Alex Craig at Achieve Real Estate

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Alex Craig at Achieve Real Estate Broker at Achieve Real Estate. Insights on Lansing real estate, investment properties, capital allocation, market trends, and creative real estate solutions.

Helping homeowners, investors, and agents make better real estate decisions.

I spent about an hour on the phone with Carrington this week trying to work through the short-sale process for a client....
09/10/2026

I spent about an hour on the phone with Carrington this week trying to work through the short-sale process for a client.

Not particularly exciting. But it was a good reminder that short sales and foreclosures haven't completely disappeared.

For quite a while, rising home values and declining interest rates gave many homeowners an escape hatch. Even if someone got into financial trouble, there was often enough equity to sell normally, pay off the mortgage, and move on.

That isn't true in every situation.

Once someone starts falling behind, the math can get complicated quickly. You have the mortgage payoff, missed payments, taxes, selling expenses, property condition, and a foreclosure timeline that keeps moving while you're trying to figure everything out.

A short sale can sometimes solve the problem, but you're asking the mortgage company to accept less than what it is owed. That means paperwork, approvals, waiting, and ultimately a decision the homeowner doesn't completely control.

That's also why I think it's worth looking at the house before a short sale or foreclosure becomes the only option.

If there is enough equity, a traditional sale may still be the best answer.

But there are also situations where a direct sale makes sense.

Depending on the mortgage, equity, property value, and condition, we may be able to make a cash offer — or structure a purchase around the existing financing. That can sometimes allow a homeowner to get out from under the property, preserve the equity they still have, and avoid going through a short sale or foreclosure.

Sometimes the numbers work. Sometimes they don't.

But if you're behind on payments or worried that you're heading that direction, it's worth finding out while you still have options.

That's one of the situations we look at through We Buy Lansing.

See how a direct offer could work before foreclosure becomes the decision:

https://webuylansing.com/situations/mortgage-foreclosure-lansing/

Helping another Lansing-area homeowner get ready to sell.Today I'm meeting with a Michigan State University graduate who...
08/21/2026

Helping another Lansing-area homeowner get ready to sell.

Today I'm meeting with a Michigan State University graduate who is preparing to sell their home as they move into their next chapter.

We'll be walking through the listing paperwork, reviewing the selling process, and making sure they understand what to expect before the home goes on the market.

A lot of my work involves complicated real estate situations, but sometimes the need is straightforward: someone has a home to sell and needs good local representation to help them through it.

If you're thinking about selling a home in Greater Lansing, I provide seller representation through Achieve Real Estate—from understanding the home's value and preparing for market to negotiating the offer and getting to closing.

The housing market is local. Really local.You’ve probably seen plenty of headlines about a slowing housing market.And na...
08/19/2026

The housing market is local. Really local.

You’ve probably seen plenty of headlines about a slowing housing market.

And nationally, there’s some truth to that.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing-home sales fell 1.7% in July from June. But the Midwest continues to look different from much of the country.

Midwest home sales are actually up 2.1% from a year ago, while the median sale price increased 2.8% to $342,900. NAR specifically pointed to the Midwest’s relative affordability as one reason it continues to outperform many other parts of the country.

Then look at Greater Lansing.

The local numbers tell an even more interesting story:

Greater Lansing — July 2026

Median sale price: $274,900, up 10.6% from July 2025
Average sale price: $301,227, up 9.4%
Homes sold at about 100.5% of list price
Absorption rate: 2.23 months
Average days on market: 27 days, down from 31 last July

And there’s another piece of the data I find interesting: activity isn't concentrated only at the bottom of the market.

Sales from $300,000–$399,999 increased 13% year-over-year in July, while $400,000–$499,999 increased 20.5%.

So when somebody asks me, “How's the housing market?” my answer is usually:

Which housing market?

The national market, the Midwest, Michigan, Greater Lansing — and even different price ranges within Greater Lansing — can all be doing different things at the same time.

For Lansing right now, the data still looks like a relatively strong seller's market. Affordability compared with much of the country continues to matter, inventory remains fairly tight, and well-positioned homes are still selling.

That doesn't mean every house sells quickly or every seller can name their price.

It means local data matters more than the headline.

One of the biggest transformations in a home isn't always adding something new.Sometimes it's uncovering what's already ...
08/07/2026

One of the biggest transformations in a home isn't always adding something new.

Sometimes it's uncovering what's already there.

Today the hardwood floors are being sanded and refinished on the Dimondale project. Years of wear, scratches, and old finishes are being removed to bring them back to life.

It's a good reminder that adding value doesn't always mean a complete renovation.

Sometimes restoring an existing feature can have just as much impact as replacing it.

Whether you're preparing to sell or simply improving your home, knowing where to invest is just as important as how much you invest.

I'm enjoying seeing this project come together one step at a time and learning alongside experienced investors about the decisions that make the biggest difference.



Webuylansing.com

Today I was putting together another Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a homeowner who's getting ready to sell.A few...
08/06/2026

Today I was putting together another Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a homeowner who's getting ready to sell.

A few years ago, this home was exactly what they needed while they were in graduate school.

Now life has changed, and it's time for the next chapter.

One thing I find interesting is that no two CMAs are ever the same.

Most people think determining a home's value is simply finding a few nearby sales. In reality, it's about understanding context.

Who is the likely buyer?

How does the home's condition compare to the competition?

What features actually matter in today's market?

What improvements add value and which ones probably won't?

Those are the questions that help determine not just what a home is worth, but how to position it for a successful sale.

Every week I have the opportunity to help homeowners navigate decisions like these, and every property teaches something new.

Thinking about selling in the next year? Even if you're not ready today, understanding your home's value is a great place to start.

🚧 14 days.It's hard to believe it's only been two weeks since closing on this 10-acre property in Dimondale.In that time...
08/02/2026

🚧 14 days.

It's hard to believe it's only been two weeks since closing on this 10-acre property in Dimondale.

In that time...

• Every room has been cleaned out.
• Tons of debris have been removed.
• Trees and overgrowth have been cleared.
• New framing has started in the basement.
• And the vision for what this property can become is starting to take shape.

One thing I've learned from spending time alongside experienced investors is that the biggest progress often happens long before the "pretty" pictures.

It's dumpsters.
It's demolition.
It's cleanup.
It's planning.
It's solving one problem after another.

Most people only see the finished home. They rarely see the hundreds of decisions that make the transformation possible.

I'll keep sharing the journey as this property comes back to life.

🚶🚶🚶 Today I spent part of my afternoon walking through a home to help a family answer a question they weren't quite sure...
08/01/2026

🚶🚶🚶 Today I spent part of my afternoon walking through a home to help a family answer a question they weren't quite sure how to approach:

"What's the best path forward?"

Part of that conversation involved determining what the home might be worth if it were listed on the open market... and what it might realistically bring if sold as-is to an investor.

One of the biggest lessons I share with families is this:

**Sale price isn't always the same thing as market value.**

Market value assumes a certain strategy — preparing the home, making repairs if needed, marketing it to the widest pool of buyers, and allowing time for the process.

A cash offer from an investor reflects a different strategy. You're often exchanging some potential equity for speed, convenience, certainty, and avoiding repairs or cleanup.

Neither option is automatically better.

The right decision depends on the family's goals, timeline, financial situation, and everything else happening in their lives.

That's why I enjoy these conversations.

It's not about convincing someone to choose one path over another — it's about helping them understand the tradeoffs so they can make the decision that's right for them.

Sometimes the greatest value isn't knowing what a house is worth.

It's understanding what each option is worth to your family, especially if you are caring for an aging parent, appointed as a personal representative, or a truckload of responsibility fell into your lap.

07/31/2026

About two weeks ago, this 10-acre property in Dimondale changed hands.

Today, it's amazing how much has already changed.

The house has been completely cleaned out, sections have been taken down to the studs, and the basement is now framed as we begin creating additional finished living space. Next week, drywall and flooring crews will keep the momentum going.

One thing I've enjoyed learning alongside experienced investors is how they look at a property differently.

They don't just ask, "What is this home worth today?"

They ask, "How can we create more value?"

Sometimes that means finishing unused space. Sometimes it's improving the layout. Sometimes it's simply removing years of deferred maintenance so the next family can truly enjoy the home.

That's an important lesson whether you're renovating, preparing to sell, or simply trying to understand your home's value.

A home's value isn't just determined by where it sits or how old it is. It's also influenced by the opportunities hidden inside it.

I'll continue sharing what I'm learning as this project moves toward the finish line.



Presented by Alex at Achieve Real Estate
Direct Sale Partner: WeBuyLansing.com

Today I completed a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a family preparing to navigate the probate process.The home is...
07/31/2026

Today I completed a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for a family preparing to navigate the probate process.

The home isn't ready to be sold — and it may not be for quite some time.

But one thing I've learned is that clarity is often one of the most valuable things you can give a family during a major transition.

Facts reduce uncertainty. They create better conversations with attorneys, personal representatives, siblings, accountants, and everyone involved in the estate.

As both a real estate advisor and a Certified Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), I believe pricing should be more than pulling a few comparable sales and making an educated guess.

A thoughtful valuation looks at market trends, buyer behavior, property condition, adjustments, risk, and the unique circumstances surrounding the home. The goal isn't simply to arrive at a number — it's to help families understand *why* that number makes sense and what options they have moving forward.

Whether a family ultimately decides to sell, keep the property, or simply needs information for planning, good decisions begin with good information.

Sometimes the most valuable service isn't selling a home.

Sometimes it's helping people find clarity before they make one of life's biggest decisions.

07/18/2026

**What really happens in the first 24 hours after a home closes?**

Most people think the work ends at the closing table.

In reality, that's when an entirely new chapter begins.

Today I was back at this 10-acre Dimondale property less than 24 hours after closing.

We met with a flooring specialist to see what could be saved, had an estate sale professional evaluate items left behind, and continued planning with contractors for the work ahead.

Every decision is about creating a plan—preserving what makes sense, minimizing waste, and setting the project up for success.

One of the things I enjoy most is seeing how all of the different professionals come together after a sale.

Understanding that process helps me better guide future clients, whether they're selling traditionally, considering a direct sale, or simply trying to figure out their options.

This is just the beginning.

Follow along as I document the journey.

** ** 🏡
Presented by Alex at Achieve Real Estate
Direct Sale Partner: WeBuyLansing.com

Address

3315 S Pennsylvania Avenue
Lansing, MI
48910

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15172467366

Website

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