Ethan's Blog

Perfect Summer Day

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:33:40 -0800

So I think that captures Shylah (My Daughter) as a perfect 3 year old on a perfect summer day, doing what every little child loves to do, swing on a rope swing. Ah for the simpler life with no worries and perfect contentment. What else could you want? Oh, you want to find a home? That is where I come in....www.DreamHomeDozeman.com

Byron Center Real Estate

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:19:20 -0700

Byron Center Real Estate and the many homes for sale in Byron Center. Find Byron Center Homes between $100,000 and $250,000 with 3 bedrooms.

Byron Center Real Estate and Homes for sale over $250,000. Byron Center is a popular bedroom community to Grand Rapids, MI. You can own new Homes in Byron Center.

Here is a good resource for all housing details for Byron Center

Byron Center Public Schools info

Byron Center, MI has great access to 131 e-way North and South from Grand Rapids, MI, to Kalamazoo, MI. The new M-6 runs east and west and borders Byron Center to the North. Very good access to Grand Rapids and Holland.

Byron Center Library info.

Byron Center has 162 single family homes currently for sale with 5 of those homes being bank owned or Foreclosure homes.

Contact Ethan Dozeman your real estate professional via email or 1-866-393-0366. www.DreamHomeDozeman.com, "Making your Dream Home a reality"

Shylah Dozeman Summer Fun

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:06:51 -0700

This summer was a ton of fun. We where up at Silver Lake and I snapped this photo of my daughter. Since she is photogenic and cute, I thought why not make a postcard campaign asking people if they needed new stuff around there house. Like this one asks, Need a new Sandbox? Call my dad! How easy is that?

So let me help you find your new sandbox in your new home, or maybe a vacation property on a lake.

Find your www.DreamHomeDozeman.com in Grand Rapids

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:40:16 -0700

So we where downstairs playing and this is a totally candid shot of my daughter. She didn't say those words exactly, I sortof gave them to her, but I would love to help you find your new home in Grand Rapids, or buy a house in Grandville. Byron Center is a great area for your new home and several neighborhoods around the Grand Rapids area for your new home to own.

Homes for Rent

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:05:37 -0700

I have several homes available in and around Grand Rapids. One home for Rent is in Grandville at 3061 Harvest. It is a 3 bedroom 1.5 bathroom home with a full unfinished basement and a two stall garage for $1050 per month. I have a 2 bedroom condo on North in Grand Rapids for $695. Available is a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom fenced in backyard for $950 at 835 Eastern. 830 E. Fulton is a 3 bedroom 1 bathroom close to bus stop and a nice backyard for $800. 910 Ballard near Alger Heights is a 3 bedroom 1.5 bathroom home with wood floors and a 2 stall garage for $895. I have a 5 bedroom 2 bathroom home in the Eastown area at 1434 Thomas for $1500. You can call me at 616-292-7329, for your own personal showing of any of these homes for rent. I have photo's and applications you can email me at Ethan@DreamHomeDozeman.com as well.

Thanks and have a great day!!

Ethan Dozeman Platinum Realty

5739 Charolais Dr. Grandville Home for Sale

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:08:10 -0700

Here is a quality Grandville Home for Sale. This flier is put together well and showcases the homes best features. Grandville has several homes availalbe, with this one being one of the nicest in all of Delmar Farms. Come and check out your new GRANDVILLE HOME TODAY!!!!

Listed by Ethan Dozeman, Platinum Realty, call toll free at 866-393-0366 or Email today to schedule your showing of this Great 4 bedroom Grandville home. for more info see my website I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Grand Rapids Real Estate Question?

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:34:06 -0700

So do you have a real estate question to ask? According to my daughter I can help you if you happen to have a real estate question in the Grand Rapids area. I think she might be a little bias, but you can't ignore that smiling face. So, give me a call on my cell phone at 616-292-7329 to talk about Real Estate anytime!!!! Did you see a home for sale that you want information on? Call Ethan and visit: www.DreamHomeDozeman.com today!!

Grandville market update

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:15:39 -0700

Now that summer is around the corner and school is just about out, it is time to get out and start looking for your new home for sale in Grandville, MI How many homes are available for sale in Grandville? Right now there are 256 homes for sale to choose from in the Grandville School District. How many 3 bedroom homes on the market in Grandville? 127 homes in Grandville are 3 bedrooms. What if you are looking for a 4 bedroom Grandville home for sale? You have only 81 4 bedroom Grandville Homes to choose from. If you are shopping price in Grandville between $100,000 and $150,000 there are 69 homes. Almost the same for between $150,000 and $200,000, you have 61 homes to choose from. You can easily search these Grandville Homes and the Grandville MLS at my website. www.DreamHomeDozeman.com

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/ Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366

Grand Rapids Foreclosures and Short Sales part 2

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:27:01 -0700

Once you have found 10 properties take a qualified person, whether it is your Realtor, or a relative who is a contractor, or if you can pay a home inspector to look at the homes with you. The first step really is to go through the homes with your Realtor, because you should narrow it down to 3 homes to make offers on. Before making an offer you need an exit strategy. Are you going to fix up the home to rent it out? Would you like to try to resell the home? I can suggest right now in this market renting is a good choice. There are some investors who are wholesaleing. We are talking like buying it for $35,000 and turning it for $55,000 without doing very much to the Grand Rapids house. It is still a great value to the end buyer because the house in Grand Rapids might be worth $90,000 fixed up. Those can be good sources for homes at good deals as well. Once you have it narrowed down to your top three Grand Rapids Homes be prepared to make offers and see what bank is willing to work with you the most. You have to be very decisive and ready to move immediately. While you are contemplating if you want to make an offer, your grand rapids foreclosure deal might be picked up by another buyer who is in the market for great foreclosure deals as well. Once you have a feel for the area you want your home, then one strategy is look at everything for sale in a particular area to understand what the real estate market is doing.

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/ Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366

Alger Heights, Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:18:28 -0700

Would you like a real life story? I am sure you would. I had a buyer who bought a home on Merrifield in the Alger Heights neighborhood of Grand Rapids, MI. It had been listed for a few months and I was tracking the home for my buyer. When it got down to $65,000 my buyer pulled the trigger and offerd $57,000. So much less you ask? How did you come up with that fo an offer? First the assesed value was $57,200. The house was bank owned and had been for sale for over 3 months. When you are not emotionally attached to the outcome you are in the best situation to negotiate as a buyer. After going through the home with a licensed contractor for estimates on what it would be to fix up the home to my buyers standards he reevaluated and accepted the sellers counter of $62,000. Once they closed they went to work on the repairs. Immediately my buyer put the home up for rent. A four bedroom 1.5 bath home in Alger Heights goes for around $900-$1000 per month. After 2 weeks with just a sign in the yard he found a renter for $950 per month that was willing to wait until the repairs where all done. The repairs took 6 weeks. I will list everything my buyer did to the house not neccessarily in order. It was a total of $19,000 in repairs. You might have sticker shock at the redo, but let me tell you what was done. First was a tear off and new roof on the house and 1 stall garage, then all the walls where painted, but first the walls where patched. One thing that was not planned was all the water pipes needed to be replaced as it had been vacant for 2 winters, and the first winter my buyer found out later, it wasn't properly winterized. The home had new windows on the main floor but he had to put in 7 windows upstairs so it wouldn't need any exerior window work. The main floor and upstairs floor was refinished with 3 coats of polyurethane. They had to build a wall to make the egress window that was already in the basement into a 4th bedroom, so new carpet in the finished half of the basement. The basement windows got glass block and the walls and floor where painted white and grey respectively. So what do you do with a bank owned foreclosure when you are done fixing it up and renting it out? My buyers positive cashflow is $150 per month and a solid home that will perform well for years to come.

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/ Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366

Grand Rapids Foreclosures and Short Sales

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:34:14 -0700

This afternoon I had a call from one of my past clients and she asked if I help people find foreclosures and short sales. I want everybody to know that I do. With 52% of the sales on the Grand Rapid Association of Realtors in March being foreclosures and short sales, I would be remiss if I didn't help buyers find great deals in foreclosures and short sales. As a buyer you have to be careful, because not all short sales and foreclosures in Grand Rapids are great values. One indicator is if the price of the house is less than the assessed value. When I say that I am talking about the value the taxing authority places on the house. The general rule of thumb is that the house is roughly twice the price of the assessed value. Let's say the assessed value is $50,000 the approximate market value is generally around $100,000. You know you found a good deal worth atleast looking at if the house is for sale for less than $50,000 assuming the same $50,000 assessed value. That is the first step if you are looking for value properties in Grand Rapids as investments that will take $10,000-$20,000 of work.

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/ Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366

Michigan Consumer Protection Act.

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:19:36 -0800

The Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) prohibits "unfair, unconscionable, or deceptive methods, acts or practices in the conduct of trade or commerce." A plaintiff who is able to prove that a business has violated the MCPA comes entitle to reimbursement for all attorney fees without limit. Section 4 provides for certain exemptions from the act. A real estate agent has limited exemption and is currently being upheld in the Michigan Supreme Court.

Would you like to find a home to own in the Grand Rapids area? You can find your new home at Grand Rapids Homes and then search all of the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market!!! Look through all Grand Rapids Listings for your new home.

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366

Green Built Grand Rapids

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:30:22 -0800

The guildelines for Green Built are based on seven primary "guiding principles:" (1) Lot design, preparation and developmnet; (2) Resource efficiency; (3) Energy efficiency; (4) Water efficiency; (5) Indoor enviroment quality; (6) Operation, maintenance and homeowner education; and (7) Global imapct. visit http://www.nahb.org/ for more detialed information. http://www.greenbuiltmichigan.org/ has more info. I am on a Grand Rapids Association of Realtors committee and we are trying to get more information so we can develop criteria for our Grand Rapids MLS as to how we can add a classification to the listing of a Grand Rapids Home for sale so that consumers can identify if the home is Green Built Certified or not. We are still debating the issue.

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366

Rental Property Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:51:33 -0800

For at least a decade ending in early 2006, investors soured on the idea of short-term ownership of residential rental properties as investments in the Grand Rapids, MI market. The availability of easy mortgage financing for homeowners meant that practically anyone with even marginal credit could qualify for a mortgage to own a home in Grand Rapids, MI.

What happened was that landlords were forced to offer incentives sometimes accepting anybody as a tenant. Other landlords converted apartment complexes into condominiums and sold the units.

Look at what can happen in 10 years. In 2006 the Grand Rapids real estate market turned downward also in many parts of the country after several years of appreciation. Thousands of homeowners where forced to sell for financial reasons, discovering they owed more than their Grand Rapids homes were worth. The decline of home prices coupled with the sub-prime mortgage market crash basically has set up the perfect storm. Some tenants will be forced to remain tenants, and some former homeowners will be forced to become tenants. Is now the time to buy an investment property in Grand Rapids?

Would you like to find a investment property to own in the Grand Rapids area? You can find your new home at Grand Rapids Homes and then search all of the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market!!! Look through all Grand Rapids Listings for your new investment.

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/ Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366 mailto:Ethan@DreamHomeDozeman.com

Grand Rapids Principle Residence Exemption

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:00:24 -0800

To be eligible for the principle residence exemption for the state of Michigan, a taxpayer must file and affidavit with the local tax collection unit on or before May 1st, and must both own and occupy the residence on the date the affidavit is signed. An assessor may deny the exemption if he or she doesn't believe that the property is being used as a principal residence, at which time the taxpayer bears the burden of establishing entitlement to the exemption "by a preponderance of the evidence"

Owner must file an affidavit on or before May 1st and must also occupy on that date

Does occupancy have to be continuous?

What exactly proves occupancy "by a preponderance of the evidence?"

What address is on your drivers license?, where do you vote?, what address is on your tax return are examples of a preponderance of evidence.

Would you like to find a home to own in the Grand Rapids area? You can find your new home at Grand Rapids Homes and then search all of the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market!!! Look through all Grand Rapids Listings for your new home.

This advice is informational only provided by http://www.DreamHomeDozeman.com/Ethan Dozeman 616-301-6766 or 1-866-393-0366, please consult a tax professional.

Grandville Homes for Sale

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:41:21 -0800

Grandville School District has 278 homes for right now. The range is from $55,000 to $1,590,000. Don't worry the next price is only $899,900. So the ultra exensive home in Grandville, MI has been for sale for over 900 days. Go see the Grandville Homes for Sale What kind of home in Grandville are you looking for? 14 of these homes are bank owned or short sale Grandville Homes in Foreclosure. Would you like to own one of these good values? Contact mailto:Ethan@DreamHomeDozeman.com or call Ethan Dozeman at 616-292-7329 It does take a little bit of money but I can help you if you look like this!!

Grand Rapids Real Estate Analysis

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:13:05 -0800

This is the crossroads right now. In the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market you have 10,202 sellers trying to sell Homes and Condo's on the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors. If we take the 6 most recent months from June 1st, 2007 to December 31st, 2007 the properties that sold totaled 6092 homes. Divide that number by 6 months equals 1015 homes on average that have been selling. That means there is aproximately 10 months of homes for sale in Grand Rapids. You have to understand the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors covers parts of 6 counties in Michigan with a large concentration of homes for sale in Kent County, MI So with that said my analysis is that right now we have a strong buyers market for homes in Grand Rapids. Any opinions on my thoughts? Search for your new Grand Rapids Home at http://www.realestateingrandrapids.com/ and find your next deal!!

Jenison Home Sold

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:26:06 -0800

"Thanks to Ethan, we sold our home within 77 days of him taking our listing. We previously had it listed 5 months with another agent who brought us very little activity. Ethan got us more viewings in the 77 days he had it listed than the previous realtor had in the total 5 months. His marketing strategy is unflawed and we have told many of our friends to consider him for their future real estate transactions." -Joanne N

You can contact Ethan Dozeman by visiting his website at www.RealEstateinGrandRapids.com or emailing him at mailto:Ethan@DreamHomeDozeman.com or calling him on his cell at 616-292-7329 or dial toll free at 1-866-393-0366

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:53:32 -0800

Live Vibrantly in West Michigan a Video from: Right Place West Michigan Great Video on Grand Rapids and why to live in the Grand Rapids areas. This video tells it all. Why to move to Grand Rapids, Ethan Dozeman can make it easy for you to relocate to Grand Rapids. Visit Ethan's website at http://www.dreamhomedozeman.com/and you can search for homes for sale in Grand Rapids, MI.

Real Estate in Grand Rapids

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 15:03:31 -0800

Let's talk a little about the opportunities available in the Grand Rapids Real Estate Market out there today. The opportunity for the people you know who would like to stop renting and take better control of there financial future through home ownership in Grand Rapids. Is ownership for everyone? No, but right now it is within reach for everyone. Talk with a great lender, interest rates are around 6.5%. The inventory right now is at record levels and we are having a correction in home prices. I have seen homes at 1999 prices. One example is my mother in law sold her house 20 years ago in Grand Rapids for $40,000. The last time I checked (12/15/07) it is a bank owned foreclosure listed at $49,900 and has been for sale for 36 days. This is the picture of the home in Grand Rapids!! That is an extreme case, but those types of values do come up and when you have a realtor on your side who is working 24/7 we can find those values together. I know of a handful of homes that if you where to buy the home today, and rode out the market you could potentially make between 20-30 thousand dollars on the property in 2 to 3 years. You can ask a qualified acountant, but the last time I checked long term capitol gains are only taxed at 15%. What is the principle in Grand Rapids Real Estate? You buy low and sell high, right? Now is the time you can buy low. Who do you know who is looking to diversify into real estate in Grand Rapids, because now is the time and the coming 12-18 months to really hunt for the good values. The good values get sold before they ever hit the MLS so the average person does not even get access to them. Am I an insider? No, but I have people who know people if you know what I mean. I have helped a handful of investors, and I own investment property in Grand Rapids myself, so that is one aspect of the Grand Rapids Real Estate market that not all realtors have experience in.

