(A photo of me) You decide. Do I look like my caricature?

LET'S MAKE THIS FUN WHILE WE GET THE JOB DONE!!!

I believe life is too short to not have fun while you do an excellent job at your chosen career. That's been my motto throughout my life, and it has served me well and tends to make transactions more enjoyable for the people I assist in real estate.



YES, I'VE HAD A LOT OF LIFE EXPERIENCE BUT I'M NOT OLD AND STUFFY!

I have worn a LOT of different hats in my life...but somehow they all play into my real estate career. I have been assisting people with their real estate needs whether just consulting, or helping purchase or sell for over 5 years. In my LBRE (Life Before Real Estate) had a lot of twists and turns that prepared me for this multi-faceted industry. Most notably though, was my combined 20 years in writing, marketing and advertising.

I have found that this is my "secret" ingredient to getting the job done for my clients. It also brings a flair for the creative to my projects and allows me to put some special touches on my listings that other realtors do not offer.

My other "careers" were in radio broadcasting (dj) and promotion, owner of a bakery and catering company; publishing company editorial assistant; mail carrier and waitress.

Which means: I have a voice to record your free 888 recording; I make great food for open houses; I know how to edit my work and write great copy; I am great at delivering things, and I can fetch a cup of coffee with the best of 'em. I also use those food skills when I have client parties!

MY EARS WORK AND SO DOES MY HEART!
I pride myself on listening to client's needs. This is not a "one size fits all" business. People have different needs and situations. Compassion is important. Moving is not always a pleasurable experience, and a Realtor needs to be sensitive to that.

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

I am an involved Realtor who believes education is important and what sets apart the folks who "phone it in" and those who are really in this as a career. In my five years in real estate I have attained my GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) designation; my ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative); completed the At Home With Diversity course; attained my Michigan Broker's License; served as the President of the Women's Council of Realtors Western Michigan Chapter for 2007, and VP of Membership for 2008; and since my first full year in real estate placed consistently among the top 10 producing agents at my former brokerage (out of 160 agents). Of course I am a member of the Michigan Association of Realtors, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. I am an entrepreneur and  the founder and owner of Donna Batdorff Associates, Your Way Realty.

DO I HAVE REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE?

Of course I do. I've sold well over 100 homes in every part of the Greater Grand Rapids community, every type, single family, condo, and multi family, in every condition and in every price range, new, old, foreclosures, shortsales, luxury and modest...I've done it all.

YEAH, THAT'S ALL NICE, BUT CAN I SELL YOUR HOUSE?

Of course I can! I'm sure you've heard it before: homes are sold 3 ways: price, condition and location. You can't control or change the location, but we can control condition and set the right price. Hey, it bears repeating. It's true. If you heed the advice I give you up front about condition, and we set a realistic price we will get your home sold. I have sold many homes in the first week of listing at full price or above. This isn't just lip service, I have records and stats to support every claim.

AND CAN YOU HELP ME BUY A GREAT HOUSE?

Of course I can! I really try to bring the extra touch to success for my buyers. First of all, I am an Accredited Buyer's Representative, which means I've taken extra education to serve buyers. I have a full understanding of the needs and wants and take time before we even begin to educate my buyers with a book I've written. Whether we need to look at one home or 100 homes to find you the right one, we'll do it and we'll succeed.


AND I SHARE MY KNOWLEDGE

I love to help others be all that they can be, so I share my knowledge and teach other Realtors how to market their listings, and themselves, how to develop their listing presentations and computer skills.



AND WHAT MAKES ME, ME?

 I love travelling, with Paris being my favorite place, but there are so many places I've been and each is special. I love to cook, and have taken lots of cooking courses, and even have taught some. It probably goes without saying that I also love to eat. To work off the calories I do Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, bike and blade. I am a ballroom dancer, having taken lessons far before it was so fashionable. I've done some competing and showcases with Arthur Murray Dance studios. I'm currently shopping for a poodle. I love home decor and am an Ikea junkie.

I suffered a life threatening illness in 1996, from which I've fully recovered, but due to it I began a non-profit foundation and field questions and provide information in regard to necrotizing fasciitis through the NNFF and have written a book on the subject. I am from the southern part of the state (that would be Detroit), and was raised in Grosse Ile, an island between Trenton and Amerstberg, Canada. I attended Ferris State College in journalism. I am an amateur gardener, and am proud to say my garden has been featured in Grand Gardens Magazine. 

I love to entertain and some of my parties are legendary. If you get to know me, you'll find out. I live on a little lake at the Grandville/Wyoming, Michigan city line and have a 13 foot electric pontoon boat that provides me with a lot of backyard sunset cruises.

YOU PROBABLY WONDER? WHAT IS THE NAME "YOUR WAY" ALL ABOUT AND WHAT DOES "MENU FOR SERVICES" MEAN?

Not every seller has the same needs. Nor does every buyer. Just like at a restaurant not everyone wants soup and salad, but some people want the big expensive bottle of champagne....it's the same way with YOUR WAY REALTY. Some people want or need help every step of the way. Others don't. So I have devised a business plan to let you have it "Your Way!" Choose and pay only for the services you want and need.  This is in NO WAY discount realty, and it is in NO WAY compromised service. But I can still provide absolutely excellent service and offer you some savings at the same time. It's a great way to save both buyers and sellers some money because, through your choices, you save me time and money and I pass that on to you. For more information check my web site at www.YourWayRealty.biz



SELLERS: I sell homes three ways: Traditional Commission Plan (devised Your Way), Pay Up Front Plan (devised Your Way), and the Auction Plan. Then within those plans are various choices you can make that determine what kind of savings I may be able to offer you. You decide, and choose what you want and we price accordingly. I also take into consideration that it doesn't necessarily take more work to sell a $600000 home than it does a $200000 home, so I offer some "scale of services" adjustments as well. I'll explain it all when we talk. It's spelled out, it's easy and I think you'll like it.



BUYERS: Different buyers get more involved in their home search than others. Some love going to open houses and don't want to look at 30-40 homes in a day.  Some love to search the net for their homes for hours on end. I discuss the needs of each buyer and we come up with a plan for "bonus" points based on a lot of things...and "bonus points" come back to you in rebate points toward the commission I am paid. I'll explain it all when we talk. It's spelled out, it's easy and I think you'll like it.

Don't Take My Word For It, Let My Client's Tell You About me

After every transaction I send out a survey and give my clients a chance to tell me how I did.  I get smiley face ratings from a 1-5 to make it easy for people...but sometimes I get unsolicited letters. Those are the best. Here are some of those comments are posted below, along with a picture of the home(s) involved in the transaction.

Sold	Bought	In their Own Words
		Dear Donna, Steve and I would like to thank you for all that you did for us. We love our new home, thank you for working so hard to sell our home on Glenbrook. You were always calling to let us know any updates, keeping us informed about any open houses. It was a lot of work on your behalf and it shows how well you do your hob. Even after we sold the Glenbrook house you still kept in touch with us. Working at getting our dryer and keeping up on the seller's Realtor. Thank you for all that you did. I just want to thank you and let you know how happy we are with our new home. Thank you for everything. You are awesome. STEVE AND ANNA BEKKERING

 

 

 

Bought	In their Own Words
	Hello Donna, We were very happy with your help from beginning to the time we moved in. You were very businesslike yet in a very friendly, kind and helpful way. We want to thank you for every way you helped us as we made this change to our condo. So far we like it very much. When we are all done then you will have to see the condo again. Thanks again. JERRY AND SHIRLEY KRUYS

 

 

Sold

In their Own Words

Dear Donna, Just a note of our appreciation for your rapid selling of our property. Dobie and I were very impressed with your attention to detail and aggressive promotion. Having been involved through the years of selling of some of my previous real estate and observing the conduct of most Realtors I must praise you not only for your expertise, but what I consider the most impressive part of your repertoire. And that is your ability in keeping the client informed of the selling progress. Once again, it has been a pleasure and when I have someone who is intrested in your services I will without hesitation put them in contact with you. GERALD AND DOBIE FORD

 

 

 

Sold	Bought	In their Own Words
		Dear Donna, Whew! It's a done deal! When mom and I entrusted you to sell the Middleville condo for her, we never drew an anxious breath. WE had every confidence in your reputation and your impressive, knowledgeable techniques. If mom or I were ever nervous, it was because the housing market was experiencing a record low decline, and yet, you still managed to assist in completing the sale of her home in a short time. Wahoo! After we closed, mom and I floated home feeling lighter. Thank you, thank you, thank you. CATHY DEWITT AND JOAN CHORLEY

 

 

Sold	Bought	In their Own Words
		You took the stress off of trying to sell the house. It sold quick with no major problems unsolved. You did your job and did it well. I realized this more after seeing other Realtors perform their job. We enjoyed that you were professional, courteous, accurate and friendly. I was proud to say, "this is my Realtor, Donna." My expectations were met and even surpassed. You were caring and even my mortgage consultant was impressed with your work. That made me feel as though I had a reason to be proud of my decision to hire you. Thank you! TONY AND CARLA CATANIA

 

Bought	In their Own Words
	Donna was very helpful and friendly. She listened to our needs and wants and didn't push us into anything we didn't like. I felt like I could totally trust her judgment and expertise. I truly enjoyed our home buying experience, and Donna's expertise and friendliness helped us through the entire experience. MATT AND JULIE PALMERI

 

Sold	Bought	In their Own Words
		We had worked with another agent before Donna and as a result we were able to see what good marketing is all about. From the beginning we felt Donna was responsive to our feelings and desires. Knowing this is an unusual market, she was forthright in presenting us with a price that was realistic and acceptable to us, though much reduced from the original price (with another Realtor.) Her special marketing touches made the process more pelasing. Her advertising was thorough and well produced. We really felt like she was working for us and loved our home as much as we did. Our call to Donna was a good call. BOB AND JEANNE MOLDAL