I put this website together to be able to answer all those questions I get on a daily basis.  "What's happening in the real estate market, how can I best buy, sell, rent my property", etc.

So I hope you find the information helpful and if you have a specific question that's not covered here, just pick up the phone and call. 

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE MARKET? Grand Traverse Area 2009

Looks like real estate in Traverse City is clicking along at a good pace.  Properties that have sat on the market all winter (or longer) are once again getting showings and even multiple offers.  As an example, by May I had as many properties sold as I did all last year. 

We're starting to see people enter the market to get those great first time buyer credits.  Competition in some price ranges can be fierce.  If I had 50 listings under $100K I could sell them all next month. 

This in turn allows people to buy a bigger property or get out from under a mortgage they might not otherwise be able to afford.

WHY CAN'T I FIND A RENTAL?

OK, our rental occupancy is really high.  One of the presenters at the Housing Expo said TC has a 96% occupancy in homes rented from $750 to $1000 per month.  Here's why:

1) As people cannot afford their homes they turn to renting.  Having lived in a home most do not want to go to apartment living.  So the demand for single family home rentals increase.  These individuals will need five years in a rental property before they will be eligable for a standard mortgage.  So we have a large demand for long term rents.

2) As the criteria required to get a mortgage gets higher and higher it gets more and more difficult to be able to buy a home.  You need a solid credit score and history of paying your bills on time every month.  Two late car payments in 12 months can disqualify you from getting a mortgage.

If you're in the market to sell, buy, build, or invest give me a call.  I can be reached easiest on my cell phone at (231) 645-1954.