Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Market Report Sept 2008 ~ Crystal Springs

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Crystal Springs Development in Caledonia, MI is a large, residential

suburban housing development that was started in the late 1980’s and

most construction was finished in the 1990’s although some newer homes

have been built since 2000. There are also a few vacant lots left to develop.

This development covers a large area around the Crystal Springs Golf Course

grounds south of 68th Street to 72nd Street and encompassing Kalamazoo

Avenue on the east and west. This development has single family homes and

condos, many located right on the Crystal Springs Golf Course. (See related

article on the acquisition of Crystal Springs Golf Club)

The public school system is Kentwood, even though the address is Caledonia.

Crystal Springs is close to the shopping plaza at 68th and Kalamazoo,

Kentwood High School, and a short hop to M-6, which is the south beltline for

the Greater Grand Rapids area connecting US 131 on the west and I96 on the

east side of the city.

birdhouse in tree

September 2008 Real Estate

Residential Market Report

Crystal Springs Neighborhood

29 For Sale, 2 Pending, 17 Sold

Address Price Sq Ft $/SqFt DOM

FOR SALE:

1424 Silver Springs 219,900 2544 86.43 95

1285 68th St 159,900 2349 68.07 7

1481 Crystal Valley 299,900 2270 132.11 52

6958 Fairway Vista 169,900 1504 112.96 163

7535 Barn Swallow Ct 169,900 1516 112.07 119

1931 Hollow Creek 184,900 2000 92.45 171

6950 Kalamazoo 189,900 1765 107.59 150

6892 Crystal View 199,900 1714 116.62 86

1634 Sweet Grass 199,900 2000 99.95 164

2026 Blackmountain 219,000 2112 103.69 8

7211 Meadowgrass 229,900 2164 106.23 142

1563 Old Lantern Ct 234,900 2402 97.79 228

7450 Missoula Dr 207,609 2736 75.88 239

7439 Stillwater Dr 449,900 3200 140.59 18

7320 Old Lantern 249,900 2016 123.95 46

1845 Hollow Creek 224,900 2000 114.95 101

7277 Misty Morning 259,900 2270 114.49 171

7272 Misty Morning 275,000 2386 115.25 160

7036 Crystal View 279,000 1683 165.77 150

7368 Old Lantern 279,900 2390 117.11 170

7394 Old Lantern 289,000 3100 93.22 49

7387 Old Lantern 289,900 2875 100.83 45

7096 Summit Hill 299,900 3022 99.23 23

7095 Crystal View 315,000 2555 123.28 95

7350 Old Lantern 349,900 3031 115.44 53

1907 Landoshire Ct 214,900 1820 118.07 36

6882 Crystal View 249,000 1806 137.87 41

1438 Silver Springs 289,900 2628 110.31 25

7350 Heather Rdg 350,000 3500 100.00 28

PENDING:

2078 Eaststone St 169,900 1924 88.36 84

1588 Crystalline Dr 104,900 1620 64.70 148

SOLD:

1361 68th St 226,500 1771 134.10 182

1460 Crystal Valley 213,000 2652 90.12 85

6950 Old Lantern Dr 145,100 2671 54.32 6

2086 Eaststone 145,500 1644 88.50 46

2116 Glen Canyon 153,000 1368 110.38 47

7377 Misty View Ct 161,000 1407 114.42 104

1776 Spring Meadow 165,900 1592 103.95 102

7193 Meadowgrass 166,500 1536 108.39 30

7079 Old Lantern Dr 175,000 2135 81.96 8

7561 Barn Swallow 178,000 1189 149.70 88

7458 Misty View Ct 219,000 2112 103.69 36

7474 Old Lantern Dr 270,000 2500 108.00 40

7361 KingsCrossingCt 280,500 3220 87.11 71

1370 KingsCrossingDr 390,000 4954 78.72 105

7350 Royal Ridge 335,000 3900 85.89 77

7429 Old Lantern Dr 298,000 3800 78.42 77

7222 Crystal Stone 155,900 1504 103.65 48

550 homes have sold so far this year in the Kentwood

School District and the average price is $121,303.

If you would like additional information about Caledonia

or Kentwood Homes, please contact me directly at

1-888-240-1968 ext 0

photo of birdhouse 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 Sports Hall of Fame 2008 Inductee ~ Mark Wilson, Watermark Golf Pro

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

We have known Mark Wilson since the late 1970’s, when he first became

the golf pro at Hickory Hills Golf Club or was it Forest Hills Golf? Lots of things

have changed at our course but he hasn’t changed a bit, he is still the

friendliest, most professional golf pro we have ever known.

Mark is going to be inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of

fame on Aug 21, 2008. An honor Mark has well earned.

Let me tell you a little about Mark’s accomplishments. He is a Michigan native

and has resided in Grand Rapids since graduating from college. He is also a

Rhodes scholar, lest you think golfers aren’t cerebral.

