Andy Hargreaves's Blog Posts

Unplugged and UnbotheredThe other day I picked up my phone to scroll through social media and put it right back down about 12 seconds later. Not because something urgent came up, but because I

Don’t Wait Until Spring: How to Prepare Your Home for a Late-Summer or Early-Fall ListingThere is a very common belief in Michigan real estate that if you want to sell your house, you need to

The Digital Threat No One Is Talking About (And Why It Should Be on Every Buyer's and Seller's Radar)By Andy Hargreaves, Broker @ Prime + PropertyReal estate has always been a high-stakes game. Big

Buying a house:  It’s the American Dream!  Right?  Or, at least that’s what we’re told.I’ve been selling Real Estate for over 20 years.  In that duration,

Stopping Traffic for a Good Reason: How to Help Turtles Cross the Road (Without Making Things Worse)Spring and early summer in Michigan bring a lot of good things... longer days, greener yards, and

Why Is It Called WD-40?The “WD” in the product’s name stands for “Water Displacement,” and at its core, that’s what WD-40 does. However, it is also effective at

The REAL truth about greasy pizza boxesI'll admit it - I've always put my pizza box in the recycling bin.  Yes, I know - shame on me!  I also don't take labels off the plastic

Why 55+ Communities in Michigan Aren’t “Age Discrimination” (and what makes them legal)I was watching TV last night and saw an ad for a 55+ senior living community and it reminded

As someone who sells homes and then goes home to 12 chickens, 3 ducks, a small orchard of fruit trees, and more garden beds than is realistically manageable, I’ve learned this: the soil you

Does Closing Vents in Low-Traffic Rooms Keep Your House Warmer in Winter?I was at a listing appointment yesterday and was touring the home with the owner.  As we walked from room to room, I

Frozen Pipes Are a Michigan Winter Problem—But They’re PreventableHere in Michigan when temperatures drop, frozen pipes are one of the most common (and expensive) winter headaches for

Early in my Real Estate career, one of the older Realtors in my office pulled me aside and told me I “need to list to last” in order to be successful in this business.  While I

Selling the Home You Raised Your Kids In? That’s Emotional. Let’s Talk Strategy and Peace of Mind.There are houses, and then there are homes. The kind where pencil marks on the doorframe

POINTSETTIA 101 - How to pick the best one for your display!Who doesn't love to get in the holiday spirit this time of year?  Many families of course put up a Christmas tree and decorate the

What To Do After the First Early Snow of the SeasonThat first snow always sneaks up on us, doesn’t it? One day you’re raking leaves in a hoodie, the next you’re brushing snow off

Keep Your Swing Warm: Late Fall and Winter Golf Tips for Plymouth-Area GolfersWhen the air turns crisp and the fairways fade to brown, most Michigan golfers tuck their clubs away. But here in

Should You Buy a Home Before the Holidays?As the weather cools and pumpkin spice takes over the shelves, most people aren’t thinking about house hunting. But here’s a little insider

In Zone 6 (which covers us locally), you still have time here in early fall to plant cool-season crops that can handle shorter days and cooler temps. Here’s a list of late-season herbs and

In Real Estate, we see many crazy scenarios that help keep our days interesting.  Right now, I am dealing with a seller who is in the middle of a nasty fight with their neighbor over...a tree.

The Department of Natural Resources says August is the time of year for residents to help stop the invasive Asian longhorned beetle from taking hold here and destroying Michigan's maple trees.As

I see friends of mine digging in ponds and/or getting poison ivy and ticks all over their limbs while looking for lost balls in the woods..  Do you do this?  Here's a guide for some truth

Red, White, and BOOM! What That Firework Did to Home ValuesEvery 4th of July, the skies light up with fireworks—but have you ever wondered what else those pops, crackles, and crowd cheers do?

Pruning Tomato Plants: Why, When, and How to Do It RightIf you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you know they can quickly turn into a tangled mess of vines, especially indeterminate varieties. But with

7 Smart Ways to Cool Your Home Without Air ConditioningWhen summer temperatures spike, most of us immediately turn to the air conditioner. But what if you’re trying to cut down on energy,

What to Do If You Suddenly Inherit a Home From a Deceased Parent With No TrustLosing a parent is never easy—and if you’ve suddenly inherited their home without a trust in place, you may

One of the best parts of summer is watching your flowers and vegetables grow.  In a way, they’re like little babies that you can start from seed and watch mature – just give them

Is a Broker a REALTOR®? And Why a Broker Might Be Your Best BetWhen you're buying or selling a home, you’ll hear a lot of real estate terms thrown around—agent, broker, REALTOR®.

I scream, you scream we all scream – because freezer burned ice cream sucks!I love eating ice cream.  Not ice milk, not the low-fat crap, but real, pure ice cream.  It’s&

Don’t Get Scammed: How to Avoid Wire Fraud Before Closing on Your HomePresented by Prime + Property | Andy Hargreaves, Broker - Real Estate Done Right!You're almost there—the inspections

For the last 20 or so years, flight passengers could only fly with liquids in a 3.4oz container that had to fit within a quart-sized plastic bag.  This was put in place after the Sept 11th

Starting Seeds Indoors in Zone 6: A Beginner’s GuideIf you are like me and are eager to see some greenery in your life, prepping and planning to plant seeds can be a great way to break up the

If you don't know, I love to cook.I tend to nerd out with certain cooking items and there are definite items that I regularly add into my cooking rotation. I have multiple pans:  Cast iron

To heat or not to heat, that is the question!Admit it:  there’s a lot of misinformation on this subject.  Should you keep your house at the same temperature when you are away at work

As a kid, we were rarely allowed to drink pop at home.For one, we couldn't afford it.Secondly, my mom said it was junk and not healthy, so when we did get to have it, it was a treat (or we were at a

Ok, I will admit it:  I have plugged all sorts of stuff into an extension cord and not thought twice about it.  Even now and right this minute, I am committing a foul according to

I had a discussion over the holidays about aluminum foil and how I prefer to use the sheet rolls versus the pre-cut styles.  One of my family members tried to tell me that the two different

How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater?Maintaining a water heater is essential for ensuring its efficiency and longevity. One key maintenance task is draining the tank to remove sediment

Ah, a polarizing take here:  but my waterbed growing up was my favorite bed of all time.At least that's what kid Andy recalls anyway, and maybe adult Andy's body here may not agree.  But

No, it isn't "windshield" temperature.It is "wind chill" temperature which factored into account temperature, moisture, and of course - wind speed.  Or, rather, it WAS called "wind chill" when

Buying a home is exciting.  Or, rather, it is supposed to be exciting!  It can also be scary and overwhelming, and hiring the right Realtor can have a very significant impact on your

Buying a home is exciting.  Or, rather, it is supposed to be exciting!  It can also be scary and overwhelming, and hiring the right Realtor can have a very significant impact on your

Buying a home is exciting.  Or, rather, it is supposed to be exciting!  It can also be scary and overwhelming, and hiring the right Realtor can have a very significant impact on your

Confused by what the different buttons and modes on your washing machine actually do and are for?What's the difference between casuals, mixed, and dark modes - and does it even matter?Is it survival

Are The "BEST" Expensive Furnace Filters Really Worth the Extra Cost?When it comes to maintaining a comfortable and healthy home environment, furnace filters play a significant role. They trap dust,

To click or not to click, that is the question.Wait, what?  You mean what am I talking about?  I am talking about getting gas.Imagine for a moment it's freezing cold out and you have to

I was thinking about this the other day when I was with some buddies and we were arguing about a sports stat.  Back in the day, we'd spend hours sometimes arguing our case about a random fact

DIY Home Projects vs. Hiring a Professional: What’s Right for You?Do you find yourself checking out Pinterest late at night and thinking "I can do that!" like we do? Home improvement projects

Ah, the blue light special.Who doesn't remember going to Kmart as a kid?From down trodden stores, low-quality products and clothing brands I was embarrassed to be seen in, I spent way too many hours

My son is studying abroad in Japan for the fall semester in Hikone.  Rather than do a 14 hour flight and then head back home, we decided to make it a week long trip prior to soak in a YOLO trip

Exploring the Best Cider Mills Near Plymouth, MIAs the crisp fall air rolls into Michigan, there's no better way to embrace the season than by visiting one of the state's many charming cider mills.

Why Listing Your Home Before School Starts Is a Smart MoveWith summer now in full swing, the real estate market heats up just like our outdoor temperatures. For many families, the end of summer and

Discover the Best Dog Parks Near Plymouth, MILiving in Plymouth, MI, means enjoying a mix of suburban charm and access to beautiful outdoor spaces. For dog owners, finding the perfect dog park where

I get a lot of calls from people who are curious about Real Estate investing.  They usually are curious about what is involved, how much down is needed, what time is best, and more. 

The Importance of Getting Sewer Lines Inspected!When we think about home maintenance, we often focus on the more visible aspects: a fresh coat of paint, a well-manicured lawn, or a remodeled.

