West of Grand Rapids MI and in Ottawa County lies Hudsonville, MI. Known as the "Salad Bowl" city because of the large amount of surrounding loamy soil which supports growth of celery, onions, and various truck farming products. Hudsonville is largely a bedroom community with many residents commuting into Grand Rapids or west to the Zeeland and Holland communities.
The Hudsonville Public School District serves approximately 5306 students in 7 elementary buildings, two 6-8 grade middle schools, a freshman campus and the high school with grades 10-12.
A review of the single family home real estate activity in the school district from January 1, 2009-March 31, 2009 reveals the following:
The most significant competition for sellers remains in the $150-250,000 range with approximately a year of inventory given the rate of pending and closed sales in the first quarter.
Copyright 2009 All rights reserved. Sondra TenClay
For the past several days there has been a lot of buzz around town about an "invitation only" meeting being held this morning to announce an event that will change Grand Rapids, MI forever!
Rick DeVos, grandson on Amway co-founder, Richard DeVos, announced this morning that he has established a world wide art competition with a prize to the winner of $250,000. The competiton is simply named...ArtPrize. It is open to both established and emerging artists and will be staged throughout the city. The ArtPrize event will be limited only by the number of artists who register and the number of venues that are offered. Anyone in the city can register a venue, indoor or outdoor, and invite artists to show in their space. The ten artists with the highest votes will be awarded prizes.
I anticipate the excitement to grow as this event begins to take shape. The actual exhibition will take place Sept. 23-Oct. 10th. The general public will be the ones who will actually be voting and will determine the winners. Click here to view a short video about the event
West of Grand Rapids MI and in Ottawa County lies Hudsonville, MI. Known as the "Salad Bowl" city because of the large amount of surrounding loamy soil which supports growth of celery, onions, and various truck farming products. Hudsonville is largely a bedroom community with many residents commuting into Grand Rapids or west to the Zeeland and Holland communities.
The Hudsonville Public School District serves approximately 5306 students in 7 elementary buildings, two 6-8 grade middle schools, a freshman campus and the high school with grades 10-12.
A review of the real estate activity in the school district from Dec 1, 2008-Feb 28,2009 reveals the following:
Absorption rates given the pending sales occuring over the past 3 months activity indicate that in the $50,000-100,000 range there is a 4.5 month supply, $101-150,000 range...an 8 month supply and in the $151-250,000 range there is approximately 24 month supply.
Copyright 2009 Sondra TenClay All rights reserved.
14 miles south west of Grand Rapids is the community of Byron Center MI. The community, formerly a farming area, is growing and experiencing diversification due to the fact that both Highways 131 and M-6 are in close proximity and offer easy access to Grand Rapids, Lansing, the lakeshore and the east side of the state.
The award winning school district of Byron Center Schools serves approximately 3000 students in 6 buildings. There are 3 K-4th grade buildings, one which houses 5/6th grade students, one for 7/8th grades and one high shool building.
A review of real estate market activity from 12/1/08-2/28/09 reveals the following:
Copyright 2009 Sondra TenClay, all rights reserved
The Grandville Public School district is located in Southwest Kent County and overlays the communities of Grandville along with parts of Wyoming, Georgetown Township, Jamestown Township and Walker. With a student population of 5992 students K-12 the district has 8 elementary buildings, a middle school, high school and alternative high school.
A review of the real estate market activity in the school district over the last 3 months reveals the following:
Almost every market in Michigan has become a "Buyers' Market" and because of that I have observed some disturbing behaviors among buyers and the real estate agents that represent them.
Let's set the record straight...if properties are properly priced, in good condition, and show well they will sell! Buyers shouldn't assume that, just because they look at something one day, it will be on the market for days and weeks in the future.
Secondly, Buyers' Agents need to make sure they are representing their clients to the fullest extent. These representatives cannot assume or let their clients assume that time is not a factor in securing a property of interest. Further they should be just as attentive to submitting offers and doing follow-up as they were in a more balanced market.
This past week was a great reminder of these thoughts. I had a luxury home listed at a very competitive price and everyone who saw this property recognized the great value it represented, even in this market. A couple looked at the home a week or two ago and expressed interest. Late last week they visited again with their agent and decided to proceed with an offer. Meanwhile a second party visited the home twice with their agent and we were getting other showing requests.
