Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Market Report November 2008 ~ The Watermark Residences - 11/25/08 07:44 PM
The Residences at Watermark are located on Watermark Golf
Course just south of Cascade Road. If you don't like golf,
get defensive when a stray golf ball rolls into your "yard" you
probably would be better off not buying a home or condo
at Watermark. Of course you would be missing out on the
best golf course in Grand Rapids (no prejudice here, just
the facts, folks)
Yes, I play Watermark golf course every chance I get. Watermark
is a premier course with a friendly group of players. We have an
excellent grounds staff and a great pro shop staff.
Watermark single family homes and condos make this a … (6 comments)
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Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Market Report November 2008 ~ East Village, Ada MI - 11/25/08 07:28 PM
The East Village subdivision off Ada Drive in Ada Township is a fairly
new development. The new housing construction started in 2005 and
is still continuing to date. You can buy a resale home or a new home
in this centrally located housing development. Near both public and
private schools, East Village is also close to Forest Hills and 28th
Street shopping areas. The Ada Bike or Walking Trail also connects
this area on Ada Drive with the village of Ada, Grand Rapids, and the
village of Cascade.
East Village is also close by the expressway for easy access to many
different parts of our greater … (0 comments)
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My Birthday Adventure......Flying High - 11/21/08 05:07 PM
I recently celebrated a birthday, a pretty significant one, but that isn't what
this post is about. For our anniversary, our family gave us a Helicopter Ride
over Chicago. I flew helicopters in the service in Viet Nam, so I enjoy sight
seeing from an altitude. We would like to share our big adventure with you.
Please turn the sound down on your monitor, the engine whine is pretty loud.
We had to break this into two separate videos because they were too long.
The foliage was gorgeous, Lake Michigan was fairly calm, and if you look
closely, the festivities for Barack … (14 comments)
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Ada Michigan Real Estate Market Report November 2008 ~ Clements Mill - 11/21/08 04:35 PM
Clements Mill is a newer home development built by Eastbrook
Construction in the Ada MI area, started in 1999 and completed in
2003. Apart from newer homes, part of the appeal is the proximity
of Forest Hills Central Middle and High Schools, Forest Hills
Woodlands 5/6 School, St Roberts & Ada Christian Schools, which
are within walking distance.
Clements Mill is midway between the Village of Ada and Forest Hills
shopping area at Cascade Road and Forest Hills.
Ada's Clements Mill has seen steady to declining values in the short
time it has been built out. This is largely due to the current over
… (0 comments)
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Ada MI ~ Stone Falls of Ada ~ New Apartment Complex Update - 11/21/08 03:50 PM
UPDATE: The Stone Falls of Ada Apartment complex has went up fast.
Our last post was in June. The units are up and some are occupied. Not
all units are completed yet. In the short video here, you can see the
approach to Stone Falls of Ada on Spaulding Ave and just how big this
complex is. There was a little excitement a few weeks ago when an empty
unit caught fire, the damage can be seen on our video tour.
I am leaving my original post, so you can the how fast the project has
went up.
… (0 comments)
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Villas of Ada November Update ~ Ada Michigan Condos ~ - 11/21/08 03:20 PM
UPDATE: The Villas of Ada Condos are still under construction in our Ada
neighborhood off Hall St and Ada Drive in Ada Michigan. The bulldozers
are still here but building has begun. The Clubhouse is up and several
condos near it are under construction. The sales office opened this week.
We took a short video of the construction site last week and will post
it here for you to see.
Links to our previous posts about this project can be found below:
Villas of Ada Site Plan Article
Villas of Ada July Update
If you would … (0 comments)
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Ada Township Real Estate Market Report Nov 2008 ~ Flowers Mill & Flowers Crossings - 11/20/08 03:32 PM
Elite executive style homes are what you will find in Flowers Mill and
Flowers Crossing, Ada Township, MI. These custom homes are usually
featured attractions at the local Home Builders Parade of Homes and
receive lots of attention from the public.
