The Grand Rapids real estate market sales are still behind last years sales according to the Grand Rapids real estate Board, but there is one good reason why….the “home buyers tax credit”.  For a more in depth look at this article by Cami Reister of The Grand Rapids Press, click here.

East Grand Rapids real estate always has been and continues to be a good investment. As real estate values across the country have dropped double digit figures, we here in Michigan have felt some of those same figures. The east side of Michigan has been hit hard with the auto industry issues and their real estate values are down 18 to 30% from the Detroit area north to the Tri-cities,(Flint, Saginaw and Bay City).

Here in western Michigan, we have also had a few down years in real estate values, but not as hard hit as the East side of the state. The greater Grand Rapids area is down about 13 to 19% across the board….but then there is East Grand Rapids.

The East Grand Rapids real estate market has seemed to continue to hold most of it’s value. Yes, there have been some declines in value, but not nearly as significant. Here are some numbers to look at for homes sold in East Grand Rapids in 2008-2010:

2008 average sale price – $254,000

2009 average sale price – $257,000

2010 average sale price – $275,000

So, when you are looking to buy a home in the Grand Rapids real estate market, remember to think long term, as your home is not just what you live in, but it is also a very large investment in your future. What makes East Grand Rapids real estate values so strong over the years? The East Grand Rapids schools, some of the best in the state, Reeds Lake and Fisk Lake,  the parks, Gaslight Village, sidewalks and above all, the community and it’s people.

An East Grand Rapids home has proven over the years to be a great investment and as you can see, continues to be a very good investment in your future.

There will be an open house in the Grand Rapids real estate market at 3770 Ravine Vista in Cross Creek West.  The Sprich Group has this property listed and is having this Condominium open on Sunday April 3rd from 2-4:00 pm. This Grand Rapids Condominium was recently reduced to $214,900. It is one of only a few 2 unit Condominiums in Cross Creek. For more information, click here.

The Grand Rapids real estate market is ready for Spring and here is why.

1. The Grand Rapids Real Estate Board is reporting the lowest inventory of homes since 2005.  That is great news for sellers, as they try to sell their home and  buy a new home. As the Grand Rapids real estate market inventory comes down, prices will go up. This not only will help the Grand Rapids real estate market, but will also help help the Grand Rapids economy in general.

2. Interest rates are still very attractive and still near all time lows. This still makes buying a home  in Grand Rapids very affordable.  Remember, for every percentage point that interest rates go up, it is basically like paying an extra 10% for the home you are interested in purchasing.

3. Many Grand Rapids home sellers have been listed for more than a year and sometimes for more than 2 years. They are ready to deal…which makes buying more attractive.

4. With the economy starting to recover, people are starting to feel better about themselves. This then makes buyers and sellers more apt to get out into the Grand Rapids real estate market and get the Grand Rapids home buying or selling process underway.

5. Grand Rapids real estate has been stagnate or in a decline for 4 years plus. To hear that the Grand rapids real estate market is starting to turn around is good news for everyone…..so buyers, get out there and buy. Sellers, get your home priced right, so you can then be one of those Grand Rapids buyers.

6. Springtime is here. The next 5 months are the busiest in Grand Rapids real estate. You want to be priced right if you are a seller and you want to take advantage of the interest rates and great deals if you are a buyer. So contact your Grand rapids real estate agent and start to make it happen.

Buying  or selling a house in the Grand Rapids real estate market is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life,  so don’t you think you should have the “right Grand Rapids  realtor’ to help you in that decision? If you were going to invest your life savings into the stock market, wouldn’t you spend some time and find what you thought would be the “right investment advisor ” to help you make those decisions? If you were in a court battle , don’t you think you would want the ‘right lawyer” that specializes in your type of legal matter.  Well, the same thing goes for buying or selling a home in Grand Rapids.  I will just go through a few of the reasons why you want the “right realtor’ for your home buying or selling needs.

You want a realtor that sells Grand Rapids real estate for a living, not part time. It is important to find a realtor that is the “main bread winner” in the family. The agent  needs to be  hungry and needs to be a provider  for his or her family.

There are many Grand Rapids area realtors out there that help buyers and sellers in the real estate business on a part time basis or do it between jobs to help subsidize their income. They are not in it for the long term, they are in it to make a quick buck. You want someone that has your long-term lifetime goals in mind. That realtor wants you to come back in the next 5-7 years to buy or sell their next home. Or, hopefully, they will be very happy with their experience with their Grand Rapids real estate agent and will refer that agent to their family and friends. Part time or short-term realtor does not have those long-term goals on their minds. All they are thinking about is $$$$, not the needs of their client.

You want a realtor that has knowledge of the Grand Rapids real estate market. Hopefully, you can find someone that has been a lifelong resident, or a longtime resident of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. That Grand Rapids agent should carry a great deal of knowledge about Grand Rapids area schools, pricing, market, drive times, and other important things that a newcomer to the Grand Rapids area may have trouble finding out. These are very important things to have in your pocket when looking to buy or sell your next home.

You want a realtor that has a strong personal website. Over 88% of all buyers and sellers today are on the internet everyday looking for their next home. If your realtor is not positioned on the internet with a website that feeds to all the national sites, then he is not the realtor for you. His or her website should have their listings on their site, a way to search for homes in the area, information about the area both Grand Rapids  real estate and other  surrounding areas. But, most of all, it should have some pertinent information about his or hers own person. Buyers and sellers should be able to go that site and get a feel for who the realtor is and what his or hers standards are when helping a buyer or seller in the Grand Rapids real estate market.

You want a realtor that works for a “national or international” broker. If you are working with a “local” broker, you again are missing out on the national relocation services that a national firm can offer you as a seller  or buyer. If you are planning on moving out of the area, with a national broker, like Keller Williams, they can refer you to another office of that same firm that has an office in your next destination and offer you the same services that you had here.

The last thing to look for when choosing the right realtor is to choose a realtor that will have time for you….personally. There are many agents that have many other seller’s agents and buyer’s agents working for them. The problem with that scenario is that when you think you have hired that agent that other people talk about, you never get a chance to work with him or her. You may work with someone else from that team or group, and that isn’t what you signed up for.  So, when interviewing Grand Rapids real estate agents, make sure you find out “who” is going to be your agent.

Hopefully, these are all helpful hints for choosing the “right realtor” in Grand Rapids for you when are buying or selling your next home.

In a recent article in the Grand Rapids Press,  according to the Julie Rietberg of the Grand Rapids real estate Board, the inventory of homes for sale in the Grand Rapids real estate market is the lowest since 2005. That is good news for both buyers and sellers. When inventory drops, prices go up and that helps everyone in this economy.  We should see this steady decline in inventory over the next few years as we slowly climb out of this housing mess that we have been in for 3-4 years now.  Take a look at this article and you will see a little more of what the housing market is doing in Grand Rapids. Click here.

Pending home sales increase in the Kent County area in January

In a recent article in the Grand Rapids Press, by Cami Reister, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors have numbers that show the Grand Rapids real estate market in the Grand Rapids area is on the rise. Click here to view the article:

Brand new listing in Grand Rapids township, East Grand rapids schools!! You get the benefit of East Grand rapids schools, and Grand Rapids Taxes in the Golden Triangle. Just click here to see the listing:

Check out this article in the Grand Rapids Press as well as Mlive.com. It speaks about the outlook for Grand Rapids and all of Western Michigan in regard to the real estate outlook for 2011. This article addresses interest rates and the fact that they are still very attractive, open houses, why you should buy a home now, why sell your home now, and how the Grand Rapids real estate market is reacting to the economy.  The article was written by Cami Reister.  Click here to view the article:

This wonderful Grand Rapids Bungalow has reduced it’s price to $79,900!!! This home is priced to sell!! This is a wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage, finished lower level and so on. This home has a new kitchen, great hardwood floors, deck and a possible 4th bedroom in the basement. A great buy in the Grand rapids real estate market! Click here for more information.