Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Watermark Residences Jan – Aug 2011

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Watermark Residences Jan–Aug  2011

Quick Snapshot of Watermark Residences Real Estate Activity

Jan 1 through Aug 31, 2011 

oldwatermarkCC Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Watermark Residences – May 2011

8 Active Listings

  1. $ 189,900       5363 Prairie Home Dr
  2. $ 324,900       5340 Prairie Home Dr
  3. $ 399,900       2025 Talamore Ct
  4. $ 409,900       2029 Talamore Ct
  5. $ 525.000       1648 Watermark Dr
  6. $ 599,900       2134 Watermark Dr
  7. $ 649,000       5650 Watermark Ct
  8. $ 2,495,000    1878 Watermark Dr

 

4 Sold Properties

  1. 1975 Watermark Dr  $351,000
  2. 5511 Alhambra Dr    $385,000
  3. 1664 Watermark Dr  $395,000
  4. 1959 Talamore Ct  ****

****(went to auction – sale hasn’t been reported yet)

 

With 8 listings for sale and only 4 sold  in Watermark,

the Absorption Rate is 16 months.  Any time over 6 months is

considered a declining market because excess inventory is

pushing home costs downward.

 

 

SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES

Michigan Golf Photos

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Articles

____________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Watermark Residences – May 2011 ar125812218972939 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Watermark Residences – May 2011 ar125812225271331 Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Report – Watermark Residences – May 2011

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

                          Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

St Johns River Cruise Florida

St Johns River Cruise Florida

Our trip down the St Johns River in central Florida was a

new adventure for us.  We loved the quiet grandeur of the

river and the serene nature preserve that makes up most

of the river length.  Please join us virtually and take a little

river trip in Florida’s majestic St Johns River.

Warning: If you don’t like water, trees, or birds, skip this.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Caledonia Michigan Public Schools Win Gold Medal ar125812225271331 Caledonia Michigan Public Schools Win Gold Medal

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Caledonia Michigan Public Schools Win Gold Medal

Caledonia Michigan Public Schools Win Gold Medal

The Caledonia Community School District ranks as one of the best

in the nation.  A Gold Medal was awarded by Expansion Management

Magazine which recognizes Caledonia Public Schools as being in the

top 16% of the 2800 schools they rated nationally.

Caledonia High School

This medal is based on how well students learn, how many graduate,

the community’s financial commitment to education, and its adult education

and income levels.

Other Kent County Schools that were received top rankings were Forest Hills,

Rockford, and Grandville.

Additional Caledonia Michigan Articles

SEARCH FOR CALEDONIA HOMES

SEARCH FOR GRAND RAPIDS HOMES

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 2011 Forest Hills Schools Rank Top in Nation ar125812218972939 2011 Forest Hills Schools Rank Top in Nation ar125812225271331 2011 Forest Hills Schools Rank Top in Nation

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

2011 Forest Hills Schools Rank Top in Nation

2011 Forest Hills Schools Rank Top in Nation

The new school rankings are out and several local schools made

the best of the best list.  Forest Hills had 3 schools in the top 99th % of

schools, Ada Elementary, 5/6 Central Woodlands and Goodwillie

Environmental.

Central_woodlands

Grand Rapids also had 3 schools  place in the ranking, City Middle High,

John Ball Park Zoo School and  Blandford Nature Center School. 

East Grand Rapids had K-5 Wealthy place in the ranking.

 

SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES

SEARCH FOR EAST GRAND RAPIDS HOMES

SEARCH FOR GRAND RAPIDS HOMES

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – Soapy, Sudsy Fun ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – Soapy, Sudsy Fun ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – Soapy, Sudsy Fun

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Foto Friday – Soapy, Sudsy Fun

Foto Friday – Soapy, Sudsy Fun

Fountain_full_of_suds

We saw this basically harmless prank in Evanston Illinois last week-

end on our Sunday morning walk to the park.   “Someone” had put soap

in the water fountain and overnight major suds developed.  Every stiff

breeze was sending it blowing across the intersection.  Quite a crowd

of admirers were snapping pics with their phones.   Weird but funny!

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011 ar125812218972939 Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011 ar125812225271331 Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011

Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011

This list of Top Best Buy Caledonia Michigan Houses for Sale

based on price per square foot between $45-$100/SqFt.   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 a newer kitchen, wood floors, & remodeled

bathrooms, this would be more per square foot than a home

that still has 1970’s decor and/or is in worn or “tired” condition.

