About 76 percent of home owners believe their home is worth more than their agent’s recommended listing price — that’s up from 73 percent last year, according to a new survey conducted by HomeGain of real estate professionals and home owners. On the other hand, 68 percent of home buyers say homes are overpriced, with 32 percent saying homes are overpriced by more than 10 percent. “Home buyers and sellers continue to remain apart as to home valuations with the vast majority of home owners thinking their homes are worth more than their agents and the market are telling them,” Louis Cammarosano, general manager of HomeGain said in a statement.
Community News
Survey Says: Sellers Overvalue Their Homes…
Check Out One Of My Newest Listings at 3434 Briar Bank Pl – Grand Rapids Twp!
Fantastic Forest Hills home tucked away on wooded, private, 2-acre lot but only minutes to downtown Grand Rapids. 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath, quality-built brick home with walkout lower level. More than 3-thousand square feet of living space plus another 1000 square feet of finished space in the lower level. Kitchen with stainless appliances is open to family room with beamed ceilings and wood-burning fireplace. Formal dining room and amazing formal living room with wooded views from each window. Main floor den can be converted in to 5th bedroom. Full bath is attached to main floor bedroom. Spacious second floor owner’s suite with large attached owner’s bath with dual sinks. Three more bedrooms on the second floor and a second full bath. Main floor laundry. Wonderful built-ins throughout home. Screened-in porch overlooking wooded ravine. Attached 2 stall garage. Newer roof and furnace. Low Grand Rapids township taxes. Forest Hills Northern High School and Collins Elementary. $399,000. Call me today for more info!
G-Wrap sandwich from Bobarino’s wins Grandwich competition
Hats off to our pals at Bobarino’s, a Gilmore Collection Restaurant, for winning the local Grandwich competition! If you’d like to try out the tasty naan-pulled-pork-andouille sausage concoction on Cheryl Grant’s tab, just refer a friend — someone either relocating to Grand Rapids, or looking to sell or buy a new home – to us and you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate for a night out at a Gilmore Collection restaurant. We’re delighted they’ve won! Read more online at Mlive.com. Here’s a “taste” of the story:
By Troy Reimink, The Grand Rapids Press
The votes and contented belches are in, and the winner of the Grandwich sandwich competition is the G-Wrap, a recipe from Bobarino’s in the B.OB.More than 40 local restaurants answered a call to devise new sandwiches and compete for the Grandwich title, and after a tasting event Saturday afternoon at Rosa Parks Circle, top honors went to the G-Wrap, a wrap sandwich on naan bread consisting of pulled pork, andouille sausage and spicy pickle slaw. B.O.B. executive chef Jared Miller said the sandwich will be a permanent addition to the menu at Bobarino’s. (more…)
Grand Rapids ranks No. 2 on RelocateAmerica’s list of top U.S. cities
At CherylGrant.com, we’re pleased — and unsurprised — that our fair city has been recognized as No. 2 on RelocateAmerica’s list of top U.S. cities. As a relocation specialist, I’ve helped people relocating here find their dreamhomes. Many are moving to Grand Rapids for positions at Van Andel Institute, Spectrum Health, Churches and Manufacturing. All have been impressed with the selection of homes and prices available. They too are impressed with the education options including public and private. The other comment I often hear is how many “really cool” things are happening in the city, not only downtown, but in other neighborhoods such as Eastown and Midtown. I can easily see why Grand Rapids ranked so high in this survey.
The following are excerpts from Troy Reimink’s blog for The Grand Rapids Press at MLive.com. Please follow this link to read the full story.
Today in lists: Grand Rapids comes in at No. 2 on RelocateAmerica’s ranking of the nation’s top 10 places to live.
The Brighton-based company assembled a list of America’s top 100 cities — based on “local housing markets and economies, cultural and recreational opportunities, and safety, plus … feedback from city leaders and residents” — then asked residents to submit content that would convince the judges their hometown was a great place to live.
The top 10, announced today, are as follows: 1. Austin, Tex.; 2. Grand Rapids; 3. Boulder, Colo.; 4. Raleigh, N.C.; 5. Dallas, Tex.; 6. Greenville, S.C.; 7. Augusta, Ga.; 8. Boise, Idaho; 9. Omaha, Neb.; 10. Oklahoma City, Okla.
