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!!

     A very eye-opening article was published in The Grand Rapids Press on Sunday by local reporter Cami Reister.  Why and how much home prices and values  have decreased in Kent County and also neighboring Ottawa and Allegan Counties.  As Real Estate Agents, we've been talking about this for the last two years.  Home values have significantly decreased in the last two to three years and depending on how many foreclosures and short sales come on the market this year, might continue to drop your home value further. 

     Real Estate prices in my Grandville community have taken the third lowest hit - at 15% - for the fourteen local areas that are featured in the article.  In 2005 the average price of sold homes was $154,123 compared to $131,229 for 2008.    Kentwood, MI real estate prices have dropped 22%, Wyoming at 33% and Grand Rapids as much as 60%!  That really is shocking when you see it in print. 

     It's a tough pill to swallow when you've put so much time and energy into making your house a home, putting money into beautiful landscaping or any needed maintenance and updates only to find out, when you're ready to sell your home, you might not recoup all of these expenses, if any.  On the plus side, you have had the opportunity to live in and enjoy your home, the neighborhood, the schools and the community for however long you've been there.  The value of new friendships is priceless. 

     Homes are definitely still selling, so that's the good news.  Please feel free to contact me:  Ed Vogt, Audu Real Estate, if you'd like any information in helping you determine your home price or any other Real Estate needs.  Thanks!

    This past Friday at Frederik Meijer Gardens 2 of our fellow Rainers were honored at our Grand Rapids Association of Realtors(R) breakfast.  First, and I must admit I am very proud of her, our own Lola Audu was installed as a Director for the upcoming year.  I'm really excited about that, too, because of Lola's insights into the technology of today and her visions; and also because of her integrity, which is so important in this day and age.  Second, was Michelle Gordon, for The Good Neighbor Award for the time and energy she devotes to the ICCF, as well as helping others and her generous volunteering.  Congratulations to both of you and the others that were honored!!  2009 is going to be a Great Year!!

     I've been working on the Sale of this Home in Grandville, MI  for over 2 months now and received the dreaded call last night from the Buyer's Agent - The buyer's will no longer be able to purchase the home due to personal reasons.  They are very upset because they had found their "Dream Home".  I showed them through twice at an Open House, once by themselves and once with his parents.  They really loved this home. 

     It's a nice 3 bedroom ranch with a roomy living room, ceramic tile in the kitchen, dining area with wood-laminate floors and 2 baths. Office/entertainment room downstairs with gorgeous wood shelves & cabinetry.   A peaceful setting in the large, fully fenced backyard with an above ground pool (I know it's winter now, but for the summer - it's great!) There's also an oversized 2 stall garage. And - on a quiet street, close to nature, but yet, close to the Rivertown Mall.  All of this for just $115,000!!  Let 3287 34th St. SW, Grandville, MI  be your dream home.  It's waiting for it's new owners so give us a call.  Ed Vogt, Audu Real Estate, 616-791-0511 or 616-304-0549 or e-mail me at edvogt@grar.com.  Thanks! 

    Our wonderful Detroit Lions are marching to a near perfect year. Now sitting at 0 - 11 (that's not a typo) - that's right, 0 wins and 11 losses, they've broken or tied a record for most consecutive losses in the NFL.   For Thanksgiving we are fortunate to get to watch them twice in one week try to hold on to their perfect record as they take on the Tennessee Titans, who had their own perfect record, but the opposite - they were undefeated until their loss on Sunday. 

    Growing up in Texas where football is the national pastime, football also was part of our Thanksgiving tradition, as much as eating turkey and giving thanks and being with family.  But there, we had "America's Team", the Cowboys.  Fast forward several years and not too much of the tradition has changed, except I watch the games with my husband instead of my dad (although this year, I find my husband leaving the room a lot more during the Lions games - I suppose instead of yelling at the T.V.). 

    It's looking like a slim to none chance for the mighty Lions tomorrow.  Which will be okay, because that will leave us time to focus on family, friends, fellowship and food.  Besides, there's still the Cowboys. 

    HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today I attended my first local WCR luncheon here in Grand Rapids at the Watermark Country Club.  I met and talked to several members of the Women's Council and really had an enjoyable time (the food was fabulous).  My main reason for attending was that  they were featuring a wonderful speaker whom I greatly admire and who can captivate audiences and really get their minds racing. 

Without further ado.....I give you Lola Audu.....(that's actually a line I picked up from her)...

As always, she had a lot of interesting things to say and even though I work with her, I constantly pick up new things and get new ideas every time we talk or I go to hear her speak.  I really enjoy watching others, though as she shares the information of the new digital/technological age with other Agents and when they finally get it.  (As always, she mentions joining Active Rain - I think she's personally responsible for a big portion of the growth of this Network in West Michigan.)

What was my take on the speech?    This is the age of the consumer, folks.  It's not a time of me, but a time of WE- the Gen Y's.  It's definitely a time of sharing what we're learning and passing it on.  Helping others help themselves.  Do something exceptional and do it exceptionally well.  This technology is certainly not just a wave of the future...it's now.  Step outside the box and embrace it.  Yes, there are challenges in this market but it's up to us to overcome whatever they might be - challenge isn't necessarily a bad thing.   Be a Thriver, not a Survivor!