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Imported From Detroit

So I was in my glory Superbowl night. Not because my favorite team was playing – I don’t even have a favorite team. I don’t watch pro football. And not because I was excited by the cornucopia of finger foods & libations that usually put me on cloud nine for the annual awesome commercial fest. In fact, the reason Superbowl Sunday was such a a joy for me was not something I could have anticipated. It was a complete surprise. Three of my favorite things were brought together in one commercial and it was delicious. The Eminem Chrysler spot.

By now probably every one has seen the ad. I will post it anyway just in case someone has managed to miss it. Also because people are watching it over and over. Myself included. I had goosebumps. If you try and tell me you didn’t have some sort of emotional reaction – that you didn’t feel SOMEthing – I will call you a liar.

I have written a lot about my feelings on the automobile industry. Much of it was “lost” when we went to the new format. Hehe. It was pretty opinionated – negative even, some might say.  I’ll just sum it up. Buy American. =)

Take that a step further and more specific – I love Chrysler. I’m a jeep girl. Hubs is a Dodge truck guy.  It’s not only all he has driven for years, but he also builds them.

Next stop connecting the dots is our first date was in Detroit. For better or worse that makes a warm spot in my heart for D-Town.  I think most people in Flint feel a connection to Detroit though. We have a lot in common with our big sister city, from auto making to thriving & decline – our cities can relate.

Bringing the line full circle is Eminem. I love him. My whole family loves him – he is a common ground for us. He is an anthem for my angsty teenage son. My 11 year old daughter “is not afraid” because Eminem told her not to be. The nation loves him. The whole world loves him. But he’s ours.  He doesn’t talk much so when he does, people listen.  And when he does speak you know he means it.

So imagine the goosebumps and choked upness when those three things came together – out of nowhere – packing such a punch.  “Detroit is alive. We work hard. We made this bad ass car. Buy it.” Who’s gonna argue with Eminem? From the incredible response to the ad, nobody wants to.

Here’s the ad for your enjoyment. And FYI Chrysler just renewed their Friends and Family program so track down your favorite Chrysler worker and see what kind of discount they can get you. =D

Jan Smith: Batty About Real Estate

Jennifer Nemitz: Short Sale Specialist

Jennifer Nemitz got into real estate six years ago to be able to generate an income working around her family’s schedule. In her experience in the field she has witnessed big changes in the market. She also quickly found out she didn’t have as much control over her schedule as she had anticipated – but that hasn’t changed how much she loves her job and meeting new people.

Jennifer is currently the short sale specialist at changingstreets.com. She also enjoys working with all buyers and sellers alike.

In a profession full of embarrassing stories and new crazy things happening on a a daily basis, Jen is happy to claim that her most embarrassing moment of getting her heels caught in the shag carpet and falling down the stairs – was while showing houses to members of her own family. That’s pretty impressive!

As Jennifer contemplates the market over the years, she notes that the houses used to be full of furniture, then suddenly, they were all vacant. That set me back a minute. Such a simple observation speaks volumes about what is seen from the eye of the “field” as well as what was happening behind closed doors. To our neighbors, to families,  and communities.

In Jennifer’s experience she feels the market is leveling out. She notes prices rising in some areas. Jennifer also expects to see another round of foreclosures around the middle of the year, as well as the emergence of more home buyers.

“More buyers means more multiple offers”,

Jennifer points out. She advises that everyone be prepared with their mortgage pre-approvals and not waste time in making offers when you find something you REALLY like, because if it is a good deal, there will definitely be competition for it.

If you are ready to start shopping for that great deal or have questions regarding short sales, you can reach Jennifer at 989.666.3686.

Margie Pattee: Residential Dream Catcher

Margie Pattee is a dedicated professional who has been living, working, and breathing real estate since 1990 when she decided she wanted to take the leap from stay at home mom to career woman.  Selling real estate had always sounded interesting to her so when the third of her four kids graduated she went for it!

