Our Global Reach Helps Sell Luxury Homes

Our marketing has a global reach. Here’s exactly what that means.

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When you want to sell your luxury home, the goal is always to get top dollar. Utilizing our Keller Williams luxury network of buyers, we can get you top dollar for that luxury home by using our system to bring more views, more showings, and more internationally qualified buyers.

The sale of luxury property these days requires global resources and global expertise. According to the National Association of Realtors, international buyers purchased almost $70 billion of U.S. real estate last year alone.

 

This is an awesome tool that we are proud to use.

 

We’ve forged strategic relationships across the globe in order to maximize exposure. At your discretion, your listing can be offered to websites that are aimed at the world’s most affluent and successful buyers in 20 different languages and over 100 countries. Your home will not only appear to luxury buyers in the U.S. in English, but it will also appear to Japanese buyers in Japanese. It’s an awesome tool that we are proud to use in order to help our clients.

If you have any questions for us about our process for marketing luxury homes or you need to connect with an agent in any other market, we’d be happy to help. Just give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Toth Team Worldwide Network Welcomes New Addition to Their Team

Toth Team Worldwide Network of REALTORS® announced the addition of a new member, Liz Thiel, to the Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Experts team. “Liz is an enthusiastic transaction concierge,” said CEO Kathy Toth. “Her great attitude and willingness to learn and achieve makes her a great fit for our organization.”

Liz Thiel has lived in southeast Michigan her whole life and of her new position says, “I am thrilled to be a part of such a remarkable, close-knit and well-regarded team such as the Toth Team Worldwide Network of REALTORS. This fast-paced and dynamic market teaches and intrigues me every day.”

Liz has an Associates Degree of Business and has also worked as a Paralegal. Outside of work she enjoys reading and writing as well as spending time in the outdoors.

For over 30 years, Toth Team Worldwide Network has served South Eastern Michigan including Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland, Lenawee, Jackson and Wayne Counties, including clients in Dexter, Ann Arbor, Chelsea and Saline.

Today, Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world.

Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be endorsed by country sensation Gary LeVox of Rascal Flats as well as the only trusted agent endorsed by local celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.KathyToth.com, email [email protected].

How Do You Know How Much Equity Is in Your Home?

What is home equity and how is it calculated? Why is it important to know how much equity is in your home?

Click here to watch the video!

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How do you calculate a home’s equity?

Equity is the difference between the market value of your home and how much you owe on your mortgage.

Your down payment actually marks the first stake of equity in your home. As you pay down your mortgage, the equity in your home continues to increase.

 

As you pay down your mortgage, the equity in your home increases.

 

Other factors can increase your home equity, including improvements on your house and your local market appreciating over time.

By familiarizing yourself with the equity you have in your home and the economic conditions of our local market, you’ll gain insight into when might be the right time to make your next move.

Thanks to Sayuri for her question. Your gift card is on its way!

Remember, we are here to help you. Send us your questions. If we answer with a video, we’ll send you a gift card. If you are out of our area, we can connect you to a top agent anywhere in the world.

We look forward to hearing from you!

The 4 Mistakes Pet-Owners Make When Selling Their Homes

Selling a house is hard enough, but selling a house when you have a pet is even harder. A Boston real estate agent recently quoted in TIME relayed a story in which an owner’s cats lowered a condo’s sale price by $30,000. That’s a hefty chunk of change, even if your cats are adorable.

It can be hard to be objective when you’re blinded by love for your furry friends. But don’t get in your real estate agent’s doghouse. Here, from the experts at ABODO Ann Arbor, are four mistakes to avoid.

