In today’s real estate world, the job of a Grand Rapids real estate agent has become much easier with the evolution of the internet. Whether you are a Grand Rapids real estate buyer or a Grand Rapids real estate  seller, the amount of information that is available to the public consumer is endless.

If you are a seller, you can visit numerous major real estate websites and punch in your address and in minutes they will give you their estimate of your homes value. In my opinion, those are not very accurate, but it at least gives them a neighborhood guess of value.

If you are a buyer, again, there are many national and regional and personal websites available for people to do their own real estate searches and find homes that fit their criteria without any agents help at all. And that’s where my story starts.

How many of us Grand Rapids real estate agents pick out homes for our buyers to see? Not many I would guess. But, having said that, it is time to get more involved in what you are going to see with your clients. Too many times, I get a phone call from a buyer and they say they have a list of 14-18 homes that they would like to see on a given Saturday. In the past, I would say, ok, I’ll set them up. No longer.  We need to start asking questions. Does this really fit your criteria? Is this home is a neighborhood, because you told me you wanted a neighborhood with lots of kids? Is it too far out of the city?   This home has all of the bedrooms upstairs; you said you wanted a main floor master bedroom. Do you see where I am going with this?

Now comes the more frustrating part of this discussion. When I get a call to show one of my listings, of course set up the showing as requested. Then, after the showing period has ended, wait to hear from the agent, who doesn’t call, doesn’t email, or even leave a business card, have to hound the agent for feedback. Then, finally, when I do get feedback, I get an answer that frustrates me. They say things like, “ It was on a busy street, it was too far out, the home was not in a neighborhood.” All of those things are very apparent to the seller, and should be apparent to the agent showing the houses that day, but he or she didn’t ask any questions when given the list of homes to look by the buyer. The sellers spend a lot of time getting homes ready for showings and then leaving for the showing period, to come home to no business card and useless feedback, if at all.

Grand Rapids real estate agents….it’s time to better communicate with our buyers, our sellers and most of all, our fellow Grand Rapids real estate agents.

The Sprich Group has just listed this great condo in Southbridge. This condo is located at 3910 Merrimack Way just off of Breton Road in Kentwood Schools .

Grand Rapids real estate! Nearly NEW – owner’s have spent much of the time out of state…shows perfectly!!! The high-ceilinged open floorplan is spacious and includes a finished sunroom. There are two full baths on the main level—one is a part of the Master Suite. An office, with french doors, is actually a very versatile space (office, bedroom, tv room??). A fireplace is in the living room-dining room combination – and the all-white kitchen has a breakfast nook as well. The lower level with a full window wall is completely finished with family room, bedroom, full bath. Two car garage, central air, and only 5 years old

The Sprich Group has just listed this fantastic property on the Coldwater river in Caledonia schools at 9400 100th St.

Grand Rapids real estate. One of THE most appealing examples of a beautifully designed home for casual,comfortable spacious living styles. So exceptional in the finest craftsmanship and architectural detail. a creek runs through it 20 wonderful rolling acres with 660 feet on Coldwater Creek..trout fishing! Invite friends to enjoy the fully equipped theatre room–with wall-size screen- and adjacent to the very large Club Room with wet bar . A sauna, bathroom, and bedroom/office also on this great lower walk-out level. The Master Suite,on the main floor, has a fireplace, whirlpool tub, spa jet shower, one of two laundry rooms, walk-in closet, and a circular staircase to the tongue and groove panelled library/study. There are 4 more bedrooms, 4 full baths. A great Chef’s kitchen,all granite and stainless, tons of built-ins. Beautiful hardwood floors, inviting Sun Room, 3 car over-sized attached garage, plus a 44′ x 44′ barn with 4 stalls, electric, water and riding trails.

The Sprich Group has just listed a wonderful new family home in the Crystal Springs area in Gaines Township at 7125 Brooklyn for $159,900.

