: Whether getting ready to sell or simply updating your home, DIY projects can be a more economical, fun and rewarding way to refresh and update your home. In this podcast, we discuss what projects matter most to buyers and tend to get you the biggest ROI when guest Allison McClintick from RE/MAX Eclipse joins us. She shares some easy ways to update the look of your home including new cabinet pulls, lightening and door handles as well as sharing some she lessons learned from various DIY she has done herself. We also talk about painting and how to do it right an

What do you get when you have a global pandemic and you are in the market to buy or sell a home? The possibility for some higher levels of stress. Matthew Baron, Owner/Therapist at Redefined Counseling Services joins us with his 7 Survival Tips. From limited exposure to news and social media to having a routine to focusing on what you can control, while these tips are designed to manage the stress around Covid and all the changes to our lives but are just as effective when facing stress from buying or selling a home or other items in your life.

After a month of real estate being reopened we take a look at how buyers have responded and what home prices are doing. Special guest Paul Murk, of RE/MAX Classic, is back with his observations on the local SE Michigan real estate market and our economy. He explains how he sees waves of business coming for the rest of the year, whether foreclosures and short sales are in our future and his advice for those looking to buy and sell this year.

Many buyers are actively looking at homes and that means getting a lender and a mortgage in place to buy a home. Of course, this year there are additional questions like has Covid changed the lending landscape? Special guest Ruth Young, from Main Street Bank, joins us to talk about what the current lending conditions are like and how it impacts buyers on things like getting a pre-approval and credit scores. We also discuss what happens if a potential buyer is temporarily unemployed, the future of interest rates and how closings are being handled in a safe manner.

If you are a first-time buyer it is common to have questions about where to start when it comes to buying a home. Guest Matthew Bush specializes in helping first-time buyers through the process and shares why this is a passion of his. We discuss the difference between what amount you are approved to buy for versus the amount you can afford to spend on your mortgage as part of your monthly budget. We will share where buyers should start the process, questions to consider when determining where to live, how to approach the price you offer for a home in todays market and more.

As real estate gets ready to return we talk about what to be looking for when it comes to lending. Guest Michelle Davis discusses interest rates and encourages buyers to understand when and how they can lock in their rate. We also talk about the pros and cons of utilizing any mortgage assistance programs that may be available to you and why sellers might want to do an inspection before putting their home on the market to give buyers this important information up front.

Residential construction is back in business and we take a look at what that means for new homes. Guest Nathan Boji discusses how permit approval and on-site inspections may take more time adding to the delays that may occur in getting homes built. We discuss the safety measures being taken to protect buyers and how things will change as it relates to site visits. We also talk about the supply chain for needed materials and if they will incur any challenges as have been seen in other industries as well as how the quarantine may impact home features moving forward.

While we are required to stay-home to stay-safe, the extra time at home can be beneficial especially if you are planning to sell your home or just want to do a thorough spring cleaning. We talk about things you can for free and that don't require you to leave your home. Deep cleaning, decluttering and creating a pile of things to donate are all things that guest Christina Grandmaison advises can be done right now and she shares her tips to do these effectively. We also discuss some easy touch-up ideas that might help you avoid painting and how to get your exterior ready for spring. And once you have your home ready to sell guest Reilly Grandmaison shares tips to help make the photographs and videos of your home make a great first impression.

In this episode we talk about how Covid-19 is impacting the real estate market as we are several weeks into the Michigan stay-at-home order. If you think real estate has come to a halt, you may be surprised to learn deals are still closing. Guest Ron Rocz from RE/MAX Nexus shares how deals already in progress are continuing to close even if that means you are signing documents in your car. We also discuss whether now is a good time for buyers and sellers to be active in the market or if it makes sense to wait a few weeks and with the stay-at-home order in place what can and can't agents and buyers/sellers do in the market.

PLEASE NOTE: After recording this episode it was deemed that a presale inspection was not an acceptable practice. Things are constantly changing, so please check with your local RE/MAX agent for the latest information.

Choosing the right agent to work for you is important. In the episode we discuss some of the proven ways to get agent referrals as well as the importance of finding an agent that is familiar and experienced in your local area. We also chat about the importance of communication between all parties and having a good chemistry with your agent is critical as you will be working with them for several weeks to several months.