Pedal On – Bicycle Safety

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Hey, hey, May is National Bike Month. Spring and summer are popular

bike riding times. Before you get on two wheels, take a moment to

review bicycle safety rules and have a safe and fun riding season.

Ride with traffic – Always be aware of the traffic around you and

be prepared to stop. Sliding through that corner without stopping

isn’t worth it if you are hit by a car.

Ride single file in a straight line when riding on the road. Riding

2 or 3 abreast forces traffic to swerve into the other lane, NEVER

a safe option.

Always obey traffic signals – Learn the rules of the road and

obey all traffic laws. This should go without saying, but every

year bikers are injured on the roads.

Bicycle Safety Rules

Kent Trails Info

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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

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 3

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 3

Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance

for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will

make it much harder to make a decision. Asking a trusted relative or

parent is different than surveying the whole family and friends.

Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people

who will be living in the home.

Homes are as unique as the people that live in them.

Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location,

the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may

be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities

and focus in on things that are most important to you.

Let the minor ones go.

Which Mortgage Do I Choose?

SEARCH GR HOMES

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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 – Trees + House = Tree House

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Foto Friday – Trees + House = Tree House

I admit I love trees and I love houses. What could be more perfect

than a darling tree house that looks like something Hansel and Gretel

would have stumbled upon in the big, dark forest?

I have been fascinated with this tree house in the our area for

some time. It can only be seen when the leaves are off the trees.

I wanted a photo of it and managed to remember that fact when we

were out driving in the area the other day.

If you are looking for a house in the woods, give us a call.

There are many homes available near Grand Rapids that are in a

heavily wooded area, with a little more square footage.

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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

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying Part #2 Timing

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying Part #2 Timing

by Bonnie and Terry Westbrook

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there is no

perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess

interest rates or the housing market by waiting longer — you risk losing

out on the home of your dreams. The housing market usually doesn’t

change fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a

good home won’t stay on the market long.

In fact, we are seeing a dearth of buyer ready homes on the market

in many areas of Greater Grand Rapids right now. Buyer ready homes

are clean, neat, decorated with current, soothing colors and have all

major repairs and updates done. No one wants to go through the stress

of moving AND doing repairs and redecorating. Buyers want a home move-in

ready.

Remember, buying and selling a home is a personal decision. It is

always up to the individuals involved, not scheduled by clocks or market

forecasts.

Call Terry at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 if you are ready to buy or sell a home.

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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

Do I Need a Permit for My Home Improvement Project?

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Do I Need a Permit for My Home Improvement Project?

Check with your local building department before beginning

home improvement projects. Requirements vary, but many building

departments require permits for home improvement projects,

including electrical, mechanical, structural or plumbing work.

As a result of getting a permit, an inspector will check the work.

Inspections provide a measure of safety to protect your life

and property.

Projects That Usually Require Permits:
•     Re-roofing
•     Installing electrical outlets
•     Windows
•     Remodeling kitchens or bathrooms
•     Installing a pool, spa or hot tub
•     Building an addition, including seasonal rooms
•     Installing appliances and replacements such as furnaces, boilers,
water heaters, fireplaces and space heaters
•     Building a tall fence—over 6 feet in height

If you are planning to make home improvements, contact your local

building department (949-3765) to find out what building code

provisions apply in your area and if you need a permit.

Note: Many contractors will apply for the permit and schedule the

final inspections. Be sure to find out if your contractor supplies

this service.

Before undertaking a home improvement project, check out the

Cost VS Value 2010 Report From National Association of Realtors.

It will tell you local values on popular home improvement projects.

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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

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 1

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 1
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your

dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as

peaceful as possible.

1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying

is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one.

It’s critical that the REALTOR® you choose is both highly skilled

and a good fit with your personality.

Why choose a REALTOR®?

Only real estate agents in the U.S. that belong to the National

Association of Realtors are REALTORS®. Why is this important?

Being a REALTOR® means you subscribe to a Code of Ethics

REALTORS^® are committed to treating all parties to a transaction

honestly. REALTORS^®subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics. The Code

of Ethics establishes obligations that, in many cases, are higher

than those mandated by state license law.

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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

You Want to Rent A Foreclosure Home?

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

You Want to Rent a Foreclosure Home?

I actually got a call from a potential home buyer the other day

and they were considering renting a foreclosed home. The buyer

was having credit issues, so they knew they would have to rent

for awhile before they could purchase a home.

I explained that foreclosed homes are not for rent and probably

never would be. The bank or investor just wants to sell the property

and recover some of their investment. They are not interested in

keeping the home for any reason.

I have seen an increased interest in people renting single family

homes. For many reasons, former home-owners are now renters.

If you have a damaged credit score, renting for 2 years and

getting your score repaired is crucial before you can buy a

home of your own. Speaking with a mortgage loan officer can be

helpful in getting your credit score back into shape so you can

buy that home when you are ready.

Avoiding foreclosure for current homeowners can be found here.

SEARCH For GRAND RAPIDS HOMES

5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score

Budget Basics

Buyer Answers

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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: May 2011

Pedal On – Bicycle Safety

Kent Trails Info

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 3

SEARCH GR HOMES

Foto Friday – Trees + House = Tree House

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying Part #2 Timing

Do I Need a Permit for My Home Improvement Project?

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 1

You Want to Rent A Foreclosure Home?

SEARCH For GRAND RAPIDS HOMES