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Metro Detroit Real Estate Voice

Metro Detroit real estate expert, Al Block, provides editorial, statistics, real estate listings, and useful community information to SE Michigan consumers--the Tri-County area population centers of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Countes and the surrounding area. Al Block, abr,gri,sres,qsc is a real estate industry veteran serving the industry since 1987. He is a Realtor for RE/MAX First, a limited licensed Appraiser and owner of Block Appraisal Service, and also an expert in real estate finance. Contact him at 1-800-SOLD-678

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Our Canadian friends across the river study what "words" sell real estate--University of Windsor and University of Guelph, Ontario
This is an interesting read. As a real estate professional I have always wondered why agents would describe a home in an ad or listing as "wonderful" or "updated" to find out at the physical viewing it is nothing less than average Read More...

by Al Block | 0 Comments

Michigan to propose sales tax on services--will Governor Granholm tax your business next?
Sales tax on services--will it be the TKO of the Michigan economy or the "smelling salts"? Michigan will tax and spend its way 'till they turn off the lights. You asked for it, you elected them. Read More...

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What the heck do Realtors do to sell a house? Why does it cost so much?
Why do real estate agents charge what they do? What do they do? Here are definitive reasons and a list of things needed to be done when selling a property. Read More...

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Attachment(s): 180 things Realtors do.pdf

Hard data on local real estate market in Metro Detroit--Oakland County and cities within.
Here is a link to the latest statistics. This is right from the local Association of Realtors. http://www.mcaronline.com/resources/MR-0107/0107pgs9-12.pdf The data is provided by our 2 prominent MLS services: Realcomp II, Ltd. and MiRealsource, Inc. This Read More...

by Al Block | 0 Comments


Attachment(s): http://www.mcaronline.com/resources/MR-0107/0107pgs9-12.pdf

Hard numbers on local real estate market in Metro Detroit--Macomb County cities.
Here is a link to the latest statistics. This is right from the local Association of Realtors. http://www.mcaronline.com/resources/MR-0107/0107pgs5-8.pdf The data is provided by our 2 prominent MLS services: Realcomp II, Ltd. and MiRealsource, Inc. Next Read More...

by Al Block | 0 Comments


Attachment(s): http://www.mcaronline.com/resources/MR-0107/0107pgs5-8.pdf

CEO of Realtor.com faces attack--the web can not replace human skill in real estate transactions. "Its a sorry dog that can't wag its own tail."
Posted by unregistered user at 1/13/07 10:26 a.m. If Redfin can hang on and stay in business, realtors as they exist today will be out of business. I challenge Dalton to produce meaningful data that show anyone thinks they got good value from a realtor, whether on the buy or the sell side. Even if Redfin don't survive, this is the way most of us will buy and sell houses in the future. Report violation #22363Posted by unregistered user at 1/25/07 5:45 p.m. I am a Realtor in Metro Detroit. Unlike the previous poster, I will say my name . . . Al Block of RE/MAX First. If all there was to transacting real estate sales is web info and a handshake, then Realtors as we know it would have long ago went into extinction. This is not the case. We have no monopoly. We control nothing. Buyers and sellers CHOOSE our services. I have never heard of a Realtor put a gun to the head of a prospective client (or real estate agent for that matter--there is a difference--a Realtor subscibes to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors who polices any violation of it). We fill a need. Especially in the Detroit market. A skilled Realtor has experience from selling many properties (I have sold over 700 in 17 years), so I think I have seen almost every situation and know how to protect my clients and also save them money. The average home owner or buyer maybe will complete a handful in a lifetime. I sell more homes in one month than you may in your whole life! Who brings experience, skill, knowledge, and insurance to the table??--Redfin, Zillow, I don't think so. Don't get me wrong, there is lots of room for every business model. There always has been. Do you think discount brokers are new to the game? They have come and gone, and some do well and I welcome the competition. Anyone who has experienced the dealings of a smart, highly skilled Realtor can tell you they were worth their weight in gold. Don't take my opinion. Go to this website and check out a survey that was conducted randomly on consumer's view of their Realtor and real estate transaction: www.realtor.org/pac.nsf/pages/ConsumerRe search You know, there is an old Southern saying, "Its a sorry dog that can't wag its own tail." Well I'm waggin' the tail of Realtors and also my own. Need a great Realtor in the Metro Detroit area. Call Al Block at 1-800-SOLD-678 or go to my website. www.alblock.com Read More...

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Attachment(s): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwZtG6oI0mY