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West Michigan Lake Property-There aren't many people who wouldn't want to live in a West Michigan Lake home. Crockery Lake in Conklin was where I grew up hearing the sounds of peacocks yelling across the lake. Memories of swimming late at night when it was dark are very fond. I was sure the big rubber back turtles were going to come up and eat my toes--they never did but the fish did take an occasional nibble.Or, how about water skiing. At 6 I was being pulled behind a row boat with a motor.

West Michigan Lakefront PropertyThe fact is that memories are made from experiences in Michigan Lakefront Homes and cottages. If you have made those memories and are looking to sell or if you are ready to make those memories and purchase a West Michigan Waterfront Property, please give me a call. As an avid boater and lake person, there couldn't be a better West Michigan Waterfront Realtor to help you! Below you wind find a search tool to help you find the perfect West Michigan Waterfront Home. It is categorized by County.

West Michigan Lakefront Property by Country
Kent County Lakefront Homes Ottawa County Lakefront Homes Allegan County Lakefront Homes
Lake Acres
Angel Lakefront Property 42.5
Austin Lakefront Property  
Bailey Lakefront Prperty  
Barber Lakefront Property  
Bass Lakefront Property 18.4
Big Crooked Lake Lakefront Property  
Big Pine Island Lakefront Property 223
Big Spring Lake Lakefront Property  
Black Lake Lakefront Property 10.1
Blodgett Lakefront Property  
Blue Lakefront Property 49
Bostwick Lakefront Property 221
Brower Lakefront Property 85
Buck Lakefront Property  
Bush Lakefront Property  
Camp Lakefront Property  
Campau Lakefront Property 125.3
Campbell Lakefront Property  
Cedar Lakefront Property 9.4
Cedar Lake West Lakefront Property  
Church Lakefront Property  
Chapin Lakefront Property  
Clark Lakefront Property  
Cobb Lakefront Property  
County Line Lakefront Property  
Cowan Lakefront Property  
Crawford Lakefront Property 33
Davis Lake Lakefront Property  
Dean Lake  Lakefront Property  
Deer Lake Lakefront Property 22.8
Downs Lake Lakefront Property  
Duck Lakefront Property  
Dunlop Lakefront Property  
East Lake Lakefront Property  
Echo Lakefront Property  
Elk Lakefront Property  
Emerald Lakefront Property  
Fisk Lakefront Property 26.5
Grass Lakefront Property  
Green Lakefront Property  
Hanna Lakefront Property  
Hart Lakefront Property  
Hayard Lakefront Property  
Hilton Lakefront Property  
Hopkins Lakefront Property  
Horse Shoe Lakefront Property 45
Hoskins Lakefront Property  
Howard Lakefront Property  
Indian Lakes Lakefront Property  
Laraway Lakefront Property  
Lemunyon Lakefront Property  
Lewis Lakefront Property  
Lincoln Lakefront Property 411
Little Blue Lake Lakefront Property  
Little Bostwick Lakefront Property  
Little Brower Lakefront Property 23.8
Little Muskrat Lakefront Property  
Little Myers Lakefront Property 46
Little Pine Island Lakefront Property 120
Little Wabasis Lakefront Property 38.5
Long Lake Lakefront Property 47.7
Maston Lakefront Property 104
Mead Lake Lakefront Property 20.8
Middle Lakefront Property  
Morse Lakefront Property  
Mud Lakefront Property  
Murray Lakefront Property 320
Muskrat Lakefront Property  
Myers  Lakefront Property  
Palmer Lakefront Property  
Paradise Lakefront Property  
Perrin Lakefront Property  
Pickeral Lakefront Property  
Pine Lakefront Property 56
Porter Lakefront Property  
Quiggle Lakefront Property  
Reed Lakefront Property  
Reeds Lake Lakefront Property 265
Round Lakefront Property  
Sand Lake Lakefront Property 95.5
Sandybottom Lakefront Property 22
Scally Lakefront Property 43.2
Scott Lakefront Property  
Scram Lakefront Property 86.5
Silver Lake Lakefront Property  
Spring Lake Lakefront Property  
Stoney Lake Lakefront Property  
Sunfish Lakefront Property  
Tamarack Lakefront Property  
Tower Lakefront Property  
Truax Lakefront Property  
Twin Lake Lakefront Property  
Twin Lakes Lakefront Property  
Upper Lakefront Property  
Wabasis Lakefront Property  
Walden Lake Property  
Whispering Springs Lakefront Property  
Wilson Lakefront Property  
Wolf Lakefront Property  
Woodbeck Lakefront Property 88
Wood Lakefront Property  
Ziegenfuss Lakefront Property  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Lake Acres
Crockery Lake Lakefront Property 110
Cranberry Lakefront Property  
Fennessy Lakefront Property  
Georgetown Park Lakefront Property  
Kenowa Lake Lakefront Property  
Lake Jabocena Lakefront Property  
Lake Macatawa Lakefront Property  
Little Black Lakefront Property  
Maplewood Lakefront Property  
Mud Lakefront Property  
Pigeon Lakefront Property  
Round Lakefront Property  
Rushmore Lakefront Property  
Sloans Pond Lakefront Property  
Spring Lake Lakefront Property  
Stafford Lake Lakefront Property  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

