Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Affordable Grand Rapids Holiday Housing at the Prince Center

Family coming to Grand Rapids for the Christmas Holidays?

If you are cramped for space, rather than put your family and

friends on the floor or breaking out the air mattresses, tell them

about the rooms available at the Calvin College Prince Center.

$70.00 per-night deal beginning December 12, 2010
through January 8, 2011.

(*Mention the Holiday Rate when making the reservation.)

Swedish Christmas Tree
Amenities include King or Double Queen Room, Complimentary

deluxe continental  breakfast with a selection of cold and hot

items, Onsite fitness center and access to Calvin College’s

Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex (limited hours and access),

Complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, Limited

cable television, and  Internet access (Wireless, High speed

and dial-up).

Calvin College
3201 Burton Street, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4301

(616) 526-6000
(800) 688-0122

_____________________________________________

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!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Calvin College3201 Burton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546

(616) 526-6000 | 1-800-688-0122 | info@calvin.edu

St Cecelia Music Society Free 2010 Christmas Concert

St Cecelia Music Society Free 2010 Christmas Concert

On December 19th, 2010, at 4 pm, the Winter St Cecilia Grand Band

and the St Cecelia Adult String Orchestra will hold a free Christmas

Concert in Grand Rapids.

Christmas tree ornaments

The Royce Auditorium is located at 24 Ransom St NE just north

of Fulton Ave and east of Division Ave.

See the link for more concerts coming up in 2011……

St Cecelia Music Society Free 2010 Christmas Concert

Map picture

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report –Clements Mill Nov 2010 ar125812218972939 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report –Clements Mill Nov 2010 ar125812225271331 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report –Clements Mill Nov 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report – Watermark Residences Nov 2010

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report
Watermark Residences Nov 2010

Watermark single family homes and condos make this a very

attractive place to live. Quality built luxury executive homes, luxury

condo homes and a few townhouses have access off Cascade Road

and Spaulding Drive with a privacy gate at both entrances.  If you

live at Watermark you are close to the airport, 28th Street shopping,

I96 expressway and close to Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills schools

and shopping areas.  Many of the homes have golf course frontage

on Watermark Country Club.

ar124092290064911 Grand Rapids Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports – Watermark Residences – Jan Dec 2009

Watermark Residences

Jan-Nov 20109 Real Estate Market Report

Homes For Sale: 8

Highest List Price $ 2,700,000

Low List Price -   $    379,900

Average List price – $ 713,075

Average days on the market – 156

Homes Pending: 0

Homes Sold: 8

Average Sold price – $ 381,504

Average price per sq ft – $185.60

Average days on the market –124

Average % of Sale Price to List Price – 96.66%

 

We have a 11 month Absorption Rate at the Watermark Residences.

This means that it will take 11 months for the current listed homes

to sell based on the current rate of sales.  This area has had a slow

market this year, especially in the upper price brackets.  If you want

to sell your Watermark home, it must be priced right for today’s buyers.

 

Map picture

Additional articles you might like:

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate

Watermark CC Golf Pro ~ Mark Wilson

Watermark Country Club ~ Pool Time

The Grille Restaurant at Watermark

If you would like further information about Watermark Residences

Cascade or Forest Hills Homes, please contact me directly:

1-888-240-1968 ext 0

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Grand Rapids Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports – Watermark Residences – Jan Dec 2009 ar125812218972939 Grand Rapids Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports – Watermark Residences – Jan Dec 2009 ar125812225271331 Grand Rapids Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports – Watermark Residences – Jan Dec 2009

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report –Clements Mill Nov 2010

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report Clements Mill Nov 2010

Clements Mill is  a newer home development built by Eastbrook

Construction in the Ada MI area, started in 1999 and completed in

2003. The average home in Clements Mill is a 4 bedroom, though 3 and

5 bedroom homes are also available.  Besides being newer and larger,

most of the appeal is the  proximity of Forest Hills Central Middle &

High Schools, Forest Hills Woodlands 5/6 School, St Roberts & Ada

Christian Schools, and Ada Elementary School, which are all a short

distance away, and all part  of the Forest Hills Schools system, an

award winning school district.

Clements Mill is midway between the Village of Ada and Forest Hills

shopping area at Cascade Road and Forest Hills. This subdivision continues

to be a desired location for local residents to live.

