grand rapids: Innovative Neighborhood Programs Create Opportunities for Grand Rapids, Michigan Home Buyers!
- 02/12/08 10:53 AM
Recently, I sat down for lunch with an engaging, young mortgage professional, Hillary Kooy, to talk about her involvement with the Garfield Park Development Corporation. The Garfield Park Neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan is roughly bounded by Cottage Grove Street to the north, 28th Street to the south, Division and Century Streets to the west, and Eastern Avenue to the east. Garfield Park is an eclectic and diversified neighborhood which is anchored by the historic neighborhood park by the same name. It's a neighborhood which also supports a number of ethnic and minority communities and businesses. The Garfield Neighborhood Association is one of Grand Rapids best … (10 comments)
grand rapids: I Wouldn't Pay Thousands of Dollars for A Half an Hour of Data Entry Either...
- 02/08/08 03:23 PM
I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but sometimes a comment turns itself into a blog post. That's what you get when you blog a lot I guess! So, I decided I might as well make an honest post out of it. The question asked by a potential home seller on Trulia was about Commission...a burning issue in the minds of home owners trying to figure out how to sell their homes these days. Here's my answer to the question about: What's the Average Commission in Grand Rapids, Mi these days? Dear Concerned Homeowner: Thanks for your question. Commission is a significant part … (34 comments)
grand rapids: How to Buy A Luxury Downtown Grand Rapids Condo Without A Tax Bill...Call Lola Audu!
- 02/08/08 09:07 AM
Whether you're driving or walking through downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan...you can't help but feel it. It 's the New Energy which is palpable in the heart of the city. You can witness the resurgence of life in the numerous buildings which have been built or re-furbished in recent years. The new energy can be observed in a simple tangible expression of an activity which had diminished and has now returned...the burgeoning expression of "street life". Witness people walking to various places of business and recreation or streaming from a show at one of the many venues for entertainment. Grand Rapids is experiencing a rebirth...a renaissance of sorts. Originally … (8 comments)
grand rapids: 5 Important Real Estate Trends To Watch in Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate in 2008!
- 02/02/08 01:50 PM
The past 24 months have witnessed some of the most significant Trend Shifts in the real estate marketplace in Grand Rapids, Michigan. These shifts have occurred because of a variety of factors which have ranged from economic issues to emerging new technology. Here's a list of Five Important Real Estate Trends to watch. 1. Absorption Rates There has been a significant increase in homes for sale in the Grand Rapids area. Today, there are almost twice as many homes on the market as there were 4 years ago. What's most important about this trend is the Absorption Rate. This rate is calculated by determining how many months it would … (13 comments)
grand rapids: Repo Parades & Other Signs of the Times...
- 01/30/08 02:27 PM
As the Spring market prepares to heat up, the real estate community will begin a familiar ritual of preparing the latest new offerings for sale to make their debut to the market. The Parade of Homes is one of the most well attended Open House Events for new homes in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. It's a coming out, not unlike a debutante's ball. Prospective buyers, lookers and the simply curious buy tickets and tour maps to see the insides of Grand Rapids latest new home offerings. Builders work diligently to make sure that deadlines are met. Stagers dress the interior with stylish sophistication … (17 comments)
grand rapids: How To Avoid Being Trapped By Your Trade-Up Model!
- 01/28/08 04:35 PM
With interest rates dropping to their lowest levels since 2004, the home equity loan re-finance bug is itching a lot of folks again. As we approach the Spring Market which traditionally swings into full gear around March, home buyers will be able to take advantage of low interest rates and a large inventory selection of homes to buy. If you currently own a home and intend to sell it, it's important to coordinate your transactions properly so you do not find yourself making two mortgage payments. Failing to sell one home before purchasing is a tremendous source of financial hardship to many home owners. There are some … (18 comments)
Letting people know about your Grand Rapids, Michigan Open House is probably the most important goal to accomplish if the event is going to be successful. But once they know, the Next Huge Challenge is making them care! There is an enormous tax on people's time and energy these days. Finding a way to cut through the distractions and engage people in Creative Ways is going to be critically important for home owners who desire to benefit from Open Houses. The Internet has made options possible which were not available before. Through the Internet, we can now have virtual gatherings in which people come together on line for … (14 comments)
grand rapids: F.L.O.W. With Passion...A Neighborhood Story.
