Gladys Parker began selling real estate in Ortonville in 1990, when she got her license.
Now, the Brandon Township resident continues to sell real estate in Ortonville, as well as Goodrich, and as far north as Millington as owner of Help-U-Sell Property Basics, 8359 Office Park Drive in Grand Blanc.
‘We’ve got the M-15 corridor covered pretty well,? says Parker, 57. ‘I love the community, our daughters went to school in Brandon and we are a very family-oriented business. We work hard to keep that sense of family and community.?
Help-U-Sell Property Basics is a full-service real estate franchised business whose realtors list homes, place them in a multi-listing service and on websites, write and negotiate contracts, and work with lenders, home inspectors, title companies to get a house to a successful close.
‘We work with owners, so rates are lower than a traditional company, although we’re full-service,? said Parker. ‘The industry has gotten really interesting the last few years, with the way the market is and technology. More and more people shop online for their homes instead of driving around neighborhoods. It’s wonderful, because it works with our program.?
Parker’s franchise is one of 15 Help U-Sell Property Basics in Michigan. Her franchise has four real estate agents, and 43 listings currently, including vacant land, in Ortonville, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Linden, Fenton, Howell and Livingston County. Not so big, she says, that people get lost. Current homes she has for sale range from $49,900 to $700,000. Vacant land starts at $24,900 for a 3-acre parcel to $400,000 for 16 acres.
Parker says the market is coming back and they are becoming busier as many people move out of state.
‘Interest rates are still very good,? she noted. ‘The buyer has a better opportunity of finding exactly what they want. A buyer may want to change carpet or paint, but not necessarily want to build a deck or put in a yard or landscaping. Those things are already there in an established home. It’s a great time to buy a new home, too.?
Help-U-Sell Property Basics, associated with the Flint Board of Realtors and North Oakland Board of Realtors, is there for both the buyer and the seller.
‘Our program is set up so we work with a low-set fee when listing a property and that helps our sellers save money on the sale of their home,? Parker said. ‘We try hard to work with buyers and sellers and it turns into a real win-win situation for them. We’re very friendly and accomodating, and try to go the extra mile.?
Help-U-Sell Property Basics, 8359 Office Park Drive in Grand Blanc, near Saginaw and McCandlish roads, is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and weekends by appointment. Details: (810) 695-0500.