This photo is the property of Mary Kent, Five Star Real Estate 1545 68th Street Suite 201, Grand Rapids MI 49508 and can not be duplicated without permission.

I find myself glancing at the cities you all are from and thinking... uhhmmm... what's your neck of the woods like? (sorry Mr. Al Roker!)

So hey...I'll go first!

My favorite place....drum roll.....GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN is a wonderfully inviting beach town known as Coast Guard City, USA. It includes a host of beautiful classic cottages up the winding hills with majestic views of Lake Michigan. My Mom tells story's about the fun she had at party's on the hill in the mid 1950's.

You will find tranquil beaches, trolleys, shops, restaurants, boardwalk, boats and fun galore! So come visit and enjoy the history and sites of my Grand Haven!

If your like me you're wondering how to keep your school age children busy this summer! My family and I love the Grand Haven area and spend a good part of our spring and summer in our own little piece of paradise! In the upcoming months I'll be blogging about all things Grand Haven!

Mary's May pick for family fun~

Visit Grand Haven State Park for the GREAT LAKES KITE FESTIVAL the weekend of May 15th-17th 2009. This is a spectacular cause to benefit the Children's Leukemia Foundation of Michigan. This event is also sponsored by Mackinaw Kite and Toys in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Check out the SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for the Kite Festival, it's full of fun for the whole family! For walkers out there  The Children's Leukemia Foundation has a walk scheduled for May 15 that will  wind its way from Grand Haven State Park through the downtown business district and back to the park for lunch and the Great Lakes Kite Festival. SIGN UP FOR THE WALK HERE!

If you're looking for a dedicated professional real estate agent in Grand Haven or Ottawa County call Mary Kent, agent with Five Star Real Estate @ 616-915-3987 or visit http://ottawacountyhome.com

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event on sustainability through WISE (Women In Successful Enterprises). This more than green presentation, was graciously hosted by Kelley Losey at Cascade Engineering's, Quest Sustainable Solutions Division.

All attendees watched and listened with interest as Kelley navigated us through sustainability and it's importance from a business and personal standpoint. We were asked to participate as a group and define  sustainability and take our carbon footprint. We also viewed a short video called THE WORLD POPULATION this was eye opening to say the least! I personally walked away with a better understanding of how my personal choices will affect our future generations. Our family has made some changes over the years with fluorescent light bulbs, turning off lights and recycling. After the presentation I realized we  need to do more!

We continued onto the SCHMOHZ BREWERY after the workshop to taste the offerings in micro brewed beer and root beer. The tour was very interesting! I selected the Valley City Cream Ale, it was so good that I'm temped to go back soon! Schmohz was a relaxing no fuss kind of place with a staff that made us feel very welcome!

WISE unites the skills, knowledge and resources of established women-owned companies. Find out more about future WISE events, including the upcoming Leadership Institute for Women on May 21, 2009. Held at the Davenport University, Grand Rapids Campus.

Relocating to the Hudsonville MI area? Would you like to know more about this wonderful community? Take it from a "local" we have awesome schools with great parent involvement! Several flourishing businesses and parks, parks and more parks! All located with in 20 to 25 minute drive to the lake-shore to the west, and downtown Grand Rapids to the east, and just a hop, skip, jump away from Rivertown Crossings Mall.

Did I mention our community has plenty of PARKS AND BIKE TRAILS? (Oh yeah, I guess I did) Check out Holland/Zeeland, KIRK PARK and Pigeon Creek all about 25 minute drive from Hudsonville. My family loves Kirk Park, we often take the bike trail with our back packs and after our ride we head to the beach. So nice not transporting all the beach stuff!

If your looking to move into the Hudsonville area check out my top picks in the price range of  150's to 180's. Some of these are located in the "forest" with plenty of trees and large lots. On any given day you can see people out walking with kids, dogs or both.

Hudsonville Top Picks

3255 Meadow Glenn Drive $154,900 (TFLA 2,350) 4 Bed 2 1/2 Bath Listed by Towne Square Real Estate

4117 Blair St $159,900 (TFLA 2,467) 5 Bed 2 1/2 Bath Listed by Five Star Real Estate

6624 Crown Point Drive $160,000 (TFLA 2,212) 3 Bed 2 1/2 Bath Listed by Towne Squarte Real Estate

6847 Gettysburg Drive $174,900 (TFLA 2,222) 4 Bed 2 Bath Listed by Five Star Real Estate

4393 Chateau West Drive 189,900 (TFLA 2,391) 3 Bed 3 Bath Listed by Five Star Real Estate

To find out more about these listings or Hudsonville, Michigan contact me anytime @616-915-3987 ask about the $8,000 home buyer incentive!

I ask myself? Could it be? On Saturday the sellers agent on a SS where I represent the buyer called me and said she just received a call from Countrywide (they work on Sat hmmm?) go figure! We've been waiting for something, anything since the offer was written on Dec 8th, 2008. They are NOW escalating the file. I'm so tempted to break out in my "happy dance" but I know better, and will choose to wait until we get to close! Oh...wait..maybe I'll just do a toned down version of my happy dance in honor of the word ESCALATING!

The redemption period is up on May 7th. My client has been a trouper and since we've come this far why bail now. I'm interested to know, how many agents here have closed SS that involved Countrywide? Also, do you see any improvement lately? Do we have enough time?

I'm a firm believer in face to face networking. Back in November I stumbled onto this website called Meet up.com. This site allows for groups in local areas to meet up and make face to face connections. I had an idea several months back that would incorporate networking, exercise and giving back to the community. So imagine my surprise to find meetup! So, I went with my idea and gave it a go!

I have and still am involved in some awesome networking opportunities that are held in restaurants and other locations but really felt the need get away from food and feel the fresh air hitting my face. The WEST MICHIGAN WALK N TALK NETWORKING GROUP was born in December, while we've been growing at a slow pace, I am hopeful with the brutal MI weather behind us, we will attract more members!

West Michigan Walk N Talk Networking Group meets once a month and our next walk will be held April 14Th from 12-1pm around Reeds Lake. To find out more or to join, check us out at West MI Walk N Talk! 

I believe if we can somehow find a balance of both face to face and online connections our business can only flourish! So, hat's off to all that are trying to achieve that balance with all the other balancing we have to do!

If you're looking for a dedicated professional real estate agent in Greater Grand Rapids, MI including Kent and Ottawa counties, call Mary Kent, agent with Five Star Real Estate @ 616-915-3987 or visit http://kentcountyhome.com

If you're looking for a dedicated professional real estate agent in Greater Grand Rapids, MI including Kent and Ottawa counties, call Mary Kent, agent with Five Star Real Estate @ 616-915-3987 or visit http://ottawacountyhome.com

The greater Grand Rapids area always has something happening. During the spring and summer you will find all sorts of people taking advantage of one of the finest county owned golf courses, "Palmer" (as the local golf folks call it) attracts all sorts of people because of its perfectly manicured links and friendly professional staff. (It's one of my husband's favorite places to play)I often over hear him talking to one of his golf buddies about what course they plan on playing that given week. L.E. KAUFMAN, AKA "PALMER" is in constant rotation of 4 courses played regularly by him and his friends. 

During the winter months L.E. Kauffman turns the golf course into a winter wonderland of well groomed cross country ski trails. They rent equipment for $8.oo, that allows you access to all trails or bring your own ski's and pay only $1.00. So much beauty to explore and great exercise too!

My friend and I recently visited "Palmer". It had been several years since doing the cross country ski thing. (I am a down hill skier of limited and cautious ability) My brother often refers to me, when on the top of a ski slope, as the Statue of Liberty because I stand frozen forever just trying to muster the courage to make my way down the hill. What he doesn't know, is that I'm making sure everyone is out of my way!

On this day, the sun was as bright as can be and the snow glistened. Making our way through the trails was peaceful and strenuous at the same time. I was able to visit with a dear friend and catch up after several years of losing touch. All and all it was a wonderful day of exploring a beautiful winter day in Western Michigan!

If you're looking for a dedicated professional real estate agent in Greater Grand Rapids, MI, including Kent and Ottawa counties, call Mary Kent, Five Star Real Estate @ 616-915-3987 or visit http://www.kentcountyhome.com