East Grand Rapids real estate open house today from 2-4 at 50 Glenview.  This home is in the “Golden Triangle”, so you get East Grand Rapids schools, but Grand Rapids township taxes. This home is perfect…..and completely updated everywhere. 2-3 bedrooms, 2 baths priced at $238,500….condo type living in your own home. For more information, click here.

Grand Rapids real estate open house today, Sunday April 17th from 1-4, at 707 Village Springs in the community of West Village in Ada.  This is a 5 bedroom ranch with 3 baths and over 3,000 square feet, priced at $399,900. This is the one of the best buys in Ada real estate, Forest Hills schools. For more information, click here.

East Grand Rapids real estate has just been reduced!!! Don’t miss out on this home in the “Golden Triangle”, in East Grand Rapids Schools, Grand Rapids Township taxes!!! This great listing has 2 or 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths has been completely updated. There is a wonderful 4 season room off the back and a huge yard, now priced at $238,500.  Click here for more information.

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.

East Grand Rapids real estate with Grand Rapids taxes will be held open on Sunday April 3rd from 2-4:00pm. This spectacular property is adjacent to the Aquinas College property and sits on 1.3 acres. This home boasts 5 bedrooms, 5 baths and 5,000+ square feet.  This home also offers a 6 car garage, BDR built in 1995 , walkout and a pond in the back yard. I could go on and on, so just come out and take a look. The Sprich Group just dropped the price to $849,900. Click here for more information.

Here is a great listing in East Grand Rapids schools, Grand Rapids taxes. This fantastic property,  110 Sunnybrook,  is adjacent to Aquinas College property. This fine home sits on 1.33 acres and is a BDR built home in 1995. This home has over 5,000 square feet of wonderfully appointed living space, 6 car garage, pond, the list goes on and on. Private,  yet only seconds from Gaslight Village. Price has just been reduced to $849,900. Click on this for more information.

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:

Here is some great information put together by a local lender here in Grand Rapids that I recommend for my buyers and sellers. Kip Doezema, Asst. Vice President and Mortgage loan originator for Chemical Bank in Grand Rapids, has laid out some numbers that will get buyers out there buying a new home. This information will show you that, with rates going up, as they are now, that a rise in interest rates of 1% is the same as a 10% sale price increase. Please see below for further explanation:
Mortgage Numbers for a home in East Grand Rapids:

$250,000 home with 20% down:

Taxes = $5500/yr Insurance = $600/yr

$200,000 @ 5.0% (30 yr fixed) = $1073/mo + 458 + 50 = $1581/mo
$200,000 @ 6.0% (30 yr fixed) = $1199/mo + 458 + 50 = $1707/mo

$275,000 home with 20% down:
Taxes = $6000/yr Insurance = $660/yr

$220,000 @ 5.0% (30 yr fixed) = $1181/mo + 500 + 55 = $1736/mo

Kip Doezema AVP – Mortgage Lender
Chemical Bank – East Paris Branch
kip.doezema@chemicalbankmi.com
4024 Park East Ct. Suite A
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
T: 616.588.7516 / F: 616.588.6361/C: 616.889.0684

Check out this new listing in East Grand Rapids on Bonnell. It is a great spot in East Grand Rapids and has been completely updated.

Why buy real estate in Grand Rapids?
Well, let me tell you why buying a home in Grand Rapids is a very smart decision. First of all, the New York Times ranked Grand Rapids a top ten real estate market for buyers in 2009. Values have dropped over 18% and the median price for a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home in the greater Grand Rapids area for 2009 was just under $152,400. Also, just on a recent Today show episode, Grand Rapids ranked third real estate value for the dollar in metropolitan areas of over 250,000 people. With interest rates still at near record lows and the current tax incentives out there for buyers, it is a great time to buy a home in Grand Rapids.
Now let’s talk about what Grand Rapids has to offer today. We have a wonderful and thriving downtown area, still growing and expanding into new and exciting things. We have numerous top flight restaurants, nightlife and arts and theater. Our conventions are still on the rise with more and more growth in the hotel industry around the city. Grand Rapids is soon to be home to the new Michigan State University Medical School on the Michigan Street medical mile. Some of the most philanthropic people in this town deserve a lot of recognition in being a big part of this plan. Mr.’s Devos, Van Andel, Secchia, Meijer to name a few, have put their time, effort and financial help to help make this happen. Grand Rapidians have hope that this will soon make Grand Rapids a major stop on the medical horizon nationally like other cities across the country, such as The Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and so on.
Lake Michigan, being only 30 miles from the city, seems to be forgotten to some, but this is still a major draw to the city and surrounding areas of Grand Rapids. Many families spend most of their weekend time on the shores of Lake Michigan enjoying the beautiful parks and beaches that west Michigan offers.
Come to Grand Rapids and see what our city can offer you and your family.