Caledonia High School

August 2011   TOP BEST BUY Caledonia MI Homes

The Top 21 Caledonia Homes to Buy by Price/Square Foot:

6749 Chapin St         $ 42,900     672 Sq Ft      $63.84/SqFt

8601 Acorn St          $74,900      998 Sq Ft      $75.05/SqFt

7050 84th St             $105,000    1400 Sq Ft    $75.00/SqFt

8933 Braden St SE     $115,000    1380 Sq Ft    $83.33/SqFt

8560 Keiser SE          $119,900    1324 Sq Ft    $90.56/SqFt

8956 Braden              $124,900    1619 Sq Ft    $77.15/SqFt

5695 84th St             $129,000     2378 Sq Ft    $54.25/SqFt

8460 Alaska Ave      $129,900    1328 Sq Ft    $97.82/SqFt

7384 68th St             $135,000     1750 Sq Ft    $78.95/SqFt

429 Emmons St        $139,900     2372 Sq Ft    $58.98/SqFt

 

8610 Grainery Ave    $140,000       1450 Sq Ft   $96.55/SqFt

9144 Glengarry Ct       $159,000     2048 Sq Ft   $77.64/SqFt

327 Johnson St          $164,900     3000 Sq Ft    $54.97/SqFt

8543 Grainery Ave      $169,900     1722 Sq Ft   $98.66/SqFt

7473 McCords Ave      $179,900     2010 Sq Ft    $89.50/SqFt

6126 S Costner Ct      $199,900     2085 Sq Ft    $95.88/SqFt

8687 Rainbow’s End     $209,000    2966 Sq Ft    $70.47/SqFt

7070 Thornapple River  $229,000    2636 Sq Ft    $86.87/SqFt

7434 E Morgan Ln Ct   $235,000     2364 Sq Ft    $99.41/SqFt

6162 S Costner Ct      $235,000      2390 Sq Ft   $98.33/SqFt

7792 Golf Meadows    $294,900     3100 Sq Ft     $95.13/SqFt

8300 Kraft Ave SE      $295,000      4200 Sq Ft    $70.24/SqFt

10270 Southridge Dr    $299,900    3324 Sq Ft     $90.22/SqFt

 

 

Caledonia real estate  has 2 homes under $100K this month

but homes in the $100K-200K category are picked up fast,  if

in good condition.  July activity has really taken off with 30 homes

pending,  8 sold homes for the last month in the Caledonia district.

 

Price is still a huge factor, the average sale price is down

again for the third month to $ 159,088.  Mid priced homes in good

condition are selling almost as fast as they hit the market.

Distressed homes and foreclosures are still driving prices downward

though we are seeing more competition for the traditional sale in

great condition.

 

SEARCH CALEDONIA MI HOMES

Search Bank Owned & Short Sale Caledonia Homes

More Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Articles

Home Buying Questions Answered

Home Buying List a Must

***Please note that this list can change daily as some homes

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

Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and

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

If you would like to see a Caledonia Home, please

contact me: 1-888-240-1968 ext 0

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

ar125812212017642 Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011 ar125812218972939 Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011 ar125812225271331 Caledonia Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011

Top Best Buy Forest Hills Homes (Ada-Cascade) for Sale,

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

leveler, if two homes are compared by square foot pricing, you

get a much better picture of what you are paying for or if the

home is overpriced compared to similar homes. 

 

These homes might need major repair work done, such

as new kitchens and baths, roofs, new plumbing, electrical &

other major mechanicals.  They may have dated decor,  an

odd floor plan, or additions/add-ons that are not what most

people are looking for.

 

