Seeing the Potential in a Home

Michael Weitzman • June 21, 2015

As a Grand Rapids real estate agent, I sometimes work with people who have a knack for seeing the potential in a home. They may be investors or just home buyers with a little savvy and vision, or students of reality shows like “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and “Hidden Potential.” Whatever the case, some people have an uncanny ability to imagine what it will take to make a home fit their needs.

If you’ve been looking for a home for a while, or if the real estate environment is competitive for the area you have in mind, you may want to start thinking out of the box. Whenever you decide to broaden your horizons, it can help to keep in mind that homes with “potential” are often overlooked for a few major reasons:

  • Bad decorating. It can be hard to look past design trends like boldly painted “accent” walls and wallpaper, modern or ornate light fixtures, gleaming gold fixtures and handles, or dated décor. However, if you ask an interior designer or a home remodeler for some ideas, you may end up with a home that’s perfectly customized for you.
  • Poor curb appeal. Often curb appeal is affected by neglected landscaping, or landscaping that is overly complicated and high maintenance. Again, a professional landscaper can be invaluable in helping you make a home more livable.
  • General age. Many people prefer the look of newer construction, or perceive that there are fewer issues with newer homes. However, any home can have issues, which is why a thorough home inspection is so important. Also, you may be able to achieve either a classic or a modern look with a few modifications to an older home.

What homes may be worth a second look? Homes with “potential” almost always have a good location – a location that is desirable for you, and as well as being generally marketable (which a knowledgeable Grand Rapids real estate agent should be able to help you with). Homes with potential should also have a generally appealing floor plan , or at least a floor plan that can be rearranged, added on to, or remodeled at a low cost.

If you’re lucky when you look for a new home, you’ll find a home that is move-in ready and matches all your criteria. However, if you can imagine the possibilities for a “diamond in the rough,” you may also find yourself quite satisfied in the end. Contact The Sprich Group today if you’re ready to find your home with “potential.”

Photo: Jason Tester Guerrilla Futures ( some rights reserved )

Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

Insight Into the 5 House Pricing Strategies Sellers Use

By Tom Sprich • June 15, 2022
When sellers put up a home, there are a lot of factors to consider. However, pricing is very important. Sellers understand that buyers can now research information, and they are now smarter than ever. So, they need to set a reasonable price for their homes. Besides, the initial price differentiates between a painless sale and months of frustration. Here are five common house pricing strategies sellers use. 
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

Appraisal Gap: What You Need to Know and How to Deal with It

By Tom Sprich • May 16, 2022
Buying a home is a significant investment, and it can be an exciting process. You have read about how important it is to get pre-approved and pre-qualified to stand out from the competition. However, when the home appraises for less than the agreed-upon price during the home appraisal, you risk losing your home or your money. Here is a guide on appraisal gaps and how to deal with the difference. 
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

3 Ways You Can Beat Competition in a Multiple Offer Situation

By Tom Sprich • April 18, 2022
Are you looking to settle in Grand Rapids? Grand Rapids offers a growing economy, low cost of living, excellent health care, diverse cultural options, and award-winning schools. Thus, it was ranked among the top places to live. Given the high demand for homes in Grand Rapids, the real estate market is hot, and sometimes, sellers have multiple offers to consider. So, how do you deal with multiple offer situations as a buyer? 
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

How To Tell The Real Estate Market Is Shifting And What It Means

By Tom Sprich • March 16, 2022
If you are trying to buy a home, you are probably keeping tabs on the real estate market trend. The real estate market is constantly shifting, impacting buyers' purchasing decisions. Thus, buyers are always on the lookout for the perfect time when the prices are low to make a purchase. This guide will help you understand the two markets under real estate and how to tell when the market is shifting. 
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

How Seasons and Interest Rates Impacts the Real Estate Market

By Tom Sprich • February 16, 2022
Are you planning on buying or selling a home? While the forces of housing demand and supply affect the market, so do seasons. The seasonality of the real estate market will vary according to location since each region has its nuance. Read on to understand how spring impacts the real estate market and why spring is the best time to invest in your dream home.
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for the Spring Market

By Tom Sprich • January 17, 2022
As the spring season approaches, it is time to get your home in order if you intend on selling. The real estate market goes up every spring, making it the best time to take advantage of the market and list your property. Preparing your home for listing could seem like a lengthy process for a first-time seller. If you would like your home to stand out among beautiful listed homes for sale in Grand Rapids, follow these tips. 
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

Why Now Is the Best Time to Make Your Investment in Grand Rapids Real Estate

By Tom Sprich • December 16, 2021
As the market begins to shift and the interest rates start going up, the best time to make your investment in real estate is now. But where should you invest? - In Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has become a favorite location for many real estate investors due to the competitive housing market and low cost of living. 
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

Should You Move to Grand Rapids?

By Tom Sprich • November 16, 2021
You plan on selling your home and moving to a new location, but you can’t seem to decide the best town to move to yet. How about Grand Rapids? If you have been waiting for the best time to make an investment in real estate, it's time to make your move. The housing market has begun to shift, and the interest rates are expected to go up soon. So, if you would like your home to sell faster, list your property now for the best deals. 
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

3 Reasons to Invest in Grand Rapids Real Estate Today

By Tom Sprich • October 18, 2021
Are you on the lookout for real estate investment opportunities? Have you considered investing in Grand Rapids real estate? With an average population of 200,000 people, Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan State. The city shows more promise than other cities in the state, making it a prime area for investment. It has the following.
Grand Rapids Real Estate Agent

Why Is Interest Rate Important When Buying a House?

By Tom Sprich • September 15, 2021
Buying a house is a dream many people would like to accomplish. However, government policies change with the ever-changing real-estate sector and the dynamics of homeowners. Besides finding a suitable mortgage lender, the next considered factor is the interest rate. After the pandemic, the real-estate sector has been significantly affected, and most finance corporations like banks and commercial lenders have lowered their interest to encourage investments. However, a low-interest rate is like stealing money, and a rate between 6 and 8 is a healthy interest rate. Read more about interest rates below. 
Show More