Living In Pike.com

Five years ago I did a Comparable Market Analysis for an owner that lived just east of 71st and Michigan Road. A challenging area that has about 10 homes, several which have gotten commercial zoning. The house was not in a legal community. The request for the CMA and my response were all done through email and I only had seen the outside of the home. The house was in a very unique setting and I had only a few sales in the area to go by. I did the best I could and never heard from the seller again until this year. He called me out of the blue and wanted to talk to me about selling his house. We made an appointment and again I prepared a Comparable Market Analysis for him. This time I got to see the inside of the house.

It was built in 1940, a two story with full basement, 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. On almost an acre, fenced on three sides with
the forth side on Westlane Road. It was a country setting in an urban area.

Turns out the owner was a contractor and had done all the nice touches that Realtors love. He had Hardie planked the house, put
a new roof on, made an extremely nice patio in the back of the house, etc. Inside it had all the charm of a well kept country
home.

Mike and Jessie Jones (the owners) had raised six children in the home and had lived there over 20 years. Four girls and two boys. I got to thinking about that because the four girls had the two upstairs bedrooms and there was only a half bath upstairs. I asked Mike “How did that work out for you?” He responded “Scheduling”. Turns out that some of his children went to Pike Schools at the same time my 28 year old son did.

Mike and Jessie were some of the nicest people to work with since I have been in the business. They wanted to sell the present
house and look for a smaller house in the area. They are members of Agape Church at 62nd and Georgetown Road and Mike was the contractor when the church was built. They wanted to find a house that was still close to the church.

About a month into the listing of their present house we started looking for their new house. We looked at about 10 houses and always came back to the first one we had looked at. A 3 bedroom 2 bath ranch with full basement in Washington Township. Built in 1961, vacant and looked like it had never been updated. We must have visited the property six times. He took measurements, drew up floor plans and had a vision. We had a parade of sub contractors through the house until the owner said “NO MORE!”

The timing turned out perfect. About 90 days into the listing, we had an offer. We negotiated an agreement. We then made an offer on the ranch. Turns out we closed on both houses Oct. 23rd. Mike and Jessie moved into a local Hotel for a month while rehabbing and remodeling the ranch. Friday I got to see it for the first time since closing. It was unbelievable!!!

He had completely opened up the kitchen, living room, breakfast room and family room. He had moved the Kitchen to the Dining room and moved the laundry area from the basement to a laundry closet just off the breakfast area. He had turned the three bedrooms to one Master Suite and an office. The full hall bath had been completely remodeled. The Master suite was just gorgeous. The bedroom opened into the Master Bath with corner Jacuzzi tub and large closet. To many upgrades to mention here for a 1961 house. Neighbors have come by to see the house and could not believe it. I commented that the first floor looked like it had been built recently from what I had seen in production housing. Their minister was there when I arrived. He stayed just to
see the expression on my face when I looked at the house for the first time.

Mike’s business concentrated on churches in the past. He tells me that he would rather do smaller projects in the future. He even is looking for bank owned houses to rehab and flip. He has already given me several referrals, one of which has turned into a new Pike listing. Again with wonderful people to work with and they are also looking for another house to buy.

Mike has my highest recommendation for a contractor. Mike looks at a house and has a vision for what it can become. His years of experience has taught him well. He is extremely easy to work and to get along with.

I am getting nothing out of this praise except his friendship and future referrals.

His name is Mike Jones.
His company is Visions Construction Services LLC.
His website is www.visionscm.com
His phone number is 317-506-0561.
Mike knows his business!!!