Karla's Blog

   Every now & then a development comes along that takes you far away from it all, and yet is within a few minutes travel from City life.   Such is Summerset West, situated off 8th Avenue just a 1/4 mile or so south of 44th/Rivertown Pkwy in Georgetown Township, known for low property taxes.   Su...

It just never fails.....I mean we're sure it won't.  Then suddenly it happens, like ice cream on a hot summer day, one tiny little unforeseen virus triggers a major catastrophe - a complete computer meltdown!  Suddenly your computer and all it's valuable information are gone!  You gasp in disbeli...

About 1 1/2 years ago I received a phone call from one of the developers involved in what was then a vision on paper of something unique to be constructed in Jenison Michigan.  In the interview, it was clear to me that the founding partners shared a higher calling, if you will, to provide reside...

New property assessment valuations are due to be out to homeowners in February of every year.  Often when I'm working with sellers and inquire about their assessed values, few understand the meaning of this document and it's relevance to a potential sale of their property.Even more important is u...

Foreclosure sales in January 2008 rose to an astounding 52% of all total homes sold.  Total sales for January faired better than the last 4 months, (since 8/07), and are up 18% from one year ago.  Out of the 983 total sales for January 2008, 513 were homes sold with a short sale or foreclosure st...

I am often asked two questions:  "Do you think the Grand Rapids economy will rebound?  Is Grand Rapids going to make it??"  It is with shock that I look at them and wonder if they've been living here at all."Look up, for your redemption draweth nigh!"   I've been pondering these words lately, and...

Last Saturday night during my bi-annual ladies night out with my gal pal, we decided to venture downtown having not a clue where we'd entertain ourselves for dinner.  Without much thought, staring at the blue lit building, we decided to venture into the newly opened exclusive JW Marriott for a pe...

September brought in the lowest sales numbers to date in the last 4 years, topping out at 877.  Additionally, 28% of these sales (247 homes) were swallowed up by foreclosure and short sale status listings.  This is putting greater pressure on current home sellers to be competitive against this ni...

Michigan is currently #3 state of the US for foreclosures; and the thunderclouds are still rolling through as in Kent & Ottawa counties alone, 463 foreclosures have been posted in the last 30 days per the Grand Rapids Press.  A combination of ugly loans made to less than credit worthy recipients,...