Central Michigan Real Estate Podcast with Mary Peacock

What Are the Best Home Improvements for Sellers to Make?

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 13:07:00 -0800

I have some fantastic advice for home sellers who want to maximize their sale price. Here’s what you need to do.

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If you’re thinking about putting your home on the market in the coming months, here are a few things you can do to get it ready and fetch a higher price: 1. Take an overall look at the home. If your kitchen is a little dated, you don’t need a full renovation. Just replacing the countertops, for example, can bring a ton of value. 2. Change out your appliances. Your appliances should be updated and matching. It’s not super expensive, but it can really make a difference. 3. Change the entry or garage doors. If they’re looking worn, this should be done.

Your appliances should be updated and matching.

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4. Roofing and windows. If they’re starting to show their age, you can get 75% back on your investment by replacing them. These simple tips will help maximize your sale price. If you have any questions about what you can do for your property, please feel free to reach out via phone or email. We would love to hear from you.

Should You Trust Zestimates?

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 07:47:00 -0800

Today I’m sharing why you shouldn’t completely trust Zillow’s Zestimates.

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Today I’m discussing Zillow’s home valuations, which are called Zestimates. Zillow uses three factors to come up with your house’s value: location, square footage, and what the sales in your neighborhood have been. They don’t take into consideration the particular features of your house or any improvements that you’ve made. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to have a Realtor come take a look at your property, and only use Zestimates as a loose guideline. A real estate agent will have the best advice about where to place your home on the market. They can also offer great advice on a myriad of other things you’ll need to know about how to sell your house. If you would like our team to come take a look at your home, please reach out to us by phone or email. We would love to help you!

A Quick Primer on Closing Costs

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 08:51:00 -0800

Closing costs are fees incurred from obtaining a mortgage loan for your home purchase.

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Today I want to share a quick message about closing costs. Closing costs are fees incurred from obtaining a mortgage loan for your home purchase, and they can range from 2% to 5% of the overall purchase price. You don’t always have to pay closing costs, though. There is a rural development loan that doesn’t require any closing costs if you qualify for it. You can also negotiate with the seller for them to pay your closing costs. If you’d like to know more about closing costs, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

Energy-Efficient Tips for Winter

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Fri, 6 Dec 2019 14:10:00 -0800

Four tips to save money and energy this winter.

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Today I want to provide you with four tips to help you make your home more energy-efficient. We’re quickly approaching the winter season, so use these tips to save energy and money: 1. Use natural light. Open blinds and curtains to let the sunshine warm up each room. 2. Get a thermostat you can schedule. Schedule the heat to turn down while you’re at work or at night when you don’t need as much heat. 3. Insulate leaky windows. Make sure all leaks are sealed—this is a massive money saver. 4. Don’t heat unused rooms. There’s no sense in heating a room if you aren’t going to be in it. Shut the door and turn off the vents. For more energy-efficient tips or if you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. I look forward to speaking with you.

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 09:41:00 -0800

This Thanksgiving, we're thankful for you.

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The 2019 holiday season has officially begun! We hope you are as excited as we are. We’d like to take a moment to express our gratitude to all of you this Thanksgiving. We have met some truly wonderful people, and we’re proud to have helped so many reach their real estate goals over the years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without all of your support. Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner with all of your family and friends—that’s what we plan to do! In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any real estate questions. We would be happy to help you.

Here’s What the Numbers Say About Our Market

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 07:58:00 -0800

I have the latest year-over-year numbers from Mecosta County to share with you.

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Now that we’re approaching the end of 2019, it’s time to review the latest numbers from our market. First, our absorption rate is at six months, which means we’re in a stable market that favors neither buyers nor sellers. Year over year, our average list price has risen about 4% from $175,000 to $203,000. Our average sale price has also risen about 1% from $154,000 to $177,000. Our average days on market, meanwhile, has dropped 31% to 38 days, which is good news. If you don’t live in Mecosta County and you’d like a market update for your area, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d be glad to help you.

What’s the Key to Pricing Your Home Correctly?

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Fri, 6 Sep 2019 08:15:00 -0700

How do you price your home correctly for the current market? That’s the question I’ll answer in today’s video blog.

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When listing your home, it’s important that you price it correctly for the current market from the first day it goes on sale. Doing so will generate an offer right away, especially given the fact that we’re in a seller’s market. How do you price it correctly? Have your agent give you an equity evaluation, which takes into account several important variables, including sold comparable properties. Using the internet as a basis to price your home is not a good idea, because what really influences your home’s price is the different prices your neighbors’ homes have sold for. There are three things that sell a home quickly: location, condition, and pricing. If all three of these factors align, you’ll attract an offer within 30 days. If you have any more questions about pricing your home or you have any other real estate needs I can take care of, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

The Top 5 Mistakes You Must Avoid When Selling

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 09:16:00 -0700

If you’re putting your home on the market, there are five common mistakes you must avoid.

