Wolverine Worldwide CEO Speaks at GVSU Alumni Breakfast

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

We attended the latest Grand Valley State University Alumni Breakfast

Series this week in Grand Rapids Michigan. The featured speaker was

Blake Krueger, the CEO of Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. speaking on Global

Leadership through Innovation.

If you aren’t familiar with Wolverine Worldwide, they are a local company

based here in Rockford, Michigan. They had annual sales of $1.2 billion

last year as an international marketer of footwear, apparel, and

accessories. They make Hush Puppies, Merrell, Patagonia, Sebago,

Harley Davidson and Cat footwear. The talk was very informative and

relevant to today’s global market place. Wolverine Worldwide decided

to go global back in 1958, so they were way ahead of the curve when

most companies decided to market their products beyond the shores

of the USA.

Which could be why they are a very successful company today.

Here is a short video of the last part of Mr. Krueger’s talk, about

innovation in the global marketplace.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0iGtb4EBow&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00]

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Five Star Real Estate

Video by Bonnie Westbrook

Stone Falls of Ada ~ New Apartment Complex Update ~ Ada, Michigan

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

UPDATE: The Stone Falls of Ada Apartment complex has went up fast.

Our last post was in June. The units are up and some are occupied. Not

all units are completed yet. In the short video here, you can see the

approach to Stone Falls of Ada on Spaulding Ave and just how big this

complex is. There was a little excitement a few weeks ago when an empty

unit caught fire, the damage can be seen on our video tour.

I am leaving my original post, so you can the how fast the project has

went up.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Ec-AribkY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00]

Stone Falls of Ada Apartments

Original Post about Stone Falls of Ada:

A new 210 unit luxury apartment complex is taking shape in Ada, Michigan.

The new complex, named Stone Falls of Ada, is scheduled to be completed

in spring 2009. The Dayton Ohio based group that is constructing the

development, the Miller-Valentine Group,and their partners, Boston based

Cross Harbor Capital Partners LLC reports that the complex will have one,

two, and three bedroom apartments ranging in size from 856 square

feet to 1460 square feet. The location of the project is on the east side

of Spaulding Avenue just south of Fulton Street.

stone falls of ada mi

As you can see, construction is well under way. The buildings in the far

background are the Townhouses and condominiums of Clements Mill. This

part of the Clements Mill project was sold to be completed as apartment

dwellings. This is a fairly new feature in Ada Township.

Prior to this development 98 per cent of the homes in Ada Township were

single family residences. There are a lot of apartments in the Grand Rapids

area but very few in Ada. It will be interesting to see if Ada is attractive to

renters.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

photo by Bonnie Westbrook

Real Estate Market Report – Ada, MI ~ Clements Mill ~ Nov 2008

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Clements Mill is a newer home development built by Eastbrook

Construction in the Ada MI area, started in 1999 and completed in

2003. Apart from newer homes, part of the appeal is the proximity

of Forest Hills Central Middle and High Schools, Forest Hills

Woodlands 5/6 School, St Roberts & Ada Christian Schools, which

are within walking distance.

Clements Mill is midway between the Village of Ada and Forest Hills

shopping area at Cascade Road and Forest Hills.

Ada’s Clements Mill has seen steady to declining values in the short

time it has been built out. This is largely due to the current over

abundance of houses for sale in a soft resale market.

Clements Mill Real Estate

Market Report November 2008

21 Sold, 1 Pending, 5 For Sale, 8 Expired

Clements Mill Active Listings November 2008: 5

Average Active Price: $250,700

Average Active Price/SqFt: $118.14

Average Active Days on Market: 120

Clements Mill Sold Listings November 2008: 21

Average Sold Price: $276,223

Average Sold Price/SqFt: $123.39

Average Days on Market: 108

Clements Mill Expired Listings: 8

Average Expired Price: $269,275

Average Expired Price/SqFt: $ 130.94

Average Expired Days on Market: 152

Absorption Rate for Clements Mill homes is averaging 2 sold homes

per month for 2008 to date. With 5 current listings, there is a 2.5

month supply of homes on the market in Clements Mill, Ada MI.

Clements Mill Market Report Sept 2008

Clements Mill Market Report July 2008

Clements Mill Market Report June 2008

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 condo units – Villas of Ada

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

open & under construction here. The Stone Falls of Ada apartment project

is adjacent to Clements Mill. Both are scheduled for completion by

spring 2009.

If you have detailed questions about Ada Homes, Forest Hills Homes or

just need further information, please contact me directly at:

1-888-240-1968 ext 0

Grand Rapids Ada MI Real Estate Five Star Real Estate LLC

Ada Drive Walking Trail Photo by Bonnie Westbrook

Wyoming MI Real Estate Market Report ~ November 2008

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Wyoming Michigan is a large suburban community of Grand Rapids, MI.

Wyoming MI homes are moderately priced, which should make it an active

market in this economy.

Obviously the lower price levels have affected the average price

(low price $54,200 vs high price of $236,835).

I assume some of the lowest price levels are bank owned foreclosures

negatively affecting the market price.

As you can see by the graph pictured below, Wyoming homes listed at a

high price are not selling until the price gets close to the average or below.

188 Wyoming MI Homes Actively on the Market October 2008

36 Wyoming MI Pending Sales for January to November

61 Wyoming Sold Homes for January to November

Wyoming MI chart of November 2008 listings

Wyoming MI November 2008 listings price

Wyoming MI Nov 2008 listings $/sqft

Wyoming MI Nov 2008 listings DOM

In Wyoming, MI there is a lot of sold activity in the lower price brackets,

$ 50,000 to $ 85,000. There are some great bargains here for

savvy home buyers. The lowest average sold prices have risen about

$15,000 since August. At the top end, it looks like the higher prices have

started moving towards the middle, they have lost about $13,000 in

average sold prices.

Wyoming MI Market Report August 2008

Wyoming MI Market Report Sept 2008

If you have any questions about Wyoming or Grand Rapids Homes,

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

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate Five Star Real Estate

All information is subject to verification and no liability for error or omission is assumed.

Wm Seidman discusses Financial Crisis at Grand Valley State University

Posted on October 11, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Wm Seidman discusses Financial Crisis at Grand Valley State University

We had an interesting start to our day yesterday. We had a sit down

talk with William Seidman, commentator for CNBC, former FDIC chairman,

and Grand Rapids native son. Well, actually we were sitting in the audience

with about 200 other Grand Rapidians while Bill told us how he believes

we got into this financial crisis. He was scheduled to talk about which

presidential candidate would be the best one for our financial times.

With all that has happened in the last few weeks, his advice was sage and

to the point.

Check out their financial advisors.

Neither candidate is a businessman or financial expert, so they will be

getting lots of advice. Try to find out who is advising them and vote

for the candidate whom you considered to be well advised. He also said

we are in uncharted waters with this whole financial mess. It will take

some original thinking to get us out. And we need to come out of the

“PANIC STAGE” we are in now.

We caught a few minutes of Bill’s Talk at the GVSU downtown campus

that you can sample on this short video:

Bill Seidman Talk at GVSU 10-9-08

Ada Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ Adatowne Sept 2008

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Adatowne is a popular entry level home market in the Ada area.

Part of the appeal is the proximity of Ada Elementary, Forest Hills

Central Middle and High Schools, Ada Christian Schools, St Roberts

School and being close to the village of Ada. Adatowne is an

established subdivision, started in the early 1970’s by E.L. Ladd

Builders of Ada. I have held many open houses in these new plats

and sold many of the homes as new construction – to be built.

If you doubt the power of your home as an investment, a basic

ranch (about 1000 sq ft) sold for $ 19,900 in 1975.

Adatowne Residential Neighborhood in Ada, Michigan

September 2008 Real Estate Market Report

8 Sold, 0 Pending, 3 For Sale

adatowne residential neighborhood ada mi

Address Status Price Sq Ft $/Sq Ft DOM

6686 Adaridge For Sale 179,900 1200 149.91 27

448 Adapointe For Sale 174,900 1984 88.15 20

6873 Adaside For Sale 149,900 1264 118.59 12

6705 Adaridge Sold 143,900 1056 136.26 74

7028 Adaridge Sold 149,900 2116 70.84 8

6869 Adaridge Sold 115,000 988 116.39 20

6885 Adaridge Sold 124,000 1270 97.63 81

6966 Rix St. Sold 119,625 1052 113.71 119 (F)

6674 Adaridge Sold 142,000 1056 134.46 151

6824 Adaside Sold 142,600 1028 138.71 260

6767 Adaridge Sold 154,500 1300 118.84 20

(F) = Foreclosure

144 homes have sold in Ada Township in 2008,

Average price is $309,407. 15% fewer homes have

sold in 2008 but the average price has increased by 3%.

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 development

Villas of Ada and Stone Falls of Ada – a 210 unit apartment

complex, currently under construction here. Both new sites plan

on being open in 2009.

If you would like detailed information about Ada Homes, please feel free

to contact me directly at 1-888-240-1968.

Grand Rapids Ada MI Real Estate – Five Star Real Estate

Photo of Rix Dr. by Bonnie Westbrook

Rockford Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ Sept 2008

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Rockford Michigan is a quaint village on the Rogue River with many

suburban neighborhoods surrounding it. Rockford Michigan has an

excellent public school system and a large scale employer in Wolverine

Worldwide (they make the famous Hush Puppy shoes, among other

items). They have a vibrant downtown area with boutique shops and

good restaurants. The picture below shows the many turn-of-century

buildings that have been rehabbed to house current retail shops and

eateries.

Main Street in Rockford MI

Rockford Real Estate Market Report

September 2008

Rockford market up to $ 200,000

$/sq ft DOM Avg Price

Active listings 165 $110.08 71 $152,445

Pending 22 $ 95.30 69 $135,485

Sold 58 $104.41 39 $142,317

Active listings range in price from $29,900 to $200,000.

Sold listings range in price from $45,000 to $ 197,000.

Rockford Market over $200,000

$/sqft DOM Avg Price

Active Listings 196 164.09 80 $ 327,615

Pending 9 146.86 79 $ 341,756

Sold 22 144.43 53 $ 284,136

Active listings range in price from $200,000 to $1,300,000.

Sold listings range in price from $203,000 to $550,000.

368 homes sold so far in the Rockford Public School District

in 2008. The average home price is $187,200.

Because Rockford is such a small city and covers a large district,

this report is based on the Rockford Public School District, not

the village of Rockford.

If you would like more information about the value of your Rockford

home, please contact me directly at 1-888-240-1968 ext 0.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate – Five Star Real Estate

photo of Downtown Rockford by Bonnie Westbrook

Mark Wilson, Watermark Golf Pro to "Rule" at Ryder Cup

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

If you are a golf addict like me, you will be watching the Ryder Cup this

weekend.

My friend and Watermark Golf Pro, Mark Wilson, will be the Chief Referee –

The Big Cheese –The Ultimate Decider – concerning the rules of the game

of golf. Mark, along with team captains, Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo, have

formed the “captain’s agreement,” a document that covers several

contingencies: the sealed envelopes with the lineups, the pace of play,

and local rules on the host course, among other things. Mark has

officiated at the Ryder Cup before, but not as Chief Referee.

The Ryder Cup is one of the golf world’s most prestigious tournaments.

It pits an European team and an United States team against each other.

Europe & The United States each put together their “dream team” to win

the Ryder Cup.

Europe won in 2006, the United States last won in 1999, so are anxious to

reclaim the Cup. “It elevates the game and makes each player more intense

because they are playing for the team, not themselves” says Chief Rules

Official Mark Wilson.

Mark Wilson, Chief PGA Rules Official Ryder Cup 2008

Mark has officiated at other major tournaments, such as

The Masters, The British Open, and other PGA Tournaments since 1990.

The Ryder Cup Tournament takes place at Valhalla Golf Club,

Louisville, Kentucky this weekend. Hurricane Ike has dumped a

storm on the Louisville area on Sunday and they are scrambling to

clear the course of debris before the first ball is teed up. Power was

still out in the area last nite as the Ryder Cup teams flew into the airport

to prepare for the big event. Let’s hope they have power restored in

time to put this event on the air. Opening ceremonies at at 4 pm

Thursday EST will be broadcast on the Golf Channel.

All of us here at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids Michigan

will be watching and keeping an eye out for our Pro, Mark Wilson,

to make a rules decision.

Mark Wilson photo courtesy of Watermark Country Club website

Jacobson Heating & Cooling ~ A Grand Rapids Business with Integrity

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

We like to use local companies. We like to know the people who work there.

We feel supporting local businesses is the right thing to do and the way

to make our area prosperous. In over 35 years of doing business in the

Greater Grand Rapids real estate market, we have seen lots of businesses

come & go.

We salute those businesses that tow the line every day. They go to work and

make our lives easier, better, warmer, colder, they fulfill our needs, whatever

they may be. They do this every day and serve their community by being

experts in their specific fields. Jacobson Heating & Cooling is a company

we trust.

Jacobson Heating & Cooling is one of those local companies that

we are grateful we can call. If you wake up and your furnace isn’t working,

Jacobsons Heating & Cooling will send an expert out to give you the good

news (it can be repaired) or the bad news (it can’t be repaired and you need

a new furnace). Yikes, is the credit card full?

Jacobson Heating & Cooling

We have used Jacobson Heating and Cooling in our own home and for our

rental properties. We know we can rely on them to do a good job at a fair price.

If you are looking for heating/cooling service and/or new equipment we highly

recommend them. An annual furnace inspection is always a good idea.

Jacobson Heating and Cooling is a family owned and operated company that

was established in 1932. Bob Vanderson Sr. has been with the company for

almost 50 years and now owns it with his three sons, Bob Jr., Tom, and Jeff.

They service the greater Grand Rapids area with residential and light

commercial installations as well as providing award winning service. They

pride themselves in taking care of their customers, they have won several

awards, including the BBB (Better Business Bureau) Best in Customer Service

in 1993 and 1997, and Business of the Year in 1998. They were also awarded

the National ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) Award for

Residential Excellence in 2000.

For help with any of your heating and cooling needs contact them at

616-245-1131.

Jacobsons Heating and Cooling facts taken from their website.

We have received no remuneration or compensation for our referral of

Jacbosons Heating & Cooling but Bob might give me strokes on the back 9.

"Time to smell the roses" at Meijer Gardens Rose Show

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Care to smell the Roses? The public is invited to the Grand Valley Rose

Society’s Fall Show & Judging at the Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture

Park – August 30-31, 2008.

The Show will be open from 1-5 pm both Saturday and Sunday on the

lower level of the Frederick Meijer Gardens building. There is no charge

for admission to the Rose Show but admission to

Frederick Meijers Gardens & Sculpture Park is still required.

Greetings Rose in bloom

A class in Fragrance will be offered at 11 am – 5 pm on Saturday.

Visitors may take part by voting for “Most Fragrant Rose” during

that time period.

If you have a prize rose that you would like others to see, entries

are accepted 7-10 am Saturday. August 30th. There are 56 categories,

including 5 just for novice exhibitors.

This is the opportunity you have been waiting for – ” to smell the roses ”

photo of Greetings Rose by Bonnie Westbrook

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: Grand Rapids Michigan information

Wolverine Worldwide CEO Speaks at GVSU Alumni Breakfast

Stone Falls of Ada ~ New Apartment Complex Update ~ Ada, Michigan

Real Estate Market Report – Ada, MI ~ Clements Mill ~ Nov 2008

Wyoming MI Real Estate Market Report ~ November 2008

Wm Seidman discusses Financial Crisis at Grand Valley State University

Wm Seidman discusses Financial Crisis at Grand Valley State University

Ada Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ Adatowne Sept 2008

Rockford Michigan ~ Real Estate Market Report ~ Sept 2008

Mark Wilson, Watermark Golf Pro to "Rule" at Ryder Cup

Jacobson Heating & Cooling ~ A Grand Rapids Business with Integrity

"Time to smell the roses" at Meijer Gardens Rose Show