Rick Loose is a real estate agent and long-time resident of Midland. We sat down with to talk about the things happening in Midland that excite him the most, as well as to get some advice for people looking to purchase or sell real estate in the region.
Q: Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your history here in Midland.
A: I’ve been here pretty much all my life. Born and raised a Chemic. I went away for college, and the first job I had was working for Dow in the oil fields of North Dakota. But then the boom went bust, so I moved back here and opened a restaurant for a period of time, worked at Dow and now I’ve been selling real estate for about 17 years.
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Rick Loose, Midland real estate agent with Ayre RhinehartQ: What is it that got you into selling real estate?
A: Well, I had thought about it back in the 80s, but the timing wasn’t right. I had always had it in the back of my mind because I just think it suits my personality - I’m detail-oriented, but I’m also a people person. One of my favorite things to do is help first-time home buyers. When you finally hand them the keys and they’re so excited...nothing beats it. I’ll love that until I hang up the spurs.
Q: Are there things happening in Midland that excite you, either from a personal perspective or from the perspective of a real estate agent?
A: There are a lot of things happening that are exciting, actually. I specifically wanted to live downtown because of all the stuff that’s going on down here. The Downtown Midland streetscape came out wonderfully, and the courthouse renovation is beautiful. I’m looking forward to Molasses, the new BBQ restaurant opening. I haven’t been to Gratzi yet, and I need to get there.
I’m on the Rail Trail every morning, either walking or riding a bike. My granddaughter is a year-and-a-half old and is moving close enough to visit more often, and I can’t wait to take her to the Whiting Forest canopy walk. Many of the construction projects are incredible Dave Kepler and Turtle Cove Properties have really put the money where their mouth is. The Pathfinder Commons housing project is close to being completed. The Red Keg Barrelhouse behind the brewery is so close to being and that’s going to be cool. The Poseyville Riverside Pedestrian Bridge is really a neat concept and I’m looking forward to that.
Q: Is there something great that Midland has that not many people know about yet?
A: The many opportunities for great live music! Espresso Milano has live music. They’ve got rotating bands and not many people know about that. Creative 360, along with all the other things they do, they have live music and it’s such a cool venue. The Grace A. Dow Library auditorium is an incredible place to listen to a live show as well.
Q: If someone in Midland is looking to get into real estate, what advice would you give them?
A: The most important thing you can do is listen more than you talk. Ask questions, then listen. You might think you’re listening, but you’re really just waiting for break to be able to jump in with all your wisdom! Listen, learn to ask the right questions, and then just honestly care about people.
Q: If you had to give advice to someone looking to buy real estate in Midland, whether it’s a small-scale developer or a first-time home buyer, what would it be?
A: It’s an old, tired maxim but it plays out here as it does everywhere else - location, location, location. That applies to both residential and commercial real estate. If you’re in business, you need to identify what it is you’re selling to be able to figure out what location will best suit your business. Do you need exposure? Do you need to be on Saginaw or Eastman Road? Do I need a big sign that people can see, or can I be more behind the scenes in an industrial park? The same goes for residential. You need to ask, “What kind of person am I? Am I a private person who needs some space or am I person that can stand having a neighbor right next door?”
Another thing to consider is that you can qualify for a house, but that might mean you can’t take vacations or eat out at restaurants. So you need to think about what kind of lifestyle you want to have, because while the bank says it will lend you the money, maybe you wouldn’t be comfortable with spending that much on a house.
Finally, condition is so important. There might be hidden defects. Hire an inspector and always get a quality home inspection. They can see the signs of any possible issues, and then you can get a specialist to look at things more closely.
Q: Part of the draw of buying a house is of course the surrounding community. For someone who might be thinking about moving to Midland, what does the community offer?
A: We’ve got a great school system. They’re going step by step to convert them into STEM schools. We also the Midland Center for the Arts, Greater Midland Community Center, the Loons Stadium, Dow Gardens, Chippewa Nature Center, the Country Club, the list goes on. All the things we have for a city our size are just incredible.
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