Special offer

Big Rapids, MI Real Estate News

By Bill Myers, Realtor - Cental Michigan
(Century 21 Forward Realty, Inc.)
  Our first annual golf out last August was a success proceed went Digital Mammography for MCMC Foundation.   The outing was in the memory of my brother Fredrick K. Myers who lost his battle with cancer in the winter of 1999.  Next years outing will again be held at Falcon Head Golf Course in the end of August. We are always looking for more golfer and Sponsors.  You can contact me at 231-287-8828 Bill Myers FlexIt Realty.  Check out my web site at www.billmyersrealtor.com  or email me at myers_wm@yahoo.com  
Comments 0
By Randy Ostrander, Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI
(Lake and Lodge Realty LLC )
Ferris Student Homebuying First thing to note is living off campus is not an option for some students. Here is a link to Ferris State University's Residency Requirement page: Ferris Residency Requirements. Having said that this blog is for those who do qualify and are thinking of living off campus. One of your first considerations should be choosing a Real Estate company that is experienced in Student housing needs. Next let's talk about zoning. In Big Rapids there are only certain areas that will allow multiple students living together. The time to find this out is BEFORE you buy a home. Once you have found a house you like I would check with Neighborhood Services (231) 592-4036 and make sure the house is in an area zoned for renting out the extra rooms. Property taxes can also be an i...
Comments 0
By Lynn Afton, REALTOR® Near Big Rapids, MI, Mecosta County
(Greenridge Realty Oakmont)
Homebuyers: If you are planning to buy a home this Spring and claim a Homebuyer Tax Credit, you must be under contract by the end of April, 2010. This means that you only have a little over 3 months left as of this writing to decide on a home to purchase, and jump through all of the financing hoops to be under contract as of the end of April. Please do not wait any longer to start the process. There is no way to know in advance what challenges may arise with the property you choose or the lender's requirements. Because of new laws and new guidelines, lenders are very busy getting their ducks in a row to make the new process as smooth as possible, but there are sure to be some gliches along the way. The sooner you can get the ball rolling, the smoother the process of claiming your up to ...
Comments 0
By Lynn Afton, REALTOR® Near Big Rapids, MI, Mecosta County
(Greenridge Realty Oakmont)
Instead of paying thousands and thousands of dollars in rent or dorm fees for Ferris State University students in Big Rapids, Michigan, many parents opt to purchase an inexpensive home. Many foreclosures do not require much work, and may save parents thousands of dollars in the long run. Usually the student has a roommate or two that pay rent, and sometimes the student (whose parents own the property) actually live almost free! Here is a link to an example of a home less than 15 minutes from campus, for $35,000.  It is a manufactured home needing interior paint and some carpet, on over 2 acres.  4 Bedrooms, 2 baths! Feel free to call me if you would like more information on how to purchase a home such as this.  The key to finding a good one is to have a Realtor working with you directly...
Comments 1
By Lynn Afton, REALTOR® Near Big Rapids, MI, Mecosta County
(Greenridge Realty Oakmont)
If you are interested in purchasing a home on a Land Contract in Big Rapids or the surrounding Mecosta County area, there are investors who are interested in selling homes this way. It used to be, you needed approximately 10% down payment to buy on a land contract.  Right now, if you purchase before next April 30th, there may be investors willing to sell you a home on land contract with very little down initially. Because of the Homebuyer Tax Credit, some investors will write into the contract that you owe them  a balloon payment on a specific date, when it is expected that you will have your Tax Credit in hand. If you qualify, the tax credit is 10% up to $8,000 for first time homebuyers, and up to $6500 for those who lived in a primary residence for 5 of the last 8 years. Primarily thi...
Comments 0
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Many of us look months out to see what our expected sales are going to by by month, week and day. Seems like a bit of over anxiousness....in reality it is just business management. Every November I can count on a surge in sales calls.  It is like clockwork.  How can I plan so precisely? Simple, we have dear season here and the 15th of November is opening day of hunting season.  A large percentage of the Realtors head off in search of a deer.  My phones ring more while they are gone.  They turn off their phones or have them forwarded to voice mail.  I can count on people not to be patient.  They don't get an answer they move on...fast and find someone that will answer their questions and show them properties. This also means an increase in car-deer accidents.  So if you live in Michigan ...
