Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes – January 2010

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes – January 2010

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,

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.

meadowbrook elementary school forest hills mi

The list of Top Best Buy Homes for  January 2010 is 23 properties.

The lowest price/Sq Ft for homes range from $36.82 to $78.05 in Forest Hills.

The lowest list price is $54,900 and the highest list price is

$288,900 for January 2010 homes in Forest Hills School District.

This list could include properties in Ada Township, Cascade

Township, Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, and the

city of Kentwood.

WARNING: Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures, short

sales and not habitable as is or available for a mortgage in present condition.

The Top Forest Hills Homes to Buy by Price per Square Foot:

8245 Fulton St E             $54,900      1124 Sq Ft    $48.84/SqFt

2657 Chatham Woods    $63,900       1056 Sq Ft    $78.12/SqFt

2695 Chatham Woods     $64,500        820 Sq Ft    $78.66/SqFt

2650 Knightsbridge Rd   $ 64,900       845 Sq Ft     $76.80/SqFt

2997 Chapshire Dr          $79,900      1116 Sq Ft     $71.59/SqFt

6217 Acropolis Dr          $79.900      1316/SqFt     $71.59/SqFt

6381 Wainscot Dr SE     $80,000      1116 Sq Ft     $71.68/SqFt

6351 Wainscot Dr SE     $84,900      1116 SqFt      $76.08 /SqFt

5505 Whitneyville SE     $84,900     1536 Sq Ft     $55.27/SqFt

2201 Shady Dr NE          $90,000     2444 Sq Ft     $36.82/SqFt

2049 Rowland Ave       $ 99,900    1280 Sq Ft    $78.05/SqFt

1791 Grand Ct NE       $118,900     1600 Sq Ft   $74.31/SqFt

1787 Park Trail NE      $119,900     1600 Sq Ft   $74.94/SqFt
1773 Park Trail NE      $121,900     1600 Sq Ft   $76.19/SqFt

4950 Knapp St NE      $134,900    1890 Sq Ft    $71.38/SqFt
6707 Adaridge Dr       $139,900    1828 Sq Ft    $76.53/SqFt
2328 Dean Lake Ave  $149,900    2757 Sq Ft    $54.37/SqFt

2309 3 Mile Rd           $149,900    3340 Sq Ft     $70.54/SqFt

3206 Oak Hollow Dr    $159,900    2509 Sq Ft    $63.73/Sq/Ft

6769 Woodbrook Dr   $169,900   2247 Sq Ft   $75.61/SqFt
4662 E Forest Dr        $174,900   3212 Sq Ft   $79.07/SqFt
5739 E Fulton St        $254,900   4557 Sq Ft   $71.16/SqFt

8801 Fulton St E        $288,900   4132 Sq Ft   $69.92/SqFt

More Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Articles

If you would like to see a particular Top Best Buys Forest Hills

Home, please contact us at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 or email us at:

terry@terrywestbrook.com
____________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills Schools Face Large Budget Cuts in 2010 -2011

East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills Schools Face Large Budget Cuts in 2010-2011

We are on the front lines of property values and were well aware this day

would come. We have seen property values fall from 15-30% in the past

3 years for local communities. ( Read our Blog post about home values)

The effects of this devaluation still has shock value  for many  living in

our local areas.  We have watched poorer school districts struggle  to

allocate funding with the financial news from Lansing being dire and

changing constantly.  It has now started to hit our more affluent areas

and these parents are confused and angry.

See comments on this Mlive article about East Grand Rapids cutting their
budget with more cuts to come.

Ada Elem sign

We attended the Forest Hills Superintendant’s meeting last fall about

a $10 million dollar projected shortfall in their 2010-2011 school budget.

They are not getting any definite answers from the state on what cuts

will be until after they set their annual budget ( This is truly bizarre but

the state government runs its own show).

Both East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills have fixed costs because of

teacher and staff contracts. Our understanding is that these are about

70% of the budget in Forest Hills. [See FHPS Funding Facts }  Dan Behm,

the Forest Hills Superintendant told our group of concerned citizens

that if he eliminated transportation and sports, that there would

still be $3 million shortfall and he would have to look for another job

because of angry parents.

We don’t offer any solutions, but we do need to look at all items on

the budget. Nothing is sacrosanct, not  teacher salaries, retirement

or healthcare. The same belt-tightening and elimination of non-essential

items that has affected business and personal budgets for the last 3 years

and longer in the state of Michigan is reducing funds for public services

in our state.

FHPS Funding Facts

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812218972939 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812225271331 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Michigan Mulick Park Bungalow

Grand Rapids Michigan Mulick Park Bungalow

Another Westbrook Realty SOLD HOME!!

This sharp bungalow in Mulick Park Grand Rapids Michigan has

just come onthe market. If you are looking for an updated

3 bedroom home with a spacious feeling and a great

neighborhood, you might like to check this one out before

it gets sold.

Front ext straightbest sm

Remodeled kitchen, remodeled bath, new roof, new replacement

windows, new 12 x 16 deck and remodeled upper bedroom have all

been accomplished in the last 2-3 years.

Living Room

Kitchen

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812218972939 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812225271331 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2009

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2009

Kentwood Michigan is a large suburb of Grand Rapids with a population

under 50,000. It has manufacturing, shopping centers, and lots and lots

of residential housing. Kentwood Public Schools are one of the largest

school systems in the area with over 9000 students and 16 buildings

within a 24.25 square mile area.

