Top Best Buys Waterfront Homes ~ Kent County Michigan August 2009

Posted on August 24, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

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

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

Grand River photo by Bonnie Westbrook

SE Grand Rapids Condo at Reeds Crossing

Posted on August 22, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Too Late ~ We have sold this home!

This tastefully decorated home features 2 Bedrooms, 3 Baths,

finished walkout lower level and is located in Forest Hills

School District, close to shopping, East Grand Rapids, and

major expressways, yet set in privacy above a heavily wooded

ravine.

This home has a wooded private back yard, lots of natural light

and has been professionally decorated and meticulously maintained.

Total finished living area is 2283 square feet, although there is room

for a bonus room expansion in lower level.

The main floor has a kitchen with beautiful cherry cabinets,

dining area, living room with a vaulted ceiling, a full bath,

main floor laundry area, the master bedroom has a tray ceiling,

private access to the full bath, and an office/den just off the

private entrance.

Special additions include a 4 season glassed in porch off the great

room overlooking the wooded backyard. A main floor laundry area,

9 foot ceilings throughout, even in the lower level, and large windows

for unrestricted views make you feel like you are tucked away in a

private wood.

The finished lower level has a large recreation room, the second

bedroom, a full bath, plus a basement storage area and expansion

room for a third bedroom, if desired. This home is located in

Reeds Crossing, a secluded condo development with easy access

to downtown Grand Rapids, 28th Street shopping or the I96

expressway.

Featured Listing

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Michigan Rated 5th Most Affordable Housing in US by CNNMoney

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

It looks like the most affordable homes in the United States are in the

Midwest, according to CNNMoney.com’s latest posting about the Most

& the Least affordable cities to buy a home. New York and the California

dominate the least affordable cities to buy a home today.

Grand Rapids Michigan comes in 5th Most Affordable with an affordability

score of 92.9%.

CNNMoney’s lineup is as follows:

MOST AFFORDABLE

Indianapolis, IN median home price – $107,000
Youngstown, OH median home price – $ 73,000
Detroit, MI median home price – $ 86,000
Dayton, OH median home price – $105,000
Grand Rapids, MI median home price – $100,000

LEAST AFFORDABLE

New York City, NY median home price – $419,000
San Francisco, CA median home price – $580,000
Honolulu, HA median home price – $395,000
Los Angeles, CA median home price – $294,000
Santa Ana, CA median home price – $391,000

The foreclosure crisis that has hit the Midwest hard has influenced the

prices of homes in a downward trend for the past few years. The

auto industry is a big factor, although many of these Midwest cities, like

Grand Rapids are diversifying their economic base and will come out of

this much stronger and with many more people as homeowners.

If you are looking for a home in Grand Rapids Michigan, you are much

more likely to find a home you can afford than many other cities, which

is great news for the average home buyer today.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

Grand Rapids Township Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Current Absorption Rate for Grand Rapids Township homes is 6.3 months,

which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take 6.3 months

to sell the existing inventory of homes. The average sold home price has

went down slightly from last month, but prices seem stable. Summer

inventory is up compared to last month and absorption rate is at normal

levels.

If you want your Grand Rapids Township home to sell for top dollar,

it must be in tip top condition and priced to sell.

Meijer Gardens Entrance

There are 175 Active listings currently for sale.

The average List price is $ 311,630

Average List price $/SqFt $145.34

109 Sold & Pending Grand Rapids Township Homes since April 1-09

The average SOLD price is $ 243,157

Average Sold Price /SqFt $118.66

High Sold Price $ 720,000

Low Sold Price $ 53,000

Grand Rapids Township MI Real Estate 2009

If you have questions about Grand Rapids Township or Grand

Rapids homes, please contact me directly:

1-888-240-1968 ext 0

email: terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

Photo of Frederick Meijer Gardens Entrance by Bonnie Westbrook

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Forest Hills (Ada Cascade) MI Real Estate Absorption Report

Forest Hills is actually a school district in Ada – Cascade 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

Photo of Forest Hills Eastern High School by Bonnie Westbrook

Lowell Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Posted on August 11, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Lowell Michigan Real Estate Absorption Report ~ July 2009

Lowell Michigan is located on the Flat River just east of Grand Rapids, MI.

It has really grown in the last 20 years, in many ways. Lowell has a great

school system, a thriving business community, a lively arts society, and

is one of the best kept secrets in Kent County.

These are the statistics for home sales in the Lowell School District.

Active Listings: 177 Active Listings

Average Price: $251,741

Price per Sq Ft: $129.65 (Main Floor only)

Average days on the Market: 180

PENDING: 32 homes

SOLD: 104 Sold Homes

Average Sold Price: $ 146,115

Average Sold Price Per Sq Ft: $ 88.18 (Main floor only)

Average Sold Days on the Market: 103

These stats are figured from Jan 1, 2009 to July 30, 2009

Absorption Rate for Lowell Listings is 9 months for the

current housing inventory. If no other homes enter the market, it

will take 9 months for the current homes to sell at the current

rate of sales. This figure is inching down each month and is

getting closer to the normal range of 6-8 months.

Lowell Homes that are priced competitively are selling.

As you can see by the statistics, the homes that have their price

per square foot under $90 are seeing the most activity. There are

quite a few foreclosure or short sale homes which are bringing

down the average sales price and square footage rates lower than

they might normally be, but average list price is up slightly

and average sold price is up a bit from last months stats.

Some sellers have retired from the market and will try again soon,

filling an already saturated market.

They might find a better buying market, but price is still king.

Today’s buyer is looking for a well priced bargain in great condition.

Lowell Michigan Real Estate Market Reports

Lowell Michigan Top Best Home Buys July 2009

Video Tour of Lowell Michigan

If you would like additional information about Lowell

Area Homes, please contact me through email or my web site.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Kentwood Michigan is a large suburb of Grand Rapids with a population

under 50,000. It has manufacturing, shopping centers, and lots and lots

of residential housing. Kentwood Public Schools are one of the largest

school systems in the area with over 9000 students and 16 buildings

within a 24.25 square mile area.

Kentwood high school kentwood mi

Kentwood home sales are still on a general downward trend

in price. Over 1/3 of Kentwood Homes Equity has dissolved in

the last 3 years, according to the current stats.

We are seeing some price recovery from last month’s figures

and the overall summer activity is high. Kentwood has one of

the lowest absorption rates in the area.

Foreclosures and short sales are still affecting the average

market price here as Grand Rapids has seen jobs disappear.

The homes under $ 150K in Kentwood are seeing about 70% of the

overall sales. The homes over $150K may be priced too high for

today’s timid buyers (many of them think prices will erode still

further) or it could be condition. Your list price has to

be close to the sale price or your home just doesn’t get serious

buyer activity. And if you still have the old carpeting,

you will need to upgrade or lower your price if you want

to see a sold sign this year. We are seeing serious buyers

vying for the best homes on the market with multiple offers.

In 2006, Kentwood has 495 home sales:avg sold price:$159,788

In 2007, Kentwood had 434 homes sales: avg sold price:$151,009

In 2008, Kentwood had 722 home sales:avg sold price: $115,127

In 2009, Kentwood has had 547 home sales: avg sold price:$ 99,354

Home sales for Kentwood – Up to $150,000:

153 Active Listings with Avg price $ 124,754

139 sold since May 1, 2009

Avg sold price $108,847

Avg Days on Market – 87

Home sales for Kentwood – $150,001 UP:

70 Active Listings with avg price of $ 189,463

29 sold since May 1, 2009 Low: $150,195 High: $232,000

Avg sold price $150K+ = $168,976

Avg Days on Market – 138

Kentwood Absorption Rate for this price range is 4 months,

at the current rate of sale (which means if no new listings come

on the market, it will take 4 months to sell the active listed

homes). This is down from last month, which is great news,

though the average sold prices on the lower end are going up

slightly and average price on upper end is going down. I would

assume this is due to bank foreclosures and short sales which

have driven down home price averages for most of Kentwood.

Kentwood Michigan Top Best Buy Homes July 2009

Kentwood Michigan Absorption Report June 2009

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Information

Real Estate is always hyper-local. If you have questions about

a specific Kentwood home, please contact me:

phone: 1-888-240-1968 ext 0

or email: Terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Report ~ July 2009

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Current Real Estate Market Report For East Grand Rapids Michigan

East Grand Rapids MI Public Library

Absorption rate for East Grand Rapids MI housing market is currently

at 7 months, which means if no new listings come on the

East Grand Rapids market, it will take 7 months for the existing

home inventory to sell.

There are 123 active listings on the East Grand Rapids market now,

down about 30% from last month, ranging from $99,980 to $2,039,000.

25 Pending Home Sales

123 Sold Homes with sold prices ranging from $ 25,000 to $ 1,300,000

since Jan 1, 2009 in the East Grand Rapids housing inventory.

East Grand Rapids Homes up to $200,000

Active Listings – 29

Pending – 15

Sold – 45

Avg Sold Price – $ 139,240

East Grand Rapids Homes $200,000 to $300,000

Active Listings - 47

Pending – 4

Sold - 31

Avg Sold Price – $ 250,468

East Grand Rapids Homes $ 300,000 to $450,000

Active Listings - 46

Pending - 3

Sold – 32

Avg Sold Price – $ 363,813

East Grand Rapids Homes $ 450,000 ++

Active Listings - 47

Pending – 3

Sold – 15

The lower end of this market (under $300K) has seen about 75 %

of the sales in the last six months. With the current lowest list price

at $ 99,980, it looks like the bargain basement days in EGR housing

is over. Homes in the higher prices are selling, but at a

slower rate. The Absorption rate is in the normal range for East

Grand Rapids homes at this point, something we haven’t seen

for a few years.

East Grand Rapids June 2009 Absorption Report

East Grand Rapids Top Best Buy Homes July 2009

East Grand Rapids Michigan ~ America’s Hometown

If you have any questions about East GR homes,

please contact me directly:

ph 1-888-240-1968 ext 0

email:terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids Ada MI Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Photo of East Grand Rapids Public Library by Bonnie Westbrook

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Report ~ July 2009

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Current Real Estate Market Report ~ Rockford Michigan ~ July 2009

Current Absorption Rate for Rockford Michigan is 8 months

on average, which means if no new listings come on the market,

it will take 8 months to sell current inventory.

Rockford Public Library Rockford MI

The under $200K market is moving faster than the over $200K.

Homes less than $200,000 since May 1, 2009 sold prices appear

to be selling for slightly more in Rockford Public School District

last month. Foreclosure & bank owned homes could be keeping

the figures down.

The over $200K market has taken a slight increase in average

sold price from last month. All good signs for Rockford sellers.

255 Active Rockford MI Listings under $200,000

Sold Rockford Homes: 76

Pending Rockford Homes: 51

Average sold price $ 133,794

High Sold price $196,000

Low Sold price $46,200

Average Sold Price/SqFt $100.79

Over $ 200,000 Rockford MI Homes

227 Active Rockford MI Listings

Sold Rockford Homes 35

Pending Rockford Homes 15

Average Rockford List Price: $ 370,115

Average Rockford Sold Price: $ 259,634

Average Sold Price/SqFt $ 136.68

High Sold Price $ 548,000

Low Sold Price $200,000

Inventories have increased with the summer market and sales are

starting to take off in Rockford over the last 3 months. The absorption

rate is 8 months which is a normal market range for our area.

It appears that smaller homes are selling faster than the larger ones.

This is true across our market area, as people reassess their housing

needs. It appears that many are choosing to downsize in this economy.

It is important that you have your home in great condition

and priced correctly. Over-priced homes and tired looking homes

will not sell for top dollar in this buyer’s market.

If you have any questions about Rockford or

Grand Rapids MI homes, please contact me directly:

1-888-240-1968 ext 0

email: terry@terrywestbrook.com

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ June 2009

Rockford Michigan Top Best Home Buys ~ July 2009

Rockford Michigan Video Tour

Grand Rapids -Ada Real Estate – Westbrook Realty

Photo of Rockford Public Library – Downtown Rockford by Bonnie Westbrook

Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Report ~ July 2009

Posted on August 10, 2009 by Terry & Bonnie

Current Caledonia MI Absorption Report

Absorption rate for Caledonia MI Market is currently 8.6 months,

which means if no other homes come on the market, it will take

8.6 months for the current inventory to sell at the current

sales rate. This stat is one third less than last month’s figure.

We are seeing a definite upturn in sales in Caledonia homes and

sell times are returning to the normal range.

Ruehs Park Caledonia Michigan

There are 156 current active listings, from $39,000 to

$1,284,900 in Caledonia MI.

The current average Caledonia home listed price is much higher

[about $324,828] than the average sold price [$188,447].

25 Pending Home Sales, and 69 Sold Homes since Jan 1, 2009.

The average sold price/Square foot is $ 98.42

Sold High $875,000 Sold Low – $34,000

There are 6 homes in million dollar + range listed, so this skews the

figures somewhat in the upper brackets.

The Caledonia market is much brisker this month as buyers try to get

situated in their new homes before school starts. Newer and higher

end homes are selling, only 3 homes sold at $100,000 or under.

Average sold price per square foot rose again this month. There

are some excellent buys in Caledonia but they are

disappearing fast. Don’t wait until they are gone.

Caledonia May 2009 Real Estate Market Report

Caledonia April 2009 Real Estate Market Report

Caledonia March 2009 Absorption Report

Caledonia Michigan Video Tour

Caledonia MI Top Best Buy Homes June 2009

If you have any questions about Caledonia or Grand Rapids MI

homes,please contact me directly through my web site.

Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty

Photo of Ruehs Park Caledonia Michigan by Bonnie Westbrook

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Category Archives: West Michigan Real Estate

Top Best Buys Waterfront Homes ~ Kent County Michigan August 2009

SE Grand Rapids Condo at Reeds Crossing

Too Late ~ We have sold this home!

Grand Rapids Michigan Rated 5th Most Affordable Housing in US by CNNMoney

Grand Rapids Township Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Lowell Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Report ~ July 2009

Rockford Michigan Real Estate Report ~ July 2009

Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Report ~ July 2009