  1. Thinking You Can Handle the Carpets Yourself
    Sure, baking soda and vinegar might be good enough for you. When Fido gets a little anxious or Fluffy drags a half-pound of litter into your carpet, you might even break out the big guns. Maybe you even invested in a carpet cleaner. But everyday conditions aren’t house-showing conditions. When you put your place on the market, be smart and call in the professionals. You don’t want your carpets to look well-loved, even if they’re clean. You want them to look (and smell) new.
  2. Thinking the Little Things are Normal Wear and Tear
    If you have a dog, you probably don’t even see the scratches on the door. If you have a cat, you’re probably used to a ripped window screen or two. But potential buyers notice those things, and the last thing you want is for them to assume that there’s even more pet-related damage that they aren’t seeing. So fix the obvious damage: Replace damaged woodwork, paint over the scratches, and for goodness sake, take care of your yard. If your lab dug holes in it, fill them. If there are dead spots in the grass, invest in some fertilizer. And it goes without saying: Make sure there aren’t any “gifts” in the grass.
  3. Leaving Pet Paraphernalia Out
    You might think: Maybe my buyer also loves cats. Who cares if there’s a three-story cat house in the living room, or a hairy dog bed in the corner of the dining room? Buyers. Buyers care. Even a clean litter box emits an unpleasant smell, so while you’re carrying out the cat, take the box along with you. Similarly, soggy rawhide bones, fraying tennis balls, and destroyed scratching posts probably don’t send the right message about the condition and cleanliness of your home either.

 

  1. Introducing Potential Buyers to Your Pet
    We get it: Myrtle loves to purr and enjoys scratches under her chin. But you can never predict how a potential buyer will react to your pet, or how your pet will react to a potential buyer. Better to keep your furry friends out of sight for the duration of the tour. Take the dog for a walk. Consign your cat to her crate in the garage or the laundry room. Whatever you do, don’t just lock your pet in the bedroom — after all, buyers will want to see it.

How Seniors Can Downsize When Moving Into A New Home

 

Author: Jim Vogel

After retirement, many seniors find that they’re ready to downsize a bit into a home that’s much easier to take care of. Moving into a smaller place can be a little overwhelming, but it’s often necessary for individuals who need to think about their health and what their abilities will be five or ten years down the road.

It takes some planning and preparation, but with some help from friends and family, you can find the right home for your needs and make decisions about what to take and what to donate, sell, and trash, as well as find financing.

Here are some of the best tips on how to downsize into a new home.

De-clutter

When you first begin thinking about making a move, go through your home room-by-room and take a look at each section with a sharp eye. Are there items that you’ve had for a long time but haven’t used in a while? Are your closets full of clothes you haven’t worn in years? De-cluttering your home will make it easier to start packing; start with a pile for items to donate, one for items to throw away (anything that’s broken or stained), and one to sell. You can have a garage sale before the move and make some extra cash.

For more info on how to get ready for a downsize, read on here.

Get Some Help

Ask friends and family to come over and help you go through your things. This is a great time to give some of your belongings to close family members if you don’t want to take them to the new house; go through jewelry, dishes, and mementos with your loved ones to decide who gets what. They can also help you with moving heavy boxes around, as this is something you shouldn’t do yourself.

Get the Right Financing

Look online to see if you can find special financing for seniors, especially if you have a disability or are considered to be low income. There are different programs for each state, so make sure you’re familiar with your home state’s guidelines.

Look for a Home that Fits Your Needs

Do some research on neighborhoods and homes that fit your budget. Keep in mind that some newer neighborhoods might have a bevy of expansive two-story homes with a scattering of smaller ones, so don’t rule out any one area until you’ve checked it out. One-story homes are often preferred by seniors because they are much easier to get around in and clean than larger homes.

Many seniors make the decision to downsize because they want a home that doesn’t have stairs to climb or a big lawn to take care of. Keep those things in mind when you’re looking, as well as whether there’s a neighborhood association that requires fees every year.

Find the Right Helpers

Finding the right movers for your big day is important, so do a bit of research to see which companies will offer the lowest price. Ask specifically about whether they charge a per-mile fee on top of the flat rate and if they require a minimum amount of work hours. If you have pets, you’ll want to make sure the movers are informed of what type you have and let them know if they should refrain from interacting with your pet.

Remember that this can be a very trying time; any big life change can be overwhelming, so take good care of yourself and remember to ask for help when you need it. With some preparation and planning, you can find the perfect home for your needs.

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The Toth Team Worldwide Network Announces Endorsement by Lead Singer of Rascal Flatts, Gary LeVox!

Toth Team Worldwide Network of Keller Williams Realty and Kathy Toth announced the Endorsement Gary LeVox. This endorsement is important to the Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Experts team. “We are thrilled, it is a perfect combination of I’m Moving On’s melody and heartfelt lyrics combined with LeVox’s personal endorsement.” said CEO Kathy Toth. “We want our clients to know they are important to us, and this is just another way we have of saying that.”

Kathy Toth is proud to announce that she and The Toth Team Worldwide Network is now exclusively endorsed in Ann Arbor by the lead singer of Rascal Flatts, Gary LeVox.

This endorsement also incorporates the music of Rascal Flatts, featuring “I’m Moving On”, which was awarded ‘Song of the Year’ at the 38th annual Academy of Country Music awards in 2002.

The concept for using the song I’m Moving On began with a desire to help home sellers ease the stress of moving into their next home, and connect them with Kathy’s Team so they can help them handle the challenges associated with buying or selling their home. “Gary was the perfect choice. Great song, great message, and one of the most identifiable voices in Nashville.”

The Gary LeVox / I’m Moving On endorsement debuts on 102.9 W4 Country and Ann Arbor’s 101.7 WQKL on Monday, March 12, 2017.

For almost 30 years, Toth Team Worldwide Network has served Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland, Lenawee, Jackson and Wayne Counties, including clients in Dexter, Ann Arbor, Chelsea and Saline.

Today, Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world. The launch of the Denver expansion team in 2016 placed Toth Team Worldwide Network in position to accomplish these goals.

Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of Keller Williams REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be the only trusted agent endorsed by celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.KathyToth.com, email [email protected].

 

Toth Team Worldwide Network Welcomes Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Expert Buyers’ Agent Theresa Lafever

theresa-lafever-headshot-for-blog

Toth Team Worldwide Network of REALTORS® announced the addition of a new member, Theresa Lafever, to the Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Experts team. “Theresa is an enthusiastic realtor, new to our area but not new to the real estate industry,” said CEO Kathy Toth. “Her knowledge and great customer service skills will serve our Ann Arbor Area clients well, and this makes her a great fit for our organization at Keller Williams.”

Theresa Lafever, comes to us from the Northville Market Center and is eager to learn about the Ann Arbor real estate market. “I am excited to join Kathy Toth and her team, as I gain knowledge of the Ann Arbor real estate market. Learning about the dynamics is important so as to be able to guide my clients, and provide them the most up-to-date information.” Outside of working with clients, Theresa enjoys spending time with her family. She is a proud mom to two teenagers, and spends many days cheering on her son in his high school sports endeavors. As the busy spring market starts to ramp up, Toth is confident that Lafever will provide outstanding service to Ann Arbor area home buyers.

For over 20 years, Toth Team Worldwide Network has served Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland, Lenawee, Jackson and Wayne Counties, including clients in Dexter, Ann Arbor, Chelsea and Saline.

Today, Toth Team Worldwide Network has global aspirations and a growth strategy to meet the modern needs of clients around the world. The launch of the Denver expansion team in 2016 placed Toth Team Worldwide Network in position to accomplish these goals.

Toth Team Worldwide Network is among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally. They have been featured on House Hunters HGTV, and are proud to be the only trusted agent endorsed by celebrity Martin Bandyke on radio 107.1, and the exclusive real estate agent for 102.9 W4Country.

Toth Team Worldwide Network exceeds client expectations while delivering top performance in the purchase or sale of residential real estate worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.KathyToth.com, email [email protected].

Toth Team Worldwide Network Welcomes Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Expert Buyer Specialist Catherine Hahn

catherine-hahn-head-shot-copy

Toth Team Worldwide Network announced the addition of a new member, Catherine Hahn, to the Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Experts Team. “Catherine is an enthusiastic REALTOR® who really knows our area.” said CEO Kathy Toth. “Her knowledge and great attitude will serve our Ann Arbor Area clients well, and makes her a great fit for our organization at Keller Williams.”

Catherine Hahn is a third generation Ann Arborite who has lived and studied all over the world. After 12 years of travel and schooling she found that there really is no place like home. She returned to Ann Arbor with a deep appreciation and love for Washtenaw County and all it has to offer. As a college professor for the past decade, Catherine’s smart and energetic disposition has been a continual source of inspiration allowing her to help her students achieve their goals. When applied in the Real Estate Market, that makes her a logical and driven REALTOR®, dedicated to meeting the individual needs of each client. Of her new position Catherine says “I am is over joyed to be joining such a well-regarded and fantastic team as the Toth Team Worldwide Network of REALTORS®. Visiting properties and studying the trends in Ann Arbor’s fast-paced and dynamic real estate market keeps me intrigued day after day. But, more important than what’s happening in the market, is my relationship with my clients and the care I take to meet each of their needs and exceed their expectations. There is nothing better than seeing a smile on their face and a sparkle in their eye as we enter their new home.” As we approach the busy spring season, Toth is confident that Catherine will continue to provide outstanding service to Ann Arbor Area homebuyers and sellers alike.

Toth Team Worldwide Network have been serving Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland, Lenawee, Jackson and Wayne Counties including Dexter, Ann Arbor, Chelsea and Saline clients for over 20 years. They are among the top one percent of REALTORS® nationally and have been featured twice on House Hunters HGTV. She can also be heard in the mornings 107.1 endorsed by Martin Bandyke, and 102.9 W4Country Radio, Breakfast with Bubba. Kathy works directly with listing and buyer representative partners towards exceeding her client’s expectations while meeting their real estate purchase or sale objectives.

Kathy is an Associate Broker, Accredited Seller Representative, Certified Distressed Property Expert, and Certified Commercial Investment Member Candidate. To experience their website and to learn more about the team, please visit www.KathyToth.com, email [email protected], or stop into their office at 3134 Baker Road, Dexter, MI 48130 or 2144 S State St Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

The Toth Team Worldwide Network of REALTOR® has several open positions for those considering a career in Real Estate or a career move. Details are continually updated at http://www.KathyToth.com/job_opportunities.

Ann Arbor Real Estate Market Report

Let’s take a look at the Ann Aror real estate market. Currently there are 41 sales pending in the Ann Arbor market overall, leaving 446 listings in Ann Arbor still for sale. The resulting pending ratio is 8.4% (41 divided by 487). So you
might be asking yourself, that’s great…but what exactly does it mean? I’m glad you asked!

The pending ratio indicates the supply & demand of the market. Specifically, a high ratio means that listings are in demand and quickly going to contract. Alternatively, a low ratio means there are not enough qualified buyers for the existing supply.

Taking a closer look, we notice that the $200K – $300K price range has a relatively large number of contracts pending sale in Ann Arbor.

We also notice that the $200K – $300K price range has a relatively large inventory of properties for sale at 112 listings. The median list price (or asking price) in Ann Arbor for all properties in this
market is $417,000.

Ann Arbor New Listings

Ann Arbor Off Market and Sold

A total of 800 contracts have closed in Ann Arbor the last 6 months with a median sold price of $344,500. Breaking it down, we notice that the $200K – $300K price range contains the highest number of sold listings.

Alternatively, a total of 50 listings have failed to sell in Ann Arbor in that same period of time. Listings may fail to sell for many reasons such as being priced too high, having been inadequately marketed, the property was in poor condition, or perhaps the owner had second thoughts about selling at this particular time. The $100K – $200K price range has the highest number of off-market listings at 10 properties.

ann arbor median days on market

Looking at the chart above, you might be wondering why average days on market (DOM) is important. This is a useful measurement because it can help us to determine whether we are in a buyer’s market (indicated by high DOM), or a seller’s market (indicated by low DOM). Active listings (properties for sale) have been on the market for a median time of 44 days.

Analysis of sold properties in Ann Arbor for the last six months reveals a median sold price of $344,500 and 8 days on market. Notice that properties in the $0K – $100K price range have sold quickest over the last six months.

The recent history of sales can be seen in the two charts below. The median sold price for the last 30 days was $342,830 with a DOM of 8 days.

Since the recent DOM in Ann Arbor is greater than the median DOM for the last 6 months, it is a negative indicator for demand. It is always important to realize that real estate markets can fluctuate due to many factors, including shifting interest rates, the economy, or seasonal changes.

Ratios are simple ways to express the difference between two values such as list price and sold price. In our case, we typically use the list-to-sale ratio to determine the percentage of the final list price that the buyer ultimately paid. It is a very common method to help buyers decide how much to offer on a property.

Analysis of the absorption rate in Ann Arbor indicates an inventory of 3.3 months based on the last 6 months of sales. This estimate is often used to determine how long it would take to sell off the current inventory of properties if all conditions remained the same. It is significant to mention that this estimate does not take into consideration any additional properties that will come onto the market in the future.

Ann Arbor median sold pricing