  West Michigan Lakefront Property-West Michigan Waterfront Homes for Sale                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

 

 

Info from a Grand Rapids Short Sale Agent-What documents do I need to gather for my West Michigan Short Sale?

 

Grand Rapids Short Sales-What Documents do I need?Grand Rapids Short Sales-What documents do I need to gather for my West Michigan Short Sale is a question many people ask.   You have decided you don't want your Grand Rapids Home to Foreclose and have decided a short sale is the way to go.  You have chosen an agent who is experienced in doing short sales in the West Michigan and Grand Rapids area.  Before you call, many like to gather the documents they will need to do their short sale.

You need to understand that the banks want to know EVERYTHING.  They may even ask for your first born—ok I am kidding there but they will want your entire financial history.  Selling your Grand Rapids Home at short sale requires the bank to know everything about how you are sitting financially.  To give them a clear picture of this, you will need to gather several pertinent documents.  Collect the following documents and know you may need to update them regularly.

 

Last two year of taxes-Signed 1040’s with W2’s and any Extensions

Two months Most Recent Bank Statements

Two months Most Recent Paystubs or Proof of Income (Profit/Loss Statement or Unemployment)

Most recent Mortgage Statement (s)

Correspondence Regarding Mortgage Delinquency

 

These are the documents you should already have on hand to do your West Michigan Short Sale—all you will need to do is gather the information.  For some this is easy because they are extremely organized but for others, this is something they will have to work at.

Our next blog will cover what expenses you need to consider and document in order for the banks to consider your Grand Rapids Short Sale.

Copyright © by Tami Vroma  2011* ALL RIGHTS RESERVED *Info from a Grand Rapids Short Sale Agent-What documents do I need to gather for my West Michigan Short Sale? *

 

 

 

I was reading a blog by my friend Alan May called American Idolitry about whether these people really think they could sing.  I just couldn’t resist because my daughter will hopefully be trying out for American Idol someday soon.  So I let Alan be the judge and HE sent her through the first round.

So what do you all think?

 

Lindsey has been singing since she was in Middle School and was in the Show Choir at School.  She took voice lessons when she was in high school but she has taught herself how to play guitar.  She also amazes me how she can figure out a song on the piano.

She is almost 20 now and has been doing some Open Mike Nights in addition to going to college and working at Red Robin.

I know I am a Mom and probably partial, but I think the girl has a set of lungs!

So what’s your vote . . will you send her through the first round and off to Hollywood?

 

The Word HOSPICE Used to Mean it was finally time to camp!

 

Picture of Spotted Saddle HorseIt used to be when I heard the word Hospice it meant spring was here.  That it was time to camp.  It was time to go party at Silver Creek Park in Allegan County at the big Cancer Ride . . . . . . how things change!

{My Horse Scout to the Right}

Since I was a little girl, I have wanted a horse with every bone in my body.  13 years ago I went on a church camp out at Double JJ Ranch and marveled at the horses, wanting so bad to go on the trail ride.  It was so expensive but we did it anyway.  I remember going down the trail and breathing in the smell of the horse.  To this day I wish I could bottle that smell.  Yeah there is always the smell of horse poop but if you nuzzle up against them, you smell heaven and freedom and you feel the wind blowing through your hair.  Even at 31 years old, that need for a  horse was still in my heart.  Some people are just born with the love of horses and I was one of them.

When we got done with the ride there was a lady with our church there mumbling to herself, “I cannot believe I just paid all that money when I have two at home of my own”.  That ladies name was Deb and she changed my life and the life of my family forever.  I told her I would do anything to own a horse and she said “you can come ride mine anytime”.  I swear I was instantly giddy, a 31 year old women with two little kids, and I still could feel my heart pounding.

 I asked her if she was serious and she said “sure”!  My next thought was, I bet she lives a million miles away from me.  I took a deep breath and asked her where she lived.  “Right in Hudsonville” she said “but my horses are boarded out by 72nd and Tyler.”  Wholly cow, that is only like 2 miles away from where I live!

We exchanged numbers and so began my journey with horses.  Now the funny part of this story is my husband’s first words.  “I am not interested in this horse thing just so you know”. 

I rode her son Heith’s horse.  His name was Dakota a six year old bay and I was immediately in love.  Heith was getting older and motorcycles held far more interest than Dakota. Deb invited me to a campout shortly after that.  She referred to it as the “Cancer Ride”.    It was a three hour ride to raise money for Hospice.  It cost $20 to come on the ride and I will never ever forget it.

Little boy holding a saddle bigger than himMy son was very little at that time (picture at left) and he had to ride in the front of the saddle with me.  My daughter (who promptly also got bit by the horse bug) rode behind Deb’s husband on horse called Storm.  Not only was I on a three hour ride with my very not-used-to-saddles-butt but I had my son riding in my lap. I had the time of my life but had never been in so much pain in my life.  Every part of my body hurt when I got home from that weekend.  Especially the part my young son rode on.  I remember lying in bed telling my husband, “Do not touch me-everything hurts!”

Deb offered me a free lease on Dakota which meant he wasn’t mine but I could use him anytime I wanted, but had to pay for his board, ferrier fees, vet fees and all that went with owning a horse.  What you all need to understand is that usually boarding a horse costs about $300 a month.  That is just to have the horse stay there and doesn’t include vet, shots, grain, etc. . . .etc.

But God was definitely there because board at Mel’s was only $60 a month.  I could afford that!!!  I will never forget the first time I went out to Mel’s all by myself.  I got Dakota out and tied him up at the hitching post.  I was literally shaking as I brushed him out as Deb had taught me to do.  All of the sudden birds flew out of the tree, spooked him, he pulled the hitching post out of the ground and took off running through the trees.  Wholly crap I am going to kill Deb’s horse the first time I take it out!

In the back of my mind I remembered Deb telling me I had to be very firm and tell him “quit” when he was doing something naughty.  I had heard her say it a million times so I mustered up all I was and yelled, “QUIT” at the top of my lungs.  Dakota stopped mid step in the middle of the trees.  To this day I can still see the hitching post swinging back and forth hanging from his head.  I went and got him, took off the halter and put him back in the pasture.  It was hilarious!

Large Group of People Sitting OutsideNow that Dakota was mine to take care of,  I would go out every other night to grain him.   Deb would grain him the other days.  My husband, you know the guy who “wasn’t interested in the horse thing”, started coming with me to feed.  Pretty soon he was calling to ask me if I could wait till he could get home to go feed.  Next was, “do you think there is a horse at Mel’s I could ride” and shortly after that was “I want my own horse”.  My husband had got bit by the horse bug.

{Benefit gathering last year-lots of goodies raffled off!}

That was thirteen years ago and we are horse people to the core now.  We still have Dakota or Cody as we call him.  He was my first horse, my husband’s first horse and the love of my daughter’s life.  She is 20 now and has had him since she was 9.  We now own our own place and we look at the horses out our back window.  We have a 3 horse living quarters camper and haul the horses all over. 

We have been going to the Cancer Ride every year for the last 13 years but this year is different because now Hospice will be a part of our life at some point.  My step-dad Sam, the only Grandpa my kids knew for a long time,  was diagnosed with lung Cancer about 6 months ago.  He is terminal but doing remarkably well.  There will be no chemo and radiation will not kill it--it is too far advanced.  Right now we are living in the moment of the gift of time.  The ride this year is different and I want to raise money for Hospice because I love Sam.

Horses at a watering HoleIt used to be when I heard the word Hospice it meant spring was here.  That it was time to camp.  It was time to go party at Silver Creek Park in Allegan County.  All those things are still true.  Spring is almost here but now it is also a celebration that right now the cancer isn’t growing.  It means Sam has had time to mend some fences with his daughter’s that I truly didn’t think could be mended.

{Pic to left- Horses being watered at Benefit Ride last year}

So this year I would love to be the one who raises the most money for the 37th Annual Benefit Ride which benefits Wings of Hope Hospice, Silver Creek County Park, Camp Beechpoint, and Camp Kidwell.

If you could help me reach my goal I would be incredibly thankful and I know Wings of Hope will be able to help more people as they leave this life.  I know there are kids who would love to go to camp but can't afford it and I know it will keep our parks open.

Click this link to dontate Donation Info Here

This benefit raised over $13,000 last year and there were 252 registered riders.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Tami Vrom If you need more information, you can check out the Allegan County Pleasure Riders Facebook page OR feel free to call me 616-209-8626 or email me

Tami (at)GRHomePro.com  I promise I will let you all know if I reached my goal and I will write a blog with pics and videos of the benefit.  Just seeing all the trailers lining the road is amazing!

 

 


 

 

 

 


 

 

West Michigan Home Buyers get a new lease on FHA purhcase with the new 203K loan product. 

Hands helping each other It seems like the only way most first time home buyers buying the Grand Rapids, Mi Real Estate market can buy a house these days is by FHA.  So you take buyers out with the FHA glasses on.  You look for the peeling paint, you look for rails that are too low, electrical that isn't up to par, etc. etc.  You hope you see it all because you certainly don't want them to pay the appraisal fee and then end up not being able to purchase the house.

The other sad thing about the whole situation is all the homes that are not able to be purchased by the average buyer purchasing in the Greater Grand Rapids area.  It just keeps more homes on the market and drives the prices down of the homes that are out there.  Or how about all the people who are needing to short sale thier home West Michigan Home?  They ahve no money for repairs.

All that has changed.  I can not wait to take my first buyer out who can look at a home, see it potential and actually be able to purchase.  So many buyers are willing to make the repairs, burt alas you usually cannot close until thre repairs are done.  So who wants to spend money on repairs without a guarantee of a close.

The FHA 203K is changing all that.  Now a buyer can go out.  Find a home that may need repairs.  Write an offer and immediately meet with a contractor once the offer is accepted.  So let's say someone finds a home on Grand Rapids, MI West side.  The house is perfect except we know it needs a roof.  We write an offer for $70K.  The offer is accepted.  Two days later they meet with a contractor to find out the roof repair will cost $5K.

The $5K is added onto the price of the home so the buyer ends up financing $75K.  The contractor is cut a check at close for half of the money and get the other half when the repairs are completed.

I think this is an incredilbe answere to getting some of the homes off the West Michigan Real Estate market.  What an incredible way to get some of the inventory levels down!  If you a new West Michigan Home Buyer and want to take advantage of this program you can do a West Michigan home search or give me a call for more detai

Copyright © 2011 by Tami Vroma, All Rights Reserved ...*West Michigan Home Buyers get a new lease on FHA Purchases"

 

Hope you are all having a wonderul time celebrating the New Year.  My prayer is for 2011 to be much better than 2010.  I pray that 2011 will bring truth to so many wrongs in 2010.  I pray cancer is held off just a little longer.  I thank God for the health of my childrent and my husband.  I am thankful for my many friends and hope 2011 brings many blessings to them and everyone.  Many Blessings - Life is a Journey, Enjoy the Ride!

 

 

Muskegon River Camping in Newaygo-Vic's Canoes-Salmon Run-NEVER AGAIN!!

Tubeing Muskegon RiverIt's summer again!  In Michigan we look forward to our summer's in a big way.  One of the best ways to spend a Michigan summer in Newaygo is to go tubing or canoeing down the Muskegon River.  We have done it for 14 years and for 14 years we have stayed at Salmon Run Campground at Vic's canoes.  Well we won't be doing that this year and my kids who are now 16 and 18 are so disappointed.

So why aren't we going camping at a place we have been at for 14 years? Why aren't we camping with the other 10 some odd couples, many of whom we met at church?  Simple, last year the owner of Salmon Run Campground had us escorted off by the police.

It would be somewhat rebel like to be able to say this family of four got escorted off Salmon Run Campground for partying to hard--isn't that why most people get kicked out of a campground?  It would be a heck of a story to tell for the guy who runs sound at his church.  It would be fun for these teenagers to say they got in trouble for being to loud.  But no that would not be the story.

So why, you ask, did this family of four, plus a friend, get escorted out of the campground by the police?  Simple, for saying we would tell our story . . . .  so here is what happened.

Last year we arrived at Salmon Run Campground late because my daughter was showing her horse at the Berlin Fair that day.  We arrived around 9 pm.  Since we have three teenagers with us in tents, we always get two sites because our living quarters horse trailer and two tents is just way to tight of a fit in these small sites.  For the last approximately 4 years we have had two sites with our kids in tents on one site and us right next to them.  Our big group usually takes up all of the river sites.  When we arrived, however, there were several sites between us and our children.

Now mind you, the rules at the campground are that all children must have parents present.  The year before, the kids were asked to quiet down and it wasn't even them-it was the site across the street.  So that night the owner asked us to put up the tents all on one site with our big trailer and we would straighten it out in the morning and she would ask someone to move.  I knew that wasn't going to happen because we had ended up with  people between us that weren't in our group.

Morning came.  We went in to talk to the owner. She said the people wouldn't move but we could use the site to park our truck on . . . WHAT!!?!?!!?  There was no way I was paying $30 a night to park my truck.  That would have been $60 a night for parking.  I told the owner there was no way we were doing that--we would keep the tents on our site but we wanted our money back for the other site we weren't using.  She said she wouldn't do that.  Ok this is just wrong.  This was not our mistake it was the campgrounds.  She informed me that it was impossible for them to make a mistake--their computers wouldn't allow it.  Ok now this is seriously commical.  How many of you fine people out there have never had to deal with a computer glitch?

We argued back and forth and I could see that this was going no where so I thought compromise was in order.  I suggested we split the cost and she could give us half our money back.  She said she wouldn't do that unless she could get the site rented.  Ok that is NOT compromise-she would end up ahead in this whole thing.  I wish this was the first time I had heard something like this going on in this office--it wasn't. Over the years I have heard angry customers so we were just one more. 

I said, "you can't do that, it is wrong and unfair especially when these aren't the sites we reserved a year ago".  The owner said, "I can do anything I want, this is a private campground".  I commented to the owner that the days of a business being able to treat customers unfairly without anyone knowing were over.  These days we have the internet where people can speak out and tell their story.  I turned around and walked out the door.

Tubeing Muskegon RiverWe went down the river which is approximately a four hour trip from where we put in.  When we got back there was a note on our camper door.  "Come see Annette".  I walked up to the office thinking we had worked something out but what I was told was to get off her campground that no one was going to threaten her.  She handed me $30 and told me to get out.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!  You are going to kick someone out of a campground because they said they would write a blog about what happened to them in their campground?  Someone who had been coming there with their kids for 14 years . . .people who had made their kids pick up every scrap of paper on their site before they left.  Never mind the fact that we had already paid $120--$30 per night for two sites.  We had used one campsite (as directed by her) which would have amounted to $30.  By my calculations we should have gotten $90 back. 

I was stunned.  I walked back to where my sister was camping and told her what happened.  She told me to sit down that they had many run-ins like this with her over the years and that no one would kick someone off for something so stupid.  She said sit down and wait till the guys come back with the tubes and we will walk up there.  In the mean time, after we weren't gone for an hour she apparently went to our camper and knocked on the door.  My daughter said we weren't there and the owner told my daughter that she knew we were hiding in there.  Does this sound crazy to anyone yet?

We were told by someone else in our group that she had been there so my sister walked up there with me and said we were going to work this out.  We were met by the police . . yes I wrote that right.  They were there to escort us off the campground.  My sister couldn't believe it and tried to talk to the owner but she refused to compromise. She was more than willing to kick a patron of 14 years out of a campground for asking for money back for a site she didn't reserve.  Keep in mind kids under 18 are not allowed to camp by themselves in this campground.  She kicked us off because I apparently threatened her by saying I would tell my story in a blog.

So this is my story of what happend at Vic's Canoes-Salmon Run in Grant Michigan.  My kids are so disappointed.  We have been doing this for years-they won't be camping with their cousins and all the kids they have grown up with.

As a side note, when I got home I looked up the check I wrote.  When we write a check there is a carbon.  I looked at the check I had wrote and on it, in the memo section, were the the site numbers we had--they were sites right next to each other.  So much for computers never making mistakes. 

What type of business owers throw away patrons of 14 years--patrons who have brought friends with them who made them more money.  Well you know the story now and who does that.  Like I said . . .  .

Muskegon River Camping in Newaygo-Vic's Canoes-Salmon Run-NEVER AGAIN!!

 

Last week I went to watch a virtual rebar with a group of people in our association. I learned an incredible amount of information but something one of the attendees said took me back. "If you don't have a wide angle camera, I will beat you out of a listing every time!" Great, just what I need to do, spend more money. Having been in real estate a little more than 6 years, I am hear to tell you that after you own equipment for that amount of time, everything starts failing.

In the last 6 months I have had to buy a new printer, laptop, phone, monitor, camcorder and web cam. Then two weeks ago on a Monday, the hard drive went in desktop-my main computer mind you!! I figured I was good. Heck, I had a brand new lap top. Yeah, shouldn't have said that because the mother board went two days later. At least it was under warranty!!!

So to say the least, the thought of spending more money WAS NOT appealing at all! I read all I could find on AR and Google about the cameras and learned that basically the best would be a 10mm, 17mm or a 24 mm and it would be very expensive. But, I didn't know that much about photography and the size of those big body cameras and all those lenses and garbage scared the tar out of me. I hate learning curves and I really didn't want to spend over $600 on a camera. So I kept searching and found something about a new camera Samsung had just put out but all I could find were blogs that this really cool wide angle small camera was coming out. I searched hi and low for it, but couldn't find it.

Samsung TL320 CameraFinally, I decided to look at Samsung cameras and see if they had an equivalent. That was when I figured out they had changed the model number of the camera. It was only $300 and it wasn't a big huge camera--just a little bigger than my Exilm. I ordered it from Amazon and it came with an extra battery, camera case, little tripod and cleaning kit. Honestly, I figured it would probably be going back but I really wanted to try it before I bit the bullet and bought one of those huge cameras.