Large homes with custom extras, heavily wooded lots on rolling terrain
make this an exceptionally beautiful place to live. Forest Hills Public
Schools are the school district with the new Eastern High School, just a
few miles away. Located off Knapp St, east of the East Beltline, they are
close to Knapp's Corners with its lure of shopping, movies & restaurants
… (0 comments)
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Caledonia Real Estate Market Report November 2008 ~ Crystal Springs - 11/20/08 03:08 PM
Crystal Springs Development in Caledonia, Michigan is a large, residential
suburban housing development that was started in the late 1980's and
most construction was finished in the 1990's although some newer homes
have been built since 2000. There are also a few vacant lots left to develop.
This development covers a large area around the Stonewater Golf Course
at Crystal Springs south of 68th Street to 72nd Street and encompassing
Kalamazoo Avenue on the east and west. This development has single
family homes and condos, many located right on the Stonewater Golf Course.
The public school system is Kentwood, even though the address is … (0 comments)
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Another new US Citizen ~ Welcome to our World - 11/18/08 01:43 PM
Via Bonnie Westbrook Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Marketing (Five Star Real Estate Ada MI):
We have a new US citizen in our family. We are so proud of him. Our
daughter is married to a young man originally from Poland. He arrived on our
shores at the age of ten speaking Polish, German, a little Russian, and
not any English. He had to catch up fast. Luckily for him, he was in a class
of all foreign students, so he was in the same predicament as everyone else.
Flash forward to age 15, high school, lots of teen angst and … (0 comments)
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Ada-Cascade MI Real Estate Market Report ~ November 2008 - 11/17/08 07:15 PM
Ada Cascade MI Real Estate is always active. These Grand Rapids suburban
communities have wonderful neighborhoods, some new and some older with
prestigious Forest Hills Public Schools, and private schools that attract many
homeowners.
This report will cover the July to Nov. 2008 real estate market activity.
Ada Cascade Listings over $300,000
There are 203 Active Ada Cascade Listings in the over $300,000 category with
an average price of $663,276. The Active Listings have been on the market
for an Average of 150 Days. The Average price per square foot of Active
Listings is $207.16 with a low price … (0 comments)
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Department of Justice about to finalize VOW Lawsuit with NAR. - 11/17/08 02:01 PM
During the NAR Meetings in Orlando, Laurie Janick NAR Legal Council
announced the end was in sight for the law suit with the Dept
of Justice that has been going on for three long years.
Now in the final stages of approval, we should have direction for the local
MLS's in the next few days. The local boards of directors will have 90 days
to confirm that their local brokers are in compliance with the new policy.
See Inman news article for more information.
… (0 comments)
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Consumer-Centric Public Access Web Sites - 11/14/08 06:55 PM
Our local MLS is considering enhancing our public web site. In our research
we have found several MLS's have very simple but consumer friendly sites.
Examples:
-www.har.com Houston , Texas
-http://beta.homesdatabase.com/ Virginia and DC area MRIS MLS
-Salt Lake City
-Concord Concord board of Realtors
These are a few examples of the looks we have now. We need to see what
the public likes. Our thoughts are when … (11 comments)
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NAR and Move.com Working on National Database. - 11/14/08 10:48 AM
The last few years NAR has been investigating the possibility of having a
National Data base of all properties in the United States. Filled with
tax information, Insurance documents ( like the Clue report), survey, title
information, anything to do with the subject property. The purpose is to have
a place to go to get all information about a property with one click.
While the project is still in it's infancy, the final product would be available
to members of NAR and not to the public. The MLS Issues and policy
forum heard from Dale Ross who is chair of the RPR (Realtors … (8 comments)
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GVSU Alumni Breakfast - Blake Krueger Talks on Innovation - 11/13/08 04:51 PM
We attended the latest Grand Valley State University Alumni Breakfast Series
this week in Grand Rapids MIchigan. The featured speaker was Blake
Krueger, the CEO of Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. speaking on Global Leadership
through Innovation.
