Brent Link's (brentl) Blog

Back in September CoreLogic posted a report telling of a decline in Shadow Inventory (distress properties that are in danger of being, or in the process of being foreclosed). They went on to explain that this is keeping home prices down. Don't tell anyone but it doesn't seem to be holding the pri...

I believe Realtors must be the most optimistic people on earth, especially here in West Michigan. My grandpa sold real estate in Muskegon back in the '30s and '40s. My dad sold real estate and was one of the top producers in Muskegon County back in the '70s and '80s. I waited to get into the busi...

I couldn't believe it when I heard his say that. Does it even make sense?Are there that many people invested in oil that it would be healthy for everyone else to dig deep to get to work, school, and stay home during vacations? I find the phone rings more when the prices are lower. Real Estate all...

and thousands of transactions are killed each year using the same weapon! I stole this from a trainer I am working with. Paul goes on to say, "Why sell a house with Blah, Blah, when you could sell it with Blah." In other words, say as little as possible, and listen. I have always tried to be atte...

How can I be late on my house payment? Last year, like a lot of home owners in Muskegon County, and all over West Michigan, I received a notice that my property taxes had been lowered. Cedar Creek Township realizes that property values have declined and they must have decided acknowlege this. I a...

I believe it was Zig Ziglar that stated: "If you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want." I like that philosiphy and that works for me! This is especially important when helping people who are in trouble with their homes. I can't imagine how people expect people to shel...

Looking for some West Michigan real estate market facts? Here is a graph showing the number of single family home sales in Muskegon County from 2005 through 2009. In 2005 we sold 2353 homes. 2006 was the high point when we sold 2626 homes. 2007 we were down to 2139 homes but in 2008 we sold only ...

It didn't take me long to learn what I feel is the most important single word in the real estate business. I have been in the business less than 4 years butI am always listening. I listen to agents rejoice when they finally get a deal closed. I listen when they lose a deal, and I listen when they...

Friday begins The Coldwell Banker 10 Day Sales Event running October 10-19th. In order to get a little more activity for our sellers Coldwell Banker is sponsoring a National Sales Event. This will be advertised on TV, Radio, Newspapers, and online. We asked our sellers for a price reduction and w...

A few weeks ago on a late Sunday afternoon I was mowing the lawn and a friend stopped by. When he left he said there was something up with the bees in the hive by the garage. I went over to looked and got a warm fuzzy feeling. They were swarming. There were ten of thousands of honey bees flying a...