From the site’s write-up:
It feels especially good to name Grand Rapids, Michigan a top 10 place to live, especially after it was named one of “America’s Dying Cities” by Newsweek in January. What really caught our attention about this city, though, is its response. It didn’t get mad. It made a video. And, not just any video. A video with 5,000 residents (that’s not a typo), lip synching to Don McClean‘s “American Pie” while touring every aspect of the city. Now, that’s what we call true community spirit– and that’s what being a top 10 city is all about. (Editorial note: Newsweek claims the article was not done by them but was posted to its website as part of a content-sharing deal.) (more…)
Check out the Brewery Vivant in East Hills…
The team at CherylGrant.com is always looking to support local businesses around town and we especially enjoy finding new, high-fun-quotient places to eat (and drink, and be merry.) We found it at the new Brewery Vivant, which started full menu service just last weekend. Step inside and you will feel like you just stepped inside a Belgian monastery…except you won’t find monks walking around in robes. Instead you’ll find a pretty casual scene where you can come for a goblet of beer with friends, or bring the whole work team down for dinner. Check out their website or stop by 925 Cherry SE for a live sampling of wares!
Grand Rapids’ Eastown homes first in line for energy-saving upgrades from federal grant
Check out this Grand Rapids Press article that discusses the impact of a new $500,000 federal grant program that will help homeowners in Eastown make their homes more energy-efficient. Follow the link at the bottom to read the whole story at Mlive.
GRAND RAPIDS — Lee Hardy cringed as a thermal infra-red camera showed cold air leaking from a recessed ceiling light during an energy audit of his Eastown home.
“I regret putting them in,” Hardy said with a wan smile as the hand-held camera revealed a black wave of cold air streaming across an otherwise golden background.
Hardy and 428 of his Eastown neighbors will soon be able to fix energy leaks like that and reap other energy savings in their homes thanks to a $500,000 federal grant program.
Read the rest of the story HERE
2011 the Most Incredible Buyer’s Market Ever
The Real Estate analysts are saying we are about to experience the most incredible buyer’s market ever. Years from now, when you look back on the current market some of you will be grateful that you took advantage of the market to get the home you’ve always wanted either buying for the first time or stepping up to a new home. The attached brochure will show you a compelling case for buying a home now.
After reviewing this brochure, please let me know if you have questions. Also, know I’m always available to talk with you about your specific needs and to send you homes to review. Homes have never been more affordable, lenders have improved the short sale process, interest rates are still very low. NOW is the time to Buy.
Happy New Year,
Cheryl Grant/RE/MAX Realty
Link to Brochure: Reasons to Buy
Need-To-Knows Before You Buy
There are obvious decisions that need to be made before embarking on a home purchase. How much can you afford to pay? How much do you feel comfortable paying? Which neighborhoods offer the kinds of homes and amenities — like good schools, shops and transportation nearby — that you want? How secure is your employment? Do you have enough cash reserves for emergencies?
In addition to these practical considerations, you should find out as much as possible about the local area. Does it have a strong and diversified economic base? Is employment improving or are employers laying workers off? Are businesses moving into or out of the area?
Are new facilities planned that will impact the community, like a freeway that might change the character of a neighborhood by creating unwanted noise? This could negatively impact property values. (more…)
Can-Do Partners in Sourcing a Mortgage in Grand Rapids
Today more than ever, I find that clients need someone who is in their court when navigating the process of securing a mortgage. A best practice for buyers in the real estate market is to first, pre-qualify, then hunt for your dream home. That gives you more freedom to act quickly and competitively when the right opportunity presents itself. In a competitive bidding situation, vendors prefer the offer with no conditions — including financing! There are far fewer stressed-out, last-minute disappointments if you know going in what you can comfortably afford.
There are two mortgage experts in the Grand Rapids area who I feel go above and beyond for my clients. I encourage anyone looking to relocate to Grand Rapids, or within the Grand Rapids area, or even those simply looking for a refi to contact one of my associates with confidence. Tell them Cheryl Grant sent you, and to take good care of you!
Gregg Teegardin, Mortgage Lender
Founders Bank & Trust
616.575.3809 – Direct Line
616.446.5662 – Cell
616.956.7732 – Fax
gteegardin@foundersbt.com
Richard A. Veldman, Branch Manager
MetLife Home Loans
Office: (616) 285-2100
Direct E Fax: (866) 940-1577
General Office Fax: (616) 285-2195
Web Site: www.richardveldman.com
Support the Special Olympics with the Festival of Trees Nov. 20th!
Make a difference in Grand Rapids by joining the Cheryl Grant team in its support of the Special Olympics Michigan Area 11 Festival Of Trees, sponsored and organized by the Gilmore Group.
The Event. Beautifully designed trees and wreaths will be displayed at each Gilmore location through Nov. 20th. Guests will have the opportunity to view these creations, vote on their favorite, and consider making a donation to Festival of Trees.
Festival Of Trees Festival Gala On November 20th The B.O.B. will be transformed into a winter wonderland! The evening will include a display of all trees and wreaths, entertainment, exciting silent auction prizes, live auction of the trees, cash bar and more. To purchase tickets or read more about the “Passport program” leading up to the Gala, visit the Festival of Trees website at Festival of Trees