Kentwood high school kentwood mi

Kentwood home sales are still on a general downward trend

in price. Over 1/3 of Kentwood Homes Equity has dissolved in

the last 3 years, according to the current stats.

We are still seeing some price reduction even though activity is high.

On the good news for sellers,  Kentwood has one of the lowest

absorption rates in the area.

Foreclosures and short sales  are still affecting the average

market price here as Grand Rapids has seen jobs disappear.

The homes under $ 150K in Kentwood are seeing about 80% of  the

overall sales.  The homes over $150K are selling but at a slower rate.

In 2007, Kentwood had 434 homes sales: avg sold price:$151,009

In 2008, Kentwood had 722 home sales:avg sold price: $115,127

In 2009, Kentwood has had 448 home sales: avg sold price:$ 100,561

Home sales for Kentwood – Up to $150,000:

116 Active Listings w Avg sold price $ 115,673

378 sold      Avg sold price   $102,538

Home sales for Kentwood$150,001 & UP:

58 Active Listings w avg sold price of $ 189,463

70 sold         Avg sold price $150K+ = $174,132

Kentwood Absorption Rate for this price range is 4.6 months,

at the current rate of sale (which means if no new listings come

on the market, it will take 4.6 months to sell the active listed

homes). This is a great rate for the Grand Rapids area and shows

that Kentwood is a popular and affordable city to live in.

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Reports

Real Estate is always hyper-local. If you have questions about

a specific Kentwood home, please contact me.

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Photo of Kentwood High School by Bonnie Westbrook

____________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812218972939 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812225271331 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2009

East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report  Jan-Dec 2009

East Grand Rapids MI Public Library

Absorption rate for East Grand Rapids MI housing market is currently

at 6.3 months, which means if no new listings come on the

East Grand Rapids market, it will take 6.3 months for the existing

home inventory to sell.

There are 111 active listings on the East Grand Rapids market now,

typically a leaner market in winter ranging from $89,900 to $3,600,000.

25 Pending Home Sales

210 Sold Homes w/ prices ranging from $ 25,000 to $ 1,750,000

from Jan 1, 2009 in East Grand Rapids housing inventory.

East Grand Rapids Homes  up to  $200,000

Active Listings – 29

Pending  – 7

Sold – 81

Avg Sold Price – $145,265  139,240

East Grand Rapids Homes  $200,000 to $300,000

Active Listings  –  25

Pending – 2

Sold –  51

Avg Sold Price – $ 246,601  250,468

East Grand Rapids Homes $ 300,001 to $450,000

Active Listings – 34

Pending –  1

Sold  – 46

Avg Sold Price – $ 358,789 363,813

East Grand Rapids Homes  $ 450,001 ++

Active Listings  –  23

Pending – 2

Sold – 20

Avg Sold Price – $ 711,025

The lower end of this market (under $300K) has seen about 50 %

of the sales in the last year.  With the current lowest list price

at $ 89,900,  it looks like the bargain basement days in EGR housing

are over.  Homes in the higher prices are selling, but at a

slower rate.

The Absorption rate is in the normal range for East GR

homes at this point, something we haven’t seen for a  few years.

It looks like East Grand Rapids is coming out of the the recent

real estate downturn on a faster pace than other

local communities.

East Grand Rapids Real Estate Market Reports

East Grand Rapids Michigan ~ America’s Hometown

____________________________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812218972939 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812225271331 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2009

Current Real Estate Market Report Rockford Michigan ~2009

Current Absorption Rate for Rockford Michigan runs from 9.7 months

for lower end homes under $ 185,000, up to over 3  years for the

very upper end of the Rockford market.

Rockford Public Library Rockford MI

The lower end of the Rockford  market is moving faster than

higher priced homes for 2009.  With interest rates likely to

rise in 2010 and with buyer tax credits disappearing after

the first quarter, long listing times in Rockford will likely

continue into 2010, with a decrease in prices driven down

by weak buyer demand.

202 Active Rockford MI Listings under $185,000

Absorption Rate : 9.7 months

Sold Rockford Homes: 248

Pending Rockford Homes: 36

Average sold price  $ 131,004

High Sold price $185,000

Low Sold price  $53,900

Average Sold Price/SqFt  $94.50

Rockford MI Listings $ 185,000 – $ 349,000

Absorption Rate: 13.4 months

140 Active Rockford MI Listings

Sold Rockford Homes  114

Pending Rockford Homes 11

Average Rockford List Price:  $ 232,848

Average Rockford Sold Price: $ 234,978

Average Sold Price/SqFt  $ 119.03

High Sold Price $ 345,000

Low Sold Price  $186,500

Rockford MI Listings Over $ 349,000+

Absorption Rate: 38.5 months

Active Rockford MI Listings  77

Sold Rockford Homes  20

Pending Rockford Homes  4

Average Rockford List Price  $484,919

Average Rockford Sold Price $438,008

Average Sold Price/SqFt: $ 162.35

Inventories will probably increase with the spring market and

buyers will have their pick of the best homes for sale.

It is important  that you have your  home in  great condition

and priced correctly. Over-priced homes and tired looking homes

will not sell for top dollar in this buyer’s market.

If you have any questions about  Rockford or

Grand Rapids MI homes, please contact me directly:

1-888-240-1968 ext 0

email: terry@terrywestbrook.com

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Market Reports

Rockford Michigan Video Tour

Copyright 2009  All rights reserved

Photo of Rockford Public Library – Downtown Rockford by Bonnie Westbrook


____________________________________________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in West

Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan

area with a diverse business community, great medical research & services,

numerous universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812218972939 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center ar125812225271331 Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM