Seller's can become very anxious in a buyer's market. Buyers have started to take longer to make up their minds on property choices.  Writing a purchase contract isn't just a simple process any more.  Or should I say....with so many home choices buyers are seeing more homes before making a final choice. This means that seeing more homes, offers a wider knowledge base of features and availability for a given price range.  Buyers are becoming more educated with the Internet and the simple act of seeing more homes. Right now it is fair to say that agents are seeing more homes than they did in the past because of buyer demand to see them.  The average number of homes shown just a few years ago was, to any give buyer was 6-8 homes.  Today I hear agents are showing 25-50 before a buyer makes ... 11/21/2009

We have gathered a list of the Top Best Forest Hills Houses ( Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot. Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market. The homes listed below are probably dated and would need updating with new carpeting, paint, and kitchen- bath redos at a minimum to bring them to current market standards. They might need major repair work done, such as new roofs & mechanicals. Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know. The total square footage is noted here, although only the main floors are used to figure price per square foot, not the basement, even if finished. The list for September 2009 is 16 properties, up from ... 09/28/2009

Cascade Neighborhood Absorption Report Tamarron Estates is an upscale suburban development with large wooded lots, walking access to Thornapple Elementary School and  the Thornapple River Backwaters.  It is located just off of Thornapple River Drive and Cascade Road in Cascade Township.  The house styles vary from large, comfortable ranches, traditional  two stories, to contemporary homes.  Many of the homes were built  in the late 1970's to the mid 1980's, though there is a new street that has much newer homes on acreage settings.  Some houses close to and surrounding this development are in the upper price brackets  in the Grand Rapids real estate market.                      Tamarron Residential Real Estate                          August 2009 Market Report                       2 So... 09/13/2009

Catamount properties are in the rolling hills adjacent to the Grand River in the northern section of Ada Township in a gated community with privacy and wooded acreage.  Executive style homes with lots of room for entertaining and all the custom extras  that make a home luxurious are the norm here.  If you  are searching for a prestigious address, this could be what you are looking for, as it is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the  Grand Rapids area.                         Catamount Market Report August 2009                    2 For Sale,  5 Sold, 6 Expired Catamount Active Listings: 2 Catamount average active price - $637,400 Catamount average active price /SqFt - $ 225.10 Catamount average days on market - 134 Catamount SOLD Listings: 5 Catamount average sold price - $ 592,3... 09/10/2009

Clements Mill is  a newer home development built by Eastbrook Construction in the Ada MI area, started in 1999 and completed in 2003. Apart from newer homes, part of the appeal is the proximity of  Forest Hills Central Middle and High Schools, Forest Hills Woodlands 5/6 School, St Roberts & Ada Christian Schools, which are within walking distance. Clements Mill is midway between the Village of Ada and Forest Hills shopping area at Cascade Road and Forest Hills. Ada's Clements Mill has seen steady to declining values in the short time it has been built out.  This is largely due to the current housing economy where all homes have suffered a decline in values.                  Clements Mill  Market Report                           August 2009           10  Sold,  2 Pending, 5 For Sale, 5 E... 09/02/2009

Forest Hills (Ada Cascade) MI Real Estate Absorption Report Forest Hills is actually a school district in Ada - Cascade MI. This market is always active. These Grand Rapids suburban communities have wonderful neighborhoods, some new and some older with Top Ranked Forest Hills Public Schools, and private schools, such as Ada Christian & St Roberts that attract  many home owners. This report will cover the April 1, 2009  to July 30, 2009 real estate market activity.           Forest Hills MI Listings over $300,000 The absorption rate for Forest Hills MI is 13.3 months, which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take 13.3 months to sell the existing $ 300K+ homes at the current rate of sale.  This rate is down significantly  from  last month, sold prices are inching upward.... 08/13/2009

The Residences at Watermark are located on Watermark Golf Course  just south of Cascade Road.   Yes, I play Watermark golf course every chance I get.  Watermark is a premier course with friendly players.  It  has an excellent grounds staff and a great pro shop staff, as well.  Watermark single family homes and condos make this a very attractive place to live. Quality built homes with access off Cascade Road and Spaulding Drive, you are close to the airport, 28th Street shopping, I96 expressway and close to Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills schools and shopping areas.                               Watermark Residences                  July 2009 Real Estate Market Report For Sale: 7 There are 7 active Watermark Homes  currently on the market. The median Watermark Homes current active price i... 08/10/2009

