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 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 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.

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.

The Sprich Group has just listed a great new Grand Rapids real estate listing!! This listing is located at 3422 Stonehollow Ln. In Stonegate Condominiums in Wyoming.This wonderful 2 bedroom/2 bath condo is priced to sell at $74,900.

Ready to find a condo and move in…here you are!! This one is perfect! The main floor consists of foyer and hallway with access to the the spacious living area. The kitchen is well equipped with all the necessities and appliances, large pantry and snack bar. There is a dining area right off the kitchen and a great room follows that with sliders to a deck overlooking a private area with trees. There is a large bedroom and full bath to finish the main level. The Daylight Lower Level Is Finished With A Family Room, Bedroom And full Bath, Storage And Utility Room w/washer and dryer. There is a Courtyard with Shuffleboard, Gazebo, And Play Equipment For The Kids. There is a an access to Kent Trails from the Condominium grounds. No Age Requirement And Pets Are Welcome.

Well, it’s been a long time since we could say this, but the Grand Rapids real estate market is hot!!!

The listing inventory for single family homes and Condominiums  is the lowest for the Grand Rapids real estate board since 2006.  We have a total of 4024 properties for sale. that is down 8% from last year and 11% from 2010.

In East Grand Rapids real estate, there are 83 current active listings, both single family and Condominiums and that number is down from a high of 157 back in 2008.

In the Forest Hills school district, which is Grand Rapids Township, Ada Township and Cascade Township, there are currently 261 properties for sale, that is down from a high of over 372 back in 2008.

In the Rockford school district, there are 270 properties currently listed, that is down from over 390 back in 2008.

In the Caledonia school district, there are 156 properties currently listed, down from over 284 in 2008.

What this all means is this:  With less inventory on the Grand Rapids real estate market, and interest rates at all time record lows of between 3-4% for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage,  homes are selling and buyers are buying.  So, if you are thinking about jumping into the Grand Rapids real estate  market whether it is buying or selling or both, now is the time. Make sure you choose a Grand Rapids real estate agent that has knowledge of the market and has lived in the area for a good portion of his or her life, because knowledge of the area is as important as knowledge of the real estate market.  Prices are still very attractive, but starting to come up a few percentage points every month and locking into a mortgage at today’s rates is something that we may never see again in the next 50 years.

The Sprich Group has just listed a fantastic Condominium in Reeds Crossing in Grand Rapids township, Forest Hills Schools at 3526 Reeds Hills Ct. and is priced at $299,900.

Here is a  Unique Opportunity in Grand Rapids real estate, To Own The Former Model On A Premium Lot With A Hillside, Wooded-view Setting. The Main Floor includes a gourmet kitchen with granite counters and island with sink, large great room with inviting fireplace and built-ins, office/bedroom with french doors, Dining area, sun room and a large master suite with whirlpool tub, walk-in shower, double sinks, granite counter-tops and large private deck. The lower walkout level has a large family room, bedroom,(now used as a pool room), additional interior room, full bath and plenty of storage as well as a screened in porch. Just Turn The Key And Move In – No Work To Be Done.

The Sprich Group has just listed a cute cottage/home on Dickerson Lake.  Here you go, 116 Lakeview listed for $159,900….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 Real estate. 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!