Mark has been fascinated and personally involved in the PGA Rules of Golf

for as long as I can remember. These days you might see him on TV standing

next to Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods at any premier PGA event and

giving some unwelcome news about his golf ball and/or penalty strokes.

You see, Mark is the Chairman of the PGA of America Rules Committee.

He travels around the world to PGA golf events to be available for a ruling.

Be aware if you ask a question about the rules, he will quote the page number

or decision rendered about your question.

Members at Watermark have tried for years to stump Mark but we finally have

given up. When you see him, ask “When was the last time you played

golf? With all his duties he seldom has the time. Maybe after this year when

his term as chair of the PGA rules expires.

An excerpt from the Watermark Newsletter about Mark:

Mark Wilson, our Head Professional, has served the

membership of Watermark Country Club for over 25

Years. He is responsible for overseeing the total golf

operation at Watermark. His exceptional attention to

detail has produced years of quality and consistency

in both our regular and tournament play. Mark is

currently the chairman of the PGA of America Rules

Committee. He has served at all the PGA Tour major tournaments, several

European Tour tournaments as well as every Ryder Cup since 1995. Our

membership is proud to have him as our pro and look forward to many more

years with him in that role.

Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame

Transnation Title goes Local – Good News for West Michigan

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Typically this story goes in the other direction. The large corporation buys out

a locally successful business and relocates the core to their home offices,

sooner or later. Here in West Michigan we have seen this happen frequently

to some of our large local companies. Many long time employees lose their

jobs, must scramble to find a comparative position or relocate. That is why

this is so newsworthy! We are encouraged for the local area by this

one reversal….

Do you think they have read ” Small is Beautiful ” by E.F. Schumacher?

Transnation Title Agency Press Release:

National Company Goes Local

LandAmerica Financial Group (NYSE LFG) announced on July 1,

2008 that it has sold its twelve West Michigan Transnation

Title Insurance operations to a group of its senior Michigan

executives and key Western Michigan employees.

The purchaser, OFTA, LLC, has formed several title agencies and will

be commonly known as Transnation Title Agency of Michigan. The agency

has entered into a long term exclusive contract with LandAmerica and

will issue title insurance policies through LandAmerica’s two primary

underwriters, Lawyers Title Insurance Company and Commonwealth Land

Title Insurance Company.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Transnation Title Agency of Michigan is led by Monte Reinert who most recently

served as the Michigan Manager for LandAmerica’s title operations. Joining

Reinert on the executive team will be title industry veterans Tom Olson, Tom

Host, Sharlene Shineldecker, Steve Barnum, William VanHulle, Ed Tuma,

and Gary Opper.

Reinert indicated that this transaction was quite unique within the title industry

in the sense that a major underwriter had agreed to sell what is considered by

many to be its jewel operation in the Midwest. “We were successful in

demonstrating to LandAmerica that by selling the operations to us, we could

actually help LandAmerica increase its market share and operating margins

which, over the past few years, have become the overriding focus of all the

national title insurance companies. That focus has resulted in strategies aimed

at reducing costs through standardization of processes and centralization.

Centralization simply means that large segments of our day to day work is

relocated to work centers in other partsof the country. That strategy goes

against our group’s belief that superior service can best be

achieved through the efforts of highly trained and dedicated people

that customers know and can interact with on a local basis.”

Transnation executive Tom Olson stated that as unique as it was for

LandAmerica to sell a prime title operation, it is even more unique

that the agency will be wholly owned by a large number of its

75 employees rather than just a few individuals oroutside

investors. “It is exciting for me that so many employees were able to

become direct owners of this venture. We believe that our ownership

structure will empower employees at the local level to make decisions,

solve problems, and take whatever action necessary to get the job

done for our customers.”

Reinert further stated that Transnation was instrumental in negotiating with

LandAmerica to keep the Zeeland title production center from being closed and

relocated to Twinsburg. Ohio. This not only prevented most of the

positions associated with the Zeeland location from being

eliminated, it allows for Transnation to keep the preparation of its

title products in the hands of local experts familiar with the title

intricacies of West Michigan.

Transnation will be a full service title operation offering title insurance

and related title products for both residential and commercial transactions,

transaction management, escrow and closing services, mobile and bi-lingual

closings, 1031 Exchanges, customer marketing materials, builder

services, and customer information services.

Terry Westbrook Five Star Real Estate LLC

Free Movie Nights ~ John Collins Park, East Grand Rapids Michigan

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Friday Night !! – Free Movies!! – John Collins Park- East Grand Rapids MI

Friday night is free movie night at John Collins Park in East Grand Rapids

this summer. The city of East Grand Rapids will be showing family rated

movies on a huge drive in movie screen at sundown. The 2008 Movies

in the Park is sponsored by Macatawa Bank. Bring your lawn chairs or a

blanket for the show. There will be a popcorn machine and an ice cream

wagon available if you get the munchies.

Jed's SMALL serving of popcorn by psd.

The movies scheduled:

Friday August 1 – The Game Plan

Friday August 15 – Cars

Friday August 29 – National Treasure

*List of movies may change due to availability

http://www.flickr.com/photos/psd/53316358/

Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Silver Maple Music Festival ~ Fifth Third Ball Park Aug 2, 2008

Posted on July 31, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan:

The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny.

BORED?????

What ya Gonna Do??

Get yourself a ticket for the Silver Maple Music Festival!

One day, Seven Bands

at Fifth Third Ball Park, Comstock Park, Michigan

Kids under 12 are free and the gates open at 11 am.

Festivities start at Noon. Tickets are $40 and available

through the West Michigan Whitecaps website

Bands Featured are:

Aphrodesia
Big Leg Mama
Greensky Bluegrass
The Milroys
Donna the Buffalo
The Ragbirds
Railroad Earth
For details, see Silver Maple Music Festival

Monday Blues? Remedy = Free Concerts at John Ball Park

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

Are you having those Monday Blues? One of the best ways to cure them

would be to take your lawn chairs, picnic goodies, and get yourself

down to the John Ball Zoo on Monday nights from June 16th to

August 11 2008 in Grand Rapids, MI.

The West Michigan Jazz Society is spreading the love with free concerts

on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

The lineup for this summer is:

June 16 – The Truth in Jazz Orchestra

June 23 – Noel Webley and the Jazz People

June 30 – New Orleans Nouveau – Mark Kahnny Sextet ~

New flavored Dixie

July 7 – Chicago vocalist Petra Van Nuys with her Trio

July 14 – The Mellow Marshes – Randy on drums, Arno on tenor sax

July 21 – The Fred Knapp Trio with Dave Proulx at piano & vocals

July 28 – Evidence – Michael Doyle Quintet – Latin Swing

Aug 4 – Mary Rademacher & Rick Reuther with The Hagens

– vocalists

Aug 11 – Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra led by Tim Froncek,

Steve Talaga on keys

**Concerts are free ~ the hat is passed for a good will offering

to help defray costs.

If you would like further information about Grand Rapids

Homes, please contact your neighborhood specialist,

Terry@TerryWestbrook.com,

toll free at 1-888-240-1968 ext 1 Terry Westbrook.com

Terry Westbrook – Westbrook Realty

West Michigan Goes Hollywood

Posted on May 13, 2008 by Terry & Bonnie

The enactment of the Michigan legislation to offer rebates and aggressive

tax incentives to movie production companies in Michigan has prompted Tictock

Studios,based in Holland, Michigan, to announce plans to operate a financing and

production company with the ability to invest up to $20 million per project with

most films comingin under $10 million. Their first film will be “Tug,” which

qualifies for the incentive programs and is set for production in early

summer.

Tictock, which bills itself as the first Michigan-based studio, has acquired the

ReddiWhipfactory in Holland and plans to renovate the 76,000-square-foot

facility with private money and some state credits.

hollywood sign

Holland based TicTock Studios, has hired Jeffrey Stott, a well known Hollywood

producer to help implement the job training that will turn the unemployed in

Michigan into behind the scenes technical jobs in the movie and film industry.

The Michigan legislators have passed and Governor Granholm has signed into

law a bill with the most aggressive incentives to date to bring film crews to

Michigan to make their movies in the future. This strategy has worked for other

states, like Louisiana and New Mexico. TicTock Studios will take online

resumes if you would like to be in the movies behind the scenes.

They are looking for people with trades backgrounds, such as electricians,

painters, & set technicians. There is also a job training program is in conjunction

with Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI that started its initial

class

on April 7th.

You might be seeing a lot of Michigan sunsets in the movies soon!

Search Grand Rapids Homes for Sale

Featured Grand Rapids Homes

Greater Grand Rapids Area Information

Contact me: 1-888-240-1968 x 0 toll free

Website url: Terry Westbrook.com

Email: terry@TerryWestbrook.com

Sources: Variety & LA Times Articles

http://www.flickr.com/photos/patmccarthy68/132255559/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgbalancesrocks/67691034/

Grand Rapids Real Estate

Grand Rapids Real Estate Information

Tag Archives: Grand Rapids Michigan

Caledonia Michigan Real Estate Market Report Sept 2008 ~ Crystal Springs

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

Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame 2008 Inductee ~ Mark Wilson, Watermark Golf Pro

Transnation Title goes Local – Good News for West Michigan

Free Movie Nights ~ John Collins Park, East Grand Rapids Michigan

Grand Rapids Michigan ~ Silver Maple Music Festival ~ Fifth Third Ball Park Aug 2, 2008

Monday Blues? Remedy = Free Concerts at John Ball Park

West Michigan Goes Hollywood