- 01/24/08 06:54 AM
Although the Good Neighbor Awards highlight Realtors efforts in the community once a year, they cannot truly capture the full scope of what Realtors are doing in neighborhoods all across the country. This blog post is about one such agent...a lady with Keller Williams in Grand Rapids, Michigan named Michelle Gordon AND a project which is transforming homes and engaging the commitment of volunteers all across West Michigan called F.L.O.W...Friends Landscaping Our World. Michelle moved to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area approximately 7 years ago not knowing anyone. She quickly built up her business and the referrals started coming in. She soon realized … (27 comments)
grand rapids: How Come No One Came To Visit My Open House? (Part 4)
- 01/22/08 01:27 PM
Letting people know about your Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate Open House is probably the most important goal to accomplish if the event is going to be successful in marketing and selling your homes. This is a daunting task in a world where most people are trying to figure out how to NOT to read advertisements. Traditional Vs. Creative Approaches... It is important to use traditional mediums of exposure AND be be Creative in your approach to utilize New Methods to promote your Open House in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Traditional mediums include newspapers advertising, an Open House notification on the real estate board and real estate … (14 comments)
grand rapids: How Come No One Came To Visit My Open House? (Part 3)
- 01/21/08 08:39 AM
*Here's the link to read Parts 1 & 2 of this Series. One of the most unexpected obstacles to potential prospects coming into an Open House is an item which has been your long time alley in marketing your Grand Rapids, Michigan home. Your Real Estate Sign! When Signs Reveal too Much... Sometimes a sign tells a buyer who stops by an Open House too much. For instance, many real estate agents will place a brochure box on your For Sale Sign so that motorist can stop and pick up a brochure with information about your home. While this is great when you don't … (11 comments)
grand rapids: How Come No One Came To Visit My Open House? (Part 2)
- 01/21/08 08:16 AM
This post is a part of a Series. Click here for Part 1How Come No One Came To Visit My Open House? (Part 1) : We continue our exploration of some of the reasons why we observe diminished attendance at Open Houses and possible solutions to aid in Successfully marketing a home in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.Another point to consider is how many images should be shown of the interior of a home. While it's important to have pictures of your home on line, it may be wise to reconsider if it's appropriate to have too many. It is also prudent to … (6 comments)
grand rapids: How Come No One Came To Visit My Open House? (Part 1)
- 01/21/08 07:54 AM
"How Come No One Came to the Open House?" It's a question that haunts the home owner who spent time preparing the house for surprise guests and the real estate agent who invested time and money in advertising and waiting for visitors who never showed up. Open Houses have always had an element of risk associated with them. When you hold your home Open to the public without pre-qualification, you may just be conducting a house tour...not a true marketing activity. Yet, Open Houses are widely regarded by most home owners as an important tool in exposing a home to the local market. In … (5 comments)
grand rapids: Part 3 ~ Exploring The Pros & Cons of Corporate Blogging for Real Estate Brokers & Their Companies...To Speak Or Not To Speak!
- 01/18/08 09:40 AM
Exploring The Pros & Cons of Corporate Blogging for Real Estate Brokers & Their Companies Part 2 ~ Exploring The Pros & Cons of Corporate Blogging for Real Estate Brokers & Their Companies In this series, we've explored some of the pros and cons of blogging and it's implications for Real Estate brokers. We've been reviewing a number of issues highlighted in the book, "The New Influencer's" in which the focus is primarily on corporate blogging. In this last post in the series, we will look at the final three Rules of Engagement that the author Paul Gillin discusses and briefly comment on some applications … (23 comments)
grand rapids: Plating Up Delicous Fare at The Main Dish Kitchen In Grand Rapids, Michigan!
- 01/18/08 09:10 AM
I've passed this place oodles of times on my way to the Schuler bookstore on 28th Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But this time, I decided to call the number on the window 616-464-3222 to see what the Main Dish was all about. Well, I'm glad I did. By the time, the lady on the phone finished describing some of the meal options which were available, I was intrigued enough to turn around my car and pop into the store to see things for myself. The Main Dish Kitchen is a commercial enterprise which allows customers to prepare their own food or to take … (4 comments)
grand rapids: 3 Reasons You Might Consider Using a Discount Broker to Sell Your Grand Rapids, Michigan Home!
