Ann Arbor Home Buying

New Lockbox System at Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:32:00 +0000

This week the Ann Arbor Board of REALTORS started using a new
electronic lockbox system.

It looks like it will be quite an improvement over the old infrared
system.

A Thorough Home Inspector

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:52:00 +0000

One thing that often separates real buyer agents from the pretend
buyer agents / designated buyer agents is the type of inspectors they
recommend.

For most buyers we recommend at least medium grade inspectors but
often the real thorough guys.

This photo is of a thorough inspector who has filled the tub to check
the overflow and is standing on the tub rim to check for settling &
wood rot on this -150 year old home.

Most inspectors don't do this. Because most inspectors focus on making
real estate agents happy.

It you want a real estate company to be on your side, call us. 734-662-6140
.

Saturday after Thanksgiving meeting at Washtenaw Dairy

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:06:00 +0000

AOL Real Estate Picks Up Interview With Our Broker Jon Boyd

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:00:00 +0000

A writer for Bankrate.com interviewed our broker Jon Boyd one or two months back for an piece he was working on on the subject of home purchase language.

Specifically, the topic was things seller's agents will say with reference to their listings to try to catch the interest of home buyers. Hint: They are often not true.

These phrases were collected from our national association (naeba.org) and the are definitely genuine.

Here is what you want to consider:

If a real estate agent routinely directs words like these to buyers, why would you ever want somebody like at being your buyer's agent or designated buyer's agent?

Just a idea to consider as you look for for Ann Arbor real estate.

Here is the article.

The Ann Arbor MLS System Is Going Crazy Today!

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:06:00 +0000

It is funny how much we depend on technology in the Ann Arbor real estate business these days.

About an hour ago I started having problems with our MLXchange system. (That is the database of property used by the Ann Arbor Area Board of REALTORS.)

Today the MLXchange system was crashing a lot when I tried to look at some detailed property listings. To the point is was almost unusable. So I decided to take a break and look at some other things.

Just now I received an automated email of a price reduction that sounded too good to be true. It is a West Ann Arbor home that would be priced around $225,000 and the price noted was $125,000. So, I pulled up the complete data and sure enough it looked like there was a big price reduction.

Well the listing agent is someone I work with a lot and she is normally very professional. As I looked at it closer something didn't make sense so I decided to call her and see if it was just a typo she would want to fix.

I call her and she knows nothing about a price reduction! It would appear that the MLXchange system reduced the price without human intervention!

Either that, or, it has let some quirk in the data slip by where somebody else's reduction was made on this propery.

Very strange day for real estate!

Ann arbor Rolling Sculpture

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:10:00 +0000

A view from town tonight.

First Friday at Top of The Park

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:02:00 +0000

HoMo is rockin'

The wrong way to keep a basement dry

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:14:00 +0000

Out at a home inspection today. Here is a typical problem we see with
people who use these gutter extensions. They sometimes just fall off.

Buyers on a roof during an inspection

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:07:00 +0000

I think it is a good idea for someone to be on the roof with the home
inspector.

If the buyers don't want to go up I will.

You can learn a lot about your home.

Hail To The Victors (At Least Hail in Ann Arbor)

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:30:00 +0000

It was hailing this afternoon at the office. And I hear it is going to
be in the 80's Saturday.

Love Michigan weather!?

Sunday Afternoon at Blimpuburger

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:17:00 +0000

I really enjoy stopping by Blimpyburger for lunch when I'm in the
area, but often during the school year the line is too long.

Well, this is Sunday at 2:00 and I thought I might be able to slip in
and get a quick bite.

No such luck, about 22 people were in line when I walked in!

I guess that's OK, Blimpyburger is always good!

Maple Dexter Aldi Center

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 22:24:00 +0000

This is the view today from Knight's restaurant West.

Video About the $8,000 Tax Credit For 20090 First Time Home Buyers

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:38:00 +0000

Here is a video from the folks at The National Association of Home Builders. I think it makes a good introduction to the topic.

If you would like to talk about home buying in the Ann Arbor area, we would be happy to speak to you.

Jon Boyd

Broker/Manager

The Home Buyer's Agent of Ann Arbor, Inc.

1908 W. Stadium Blvd.

Ann Arbor, MI 48103

New Baskin Robins décor

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:35:00 +0000

We were at the W.Stadium Baskin Robins today and of looks great.

They were closed for about a month for their redecorating and it looks
wild.

Stop by for a cone soon.

SEO link Building: How to Get backlinks without spamming

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:31:00 +0000

SEO link Building: How to Get backlinks without spamming

Interesting post on a link-building idea.

I'm trying to make sure our main website gets a good number of links to help Ann Arbor real estate buyers.

Septic field inspection

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:00 +0000

When you buy a home with a septic field, it is important to have an
evaluation of the field done.

In Washtenaw county the county has standards and a specific
requirement for an evalation to be done prior to change of ownership.

But in other Michigan counties you are on your own.

The interpretation of the report is critical also.

Gutter screen I've never seen before

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:25:00 +0000

I'm at an inspection today at a local luxury home . The photo below is
of a gutter that has a fabric screen over a metal grill over the gutter.

I've never seen one like this before. (Neither has the inspector.)

Campus turns green on St. Patricks day

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:05:00 +0000

$7,500 loan becomes a $8,000 Gift

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:41:00 +0000

The stimulus or "porkulious" bill is a done deal at this point, and no
Matter what you call it, it is good news for home buyers.

The primary impact is that the $7,500 interest free loan that home
buyers received last year has now has grown to $8,000 and no longer
has to be repaid!

Combined with the prices we are getting and the low interest rates we
have available now, it is an exciting time to buy!

Blogged from Ohio on my iPhone.

Jon Boyd
Broker / Manager
The Home Buyer's Agent of Ann Arbor
734-662-6240 buyersagentannarbor.com
1908 W. Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor MI 48103

Ann Arbor has many high schools

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:00:00 +0000

One of the great things about Ann Arbor is the choice of schools.

Tonight I'm at the St. Paul High school auditorium watching the
Rudolph Steiner High School basketball games.

Blogged from my iPhone.

A look out of a kitchen window we're buying

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:26:00 +0000

I was out at a property we are buying today and the winter scenery was
fairly spectacular.

Here is a look out the window.

Blogged from my iPhone.

Ann Arbor Home For Sale Scam Real Estate Site

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:39:00 +0000

We often see things that real estate companies do that are just totally unfair to home buyers. (Buyer abuse.)

Well this video exposes a great example from right here in Ann Arbor:

Ann Arbor Homes For Sale - Scam
Uploaded by HomeBuyersAgent

Tell us what you think -

Download Suze Orman financial book for free till the 15th

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:17:00 +0000

I just wanted to pass this on.

Suze Orman is a top financial advisor who has a very informative TV show. (She also recommends home buyers talk to Exclusive Buyer Agents if there are any working in the buyer's area.)

Here is the link:

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20081119_tows_bookdownload

(This is courtesy of Oprah, Thank you Oprah!)

Jon Boyd

Broker/Manager, CEBA-Master, CBA, CBR, GRI, e-PRO
The Home Buyer's Agent of Ann Arbor, Inc. 1908 W. Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-662-6240, 888-566-2693
Helping Home Buyers Locate, Evaluate, and Negotiate
http://www.buyersagentannarbor.com

Eighth Hour Encore Orchestra

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:25:00 +0000

Here is a link to a video of my daughter and her orchestra at Pioneer in December 2008:

http://buyersagentannarbor.com/encore

There are photos of the other Pioneer Orchestras below from my iPhone.

Pioneer Synphony Orchestra 2008

jon@buyersagentannarbor.com (Jon Boyd) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:57:00 +0000