Foto Friday – GVSU Eberhard Center

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids Michigan has lots of smart people. These smart people

tend to like education, in all forms. This has resulted in 18 different colleges,

universities and higher level education schools located in our metro area.

Grand Rapids is a college town. Yes, really. We have around 77,000

students attending higher education schools in the Grand Rapids area. This

is a larger number than attend MSU[47,000] and U of M[41,000], respectively.

This is a great resource for local businesses and our communities. Above, is

pictured GVSU Eberhard Center in downtown GR.

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Earth Day 2011 – Say Goodbye to the Beer Frig

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Earth Day 2011 – Say Goodbye to the Beer Frig

by Bonnie and Terry Westbrook

Do you have that old refrigerator in the garage just in case

you might need it for a party or extra beverages? Did you know

that old refrigerator or freezer can use more than twice the amount

of electricity as a new one?

Savings of up to $150 per year if you replace your old refrigerator

or freezer with a high efficiency one. Plus it will keep harmful

materials out of landfills. Green Hint: Usually your refrigerator is the

highest energy guzzling appliance you own.

DTE Energy is offering rebates for turning in old

refrigerators, humidifiers, and room AC’s.

Did you know?

Recycling 30,500 refrigerators…

will reclaim more than 90,000 lbs. of aluminum
is equal to removing the emissions from 61,000 cars for a year
keeps 300,500 lbs. of foam insulation from landfills

DTE says about 95 percent of the materials used in each refrigerator

or freezer will be recycled and the toxins and ozone-depleting chloro-

fluorocarbon gases from foam insulation will be safely disposed.

DTE Program Requirements

DTE Program Details

photo courtesy of ThreelfByBike on Flickr

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Forest Hills Plat Homes Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Market Report – Jan-March 2011

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Forest Hills Plat Homes Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Market Report Jan-Mar 2011

Forest Hills Plat in Grand Rapids Michigan is a well established

home neighborhood located just west of Forest Hills Drive and

just south of Fulton Street. Built in the late 1950’s and 1960’s

by R.D. Brooks, this development has a community outdoor pool,

community association, and common park area for residents who

belong to the association.

Forest Hills Subdivision is in Grand Rapids Township, prestigious Forest

Hills School district and close to the I96 Expressway for fast access to

many parts of the city. Just minutes away from the Forest Hills shopping,

28th Street retail corridor, and about 10 minutes from downtown Grand

Rapids or Gerald R. Ford Airport. A very desirable suburban area to live in,

valued for its safety, quality construction, and convenience.

Forest Hills Plat Residential Homes

Jan-March 2011 Market Report

5 For Sale

2 Pending

0 Sold

Average listed price – $210,920

Average listed home price/ sq ft – $ 84.25

Average sold listed home days on the market = 103

The Forest Hills Plat is a popular home market in the Ada/Grand

Rapids area. Part of the appeal is the proximity of Collins Elementary

School, Forest Hills Central Middle and High Schools, Ada Christian

School, and close to Fulton Street and the I96 expressway.

If you have questions about Forest Hills homes, please contact me

directly.

SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES

Additional Forest Hills Real Estate Articles

photo of Forest Hills Dr walking trail by Bonnie Westbrook

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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.

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Ada Township MI Calling All Volunteers

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Ada Township MI Calling All Volunteers

Ada Parks & Recreation Department has volunteer opportunities

to assist with grounds care, gardens, trails, habitat stewardship,

clerical services and youth program.

Contact the Park office at 616-676-0520 or email

mfitzpatrick@adatownshipmi.com for and application,

interview or schedule of events.

Spring Volunteer Orientation & Luncheon
Tuesday, April 12, 12:00 – 1:00 Ada Township Park Free

Interested, new & current Volunteers are welcome for a light lunch

by the park staff followed by a presentation on our upcoming project

goals and opportunities for the season.

Please RSVP by April 8th to the Parks office.

Volunteer Stewardship Work Days in Ada Parks
Work on trails, gardens, invasive plants, habitat improvements.

Various Tuesdays and Locations 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

April 12: Ada Park
April 26: Ada Park
May 3: Roselle Park
May 10: Leonard Field
May 14: Seidman Park (Saturday)
May 17: Carl Creek Preserve
May 24: Ada Park
June 7: Roselle Park
August 16: Location TB

Information from Ada Township

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Foto Friday – Is This “BIG” Enough?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Foto Friday – Is This “BIG” Enough?

Sometimes you just have to make a statement.

That is what FruitBasket Flowerland is doing at

their 28th Street Store location this spring.

