Grand Rapids MI Open House Sunday Feb 1, 2009 3-5 pm - 01/30/09 03:00 PM
… (8 comments)

Wyoming Mi Open House ~ Sunday Feb 1. 2009 12-2 pm - 01/30/09 02:55 PM
… (2 comments)

Grand Rapids MI ~ Watermark Residences Market Report ~ Jan 2009 - 01/30/09 02:17 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 anexcellent grounds staff and a great pro shop staff.
Watermark single … (0 comments)

Grand Rapids MI Absorption Report ~ East Village ~ January 2009 - 01/30/09 02:13 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
… (0 comments)

Grand Rapids Goldfinch Feeding Frenzy - 01/30/09 10:36 AM
This video was taken Wednesday, the weather was about 17
 degrees.  This feeder is right outside our dining room window. 
 If the birds don't get enough protein, it is difficult for them to
 keep warm in this weather.  As you can see, they were busy
 eating sunflower seeds.  It is snowing here today, high of 20
 degrees and the birds are still feeding like crazy.  This feeder
level goes down about 4-5 inches a day----if the squirrels
come, it goes down faster.

 Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2009 ~ All rights reserved
… (0 comments)

Film Set Training Classes For Michigan Workers - 01/30/09 08:41 AM
Grand Rapids Community College Offers Film Training
Michigan is one of the few states courting the film industry with
rebates and tax incentives.  This should bring more film makers
to Michigan in 2009.  In anticipation of the films and film crews
that will be needed to bring these projects to completion,
Grand Rapids Community College is offering 4 different courses
in training for film production.
Basic Film Set Training Film Camera Loader Workshop Introduction to Technical Labor: Electrical Introduction to Technical Labor: The Film Grip These classes run from $125 to $1750 for tuition fees and some may
require some technical … (2 comments)

2009 Top Ranked Schools in Grand Rapids Michigan Area - 01/26/09 03:32 PM
The U.S. News and World Report has published their annual survey of  the
best public high schools across the country.
These top open enrollment schools were placed into gold, silver,
 bronze, and honorable mention categories.
Six public schools in Kent County were mentioned. Two Grand Rapids
inner city schools and  4 Grand Rapids suburban schools were named
in Best High Schools Kent County 2009, all received Silver or Bronze awards.
City High/Middle School East Grand Rapids High School Forest Hills Central High School Lee High School Lowell High School Ottawa Montessori School     
 

Schools are an important consideration when … (3 comments)

Forest Hills Michigan Absorption Report ~ January 2009 - 01/26/09 03:29 PM
Forest Hills is actually a school district in Ada Cascade MI. This market
 is always active. These Grand Rapids suburban communities have wonderful
neighborhoods, some new and some older with Top Ranked Forest Hills Public
 Schools, and private schools, such as Ada Christian & St Roberts that attract
 many home owners. 
 This report will cover the Sept 1, 2008  to Jan 26, 2009 real estate
market activity.
 

 
             Forest Hills MI Listings over $300,000
The absorption rate for Forest Hills MI is 16.23 months, which means if no
new listings come on the market, it will take 16.23 months to sell … (0 comments)

Caledonia MI Absorption Report ~ January 2009 - 01/26/09 02:55 PM
Current Caledonia MI Real Estate Market Report




Absorption rate for Caledonia MI Market is  currently 9.6 months,
which means if no other homes come on the market, it will take
9.6 months for the current inventory to sell at the current
sales rate.

 
There are 133 current active listings, from $60,900 to $1,100,000 in
Caledonia MI.

20 Pending Home Sales, and 77 Sold Homes since July 1, 2008.
 
The current average Caledonia home listed price is much higher
(about $130K) than the average selling price.  This shows
that the upper end of the … (2 comments)

East Grand Rapids MI Absorption Report ~ January 2009 - 01/26/09 02:47 PM
Current Real Estate Market Report For East Grand Rapids Michigan

Absorption rate for East Grand Rapids MI housing market is currently
at 11.29 months, which means if no new listings come on the
East Grand Rapids market, it will take 11.29 months for the existing
home inventory to sell.
 
There are 140 active listings on the East Grand Rapids market now,
ranging from $50,900 to $4,000,000.
 
12 Pending Home Sales w/ prices ranging from $ 48,000 to $ 369,000.
 
87 Sold Homes with sold prices ranging from $ 52,000 to $ 680,000
since July 1, 2008 in … (0 comments)

East Grand Rapids MI ~ Withdrawn - 01/24/09 12:43 PM
East Grand Rapids Michigan 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with updated amenities,
decorated in a soft color palette, with many upgrades and extras could be the
elegant home you return to after your work day. 
 
