Buying a home in Metro Detroit can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I walk you through the home buying process step by step so you’ll know exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and the strategies that make you a confident buyer.From getting pre-approved, to finding the right agent, to writing offers and closing on your dream home — I cover it all. Whether you’re a first-time buyer in Livonia, Grosse Pointe, Birmingham, or surrounding Metro Detroit neighborhoods, this guide will help you avoid costly mistakes and stay on track.📥 Download my FREE Home Buyer’s Guide and Checklist here: https://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-buyers-guide/Chapters:00:00 Buying a Home: Why It’s Complicated00:11 Meet Leslie Martin – Metro Detroit Realtor®00:23 Free Home Buyer’s Guide & Checklist00:46 Home Buying Process Overview00:59 Step 1 – Get Pre-Approved01:18 Step 2 – Find Your Agent01:41 Step 3 – Search and Tour Homes02:12 Step 4 – Make Your Offer02:33 Step 5 – Negotiate02:43 Step 6 – Due Diligence (Inspection & Appraisal)02:57 Step 7 – Closing Day03:13 Reminder: The Process Isn’t Always Linear03:26 Download the Free Buyer’s Guide03:40 Sneak Peek: Next Episode with Vincent Newsome03:56 How to Contact Leslie Martin📌 Want expert advice on your next move?✨ Connect with Me:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin#MetroDetroitRealEstate #HomeBuyingTips #LeslieEMartin

Thinking about buying a home in Metro Detroit? In this first episode of my Home Buyer’s Guide and Checklist series, I’m giving you the complete overview of the buying process — from your very first thought about moving to the moment you’re holding the keys.We’ll cover:✔ How to clarify your “must-haves” before you start shopping✔ Why pre-approval comes first — and how it gives you a competitive edge✔ The role your real estate agent plays in your success (hint: more than opening doors!)✔ The key steps: searching, touring, making offers, negotiating, inspections, and closing✔ The common buyer mistakes that can cost you your dream home — and how to avoid them🎯 Whether you’re a first-time buyer or ready to upgrade, this episode will help you navigate Metro Detroit’s competitive housing market with clarity, confidence, and strategy.Chapters:00:00 Buying a home: exciting but overwhelming00:13 Myths and mistakes buyers make00:23 Complete overview of the buying process00:40 Meet Leslie Martin – Metro Detroit Realtor®00:53 Free Home Buyer’s Guide & Checklist01:15 Why clarity comes before contracts01:38 Step 1 – Get pre-approved01:59 Step 2 – Hire your agent02:11 Step 3 – Search and tour homes02:25 Step 4 – Make your offer02:34 Step 5 – Negotiate the deal02:44 Step 6 – Due diligence02:55 Step 7 – Closing and getting the keys03:03 Common mistakes buyers make03:20 Avoiding costly surprises03:25 Why I created the Home Buyer’s Guide03:39 Pro tips to move quickly on the right home03:44 Download your free guide03:59 Next episode preview04:07 How to contact me📥 Download my FREE Home Buyer’s Guide and Checklist here: https://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-buyers-guide/This guide includes:**My “Ultimate I Wanna Buy a House” worksheet**Tips for each stage of the process**A ready-to-use checklist to keep you on track💬 Questions about buying in Metro Detroit? Drop them in the comments — I answer every one.#MetroDetroitRealEstate #HomeBuyersGuide #LeslieMartinRealtor📌 Want expert advice on your next move?✨ Connect with Me:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin

Not all real estate agents offer the same experience—and yet most charge the same commission.In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I do differently to help my clients in Metro Detroit sell faster, look better, and close smoother—without paying a penny more in commission than they would with an average agent.I’m Leslie Martin, and I provide full-service listings with complimentary staging, professional photography, strategic marketing, and one-on-one support from listing to closing. If you’re thinking of selling your home, don’t settle for less—this episode shows you how to get maximum value and concierge-level service for your investment.🏠 In this episode:**Why real estate is strategic, not just emotional**The exact services I provide every seller—at no extra cost**Before-and-after results from actual listings**Why most of my homes go under contract the first weekend**What “White Glove Concierge Service” really looks like**The truth about agent commissions—and how to get more for your money📥 Want to follow the full selling process from prep to close?Grab your free Home Seller’s Guide and Checklist here:👉 https://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-sellers-guide/⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why Strategy Matters00:30 – Meet Your Realtor: Leslie Martin00:56 – The Services I Include With Every Listing01:25 – Why I Invest in Your Listing Before It’s Shown01:36 – Before & After Staging Examples01:45 – First Weekend Offer Success01:50 – My Availability vs. Other Agents02:15 – White-Glove Concierge Approach💬 Have questions about selling your home or how I work?Leave a comment or send me a message—I'd love to hear from you.👍 If this helped, give it a like and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next!📌 Want expert advice on your next move?✨ Connect with Me:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin

#LeslieEMartinRealEstate #MetroDetroitRealEstate #HomeSellingTips

You’ve accepted an offer, the inspection is done, and the appraisal is in. So what’s left?Closing.This is where most sellers relax too soon—but the truth is, deals can still fall apart in the final stretch.In this episode of the Home Seller’s Guide series, I’m breaking down exactly what happens between contract and closing—and how I help my clients navigate every step of the process without last-minute surprises, delays, or stress.As a Realtor® serving the Metro Detroit area, I walk my sellers through everything from timelines and repairs to documents, walkthroughs, and final payouts. Whether you're in Grosse Pointe, Gibraltar, Birmingham, or anywhere in the metro Detroit area, this episode will help you close like a pro.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ What actually happens during the closing process✅ How long closing usually takes and why✅ What sellers are responsible for before and during closing✅ Why deals fall apart at the last minute (and how I prevent it)✅ What to expect on closing day✅ Pro tips to stay organized and avoid delays✅ How to turn your closing day into a celebration—not a stress test📥 Grab the complete roadmap in my FREE Home Seller’s Guide & Checklisthttps://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-sellers-guide/⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro: The Closing Isn’t a Free Pass00:28 – Who I Help + What’s In This Episode00:55 – What Happens After You Accept an Offer01:16 – Common Delays to Watch For01:36 – Your Role as the Seller During Closing01:42 – How I Help Clients Stay on Track02:15 – What to Expect on Closing Day02:26 – My Role in Preventing Problems02:30 – Want the Full Plan? Get the Free Guide02:41 – Next Episode Preview: Why Sellers Hire Me02:52 – Outro + Let’s Connect💬 Have questions about closing or your next steps as a seller?Drop them in the comments—I’d love to help.👍 If this video helped, give it a like and subscribe so you don’t miss Episode 13: Why Sellers Hire Me to Sell Their Homes.📲 Reach out anytime:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartin#metrodetroitrealestate #ClosingTipsForSellers #homesellingprocess

You just accepted an offer—now comes the part that makes most sellers sweat: the home inspection.What will the inspector find? Will it scare off your buyer? And are you about to be stuck fixing a laundry list of problems?In this episode of the Home Seller’s Guide and Checklist series, I’m breaking down exactly how I help my Metro Detroit clients handle the inspection process calmly and confidently—without sabotaging their deal or their profits.As a Realtor who’s guided dozens of sellers through this stage, I’ll show you:✔️ What inspectors are really looking for✔️ How to separate real concerns from nitpicks✔️ How to negotiate strategically without giving away too much✔️ Why small concessions can sometimes save thousands✔️ Pro tips to avoid red flags before your home ever hits the marketWhether you’re weeks from listing or already under contract, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you stay in control—and get to the closing table with your deal intact.👇 Download My Free Home Seller’s Guide & ChecklistGet every step laid out—from pricing and staging to negotiation and closing: https://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-sellers-guide/📌 CHAPTERS:00:00 – Intro: The Stress of Home Inspections00:27 – Why Sellers Panic (and How to Stay Calm)01:03 – What the Inspection Is Really About01:28 – What Buyers Want: Transparency, Not Perfection01:52 – How I Help Sellers Strategically Respond02:21 – Pro Tips to Avoid Surprises03:11 – What’s Coming Next: Understanding Closing03:30 – Wrap Up & Call to Action💬 Got a question about inspections or buyer repair requests? Drop it in the comments—I respond personally.👍 Like this episode if it helped, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode in this series.I’m Leslie Martin, a full-time Realtor with River Oaks Realty serving Metro Detroit. I help homeowners sell smarter—with strategy, structure, and support every step of the way. If you’re thinking about selling, I’d love to help you make your next move.✨ Connect with Me:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinHashtags:#metrodetroitrealestate #homeinspectiontips #sellingyourhome

You’ve got an offer—or maybe even a few. Now what?Before you celebrate, it’s critical to look beyond the number on the page. The offer price is important, yes—but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. In this episode, I walk you through exactly how I help my sellers evaluate, compare, and respond to offers strategically, so they can move forward with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.As a Metro Detroit Realtor®, I’ve helped sellers across Grosse Pointe, Farmington Hills, Birmingham, and beyond sort through the fine print to choose offers that are not only strong—but solid all the way to closing.Whether you're dealing with one offer or multiple, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes and make smart, informed decisions that protect your time, your money, and your peace of mind.📥 Want the full framework in one place?Download my Home Seller’s Guide and Checklist (totally free) at:https://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-sellers-guide/🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to tell if a buyer is financially solidWhy contingencies and closing timelines matterWhat to look for in multiple offer scenariosHow I compare offers side-by-side for my clientsTips for making a smart counteroffer (without losing the buyer)Why the “best” offer isn’t always the highestHow to make the decision that’s financially and practically right for you⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Got an Offer? Here's What Comes Next00:29 – Why Price Isn’t the Whole Picture00:53 – Download the Free Seller’s Guide01:06 – What Makes a Strong Offer?01:30 – Contingencies, Timelines & Terms01:52 – What to Look for in Multiple Offers02:15 – Counteroffers That Keep Buyers Engaged02:40 – Getting to the Finish Line03:06 – Making a Decision That Feels Right03:28 – Download the Full Seller’s Guide03:55 – Next Episode: Navigating the Home Inspection04:16 – Connect with Me📍 Serving Metro Detroit HomeownersI work with sellers in Grosse Pointe, Livonia, Birmingham, Royal Oak, and surrounding areas to list with strategy, not guesswork. From pricing to negotiation, I guide you through the full process with expert support and personal care.💬 Have questions about evaluating or responding to offers?Drop them in the comments below! Don’t forget to give this podcast a thumbs up and subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode: How to Navigate the Home Inspection Like a Pro.📌 Want expert advice on your next move?✨ Connect with Me:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinHashtags:#EvaluateOffers #metrodetroitrealestate #homesellingtips

Buyers don’t walk into an open house just to browse. They walk in hoping to fall in love—and they decide how they feel about your home within the first seven seconds.In this episode, I’m sharing how to host an open house that goes beyond “look how nice” and creates a real emotional connection with buyers. Whether you’re prepping a home in Grosse Pointe, Gibraltar, Birmingham, or anywhere in Metro Detroit, these strategies will help you stage with confidence, create the right vibe, and generate stronger offers.This episode is full of practical, real-world tips that I use with my own sellers—because hosting a great open house takes more than cookies and a welcome mat. It takes timing, preparation, and expert-level strategy.🎯 In this podcast, you’ll learn:When to schedule your open house for max foot trafficHow to create a welcoming, buyer-friendly layoutWhat scents, sounds, and lighting create the right moodWhat to hide, and what to leave outWhy the seller should never be presentHow I follow up strategically after the eventAnd why your open house is just the beginning of a smart sale📥 Want the full checklist?Download my FREE Home Seller’s Guide at:https://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-sellers-guide/It includes staging advice, open house prep, offer strategies, and more—everything you need to sell smart and move forward with confidence.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – The Real Goal of an Open House00:25 – Don’t Underestimate This Step00:50 – Grab the Free Seller Guide01:01 – When to Host Your Open House01:29 – Create a Buyer-Friendly Flow01:53 – Set the Mood with Sound, Light & Scent02:19 – Skip the Cookies + Privacy Tips02:47 – Why You Shouldn’t Be There03:09 – What I Do After the Open House03:32 – A Launching Pad, Not a Finish Line03:59 – Get the Full Plan (Free Resource)04:22 – Teaser: How to Evaluate & Respond to Offers04:52 – Let’s Connect + Outro📍 Selling in Metro Detroit?I specialize in helping homeowners throughout Grosse Pointe, Birmingham, Gibraltar, Chesterfield, and the greater Metro Detroit area prepare their homes to stand out—with staging, professional marketing, and strategic open houses that drive results.💬 Got questions about prepping your home for sale?Drop them in the comments, give this video a like, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss Episode 9: How to Evaluate and Respond to Offers—one of the most important steps in the entire process.✨ Connect with Me:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinHashtags:#MetroDetroitRealEstate #OpenHouseTips #HomeSellingStrategy

If you want to sell your home fast and for top dollar, home staging is one of the most powerful tools in your toolkit. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to stage your home to make an amazing first impression, connect with serious buyers, and create the emotional experience that leads to better offers.Here’s the reality: buyers decide how they feel about your home within the first 7 seconds. That’s before they’ve seen the kitchen, the backyard, or even the primary bedroom. Your listing photos, your curb appeal, and your layout all work together—but without the right staging, those features may fall flat.Whether you're selling a cozy bungalow in Grosse Pointe, a mid-century ranch in Livonia, or a contemporary condo in Downtown Detroit, staging helps buyers see your home as their future home.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why home staging is about psychology, not just decor
• How to create a welcoming, aspirational space buyers love
• Which rooms matter most to stage (and why)
• The most common home staging mistakes—and how to avoid them
• Affordable home updates that make a big impact
• What to do if your home is vacant when you list
• How I stage every listing I take—at no additional cost to you
• Why home staging helps you sell faster and for more money

I include complimentary professional staging with every listing because I’ve seen how it transforms buyer interest, showing traffic, and offer strength. Whether you need to depersonalize, declutter, or fully stage a vacant home, I handle it for you—strategically and beautifully.📥 Get My Free Guide:Want a complete breakdown of the home selling process? Download my Home Seller’s Guide and Checklist. It walks you through staging, pricing, prepping your home, showings, offers, inspections, and closing. https://www.leslieemartin.com/download-the-home-sellers-guide/Are you buying or selling a home in Metro Detroit? In this video, I’ll walk you through [brief summary of video topic—e.g., “how to prepare your home for a fast sale” or “a tour of a beautiful property in Grosse Ile”]. With [X years] of experience as a Metro Detroit real estate agent, I’m here to help you navigate the local housing market with confidence.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Why Staging Matters More Than You Think00:26 – Meet Leslie Martin + Free Seller Guide01:05 – What Staging Actually Does01:31 – The 3 Most Important Rooms to Stage02:13 – Common Staging Mistakes to Avoid02:47 – Budget-Friendly Updates That Make a Big Difference02:52 – How I Stage Vacant Homes (and Why It Works)03:09 – Complimentary Staging: Included in My Listing Service03:25 – Final Tips + Download the Guide03:37 – Teaser: What’s Next (Open House Tips)03:55 – Connect with Me📍 Metro Detroit HomeownersIf you're thinking about listing your home in areas like Grosse Pointe, Northville, Birmingham, or Gibraltar, staging could be what sets your home apart from the competition. I specialize in helping sellers prep and present their homes with care and strategy—so buyers fall in love before they even walk in the door.📌 Want expert advice on your next move?✨ Connect with Me:🌐 Website: https://www.leslieemartin.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslieemartindtw📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/LeslieEMartinRealtor💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-martin-68a9a922a/🏡 Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LeslieEMartinHashtags:#MetroDetroitRealEstate#HomeStagingTips#SellYourHomeFaster