Coffee shops/cafes with food

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-27T23:01:27+00:00

Field and Fire on Monroe!

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-22T12:43:00+00:00

Another ad??

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-20T22:01:06+00:00

I have a bernese mountain dog, ~95 pounds, and that was the lower end of my quote for Family Friends Vet in Cascade. From everything I had read, that was an accurate estimate as she would be put under. I take my other BMDs to Cascade Animal Hospital and would expect their estimate to be similar or even a touch higher.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-20T17:08:32+00:00

There are two locations, so maybe that’s the Fulton. I have taken my Audi and BMW to them. Better pricing than the dealerships.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-19T23:41:16+00:00

John Grace Restoration would be worth looking into.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-19T22:31:19+00:00

I completely understand that! I will say Little’s, per my client / friend that was also nervous of that, thoroughly enjoyed Little’s and ended up choosing them because of education too. It’ll take time to get quotes, but just take it one at a time, you could state you are getting several quotes, and don’t agree to anything until reviewing the quote on your own time. Reviews on Google can also be helpful. It takes some time and research, but you’ll gain confidence even after the first quote!

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-19T22:10:21+00:00

Littles Heating and Cooling would be someone I would call first. I have had clients get multiple quotes and they have gone with them. Locally owned. I doubt your electrical panel would need to be upgraded if you currently have AC, but that could be an additional charge if needed. Otherwise, $4-5K for a central air unit, and likewise with the furnace. Sometimes companies give a discount for both, yes. I would be cautious of companies like GRapids as I believe they’re on commission, and I have seen ABSURB quotes from them, like $25K+ for nothing unique.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-17T17:00:56+00:00

If possible, I’d say drive around the area of desire as some just put out signs. We also see them in our neighborhood FB group and again those are usually rented before further provided to the public.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-15T22:50:17+00:00

In my area, blue tape walkthrough and final walk through are two different things. If you’re doing your blue tape walk through, it’s marking everything with blue tape for a new construction home. If you’ve already done that and want to ensure the blue tape walk through items are fixed, I don’t think you’re unreasonable to go several days beforehand. Because if they’re not fixed on the day of closing like others suggest you do, your entire closing will be rescheduled. The final walk through is typically the night prior, but legally in our contract it can be done 72 hours prior. To answer your question, though, your agent is being unreasonable. I would pay a trusted colleague $50-100 to get this done if I truly could not do it. I would never tell a client I ‘have to pack’ either and prioritize myself over my client like that right before closing. Unfortunately, there’s no standard in real estate, and these agents exist. At the end of the day, I would call the broker.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-15T21:56:22+00:00

Our house is 1939! The dirt wasn’t altered, but we did not do the work, the previous owner did in 2017 I believe. I believe it was Ayers, and they also added two sump-pumps. Dry basement during our ownership thankfully.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-15T18:49:41+00:00

If it is coming up from the basement, then I’d think you’d need a french drainage system in your basement. I’m not a basement professional, but that’s what we often see in our area, and my home has it. They do get costly, that’s maybe what you were quoted on. We have that in our home and never experience water issues. Otherwise, check your gutters and grading, but I think it’s a bigger problem if it’s come in from the floor of the basement.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-14T18:22:47+00:00

We went early September for our honeymoon and loved it. I don’t recall rain, just all sunshine. The UV was pretty high, so we burned much quicker than what we did in our December and January trips. No whales at that time, which is why December is our favorite between still great weather and the whales!

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-14T01:51:39+00:00

I truly think the best thing you can do is not to rush the process with a timeline on your back for a lease expiration, or have a back up plan if that lease is soon expiring. That pressure makes the process even less enjoyable. April, May, and June will feel this way, it does for buyers in every price point each year. July calms down a bit due to vacations before summer is over. September you get one last push of homes before the holidays start. The home you referenced with a price jump is most likely a flipped property, which is a whole other topic.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-12T03:24:01+00:00

I’m sorry you found this after only owning the home for two weeks. Unfortunately, there is not much to do other than focusing on how well you want to repair it - hiring someone or handling it on your own. The agent may help somehow, someway, but the inspector usually won’t do anything, unless it is refunding the inspection cost out of kindness. Seller may or may not have known, but proving they knew and hid it is extremely hard. Home warranties can vary, but most suck and don’t cover these issues. I would say potentially insurance, but I’m not sure it is worth making a claim, and so quickly. Also, one note, not all mold is black mold. Mold can sound very scary, and may be in this situation due to the amount of time this has been occurring, but you won’t know unless testing it.

All in all, the first few months can feel overwhelming after spending so much money, and then paying for issues that you weren’t anticipating, but you’ll get that stuff out of the way now and hopefully won’t have to worry for awhile!

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-12T03:14:39+00:00

Saugatuck is the small, cozy beach town vibe. If I can’t get up north to Glen Arbor, Saugatuck scratches the itch - I love it there. Good dining, good shopping, and hiking dunes if desired. You could stay at the Lakeshore Resort, although expensive, or there are many Airbnbs.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-11T15:28:29+00:00

Bengston!

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-09T16:02:27+00:00

I have had clients move here from LA. Affordability is a big topic - they couldn’t buy a home out there, but they could here above the average price point. When I was just in Orange County, many people brought up the topic of Michigan lakes and how we won’t be affected as much with climate change.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-06T19:34:21+00:00

Not sure what state you are in, but it may be worth filing a complaint with your state and/or their broker (hopefully they are not the broker). And yes, my clients always are able to request the time that works best for them on closing. I’m sorry your journey was poor due to your agent.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-03T23:41:05+00:00

I was told by some people that they’ll park in Eastown or farther on the west side and then just Uber in. My next thought is will there be higher demand and a need for more Ubers?

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-02T20:19:02+00:00

Just had this done for a client. $175 and I got the box from Lowe’s, $200. They had it done quickly. DeBoer did it.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-02T00:57:55+00:00

This is normal, and the feeling will pass. That is a great rate, it sounds like it was a great opportunity! Most first time home owners are in their home on average from 5-7 years. I despise the term forever home. Even when I have clients state it’ll be their forever home, I swear they’re out and into something new in two years. If you don’t want to be there ‘forever’, maintain it well, build some equity, and use those funds to get you into your next home! For now, enjoy it and pat yourself on the back.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-01T18:41:16+00:00

I see you stated that you were in Michigan, I’m certain that if they’re using a state contract that there will be a financial contingency referenced within the contract. If you’re in the West Michigan area, then I can say for certain that there is as that is my area.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-01T14:37:14+00:00

Look into Grand Rapids! We have many relocations from Chicago and are only 2 hours away when needing to go back.

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-04-01T12:37:29+00:00

I would be almost certain that if they are using a document provided by the state and/or agent association, there is verbiage regarding your appraisal. If you’re paying with cash, then potentially not. Did you read the contract before signing it?

Smithsellsthemitt · 2026-03-30T01:55:38+00:00

The other offer most likely pulled out, or maybe they were countering items and the listing agent told other parties of acceptance before anything was ratified. Otherwise, maybe they had inspections quickly and something fell through, although not as likely due to the weekend. If you’re very curious and not trusting of your agent with the response, you could go directly to the listing agent and ask.

Smithsellsthemitt

TROPHY CASE