Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report Adatowne August 2009

Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report Adatowne August 2009

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

the Greater Grand Rapids metropolitan 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.

Ada Drive Ada Michigan

Adatowne Residential Neighborhood in Ada, Michigan

August 2009 Real Estate Market Report

1  Sold, 0 Pending, 2 For Sale

Adatowne Active Listings: 2

Adatowne Average Active price – $134,900

Adatowne Active average price/SqFt – $87.62

Adatowne Active average days on market – 34

Adatowne Pending: 0

Adatowne Sold Listings: 1

Adatowne Average Sold Price – $ 166,900

Adatowne Average sold price/SqFt – $ 78.73

Adatowne Average Sold days on market – 88

MARKET SYNOPSIS: Absorption Rate for Adatowne is 8 months,

which means it would take 8 months for the active listings to sell,

if no other homes entered the market, according to current sales

statistics.    Price per square foot has went down for both sold

and active listings this summer.  The market here was brisk in the

winter and last spring but has slowed considerably this summer.

Not sure if this is an anomaly or due to home condition.

Ada Michigan Real Estate Reports

If you would like more information about Ada or Grand Rapids

Homes, please feel free to contact me directly.


Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

Photo of Ada MI  by Bonnie Westbrook

_____________________________________________________________________________

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!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Forest Hills Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report ~ Cascade Woods – August 2009

Cascade Woods is an established neighborhood of large, executive

style homes in Cascade Township, MI. Most of these homes were

built in the 1960’s and 1970’s, although there are a few newer

homes that were built recently in the area. Close to the village of

Cascade and the Thornapple River, this heavily wooded area has

been a Grand Rapids desired suburban place to live for  decades.

Part of the Forest Hills School District, which draws many families,

there is also the river and it’s picturesque appeal.  The drive down

Thornapple River Drive between Ada and Cascade in the fall is one

of the prettiest drives in the greater Grand Rapids area.

Leslie E Tassell Park Cascade Township MI

Cascade Woods Market Report August 2009

12 Homes For Sale,  1 Pending,  3 SOLD, 6 Expired

Cascade Woods Active Listings: 12

Cascade Woods Average price – $294,108

Cascade Woods Average $/SqFt – $124.41

Cascade Woods Average days on market – 85

Cascade Woods Sold Listings: 3

Cascade Woods average price – $239,333

Cascade Woods average $/SqFt – $ 77.54

Cascade Woods average days on market – 148 days

Cascade Woods Expired Listings: 6

The Absorption Rate for Cascade Woods Homes is 24 months,

Which means if no new listings come on the market, it will take

24 months to sell the existing inventory.  The average sold price

per SqFt is still 40% of the Active listings Price /SqFt.  This

could reflect foreclosures, short sales, and homes in poor condition

that have sold over the last 4 months.

Or it could be home condition which is slowing the sales of

older homes in this area.

While the spring market has seen a slight uptick in prices paid

for Cascade Woods homes, the absorption rate is sobering at

24 months, while newer homes are selling briskly.

Today’s buyers do not want to do ANY updates, which includes

painting, new kitchens & baths, and new flooring. If your Cascade

Woods home hasn’t sold, it is probably condition,  which gets

us back to price.  If you don’t want to improve your home, you

won’t get the same price as people who have updated and kept

their home current according to recent trends.

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate

If you would like further information about Grand Rapids or

Cascade Homes, please contact me directly.

Copyright 2009  All rights reserved

photo of Leslie E Tassell Park on the Thornapple River by Bonnie Westbrook

_____________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking? ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking? ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking?

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report Catamount August 2009

Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report Catamount August 2009

Catamount properties are in the rolling hills adjacent to the

Grand River in the northern section of Ada Township in a gated

community with privacy and wooded acreage.  Executive style

homes with lots of room for entertaining and all the custom extras

that make a home luxurious are the norm here.  If you  are

searching for a prestigious address, this could be what you are

looking for, as it is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the

Grand Rapids area.

Grand River Ada Michigan

Catamount Market Report August 2009

2 For Sale,  5 Sold, 6 Expired

Catamount Active Listings: 2

Catamount average active price – $637,400

Catamount average active price /SqFt – $ 225.10

Catamount average days on market – 134

Catamount SOLD Listings: 5

Catamount average sold price $ 592,350

Catamount average sold price/SqFt – $ 207.54

Catamount average sold days on market – 142

Catamount Pending Listings: 0

The Absorption Rate for Catamount Homes is 3 months, which means if

no new listings come on the market it will take 3 months for the existing

homes to sell at the current rate of sales.  The average sold price dropped

in 2008 and into 2009.  The average list price is just slightly higher than

current selling price.  5 homes sold in the last 8 months, with 2 homes

for sale in this neighborhood.  Prices have eroded from 3-4 years ago

but seem to have stabilized a bit this summer.

Ada Michigan Real Estate Market


If you would like further information about the value of an Ada or

Grand Rapids Home, please contact me directly at:

1-888-240-1988 ext 0 or email: 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!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking? ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking? ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking?

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report East-West Village August 2009

Ada Michigan Neighborhood Real Estate Market Report East West Village August 2009

The East/West Village subdivision off  Ada Drive in Ada Township is

a fairly new development. The new housing construction started in 2005

and is still continuing to date. You can buy a resale home or a new home

in this centrally located housing development.  Near both public and

private schools, East Village is also close to  Forest Hills and 28th

Street shopping areas. The Ada Bike or Walking Trail also connects

this area on Ada Drive with the village of Ada, Grand Rapids, and the

village of Cascade.

East Village is also close to the I96 expressway for easy access to many

different parts of our greater Grand Rapids area.  Large, executive style

homes with many amenities and extras are the rule in this neighborhood.

If you would like to start with a brand new house in Forest Hills,

this may be the place for you to call home.

Ada mi bike trail

Real Estate Market Report East-West Village August 2009

For Sale: 4

East Village Homes average list price: $ 464,725

East Village average price/sq ft (main floor): $ 175.63

East Village average days on the market: 63 days

Pending Sales : 1

Sold Homes : 5

East Village SOLD homes average price: $ 405,780

East Village SOLD homes average price/sq ft: $144.04

East Village SOLD homes average days on market: 108 days

Expired: 8

Market Synopsis: East -West Village Homes are selling, if priced correctly.

Buyers are paying from $115-160/SqFt on the main floors, which is down from

last summer’s prices.  New construction is priced higher, so an existing

home should be priced lower per square foot than a new one.

The absorption rate for East -West Village is 5.3 months, which means

if no new homes enter the marketplace, it will take 5.3 months

for the current home inventory to sell.  This is a great rate for the

Grand Rapids area and most likely is due to the location in Forest Hills

School District and new construction offered.

Forest Hills Central HS – Newsweek’s Top 1500 List  US High Schools

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate

If you would like further information about East or West Village, Ada, or

Grand Rapids Homes, please contact me directly.

Copyright 2009  All rights reserved

photo of Ada Bike Trail  by Bonnie Westbrook

_____________________________________________________________________________

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!

ar125812212017642 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking? ar125812218972939 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking? ar125812225271331 Foto Friday – What Were They Thinking?

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM

Kentwood Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ July 2009

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

Copyright 2009 All rights reserved

East Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Report ~ July 2009

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

copyright 2008 All rights reserved

Photo of East Grand Rapids Public Library by Bonnie Westbrook

Forest Hills Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ Watermark Residences July 2009

The Residences at Watermark are located on Watermark Golf Course  just

south of Cascade Road.   Yes, I play Watermark golf course every chance

I get.  Watermark is a premier course with friendly players.

It  has an excellent grounds staff and a great pro shop staff, as well.

Watermark single family homes and condos make this a very attractive

place to live. Quality built homes with access off Cascade Road and

Spaulding Drive, you are close to the airport, 28th Street shopping,

I96 expressway and close to Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills

schools and shopping areas.

watermark residences entrance grand rapids mi

                              Watermark Residences

                 July 2009 Real Estate Market Report

For Sale: 7

There are 7 active Watermark Homes  currently on the market.

The median Watermark Homes current active price is $ 834,943

The average Watermark Homes current price per sq ft is $ 278.71

The average days on the market for active Watermark Homes is 158

The high price is $ 2,700,000 and the low price is $ 399,900.

Sold: 2

There has been 2 Watermark Sold Homes since Jan 1, 2009.

The average Watermark Sold Home price is $ 412,500

The average Watermark Sold Homes price per sq ft is $195.61

The average days on the market for Watermark Sold Homes is 190.

Pending: 0

Expired: 7

At the current rate of sales, we have a 25 month Absorption rate at the

Watermark Residences.  This means that it will take 25 months for the

current listed homes to sell based on the current rate of sales, up 7

months from our last report.

 

Watermark buyers don’t seem very interested at the present prices.

The listed avg. price/square foot is over $80 more than the 2 sales

so far this year.  The $2.7 million home does inflate the figures but

price/sq ft should be similar.  Summer has seen another sale here, but

overpriced homes just aren’t selling no matter where they are located.

 

Additional articles about Watermark Residences:

Watermark Country Club

Watermark CC Golf Pro ~ Mark Wilson

Watermark Country Club ~ Pool Time

The Grille Restaurant at Watermark

 

If you would like further information about Watermark Residences

Cascade or Forest Hills Homes, please contact me directly:

1-888-240-1968 ext 0

terry@terrywestbrook.com

Grand Rapids – Ada Real Estate  – Westbrook Realty

Copyright 2009  All rights reserved

photo of Watermark Residences Entrance by Bonnie Westbrook

Average Sale Price on the Rise in Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate for June 2009

Grand Rapids Market Report July 2009

The single family home sales continue to show signs of stabilization.

For the month of June, home sales were up 26.2% compared to

June 2008. Sales price of a single family home has seen an increase

in the average price for the third consecutive month to $119,923,

up from $97,073 in April 2009, but still down 12.5% ($130,220)

from last June, according to the figures prepared by the

Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS®. This is a 19.9% increase

in the home sale price from the beginning of 2009, where home

prices were an average of $95,010 for the month of January.

Grand Rapids Skyline over Grand River

Greg Carlson, President of the Grand Rapids Association of REALTORS®,

commented on the overall condition of the real estate market in West

Michigan, "We’re seeing small  improvements, consistent improvements,

in numerous areas of the market" said Greg.

"The average ‘days on market’ is going down, while the average

selling price, median sales price and the percentage of the listing

price compared to the sales price all continue to show improvement.

In some areas it is a seller’s market."

Julie Rietberg, CEO of the Association, commented on the numbers,

""Distressed properties continue to drag down the overall market,"

said Julie, "about half of all transactions are still distressed properties

and many are in pockets which really skew  the numbers. But the

reality is houses are selling; I’ve heard reports from numerous

REALTORS receiving full price offers, and offers above list."

The number of total active residential listings remains virtually

unchanged from 9,131  in June compared to 9,104 in May. Sales

year-to-date for single-family homes was up 10.9% compared to

one year ago.

Total Home Sales up 26.2% From a Year Ago

July Sales

Quoted from an article on GRAR

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Real Estate

photo of Grand Rapids Skyline by Bonnie Westbrook

Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ June 2009

Caledonia    June 2009     

Units Sold

Caledonia Units sold July 2009

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

Caledonia Sales Price Graph July 2009

Active Listings Mapped in Caledonia as of July 1, 2009

(Not all homes may be shown due to map scale)

Caledonia Active Lisitngs July 2009

Caledonia Michigan has plenty of homes for sale, current count is 166

active listings, ranging in price from $39,000 to $ 1,284,900.

Average List price is $ 327,393

Average Price/SqFt = $ 157.13

Average days on market is 128 days

If you would like to view a Caledonia Michigan home, please

contact us at 616-292-7263 or email: Terry@TerryWestbrook.com

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate

Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate Market Report ~ Centennial Park Condos ~ July 2009

Centennial Park Meadows Condominiums are located just off 28th Street

and Thornapple River Dr. in Cascade, Michigan. The Condos wrap around

the  Centennial Golf Course and community.

This private par 70 golf course has plenty of challenges for golfers at

every level.  This community also has a clubhouse and restaurant for

members.

We have relocated several clients into this community and they find it a

wonderful place to live. Just minutes from 28th Street & Cascade shopping,

dining and amusements, you are centrally located but tucked away from

the bustle of the area for quiet, serene living and easy access to golf.

golf bag, putter, hat and golf balls

                          Centennial Park Meadows Condos 

                             Real Estate Market Report

                                    July 2009

               0 For Sale,  0 Pending,  6 SOLD,

Centennial Condos Active Listings: 0

Centennial Condos Active Average Price $0

Centennial Condos Active average $/SqFt – $ 0

Centennial Condos Active average days on market – 0

Centennial Condos Sold Listings: 6

Centennial Condos Sold average price – $ 165,667

Centennial Condos Sold average $/SqFt – $ 95.71

Centennial Condos Sold average days on market – 161

 

The Absorption Rate for Centennial Park Condos is 0 months,

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

0 months for the existing condos to sell at the current rate

of sales.  This market is seeing sales and with no condos on the

market, it is difficult to say how long before they would sell.  With

the high number for sale over the winter, there may be sellers that

are waiting for a better market.

The average sold price is low for this area but higher than it was this

winter.

 

If you would like information about Grand Rapids – Cascade MI Condos

or Grand Rapids – Cascade MI Homes, please contact me directly.

If you would like this report emailed to your inbox every month, please

contact us.

Grand Rapids – Ada Real EstateWestbrook Realty

Copyright 2009  All rights reserved

photo of Golf Equipment by Bonnie Westbrook