Grand Rapids Downtown Condos

Art Prize Open Houses October 3-4, 2009

The Steve Volkers Group will be hosting another weekend open house!

Condos will be open for public viewing, so head downtown, enjoy Art Prize, take a tour through Heritage Hill and see what downtown living is all about.

Open House times are as follows:

–Avenue 23 Saturday October 3, 1:00-3:00,   Sunday October 4, 1:00-3:00

–Hillmount Sunday October 4, 12:00-2:00

–Park Row Sunday October 4, 12:00-2:00

For more information, please feel free to contact us.

Art Prize Open Houses: September 25-27, 2009

Steve Volkers Group will be holding Open Houses for all of our condo projects during the weekend of September 25-27.

Art Prize is going on the same weekend, as well.  There will be tons of innovative and exciting things to see and do, right downtown!  Make a stop at our condos to check out just how close you can be to all of the greatest Grand Rapids events. Living downtown has never been so easy or obtainable!  So head downtown, enjoy the city and visit some of the greatest condos Grand Rapids has to offer.

Open House times are as follows:

Tannery Row- 16 Ionia St, Grand Rapids, Mi- Friday Sept. 25, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Avenue 23- 23 College Ave., Grand Rapids, Mi- Saturday Sept. 26, 12:00 – 3:00 pm

- Sunday Sept. 27, 12:00 – 3:00 pm

47 Lafayette- 47 Lafayette, Grand Rapids, Mi- Saturday Sept. 26, 12:00 – 3:00 pm

- Sunday Sept. 27, 12:00 – 3:00 pm

Hillmount- 505 Cherry St., Grand Rapids, Mi- Saturday Sept. 26, 12:00 – 3:00 pm

- Sunday Sept. 27, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Union Square- 600 Broadway, Grand Rapids, Mi- Sunday Sept. 27, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

Park Row- 430 Union Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Mi- Sunday Sept. 27, 12:00 – 2:00 pm

For more information, feel free to contact us.

Tannery Row 5A

If you thinking about buying in the heart of the City than you cann’t get any closer than Tannery Row!

Unit 5A has lowered it’s price and ready to move!

$165,900  : 2bed : 1Bath : 1000Sq/ft

New Reduced Price! Fabulous loft condo in the center of downtown Grand Rapids. Condo has hardwood floors throughout. It has cathedral ceilings with a large skylight for natural light. You can walk to the Van Andel Arena for a concert and to several other popular restaurants and night life. Rooftop deck with grills and views, fitness center and off-street parking included.

Coming Soon — Parade of Downtown Living June 12-14, 2009

The 2009 Parade of Downtown Living (also referred to as The Parade of  Condos) is coming up soon — only 9 days away! Official dates and times are Friday, June 12, 4 – 8 PM, Saturday, June 13, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday, June 14, 11 AM – 3 PM

Admission is $10 for all three days. You can purchase a wristband at any of the participating properties.

This year the tour will visit:

• Park Row Condominiums – 430 Union Ave NE
• River House at Bridgewater Place – 333 Bridge St. NW
• Union Square Condominiums – 600 Broadway St. NW
• Boardwalk Condominiums – 940 Monroe Ave NW
• The Fitzgerald – 27 Library St. NE
• Hillmount - 505 Cherry St.
• Lenox Apartments – 349 S. Division Ave

Check back later in the week for parking and transportation information.

Park Row Condos Grand Opening Reception

Mark your calendars — Thursday,  May 28 from 5-8 PM is the reception and open house for the Grand Opening of the Park Row Condos at 430 Union Ave NE.  A variety of units will be available for you to check out.

These beautiful condos are located on Union Ave. just north of Michigan, and within walking distance of hospitals, college campuses, and much more. Each unit is customizable and ranges from one to three bedrooms. In every unit you will find 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. These upscale units are perfect for professionals, retirees looking to downsize or anyone excited about the conveniences of urban living.

Join us for a glimpse inside today’s urban living!

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!

FHA Loan Programs for Downtown Grand Rapids Condos

What does FHA financing mean for Downtown Grand Rapids Condo Projects like Hillmount and Boardwalk? It means easier lending for great buyers that might not have much to put down but can still afford to own a condo.

FHA only requires 3% down which is big because most young professionals right out of school don’t have much to put down or they might not want to put all their money into a mortgage as sometimes it’s nice to have a little in your pocket for a rainy day.

If you want to buy or rent a condo in downtown Grand Rapids, we want to be the people that help! It’s doesn’t cost you anything to buy with me! Email or call the Steve Volkers Group at any time!

Tannery Row Condos

Tannery Row is in the heart of Grand Rapids’ downtown entertainment district. With everything so close to Tannery Row, it is a very popular condominium building for second home buyers. It is also used for cooperate events and entertaining. The roof top deck has great views of the city, and with few residence living in the building it might feel like your own private deck. One other big advantage of Tannery Row is you own a deeded park spot right next to the building. That alone is worth a look at Tannery Row Condos.

Very Few Condos have come up for sale in Tannery Row. There are currently 2 units out of 14 units for sale. Listed below is one of them:

16 Ionia Unit 3C, Grand Rapids MI 49503 – Tannery Row Condominiums

• $199,900
• 2 Bedrooms
• 1 Bathroom
• 941 Sq/Ft

Unit Amenities: Granite Counter Top, Hardwood Floor, Custom Kitchen, and Much More!
Building Amenities: Roof Top Deck, Deeded Parking, Gym

City of Grand Rapids Ren Zone info.

MICHIGAN PUBLIC ACT 376 OF 1996, AS AMENDED

Updated January 28, 2008

1. What are the benefits of the Renaissance Zone program for eligible businesses and residents?

a) City and state income / MBT tax exemptions (prior to 2008, SBT exemptions)

b) Property tax exemptions (except for public school bonded debt millages)

c) Expiration of Renaissance Zone exemptions

I. For original section of Grand Rapids Renaissance Zone (“GRRZ”), established in 1997, benefits begin to expire in 2009. In 2009, 75% of state and local taxes will be exempted for eligible businesses & residents. In 2010, 50% will be exempted and in 2011, 25% will be exempted. Businesses and residents pay 100% of state and local taxes in 2012 and beyond. Most GRRZ properties are in the original section of the GRRZ.

II. For properties in the expansion sections of the GRRZ, benefits begin to expire in 2015. In 2015, 75% of state and local taxes will be exempted for eligible businesses & residents. In 2016, 50% will be exempted and in 2017, 25% will be exempted. Businesses and residents pay 100% of state and local taxes in 2018 and beyond. The expansion portion of the Ren Zone includes certain, but not all, properties in these areas – 47 to 86 Monroe Center, N.W.; 1919 to 1955 Boston Street, S.E.; 520/620 Watson Street, S.W.; 525/617 Butterworth St. S.W.; 2000 Oak Industrial Drive; 310 28th Street, S.E.

III. For certain real and personal property parcels for which Grand Rapids City Commission approved benefit extensions, Renaissance Zone benefits expire according to the schedule approved.

2. Renaissance Zone exemption eligibility requirements

a) Timely filing of personal property return and Renaissance Zone form (businesses only.)

b) Timely filing and payment of any state and city income / Michigan Business Tax taxes. The filing of income tax / MBT returns is required even when no tax is due.

c) Timely filing and payment of state and city employee withholding taxes

d) Timely payment of any property taxes

e) Additional requirement for residential rental property. Residential rental property is defined as real property having one or more dwelling units but less than 100% homestead / principal residence exemption marked on the property record.

I. Pass annual property inspections by City Code Compliance Officers. Property must be in substantial compliance with all applicable state and local building, housing, and zoning codes, ordinances, and laws. Inspections occur shortly before or after December 31 each year.

II. Maintain a current and valid certificate of occupancy for the property.

3. Extension of Exemption Period for Existing Renaissance Zone Parcels - requests for extension of Renaissance Zone state and local tax exemptions will be considered subject to evaluation criteria in Grand Rapids City Commission Policy 900-48. To see this policy, go to the City of Grand Rapids’ website at www.grcity.us, then in the SEARCH box on the upper left side of the home page type, “City Commission Policy 900-48.” Contact Economic Development Director Kara Wood at 616-456-3196 or kwood@grcity.us for direction prior to submitting your request for extension of the Renaissance Zone exemptions.

4. Available resources:

a) City website: http://grcity.us – Go to “Property Tax Info” on left side of home page to look at property tax history, to see if a property is in the Grand Rapids Renaissance Zone, and to look at parcel records to determine if dwelling units are marked on the parcel. For business-related Renaissance Zone information, click on “Departments” then “Economic Development.”

b) Michigan Economic Development Corporation website: http://michigananadvantage.org. Type “Renaissance Zones” in the SEARCH box on the upper right corner of the home page to find general Renaissance Zone information including simple maps of the Grand Rapids Renaissance Zone.

c) Michigan Compiled Laws website: http://legislature.mi.gov- To look up the Renaissance Zone Act (Michigan Public Act 376 of 1996, as amended) or to look up the Ren Zone Act ineligibility section specifically (MCL number 125.2690.)

Grand Rapids Downtown Rental Housing List.

Plaza Towers

201 West Fulton Street

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Icon On Bond

538 Bond Avenue NW,

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

The Globe Apartments

315 Commerce Ave. SW

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Hopson Flats

300 Ottawa Avenue NW Suite 400

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Loose Leaf Lofts

333 Commerce Street

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

American Seating Park

Clark Place

Off Broadway

555 7Th Nw

Grand Rapids, MI 49504

This is a short list of Downtown Grand Rapids Rentals but I come across New Condos for Rent in different buildings all the time. If you’re looking for something in particular feel free to Contact Me with: when you’re looking to move, how much you are willing to pay and what building you’re interested in. Remember Downtown Condos Start at $1000 a month and go up from there.

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