Don’t miss this wonderfully updated 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Grand Rapids real estate home in The Crystal Springs area just south of 68th Street. This home has been updated throughout. New roof in 2011, new windows, new doors, new slider, new deck, new front porch, new carpet throughout, 8 year old furnace, new hot water heater just to name a few things. The main level has a very nice kitchen with center island and plenty of counter space. There is a formal dining room and family room separated by a 2 sided fireplace. There is a sitting room as well as main floor laundry and half bath. Upstairs, there is a large master bedroom and bath. There are 2 additional bedrooms and a full bath. There is a large basement, ready to be finished. The yard has been maintained with care landscaped very nicely. Come out and see this wonderful Grand Rapids home!!

The Sprich Group has just lowered the price on this nice cottage on a great all sports lake only about 45- 55  minutes from Grand Rapids real estate on Dickerson Lake at 116 Lakeview to $149,900.

Here you go….a home/cottage on a beautiful 250 Acre All Sports lake. Dickerson Lake, sitting almost adjacent to Clifford Lake, just a little north of Greenville. A chance to own a year round cottage about an hour from Grand Rapids. This 3 Bedroom, 1 bath home/cottage on 120 feet of Dickerson Lake Frontage Features A New, Large Lakefront Deck, New Laminate Wood Flooring, A Full 2 Car Garage And A 12′x12′ Storage Shed. The Home Is Located At The End Of The Street Insuring Owner Privacy. The Seller Will Include The Adjacent 60′ X 140′ Lakefront Lot Valued At $35,000, With An Acceptable Offer At Close!

The Sprich Group just lowered the price on this fantastic listing in Rockford schools, at 8365 Rogue Ridge. This home on the north side of Grand Rapids real estate in Rockford is something to see at $249,900.  Immaculate 5 Bedroom, 3+ Bath Home On Over 2 Acres. The spacious main level offers a large living room with a 3 sided fireplace that separates the living room into 2 rooms. There is a large formal dining room, den/office with french doors and main floor utilities. The kitchen is very spacious with wonderful high-end appliances, granite counters, wood floors and a bay window. There are sliders to a screened porch and large deck which has views of the huge back yard and wildlife(Deer, turkey and so on). The Walkout lower level has a large family room, additional bedroom, full bath and plenty of storage. Upstairs, there are 3 large bedrooms a full bath and a very spacious master suite. The master bath has been redone with new granite counters a new walk-in shower with multiple heads. There are 2 Furnaces & Air Conditioning Units / dual zones. A couple more things: Wood Blinds, Generator Hook-up, large kids play equipment that is fenced in, a dog run and underground sprinkling and fencing.

Don’t miss this fantastic 2 unit income property on the NW side of Grand Rapids real estate. This great investment opportunity is at 837 Fourth St. The main floor unit has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, dining room, kitchen and porch. The upper level unit has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen with eating area and a porch. Both units have brand new furnaces, brand new electrical service and the home has new windows, new siding, new roof. There is a 2 1/2 stall garage and extra parking. There is separate utilities set up for both units.

Keller Williams Grand Rapids East has come out with it’s rankings for 2011 Grand Rapids real estate sales.

The Sprich Group was a gold medal winner again in 2011, ranking as one of the top producing teams in the Michigan/Ohio district for Keller Williams.

Tom Sprich, Grand Rapids real estate agent,  ranked #11 out of over 170 agents in Grand Rapids real estate for 2011.

Look out 2012…..The Sprich Group…”Different By Design“!!

The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel just celebrated it’s 30th anniversary in Grand Rapids.  This is just a small depiction that shows  why Grand Rapids is one of the best small/big cities to live in the US.  We have philanthropists, leadership, fantastic communities, concentration on family life, well the list goes on. If you are looking to live in one of the best places in the US, don’t let Grand Rapids real estate pass you by. Check out this video on youtube.com by clicking on the link:                           30th anniversary of the Amway Grand Plaza.

In an article by The Wall Street Journal, Grand Rapids was voted #2 on the top 10 best places to live.

The Grand Rapids real estate market is on the rise and with the endorsement of the Wall Street Journal, it can only get better as we continue to become a bright light in the State of Michigan.

For a look at this article, click on this link, The 10 best places to live in the US.