Grand Rapids Real Estate Referral

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:03:38 -0800

On a primitive level, realtors are the same. What makes the difference between me and other realtors are my Unique Selling and Buying Propositions. After being a realtor since 2002 and helping over 170 families here in the Grand Rapids, West Michigan area with there real estate transaction I can help your referrals from a position of experience. Have I seen everything? No!! Each new home presents a learning experience and when I sit down with your referral we talk about their goals and what is in their best interest.

What am I looking for with your referral? Somebody who has a need. When it comes to selling a house in the Grand Rapids area do you know a friend from church, work or a social club, who has mentioned "oh, my realtor isn't doing anything to sell my house!" or, "we haven't had any showings" that is a hint that they may be open to a free consultation with another option. Ethan!! Something your next referral might say who is looking to own a home in Grand Rapids is "our lease is just about up or I wish we could own be a homeowner like you". Let them know that you know just the person to help them. Your friend Ethan. Some people call me Dream Home, Zero Down, or The house seller in a down market realtor. Some people just call me EZ. I have a lot of nicknames but none of them is late for dinner as you may be able to tell.

What can I help you do today? Email me at Ethan@DreamHomeDozeman.com or call me on my cell phone at 616-292-7329. Visit my website at www.DreamHomeDozeman.com

Revitalization in Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:57:26 -0800

Now is the time to invest in urban redevelopment. More and more investors have realized the downtown and city areas or Grand Rapids, MI are becoming revitalized. They have taken large multi-family units, renovated in and out and converted them into luxury urban condos. They have done the same with dilapidated warehouses and old school buildings. Currently in Grand Rapids, MI some of these new condo developments are offering "tax free" incentives .

Why the sudden rebirth in urban areas? According to a recent article by Tom Geller, one reason is could be increase in oil prices. Non-urban living demands more oil and gas us as homes, grocery stores, and workplaces tend to be much further distances from each other and often too distant for bicycling or walking.

As I have been to the Eastown and Midtown areas of Grand Rapids in recent months, you can see the revitalization taking place right before your eyes, especially along Wealthy street. These are great places to think about investing or moving because the prices are still relatively low, but stand a chance to increase greatly in value as the Grand Rapids city life continues to grow in popularity.

59,997 members and counting

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:04:13 -0800

I would say tonight is the night that we will break 60,000 members. When I first joined we had just under 20,000. Just in my little town of Grand Rapids, MI we had 35 members. Now we have 169 varous members. That is good growth. It seems like some of the top Grand Rapids, MI Realtors are members of AR. Where are we going now?

Kentwood, MI New Construction Homes For Sale

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:27:27 -0800

There are several options on your New Construction Homes for sale in Kentwood, MI. One I would like to highlight here today is a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom New Construction Home for Sale in Kentwood, MI.

A 2 Story Kentwood Home on a daylight basement and a two stall attached garage for $171,289. Did I forget to mention space? You have 2500 above grade finished for your enjoyment. Are you looking for further options? Don't need 2500 sq. ft.? How about the 2000 sq ft. 2 story Kentwood New Home For Sale? Are you looking for upgrade options? Would you like stainless steel, white or black kitchen appliances? Do you need a walkout basement? Many optional upgrades to choose from. Contact Ethan Dozeman for more details and to schedule your tour today.

but why buy a used home in this Grand Rapids real estate market when you can get brand new homes in Kentwood for under $175,000?

Kentwood, MI has plenty to offer. Learn more by visiting Kentwood, MI today!!

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Real Estate in Grand Rapids Ethan Dozeman (Realty Executives Platinum Group) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:15:44 -0800

The October sales numbers at GRAR were up this year from last year. This is a small bit of good news. There are still homes selling, just continue to work hard. One agent recently told me that they felt they had to reinvent themselves in this housing market, because the things that worked in the past aren't working right now.

What everyone knows will work is communicating with your sphere of influence more often and keeping in touch with past clients. Another thing we know is that price is more important than ever in your Grand Rapids listings. I see a lot of listings that sit forever at the same price. It is doubtful those listings will ever sell. It is our job to communicate that prices have fallen and they are not coming back instantly. Just like when the stock market takes a big beating, it does not come back right away, the Grand Rapids Real Estate market is the same. For more information about owning a home in Grand Rapids, MI, feel free to visit First Time Home Buyers in Grand Rapids, MI.