- 01/15/08 03:30 AM
Real Estate Commissions continue to be the subject of heated debate and investigation. With good reason. Although the cost of selling a home has edged downwards in recent years and consumers of real estate services have a variety of options to choose from when selecting brokerage services, the challenges involved in successfully selling a home have never been greater. Several years ago home owners who wanted to sell a home could literally stand outside their homes with a sign, if they lived in highly desirable communities, and attract a couple offers. It was a natural reaction for home owners to wonder if they needed … (23 comments)
grand rapids: Keeping Your Eyes On the Ball (Pt 2)...Understanding the Anatomy of a Good Pass!
- 01/12/08 01:02 PM
Over the past decade, I've watched a lot of soccer games and practise sessions. In my previous post, I discussed the importance of Focus in Keeping Your Eyes on the Right Ball. In this article we will explore the Anatomy of A Good Pass. Passing the soccer ball correctly is perhaps the most important skill set that budding soccer players have to master. It is often the Pass, not the shot that enables the scoring of the goal. In soccer terminology, that pass is revered...it even has a special name. It's called an Assist. Passing the ball correctly and accurately allows a good … (14 comments)
grand rapids: Getting The Best Bang For Your Home Improvment Buck in Some Surprising Places...
- 01/11/08 03:18 PM
No one wants to waste money these days! In Grand Rapids, MI where thousands of homes are vying for the attention of a limited pool of buyers, it's even more important to make your home stand out when buyers do come knocking...knowing they'll be knocking on an average of 20-25 homes before they make a decision. I'm often asked about Home Improvements which home sellers would like to make to improve their chances of selling. I've written about advice which I give regarding home staging. But, what about major home improvements? What's the return on your investment if for instance you want … (13 comments)
grand rapids: When Rates Go Down...Smart Buyers in Grand Rapids, MI Start Moving!
- 01/09/08 10:23 AM
Rates are going down. Yippee Yeah! This is Great News For home buyers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. According to a January 9, 2007 article by Inman News, the Mortgage Bankers Association, a trade group for lenders indicates that this past week the Jump in applications for loans was a whopping 32%! This is the highest one week increase for mortgage applications documented within the past 4 years. The increase in mortgage applications is due to the fact that mortgage rates are now lower than 6%. The rate on a 15 year note is now averaging 5.21%. If you've got an adjustable rate mortgage, this is the time to get … (22 comments)
grand rapids: When You've Made a MESS...Clean It UP...Then Figure Out What NOT to Do!
- 01/04/08 11:29 AM
When you consider the fact that a scant 18 ~ 24 months ago, many real estate agents in Grand Rapids, Michigan had never heard the term "Short Sale," it is remarkable that a Search of Listings Currently Active on the Grand Rapids Association of Realtor Multiple Listing Service has 1,217 homes categorized in this way. Almost 40% of Last Quarters Sales Volume(2006) was Short Sale or Foreclosure related. With just over 10,000 Listings, that equates to 1 in 10 Current Listings being a Distress Sale. While, the number of homes in Foreclosure and Short Sale are higher on the East side of Michigan, Western Michigan has … (2 comments)
grand rapids: Congratulations...Rockford Construction Celebrates the Big 20 in Grand Rapids, Michigan!
- 12/20/07 02:25 PM
Just got in from a great Christmas Party at the New JW Marriott. The occasion was the 20th Anniversary and Christmas Celebration for Rockford Construction. The setting was fitting. Rockford Construction was selected along with the Pepper Construction Group out of Chicago to build theJW Marriot, the latest contemporary addition to the Grand Rapids, Michigan skyline! Rockford Construction was established in 1987 by John Wheeler and Michael VanGessel. Today, the company provides "one stop" construction shopping to clients in over 20 States and 450 cities across the United States. But the company still considers West Michigan "home." It is this commitment to the West Michigan … (2 comments)
Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate information including houses for sale, rent and home buyer/seller tips. Also includes wisdom and insights from Lola Audu, CRS Associate Broker.
Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate
Grand Rapids Real Estate
West Michigan Real Estate
Buying A home in Grand Rapids, Mi
Selling Your Grand Rapids, Mi Home
Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grandville, Michigan Real Estate
Relocating to Grand Rapids, Michigan
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