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Here are the top five home seller mistakes you must avoid when listing your home:

1. Getting too emotionally involved. It’s best to take your “homeowner” cap off and put your “home seller” cap on and think of your sale as a business transaction.

2. Not hiring a professional agent. Your agent will help you set a fair, marketable price for your home.

3. Asking for an unrealistic price. Whether you use an agent or not, setting an unrealistic price is a huge mistake because buyers are very savvy these days.

4. Not using professional photos.

5. Hiding any major problems within the home.

If you’d like to know more about this topic or have any questions about how to sell your home for top dollar, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to help you.

Thank You for Your Support

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 13:35:00 -0700

Our annual backpack drive was once again a huge success. I wanted to say thanks today.

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Today I want to send out a huge thank you to those of you who donated your time, energy, and money to our backpack drive this year. It was truly appreciated, not only by myself and my team, but by our community as well. And as always, if you ever have any questions about real estate or future opportunities to give back to the community, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to hear from you.

Some Tips to Help Get Your Home Ready for Sale

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Thu, 8 Aug 2019 07:32:00 -0700

In order to get your home ready for sale, you’ll need to do a few things first. Here are my recommendations.

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To get your home ready to sell this summer, there are some things you should do to prepare it. First, make sure you declutter. You’re going to be moving anyway, so pack things away in storage. Then you’ll want to hire a handyman to do some minor repairs or painting around the home. I also recommend that you spruce up your landscaping out front to make it more inviting for buyers. Finally, think about staging your home so that buyers can see themselves living in it. If you have any questions for me or want some more tips about getting your home ready for sale, don’t hesitate to reach out and give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Don’t Miss Our 2nd Annual Backpack for Kids Event on August 4

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 07:30:00 -0700

Our 2nd Annual Backpack for Kids event is coming up, and we’d love for you to join us.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

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Our second annual Backpack for Kids event is coming up on August 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Peacock Real Estate: 18030 3 Mile Rd, Morley, MI 49336, and we’d love for you to join us. This is our way of giving back to the community, and we’re also inviting people to make donations—our goal is to donate 200 backpacks to the students at Morley Stanwood Community Schools. If you have any questions about this event, don’t hesitate to call or email me. If you have a backpack to donate, just drop it off at our office—we’re open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there.

The Difference Between an Inspection and an Appraisal

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 15:14:00 -0800

Today I’ll explain the differences between a home inspection and an appraisal.

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I’m often asked by clients, “What’s the difference between an appraisal and an inspection?” This is an important distinction to know, so today I’ll quickly describe what appraisals and inspections are for in the real estate process. During a home inspection, the inspector’s job is to find everything that could possibly be wrong with the home, right down to missing plate covers for your electrical outlets. The appraiser’s job is to make sure that the value of the home is there and to ensure that the house is safe, sound, and secure. If you’d like a more in-depth clarification of these two concepts, don’t hesitate to reach out to Peacock Real Estate. We’d love to speak with you.

Consider These 3 Tips Before Buying That Remodeled Home

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Mon, 4 Feb 2019 07:38:00 -0800

Are you planning on buying a remodeled property? Before doing so, be sure these three things are on your checklist of things to consider.

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There are three things all buyers should take into account before purchasing a remodeled home:

1. Make sure all mechanical systems in the home are in order.

2. Make sure the flooring is level and straight.

3. Make sure the kitchens and bathrooms have been fully updated.

If you’d like to hear any more tips on buying a remodeled home or if you have any other questions related to real estate, give me a call at 231-856-4456, visit our website at www.peacockrealestate.com, or email me at Mary@PeacockRealEstate.com.

How Was the 2018 Market and How Will 2019 Be Different?

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:25:00 -0800

How was the 2018 real estate market? Find out by watching today’s message.

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2018 is finally over, which means it’s time to review our market’s performance over the course of the year. Interest rates rose steadily in 2018, while, on the other hand, inventory saw a considerable drop. These two developments are likely to continue into 2019, but the impact may not be as severe as some expect. Even so, now may be the best time for buyers and sellers to make their move. There will still be a number of opportunities for buyers this year, but the present window of opportunity is one you shouldn’t pass up.

These 5 Steps Will Lead You to Your Dream Home

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 08:41:00 -0800

Following these five steps when embarking on your home search will help you make the most of the process.

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There are a few steps you should take as you prepare to embark on your home search, and we’ll be highlighting five of them today.