If you aren't familiar with Wolverine Worldwide, they are a local company
based here in Rockford, Michigan. They had annual sales of $1.2 billion
last year as an international marketer of footwear, apparel, and accessories.
They make the popular Hush Puppies, Merrell, Patagonia, Sebago, Harley
Davidson and Cat footwear. The talk was very informative and relevant to
today's global market place. Wolverine Worldwide decided to go global … (0 comments)
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Wyoming MI - Real Estate Market Report ~ November 2008 - 11/13/08 10:31 AM
Wyoming Michigan is a large suburban community of Grand Rapids, MI.
Wyoming MI homes are moderately priced, which should make it an active
market in this economy.
Obviously the lower price levels have affected the average
(low price $54,200 vs high price of $236,835)
I assume some of the lowest price levels are bank owned foreclosures
negatively affecting the market price.
As you can see by the graph pictured below, Wyoming homes listed at a
high price are not selling until the price gets close to the average or below.
188 Wyoming MI Homes Actively on the Market October 2008
… (3 comments)
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Rockford MI ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ November 2008 - 11/13/08 10:28 AM
Rockford Michigan is a quaint little village on the Rogue River.
It is 10 miles from downtown Grand Rapids, with several major
roads that will take you there. There is a state of the art school
public system, many suburban housing developments, and a busy,
vital village with wonderful boutique shopping and every variety of
restaurants. It is also home to Wolverine World Wide, which is the
manufacturer of Hush Puppies, Merrell, Caterpillar, and Harley Davidson
shoes and apparel. You can get a hot dog at The Corner Bar or have an
evening of fine dining at Reds. It is a great place … (0 comments)
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East Grand Rapids MI ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ Nov 2008 - 11/13/08 10:27 AM
East Grand Rapids is a small city, population of 10,784 located just east of
Grand Rapids city limits. It has been a desired place to live in the Grand
Rapids area for many years. East Grand Rapids is primarily residential with
some commercial business areas. Many homeowners are attracted by
Reeds Lake which plays a prominent role in the community, its award
winning public school system, proximity to downtown Grand Rapids,
and its overall small town feeling.
East Grand Rapids is definitely a community that you can walk to school,
the ice cream store, or just around the tree lined blocks to visit the
picturesque lakes, … (0 comments)
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Caledonia Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ November 2008 - 11/12/08 10:59 AM
Caledonia Michigan is a very desirable suburban community to live in
if you work in the Grand Rapids area. The school system is top rated,
the village and surrounding area was rated one of the Top 100 places
to live by Money Magazine in 2005. Caledonia MI is a bit rural
within a short distance of all the city attractions of Grand Rapids.
Example: Caledonia MI is about 6 miles from Gerald R. Ford
International Airport.
Caledonia Real Estate Market Report March ~ November '08
There are 154 active homes for sale in Caledonia November '08
Average active price is $ … (0 comments)
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Is the NAR Proposed Stimulus Plan Helpful to Consumers or Is It Self Serving to our Industry? - 11/12/08 10:55 AM
I attended the NAR Convention in Orlando. During the NAR Board of
Directors meeting we were told of a four point program that NAR Leadership
was going to present to Washington. The plan has 4 basic points:
Make the $7,500 tax credit available to all with no payback Make new loan limits permanent Government assisted lower interest rates Keep banks out of Real Estate.
Lots of controversy on the language at the meeting. In the end after
several attempts to adjust the wording it was passed with the thought that
no matter how much we tweaked the … (7 comments)
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Short NAR Videos from Orlando - 11/10/08 10:31 AM
I was so intrigued by the meetings and the information, I forgot to get
my flip video out and record things. I got a snip of a seminar with
Jeff Turner about social networking......
Then my Grand Rapids Buddies having a serious debriefing meeting.
The dark murky shots of more Grand Rapids attendees at the Universal
experience last nite - Robert Young and his youngun, Scott Hutchinson,
John Westman, Eric Webster to name a few. See if you can make out a
familiar face from last night.
Then we went to Universal Studios Playtime and had a … (2 comments)
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Grand Rapids Michigan ~ An Autumn Curtain Call - 11/09/08 08:11 PM
I know Bonnie posted this just to remind me of the
leaves that are falling in our yard back home. But being here
in Orlando for the Nar Convention, all I have to do is look
at them and admire them from afar.
I'll be home soon.......
Via Bonnie Westbrook Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Marketing (Five Star Real Estate Ada MI):
Michigan autumn is an very colorful time of our year. The lush greens of
summer make way for the crisp, clear firestorm of autumn color here in
Grand Rapids Michigan. The yellows gleam in the sunlight and trees … (0 comments)
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Colorful Michigan Fall Days - 11/09/08 08:02 PM
Fall in Michigan is one big picture of color. The leaves are
raining down inour backyard like coins of gold. They blanket the ground
and anything not moving. With the balmy weather we have been having,
this fall has been picture perfect. Come visit a typical fall day in my
backyard in Grand Rapids Michigan...
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate - Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
Photos by Bonnie Westbrook
… (2 comments)
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NAR Convention in Orlando & Active Rain Party Video - 11/09/08 10:50 AM
A short video with clips from the NAR Orland Convention. They include
the MLS Meeting, General Sesssion, Trade Show, and of course, the
Active Rain Party. It was pretty dark at Hard Rock but I managed to catch
Chris Griffith, Active Rich & Active Brad.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
… (4 comments)
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Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ October 2008 ~ Cascade Lakes - 11/07/08 09:32 AM
Cascade Lakes is a newer, upscale subdivision off Cascade Roadin Cascade
Township near Grand Rapids , MI. Set on wooded lots with rolling terrain,
and lots of privacy, these upscale,executive style homes are close to
Forest Hills Schools, shopping, bike/walking trail, and the village
of Cascade, Watermark Golf Course is just a short jaunt down the
road and downtown Grand Rapids is ten to fifteen minutes away.
Cascade Lakes Residential Real Estate
Market Report October 2008
4 For Sale, 1 SOLD
Cascade Lakes Active Listings: 4
Cascade Lakes Average Active Price - $624,800
Cascade … (1 comments)
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Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Robinettes Farm Market is a Fall Destination - 11/06/08 07:10 PM
Robinette's Farm Market is a favorite Grand Rapids destination for families,
shoppers, sippers, pie aficionados, hay ride enthusiasts, and just plain folks.
We like to sample the wonderful home baked fruit pies, donuts,
bear claws, and other bakery goods. And of course, the fresh apple cider.
In fact, on weekends in season, you can see the old fashioned apple press
at work.
Located at the East Beltline at Four Mile Road in northeast Grand Rapids
Township, Robinette's is a farm market that has diversified to anticipate
their customers needs.
Their newest venture in the big red barn is Robinette Cellars,a wine tasting
cellar, which they have added to … (0 comments)
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Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ October 2008 ~ Forest Hills Gardens - 11/06/08 06:37 PM
Forest Hills Gardens is located between Ada Drive and Hall Street just
west of Forest Hills Central High School in Ada Township. This well
established residential development of about 200 homes was built in
the 1960's and 1970's with a few of the homes bordering on Paradise Lake,
pictured below.
Many of the homes are still occupied by their original owners, though
the neighborhood is starting to turn over with younger families being
attracted to the quiet neighborhood in an excellent location, close to
local public and private schools. It is literally walking distance to
Forest Hills Central Middle and High Schools. Ada … (0 comments)
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Grand Rapids MI ~ Real Estate Market Report October 2008 ~ Forest Hills Plat - 11/06/08 06:12 PM
Forest Hills Plat in Grand Rapids Michigan is a well established
home neighborhood located just west of Forest Hills Drive and
just south of Fulton Street. Built in the late 1950's and 1960's
by R.D. Brooks, this development has a community outdoor pool,
community association, and common park area for residents who
belong to the association. This report also includes The Vineyards,
which is a newer subdivision just north of Forest Hills Plat.
