Grand Rapids Michigan Cost vs Value Report 2010 - 01/28/10 03:22 PM
The New Remodeling Magazine is out with the annual Cost vs Value Report.
 

 
One of the most common questions sellers and buyers ask me is:
 "Should I remodel  or add on to my house?  
 Is adding another bathroom going to be money I can recoup when I sell?"
 
Even today’s buyers that are buying at 2000 or before price levels, need
to be smart about home improvements if they think they will be moving
 in the next 10 years.  It is always intriguing that some areas of the
country value some home additions more or less than others.
 
This report gives … (14 comments)

Grand Canyon West - Our 2007 Vacation Montage - 01/27/10 04:06 PM
We do get out of Michigan once in a while.  This trip was to Las Vegas NAR Convention in
the fall of 2007.  We put in an extra day and went to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.  The
only trip we could manage time wise was to the West Rim of the Hualapai Nation.
 
The Hualapai ( WALL-uh-pie), the " People of the Tall Pines" have lived in the Southwest
for untold generations.  The Hualapai recently added the massive multi-million dollar
Skywalk to the canyon rim to try and coax tourists to their remote 1 million acre reservation.
About 200,000 … (22 comments)

SE Grand Rapids, Michigan Home - New on the Market- PENDING SALE - 01/25/10 05:13 PM
This solid, quality built home in SE Grand Rapids, Michigan has had lots of updates and
improvements in the last few years.  All you have to do is move in.  The current owners
have done all the work - freshly painted throughout in updated colors, new kitchen
appliances, new kitchenflooring, and lighting has been added along with new countertops. 
A new sliding glass door has been added to the new deck in the back yard.

The large main floor bedrooms have original hardwood flooring, large closets with new
closet organizers and new ceiling fans with lighting.  The living room has … (4 comments)

Rockford Michigan Top Best Buy Homes - January 2010 - 01/24/10 01:52 PM
We have gathered a list of the TOP Rockford  Michigan Houses
to buy, based on price per square foot.   Price per square foot
is a great leveler.  If two similar homes are listed at similar prices,
their price per square foot should be similar.  The price should reflect
the interior finish of the  home.   For example, if it has crystal chandeliers,
marble tile, & a new kitchen, this would be more per square foot than
a home that still has the 1970’s decor and/or is in derelict condition.
 
Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell, prices … (0 comments)

Lowell Michigan Top Best Buy Homes - January 2010 - 01/24/10 01:09 PM
We have gathered a list of the TOP Lowell  Michigan Houses
to buy, based on price per square foot.   Price per square foot
is a great leveler.  If two similar homes are listed at similar prices,
their price per square foot should be similar.  The price should reflect
the interior finish of the  home.   For example, if it has crystal chandeliers,
marble tile, & a new kitchen, this would be more per square foot than
a home that still has the 1970’s decor and/or is in derelict condition.
 
Please note that this list can change daily as some homes
sell, … (1 comments)

Kentwood Michigan - Six Bedroom Home in Bailey's Grove Listed - 01/24/10 10:31 AM
Are you searching for a large, well decorated home in a vibrant community with
lots of character, amenities, and access to a clubhouse and pool membership?
This large, 6 bedroom, 4 bath home located in Bailey's Grove is on the market.
 

The fireplace is lit, the sun is streaming through the windows, Cleo is in her favorite
spot ready for football or movie viewing.

Dining Room has a recessed tray ceiling, buffet inset and architectural pillars to
separate it from the front entry.

The master bedroom has a cathedral ceiling, a large bay window bay  with great … (2 comments)

Kentwood Michigan Top Best Buy Homes - January 2010 - 01/22/10 06:29 PM
We have gathered a list of the TOP Kentowood Michigan Houses
to buy, based on price per square foot.   Price per square foot
is a great leveler.  If two similar homes are listed at similar prices,
their price per square foot should be similar.  The price should reflect
the interior finish of the  home.   For example, if it has crystal chandeliers,
marble tile, & a new kitchen, this would be more per square foot than
a home that still has the 1970’s decor and/or is in derelict condition.
 


 


The total square footage is noted here, although … (4 comments)

East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes - January 2010 - 01/22/10 03:39 PM
We have gathered a list of the top East Grand Rapids Houses to buy
based on price per square foot.  Price per square foot is a great leveler.
If two similar homes are listed at similar prices, their price per square
foot should be similar.  It should reflect the interior finish of the home.
 For example, if it has crystal chandeliers, marble tile, a new kitchen,
this would be more per square foot than a home that still has the
1970’s decor and/or is in derelict condition.
Please note that this list can change daily as some homes sell, prices are
… (0 comments)

Caledonia Michigan Best Buy Homes January 2010 - 01/22/10 02:35 PM
We have gathered a list of the TOP Caledonia Michigan Houses to buy,
based on price per square foot.   Price per square footis a great leveler. 
If two similar homes are listed at similar prices, their price per square foot
should be similar.  The price should reflect the interior finish of the  home.  
 For example, if it has crystal chandeliers,marble tile, & a new kitchen, this
would be more per square foot than a home that still has the 1970’s decor
and/or is in derelict condition.
 
