Selling a Home

Most homeowners think they know what the standard Realtor commission is until they decide to sell their home and discover the number they have in their head does not match the reality of the current market. This article breaks down what the average Realtor commission looks like right now in Metro Detroit, what has changed, what has not, and why focusing only on the percentage can be one of the most...

Before the next housing market shift becomes obvious, the most important question to ask isn't what the market will do. It's whether you're positioned to benefit when it does. As a Metro Detroit real estate agent, I've spent years helping buyers and sellers navigate changing housing markets across Metro Detroit. In this series closing post, I'm breaking down who actually wins during a housing market...

If you're watching mortgage rates closely and wondering what you should do before mortgage rates drop, you're already ahead of most buyers and sellers. In the Metro Detroit real estate market, rate drops don't just create opportunity, they create competition. Buyers who prepare early tend to win. Sellers who understand what rate movement does to demand tend to net more. I'm Leslie E. Martin, a Metro...

If you're asking what happens if mortgage rates drop, you're not alone, and the answer matters if you're buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit. I'm Leslie E. Martin, a Realtor® serving buyers and sellers across Metro Detroit, and this is one of the most common questions I'm hearing right now. Mortgage rates influence affordability, competition, and timing, but they don't affect the housing market...

Once you go under contract on a home, most buyers and sellers assume the hardest part is behind them. In reality, this is the phase where real estate transactions are most likely to fall apart if expectations are not set properly. If you are buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit, understanding what actually happens after a contract is signed can help you stay calm, make better decisions, and avoid...

What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Before Signing a Contract Before you fall in love with a house, or before you accept an offer on your home, there is one part of the contract that can make or break the entire deal: contingencies. They are often misunderstood, sometimes feared, and frequently glossed over. But when you understand how contingencies actually work, you make better decisions and...

You've probably heard it before: real estate is emotional. But here's what most agents don't say. It's also strategic. Selling your home isn't about tossing it on the MLS and hoping for the best. It's about preparation, positioning, and performance. If you're looking for the best real estate agent in Metro Detroit, here's exactly how I help sellers move quickly, get top dollar, and enjoy a stress...

You accepted an offer, cleared inspection, and made it through the appraisal. For most sellers, that feels like the finish line. It is not. The closing process for home sellers in Metro Detroit runs 30 to 45 days after an accepted offer, and it involves more moving parts than most people expect. Documents have to be prepared, signed, and recorded. Your mortgage payoff has to be calculated to the day....

You've accepted an offer, congrats! But now comes the home inspection, and let's be honest, this is where sellers start to panic. What will the inspector find? Will the buyer walk away? Will you be stuck fixing a laundry list of things? Take a breath. The inspection isn't about perfection, it's about transparency. In this post, I'll walk you through exactly how I help my sellers handle the process...

You've just received an offer, or maybe even more than one. Exciting? Absolutely. But knowing how to evaluate and respond to offers is about more than the number at the bottom of the page. The strongest offer isn't always the highest. Understanding how to compare price, contingencies, financing, and timelines can mean the difference between a smooth sale and a deal that falls apart before...