The Western Michigan Chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors honored 2 wonderful ladies this month.  Lola Audu, Broker for Audu Real Estate (and proudly, my Broker) for Realtor of the year for all the work she has done with our local board (President-Elect), Grand Rapids Association of Realtors and blogging insights/teachings as well as her participation with the WCR.  Patricia Caston of Midstate Title, for Affiliate of the Year.  Patricia puts in countless hours volunteering to help our Chapter be as successful as it is and is also Recording Secretary for our State Chapter of WCR. 

Congratulations to both of you - it is well deserved!Also, the Honorable Mayor of Grand Rapids, George Heartwell spoke at our meeting (which was held at Watermark Country Club - outstanding food and service!) about the future of Grand Rapids, MI.  Who better to have in the photo than the two honorees and Your Honor?

Great and spacious 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home with vintage charm.  Beamed ceilings in dining area, open kitchen, very large family/living room with wooden walls.  Home sits on 1 acre in Allegan County, Hopkins School District.

When:  Saturday, April 24th

Time:   11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m

Address:  2585 142nd, Dorr (Salem Township), MI

Would love to see you there!  I'll be serving coffee and cookies from the Royal Dutch Bakery in Grandville (as usual).  This open house is in conjunction with the Dorr-wide Open House Weekend for Real Estate featured in The Penasee Globe.

Hudsonville, MI - New listing:  3 bedroom (possible large non-conforming 4th in lower level), 2 bath with loads of living space!  Main floor features good-sized kitchen with eating area, really nice hardwood 3/4" flooring in back entry and finished breezeway.  Lower level has family/rec room with fireplace; laundry room, workshop and mechanicals (high efficiency furnace and water heater).  Outside has tons of parking space for your cars and toys (extra long drive in back for boat/rv or basketball court) plus an additional carport.  Built in gas grill in back - just in time for backyard bar-b-ques.  Walking distance to Hughes Park and the heart of Hudsonville.  $129,900. Update - Price now reduced to $125,000!

Call today for more information on this great home located at 5391 Lawndale, Hudsonville, MI.  Ed Vogt, Audu Real Estate.  Thank you!

The clock is ticking away on the first time homebuyer tax credit.  If you are interested in buying (or selling) in West Michigan before the tax credit expires (need contract by April 30 and close by June 30) - please contact me.  There's really never been a better time to buy!  Prices are low, interest rates are low - for now and if you are a first time homebuyer (have not owned a home in three years), you could qualify for up to $8000.  Or if you're a move over buyer you could qualify for up to $6,500.  Don't let this opportunity pass - call or e-mail me.  Thanks!

    Walking out of the closing, everyone was high-fiving - myself included.  Jammie, the son-in-law with whom she's been living, who is also a proud new papa, Dawn - one of her daughters, and the mortgage person she's been working with.  Diane, the Buyer,  has been a friend of mine for many years and has been talking about buying a home for probably 2 years.  We started seriously looking in Dorr & Wayland (Allegan County)  last year (looked at several) and put in 3 offers on different homes before we found this one - a HUD home.  It was above the price range she wanted to pay - so she offered a little less than listing price. Bid not accepted, she was second.   Over the holidays, I received a call that the first person who's bid was accepted was no longer able to purchase and Diane had the second highest bid - were we still interested?  Oh, YES - a resounding yes!!  Diane was a little nervous about the purchase price, but because of low interest rates, homebuyer tax credit and the HUD incentive (which she just got in under) - her monthly mortgage payments are actually less than she was anticipating in the lower end homes and she's getting a little money to fix her home. We ended up closing March 1. Ten days after her new grandson was born - what wonderful timing!Please feel free to contact me, Ed Vogt - Audu Real Estate for any assistance or questions regarding the homebuyer tax credits or HUD homes or any other real estate needs in the Kent County or Allegan County area.   Thanks!!

     I had the privilege of being involved in one of the quickest transactions in my career.  I received a call on Tuesday, August 25th to show the listing right away as the Agent was at the home but had no access card.  Gave her a code, received an offer that night (cash:) ), homeowner accepted Wednesday and closed on the home on Monday the 31st.  Gotta love it!  The new homeowners could not be happier.  They were wanting to get their granddaughter in the school system before school starts and wanted a home with no banks involved (short sale or foreclosures).  To see the joy on everyone's faces as Lola presented the Audu classic closing gift -Godiva Chocolates and the fact that they found their "perfect" home was priceless.  Our Seller's sold the home they have owned for many years and are able to move on in their retirement years.  A short and sweet ending. 

SOLD - 4507 Hyde Park, Wyoming

     Just listed for sale in Wyoming, MI (Kent County) is this beautiful  newer 3+ bedroom, 2 1/2 bath 2 story with almost 2000 square feet of living space.  The home is located at 4996 Glenboro Dr SW, Wyoming, MI in Chateau Estates (on a double cul-de-sac) - located near shopping, golf courses and the new hospitals and easy access to M-6.  Features include gorgeous tigerwood flooring throughout the entry, hall and kitchen/dining area; custom maple cabinetry and granite countertops in kitchen (along with stainless steel appliances).  Main floor has a parlor/study and the 2nd floor has an office/nursery.  $199,000

Open house Saturday, July 11th.  11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Please call me, Ed Vogt, Audu Real Estate for any questions or to arrange a showing.  Thank you!

     Current stats from the Grand Rapids Associations of Realtors (R) Multiple Listing Service (MLS) show that as of Jan. 1 for this year 50 homes (including condos-which there were 6) have sold in Grandville, MI (Kent County).  The lowest priced was $47,000 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath bank-owned home and the highest was a 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home for $325,000.  This only includes homes that are actually in the city limits.

     In addition, there are currently 23 homes/condos that have pending offers on the properties and are waiting to close.  These prices range from $89,900 - $159,900.

     What's for sale in Grandville?  There are currently only 92 homes on the market (23 are condos) from $49,000 (a 1 bedroom condo) to $389,900 for a 4 bedroom, 4 bath home. 

     What does this tell you?  If you're a buyer, there are homes available and if you're selling, there isn't an excess of homes in the area to compete against. 

     Please feel free to call or e-mail me, Ed Vogt, for any further information about the Grandville area.

Within 3 minutes walking distance to the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan - I'll be hosting an Open House at this wonderful 2100 sq.ft, 4+ bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home with a contemporary flair  this Saturday, June 6 from 12 - 2. 

Address:  9436 Lakeview Ct., West Olive (between Grand Haven & Holland)

Listed Price:  $350,000

There's even an outdoor shower area for after your sun-soaked day at the beach - you can leave all the sand outside!  Hope to see you there!!

   I received an e-mail this morning stating that HUD made an announcement that the First Time Homebuyer Credit of up to $8,000 will be available at closing (in a bridge type loan) for Buyers to use for their downpayments.  I came here to AR first to see if anyone had written any details about this.  This sounds like a great idea but I'd like details on the bridge loan part. Or any other details....I've got clients I need to share this with.  Thanks!!