Foto Friday – When is a Pick-Up not a Pick-Up?

Foto Friday – When is a Pick-Up Not a Pick-Up?

Custom_Golf_Cart_Pickup 

When you live in Florida’s Villages Retirement Community, a car is not

a car and a pick-up is not a pick-up.  It is a golf cart, a customized golf cart.

This huge residential community of over 80,000 homes [and still building] has

2 major shopping centers and town squares.  The main mode of transportation

is by golf cart.  When unlimited funds and individual expression meet, you can

order a $15,000 personalized golf cart.  We couldn’t resist taking a photo of

this snazzy green retro pick up golf cart with wooden sides on the back bed.

 

Grand Rapids Michigan Online Relocation Guide

_____________________________________________

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

Buying a Home – Budget Basics

Buying a Home – Budget Basics

Budgeting has always been a part of my life.  My parents

taught me basic budgeting by example.  We were supplied all

the necessities but luxuries were handed out sparingly, if at all.

If we really wanted something, we had to prove it wasn’t a passing

fancy and then plan for, or work for the money to buy the items

we wanted.

 

Buying a home in today’s economy is much the same.  You must

have your financial “ducks in a row”.  Getting prequalified with a mortgage

lender is a necessity in today’s real estate market.  Gone are the

days of writing an offer, getting it accepted, and then worrying about

financing your purchase.  Today’s sellers wants to know you are serious

and can afford to buy their houses. 

 

the perfect Grand Rapids house

January is a perfect time to analyze last years budget and see

where  you spent your money.  Before meeting with a mortgage lender, you

should have this information at hand.  Lots of online sources exist to

help you with this project, such as online banking reports which are

down-loadable every month and at year-end.  We have a basic budget

analyzer page on our web site if you don’t know where to start.

 

If you know you can’t afford to buy a home but would like to work

towards purchasing one, there are many sources that can help. 

Home Repair Services in Grand Rapids offers free classes on money

management and repairing your credit.  Or give me a call to discuss

home buying basics at 616-292-7263.

 

Additional Articles:

You Want to Buy a House, Now What?

Which Mortgage is Best for Me?

Grand Rapids Michigan Online Relocation Guide

_____________________________________________

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 Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2010

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-Dec 2010

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 MI public library bldg

Kentwood home sales have recouped some of their value this year

though sales volume is down.  We are still seeing some home price

reduction on homes in poor/dated condition.  Good news for sellers,

Kentwood has decreased absorption rates as fewer homes are entering

the market, 60% less homes sold in 2010 than in 2009.

 

2010 Kentwood STATS:

370 Active Listings for sale

88 Pending Home Sales

555 Sold Homes 

$108,777 Average Sold Price

109 Days Average Market Time

95.19% of List Price

Absorption Rate: 6.9 months

 

Synopsis:  More homes were sold in 2010 than

 in 2009 and the average sold price is slightly higher

than last year. The Absorption rate is also higher

than last year as homes take longer to sell. 

Foreclosures and short sales  are still affecting the

average market price in Kentwood, although the average

home sold price is up about 8% from 2009 prices.  The

homes under $ 150K are seeing about 80% of  the overall

sales.  The homes over $250K are selling but at a slower

rate and with longer market time.

 

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

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

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

In 2010, Kentwood had 555 home sales: avg sold price: $108,777

 

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 2010 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 Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2009 ar125812218972939 Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2009 ar125812225271331 Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2009

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 2010

East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report  Jan-Dec 2010

Tree at EGR gaslight village

East Grand Rapids is a community of homes priced from the

low $100,000’s to over $2,000,000 with the majority of homes

selling from $120K to $400K.  Since this is such a large spread

it is difficult to produce true averages, so take that in consideration

with the following statistics.

 

2010 EGR STATS:

107 Active Listings for sale

10 Pending Home Sales

172 Sold Homes 

$256,760 Average Sold Price

111 Days Average Market Time

94.47% of List Price

Absorption Rate: 7 months

Synopsis:  25% Fewer homes were sold in 2010 than

 in 2009, though the average sold price is similar to

last year and the Absorption rate is slightly higher.

Demand for East homes is still high and the turnover

rate is better here than many other areas of metro GR.

Overall, a good year for buyers in East GR.

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 East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2009 ar125812218972939 East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2009 ar125812225271331 East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan Dec 2009

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM