Grand Rapids Homes for Sale

Hiring a Grand Rapids Realtor - What would be your best advice?

Tami Vroma — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:28:00 GMT

Hiring a Grand Rapids Realtor - What would be your one piece of advice that you would feel is the most important?

Isn't it interesting how people love to ask questions in elevators? Since I am one of those people who can talk to anyone and being a Realtor in the the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market, the question I hear the most is, "If you had to give one piece of advice for a seller interviewing agents to sell their Grand Rapids Home, what would it be?"

That's simple . . . .HIRE ME!! Ok all kidding aside, it is a question that is extremely easy to answer and one I enjoy answering!

If I had to give just one piece of advice on hiring an agent to sell a home in this difficult West Michigan housing market it would be to Google the agents name.

While there are a lot of important considerations to make, this one will tell you if the agent is operating as a high tech Realtor who knows you must be internet savvy to get the home sold or if it is an agent operating in the times of listing cards and door to door. The days of the Realtor being the keeper of all the information pertaining to a house are gone! It used to be, the only way to find out the listing price on a house, was to call a Realtor and ask. The internet has changed that idea tremendously. No longer are Realtors the keepers of the information. They are distributors of the information.

Will your Realtor know how to distribute that information out on the world wide web to market your home to its fullest potential?

So what does Googling their name have to do with anything? What it will show you is what type of on-line presence they have. An agent who has very few hits on their name is not one that has a huge presence. The probability of being able to Google one of their listing addresses and have information come up is slim to none. One site is not enough because different buyers search in different areas.

When you Google a name, put it in quotes. Jennifer Kassick could return, Hal Kassick, but if you Google "Jennifer Kassick", the search will make sure the first and last name are kept together. Once you have your list of hits, look to see if it has to do with real estate. So what is a good number of hits? When my name is Googled, "Tami Vroma", there are 3,890 hits. This is something I have worked on for over 5 years. The agents with hits in the 1000's take internet marketing very seriously.

There are a lot of Grand Rapids homes for sale, so this is not the only parameter you should use to guide yourself when hiring an agent but it will certainly give you a good place to start. For more guidance on hiring your Grand Rapids Realtor, check out my series, How to Hire a Grand Rapids Realtor.

Please let me know what you thought of this article--I would love to hear your comments!

Photo Attribute: Elevator; Google

Single Story For Sale in Kenowa Hills

Tami Vroma — Fri, 01 May 2009 06:00:00 GMT

• 1,000 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® $119,900

Kenowa Hills, Walker - This 3 bedroom 1 bath ranch home has had all the "majors" done in recent years. New furnace-2006; new air conditioner-2007; new water heater-2006; new replacement windows 2005; new refrigerator 2007; new slider in dining area 2005; new garage door 2000; even the roof has many years on it as it was replaced in June of 1998. So you first time home buyers . . . what will you spend your $8000 on?!?!?!?! It won't be on appliances-because those are all included-even washer and dryer! What's more is that you have a 204 square foot four seasons porch to enjoy that looks out onto the nice back yard. Clean and solid! All that is left is for you to do is remove some wall paper, paint and replace some of the bedroom carpet and this home will be immaculate!! This home has been well cared for by the same owners since it was built!. Even better it isn't a foreclosure and you won't have to wait forever because it isn't a short sale eitherjust a nice normal sale.

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Ranch For Sale in Wyoming

Tami Vroma — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

• 1,560 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm ranch - MLS® $69,900

Wyoming, Kent County - 2 Bedroom starter home with lots of potential. Nice size living room with fireplace, fenced back yard and a 2 stall garage. Big basement with another fireplace. Square footage is approximate.

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Ranch For Sale in Kentwood

Tami Vroma — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

• 1,350 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm ranch - MLS® $80,000

Kentwood, Kent County - This 3 bedroom (one room is walk through) is cute, cute, cute, and located at the end of a street with very little traffic. Newer vinyl siding with a front of field stone. The back yard is fenced in with a separate area for gardening. Bonus- the side yard that butts against woods is actually owned by the city but has been used and maintained by the owners for years. Inside is a big family room, a kitchen , pantry/laundry room and another living room plus a huge bathroom with whirlpool tub. You've got to see this one!!

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2 Story For Sale in Grand Rapids

Tami Vroma — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

• 5 bdrm 2 story "2 unit rental" - MLS® $68,200

Grand Rapids, Plainfield Township - This rental unit is in great shape! Investors take a look at this one first and compare to the others--when compared..this one WILL be at the top. If you love all the classic hardwoods then you need to get into this unit. The upper unit is a 2 bedroom and the bottom unit is a 3 bedroom. The bottom unit is rented and approved for section 8 housing. Electric is separate for each unit. The whole unit has all new replacement windows and several new doors. Your renters also have a garage to park in.

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