5 Reasons Grand Rapids Is a Retiree Haven
Michael Weitzman • July 26, 2015
Grand Rapids has a reputation as a retiree haven, both in the press and in Grand Rapids real estate agent circles. And why not? In addition to being a very affordable area relative to other parts of the nation, Grand Rapids offers great quality of life, including art, culture, and great health care.
As a Grand Rapids real estate agent, I’m always running across people who see Grand Rapids as their ideal place to retire, and for many good reasons. AARP Magazine listed Grand Rapids as one its top 10 places to live a couple of years ago, and it’s also been featured in Where to Retire magazine. What accounts for all this buzz about Grand Rapids?
- Health care – With its famous Medical Mile, Grand Rapids has become well known as a health care magnet. Grand Rapids features three major hospital systems (two of which are ranked nationally), so patients find themselves with many good options.
- Cost of living – Grand Rapids’ cost of living compares favorably to much of the nation. In fact, AARP Magazine’s list looked for communities in which retirees could live comfortably for $30,000 a year, and that was one of the criteria for choosing Grand Rapids.
- Activities – Whether you like the buzz of city life or prefer the scenic outdoors, Grand Rapids has something to offer. Cultural activities abound at venues like Meijer Gardens. Sports buffs enjoy the opportunity to take in a Whitecaps game, a Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game, or an LPGA tournament. Others enjoy proximity to the lake and weekend destinations, a great restaurant scene, bike trails, the free international art competition ArtPrize, and a selection of top-rated craft breweries.
- Communities – The neighborhoods and outlying towns around Grand Rapids offer integrated communities, where neighbors pride themselves on looking after each other.
- Social opportunities – Grand Rapids is known for a high degree of volunteer involvement, and senior volunteer programs through groups like Senior Neighbors provide lots of chances to get involved in the community and give back. Just about every community near Grand Rapids has at least one senior group that offers travel opportunities, enrichment classes, special events, and social centers.
Whatever your interest, Grand Rapids is a great place to consider for retirement. Because Grand Rapids’ housing market remains affordable relative to the rest of the country, Grand Rapids retirees have more money to spend on other activities. Take a look at our home search and allow yourself to imagine the possibilities. And when you’re ready to see what Grand Rapids might offer, contact The Sprich Group.
Photo: John Eisenschenk ( some rights reserved )
When sellers put up a home, there are a lot of factors to consider. However, pricing is very important. Sellers understand that buyers can now research information, and they are now smarter than ever. So, they need to set a reasonable price for their homes. Besides, the initial price differentiates between a painless sale and months of frustration. Here are five common house pricing strategies sellers use.
Buying a home is a significant investment, and it can be an exciting process. You have read about how important it is to get pre-approved and pre-qualified to stand out from the competition. However, when the home appraises for less than the agreed-upon price during the home appraisal, you risk losing your home or your money. Here is a guide on appraisal gaps and how to deal with the difference.
Are you looking to settle in Grand Rapids? Grand Rapids offers a growing economy, low cost of living, excellent health care, diverse cultural options, and award-winning schools. Thus, it was ranked among the top places to live. Given the high demand for homes in Grand Rapids, the real estate market is hot, and sometimes, sellers have multiple offers to consider. So, how do you deal with multiple offer situations as a buyer?
If you are trying to buy a home, you are probably keeping tabs on the real estate market trend. The real estate market is constantly shifting, impacting buyers' purchasing decisions. Thus, buyers are always on the lookout for the perfect time when the prices are low to make a purchase. This guide will help you understand the two markets under real estate and how to tell when the market is shifting.
Are you planning on buying or selling a home? While the forces of housing demand and supply affect the market, so do seasons. The seasonality of the real estate market will vary according to location since each region has its nuance. Read on to understand how spring impacts the real estate market and why spring is the best time to invest in your dream home.
As the spring season approaches, it is time to get your home in order if you intend on selling. The real estate market goes up every spring, making it the best time to take advantage of the market and list your property. Preparing your home for listing could seem like a lengthy process for a first-time seller. If you would like your home to stand out among beautiful listed homes for sale in Grand Rapids, follow these tips.
As the market begins to shift and the interest rates start going up, the best time to make your investment in real estate is now. But where should you invest? - In Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has become a favorite location for many real estate investors due to the competitive housing market and low cost of living.
You plan on selling your home and moving to a new location, but you can’t seem to decide the best town to move to yet. How about Grand Rapids? If you have been waiting for the best time to make an investment in real estate, it's time to make your move. The housing market has begun to shift, and the interest rates are expected to go up soon. So, if you would like your home to sell faster, list your property now for the best deals.
Are you on the lookout for real estate investment opportunities? Have you considered investing in Grand Rapids real estate? With an average population of 200,000 people, Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in Michigan State. The city shows more promise than other cities in the state, making it a prime area for investment. It has the following.
Buying a house is a dream many people would like to accomplish. However, government policies change with the ever-changing real-estate sector and the dynamics of homeowners. Besides finding a suitable mortgage lender, the next considered factor is the interest rate. After the pandemic, the real-estate sector has been significantly affected, and most finance corporations like banks and commercial lenders have lowered their interest to encourage investments. However, a low-interest rate is like stealing money, and a rate between 6 and 8 is a healthy interest rate. Read more about interest rates below.