Wow!  We are just starting to experience our first 70 degree days and already the summer calendar is beginning to look a little crowded with outstanding entertainment choices.

Meijer Gardens will open their outdoor concert series June 10 with the Derek Trucks Band.  The series continues through August 23 with performances by the Indigo Girls, Lyle Lovett & his large band, The Doobie Brothers and more.  If you've not attended a concert at the Gardens, you've missed a fabulous outdoor venue. Here is the complete schedule and ticket info:  http://www.meijergardens.org/calendar/summer_concert_schedule.php

The Grand Rapids Symphony kicks off Picnic Pops with Celebrate America on July 9 at Cannonsburg Ski Area and wraps up July 31 with The Music of Billy Joel featuring Michael Cavanaugh star of the Broadway hit muscial "Movin' Out".   If you've not experienced an evening at the Picnic Pops you are in for a real treat.  Pack a cooler with some treats and enjoy a wonderful Michigan evening.   The complete schedule and ticket information can be found here: http://www.grsymphony.org/events/series/picnic-pops/

A pleasant drive up north to Interlochen promises a wide variety of entertainment this summer kicking off with Willie Nelson & Family on June 7 and ending with the Interlochen Guitar Festival August 20 to 22, the concert series is packed with a diverse talent offering including Joan Baez, Bob Dylan's son Jakob with the Wallflowers, Styx, Kenny Loggins, Gordon Lightfoot, The World Youth Symphony Orchestra with the Ahn Trio, and the list goes on.   See the full schedule at:  http://www.interlochen.org/arts_festival/2009_summer_arts_festival?WT.mc_id=Festival_Email_Apr09&webtrends_id=Festival_Email_Apr09

There it is a full summer of outstanding entertainment.

The largest art prize in the world will be awarded in Grand Rapids, MI on October 8th, 2009.

ArtPrize which will begin on September 23rd promises to be one of the most exciting events we've ever seen.  

The brain child of Rick DeVos, ArtPrize was announced this morning and will offer the winner $250,000.  Each finalist will receive $7,000.

For 2 1/2 weeks artists from around the world are invited to display their works throughout the downtown area in public places and private galleries. 

The public will decide the winner via the internet or text messaging their votes.  Each finalist will receive $7,000.   You can watch the promotional video here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnBlnRpu-EU&feature=channel_page

Now this is what cool cities are made of and Grand Rapids Downtown Living is all about!  

Wow!  Spring is back.  What a welcome change from yesterday.

The flowers are starting to pop in Heritage Hill and slowly the neighborhood is greening up.

We decided to walk down to the Cottage Bar, a must stop for residents of Heritage Hill at the corner of LaGrave and Fulton, for a Cottage Burger and fries.  As usual the place was packed and the food was great.

The Cottage Bar has been a gathering place since 1927 and has a warm spot in my heart.  When I first came to Grand Rapids in 1968 as a radio news reporter, I was introduced to the Cottage Bar by George Zarry (Zarafonetis) a veteran newspaper reporter, West Michigan bureau chief for United Press International, and contributor to Esquire magazine. 

George Zarry felt it was important that I get a history lesson and so we met over beers and burgers with former Mayor George Welsh (1938 to 1949) who had also been Michigan's youngest Lt. Governor (1924). It was an unforgettable meeting.  Welsh was credited with helping pull the city out of the depression with a variety of municipal works projects. (Welsh Auditorium being the most notable) In '49 a city charter revision campaign successfully put in place a city manager form of government and Mayor Welsh' days in power were over.  On the day we met almost 30 years after the fact, he was obviously still bitter but provided a marvelous historical perspective on politics in Grand Rapids. It was an unforgettable meeting.  <As you can tell because I'm writing about it now - smile>

In all these years, the Cottage Bar has not changed!  It is an absolute classic.

In the next few days, we're going to add a neighborhood forum to www.WestmanRealty.com so that we can all add our spontaneous and/or planned events and comments on life in Heritage Hill.   Please drop by.

"When will this end?

That's the question we hear daily.  Not just about home prices, but the stock market and business in general.  Watching our savings evaporate is depressing.

But, those of us who live downtown need only look at what is happening on Michigan Hill to realize in the broad sense our local economy is going to take a turn for the better with the expansion of VanAndal Institute, the new DeVos Children's hospital and the new MSU medical school.

A little closer to home - like three blocks - our neighborhood businesses are doing more than well. Art of the Table and the Wealthy Street Bakery (at the corner of Wealthy and Union) continue to thrive. How do I know? My brother in law told me so.  (smile)  Gene and Mary were visiting from Connecticut last week.  Gene is a coffee house guy!!  He is up and out at 7 am looking for good coffee and the New York Times. For what it is worth, he says the scones at Wealthy Street Bakery are the best.  (A 4 day taste test).

The Winchester on Wealthy is the newest addition to the neighborhood and it offers wonderful food.  The Cuban Reuben is outstanding!  The staff is friendly and they sound and act excited about their new restaurant.

Up on Cherry, similar great things are happening.  The Green Well looks busy all the time and of course the Cheri Inn still packs folks in for the best breakfast in the neighborhood.

When will this end?  I suspect when we start to believe again that tomorrow will be better than today.  And, from all the activity downtown and in the surrounding Historic Districts it will be!

Mortgage Rates Hit 37 Year Low!   That was the headline I came down to this morning. 

Marketwatch is reporting that rates average just slightly more than 5% on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage.  That is the lowest rate since FreddieMac began its mortgage rate survey back in 1971.

To put that in perspective, 42 years ago when I bought my first house I had the opportunity to assume a mortgage on the property for 5 1/4%.  The going market rate was right about 7%.   This was long before I entered the real estate business.  Not sure what to do, duh, (Hey I was young then - smile) I called the smartest guy I knew, my father.   His advice:  "Jump on it!  You will never see an interest rate that low again in your lifetime."  He was right for the most part and I enjoyed great savings over many years.

Now kids, and I mean that collectively, a similar once in lifetime opportunity exists.  If you've been sitting on the fence, thinking about buying, now is the time!  Home prices have dropped to levels not seen in a decade.  If you are not planning a move, by all means contact a mortgage professional to see what refinancing would do to your monthly budget.   Remember: Refinancing does not necessarily mean taking cash out.  Consider refinancing your balance for just the remaining number of years on your existing loan.  It could make a dramatic difference in your monthly payment.

With some economists suggesting that inflation is just around the corner which would eventually lead to higher and higher rates.   "Jump on it!  You may never see an interest this low again in your lifetime."

  Within walking distance of dowtown Grand Rapids is one of the nation's largest residential historic districts.   Heritage Hill. 1,300 homes representing over 60 distinct architectural styles.

Dating back to 1848, these were the homes of the Who's Who of Grand Rapids history.  Lumber barons, prominent merchants, the founders of Grand Rapid's furniture industry and politicians who left their imprint in history lived here.  Senator Arthur Vandenberg lived around the block from our house.  President Jerry Ford grew up in the neighborhood and later bought a house on top of the hill where he and Betty lived for a time.

Today, we are still an interesting bunch of folks from all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, and ages. We're a mix of home owners and renters who share a common love for the irreplacable elements found in old homes, the walkability of our neighborhood, the front porches, and the interesting stories our neighbors have to share.

I often tell relocating clients two not so funny stories... But yet, very true.   This is a neighborhood where you don't have to worry about keeping up with the Joneses.  Because you'd spend a lifetime deciding which Joneses are the more interesting.  And, if you don't own a dog, rent one.  In one week out walking the dog, you'll meet all your neighbors.

If you'd like to join us, we'd like to help.   Call, email, or knock on the door. 

Welcome to Grand Rapids, Michigan Downtown Living.  If you are considering relocating here, we intend to shamlessly brag about our community in the hope that you'll decide to join us.   If you already live in the metro area, we hope to entice you back downtown to experience the exciting re birth of your downtown.

I'm John.  The smarter, prettier half of this team is Betsy.  Together we are Westman Realty.  Betsy started the company 25 years ago and I am the newbie having been on board for 15 years. Time flies when you are having fun!

Grand Rapids is home to a world class regional symphony orchestra, opera and ballet companies, live theatre, Rampage arena football, Griffins AHL hockey and Whitecaps baseball. 

We are fortunate to have an excellent concert hall, new arena, one of the greatest minor league ball parks in the country, three beautiful live performance theaters and an exquisite ballet venue.

If you are into hockey and or baseball, the Griffins and Whitecaps are farm teams of the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers.  Not only do we see the talent of tomorrow, but because we are only 2 1/2 hours from Detroit when an injured player needs reconditioning before moving back up, they play here.  (A hint: those announcements are usually made early afternoon and the games sell out quickly.)

I like the picture above. The skyline and riverfront at night are beautiful.  What you don't see are all the construction cranes which dot today's skyline.   They are our downtown future.  The new Helen DeVos Children's hospital, Michigan State University Medical School, Van Andel Institute expansion, and a new residential condominium tower are all under construction.

We live in the city's largest historic district, Heritage Hill, which is within walking distance of downtown.  And in the future, I'll introduce you to our neighborhood.

But, tonight is our company awards party so I'll have to sign off.  I'm excited:  Betsy is getting the Outstanding Sales Person Award for the 25th year!  I'm hoping to keep my string of 14 Most Improved Salesperson awards alive.  Betsy has offered no hints so we'll see.