As summer gives way to autumn, it's time to shift our focus from pool parties and barbecues to fall yard maintenance. The changing leaves and cooler temperatures signal the need for some crucial tasks to ensure your yard remains beautiful and healthy. In this email, we'll discuss the top five tips for fall yard maintenance that will help you prepare your outdoor space for the upcoming winter months. 

1. Rake and Remove Leaves

One of the most iconic aspects of fall is the vibrant display of colorful leaves falling from trees. While they may be beautiful, those leaves can become a nuisance if left unattended in your yard. A thick layer of fallen leaves can block sunlight and trap moisture, leading to a host of issues like lawn diseases and dead…

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Download the September Data PDF

 

(Video Transcript)

 Hey, I'm Steve Volkers, Steve Volkers Group, now at Five Star. So, we added another brand connected to us and made a move. So, if you haven't seen the video, feel free, we'll post it again down below, maybe in the comments that you can see why we made the move to Five Star. But we are talking about the market. Like always, we've got the real estate market data that Kevin puts together for us. And I've got a lot of tabs today, a lot of tabs. Trying to figure out what's going on and I get it that everybody doesn't really know But I think we're maybe I put down on my notes here maybe stabilizing That's my hope or my goal right now is to try to see if the data starting to show stability.

…

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Homeownership comes with a myriad of joys and responsibilities. One of the responsibilities that homeowners often encounter is dealing with potential property damage, whether caused by natural disasters, accidents, or even the actions of their neighbors. A common scenario that raises questions about home insurance coverage is when a neighbor's tree falls onto your house. Who is responsible for the damages, and whose insurance pays for it? In this blog post, we will delve into the complexities of this situation and provide insights into how home insurance typically works in such cases.

Determining Liability

The first step in understanding how insurance coverage comes into play when a neighbor's tree falls on your house is determining liability.…

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As the final days of summer unfold, August presents a perfect opportunity for homeowners to tackle essential maintenance tasks that will help ensure a well-kept and comfortable living space. As temperatures transition and the season starts to wind down, taking care of your home now can prevent potential issues down the road. In this article, we'll delve into some of the best home maintenance tips for August, helping you maintain your property's value and functionality.

1. Check and Clean Your Gutters

With the fall season just around the corner, ensuring your gutters are clean and free from debris is essential to prevent clogs that could lead to water damage. Remove leaves, sticks, and other debris from your gutters and downspouts to ensure proper…

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Download the August Data PDF

 

(Video Transcript)

Hey, it's Steve at the Steve Volkers Group. Of course, we're in our office in downtown Grand Rapids, and it's another monthly update, the data is in. So then we go through the data. Kevin puts together this really great book for us. If you haven't downloaded it or gotten it, It's worth getting.  I think it's worth getting, and I know the data is not for everyone.

It's for some people, but not for all. But, hopefully recording it and putting a video out, you take a couple of minutes to think about what's going on. So this is our monthly update. We do it every month. It is for August we're talking about, but obviously, it's in arrears. So all the data is July's data and past, so.

We have…

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A REALTOR® plays a valuable role when buying a new construction home, just as they do when purchasing a resale property. Despite the perception that new construction homes involve fewer complexities, having a REALTOR® by your side can provide several benefits and ensure a smooth process. Here's how a REALTOR® fits in when buying a new construction home:

1. Expertise and Guidance: A REALTOR® brings a wealth of knowledge about the local real estate market, including new construction developments. They can provide insights into neighborhoods, builders, and trends, helping you make informed decisions based on your preferences and needs.

2. Negotiation: Contrary to popular belief, there's still room for negotiation when purchasing a new construction…

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When it comes to insurance, transparency, and knowledge are paramount for both policyholders and insurance companies. Insurers need accurate information to assess risk and offer appropriate coverage, while consumers deserve access to their insurance records to ensure fair treatment and make informed decisions. One crucial tool in this domain is the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) insurance report. In this blog post, we'll explore what CLUE reports are, how insurance companies use them, and how you can access your own CLUE report.

What is a CLUE Insurance Report?

The CLUE insurance report is a comprehensive database maintained by LexisNexis, a data analytics company. It compiles and stores information about an individual's…

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Download the July Data PDF

Video Transcript (auto generated)

 Hey, I'm Steve Volkers and this is our monthly real estate market data update. It is July. We are talking about June data and beyond. July is just, we're just starting in July, right? Well, it's the 11th already. Holy cow. The month is going by fast. So, market monthly data. Obviously, we throw these up, you can see them on our website or YouTube. If you'd like to. And also, I think we throw it on our socials for sure. But, each month Kevin and I sort of ring through this. Kevin takes the data from the, association, plays with it, puts it in the fancy book, so it creates all these graphs for us, which is awesome. And we get to see trends and stuff. And so today I really want to talk…

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Rent v. Buy

Renting vs. Buying a Home: Making an Informed Decision

When it comes to finding a place to call home, one of the most critical decisions you'll face is whether to rent or buy. Both options have their advantages and considerations, and as REALTORS®, it's our job to help our clients through this decision-making process. In this blog post, we'll delve into the pros and cons of renting and buying a home, helping potential homeowners understand the factors that should influence your choice.

The Advantages of Renting:

  1. Flexibility and Mobility: One of the significant advantages of renting is the flexibility it offers. Renting allows individuals to move more freely, whether for career opportunities or personal reasons. Lease agreements are…

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Download the May Data PDF

Video Transcript (auto generated)

 Hey, I'm Steve Volkers, and this is the Steve Volkers report of the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market Data using this fancy booklet that Big Kev puts together for us each month. This is gonna be talking about the month of April. I don't even know how to say that, Kev. It can't be. It can't be May, but it is, and the sun's out today and it's 70, so we're loving it.

So this month's data, there's gonna be a couple of themes that I'm gonna, that I'm gonna talk about. Ultimately, it is all over the place in my mind, just based on offers and what I'm doing with clients, but then also trying to figure out what the data tells us. So, My word of the week is fickle.

I should probably…

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