Bruce's Blog

Grand Rapids Home near the Medical Mile

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:54:39 -0500

Here is a home with a WALK SCORE of 80 out of 100 according to Walk Score - Find a Walkable Place to Live

What do you think - is walkabilty important? Check out the walk score of where you live here.

This home has had a total makeover including brand new 92+% high efficiency furnace. The exterior is reminiscent of historic homes while the inside has a blend of new and old. Hardwood floors, natural woodwork, newer kitchen with beautiful cabinetry, tile floors, and counter tops. Get away to the luxurious bath with jacuzzi tub/shower. Large parlor with open stairway, living room, and formal dining area perfect for entertaining. Large front porch for connecting with neighbors. Urban dwellers dream located in the Midtown Village, convenient to downtown and highway access.

Welcome to 651 Innes St.

Parlor / Entry with stairs to upper level Dining Room

Realtors get positive view in difficult market at Survival Strategies Summit

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:42:05 -0600

Realtors get positive view in difficult market at Survival Strategies Summit

by Cami Reister | The Grand Rapids Press Friday February 27, 2009, 8:56 PM

Press Photo/Jon M. BrouwerPositive thinking: Jerry Teplitz gives a motivational talk to local real estate agents Friday at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, including using local real estate agent Amy Miller to show the power of positive thinking.

GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP -- Think positive and open your mind to the possibilities of the changing real estate market. And there are possibilities.

That's the message that agents, builders and others connected to the real-estate industry heard Friday at the Survival Strategies Summit put on by the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors.

The event, complete with pith helmets, was designed to equip those in the industry to survive the current market, which is among the worst hit in this economic downturn.

This week alone, the National Association of Realtors announced January sales were the lowest in 12 years. Locally, sales last month were down 26 percent from the year before.

But those attending the summit were having none of that.

"It was refreshing and definitely what we needed in our stressful environment," said Linda DeZeeuw, an agent with Flexit Realty.

"We are bombarded with negativity constantly," she said. "But the market is picking up. I have closings. I have buyers."

Re/Max agent Jack Lensink has been in the business 37 years and said this is the worst he has ever seen it. But he is optimistic, especially after hearing a taped speech at the summit by national economist Alan Beaulieu.

"He gave me a little glimmer of hope," Lensink said.

That glimmer came from Beaulieu's commission.

"Some time in 2009, if there is a piece of property you want to buy, buy it," said Beaulieu, a senior analyst with the Institute for Trends Research, of Concord, N.H.

"In 10 years you're going to look like a genius for having walked through the valley of the shadow of death."

GRAR Chief Executive Julie Rietberg said more than 435 people attended the summit and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

"It wasn't about learning sales techniques," Rietberg said.

"It's about the power of positive thinking ... and to point out the opportunities that exist in a market like this and how best to take advantage of them whether you're a buyer or a seller."

That was the job of real estate expert Jeremy Conaway of RECON Intelligence Services.

He outlined growing market areas during this downturn, including selling to foreign investors, using the Internet even more, creating "economic stabilization packages" for customers, green real estate and expanding in the rental market.

"A significant group of American families are going to be renting," Conaway said.

Being able to rent to them or connect them with investor clients is a growing segment.

"There are some people in this room who are going to make themselves rich on some of these things," he said.

Amy Miller, an agent with Re/Max SunQuest, was more than inspired.

"We needed this," she said. "People begin to think we're going to be in a trough forever.

"We're not. Life is not linear. It never has been and never will be."

Sable announces $15,000 Seller Stimulus Prgram

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:21:59 -0600

Home buyers now have 15,000 great reasons to buy a new Energy Star home in the form of a $15,000 Sellers Stimulus Credit being offered in River Town Run in Grandville, Michigan.

The $15,000 credit is good for a limited time on any to-be-built home purchase in the River Town Run community. "The $15,000 credit offers buyers an opportunity to make some choices such as to reduce the price of an existing home to sell, make additional investments toward upgrades, as a credit for a down payment on a new home, or it can be reimbursed as a cash rebate at closing good toward future mortgage payments", said Bruce Bylsma of Sable Developing.

"We chose the name Seller's Stimulus Credit because it is intended to help those buyers who are concerned about selling their current home before moving into their new home. But there is good news here for first time home buyers and renters as well. This Stimulus Credit opportunity is extended to help them get into the home of their dreams.

A lot has been said about this being the best time to buy but the doors to your dreams have really burst open now with the $15,000 Sable Sellers Stimulus Credit PLUS the $8,000 Federal Tax Credit.

Sable homes are built according to Energy Star standards and include over 2100 square feet of space, central air, seeded home site, Merillat Maple cabinetry, granite island, day light and walk out basements, large master suites, and mail floor laundry. Home prices range in the $140's to $180,000

New Homes - Space, Energy Star Certified, quality construction, AND MORE!

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:19:45 -0500

Is it possible to build a new home that includes the features that buyers want but also includes the things they need but don't know they need it?

Yes! Sable Developing has developed its first two plans that fit this tall order. Both homes are under constuction in Scotsmoor Estates in Caledonia and will be completed by May 30.

There are also two under construction in Rockford and one in Kent City

Investment ameneties:

2 x 6 construction
Eneregy Star Audited - 30 to 40 percent less utility charges, allergies? Outside air stays out, inside air stays in.
Low E Argon gas filled windows
90 plus high efficiency furnace
Green Construction
Granite center island tops
Seeded home site
Central air
white trim and white parsons doors
Maple cabinetry
almost 2200 square feet
both homes in the low $160's INCLUDING HOME SITE

More Space, Less Money, Better Construction!!

Invest in a new home with confidence.

Affordable brand new almost 2200 sq. ft. Energy Star homes PLUS quality construction.

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:21:00 -0500

Is it possible to build a new home that includes the features that buyers want but also includes the things they need but don't know they need it?

Yes! Sable Developing has developed its first two plans that fit this tall order. Both homes are under constuction in Scotsmoor Estates in Caledonia and will be completed by May 30.

Investment ameneties:

2 x 6 construction
Eneregy Star Audited - 30 to 40 percent less utility charges, allergies? Outside air stays out, inside air stays in.
Low E Argon gas filled windows
90 plus high efficiency furnace
Green Construction
Granite center island tops
Seeded home site
Central air
white trim and white parsons doors
Maple cabinetry
almost 2200 square feet
both homes in the low $160's INCLUDING HOME SITE

More Space, Less Money, Better Construction!!

Invest in a new home with confidence.

New Homes - Space, Energy Star Certified, quality construction, AND MORE!

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:40:56 -0500

Is it possible to build a new home that includes the features that buyers want but also includes the things they need but don't know they need it?

Yes! Sable Developing has developed its first two plans that fit this tall order. Both homes are under constuction in Scotsmoor Estates in Caledonia and will be completed by May 30.

Investment ameneties:

2 x 6 construction
Eneregy Star Audited - 30 to 40 percent less utility charges, allergies? Outside air stays out, inside air stays in.
Low E Argon gas filled windows
90 plus high efficiency furnace
Green Construction
Granite center island tops
Seeded home site
Central air
white trim and white parsons doors
Maple cabinetry
almost 2200 square feet
both homes in the low $160's INCLUDING HOME SITE

More Space, Less Money, Better Construction!!

Invest in a new home with confidence.

Friends are Friends Forever

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:53:02 -0500

So often in the hustle and bustle of life and the pressures of our business I seem to switch into my "get to work" mode.

It reminds me of when I took karate classes and we used to joke about "mind over matter", or when I was a Medic and was faced with injuries that normally would make you want to turn and run.

Something deep inside takes over and we are able to separate ourselves from the uncomfortable and do the task at hand. Sometimes almost as if I was an observer rather than the one acutally doing the work.

Today I had two great conversations. One with my wife, the love of my life - Jan, and the other with a dear friend - Duane. I met Jan at a coffee shop, left my phone/PDA in the car and just sat and talked as if there was nothing else in the world. The other was with my friend Duane. We shared stories and what is happening in our lives and our conversartion together ended up being uplifting and encouraging to me and I'm trusting to him as well.

It impresses me how friendship seems like no matter how much time has passed or what is going on in our lives the conversation seems like it never left off.

