Top Best Buy Homes Forest Hills Michigan ~ August 2009

We have gathered a list of the Top Best Forest Hills Houses

( Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot.

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

prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

The homes listed below are probably dated and would need

updating with new carpeting, paint, and kitchen- bath redos

at a minimum to bring them to current market standards.

They might need major repair work done, such as new roofs

& mechanicals.

Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get

up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.

top best buys in forest hills mi homes for sale

The total square footage is noted here, although only the

main floors are used to figure price per square foot, not the

basement, even if finished.

The list for August 2009 is 19 properties, up from last month.

The lowest price/Sq Ft for homes range from $43 to $74.89

here in Forest Hills.

The lowest list price is $39,900 and the highest list price is

$221,988 for July 2009 homes in Forest Hills School District.

This list could include properties in Ada Township, Cascade

Township, Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, and the

city of Kentwood.

Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and

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

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

2653 Chatham Woods     $ 39,000        907 Sq Ft  $43.00/SqFt

3426 Nottingham Dr NE   $ 59,900       1392 Sq Ft  $43.03/SqFt

8245 Fulton St E              $ 74,900      1124 Sq Ft   $66.64/SqFt

6375 Wainscot Dr SE       $ 82,000     1633 Sq Ft   $66.99/SqFt

1417 Grand River Dr       $ 89,900    1248 Sq Ft    $72.04/SqFt

 

6384 Cascade Rd          $89,900     2253 Sq Ft   $39.90/SqFt

6600 Cascade Rd          $89,900    1788 Sq Ft   $50.28/SqFt

6250 Architrave St        $ 90,000    1814 Sq Ft   $66.36/SqFt

5505 Whitneyville SE    $ 94,900   1536 Sq Ft   $61.78/SqFt 

2031 Rowland  #8       $ 97,000     1550 Sq Ft    $62.58/SqFt

 

7195 Dorset Dr SE       $112,900    2500 Sq Ft   $71.46/SqFt

111 Greenbrier Dr        $119,900    2810 Sq Ft   $74.47/SqFt

2201 Shady Dr NE       $120,000     2444 Sq Ft   $49.10/SqFt

6614 Adaridge Dr SE   $129,900     2012 Sq Ft   $64.56/SqFt

3012 Jeanlin Dr SE      $134,900    2548 Sq Ft    $52.94 /SqFt

 

6461 Cascade Rd SE   $139,900    2023 Sq Ft   $69.15/SqFt

3206 Oak Hollow Dr    $179,900   2509 Sq Ft   $71.70/Sq/Ft

2328 Dean Lake NE    $199,900   2757 Sq Ft   $72.51/SqFt

8801 Fulton St E         $288,900   4132 Sq Ft    $69.92/SqFt

 

Forest Hills MI Top Best Buy Homes ~ July 2009

Forest Hills Market Report July 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Public Schools Update 2009

 

If you would like to see a particular Top Best Buys Forest Hills

Home, please contact us at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 or email us at:

terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Top Best Buys Waterfront Homes ~ Kent County Michigan August 2009

Current market conditions have brought home prices down to levels

we haven’t seen in several years. All price levels and amenities

have been affected.

Now may be a great time to purchase a Waterfront Home.

I have included a list of 24 homes in Eastern Kent County Michigan

in the $100,000 to $200,000 price range with private water frontage.

Grand River  Ada Michigan
Grand River Ada Michigan

             Address                                             Price

   1915 Laraway Lake Dr SE                   $  119,900

   2201 Shady Dr NE                                    120,000

   4575 Abrigador Trl NE                              127,000

  4351 Porter Hollow Dr NE                        134,900

  1038 N Hampton Dr NE                            139,900

  3574 Michigan St NE                                144,900

  7159 Pennisula Dr NE                             145,900

  4565 Wakefield Ave   NE                        153,500

9027 Brouwer Lake Rd NE                       159,900

7111 Eva Dr NE                                        159,900

7073 Pennisula Dr NE                              160,000

3067 Valley View Dr NE                           169,900

8820 66th St SE                                        169,900

6655 West River Dr NE                            169,900

1542 Lamberton Lake Dr NE                    174,900

2121 High Bluff Dr NE                              185,000

6587 Summer Shores Dr SE                    189,000

2780 Thornapple River Dr SE                  189,000

7268 Pennisula Dr NE                              189,900

4151 Bud Dr NE                                       189,900

8181 84th St SE                                      194,900

5065 Porter Hollow Dr NE                      199,876

3300 Shadyside Dr NE                            199,900

7214 Ramsdell Dr NE                              199,900

If you are eligible for a first time buyer tax credit, buying a home

could  be less than you think.