Comments 1
By Lynn Afton, REALTOR® Near Big Rapids, MI, Mecosta County
(Greenridge Realty Oakmont)
Second Annual Downtown Big Rapids Fall Festival Oct. 30 & 31, 2009 Come join in the fun!  Scarecrow competition and fall displays in the storefront windows both days Friday Oct. 30th, 6-8 pm Blues band live in front of JC Penney on Michigan St. - Key West Perma Frost Crossroads Cougar Fall Carnival benefiting student enrichment programs also in the JC Penney block.  25 cents per ticket or $10 for 50 tickets Games, Inflatable Play Area, Petting Zoo, Concessions and more! (If Bad weather carnival will be held inside Crossroads Charter Academy) Midnight Madness Sale Saturday, Oct. 31st: 9:30 am Parade Line-up in front of the movie theatre (first 200 participants in parade receive a free kids ticket to FSU Football game 2pm afternoon of the 31st) 10am Parade - Costumes, Pets & Tractors (inc...
Comments 0
By Lynn Afton, REALTOR® Near Big Rapids, MI, Mecosta County
(Greenridge Realty Oakmont)
Many people wonder if this is a 'good time' to list their home for sale.  It can be... if your home is priced to sell.  Typically, the overall number of homes that sell in the fall and winter months in Michigan are lower than spring & summer volume, but there are always people who must move at any time of the year. In Big Rapids especially, there are people looking to relocate due to job transfers which can occur at any time of the year. Sellers listing at this time of the year need to pay special attention to curb appeal, as fallen leaves and dying foilage can detract in a hurry.  Cut back any dead foilage and keep it as neat as possible.  A good exterior cleaning can sometimes do wonders as well to make your home more appealing. Interest rates are still good, which helps keep buyers l...
Comments 2
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Many residents think Michigan is the highest taxed state? We have been help under the tax thumb for a long time.  That is what most people think anyway. You might be surprised to know that Michigan rates # 17 in the nation as least taxed.  That doesn't sound nearly as good as #1 but 33 states have higher overall taxes than Michigan.  Now that number comes from all forms of taxation combined.  Last time I knew, we pay all forms of tax too!  My accountant always wants more...so it's going somewhere. Who would you think is the least taxed state? I had no idea myself...I lived in Florida and without a state income tax I know they make up for taxes in other ways.  It is misleading to think there is no state tax....Florida is actually 5th best on the list of least taxed states. The answer to ...
Comments 5
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
I have noticed during the process of showing foreclosed homes the remnants of what is left behind.  Many of the mortgage companies have a "clean out service" and they haul aways the former owners belongings, if they have not been removed within the time frame. Some of the others mortgage companies just leave the belongings where they were when the former owner departed. It is a sad testiment to how the business of forclosure is handled.  Most...not all families would appreciate the time to gather their possessions.  Others will take advantage of the system.  I guess that is how we got here in the first place...people taking advantage. The other day I walked into a mortgage company to discuss a foreclosure issue with a lender.  I couldn't help noticing the white lettered warning on the d...
Comments 9
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
End of summer....will it change your business? For many businesses the end of summer and the beginning of the school year spells a slowdown.  Real estate can have a bit of a lull when people shift their attention to school cloths, the last vacation or time off with the kids before another school year starts. This year may have a different focus.  Trying to purchase a home before the time runs out for qualification of the First Time Buyer Credit.  The clock is ticking and right now with the focus on bailing out Jennie May and the debate on very bad health care options...newly dubbed Obama Care (my opinion)....the extension of the First Time Buyer credit renewal or extension is not getting much lip service. The normal end of the summer lull may not happen as quickly because of the first t...
Comments 0
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Foreclosure Bus Tours Is it Right for YOU? This type of marketing of foreclosure homes has been going on all over the nation for over a year now.  Is this the right method for you to find a bargain? Here are a few thoughts that may make you think twice. All you have to do to be included on these tours is have a pre-approval letter from your lender.  That is simple enough you should have that before you start your home search anyway. But have you considered the other issues? •1.    Multiple buyers are looking at the home at the same time.  This drives competition and you may be in a bidding war for the home you like. •2.    You have people all around you while you are viewing the home.  You lose the privacy of a personal showing. •3.    You are limited on questions until later, after the...
Comments 2
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Living in Your Home VS Selling your Home, There is a Difference! When you are not selling your home you can pretty much live your lifestyle any way you see fit. When you decide to sell your home living in your home and selling your home take on very different meanings. Living in your home you can have the junk drawers....I think I have two myself.  I think almost everyone but the most twisted neat freaks have a junk drawer! :-) You can have your closets packed full so you have to put a visitors coat on your bed or other convenient dropping place.  You can have a week's worth of newspapers stacked up next to your favorite chair.  You can have dishes from the last time you run the dishwasher sitting inside.  You can have your basement or garage packed full of collectables...those things y...
