Frustration can lead to poor decision making. I was amazed to see my former home on the news last night.  Seven years ago I sold my former home to a young family that seemly hadeverything going their way.  It only takes a recession and being self employedin a service industry that people can live without.  When the economy turn people have to make cuts in their budgets.  People put off repairs, they cut spending where the can.  It changes peoples lives.  Like so many in Michigan the young couple were foreclosed on, evicted and homeless. The former owner decided if he couldn't have his house neither could the Bank!  He decided to burn the home down! The distraught former owner shared his plan and the plot unraveled when the police searched the home.  They found the evidence of the plan a... 06/12/2010

Grand Rapids Free GRAM Friday Night Outdoor Concerts - Summer 2010 The Grand Rapids Art Museum is hosting free Music Concerts on the Terrace Stage Friday nights this summer. Starting on June 11th and running until August 27th, 2010 every Friday night from 7-9 pm.  Access to the Terrace Stage is free, downtown market kiosks, plus food and beverages will be available.   Outdoor sketching, games for all ages and wonderful West Michigan  summer evenings in an urban setting – with free live music!     The line up for Friday Nights at GRAM Outdoor Summer Music Series – Summer 2010   June 11            La Famiglia – Hip Hop   June 18            DJ Brandon Hill  - Techno   June 25           Groove Merchant   - Urban Beats   July 2              End of Times Orchestra  - Prog  Rock   July 9      ... 06/09/2010

Robert Brown | BellaBay Realty | 616 366 7030 1145 Hermitage ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI Cute and cozy. Maintenance free exterior. Lots of storage space. Some newer windows. 3BR/1BA Single Family House offered at $49,000 Year Built 1890 Sq Footage 1,104 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 4,488 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION All appliances included in this cozy family home. Recent upgrades include new exterior (front) door and new windows (5) and a new hot water heater. Huge 2 1/2 stall garage for the budding handyman/mechanic. Some rooms have been freshly painted and the carpet in the living room has been replaced. Possible $8,000 federal tax credit for eligible first time home buyers. Contact your REALTOR for more information. Main floor ... 06/08/2010

Here are two examples from my personal business I've encountered in the past six months in which the new HVCC/FHA appraisal rules have negatively affected sales. First, a quick opinion. The new rules for conducting appraisals are a great example of how a well-intentioned idea can be placed into practice prematurely. I know not one Realtor, lender or appraiser who is thrilled with these new rules. Quality of my appraisals have been lower, prices higher, appraisers are paid less as a result, and authority and liability have been misappropriated. In many regions, homes are worth less now than they were worth three years ago. Some home value inflation and some demand was manufactured through fraud, committed through improper lending and appraisal practices. Although this undisputed truth wa... 06/07/2010

We have seen some very unusual weather over the past few weeks. We went straight from winter to summer and then back to winter with a snow blast.  Now our spring jumped to summer weather. The abrupt changes have created some very dangerous and destructive weather patterns.  Excessive amounts of rain in short periods of time have created flooding, washouts and in many cases with basements full of water that have never had a water problem in the past. Last night tornado weather patterns emerged to create another early season emergency. Speaking of what are your emergency plans for weather related surprises? I learned recently one of the myths for taking cover isn't a corner of the basement...even though it sound logical.  The fact is, strong storms and tornadoes can shift homes from there... 06/06/2010

Ever wonder if the Internet really works? I received a call this afternoon from a North Carolina resident concerning real estate. I first had to inform the caller I wasn't licensed in North Carolina for real estate and each state has it's own rules governing real estate.  That meant we could only discuss his situation in general.  Everything we discuss needed to be verified with local real estate agent, broker or attorney. He tells me a story all to common in today's economy, he lost his job and is five months behind in house payments.  He has been served notice of foreclosure.He te The good news he just got a job!  The bad news it's two hours from his current home.  The good news it's in his same employment field.  The bad news he doesn't have the money to catch up his missed mortgage ... 06/04/2010

We have  a list of the Top Best Forest Hills Houses (Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot. 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, new plumbing, electrical & other major 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. Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market. The list of Top Best Bu... 06/01/2010

Memorial Day, the Gift and Tragedy freely given. Not everyone understands the "Gift" they have been given by the service and sacrifices made by our military. The "Tragedy" is those that stepped up and gave their lives and futures by serving are the forgotten heroes after the war or conflict is done.  I recently was called by a young couple, he happen to be a Gulf War Veteran.  His jeep was blown up by a land mine (IUD).  He suffered brain damage and is on full disability.  Now I am serving him and feel honored to do so.  We have many veterans that keep giving everyday with injuries sustained as a result of their service. The families that have lost a loved one, a father, son, daughter or husband know firsthand the lost.  The families know the Gift their loved ones left behind with all t... 05/31/2010

What are the birds singing about???? The 51st anniversary of the Spring Parade of Homes! The Grand Rapids Home Builders Assoication 2010 Prade of Homes!  But NEW This year, your ticket also includes entry into the REMODELED HOMES! Don't forget to print off the $2.00 coupon onthe GRHBA website! For all the details visit the Official Guidebook for all the homes on tour!     New Homes will be featured May 28th - June 12th Remodeled Homes June 11th & 12th   Tickets are avilable at all homes on tour and all Lake Michigan Credit Union Branches. Guidebooks also available at homes as well and includes map. $12.00 for adults (13 and older) Free for Children    May 28, 29 & 31     1-9 pm                          June 2 & 9                             1-9 pm                          June 4 & 11   ... 05/30/2010

  Great news for us Realtors in West Michigan- Grand Rapids is one of America’s most affordable cities to buy a house, according to a new report from CNN published May 24, 2010. Grand Rapids came in fifth after Indianapolis, Youngstown, OH, Syracuse, NY, and Dayton, OH. With collective data from National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo, the median home price in Grand Rapids is $102,000, with a median income of $62,500 and an affordability score of 93.7%. This medium-sized, western Michigan city flourished during the 19th century by turning nearby hardwood forests into furniture. Golden oak cabinets, dining tables and chairs once crafted in the area can now be spotted in many an antique store around the nation. Today, it still is a leading manufacturer of office furni... 05/28/2010

Squirrels and Lunch go together at our house....breakfast and dinner, too. Mainly because our bird feeder is right outside our dining room window. This particular squirrel is a favorite dining companion, she shows up every day like clockwork, rain or shine.   She likes to pose for close-ups - what a ham! Although the food is exactly the same every day - FREE - she never complains. Yes, we know it is a she because we can see her that closely!  She likes to keep an eye on us in case we do something aggressive.  As in, open the window and knock her off the  feeder. Are you having friends over for lunch today?  We are! 05/27/2010

The first ReBar Camp in Grand Rapids, Michigan is May 26th, that is this Wednesday. Are you coming? Have you ever attended a ReBar Camp? I have been to several over the last few years, including the first one in San Francisco in July of 07. That is where my beautiful daughter first met @ActiveBrad, our awesome Community Builder on Activerain. The ReBar Camp in Grand Rapids is sponsored by GRAR and wil begin at 8:30 and end at 5:00. What is a ReBar Camp? A daylong exchange of ever-rotating ideas and discussion centered around how RE professionals can bring their business up to speed with today’s online consumer market using the latest in technology and social media advancements. Learn from leading professionals at companies like Google, Zillow and Trulia. Lead a session yourself. Whateve... 05/22/2010