The above link will take you to an explanation of the 2009 tax

credit and some possible applications I have provided.

If a leisure lifestyle appeals to you, this may be the perfect time

to make your move.  I am always available for questions or details

concerning Michigan real estate.  1-888-240-1968 X 0

 

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Grand River photo by Bonnie Westbrook

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Forest Hills (Ada Cascade) MI Real Estate Absorption Report

Forest Hills is actually a school district in AdaCascade MI. This market

is always active. These 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 April 1, 2009  to July 30, 2009 real estate

market activity.

Forest Hills Eastern High school Ada Township MI

          Forest Hills MI Listings over $300,000

The absorption rate for Forest Hills MI is 13.3 months, which means if no

new listings come on the market, it will take 13.3 months to sell the existing

$ 300K+ homes at the current rate of sale.  This rate is down significantly

from  last month, sold prices are inching upward.  Inventory is down slightly,

but sales are holding fairly steady. Your Forest Hills home has a good chance

to sell if it is in good condition and priced correctly.

 

$300,000+ Homes

227 Active Forest Hills Listings

Average price of $626,539

Average price/square foot $202.82

Low price of $305,000

High price of $2,700,000.

Sold Forest Hills Listings 50

Average sold price $478,188

Average Sold price/sq ft $ 162.00

Lowest sold price $310,000

Highest sold price $1,100,000

Pending Listings 18

Forest Hills Active Listings $50,000 – $300,000

The Absorption rate for Forest Hills homes in this price range is 5.47

months, which means that if no new homes enter the market, at the

current rate of sales, it will take 5.47 months to sell all current inventory.

This is down from last month, but still within normal range.

Forest Hills Active Listings 230

Average Active  Price $208,088

Average Active Price/SqFt $118.34

Average Active Days on the Market  105

High Active Price $300,000

Low Active Price $59,900

Sold Forest Hills Listings 119

Average Sold Price  $195,384

Average Sold Price/sq ft $101.73

Average Sold Days on the Market 89 Days

High Sold Price  $300,000

Low Sold price is $53,000

Pending Sales 49

Market Synopsis: Although the absorption rate is one of the lowest in

the area, for the under 300K homes, this market area is finally seeing

some stabilization in market prices.  With less active listings coming on

the market, competition will be tighter for Forest Hills buyers.

 

Forest Hills MI Top Best Buy Homes ~ July 2009

 Forest Hills RE Market Reports 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Public Schools Update 2009

 

If you would like specific information about an Ada Cascade or

Forest Hills MI Homes, please contact me directly:

email: terry@terrywestbrook.com

ph. 1-888-240-1968 x 0

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate  ~ Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009  All rights reserved

Photo of Forest Hills Eastern High School by Bonnie Westbrook

Forest Hills Schools Get A Face-Lift This Summer

Six different schools in the Forest Hills Public School District are under

some kind of construction this summer. 

Every school site will receive different combinations of security cameras,

roof repair/ replacement, parking lot resurfacing, and energy

conservation/sustainability improvements (window replacement,

lighting and mechanical system upgrades).

See details at Forest Hills District News Site

Some photos of the Construction Sites:

Warning -  if you like hard hats, you will be in 7th heaven!

FHS ada Elem construction

Ada Elementary School

Piles o dirt Ada Elem FHS construction

Ada Elementary School

CMS construction

Central Middle School

 

FHS CMS construction pics

Central Middle School

FHC construction

Forest Hills Central High School

FHC parking lot redo

Forest Hills Central High School

FHC Frt Construction

 

School districts reflect the interest people have in their

community public education systems. Forest Hills Schools are

one of the best in our state in almost every category.  New

school updates are one of the ways we try to keep you informed

on what is happening in the Forest Hills District.

 

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Photos by Bonnie Westbrook

Cascade Township Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ June 2009

Grand Rapids Market Report Cascade  Township   June 2009

Cascade Township is located southeast of the city of Grand Rapids and has

enjoyed rising home prices for several years.  The recent readjustment to

the market has hit this area just like all the other areas of Grand Rapids.

But sales are still happening and only truly distressed homes are going for

bargain prices this summer.  If your home is up to date and in good condition,

the market for Cascade Township Homes remains strong.  Cascade Township

is mainly in Forest Hills Public School System, though

Caledonia Public Schools  and Lowell Public Schools are also in the

township.

Units Sold

Cascade Units sold July 2009

Sales Price Graph (Includes Sold Homes Only) Quick Sheet for June 2009

Cascade Units Sold July 2009

Active Listings in Cascade as of July 1, 2009 (Not all homes may be shown

due to map scale)

cascade homes for sale July 2009

Median Sold Price – $ 236,250

Average Days on Market – 75

Percent Sold/List – 94.72%

Current Inventory – 271

Months Inventory – 10

Average Price/SqFt – $ 93.61

Most Cascade Township homes in June 2009 are selling for close

to the list prices, as you can see by the stats, with a 94.72% sold

to list price ratio.  This is good news for Cascade Township sellers.

 

If you would like to view  a for sale Cascade Township Home,

please call me or email me directly.

Westbrook Realty  Grand Rapids Real Estate

Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Top Best Buy Homes in Forest Hills, Michigan ~ July 2009

We have gathered a list of the Top Best Forest Hills Houses

( Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot.

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

prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

The homes listed below are probably dated and would need

updating with new carpeting, paint, and kitchen- bath redos

at a minimum to bring them to current market standards.

They might need major repair work done, such as new roofs

& mechanicals.

Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get

up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.

top best buys in forest hills mi homes for sale

The total square footage is noted here, although only the

main floors are used to figure price per square foot, not the

basement, even if finished.

The list this month is 18 properties, up from last month.

The lowest price/Sq Ft for homes range from $43 to $74.89

here in Forest Hills.

The lowest list price is $39,900 and the highest list price is

$221,988 for July 2009 homes in Forest Hills School District.

This list could include properties in Ada Township, Cascade

Township, Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, and the

city of Kentwood.

Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and

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

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

5610 Ada Dr SE                 $153,000     2437 SqFt   $62.78/SqFt

2635 Chatham Woods      $ 49,900       817 Sq Ft  $61.08/SqFt

2653 Chatham Woods      $ 39,900        907 Sq Ft  $43.00/SqFt

2031 Rowland  #8            $ 97,000     1550 SqFt    $62.58/SqFt

6375 Wainscot Dr SE        $ 84,900     1633 Sq Ft   $69.36/SqFt

 

383 Pettis Ave SE           $ 94,900    2040 Sq Ft   $46.52/SqFt

1417 Grand River Dr       $ 89,900    1248 Sq Ft   $72.04/SqFt

5505 Whitneyville SE      $ 97,500   1536 Sq Ft   $63.48/SqFt 

6250 Architrave St          $ 90,000    1814 Sq Ft   $66.36/SqFt

6600 Cascade Rd           $ 94,900    1788 SqFt   $53.08/SqFt 

 

8195 45th St SE              $124,500     2193 SqFt   $56.77/SqFt

6461 Cascade Rd SE       $139,900    2023 SqFt   $69.15/SqFt

3703 Burton St SE          $ 66,000       912 Sq Ft    $72.37/SqFt

3012 Jeanlin Dr SE          $134,900  2548 Sq Ft    $52.94 /SqFt

6948 Maplecrest Dr         $155,000   3200 Sq Ft   $57.84/SqFt

 

7569 Woodvale St SE       $143,900   2238 Sq Ft   $60.28/SqFt

4271 Woodside Oaks Ct    $221,988  3453 Sq Ft   $64.29/SqFt

3206 Oak Hollow Dr SE     $187,900   2509 Sq Ft   $74.89/Sq/Ft

 

Forest Hills MI Top Best Buy Homes ~ June 2009

Forest Hills Market Report May 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Public Schools Update 2009

 

If you would like to see a particular Top Best Buys Forest Hills

Home, please contact us at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 or email us at:

terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Forest Hills Michigan Top Best Buy Homes ~ June 2009

We have gathered a list of the Top Best Forest Hills Houses

( Ada-Cascade) to buy, based on price per square foot.