1. Get pre-approved. This way, you’ll gain an understanding of what kind of property you can afford.

2. Separate your wants and needs. Each of these is important, but understanding what is a necessity and what is simply a preference will help guide your search.

3. Choose and research the area you want to live in.

4. Pick the style of house you like and stick to it.

5. Document your visit each time you go see a listing.

If you have any other questions, would like more information, or would like to hear more tips on buying a home, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

5 Things You Should Never Do When Purchasing a Home

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 07:04:00 -0800

If you’re thinking of buying a home, there are five things you need to avoid doing to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

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Here are the top five things you don’t want to do when purchasing a home:

1. Don’t wait until the last minute to check your credit.

2. Don’t think it’s too early to get pre-qualified.

3. Don’t forget about your PMI and your monthly mortgage payment.

4. Don’t forget about all your other monthly expenses.

5. Don’t ever do it alone.

On that note, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email if you need to buy a home soon. I’d love to help you.

What’s the Secret to Choosing the Right Agent?

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 13:04:00 -0700

Choosing the right real estate agent can be difficult. Here are a few different criteria to look for.

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Today I have a few tips for you to help you choose the right agent:

1. The agent should know the market area you’re looking to buy in.
2. They need to be good negotiators to get you the best pricing and terms.

Teams are more adept at making sure the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed.

3. They should be working as a team instead of as an individual agent. Teams are more adept
at making sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed when you go under contract.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our team here at Peacock Real Estate,
don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

How Do You Know If You’re Ready to Buy a Home?

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 10:54:00 -0700

Are you ready to buy a home? There are three questions you should ask yourself to find out.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

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How do you know if you’re ready to buy a new home? Here are three questions you can ask yourself to find the answer:

1. How is your credit? Is it lendable? Do you have a score above 620 or 640?
2. Do you have savings set aside for your down payment and closing costs?
3. Is it feasible for you to own a home versus renting one?

Do you have money set aside for your down payment and closing costs?

I can help you answer those questions during a buyer consultation. If you are getting ready to buy a home, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to go over the process with you.

Why You Should Sell Your Home This Fall

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Mon, 1 Oct 2018 08:28:00 -0700

You should sell your home this fall. Here's why.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

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Today I want to take a minute to talk to you about selling your home this fall and why it’s a great idea.

For starters, there is less competition on the market.

Also, there are more serious buyers in the fall than other seasons. Many people want to get into a new home before the holidays start so they can get settled and decorate.

Many people want to get into a new home before the holidays start so they can get settled and decorate.

Finally, if you're thinking about selling and buying a larger home as an upgrade or downgrading to a smaller home, you'll have less competition to buy.

If you would like to speak with us about listing your home and where to situate it on the market, please feel free to reach out to us. Also, if you're looking to buy, don't hesitate to reach out to the Peacock Real Estate Team. We would be happy to help.

Tips to Make Moving Easier

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 08:54:00 -0700

Today we have a few moving tips that you don't want to forget.

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It's almost time to move into your new home. Congratulations! In all the excitement, it can be easy to forget some of the important details to make the move easier, which is why today we want to give you a few tips to do just that.

Disconnect your current utilities about a week before the move and make sure that they're switched over to your new home.

To start with, when it's time to move, make sure that you make your reservations early with a moving company. Three to four weeks is a good amount of time. Also, get a copy of their policies and make sure that they're insured.

Next, disconnect your current utilities about a week before the move and make sure that they're switched over to your new home. Also, cancel your current home's other services such as pest control, lawn services, and newspapers, and forward your mail to your new home.

If you would like more moving tips, please feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

What’s the Best Way to Deal With Home Selling Stress?

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 07:44:00 -0700

Selling a home is a stressful process. Here are a few ways to cope with that stress.

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How can you deal with the stress of selling your home? Here are a few of my top tips:

1. Enjoy the process. It takes a lot of time to get to the closing table.

2. Put away emergency funds for any unexpected expenses.

Try and enjoy the process every step of the way.

3. Keep the goal of finding your next home in mind. Envision your life in your new home with your family.

As always, we’re here to make the process as stress-free as possible. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the home selling process, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Landscaping Ideas to Attract More Buyers to Your Home

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 11:41:00 -0700

Today I am sharing three ways to attract buyers through landscaping.

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Sprucing up your landscape does much more than just boost your curb appeal. When buyers have a strong first impression, they’ll be more likely to want to visit the inside of your home, as well.

By following just three simple landscaping tips, you can completely transform your home’s exterior.

1. Mulch. Make sure there is a fresh bed of mulch in your flower beds. Since mulch eventually fades and blends into the plants, adding new mulch can greatly improve how your flower beds look relatively cheap.

