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Category Archives: Ann Arbor Real Estate Technology

5 Tips to Streamline Your Online Home Search

Who doesn’t love online shopping? You get to sit back in the comfort of your own home and browse fun things for sale on the internet. However, with online shopping comes hundreds of options from which to choose — and not all of them will work for you.

Woman on her computer staring off into space.The same goes for online shopping for a home. With so many options available on the Multiple Listing Service, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. But there are a few ways to make your search easier.

Instead of saving hundreds of different favorites, you can fast-track your search by prioritizing homes for sale with the features that are important to you.

If you feel like you keep seeing homes that aren’t a great fit, here are five easy tips for streamlining your online search and finding your dream home.

Create (and Stick With!) a List of Wants and Needs

What are the home features that you can’t live without? Do you have a price range in mind? Will it need to have a certain amount of acreage?

These requirements should be at the top of your list. Creating a wants and needs checklist like this will help you determine which homes are right for you, and which you shouldn’t even look at. Continue reading

How Buyers and Sellers Have Lost Thousands of Dollars to Email Scams

laptop and smart phoneEmail scams are as old as, well, email, but as the years go by, these scams have become more and more sophisticated. Recently, several home buyers have fallen victim to specially targeted email scams that attempt to rob them of their closing costs — sometimes up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

These types of scams are devastating both financially and emotionally, especially when your home is involved. But to help protect you from email scams targeting the real estate industry, we have outlined a few tips about what these scams are and how to avoid them.

What Email Scams Are Common?

Though the method through which hackers collect personal or financial information is always changing, there are a few basic types of scams that buyers and sellers should be aware of.

Phishing

fishingThis type of scam attempts to “fish” for sensitive personal or financial information (such as passwords or credit card numbers). Many emails used in recent phishing schemes look legitimate; they may use the name of a trusted company or individual as the sender name, but the email address is slightly different than the company’s or individual’s verified address.

These types of email messages may also ask you to verify information or click on a link, which could install harmful software on your computer. Continue reading

How 2016 Technology Has Changed Your Home Search Forever

scrolling through mobile phoneWhen was the last time you hopped in your car to start your home search? Most home buyers today just pick up their phones to instantly view properties all around the country — no car required.

Each year, new technology changes the way we interact with the world. Here are just a few of the ways 2016 tech has changed the way buyers find real estate.

You Can Access Anything On the Go

Your home search doesn’t stop while you’re out and about. Today’s technology has made it easier to access information when you need it. While you’re waiting in line at the store or idly scrolling through your phone, you can find articles about the home buying process on social media, see listings on a mobile search app, or check commute times from homes you’re considering.

Continue reading

Ann Arbor Real Estate Market Update – February 2016

Now is the Time to List Your Ann Arbor Home

Ann Arbor Real Estate Statistics for February 2016
Ann Arbor remains in a seller’s market with a 2.8 month supply of homes listed for sale. Listing inventory is beginning to rise and sales are very strong. This is the beginning of what is going to be a hot spring market. Home inventory will only continue to increase over the next few months, so now is the time to get listed before the competition gets tougher.

Thinking of listing your home, but not sure what it’s worth in today’s market? Get a free market analysis here or give us a call at 734-761-3060 to learn more about home values in your Ann Arbor neighborhood.

Ashley Mews, Downtown Ann Arbor Condo Report

Ashley Mews, Ann Arbor Condo Report – March 2014Ashley Mews, Downtown Ann Arbor Condos

Located just steps from vibrant Main Street in Downtown Ann Arbor, Ashley Mews offers a variety of brownstone condos, as well as a few penthouses that overlook the city. There are currently 3 units listed for sale, 2 listed for rent, and last year 3 condos sold.

Condos for Sale:

  • $750,000.  138 Ashley Mews, Ann Arbor. 2352 sq. ft. +548 in finished lower level, 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths. Sale Pending. Listed by The Bouma Group
  • $469,450.  168 Ashley Mews, Ann Arbor. 1404 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.
  • $450,000.  107 Ashley Mews, Ann Arbor. 1404 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.

Condos for Rent:

  • $5000/month.  426 S. Main, Ann Arbor. 2352 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3.1 baths. Listed by The Bouma Group
  • $5000/month.  414 S. Main #806, Ann Arbor.  2916 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Listed by The Bouma Group

Sold Condos:

  • $750,000.  428 S. Main, Ann Arbor. 2352 sq. ft. +779 in finished lower level, 3 bedrooms, 3.1 baths.
  • $429,000.  429 S. Ashley, Ann Arbor. 1739 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2.1 baths.
  • $405,000.  111 Ashley Mews, Ann Arbor. 1358 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths.

In 2012, 4 condos sold with an average sale price of $422,500 and average price per square foot of $257.00. Last year, 3 condos sold with an ASP of $528,000, up 25%, and an A$SF of $288, up 12%. With a general lack of inventory for Downtown Ann Arbor Condos, values will continue to rise as buyers do whatever it takes to secure the sale. As more units come to the market, prices will begin to level out. To learn more about values at Ashley Mews, contact the real estate specialists with The Bouma Group today at 734-761-3060 or email info@bouma.com.