On Saturday afternoon I received a call from the first buyers' agent who said he had an offer (on behalf of buyers who had seen the property over a week before). When I asked if the offer was written he indicated that it was not. I told him that I would not notify the sellers until I had the offer in hand and encouraged him to get the offer to me as soon as possible so that I could proceed with presenting it to the sellers that evening. He indicated I would have the offer sometime on Sunday afternoon. It never came.... Meanwhile I was notified that the second party had great interest and would be writing an offer.
On Monday morning both agents were notified of the other's stated intentions. By Monday afternoon I had both offers. The first buyers' offer was very low. Both agents were notified that we would be presenting the offers on Tuesday and both were encouraged to let their buyers know that this was a multiple offer situation and therefore they should write their best offers. Both parties did, significantly increasing their offers.
Ultimately a deal was executed with Buyer 2 and sold over list price. Great for the sellers! Not so great for the buyers.
Here's my point...had the first buyers acted in a timely manner they probably would not have had competition to their offer and would have had a better chance at negotiating a deal. Had the Buyers' Agent not been so casual about getting an offer together and in to me there is also the chance that his buyers may have prevailed. Additionally, the second agent included a lender letter and earnest deposit copy with her clients' offer, the first agent apparently didn't feel it necessary even though he knew it was a competitive situation. One happy buyer was represented well while the unhappy buyers were not.
NAR studies indicate that negotiation skills rank highest (98%) in what consumers want and expect from us yet agents fullfill that expectation less than 50% of the time. Is it any wonder that we need to convince consumers of our value?
The attitude that the sellers were desperate, given that the house was vacant, and that no one else was likely to be looking cost these folks a fantastic home at a great price. On so many levels their agent failed to represent them adequately! I'm left wondering if he will have another chance!
Consumers today are all looking for the highest value for their dollars. In a time when real estate values are declining, they are looking even more closely at the value of being represented by a real estate professional. The question then becomes "What is my value?" and what am I really providing in exchange for the revenue received.
For too long consumers and clients have seen us as sales people who try very hard to get a transaction to closing so that we are paid and on our way. We really can't fault the public since many in our industry have believed that ourselves. I always cringe when I hear someone say that they "sell real estate". In reality we are not selling real estate...we are being paid for our time, our knowledge, and our expertise.
My role as a real estate consultant is that of learning the needs, goals and desires of my clients then partnering with them so that they are educated about the process and the market and can make good decisions. We're very quick to give our opinions and input but often we don't spend enough time listening and educating to the knowledge gaps that exist. Often we assume too much, thinking that our cients already know and understand what is very basic to us.
Key words for me to remember as I help folks navigate the sale of a home or the purchase of property are to understand, guide, educate, and invite.
If I am to be providing value then my clients need to believe that I am a partner, a trusted advisor, a skilled negotiator and facilitator as we navigate together through their situation. If I convey those things then my value is clear and my client has been well served.
They were a growing family with a home in town and a desire to stretch out and live out when one day they happened upon the dream place to make that all happen.
A ride just out of town revealed a new neighborhood under development with homesites all over an acre and located in an area of rolling countryside. The best homesite was one at the end of a cul-de-sac and included a shade more than 3.5 acres of rolling terrain which overlooked woods and was landlocked to prevent further development..and it was available!
Their excitment was palatable and grew as they dreamed about the home they would build there. The kids were excited about the proximity to their schools where they were active and involved. She was thrilled with the proximity to her business, shopping and other amenities while he was enthused about the highway access to get him to his office downtown.
All systems became green as they designed a home for their lifestyle with lots of flexibility for changes that would come through the years. A home with over 6500 square feet was built with 5 bedrooms and a beautiful open floor plan which combined dining, family and gourmet kitchen area into one area overlooking the peaceful yard with a private pond and woods. Additionally there was a formal living and dining room for entertaining, a rocking chair porch, gorgeous library and main floor office/work space. The master bedroom suite was placed on the main floor to acommodate later years if needed.
The walkout level was special as well since it was finished with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, living area with beautiful stone fireplace, private laundry and private access to the garage. As the years passed it would acommodatecollege students for the nearby colleges and universities. Always it would provide a place for in-laws or others who might need to be close yet maintain independent living.
As always happens, life changed and the children grew and moved on. The lovely lower level remained unused and it became time for a smaller home. Because they have loved this home and location, this family hopes that another family will find this quiet respite a place for them to make their own memories.
For more information on this home visit www.303WhiteStag.com or call me at 616-293-2981.