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

prices are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

The homes listed below are probably dated and would need

updating with new carpeting, paint, and kitchen- bath redos

at a minimum to bring them to current market standards.

They might need major repair work done, such as new roofs

& mechanicals.

Check back often or just subscribe to our blog to get

up-to-date local real estate information that you want to know.

top best buys in forest hills mi homes for sale

The total square footage is noted here, although only the

main floors are used to figure price per square foot, not the

basement, even if finished.

The list this month is 17 properties, up from last month.

The lowest price/Sq Ft for homes range from $53.67 to $73.78

here in Forest Hills.

The lowest list price is $57,900 and the highest list price is

$236,537 for June 2009 homes in Forest Hills School District.

This list could include properties in Ada Township, Cascade

Township, Grand Rapids Township, Lowell Township, and the

city of Kentwood.

Some of these homes may be bank owned foreclosures and

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

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

 

4198 Knapp Ct NE             $ 57,900     1200 SqFt   $57.90/SqFt

2635 Chatham Woods       $59,400       817 Sq Ft  $72.71/SqFt

6225 Acropolis Dr SE          $59,900     1116 Sq Ft  $53.67/SqFt

2049 Rowland #4             $ 64,500     1150 SqFt    $56.09/SqFt

2493 Dunnigan Ave NE     $ 74,000     1352 Sq Ft   $54.73 /SqFt

 

378 Pettis Ave SE              $ 79,900    1300 Sq Ft   $61.46/SqFt

1417 Grand River Dr          $ 89,900    1248 Sq Ft   $72.04/SqFt

5505 Whitneyville SE         $ 99,900   1536 Sq Ft   $65.04/SqFt

6250 Architrave St            $ 99,998     1814 Sq Ft   $73.74/SqFt

6600 Cascade Rd             $104,900    1788 SqFt   $58.67/SqFt

 

8195 45th St SE                $124,500     2193 SqFt   $56.77/SqFt

6461 Cascade Rd SE         $139,900    2023 SqFt   $69.15/SqFt

5610 Ada Drive SE            $159,000    2437 Sq Ft   $65.24/SqFt

3012 Jeanlin Dr SE            $159,000  2548 Sq Ft    $62.40 /SqFt

6948 Maplecrest Dr           $165,000   3200 Sq Ft   $61.57/SqFt

 

3150 Hayward Dr SE         $189,900   2574 Sq Ft   $73.78/SqFt

4271 Woodside Oaks Ct    $236,537  3453 Sq Ft   $68.50/SqFt

 

If you would like to see a particular Top Best Buys Forest Hills

Home, please contact us at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0 or email us at:

terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

West Michigan Schools Ranked in Top 1500 US High Schools 2009 by Newsweek

Newsweek makes its determination by ranking according to a ration devised by Jay Mathews: the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge Tests taken by all students at a school in 2008 divided by the number  of graduating seniors. All of schools on the list have an index of at least 1.000; they are all in the top 6 percent of public schools measured this way.  (Most rankings just use AP)

 

FHCentral entrance

West Michigan schools that ranked are:

Black River High School (Holland) Rank # 464  – 4th time on the list

East Grand Rapids High School   Rank #1011 – 4th time on the list

Forest Hills Central High School   Rank # 1088 – 5th time on the list

Lowell High School                    Rank # 1271 – 4th Time on the list

Jenison High School                 Rank  # 1292 – 5th Time on the list

Mona Shores High School (Norton Shores) Rank # 1185 – 2nd time on the list

 

We all want our children to go to award-winning schools. These are the top

high schools in the area, by Newsweek ranking standards.  Where you have

top high schools, you have an educated workforce, and typically higher

real estate prices because people want to live where their children will get

a great education.