At a time when many agents are specializing in working with either BUYERS or SELLERS, Margie considers herself an expert at both. She should be! In addition to her twenty years, Margie continues to take every class and achieve every designation she can get her hands on. The business and the market are constantly changing and staying informed is the key to Margie’s success and satisfaction of her buyers.

The impressive list of abbreviations behind Margie’s name  include Accredited Buyer’s Agent (ABR), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Professional Relocation Skills (PRS), Residential Market Master (RMM), and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS).

Margie has seen it all in her two decades of helping Genesee County buy and sell their homes.  One of the oddest things she recalled was running into a family of raccoons in a chimney during a home inspection and having to cool the heels of the home inspector/ Sherriff Deputy who was going to shoot the critters so he could finish the inspection.  What?! Thanks for looking out for ALL of Genesee County’s residents, Margie!

Also, having experienced a couple decades worth of trends in the business, Margie has dealt with Buyer AND  Seller challenges, but this is the first time she recalls having to work twice as hard and drive three times farther to find business and still make LESS money.  An interesting point in an economy and a  market where so much focus is on lost jobs, dropping house values and stressed home owners.

I asked Margie to tell me something positive about the real estate martket today and she joked, “I’m still a Real Estate Agent!” That actually really IS a positive point when you consider how many agents have dropped out over the last few years. Those hanging in there like Margie are the most dedicated and most educated cream of the crop.  Margie’s husband says she’s “married to her job.” Margie says she just loves what she does and is committed to help customers “Realize their Dreams.”

Take advantage of Margie’s experience and knowledge.  She’s waiting to help you find the house of YOUR dreams. 810.513.3185.

Happy New Year!

Included in almost every New Year’s Resolution list is “Get organized.” Our homes and our lives need to be de-cluttered.  The best way to meet the challenges that each new year/day/moment presents is to be prepared. When everything is in its place, be it your keys, your flashlight or your mind, it’s easier to access when needed. After all the surprises the last couple of years have sprung on us, “getting organized” might be the most important resolution for 2011. It’s the one I’m focusing on.

Have you heard of The Fly Lady? She is better than sliced bread and Martha Stewart combined, in my humble opinion. I’ve peeked at her website a bit over the last couple of years but I’m taking the plunge now. I signed up, I’m getting the emails, I’m taking the babysteps to de-cluttering my household and my life so that I’m best prepared for whatEVER 2011 throws at me. I highly recommend you check her out too!

The best thing about 2010 is that it showed me that 2009 was not as bad as I thought it was.  2009 shook things up and took us out of our comfort zones. It taught many what it meant to sacrifice and really suffer for the first time ever. Not pleasant lessons, sure, but beneficial ones.  If 2009 was the year of reality checks and getting back to basics, (see? It almost sounds positive, doesn’t it?) 2010 was the year of  ”letting go.” Many businesses closed their doors, relationships dissolved, and if the number of celebrity deaths is any indication, we also “let go” of a lot of people in 2010. News of Teena Marie’s death the day after Christmas stopped me in my tracks. She had shows scheduled. She was alive and tweeting vibrantly just the day before. Halo Burger sold to another company last week. Who’da thought? And icing the cake of all relationship break ups? Al & Tipper Gore after 40 years of marriage.  WTHeck?! I really can’t see how I’m ever going to be able to put a positive spin on everything we’ve seen fall apart this year, but that’s okay.  We’re not going to spend valuable time and energy there. Let’s focus on today, “2011: The year of personal achievement.” How do you like it?

Adam Abt: Co-Founder, Broker-Flint

Adam Abt, broker and co-founder of ChangingStreets.com Flint, has been involved with real estate for 16 years.  I can clearly recall the day he came into the doctor’s office where I worked and told me about some guy “Hoyt” he knew that he was going into business with, to start a new real estate company. He was a top producer where he was working at the time and he was making more money than he ever had, but he was so excited talking about the potential of this new business and it was contagious.  Nine years later he STILL gets that excited about the business and it is still contagious. When I look back I don’t think that I ever doubted the success of the company – but I know I never thought it would grow so big, so fast.

You gotta have heart

Adam and his partners are smart guys and if you asked about the success of their company they would talk about stats and production and methods and websites, rock star agents, and so on. As a one time outsider turned insider, having once looked in and is now projecting out – honest to goodness I believe  it’s the heart of these guys that kept the doors open as a struggling young company and continues to see it grow.

It’s kind of old hat now, the amount of generosity and sincerity that floats around here, but I remember in my first several months here I was many times blown away by the battles Adam fought for his clients. (and agents!) If his client was not treated properly and fairly by someone else involved in the transaction, he went to bat for them. When the City of Mt. Morris would not turn on the water so that the mandatory pre-sale home inspection could be performed, he went above heads and talked to the media to get the red tape cut. When one of us agents is having trouble with a file because someone involved in the transaction isn’t playing fair, we give it to Adam who takes on the fight as his own and makes things right.

Man overboard

Adam really does go over and above for his agents and his clients. It’s one thing to sit and plan how to best handle a situation and to do the right thing. But it’s how a person acts on instinct that gives a glimpse into their intentions. So when Adam’s pregnant client tripped and was on her way to falling in the swimming pool during a house showing, and he dove to nudge her to safety while falling in the pool himself… in December – “It was her or me” he said – we weren’t surprised. Even though we told him we were.  :)

Down to bidness

For all the schmoozing I’m doing here, and the fun to be had at his expense, at the end of the day, Adam is the boss and he has a business to run – a lot of people are counting on him to make sure they get their houses sold and buy their dream homes. He takes this very seriously as he continues to study the market and its current fickle ways.  He can’t believe how much things have changed since his early days of buying investment property, which sparked his interest in selling real estate – to his current days of owning his own company, sitting on committees, assisting with the company HUD contract…..he calls the current market 100% different than it ever was, and says

“Nothing is the same as it even was a few years ago. The biggest challenges are the ever changing foreclosure/REO market, and the daily changes to the buying and negotiating process. I’ve always considered myself somewhat of an an expert but it’s difficult to make that claim now when there is the chance that the sound advice I feel I am giving today won’t be relevant tomorrow.”

Adam describes the  Genesee County real estate market as “still unstable & unpredictable” but cannot stress enough the opportunities for getting great homes at a fraction of the price of a few years ago. He adds,

“Anyone who buys a house now will be set in a few years when the rebounding of property values really begins.”

Managing a sales team, working with HUD, creating stained glass art, kayaking and spending time with his family (Did I mention he and his wife have TWINS!?) sure keep Adam busy and on his toes. But you know what he can’t seem to do without? Working with buyers and sellers. It was his first love in this crazy business and he’s looking forward to your call when it’s time to take that step into buying/selling your home. 810.955.1087.

Carol Murtha: Horse Lover, Family Girl, Real Estate Agent

Being a real estate agent in the field is a world away from being in the classroom.  I’m sure that’s just what ChangingSteets residenthorse farm specialist Carol Murthathought after fumbling for a light switch through the dark kitchen of an abandoned house where she was greeted by a giant rat, “smiling” his gnarly teeth, just an inch from her arm once she flipped the switch. Or maybe at THAT moment she was thinking she does not get paid enough to wrangle rodents. But the classroom thing surely hit her later as she contemplated her day. Carol’s determination, sense of humor,  and grace under pressure is why she has such an impressive collection of loyal customers referring her to friends and returning to her for their own needs in the future.

We’ve all run across unexpected offenses while showing houses.  I’m happy that to date I have managed to avoid any LIVING varmints.  This is one business I am happy to be one upped in the field. When I was embarrassed about walking into a screen door and bouncing off it like a dog, Carol shared with me her story of trying to squeeze through a slider door that would only open a few inches. “I was trapped, Cindy, you should have seen it. One boob on each side of the glass.  My poor buyer was beside himself because he couldn’t figure out what part of me to grab to help me through.”

Carol Murtha, Momma Murtha as I like to call her,  has always had an interest in homes and real estate. When she retired from Kodak and her kids were grown, she took the opportunity to try it out. We actually got licensed and began working at ChangingStreets at exactly the same time in 2004 – just as the market had begun to decline.

Carol points out that there really is no such thing as a “normal” sale anymore. And leave it to her to pull the positive out of the situation and remind me that “we learn something new and useful each and every day” and that as a group of Streeters we’ve all become even closer through consistent communication and all working together through the complexities of the market to get each other’s deals closed.

Carol also has an optimistic and realistic take on the market today, noting that she has noticed a big increase of owner occupied sales over those for purely investment.  She’s happy about that because she loves working with people and families who are excited about buying a new house.  She believes now is the time to buy because the rates are so good and there are amazing deals out there for everyone.

Carol enjoys people and she likes looking at houses. She loves animals and living in the country. She’s got a real handle on the rural development market and knows of just about every horse farm for sale Genesee County and surrounding.  And she’s excited to help you find your new home so call her at 810.908.3960. If she doesn’t answer, leave a message – she’ll call you back as soon as she’s done feeding the horses.

Shannon Jones: Million Dollar Mama

Nine years in the business has shown Shannon Jones a picture that has changed “drastically” from then to now. Prior to becoming one of ChangingStreets very first – and top selling – agent, Shannon worked behind the scenes at title companies. Her Dad’s a broker in Maui, and her Mom’s even a Streeter!  Shannon is very experienced and at home in real estate. She says,

“I have been in the business long enough to see it go from being great for sellers, and having listings was awesome and lucrative for agents, to the market being so horrible for homeowners that can’t GIVE their houses away. I’m glad to see it finally coming back around.”

In addition to collecting extensive experience, Shannon has been around real estate long enough to collect enough stories from the field to fill a book. She has discovered drug labs in kitchens, worn flea collars around her ankles, been thrown up on, crawled through doggie doors and climbed out windows, been bullied by satanic pets, tripped, slipped, and fallen down, and so much more – all the while laughing but  never missing a beat.  Never forgetting she’s there to take care of her buyer – top notch professionalism even with one spike heel stuck in the mud.

Except maybe for that time it wasn’t her birthday and she showed up with her buyers to see a house and there was a party going on. The seller was liquored up in the back yard and when she saw Shannon, yelled, “Oh My God it’s you! Happy Birthday!” All eyes turned to Shannon, even her buyers excitedly inquired, “Oh it’s your birthday?” It totally wasn’t. I think that had to have thrown even HER for a loop!

You know, even the top sales agents took pay cuts when things started to get ugly.  It motivated Shannon to only work harder. First she had to take care of her family. After that she looked around and saw houses, communities, homeowners, former clients – all struggling – and felt the best thing that SHE could do was try and keep the ball rolling. Get as many homeowners out from burdensome mortgages and get as many buyers into vacant home as quickly as possible. I believe that agents like Shan, who never gave up, and stayed focused on the big picture, helped us get past the most terrible point and up to where we are now.

That attitude and work ethic is also helped her to make that million dollar sale last month. Just sayin. Those deals are rare and you gotta care and work your tail off to get them done. That’s pretty much Shannon in a nutshell.

Shannon says now is the time to buy and that the most amazing thing about today’s market is simply that people can buy. Young couples can afford to start their lives together with a home and an investment instead of throwing money away on rent.  She loves seeing people who didn’t think they COULD buy walk out of a closing with keys and a big smile.

Shannon works 7 days a week to meet her client’s needs, but makes sure she fits in activities with friends and family every day too. She loves playing in the sun and water, WATCHING sports (especially those involving her daughters) and eating sweets.  She can be reached at 810.217.5888 when you’re ready to start house hunting.  Don’t forget to wish her Happy Birthday.

Flint’s Holiday Kickoff!

It’s officially “crunch time”. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s we are on a mission. We’re organizing, we’re decorating, we’re shopping, we’re playing, we’re cooking, we’re baking, we’re drinking, we’re socializing, we’re giving, and we’re spreading good cheer.  We’re also making lists, just like Santa. Tis the season to write down what you need to do,  where you have to go, and what you want for Christmas.  Well today, as the countdown to Christmas kick off has begun, I have a couple cool things for you to add to your lists. (You’re welcome!)

Ya know, I struggle with Thanksgiving every year. Maybe I can best explain why through my favorite quote, which can be found on my Facebook profile.

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to IMPROVE the world and a desire to ENJOY the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”

I want to ENJOY my biscuits and gravy feast, but the famine of dear children around me is always at the front of my mind. This makes it hard to plan my holidays. BUT we have to. For one because December will get away from you in an instant if you don’t take control of it. But also because if we don’t take a minute to think about it, the season gets hijacked by commercialism, consumerism, and materialism.

BLACK FRIDAY! CYBER MONDAY! HUDSONS 2 DAY SALE! (hehe. I miss Hudsons) NO PAYMENTS TIL 2015! FREE SHIPPING! XBOX! IPOD! PS3! WIIIIIII!

We’re blasted by ads for material items, which is fine, but how about some good will blasting? I would like to see just as much, if not more, attention given to community service, paying it forward, and buying the world a coke, as is given to shopping and eating.

Weeeeell I can’t control your influences but I can contribute to them by reminding you to add “others” to your thoughts this holiday season.  It’s as easy as attending Flint’s Holiday Kick off tonight, Tuesday the 30th, downtown Flint – with the tree lighting ceremony at City Hall – 1101 S. Saginaw St.  There will also be a parade, free carriage rides, marching bands, choirs, cheerleaders, floats, the Mayor will be hobnobbing with Santa Claus… and don’t forget about SANTA LAND at the UM Flint Pavillion. Mr & Mrs Claus will be there taking pictures.

*Special shout out to Project Pj happening all day today and right on through the festivities, offering shopping opportunities from local vendors donating portions of their profits to young women who age out of the foster care system.  Even if you’re not shopping, you can drop off a pair of pajamas for some young folks who need them. Lots of little opportunities to think of “others” while still having fun, yourself.

So that’s what I’ll be doing in Flint tonight. I  know Flushing has its Candle Walk, Grand Blanc has its own tree lighting ceremony – I’ll see about getting the dates for you – in the meantime, tell me what’s happening in your part of the county and I’ll highlight it here. The more the merrier!

Neighborhood Stabilization Program

There’s a new program in town and it goes by the name, NSP. Or Neighborhood Stabilization Program, for short. Er… long.  From what I understand I am one of the first agents to get one of these pending and might be the first to get one closed.  I’m feeling pretty fancy about it, either way. =) But it’s not about me. Right. It’s about another great program helping to rebuild our neighborhoods and get people into good properties.

Here’s the 411 on the NSP…

Previously we talked about the 203k rehab loan that allows buyers to roll in costs of necessary repairs right into the loan, close on the property as-is, and make the repairs afterward.  The Neighborhood Stabilization Program has the same goal of using up our existing inventory to provide homes to individuals and families, but they are buying the houses, renovating them, and making them move in ready.  Genesee County was awarded 7.5m in March of 2009 to carry out the program and make the homes super affordable to qualified buyers.

Are you qualified to buy an NSP house?

If you meet the (in my opinion realistic)  income guidelines set up by the program and are qualified to get an FHA, VA, or conventional loan, then all you need to do is complete the mandatory 8 hours of home buyer classes and find a house.  Pretty simple.  To make it even more simple, we can help you figure out what you’re qualified for, if you meet the income requirements, and where to take the classes. And oh yeah – find the house too.

The areas being targeted by the NSP are City of Burton, City of Clio, City of Fenton, City of Mt. Morris, Flint Twp, Genesee Twp,  and Mt. Morris Twp.  I have a complete list of the properties available if you’re interested.

The program is still in its infancy and we haven’t closed on one yet, so please forgive your Agent for not being an expert yet.  The whole market is a new business and we are all learning these new programs together.  And at ChangingStreets we’re doing our best to stay on top of the newest programs being set into place to help you get into your new house.

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