Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 3

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying – Part # 3

Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance

for such a big decision, but too many ideas from too many people will

make it much harder to make a decision. Asking a trusted relative or

parent is different than surveying the whole family and friends.

Focus on the wants and needs of your immediate family — the people

who will be living in the home. 

Homes are as unique as the people that live in them.

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Accept that no house is ever perfect. If it’s in the right location,

the yard may be a bit smaller than you had hoped. The kitchen may

be perfect, but the roof needs repair. Make a list of your top priorities

and focus in on things that are most important to you.

Let the minor ones go.

Which Mortgage Do I Choose?

 

SEARCH GR 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!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

                          Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Buying a Home – Budget Basics

Buying a Home – Budget Basics

Budgeting has always been a part of my life.  My parents

taught me basic budgeting by example.  We were supplied all

the necessities but luxuries were handed out sparingly, if at all.

If we really wanted something, we had to prove it wasn’t a passing

fancy and then plan for, or work for the money to buy the items

we wanted.

 

Buying a home in today’s economy is much the same.  You must

have your financial “ducks in a row”.  Getting prequalified with a mortgage

lender is a necessity in today’s real estate market.  Gone are the

days of writing an offer, getting it accepted, and then worrying about

financing your purchase.  Today’s sellers wants to know you are serious

and can afford to buy their houses. 

 

the perfect Grand Rapids house

January is a perfect time to analyze last years budget and see

where  you spent your money.  Before meeting with a mortgage lender, you

should have this information at hand.  Lots of online sources exist to

help you with this project, such as online banking reports which are

down-loadable every month and at year-end.  We have a basic budget

analyzer page on our web site if you don’t know where to start.

 

If you know you can’t afford to buy a home but would like to work

towards purchasing one, there are many sources that can help. 

Home Repair Services in Grand Rapids offers free classes on money

management and repairing your credit.  Or give me a call to discuss

home buying basics at 616-292-7263.

 

Additional Articles:

You Want to Buy a House, Now What?

Which Mortgage is Best for Me?

Grand Rapids Michigan Online Relocation Guide

_____________________________________________

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. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing

metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical

research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

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

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

                          Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes October 2010

East Grand Rapids Michigan Top Best Buy Homes October 2010

This is our list of the Top Best Buy East Grand Rapids Houses

to buy based on price/square foot.  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 and it should reflect

the interior finish of the home.

For example, if it has crystal chandeliers, marble tile, a new

kitchen, this would be more value per square foot than a home

that still has the 1980’s decor and/or is in derelict condition.

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

are adjusted and other homes come on the market.

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October 2010 – 21 TOP BEST BUY East Grand Rapids Homes

Lowest price/Sq Ft range from $71.99 to $113.71

Highest List Price –  $ 274,000

Lowest List Price –  $ 123,900

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

293 Rosewood Ave SE   $123,900    1242 Sq Ft   $99.76/SqFt

2122 Coronado Dr SE     $127,900    1460 Sq Ft   $87.60/SqFt

2746 Albert Dr SE         $134,900     1874 SqFt    $71.99/SqFt

1341 Eastlawn Rd SE    $148,000    1626 Sq Ft    $91.02/SqFt

1049 Floral Ave SE       $149,900    1377 Sq Ft    $108.86/SqFt

1608 Wealthy St SE    $156,000    1608 Sq Ft   $97.01/SqFt

1134 Lakeside Dr SE    $159,900    1470 Sq Ft   $108.78/SqFt

1707 Hall St SE          $160,000     1753 Sq Ft   $91.27/SqFt

2868 Lake Dr             $164,900     1487 Sq Ft   $110.89/SqFt

670 Lovett Ave SE     $165,000     1451 Sq Ft   $113.71/SqFt

947 Breton Rd SE       $177,000     1583 Sq Ft   $111.81/SqFt

1917 Hall St SE          $179,900     1700 Sq Ft   $105.82/SqFt

3030 Cascade Rd      $189,900     1878 Sq Ft    $101.12/SqFt

1032 San Juan Dr SE  $189,900     1696 Sq Ft   $111.97/SqFt

1640 Sherman St SE  $195,000     2037 Sq Ft    $95.73/SqFt

2405 Oakwood Dr     $199,900      1786 Sq Ft    $111.93/SqFt

1536 Eastlawn SE     $214,900     2312 Sq Ft   $92.95/SqFt

505 Gladstone Dr SE  $225,000      2038 Sq Ft   $110.40/SqFt

1245 Woodshire Ave  $254,900    2248 Sq Ft    $113.39/SqFt

1740 Vesta Lane      $259,900    2561 Sq Ft    $101.48/SqFt

1037 Plymouth Ave   $274,000    2500 Sq Ft    $109.60/SqFt

***Underlined homes have had recent price reductions.

East Grand Rapids homes are selling. If you have been waiting

for the  right time to buy, don’t wait much longer.  We are

seeing definite signs  of competition for the Top Best Buy homes

in East Grand Rapids and  Forest Hills.

Homes in good condition and priced appropriately are selling.

The homes available this month in East Grand Rapids are

headed toward the center, lowest prices are higher and highest

prices are lower than our most recent report in August.

*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*

Additional Articles:

East GR  Real Estate Market Articles

Home Buyer Questions & Answers

East Grand Rapids – America’s Hometown

If you would like to view an East Grand Rapids Best Buy 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.

Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing metropolitan area with a

diverse business community, great medical research & services, numerous

universities, plus lively arts and entertainment of all kinds.

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

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM