Giving Thanks for Being a Bloomfield Hills Real Estate Agent

Posted in Bloomfield Hills Real Estate by Michigan Real Estate Expert on November 21st, 2011

At this time of year, as thoughts turn to gobbling down turkey dinners and watching football, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and lose the spirit.  So today, I want to take a minute to say something important:

Thank you!
Because of you, I have a job I love: being a Bloomfield Hills real estate agent. 

Thanksgiving is a holiday of gratitude, and yet too few of us remember that when we’re stuck in traffic going over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house for her famous pumpkin pie. 

So today, I’d like to say again, thank you.  

Thank you for contributing to this community, online and in the real world, by asking questions, adding your insights, and trusting me with your housing dreams.   

If we’ve worked together in the past, please know that I am sincerely grateful for your business. I hope the experience of working together led you to your perfect home and fulfilled your real estate goals.

If you are new to this site and just beginning to investigate the sometimes confusing world of real estate, I’d like to thank you for stopping by.  I hope that we will have an opportunity to work together.
 
One of my favorite things about working as a Bloomfield Hills real estate agent is that I learn so much about the lives of my clients. They let me inside their homes and tell me about their best imaginings for the future. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life.

Thank you for your trust.  I want you to know I am honored by it, and take it seriously. As a Bloomfield Hills real estate agent, I take pride in helping you find the perfect solution for your needs. I love hearing your stories as you embark on new chapters, and addresses, in your life.  

During the warmth of this holiday season, I hope you and yours are safe and secure in a community that you love. And I hope your turkey emerges from the oven golden brown and delicious!

Lee Morof
Associate Broker/Certified Distressed Property Expert/Attorney  
RE/MAX Showcase Homes, Birmingham, Michigan
Call:  248-514-2640
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com

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What to Avoid When Looking for a Bloomfield Hills Real Estate Agent

Posted in Bloomfield Hills Real Estate by Michigan Real Estate Expert on December 30th, 2010

Picking up the phone book and letting it fall open to the real estate agency page is not the best way to find a great Bloomfield Hills real estate agent.   Here are several other pitfalls to avoid when looking for a real estate agent:

Lee Morof sells North Woodward Homes in Oakland County Michigan RE/MAX Showcase Homes

  • Impulse: Just because you walk into a busy, bright, and productive looking office doesn’t mean all the agents who work there are also busy, bright and productive. Take the time to get to know the agents you’re considering working with.  Interview them, like you would any other professional you hire, to determine their abilities and knowledge of the community in which you want to live.
  • Easy Agreement: If you finally find an agent who instantly agrees with everything you have to say about the selling price of your home without question, beware. This is especially true if you’ve been to others who disagreed with your price.  Consider why this one agent is so agreeable. As in any industry, there are people out there who will tell you anything you want to hear to get your business.
  • Trusting Your Judgment: While you may very well be a great judge of character, make sure you get at least three references from all the Bloomfield Hills real estate agents you’re considering.  Then, take the most crucial step and contact those references
  • Lowest Commission: Don’t go with a real estate agent just because they have the lowest commission on the block. Remember the old adage “you get what you pay for.”

These are just a few of the considerations when choosing a Bloomfield Hills real estate agent, but they will get you started on firm footing.

If you’re looking for a knowledgeable Bloomfield Hills real estate agent, I’d be honored if you’d interview me.  To schedule an interview, call me today at 248-514-2640 or email me at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com.

Lee Morof
Associate Broker/Attorney
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

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Bloomfield Hills Home for the Holidays: Keep it Simple

Posted in Bloomfield Hills Homes by Michigan Real Estate Expert on December 16th, 2010

Unless elaborate decorations, gourmet food and mountains of mess are your idea of fun, I have some suggestions for you on how to make your holidays simpler and less stressful this year.

Enjoy Your Bloomfield Hills Home during the Holidays

Use Fewer Decorations in Your Bloomfield Hills Home

While National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a fun holiday movie to watch, keeping up with the Griswolds isn’t something you should aspire to. If you’re not sure what to eliminate from your heap of holiday decorations, here are a few tips:

  • If it flashes or makes a noise, just say no.  Decorations like that increase stress.
  • Display only your most treasured items.
  • This year’s mantra should be “less is more.”
  • Decorate only those rooms in your Bloomfield Hills home that are used during celebrations.
  • Instead of filling every inch of a room with decorations, use fewer items and group them in noticeable spots around the room.

Spending less time decorating your Bloomfield Hills home gives you more time for your friends and family.  It also means wasting less time after the holidays putting away all those decorations.

Entertain Simply

It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on food or entertainment in order to have a good time.  Some of my most enjoyable gatherings were spent listening to holiday music, playing games and eating a bowl of popcorn with friends and family.

Here are few more ideas to make entertaining easier:

  • Don’t cook all the food yourself.  Host a potluck party or pick up already prepared food from your local grocery store.
  • Reduce the number of guests.  Do you really need to invite the entire neighborhood?  Invite only those few who you sincerely want to spend some time visiting with.
  • Send electronic invitations.  It’s free, fast, easy and fun.

The holidays aren’t about your house, food or furniture. They’re about your heart.  Open your heart, relax and truly enjoy your loved ones this holiday season.  Happy Holidays!

Lee Morof sells North Woodward Homes in Oakland County Michigan RE/MAX Showcase Homes

Lee Morof
Associate Broker/Attorney
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

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7 Tips to Secure Bloomfield Hills Homes during the Holidays

Posted in Bloomfield Hills Homes by Michigan Real Estate Expert on December 13th, 2010

Unfortunately, the winter holidays are peak times for thieves and burglars.  Not only are burglaries of Bloomfield Hills homes at their highest during the darkest months of the year, there’s also the added temptation of unoccupied Bloomfield Hills homes full of expensive gifts.

A recent survey found that 39% of homeowners leave presents under the tree long before Christmas Day, with only 7% of respondents waiting until Christmas Day itself to put the presents on display in their Bloomfield Hills homes. If gifts are in full view of passers-by who can see them through the windows, they could provide an incentive for thieves to target the house.

1. Take greater security measures during the holidays to keep yourself and your property safe.

2. Don’t hide presents in obvious locations such as closets, under the bed or in the garage.  Instead, hide gifts in an attic.  The average burglar doesn’t have time to climb into your attic.

3. Keep window shades drawn. If your gifts are easily visible from the street, burglars will be tempted to smash the window and grab the wrapped packages.

4. Don’t discard whole boxes in your trash.  This gives thieves easy clues about what they can steal from your home.  Instead, break the boxes up into small pieces and place them in your recycling bin or at the bottom of a sealed garbage bag.

5. Create a lived in look and feel.  Before leaving your home, turn on lights and a radio or television. 

6. Ask a neighbor or close friend to pick up your mail and newspapers if you go out of town for the holidays.

7. Lock up.  Make sure all doors and windows are locked.  Consider replacing your locks if they’re worn.  Use deadbolts in entry doors.

8. Keep the garage, gates, driveway, and sides of your home well lit.  Motion sensor lights work well for this.

If you’re looking for a home already equipped with an alarm system or other security features, I can help you find one.  Call me at 248-514-2640 or email me at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com.

Lee Morof sells North Woodward Homes in Oakland County Michigan RE/MAX Showcase Homes

Lee Morof
Associate Broker/Attorney
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

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10 Tips to Safely Deck the Halls of Bloomfield Hills Homes

Posted in Bloomfield Hills Homes by Michigan Real Estate Expert on December 6th, 2010

At this time of year, we typically don’t think a lot about safety.  We’re all too busy running around shopping and decorating our Bloomfield Hills homes.

Tips to safely Deck the Halls of Bloomfield Hills homes

Have a fun, merry and safe holiday this year by implementing these 10 safety tips:

1. Never use lighted candles on a Christmas tree, whether it’s an artificial or live tree.

2. Purchase artificial trees with a Fire Resistant label.  This label doesn’t mean the tree can’t catch fire; it means the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

3. Check for freshness when purchasing a live tree.  Needles that are hard to pull away from branches and that do not break when bent indicate a fresh tree.  Sticky resin on the tree’s trunk is another sign that a tree is still fresh.  Old trees can be fire hazards in Bloomfield Hills homes.

4. Chop a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.  Water your tree regularly.

5. Avoid sharp or easily breakable decorations and small, removable items that children can swallow.  Eliminate decorations that look like food or candy.  Children may try to eat them.

6. Limit the number of standard-size light sets plugged into one extension cord to three.

7. Turn off all Christmas tree lights before you go to bed or leave your home. The lights could short out and start a fire. 

8. Don’t burn wrapping papers in your Bloomfield Hills home’s fireplace. A flash fire may result, as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

9. Remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from around the fireplace before lighting a fire.

10. Check labels on lights you’re planning to use outside to be sure they’re certified for outdoor use. 

I hope you and your family have a very Merry (and safe) Christmas!

Lee Morof sells North Woodward Homes in Oakland County Michigan RE/MAX Showcase Homes

Lee Morof
Associate Broker/Attorney
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

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