Claire Kaufmann, Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices of Michigan

11/10/2022

It turns out that I didn't win the trillion-dollar MegaBall prize. However, a VERY wealthy Nigerian prince is eager to make my acquaintance. So as soon as I share my bank information, I'll be set for a life of "fat abundance." LOL. That, I have. But thanks anyway.

It probably says a lot about me that I focus more on the grammar when I get scam emails. Like, guys, if you just have someone proof your malware, you'd probably net more. Business 101, right?

However, 'tis the season for scams and con artists.

In the interest of protecting people from these all-too-prevalent scams, Consumers Energy put out the information below. I think most of this can be applied to other businesses and service providers. Be aware, be suspicious, be safe.

"Scammers assume you don’t know how we work with our customers, especially when it comes to billing. This knowledge can keep your family safe from scams.

We never show up unannounced. We won’t just show up at your door. You’ll know we’re coming, because we will reach out to you in advance.

We never use threats. We will never threaten to shut your power off within 24 hours. If you feel pressured to let someone in your home, close and lock your doors and call 911 to report it to the police. If someone calls you and pressures you for immediate payment or personal information, hang up the phone and contact customer service.

We never make demands. We won’t demand payment over the phone. Instead, we offer many ways to make payments safely and conveniently.

We never ask for prepaid credit cards. If a caller specifically asks you to pay by prepaid credit card or wire transfer, this is a huge warning sign. This is not a typical form of payment.

We never ask for personal information over the phone. We will not contact you by phone and ask for your account number or payment information. Sometimes con artists will attempt to trip you up by pretending to know your account number. We don’t do this either.

Here’s how to spot a fake Consumers Energy worker asking to be let in to your home:

*Ask to see their company identification badge. Real contractors or employees of Consumers Energy always wear one, and will gladly show it to you on request.
*Remember, we always provide advance notice if we need to get into your home. We never show up unannounced.
*We will never use scare tactics or threaten to shut off your service if you don’t let us into your home.
*If you believe a scammer is trying to get into your home, lock all your doors and immediately call 911 and report it to the police."

09/19/2022

I love my clients, and I love referrals.

08/22/2022

Sometimes I buy things on impulse. Like this dragonfruit. It is so beautiful, but it tastes like a sock and has the mouthfeel of a slightly dried-out old strawberry.

This was not the first dragonfruit I bought recently. The last one was so bad, I assumed I had picked a bad piece. Surely this one would be better.

It was not.

There’s a lesson here. Buyer’s remorse is the result of hasty, emotional decisions. Take the time to research and consider big purchases.

Wasting a few bucks on bougie produce stings. Saving a few bucks with a quick Google search (“Does dragonfruit taste like Play Doh that has been gummed by a slobbery dog?” “How long do I have to live in a house to avoid capital gains?”) is priceless.

Follow me for more grocery, investment, and real estate tips.

08/16/2022

My favorite part of the yard - this apple tree that my kids planted for Mother’s Day one year. What home improvements have you loved and which could you have done without?

05/12/2022

Mulch is landscaper’s duct tape - it can patch any part of the yard. Spread liberally to enhance your home’s curb appeal.

And don’t forget to order extra to keep your teen busy for days.

03/31/2022

This is Bruce. Bruce is Phil’s favorite toy. Phil has no idea what a shark is, only that he cannot seem to destroy Bruce. Most of Phil’s toys are destroyed before the packaging makes it to the trash can. So I let the company know how much I appreciate the durability of this product.

We rely on customer testimonials to help us make so many purchasing decisions. Make sure you leave positive feedback when products and services meet or exceed your expectations. Businesses, especially small businesses, need that word of mouth. (Just ask Bruce about the power of flexing one’s chops.)

03/29/2022

03/24/2022

Have you ever noticed that stories about wealth often start with luck? I mean, how many signed Declarations of Independence are gathering dust at Goodwill? How many beachcombers stumble upon mounds of ambergris? How many people shooting at food dislodge of pool of bubbling crude?

(For perspective, I have a 9x better chance of being elected President of the United States [1 in 32,600,000] than winning PowerBall [1 in 292,000,000]. But if elected, I promise to replace the Presidential Fitness Rope Climb with something more practical, like Crosswalk Sprints. Seriously, how often in life do we climb ropes? That’s a Jurassic Park survival skill. I disgress…)

The fact is that the average American acquires wealth through saving and investing and – wait for it – home ownership. Some of the most effective government programs for promoting economic security and generational wealth encourage home ownership through incentives, subsidies, and federally backed loans. Everyone needs housing, and that need continues to grow.

For more on housing, unprovable statistics, or winning election strategies, shoot me a message. And if you’ve read this far and live in Grand Rapids, let me know. You’ve just earned a jar of jam.

03/21/2022

Here is a terrible selfie at the finish line at Churchill Downs mere moments before the horses passed by. It got me thinking about goals. Waiting for the perfect picture, perfect moment, perfect anything paralyzes progress. Success is measured by meeting the goals we set, not the image we project.

02/22/2022

Yet another amazing place in West Michigan

Lavender Life is a massive lavender farm in Caledonia. (Imagine those lucky neighbors right before the harvest - talk about a great location!) Their product line includes animal friends stuffed with soothing lavender. And for every stuffed animal they sell, Lavender Life donates one to children in foster care.

Check out the website (lavender-life.com) for interesting, locally made gifts and support a great cause.