This huge lawn chair got my attention……

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Clements Mill Neighborhood Video Tour Ada Michigan

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Clements Mill Neighborhood Video Tour Ada Michigan

Clements Mill is a subdivision located in Forest Hills School District,

Ada Michigan. Ada is a suburb on the east side of Grand Rapids.

We took a quick drive through part of the neighborhood, so you

could get a feel for the area. There are lots of children in this

neighborhood. We drove through on a windy, chill day during

Spring Break, otherwise, you would see lots of kids around.

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Top 5 Reasons to Move to Caledonia Michigan

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Top Five Reasons to Move to Caledonia Michigan:

Rural, Suburban setting
Low Population density
Highly rated public school system
Proximity to Grand Rapids, Lansing, Holland
Close-knit community

Caledonia Michigan has a small village, an expanding commercial and

life style sector building up on M-37 to the east of the village. The new

Caledonia Township offices and a newly constructed library are now

residing here. While lots of rural farm land and suburban housing

is sprinkled all over Caledonia Township, the public schools system

consists of 9 schools. The high school campus is located just west

of the village off Kraft Avenue.

You can register on our website and have up-to-date emails sent

to you with the newest listings in Caledonia sent right to your mail-box

every 24 hours.

SEARCH CALEDONIA HOMES

Additional Caledonia Michigan Articles

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Forest Hills Schools Top Ten in Michigan MEAP Scores 2011

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Forest Hills Schools Top Ten in Michigan MEAP Scores 2011

Forest Hills students have posted outstanding MEAP scores

for the 2010-2011 year. The Forest Hills students placed at

the top of the Kent County District and the State of Michigan

charts.

Mathematics

Gr 3 – 99%
Gr 5 – 96%
Gr 8 – 97%

Reading

Gr 3 – 96%
Gr 5 – 97%
Gr 8 – 96%

Writing

Gr 4 – 72%
Gr 7 – 75%

Science

Gr 5 – 96%
Gr 8 – 96%

Social Studies

Gr 6 – 95%
Gr 9 – 92%

You can view all Forest Hills Public Schools test scores here

As state and federal governments have raised expectations

for student performance, Forest Hills students have recorded

higher levels of achievement.

Forest Hills 8th Grade students placed in Top Ten scores in 2011

MEAP test results for reading and science. Of the other Top Ten

ranking schools, Grand Rapids City High/Middle School placed First

in Reading, and Fifth in Science.

The school staff, parents and students should be be proud of the

effort and accomplishment for this year’s test scores.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-March 2011

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-March 2011

Forest Hills is actually a school district in Ada–Cascade real

estate market that is always active. These 2 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 first quarter 2011 real estate market activity.

Forest Hills Jan- March 2011 Real Estate Market Report:

Active Listings – 288

Average Sold Price – $ 301,188

Pending – 92

Sold – 115

DOM – 106

% Sale Price to List Price – 94.01%

Absorption Rate: 4.17 Months

Please bear in mind that this report is all about averages.

It will probably take a $1,000,000 home longer to sell than one listed

at $199,000. Even though there are many multi-million dollar homes

in this district, the majority of homes are under $400K with the

average sold price at $300K.

The Absorption Rate at 4.17 months means that it will take about

4+ months for the current inventory of homes to sell, if selling at the

current rate. This is considered a normal market. Real estate is

selling in the Forest Hills district.

Additional Forest Hills Articles:

SEARCH FOREST HILLS HOMES

Forest Hills Real Estate Market Reports

Forest Hills District Ranks Top in State

Forest Hills District Posts MEAP Scores

If you would like specific information about an Ada Cascade or

Forest Hills MI Homes, please contact me directly.

Photo of Forest Hills Northern Trails School by Bonnie Westbrook

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

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Monthly Archives: April 2011

Foto Friday – GVSU Eberhard Center

Earth Day 2011 – Say Goodbye to the Beer Frig

Earth Day 2011 – Say Goodbye to the Beer Frig

photo courtesy of ThreelfByBike on Flickr

Forest Hills Plat Homes Grand Rapids MI Real Estate Market Report – Jan-March 2011

SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES

Ada Township MI Calling All Volunteers

Foto Friday – Is This “BIG” Enough?

Clements Mill Neighborhood Video Tour Ada Michigan

Top 5 Reasons to Move to Caledonia Michigan

SEARCH CALEDONIA HOMES

Forest Hills Schools Top Ten in Michigan MEAP Scores 2011

Forest Hills Schools Top Ten in Michigan MEAP Scores 2011

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-March 2011

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report Jan-March 2011

SEARCH FOREST HILLS HOMES