Not only does landscape lighting make your yard look complete, it also adds some security to your home.

2. Grass. Make sure that your grass is trimmed and well-manicured.

3. Landscape lighting. Not only does landscape lighting make your yard look complete, it also adds some security to your home. Best of all, there are there many options available for any budget.

If you have any additional questions or are interested in buying or selling, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

You're Invited to Our First Ever Backpack for Kids Event

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Fri, 3 Aug 2018 08:39:00 -0700

Peacock Real Estate is hosting our first ever Backpack For Kids event and we hope to see you there.

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search

Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

I’ve got an exciting announcement: On August 19, our team will be hosting our very first Backpack For Kids event! The event will take place right here at our office (18030 3 Mile Road, Morley) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. We hope that you will join us in making a difference in our community. If you or your company are interested in donating any backpacks or supplies, please get in touch with us at (231) 856-4456. And if you have kids still in school, we would love for you to attend this event. To see our full message, watch this short video.

Summer 2018 Morley Home Price Update

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 10:47:00 -0700

This summer might be the last opportunity for you to take advantage of rising home prices and high demand. Here’s why.

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Summer is here, which means the high season for real estate. If you've been thinking of selling your home, you might be in for a golden moment.

However, it might not last long. Let me explain why, with a few details of the current real estate market.

Right now, homes are selling in record time. This May, it took just 34 days on average for a home to go under contract, which broke last year's record of 36 days.

Home prices also continue to rise. In fact, they've been rising for six straight years. For the past two years, this growth has been accelerating. As a consequence, 27.6% of the homes sold in May sold above their list price.

All of this is due to a woefully short supply of homes on the market. In fact, the total supply of homes is 5.4% lower this year than it was at the same time last year.

Demand and prices are still high (for now).

However, the real estate market might be on the cusp of change. Mortgage rates have been rising, and now stand near their highest levels in seven years. As a result, pending home sales were down as of April. A recent Redfin survey also found a drop in customers touring homes for the first time in 27 months.

What's going on? The home price surge might be nearing its end. Overall, home affordability is dropping: Over the past six years, there has been a 48% increase in average home prices, while wages increased only 14%.

While some sellers are still managing to sell at higher prices than listed, nearly a quarter of sellers actually had to lower their prices this April.

If you do decide to sell right now, you would have an easy time of it, and you could get top dollar for your home. That's because demand and prices are both still high.

If you decide to wait, things might go south quickly. That’s because the market may be reaching the limits of price growth and may be stalled by higher mortgage rates.

If you want to take advantage of current conditions by buying or selling a home any time in the near future, don’t hesitate to reach out and give me a call or send me an email today. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How to Keep Your Home Cool Without Cranking Up the A/C

Mary@PeacockTeam.com (Mary Peacock) — Thu, 5 Jul 2018 11:11:00 -0700

Want to keep your home cool this summer without having to pay an arm and a leg in utility costs? Here are three alternative ways to cool your home.

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Temperatures are rising and so are your utility bills, courtesy of that big power hog: your air conditioner. If you want to cut down your cooling costs without having to crank up the A/C, here are three tricks you can try instead:

1. Fans and ice. You can easily make a DIY air conditioner, with nothing more than a box fan and some ice. Simply put the ice into a bowl and place it in front of the running fan. As the ice melts, it cools the air around it. The fan will then disperse that wonderfully cool air all around your home.

Fans can do more than that, though. Another cooling trick is to run your ceiling fans counterclockwise—this will pull up the hot air, leaving you sitting in a cooler space. And installing a whole-house fan can literally pull out all the hot air from your home and siphon it up and out at minimal cost.

2. Green cooling. Plants do a wonderful job absorbing sunshine and reducing the summer heat. If you're planning to stay in your home for a while, it might make sense to plant several deciduous trees on the south side of your home.

Another option is several potted sunflowers, which grow quickly but have large leaves. Climbing vines or foliage on a trellis can keep the front of your home cool, while a green roof will both increase your comfort and reduce your energy bills year-round.

Some of these will actually boost your home’s value.

3. A summertime schedule. For this natural trick, simply open up the windows in the early morning and shut them before you go to work. This will allow you to suck in some cool air and to keep out the hot air later in the day. For even better results, draw the shades during the day and consider getting heat-blocking blackout curtains.

These kinds of simple heat-busting tricks can be effective at reducing the heat during the summer months and lowering your energy bills by 30% to 50%.

Plus, small investments like planting a tree or installing a whole-house fan can also boost the value of your home. I bring this up because the summer is also when the real estate market gets hot.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home any time in the near future, don’t hesitate to reach out and give me a call or send me an email today. I look forward to hearing from you soon.