Thornapple School Sign

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

77 Honey Creek                $85,900    1027 Sq Ft     $83.64/SqFt

2560 Kraft Ave                   $89,900    1396 Sq Ft    $64.40/SqFt

4485 Whitneyville             $89,900    1312 Sq Ft   $68.52/SqFt

4191 Bradford St               $119,900   1816 Sq Ft   $66.02/SqFt

6367 3 Mile Rd                    $139,900   1704 Sq Ft    $82.10/SqFt

1607 Thornapple Dr           $144,900    1806 Sq Ft    $80.23/SqFt

6384 Cascade Rd                $149,900    2300 Sq Ft    $65.17/SqFt

253 Forest Hill Ave            $150,000     2502 Sq Ft   $59.95/SqFt

6905 Adaridge Dr SE         $164,750    1896 SqFt    $86.89/SqFt

2150 Forest Hills                $169,500    2144 Sq Ft    $79.06/SqFt

8824 Grand River Dr           $169,900     2330 Sq Ft   $72.92/SqFt

6588 Tanglewood               $170,000     1977 Sq Ft   $85.99/SqFt

4116 Burton St SE               $170,000     2682 Sq Ft   $63.39/SqFt

6181 Witherbee Dr SE        $174,900    2022 Sq Ft   $86.50/SqFt

1141 Thornapple River        $175,900    2056 Sq Ft   $85.55/SqFt

7244 Thorncrest                 $179,900   2077 Sq Ft    $86.62/SqFt

1537 Laraway Lake           $185,000   2166 SQ Ft     $85.41/SqFt

2105 Forest Hills Ave         $209,800   2750 Sq Ft    $76.29/SqFt     

2324 Beatrice Dr NE          $225,000   2690 Sq Ft    $83.64/SqFt

5900 Hall St SE                 $239,900   2880 Sq Ft    $83.30/SqFt

9390 Bailey Dr                  $244,850    2753 Sq Ft    $88.94/SqFt

8275 Bailey Dr SE            $249,900   3192 Sq Ft    $78.29/SqFt

2600 Riveredge Dr           $254,900   2928 Sq Ft    $87.06/SqFt

6648 Gleneagles               $259,900   2990 Sq Ft    $86.92/SqFt

146 Honeycreek Ave       $279,900    3536 Sq Ft   $79.16/SqFt

Summer buying season is on in Forest Hills, 52 sold homes

and 68 pending sales in the last month.

Average sold price  = $ 293,317

Pricing seems to be going up in Forest Hills School District.

If you are willing to do repairs and update a home, there are still some

good buys at historically low interest rates. The homes in the most

up-to-date condition sell the fastest, as most buyers

do not want to do any repairs or updates.

 

This list could include properties in Ada Township, Cascade

Township, Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, and the

city of Kentwood.

Please note: This list can change daily as some homes sell,

prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

Search For Forest Hills Homes

Search Short Sale & Bank Owned Forest Hills Homes

More Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Articles

If you would like to see a 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. We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

ar125812212017642 Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011 ar125812218972939 Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011 ar125812225271331 Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011

East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes August 2011

Our list of the Top Best Buy East Grand Rapids Houses

to buy is based on price/square foot.  If two similar homes are

listed at similar prices, their price per square foot should be similar

and it should reflect the interior finish of the home.  East GR has

homes listed at almost $500/Sq Ft and under $100/Sq Ft, so the

range in this community is wide.

If a home has new kitchen, wood flooring, and new bath updates,

this would be more valuable per square foot than a home that still has

the 1980’s cabinets, dated bathrooms and worn carpeting.

Please note that this list can change daily as some homes sell, prices

are adjusted and other homes come on the market. 

Birds in Flight sculpture downtown EGR

August 2011 –  TOP BEST BUY East Grand Rapids Homes

The Top East GR Homes to Buy by Price per Square Foot:

 

