Mid-Michigan Realtor® - A glimpse at my life.

Years ago, I came across an article in Reader’s Digest that centered around a high school football team and a powerful “Pledge of Success” their coach would read to them. I don’t remember every detail of the article, but that pledge—it hit me hard. It planted a seed in my heart that has grown into something foundational in my life. At that time, I was stuck in a mindset that many people fall into: I believed I was a victim. I blamed my circumstances, my upbringing, my friends, even my bosses—but never myself. If something went wrong in my life, it was always someone else’s fault. That pledge became the first crack in that victim mentality. The Pledge of Success read: "Today is a new day, a new beginning. It has been given to me as a gift. I can either use it or throw it away. What I do today will affect me tomorrow. I cannot blame anyone but myself if I don't succeed. I promise to use this day to the fullest by giving my best, realizing it can never come back again. This is...

  Starting out in real estate can feel both exciting and overwhelming, but having a plan in place for your showings can make all the difference. One of the most important steps before any showing is to learn about the property . Don’t rely solely on the MLS—go deeper. Study the property disclosures, look for updates, unique features, and anything that might stand out to a buyer. Knowing key details like the age of the roof, furnace, or whether the home has had recent renovations builds trust and positions you as a knowledgeable professional. Equally important is learning about the surrounding area . Buyers aren’t just investing in a house—they’re buying into a neighborhood. Be prepared to talk about nearby schools, parks, restaurants, commute times, and anything else that might be relevant to your client’s lifestyle. Even if your client doesn’t ask directly, this kind of insight can help them picture themselves living there and shows that you care about the bigger picture. When ...

  At our staff meeting this week, our Broker, Badger Beall, quoted this line, “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” — Jim Rohn This simple statement carries profound weight. In a world that often prioritizes hustle, income, and financial milestones, we sometimes overlook the most precious resource we have: time . Time is Finite No matter who we are—rich or poor, young or old, we all get the same 24 hours in a day. Once an hour passes, it's gone forever. You can’t rewind it, repurchase it, or bank it for later. This makes time an incredibly rare and nonrenewable resource. Unlike money, there’s no saving or investing that can multiply the time we’ve already used. Money is Potentially Limitless The beauty—and sometimes the trap—of money is that we can always earn more of it. With effort, creativity, and persistence, financial opportunities can be pursued and cultivated. Whether it’s through a new job, investment, or busi...

Buyer's Versus Seller's Market In the world of real estate, understanding the difference between a buyer’s market and a seller’s market is crucial for making informed decisions. Whether you're looking to buy your first home, invest in property, or sell your current house, recognizing market conditions can help you strategize effectively. These two market types dictate pricing trends, competition levels, and the overall experience for buyers and sellers. A buyer’s market occurs when there are more homes for sale than there are buyers. This situation gives buyers the upper hand, as sellers compete to attract offers. As a result, home prices tend to decrease, and buyers have the advantage of negotiating better deals, including lower prices, favorable contingencies, and even seller concessions such as covering closing costs. If you're a buyer, a buyer’s market presents an excellent opportunity to find a home at a competitive price with less pressure. On the other hand, a se...

  Facing Your Giants: Lessons from the Life of David The reason I started this blog was to share my journey—from my time in high school to my transition into real estate—and how my faith in God has shaped my path. I am where I am today only because of His guidance and grace. My family and I began attending Radiant Church in Bay City a few years ago, and we have been blessed to grow in our faith in a church that truly aligns with our beliefs. We’ve heard many sermons throughout the years, but none have impacted me quite like our recent series on the life of David. While I’ve heard David’s story many times, Pastor Marco has a way of bringing it to life, making it feel personal and relevant. Facing Giants in Life and Business We all face giants—challenges that seem too big to overcome. In his sermon, Pastor Marco shared three common giants we encounter: Fear, Insecurity, and Discouragement. Fear —Fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of taking a leap of faith. ...

A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention I can honestly say that the Lord has blessed me with a good life. I have been places and held careers that 17-year-old Mark never would have imagined. Being very honest, I didn’t have much ambition or confidence that I would amount to anything. You see, I was a high school dropout, and the path before me was pretty bleak. With not much happening in my life here in Bay City, MI, I decided to join the US Army Infantry to find some sort of purpose or independence. I turned 17 on December 1, 1983, and was on a bus headed to Ft. Benning, GA, on February 14, 1984. Those early years in the Army were a whirlwind. I got to see so much of the country during this time. I was stationed in Ft. Lewis, WA, Camp Kitty Hawk later named Camp Bonifas at Pan Mun Jom (UNC-JSA) South Korea, Ft. Carson, CO, and Ft. Polk, LA. It was during my stay in Ft. Lewis that I received my GED. I had a 1st Sgt who said that if I wanted to accomplish anything in the Army or in ...