989-635-2654 | 3417 Main St, Marlette, MI 48453

989-635-2654
3417 Main St, Marlette, MI 48453

Easy Way To Find YourDream Property

We are your premier real estate expert in Marlette and we are here to provide you with all the resources and information you need to buy or sell real estate. We work with buyers and sellers in the entire thumb of Michigan.

WhyChoose Us

Individual Approach

With Donley Realty, we work for you. Our goal is to be sure your needs are met. Each client is as unique as the property they buy or sell, so we make sure to learn about each client and understand their needs.

Professional Service

For nearly 50 years, Donley Realty has served the Thumb of Michigan with honesty and integrity. We have been a family-owned and operated agency for four generations in Marlette.

Easy Financing

At Donley Realty, we have worked with several mortgage lenders through the years and have built relationships to provide you with the best recommendations for your needs.

Featured Listings

Meet the Founders

Wendell Donley

Wendell Donley opened the doors to Donley Realty in 1974. Wendell was born and raised in Watertown, Michigan, and was married to Patricia Dennis for 62 years. Wendell’s philosophy was hard work is the most important factor that leads to success. Wendell sold Donley Realty to Linda and Amy in 2005 and he continued selling Commercial Real Estate for Donley Realty of Almont. He worked right up until he retired in 2010. Sadly, Wendell passed in 2010. He left behind a true legacy his family will carry on for generations to come.

Linda Donley

Linda Donley joined the family real estate business back in 1974 being the receptionist for Wendell. Over the years, Linda retired in 2018 and has sold over a multitude of properties and helped countless families find their dream homes, sell their properties and built lifelong friendships along the way that she still treasures today. Keith and Linda are enjoying their retirement, traveling, and family.

Meet the Team

Amy Donley

989-213-7309
amy@donleyrealty.com

Amy has been a licensed Realtor since 2004, and became an Associate Broker in 2015. She was born and raised here in the Marlette area and married her husband Brent in 2003. Together they have 3 children. Amy enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and cheering on her son Brandon racing motorcycles in her spare time.

Andrea Donley

989-635-5586
andrea@donleyrealty.com

Andrea has lived in the area her entire life and became a licensed Realtor in 2015. She married her husband Scott in 2004, and they have 2 boys. In her free time, Andrea enjoys spending time with her family and watching her boys play sports. Andrea also loves to help her community and has been a part of the Marlette Chamber of Commerce.

Taylor Donley

989-670-8818
taylor@donleyrealty.com

Taylor is the fourth generation in the Donley Realty family; she is the daughter of Amy and Brent. She graduated from Marlette High School in 2021 and obtained her Real Estate license in 2022. When not working with her clients, Taylor enjoys spending time outdoors and reading a “good” book.

Our Core Services

BUY

Search all available real estate and homes for sale in the thumb of Michigan and surrounding areas instantly!

SELL

With the ever-changing market, see how your home compares with others in your neighborhood.

How It Works

Call Us

We are ready to make your real estate dreams come true. Whether it is buying or selling, we are here to help.

Property & Cost Assessment

We will work hard to get you the best CMA. What Is A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)? A comparative market analysis is a tool that real estate agents use to estimate the value of a specific property by evaluating similar ones that have recently sold in the same area.

Closing the Deal

We will be with you every step of the way during the closing process. We will help to answer any questions you may have and ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.

What Our Clients Say

Andrea Donley gets a two thumbs up from me on the sale of our house. She was fully involved the whole way through and very efficient in handling anything that came up. I would definitely recommend her services to anyone. She is one of the good ones!

5
Angela Franzel

Awesome experience with Donley Realty. Sold our house for us, and helped us find a new one. Always kept us updated on what was going on. Highly recommend Donley Realty.

5
Ethan Ryder

My husband and I have been trying to buy a house for over a year. With the current market, it hasn’t been an easy process. But, with Andrea’s help, it’s the best it could’ve been. She was amazing, very patient and helped get us into the perfect house. We can’t thank her enough!!!

5
Jodie Allen

Andrea was a real help in selling my mom’s home. She handled everything considering we were out of state. Kept us informed on everything. Thanks Andrea for all you did for us!!

5
Ina Rodgers-Ratliff

Andrea was wonderful to work with. Knew exactly what to do and made us feel very confident with our choice of realtor. Excellent to work with. Thank you Andrea.

5
Jody Denton McNary

I loved the entire process. Andrea worked around my busy solo mom/workaholic schedule. She was so helpful. Highly recommend!!

5
Ashley

Andrea is top-notch. We have worked with her to purchase 2 homes and sell 1. She is very responsive and professional. We most definitely would work with Donley Realty again.

5
Sarah

I Have sold 3 homes through the Donley Team and purchased 2 they are great to work with from both buying and selling. Amy and Andrea learned from the Best (Linda)!

5
Anthony Goss

Excellent to work with. If you need someone to get your deal done these are your people.

5
Tom N.

They searched and found as our home to raise our family in it was everything we wanted

5
Fredrick Wilber

Andrea is an amazing realtor. She knows how to explain things to people in a very efficient and kind manner. She is always willing to answer any questions. She is also helpful and willing to make suggestions. She even was able to arrange an extra viewing of the house we were at the time under contract, so my out-of-state family could view it. I really recommend working with Andrea.