2246 Estelle                 $96,000    1070 Sq Ft   $89.72/SqFt

2450 Gilmour St          $109,750   1500 Sq Ft   $73.17/SqFt

1600 Wealthy St SE   $114,900    1248 Sq Ft   $92.07/SqFt

2543 Richards Dr       $129,900     1400 Sq Ft    $92.79/SqFt

1112 Eastwood           $134,000    1275 Sq Ft   $105.10/SqFt

2145 Hall St                 $137,500     1198 Sq Ft   $114.77/SqFt

2151 Tenway             $141,900    1396 Sq Ft    $101.65/SqFt

1058 Orchard Ave      $149,900    1335 Sq Ft    $112.28/SqFt

3009 Lake Dr               $159,900    1600 Sq Ft    $114.54/SqFt

2243 Heather St         $164,900    1416 Sq FT   $99.94/SqFt

2050 Tenway             $164,900     1520 Sq Ft    $116.45/SqFt

2405 Oakwood Dr     $165,000      1786 Sq Ft   $92.39/SqFt

430 Rosewood Ave    $179,900      2169 Sq Ft    $82.07/SqFt

1032 San Juan Dr       $179,900       1696 Sq Ft    $106.07/SqFt

1600 Robinson Rd      $199,000       2516 Sq FT    $79.09/SqFt

1245 Woodshire        $199,750      2248 Sq Ft    $88.46/SqFt

319 Kingswood Rd      $209,000      1796 SQ Ft    $116.37/SqFt

1753 Breton Ave         $210,000      2740 Sq Ft    $76.64/SqFt

1555 Edgewood Ave   $212,000     2123 Sq Ft    $99.44/SqFt

1739 Breton Rd            $244,900     2067 Sq Ft    $118.48/SqFt

1059 Eastwood Ave    $249,500     2124 Sq Ft     $117.47/SqFt

2254 Brighton Dr         $259,900    2250 Sq Ft    $115.51/SqFt

1447 Woodcliff Ave    $274,900     2861 Sq Ft    $96.09/SqFt

2733 Maplewood Dr     $295,000    2746 Sq Ft    $107.43/SqFt

3131 Lake Dr                $319,900    3300 Sq Ft     $96.94/SqFt

2649 Boston St SE      $425,000    3666 Sq Ft    $115.93/SqFt

22 Pending, 14 Sold in the last 30 days in EGR

Average Sale List Price  $ 276,921

Home sales have increased this last month, home inventory

is  moving in East GR.  Distressed properties are still popping up

but much scarcer than other areas around GR and the bidding wars

are on.  Average sold price jumped because more expensive homes

were the majority of sold homes last month. 

 

SEARCH EAST GRAND RAPIDS HOMES

Bank Owned & Short Sale EGR Homes Search

Related Posts:

Which Mortgage Do I Choose?

East GR  Real Estate Market Articles

Home Buyer Questions & Answers

East Grand Rapids – America’s Hometown

*Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and

not habitable as is or available for a mortgage in present

condition.  Sold-As-Is*

If you would like to view an East Grand Rapids Home,

please contact us @1-888-240-1968 x 0 or email us :

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.

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

ar125812212017642 East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011 ar125812218972939 East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011 ar125812225271331 East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2011

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Forest Hills Public Schools Resolve $9.5 Million Budget 2011 Shortfall

Forest Hills Public Schools Resolve $9.5 Million Budget 2011 Shortfall

Budget woes for school districts are not news for communities today,

as the monetary belt tightens for school districts all over the United States.

But the Grand Rapids Forest Hills Public School District has done a great

job of planning ahead AND getting concessions from their teaching and

support staff.  The recent budget shortfall was lessened by a $7.5

million voluntary decrease in staff and teaching compensation alterations.

The other $2 million will come from the district’s strategic reserves.

 

PineRidgeElementarySchool

 

Good schools are valued by the people who live in the community

and Forest Hills has been ranked the number one school district in Kent

County by Grand Rapids Magazine.

 

SEARCH FOR FOREST HILLS HOMES

MORE FOREST HILLS ARTICLES

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Tree Trimming as a Spectator Sport ar125812218972939 Tree Trimming as a Spectator Sport ar125812225271331 Tree Trimming as a Spectator Sport

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Tree Trimming as a Spectator Sport

Tree Trimming as a Spectator Sport

The tree trimming we are talking about is major work. 

We have lived in our home for 20 years, plus.  The trees have

managed to envelope us in a leafy canopy in that period of time.

Our cottonwood tree is huge and towers over the others in

our neighborhood.  Below, it is pictured before trimming.

P1050089

Two events coincided to make this a reality: a storm cracked off

a 26 ft limb on our cottonwood tree in the back yard and our 4 year old

grandson  was coming for a week.  We decided this would be the perfect

time to entertain him with a tree trimming exhibition.  Side note: He lives

in the city in a high rise.  So we thought this would be high entertainment

for him and us.

 

Cottonwood tree

 

We called Shaffer Tree Services on the recommendation of a friend who

was pleased with the tree trimming work he had done for them.

 

cottonwood_tree_being_trimmed

 

Joseph Shaffer is up in our cottonwood tree.  He would get into much

scarier positions.  Once, he was over our neighbor’s yard, bouncing on

a just sawed off limb tip.  He got quite a ride on that one!

 

Poplar_tree_trimming

In the process, the sawyer is up in the tree, roped for safety, cutting.

Four helpers are on the ground, dodging limbs, dragging away the small

brush, and trimming the large logs into short pieces.

 

 

The final result is a lot more sunlight in our backyard……

 

cottonwood tree trimmed

cottonwood tree

Trimmed cottonwood tree

backyard tree canopy after trimming

 

………………and a lot more wood to cut up and burn in our fireplace

for winters to come.

 

pile of cut wood

We would call Shaffer Tree Services to do any tree work that we

would need to do in the future.  We were happy with the results and

the efficient clean-up job the crew did for us.

**This recommendation is not coerced  or compensated in any way by

Shaffer Tree Services.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Ada Michigan Road Paving Schedule August 2011 ar125812218972939 Ada Michigan Road Paving Schedule August 2011 ar125812225271331 Ada Michigan Road Paving Schedule August 2011

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM