House About Grand Rapids

grand rapids' first neighborhood

2010-03-08T13:28:00.000-08:00

Did you know that Grand Rapids is home to one of the largest urban historic districts in the country? The neighborhood known as Heritage Hill, is a showcase of more than 60 architectural style of homes that date from 1848.

With a premier location in the City, the "Hill", as it is commonly referred to, is a truly walkable neighborhood-close to theaters, restaurants, boutique shops, universities, and for many of its residents...work.

Bound by Crescent Street to the north, Union to the east, Pleasant to the south and Lafayette to the west, the 1,300 homes within the historic district are unique and beautiful. Many have been lovingly restored.

Heritage Hill is also home to the spectacular Meyer May House - designed by America's most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

The home was built in 1909 for a prominent Grand Rapids businessman. It was subsequently acquired by Steelcase Corporation, restored to its original splendor, and opened to the public in 1987. You can tour the house year-round, and admission is free!

If you love the character and history an old home offers, and want to be close to downtown, Heritage Hill is a great choice. With the average price of a home under $200,000, there are tremendous values to be found. Several apartment and condominium communities are also located in the Hill. The best resource for rental options can be found through the Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association.

living in downtown grand rapids

2010-03-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

If you're looking to move downtown, you certainly have a lot of choices. Between homes and condos, there are currently more than 140 properties for sale in the area defined as Grand Rapids' city limits. You can live efficiently in a 600 square foot condo, or live large in one of the new penthouses at 38 Commerce or the McKay Tower.

Just look at some of the wonderful spaces that await you, such as this bright, open kitchen in a great old building downtown:

Even the bath offers a nod to the past. Love the brick wall with the old mural!

On the opposite end of the design spectrum, the new residences on Commerce hint at a more modern, urban feel:

Grand Rapids is abuzz with excitement and activity. And there are even more choices in the neighborhoods surrounding downtown Grand Rapids. If you ever have questions about homes or condos for sale in and around downtown Grand Rapids, I can help.

New micro brewery planned for Cherry Street

2010-02-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

The Grand Rapids Press reported last week that Locus Development and Jason Spaulding, co-founder of New Holland Brewing Company, have partnered on a $3 million project that will bring a new brewery and shops to the vibrant Cherry street business district.

Brewery Vivant is planned to open next fall in the space that most recently was home to the Spectrum Health childcare center. The adjacent chapel was once a funeral home.

Rendering courtesy of Locus Development/Cornerstone Architects

The brewery will have a 140-seat taproom and restaurant in the chapel portion of the building. There will also be a partially covered outdoor beer garden and piazza.

This is great news for the ever-expanding East Hills neighborhood -which is fast becoming a destination for unique restaurants and boutique shops.

tour new urban condos in the east hills neighborhood

2010-02-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

color trends for 2010

2010-01-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

A fresh coat of paint is a simple update that can transform a space from blah to beautiful in a day or two. Whether or not you have a home to sell, the folks at Behr have complied the design and color trends for 2010 to help inspire you.

As a rule of thumb, I advise my sellers to keep things neutral. But neutral doesn't have to be boring white or taupe. Different hues or intensities of neutral colors can make a room more exciting and modern. I love the paint color in the office of the new HGTV Dream Home:

Or how about grey? This monochromatic bedroom, by design diva Candace Olson, exudes classic modern style:

If you do have a home to sell, keep in mind, there is a lot of competition in the Grand Rapids market. Typically, for less than $100 and a little effort, you can breath new life into your home and help it stand out from the crowd.

urban living in grand rapids

2010-01-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

There is so much happening in downtown Grand Rapids these days, from restaurants to real estate. We have a growing, vibrant city that includes the urban areas of Heritage Hill, East Hills, Eastown, and Midtown. If you don't already make it a practice to explore what's going on, here's a short list of personal favorites to get you started:

Restaurants
The Electric Cheetah@ 1015 Wealthy Street offers a delicious, eclectic menu and a small plates brunch on Sunday. Keep an eye out for their newest restaurant, The Electric Eel in a few months.

Corez Wine Bar @ 919 Cherry Street is a swanky little place with an amazing wine list, thoughtful dishes, and the best bartender in Grand Rapids.

