Forest Hills, 3 Bedrooms, 2 & 1/2 Bathrooms | $237,900

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This is a stunning, end-unit condominium with more than 2,600 square feet of finished living space. There is a dramatic kitchen with granite countertops, marble flooring, cherry cabinetry and stainless appliances. The great room with fireplace and cathedral ceilings is expansive and opens to a beautiful four-season room. The main floor owner’s suite has great built-ins, 3 closets, and a tile and granite bathroom. The lower level walkout includes a family room, game area, two more bedrooms, a granite bathroom and ample storage. It’s privately located yet convenient to all areas of the city.
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Property Details:

Status: $237,900
Listing Price: 2512 Forest Bluff Dr. SE
Address: Grand Rapids
City: Michigan
State: 49546
ZIP: Forest Hills
School District:
MLS #: 11059643
TFLA Sq Ft: 2,606
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Garage: 1-Stall Attached
Fireplace: Yes
Other

Forest Hills, 5 Bedrooms, 4 & 2 1/2 Bathrooms | $899,000

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This is a beautiful 2-story Shurlow built home in the prestigious, gated community of Tammarron North. The stunning remodel, designed and executed by Insignia Homes, includes a gourmet kitchen, gleaming hardwoods throughout the main level, a second laundry room and home center. The dramatic 2-story great room has floor-to-ceiling windows that capture breathtaking views of the rear of the property. The spacious main floor owner’s suite includes tray ceilings, and a see-through fireplace to the bathroom. An impressive spiral staircase leads you to 3 large bedrooms, 2 baths and an additional laundry room on the 2nd level. The daylight lower level includes a family room, bedroom, bath and storage. The estate-like exterior includes an in-ground pool, hot tub, tennis court and beautiful landscaping on this 1.3 acre parcel. An excellent home, an extraordinary setting, a prominent neighborhood and in Forest Hills School District.
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Property Details:

Status: $899,000
Listing Price: 1360 Ballybunion Ct. SE
Address: Cascade Twp
City: Michigan
State: 49546
ZIP: Forest Hills
School District:
MLS #: 11058602
TFLA Sq Ft: 6,189
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4 & 2 1/2
Garage: 3+ Stalls Attached
Fireplace: 2
Other Tennis Court, In-Ground Pool

Four Reasons to Live in Forest Hills Michigan:

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Four Reasons to Live in Forest Hills Michigan:

Forest Hills is a great place to live and raise a family – or just enjoy life. People that live in this community know what it means to live in such a great area of West Michigan. For those that haven’t visited or are thinking of moving to the area, I thought it would be nice to know about some of the great things that Forest Hills Michigan offers.

 Forest Hills Public Schools

                Forest Hills has arguably the best school district in the state of Michigan. It is very well supported by parents and the community at large both financially and with involvement and participation from the entire community. Forest Hills consistently ranks at the top of school standardized test results like the MEAP test. Aside from earning high marks for their education standards, Forest Hills School District offers some unique education experiences. Two examples of this is “Good Willie” an environmental school that offers a unique approach to education. Also, the Chinese and Spanish emersion programs offer a larger world-view to education.

 Community

                Forest Hills offers an impressive variety of community centers for people to enrich their lives and well being. The local YMCA off of Forest Hills Ave. is a well maintained facility that people use for everything from continuing education to swimming lessons.

                A great place to stop and buy groceries is Forest Hills Foods located on the corner of Forest Hills Ave. and Cascade Rd. It offers a massive selection of foods rarely found in smaller scale community grocery stores. Additionally the cafe’ is a great place to get a quick cup of coffee or enjoy a bite to eat. If you’ve never been there stop by around lunch and you can see how much a part of the community Forest hills Foods is.

Arts & Culture

                The Forest Hills Fine Arts Center is a world class facility for creative endeavors. Featuring a beautiful theatre area, art galleries, and music performances from local and national acts throughout the year. An enormous benefit for anyone interested in taking an art class or who just likes to enjoy a show without a drive into downtown. However if the occasional city life is what you’re craving you’ll be glad to know that the Urban institute for contemporary Arts (UICA), the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and ArtPrize permanent location are just minutes away. 

The Outdoors

               There are numerous well maintained parks and trails throughout the area where people jog, bike, and enjoy the outdoors. Additionally, the baseball and soccer fields are well maintained and offer the community a safe and enjoyable experience with nature. The Thornapple River offers fishing and kayaking.

 Summation

                This list is just a “drop in the bucket” of the things available to the community of Forest Hills Michigan. Once you visit this area you won’t want to live anywhere else in West Michigan. If you would like advice on how to move to this great area of Michigan please contact me and I would be glad to be of service.

East Grand Rapids, 3 Bedrooms, 1 & 1/2 Bathrooms | $249,900

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This is a totally remodeled home from top to bottom with all of yesterday’s charm and all of today’s modern amentities. There are 3 spacious bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms and an additional fully-operational shower in the basement. The upstairs bath has shower, double sink, jacuzzi tub and tile flooring. There are gleaming hardwoods throughout and the living room includes a gas fireplace. The main floor den has vaulted ceilings. A whole-house surround sound has been installed with speakers outside and in every room inside. From the dining room there are sliders that lead to a new, large composite deck. A beautiful white, vinyl privacy fenced encloses the backyard. The remodeled kitchen includes custom pantry, a center island with vegetable sink, granite countertops, stainless appliances and a home center. There are newer windows, updated electrical and central air. A family room, cedar-lined storage and laundry is on the lower level. Great house, great street, great schools.
virtual tour

Property Details:

Status: $249,900
Listing Price: 2340 Argentina Dr. SE
Address: East Grand Rapids
City: Michigan
State: 49506
ZIP: East Grand Rapids
School District:
MLS #: 11055600
TFLA Sq Ft: 1,867
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1.5
Garage: 2 Stalls Detached
Fireplace: Yes
Other Extra Shower

East Grand Rapids, 5 bedrooms, 4 & 1/2 bathrooms | $695,000

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This is simple, pure, classic, mid-century modern architecture at its best. Built in the 50’s by Jordan Sheperd, this rare jewel is privately situated on a 1 acre parcel and completely surrounded by 11 acres that have been gifted to the City of East Grand Rapids, never to be developed. This exclusive EGR residence has never been publicly offered. Many of the original architectural elements remain, however all renovations have been executed without compromise to the initial design. This 4,000 square foot home includes 5 bedrooms, 4 1/2 bathrooms and generously proportioned living areas. The chef’s kitchen is expansive with all the amenities necessary for entertaining small or large groups. The entire perimeter of the house is wrapped with windows which allows you to be surrounded by the beautiful natural setting. It combines open planning principles and asymmetrical facade elevations. It achieves an effect of intimate and protective shelter. It is a rare East Grand Rapids opportunity.
virtual tour

Property Details:

Status: $695,000
Listing Price: 2626 Reeds Lake Blvd. SE
Address: East Grand Rapids
City: Michigan
State: 49506
ZIP: East Grand Rapids
School District:
MLS #: 11053110
TFLA Sq Ft: 3,992
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4.5
Garage: 2+Stalls Attached
Fireplace: Yes, 2
Other Built by Jordan Sheperd

Forest Hills, 5 Bedrooms, 2 & 1/2 Bathrooms | $259,900

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This home, located in Ada and Forest hills Schools, has been meticulously maintained both inside and outside. There are 5 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms and almost 2700 square feet of finished living space above grade. The traditional two-story home has spacious bedrooms and generously proportioned living areas. There have been tasteful updates that coincide with today’s design trends. The spacious kitchen opens to a large family room with fireplace. Sliders from the eating area lead to a cedar deck and expansive backyard. The kitchen has new countertops and stovetop, wood cabinetry, a home center and a neutral color palette. The half acre setting is park-like. This is a beautiful house, a tree-lined street and a location that is convenient to all areas of the city.virtual tour

Property Details

Status: $259,900
Listing Price: 7685 Whitburn Dr. SE
Address: Ada
City: Michigan
State: 49301
ZIP: Forest Hills
School District:
MLS #: 11052989
TFLA Sq Ft: 2,640
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 2.5
Garage: 2+Stalls Attached
Fireplace: Yes
Other

3 Most Important Goals When Selling Your Home (Part Three)

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The three most important goals when selling your home are: selling your home for the most amount of money in the least amount of time with the least amount of inconvenience to your lifestyle. The following are some important tips to help you achieve these goals:

Part Three – Selling Your Home with the Least Amount of Inconvenience to your Lifestyle.

If you haven’t already I’d suggest reading part one of my series to get some tips on how to prepare your home for showings that – once done – will save you from a lot of inconvenience in the long run.

To recap my previous post, remember you’re selling your space and not your things. If you have a fair amount of decorations, kids toys, or other things that aren’t used on a daily basis then put them away in the extra bedroom or storage space. You’ll find yourself having a much easier time getting your home in order for a showing because there will simply be less around to clean and put away. It’s better to have one room clearly used as a storage space than to have things spread throughout the house.

Kids Bedroom

This childs room feels spacious and easy to clean because there is no clutter.

If you have children the rule of thumb is…10, collect your 10 favorite toys, 10 favorite games, 10 favorite stuffed animals, 10 favorite videos, and then pack everything else. Your children will have everything that they enjoy most – and you will have everything else out of the way.

When you’re getting ready to list your house it’s a good time to think of potential questions buyers may have about the condition of the home. Any relevant information you can collect and present to your selling agent beforehand will inevitably make your experience selling your home much less stressful. If there are any association dues then make sure you communicate that to your agent. Calculate what your average utility bills are for the year so that information is available for your Realtor to answer those questions on your behalf. Again, getting this information organized before you list your home will smooth the process for your family because, there will be less “back and forth” over details about your home. Your days will be less interrupted and much more enjoyable while your home is on the market.

Calculator

Calculate your association dues and average utilities in advance.

In short, to sell your home with the least amount of inconvenience to your lifestyle you need to take the steps necessary to have your home and your family prepared before you list your home. Doing this will take the majority of the stress and disruption to your daily life out of the equation.

As a Realtor my first priority is making sure seller’s get the most money out of their home as possible. If you’re thinking of selling your home please contact me and I will perform a free market analysis (CMA) to help you determine the best strategy to price your home correctly and achieve your goals of the most amount of money in the least amount of time.

Northview, 8 Bedrooms, 6 & 1/2 Bathrooms | $1,200,000

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If you’re saving the best til last, start here and end your search. Once in a rare while will a truly wonderful home such as this be available. Built without compromise, this house reflects the best in architecture and craftsmanship. The French country residence is privately situated on 1.4 acres in the golf community at Thousand Oaks. Rooks Landscape designed and executed this award winning setting. The list of amenities is exhaustive and has everything on your wish list, and more. With more than 9,000 square feet of finished living space, each room is spacious and inviting. The gourmet kitchen includes superior appliances, tumbled marble floors, a walk-in and a butler pantry. There are both formal and informal living and eating areas. There are two bedroom suites on the main level and additional bedrooms/bathrooms on both upper and lower levels. The landscaping and in ground pool are exquisite. It is a world class residence with remarkable detailing and finishes.
virtual tour

Property Details:

Status: $1,200,000
Listing Price: 4410 Mystic Ridge Ct. NE
Address: Grand Rapids
City: MI
State: 49525
ZIP: Northview
School District:
MLS #: 12011421
TFLA Sq Ft: 9,000 +
Bedrooms: 8
Bathrooms: 6.5
Garage: 3+Stalls Attached
Fireplace: Yes, 4
Other Located in Thousand Oaks