Comments 1
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
 Do You Communicate Your Efforts To Sellers? Sellers need a communication stream of information or they never know what you are doing for them.  I had a perfect example this week.  One of my agents clients calls for the agent, who is out of the office, as should be the case. The seller says, "I haven't heard from the agent in weeks, are they still working?"  I assured them they were still actively working on selling their home in fact, "have you seen the magazine ads with your home listed or the cable ads your agent is running in addition to the virtual tours and Internet advertising being done on your behalf to sell your home?" The seller says I had no idea all this was being done.  I told the seller I would put magazine ads and copies of the other advertising in the mail along with li...
Comments 0
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Mold is with us and nearly in every building or home.  The significance and amount of mold is another story.  Mold prevention is almost impossible.  That said, preventing mold build-up is very possible.  Remember mold likes moisture.  Remove the moisture source and it is likely that you mold will never form. Sound so simple until you have mold. Click on the link below for an article on mold.  It will help you understand more about the mold issues you could face.  Once mold has been allowed to progress to advanced stages it will have to be dealt with professionally.  Most home owners will not have the skill or tools to deal with molds. Mold spores can cause irritation of the lungs, infections and my even require physician care. Click on the link for more.  http://www.flexitrealtymichigan...
Comments 4
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Home warranties can be good and bad. Ever heard, read the fine print?  I use home warranties on a regular basis but I know what the company cover and does not cover.  I have had them pay claims for clients too.  I have only had good experiences with them myself.  Like anything you should read what they cover.  Some of the companies offering home warranties offer very little while the long time reputable companies actually have significant coverage. I have an article on my website that covers home warranties.  Most people do not have a lot of extra cash the first year after buying a house.  The home warranty can be a blessing if you have a covered major repair. Knowing what is covered is key.  Calling an 800 number is all it takes and a service fee of as little as $50.00 and up to $100.0...
Comments 0
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Wondering why your home hasn't sold? You feel you have it priced right.  Your home is just as nice as the others.  Some times it takes a bit more.  That "more" can be a variety of things to address not just one issue to change. I have a whole section devoted to helping people sell their home on our new website. Check out the "Reasons Homes Don't Sell" page on our website.  You might be surprised and glad all at the same time.  http://www.flexitrealtymichigan.com/ReasonsHomesDon'tSell The number one reason is price.  Over price your home and you can help sell other homes before you sell your home.  Taking a step back from your home and looking at your home from "buyer" eyes can make a huge difference in your perspective.  It also might help you realize some of the changes you have to mak...
Comments 0
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
A dubious honor having the nations highest unemployment rate. If you have been wondering why less food is on the shelves it isn't just the holiday weekend. Here is the National rankings by state provided by the Bureau Of Labor Statistics. State Unemployment (Seasonally Adjusted) top 8 states leading unempoyment.   1.  Michigan highest jobless rate, 12.9 percent.  2.  Oregon, 12.0 percent3.  South Carolina 11.5 percent4.  Rhode Island, 11.1 percent5.  California, 11.0 percent6.  North Carolina, 10.8 percent7.  Nevada, 10.6 percent8.  Ohio, 10.2 percent This shows being the top automotive state isn't good for the economy of Michigan.  We have run this road of up and down unemployment for as long as I can remember in my adult life. There is no wonder people are hurting, losing homes, filin...
Comments 4
By Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375, Real Estate Services You can Trust!
(Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions")
Looking for that one thing to give you peace of mind about you pet? If you have ever lost a pet you know how difficult it can be...my children were very young when our pet strayed away from our home.  He (Sarge) was a German Police dog and only a couple of years old...he fell in with a neighbors dog that was know to stray.  We kept a close eye on him...but one day they took off together...it took us 5 hours to find them.  We had a happy ending finding both safe and sound.  It could have been much different. Today finding your lost pet means putting up flyers...telling neighbors and doing much the same thing walking or driving around the area looking. Well the GEEKS have struck again...a company called Zoombak has a GPS locator.  You can buy them from Amazon.com for about $39.00.  You ca...
Comments 1
By Lynn Afton, REALTOR® Near Big Rapids, MI, Mecosta County
(Greenridge Realty Oakmont)
  Ferris State University Theatre presents the musical comedy "City of Angels", which is not at all like the movie.  It is however, about the movie world in the late 1940's.  The FSU Theatre production will take place in Williams Auditorium, on State Street in the heart of Big Rapids, Michigan.  Great place to see this performance, which promises to be another excellent play by the university players.   "City of Angels" The Musical FSU Theatre presents the musical "City of Angels", Musical Comedy Book by Larry Gelbart, Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by David Zippel. Los Angeles, the late 1940s: money and the movies beckon like a golden ladder. Screenwriters and cheap private eyes cling to the lower rungs. Blondes shimmer, crooners croon, corruption lurks in every mansion, and just what is ...
Comments 3