Grand Rapids Real Estate and the Putting Green

Most people who know me as a Grand Rapids real estate agent
know I’m also an avid golfer, and from time to time I can even apply what I’ve
learned on the golf course to real estate, or vice versa. Whether you are a
golfer or not, perhaps you can appreciate that the last few steps in a real
estate transaction are very much like the moments on the golf course when the
golfer’s game depends on their performance on the putting green.

In golf, the art of putting is a complicated skill that
requires both muscle control and mental focus. Some professionals even find it
the most confounding part of the game, and that’s probably why Peter Dobereiner
once said “Half of golf is fun; the other half is putting.” Similarly, in real
estate, a lot of buyers enjoy the first part of the house hunting process,
where you tour homes and imagine yourself living in each one. However, once
you’ve made an offer on a home, the last few steps to completing the sale are
where the expertise of a Grand Rapids real estate agent can really come into
play. As with putting, completing the sale can require a few attempts, but
skill and practice helps.

In the home buying process, the last few steps before closing
may include:

• Home inspections .
  Most offers are written contingent on home inspection and possibly based on
  other contingencies. If the home inspection finds serious flaws, your real
  estate agent’s experience is key if you need to make a request for repair, renegotiate,
  or withdraw your offer.
• Setting a closing
  date . The closing date can be tricky because the buyer may have a lease
  running out or a start date for a new job, or buyers moving in to their
  existing home. The seller has same type of constraints, and even the lender may
  have schedule limitations.
• Title . Most of
  the time a title search will reveal a clear title, but when there are title
  issues, the assistance of a real estate agent can help you know your options.
• Appraisal . If
  your appraisal comes in low, which can affect financing, again an experienced
  agent will be able to discuss options with you.
• Final walk-through.
  You can ask your real estate agent to accompany you on this important step, to
  help maintain focus on the purpose of the walk-through: to make sure any
  agreed-upon repairs have been completed, and make sure no major defects have
  occurred since the contract was signed.

Once your offer on a home has been accepted, work through these
remaining steps and you’ll have the keys to your new place. It’s like being on
the green and knowing a few small steps separate you from the goal. You need a
real estate agent who knows how to read the green and has practiced the end
game. Whether you are buying or selling a home, when you need a Grand Rapids
real estate agent, call The Sprich Group at 616-485-0952.

Photo: Michelle Hofstrand