I took it with me today to Thanksgiving and figured I would have the time to play with it. My step sister's fiance was an awesome help bringing his experience as a past professional photographer. I had brought my old camera so I could compare if there was any difference. Steve steadied his hand against the door frame and took a picture of the front room with my old camera. Without him moving his hand, I slid the new Samsung into his hand so it was in the exact same place.

Back of Samsung TL320 CameraWe were absolutely blown out of the water by the difference. The Samsung took in much more of the room making it look so much better. We also used the back light setting and were very surprised on how well it did. With my old camera, I always tried to take pictures at night to avoid the white wash from the windows. No longer will I have to do that.

The Samsung TL320 is amazing and so easy to use while still being a wide angle lens. It comes in black or silver and it has a rechargeable battery. Apparently the fact that is has an Amoled screen is really awesome according to all the reviews from photographers I read. Honestly, I am clueless on what that means. My only complaint about it so far, is the cord. The electrical plug attaches to a USB end which was really cool. But what is not cool at all, is the fact that the cord they give you is about a foot and half long. After plugging it into my tower, the cord was barely long enough to set it on my desk. To make matters even worse, it has a special end that went into the camera but definitely not a deal breaker.

I would recommend this little camera to anyone, but take a look for yourself. The first picture below is my old camera. The 2nd picture down is the new Samsung. Keep in mind, both cameras were held in the exact same spot. Which agent would you hire?

Picture of a room

 

 

 

Picture of a Room

 


Picture of stained bathtub in West MichiganThanks to Bathmasters, a company that does Bathtub Resurfacing in West Michigan, my bathub looks like brand new.  I wrote a post several weeks back, Bathtub Refinishing West Michigan - Will they be able to make my tub look new again?,  about checking into having my bathtub refinished or resurfaced.  Not only did I need it done myself (as you can see my the picture to the right), but I wanted a viable option to be able to recommend to both my clients who have just purchased homes in West Michigan and those that are about to sell.

When my husband and I started thinking about ripping out our old one piece tub and surround, it sounded daunting.  Although we were fully capable of doing the work ourselves, it was still going to cost money and time.  I started calling around Grand Rapids for bathtub refinishing, a process by which they reglaze the bathtub.  As I explored the possibilities, I found that not only can your refinish a fiberglass bathtub but also ceramic tile, porcelain and counter tops. 

I got quotes from two different companies.  Bathmasters definitely beat everyone in price and they have been around a long time.  My bathtub and surround ran $450 which is well below the cost to rip the whole shower out and put a new one in.  Bathmasters called me back within the same day and had it scheduled for the next business day. 

Man reglazing a bathtub in West MichiganThey arrived exactly when they said they would at 8:30 am this past Monday.  He immediately started preparing the entire bathroom for the process by making sure everything was covered so as not to get over spray dust on anything.  All my cupboards, counters, toilet and towel bars were all covered.  Even the floor was completely protected.  The process with the tub was started by a very thorough cleaning.  I was concerned because there was some adhesive and also two small chips in the bottom of the tub.  But the chips were repaired and the adhesive taken off.

West michigan bathtub resurfacedHe began spraying the tub at around 10 am with the primer.  I was already excited with just the primer on!!  He then put the non-slip material in the bottom which I am really glad I got.  It was all said and done by around noon and it looked absolutely gorgeous!

This is definitely a much more inexpensive way to go and there is a 5 year warranty!!  If you refinish your bathtub, I would advise you do it before any painting of the bathroom.  If I were to do it again, I would definitely wait until we were going to be out of the house for several days.  We only have one bathroom and we were not to go in the room for at least 24 hours.  Additionally, the fumes are noxious--but well worth it because it looks great!  I am so excited to clean my new bathtub.  Instead of five hours to clean, it will only be 5 minutes.