The Winchester @ 648 Wealthy Street has a thoughtful menu that changes with the seasons. It's a great place to get together with friends, just get there early to ensure a table!

Urban Living
Fairmount Square Condominiums is a community of 35 new town homes tucked in the heart of East Hills just off Cherry Street between Wealthy and Diamond. Within walking distance of the restaurants shown above, plus many others, and tons of boutique shops. The best part, all homes have either a one or two stall garage!

Hillmount Condominiums on Cherry Street is in the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood. While the building was constructed in 1952, it has since been renovated to offer unique spaces from 670 to 966 square feet.

The Heritage Hill neighborhood is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country. Here you will find beautiful, grand homes for sale and unique apartments for rent. Every fall a select group of home owners open their homes for the Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes - which is a great way to appreciate the history, construction, and beauty of these incredible homes.

Boutiques
Muse @ 924 Cherry Street offers a unique selection of clothing and accessories that can't be found anywhere else in Grand Rapids.

Wealthy at Charles @ 738 Wealthy Street is a stylish boutique with beautiful items for your home.

Etc.
Nantucket Bread Company @ 200 Union. Bread. Cookies. YUM.

The Sparrows Coffee, Tea and Newstand @ 1035 Wealthy is quirky, quaint, and has strong coffee!

Fulton Street Farmers Market @ 1145 East Fulton is open May to Christmas on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

mortgage rates still low, but will rise

2010-01-18T06:11:00.000-08:00

If you have been considering a move, or refinance, you may want to act sooner rather than later.

According to the Saturday New York Times, a increase in mortgage rates is expected this year. In fact, investment management giant Vanguard Group estimates a rise of a quarter to a half percent on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

Why the increase? The Federal Reserve has been supporting the mortgage market with their trillion dollar program of buying mortgage-backed securities. They intend to end this program at the end of March. When that happens, rates are very likely to rise.

To read the full article, click here.

Of course, another advantage to acting now is the $8,000 and $6,500 tax credit program, which will end at the end of April.

fabulous grand rapids

2010-01-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

There's a new site in town. A website, that is. Where you can get your house fix.

fabgr.com

A little place where you can see great homes, condos and apartments in the city. It's a new site, so keep checking back for updates.

what's going on in this real eastate market?!

2010-01-06T15:42:00.000-08:00

Buying or selling a home can be complex and overwhelming. Add to that the unsettled economy of the past few years, and you have another layer of uncertainty and frustration. However, according to a recent profile of home buyers and sellers by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), signs of a slow market stabilization are emerging. Inventories are returning to more manageable levels, unit sales are up, and affordability (both in terms of price and financing) is at record levels.

If you have a home to sell, you know that it remains a buyer's market. But, the NAR data shows that the median sales price among recently sold homes was 95 percent of listing price. This may be better news than you expected. It is important to remember though, that time on the market and sales price vs. listing price are related. Generally speaking, the longer a home is on the market, the greater the distance between listing price and sales price. This means pricing your home accurately and realistically is essential!

Think about your current listing price. How does it stack up to what's recently sold in your area? Are you pricing to the market or to your wishes? Buyers are out there, looking for the perfect place to call home, especially while the Home Buyer Tax Credit is still in effect!

new construction in a historic neighborhood

2009-12-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

It's exciting to see the residential development in and around downtown Grand Rapids. Whether you're looking to live in a renovated school, a sparkly high rise, or urban town house, Grand Rapids truly has something to offer everyone.

One of my favorite neighborhoods is East Hills - or as we know it - the center of the universe. Located about one mile east of downtown GR, East Hills is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood with boutique shops and great restaurants.

In the midst of this is a new condominium project called Fairmount Square. With just 35 town home condos, Fairmount Square offers four different floorplans, ample living space, and one or two stall garages! The homes at Fairmount start at $150,000, and monthly association dues are under $100.

Fairmount Square is located south of Cherry Street on Hollister, between Eastern and Diamond. Next time you're headed downtown, take a detour to Cherry Street. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the great shops and restaurants that await you.