Six different schools in the Forest Hills Public School District are under some kind of construction this summer.  Central High School Ada Elementary School Central Middle School Ada Vista School Collins Elementary School Community & Aquatic Center Central Woodlands 5/6 Northern Trails 5/6 Every school site will receive different combinations of security cameras, roof repair/ replacement, parking lot resurfacing, and energy conservation/sustainability improvements (window replacement, lighting and mechanical system upgrades). See details at Forest Hills District News Site   Some photos of the Construction Sites:    Warning -  if you like hard hats, you will be in 7th heaven! Ada Elementary School Ada Elementary School Central Middle School   Central Middle School   Forest Hills Central ... 08/05/2009

Forest Hills (Ada Cascade) MI Real Estate Absorption Report Forest Hills is actually a school district in Ada - Cascade MI. This market is always active. These Grand Rapids suburban communities have wonderful neighborhoods, some new and some older with Top Ranked Forest Hills Public Schools, and private schools, such as Ada Christian & St Roberts that attract  many home owners. This report will cover the Feb 1, 2009  to June 30, 2009 real estate market activity.           Forest Hills MI Listings over $300,000 The absorption rate for Forest Hills MI is 19.22 months, which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take 19.22 months to sell the existing $ 300K+ homes at the current rate of sale.  This rate is up from last month, sold prices are still inching downward.  Inventor... 07/09/2009

Need some practical tips to get your home sold? I will be doing a series of short articles to help you get your home sold.  The article will be focused on getting your home in condition to make sure you get top dollar in your neighborhood or location. Think of plumbing.  Today small plumbing tasks have been make much easier for making simple do it yourself fixes.  Nothing worse than to look under a sink and see a small leak.  It time it will cause flooring to rot, creates mold potential and could reduce the offer on your home. First decide if you have the skill and tools to tackle the repair.  For example under the sink leaks are commonly resolved pretty easily by tightening the compression nut.  Then again when the leak is at the faucet supply or sprayer you may need a special tool cal... 06/27/2009

Ada July 4th Celebration Friday July 3rd: Fireworks   Dusk    7590 E Fulton @ Ada Drive ( Downtown Ada across from Amway)   ***Note new place this year!!*** Saturday July 4th: Pancake Breakfast     8:00AM   Ada Fire Station 4th of July Parade     10:00 AM  Ada Village Green Entertainment/Activities    1:00- 3:00    Ada Village Green     Cascade Township July 4th Celebration Friday July 3rd: Fireworks   Dusk    7590 East Fulton @ Ada Drive ( Downtown Ada across from Amway)  ***Note new place this year!!*** Saturday July 4th: Friends of the Library Book Sale   8:30 AM - 3:30PM   Cascade Public Library Bicycle Parade  10 AM   Cascade Fellowship Christian Reformed Church **Parade Participants must wear a bike helmet - forms available 8:30-9:45 AM  at Back Parking Lot of of Forest Hills Admi... 06/25/2009

Hidden Hills is an established neighborhood of homes off Cascade Road and 30th Street in Cascade Township, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.  Home construction started here in the 1960's housing boom in the Forest Hills School District and has continued through to today. There are new homes still being built in this neighborhood. Mid-size homes with quality construction are the rule, this suburban sub- division area has been a desirable  place to live in the Grand Rapids home market for many years.                            Hidden Hills, Cascade Township                      Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report                                           May 2009                       8 For Sale, 7 Sold, 3 Pending, 4 Expired Hidden Hills Active Listings 8 Hidden Hills Average Active ... 06/04/2009

The Ada area growth trends remain strong. Ada Township planner, Jim Ferro states that the Ada population has grown by 20% since 2000. There is a new proposed 80 condo units - Villas of Ada going in next door and Stone Falls of Ada - a 210 unit apartment complex, currently under  construction a short distance away on Spaulding Ave. Both of these new developments are quite close to Adacroft Commons and Forest Hills Gardens.  Forest Hills Gardens subdivision is between Hall Street and Ada Drive just west of the Forest Hills Central High School complex.                       Forest Hills Gardens Market Report May 2009                                       1 Sold,  3 For Sale, 1 Expired The absorption rate for Forest Hills Gardens is 15 months, which means if no new listings come on the mark... 06/01/2009

We have gathered a list of the Best Forest Hills Houses ( Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot.  Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.  The homes listed below are probably dated and would need updating with new carpeting, paint, and kitchen- bath redos at a minimum to bring them to current market standards.  They might need major repair work done, such as new roofs & mechanicals. Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know. The total square footage is noted here, although only the main floors are used to figure price per square foot, not the basement, even if finished.  The list this month is 14 properties, same as last mon... 05/18/2009

Is it true that the words free and seniors just go together?  As I edge ever closer to this category, it certainly seems so to me.  At the very least, a free event should be well attended in this economy.  If you find yourself available next Wednesday, here's a couple of free options for education   and entertainment: National Senior Health & Fitness Day    Wednesday, May 27            Special Activities at Ada Park      9:00 - 3:00      Free Forest Hills Fine Arts Center         9:00 - 3:00        Free Healthy Living Lecture Series - by St Mary's Health Center Alternatives to Medication  10-10:45 am Feeling Over-medicated?   11:00-11:45 am Healthy Living 101            12:00-12:45 pm Staying Sharp                   1:00-1:45 pm Getting a Good Night's Sleep  2:00-2:45 pm   Also: Vital H... 05/13/2009

Forest Hills Michigan - Home to a Growing Public School District We just received the Superintendant's News Letter with all the Forest Hills Public School news.  Of course, there was talk of budget challenges and difficult times.  Even school districts that are well-funded, like Forest Hills Public, are having budget issues because of state funding reductions.  Forest Hills is focused on student education, and is still reducing administrative overhead. 76.7% of the school budget is spent on  classroom and instructional support.      2009 Forest Hills School News:   3 Teachers recognized on state & national levels for excellence Conserved $1.9 million in reduced energy costs ALL Forest Hills Schools receive Green Certificates Received David D Smith Award for Environmental Stewardship Gro... 05/06/2009

Forest Hills is actually a school district in Ada Cascade MI. This market  is always active. These Grand Rapids suburban communities have wonderful neighborhoods, some new and some older with Top Ranked  Forest Hills Public Schools, and private schools, such as Ada Christian  & St Roberts that attract many home owners.   This report will cover the Feb 1, 2009  to April 28, 2009 real estate market activity.           Forest Hills MI Listings over $300,000   The absorption rate for Forest Hills MI is 17.3 months, which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take 17.3 months to sell the existing homes at the current rate of sale.  This rate is down from last month, sold prices are up slightly. Inventory is ticking up, but sales are holding fairly steady. Your Forest Hills 300... 04/28/2009

The Residences at Watermark are located on Watermark Golf Course  just south of Cascade Road.   Yes, I play Watermark golf course every chance I get.  Watermark is a premier course with a friendly group of players.  It  has an excellent grounds staff and a great pro shop staff, as well.  Watermark single family homes and condos make this a very attractive place to live. Quality built homes with access off Cascade Road and Spaulding Drive, you are close to the airport, 28th Street shopping, I96 expressway and close to Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills schools and shopping areas.                                 Watermark Residences                  April 2009 Real Estate Market Report For Sale: 8 There are 8 active Watermark Homes  currently on the market. The average Watermark Homes current... 04/21/2009

Forest Hills School System is an award winning public school district and many of our local suburbs and townships are included in this system. We do a lot of  local neighborhood reports in the Forest Hills District.  This article gathers all  the reports for March 2009 together so you can see which neighborhood area you would like to peruse or compare neighborhoods, if you are searching for a Forest Hills Michigan home to buy.     Forest Hills Market Report Ada Moorings Market Report Adatowne Market Report Caravelle Village Market Report Cascade Woods Market Report Catamount Market Report East Village Market Report Forest Hills Gardens Market Report Hidden Hills Market Report  Watermark Residences Market Report Top Best Forest Hills Homes to Buy Please contact me directly if you are int... 04/06/2009

Hidden Hills is an established neighborhood of homes off Cascade Road and 30th Street in Cascade Township, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.  Home construction started here in the 1960's housing boom in the Forest Hills School District and has continued through to today. There are new homes still being built in this neighborhood. Mid-size homes with quality construction are the rule, this suburban sub- division area has been a desirable  place to live in the Grand Rapids home market for many years.                            Hidden Hills, Cascade Township                      Residential Real Estate Market Report                                  March 2009                   6 For Sale, 2 Sold, 1 Pending, 1 Expired   Hidden Hills Active Listings 6 Hidden Hills Average Active Price: $ 3... 03/31/2009