Now I have to tell my husband we need to paint, get new light fixtures, get new cupboards.  Somehow I don't think my husband will be too happy to have more "honey do's" added to his list.  Thank goodness he is used it.  We do a lot of work ourselves.  You can also read Oak Cabinets with a New Face - Glazed Cabinets are Beautifulabout reglazing our cabinets!

So, If you are looking for someone in West Michigan to refinish your bathtub, I can not recommend Bathmasters high enough!  You can call them today at 800-585-1000.  Tell them Tami sent you!

 

West Michigan Short Sales-If I knew then what I know now about Michigan Short Sale Experts I would have been able to help some really incredible people stop their home from foreclosingI would have been able to put them in the position to purchase a home in 12-18 short months iinstead of years!

I was once told I would never make it in the Grand Rapids Real Estate business because I cared to much.  How can anyone care too much about people?

Many years ago I was referred by a lender to a couple who needed to sell their Rockford home because they could not make their payments.  He said he gave them my number because money was not the driving force in my life.  That was quite a compliment.

House FloatingThe meeting with the couple was heart breaking, to say the very least.  They had six children ranging in age from about 4 to 21.  They all lived in the Rockford house which was immaculately cared for.  The distress in their eyes was evident as they told the story of how they came to own the home.  Too many people in cahoots including a lender that dropped the bomb on them at close that there were two loans.  They wanted to back out but were told there would be lawsuits.

With all my heart, I wished I had been there when this couple purchased the house but it was too late for that and they were in serious trouble.  The financial information they gave me was devastating.  There was absolutely no way they were going to be able to sell this house and pay the real estate fees.  They were drowning in debt and this house was the cement block around their neck.  At that time, I didn't even know what a West Michigan Short Sale Specialist was!

Life has taught me that if you pay if forward, you will be given back.  I listed the house taking no commission for myself. 
Even with no commission for myself, the home did not sell.  Even though this home was only a few years old and on over an acre, there were other homes just as nice selling for less.  So many people had lied to this couple and I didn't want to give them false hope, so I told them honestly that there was no reason for me to keep the home listed.  My heart broke for them.  The house foreclosed!

With all that I am, I wish I had known then what I know now about Michigan Short Sales.  If I knew then what I know now, they would probably already be purchaing a home.  Now I count myself among the Michigan Short Sale Realtor Experts that our times have demanded.    There are quite a number of West Michigan short sale homes, but there are a very limited number of agents who really are West Michigan Short Sale Experts.  Not only is it important to have an agent experienced in selling a Greater Grand Rapids Short Sale, but it is also important for buyers to have a West Michigan Short Sale Expert representing them in the sale.

For sellers, it can be extremely difficult to weed through and find an agent who is truly experienced in selling Ottawa County Short Sales and Kent County Short Sales.  What questions should a seller ask to find a West Michigan Short Sale Expert?   See my next blog, West Michigan Realtors Experienced in Short Sales - 6 Tips on How to Hire a Short Sale Agent  to find out what steps you need to take to make the best choice.

Let me know if you would like a West Michigan Short Sale Consultation.  Everything is kept confidential and there will be no pressure--I think  you probably have enough pressure in your life at this moment.  When you fill out the information on to submit a West Michigan Short Sale, I will contact you.  We will go over your situation and I can let you know if I can help.  Please feel free to call if you just want to talk.

Copyright Tami Vroma West Michigan Short Sale -If I knew then what I know now about Michigan Short Sale Experts

 

 

 
 
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Tami Vroma-Realtor Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Grand Haven, MI

More about me…

West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate

Address: 4601 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49401

Office Phone: (616) 209-8626

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Real Estate Blog about Grand Rapids, MI and surrounding areas of: Allendale, Coopersville, Jenison, Rockford, Grand Haven, Holland, Byron Center, Forest Hills and Hudsonville. Your West Michigan Specialist.

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