Uptown Holiday Shop Hop

2009-12-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

The streets and shops of the vibrant East Hills neighborhood will be bustling with holiday shoppers during the annual Uptown Holiday Shop Hop on Thursday, December 3 from 4 to 9 p.m.

Neighborhood shops and boutiques that line Wealthy Street, Cherry Street, and Fulton welcome the season with special offers, seasonal snacks, and drinks. There are also holiday carolers and free trolley rides to take you from store to store.

I have a few favorite shops that I'll be checking out after my open house at Fairmount Square - Muse Boutique, Art of the Table, and Wealthy at Charles. If you've never attended the Shop Hop, I encourage you to head downtown. This is a great event and will really get you in the holiday spirit!

hey buyers, what are you waiting for?

2009-11-15T14:24:00.000-08:00

If you are a first-time home buyer, this truly is a great time to buy. The combination of historically low interest rates, prices, and government action has created a buying environment like none other. You may already know that the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers has been extended into 2010. And now, current homeowners can also qualify for up to a $6,500 tax credit when buying a new home. For an insider view of the housing market in Grand Rapids, and the implications of the expanded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, download Greenridge Realty's free report, 2010: Year of the Move-up or Downsizing Buyer.

what buyers want

2009-11-05T17:08:00.001-08:00

When purchasing a home, buyers have a number of decisions to make - financing options, location, and possibly the most essential, what features the home offers. While certain preferences are related to the buyers age and income, the National Association of Realtors has identified specific features that are desired by buyers of all ages. How do you think your home stacks up?

The most desired feature? Central air conditioning. Across the board, nearly 75% of all buyers ranked this number one. An oversized garage, (with two or more stalls), walk-in closet in the master bedroom, and a backyard or play area also rated as "very important".

Depending on the age of your home and size of your lot, some of these "must haves" may present a challenge for you. But you can turn a potential negative into a positive. For instance, if you have an older home with limited closet space, adding additional racks and shelves helps buyers see that there is indeed ample storage in a small space. If you don't have central air, promote the fact that the purchase price includes all window or wall units.

With the number of homes for sale in the Grand Rapids area, it's important that your home stands out. Anything you can do to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative will propel you to the front of the pack!

how's your curb appeal?

2009-11-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

First impressions really do make a difference. And considering that curb appeal ranks high on a buyer's wish list, it is important to pay close attention to your exterior when you have a home to sell.

To start, walk across the street from your house and take a good, critical look at what you see. What jumps out at you - both good and bad. Is there anything that needs to be fixed, added, or removed? What kind of condition is your front door in? How about the walkway and driveway? Do your outside lights work? As the days get shorter, it is important that buyers can not only see your house, but see where they are going as they explore.

Also at this time of year, be diligent in raking leaves and showcasing your lawn and gardens in the best possible light. Try adding some mums, or other cold-hardy plants around your front door (or any door buyers will use) for instant autumn flair.

Here's an example I like. This entryway is so warm and welcoming with natural textures and a punch of fall color.

Finally, make sure windows and screens are sparkling clean. If possible, remove and store screens. You want to ensure your home shows in the best light - so make sure the light shines in!

texting

2009-10-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever driven by a house that's for sale, and just wanted to know the price without calling an agent? Well now you can send a text message and find out!

I am one of less than a dozen Realtors in the Grand Rapids real estate market using texting to provide information on my listings. Simply send a text message to the number you see on the for sale sign. Within minutes you will receive a text with not only the price, but the square footage, number of bedrooms, bathrooms and a link to more information on the neighborhood!

market momentum

2009-10-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

Existing-home sales bounced back strongly in September with first-time buyers driving much of the activity, marking five gains in the past six months, according to the National Association of Realtors. Existing-home sales–including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops–jumped 9.4%. Sales activity is at the highest level in over two years.

Grand Rapids home sales are also up over last year - which is great news, espeically if you have a home to sell.

Competition is still stiff though. How will you set yourself apart?

The two most important elements you have control over, are the price and condition of your home. A competitive, and realistic price, will attract buyers. While a home in top condition, (spotless, organized, maintained inside and out) will help them remember your home and make a buying decision in your favor. As you get ready to put your home on the market, walk through it as if you were a buyer - what can you change, fix, or enhance?