5
Jessica Wirges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first step in buying a home?
Start saving for a downpayment. Typically, downpayment amounts can range from 3%-20% depending on your chosen loan type.
How much can I afford to spend on a home?
A common guideline is to spend no more than 28% of your monthly gross income on housing costs and no more than 36% on your total debts including your mortgage, credit cards and other loans.
What is the difference between a pre-approval and pre-qualification?
A pre-approval is when the lender verifies all your information, including your credit score, income, assets, and debts. A pre-approval is more desirable when placing an offer on a home; it shows that you are a serious buyer and can make a competitive offer. It can also speed up the closing process once you find a home. A pre-qualification is a quick and informal process. Once you provide the lender with an overview of your financial situation, the lender will give you an estimate of what you would be able to borrow. The information that is given to the lender is self-reported and not verified, therefore, it does not carry as much weight when submitting an offer on a property.
How long does the home buying process typically take?
Once an offer is accepted it typically takes 30-60 days to close depending on your loan type.
Do I need to be pre-approved to look at homes for sale?
It is highly recommended that you get preapproved before you start looking at homes. This can help you be ready to make an offer as soon as you find the perfect home. If you are not preapproved, most sellers will not consider your offer. It can also speed up the mortgage process once you have a home under contract. You will also have a good understanding of how much you can afford to spend on a home.
What closing costs can I expect when buying a home?
When buying a home, you can expect to pay a variety of closing costs, which typically range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price.
What are the advantages of using a real estate agent?
Using a real estate agent can offer several advantages when buying a home. Real estate agents have a deep understanding of the local market and property values. Agents are skilled negotiators who can help you get the best deal and provide you with valuable guidance and support throughout the whole process. The home buying process involves a lot of documents. An agent ensures everything is completed accurately and promptly.
What is the best way to make an offer on a house?
To make a competitive offer, you will need a pre-approval letter, this shows the seller that you are a serious buyer with financial backing to purchase the home. Consider the seller’s needs, flexibility on the closing date, possession time or other terms can make your offer more desirable. Limit the number of contingencies and have a good-sized earnest money deposit.
What happens if my offer is rejected?
Don’t get discouraged! Find out the reasoning behind why your offer was rejected. If the seller has made a counteroffer, see if you can meet their terms. If not, consider adjusting your offer price, earnest money deposit, or modifying your contingences to make your offer more attractive.
What are the common contingencies in a real estate contract?
Common contingencies in a real estate contract are clauses that protect the buyer by allowing them to back out of a deal under certain conditions without losing their earnest money deposit. The most common types of contingencies are home inspection contingency, appraisal contingency, financing contingency, and home sale contingency.
How much is my home worth?
A local real estate agent can provide an accurate valuation by considering the unique features of your home and the current market conditions.
How do I prepare my home for sale?
Declutter and depersonalize your home. Remove any excess clutter to make your home feel more spacious and allow the buyers to envision themselves living there. Deep clean your home, ensuring that your home is spotless. Make necessary repairs to your home, small repairs can make a big difference to prospective buyers in how they perceive your home. A new coat of paint can make your home look new and well maintained. You can never get another chance to make a first impression, so make sure your home is show ready!
What is the best time of year to sell a house?
Peak selling season is generally in the spring, April to June. The weather is pleasant, and families tend to prefer moving during this time of year to avoid disrupting the school year. Homes tend to sell for higher prices in the spring due to increased demand. Fall is still a good time to sell. Late summer to early fall can also be a good time to sell especially if you missed the spring rush. The weather is still nice and there are typically less homes for sale which in turn means less competition.
What closing costs can I expect when selling a home?
As a seller, you will likely encounter paying a real estate commission, transfer taxes, title insurance, and prorated property taxes.
How long does it typically take to sell a home?
When selling a home, the time it takes to sell can vary based on several factors. On average, the process from listing to closing 55-85 days. Once listed, homes typically spend about 25 days on the market before going under contract. After an offer is accepted the closing process usually takes about 30 to 60 days. Well-priced homes in good condition generally sell faster.
What should I do if my house isn’t selling?
If a home isn’t attracting buyers, a seller should consider reducing the asking price or improve the homes condition.
What is the difference between a listing agreement and a buyer’s agency agreement?
A listing agreement is a contract that the homeowner and agent sign to authorize the agent to market and sell a property. A buyer’s agent agreement is a contract that a buyer and an agent sign to authorize the agent to represent a buyer in finding and purchasing a property.
How do I choose the right real estate agent?
Choosing the right agent is crucial for a smooth and successful home buying or selling experience. Asking family and friends for recommendations is a good place to start. Interview more than one agent. You need to compare their experience, knowledge and compatibility with your needs and choose the agent that is the right fit for you. Choose an agent who communicates clearly and promptly.
Is now a good time to buy or sell a home?
According to current trends as of December, 2024, it might be a better time to sell rather than buy, as the market is still considered a seller’s market with high demand and limited inventory, although buyers might face higher mortgage rates which could impact their purchasing power; however, the best decision depends heavily on your specific local market and financial situation.
How do I get a mortgage?
Check your credit and finances, determine your budget, shop for lenders, submit your application, prepare for closing and finally close on your new home.
What is homeowners insurance?
It is a type of insurance that provides protection against various risks associated with owning a home. If a situation arises the insurance company will evaluate your claim and provide compensation based on your policy’s terms.