It is in Grand Rapids Township, prestigious Forest Hills Schools, and
close to the I96 Expressway for fast access to many parts of the city.
Just minutes away from the Forest … (0 comments)
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Grand Rapids MI ~ Real Estate Market Report October 2008 ~ Quail Crest Condominiums - 11/06/08 02:44 PM
The Quail Crest Condo development is located west of Spaulding
and north of Burton Street in Cascade Township. There is an
entrance off Spaulding Avenue and off Burton Street. This condo
development was started in the late 1980's and continued building
into the late 1990's.
The condos are spacious with cathedral ceilings and many have
finished lower levels with extra bedrooms and baths. This area
has been very attractive for retirees, as they are close to all the
local amenities and shopping but no house maintenance. Forest
Hills Public Schools are the school district,Watermark Country Club,
Forest Hills & 28th Street shopping are ashort distance away.
The miles of Cascade-Ada … (0 comments)
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Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ October 2008 ~ Centennial Park Condominiums - 11/05/08 03:25 PM
Centennial Park Meadows Condominiums are located just off 28th Street
and Thornapple River Dr. in Cascade, Michigan. The Condos wrap around
the Centennial Golf Course and community.
This private par 70 golf course has plenty of challenges for golfers at
every level. This community also has a clubhouse and restaurant for
members.
We have relocated several clients into this community and they find it a
wonderful place to live. Just minutes from 28th Street & Cascade shopping,
dining and amusements, you are centrally located but tucked away from
the bustle of the area for quiet, serene living and easy access to golf.
Centennial Park … (0 comments)
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Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ October 2008 ~ Cascade Woods - 11/05/08 01:42 PM
Cascade Woods is an established neighborhood of large, executive
style homes in Cascade Township, MI. Most of these homes were
built in the 1960's and 1970's, although there are a few newer
homes that were built recently in the area. Close to the village of
Cascade and the Thornapple River, this heavily wooded area has
been a Grand Rapids desired suburban place to live for decades.
Part of the Forest Hills School District, which draws many families,
there is also the river and it's picturesque appeal. The drive down
Thornapple River Drive between Ada and Cascade in the fall is one
of the prettiest drives in the greater … (0 comments)
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When will America become "Color" blind? - 11/05/08 09:45 AM
I am so tired of the reference that Barack Obama is "Black". He was the
best candidate and I hope we would have elected him if he were any race.
The discussion on his race is historically significant but that is all.
Now he needs to define his Presidency by his actions and decisions. His
race will not and should not influence that. So stop the race discussion and
get to the fact that he was selected by the American voters to be our new
leader in an unprecedented situation. Now it is time to support his actions
and get … (8 comments)
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Ada Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report October 2008 ~ Adacroft Commons - 11/03/08 09:29 AM
Adacroft Commons is a popular home market in Ada for the Grand Rapids
area. Part of the appeal is the proximity of Forest Hills Central
5/6 School, Middle School, High School, St Roberts School & Ada
Christian School, which are within walking distance. Adacroft Commons is
also close to the village of Ada and Forest Hills shopping.
It is an established subdivision, being started in the early 1970's
by E. L. Ladd Builders of Ada, at the same time they were building
in Adatowne. Adacroft Commons homes were required to have a
two stall attached garage and a family room, while … (2 comments)
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Ada Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report October 2008 ~ Ada Moorings - 11/03/08 09:28 AM
Ada Moorings is located off Grand River Drive, just east of Ada
and close to Ada Township Park. A recent development by
Eastbrook Builders, these quality built homes are in Forest
Hills Public School District. Close to the village of Ada and not
far from the village of Cascade,this subdivision is near 28th
Street shopping, the Thornapple and the Grand Rivers.
Ada Moorings Market Report October 2008
4 For Sale, 1 Pending, 7 Sold, 1 Expired
Ada Moorings Active Lisitings: 4
Ada Moorings average active price - $269,900
Ada Moorings average active price /SqFt - $ 128.54
Ada … (0 comments)
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