I recently was at a luncheon which featured an economist as the guest speaker. Among his very interesting observations and comments he commented that it was too bad that the car industry was in such trouble now because for years they have told us as consumers what kind of car we want to buy (see how that worked out!:. Now ironically, even as they swim in a sea of economic turmoil, they are finally listening to what we really want to buy and beginning to produce those products. Is it too late for them?
As I reflected on that comment I realized that the real estate industry isn't so very much unlike the auto industry. For years we have told consumers how they should buy and sell real estate and have protected the information pipeline to force them to find information and assistance in very limited form. We have been afraid of providing what they wanted for fear of being irrelevant. Now we are finally realizing that consumers are demanding more transparency and access to the data and will go elsewhere to find it if we aren't willing to provide it.
Just as the auto industry is reaping the results of their business practices, we in the real estate industry are as well. Competitors have inundated the internet in attempts to capture those eyeballs and to provide what is wanted. Our practices have caused the consumers to go elsewhere for their source of information.
What we have come to realize is that the information is available in multiple places and consumers know how to find it. Does that make me as a REALTOR® less relevant and important to the transaction? No! Anyone can obtain information but it's the interpretation of that data, the nuances of the neighborhoods and communities and the perspectives I have that create value for my clients as they buy and/or sell property. The consumer needs to be aware that just because the information is available does not make it true or valid in their situation. Through the experience of many transactions I can assist my clients by avoiding the common mistakes, helping them find suitable financing in this difficult financing climate, and keep them informed of market trends and consumer behaviors. My value is still very relevant when I sit at a table with a troubled family trying to work through a potential short sale situation or, worse, a possible foreclosure. No access to data and websites will help that family navigate the troubled waters they will row through in the months and weeks ahead.
Marty Frame of Cyberhomes was recently quoted as saying that only a small percentage of the millions of visitors to real estate portals are actually in the market to buy a home any time in the near future. The takeaway may be that while listings have always been the main attraction for visitors, now those visitors are looking for information and gravitating to those sites that provide the information and make it easy to find. Since buyers begin to explore the real estate world as much as 12 months ahead of their actual search they are taking time to get familiar with the market, finding and returning to the places where the information is most helpful, consumer centric, and easily accessed. No longer are they interested in messages about our individual listings being "shouted" at them....they do not want to be sold....they want to be educated.
The question then remains....are we becoming relevant in time?
The sun was shining and a new year begun so we decided to take in the Richard Avedon exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum this past Saturday. The GRAM is truly a Grand Rapids treasure with something for almost everyone. This particular exibition was facinating because of the technique and style Avedon utilized as well as the subjects chosen, both obscure and famous. We found the museum humming with people both young and old, each enjoying various exhibitions throughout the building.
Outside the streets and sidewalks were filled with folks enjoying the sunshine and attractions nearby. Rosa Park Circle, designed by the famed Maya Lin was packed with skaters of all ages, all able to enjoy the reflection of downtown buildings on a nearby mirrored facade. This downtown attraction was designed with water in various forms...frozen, liquid and vapor...and is a gathering place year round. One can rent or bring their own skates and skate for a minimal fee surrounded by the urban scene. Nearby are coffee shops and restaurants where skaters can warm up with hot chocolate and reenergize.
If you haven't taken time to take a stroll down Monroe Ave. of late you should find the time to do so. Things are ever changing and there's always something new to experience!
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
For the past several days there has been a lot of buzz around town about an "invitation only" meeting being held this morning to announce an event that will change 
Almost every market in Michigan has become a "Buyers' Market" and because of that I have observed some disturbing behaviors among buyers and the real estate agents that represent them.
Consumers today are all looking for the highest value for their dollars. In a time when real estate values are declining, they are looking even more closely at the value of being represented by a real estate professional. The question then becomes "What is my value?" and what am I really providing in exchange for the revenue received.
T
As I reflected on that comment I realized that the real estate industry isn't so very much unlike the auto industry. For years we have told consumers how they should buy and sell real estate and have protected the information pipeline to force them to find information and assistance in very limited form. We have been afraid of providing what they wanted for fear of being irrelevant. Now we are finally realizing that consumers are demanding more transparency and access to the data and will go elsewhere to find it if we aren't willing to provide it. 
Marty Frame of 
The sun was shining and a new year begun so we decided to take in the 
Outside the streets and sidewalks were filled with folks enjoying the sunshine and attractions nearby. 
;)
;)