Ada Fall burning bushes

Clements Mill Market Report   June – Nov 2010

7  Sold,  3 Pending, 4 For Sale

Clements Mill Active Listings: 5

Average Active Price: $268,675

Average Active Price/SqFt: $111.94

Average Active Days on Market: 110

Clements Mill Sold Listings: 7

Average Sold Price: $245,625

Average Sold Price/SqFt: $116.57

Average Days on Market: 81

Absorption Rate for Clements Mill homes is averaging

3.4 months, which is a low rate for the Grand Rapids area,

showing the desirability of Clements Mill homes.

Average list price is higher that average sold price,

which means that prices are still not stabilized in the market.

The average home in Clements Mill is a 4 bedroom, though 3 and

5 bedroom homes are also available.

Additional Forest Hills Articles:

Forest Hills Schools Post Outstanding MEAP Scores

Forest Hills Michigan Blog Articles

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Reports 2010

Search for Forest Hills MI Homes


If you have  questions about Ada Homes, Forest Hills

Homes or  just need further information, please contact me

directly:  terry@terrywestbrook.com or call 1-616-292-7263

Map picture

Clements Mill Ada Michigan

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Clements Mill  April 2010 ar125812218972939 Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Clements Mill  April 2010 ar125812225271331 Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Clements Mill  April 2010

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Foto Friday – Oh, Deer Oh, Deer

Foto Friday – Oh, Deer  Oh, Deer

 Mom_and_ Bamb_Tulleymore_GC

This mom and baby deer were grazing out in the open at Tulleymore Golf

Course when I played there this spring.  We were also met by a herd on

the driveway into the course early that morning in Stanton, Michigan.  If you

live in Michigan, the white tail deer is a common sight, either in your yard

eating your shrubbery or along the road in open fields.

 

 In case  you have been living in a bubble, this Monday was opening day

for Firearm Deer Season in Michigan.  The Department of Natural Resources

estimates that this is a $1 Billion industry for Michigan, with hunters buying

gas, food, licenses, and hunting gear.  In the recent past, about one and half

million licenses were bought each year.  This year, with the down turn in the

economy, just over a million licenses are expected to be sold.

 

Kent County had the first reported case of Chronic Deer Wasting Disease

in 2008.  All Kent County deer killed must be taken to a check station where

the DNR checks for CDW by removing the deer head and sending it in for

testing.

 

If you are interested in Deer Hunting in Michigan, the DNR and Michigan

State University have a website with lots of information including: updates,

weather, news, field data, and more.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges ar125812218972939 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges ar125812225271331 Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

                          Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges

Grand Rapids Michigan – City of Bridges

Downtown GR on Grand River

Grand Rapids Michigan is a city of bridges. With the mighty Grand River

running right through the middle, bridges are extremely important to everyday

transportation and mobility in our city and to the suburban areas surrounding

Grand Rapids proper.

Blue Bridge over Grand River

The Blue Bridge is a pedestrian walkway between the Amway Grand Hotel

and Grand Valley State University campus on the west side of the river.

P1030592

The Fulton Street Bridge is one of the major thoroughfares in Grand Rapids

and bisects the center of the heart of downtown.

 

SM Gr River 6th st bridge cropped

The 6th Street Bridge is an older bridge on the northern section of the

city near Monroe Avenue seen from the Fish Ladder.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

                          Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Foto Friday – A Grand Rapids Veteran’s Vietnam Memory

Foto Friday – A Grand Rapids Veteran’s Vietnam Memory

 Swimming pool with Banana Trees in front of my hooch

Ahhh, tropical Vietnam, a vacationer’s delight.  In 1970, this scene

was right outside my hooch [Army barrack’s room] anytime I wanted to

take a dip.  It was a regular cement pool with all the trimmings installed

by our engineering group.

Because our base was in the Central Highlands, we were definitely

back country and had few extras or other signs of civilization, unlike Cam Ranh

Bay which had paved streets with street lights. The pool was our pride and joy.

The story I heard was that a certain high ranking officer ordered

the pool for his base on the coast.  When the supplies to build it arrived

in-country, our engineering group happened to spot it sitting on the docks.

A Chinook was handy and going our way, the rest is history.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

GRAM Sunday Classical Concert Series Fall 2010

GRAM Sunday Classical Concert Series Fall 2010

GRAM on the Green

Grand Rapids Art Museum is hosting a Sunday Classical Concert Series

for the Fall of 2010, where you can soak up the art and the music on Sunday

afternoons  2:00 -3:00 pm.