So as we charge into the Spring Market and enjoy the uptick in sales we currently experience, my hope and prayer is that all of us will keep our proper perspective and cherish the important things in life.

Thank you Jan and Duane for reminding me today what is important!

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

To live as friends

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

Author: Michael W. Smith (Singer and Songwriter)

Wall Street Journal - Michigan in the news...again

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:43:52 -0600

Wall Street Journal February 12, 2008: Page A16

http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120277561232960623.html

States of Opportunity
February 12, 2008; Page A16

An old adage says high taxes don't redistribute income, they redistribute people. For new evidence look no further than migration patterns within the United States, as documented in a new survey by the moving company United Van Lines.

A record eight million Americans -- some 20,000 people every day -- relocated to another state last year. So where are these families headed and why? The general picture is this: Americans are continuing to flee the Northeast and Midwest, while the leading destinations continue to be Southern and Western states.

The United Van Lines study finds that the biggest population loser last year was Michigan, where two families moved out of the state for every new family that moved in. Americans are also fleeing New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Without interviewing the departed, it's impossible to know the reasons for this outward migration. No doubt overall economic prospects, climate, quality of life and housing prices play a role.

But one reason to conclude that taxes are also a motivator is because the eight states without an income tax are stealing talent from other states. They are Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, and each one gained in net domestic migrants. Each one except Florida -- which has sky-high property taxes on new homesteaders -- also ranked in the top 12 of destination states. The nearby table ranks the top five destination and departure states.

Politicians who think taxes don't matter might want to explain the Dakotas. North Dakota ranked second worst in out-migration last year, while South Dakota ranked in the top 10 as a destination. The two are similar in most regards, with one large difference: North Dakota has an income tax and South Dakota doesn't.

Here's another example. The only Pacific Coast state to lose migrant population in 2007 was California, which has the highest state income tax in the nation. This is the continuation of a dismal 10-year performance with nearly one and a half million Golden Staters leaving what was once the premier destination state in America.

Meanwhile, next door, Nevada was second among the states in new families -- and a big percentage of the new arrivals are Californians. Nevada has no income tax. High income Californians can buy a house in Las Vegas for the amount of money they save in three or four years by not paying California income taxes.

One of the few Northeastern states that gained interstate migrants in 2007 was New Hampshire, the only state in New England without an income tax. For the exception that proves the tax rule, we should also mention Vermont, a high-tax state with a big net influx last year. Maybe these folks like the Ben & Jerry's lifestyle, and we also hope they like the government they're paying for.

We invite readers to visit the U-Haul Moving Company Web site (www.uhaul.com), where you can type in a pair of U.S. cities to learn what it costs to move from point A to B. If you want to move, say, from Austin, Texas to Southern California, the moving van will cost you $407 to rent. But if you want to move out of California to Austin, the same van costs $1,831. A move from Dallas to Philadelphia costs $663, versus $2,433 to swap homes in the other direction. The biggest discrepancy we could find was $557 from Nashville, Tennessee to Los Angeles, but the trip costs nearly eight times more, or $4,285, to move to Nashville from L.A.

Our friends on the left say Americans are willing to pay more taxes to get better government services, but their migration patterns reveal the opposite. Governors would be wise to heed these interstate migration trends as they try to cope with what may be one of the worst years in recent memory for state finances. The people who tend to be the most mobile in American society are the educated and motivated -- in other words, the taxpaying class. Tax them too much, and you'll soon find they aren't there to tax at all.

One small reflection on 2007

Bruce Bylsma (Sable Realty / Sable Builders) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:12:22 -0600

2007 has left me with so many thoughts and feelings.

My observations of people during this time have resulted in many conclusions. One of those is that the character of a person always shines brightest in times of trial.

Many of us make new year resolutions. We resolve to treat our selves better by diet, exercise, vacation, or finance decisions. Sometimes we resolve to treat others better, significant other, children, co-workers, etc. Life goes on and through trials and circumstances our resolutions may fall by the way side. The depth of our character determines the breadth of our resolution.

True character is that part of us that continues to move us forward with resolution long after the mood in which we made that resolution has left.