Forest Hills, 4 Bedrooms, 3 & 1/2 Bathrooms | $299,900

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This house is located on one acre, on one of the most picturesque streets in Cascade Township and surrounded by homes of much higher value. Built by Ben Brinks, this 4 bedroom,3 1/2 bath, executive, walk-out ranch has almost 3000 square feet of finished living space. It has a newer roof, furnace, electrical and appliances. The 4th bedroom on the lower level is currently used as a reception area for an in-home business. The rooms are spacious and have architectural features that define space while keeping the floor plan very open. There is a neutral color palette throughout. The sun-drenched interiors have six sets of sliders that lead to an expansive deck and patio overlooking the park-like setting in the rear of the property. There are two, floor-to-ceiling brick fireplaces with raised hearths. The walkout lower level salon is easily converted to a 14 x 25 rec room. It has a fantastic location, Forest Hills School District and a meticulously maintained home and property.
virtual tour

Property Details:

Status: $299,900
Listing Price: 1936 Beard Dr. Se
Address: Grand Rapids Twp
City: MI
State: 49546
ZIP: Forest Hills
School District: $131,600
MLS #: 11046292
TFLA Sq Ft: 2,900
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5
Garage: 2+Stalls Attached
Fireplace: Yes
Other

Forest Hills, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms | $225,000

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This free standing, detached, one-owner condominium has been meticulously maintained and beautifully updated. Located in Forest Hills School District and on a cul-de-sac within the development, you will find new countertops, new carpet, wood flooring and paint, new furnace & central air and new electrical. This former model unit in Sabal Pointe has two fireplaces, both with raised hearths. The rooms are generously sized and offer a wide range of versatility. The second bedroom on the main level is currently used as a den/study. The owner’s suite has double closets, walk-in shower and soaking tub. There is a large, well designed kitchen with eating area and ample cabinetry. The finished daylight lower level has a large family room, bedroom, bathroon and a large storage room. Sabal Poine is conveniently located within minutes of everything in Grand Rapids. It’s a great location and a beautiful neighborhood. You’ll find quality construction and functional design.
virtual tour

Property Details:

Status: $225,000
Listing Price: 1928 Thorn Run Ct. Se
Address: Kentwood
City: MI
State: 49546
ZIP: Forest Hills
School District: $102,100
MLS #: 12006920
TFLA Sq Ft: 2,370
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Garage: 2 Stalls Attached
Fireplace: Yes
Other Sabal Pointe Condominiums

3 Most Important Goals When Selling Your Home (Part Two)

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The three most important goals when selling your home are: selling your home for the most amount of money in the least amount of time with the least amount of inconvenience to your lifestyle. The following are some important tips to help you achieve these goals:

Part Two – Selling Your Home in the Least Amount of Time

Before we get into all the details about how to sell your home quickly I think it’s important to discuss what a seller controls and what they can’t.
A Seller has Control Over: the condition of the property, the availability for showings, the price of the home, and whether  to offer a  home warranty.
A Sell has No control Over: the competition, the condition of the market, interest rates, and when the perfect buyer walks through your door.It’s important to keep this in mind because if you understand what you have control over – you can make wise decisions or adjustments to your strategy.

Every seller, understandably, wants to get the very most money out of their home when they decide to put it on the market. Sometimes the temptation is to set your price as high as you feel the market will bear and hope for the best. This is often the first mistake a seller will make.

There are many reasons why this can lengthen the time your home sits on the market. A potential buyer may not even look at the home thinking they simply can’t afford it. An overpriced home will help other homes in your neighborhood or area appear to be the better value. If a home sits on the market too long it will become “shop worn” causing people to assume something is wrong with the condition of the home. Overpricing tends to make it less likely that a buyer’s agent will show it.

Overpricing inevitably lengthens the marketing time resulting in a lower selling price than would normally otherwise be obtained. Today’s home buyer has endless tools to shop and compare homes. Lastly, because nearly every buyer needs to obtain financing through a bank, it’s futile to overprice a home.

So what sells a home faster? The right price, and the right condition.

To get your home sold for the most money in the least amount of time you have to price it “in the market.” In a market where the home values are rising, if a seller wants to get a price that is ahead of market values, you’re essentially betting that the market values will rise enough to make your home value attractive. It’s important to balance out how much time you want to have your home on the market vs. the amount of money you’re hoping to get from the sale of your home.

In a buyer’s market – like many agree we are in now – it’s important to price your home realistically so that you aren’t chasing after lowering home values because home values tend to drop faster than price reductions. Price your home competitively and there is a much greater likelihood that your home will sell faster.

Setting your home price “in the market” is important because a property generates the most interest when it firsts hits the market. Also, the number of showings is greatest during the first 30 days if it is priced at a realistic value. Starting too high and dropping the price later misses the excitement and will fail to generate strong activity. Many homes that start too high end up actually selling below market value.

Pricing your home competitively will generate the most activity from agents and buyers. Pricing your property too high will make it seem like less of a value against newer, well-priced listings. Ultimately, the value of your property is determined by what the buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept in today’s market. Buyers make their pricing decisions based on comparing your property to other SOL D properties in your area. Historically, the first offer a seller gets is usually the best.

As a Realtor my first priority is making sure seller’s get the most money out of their home as possible. If you’re thinking of selling your home please contact me and I will perform a free market analysis (CMA) to help you determine the best strategy to price your home correctly and achieve your goals of the most amount of money in the least amount of time.

3 Most Important Goals When Selling Your Home (Part One)

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The three most important goals when selling your home are: selling your home for the most amount of money in the least amount of time, with the least amount of inconvenience to your lifestyle. The following are some important tips to help you achieve these goals:

Part One – Getting the Most Amount of Money for your Home:

When selling your home you have to “re-wire” your thinking. Selling a home can be an emotional process. Being as objective about your home as possible and evaluating your home from the perspective of a potential buyer will go a long way towards communicating the value of your home. Making sure that your first impression is a memorable one is key.

Kitchen

This smaller galley kitchen feels spacious because of good staging techniques

This is often referred to as staging. You don’t have to have high-end furniture or appliances to make a home appear memorable. The most important thing to remember is that your selling your space…not your things. Therefore putting away unnecessary decorations, nick-knacks, and personal pictures will make your spaces and living areas appear less cluttered and easier for a potential buyer to imagine how they would use your space. Always remember less is more… to you your home might feel empty after you put your things away but, to a buyer it will make the living areas feel spacious.

You may love the lime-green kitchen or the dark blue color of your dining room but, your tastes are uniquely yours and aren’t necessarily shared by others. Re-painting some rooms with a more neutral color palette will ensure that buyers aren’t distracted by strong color choices. It’s a very affordable and quick way to update the feel of a living space. Lastly, don’t be afraid to remove a few pieces of furniture or re-organize how your furniture is arranged in a living area to make a room feel larger or easy to walk within.

It’s important to fix issues before your house goes on the market. The leaky faucet or the foggy window pane may not be a big issue for you at the time. However, when buyers go through your home they always notice the things not working and never the things that are. Most of the time these fixes are rather easy and affordable to take care of and will instill confidence in the buyer that they are viewing a well maintained, quality home.

Well Maintained Home

This home has excellent curb appeal because the landscape has been paid attention to.

Curb appeal counts! After all, the very first impression a buyer will have of your home is from the outside as they walk in. You don’t have to try and be like Martha Stewart in the garden… You do need to make sure that the grass is cut, the sidewalks are clear, and any bushes or perennials are trimmed. Take the same approach to the outside of your home as the inside by putting away lawn equipment, children’s toys, and additional seating for patio sets not often used.

The time spent addressing these issues will make your home appear well maintained, spacious, and desirable for potential buyers of your home.

Look for Part Two next week when I discuss “Selling your Home in the Least Amount of Time.” To schedule a consultation on how I can help sell your home please contact me by clicking on the link here.