Greg Kobylenski - Blog

Shaking the Winter Real Estate Blues

Greg Kobylenski — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:39:57 GMT

I ran comparisons this morning just to see how the Holland, Michigan real estate market did in 2009 as compared to 2008. I also wanted see how I did personally in 2009. I already know I did better this year than last, but I’m slowing down now as the West Michigan real estate market tends to be quite seasonal, and I figured I could use a pick me up. To view all the current Holland, MI real estate listings visit my Holland Michigan Real Estate web site.

To date, there have been 1,155 homes sold in Holland and Zeeland, Michigan this year alone. This represents a 4.14% increase in homes sold over last year. There were 1,109 homes sold between January 1, 2008 and December 17, 2008. However, the 2009 Holland-Zeeland home sales volume to date totals $152,959,933 as compared to a volume of $179,462,450 in the same period last year. These numbers represent a 14.8 percent decline from 2008 to 2009.

Of the homes sold in Holland and Zeeland this year, the median home sold was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,269 square foot home that listed at $114,500 and sold for $106,500. On average in 2009, homes sold for 93 percent of list price. For the same dates in 2008, the median home sold in the Holland, Zeeland area was a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,296 square foot home, that listed at $132,000 and sold for $128,000. Homes sold for 97 percent of list price during this time period in 2008.

This data indicates there was a 16.8 percent drop in the median Holland-Zeeland home sales price in 2009 over 2008. That statistic taken alone is a little discouraging, but the number of homes sold increased overall and this is a positive sign for the West Michigan real estate market. Hopefully this news brings good cheer to all those keeping an eye on the West Michigan market as we head into 2010. To find West Michigan Home Sales in your own neighborhood visit my web site.

As for my personal performance in 2009, my numbers outshine the overall West Michigan real estate market. Selling 193% more in volume from January 1, 2009 through December 1, 2009 as compared to that same time period last year, I nearly doubled my home sales in 2009 from 2008. I think this might be enough to shake my winter real estate blues and help me begin work in 2010 with renewed determination.

Greg Unveils His New Holland Michigan Real Estate Web Site

Greg Kobylenski — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:10:17 GMT

I have started a new Holland Michigan Real Estate web site targeted to providing the West Michigan real estate buyer or seller with the latest and greatest resources available. If you're looking to buy your first or next West Michigan home my new web site makes searching for West MI homes easy and fast, providing you with proven results that save you time and money. If you want to know when new Holland, Zeeland, Saugatuck, Hamilton, Grand Haven or other West Michigan Real Estate hits the market my new web site www.HomesofHolland.com can help you. There are plenty of Holland homes for sale so start your quick search or detailed home search on my new website now. If you’re the West MI home buyer interested in foreclosures, start your Holland foreclosure search for free today. All the Holland foreclosures, Zeeland foreclosures, and the rest of the West Michigan foreclosures can be found fast on my new web site.

Are you thinking of selling your Holland Michigan real estate? I specialize in selling West Michigan Real Estate. Discover just how much your neighbors sold Holland home, Zeeland home, Saugatuck home or other West Michigan Real Estate for, FREE on my web site. What a great new feature! Just enter an address to get a free report of recent home sales in your West Michigan neighborhood-it’s that easy! If your interested in a more in depth evaluation of your West MI home or Holland MI home please contact me for your FREE market analysis.

House Hunting? Be Prepared with a Pre-Approved Mortgage Loan

Greg Kobylenski — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:02:36 GMT

Most homebuyers miss out on one of the most important steps in the home buying process. In this competitive real estate market, Greg strongly advises that homebuyers arm themselves with a pre-approved mortgage loan before the house hunting begins.

A pre-approved mortgage loan is a lender's actual commitment to lend to the homebuyer, with specifications on the exact loan amount. To get pre-approved, homebuyers need to provide personal financial information, such as income, debts and assets, to an underwriter. After a homebuyer applies for the loan, the lender will most likely approve the application with certain caveats. As the lender is committing to the loan amount and interest rate up front, the homebuyer knows that they have their financing in place before they start shopping for a home.

Advantages of having a pre-approved mortgage loan include:

Establishing an advantage in a competitive market. A pre-approval letter gives the homebuyer an edge in a multi-offer situation. Sellers prefer working with potential buyers that are pre-approved. From the seller's perspective, they do not want to take their home off the market only for the deal to fall through because the purchaser cannot get sufficient financing. An offer with a mortgage pre-approval letter carries far more weight than an offer with only a pre-qualification letter or no letter at all. In fact, sellers often accept offers of lower dollar amounts from pre-approved buyers over buyers who have not been pre-approved despite higher offers. With pre-approval, the home sellers have a higher confidence level that the deal won't run into any problems.

Finding the best possible type of loan. Working with a mortgage agent before looking at houses gives the homebuyer plenty of time to decide what category of mortgage product works best for his or her financial goals. Once the buyer decides on the kind of loan he or she wants and has been pre-approved for it, the homebuyer can then focus on finding a dream home.

Establishing the price range. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage enables the homebuyer to determine, prior to house hunting, how much money he or she qualifies for, thereby establishing a price range. The real estate sales associate and homebuyer can then focus on looking at appropriate homes.

Seeking comfort with the loan amount: By taking the time to seek pre-approval, the homebuyer can select a comfortable loan amount. In many cases, buyers can qualify for mortgages that are more expensive than what they feel comfortable committing to for the long-term. Buyers often end up acquiring a more expensive home than they want merely because it works on paper. It's important for a buyer to purchase a home that they can own - and not the other way around.

GREG SAYS MOVING WITH KIDS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A STRUGGLE

Greg Kobylenski — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:56:42 GMT

Summer is the busiest home moving time of the year, as families try to get settled before the start of the new school year. But moving into a new home elicits many emotions, particularly regarding the children. Carefully preparing children for the move will ease the transition and make the process smoother for the entire family.

Greg offers the following advice on helping kids cope with the big move.

Communicate. Maintain an open dialogue with the children about the decision to move. Engage them at the beginning of the process to give them time to get used to the idea. Explain why you must move and answer questions truthfully.

Listen. Listening to your kids' concerns is equally important. Pay close attention to their statements so you can alleviate any fears. Avoid being dismissive of any social concerns; acknowledge them and remind the kids about the new opportunities ahead.

Explore. After selecting a new home, a real estate sales associate can help you discover the new neighborhood and point out the playgrounds, community centers, and recreation areas that will help make the environment seem more familiar. Coldwell Banker customers can use their local Coldwell Banker Concierge® Service Program for assistance in finding activities for children.

Comfort. Pack up the kids' rooms last to minimize the feeling of any disruption. The longer they feel secure in their own rooms, the easier the transition will be. Then, set up their bedrooms first so they feel like they're back in familiar surroundings

Return to normal routines as quickly as possible, so set up the kitchen second. Serve meals at the same times as before, so there is not too much change all at once for the kids.

Surprise. Arrange for special treats to be waiting for everyone at the new house. New games or new cuddly friends will keep the kids busy during unpacking and make the first memory of the new house a pleasant one!