 
 
This East Grand Rapids all brick home  has been lovingly maintained and kept
up to date in numerous ways. 
A new recreation room with  fireplace, two lower level bedrooms with daylight
 windows and a newer full bath have been added to the lower level. 
 

 
 An extensive deck addition with pergola makes the yard a wonderful place
 to entertain friends and family in East … (2 comments)

Change the Batteries BEFORE This Happens to Your Vacant Home - 01/23/09 04:27 PM
We have a vacant listing. It is a nice listing, clean, neat, 4 bedroom two story
home that I showed last Saturday.  It was a changed house when I showed it
again on Monday.  We had record setting low temperatures here over last
weekend and the batteries failed in the thermostat. 
                         NO HEAT!   
                        Frozen pipes.  

 
Needless to say, I sprinted to the store, bought batteries, and got the furnace
going again.  I also turned off the water to try and eliminate as much damage
as possible.  When the house warmed up, sure enough, a water pipe … (14 comments)

Forest Hills MI Real Estate Market Report ~ Hidden Hills ~ January 2009 - 01/23/09 04:03 PM
Hidden Hills is an established neighborhood of homes off Cascade Road
and 30th Street in Cascade Township, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids. 
Home construction started here in the 1960's housing boom in the Forest
Hills School District and has continued through to today. There are new
homes still being built in this neighborhood.
Mid-size homes with quality construction are the rule, this suburban sub-
division area has been a desirable  place to live in the Grand Rapids home
market for many years. 

 
                          Hidden Hills, Cascade Township
                     Residential Real Estate Market Report
                             ~      January 2009     … (0 comments)

Grand Rapids MI Absorption Report ~ Tamarron Estates ~ January 2009 - 01/21/09 10:31 PM
Cascade Neighborhood Absorption Report
Tamarron Estates is an upscale suburban development with large
wooded lots, walking access to Thornapple Elementary School and
 the Thornapple River Backwaters.  It is located just off of
Thornapple River Drive and Cascade Road in Cascade Township.
 The house styles vary from large, comfortable ranches, traditional
 two stories, to contemporary homes.  Many of the homes were built
 in the late 1970's to the mid 1980's, though there is a new street
that has much newer homes on acreage settings.  Some houses close
to and surrounding this development are in the upper price brackets
 in the Grand Rapids real estate … (4 comments)

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Market Report ~ Caravelle Village ~ January 2009 - 01/21/09 10:26 PM
Cascade Neighborhood Absorption Report
Caravelle Village is an established subdivision built in the late 1960's
 and 1970's just south of Burton Street, east of Kraft Avenue and west
of Cascade Road in Cascade Township.  These Grand Rapids Homes
have the traditional mix of two stories, tri-levels and ranches.  A desirable
place to live with median priced homes, Forest Hills Schools, and close to
28th shopping and restaurants. Originally built by a variety of builders, the
 homes here are quality construction in a safe neighborhood and close to
the historic village of Cascade and 28th Street shopping.

           Caravelle Village Residential Real Estate
                       … (0 comments)

Ada Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ Adatowne ~ January 2009 - 01/20/09 07:00 AM
Adatowne is a popular entry level home market in the Ada area of
the Greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
Part of the appeal is the proximity of Ada Elementary, Forest Hills
Central Middle and High Schools, Ada Christian Schools, St Roberts
School and being close to the village of Ada. Adatowne is an
established subdivision, started in the early 1970's by E.L. Ladd
Builders of Ada.
 I have held many open houses in these new plats
 and sold many of the homes as new construction - to be built.
 
If you doubt the power of your home as an investment, a basic
ranch … (7 comments)

Are You Reading Your RSS Like a Pro?? - 01/19/09 05:03 PM
With all the technology, widgets, flyers, social media hype, it is easy to
overlook the basic tools on the web.  I'm talking RSS.
I subscribe to RSS NEWS FEEDS and blogs because it is the fastest, most
efficient way to see if there is new info out there that I want to read. 
If you haven't investigated or signed up for your news and blogs this way,
I strongly suggest you DO IT NOW!!!