The Sunday Classical Music Series schedule is:

Oct 24 H2 Quartet

  • Award winning Saxophone Quartet
  • Jonathan Nichol (Faculty GVSU)
  • Geoffrey Deibel
  • Kimberly Goddard
  • Jeffrey Loeffert (Faculty – Oklahoma State University)

Oct 31 Trio Nouveau

  • Harp – Elizabeth Colpean (Principal Grand Rapids Symphony)
  • Viola – Leslie Van Becker (Principal Grand Rapids Symphony)
  • Flute – Edward Clifford

Nov 7 Giuseppe Lupis

  • Solo Piano (Faculty GVSU)

Nov 14 Seunghee Lee

  • (Concert Master – Lansing Symphony and Faculty at Central Michigan University)
  • Nariaki Sugiura (Piano faculty at DePauw University)
  • Violin and Piano

Nov 21 Castalia Quartet

  • Piano – Mary Scanlan
  • Violin – Jennifer Walvoord (Concert Master – West Michigan Symphony)
  • Viola – Leslie Van Becker (Principal Viola – Grand Rapids Symphony)
  • Cello – Alicia Eppinga (Associate Principal Cello – Grand Rapids Symphony)

Nov 28 Eric Tanner

  • (Principal Second Violin – Grand Rapids Symphony)
  • Violin and Piano

Dec 5 Gene Hahn

  • (Violinist – Associate concert master West Michigan Symphony)
  • Violin and Piano

Dec 12 The Merling Trio

  • Violin – Renata Artman Knific (Faculty – Western Michigan University)
  • Piano – Susan Wiersma Uchimura (Faculty – Western Michigan University)
  • Cello – Bruce Uchimura (Faculty – Western Michigan University)

Dec 19 Matt Albert (Violinist with “Eighth Blackbird”)

  • Andrew McCann (Violinist – New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago)

Dec 26 Robert deMaine

  • Cello – (Principal Detroit Symphony)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Lowell Michigan Top Best Buy Homes Oct 2010

Lowell Michigan Top Best Buy Homes Oct 2010

A list of the TOP Best Lowell  Michigan Houses to buy,

based on price per square foot.   Price per square foot

is a great leveler, if two similar homes are listed at similar

prices, their price per square foot should be similar.

The price should reflect the interior finish of the  home.

For example, if it has updated decor, new flooring, & an

updated kitchen and baths, this would be more per square

foot than a home that still has the 1970’s decor and/or is in

poor condition.

Please note that this list can change daily as some homes

sell, prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

Fallasburg Covered Bridge Lowell MI

The total square footage is noted here, although only the

main floors are used to figure price per square foot.

Great opportunities to buy a Lowell Home at bargain prices:

The lowest price/Sq Ft range from $44.88 to $95.57

Lowell 19 Top Best Buy Homes this month

October  2010  18 TOP BEST BUY Lowell Homes

Lowest list price is $59,900

Highest list price is $190,000

The Top Lowell Homes to Buy by Price per Square Foot:

825 Hunt St                 $ 59,900      825 SqFt     $55.46/SqFt

2838 Guildford Dr          $ 60,000     1116 Sq Ft   $53.76/SqFt

730 E Main St             $ 64,900      1446 Sq Ft   $44.88/SqFt

410 Hunt St                $94,900      1360 Sq Ft    $69.78/SqFt

1436 Baywicke Dr SE   $ 95,400      1056 SqFt     $90.34/SqFt

1808 Birmingham          $ 109,000    1409 Sq Ft   $77.36/SqFt

10820 Sconcewood      $109,900      1224 Sq Ft   $89.79/SqFt

936 Beech Ave            $114,000      1792 Sq Ft    $63.62/SqFt

11317 Taunton Dr        $120,000     1270 Sq Ft    $94.49/SqFt

10989 Woodbushe Dr   $129,900      1596 Sq Ft    $81.39/SqFt

1250 Highland Hill        $142,900    1508 Sq Ft    $94.76/SqFt

605 Birchwood Ct       $149,900     2141 SqFt    $70.01/SqFt

11269 Barnsley Rd      $154,000     1744 Sq Ft   $88.30/SqFt

1638 Wales               $159,900     2047 Sq Ft   $78.11/SqFt

3041 Nyala Dr             $160,000    2800 Sq Ft   $57.14/SqFt

10106 Meadow Hill Ln  $174,900     1830 Sq Ft    $95.57/SqFt

2309 Gee St              $174,900     1900 Sq Ft    $92.05/SqFt

13217 52nd St SE       $190,000     2911 Sq Ft   $65.27/SqFt

****Homes listed in red have had recent price reductions****

There are still bargain priced homes for sale in Lowell,

though fewer every month. There are only 5 homes priced

under $100K.  The Best Buy Homes are increasing in price

in Lowell and price/sqft has also risen substantially. The Lowell

housing inventory is turning.   If prices keep going in this

direction, the bottom of the real estate market could be behind us.

Additional Lowell Michigan Articles:

Lowell Michigan Real Estate Blogs

Lowell Michigan Photo Tour

Home Buyer Questions & Answers

*Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures

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

condition.*

If you have questions about any of these homes, please

contact Terry: 1-616-292-7263

Or email : 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!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Kentwood Michigan Top Best Buy Homes Oct 2010

Kentwood MI Top Best Buy Homes Oct 2010


A list of the TOP Best Buy Kentwood Michigan
Houses to buy,

based on price per square foot.   Price per square foot is a great leveler,

if two similar homes are listed at similar prices, their price per square foot

should be similar.

The price should reflect the interior finish of the  home. For example,

if the home has crystal chandeliers, marble tile, new windows, new mechanicals

& a new kitchen, this would be more per square foot than a home that still

has pre-1980’s accoutrements, decor and/or is in poor condition.

 Kentwood Michigan Top Best Buy Homes Sept 2010

October 2010  20  TOP BEST BUYS in  Kentwood MI Homes

Lowest prices/Sq Ft range from $46.26 to $59.92

Lowest list price – $ 30,000

Highest list price – $169,900

Top Kentwood MI Homes to Buy by Price per Square Foot:

344 Majestic St SE   $30,000     640 Sq Ft    $46.88/SqFt

5545 Kalamazoo      $40,000     848 Sq Ft    $47.17/SqFt

100 Barry St SE      $49,900      900 SqFt    $55.44/SqFt

32 Dunkirk St SE     $49,900      912 Sq Ft   $54.71/SqFt

4837 Marshall Ave   $52,900     888 SqFt    $59.57/SqFt

5913 Pine Vista St  $55,000     1047 Sq Ft   $52.53/SqFt

911 60th St           $59,900     1010 SqFt    $59.31/SqFt

4930 Burgis Ave     $59,000     1300 Sq Ft    $46.08/SqFt

232 43rd St SE        $64,900    1233 Sq Ft    $52.68/SqFt

5932 Valley Lane Dr $65,650    1352 SqFt    $48.56/SqFt

373 60th St SE        $68,000    1470 Sq Ft    $46.26/SqFt

2097 60th St SE      $70,000    1300 SqFt    $53.85/SqFt

872 Tierra St SE      $74,300    1406 Sq Ft   $52.85/SqFt

142 Regent St SE     $74,900    1250 SqFt    $59.92/SqFt

3075 Paris Park Dr    $79,900    1711 SqFt    $46.70/SqFt

1449 48th St SE    $ 89,900    1779 Sq Ft   $50.53/SqFt

5677 Gentian Ct     $109,900   2168 SqFt   $50.69/SqFt

1024 52nd St        $113,000   1932 SqFt    $58.49/SqFt

1718 Pembroke St  $135,000   2604 Sq Ft  $51.84/SqFt

1160 Edsel St SE   $169,900    2878 SqFt   $59.03/SqFt

Kentwood has been hit hard by the real estate downturn,

propelled by foreclosures and short sales.  Short Sales are

extremely difficult for most home buyers to consider as a

purchase due to timing.  Please keep in mind the time alone

[2-9 months] of negotiating with the banks makes it difficult

for some buyers to consider.  Foreclosures are “somewhat” easier

to purchase but many are sold as-is, which means you have to

have funds for home improvements.

The FHA 203K loan will allow you to roll some home improvement

costs into your home loan. If you have been considering a

Kentwood home purchase, ask us about how this loan can work

for you.  Interest rates are still at record lows and inventory

is very affordable in Kentwood.

More Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Articles

Home Buying Questions & Answers

If you would like to view a Kentwood Top Best Buys Home,

please call 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 or email us at:

terry@terrywestbrook.com

All information is subject to verification & no liability for omission

or error is assumed.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM