100$ per month and No more excuses. Or, Are you a talker?

Now is the time to invest in yourself. Do you have
friends and relatives who can fix things? The main
thing you need to have a beautiful home is a vision and
sweat equity. There is no perfect home. Every home you
see, just like us humans, will have a flaw. But can you emphasize
the positive and overcome the negative. That is what life is about.
But you must have a vision and perseverance. If you can see
what you want then its possible for you to create it, just
one step at a time. Are you a talker? or, Are you in action?
You know its easy to talk about what you want, and what it
should look like. But what are you doing? just talkin, just
criticizing. Are you willing to give up something for what
you want. Or are you waiting for someone else to drop
it on you.
Getting a home is no different from life. It's about you
taking action. Anyone can talk a good game.

Yes its true...see it for yourself

There's more...call me

Willie

Here's all the Homes in Inkster, Michigan and Call me: Why?

Sometimes I forget, because I live here, that many of you aren't  familiar with the town of Inkster, Michigan where I do business. So I'm enclosing a link where you can see all the homes. Take a look around. There are prices for all budgets.

That said, let me tell you why my company is called Red Carpet Keim Will Cooperate. Of course the Red Carpet Keim are trade names for real estate company. But what you may not know is about the Will Cooperate. When I first started in this business I had a saying on my building which said I will help you help you. Sounds redundant right? Well here's the deal.

You would be surprised how many people in this day and age think I should just give them a list of homes and send them them on their way to look at them and then purchase them from others. Well my friends, that is not how real estate works. Did you realize that you can have ANY real estate agent sell you a home. Because you see the signs in the windows or in the yard doesn't mean that is the only person or agent that you can buy a home from.

If this were the case, there would be only a few businesses in business. There are different types of real estate agents: some list, some sell and hopefully some do both. But the real estate person of your choosing  can sell you a home. We as professional real estate agents just need to be clear who we are representing. Some times you can find an agent to represent you in a transaction and they will do all they can to help you get the home of your dreams. Then there are agents, unfortunately , may only want to sell you what they've listed.
You see professionals want you to get the home you want. They will work with the listing agent or sales agents to make that possible. This in no way hurts your transaction.

So pick the real estate agent of your choosing. Do business with them and know they should help you to get the home for which you qualify.

Here is that link. Go house hunting and then, I hope, you'll give me a call.
Willie

Well first you start with a room then create a vision. Read on.

25,000 dollar homes. 2012. What will your vision be?

A new year goal for you and your family. Here's a link to the type of homes which can be found for Twenty Five Thousand Dollars. Some in our area have more or less bedrooms. But can you form a vision? Do you have a Plan? (my favorite question).

You're in an apartment. Your landlord is not responsive to your needs. You don't even know if the landlord is in foreclosure?

Think. What if I buy a home for 25 thousand dollars and make some minor improvements to make it comfortable for a couple of years. And then, sell it later or rent it out. Next home: A more expensive home in a nicer neighborhood....can you dream? will you vision?

This is where home ownership begins. One small lovely home(fix it up the way you want) Surely you can afford under 200 dollars for a mortgage payment. Set a goal of making one new improvement each month. Just because your home is small or is not in the perfect neighborhood, surely you can beautify it with the latest colors, the latest counter tops. Pull up the carpet, bare the wooden floors, shine them up. Order some rugs from overstock or QVC.

What about furniture and decorating? get some magazines or visit some home decorating blogs,  cut out some pictures of beautiful rooms. Then, search online for tips and tricks on taking old furniture, repainting it, re-using it and stage it like the pictures.

For ideas, have you seen Mr. Goodwill Hunting. He stages rooms and homes for under three hundred dollars. Surely you can do the same?
Click here to go to Mr. Goodwill Hunting.

What I'm doing with this post is giving you an idea...a vision? It's 2012 and time to begin your planning and visions. Start small, build up. Make your home a smaller vision of what you want in life. See your home as an impetus to begin change in your life.
Who knows what awaits you next?
Call me,
Willie 1-313-274-3141. Let's begin your vision for 2012.

This is a vision board. What will yours have on it?

Picture of vision board by Ron Sonbilum's photo stream on flickr, which can be found here.

Movers, deputies refuse to evict 103-year-old woman

Movers, deputies refuse to evict 103-year-old woman

This puts a human face on business practices. It's easy to sit from your ivory tower and do the paperwork to have someone evicted. But it's another thing to be the one who has to do it.

I wonder if the bank staff who processed the eviction papers looked at all the details(like the age of the home owner). I wonder if she discussed this with her supervisor. I wonder what the supervisor said.

Fast forward. No eviction.

I wonder if the bank will change their policies about eviction. I wonder if the human element will become part of the decision making in the future.

Business is about the customer; and while we have to do some things which seem "heartless", it behooves all these corporations and business people to use their imagination and creativity and come up with other ways.

Preserving your city. Are you up to the challenge?

A new book is coming out about Detroit's Architectural History. This one is written by a woman who married into the Taubman Family (real estate magnate).

What is interesting is that are hundreds of book on Detroit's architecture; but this book will combine modern day scenes, current buildings and what they looked like at the turn of the century and now.

I'm betting this book will be gobbled up(no pun intended) by land developers. What better way to get an introduction into the city and its landscape than for someone who is passionate about the city to give a view of the city by showing her finds from 3 years of walking and exploring every street and neighborhood of Detroit. Yes. She walked up and down, escorted by police at times, and driving her own car and not escorted on most of the trips. She ruggedly camera in hand met the streets and people of Detroit.

I bet this book will be on the best sellers list once it comes out. Here is a link to the book Detroit 138 Miles to be released on Amazon on December 31, 2011.

Ok so why am I sharing this? Here's the deeper message. Have you thought of documenting the history of your own town? All it takes is committment and passion. I can surely say that there are only a couple of books on my city: Inkster, Michigan. The challenge is out for someone to drive and walk each street of Inkster, take pictures and tell its story of how it once thrived. Show the world the Inkster they never knew.

Each city has a story. I believe the story of Inkster is its people, primarily African Americans, and their entreprenurial spirit and efforts to survive in a place unknown during the post migration of masses amounts of people from the south during the highlight years of the development of the Auto Industry particularly Ford Motor Company. (circa 1940- 1950)

Are you up to the challenge?

It took her 3 years of intensive research to do Detroit. It should take about One year to do Inkster's history block by block. Who knows? You may just find me out there walking each street one day at a time.

Willie C. Williams

Michigan is making a comeback and what it means for you

Michigan is the second state in the nation to make a comeback. The economy is growing stronger because of the automotive industry. Even though employment statistics are still high economist predict that Detroit will become stronger than many comparable cities. Here is what this means for you. If you can buy a home it is time. Some Michigan agents are even reporting that it is no longer a buyers market, as in some areas of the state homes are being sold at market value. It is still time to buy with interest rates lower than ever. Here is an artice about the Detroit Michigan market.

Business | Detroit's Temple Street attracting attention from mysterious buyers | The Detroit News

Business | Detroit's Temple Street attracting attention from mysterious buyers | The Detroit News

Million dollar deals on Temple and Woodward.

Detroit is coming back. Oh yes it is. Why else would people bid so much in an area such as this?

Sports will be the new "manufacturing" center for Detroit....

So what do Michiganders think about home ownership?

Recently I read an article on the scarcity of new home sales.

Of course Michigan is on the list.

While building a home can be a gratifying experience, many are choosing to redecorate their homes, buy Real Estate Owned homes or continue renting.

I want to know your feelings about home ownership? I want to hear about your vision and dreams positive or negative. A realtor first and foremost should be interested in YOU. It's not about us. It's about you.

Man claims house for $16 as neighbors accuse him of squatting - WNEM TV 5 - Saginaw, Flint, Michigan

Man claims house for $16 as neighbors accuse him of squatting - WNEM TV 5 - Saginaw, Flint, Michigan
The lesson here: Read the fine print.

10 homes you can buy for under $10 per square foot | Inman News

Now read this article "10 homes you can buy for under $10 per square foot" in Inman News

And then tell me why did they leave out Michigan?

Shhh. I won't tell. Did you get a secret refinance?

Oh the secrets...
Bank of America and Chase has been giving people refinancing. No problem. But guess what? They didn't ask for it.

The banks are seeking out portfolios and then refinancing your loan for you?

ooooohhhhh.

Did you get one? I wonder who did...

Read the article here...

Foreclosure Fallout: You'd rather Rent...It's not so easy anymore

Do you know the most common reason people don't want to buy a home? They'd rather rent. Do you rent? You will definitely want to follow me on this post.

Renting is easy? right? you just fill out the application, hand over the deposit, view the apartment, pay a little extra for a credit check. Done. Over. You got the keys. Much easier than buying a home.

As you know when you buy a home you've got to: get inspections(if you're wise) review lots of legal documents(will probably need an attorney, if you're wise), get all your bills and personal documents together over at least the last 6 months, fill out papers about every aspect of your life(your employment, credit history, residential history, auto, children, bills, assets, liabilities).

Well guess what? the same process has now arrived in the Rental world. We can look to a recent article in the New York Times. So look for this in your area soon if not already.

The lesson: If you're going to rent why not considering buying? The process is the same. Something to think about...
Click here to read the New York Times Article.

Should you buy foreclosed homes by approaching a bank?

Herb Strather just wrote a great post about finding deals in the REO market.

And I'd like to add to his point on approaching the banks to get these deals...
Here was my response:

---

I'm glad you posted this Herb. I'm not into spamming boards. But there are many qualified Real Estate Owned realtors who specialize in these type of properties. We get a listing of these homes from the lenders themselves. The advantage of working with a REO realtor instead of just with the bank is:

• The realtor knows more about the communities and locations of these homes
  
• A realtor can answer questions with a level of objectivity
  
• A realtor knows what has been selling in the neighborhood and has volumes of information on comparables(often called COMPS)
  
• One can build a relationship with a realtor who can look out for properties that meet your specifications.
  
• A realtor can give you an opportunity to see more homes.
  

These are only a few reasons you should seek the help of a professional realtor when buying Real Estate Owned properties.

Thanks,
Willie
http://www.redcarpetkeimwillcooperate.com

College Graduation. Now What?

By now you've heard a great speech at commencement. You've moved out of the dorm. You're living with friends or relatives until you can find a job and save up some money.

Now you enter a new stage of life. Many decisions to make.

Here's a great article on things you want think about from networking to find work to buying insurance...

Article

image by dbking on flickr