Laura Bergells, on Chief Information Officer blog, has an excellent point by
 point post on WHY and HOW you should use RSS.
RSS feeds not only … (14 comments)

Grand Rapids Township MI Absorption Report ~ Jan 2009 - 01/19/09 04:54 PM
Grand Rapids Township Real Estate Market Report  
 
 
Current Absorption Rate for Grand Rapids Township homes is 13.17 months,
which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take 13.17 months
to sell the existing inventory of homes.
 
74 Sold & Pending Grand Rapids Township Homes since 9-1-08.
There are 195 Active listings currently for sale.
The average List price is $ 316,076.
The average SOLD price is $ 251,415.
 
If you have questions about Grand Rapids Township or Grand
Rapids homes, please contact me directly.
 
Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate - … (0 comments)

Rockford Michigan Absorption Report ~ January 19, 2009 - 01/19/09 04:52 PM





Current Absorption Rate for Rockford Michigan is 18.35 months on
average, which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take
18.35 months to sell current inventory.
The under $200K market is moving faster than the over $200K.
 
345 Active Listings in Rockford MI today.
132 Sold Rockford Homes since July 1, 2008 with high price
at $385,000 and the low price at $50,000.
22 Pending Home Sales since June 30, 2008 to date.
Average Rockford List Price:  $ 245,443
Average Rockford Sale Price: $ 207,554
 
If you have any questions … (0 comments)

Loans that Change Lives ~ Kiva.org - 01/19/09 09:47 AM
If you are feeling the pinch of our current economy, it will give
you a little insight into what some people in our world are coping with
on a daily basis.  I recommend this site and its mission.

Via Bonnie Westbrook Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Marketing (Five Star Real Estate Ada MI):
The January Series is back at Calvin College this month. We have several
talks that we have attended already. Today, we have an offer we are preparing
 and the wind chill is -18 Degrees.  I decided to stay home and listen live to the
1 hour presentation by film … (0 comments)

Calvin College ~ January Series ~ Free Lectures for Our Community & Yours - 01/19/09 09:43 AM
This is a great lecture series available to us and now to many other
communities.  Most of the lectures are recorded and available to listen
 to on the web at your convenience. 
 

Via Bonnie Westbrook Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Marketing (Five Star Real Estate Ada MI):
Calvin College is presenting their 22nd January Series - a liberal education for
the local community. Featuring world class speakers on topical subjects to
enlighten and educate our community.  This effort is underwritten by local
businesses and charities.  The 2009 line up of speakers can be seen here.
 
This year they are … (0 comments)

Kentwood MI ~ Top Home Buys in Condos January 2009 - 01/19/09 09:39 AM
We have gathered a list of the top Kentwood Condo
Homes to buy. Please note that this list can change daily
as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes
come on the market. Check back often or just subscribe
to our blog to get up-to-date local real estate information
that you want to know.


The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot. The
lowest price/Sq Ft range from $34.13 to $63.86  for
 Kentwood Condos.
The lowest list price is $44,100 and the highest list price … (0 comments)

Kentwood Michigan ~ Top Home Buys ~ January 2009 - 01/13/09 03:50 PM
We have gathered a list of the top Kentwood Homes
to buy.  Please note that this list can change daily
as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes
come on the market.  Check back often or just subscribe
to our blog to get up-to-date local real estate information
that you want to know.
 
 
 
The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot.  The
lowest price/Sq Ft range from $30.22 to $57.71 here.
The lowest list price is $24,500 and the highest list price is
$182,635 … (6 comments)

Lowell Michigan ~ Top Home Buys ~ January 2009 - 01/13/09 02:37 PM
We have gathered a list of the top Lowell Houses to buy.
Please note that this list can change daily as some homes
sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.
Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get
up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.
 

 
The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot.  The
lowest price/Sq Ft range from $22.21 to $69.39 in Lowell
Best Buys.
The lowest list price is $19,900 and the highest list … (0 comments)

Rockford Michigan Top Home Buys ~ January 2009 - 01/12/09 06:25 PM
We have gathered a list of the top Rockford Houses to buy. 
 Please note that this list can change daily as some homes
 sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market. 
 Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get
up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.
 

 
The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot.  The
lowest price/Sq Ft range from $35.31 to $74.31 here.
The lowest list price is $54,900 and the highest list price is
$179,999 … (3 comments)

Caledonia Michigan Top Home Buys ~ January 2009 - 01/12/09 06:24 PM
We have gathered a list of the top Caledonia Houses to buy.
Please note that this list can change daily as some homes
sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.
Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get
up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.
 

 
The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot.  The
lowest price per Sq Ft range from $54.34 to $79.93 here in Caledonia.
The lowest list price is $59,900 and the highest … (2 comments)

Forest Hills Michigan Sees Declining Home Values - 01/12/09 02:30 PM
Many experts will tell you that all real estate is local. Just how local
do you get?  I just did a little research for a client this weekend and
thought I would share it with you.  Forest Hills is a strong local market
and homes continue to sell here,  but we have still seen a decline.  Home
values may be stable in one neighborhood and falling in another.
This is all predicated on how badly people want to live in an area.
I did research on an "average home" in Forest Hills.
 

 
The search parameters were:
Forest Hills … (0 comments)

East Grand Rapids MI ~ Top Home Buys ~ January 2009 - 01/12/09 02:23 PM
We have gathered a list of the top East Grand Rapids
Houses to buy.  Please note that this list can change daily
as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes
come on the market.  Check back often or just subscribe
to our blog to get up-to-date local real estate information
that you want to know.
 
 
 
The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot.  The
lowest price/Sq Ft range from $69.74 to $99.95 here.
The lowest list price is $99,900 and the highest list price … (0 comments)

Forest Hills Michigan ~ Top Home Buys ~ January 2009 - 01/12/09 02:15 PM
We have gathered a list of the top Forest Hills Houses
to buy.  Please note that this list can change daily as
some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes
come on the market.  Check back often or just subscribe
to our blog to get up-to-date local real estate information
that you want to know.
 

 

 
The total square footage is noted here, although only the
main floors are used to figure price per square foot.  The
lowest price/Sq Ft range from $54.68 to $74.56 here.
The lowest list price is $79,900 and the highest list … (0 comments)

Grand Rapids Mi Real Estate Market Report ~ The Good News & The Bad News for 2008 - 01/05/09 06:14 PM
Grand Rapids is a large geographic real estate market. The city of Grand
Rapids proper is one market, and the outlying suburbs usually  have a
different sales ratio than the city of Grand Rapids does.  And these different
suburbs were all over  the board in 2008. There were a lot of homes that lost
value and there were a few bright spots where sales were almost up to the
average.  This is really better done, neighborhood by neighborhood, but this
report will give you the "BIG PICTURE" for the Greater Grand Rapids area
real estate market for 2008.
 
 
… (9 comments)

Kentwood Michigan Absorption Report ~ Dec 2008 - 01/05/09 03:46 PM
Kentwood Michigan is a large suburb of Grand Rapids with a population
under 50,000. It has manufacturing, shopping centers, and lots and lots
 of residential housing.  Kentwood Public Schools are one of the largest
school systems in the area with over 9000 students and 16 buildings within
 a 24.25 square mile area.

The downward trend of the last few years in Kentwood home sales has been
continuing this year, with most of the fall due to foreclosures and bank owned
homes flooding the market with homes at bargain prices.  The upper end
homes in Kentwood are sitting on the market, most … (2 comments)

East Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Elegant Lifestyle Available - 01/05/09 08:57 AM
East Grand Rapids Michigan 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with updated amenities,
decorated in a soft color palette, with many upgrades and extras could be the
home you return to after your long work day.  This East Grand Rapids all brick
home has been lovingly maintained and kept up to date in numerous ways. 
 

 
A new recreation room with  fireplace, two lower level bedrooms with daylight
 windows and a newer full bath have been added to the lower level.  And
extensive deck addition with pergola makes the back yard a wonderful place
 to entertain friends and family in East Grand Rapids. … (2 comments)

Cascade Michigan Retreat ~ Too Late! SOLD!! - 01/02/09 01:34 PM
 Are you dreaming of a Cascade home on a wooded setting, yet close to schools,
shopping, and work? Would you like to look out your Cascade bedroom window and see  Bambi and his Mom looking back?
Then you might want to take a look at this unique Cascade home at 7117 Oak Brook SE
with many upgrades and custom built-ins.  Built by a local builder, there are many, many
extras and unusual additions that you just don't see in the average home. Custom
brickwork abounds, 3 fireplaces, a spiral staircase, custom arched pillars in the family
 room and stairwell, stained glass windows, oversized windows that let … (9 comments)

 
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Terry+Bonnie Westbrook Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Real Estate

Grand Rapids, MI

More about me…

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner

Address: 5673 Far Hill Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546

Office Phone: (888) 240-1968 x 0

Cell Phone: (616) 292-7263

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