Here is a great article on msnbc.com about first time home buyers. If you are a first time home buyer in Grand Rapids and need some tips, take a look at this piece. This should help you with some of your questions. Click here:

Make sure that you take the time to shop for your home owners insurance the next time it comes up for renewal.

These are tough times for home sellers. If you’re one of them, it can be tempting to launch into a series of home renovations to make your home more desirable. But be discerning about your choices — certain renovations can actually decrease the value of your home. Money magazine suggests avoiding these four renovations at all costs:

A swimming pool.
If you don’t know this already, a swimming pool is a liability, not an asset. Unless you live in a hot climate; in the Southwest, a pool can increase a home’s value by 11 percent.

Home addition.
Sure, an addition to your home will add inside space. But how will it look from the outside? Many home additions can look boxy or unnatural with the rest of the house.

Trendy finishes.
Don’t fall for the latest style or trend when it comes to renovating. As soon as it’s out of style, it will stick out — and look bad.

A Jacuzzi.
Nothing beats a good soak after a long day. But not everyone loves a giant tub with multiple jets. Instead, try a rain shower head if you want to add some luxury to a bathroom.

How to sell quickly:
With the spring home-buying season fast approaching, panic is setting in among sellers in slowing markets nationwide forced to consider price cuts to unload their properties. The U.S. inventory of unsold homes hit a record 1,066,000 units in January and over 8,800 units in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area currently. In some of last year’s hottest regional markets, inventories are five times higher than a year ago. Buyers are taking a wait-and-see attitude. It’s the nature of buyers to seek a bargain, and if they think prices are going to go lower, they will wait as long as it takes. So, it is time to get aggressive and lower your price to be the best buy in your neighborhood, because, remember, you are going to get the same or better deal when you buy…so don’t wait any longer…it’s time to get aggressive!!!