Who Said, that Home Sales Would Slow after the Stimulus Ended? We notice a different type of client but the clients will be more varied and buyers on a mission. Buyer want to take advantage of the market being at record or near record lows in sell pricing coupled with attractive interest rates business hasn't slowed a bit, from my numbers and  viewpoint. Sellers are optimistic and are more realistic in pricing.  They know to get their home sold they have to price right.  Sellers also understand that once they sell they are going to be in the same position as the buyer...getting a great value...maybe even a once in a lifetime home value. So I must admit I was one of those brokers that anticipated a lull after the expiration of the "First Buyer Tax Credit".  It hasn't happened. How is you... 05/22/2010

We have recently launced our new website!  www.grandrapidsmoves.com! 05/19/2010

  Crystal Springs ~ Kentwood Absorption Report April 2010 Crystal Springs Development in Caledonia, Michigan is a large, residential suburban housing development that was started in the late 1980's and most construction was finished in the 1990's although some newer homes have been built since 2000. There are also a few vacant lots left to develop. This development covers a large area around the Stonewater Golf Course at Crystal Springs south of 68th Street to 72nd Street and encompassing Kalamazoo Avenue on the east and west.  This development has single family homes and condos, many located right on the Stonewater Golf Course.  The public school system is Kentwood, even though the address is Caledonia. Crystal Springs is close to the shopping plaza at 68th and Kalamazoo, Kentwood High... 05/18/2010

  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 a short 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 area homes have suffered a decline in value. This subdivision continues to be a desired location for local residents.       Clements Mill  Market Report   Jan - April 2010      ... 05/18/2010

Michigan still remains in the top 10 states for Foreclosure filings. The reported national trend is down for foreclosure filing by 9 percent according to RealtyTrac, one of the largest on-line companies that use public filing data to compile statistics. Five states comprise a 52% share for all foreclosures in March, (figures lag a bit because of data collection), for the nation with Michigan being number 3.  The other states that contributed to the trend were California, Florida, Illinois and Nevada, shown in the order of filing position. Michigan showed a bubble in sales for the end of April as a result of the "First Time Buyer" program and the natural spurt we see in the spring market.  We will track the numbers for May and see what the trending numbers show. The pain of losing a home... 05/16/2010

Thinking of spring landscaping updates? When doing an update you have a couple of options to consider.  Are you going to stay in the home or are you making the updates to increase value and curb appeal?  When I consider expensive updates to landscaping I have specific goals in mind.  I usually plan on staying in the home and I want to increase my value at the same time.  Here is a recent project that I documented with photos. A waterfall and pond sound like a soothing idyllic way to enjoy a warm summer day.  The fact that it needs chemicals, a pump running 24 hours a day 365 days a year never occurs to the visitor that sees the beautiful pond with the fish swimming comfortably past them. Looking at your yard and visualizing what it could look like versus what you have is not always easy... 05/16/2010

Bargain Priced Homes are Still Available for the Savvy Buyer! Looking for a great home at a Great Price?  As an authorized HUD broker I see many homes that are bargains.  Here is an example of a home that had very little interior updating to make it a real buy.  This homes address is on Celia St. in Wyoming, Michigan.   The homes location is on a Low traffic dead end Street.  Other homes in the area sell for thousands more than the price of this home.  The upside potential for equity growth is fantastic compared to the initial investment and repair costs. Government owned homes or HUD's are available on a bid only process.  Typically only a front photo is available on line for viewing.  This means you have view these homes to decide if it could be your future residence. The good ones se... 05/16/2010

Special Tax Credit for Active Military Service People on duty outside the United State from April 30th 2009 until June 30th 2010 may still qualify for the $8000 dollar "First Time Buyer Credit" or if you are a seller a $6500.00 credit if you meet certain criteria.  Here is a link to see the ruling by congress.  http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/service_mem.php Many people do not know about this "Tax Credit Option" for active Service People. As a Vietnam Veteran, I want Veterans to take full advantage of their options...you earned them!  Nobody knows what it is like unless you were there.  World War II was different than World War I and Korea was different from other campaigns.  Vietnam had distinct differences from other wars and conflicts as well.  The Gulf War changed how we do m... 05/14/2010