Michigan Winter Sale on REO Homes

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Michigan foreclosed homes are on sale this winter! Freddie Mac has

a promotion to clear the decks of excess inventory of foreclosed and

Real-Estate-Owned homes in specific states and cities.

This Sales Promotion for owner-occupant buyers includes:

Paying up to 3 percent of the final sales price toward the buyer’s closing costs for initial offers received between Nov. 15 and Jan. 31, 2012. Escrow must be closed on or before March 15, 2012, to qualify.
Two-year Home Protect limited home warranty, which covers such things as the heating, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and other major systems and appliances. Home Protect also will offer a discount of up to 30 percent on the purchase of appliances.

more information visit www.HomeSteps.com

SEARCH GRAND RAPIDS FORECLOSED 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

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Home Sales Program

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Home Sales Program

This HUD program is available to a select group:

Law enforcement officers
Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers
Firefighters
Emergency medical technicians

These buyers are offered a discount of 50% from the list price of a HUD home.

The buyer must remain in the home for 36 months and be your sole residence.

The program is being offered in certain areas, revitalization areas, are listed

only for sales through the Good Neighbor Next Door Sales program for purchase

through the program for five days.

HUD requires that you sign a second mortgage and note for the discount amount.

No interest or payments are required on this "silent second" provided that you

fulfill the three-year occupancy requirement.

The number of properties available is limited and the list of available properties

changes weekly. To learn more, go to Good Neighbor Next Door.

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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 – Christmas Tree Rosa Parks Circle

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Foto Friday – Christmas Tree Rosa Parks Circle

This spectacular Christmas Tree is outside the Grand Rapids Art Museum

at Rosa Parks Circle. Winter is a perfect time to to do some ice skating

on the circle. Skating is free, skate rental is $ 1.00.

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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 Michigan November 2011 Sales Stats

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Grand Rapids Michigan November 2011 Sales Stats

The November home sales statistics are in and the news looks good.

Sales are up in November across the board in all price ranges.

The price range that has seen the most activity is $100,00 – $ 139,999;

almost 1 in 5 homes sold in November 2011 were in this price category,

with overall highs ranging over $1 million and lows under $ 19,000.

The Grand Rapids housing market has 24.6% fewer listings year-to-date

than last year. This means shrinking inventory for buyers and good news for

sellers.

The Average Home Sales Price is up from 2010 by about 3%; from $ 118,217

to $121,920. In our opinion, this increase is caused by the REO’s and foreclosure

sales numbers are down and more banks are embracing short sales.

Please note these prices are averages for the whole Grand Rapids market.

If you would like to know what prices are in your neighborhood, give Terry a call.

SEARCH 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!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Ada Township Parks Winter 2011-12 Activities

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Ada Township Parks Winter 2011-2012 Activities

Ice Rink at Leonard Field: An outdoor winter ice rink is set up

at Leonard Field and is available as weather allows. It is open to

the public for general use. Children need to be supervised by a guardian.

Cross Country Trails: Cross Country Ski trails are set up at Roselle Park

and available as weather allows. The trails start near the silos and extend

through the north section of the park. Trail maps are set up along the

route. Please do not walk on or allow dogs on the x-c ski tracks.

Walking & Bike Paths: Our bets attempts will be made to clear the snow

off the trails after each major snowfall. Note that conditions may remain

wet, icy and/or slippery throughout the winter.

At Roselle Park, only a section of the paved path will be plowed in the

winter to allow for x-c skiing in the north section. Sections of the

trails will be closed when flooded.

Ada Township Parks and Recreation Winter 2011-12 Programs

SEARCH FOR ADA 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

Ada Township Christmas Tree Recycling

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Ada Township Christmas Tree Recycling

Once again, Ada Township offers recycling for natural Christmas trees

for its residents. They can be dropped off at the back parking lot of Ada

Township Park until Monday January 13th, 2011.

The trees will be recycled into wood chips for use in the park.

Please remove any decorations, wires, strings, ribbons or other items

that might interfere with a chipper.

Please no wreaths or garlands.

SEARCH FOR ADA MI 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!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Foto Friday – Native American Christmas Tree

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Foto Friday – Native American Christmas Tree

One of the 40 ornately decorated Christmas trees at Meijer Gardens

& Sculpture Park this holiday season. It is a real treat to see these

spectacular trees decorated in different cultural and ethnic themes.

It might spark memories from your childhood or appreciation for another

culture’s traditions. Whatever comes to mind, it helps you get into

the holiday spirit of Christmas, Tet, Ramadan or Kwanzaa.

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!

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry 616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Reindeer are Visiting Local Grand Rapids Libraries December 2011

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Terry & Bonnie

Reindeer are Visiting Local Grand Rapids Libraries December 2011

It just isn’t Christmas if you don’t get to pet a real, live reindeer. Ask

your kids or grandkids, they will tell you. So put it on the calendar, the libraries

listed below will be hosting real reindeer from Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm.

So dress warmly, bring the camera, and tag yourself some reindeer this holiday

season.

Thursday, December 8, 4:00 PM – Alto branch
Thursday, December 8, 6:30 PM – Comstock Park branch
Monday, December 12, 4:00 PM – Gaines Township branch
Tuesday, December 13, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township branch
Wednesday, December 14, 3:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch
Thursday, December 15, 4:00 PM – Walker branch
Thursday, December 15, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch
Tuesday, December 20, 6:30 PM – Wyoming branch
Wednesday, December 21, 5:30 PM – Alpine Township branch
Wednesday, December 28, 2:00 PM – Kentwood branch
Friday, December 30, 2:00 PM – Byron Township branch