s market...

What Are the Experts Saying about Mortgage Rates?

Mortgage interest rates have risen over the last few months and projections are that they will continue their upswing throughout 2017. What impact will this have on the housing market? Here is what the experts are saying...

Where Did Americans Move in 2016?

Mortgage Rates Impact on 2017 Home Values

There is no doubt that historically low mortgage interest rates were a major impetus to housing recovery over the last several years. However, many industry experts are showing concern about the possible effect that the rising rates will have moving forward...

Over Half of All Buyers Are Surprised by Closing Costs

According to a recent survey conducted by ClosingCorp, over half of all homebuyers are surprised by the closing costs required to obtain their mortgage...

How Long Do Most Families Stay in Their Home?

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) keeps historical data on many aspects of homeownership. One of the data points that has changed dramatically is the median tenure of a family in a home. As the graph below shows, for over twenty years (1985-2008), the median tenure averaged exactly six years. However, since 2008, that average is almost nine years – an increase of almost 50%...

US Housing Market Is Moving into "Buy Territory"!

According to the Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index, the U.S. housing market has continued to move deeper into buy territory, supporting the belief that housing markets across the country remain a sound investment...

Access: A Key Component in Getting Your House SOLD!

So, you’ve decided to sell your house. You’ve hired a real estate professional to help you with the entire process, and they have asked you what level of access you want to provide to potential buyers...

Are You 1 of the 59 Million Planning to Buy This Year?

According to a survey conducted by Bankrate.com, one in four Americans are considering buying a home this year. If this statistic proves to be true, that means that 59 million people will be looking to enter the housing market in 2017...

The Impact of Homeownership on Family Health

The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled 'Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’ The study confirmed a long-standing belief of most Americans...

Existing Home Sales Reach Highest Mark Since 2007 [INFOGRAPHIC]

The Impact of Homeownership on Civic Involvement

The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled 'Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’  The study confirmed a long-standing belief of most Americans...

The Great News About Rising Prices for Homeowners

Recently there has been a lot of talk about home prices and if they are accelerating too quickly. As we mentioned before, in some areas of the country, seller supply (homes for sale) cannot keep up with the number of buyers out looking for a home, which has caused prices to rise.

3 Questions to Ask If You Want to Buy Your Dream Home

Listing in the Winter Attracts More Serious Buyers

A recent study of more than 7 million home sales over the past four years revealed that the season in which a home is listed may be able to shed some light on the likelihood that the home will sell for more than asking price, as well as how quickly the sale will close...

The Impact of Homeownership on Educational Achievement

The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled 'Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’ The study confirmed a long-standing belief of most Americans...

Buyers Are Searching For Your House

The most recent Pending Homes Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors revealed a slight bump in contracts with an increase of 1.6% in December. This news comes as existing home sales are also forecasted to be on pace for 5.54 million in 2017, a 1.7% increase over 2016, which was the best year for sales in a decade...

Homeownership Offers Stability & Wealth Creation

The most recent Housing Pulse Survey released by the National Association of Realtorsrevealed that the two major reasons Americans prefer owning their own home instead of renting are:

Lack of Homes for Sale Slowing Down the Housing Market

The housing crisis is finally in the rear-view mirror as the real estate market moves down the road to a complete recovery. Home values are up. Home sales are up. Distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have fallen dramatically. It seems that 2017 will be the year that the housing market races forward again....

Daydreaming About Your Perfect Home? Know What You WANT vs. What You NEED

In this day and age of being able to shop for anything anywhere, it is really important to know what you’re looking for when you start your home search...

No Matter What the Groundhog Says, Here are 5 Reasons to Sell Before Spring!

Is spring closer than we think? Depending on which groundhog you listen to today, you may have less time than you think to get your home on the market before the busy spring season.

Buyer Demand Is Outpacing the Supply of Homes for Sale

The price of any item is determined by the supply of that item, as well as the market demand. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions” for their monthly REALTORS Confidence Index.

Thinking of Making an Offer? 4 Tips for Success

2 Myths That May Be Holding Back Buyers

What to Expect From Your Home Inspection

Thinking of Selling? Why Now is the Time

It is common knowledge that a large number of homes sell during the spring-buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off on putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that will be a good strategy this year...

Buying a Home is More Affordable Than Renting in 66% of US Counties

According to ATTOM Data Solutions’ 2017 Rental Affordability Report, buying a home is more affordable than renting in 354 of the 540 U.S. counties they analyzed...

How Low Interest Rates Increase Your Purchasing Power

Why Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step

In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes greatly outnumbers the amount of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search...

5 Myths About Real Estate Reality TV Explained

Have you ever been flipping through the channels, only to find yourself glued to the couch in an HGTV binge session? We’ve all been there… watching entire seasons of “Love it or List it,” “Fixer Upper,” “House Hunters,” “Property Brothers,” and so many more, just in one sitting...

What Would a Millennial Baby Boom Mean for Housing?

Recently released data from the National Center for Health Statistics revealed that 1.3 million Millennial women gave birth for the first time in 2015. There are now over 16 million women in this generation who have become mothers...

Have You Saved Enough for Closing Costs?

There are many potential homebuyers, and even sellers, who believe that they need at least a 20% down payment in order to buy a home or move on to their next home. Time after time, we have dispelled this myth by showing that many loan programs allow you to put down as little as 3% (or 0% with a VA loan)....

Tips for Preparing Your House For Sale [INFOGRAPHIC]

Will Housing Affordability Be a Challenge in 2017?

You Need a Professional on Your Team When Buying a Home

Many people wonder whether they should hire a real estate professional to assist them in buying their dream home or if they should first try to do it on their own. In today’s market: you need an experienced professional!... (continue reading)

Whether You Rent or Buy: Either Way You're Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either yours or your landlord’s...