Please note that this list can change daily as some homes
sell, prices are adjusted and … (0 comments)

Top Schools in Grand Rapids Michigan Earn 2010 Awards - 01/22/10 01:44 PM
U.S.News & World Report has published it’s ranking of Top High Schools
in the United States  last month for 2010.  Of the 21,00 schools in the country
considered, Michigan was ranked overall in 26th place, with 864 schools
ranked. 
Of these, 324 were considered eligible for ranking and 75 made Gold,
Silver, or Bronze status.  Twenty were awarded Silver or Gold Rank in
the state and of these, Kent County  had 7 Open Enrollment High Schools
awarded Silver.  Fifty Five high scbools in Michigan were awarded Bronze,
3 in Kent County.
 
 

 
Silver Award Schools:
City High-Middle School … (2 comments)

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes - January 2010 - 01/20/10 09:14 PM
We have gathered a list of the Top Best Forest Hills Houses
(Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot.
Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell,
prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

The homes listed below are probably dated and would need
updating with new carpeting, paint, and kitchen - bath redos
at a minimum to bring them to current market standards.
They might need major repair work done, such as new roofs,
new plumbing, electrical & other major mechanicals.
 
Check back often or just subscribe to our blog … (4 comments)

Forest Hills and East Grand Rapids Michigan Schools Face Large Budget Cuts in 2010-2011 - 01/16/10 03:40 PM
We are on the front lines of property values in Grand Rapids real estate and were
aware that this day would come. We have seen property values fall from 15-30%
in the past  3 years for local communities. ( Read our Blog post about home values)
  The effects of this devaluation still has shock value  for many  living in
 our local areas.  We have watched poorer school districts struggle  to
allocate funding with the financial news from Lansing being dire and
 changing constantly.  It has now started to hit our more affluent areas
and these parents are confused and angry.
 
See comments … (2 comments)

SE Grand Rapids MI Home Just Listed - Sale Pending - 01/14/10 03:36 PM
This sharp bungalow in Mulick Park Grand Rapids Michigan has
just come onthe market. If you are looking for an updated
3 bedroom home with a spacious feeling and a great
neighborhood, you might like to check this one out before
it gets sold.

 
Remodeled kitchen, remodeled bath, new roof, new replacement
windows, new 12 x 16 deck and remodeled upper bedroom have all
been accomplished in the last 2-3 years.
 

 

 
Listed at $ 119,900 – This property is definitely worth a look.
More Photos & Info here
 
 
 
… (5 comments)

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2009 - 01/13/10 08:59 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.

 
Kentwood home sales are still on a general downward trend
in price. Over 1/3 of Kentwood Homes Equity has dissolved in
the last 3 years, according to the current stats.
We are still seeing some price reduction even though activity is high.
 On the good news for sellers, … (4 comments)

East Grand Rapids Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2009 - 01/13/10 12:55 PM
Current Real Estate Market Report For East Grand Rapids Michigan

Absorption rate for East Grand Rapids MI housing market is currently
at 6.3 months, which means if no new listings come on the
East Grand Rapids market, it will take 6.3 months for the existing
home inventory to sell.
There are 111 active listings on the East Grand Rapids market now,
typically a leaner market in winter ranging from $89,900 to $3,600,000.
25 Pending Home Sales
210 Sold Homes with sold prices ranging from $ 25,000 to $ 1,750,000
from Jan 1, 2009 in East Grand Rapids housing inventory.
 
East … (0 comments)

Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Values Report by School District 2007-2009 - 01/12/10 06:24 PM
Real Estate is always local.  Since Grand Rapids is such a large metropolitan
area, the real estate market report for the whole area is not necessarily
indicative of  what is going on in your neighborhood.  The Grand Rapids report
lets you know how we are doing as a  whole, but it certainly doesn't tell you what
 your neighbor just got for his home or what the market prices are in your
neighborhood.
 

To give a logical approach to this report, we have split it up by public
school district.  This is a macro neighborhood  report, not a micro … (2 comments)

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report - Jan - Dec 2009 - 01/12/10 01:08 PM
Forest Hills (Ada Cascade) MI Real Estate Absorption Report
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 2009 real estate market activity, which we have
broken down into 3 separate price categories, which have very different
markets emerging for 2009 totals.

Forest Hills MI Listings $ 500,000+
Not much demand and lots … (0 comments)

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan - Dec 2009 - 01/12/10 12:42 PM
Current Real Estate Market Report Rockford Michigan ~2009
Current Absorption Rate for Rockford Michigan runs from 9.7 months
for lower end homes under $ 185,000, up to over 3  years for the
very upper end of the Rockford market. 


The lower end of the Rockford  market is moving faster than
higher priced homes for 2009.  With interest rates likely to
rise in 2010 and with buyer tax credits disappearing after
the first quarter, long listing times in Rockford will likely
continue into 2010, with a decrease in prices driven down
by weak buyer demand.
202 Active Rockford MI Listings under … (0 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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