Power washing your deck can seem like an effective way to clean it, but it can actually cause several issues that may damage your deck in the long term.  1.    Damage to

It's almost summertime and with that comes one of my favorite things about this season:  outdoor grilling!I have spent a ton of time over the years grilling and smoking various types of meat

I was talking today to a client moving in from another state, and I mentioned that to get to this house we would have to go past a road, and then do a "Michigan Left" to be able to go on the road we

It can be challenging to buy a house right now.Maybe you're starting out buying your first home after renting, or perhaps you're the parent of a child trying to buy their first home. According to

Selling a home can be a difficult task for anyone.  Trying to keep your home looking great while "life" happens arounds us daily is a very stressful process for many.  But there's often

Spring is here!  Like many of you, spring brings a renewed sense of excitement for fresh flowers and vegetables. Few things are as rewarding as planting seeds and watching them pop up and

Well, the day we have been predicting for years is finally here, it seems.With the rapid rise in home prices as result of miniscule inventory, low appraisals were eventually going to happen. 

Welcome to Prime + Property!It's been almost a month already since we decided to open up our own brokerage.  Since I began my career nearly 17 years ago, a lot has changed in the Real

Real Estate is a competitive world.There are over 20,000 licensed Realtors in Metro Detroit.In Plymouth, where my office is, there are over 1,400 alone. Can you say "saturated" much?

This past weekend at a holiday party, I experienced the sheer look of horror as I did the unimaginable:  I put ice in my red wine.  and then drank it.  and loved it.The guest at the

I had a prospective buyer call me on my listing the other day, and lectured me about how he ONLY calls the listing agent for properties, as it gets him a better deal. Yet, does it? What benefit does

I was reading the other day on a newsite that posts restaurant kitchen health code scores and I was amazed by the reaction by commenters on the site, calling for a particular restaurant to be

My Facebook is full of squares for the big game this weekend.  They add a little "fun" to the game, and it's even better when odd number combinations hit and/or you win a quarter or two....

Ever go to a high-end steakhouse and wonder how they get that beautiful, dark char on the outside of the steak?  Or, have you noticed that sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't get the

Yesterday, I had a client link me a house they were interested in, but asked me "Why does it say Site Condo on it?"  I often forget that buyers often have never heard of the term and even

We are lucky here in the Metro Detroit area to have an excellent airport hub to fly from.  If you own a business (or even don't, but want a great travel card or a card that pays you back),

The start of a new year starts out so promising for a lot of people.  "I'm gonna exercise more, eat right, save more, etc!"  Yet, after a few weeks we're back to where we were before and

One of the worst parts of winter for me (besides the days on end of gray skies and blah!) is the dry, crackly skin that comes with being cold.  Winter air is notoriously harsh on our skin as

Winter is a slower time of year in Real Estate, but by no means is it a bad time to sell.Here are some reasons why selling during the holiday season can help sell your home quick and for top dollar

When I was a kid, anytime I had a stomach ache or didn't feel well, Vernors was the cure.Stomach ache?  Vernors.Nauseous?  Vernors.Flu?  Vernors.While now my Vernors is usually mixed

While cooking might seem like a dreaded chore for adults, involving kids in holiday cooking can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the entire family. Not only does it create lasting,

We had our first snow of the year over the last week here and I was curious to see how the chickens would react to the snow. When I got out by their coop, they were sitting inside and looking out.

When someone buys a home, they often register it as a "principal residence" if they will be using it as their main residence.  We, as owners, are allowed one home as a principal residence.

If it seems like the Lions always play on Thanksgiving, well, it's because they do!The annual tradition actually began back in 1934!  Back in the day, then owner George A. Richards decided to

Great news plant lovers!The 2023 USDA plant hardiness map has been updated and most of Michigan has been updated and upgraded to zone 6A.The map was last updated in 2012, so it was due for a!&

Love it or hate it, but we will fall back an hour this weekend.  On Sunday, we will gain that coveted extra hour of sleep that so many cherish.  While some of us love it, some of us hate

Real Estate is a tough business.  While some of us are fortunate to sell a lot of homes, Real Estate is a "what's next?" business.  Some of you may not know that in Real Estate, there is

As you may have noticed over the past few days, if you don't keep your car in the garage - you might have had to scrape frost off the windshield.  Yet, have you ever paused to ponder what

I'll admit - even as a kid, I was always in the yard doing something - playing, gardening, watching nature, etc.  As I grew older, the convenience of living in suburbia was initially

Hey all, it's almost our favorite time of year here in Michigan (for some of us anyway).If you're like me and absolutely hate the short gray sky days where it's dark when you wake up and dark

It's nice to see all the greenery and flowers outside now that summer's here! Nice as well to bring some living plants in your home- now's a great time to get them growing so you can enjoy that

Let us begin by saying we always advise getting a home inspection.  Simply put, while we are able to identify most items in need of repair during a showing with you, we aren't able to go