Don's Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

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Real Estate Agent
Articles and Discussion about Grand Rapids and West Michigan Real Estate, Preparing Homes for Sale, Choosing a Realtor, Information about Grand Rapids Area Schools.

ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS

2009 

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!! The IRS has just released a new form (Form #5405) to deal with the new $8,000 tax credit and  it appears buyers WILL be able to claim the credit on their 2008 taxes if they close on a home prior to submitting their 2008 taxes (on or before April 15, 2009). As always, it is b...
02/24/2009
In all of this talk of foreclosures, bailouts, short sales and refinancing, what is sometimes lost is that money spent buying real estate is an investment, and, like any investment,its value can go up or down. Why is the prospect of losing our homes so damaging to our economy but even more devast...
02/22/2009
 There seems to be a great deal of confusion over the $8,000 tax credit for home buyers which President Obama plans to sign into law tomorrow.  Who qualifies for the tax credit?  Is it for anyone or is it limited by income?  Will I be required to repay the tax credit?  When must I buy to get the ...
02/16/2009
4915 Farmview Lane SE (W off 5000 Breton SE to Mapleview to Farmview Lane)  3,200 sq. ft. walkout ranch in move-in condition, 4 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, great room with fireplace and formal dining area, cathedral ceilings, master suite, private bath with Jacuzzi tub, formal living room, family room w...
02/12/2009
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or an experienced real estate investor, the same basics rules apply: Know what you can afford; Know what you are buying; Know what you are offering is accurately written in the purchase agreement. Know what you can afford ... realistically. Unless you are b...
02/12/2009
In today's tough economy, homeowners who have lost equity in their homes as a result of declining values may feel the only way to salvage what is left of their equity is to sell the home themselves and pocket what they would otherwise pay in commission. As real estate agents, we meet those who ar...
02/12/2009
Forgive me if I appear to be stating the obvious, but our free-market economy is based on a delicate balance of supply and demand.  Usually, with minor adjustments to the supply of money, we can maintain that delicate balance.  Not so in the past couple of years.  As the cost of gasoline, heating...
02/04/2009
Help me understand.  Is this idea just too simple to have been overlooked in all of our politicians' discussions about how to solve our real estate crisis? The other day, I showed 10 homes to buyers between $45,000 and $65,000. There were 49 homes on the market available and of those, 41 of the 4...
02/04/2009
Rainer
49,477

Don Phelan

Five Star Real Estate
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Articles and Discussion about Grand Rapids and West Michigan Real Estate, Preparing Homes for Sale, Choosing a Realtor, Information about Grand Rapids Area Schools.