If there was  ever a time to buy real estate in Grand Rapids, that time was now!!!  Interest rates are all time historical lows…..4-5% for a 30 year fixed.  We will probably never see interest rates that low again in the next 50 years.

Real estate prices are again at all time lows. The Grand Rapids real estate board came out early this year and said that we were at 1997 prices. You again will not see that for a LONG time.

Buyers are ready to sell. They have been on the market for a long time  and are ready to sell or negotiate.  Many of them have been commuting out of the area and others just need to sell.

Now, the good news is that we have hit rock bottom and are on our way back.  But, Grand Rapids has it’s own swagger and we are on the comeback trail. With the Michigan State Medical School coming to town, the new Medical Mile, the continued resurgence of the downtown area, the Hollywood movie industry shooting movies in Western Michigan and the new jobs coming into our area. These are all things that we as citizens can be thankful for and look forward to a bright future in Grand rapids for years to come. We are also home to the world’s biggest Art contest…Artprize.  ArtPrize is a radically open competition. Open to any artist in the world who can find space. Open to anybody in Grand Rapids, Michigan who wants to create a venue. Open to a vote from anyone who attends.

If you are thinking about buying…selling …or both, this is the time to get involved in real estate. prices are low, money is very cheap and the market is right.

According to Woodtv.com, Grand Rapids may be getting a year round farmer’s market in downtown Grand Rapids.  Grand Rapids continues to enhance their wonderful city with things like this. These are the types of things you find in a much larger city with more and more of these venues in Grand Rapids, this city is becoming the place to be in Michigan!!!! Click here to see the piece at Woodtv.com.

Check out our Keller Williams new website at www.kellerwilliamsgr.com.  This is very good site for information about Grand Rapids real estate, searches, agents, mortgages and so on.

1. Grand Rapids was ranked as one of the 5 most affordable cities to buy a home in the United States.
2. One of the top Health Care communities in the midwest and will be “home” to Michigan State University Medical School in 2011.
3. Downtown Grand Rapids, unlike other cities, is continuing to grow and prosper with more hotels, restaurants and nightlife than ever before!
4. Our public and private schools are some of the finest in the State with many ranked nationally.
5. Our theater, arts and entertainment continues to grow; bring bigger and better venues to Grand Rapids such as Artprize.
6. Many universities and colleges are either based in the greater Grand Rapids area or have satelite campuses here giving you the opportunity to further your education.
7. This contines to be a giving city, as many of the Philanthropists give generously, making Grand Rapids an attractive place to live and raise a family.
8. We have the perfect size city to live…. Not too big and not too small.  Total population of the metropolitan area of Grand Rapids:  Approx.- 500,000.
9. Grand Rapids is only 30 minutes from the beaches of Lake Michigan, 2 hours from Detroit, 2 hours from Chicago and 2 hours from some of the most beautiful northern Michigan countryside you will find.
10. Grand Rapids is host to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a top cultural destination known internationally.

In a recent article in the July issue of The Grand Rapids Magazine there is a ranking of all of the Grand Rapids area school districts. They used many criteria in this ranking system: Head count, State funding, economic disadvantaged, graduation rate, dropout rate, Average ACT scores, MEAP scores, local source revenue, school tax, operation expenditures, instructional expenditures, taxable property value, diversity, “highly qualified” teachers, students per teacher, physical assaults by students, weapons possession, adults with high school diploma, adults with bachelors degree. Click here to see the results: Click here for more results:

We just dropped the price on this wonderful Dean Lake home with over 107 feet of private lake frontage. This Grand Rapids area home, Northview schools, has over 4300+ square feet and has gorgeous views of Dean Lake.

Here are some suggestions and ideas to improve your Grand Rapids home’s appearance and help you prepare to sell your home faster!!!

Throughout the home:

1. Open the draperies, pull up the shades, and let in the sunlight.

2. Create a positive mood.  Turn on all lights, day or night, and install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly.

3. Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge them.

4. If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.

5. Keep your home dusted arid vacuumed at all times.

6. Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well

7. Have a family”game plan” to get the home in order quickly if necessary.

8. Air out your home for one-half hour before showings, if possible.

9. Lightly spray the house with air freshener so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.

10. Put family photos in storage.

11. Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture.

12. Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture.

13. Putty over and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the walls.

14. Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger.

15. Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.

16. Clean all light bulbs and light fixtures to brighten home.

17. Wash all windows, inside and out.

18. Use plants in transitional areas of your home.

19. Make the most of your attic’s potential.

20. Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires.

21. Open doors to areas you want buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, etc.

22. Remove all smoke and pet odors.

23. Repair or replace banisters and handrails.

In the Kitchen:
24. Microwave a small dish of vanilla 20 minutes before a showing and place it in an out of the way place.
25. Highlight an eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner.
26. The kitchen and bathrooms should always be spotlessly clean.
27. Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.
In the Bedrooms:

28. Create a master suite effect in your decorating.
29. Depersonalize bedrooms and decorate in a neutral scheme.
30. Make sure that the beds are made and the linens are clean.
31. Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage.

In the Bathrooms:

32. Do not leave towels around and wipe down the sinks,and shower areas after each use.
33. Re–caulk the tub,  if the caulk is not sparkling white.
34. Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub.
35. Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.
36. Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps.

Outside:

37. Keep the yard mowed, and raked at all times.
38. Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkway, and patio.
39. Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, and  trash from the yard.
40. Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios, and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept, and in good condition.
41. Paint all entrance doors.
42. Make sure the garage door opens easily.  Fix and paint the garage door if necessary.
43. Clean and shine all hardware and accessories indoors and out (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail box, address numbers, etc.)
44. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned.
45. Use a new doormat.
46. Be sure the front doorbell is in good working order.
47. Be sure the front door and screen door works perfectly.

In an article written by CNN/Money.com, Grand Rapids Real Estate market has been named as the #5 most affordable real estate market in the United States. Take a look.

Great Grand Rapids Condominium just listed in Reeds Crossing. This condo is in Forest Hills schools and is 8 years new and feels brand new!!!  Check it out.

If you are interested in learning about what Grand Rapids has to offer, then check out this article written by CNNMoney.com editor Alex Taylor III. It tells you all about the positive change that Grand Rapids has been undergoing for years now and has positioned itself to succeed.