Need advice buying in Springfield

[Springfield Chicken]

We lived in the condos at 1661 in Riverside and it was like a gated community.  Everyone stayed behind closed doors.  We took walks in the parks and went shopping and attended events but people weren't as friendly as Springfield.  Everyone here stops to chat.  Being in real estate I kept up with the prices in Riverside but just didn't feel I was getting that much of a bang for my buck there.  But in Springfield the value is everywhere.  Every new listing I see I wish I could have.  I love them all.  New listings go up all the time so stay on the internet and continue to drive around and you'll see lots of them.  Then find a Realtor who knows the area and go for it.

[TallShip]

So how would a person interested in viewing homes in Springfield contact a real estate person like yourself? I tried to figure it out online but came up a bit short.

[avs]

There are several Realtors listed on the business directory of the springfield forum http://www.myspringfield.org/Business-Directory/

[Debbie Thompson]

Or send a private message to AVS or Springfield Chicken.  They are probably not ethically allowed to tell you that, but I can, because I'm not a Realtor.  :-)   I can vouch for both of them, and if they were allowed to say so, they would doubtless tell you they can each vouch for the other.  Both are well-known and VERY well respected, and not just in Springfield.   There...I said it.  :-)

And don't worry.  Just keep looking. Your exact right house will find you.  You will walk in and just know...this is it.   Your house will choose you, not the other way around.  Trust us on this.

[John P]

So how would a person interested in viewing homes in Springfield contact a real estate person like yourself? I tried to figure it out online but came up a bit short.

He is good too http://reggiefountain.watsonrealtycorp.com/

[Debbie Thompson]

Absolutely.  Reggie Fountain is great as well.  He sold us our current home.  Can vouch for him myself too, as well as AVS and Springfield Chicken. Pat Nodurft too, also listed on MySpringfield, also excellent.

TallShip, besides being excellent real estate agents, all are actively engaged in the Springifeld community, with various non-profits.  They know the community, our homes, and love it because they live here.  A veritable wealth of people just waiting to help you find a Springfield home to love like we do.

[Springfield Chicken]

One more piece of advice on buying a home in Springfield.  Don't be scared off if you are not the handy type who wants to do the renovation yourself.  There is great renovation financing (called a 203K loan) that allows you to roll the cost of the work into the overall mortgage.  It can be a little or a lot.  Our home was newer but it had been vandalized and had fire damage.  The 203K loan allowed us to have the repairs made, painting done, carpets replaced, etc.  You could buy the home Nicole has listed at $16,000 and roll EVERYTHING into the mortgage.  (The restrictions on the loan are pretty reasonable and Wells Fargo has a great program.)  And you've now heard of or from nearly every Realtor in Springfield so you have great choices.  Hope to see you at the next First Friday!

[iloveionia]

You could buy the home Nicole has listed at $16,000 and roll EVERYTHING into the mortgage.  (The restrictions on the loan are pretty reasonable and Wells Fargo has a great program.)

Thanks Chicken!  After finalizing the listing I was happy to be able to place in the Private Remarks a note about mothballing.  Rehabbing takes time.  A 203k loan and mothballing can really make a dream come true.  And a $16k house?  Hoo rah.   

[ben says]

We lived in the condos at 1661 in Riverside and it was like a gated community.  Everyone stayed behind closed doors.  We took walks in the parks and went shopping and attended events but people weren't as friendly as Springfield.  Everyone here stops to chat.  Being in real estate I kept up with the prices in Riverside but just didn't feel I was getting that much of a bang for my buck there.  But in Springfield the value is everywhere.  Every new listing I see I wish I could have.  I love them all.  New listings go up all the time so stay on the internet and continue to drive around and you'll see lots of them.  Then find a Realtor who knows the area and go for it.

Completely agree about 1661. My sister lived in. Not only did I have a had time getting in, but it was almost impossible to get out. Also, the inside courtyard was an f'ying eyesore. Outside of 1661, though, I'm a complete Riverside addict.

That being said, I agree with your statement: "But in Springfield the value is everywhere.  Every new listing I see I wish I could have.  I love them all.  New listings go up all the time so stay on the internet and continue to drive around and you'll see lots of them."

I feel the same way, every time I drive through Springfield. If I had the funds, I'd be doing exactly that: buying them up. Getting my real estate license in May and currently in law school and when it's all said and done, I plan on investing heavily in that area.

[MusicMan]

About the 203K loan. I need a referal for an Inurance Company/Agent who can help us with coverage from closing until the 203K repairs are complete. (Needs a roof and that is part of the 203K loan and contract details). Please let me know.
Thanks!!

[iloveionia]

Her name is Robbie.
(904) 783-3388
I had vacant property insurance back in the day on my Ionia bungalow.