March 2009

1162 Oaklawn Grand Rapids, MI 49505

This Home Has Been Rented!

City of Grand Rapids Gets $500,000

It was announced this week that Grand Rapids is getting $500,000 to use toward foreclosure prevention. The money will be divvied up between the United Way and local agencies that deal with foreclosures.

This is both good and bad news. I think it is great that Grand Rapids is receiving something to help with the growing problem of foreclosures. There are many different reasons why a home can go into foreclosure, and most of them are sad, dealing with job losses and health issues.

Homeowners are not going to be the only ones to benefit from this. Some non-profit organizations will be receiving a portion of the money to rehab some of the abandoned homes around Grand Rapids.

What I do have a problem with is how easily Country Wide is getting off for the damage they have helped create within our community. Country Wide has made billions of dollars over the last 5 years selling very risky loans, and all they got is a slap on the wrist. I guess I am someone that would like to see companies in our great county being held more accountable for their actions; however, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

Thanks Mike Cox for trying, but I believe we could have done better. That’s just my opinion and you’re welcome to tell me yours by leaving a comment.

Check out some of the recent stories about the help Grand Rapids will be receiving.

Grand Rapids Housing Advocates

Attorney General Mike Cox

Wood TV

GRAR’s Weekly Market Movement

March 23 – 30, 2009

March 29th Open Houses

Join us this Sunday for one of our open houses!

2140 College Ave

Noon – 2pm

4 Bed – 1.5 Bath – 1,769 Sq. Feet

This great Alger Heights home is a steal! Located in a great neighborhood, this home four bedroom one and a half bath has tons of charm! The home has a spacious backyard, a deck, and a one-car garage. Appliances include: oven / range, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. Don’t miss out on your chance to visit this College Ave home!

 

Park Row Condos

Noon – 2pm

Welcome to Park Row Condominiums! These beautiful condos are located on Union Ave. just north of Michigan, and within walking distance of hospitals, college campuses, and much more. With units ranging from one to three bedrooms, we have a space customizable for everyone.  Each unit features 10 – foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances, a private balcony, and a washer and dryer.  Park Row offers downtown living while still being tucked away in it’s own quiet corner.  Don’t miss out on an opportunity to own one of these phenomenal condos!  

 

7451 Crystal View Dr.

3pm – 5pm

4 Bed – 2.5 – 2,600 Sq. Feet

 This Beautiful home has been remodeled from top to bottom. The kitchen and eating area features new cherry cabinets and elegant granite countertops as well as environmentally friendly bamboo flooring. New carpet and fresh paint throughout. The main level features a living room, formal dining room and a large comfortable family room with a gas fireplace. The second floor master suite has cathedral ceilings and french doors opening up to the huge master bathroom, featuring a whirlpool tub, separate tiled shower, refinished cabinets and large walk-in closet. The other 3 bedrooms, full bathroom, and laundry room are also located on the second floor. If you still need more room, the basement has already been studded for another bedroom, full bathroom, rec room, and media room.  

1013 Aberdeen St.

Quiet NE neighborhood, kitty corner from Aberdeen Elementary School. This home has been well cared for and features new carpet, new water heater, a spacious kitchen and a partially finished basement. Great home that you can own for less than the cost of rent!

GRAR’s Weekly Market Movement

March 16-23, 2009

Check out the new market numbers for this past week. It looks like a lot of new sellers are getting a head start on the spring market. If you’re going to put your home up for sale this year, it would be wise to get it listed within the next month!

Check in next Monday for the newest batch of numbers!

615 Coleman St. Grand Rapids MI 49508

This greatly priced Bryon Center home sits on a fenced yard that backs up to a wooded stream. You’ll enjoy the summer months with both a patio and deck! The home features a spacious floor plan with a finished walkout basement, master bedroom with walk-in-closet, and a walk through bathroom. The home has plenty of storage with the added room of a storage shed in the backyard! Don’t miss your chance to tour this phenomenal home!

Grand Rapids Real Estate Market really starting to heat up!!

I know the news says the housing market is terrible, but there are some very big signs of improvement. Maybe it’s just me, but I am having fun with it!

Interest rates are hitting unheard of rates. Today they are at a 50 year low putting them around 5%!!

Also, new buyers are seeing house prices at the lowest they have been in 10 years, and with $8000 in government stimulus money, this can not be a better time to buy a home.

Yes, it must seem like us Realtors are always saying it’s a great time to buy, but lets be honest, I can’t think of a better situation for a buyer to be in.

Sellers are also doing better! I have helped put together 3 deals in the last week, and all of them have been a win for both the buyers and the sellers.  Last week I helped a buyer make an offer on a listing that attracted 6 offers within 3 days of it being listed, and it is going to sell for 15 thousand over list price! So, if that is not an indication that the Spring Real Estate Market in Grand Rapids is heating up I don’t know what is.

If your thinking of buying or selling let me know as I want to be out there working for you.

Deals are all around us!

What is going on with Interest Rate Down to 5% ?

Hey everyone. I’m not sure if you’ve notice what has been going on with the rates over the past couple days, but they are at 50 year lows!

Here is a quick blip from Josh Haywood, my mortgage guy at Met Life Home Loans.

“The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday March 18,2009 that over the course of 2009 that they will purchase an additional $750 Billion of mortgage backed securities in an effort to keep home loan rates low for new and move up buyers!!  Interest rates are at 50 year lows which means home loans have the lowest cost per dollar financed ever!”

If your thinking about Refinancing or buying a home you can’t beat these rates!

Contact Josh @

Downtown Grand Rapids Student Housing!

Where do I find student housing in Downtown Grand Rapids?

For those of you looking to move downtown, we have some great options for you! Whether you are leasing or buying, you have many different choices when it comes to living in downtown Grand Rapids.

You can find some great rentals throughout downtown Grand Rapids. We currently have 3 rental units available in Union Square. Check them out under our rental page!

There are also a couple new buildings that have been established over the last year that have based much of their focus on students’ needs-

Hopson Flats

212 Grandville Ave SW

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Bicycle Factory

514 Butterworth

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

5 Lyon

5 Lyon

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

There are also homes through out Heritage Hill that have lofts and one bedroom apartments available for rent. See Heritage Hill Rentals for more details.

If you are looking to buy, you have a couple different choices. You could buy a previously owned unit, or start fresh and customize your own. Some of the more popular condo buildings for students include: Hillmount, Boardwalk, Union Square, Avenue 23, and 47 Lafeyette. These buildings each have there own flavor and offer a variety of different options for you. Let me know if you want to take a look at any of these buildings. I have helped many students in the past, and would love to help you find your housing for next year.

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