 

Grand Rapids Real Estate Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports ~ May 2009 ~ Tamarron Estates

Cascade Neighborhood Absorption Report

Tamarron Estates is an upscale suburban development with large

wooded lots, walking access to Thornapple Elementary School and

the Thornapple River Backwaters.  It is located just off of

Thornapple River Drive and Cascade Road in Cascade Township.

The house styles vary from large, comfortable ranches, traditional

two stories, to contemporary homes.  Many of the homes were built

in the late 1970’s to the mid 1980’s, though there is a new street

that has much newer homes on acreage settings.  Some houses close

to and surrounding this development are in the upper price brackets

in the Grand Rapids real estate market.

Leslie E Tassell Park Cascade MI

                     Tamarron Residential Real Estate 

                       May 2009 Market Report

                      2 Sold,  5 For Sale, 4 Expired

Tamarron Active Listings: 5

Tamarron Average Active Price – $ 571,680

Tamarron Average Active Price/SqFt – $ 162.20

Tamarron Average Active Days on Market – 67

Tamarron  SOLD Listings: 2

Tamarron  Average Sold Price $ 202,000

Tamarron Average Sold Price/SqFt – $ 79.07

Tamarron Average Sold Days on Market – 66

Tamarron Expired Listings: 4

Tamarron Average Expired Price – $ 518,725

Tamarron Average Expired Price/SqFt – $ 135.09

Tamarron Average Expired Days on Market – 167

 

At the current selling rate, we have a 12.5 month supply of homes

on the market in Tamarron in Cascade Township.

MARKET SYNOPSIS: Tamarron homes are selling but not at the

prices that sellers would like to see. Today’s market is accepting

homes under $80.00 a sq ft. This is a substantial price reduction for

this area.  As you  can see, the current sellers think their homes

will sell at $ 160/sq ft.

Expired listings weren’t selling at $ 135/SqFt.  If you have to sell your

Tamarron Estates home now, the market place is telling you that you

need to be under $100 a sq ft or less to see your home sell.

 

Cascade Township has seen tremendous growth in the last fifty

years, though the growth rate has slowed considerably since 2000.

The majority (82%)live in a single family home, and the median

value is  $220,00.  Household incomes in Cascade Township are the

highest among surrounding Grand Rapids areas at $ 87,290.  Most

people in Cascade Township prefer to live here because of the quality

housing, safe areas, and quality schools.

If you have questions about the value of your Cascade or Forest Hills

Home, please contact me directly:  terry@terrywestbrook.com or

call me at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0

 

Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Photo of Leslie Tassell Park by Bonnie Westbrook

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Reports ~ May 2009 ~ Adacroft Commons

The Ada area growth trends remain strong. Ada Township planner,

Jim Ferro states that the Ada population has grown by 20% since

2000. There is a new proposed 80 unit condo site – Villas of Ada

and Stone Falls of Ada – a 210 unit apartment complex, currently

under construction here. Both of these new developments are quite

close to Adacroft Commons.

                   Adacroft Commons Real Estate

                   May  2009 Market Report

                  2 Sold, 1 For Sale, 0 Expired

Adacroft Commons Entrance Ada MI 49301

Adacroft Commons Active Listings: 1

Adacroft Commons Active Price – $189,900

Adacroft Commons Active Price/SqFt – $94.38

Adacroft Commons Active Days on Market -12

Adacroft Commons SOLD Listings: 2

Adacroft Commons average sold price – $ 187,00

Adacroft Commons average sold price/SqFt – $95.99

Adacroft Commons average sold days on market -13

Adacroft Commons Expired Listings: 0

 

There is only one current home for sale in Adacroft Commons

listed on the local MLS board.  This is an extremely desirable area

to live, with its close proximity to Forest Hills Central Middle &

High Schools.  In the above stats you can see that homes are

selling for close to the list price, although average $/SqFt has

decreased slightly since 2008. 

 

 

If you have detailed questions or just need general information

about Grand Rapids or Ada Homes, please contact me directly.

terry@terrywestbrook.com

or call 1-888-240-1968 ext 0

Grand Rapids Ada MI Real EstateWestbrook Realty

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Adacroft Commons Entrance Photo by Bonnie Westbrook